Eureka!

Were the first words of freedom that escaped from RedHood's lips. She quickly snapped both hands over her mouth as if she could trap them in, but they were already free and she just crossed her fingers no one heard her. As she creeped around the old gothic school, RedHood took her time and made sure none of the snobby nuns and other ladies were out sneaking a smoke or flirting with the stable boy in the wee hours of the night. There was no way she was getting thrown back into that blasted, awful place.

After jumping over the wall RedHood turned once again to wave goodbye to the Diamond Ranch Academy. Which was basically a reformatory school for girls and young women. RedHood had been sent there after her attitude had become out of hand at her last apperence in the streets. She was thrown in the school with a bunch of diaries from her previous ancestors that had behaved well and a few dirty old nuns who knew nothing of fun. RedHood was suppose to stay in for a month, but two weeks was enough for her. Now that she was out the only thing on her mind was to get to Detroit, where she knew Kates was putting on a special parade for the Godmother.

Once arriving in Detroit, which was just a short train ride from god forsaken Iowa (Honestly, Iowa? You know you are in trouble when you are sent there.), Red found the parade and got into the line of people who wanted to say what they wanted to say to the godmother. Once it was her turn, she pulled a few large journals out of her bag she was carrying and steped up to the crowd.

Hello!

She said rather cheerfully and if you had known RedHood before the reformatory, this might have shocked you to death. She cleared her throat and continued.

Now you all may know Marietta obviously as the Godmother of Detroit. You may know her as a long winded, but excellent story teller, (those stories are excellent - they ARE NOT too long to listen too). You may know her as the leader of all cities, the first godmother of Detroit, the first LEADER of Detroit. How about as the editor The Chronicle, or that girl of ThomasRourkes (which honestly, come on guys, Marietta was a godfather WAY before ThomasRourke was, so those that I've heard you say this, please check your history books). You may know her as the one that started the trend of having more then one crew leader in each city, or the fact that the streets are the way they are today is all because of her, may pop into your head. When you think of Marietta you may think of the best women the streets have ever seen, spectacular, amazing, excellent, passionate and beautiful. The list could go on and on and on and even if you hate her, you still know ever word we could describe Marietta with is true. It was true the day she stepped out on the streets for the first time a year ago.

This is how I remember Marietta.

RedHood paused and flipped through the first few pages of one of the diaries.

I remember Marietta as a fresh young face. A fresh young face that owned her own seamstress shop and the only concern on her mind was to keep the dang place afloat. Which wasn't really working that well for her. Specially when Kleighton, an old time friend dropped in and had the place shot up. This fateful disruptence in Marietta's normal life was the one thing to truly push Marietta back into the life of crime.

Back in you say...RedHood pauses and smiles, flicking through the pages of the journal.... yes, back in. Ms. Rossi was born into the crime life. Her father - Mr. Rossi - had his fair share of skeletons in the closet, bodies stuffed in the trunk and bums swimmin' with the fishes and had quite the reputation for the Chicago crime syndicate at one point in time.

Either way, mysterious Kleighton dropped back into Marietta's life and started the ball rolling. You could tell, right from the bat that even as a thug Marietta was something amazing. She caught the eye of many of the leaders at the time, this included Daera and Iris.

Marietta skipped out on being a seamstress for a bit, even though she always told people that's all she was. She became part of Tea Time. A gossip paper brainstormed from Marietta, Kleighton and Lily, another close associate of the girls. Tea Time was a small project that the three ladies put together in the back of a small coffee shop, they never figured it turned into such a huge scandal, but it did. The first issue presented itself to the public before Marietta was even a made man, taking the world by storm.

The tabloid was praised by the community, but besides the paper, Marietta made it a point to be active on these very streets. One could see her once a week, maybe even twice with an issue or a thought for the community. With this drive and a close call, Marietta was eventually given her own city to run by Mob Boss Iris. The crime syndicate was sweeping the country and the beautiful city of Detroit opened it's door. Marietta was a perfect fit.

Now, I think one of the major points in Marietta's life was when there was a very large and long war that left only Marietta alive to pick up the pieces. That is when we really got to see her shine. She had just enough experience to mold this thing of ours into something great. With her small town charm, but big big dreams, well lets just say it was a sight to see.

RedHood paused again and smiled to the audience.

I could literally sit her all day and go through these journals, but, well it's dark out and I'm sure we all have drugs to sell and grandma's to steal from. I personally have a present to drop off and man to return to.

Red winked into the crowd towards Premier

I would like to finish up with pointing out the fact that these streets we stand in right now would not be as great and full of life without Godmother Marietta. They wouldn't be as welcoming or busy. Our world wouldn't be as colorful or fun. It would be very, very different. For those who do not like it as it is, please look back into the past and tell me, honestly tell me, you'd like to have it any other way. I know I wouldn't and millions of thanks goes to Marietta.

Thank you Marietta for leaving that sinking seamstress business with crazy Agata. Thank you for running around the city with my half crazy great great great great grandmother, Kleighton and taking another chance on a friendship that had fallen to shambles at one point. I know she really appreciates it.

Thank you for joining in the life of crime you swore of years before an old friend had crashed into your life and pulled you back into it.

Thank you for giving it one last try, accidentally becoming an amazing legend and doing us all proud. This place wouldn't be the same without you.

I really don't know where to begin, so I guess I'll just start talking. Godmother Marietta, you've always been a major influence on my life. You've done all the obvious stuff, such as given me a job, signed my paychecks, and encouraged me to work my hardest. You also haven't killed me, which is a big plus. What sets you apart from the rest, though, is your unfaltering passion and dedication for your family and for the city of Detroit.

You were given the opportunity to expand the Mafia into Detroit, and you went far beyond anyone's expectations. You've transformed the city from a one-CL town into a vibrant metropolis with a competitive business district and a powerful crime family with numerous branches. You empowered your family members and mentored them to become leaders. As large as the family's become, you've always kept us safe. You inspire the family by literally hundreds of appearances in public. Many of the family's members look to you as an honorary mother, and you're much more than a figurehead to us.  Most of all, you do everything within your power to make this a true family--not at all an easy task.

So, thank you, Godmother, for everything. I hope you know just how appreciative we all are of everything you do and every second you put into the Riot! Congratulations on a full year and happy birthday.

Lana raises her glass to Marietta. 

Happy Birthday and here's to many more!

happy birthday