Cin had been wandering around the streets of Detroit. She hadn't really been looking around much and thought that this would kill some time between her business meetings. Strolling along at an easy pace she began to wonder about the community. It seemed like it used to be so full of life and now it felt so dead around these parts.

As she continued to walk she took small sips from thermos she had with her. She gazed at the buildings and felt a bit of sadness wash over her. She knew her ancestors were more talkative among the streets but she didn't feel the need to do much more than help out among the headquarters. Spotting a nearby bench she began to take a seat before she got an idea. Why wouldn't she discuss the things on her mind with the people around her?

Spotting someone nearby she began to motion them over.

"Have you got time for a chat? I've got a little time to kill."

They nodded and took a seat next to her. Waiting patiently.

"Have you noticed that things have seem to died out a little bit since the last few commotions? Does it seem that many have lost their drive for our way of life? For the discussions, and the telling of life stories that usually takes place around these streets? It seems like the majority have just vanished.

I must say I have been thinking about my own line and even I have noticed that I do not draw the same passion as I did before. I got to thinking why this might be. I wondered if purpose I no longer felt the need to contribute to anything interesting because it'd just be lost among the protection orders and war stories that plague our community of late.

Then I began to wonder if it's fear. I mean we have seen families, districts and cities completely wiped out. Some could argue the reasoning as valid but it would be irrelevant. Do we now lurk in a fear that what we say will suddenly be construed in all the wrong ways on purpose? I like to think that we could still speak our minds as long as we respectful, but this could still contribute.

For myself, I know my reasoning but I still find myself curious as to why others seem to have disappeared. I know that I just lack the ability to see out of a dark tunnel just yet. Perhaps one day I will find my way out of it.  Maybe it will be temporary."

Cin paused to take another sip from the thermos. The hot chocolate she had made for it was keeping her warm on the chilly evenings that seemed to still plague this time of year.

"All I can be sure of is that there is a lack of passion. Why do you think this is?"

Well, yeah. A lot of people died, and so they did "vanish" or "disappear." They can't come back from the dead, but their children do lurk, in shadows. 

Zootopia takes a seat next to Cin and listens to what is on her mind. Zooptopia lets out a long sigh and pats Cin on the back.

Cin, the answers are in your thoughts. When I wonder around,  the first thing that comes to my mind is transparency.  Transparent situations are predictable and by rights one of the most simplistic situations to gain from. Unfortunately, I do not see this happening at this point. As much as we would like to think children are lurking, sadly enough, that too has trickled down. Everyone has various degrees of passion but what many do not want to hear is they also have a tolerance level to transparency. 

I don't think people have disappeared, as such. Nor do I think passion has been lacking in as many as it seems you might. I think the answer is very simple really; they are still growing and not yet ready to come out here and share their voice with us. Just because someone had a mother or father etc here before them, doesn't mean they'll come out the traps swinging when they come off that boat. For many, they simply want to be in the life and experience what their parents did, but it might still take time for them to show the desire or as you said, passion, as their parents.

So its not that the passion is gone, it simply hasn't been realised in that next of kin yet. I would be surprised to find if anyone's passion was subdued due to the previous commotions you mention and so I feel that there is no sinister reasons behind the lack of voice on show from said people. It will simply take time.

You mention you know your own reasons, but apologies if I missed it Cin, I didn't catch what they were? I would be interested to hear from you what, if anything, is holding back your own passion.

Who comes out swinging knowing in a few short days they will be crowned?

Not sure I understand your question there, Zootopia. If your asking who comes to this thing of ours and works extremely hard from the get go; plenty of people.

Not to name names or anything, but a chap called Moses who resides in the same HQ as myself worked his fingers to the bone from the moment he joined the family. There are plenty across these shores that do this I'm sure. Just not everyone will, as not everyone can.

Pretty sure I am the living definition of ''lack of passion'' by now.

Thank you Godfather SpikeS for sharing your thoughts.

Cin turned her attention to the next person. She had been listening quietly as she thought about her replies. She hadn't expected so many to join into the conversation but she welcomed the many individuals that wanted to speak with her on this.

Scarfo you have given me some food for thought. I do appreciate that. I can say I didn't begin to look at it as a reflection of upper management.

She turned her head so that she could look at Zootopia who had taken a seat next to her.

I hate to think that people's next of kin have died out. The new could learn from the old even if they aren't in the top level of management. At least I would like to think so.  Each person is different, if we were all the same it would get awfully boring around here.

Moving slightly to stretch her legs out a little bit after all the time she spent sitting at the bench.

Tyrion, you may be right. It may not be sinister at all.  People could be biding their time as you say. I suppose at the end of the day we will just have to see if this is the case.

As for my reasoning, I did mention that I do not see a light at the end of the tunnel so to speak. For myself, things have been very gray and cloudy. I simply, did not feel inspired to reach out and speak to anyone until recently. Something in another private conversation caught my attention and I thought I would speak on some of the things I had been wondering lately.

Cin caught the last comment by a face that had just approached the little group. She smiled politely.

Why do you think you are the living definition of passionless, Rochester?

OH EM GEE Cin, I am super so glad you brought this topic to our darling streets. I am so excited to share my very awesome opinion. It’ll make your heart sparkle, I’m so full of passion!!!

Like when I opened up my own cookie warehouse. Super fun! Cookies give me SO much passion. I like making cookies for kids and I like give kids jobs in my warehouse. I don’t like when those nasty ass bitch kids to to steal my cookies though. That’s just not cool. 

Sometimes when I’m feeling less passionate about something, I go to the Donut Shop and bring out the welcome wagon for the pigs. The cops. Cops love wagons. Plus, cops always turn their heads when they see me doing criminal acts because I only shoot people with a super soaker. And if they do give me shit about it I just give them thin mints. 

Though, recently, it’s been a bit difficult to get ahold of any thin mints these days after Miss_Nicki hordes them. Some sort of Cookie Hoist in 2016. She’s obviously a time traveler. Damn, some people’s passions are way better than others. Time traveling is a serious passion and should always be respected. No more thin mints for us. 

Karen frowned.

We can’t all have the passion of hoarding all the cookies. Cin, darling, this makes me sad. Now I’m passionless. 

Laughs out loud of how irrelevant of what this lady just said was. Morina, was standing right behind KarenSmith with his hands behind his head stretching himself when at the same time, a burst of laughter came from deep within, cause of what KarenSmith said. After a few seconds of calming himself and drying his tears from his eyes from the intense laughter. He makes a slightly more serious look. Wanting to say few words of his own on the matter at hand.

"Well, sorry for that. Just couldn't help but laugh on this chick's say. No offense, KarenSmith. Just presumed it was a comedian play for a second there. Anyways, i speak for myself when i say this, but Scarfo is right on few things, but overall support his say completely. Everything in this thing of ours depends on the higher up structure. I can say a few things about my past, well, the past of my bloodline. There have been times when things just wouldn't work out, and there were times where it would blossom. Am glad that myself am in a good family right now and can speak only positive things about my leader, hopefully it'll bring out the best in me and support him fully until the end without slacking off or going as far as to being passionless."

Cin chuckles as she listens to Karen.

I am sure you will be able to find some thin mints. Time travel though could be very imaginative I imagine. Good on someone for thinking about such things.

She turned her head towards Morina.

I found her tale of the cookies interesting. If that is what she is passionate about then so be it.

I am glad that you have a family that makes you feel something. It is always good to have a leader worthy of remaining passionate about our community.

Maria had listened to the speech that Cin made, and to the responses and conversations that had followed. What Maria felt was something that she had to put into words, and to that end, she waited for a lull in the conversation before clearing her throat and stepping forward.

"Thank you for making this speech, Cin. I found it very interesting, and very enjoyable. 

I think for myself, my recent silences on our streets have been born more from a lack of having something to say, than a lack of passion or a fear or anything of that type. My line traditionally loves to speak out on the issues of the day, loves to bring discussion and debate to the street, loves to hear the chatter of those around and to feel life out here. But recently, I've found myself running out of things to say and being somewhat reluctant to repeat things. 

I do think that there is a place for conversations on our streets to be somewhat recycled. There are certain debates that don't go away, but that positions upon can change. Some topics are fluid and the takes on them change according to the leaders of that present age. And, none of us are our ancestors, so who can say that bloodlines won't change their thoughts in time?

But recently I've felt the urge to say something new, to bring something more creative. And I'm still working on what that might be. So that, more than anything else, is the reason why I speak less than I might. I'm sure it'll change though, in time. You never know when you might have your next great idea, after all."

Frank poked his head up from the gutter that he was passed out in to find Cin sitting on the bench.  He looked around and listened a little and figured he had enough of the gist of the topic at hand to open his trap.

"Cin - you always make me ponder things around here.  Passionless for lack of a voice out here?  To me - I don't think a lack of a voice makes you passionless.  It just shows passion in different places of this world of ours.  Personally, the people I want  to talk to hear from me, and I've found that the ones that come out here to talk often needlessly attack you for no reason other than to puff their chests out and feel good about themselves.  Not that I'm intimidated or anything, but it's all pointless.  I'd rather sip a beer than get involved in any drama.  So like you, a lot of my energy goes into the HQ and the people who I care for."

Frank gets up and walks off into the alley to have a piss before going off to find more alcohol.

Cin looked over at her crew leader and smiled.

I am glad that you have taken the time to come visit me at this bench Maria. At least now that the weather is finally getting nicer we can enjoy the outdoors more.

I certainly look forward to seeing new and creative ideas spring forth.

She turned her attention to Frank.

I don't think involving yourself into a discussion is really drama. The drama comes from those that want to attack rather than discuss. I can see why sipping a beer is much more preferable though.

Personally, I do hope one day to recover my passion for the streets. I seem to have found a bit of inspiration or something I am more passionate about to discuss. I just hope that it continues.