Sorrow had been wandering around the streets. She was amused as she was looking at tags and listening to reasoning for deaths and she noticed an age old argument topic. She continued to listen, she browsed journals from her ancestors and she carried on her day to day business while she thought about it. What was it that led her to all this thinking? What topic would be so important to consistently be on her mind? Why loyalty of course. So as she wandered she ended up on the streets.

She began to pace back and forth outside of a nearby restaurant. As a crowd gathered to watch her she turned her head towards them.

"So you think you know everything about loyalty eh? What about the different types of people that change what loyalty means to them? I mean it does seem to change rather sporadically depending on the person you are speaking to. "

She noticed one man looking at her with a skeptical look. He was thoughtful and she had seen him around. They would butt heads most likely but that was a risk she was willing to take.

"So you want to know more? Well okay. You see those people that claim to be the most loyal of loyal? You know the ones that yell and scream how a crew leader looking after their family was being disloyal and that they are the most loyal? Yeah those ones. Some of them seem to have forgotten how easily their mothers or fathers or grand parents were to jump ship. Is this what most loyal is? Screaming and yelling on the streets about how great you are? Seems rather silly and disgraceful.

Then we have those that make up reasons for jumping ship. Let's just skip them altogether.. No one really cares about excuses anyways. While they get the ass kissers trying to make their way in our world, the rest will just shrug it off and see it for what it is.

So as you can see loyalty changes with people. There is loyalty to friends, loyalty to family and loyalty to people that won't be around for you. But what is true loyalty? Is it those whose next of kin take their place and just continue on with their efforts? Is it the people that scream and yell about how disloyal others are for looking after their families and forgetting their own parents past? Is it those that come out with excuses on why they suddenly went from loyal to one friend to another? What is it?"

She paused for a few moments. She wanted those questions to really sink in and allow people some time to think about it.

"For me loyalty has always been so black and white. My mother was loyal to her leader and my line has always been loyal to their leaders over everyone else. It didn't matter what her friends thought or said about those leaders. It was the leaders that raised my line, not my mother's friends. It was her leader that placed faith in her to be the best that she could be. So why would she not be loyal to them? I followed my mother back into Detroit. It was a hard decision but it's a city that my mother felt was worth all her effort, so I made it worth mine. The desire to watch something grow and prosper and keep on in my mothers footsteps.

I tell you all of this because is it a form of loyalty to that city? Can you be loyal to multiple things? I think so. I think one will just always be placed ahead of another. For me my family will always come first, but by helping to grow my family I am helping to grow my city.

So how do you view loyalty? Are there multiple faucets to it? Can you branch off into smaller loyalties that play into your main one? I ask out of curiosity more than anything. I am not looking to argue points just merely curious in your own thoughts."

Sorrow stepped back a little. The man that she had seen earlier looked slightly relieved. She wasn't entirely sure what he thought this speech was meant for but surely he couldn't have thought it for arguments sake.

Gosh dear, ya know I've been usin the same brand 'o suga for my apple strudel recipe for over 60 years now. Habituation can create loyalty ya know, not because it's necessarily the best suga out there cause I know it probably ain't, but it just don't taste the same without that familiarity. As long as I know it works, I stick to it, whetha it's the best brand out there ain't no matter. And if my grandson Johnny keeps comin' back to visit to have some more of my strudel, then I stick to that old recipe. So my family is like my ingredients. If it works well, I don't need to botha switchin or look for betta options. I'll stick to it, cause it works for me.

* Takes a swig from his flask as he listens *

Loyalty is more or less Black and White - in the sense of you are loyal or you are not. Of course that is in direct relation to whom or what we are talking about. 

For example, I am loyal to Visas have jumped on when we were at war done what I can in my own feeble way. How ever I made it clear prior to joining I wanted to make sure Credits and I were falling into the same general Family / Board / Inner Circle. This was simple for me, Credits kept us alive as his members at great sacrifice to his own pride and desires. I owe him my life and didn't want to put myself in a situation (as best as possible) that would have us perched on opposite sides of the coin. 

Most people, scurry like roaches to find a home with out thinking of their own personality and ideals. This is what causes problems typically, outside of the group of friends who may deliberately spread out because they have grand plans etc. 

This might not be a popular response but first and foremost I am Loyal to MYSELF, because of that understanding and awareness it allows me to put my self in situations that do not compromise my beliefs and ideals. I typically do not have a problem being loyal to those I work with, because of that. 

The grey area's in my mind are typically created from lack of forethought and attention to detail. 

*leans against post and takes a swig *

"The word 'Loyalty' is tossed around to much without people knowing its true meaning...'Respect and Loyalty' go hand to hand." Sits back in his gold throne looking chair and takes a swig of the finest moonshine in town..

"to be Loyal means giving your life if needed.. someone thats trust worthy.. Any one that has your back I consider loyal and that is the opposite of a back stabbing lil bitch....for what is this thing of ours worth without loyalty, Integrity and Respect.."

Carries on with his former actions before the gathering mob caught his attention...

I recognize that the word loyalty means different things for different people. I appreciate everyone sharing their thoughts on it.

While I may not agree with every stance, it is your stance and I can respect that. So thank you once again.

Sorrow smiled and was hoping to hear a few more people speak but if not she would have a young lad bring about some hot chocolate for the days were getting chillier.