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Post by Sand on Aug 26, 2017 20:17:46 GMT -5
Sand looked at Crackerjack and the way she was looking at Blondie. She didn't like it. Why did the other newsie's face look like that? Sand noticed the way she straightened up some looking at Blondie. Sand didn't like this feeling at all. She didn't even notice her grip was tightening on his sleeve.
Fine
No problem, but better try to watch where you're going next time
She nodded a bit. Then she noticed the way Blondie studied Crackerjack. "Blondie this is Crackerjack. She's the leader of Harlem. Crackerjack this is Blondie." Sand said giving the proper introductions.
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Post by Crackerjack on Aug 26, 2017 20:26:01 GMT -5
"No problem, but better try to watch where you're going next time."
Crackerjack blushed again. "I'll try my best," she promised, letting go of Blondie as she realized she was still holding onto him.
"Blondie this is Crackerjack. She's the leader of Harlem. Crackerjack this is Blondie."
She smiled at Blondie. "Well it's very nice to meet you!" She politely outstretched her hand towards him.
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Post by Blondie on Aug 26, 2017 20:29:26 GMT -5
"I'll try my best."
He nodded in approval. It wouldn't be good for her to accidentally bump into a cop or something.
"Blondie this is Crackerjack. She's the leader of Harlem. Crackerjack this is Blondie."
Blondie raised an eyebrow. Leader of Harlem? He wondered why she was here...
"Well it's very nice to meet you!"
He smiled and shook her hand. He was a gentleman after all. "Pleasure is mine."
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Post by Sand on Aug 26, 2017 20:38:26 GMT -5
Sand watched Crackerjack blush looking at Blondie. Why was she doing that when she looked at him...? Why did it bother her so much? Sand pulled her hand back realizing she wa still holding onto him tightly. Sand looked at Blondie once she had finished the introductions. He was wondering what the other leader was doing here.
"Well it's very nice to meet you!
Pleasure is mine.
She felt out of place. Sand crossed her arms awkwardly watching the two. Why did his response bother her so much? Sand knew Blondie was always very proper but with the way Crackerjack was acting around Blondie it unsettled her. "Crackerjack was just heading back ta Harlem..." sand said a bit quickly.
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Post by Crackerjack on Aug 26, 2017 20:44:15 GMT -5
"Pleasure is mine."
Crackerjack could feel her cheeks heat up. Blondie was certainly a very well-mannered newsie! She was definitely impressed.
"Crackerjack was just heading back ta Harlem..."
She could hear a slight irritation in Sand's voice, but she wasn't sure if it was her imagination... Though, she glanced at Blondie, it would be nice if she could get to know him a little better.
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Post by Blondie on Aug 26, 2017 20:46:57 GMT -5
"Crackerjack was just heading back ta Harlem..."
Blondie looked at the two girls, unsure what to do. Sand looked unhappy... Did she not like Crackerjack? Was she implying that he should walk her back?
He cleared his throat. "Well, I can walk her back, Sand."
It wasn't a far walk to Harlem, but it was a pretty good distance. He could take her to the border and make sure she didn't get into any mischief.
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Post by Sand on Aug 27, 2017 2:24:56 GMT -5
Well, I can walk her back, Sand.
Sand realized that she was acting differently once she saw Blondie look between herself and Crackerjack. She wasn't sure what was going on. She needed to act like herself. When she looked at Crackerjack and saw her looking at Blondie though it sent that unknown feeling racing through her again. That feeling somewhere between anger and confusion. Blondie cleared his throat some and she seemed to fall back to reality. "Ya can walk her back if ya want." She said trying to sound normal. She succeeded for the most part. "Might be good just ta make sure she gets back safe." Sand added in the same attempt at normal. Crackerjack wouldn't be able to tell a difference but she wouldn't be surprised if Blondie had heard the difference. They were close. Of course he could tell a difference and he'd probably try talking to her to see why she was acting the way she was and she needed to figure out the answer to that.
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Post by Crackerjack on Aug 27, 2017 18:22:01 GMT -5
"Well, I can walk her back, Sand."
Crackerjack blushed once more. That was such a nice offer. "I appreciate it, but you don't have to. Harlem ain't too far."
"Might be good just ta make sure she gets back safe."
She raised an eyebrow. Was Sand hiding something about Bronx? Or was she just suddenly eager to send her off? Oh well, at least she'd get to know Blondie.
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Post by Blondie on Aug 27, 2017 18:30:08 GMT -5
"Ya can walk her back if ya want."
Blondie cocked his head. That tone didn't sound right...
"I appreciate it, but you don't have to. Harlem ain't too far."
His gentleman upbringing refused to decline. "I insist."
"Might be good just ta make sure she gets back safe."
Blondie pursed his lips and nodded at Sand. He would definitely have to talk to the Bronx leader when he returned.
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Post by Sand on Aug 27, 2017 21:03:58 GMT -5
"I appreciate it, but you don't have to. Harlem ain't too far.
I insist.
Sand felt her heart drop some as he insisted on walking Crackerjack. Why was she reacting this way? Sand forced the houghts away and put on a smile. It felt fake but only the keen eye would see that it wasn't real. "Glad ya came Crackerjack. I'll get back to ta about the alliance soon." She added hoping to end things on a good not with the girl when all she wanted to do was stare and ask why she was looking at Blondie the way she was. Sand backed away some towards the lodge doors trying to not let her thoughts get the better of her which was almost an impossible feet at a stage like this. All she could think of was Crackerjack replacing her. Blondie being around her. What if he left Bronx to go to Harlem? Sand kept her face a blank stone as the thoughts raced through her head like the horses at the track.
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Post by Crackerjack on Aug 27, 2017 21:31:47 GMT -5
"I insist."
Crackerjack lowered her eyes. "Thank you," she replied softly.
"Glad ya came Crackerjack. I'll get back to ya about the alliance soon."
She grinned and nodded at Sand. She too was glad she had decided to stop by. Things were going better than she had hoped! "Thank you!"
Her heart felt happy and light as Blondie walked her to the border. He hadn't been very talkative, but she didn't mind so much. Perhaps some other time, at the moment, she was just happy with her progress with Bronx.
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Post by Blondie on Aug 27, 2017 21:40:54 GMT -5
"Thank you."
Blondie merely nodded, not wanting to waste any more time.
"Glad ya came Crackerjack. I'll get back to ya about the alliance soon."
He glanced at Sand, giving her a questioning look. He wondered what the alliance was all about? But more importantly, he wanted to know why she was so cross. Thank goodness Harlem wasn't so far. He was eager to get back to Sand and find out was wrong. He wished Crackerjack goodbye and a safe trip to her own lodge before hurrying back to Sand. He was quite breathless when he returned. His lungs weren't pleased with the sudden sprint.
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Post by Sand on Aug 27, 2017 21:52:30 GMT -5
Sand watched the pair go then she curled up in the chair again. Her mind was continuing to race. Mostly about Blondie and Crackerjack. She hadn't realized she was picking at her nails. Sand looked up hearing the heavy breathing. "Blondie?" She asked watching him. "Ya alright?"
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Post by Blondie on Aug 27, 2017 22:09:36 GMT -5
"Blondie? Ya alight?"
Blondie quickly nodded as he did his best to catch his breath. It didn't go so well. He was wheezing now.
"F-fine... just fine..." He looked up at her. "Question... is... are you? Actin' funny earlier," he panted.
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Post by Sand on Aug 27, 2017 22:18:07 GMT -5
F-fine... just fine...Question... is... are you? Actin' funny earlier,
Sand got up quickly hear him start to wheeze. "Just breathe." She said as she guided him to the chair she had just been in. "Sit and I'll get ya somethin ta drink ok?" Sand made sure he sat down and went to get him a cup of water from the kitchen. Returning with the cup she crouched next to him watching him full of concern. "Ya shouldn't do that...wheezing ain't good ya goon..." Sand said with a small smile as she watched him. Sand was terrified for Blondie but part of her was acepting of the distraction from his question.
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Post by Blondie on Aug 28, 2017 15:25:38 GMT -5
"Just breathe."
"Tha... that's what I'm doing," he said between wheezes.
"Sit and I'll get ya somethin ta drink ok?"
Blondie didn't have the strength nor energy to argue. He sat exactly where she put him, doing his best to inhale and exhale slowly. He could vaguely remember some breathing exercises his doctor had taught him when he was younger.
"Ya shouldn't do that... wheezing ain't good ya goon..."
He managed to crack a small grin and accepted the glass she had handed him. "Just... a little wheezing." He sipped some water and cleared his throat. "So..." He sat up and looked her in the eye. "Harlem?"
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Post by Sand on Aug 28, 2017 15:31:54 GMT -5
"Tha... that's what I'm doing,
"Not very well from the sound of it." Sand said matter of factly as she watched him not sure what to do.
Just... a little wheezing
Sand say on her heels as she crouched next to him. When she saw his weak smile she felt hers grow slightly. She liked his smile. "It's not good Blondie." She said softly.
So...Harlem?
"Crackerjack wants an alliance. Thinks we could be good. Both small and not really tied with this mess with Queens and Brooklyn..." she was quiet a moment. "Do you like her?" She asked watching him closely:
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Post by Blondie on Aug 28, 2017 21:56:17 GMT -5
"Not very well from the sound of it."
"That," he coughed and cleared his throat. "Is just your imagination," he teased lightly.
"It's not good Blondie."
Blondie let out a slow breath. "I know... I'm fine now, really."
"Crackerjack wants an alliance. Thinks we could be good. Both small and not really tied with this mess with Queens and Brooklyn..."
He made slight face and finished off his water. Harlem... He didn't like thinking about that borough. He grimaced at the thought of ever going near his old home again.
"Do you like her?"
Blondie gave her a confused look. "Like her? Who? Crackerjack?" He shrugged. "Don't think I can really say. Just met her after all."
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Post by Sand on Aug 28, 2017 22:28:53 GMT -5
That, Is just your imagination
Sand smiled. "Nah...I wouldn't ever imagine you hurting."
I know... I'm fine now, really.
"Blondie..." she said a bit concerned still. "Ya sure?" She questioned him.
She watched him as he heard about what Harlem's leader came to their borough. He seemed a little concerned. "Blondie...ya alright?" He seemed off. It wasn't right.
Like her? Who? Crackerjack? Don't think I can really say. Just met her after all.
"Do you like her?" Sand asked again. She didn't know what she expected to hear him say but she needed an answer. A real answer. Somehow if she just got an answer she could figure out what she was feeling.
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Post by Blondie on Aug 29, 2017 9:20:33 GMT -5
"Nah... I wouldn't ever imagine you hurting."
Blondie squinted at her for a moment. "It's not hurting... just panting."
"Blondie... Ya sure?"
He nodded. "Quite." The worst was over. He really need to get back into practicing those breathing exercises or he was gonna overdue it one of these days. Gotta strengthen up those lungs.
"Blondie... ya alright?"
"Hmmm?" He hadn't realized he had been lost in thought. Thinking about his old home did that.
"Do you like her?"
Blondie frowned. "I just told you. I don't know... She seems okay, I guess?"
He didn't understand why Sand was pressing this. He really didn't want to talk about Harlem.
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Post by Sand on Aug 29, 2017 15:16:33 GMT -5
It's not hurting... just panting.
"Pantin. Hurtin. Same difference." She said with a soft smile. "And why ya squinting like that?"
Quite
She gave a gentle nod. "Alright..."
Hmmm?
"What ya thinking about Blondie?" She asked curiously. Was he thinking about Crackerjack? He did get lost when they were talking about Harlem. Was there something else about Harlem?
i just told you. I don't know... She seems okay, I guess
"Sorry..." sand said as she looked down. She hadn't mean to sound the way she did. "I just...I dunno..." she said awkwardly as she stood up and tapped the tips of her fingers on her thumb as she thought about everything.
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Post by Blondie on Aug 29, 2017 17:46:28 GMT -5
"Pantin. Hurtin. Same difference."
Blondie scoffed. "They are two different things. It doesn't hurt every time you pant, and you don't pant every time you hurt."
"And why ya squinting like that?"
He shrugged. "Just squinting..." Truth was he was just worried. About Sand. She was acting odd.
"What ya thinking about Blondie?"
"Nothin' really," he lied easily. "Just things at the lodge."
"Sorry... I just... I dunno..."
Blondie was frowning again. "You don't like her," he said bluntly. He could be wrong but he had a feeling there was something there. Maybe she was just worried about Harlem? Maybe they weren't a great borough? He really wouldn't know even if he had lived there in the past.
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Post by Sand on Aug 29, 2017 22:06:15 GMT -5
They are two different things. It doesn't hurt every time you pant, and you don't pant every time you hurt.
Sand smiled hearing him. He was fine. Back to himself really. "Maybe ya are right. Ya seem fine ta me now." She smiled a bit.
Just squinting...
"Mhmm..." she hummed knowing he was lying but didn't push it.
Nothin' really, Just things at the lodge.
Sand looked back at him. "Things at he lodge?" She asked raising a brow.
You don't like her
"I like her..." she said looking down. "I just..." Sand didn't know if she should tell Jim because she wasn't sure she even knew her feelings. "She was looking at you funny..."
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Post by Blondie on Aug 29, 2017 22:10:49 GMT -5
"Maybe ya are right. Ya seem fine ta me now."
He grinned. "Of course I'm right." He breathed in deeply. "See? Nothing wrong with me."
Those breathing exercises did help...
"Mhmm..."
He was relieved she bought his lie, for now. Sooner or later, she would probably ask again or figure it out.
"Things at the lodge?"
Blondie nodded. "Oh you know, the usual rowdiness going a tad bit overboard. Mr. Reed stressing out over boys forgetting to sign in. That stuff."
"I like her... I just... She was looking at you funny."
He gave her a look that stated he didn't believe Sand truly liked Crackerjack. He, however, paled slightly when she noted a look the Harlem leader had given him. It couldn't be that Crackerjack had recognized him, could it?
"Was she?" he asked slowly. " I hadn't noticed," he answered truthfully.
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Post by Sand on Aug 29, 2017 23:05:49 GMT -5
Of course I'm right. See? Nothing wrong with me
Sand smiled. "Good. You aren't dying." She laughed.
Oh you know, the usual rowdiness going a tad bit overboard. Mr. Reed stressing out over boys forgetting to sign in. That stuff
"That stuff huh?" She asked watching him closely not buying any of this lie. "You hate the lodge stuff. Fact I thought you said that you were done dealin with the lodge."
Was she? I hadn't noticed,
Sand watched him. He was questioning if she liked Crackerjack. He had paled though. Why did he pale? Did he like her? "Yeah...she was looking at you funny..." Sand ground her teeth a bit and she couldn't help her hand clenching some. Sand tried to relax but why did it bother her so much the way Blondie was responding?
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