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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 26, 2017 22:40:10 GMT -5
"Hiya, Spot. Good ta finally see ya again."
Spot merely nodded. He couldn't really be as happy as Jack at the moment, though he did feel bad that they weren't meeting for happier reasons.
"Yeah, acourse... What's this about?"
He made a slight face as he walked beside the slightly taller leader. "It's.... kinda complicated," he admitted. "I need some advice on two things and figured you'd be the best choice." He sighed and stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Borough trouble... and well goil trouble."
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Post by Jack Kelly on Feb 26, 2017 23:04:00 GMT -5
"It's.... kinda complicated. I need some advice on two things and figured you'd be the best choice."
Jack grinned in an attempt to lighten the mood, although he didn't say anything insensitive. "Yeah, acourse. Advice is my specialty."
"Borough trouble... and well goil trouble."
At first, Jack nodded solemnly, figuring that it had something to do with Queens. That was the big problem that Brooklyn had been having for a long time now, and he had no reason to think anything different. However, the next thing that Spot said stopped Jack dead in his tracks.
"Goil trouble?" He asked aloud, an incredulous expression on his face as he stared back at the Brooklyn leader. "Whaddya mean? Goil trouble like a goil likes ya, or goil trouble like a goil doesn't like ya?" Did Spot finally have feelings for someone? If so, who?
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 26, 2017 23:54:58 GMT -5
"Yeah, acourse. Advice is my specialty."
Spot smirked slightly. "Oh sure sure..." He gave the newsie a light shove. "But really, this is serious."
But it was nice of Jack to lighten the mood. He certainly needed it.
"Goil trouble?"
He couldn't help but make a face. "Don't say it like that, Jacky-boy. An' don't say it that loud for anudder!" he snapped a little, trying to cover his blush with a cough.
"Whaddya mean? Goil trouble like a goil likes ya, or goil trouble like a goil doesn't like ya?"
He rolled his eyes. "Really... jus' stay focused will ya. Borough first then the goil problem, okay?" He didn't want to get into Lacey just yet.
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Post by Jack Kelly on Feb 27, 2017 9:30:12 GMT -5
"Oh sure sure... But really, this is serious."
Jack nodded. He could handle a serious conversation about anything that Spot needed. He just hoped that he would know what advice to give...
"Don't say it like that, Jacky-boy. An' don't say it that loud for anudder!"
He had to force back his snickers, covering his mouth and calming himself down quickly before nodding. "Alright, alright... It just ain't somethin' I expected ta hear from ya."
"Really... jus' stay focused will ya. Borough first then the goil problem, okay?"
Jack cleared his throat, putting on a serious face once more. "Right. Borough troubles. What's happenin' in Brooklyn? Do ya need 'Hattan's help with anythin'?"
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 27, 2017 10:04:29 GMT -5
"Alright, alright... It just ain't somethin' I expected ta hear from ya."
Spot scowled some. He was just a tad bit sensitive when it came to talking about girls in general but even more so when around people he knew. He was probably the only male leader who had never had a girlfriend... It was just one of those things. He didn't like rumors spreading about him and one of his girls. He was just nice... but Lacey now? That was a different matter for a different time.
"Right. Borough troubles. What's happenin' in Brooklyn? Do ya need 'Hattan's help with anythin'?"
He was frowning now as he looked at the streets ahead of them. "Not somethin' happenin' in Brooklyn exactly... Don't know if 'Hattan can help." He glanced at his friend. "Do you by chance know a kid named 'Lighter'?"
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Post by Jack Kelly on Feb 27, 2017 14:49:21 GMT -5
"Not somethin' happenin' in Brooklyn exactly... Don't know if 'Hattan can help."
Jack frowned. "Acourse 'Hattan can help. If I dunno how ta help normally, then I can find someone who does." He insisted. He was determined to find a way to help Spot with whatever he needed.
"Do you by chance know a kid named 'Lighter'?"
Jack frowned, pausing for a moment. It took him a moment to think about it, although he still wasn't sure about it. "Maybe... Ya might wanna ask one o' the other guys ta be sure. Race or someone. But I think she mightta been here once. Didn't last long. Never found out much about 'er." He shrugged. He would need some fact checks, but it was good enough for him.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 27, 2017 17:16:02 GMT -5
"Acourse 'Hattan can help. If I dunno how ta help normally, then I can find someone who does."
Spot sighed. "Yeah, yeah... I know 'Hattan'll help if I ask, but I don't know if it's somethin' ya have the ability ta do. It ain't a matter of wantin' ta help."
He still didn't know what the exact problem was after all. Hattan wouldn't be able to help until he knew the whole picture.
"Maybe... Ya might wanna ask one o' the other guys ta be sure. Race or someone. But I think she mightta been here once. Didn't last long. Never found out much about 'er."
He frowned some. Well that was better than nothing. If she was from around here and not Queens, that could be a good thing. "But you have hoid of her?" he pressed some. Anything he could get on Lighter would be better than nothing. He'd only bring out the map as a last resort. It had already caused enough problems for him and Lacey. He shouldn't get Jack into trouble over this if he could help it.
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Post by Jack Kelly on Feb 27, 2017 17:22:25 GMT -5
"Yeah, yeah... I know 'Hattan'll help if I ask, but I don't know if it's somethin' ya have the ability ta do. It ain't a matter of wantin' ta help."
Jack nodded solemnly. The problem seemed a bit strange to him, although he trusted Spot to know what was dangerous in his borough and what wasn't. There was obviously something more serious going on than what Spot was saying, and he wasn't gonna push that.
"But you have hoid of her?"
He sighed, pausing for another moment before nodding. "Yeah, I've hoid of 'er. As far as I can remember, if she's who I'm thinkin' of, she wouldn't be very old right now. She was maybe eight or nine when she was here, and it's only been a year or two. Tumbler could remember her, probably." He shrugged. He didn't know if that would help much, but it was really all that he knew. "I can ask Race and the others about it tanight. I'll get back ta you tamorrow after selling, alright?"
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 27, 2017 19:02:38 GMT -5
"Yeah, I've hoid of 'er. As far as I can remember, if she's who I'm thinkin' of, she wouldn't be very old right now. She was maybe eight or nine when she was here, and it's only been a year or two."
Spot's frown deepened. That would mean she was about ten or eleven years old? He wasn't sure how he felt about that. What was a kid doing in Brooklyn like that?
"Tumbler could remember her, probably?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Tumbler? You think so?" He wasn't familiar with the names of all of Jack's newsies. Just his main crew.
"I can ask Race and the others about it tanight. I'll get back ta you tamorrow after selling, alright?"
Spot was frowning again. He wanted answers now... But he would have to wait. He sighed. "Yeah, yeah... that sounds good. I'll be at the docks like usual."
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Post by Jack Kelly on Feb 27, 2017 19:06:50 GMT -5
"Tumbler? You think so?"
Jack shrugged. He didn't really know who would remember her. All he knew was that she had hung around a lot of the younger newsies, since they were closer to her age. Boots and Snipeshooter had been just a few years older than her. "Yeah, I guess."
"Yeah, yeah... that sounds good. I'll be at the docks like usual."
He nodded. He always had some extra time after he was done selling, so he figured that taking a trip to the docks wouldn't be difficult in the slightest. Maybe they could begin solving whatever mystery was going on?
"Okay, so now tell me this goil problem that you're havin'. I wanna hear this." Jack flashed a cheeky grin, nudging the boy beside him. "Who is it and what's happenin'?"
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 27, 2017 21:39:16 GMT -5
"Yeah, I guess."
Spot didn't like that answer, but it was better than nothing... He should be grateful for whatever he could get. "All right... I appreciate any word ya can get from Tumbler about Lighter."
In this case, no news was bad news. So he really hoped Tumbler knew or remembered something or anything about Lighter and what mischief she was trying to cause in Brooklyn.
"Okay, so now tell me this goil problem that you're havin'. I wanna hear this."
Spot was scowling. "Aw, knock it off!" he grumbled, ears turning pink. "Don't make it bigger than it is."
"Who is it and what's happenin'?"
He bit his tongue, keeping himself in check. He wasn't quite sure of this whole thing with Lacey and didn't want Jack to jump to the wrong conclusions. "It ain't what you're thinkin' that's for sure," he warned. "I don't got a goilfriend so don't even t'ink about goin' down that alley." He took a sudden interest at a poster on the lamp post. "It's... it's a little complicated. I don't know what it is exactly," he explained slowly, eyes staying on the poster. "We kinda had a big argument."
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Post by Jack Kelly on Feb 27, 2017 21:44:19 GMT -5
"All right... I appreciate any word ya can get from Tumbler about Lighter."
Jack nodded. He would have to sit down with the kid that night and see if he remembered anything. Jack was curious about the situation now, too. Perhaps when he got more information, Spot would tell him more of what was going on.
"Aw, knock it off! Don't make it bigger than it is."
"Well, from the color of your face, I'm thinkin' I'm not makin' it any bigger than it is." Jack snickered.
"It ain't what you're thinkin' that's for sure. I don't got a goilfriend so don't even t'ink about goin' down that alley."
Jack had to admit, a part of him was disappointed. Every other leader had gotten a girlfriend at one point or another, and the fact that Spot wasn't following suit was a bit strange to him. Jack had found that having someone who was there for you no matter what was the best feeling in the world, and he wished that Spot saw it that way instead of being annoyed whenever a girl liked him.
"It's... it's a little complicated. I don't know what it is exactly. We kinda had a big argument."
Jack frowned, "Whoa, hold on - you're arguin' with this person? Who is it? And what were you arguin' about?" If he was going to help Spot, then he needed more context than what he currently had. He needed to know what sort of situation he was going to have to get Spot out of with this mystery girl of his.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 27, 2017 21:59:39 GMT -5
"Well, from the color of your face, I'm thinkin' I'm not makin' it any bigger than it is."
"Oh shut up..." Spot grumbled. He really hated how red his ears and cheeks were feeling. It wasn't like that! Or was it?
"Whoa, hold on - you're arguin' with this person?"
He sighed in frustration and gritted his teeth some, feeling a little impatient and irritated. His Irish temper was slowly creeping up on him. "I had an argument. We ain't arguin' still. It's set an' done already."
"Who is it?"
He made a face. "Never mind who, okay? Don't want ta talk about that... keep this quiet."
"And what were you arguin' about?"
Spot was sighing again. "You see, I kinda got her involved in this..." He tried to think of the right word. "Puzzle... puzzle I'm havin' trouble wit'. An' well, we found a clue the other day and decided to leave it as is." He frowned some. "Well come today, I find out she went back there without me, without anyone an' almost got herself inta some big trouble... an' now she wants me ta stay out of the trouble and let her go on alone by herself wit' it."
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Post by Jack Kelly on Feb 27, 2017 22:06:42 GMT -5
"Oh shut up..."
Jack grinned, although he didn't push it further. He would save that and see if this actually became anything else.
"I had an argument. We ain't arguin' still. It's set an' done already."
He rolled his eyes, "Yeah, yeah, whatever. It's the same thing."
"Never mind who, okay? Don't want ta talk about that... keep this quiet."
Jack huffed, although he didn't push it any further. If things went well, then he would find out at some point anyway. He would be able to tease Spot about it endlessly, and that would more than make up for the wait.
"You see, I kinda got her involved in this... Puzzle... puzzle I'm havin' trouble wit'. An' well, we found a clue the other day and decided to leave it as is."
Raising an eyebrow, Jack crossed his arms over his chest. What sort of puzzle was Spot having trouble with? Did it have anything to do with the whole 'Lighter' business?
"Well come today, I find out she went back there without me, without anyone an' almost got herself inta some big trouble... an' now she wants me ta stay out of the trouble and let her go on alone by herself wit' it."
It took a few moments for Jack to really process what Spot had said. He frowned, furrowing his eyebrows as he thought for a moment before finally speaking up with his advice. "Go with 'er. Protect 'er," He suggested, "If ya care about 'er, then you've gotta tell her. Everyone in Brooklyn knows that Spot Conlon doesn't like people. Odds are she's thinkin' the same thing. Even if ya don't care about her, she obviously cares about you. Keep 'er safe and stick by her."
Pausing for another few moments, Jack looked over at Spot, lowering his voice a bit. "I'm serious though. If there's somethin' there, or even if there isn't, you've gotta tell her. Not sayin' anythin' is just gonna drive her insane, and she could do somethin' more reckless just ta see if ya care." He sighed, running his fingers through his golden blond hair. "Do ya like 'er, Spot? Really?"
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 27, 2017 22:24:00 GMT -5
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. It's the same thing."
Spot gave him a warning look. He wasn't really in the mood for teasing right now. He wished Jack would just drop it sometimes... Perhaps that was why some people thought he was a little uptight.
"Go with 'er. Protect 'er."
He blinked in surprise and turned to face the taller newsie. He raised an eyebrow. "Protect her?" he said a bit bitterly. "She won't have it. Says she's strong enough ta take care of herself and that I ain't her dad."
He probably shouldn't have been so snappy but it was a sensitive topic for him. Lacey probably hadn't known how those words would affect him. Why he suddenly turned a bit cold to her. Jack at least knew a little about how much that affected Spot.
"If ya care about 'er, then you've gotta tell her. Everyone in Brooklyn knows that Spot Conlon doesn't like people. Odds are she's thinkin' the same thing. Even if ya don't care about her, she obviously cares about you. Keep 'er safe and stick by her."
He grunted, biting his tongue to prevent him from saying something stupid. This was probably one of the many, many, many reasons why Spot didn't have close friends or a girlfriend. He was bad at communicating in a relationship one, and he let his mouth run when he did feel like trying to communicate. He had quite the sharp tongue and was probably a little too sarcastic for his own good.
"I'm serious though. If there's somethin' there, or even if there isn't, you've gotta tell her. Not sayin' anythin' is just gonna drive her insane, and she could do somethin' more reckless just ta see if ya care."
He groaned and rubbed his temples. That was exactly the reason why he never liked girls. They always needed him to say something to them. What was he supposed to say anyways? And he really didn't want trouble, so why did they have to be so stupid and reckless? He was pinching the bridge of his nose, willing the stress of theses thoughts away. This was all just the results of him making a girl a bird, wasn't it? He never had a girl bird before... so he was paying for suddenly doing that. At least, that's what it seemed like at the moment. He needed to once again clear his head and think things through before he blamed it on the bird scenario.
"Do ya like 'er, Spot? Really?"
"I don't know," was his reply as he leaned against the lamp post. His thoughts were so tangled up right now, he couldn't really say for sure. Did he like Lacey? She was nice, and sweet, and pretty. But did he like her? Like the way Jack was thinking? He wasn't sure... It felt more like the relationship he had with his cousin to be honest. But then again... He still didn't know.
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Post by Jack Kelly on Feb 27, 2017 22:30:46 GMT -5
"Protect her? She won't have it. Says she's strong enough ta take care of herself and that I ain't her dad."
Jack have to bite his tongue to keep from laughing. "She said you ain't her dad?" He quickly diverted the subject again. "That don't matter. Spot, sometimes you've gotta just do things and not think so much about 'em. If ya think everything through for the rest of your life, nothin's gonna be any fun. You're gonna miss opportunities that ya never knew that ya needed." He sighed.
"I don't know."
He bit his lip, patting Spot on the back and nodding. "That's up ta you ta decide. I can't give ya any advice on that. But either way... You've gotta talk through this argument that ya had. Ya can't just leave it like this when it's obviously not makin' ya feel great." He pointed out. "Go back ta Brooklyn. Talk ta this goil. Get things figured out in your own time, but don't think too hard. Don't scare yourself. Just... Do what feels right in the moment."
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 27, 2017 23:07:35 GMT -5
"She said you ain't her dad?"
Spot shot Jack a dirty look. Apparently the guys wasn't feeling to sensitive about that topic. His Irish temper was about to give its own opinion when Jack changed the subject.
"That don't matter. Spot, sometimes you've gotta just do things and not think so much about 'em. If ya think everything through for the rest of your life, nothin's gonna be any fun. You're gonna miss opportunities that ya never knew that ya needed."
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Right..."
Thunder was always after him on thinking too much that Spot should be a bit more laid back like he was, but that just didn't work. If he didn't think, well, he wasn't Spot Conlon!
"That's up ta you ta decide. I can't give ya any advice on that."
"Aw thanks, Cowboy," he said sarcastically, a little bit disappointed that Jack couldn't advise him in that area. It would be nice if the guy could help him sort out all these feelings he didn't understand and wasn't really sure if he wanted to keep them.
"But either way... You've gotta talk through this argument that ya had. Ya can't just leave it like this when it's obviously not makin' ya feel great."
He sighed, knowing Jack had a point. "Yeah... I know. I'll sort it somehow."
He had to. It was his responsibility after all. He was the one that got her involved in the first place so he was the one who needed to set things straight.
"Go back ta Brooklyn. Talk ta this goil. Get things figured out in your own time, but don't think too hard. Don't scare yourself. Just... Do what feels right in the moment."
Spot nodded. He wasn't sure how well things would turn out, but at least he had a better idea of what he should do. "Thanks."
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Post by Jack Kelly on Feb 27, 2017 23:13:09 GMT -5
"Right..."
Jack could tell that Spot wasn't thrilled with all of the advice that he was giving him. The only problem was the fact that Spot wasn't willing to look at the advice that Jack was giving him in context. Jack wasn't saying anything that he hadn't done before himself. He had been in a relationship now for two years!
"Aw thanks, Cowboy."
Jack chuckled, "Some things ya just have ta figure out for yourself. I can't tell ya how you're feelin'."
"Yeah... I know. I'll sort it somehow."
He nodded. If Spot could get through that, then hopefully things would begin falling into place for him. If all else failed, then maybe the girl would be willing to make the first move and explain herself to Spot. As much as he may not have liked it, Spot was a perfectly likeable person when he let himself go a little bit.
"Thanks."
Jack smiled, "Acourse. Anytime. And hey, I'll get back to ya about that whole problem with Lighter tamorrow. Stay safe for now, and I wouldn't risk anything stupid until we know more about it." He warned, stepping back from the leader. "I'll meet ya tamorrow!" He called, making his way back towards the main part of Manhattan.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 27, 2017 23:45:57 GMT -5
"Some things ya just have ta figure out for yourself. I can't tell ya how you're feelin'."
Spot just made some grumbling noises. He wasn't sure if he wanted to figure it out or if he even could. It wasn't fun doing this on his own. Not one bit.
"Acourse. Anytime. And hey, I'll get back to ya about that whole problem with Lighter tamorrow. Stay safe for now, and I wouldn't risk anything stupid until we know more about it. I'll meet ya tamorrow!"
He nodded, cracking a small grin. "'ppreciate it. Until tamorrow then. I'll be careful."
He waved back at the Manhattan leader before heading towards the bridge. It might not have gone exactly like he had hoped or expected, but it seemed as if Jack did give him some of the advice he had been needing. It would rough, but Conlons never backed down. He would sort things out with Lacey somehow or another.
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Post by Lacey on Feb 27, 2017 23:50:01 GMT -5
Lacey's walk had been relatively uneventful. She had walked through the park and then back around a large block to the docks, although the anger had faded much earlier. Lacey knew that it was difficult being angry at Spot, and she hated it.
Things were beyond confusing. She didn't know whether or not things were the way that she thought that they were, and the constant mixed signals that she received from Spot didn't help, either. The only reason that she had walked to the docks was in hope of finding him and confronting him about it, but when she got closer, she had realized that she wasn't gutsy enough to actually follow through with it.
Nonetheless, Lacey knew that she would eventually have to face Spot again. When she saw him crossing the bridge, she nearly called out to him when she could begin to make out his features, although she stopped herself. She would wait for him to cool off. She didn't know how he was feeling, and she wasn't going to risk setting him off again and pushing him further away. Huffing, Lacey pulled her jacket tighter around her body, forcing herself to continue walking.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 28, 2017 11:14:06 GMT -5
Spot had his hands in his pockets as he made his way across the bridge. He wasn't really focused on anything. Right now he was clearing his head before he headed to the lodge to really think things through. It was hard clearing your mind when you had so many things going on in there. Perhaps he should really start taking his brother's advice...
He sighed and glanced up at the borough ahead of him. He stopped short when he noticed a familiar red-head. He pursed his lips, unsure of what to do. Should he confront her now? Or should he wait until he was sure the both of them had cooled off? He wasn't sure. Jack's comment of "Do what feels right in the moment" wasn't really helping. What did feel right anyways? Spot didn't know so he just stood at the bridge rather awkwardly.
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Post by Lacey on Feb 28, 2017 15:03:15 GMT -5
When there was no longer the sound of footsteps crossing the bridge, Lacey slowed her pace. Had Spot stopped? Was he really so determined to avoid her that he was doing that? That was painful. Sighing, she turned on her heel, making her way over to him slowly. If she had to start it, then she would.
"I'm sorry." She sighed after a moment of silence. Her gaze was locked on the ground. She really did feel bad that she couldn't say more, and that she had made him upset. She just couldn't take it back now. "I got carried away. I just... I really don't like the idea of you getting hurt. I don't want to lose you. You're special, and I want you here... With me. I care about you more than I think you'll ever understand. You matter to me." She bit her lip. "I'm just sorry."
Lacey took a few steps back, closing her eyes tightly before turning once again and continuing to walk.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 28, 2017 20:42:43 GMT -5
"I'm sorry."
Spot looked up, surprised to see that Lacey had come towards him. He pursed his lips. Did that mean she had cooled down already? Well, no matter. It seemed like it was time to do what he needed to get done. "No need to apologize," he said quietly. "I'm the one who needs ta apologize."
"I got carried away. I just... I really don't like the idea of you getting hurt. I don't want to lose you. You're special, and I want you here... With me. I care about you more than I think you'll ever understand. You matter to me. I'm just sorry."
He stayed quite, letting her finish before he spoke up. "It's fine. I overstepped my bounds, and I apologize."
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Post by Lacey on Feb 28, 2017 21:13:56 GMT -5
"No need to apologize. I'm the one who needs ta apologize."
Lacey stopped dead in her tracks, biting down harshly on her bottom lip as she sighed. Was he really apologizing? He had really cooled down by going to Manhattan? To each their own...
"It's fine. I overstepped my bounds, and I apologize."
She slowly turned back to face him, sighing softly. "No ya didn't, Spot. I appreciate ya worryin' about me. I won't do it by myself again. Honest." She offered a small smile, swiping her dark red hair back from her face.
"Do ya think we could go back ta the lodgin' houses though? My hands are kinda startin' ta go numb..." The later weather of the day was quite cold, even moving towards Spring. She figured that she would be heading in for the night soon even if Spot still had something to do, just for her own sake.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 28, 2017 21:53:54 GMT -5
"No ya didn't, Spot. I appreciate ya worryin' about me. I won't do it by myself again. Honest."
Spot pursed his lips. "No, I really feel like I overstepped. I guess I'm so used ta bein' leader an' people just doin' things like I said, that I thought you'd be like that too. Maybe I haven't given enough time for you ta trust me an' take my word for it. Or maybe I just assumed too much about our friendship. I thought I had the right as your leader ta tell you what ta do an' I'm sorry for bossin' ya around."
"Do ya think we could go back ta the lodgin' houses though? My hands are kinda startin' ta go numb..."
He nodded. "Yeah... probably would be a good idea," he said quietly, leading her towards the lodges.
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