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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 30, 2018 20:36:27 GMT -5
Spot wasn't one to visit or even be anywhere near the Academy of Music. He wasn't really a musical sort of person. He didn't really whistle or sing. It just wasn't something he really enjoyed doing. So why was he even in this neck of the woods? Well... it was close to the Queens' border.
He had to keep a closer eye on the border, with it still be summer and all. Summer was coming to a close, but it was still as hot as ever. The boys from Queens were sure to come over to try and get a swim by the bridge. That wasn't really a problem... but there could be mischief there. Rip could be sending in spies disguised as boys just wanting a swim.
But really, that wasn't exactly why he was there. He had been thinking. He was tired of this cat-and-mouse game with Rip. Perhaps it was time to just confront the guy.
Though... was he really ready to do that? He hadn't exactly talked to anybody about this idea or plan.
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Post by Lacey on Aug 30, 2018 21:18:16 GMT -5
It had been a long day. At least, it had felt long. The air had been humid and it was blisteringly hot, so selling in the park had been difficult. Sure, there had been shade from the trees and things like that, but there had also been bugs. Lacey was sure that she would be dealing with mosquito bites for weeks to come after that.
Of course, though, Lacey had wanted to go back to the lodge afterwards to relax, and while she was on her way there, she had caught a glimpse of a familiar face, and it had drawn her off of her usual path. What was Spot doing there?
"Spot?" She raised an eyebrow as she approached, although she figured that it had something to do with Queens, judging from the way that he was staring at the border. "Whatcha doin'?"
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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 30, 2018 21:24:13 GMT -5
"Spot?"
Spot turned around, rather alert. He was very close to Queens, after all! He was relieved to see it was just Lacey.
He nodded at her, hands in his pocket, finger the slingshot hidden there. It wasn't much of a weapon against Rip's knives. Maybe it was best not to confront Rip... at least, not until he found a better weapon.
"Whatcha doin'?"
He pursed his lips. "Jus' keepin' and eye out since I finished sellin' early."
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Post by Lacey on Aug 30, 2018 21:26:40 GMT -5
The way that Spot whipped around to look at her told Lacey all that she needed to know, and she flinched for a moment, although she relaxed as soon as Spot did.
"Jus' keepin' and eye out since I finished sellin' early."
"Should I, uh, leave ya to it?" She asked, approaching a few more steps, but leaving a good few feet in between then, "Or do ya want some company? I could bring ya food or a drink or somethin', if ya wanted..." She really did just want to make sure that he was comfortable, considering how hot it still was and the fact that he was just standing in one place. He seemed stressed, too.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 30, 2018 21:37:56 GMT -5
"Should I uh, leave ya to it?"
Spot pursed his lips. Part of him wanted to tell Lacey his idea, but the other part of him didn't want to worry her.
"Or do ya want some company?"
He couldn't resist when she asked like that. It was a little lonely being look out like this. He really should be sending some birds to do this.
"I could bring ya food or a drink or somethin' if ya wanted..."
He shook his head. "I'm fine... but company would be nice," he quickly added. "I'm actually um thinkin' about callin' some boids ta watch."
And maybe he should just head to Manhattan to talk to Jack about things. Maybe the guy would have ideas about a better weapon to face Rip with.
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Post by Lacey on Aug 30, 2018 21:40:52 GMT -5
"I'm fine... but company would be nice."
Lacey's expression softened, and she smiled a bit as she approached him. There was obviously something on his mind, but she wasn't going to pry about it. Instead, she took her place beside him with a sigh, her hazel eyes now trained on the border, as well.
"I'm actually um thinkin' about callin' some boids ta watch."
"Well, here's one for ya." She shrugged a bit. Her duties as a bird were usually not quite like that, but she figured that it was fun enough. At least she was with Spot.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 30, 2018 21:44:02 GMT -5
"Well, here's one for ya."
Spot cocked his head slightly. Sure, Lacey was a bird, but this wasn't something he'd make her do. This was something for his birds that had been slacking off. Still, he appreciated the offer.
"Are you sure?" He raised an eyebrow. "I was thinkin' about sending Cloud and some of the other boys ta keep an eye out over here."
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Post by Lacey on Aug 30, 2018 21:46:17 GMT -5
"Are you sure?"
Lacey quirked an eyebrow as she looked back at Spot. "I'm a boid, ain't I? It's kinda my job."
If Spot didn't want her to, then she wouldn't fight to do it or anything, but she was more than happy to do it for the borough's sake if Spot wanted someone to be there.
"I was thinkin' about sending Cloud and some of the other boys ta keep an eye out over here."
She shrugged. Cloud was a good bird, but he had the tendency to get distracted. But if Spot wanted to have him there, then she wouldn't argue with him. He was the leader, after all. "That up ta you."
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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 30, 2018 21:50:50 GMT -5
"I'm a boid, ain't I? It's kinda my job."
Spot didn't feel like arguing. It was too hot to do that. he just shrugged.
"That up ta you."
He had a feeling she wasn't quite keen on his decision. But like she said, it was up to him. He'd drop by the lodge or the docks, send the boids out, and head to Manhattan.
"Headin' ta the docks to see what the boids are up to anyways... um, want to join me?" he invited hesitantly.
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Post by Lacey on Aug 30, 2018 21:53:08 GMT -5
"Headin' ta the docks to see what the boids are up to anyways... um, want to join me?"
Lacey nodded slowly. If Spot wanted her to stay away from the border, then that was what she would do. For now, going to the docks sounded like a good idea.
"Yeah... Sure." She flashed him a small smile, although she was still hesitant about whatever was going on in his head.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 30, 2018 21:55:40 GMT -5
"Yeah... Sure."
Spot was relieved that she accepted his invitation. He didn't want to upset her, but he really would rather her stay away from the border. Also... he didn't want to worry her about borough troubles. He could handle that.
He set his lips in a firm line as the two headed towards the docks. The boys were, of course, enjoying themselves in the water. Swimming and splashing, though that came to almost an immediate stop as they saw their leader approaching.
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Post by Lacey on Aug 30, 2018 22:03:31 GMT -5
Walking with Spot, Lacey stayed silent, not really wanting to mention something to Spot that could set him off considering how uneasy he seemed to be feeling. There was definitely something going on, and it seemed to have something to do with Queens. She would have to look more into that and make sure that he was staying safe.
The docks came essentially to a standstill as they approached, and Lacey let out a small sigh. Of course. It was still terribly hot, and she felt bad knowing that some of the boys were going to be taken away from the water and forced to work, even if it was their job.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 30, 2018 22:09:11 GMT -5
Spot glanced over the boys, looking out for his best birds. He was actually a bit disappointed that Cloud didn't seem to be around. He approached one of the boys that were standing near his usually hangout. They hadn't gone for a dip. While he did feel a little guilty for keeping them from swimming, but really, they needed to be doing their job and keeping watch.
He picked out two of his boys and sent them off quietly. The boys could tell he wasn't in the mood for games. He then waved the others off. They were free to do whatever. Though he really needed to get around to telling them to keep a better eye out even if they weren't "on duty" so to speak. Yes, it was hot. And yes, they needed time to play. But still, their borough could be at stake. He would need to address that tonight if he got the chance.
Spot glanced at Lacey standing to the side. "Um... want ta walk over ta 'Hattan with me?"
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Post by Lacey on Aug 30, 2018 22:11:02 GMT -5
"Um... want ta walk over ta 'Hattan with me?"
Manhattan? Why was Spot going to Manhattan?
"Is everything okay?" Lacey frowned a bit, ignoring the question for a moment. Had something happened with Rip? Was that why Spot suddenly seemed to be so paranoid about Queens and why he was going to Manhattan?
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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 30, 2018 22:13:49 GMT -5
"Is everything okay?"
Spot winced inwardly. He had hoped she wouldn't ask something like that... seemed like he hadn't been doing a good job of keeping things "normal." He needed to come up with a reasonable excuse to keep her from worrying.
"Everythin' is fine." He raised an eyebrow, hoping she'd think he looked like he was surprised she thought something was wrong. It probably wasn't that convincing... but he was trying.
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Post by Lacey on Aug 30, 2018 22:16:04 GMT -5
"Everythin' is fine."
Lacey didn't believe him. She didn't believe him one bit. However, she wasn't the type to pry, so she let it go with a sigh, nodding slowly. If he wouldn't tell her what was going on, then maybe she could figure it out on her own. She could try figuring it out in Manhattan, or she could figure out more about what was going on at the border herself. She would have to wait and see.
"Right. Okay. 'Hattan it is then." She flashed him a slightly forced smile and gestured towards the large city across the bridge.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 30, 2018 22:22:24 GMT -5
"Right. Okay. 'Hattan it is then."
Spot held back a sigh. He could tell he wasn't fooling her. He probably should just be straight with her, but he just didn't want to worry her. Rip wasn't someone to take lightly... He just hoped Lacey wouldn't go nosing around near Queens.
"Yeah, just need ta talk ta Jack a bit." He could tell her that much. Keep her mind off Queens. "Need ta see about marking off borders again."
Maybe she'd buy that. Anyways, he did need to get around to talking about re-doing their borders and talking about planning a meeting with other leaders. Prices for papes seemed to be fluctuating. They needed to plan ahead if a strike was going to happen. Now that he thought about it, they probably should also discuss about the new leaders. He and Jack were getting a bit old to be newsies.
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Post by Lacey on Aug 30, 2018 22:25:29 GMT -5
"Yeah, just need ta talk ta Jack a bit. Need ta see about marking off borders again."
It was a reasonable enough explanation, but still not something that Lacey fully bought. However, it was quite obviously all that she was going to get for now, so she decided that there was no point in arguing.
"Okay." She relented, not bothering to fight it anymore. She would look more into Queens later, maybe watch the border or check out that warehouse again that she had gone to with Spot before. It would all depend on what happened in Manhattan. "I believe ya."
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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 30, 2018 22:34:05 GMT -5
"Okay. I believe ya."
Spot was relieved that she seemed to buy this. It was kinda true? It wasn't the real reason why he wanted to go to Manhattan, but it was part of the reason. He just needed to keep her out of trouble.
He nodded as they made their way across to Manhattan. The passed a few boys who were finishing up their selling. Though no sign of Cloud. It made Spot frown a little, but he wouldn't worry to much about him. Cloud could handle himself. Queens was what he needed to stay focus on.
"I gotta talk a bit wit' Jack... dunno how long it will take," he warned Lacey. If she wanted to stick around, that was fine. If she wanted to leave, that was fine too. At least, as long as she kept away from anything to do with Queens. He would have to send a bird to keep an eye on her.
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Post by Lacey on Aug 30, 2018 22:37:53 GMT -5
"I gotta talk a bit wit' Jack... dunno how long it will take."
Lacey figured that it was Spot's way of telling her that she should find something else to do once they got there, and she figured that it would be the perfect time to look into things. There would be no point in looking at the border now, considering there were other birds doing that, but perhaps she could sneak into Queens from the other direction? At least then she wouldn't look like she was coming from Brooklyn, and none of the birds at the border would see her.
"That's fine. I can just head back once you get there then." She was determined to figure out what was going on. Plus, if she could figure something out about Rip, then Spot would thank her later.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 31, 2018 10:38:21 GMT -5
"That's fine. I can just head back once you get there then."
Spot nodded. "All right." Though, why did he have this nagging feeling in the back of his mind?
"I don't think it'll be too long, if you, um want ta stay in 'Hattan awhile," he added hastily. It made him feel a little better about that nagging feeling. Hopefully that would cover it.
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Post by Lacey on Aug 31, 2018 10:49:34 GMT -5
”All right.”
Lacey nodded. She would have time to check things out that way. Spot could thank her later.
”I don’t think it’ll be too long, if you, um want ta stay in ‘Hattan awhile.”
She bit her lip. Spot sounded a little bit hasty in saying this, and a part of her figured that it was because a part of him may have caught on to her plan. That wouldn’t be good. “Maybe. Depends on how long it’ll take.”
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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 31, 2018 11:02:09 GMT -5
”Maybe. Depends on how long it’ll take.”
Spot nodded again but a bit reluctantly. She sounded distracted... or maybe she just didn’t want to be a bother? Well, as long as she stayed out of trouble he wouldn’t press it or worry.
“All right. We can just find Jack first and then go from there,” he decided.
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Post by Lacey on Aug 31, 2018 12:09:46 GMT -5
“All right. We can just find Jack first and then go from there.”
Lacey nodded. That sounded reasonable enough, and she was hoping then that it would become more clear about what Spot was legitimately there to do. Then, hopefully, she would be able to judge how long it would take.
"That'll work." She agreed, turning her attention briefly towards Manhattan before looking back at Spot. Hopefully, her instincts were wrong, and he had been telling the truth about his reason for being there.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 31, 2018 12:41:09 GMT -5
”that’ll work.”
Spot nodded, turning his attention to their surroundings. It was a longer walk to Manhattan since they had come from the docks, but now they were there. It was time to keep an eye out for Jack. The guy could be anywhere. That’s why it could be such a headache to find the guy. But then that’s what made Jack Jack. He always always out and about with his boys. Spot, on the other hand, preferred watching over them and distancing himself a bit from his boys. That wa just what worked with Brooklyn.
“Hopefully it won’t take too long to find him... he could be anywhere,” he grumbled a bit.
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