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Post by henry on Apr 30, 2009 19:01:51 GMT -5
Henry was not bothered by the younger girl that sat on the bench next to him. In fact, he didn't even notice her. He was too deep in his thoughts. What brought him back to the present was the girl pulling out a book. Her movement triggered his peripheral vision. He looked as she opened the braille book. Great, just what he needed: to be bothered by a handicap. She wasn't poor, her clothes were a testimony to that, but it didn't matter to him. Wealthy or not, she was blind, therefore beneath him. Without saying a word, Henry moved further down the bench away from the girl. He wasn't going to let it ruin his day any.
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Post by reeves on Apr 30, 2009 19:57:26 GMT -5
Reeves walked along, in an actually pretty good mood for once. The past week hadn't really been great for him, but he guessed he was so tired of being frustrated or downhearted that he figured he could be happy for once. The weather was nice. His route had gone okay today. He was looking forward to evening too. Darry had gotten his exam scores back and did wonderfully. Alice was baking a cake, a rare treat in the Reeves' apartment, and they were going to have a nice family dinner. Darry was practically walking on air. Reeves' guessed he had a lot going for him, he had good marks, a pretty good future ahead of him, and he had Jade. They were practically together, Reeves could see it. Darry was always happy when she was around, and Jade would get this shy happy look on her face.
Reeves wished it could be the same way for him. He was holding onto two jobs. Working his delivery route, and selling the newspapers in the afternoon. But Catherine...He had Catherine's love, but it was difficult. They were always so worried about the society, what her family would think, Reeves worried about what his own family would think. It was all just jumbled. Things never quite worked out the way Reeves wanted, but he didn't complain, he just wished inwardly that things could go better.
The Horace Greeley Statue was his favorite place to go after work. He would lean up against it and watch the buggies go by, or he'd sit in the shade and think, sometimes he'd even smoke a cigar. It depended on what mood he was in. Reeves stopped mid stride as he saw Henry Woodruff sitting there, on the bench, and he saw as his conniving grin turned into a look of disgust as he scooted away from a girl. She looked wealthy, Reeves couldn't see why Henry didn't look kindly to her, until he saw. Braille. Darry had studied a course on that, in case he wanted to teach at a special school.
Reeves shook his head. Henry Woodruff had standards so high, Reeves wondered if he had met anyone who had met up to them. But Henry Woodruff wouldn't stop him from coming to his favorite thinking place. Reeves wasn't scared of him, not really anyways. He kept his contempt hidden, instead doffing his hat to him and smirking, leaning against the statue.
"Whatcha doing Woodruff? Trying to think up a plan to take over the world?"
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Post by henry on Apr 30, 2009 22:33:07 GMT -5
Seeing that more people called him Woodruff than Henry if not in his family or immediate circle, Henry did not look up on this alone. However, the voice was young and familiar. Henry made it a point not to fill his circle with children, which in his mind was anyone younger than him. No, what made Henry's eyes flash for a moment in anger was actually raising his eyes to see the parasite that was to be his sister's (and ultimately his family's) downfall. To his surprise he didn't yell or even show any movement apart from looking at this filth and the anger that showed through his eyes was quickly gone even though he still held it inside of him.
"Do you not know I am now the head of my father's staff, or was there not a sign next to the dumpster?" He took the newspaper that lay in his lap and began reading the article about himself. "I haven't the time for the likes of you."
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Post by reeves on Apr 30, 2009 22:46:07 GMT -5
"Do you not know I am now the head of my father's staff, or was there not a sign next to the dumpster? I haven't the time for the likes of you."
"Oh, yeah, it was there alright." Reeves shook his head, catching the look of absolute hatred and disgust in Henry's voice. Reeves wanted to believe Catherine, that Henry just wanted the best and all that, but the more he saw Henry, the harder it became. He understood the class system, sure, he just couldn't understand other things. How people could be so wrapped up in their wealth and reputation.
"I haven't the time for the likes of you."
Reeves suantered over and shoved his dirt stained fingers at the picture. "Nice picture, absolutely stunning. The way it catches the rat in you, its just wonderful. Hmm, weasel like, ferret? Naw, definitely rat. Alright, alright go back to your schemes Woodruff, I got better things than to talk to a stuffy nosed prince like you. Of course, I am not worthy enough to be in your presence," Reeves said, perfect scorn in his voice, and he went to the other side of the statue, leaning against it, going to his thoughts, still shaking his head at his thoughts about Henry and Catherine.
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Post by henry on Apr 30, 2009 23:03:55 GMT -5
Henry sat with the paper in his hands, his expression unreadable. A dangerous smirk spread across his features as he folded the paper and stood from the bench, laughing a deep, guttural, menacing laugh -- clapping at Reeve's contrived wit.
"Touche. Nothing like that bottom-of-the-barrel humor." He walked to the side of the statue where Reeves stood and, in a flash, slapped Reeves with his back hand. "This tone is familiar to me." He grabbed him by the collar and shoved him, forcefully against the statue's wall. "Only now my sister isn't here to protect you. You will learn your place -- one way or another."
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Post by reeves on May 1, 2009 8:17:00 GMT -5
Reeves felt his face go pale, as Henry gripped him by the collar, pure hatred flashing in his eyes, and his laugh was low and wicked. Reeves knew he had done it now. His mouth, he always had problems keeping it shut at the right time. Reeves knew this was it. He was going to get killed.
He took a quick breath, "Go ahead, teach me my class. I know what I said that night, at Central Park? It was wrong. You do care about Catherine. You probably see how special she is, that she's got something good inside of her, just like I see. So go head'. Do what you want to me. If it will be best for her."
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Post by henry on May 1, 2009 21:19:44 GMT -5
Henry looked puzzled as he held the boy against the stone. What was he saying? He wanted to be punished? Punishment. The consequence of doing what was wrong. What he had done was indeed wrong. It was wrong in Henry's mind and everyone else who mattered. But was that what really bothered him about all of this?
Henry sighed as he released Reeves. 'What is best for her.' That statement rang through his mind. "I'm not going to hurt you, but not because of what you said. Catherine will hardly look at me." That was explanation enough. "But you listen to me, and listen to me good. You are not right for her. What could you possibly have to offer? It is best that you say your goodbyes." His tone was, surprisingly enough, not harsh yet not altogether understand neither.
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Post by reeves on May 1, 2009 21:26:42 GMT -5
Reeves nodded and swallowed, his chest tight with disappointment. He was silent for a moment, a long moment, and then he nodded.
"You're right. I don't got nothing to give her. Maybe one thing, not like it counts though, not for who it matters anyway." Reeves knew Catherine loved the fact that Reeves loved her, but Reeves now knew it couldn't be enough, at least not now.
"You are not right for her"
Those simple words held s0 much meaning. They echoed over and over in Reeves head. He kept his chin up, and managed a firm expression.
"Just let me see her one more time. You'll never see me again if you just let me say goodbye."
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Post by henry on May 1, 2009 21:35:52 GMT -5
Henry considered this and nodded his approval after a beat. "Fine. I see no harm in that."
Though the disappointment on Reeves face was apparent, Henry couldn't say he was not very pleased. It was what he wanted. It was what his father wanted, and though they were too young to see it now, it would be in Catherine's best interests also. Besides, he was in the makings of getting her set up with Daniel Astor. He was the kind of gentlemen she should be interested in.
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Post by hawkeye on May 14, 2009 22:12:19 GMT -5
Stack of papers in hand, Hawkeye shuffled down the street. In her right hand, she held a folded newspaper in front of her face, an eyebrow arched as she scanned the front page article. Nothing particularly exciting caught her eye. Had she flipped a few pages in and glanced at a small article that was barely noticeable, she would have seen a few words of warning about recently kidnappings in the city.
Hawkeye didn’t look through the paper, though. She continued to lazily browse the front page as she walked. In fact, she was so occupied with staring down the paper that she barely noticed when she practically trampled a small child in her path. Nor did she change the focus of her attention when a vendor came barreling down the street after a runaway cart.
She did notice was when she nearly sat on someone, though.
Hawkeye made it all the way to the bench by the Horace Greeley statue without taking her eyes off the newspaper she was holding. She slowly sat down on the bench and promptly jumped up after doing so.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Papers flew everywhere as Hawkeye leapt up and spun around to look at what—or rather who she’d just sat on.
“Sorry,” she said, stooping to gather her papers. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t see you there. I just—” Hawkeye paused, raising an eyebrow as she looked at the boy she sat on. Pointing her forefinger at him, she asked, “Do I know you?”
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Post by trex on Jun 1, 2009 20:41:23 GMT -5
*New Day*
Rex sighed, hearing the busy bustle of wagon wheels and shouts erupting from the Manhattan streets. It was early morning, and Rex was trying to get some precious sleep. He tried to block all the noise out, sprawled out across the bench. It had been a month since the death of Rex's boss' wife, Mrs. Carson. Work had been tense ever since at the stables, every body was on edge at Mr. Carson's temper. Like usual, Rex had run low on funds, he sighed, he knew he maybe shouldn't have bought Muse new suspenders and new shoes for himself, but both were desperately needed. Muse's were wearing thin and his shoes hadn't fit at all.
What with the slump Rex had been in lately, he didn't have enough to pay rent for his living quarters above the livery. Carson had shown him no mercy. He still had his job, he was thankful for that, and he could still keep his buggy(needing repair at the moment) in the livery, Rex just had to find somewhere else to sleep. Rex didn't want to bother his sister with that, he hated being a burden. he was supposed to be the one taking care of her, that's why he had been avoiding her the past couple days. She would really worry about him if she knew. He was working his way back up and he'd have his bed back in no time...he hoped. He had been staying all over the city, trying to find a boarding house to stay for a couple of days. No luck, so a bench made do.
He knew he had a full day of work at the stables ahead of him, but he hadn't gotten as much sleep and all he wanted was to shut his eyes for another hour and block out everything else, no such luck.
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Post by muse on Jun 1, 2009 20:52:49 GMT -5
Muse wandered the city trying not to show how worried she really was, she hadn't seen Rex in a few days and that was unusual. He was always either at the horse stall at the tracks or at least somewhere close by. Sighing, she kicked the side of the statue and then cursed as she grabbed her foot. "Okay that was a bad idea." She muttered to herself.
She left like she had been looking for Rex forever, which in turn was really only about 2 hours. Gripping her stack of papers she was about to head off towards Brooklyn made he would be there, she glanced at the bench. Poor guy had no place to sleep, turning to go she took a few steps and then turned around. That guy was Rex. Raising an eyebrow she walked over and leaned over him. She was deciding on how to wake him, shrugging she went with a subtle way, lifting her hand and grabbed her hat before hitting him with it. "REX!" She yelled.
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Post by trex on Jun 1, 2009 20:59:08 GMT -5
"REX!"
Rex broke out of his sleep and sat up quickly, looking around in slight fear, sleeping on the streets for a few nights had done that, he had ran into a thug one night that ran Rex out of his alley. He sighed and rubbed his eyes tiredly, looking up at Muse and blinking a few times. His eyes registered fear and then weariness and then he groaned softly, no, not Muse. Not now. She was going to be furious with him. He ran a hand through his messy hair and rubbed his neck, before looking down at the ground.
"Muse..." He mumbled, not really knowing what to say though.
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Post by muse on Jun 1, 2009 21:10:51 GMT -5
"Muse..."
"Is this where you've been the past couple days?" She asked her voice harsh, her arms crossed over her chest, the papers had been disposed on the bench next to him. She had been to the stalls everyday hoping he would be there but he never was. "I've been trying ta find ya for days, ya had me worried sick!" She hated thinking that he had been avoiding her, he could be dead in a ditch somewhere and she wouldn't have known.
Maybe she was over exaggerating, "Have ya been sleepin' here?" She said her voice had a harsh tone that was diminishing but her eyes still held worry. Muse was never able to stay mad at Rex for long, but this wasn't something she was just going to let slide.
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Post by trex on Jun 1, 2009 21:18:01 GMT -5
"Is this where you've been the past couple days? I've been trying ta find ya for days, ya had me worried sick!"
Rex looked up briefly to meet her gaze, but his eyes quickly returned downward. He could never meet Muse's stare when he had done wrong, which was often, even when he did things on accident he still felt guilty. He couldn't say anything yet, his neck was still sore and it seemed his mind was still asleep.
"Have ya been sleepin' here?"
"Only last night, I slept on a doorstep another night and an alley the first night, it's nothing, just a little slump that's all, I'm just working my way outta it." He knew Muse wasn't going to be satisfied but he tried to make it seem less worse than it was.
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