With the war over, the daily lives of all the vatos changed and different, more relaxing things were coming up as part of the routine. NLA did not have to look over their shoulder every other minute for the enemy. Everyone could actually chill out and finally go back to the old days. Who better than our vato girls who showed our ese's how to relax...
Old friends Misfits are often guest, considering they are also our neighbours and usually it ends up with creating a hunting party, but sometimes it is just purely for fun and laughs that brings everyone together.
You would think that all the fun NLA was having at the House of the Holy Vato, were bringing in all the people, but in reality it was the respect earned during the times of war. Other criminal organisations saw NLA as someone to consider when it comes to their existence and place in this state. One such organisation was the ex-Front Yard Ballas members who got into some situation with the previous leadership that lead to issues with The Council. As many of the members decided to split off and create their own set, they felt it was important to reach out and explain what happened and start the new relationship. NLA and newly established Hoover Crips had a little chat and built a basic, starting foundation to the diplomacy between the two groups.
Besides old friends, new possible allies, there were other people approaching the familia for their own reasons. Word to mouth, direct interactions or however else people heard about this familia, started to bring in new fishes as well, at least those who wanted to become a new fish of the NLA. The familia bonds that were built between those who were there during the war would never be broken and was thicker than blood, so the new people approaching were looked at with care. NLA has never been a gang, it has always been a familia and it was important that the right people became part of it, because once you become part of the familia you don't choose no more. You cannot get rid of your hermano or hermana that easy. It comes with a price on both sides.
After the outside meetings and gatherings and having some fun, it was time to address the important things inside the familia itself. It was time to talk about what has to change, what are the current issues, how to fix all of that and what are the next steps forward. Only El Capitans, Mano Derecha, Comandante and Founding Fathers were present in this meeting as they are the controlling bodies of the NLA.
After discussing and agreeing on the future plans, it was time to head out and show the presence of this familia not only in Paleto Bay area, but also in the big city of Los Santos. Now that the war times were behind, it was time to take out the dusted whips from the garages and represent this familia as it should be represented - in the full glory of the vato lifestyle.
The first stops of the familia was The Council. It was time to pay the monthly respect to them and build up the already good relationship even further. The first on the list was Los Zetas headquarters. We wanted to do a little meet and greet as well, as there were some misunderstandings few days back, but unfortunately most of their members were busy with making sure that some puta do not snitch on them, never ever again. NLA still managed to meet few of them and they definitely got to meet a lot of the familia members.
Obviously the next stop was The Triads headquarters which happened to be right on the edge of what NLA would consider their territory around the barrio they come from. The situation with The Triads was even sadder than with Los Zetas and only 2 members were present at the location. Some things were discussed, like about the upcoming fighting club, Raul later in private asked about The Triads interest in a nearby business as it could be of interest for the familia as well, after what everyone were on their way.
While the first stops were known to the rest of the members, where they were heading or what they were about to do next was kept in secret. Only the ones that participated in the meeting earlier knew what's gonna happen next. Everyone gathered up and was instructed to follow to the next destination.
NLA was in the war for a long, long time and many of the current familia members did not even know or remember the good old days, all they knew was the House of Holy Vato, so it was time to bring everyone back to the place where it all started and remind about the roots of this familia. Show them who we are and where we come from. A short stop at the barrio was made.
Some of the vatos never experienced the fun times and activities of the old-school NLA and were already used to the new ways of the familia. It was time to head out to the next place in the barrio where founding fathers and few other higher-ups used to leave their first ever marks on this city as part of NLA.
This was the place where a lot of new fishes, who are no more with the familia for one or another reason, used to show that they can do what it takes. Back then it was a bit different and the skills required were different and as this familia was closer than ever, it was only normal to test their skills in tagging walls. It always was a good day when a wall was tagged with three letters - NLA.
Before the tagging, rest of the familia was informed about the expectations from everyone, now, when the war was over. A lot of things were ignored during the war as there was no time to pay attention to them, but now it was important to work on the image and correct representation of the NLA yet again.
This day was all about reminding all the vatos about the roots of NLA and one important root was not with us no more. Everyone put the spray cans away, got into their lowriders and were on the way to the last location for the day.
If the meeting, that happened earlier, would have happened years ago, then there would be one more vato, one more founding father, present. Unfortunately he went to the Holy Vato before all of this and did not experience what has NLA grown into as a familia. Those who had the pleasure to meet and know Hector aka El Doza, took turns to tell the new ese's about him and what kind of person he was. Their own experiences with him and why we are here right now at his grave. The ultimate sacrifice he made for this familia to be still alive.
After the stories, everyone took a knee and gave the minute of silence in respect to the man - Hector "El Doza" Mendoza.
Being at such an important place it was time to do one more thing with the vatos in presence of El Doza. Alicia took her turn to speak up and gave a speech to everyone about how much this familia has grown and how much everyone is appreciated and that people have showed their loyalty and devotion to NLA, therefore have earned their positions. It was time for promotions.
El Patron took out his famous ceremonial blade and took his position awaiting for the names to be called. Alicia was about to call the first name on the list for the promotion, but she was interrupted by Patron himself. He said "It has been a long time coming and has been put on hold for way too long. Alicia, please stand in front of me!" as he gestured in front of him. Alicia been acting as the Capitan for quite some time, but she never herself actually received the Capitan markings on her neck.
On that note the ceremony continued and everyone was called forwards to receive their marking on their neck based on their new ranks. It was a proud moment to the familia as so many have showed that they are the real thing and are not running away from trouble, hardship and will always be with this familia, at least until the death separates them.
After the great day with the familia, everyone returned back to the House of the Holy Vato. Soon, the ones that we considered to be our main rivals, but now possible allies, got in touch with us. The war between NLA and WCA was done, that brought up new, common enemies to both sides.
But there will always be that one common enemy to any self respected criminal organisation - POLICIA! Officially the biggest gang in the state with power to destroy anyone's life on their own terms without no understanding about the struggle that we go through and the reasons why we are who we are and we do what we do and especially the reason we hate the moranos!
