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Post by bottlecap on Jul 23, 2007 22:28:02 GMT -5
"You had better be a leader if you think yourself important enough to turn me away." Bottle Cap responded calmly, something of a smirk at her eyes as she surveyed the girl. She didn't take warmly to being underestimated, and wouldn't be so easily deterred from her destination. "Brooklyn. What does it take?" She was willing, and needed only to know what she would need to do or say.
Make no mistake, though, she was not going to simply take this girl's word for finality. If she had to, she would seek out the leader on her own.
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Post by clancey on Jul 23, 2007 22:41:46 GMT -5
Clancey made a quiet disapproving sound to the girl shaking his head in warning. He may not of been a newsie, but he did know the rules. He knew who was in charge and what lines not to cross--something this new girl obviously did not. It wasn't fear, it was respect. Deciding that he didn't want to be caught up in Detroit's stupidity, he turned and began to walk away.
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Post by bottlecap on Jul 23, 2007 22:51:45 GMT -5
Bottle Cap's gaze shifted momentarily to the boy, seeing his look at her but disregarding it. She had not disrespected anyone, and didn't plan to. She deserved a fair chance, though, and she was going to get one. Respect she would give, surely, but she wasn't going to go scampering off like a kicked cat.
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Post by Smalls on Jul 23, 2007 23:17:01 GMT -5
Smalls let out a genuine laugh, taking a last long drag on her cigarette before flicking it into the harbor. "No," she corrected, "I'd bettah be a leadah if I think I'm important enough ta allow ya ta stay." She shook her head, a grin still lingering on her face. "It aint my call."
Glancing once at the boy's retreating figure she smirked. "Smart kid."
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Post by bottlecap on Jul 23, 2007 23:26:41 GMT -5
Bottle Cap understood the girl's reaction and gave the faintest nod, then something of a smile. "I wasn't asking permission. Just directions." She offered, not in any way condescending or tough. Bottle Cap was not an imposing figure, standing at only a little under five foot two inches. She didn't go around pretending to own the place, but she did need to get her foot in the door at Brooklyn.
"Think I could take a stab at earning my way in?" She asked curiously, "Wouldn't be so damn persistant, but its important to me." She didn't enjoy getting personal and telling people her business, but she could tell a person with influence when she met them and this girl, whoever she was, clearly had some hold of power even if she wasn't leader.
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Post by Smalls on Jul 23, 2007 23:56:37 GMT -5
"You asked for directions and I gave 'em to ya, 'hattan would be glad ta take ya in." She sighed, not in the mood to discuss it further but finding it preferable at the moment rather than getting forceful.
Though she hadn't seen the Brooklyn leader recently, she new better than to tell anyone he wasn't around. "Listen," She put a hand to her head, obviously getting a bit tired of the conversation. "Spot Conlon doesn't give an audience ta jist any bummah, alrigh'?" She paused and glanced out at the water, shaking her head slightly and pressing her lips into a thin line. With a final sigh she closed her eyes, an internal conflict obviously resolved. "Okay." She turned back to the girl. "If you give me your woid that you'll go stay somewheah else for a while, an' I don't care wheah, then I'll try an get Spot ta listen to ya." She paused and put up a hand. "Not ta let ya stay, but listen. And it aint a promise eithah, he does whatevah da hell he wants."
She couldn't believe she was letting the girl leave without any bruises much less offering her help. She'd only gotten out of quarantine a couple weeks ago, and her thin and weakened state was effecting her decisions. Frustrated with herself she heaved a great sigh and rubbed a hand down her face. Shaking her head again and not looking back at the girl she pointed over her shoulder with her thumb. "Jist, get the hell outta heah befoah I change my mind."
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Post by bottlecap on Jul 24, 2007 16:13:45 GMT -5
Smalls had no idea how much Bottle Cap was controlling her impulses at the moment, knowing that if she said one wrong syllable that she'd be back where she started. It wasn't like her to be submissive, but she wanted something. Wanted it worse than anything she'd wanted for a long time and if she had to play mouse to get it, so be it.
"Deal." She shrugged, finding that an acceptable offer and even an unexpected one. "You wanna find me, look me up at Tibby's. I'm there for..now." Waitressing wasn't exactly something she was yet used to, but it was a cover and it would suffice for the time being. With a nod, she headed back down the docks.
It was difficult leaving Detroit, where she was renowned and well liked. Respected, even. It was starting from the bottom all over again, re-proving herself and taking hits she knew she could have blocked. It was well worth it, though. After ten years of searching, the only barrier to remain was Spot Conlon.
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Post by zero on Jul 24, 2007 18:38:09 GMT -5
The day was winding down as Zero made his slow trek back toward the lodging house, his dingy wife-beater sticky to his sweaty skin as he held his shirt in his hand. His shaggy red hair stuck out from beneath his worn out cabby cap and his expression was one of ease.
Coming up upon Smalls, he offered something of a half-smile, nodding in greeting. "Heya Smalls. How's it rollin'?" He didn't have a strong accent and what accent he did have wasn't really definable. He hadn't seen whomever she'd been speaking with before, but he could tell she hadn't just been standing there for her health.
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Post by Smalls on Jul 25, 2007 12:59:02 GMT -5
Smalls gave an exhausted sigh as the girl left and pulled out another cigarette. Hearing footsteps approaching she glanced to her right, hoping it wasn't another lost puppy. Seeing Zero she gave him a slight head nod in return of his greeting. "Alright I guess," she responded distractedly, her cigarette hanging loosely from her lips as she patted her pockets in search of a match. "You gotta light?"
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Post by zero on Jul 25, 2007 15:57:54 GMT -5
His already slow gait came to a pause just in front of the girl and he studied her a bit, noting that she seemed annoyed. "Sure." He pulled a match from his slacks pocket and struck it on a nearby crate, then held it to her cigarette tip and lit it for her before shaking out the flame and flicking the spent stick away from him.
"Y'look a bit annoyed." He informed her in an easy tone, "Ev'rything alright?"
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Post by Smalls on Jul 26, 2007 22:04:30 GMT -5
Before replying she took a long drag, slowly blowing out a curl of smoke. Glancing up at him she shrugged, readjusting her cap on her head. "Oh jist more saps lookin' for a place ta stay an' thinkin' they're welcome heah." She gave another shrug. "Jist don' have the strength ta soak 'em.." She paused, her eyes turning slightly downcast. She'd never actually said out loud what everyone, including herself, had noticed since her bout with Tuberculosis. She was weak.
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Post by zero on Jul 27, 2007 16:07:22 GMT -5
Zero nodded to her reason, rubbing the back of his neck as he squinted out toward the falling sun briefly before looking back at the girl in front of him. "Ya feelin' alright, though? Y'know if ya want someone soaked, y'can find me at the docks." He added with a mischievous glint in his eyes. He didn't look for trouble, but he was as loyal as a dog and would gladly help Smalls out if she ever needed it.
"Hey, been meanin' to ask but I haven't seen Conlon around." He sparked up as though he'd just remembered something, "I gotta sister who I ain't seen in 'round ten years, an' I wouldn't be comfortable wi' her livin' somewhere wi'out me. What d'ya think the chances are Spot would let 'er stay in Brooklyn?" It was clear that Zero wasn't going to push the issue. He had a very laid-back manner to him and if he met resistance on this front, he'd just nod and accept the decision.
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Post by Smalls on Jul 27, 2007 22:16:57 GMT -5
Smalls let out an unconvincing laugh. "Yeah I feel fine, an' thanks." It was a kind offer, though she knew any one of the Brooklyn newsies would have her back if need be.
She shrugged in regards to his sister. "Spot aint too thrilled with the idea of Brooklyn bein' full o' dames.. ruin the image an' all." She spoke as if unaware that she herself was female. "Depends on ya sistah I guess. I mean he don' run an orphanage for everyone's stray reletives, ya know?"
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Post by zero on Jul 28, 2007 23:13:15 GMT -5
He had known that she wouldn't accept his offer of help, but he didn't mind letting her know that he was there. Zero was solid as a rock, and his only flaw was that no matter how tough a girl was, he always thought them the weaker sex. He wasn't sexist, but he did want to protect the ones that he knew.
He chuckled at her responds, absolutely understanding the concern there but he knew his sister and where she had come from. He bargained that she and Smalls might even get along once they got over the initial hatred or whatever it was girls dealt with when new girls came around. "Nah, she's pretty tough. Comes from a gang in Detroit where she was in tight wi' the leader. Kinda like you." He shrugged a little.
Then, before she could respond, he waved his hand as though to wipe it away, "Don't worry 'bout it, Smalls. I'll figure somethin' out until Spot gets back."
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Post by Smalls on Jul 29, 2007 9:30:13 GMT -5
Smalls just nodded, but made the obvious connection that the girl she was speaking to earlier was very likely Zero's sister. "Well, I gotta get back ta sellin' b'fore it's too late." With another slight head nod she turned, flicking her cigarette into the harbor and walking away, adding over her shoulder, "See ya around."
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