This has been quite the journey for me, my crew and the cities of Las Vegas and New Orleans.

When I first came to these shores, I was lucky enough to meet up with a childhood friend in BrianRourke. Fortunately for me BrianRourke had become something of a big shot in my absence and was running with Aurora in Las Vegas, little did I know then just what I setting myself up for.

Crazy old Tallien here had decided to stroll back in the middle of the most epic war our streets had seen, smooth move there. Grin. Anyway, once the fires had been put out, Aurora found herself in Las Vegas and in need of capable people who could step up and do jobs within the city. She found that the heat from her high profile rise within Sin City meant that she was unable to deal with many of her less than legitimate interests directly. My friendship with that lummox BrianRourke paid off once again as he promptly announced I was his superior and put me forward to the now Godmother to serve as her LHM.

I took to that role with a vengeance and set about doing my best to make Las Vegas a city where the police wouldn't dare show their faces without our approval, where the money flowed in and business boomed. I was with capable people and myself, BrianRourke, BoabyWanKenobi, the late carter, Booey and Aurora herself began living the life the city afforded us. Business was everything, past affiliates meant nothing and provided you demonstrated your ability, you progressed. This was an important ideal that the Godmother taught me and I believe I've firmly instilled that philosophy wherever I've been since.

As time progressed Tie branched out as a Vegas captain, operating the Street Kingdom with much success. I met great men within that crew and I was honoured to work alongside them, through the good and even the bad (fucking Chuckie). JohnnyD, IC, you guys are an asset to Vegas. Keep it up.

Still, we wanted to put Vegas on the map and we needed another Captain capable of doing that. I reluctantly took up the mantle only under the clear intention of doing so to pass my experience and knowledge onto another, in this case Ragnarok. I opened my HQ in Las Vegas and began recruiting for our family. I had the honour to induct many who are now with me into that family and they have served me diligently ever since. I was happy with my crew, more than that, I was proud of who we are and what we stood for. Everyone who came through our doors had to prove themselves, but it was what they did once they had joined that was important. Your dad was a friend? That's nice, you aren't him, get earning! I've never met you before now? What are standing around for then, get earning!

My crew grew and progressed. Then it grew and progressed some more. I had Made Men and Capos in greater numbers than I had new recruits. It became apparent that my steadily improving RHM needed to be given the opportunity himself, you can only learn so much about being number one when you're number two and he had reached that point.

With this in mind, I approached my Godmother with a view to him stepping up and becoming a Captain of the Northern Lights. I felt he was ready, but I asked her for more than this. The original plan for me to disband and rejoin the Northern Lights just didn't seem right anymore. I felt connected to my crew and whilst I was sure that Ragnarok would lead them well, I was selfish and wanted the chance to do that myself. Of course, being Tallien, simply continuing to lead them wasn't enough. Oh no.

It was hard for me not to notice, firstly as a LHM then as a Captain the mounting problems coming from New Orleans and these became bad for business. They caused problems with friends of ours in Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia - pretty much across America. I, like most of you, probably numbered the days of the cities organized criminal in days not years.

I began making enquiries once I heard of the retirement of the former Godfather, Death-Knight. Enquiries into the crews in New Orleans, their relationships, finances, muscle, businesses, hell everything I could hope to learn, I did. I wanted to be certain about what I was getting myself into.

What I heard was not all good news, but I expected that. I then approached my own Godmother, the one who had been a pioneer for me in our business and I asked her for her support on becoming a Godfather myself. I wanted to take on the task of being the Godfather of New Orleans.

Aurora, as ever, was superb offering her full support behind me and my crew. She spoke to the other Godfathers as I have and we've begun to iron out the details on how New Orleans will look in the future.

The important things to take from this are as follows:

Ragnarok will become a Captain of the Northern Lights in Las Vegas. I wish him the best of luck and know he'll succeed.

The existing crews in New Orleans are to remain standing. I will be meeting with them personally to discuss this in more detail.

Lastik has begun fine work in the city prior to my arrival and he will be considered my underboss in the city. He and his crew will continue as they are for the time being and you will be informed of any further changes as they occur.

To Aurora, I thank you. For taking me in, for trusting me when I was there and allowing me to progress when the time was right. BrianRourke, I'm sure you're looking down from on high with a tear on your cheek and a feather between your teeth. I wouldn't be here without you. mrstupid, you're an idiot.

With that said, I look forward to returning New Orleans to the heights I'm sure it can reach. My second in command will be my old friend Don BoabyWanKenobi, he helped me change Las Vegas, build a crew and now he'll help me rebuild New Orleans.

It has been one heck of a ride so far and we're yet to reach the summit.

Godfa~T~her.

Boaby watches as his boss finishes addressing the gathering on the street. It's a proud day, and the smile on his face says as much.

Firstly, congratulations are in order on a superb achievement and worthy promotion to head of a city. It's been an absolute pleasure to work alongside you in Las Vegas and I'm sure it will continue to be so in New Orleans.

As we know, New Orleans has seen reasonably troubled times in the recent past, losing its direction somewhat. In the face of that, I can think of no-one better to lead the city back to it's former glory than yourself, along with the help of the existing members of course. It needs a cool, experienced head with a firm hand. Someone with an enthusiasm for these shores of ours and, more importantly, someone with the drive to breathe new life into this fine city. I know you fit the bill.

For months you have worked tirelessly for Las Vegas, and now you have earnt the privilege to sit atop your own tree, though I do not doubt you will continue in the same vein.

Boaby raises a bottle, produced from his coat pocket. MrStupid must've left it there. Bloomin Alchy.

I would like to echo Tallien's thank you to Aurora and Brian, good times. Salute!

Congratulations Godfather. I can't wait to see what great things you can do for our wonderful city!

Mux sits through the speech, and stands up and applauds.

Quite an inspirational story there, Mr. Tallien. I'm excited to see all our blessed cities now with Godfathers/mothers to govern them. I can only imagine what kind of success will come forth from you and your men. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors.

Mux shakes Tallien's hand, and walks back to the bar.

Congratulations Godfather Tallien, welcome to New Orleans

stands proud next to his long time friend

This is a very interesting slope we are on Tallien, one I have 110 % faith you can navigate us through. We are somewhat of a serrogate family, blended if you will here in New Orleans now. My hard work and the work of my Sponsor's has paid off and I am glad in some little way I am associated with your success.

~HF~

Congratulations, Tallien.

Most importantly does this mean that "Running Numbers on the Block w/Clause" is now based out of New Orleans?

Congratulations Godfather Tallien, I wish you many great things in New Orleans and with the remaining New Orleans families alongside you. I am sure that together you will make New Orleans a better place for all after my fathers retirement. I wish you the best of luck and can't wait to see what you have in mind.

JohnMerrick listens to the speeches of Tallien, BoabyWanKenobi, Hazelspoon et al.  Finally, it is time - he removes his hat and scarf.

The gathered mass gasps and groans at the sight but Merrick is used to it....

Tallien, congratulations on a well deserved honour.  I can truly say that SuBo and I believe that you'll transform New Orleans with your drive, innovation and experience.  The cops ain't going to know what's hit 'em.

Congratulations are also due to _Ragnarok_.  As Tallien's RHM, he's shown himself to be worthy of the opportunity to be a Captain in Las Vegas.

A happy day for the Tallien Crime Syndicate and Northern Lights indeed.

A more worthy man from the streets to be blessed with title of Godafther of New Orleans I do not know. I must pay my respect to you and your newly found position Tallien and look forward to good business links between New Orleans and my home city of New York

New Orleans is a great city but has seemingly been beset with misfortune and some regrettable incidents in recent times I like so many others was saddened by the retirement of Death Knight. It seems such sorrows will be short lived though, and I eargerly await to see how you make your own mark on the city and how your protege _Ragnarok_ continues to progress along his life path. (anyone with such stylishly placed underscores in their name is destined to go far)

I look forward to bumping in to you along a dark street in the near future, perhaps with your grandiose new position you might invest in a suitable new wallet ;)

Congratulations on your new position Sir I wish you all the best.

Congrats Tallien

Mr. Tallien, stepping up to become a Godfather?

I wish you best of luck, hopefully you and Godfather Rourke will play nice.

First and foremost, thank you Godmother Aurora. I will not let you down, you know that.  Tallien, you've been an excellent mentor and I will seek your guidence if Im ever unsure about things.

Over the next week days, I will introduce Las Vegas's newest crew, at the moment, I have alot on my hands. Heres to an excellent relationship between Vegas and New Orleans going forward!

Godfa~T~her, i liked it! lol

Congratulations Tallien, I know you'll do a brilliant job in New Orleans just like you did in Las Vegas. All the best of luck, hope to see New Orleans prosper, maybe you could bring some of those Las Vegas Casinos back with you and make Orleans a more wealthy city.

All the best,
Consigliere ~G~

Doesn't really work for me bah :(

First off I'd like to say congratulations to you Godfather on reaching this poignant moment in your life. New Orleans can be a troubled city. I hope that you can bring the stability that it needs.

lights up a smoke and takes a long draw

She's a lady sir, treat her well and she'll look after you. Abuse her and well, she'll fight you every step of the way.

As Tallien has pointed out, he has my full blessing to move forward with this new opportunity he's been afforded.

New Orleans has gone through some rough times just before DeathKnight's passing, and Lastik has done the best he could with the situation he's been left with. I firmly believe that having an experienced Don taking over as the Godfather of New Orleans will do nothing less than benefit the city as a whole.

You have taught _Ragnarok_ well over the past month, and I feel that he will flourish in Las Vegas with the knowledge you've passed down to him. The original plan has strayed a bit, but it's for the best cause I believe.

Tallien, I know you have every tool you need to get the job done and be the Godfather I knew you'd be. Congratulations, you truly deserve this role. Both yours and BoabyWan's presence will be missed within Las Vegas, especially contributions to your old office. Now you get to start anew, with a bigger and better office.

Oderus shoves his way through the crowd to the forefront, making a point to stop and kiss Godmother Aurora's ring on his way there.

Tallien, excsue me Godfather Tallien I mean, you were the sole reason I chose to come to The Northern Lights, and I have been thankful to have made that decision ever since joining. Congrats on your well deserved role within This Thing Of Ours. You will be legendary, my Friend.

shakes the new Godfather's hand respectfully and then shoves his way back through the crowd to a back alley to smoke crack

Shifting her way through the expanding crowd she makes her way to the front of the line after catching her breath briefly she says softly.

Godfather Tallien I just wanted to stop by and say congratulations to you on a well deserved promotion, it has been an honor and a privelege being part of your crew and although you will be missed in Las Vegas I know you will go on to bring amazing things to New Orleans, You Sir' are just what that place needs.. don't forget about us and take care of yourself.. also don't forget to have some fun along the way.

She bows down to the new Godfather and turns making her way back through the crowd wiping a small tear from her eye as she disappears into the night.

I was going come here and make some terribly witty (brutally rude) remark, but instead I will go down the many congratulations route.

You are looking pretty good there me old old mate, all GF an ting. If anyone can get New Orleans back and track and given as much respect as the other cities it's you.

Good luck in this new era of your life, you will need it. I am sure that Brian (RIP) will be proudly looking down from chicken heaven.