Cherry Street

[Administrator]

About three blocks from the Brooklyn Bridge is Cherry street, named so because the area used to be covered in cherry trees, but now it's city and this road. Be careful though, you never know when a pirate could sail up the river and rob you blind!

[Racetrack Higgins]

Racetrack Higgins walked easily down Cherry Street. There was a weight in his pants pocket that was the remaining $4.22, which was enough to feed him like a king for he didn't even know how long. The rest of his incredible Sheepshead winnings were somewhere on him, as well, although not in the form of money. Two cigars from Brown & Williamson in his inner vest pocket, $7.25 for both. He wore pewter cufflinks in the shape of elaborate equal-armed crosses, which he had bought at full price for $2.00. Finally, there was a watch chain around his vest with a gold-plated, crown-wind Patek Phillipe pocket watch on the end, which had cost him a mere $3.15 (Racetrack had never, ever, thought that anything that cost more than two dollars could seem like a "mere" amount).

He whistled a tune he made up on the spot and chuckled to himself as he fingered the cufflinks. He'd never even owned cufflinks before this, and now he owned ones that normal men with stable jobs would have to save up for a while to afford. He was in such a fine mood, he resolved not to sell any papers until his money was almost used up. Then he would sell enough to get a good amount behind him again, and then try to win big again. The feeling of winning, he thought with pride, was what the gamble was all about.

[Fighter Mallory]

NEW DAY

After crossing the bridge, Fight headed towards Cherry St. She didn't have a particular destination in mind, she just wanted to walk and clear her mind. Too much had been going on lately and she knew Spot wanted to meet with everyone that night. She wasn't trying to avoid it, but if she was trying to avoid wondering about why. A lit cigarette lay nestled, forgotten, between her fingers. When she reached Cherry St., she snapped out of her reverie and brought the cigarette to her lips, taking a deep drag.

She briefly wondered if Riley was working that day, but decided she'd just stop by his place and see for herself. If he was home she could certainly take her mind off of her problems. She'd made a decent amount of cash that day so she knew she didn't have to concern herself with money. Of course, it wasn't money that concerned her. She was hardly ever troubled with money problems. She'd grown used to having so little that it didn't take much to get her by.

After a few more hits of her cigarette, she dropped it to her side and ground her shoe over it. Tucking her hands into her pockets she tried to warm them up as she continued walking. It wouldn't be much use in this weather with her thread bare clothes, but it was better then nothing.

[Ki Harper]

<New Day - Open>

As far as cities went, Ki had to admit that New York might have been the most impressive - with it's tall buildings and streams of people that seemed to come from everywhere all the time. He had plenty of traveling under his built, had seen a great deal of what the country had to offer as a circus performer, but he wasn't sure anything actually compared to New York. It was a city as unique as he might have imagined and yet it exceeded everything he might have expected when he boarded the train down in New Orleans. He strolled down Cherry Street with those thoughts in mind, the week he'd been in the city had been eye opening and fascinating - Ki always enjoyed meeting new people and experiencing new things and New York City was like a font for such things.

But there had been no sign of Devan, his cousin lost among the masses of people and he'd figured out pretty quickly that trying to locate her was going to be something akin to sorting through a haystack for a needle. He wasn't deterred though, if anything the past week had only confirmed that he'd been right to come. For all it's grandeur and beauty, and as with most things, there was a grimy underbelly that couldn't be avoided. And it wasn't that Devan couldn't look after herself, Ki knew that she could - growing up as they had taught more survival skills than one might think - but he would just feel a whole lot better when he was there with her.

He would find her in time he knew, and so though the passing days without sign of her troubled him some, he didn't let it derail his explorations of the city streets and corners. So he ambled down Cherry Street without any real purpose taking in the sights around him: the newsies selling on the corners, people hurrying along on errands or to purposes unknown. As he walked he began to whistle, the soft undertones of a song his mother used to sing to him when he was little and allowed his feet to lead him where they may.

[Devan Harper]

Devan wondered down Cherry Street, glancing into the windows of different stores with a smile on her face. She'd met some extremely interesting people since coming to the city and the loneliness was starting to abate. She paused when she found a window that housed dozens of different shoes. A small gasp escaped her at the beauty of the shoes. She'd never been one for frilly girly clothes or anything of the sort but those shoes were beautiful. If only she'd found a job, then she'd happily spend some of the money her parents had given her on a pair, but she had to think about food and housing before wasting money on unnecessary items.

She continued down the street, not wanting to continue to stare longingly at something she couldn't afford. Devan's mind wondered to the people she'd met so far since coming to the city. She wanted to go and see Nike again because she thought they might have some things in common with one another. Plus she was such a contrast to the only other girl Devan had met she couldn't help but feel relieved that all New York women weren't all like Jewel. The girl seemed nice, but Devan didn't get a good feeling from her and her mother had always taught her to trust her instincts.

That thought brought a new wave of misery to the surface. As much as she enjoyed meeting the people she had, she missed her family. Really, she missed Ki. As much as she loved her family, her cousin was a brother and a best friend to her. She couldn't stand being so far apart from him. It was weird since they'd never really spent any time apart at all. She couldn't wait to get a letter from him and hear about his adventures in New Orleans. She knew he'd send her all the details on it.

[Ki Harper]

He was about to cross the street when he caught sight of a familiar figure walking down in his direction, the graceful movements of her body easily identifiable from the others around her. It was his cousin, there was no question about it that the thin, lithe body that moved towards the window and paused to gaze through the glass was Devan Harper. Even if he couldn't see her profile from where he stood, he'd know her anywhere - seventeen years of growing up together had made it impossible for her to hide from him, not that she was trying too. The truth was that Devan had absolutely no idea that he was here, not just standing on the very street that she was walking on, but even in the city and Ki did love a good surprise.

It was hard for him to move unobtrusively or fade into a crowd, he was the strongman for a reason and people tended to get out of his way due to his size. But somehow he managed to work his way down the street towards her, watching as she looked into store windows or seemed caught up in her thoughts - it wasn't hard to see that they were family, as their parents used to say they were rather like two peas in a pod. She seemed to be absorbing the city in much the same way that he had been doing since his arrival and though he hadn't really been worried about her safety, it was good to see her in one piece.

Not wanting her to see him right away, he leaned against a lamp post and watched her progress down the street, arms crossed over his broad chest as he waited for her to be nearly upon him. Her progress was slow, but Ki was patient and spent the time studying the people on the street with more intent interest, wondering what their stories were and what had brought them to this bustling city. He could feel his smile growing as Devan came closer, the features of her face now clearly defined and it was all he could do to wait until she was standing directly in front of him - still unaware of his presence. "Excuse me miss, any chance you could tell me the way to Midtown?"

[Devan Harper]

Devan spun around so quickly she wouldn't be surprised to have a sore neck later. A wide smile crossed her face and her eyes widened as she let out a squeal of delight. A few seconds later she was running at Ki and jumped into his arms. She couldn't believe her cousin was in New York or that he was standing here holding her. She'd missed him so much and she was beyond excited he was there. She kissed his cheek lightly and jumped down from his arms. "What are you doing here? When did you get here? What did your mother and father say? Where have you been staying?" She paused then, taking a deep breath and realizing she'd been babbling.

"Sorry," Devan said with a small smile. "I can't believe you're here!" She was beyond excited though and could hardly contain herself. She bounced excitedly on the balls of her feet as she stared up at Ki's face. "Have you gotten larger? You look as though you've gotten larger!"

Devan gave him a sly smile as she teased him before she threw herself against him again, wrapping her arms around his middle. She pulled back after another moment and hit him lightly in the chest, aware that she would do more damage to herself then him if she truly put any effort behind it. "Why didn't I know you were coming? You could have just come with me! Oh it would've been so much more fun if we'd traveled together!"

[Ki Harper]

He knew that Devan would know the sound of his voice and he was disappointed when her head nearly turned on a swivel and moments later she was launching herself at him. He caught her easily and spun her around with a laugh, as she lobbed questions at him at a rate that he could barely keep up with. She slipped from his hug and looked up at him with her eyes shining and Ki found he wanted to sweep her up in a hug all over again - Devan was his very best friend in the whole world and being away from her had been unexpectedly difficult.

"You know that I was thinking about leaving for a bit anyway," Ki began, trying to answer her questions in the order she had asked but finding it easier to just give an explanation and hope he covered everything. "And after you left it was...weird and I missed you and it seemed foolish to stay behind and I couldn't just let you have all the fun." He grinned down at her and pulled her into another side arm hug, it was good just to have his cousin around again - rather like breathing. "So when I approached mom and dad with the idea and they mentioned it to Uncle Cal and Aunt Ronnie and I think it made them feel better knowing I'd be here with you. They all agreed that I should have the same experience you're having and well...here I am."

He laughed as Devan nearly bounced around him, seemingly unable to contain her excitement and he scrunched his noise and scowled when she hit him lightly in the chest. "Ouch," Ki said, rubbing at the place her hand had struck as though she had landed a mighty blow. "They teach you to fight in these mean streets, that's a hell of a wallop there Dev." He winked and leaned back against the street post, letting his gaze wander down the street for a moment. "What would have been the fun in telling you, besides I didn't exactly have an address to send a post too," Ki explained and smiled a little wider. "Besides I've only been here about a week - rented an apartment here in Manhattan."

[Devan Harper]

Devan smiled playfully and leaned against Ki when he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "I knew you'd miss me," Her tone was joking as she spoke, but part of her was serious. She'd missed him horribly and it was such a relief knowing he was in the city with her now. It made her miss home just a little less. "I'm glad they agreed and you should..plus it's not much of an adventure without you around."

She snickered a bit at his words, "If I was going to wallop you, Ki, I'd need a ladder so I could box your ears." She smiled up at her cousin having to crane her neck to look him in the eye. She continued to hug him tightly, "You rented an apartment? I've been staying at a hotel." She probably should have rented an apartment but she was never the one to think logically like that. She would probably have more money if she had done what he did. "Oh, Ki, I've met some of the most interesting people. I met a girl with a twin brother who lived in Ireland -and- Holland."

She thought about all the people she'd met and decided not to tell him about the boys since he usually became protective when she was around other men. "I met a very strange girl who said people wanted to kill her!" Her eyes widened a bit just at the thought of it. She'd decided once she'd gotten away from her that she was going to avoid the girl at all costs. "What have you been doing for a week? Have you found a job?"

[Ki Harper]

"We always did have our best adventures together," Ki agreed, remember the multitude they had managed to have over their years growing up in the circus. If it wasn't one thing it was another and while he was sure they had driven their parents crazy with the antics - it had helped to bond them and they had all been great fun. And now they had a whole city full of adventures to have and Devan was right, it was much more fun with the two of them together than it could ever be alone.

"You should check out of the hotel and move into the apartment with me," Ki said matter of factly, things would be a little cramped but they'd experienced worse and it would make him feel better to know that he could keep a close eye on her. He was certainly willing to let her live her life, Devan was a strong and competent young woman, but that didn't mean Ki intended to be careless with his responsibilities either. The last thing he'd promised his Uncle Cal before leaving was that he'd take care of his little girl and even if he hadn't given his word - Devan was his sister and there was no accounting for that kind of loyalty. Plus there was something to be said for combining their resources and pooling their money, their parents had been generous and they would be fine but it didn't hurt to be practical.

"Ireland and Holland?" Ki repeated, feelings his eyes widen a little bit - though he had managed to see a good deal of America, it had always been his dream to go overseas and see what things were like there. "That must have been fascinating, did she say she liked it?" He was about to ask another question when Devan informed him of her next acquaintance, and his brow furrowed in concern. "Kill her? Why on earth would -" He stopped himself and simply shook his head. Even in his short experience in the city he had learned that people had their reasons and most of the time they made sense - at least to them. And judging by the expression on Devan's face he didn't have to worry about her stirring up trouble with the girl anyhow, so he considered the matter not of his concern. "Mostly I've just been walking around and getting to know the city. There is so much to see! I haven't found a job yet, little boy I met my first day in town thought I was a fighter, but I think I might check out things down at the docks if I have a mind too."

[Devan Harper]

"That we did," She said with a smile, still unable to believe her cousin was in New York standing next to her. She was going to have to write her parents and profusely thank them for sending Ki to New York as well. She didn't feel so lost now that he was here. "This city is full of so many things that can entertain us," And now she didn't have to be as cautious with where she went and when she was home by.

"Of course I will!" She exclaimed and wrapped her cousin in another hug. By the tone of her voice she obviously thought it was silly he even suggested it because as soon as she saw him she knew she'd be staying with him. They could pool their money and besides their adventures could go well into the night and she wasn't going to have him walk her home and then walk back to his place when they could just stay in the same apartment. She looped her arm through his and started pulling him in the direction of her hotel. "Come on, we'll get my stuff now and then we can get some food and I'll try to make us dinner." She laughed as she thought about the last time she'd tried to make food and it had burned so much on the pot they'd ended up throwing it out. She hoped she'd do a better job this time, but she wasn't counting on it.

Devan nodded her emphatically, "Isn't it amazing?" She could still hardly believe that the twins had stayed in both countries. She'd heard plenty about Ireland but Holland was like an exotic nation to her. "She said she loved it but she loves the city as well." Devan nodded, a large grin plastered on her features. She just shrugged at his question about the girl who said there were people who wanted to kill her. She had no idea why the girl had gotten into such trouble and she did not want to find out. Devan had a knack of finding trouble on her own she didn't need the other girls trouble as well.

"A fighter?" She giggled at the thought of her cousin actually using his strength and height for that sort of activity. She knew that on the rare occasion he did get angry he could more then put somebody down, but he didn't. That wasn't the type of man he was and she loved him even more for it. "The docks sound like a good idea, what would you be doing there?" Devan had been looking into being an assistant in a shop but she hadn't had any luck so far. She'd decided that if money got too low then she'd just use her talents to earn some money from onlookers. After all, she was a dancer and she'd been told many times that it was amazing the way her body could bend.

[Ki Harper]

"I can only imagine the things that we can find to do," Ki said, shooting his cousin a lopsided smile as he envisioned the days ahead - adventures walking the streets and meeting new people like the ones that Devan had stumbled upon already. A feat that would be made much easier by Devan's agreement to move in with him - it had it's practical purposes to be sure, but there was also the side of it that they had never really lived apart and it just made sense.

He laughed as she settled her arm through his and began guiding him through the streets, chattering happily about moving her into the apartment and then there was the bit about preparing dinner and he stopped short. "Dev, you know I love you but can we just agree now that cooking isn't really your thing?" Settling his hand over hers he gave it a gentle squeeze so she'd know he was teasing. "There are some perfectly fine restaurants around and we might be better off when we know we can get the food into our stomachs rather than the nearest dump." He had an endless amount of affection for his cousin, but he was still growing and had the appetite to match, he figured they were safer with restaurant prepared meals and simpler fare like fresh fruits and sandwich should they have the urge for something else. Grinning he pulled her close and dropped a kiss against the top of her hair, just pleased that they were together in the city now.

"I'll have to check into the docks, but I think it's mostly hauling crates around and the like," Ki explained, continuing their stroll now at a leisurely pace, he'd watched a few of the workers earlier that day. They had been carting crates back and forth, loading or unloading them from the ships, something he was sure he could do with ease and it would give them some extra money and a little breathing room.

[Devan Harper]

“Oh, I’m sure there will be plenty,” The smile that crossed her face as she spoke was slightly devilish. With Ki around she felt more comfortable and it was showing. Devan wasn’t the type of girl who usually sat quietly in the corner, she was after all used to being the center of attention. Although when she came to New York alone she would have rather blended in with the wallpaper then stand out. Now though, she had her cousin and they could get into all sorts of adventures while in the city.

When he pulled them to a stop and told her rather bluntly that her cooking was more akin to trash she giggled. “Alright,” She said holding her hands up in mock surrender. “You’re right, I know you’re right. But maybe I can learn to cook a few things.” She gave him a pout that she had perfected years ago that nearly always got her, her way. At least with the males in her family. Then she smiled brightly and continued pulling him along down the street. “Either way, I’m starved. So as soon as we move me into your apartment we need to get some food. “Well, that sounds boring but at least you won’t lose muscle.” Another wide smile crossed her face and she leaned against him as they continued to walk.

“When I see Nike again, I’ll have to introduce you. She’s the girl from Ireland I was telling you about. Her brothers name is Styx.” Devan had really taken a liking to the girl, which wasn’t unusual because Devan liked most people she met. “I told her that when our family comes to town they’ll have to come to the circus. She said she’d been once before with her brother.” Devan was happy to find someone who’d finally been to the circus, she couldn’t believe all the people she’d met who had never gone.

[Ki Harper]

Ki knew that look, that spark in her eye that said she sensed adventure and perhaps a bit of trouble ahead and he couldn't help but laugh. As sweet and somewhat innocent as his cousin could be, Ki could admit that she had a bit of a daredevil streak in her - no surprise considering the sorts of people she had grown up around and now what she did for a living. And the real truth of the matter was that he was rarely far behind her, partly to ensure her safety and partly for his own gratification - adventurous streaks did run in the family after all.

"Perhaps you could," Ki agreed, mischievous smile playing across his features as he looked down at her. "There is always hope, I suppose, even for lost causes." His tone was teasing as she dragged him along the street towards the hotel, Ki following willingly and knowing that before long he would be carting her belongings up to his apartment and then would find himself seated at a restaurant of his cousin's choosing. It was their way, Devan typically took the lead with Ki ducking into the background to support her where needed and make sure things ran smoothly, it had been that way their whole lives. "That was my thought as well, some of the crates looked pretty heavy and I want to make sure I can still do the act when everyone gets here," Ki agreed. He'd taken exactly what Devan said into consideration when he'd thought about a job at the docks - the hard manual labor would help keep his body toned and muscle sculpted which was important for when they rejoined their families.

"I'd like to meet your new friends, Dev, she sounds like a charmer and I want to know more about Ireland," Ki said wondering if he'd meet anyone else from other countries, the streets were seemingly littered with all different sorts of languages and accents and they fascinated Ki. "Met this cute kid the first day I was in town, about this high..." Ki leaned over to hold his hand up above the ground to indicate Half Pint's height. "Wanted to ride an elephant and I told him if he came to the circus when it came to town I'd see what I could do. Called himself Half Pint and was a ball of energy - he said he'd never been before."

[Devan Harper]

Devan giggled when Ki called her a lost cause and let out a long sigh, "I suppose you're right. I am a lost cause." She paused and glanced around before pulling him around the corner and pointing to the hotel where she was staying. "That's it," Devan said and giggled again as she thought of what had happened the previous times she'd tried cooking. Besides ruining pots and nearly setting their tent on fire, she'd also burned herself numerous times until her mother forbade her from ever setting foot near their dinner again. "I may poison us if I try cooking," She said with a small smile. "And I wouldn't want to die young though at least we'd both be beautiful."

Devan was practically skipping up towards the front door, she offered a large smile towards the man holding the door and walked over to the front desk after letting go of Ki. "I'm going to be checking out," She said with a smile. "I just need to gather my belongings and then I'll be moving in with my cousin." The gentleman behind the desk nodded curtly and eyed Ki before filling out a bit of paperwork. He told her he'd need her to sign a book before she left. She gave him another smile before walking back to Ki and taking his arm and pulling him once again up the stairs.

Once they were in her room, she began gathering her belongings and putting them in her bag. It didn't take very long because she hadn't brought a lot of stuff with her. "Me too!" She said wistfully when he spoke of Ireland. "I've heard it's beautiful. Wouldn't you love to go there?! We should bring our act to Ireland, I bet they'd love us." She finished packing and locked up her room before pocketing the key. "He sounds adorable! I know he'd love the elephants. Wait till he meets father." Devan had always been fond of the lions, but she supposed that was expected since her father worked with them on a daily basis. Though she had never cared for cleaning up after them which she'd done more then once. When she checked out she led Ki outside and then turned to him expectantly. "Where to?"