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Post by Critter on Jan 15, 2017 20:37:29 GMT -5
"Best hurry ben, huh?"
Beginning to move quicker with him, Critter couldn't contain her small laugh. "Yeah, that'd be good."
"Thanb you..."
She nodded. How could she have just let Cloud freeze? That would have been cruel, especially since newsies all around knew how awful winter could be. Leaving someone in the cold for too long could get them really, really sick, and it was difficult to afford a doctor in a case like that. Even after that... Cloud was special. "Anytime." She returned his smile.
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Post by Cloud on Jan 15, 2017 20:42:55 GMT -5
"Yeah, that'd be good."
Cloud nodded, pressing onward. He was doing his best not to get distracted by the flurries of snow. They looked so pretty... He wanted to study them so he could draw them later, but now wasn't the time to be daydreaming.
"Anytime."
He felt his cheeks redden again. Perhaps it was the cold... He was very grateful as the boys' lodge finally came into view. With somewhat shaky hands, he opened the door for Critter, smiling as he motioned for her to go in first. He remembered his manners after all. "Afber you," he called out cheerfully, glad to feel the little bit of warmth that was coming from the lodge.
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Post by Critter on Jan 15, 2017 20:49:44 GMT -5
"Afber you."
Critter blushed, although she hid it behind her chocolate brown hair as she made her way inside the lodge. It was significantly warmer inside, and she suddenly didn't mind not having her jacket anymore. It was definitely a nice change.
Closing the door behind Cloud, Critter shook the snow from her hair, allowing it to fall to the ground and tickle her neck with the cold texture.
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Post by Cloud on Jan 15, 2017 20:55:19 GMT -5
Cloud was blushing as he carefully hung the borrowed coat and his own worn coat on the rack with its fellow coats. Critter looked really nice in the dim light of the lobby, snow decorating her hair. There was one pretty snowflake stuck to one of her stray hairs. Cloud was determined to draw it as soon as he had a chance.
He sneezed as he made his way to the front desk to sign in. Mr. Thorne wasn't in sight, so he had better sign in before he got distracted and forgot. Once he had scribbled in his name, he joined Critter in the living room area. The roaring fire was rather comforting. He was glad to see the boys weren't around. They were probably in the library playing cards or something.
He sighed in comfort as he sat down in front of the fire. "Thif if nice..." He smiled at Critter. "Ain't it?"
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Post by Critter on Jan 15, 2017 21:00:33 GMT -5
After having signed in [just because she felt as though it would be strange not to, despite it being the boy's lodging house], Critter made her way towards the main area of the lodging house. There was a fire burning there, and there weren't any other newsies around. While a part of her was happy about that, there was always a bit of worry that came along with being alone with Cloud.
"Thif if nice... Ain't it?"
Sitting down in front of the fire, Critter was quick to agree. The fire was warm, and it seemed to heat her up from the inside out, allowing her to relax as she brought her knees in to her chest. "Yeah, it's real nice..." She whispered, her dark brown eyes scanning the boy's face as he warmed himself by the fire.
It was confusing being around Cloud. There was a lot in her head, although the didn't know how to feel about all of it. Surely he was just a close friend of hers, right? That was all that they were, and she didn't want to be greedy wanting anything more. That wasn't the kind of person that she was. But at the same time... She still wondered what it would be like sometimes.
"Ya know how ta get back ta Brooklyn from here tamorrow? Or should I take ya when you're ready ta go?"
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Post by Cloud on Jan 15, 2017 21:08:20 GMT -5
"Yeah, it's real nice..."
Cloud smiled as he warmed his hands by the fire, just enjoying its warmth. He hadn't realized how cold he felt until now.
"Ya know how ta get back ta Brooklyn from here tamorrow? Or should I take ya when you're ready ta go?"
He sat up, blinking in surprise and giving her a sheepish look. He had been momentarily lost in thought. "Gonna heab back tamorr'w..." He yawned some and pulled out a small, rather worn sketchbook from his pocket. Thank goodness it was dry and hadn't gotten damaged by the snow. He wanted to do a quick sketch before he forgot entirely. "It's dark..." he added as he fiddled around in his pocket before finally pulling out a stubby pencil. "Spot'll unberstand."
At least, he hoped he would. Spot could be unpredictable at times. It was hard living up to his standards sometimes despite being practically his right hand man.
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Post by Critter on Jan 15, 2017 21:14:58 GMT -5
"Gonna heab back tamorr'w..."
Critter nodded. That made a lot more sense than trying to head back when it was so dark and cold outside, especially when Cloud had gotten so sick.
"It's dark... Spot'll unberstand."
Watching him pull out the small book and pencil, Critter raised an eyebrow. "What's that for?"
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Post by Cloud on Jan 15, 2017 21:21:57 GMT -5
"What's that for?"
Cloud looked up sheepishly. "It's ummm my skethbook," he admitted shyly. "I libe ta draw."
He wasn't one to openly talk about his hobby. The boys back in Brooklyn thought it was rather girly so he kept it to himself and would draw when no one was around. Often, he would stay up late and draw by candlelight. He felt hesitant to tell Critter, but she had never judged him before. So she wouldn't now, would she?
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Post by Critter on Jan 15, 2017 21:26:36 GMT -5
"It's ummm my skethbook."
Critter was surprised. She had never been aware that Cloud enjoyed drawing, and so seeing him grabbing a sketchbook, especially when it had been carried around with him, was a bit of a surprise.
"I libe ta draw."
"What're ya drawin'?" She asked curiously. She wasn't going to judge him. She had hobbies, too, granted they were much more widely known than she assumed that his had been. She had a lot more time on her hands, not being a bird and all.
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Post by Cloud on Jan 15, 2017 21:34:22 GMT -5
"What're ya drawin'?"
Cloud was blushing again as he stared at his sketchbook. "Umm..." He was a little afraid to admit what he was working on. What if Critter didn't want to be drawn? What if she hated it? "I um..." He sniffed some. "It's you," he blurted out.
His face visibly reddened as he widened his eyes in embarrassment. He hadn't meant to say that aloud! He had kind of zoned out for a moment. And now she was going to hate him for it, wasn't she? He would lose one of the only friends he had because of a stupid mistake. He should have waited to draw. He didn't have many friends for a reason. He bit his lip and lowered his eyes back to his sketchbook just wishing he could disappear. He really didn't want to lose his friendship with Critter... He had just wanted to draw a picture. Was that wrong? He wasn't sure. The Brooklynners sure made it feel that way. He wouldn't easily forget what had happened the last time he had tried to draw a picture of someone back home.
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Post by Critter on Jan 15, 2017 21:41:58 GMT -5
The fact that Cloud seemed reluctant to tell her caused her to nearly revoke her question, figuring that if he didn't want to share what it was, then that was his choice. However, his answer coming so suddenly startled her a bit.
"It's you."
Critter's eyes widened a bit, her cheeks turning bright red as she gazed back at him. He was drawing her? But why? As Cloud's gaze suddenly broke, Critter carefully reached out, placing a gentle hand over his in a reassuring manner. "Do ya, um... Need me ta do anythin' in particular?" She cleared her throat, doing her best to fight back the blush.
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Post by Cloud on Jan 15, 2017 21:54:11 GMT -5
"Do ya, um... Need me ta do anythin' in particular?"
He looked up at her, eyes wide with surprise. She... wasn't angry? His confusion was rather visible on his face. He was afraid to ask... but he had to know.
"You... don't mind?" he asked shyly, his more innocent child-like self coming out. He normally hid it, but every so often, he would let himself come out to those he considered his close friends. "I... I won't draw you if it mabes you uncomportable."
He wanted to save his friendship, even at the cost of the his wish to draw.
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Post by Critter on Jan 15, 2017 21:56:42 GMT -5
"You... don't mind?"
Critter nearly laughed, although she held it back once again, limiting her outwardly expressed emotions to a small smile as she shook her head. "Why would I mind? If ya think ya wanna draw me, then do what makes ya happy."
"I... I won't draw you if it mabes you uncomportable."
She scoffed, "I'm not uncomfortable. Not at all. I have no reason ta be." She smiled briefly at him, running her fingers through her chocolate brown hair once again.
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Post by Cloud on Jan 15, 2017 22:05:00 GMT -5
"Why would I mind? If ya think ya wanna draw me, then do what makes ya happy."
Cloud cocked his head, clearly surprised and not expecting her reaction, though it made him very relieved. "I... I um..." He gave her a shy smile. "Thanbs..."
He wasn't sure what else to say. She was the first person that had been totally fine with him drawing her.
"I'm not uncomfortable. Not at all. I have no reason ta be."
He blushed and gave her a sheepish look. "Ah well... back home people don't theem ta libe it bery much..." He snuck a peek at her. "But you juth looked real purty back in the lobby."
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Post by Critter on Jan 15, 2017 22:18:41 GMT -5
"Thanbs..."
Critter couldn't help but smile, biting her lip and dropping her gaze to her lap. "Yeah, no problem, Cloud..."
"Ah well... back home people don't theem ta libe it bery much..."
She frowned. She would have thought that it was more of a compliment than a bad thing. He was saying that they were worth his time, and every second of Cloud's time that she could have, she was going to cherish. It meant something to her, and it was weird to think that it wasn't the same way with everyone else.
"But you juth looked real purty back in the lobby."
The blush was immediately back, full force. Critter didn't really know what to do to hide it, simply sitting there with bright red cheeks as she actively tried to avoid eye contact. Surely a bright red face had changed that, right?
"U-um... Thanks." It was now her turn to stutter, having a bit of a difficult time forming any coherent thought, much less a real sentence.
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Post by Cloud on Jan 15, 2017 22:25:33 GMT -5
"Yeah, no problem, Cloud..."
He bit his lip in nervous excitement. He couldn't believe that she was okay with it. Cloud was worried that this was all just a dream. "I really mean it," he said quietly. "It... means alot."
"U-um... Thanks."
Cloud was blushing as well as he lowered his eyes. It was the first time he had ever complimented a girl in that sort of way. He wondered if he even did it right. He might have to ask Spot for advice.
"You're welcobe... Snow looks good on you," he added shyly. "Real purty... I umm... thought it woulb be nife ta draw."
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Post by Critter on Jan 15, 2017 22:32:29 GMT -5
"I really mean it. It... means a lot."
Critter smiled softly, nodding a bit and doing her best not to seem too happy that she had made Cloud feel so good all of a sudden. She hadn't even really meant to, although she was glad that she had nonetheless. She wasn't going to complain.
"Snow looks good on you. Real purty... I umm... thought it woulb be nife ta draw."
She blushed a bit more, her cheeks beginning to hurt slightly from the smile that she couldn't wipe away from her features. It was a rush of emotion, and it felt similar to some sort of adrenaline rush. Not many boys ever talked to her much, much less said things like that about her, and she didn't really know how it would be best to react.
"Th-thanks..." She mumbled, fidgeting with her fingers in her lap as she allowed her hair to fall and cover her face once more, shielding it from his view as best she could. "Not many people, um, say that kinda thing... 'Bout me."
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Post by Cloud on Jan 15, 2017 22:39:45 GMT -5
"Th-thanks..."
Cloud snuck another peek at her. He was very glad to see a smile on her face. That meant things would be just fine. Her cheeks were a bit pink though. Could be the lighting of the fire?
"Not many people, um, say that kinda thing... 'Bout me."
He cocked his head slightly. "Why not?" he asked curiously. "You're really purty..." He furrowed his brow in thought. "I fink," he paused to sneeze. "I think that you're prettier than any of the goils back in Brooklyn," he said honestly.
He might not be good with girls or be an expert in prettiness, but he truly thought Critter was the prettiest girl in all New York and even all of New Jersey. It was his honest opinion. And he felt he should always tell the truth.
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Post by Critter on Jan 15, 2017 23:02:13 GMT -5
"Why not?"
It was a good question, and one that Critter didn't know the answer to. Critter didn't really think of herself as being some great beauty, but she did like to think that she wasn't something awful to look at. "I dunno... Most boys don't mention it, I guess."
"You're really purty... I think that you're prettier than any of the goils back in Brooklyn."
It took all of Critter's self control not to explode with happiness. Clenching her hands a bit tighter together, she shot him a shaky smile, doing her best to conceal just how grateful she was for his words. "That's... W-wow," She laughed a bit, "Thanks... Cloud. You's real handsome, too, y'know?"
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Post by Cloud on Jan 15, 2017 23:23:22 GMT -5
"I dunno... Most boys don't mention it, I guess."
Cloud nodded slightly. He supposed he could understand that. The boys in Brooklyn didn't really tell girls they were pretty. They just flirted.
"That's... W-wow. Thanks... Cloud."
He smiled bashfully, glancing over at her, drawing momentarily forgotten. "It's the truth."
"You's real handsome, too, y'know?"
His cheeks reddened. "M-me?" he squeaked in surprise. "Hand-handsome?"
He had never heard anyone comment on his looks before... He didn't really think of himself as ugly, but he never thought of himself as good-looking. That was more up Spot's alley. But it did make him feel special. It was such a weird feeling.
"Th-thanks... I..." He didn't know what else to say. He was flattered.
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Post by Critter on Jan 15, 2017 23:26:59 GMT -5
"It's the truth."
Critter couldn't help but grin. If there was anyone who could never fail to make her smile, it was absolutely Cloud.
"M-me? Hand-handsome?"
A brief moment of courage washing over her, Critter nodded, "That's what I said, ain't it? I think y'are. You's got real pretty eyes. Real blue."
"Th-thanks... I..."
That was an easily relatable statement. She didn't really know how to react to his comments, either. There was so much that she wanted to say but so little that she could actually make herself. "Don't worry about it."
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Post by Cloud on Jan 15, 2017 23:38:17 GMT -5
"That's what I said, ain't it? I think y'are. You's got real pretty eyes. Real blue."
Cloud was feeling extremely bashful. He had always thought Spot had the nicest bluest eyes. The girls even said so back at home. "Aw well... thanks." A small smile tugged at his lips. "I like ta think I got 'em from my mama."
He didn't know though. He had lost his parents when he was very young so he had no memories of what they looked like. And sadly, he had no pictures or anything that could give him a clue of what they were like or what they looked like. A kind neighbor had taken him in, but the neighbor had never saw his parents. The neighbor had moved in shortly after his parents had died in a factory accident. So in the end... he knew nothing.
"Don't worry about it."
He gave her a small smile. "I-I'll try not ta..." He stared at the fire for a few moments before sitting up with wide eyes. "I forgot! We were goin' ta drink somethin'."
Cloud felt rather sheepish as he got onto his feet and set his notebook and pencil to the side. "I'm sure Mr. Thorne's got some hot chocolate or tea in the kitchen somewhere."
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Post by Critter on Jan 15, 2017 23:45:43 GMT -5
"Aw well... thanks. I like ta think I got 'em from my mama."
Critter's smile faltered for a moment at the thought of family, although it was almost unnoticeable. She quickly brought it back up again. She was glad that Cloud found comfort in things like that, considering she didn't know what had happened to his parents or anything like that... She just felt a small pang in her chest whenever she thought about her parents. Unlike most of the newsies, she had gotten to know them, and she adored them... And then she lost them. That was the most difficult point in her life so far. She never wanted to lose someone again.
"I forgot! We were goin' ta drink somethin'. I'm sure Mr. Thorne's got some hot chocolate or tea in the kitchen somewhere."
She had forgotten about it until he brought it up, standing up with him and following him to the kitchen area. "I can make it for us, if ya wanna sit by the fire longer. You're sicker." She pointed out.
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Post by Cloud on Jan 15, 2017 23:55:33 GMT -5
Cloud noticed her smile falter slightly, but then she smiled once more. He was curious to why she had seemed sad. Though, he thought it was better not to ask. He knew how to be sensitive. Not all people like sharing their emotions, especially when it came to family and parents.
"I can make it for us, if ya wanna sit by the fire longer. You're sicker."
He glanced over his shoulder, smiling softly. "It's okay. Not that sick." He pulled out some mugs. "Just a little cold, thank goodness. Doin' much better now that I'm inside." He started rummaging around the pantry. "Wanna help me find the cocoa?"
He didn't really want to admit it, but he wasn't too familiar with the Staten lodge's kitchen. Did Mr. Thorne keep the tea on the counter somewhere or did he put it in the pantry? Cloud wasn't sure and could use some help.
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Post by Critter on Jan 16, 2017 0:00:04 GMT -5
"It's okay. Not that sick." He pulled out some mugs. "Just a little cold, thank goodness. Doin' much better now that I'm inside."
As much as she wanted Cloud to rest, she could already tell that he was doing a lot better being inside than he had been when they had been standing out in the cold. The warmth from the fire seemed to have helped immensely. "If ya say so."
"Wanna help me find the cocoa?"
Grinning, Critter nodded, quickly beginning to search through the containers on the counter, searching for the familiar powder that would give them the perfect drink to warm up with. It was quite a wonderful night... Albeit not one that she had expected.
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