Staking out the sedentary streets that have started to sizzle with sophisticated speeches, a solo Shady_Sam siphoned the last smoke out of a smoldering stick before letting it slip. He exhales a cloud of visible air, pushing off from his corner to take center stage in one of the more common gathering places of conversation. His posture was lax as he lowers his hood, allowing his androgynous visage to come to light. Smacking his hands together, his voice flies out of his mouth, smooth as silk. 

"War. It's been on everyone's minds, no doubt. From the Great World Wars that this country faced to the ones that have been recently waged in the underground, many have lost at least one if not more to such tragedy. It is human nature, some might say, that we resolve all of our issues with violence. Especially in our line of work, it is a clear and decisive method to resolve any measure of depute that leaves little room for further continuation. One side wins, the other loses." 

A pause befalls the young mafioso, curling his smiles into a slight smirk as he raises an open palm in a calming manner. 

"However, most of you are already aware of this, so I shall cut straight to my intended point of discussion. War exists for a reason, it has happened in the past and no doubt it will occur many more times into the future. What I am curious to hear, from the seasoned members of our society to the new arrivals who may bring a fresh perspective on the topic - just how profitable it is to settle matters in a bloodied manner?

There are many argument for both sides. On one hand, you have the old saying that goes 'War is bad for business'. Lives are always lost on both sides, treasured members of our society cut down for petty disputes and weak casus belli. Untold dollars lost in private flights, bodyguard replacement and injecting funds for housing and regrowth.

On the other side of the coin, the very cycle of death and rebirth drives our economy and very way of life. Where the ashes lie, phoenixes can rise and soar even higher than before. New opportunities and stability can be achieved through brief periods of strife and war. Such a price of blood is one we are all too familiar in regards to the Great Wars, and many battles in the Cosa Nostra have been waged for the greater good. Change can often only be found through the fires of combat, as those who stagnate or resist the force of change will become the fertilizer for those that adapt and overcome. 

Do tell me your opinions on the matter, I am quite curious to hear what we consider to be the pros and cons of warfare and its place in our society."

Shady_Sam withdraws another cigarette and a common metal lighter, flicking it open and igniting the flame to catch the end ablaze before taking a comforting puff of the tobacco, letting those that listened to his brief discussion have the opportunity to chime in and voice their thoughts and experiences. 

Shantelle had been listening nearby and decided she would try to give her opinion as best as she could.

"This has given me something to think about a little more in depth, so thank you Shady_Sam. To me, I think anyway you flip it the cost of war is always going to be high. That's not to say it isn't necessary, but when you take in safety the cost goes out the window.

War is great for some of the reasons you came up with. A change is always nice, when it is an actual change. It generally comes down to "me or them" and most people will pick themselves and their families over waiting to be slaughtered. It only makes sense.

However, at the end of the day the cost is blood. That is a high price to pay for people that value their lives."

She straightened her dress, as she didn't want to appear rumpled, and smoothed her hair. It was chilly in the streets, and she pulled the collar of her coat up to ward off the wind as she listened intently to the speech that Shady_Sam was giving.

The cigarette tinged air was heavy with drifts of smoke, this particular area was always heavy with it. She watched as Shady_Sam unearthed another smoke from his pants pocket and brought it to his lips. She thought, he smokes A LOT it seems, but cigarettes were perfectly safe, so it was of no matter.

As Shady_Sam's voice trailed off another mafioso began speaking and she turned towards the voice to put a face to the person that spoke. As the last notes spoken faded into the chill of air she thought about what was said and replayed the words in her mind.

She licked her wind chapped lips, "War is very costly, and it is sad. But, you begin to see those that stand out in times of war, maybe a crew member that did not seem to be contributing much, but they stand up in a war, and put their lives on the line for you, for your family. They prove their loyalty beyond any question. You also see, who only values their own life, those selfish backstabbing betrayers.  You'll know... Her voice trailed off before strengthening once more "When you see those types of people. "

She pulled her gloves on as the chill of the air began to numb them, and nodded at Shantelle, because her last statement resonated deeply within her "." 

"War is a brutal, messy thing. It is expensive, both in dollars and in blood, and when it's all over, a lot of people are left angry and most assuredly sad. Children have to bury their parents. Crews... No families are destroyed, and other families come out relatively unscathed, but in order to facilitate change, war is a very necessary demon. For without change there can be no progress, without war there can not be change." She steps away and walked away towards her headquarters so that she could warm herself.