The Porch

[Administrator]

Outside of the front of the Bronx Lodging house there is the porch. Perfect for taking a break at any time.

[River Chambers]

*NEW DAY ~ OPEN*

River collapsed on the front porch once he reached it and pulled a cigarette from his pocket before lighting it. Today had been a long day and he was absolutely exhausted. He leaned his elbow against the floor of the porch and relaxed back, glancing around the yard. He wondered if anyone else was back yet from work but he didn't have the energy to move yet let alone go inside and find out for himself. All he wanted to do was sit down for a few moments and smoke his cigarette in peace.

He missed his girlfriend, but he'd just been too busy with work and the house to make the trip to Brooklyn. Besides he'd just gone there the other day and had missed her completely. When he got some free time he'd make the trip again, but he was definitely missing her. That was one of the down sides to having a girl in another borough but he wouldn't have it any other way. Besides it hadn't been a complete waste of a trip, he'd run into Birdie and had a nice chat with Sarah Williams at McGinty's.

A slight chuckle escaped him as he thought about his run-in with Lexi earlier in the day. She'd told him about the new girl and the fight she'd gotten into with Emma. Emma was a little spitfire but she was like a little sister to him and it was part of what endeared her to him. He wouldn't have minded seeing it for himself, but from what Lexi had told him Emma wasn't completely at fault. He'd have to relay that information to Dodger later in case he didn't already know. But unless Emma had told him, River didn't think he would. Lexi had mentioned her and Dodger had been to busy to really see each other lately. Well, he didn't mind filling his leader in...they could have a few good laughs over it.

[Emma Jackson]

Emma had her fiddle hanging from her fingers, the case in the other hand as she walked up to the boys house and then did what came naturally. She stood next to River and dropped her forehead on top of his head made a sound that seemed to cross with a pout and a whimper before she slipped down next to him on the step, setting her case on the step which had a few bills and coins. She really did think she made more money this way, less than selling papers. Much less and she leaned against him, tossing her arms over his legs and laying there.

Reid had let her sleep in completely, she'd had to go on her own into the city and had run from men, cops and people who seemed to think touching a tiny blond was okay. It was very much not okay. "Evening.."

[River Chambers]

River smirked when he saw Emma, she looked as tired as he felt. When she leaned her forehead against his head, he reached his free hand up and patted the back of her head. He couldn't help but chuckle when she all but laid on top of his legs. He rubbed her back in a reassuring way, "You alright, Emma?"

She was usually more full of energy so he wasn't sure if she was just tired or if this was more then that. He hoped it wasn't more then that because then he'd be going out looking for whoever had put her in this mood and he just didn't feel like doing much of anything right now. All he wanted to do was smoke his cigarette, find something to drink, and pass out in his bunk. Tomorrow was promising to be an even longer day then today had been and he for one was not looking forward to it.

[Emma Jackson]

She closed her eyes and yawned, shifting into the petting like a kitten as she let out a sigh and opened one eye. She was tired but it was from all the running and the almost getting grabbed a few times. Ever since those kids had come up missing and the boroughs had gone to get them back she'd never really liked playing alone. "Reid let me sleep in so I missed everybody... lots of running today just tired and I don't want to go back to the lodging house. That stupid girl would be there.."

That stupid one she groaned. "Stupid twit, why'd Lexi have to bring her home? We don't need more pets.."

[River Chambers]

River chuckled quietly under his breath, "Yeah I ran into her today and she told me what happened. You know how she is, to nice for her own good." He knew Lexi would probably regret letting the girl live in the Bronx if she didn't change her ways, but Lexi would be the last person to kick her out. She always wanted to see the best in everybody even they were obnoxious girls from Brooklyn. "You gonna stay in Reid's bunk again tonight?" He asked with a smirk, he'd seen her there when he'd gotten up but he didn't want to wake her.

[Emma Jackson]

She pressed her cheek into his leg and grumbled a bit, she did tend to take liberties with her boys. Yes, she claimed them as hers and she often didn't like sharing them. But River was like family, a brother. The Bronx was a family and a strong one at that, it had her closing her eyes again when he spoke. "Might... I ran into Rori, I didn't know they were.. you know..."

Hell she hadn't any idea, Emma was still in the some boys have cooties and kissing was gross phase of her life even at sixteen. But she didn't move, just leaned her cheek against his knee and stayed where she was. Because this was a safe place. "I probably shouldn't sleep in his bed no more...." Then again that hadn't stopped her from sleeping in other people's bunks.

[River Chambers]

"Her and Reid?" He was a little surprised she hadn't known considering the two had disappeared for over a month together. He was happy for the kid honestly because after everything he went through with losing his brother and having to take care of Lexi he needed something good to happen to him. River had never thought he'd see someone break down the way Lexi had but then again he'd never really seen someone lose a family member the way she had. He was proud of Reid for handling it the way he had, but the kid deserved some happiness.

River laughed and shook his head, "Not like it means anything, kid." Emma and Rori were both good girls and Rori knew Emma's habits, they had after all been friends since they were kids. He highly doubted Rori would take offense to it. "Besides, when's that ever stopped you before? I swear you'd probably camp out in Dodgers room if he didn't snore like a giant."

[Emma Jackson]

She snorted and shifted, closing her eyes like a kid as her fingers held her fiddle lightly as she listened to him. Oh she didn't mind what he said she just shrugged her shoulders and then snorted, turning her blue eyes to his face. "And you're to big to move, get all growly at me because you sleep like a bear.." Almost as bad as she was really, but she shrugged her shoulders and sighed.

"I know Rori wouldn't mind, she knows me. Always has.." It didn't occur to her that Rori would also make the connection that Emma didn't really see men that way yet. Or that she didn't know what to do with it if someone did. But she just laid across River's lap like a lost kitten and frowned. "I don't want to go back to the girl's lodging house, I want to stay here so I don't have to see that chit again. Don't want to cause trouble for Lexi.."

[River Chambers]

River snickered and shook his head, "Must sound like you then when someone wakes you up." He smirked, he loved teasing her and the fact that she'd gotten into a fight with another newsie would provide material for at least a week. "Course I don't throw my pillows when someone wakes me up."

He sent her a wink and grinned, his mood was lifting by the minute of course it was at Emma's expense. "Eh, Lexi's a big girl she can handle a spot of trouble." He patted her head lightly, "but either way I really don't think Rori will care." She must have an inkling of knowledge about Emma's lack of interest in guys. They were, after all, best friends.

[Dodger Samuels]

Dodger stepped out of the lodging house and dropped next to River, looking down at Emma looking just young and upset, smirking warmly he set his hat on her head and patted her back. "What's wrong, love?" He glanced over at River, rubbing Emma's back like he would she were his younger sister and nudged River with his elbow.

"Hey, mate. Torturin' our little blondie here?"

"Shut up Dodger," Emma mumbled and shifted back into River, tugging Dodger's bowler cap over her eyes as she looked to be drifting off to sleep where she was.

With a smirk the leader reached over and took her fiddle from her fingers before leaning over and opening the case, setting it inside, shaking his head. He wasn't exactly always happy with how Emma did things or the trouble she caused but she was one of there's. That was what was important and she had been there for a long time, since before he'd even gotten there. He knew she was important to the Bronx, at least to most of it's members.

"Awe, don't be like that, Em. Ya know I'd do anythin for you.." he tapped his hat on her head before leaning back and looking up at the sky. "That girl's going to spell trouble for us River.... I can already feel it.." Not like Dodger didn't like trouble, after all he was bred for it, but when it came to what was best for his borough, sometimes he tried to go the safer route. "I bloody well hope she keeps outta Brooklyn... I heard Lucks was on her way here. Had a tangle with her-- girl punched her, ran and threatened Lucks..." He turned and looked at River, don't we have great jobs.

"If she comes here lookin' for the, chit. I won't stop her from findin' her.."

[River Chambers]

River sent a smirk Dodgers way when he asked if he was torturing Emma. He gave his leader a 'who, me?' look, but stayed silent on the subject. They all teased Emma, but the girl had a tough skin and knew in the end they'd do anything to keep her safe so a little teasing every now and then never harmed anyone. River just shrugged at Dodger's comment about the girl being trouble, "I'm sure Lexi can deal with her...."

He trailed off as soon as Dodger said Lucky was heading their way. "Lucky's on her way?" He smiled, "Well I'm sure I can find a way to keep her occupied." Running a hand through his hair, he let out a chuckle. She'd been on his mind constantly lately and it would be nice to actually be able to see her. "Looks like your gonna be keeping little Emma company by yourself, Dodger."

River's leg started bouncing in anticipation and he wanted to go and wash up but he was still finishing his cigarette and he wasn't just gonna toss Emma off his lap. "Saw Lexi today, by the way." River winks at Dodger and gives him a smirk. He thought the Bronx girl had been looking especially good lately now that she wasn't walking around looking as though she'd burst into tears if the wind hit her the wrong way.

[Dodger Samuels]

Emma would have bitten River if he hadn't sounded so happy, but she didn't feel like moving yet so she just sat there and stayed silent. Arms across his legs and making a mumbled retort about everyone and swatting at them both with her hand, tipping the hat more firmly over her eyes. "Boys.."

"You love us, dove, don't think you dont.." With that Dodger raised a brow at River, snorting a bit as he heard the bit about Lexi handling the girl. "Oh, aye, mate. Lexi can handle her but I doubt Lexi wants to handle your girl on a tear." Dodger had known Lucky about as long as he had River, and he knew that Lucky dealt with things the Brooklyn way. Then again, so did River though he was more laid back recently than he had been in ages. Dodger tossed that up to having his dream girl.

"Didja now?" he laughed, shaking his head as he leaned back, glancing up at the sky for a moment and letting the idea of that settle. He'd been wanting to see Lexi, but they'd both been swamped. And he'd been thinking about going to Manhattan to visit but when things were a lot less exciting he guessed. But Jack wasn't really around and he'd heard that at least his home borough was pretty quiet.

"I'll have to go pay her a visit.."

"You guys are gross," Emma mumbled, still not moving even though River's knees were bouncing. "Talking about getting tail with a delicate girl like me around.."

"You've heard worse Em."

[River Chambers]

Chuckling under his breath, River reaches out and rubs her hair through the hat affectionately. "Yes, you do," Love them that is. She put up with a lot but that's because she also gave them so much grief. He was glad he wasn't as pliable as Reid when it came to sleeping because he would hate to wake up on the floor night after night. "I doubt she does, but I'm sure she'll be able to diffuse the situation, if she needs to."

"Besides, I plan on keeping my girl occupied when she comes." He'd been wanting to see Lucky for ages and he didn't care if she wanted to the beat the tar out of some new lodger, he was going to make sure he had her all to himself. "Mmhmm," He mumbled to Dodger's question. He'd run into her when she was on her way to work and he'd ended up walking her so he could hear the full story of what happened with Emma and the new girl. He'd gotten a good laugh out of it so it hadn't been a waste of time.

"Think she's at work late tonight," River shrugged as he responded. He knew they had both been busy enough that they had been able to see each other even less then him and Lucky. "Looks good, though," He said with a grin before elbowing Emma lightly in the side. "With everything you've seen you're going to call yourself delicate?" River couldn't help but snicker loudly at the mere idea.

[Dodger Samuels]

Emma's mumbled protests did nothing to detour the two Bronx boys, who did in fact, love her to pieces. She snorted at River and swatted at him again, adjusting the hat to peer at him under the rim, glancing at them both with a mix of annoyance and admiration before she whined at them both. "Oh I have not seen worse you gits.."

Dodger ignored her a bit and rubbed her back briskly before replying to River. "I'll have to go an' pick her up from work, she might like the escort home." He gave his friend a lopsided grin. "Though I'm not sure if I were you I'd escort your dame home, you might get in fights along the way." Lord knew Dodger got in a few just being around her. With a sigh he reached over and picked Emma up off of River and deposited her across his own knees. "Let River go get washed up for his impromptu date."

"Hey!" Emma protested but then went slack as a rag doll. "Reid's probably on a date too.. what is it with dating anyway our courtin? Why would anyone want to court? It's easier not to isn't it?"

"How to explain relationships to a hellion like you that still thinks boys are gross."

"Well you are."