*freeatlast was having another glass of some fine good oldey Pulteney, having some thoughts on his mind he was willing to share with the rest of the masses, while listening some good music as usual on his gramophone. Not having taken the precaution to clear his throat or waste some 10mm parabellums into the air, thinging about his ancestry, he started to talk to the masses...*

"Howdy evrybody!

I heard so many talks in the streets about the question of trust. Not just recently but for a long time. It was more Bold guys or soon to get that suit talking, and heard so few wise or less than wise guys talk. Some times we have wise people around, and sometimes even wiser. And I hope you will agree with me we want to hear their opinion on the mater..."

*freeatlast pours himself another glass*

"We all need to think about somethings:

- If your leader doesn't speak to you, explain things to you, would it be as a simple thing as what a tag means, do you trust him?

-If your Leader buys you off from a hitlist, or vows for you, no mater the danger, do you apreciate that?

- Supose your lazy leader treats you like less than shit, after being his second biggest hitter and second best earner, do you push him to the edge of his nerves, just to kill you so you could be set free, or do you just retire/suicide?

-If a leader demotes you to thug and says he doesn't like your humor, for not knowing you, after choosing you for his RH, you would trust him?

-If you kiss the hand of a Godfather, asking for a favor he knows one day will be repayed with much profit, do you just apreciate the fact that he laughed at your face before?

-Do you apreciate when you are shown some trust and respect by people you didn't know before, even after having a dubious past?

-Are you ready to risk some lifes, ranks, and money to show you care about people?

-Do our pasts teach us something? At least how people around us are? Does our ancestry make some bonds?"

-Can we all pardon some errors from the past?

*freeatlast bows his hat to the attenders, and walks away humbly, to attend some obituary*

Do you appreciate when you are shown some trust and respect by people you didn't know before, even after having a dubious past?

Some of the questions, well actually most of the questions you asked were obviously yes. Do I like when someone appreciates me, Yes.

Do I like when I am trusted, Yes. Do I like when my leader is nice to me, Yes.  The meaning of for this conversation was good, but the questions you asked were no-brainers.  Make the questions harder to answer and you will get more intuitive answers.

For me DarthMaul, evry question is a part of my DNA, not just pure rethorical questions...

FrostByte had been lurking along a dark corner. A few things caught her ears so she thought she'd inch closer and listen better. Giving all of her attention to the topic at hand she thought it over. Finally deciding on her own answers she approached.

This is quite interesting.

First things first though, if a leader doesn't speak to me I am not likely to join their families in the first place. After all who wants to be just another number? Most people want to be noticed or at least appreciated I would think.

Vows or vouches? Either way my line has had leaders that bought hit lists off of them and even leaders that were not their own do so. Each person was thanked if my ancestors knew about it. Nothing goes unappreciated when it comes to things like that. It also helps in the fact that if your leader can bother to buy you off the hit list then perhaps you are doing something right.

If I were truly unhappy I would not push. I would request my death. Sometimes things do not work out. Perhaps your personalities clash, your goals differ or something just happens. I can only hope that if I go that route that my next of kin would have made a better choice in their lifetime on who they chose to work for.

Ah humor. As far as humor goes, not everyone understands each person's humor. Sometimes it can be hurtful or come across rude. So if you don't know the person it is likely best to avoid cracking jokes that they may not see as funny. As far as a leader demoting you, well that is up to the leader. I certainly couldn't tell them how to do their jobs. I am sure if you spoke to them about it in a reasonable manner though they would discuss how it lead up to that conclusion.

I can't comment about kissing hands of Godfathers and asking for favors. I don't kiss. Germs spread that way. In all seriousness though, I have never been in such a situation so I am not sure how I would feel about that.

Do I appreciate trust and respect?

FrostByte pauses momentarily. Slightly unsure of how to answer for a moment.

Sure. I mean I suppose I would but it would mean more if it was sincere. Sincere respect and trust is often repaid in kind.

As far as risking lives go, I am prepared to do whatever it takes to keep my leader safe as best as I can.

My ancestors past is riddled with bad things. Do I think that it should affect me or how my mother behaved? Nope. It has taught me many things and from it I still learn as I go along. The only thing I am concerned with is being the best that I can be. I will hold myself to my standards and to those that my leader has set for me.

Pardons for the past? I believe the past should not be held against you. You are not your brother, uncle, aunt, cousin, second cousin twice removed, etc. However, sometimes it is hard to forget what is written in journals. So while you may think that you deserve a pardon, someone else may not think so. Personal perspective. You just need to keep moving forward.

Coming to the end of her thoughts FrostByte pushed a strand of hair back. She glanced around her as she stepped to the side.

Thank you FrostByte for your input. But I thought about hearing some less experienced people's opinion to hear than yours ;)

FrostByte smiles politely.

I do not believe that I am the only experienced line that has replied to you. However, you seem to pick up on my line. While I appreciate the honesty I would also like to point out that if you are making speeches for the masses you will get both answers from experienced and inexperienced. Perhaps the inexperienced could learn something from the experienced and vice versa.

You asked questions, you will receive replies. It does not make sense for you to shut down people from speaking on a subject you brought up regardless of their line's experience.

However, you seem to pick up on my line.

I don't see why you say so FrostByte. I certainly do respect your Boss, and to clarify my words, by:

It was more Bold guys or soon to get that suit talking, and heard so few wise or less than wise guys talk. Some times we have wise people around, and sometimes even wiser. And I hope you will agree with me we want to hear their opinion on the mater...

I meant I wanted to hear some people without much experience talk about their experience, not to sound disrespectfull towards any of you.

Best regards.

She wanders over to the discussion and overhears something about it only being open to newer bloodlines and shakes her head.

Pish posh. You asked your questions publicly and you'll get answers from the public regardless of how many generations have graced our Streets. Do the words of those taught by their parents and grandparents carry less value with you? So on with the show, I shall answer all of your questions. Each and every one of them.

If your leader doesn't speak to you, explain things to you, would it be as a simple thing as what a tag means, do you trust him?

First off, I would direct my questions to my sponsor. If I did not have a sponsor I would then ask the person appointed to help new members to the family with questions. If all else fails I'd find my way to the Help Library or that place City Hall makes announcements and such... then do my own research. I do not feel the need to bother my leader with questions that in a pinch I can find out the answers for myself.

If your Leader buys you off from a hitlist, or vows for you, no mater the danger, do you apreciate that?

Of course I would show my appreciation and pay him or her back as soon as possible with an extra lump of cash for the trouble.

Supose your lazy leader treats you like less than shit, after being his second biggest hitter and second best earner, do you push him to the edge of his nerves, just to kill you so you could be set free, or do you just retire/suicide?

Lazy leader? How do you know that he or she is not busy tending to other business? There is a chain of command in all crews and families. How this is organised is up to the leader and those they choose to help run the family or crew. Why would one push their leader to the edge where reason states you should die? Why would you trouble someone who offers you protection in this manner? Do I sense a bit of bad blood in the past regarding your bloodline and this question? Not all leaders are lazy, good for nothing bastards.

If a leader demotes you to thug and says he doesn't like your humor, for not knowing you, after choosing you for his RH, you would trust him?

Yes, I would trust my leader at this point. I obviously fucked up and regardless of my relationship with my leader I should be punished for it regardless of my rank or standing in the crew. If what I did called for a demotion, then a demotion I will take. A demotion is better than death. If I were his or her Right Hand at the time I would step down until I could prove my worth.

If you kiss the hand of a Godfather, asking for a favor he knows one day will be repayed with much profit, do you just apreciate the fact that he laughed at your face before?

This question is all over the place. Why would you ask your Godfather a favour? Unless you are a member of their family or crew you shouldn't approach a city's Godfather directly. You should go to your leader and have him or her decide if it is worth troubling the city head with.  No one appreciates being laughed at, however if if can be avoided by going through the proper channels why not do so?

Do you apreciate when you are shown some trust and respect by people you didn't know before, even after having a dubious past?

Well obviously people who don't know you don't know about your dubious past. They weren't there, they didn't experience. We should all be appreciative of any respect we are paid regardless of who it is from.

Are you ready to risk some lifes, ranks, and money to show you care about people?

When I become a member of a family I put that family first. If it means dying, then it means dying. That's part of the oath a Made Man or Woman takes. I always donate my spare cash to my family as they need it too. You can show you care by not only contributing financially and respecting your leader's rules by helping teach new people how this place works or representing your crew or family in the Streets with pride.

Do our pasts teach us something? At least how people around us are? Does our ancestry make some bonds?"

Obviously past generations hand down their knowledge to those that are coming to these Streets. They teach us to be wary of some and welcome others into our lives. They send us out into the world prepared for what is coming. All people are going to make bonds, that's what a crew, family, city are for isn't it? This place is a social melting pot, people with ancestry that spans the world. Humans are social creatures.

Can we all pardon some errors from the past?

Honestly, no. Not "all" people are capable of pardoning errors from the past regardless of how many years have passed. I know some that hold grudges toward some that go back multiple generations, some even decades. Not everyone is capable of moving on or understanding the term "Let it go."

<em>She picks up her handbag and smiles sweetly.</em>

I do hope that my answers have helped you in your quest for knowledge. Even if my bloodline is "old and experienced" my words deserve to be heard as much as any newer member to our society.

<em>She nods in freeatlast's general direction.</em>

Do be sure to have a nice day sir.

What a rough day, non of this day job work well for me... -F***- I'm inwardly cursing my self for an unlucky star fortune I had today. While enjoying  myself the corner of the bar, since nothing I can do right now, some grifter start spilling something from his mind to everybody in the room... -what a genius- I thought for my self, but alas, it was something interesting that whacky has babbling out...

- If your leader doesn't speak to you, explain things to you, would it be as a simple thing as what a tag means, do you trust him?

Can't say anything about this, because, I'm still nobody on my family, I only do what my upper level told me to do period. None question asked whatsoever come from me. But, for my self, if lady luck gave her blessing to me, and maybe, somehow, in the future I became someone in my family, someone who have power, saomeone who have right to say his mind to the top guy, i thought it would be an awkward situation. If the leader never say anything or give any explanation, I would say, that's not a family to me

-If your Leader buys you off from a hitlist, or vows for you, no mater the danger, do you apreciate that?

It's damn sure I would very appreciate that....for me life is above everything. If you're a fish food, there's ain't nothing you can do isn't it?

- Suppose your lazy leader treats you like less than shit, after being his second biggest hitter and second best earner, do you push him to the edge of his nerves, just to kill you so you could be set free, or do you just retire/suicide?

Suppose so, even if I'm in a family, i have my own code, if the good for nothing leader treat me like a dog, don't blame me if I bite you on your ball's after I bark over and over again and he don;t give any damn about me, if you know what I'm saying....

-If a leader demotes you to thug and says he doesn't like your humor, for not knowing you, after choosing you for his RH, you would trust him?

Huh, well, since I literally been saved by my family from the hell door, I wouldn't say anything, not even a word. But, if you talking about that same good for nothing leader you said before, then, as I said "even a pet can mad if you mistreat them over and over again"

-If you kiss the hand of a Godfather, asking for a favor he knows one day will be repayed with much profit, do you just apreciate the fact that he laughed at your face before?

For me, my life is above everything, to accomplish something I have to live, so if it concern for my survival, I'll ignored anything.

-Do you apreciate when you are shown some trust and respect by people you didn't know before, even after having a dubious past?

Some respect and trust are depends on what shit you've been doing for having some of that.

-Are you ready to risk some lifes, ranks, and money to show you care about people?

Ranks and money, you can have it all, it can be earn with time and effort. But, life, there ain't no store selling that. So I would pass for risking my live.

-Do our pasts teach us something? At least how people around us are? Does our ancestry make some bonds?"

What is this question? Of course it does, if not, how the hell can civilization form?

-Can we all pardon some errors from the past?

One of my code is " Repay ant debt TENFOLD from what i got". So, as I mentioned before, if it's concern my life, you can figure it out by your self, right?

Nice distraction there, well...the day is long from end, I supposed I'll haul my self out of here, and try my luck again on the street. I got my life to take care off...

If my leader never spoke to me or made an effort to hear my concerns i would think maybe i should be hanging my hat somewhere else and let him know.  Would i end up in a box or a handshake, depends on how a message is put i guess..

Would i appreciate being bought off, of course, but would i say is better to put money elsewhere, probably.

If my leader was that much of an idiot, to underappreciate me and others in my situation, i guess would end in a rebellion with hopefully the leader dead and if i was demoted as far as thug if once a made man, i would probably plan a move against him same way.

I don't think anyone likes being laughed in the face and like chess, you never know what a pawn will become, based on their moved and potential, or how they will use such power in time.  We may all start the same way, but not how we finish.

Money helps, rank helps, but is not everything.

"I kinda agree with DarthMaul. Some of these questions answer themselves. Though it's an interesting subject, so I'll go ahead and answer them anyway."
 

- If your leader doesn't speak to you, explain things to you, would it be as a simple thing as what a tag means, do you trust him?

"Depends on the situation. In my current position as RHM, I might feel weird if my leader didn't speak with me. However, as an associate you can only expect so much, as long as your sponsor speaks with you."

-If your Leader buys you off from a hitlist, or vows for you, no matter the danger, do you apreciate that?

"Obviously."

- Supose your lazy leader treats you like less than shit, after being his second biggest hitter and second best earner, do you push him to the edge of his nerves, just to kill you so you could be set free, or do you just retire/suicide?

"Neither. I don't have a death wish."

-If a leader demotes you to thug and says he doesn't like your humor, for not knowing you, after choosing you for his RH, you would trust him?

"Wait what... - He doesn't know me yet he chose me as his Right Hand Man!? Then he demotes me to thug because he dislikes my sense of humor!? Well, since I know my sense of humor would never get me demoted, I would probably go to the godfather of the city (assuming this guy didn't make it to godfather - let's hope not, he seems like an idiot!) and tell the godfather that he might want to reconsider his auth. So to answer your question: No, I wouldn't."

-If you kiss the hand of a Godfather, asking for a favor he knows one day will be repayed with much profit, do you just apreciate the fact that he laughed at your face before?

"I did not understand this question."

-Do you apreciate when you are shown some trust and respect by people you didn't know before, even after having a dubious past?

"If I did have a dubious past, I probably would appreciate that, yes."

-Are you ready to risk some lifes, ranks, and money to show you care about people?

"Whose lives would I be ready to risk? Why would I have to risk ranks or money to show I care? I don't think caring and risking goes hand in hand."

-Do our pasts teach us something? At least how people around us are? Does our ancestry make some bonds?"

"Yes. Yes. Yes."

-Can we all pardon some errors from the past?

"Surely."
 

Johnny mutters to himself and sorta chuckles..

I would never enter a crew whom leader I did not trust. I've had a few lazy CL's in the past but eventfully it all gets worked out in that area. I have met very few CL's that would actually talk or respond to messages often.. Most just did there own thing and payed no mind to there crew...

Sits back and relaxes and takes a shot of vodka that freeatlast has offered and begins to speak..

I like to be able to get to no my CL to the point they can be considered a casual pal you would normally talk to here and then. "A Cl that stays distant is in fact no CL at all.." Yes a Crew leaders job is to maintain a good network and connection with other leaders But he should be connecting with his crew just as much. Members in the crew should have just as much respect as the Don himself..If a don wants respect from his crew and hard work he must show the same appreciation back...

Sits back and chuckles again...

Teh, Of coarse many CLs do lack these skills to connect with there crew I think this is a big part of a being a CL or else I wouldn't even be in a crew with a Don that has no respect for the people that are working for him.. There would be no point and simply wouldn't be my style of playing.. This is how some crew leaders get betrayed by there own people cause of the lack of respect in some aspects..

But to answer the question in the title yes I do trust my CL or else I wouldn't even be in this crew.. I only enter crews that show respect and seem outgoing this one of the main things i look for and I'm guessing everyone else as well agrees.. This goes down to the simple rule "If you show respect you will always recieve it".

Fips stares with a confused look at MrHans. Apparently, the man thinks he has been killed before, Fips thought to himself. It's doubtful that the man has even had 'past leaders' he thought. He shook his head, and said;

"As far as I know, MrHans, you can't possibly be killed more than once per life. Furthermore, out of your crazed talk of dieing and past leaders, I did notice you said something about not trusting your leader?"

Fips shook his head once again.

"You probably should. He or she is the only reason you're alive. Whether or not they end up getting you killed, you owe them trust in exchange for their protection. It seems to me as a moronic decision not to trust the fact that your leader will do his or her best to keep you safe."

Well Fips, regarding MrHans' replies, I do believe some of us have some esotheric transcendal and transient capabilities, maybe even know how to travel in time? I completely agree with him on loyalty and trust are not the same thing, but I think both influence another. Maybe his line simply expects just some trust for showing loyalty?

I for sure trust the spoken advices of my father to me, and the written advices of my grand-father to his son, and so on in the line of time... We all need to learn from the past, in order to be aware of the future, so if one day skies want us choose our men of trust in our crews or who we shall trust in others' crews, we know whose line to trust and whose none. This topic after all is the one on trust...

"Oh oh! You were talking about your kin. Your bloodline. Of course! Excuse me, MrHans, I thought for a second you were going crazy."

Fips nods.

"Yes, it's a dog eat dog world. I would say so too. However, we may disagree on the best way of surviving. I personally rely on my family. I have to trust my leader. I have to trust, that when I tell him everything I know, he will use that information to protect us. That when I give my all, I trust that he isn't misusing me, because I believe we have common interests.
Some, maybe you included, would prefer to go solo? Care for yourself?"

"Trust and loyalty may not be the same thing, but they are close to each other I believe.
If you do not trust your leader, yet follow his orders because of loyalty, are you just, according to yourself, walking into death with him because you have no other choice? Because you have to be loyal?"

"Or maybe I got you wrong? How do you distinguish trust from loyalty? Please explain. My curiousity is killing me."

"Ah freeatlast, I do not know much of time travelling. I'm not a big fan of science-fiction, nor do I really read much, except from news papers. But interesting concept, I guess."
 

Murphy steps up to answer the long list of questions the best she can. 

- If your leader doesn't speak to you, explain things to you, would it be as a simple thing as what a tag means, do you trust him?

I would most certainly trust my leader. In this thing of ours it's important to understand that you are not a special snowflake who is going to have your leader take you by the hand and show you everything around the world. You're a big kid now, you have the ability and the duty to seek out information and then use it wisely. There are several handbooks, there are others in your crew to whom you can go to, your leader is not the end all be all. He or she has appointed people within the chain of command who are there to guide you through your first few days and then help you help yourself. 

-If your Leader buys you off from a hitlist, or vows for you, no mater the danger, do you appreciate that?

Wow, my leader spoke for me on my behalf or bought me off the hitlist? That right there shows how much he cares for me as part of his family and I would do my damnedest to repay him as quickly as possible. Trust and respect beget trust and respect and there's no way I'd sit on my laurels taking advantage of his good graces. 

- Suppose your lazy leader treats you like less than shit, after being his second biggest hitter and second best earner, do you push him to the edge of his nerves, just to kill you so you could be set free, or do you just retire/suicide?

Well first off, my leader is far from lazy. He's got a full family to look after, not just one person. My duty to him IS TO BE THE BEST. I'm not in a god damn race against anyone else for favor or position, so to me being "the second best earner/hitter" just seems something that is like a petty selfish child at a birthday party for another child screaming "WHY DIDN'T I GET A PRESENT?" My leader works hard to protect me and everyone else in the crew and there's no way I would ever push him to the edge to get him to kill me. If I felt as though my leader weren't doing his part, I would as respectfully as possible come to him or her alone and ask if there were something I could do to support the crew. 

-If a leader demotes you to thug and says he doesn't like your humor, for not knowing you, after choosing you for his RH, you would trust him?

Hell yes I would. Once again, no child likes a time out or a spanking but they damn well respect the fact that their parent gave enough of a shit about them to tell them no. I'd rather end up at the bottom and have to work my way back up then shoot my mouth off and get a bullet in return. If he doesn't like your humor, then you learn to can it around him and of story because what's most important around here is respect. If someone says no, you don't. 

-If you kiss the hand of a Godfather, asking for a favor he knows one day will be repaid with much profit, do you just appreciate the fact that he laughed at your face before?

I'm guessing that at some point your family line had this happen to you but this question is poorly worded and confusing to make out. I don't pay my respect tot he godfather so I can get something out of it. There's no tit for tat here, there is simply undying loyalty and respect for those above me. 

-Do you appreciate when you are shown some trust and respect by people you didn't know before, even after having a dubious past?

Again the answer to this would be yes. Let me put it this way, the sins of the father are not always the sins of the son. People make mistakes and sometimes these mistakes are awful and heinous and they bring about a lot of hard feelings and anger but I'm the type of person to give another chance IF the person in question shows that they are willing to make a change. It follows that people can change but they have to show that they can. Actions speak louder than words and if you want to be treated differently than your family, show that you can change and be the difference. 

-Are you ready to risk some lives, ranks, and money to show you care about people?

My bloodline has always held to this principle that you are willing to do whatever it takes to protect the ones you care about. With that in mind, your priority is to your family above all else. The only life, rank, and money I will ever risk is my own to serve and protect my family. 

-Do our pasts teach us something? At least how people around us are? Does our ancestry make some bonds?"

Our pasts tell us that there are good things as well as bad things to be learned. Some people and their families will never change, some change after hardships but those traits aren't intrinsically bad. The family line that never changes from unwavering fealty, the one that no matter what you know that when their bloodline shows up, they will be the one to always served their leader for as long as they live are just as unchangeable as the rabble that occupies the corners and whispers in people ears, filling them with doubt and anger over things long past. 

-Can we all pardon some errors from the past?

Yes, everyone has a chance for redemption. There are some people who will never change, they refuse to accept that they have done any wrong and continuously work to make others see it from their point of view even with their family lines break rules, stir up trouble, and ultimately cause mass destruction. There are those whose family lines have been littered with hard feelings and yet, they have and continue to make attempts to repair those past damages and move forward. These are the people we need and the people I trust. 

With a curt nod of her head she steps back into the crowd, wishing freeatlast a good day and offering a thank you for the provoking questions.