Tyrion enjoyed a quiet morning with a newspaper and a few coffee's at Mal's DollaBill. It had been a most eventful weekend, devastating for some, triumphant for others. Rolling himself a cigarette he thanked the girl behind the counter, left a generous sum as payment and strolled off into the street. The sun was casting an optimistic glow across the buildings and the possibilities of a new day were evident in all the bustling activity. As he strolled he got to thinking about the nature of things and the larger picture. Stopping in a familiar square he looked around and decided to share his thoughts with the people and get some opinions from the community.

This has been a most turbulent few days. The events, while obviously traumatic for some, were triumphant for others and it got me thinking about the cycle of life in this thing of ours. There are numerous perspectives and ways to look at any given sequence of events. At face value, one may look at the recent events and see nothing more than a big war happening with winners and losers on either side. While that is true I personally don't think it tells the whole story. There is so much more to be seen if you can detach yourself from the individual life and look at the larger picture and the community beyond the immediately obvious.

Life itself is a cycle. Birth, growth, development and death are all equally important aspects of this cycle. It can be very hard for an individual to see how death is as important a part as all the others, when it forces one to reflect on their own mortality. Its often an uncomfortable subject and not one most people care to dwell on. But if you do look further into it, the nature of death isn't as bleak or even as terminal as it may first appear. I mean, if we didn't die, life itself would grind to a halt.

Looking around he noticed a few bemused expressions on some of the faces. Thinking of another way to put what he was saying, he went on.

Just look at our recent history and even the general feeling being expressed in our streets. Up until very recently there were continual complaints about stagnation, boredom, inevitable outcomes and a futility at even taking part in this thing of ours. Many people expressed feelings that were nothing short of depressing as they looked at, what appeared to be, a direction that wouldn't change. It seemed that all powers were cemented, everything was a sure thing, nothing surprising, creative or unusual was happening and the world on a grander scale was slowly grinding to a halt. People were clearly unhappy. And understandably so. This manifested in various understandable reactions. Some took their own lives seeing it all as too much, some became increasingly provocative as their frustrations grew, some complained in private and others in public. All of these being entirely understandable human reactions to what was going on. It was a classic example of what happens when death is removed from the cycle of life.

Sure people were dying here and there but the stagnation that was covering our lives like molasses in the sun, needed a much larger event to cure it. The very nature of this life we lead was crying out for a large war. As much as war will always be devastating for those who fall victim, what springs from the ashes is nothing short of wonderful to behold. Look around you now, just look at all the new faces and new characters, young mobsters emerging into the streets around us. There is a feverish enthusiasm and gusto everywhere you look! Some are driven by a desire to avenge, others looking for a new path. Some are proudly carrying on their fallen family name, others have decided its time for a fresh start and a new direction for their bloodline. Everywhere you look there is life! Vibrant, energetic, enthusiastic, creative, inspired life!

Tyrion cast a hand across the scene encouraging the gathered to look around them and appreciate the beauty of what was happening. Grabbing a smoke from his jacket pocket, he lit it and took a deep drag. Exhaling slowly he looked down at the cigarette and chuckled.

Heh, life...

Every one of these young mobsters, and I mean every single one will carry the learning their fallen fathers and mothers acquired. Every single new life emerging into our society will be better than the one before it. A little smarter, a little wiser. Some will decide their father was too reserved and take a few more risks, others realize their bloodline has been too quiet and become more vocal. There are a million possibilities. The point is that no matter what they do, they will be better mobsters than those that walked before them. In turn our world will be a richer place for it. This is the critical thing to appreciate when looking at the cycle of life and the necessity of death.

So... I would love to hear from any new arrivals about what they want to do with this life that they didn't in the past. What do you want to do, change or improve on from the generation that went before you? Also to established mobsters great and small, what was it you wanted to achieve with this life that your blood never did in the past? Did you manage it? What did you learn? I would be fascinated to hear what you all have to say.

Smiling at the gathering, he took a seat at a table outside a local coffee shop and waited to see what people had to say.

From your perspective I can understand that it is interesting for you to now witness all of these fresh faced, young turks popping up - but is the quantity seriously something to get excited about? I think many would agree that despite how philly was toppled it was a well established city, but personally I would disagree that this is enough to shake people up - but I certainly hope it does... maybe leaders will be less likely to rest on their laurels? more risk taking and experimental ideas would be welcome! make your mark before it is too late and you are six feet under.

there are still so many city leaders and I guess that I am personally looking for some fresh faces myself - and I would say that I have every right to do so, afterall; it is the most important decision I will ever make.

The Joker wanders down the street, when he sees his boss Tyrion making a speech. He decides to wander over and have a listen.

"Don Tyrion, you are absolutely correct. The cycle of life is what keeps this place exciting, and keeps people vying to be better than they once were. As for me? I'm gonna quiet down a notch or two.. Working harder within my family rather than focussing on keeping a street presence is top of my agenda. I may appear quiet to others but I couldn't care less about that, as long as I am happy and you, my boss, are happy that is all that matters."

The Joker smiles, and walks back toward the HQ.

Diablos pulls up in his car and winds down his window and begins to listen to Tyrion. Once Tyrion stopped he stepped out his car and walked towards where Tyrion was standing

"What would I change to this life to be better then my ancestors before me. I will tell you.. quite a lot. I understand that as I grow older.. I become more mature. My ancestors have made mistakes.. not huge mistakes that fuck your bloodline over. Just minor mistakes that can be corrected with age and wisdom and common sense".

"My ancestors trusted a lot of people and trusted those people to fast. Trust if a major part of our life. My ancestors have all nearly had some sort of power in their life and when you have more power your trust to people must be stronger as you could be placing them in positions you can't trust them with. That was my ancestors mistake".

"Please excuse me". Diablos looks about at all the people listening patiently and takes a quick sip from his flask. Once he finishes he then clears his throat and continues talking..

"I aim to put that right and because I have been presented with the ability of Right Hand to Robert_Gusicard.. once again my bloodline is presented with some sort of power. Which calls for immediate action upon my trust to others so I don't make the mistake again. You can ask.. 'So.. what does it take to gain your trust?' Well.. That I can not say. I don't have any goals or anything. It depends on the type of person you are".

"Another thing that my ancestors were and that is.. They were to silent. I look into the history and none of them spoke often. Being honest? I think they were scared to open their mouth to much. That.. I shall correct and I shall teach my son also. I don't want to be a mute.. Being a mute is boring. I mean if I were my ancestor I probably wouldn't be here right now. I'd be sitting in the Head Quarters somewhere or doing a petty crime. I.. am not as you can see".

Diablos pauses for a moment and looks at Tyrion

"Tyrion.. A very fantastic speech I must say. You speak the mind of very many wise people and what you say here today is very truthful. However not 'everyone's' son/daughter is better then their father/mother. They aim to be but.. sometimes they aren't, some aren't presented with the same options as their ancestor or some just don't bother however something is always different".
"Everytime your bloodline continues you always do something that your previous ancestor didn't or wouldn't of done so that I agree with. Other then that.. Awesome speech and I look forward to hearing many more from you".

Diablos smiles at Tyrion.. "And on that note. I shall be leaving to go a do some work". Diablos heads back towards his car..

I'm not one for a grand and or fancy intrance I simply just say what it is I got to say and let that be it.

For five years my family has been around I've seen made men godfathers associates and everything between rise and fall.

And many go unoticed just like me... so many offer nothing back to the streets and I now plan to do so! Too long; has it been since I steped out into these streets with a few words from my heart.

So now I shall have a voice, my opinion will not be supressed no longer.

Also I plan to do something to help others something fun, big,and nail bitting is to our life.

So look out my friends another Verrazano is in town with another idea.

I have always enjoyed this aspect of our world.  Every member of my family is stronger, smarter, and generally more skilled than the one before it.  That fact is actually one of the big factors which results in my family returning to this world, time after time.  We almost feel that it would be a shame not to utilize the talents and know-how that we've inherited.

Singer finished listening to Tyrion speak. Singer had great respect for this man cause he was always genuine and always a friend to Singer. Singer thought it would be a good show of Respect to tell Tyrion what he was thinking about.

Brother Tyrion first let me say how Impressed i am with how you are doing with this leadership role. The other day, before the war that is, I came out here and spoke with George Costanza. One of the LA crew leaders. He was most certainly a gentleman. Infact i wish i had the honor of knowing him before that. Well he brought up a topic and i told him the same thing. I feel in your heart it is always important to remember where you have come from.

Singer takes a sip of the water and looks at the clouds. Standing in the New York street he couldnt help but think back to the days he first started right here in New York under the Moguls and under the Imperial Hawks and under Godfather Deimne.

When i was first brought into this life every Crew leader i have had i told them the same thing, I was going to be somebody. My name was going to be in bold and I wanted to be great like the former Godmother of Las Vegas Aurora. When i first got involved with this life style I was just a proud New Yorker friends with the current Godfather of St. Louis and i felt important. New York went through three wars before i was Made. I think thats where i proved to The families i really wanted to be someone. Mux, the former Moguls leader, allowed me to become a Made man in New York. His right hand man fully approved. Godfather Serotonin was his Right hand man. When we arrived in St. Louis to set up shop i quickly rose through the ranks and always remembered one thing i learned from Macchiavelli, It was that if a man only seeks for his own gain he should never be allowed to control anything. Kind of confusing but i took it and formed in it my own way that was to say that only the men who give their all to a crew leader and Godfather deserve a crew.

Singer takes another sip of his water then looks at the new faces.

Soon after TheSandman was authed and made me his Captain. I run the Devils Legends and i cant help but to think how blessed i am. I have a great crew and business associates from other families who i consider friends. TheDean, you Tyrion, Luigi-Trabotti, RampagingFox, and Leela are a few who come to mind. But through it all i dont think i could have gotten this far if it wasnt for people treating me like an actual brother. I set a goal and reached it brother, I am impressed with myself i have to now earn the rank of Don and then, then i will trully be satisfied. Oh Sorry if this is so long i just wanted to make it worthwhile. Finally to close if i learned anything i think it would be that everyone dies so enjoy the moments you have with them now.

Singer smiles and walks into Tyrions shop in new york.