I woke up this morning thinking I'd be reaching out to the Kupos to manufacture our submersible parts. Simple enough. Then Moshka... *the boss*... asked if I'd be up for helping Kitty finish her certification instead.
The answer was obvious.
Let me back up. The Family just underwent a complete restructuring after Eli and I got tipped off from an old contact. The monetarists wanted their cut of the free company's coin, but the tax level they were demanding was absurd. We weren't about to pay it.
That's when Moshka had her boldest idea yet: instead of hiding, we'd expand right in their faces.
The audacity of it still makes me smile.
So we branched off in multiple directions. Moshka and I created The Infinite, with Haelen and Gaga joining us. Nyx, Eli, Sarxia, and Aether formed Candyland. Sucker Punch (Baby Doll) and I set up a shell company in Ul'dah. That left Mosh Kandi with sole responsibility for running the mafia's front-facing company. She's the only one with keys to the company workshop, which means maintaining our submersibles falls entirely on her shoulders.
Kitty didn't have her disciples of the hand leveled up yet, so after Moshka gave the orders, I did what I do best: I taught her. While I was getting medical treatment, Kitty proved herself by taking a trip to the moon and crafting during the red alerts. That kind of initiative deserves recognition.
Which brings me back to this morning.
I immediately went to work securing new contracts from old clients... the snowy reaches of Coerthas, the red light district of the Quicksand, my illuminated friends in Mor Dhona, and the nobles of Foundation. These weren't ordinary contracts either. They needed to be filled *immediately*.
With terms agreed upon, I scoured my warehouses and markets for materials at fair prices. Once secured, I picked up my tools and began filling orders. I even pulled some strings for a major purchase Kitty needed for her downstairs project... got her a twenty percent discount, which felt good to arrange.
We worked in the same room, me trying not to create too much mess in the middle of Mosh's design construction. Every so often, Kitty would come up to me and press against me. The universe moved mountains as we spent time together like that... her warmth, her presence, the shared focus of working toward something together.
I told her to wear her work clothes so she'd look professional for the face-to-face client meetings ahead.
There was a lot of travel. We even bumped into our son Darth in the red light district of all places. Kitty told him to wear protection, and he played it off like he didn't know what that meant. After a good laugh, we completed our sales rounds.
Kitty was now certified.
I went to my warehouse and had all the materials delivered to the submersible part manufacturing plant. We ran into a small problem... we were short on balsa wood... but I'd already put up a request. A kind individual contacted us while we were entertaining Elijah. I rudely excused myself to quickly pick up the wood, but I was happy when Kitty joined me to meet this individual. After an exchange of contacts, knowledge, and genuinely good vibes, we headed back to the manufacturing plant.
One part. Two parts. Then all four.
The adrenaline rush was incredible. The job was done. A busy few days, and an even busier day today, culminating with The Family overcoming every hurdle placed before us.
Tonight, writing this, I'm still riding the high of what we accomplished. The restructuring worked. Moshka's bold plan is succeeding. Kitty proved herself capable and dedicated. The contracts are filled. The submersible parts are manufactured.
The Family is stronger than ever, and I had the privilege of helping make it happen.
Days like this remind me why I keep pushing forward. It's not just about survival or managing my condition... it's about *this*. Building something meaningful with people who matter. Watching someone grow under your guidance. Feeling the satisfaction of work well done and connections deepened.