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Post by Lacey on Jan 21, 2019 19:10:15 GMT -5
Lacey really was trying to come up with some sort of plan to talk to Rip. She knew that it would be risky, but they had to do it. If they didn't talk to him now, there was a chance that he was going to feel attacked and move things along faster. Then what would she do? What would she possibly do without Spot?
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Post by Rip on Jan 21, 2019 19:16:30 GMT -5
While Ace and Lacey seemed uncomfortable by the silence, Rip was perfectly fine. He didn't mind it being quiet, and right now, he wasn't in the mood for small talk. Dinner was his main focus and it couldn't come soon enough. As soon as their food came, Rip dug in, ignoring his two companions for the most part.
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Post by Lacey on Jan 21, 2019 19:20:20 GMT -5
Lacey picked a bit uncomfortably at her food, glancing up every now and then to look between Rip and Ace. The silence would have been fine ordinarily, but the air was too tense for it to be any sort of comfortable silence. But what could she say? 'How's Queens?' He would just laugh in her face and get up and leave right there.
"Thanks for coming." Her voice was soft and weary, gaze locked on the table, but she wanted so desperately to break the silence.
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Post by Ace on Jan 21, 2019 19:30:03 GMT -5
"Thanks for coming."
Ace admired her courage. It wasn't easy to just talk to Rip, especially when knowing his plans. He was also glad for the breaking of the silence. It was becoming suffocating. If Lacey hadn't spoken up, he certainly would of.
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Post by Rip on Jan 21, 2019 19:40:32 GMT -5
"Thanks for coming."
Rip glanced at her for a moment then continued eating. "I didn't come because you asked," he replied bluntly.
He did not care for her being here, especially since he was pretty sure what she had come to talk about. He thought he had made it very clear that whatever she had to say, he was not going to change his mind. He had this plan set in stone since day one.
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Post by Lacey on Jan 21, 2019 19:42:50 GMT -5
"I didn't come because you asked."
Lacey sighed softly. It was obvious that he was bitter about her being there. "I was the only reason that Ace asked, so yes you did." She shot back, shutting her eyes tightly. "Would you rather than I walked straight into Queens to talk to you? Because I could do that instead if it would make you feel better."
She was scared. She was scared, she was losing herself in her nerves, and there was a large chance that if things continued, they could not end well.
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Post by Rip on Jan 23, 2019 10:37:13 GMT -5
"I was the only reason that Ace asked, so yes you did."
Rip paused his eating to look at her. He narrowed his eyes at her. "I let the first three slip, but it seems as if someone forgot their promise."
"Would you rather than I walked straight into Queens to talk to you? Because I could do that instead if it would make you feel better."
He did not respond, or at least not to her. He only wiped his mouth and put some money down to pay for their meals. He gave a stiff nod to Ace as he stood up to go.
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Post by Ace on Jan 23, 2019 10:39:35 GMT -5
"I was the only reason that Ace asked, so yes you did."
"I let the first three slip, but it seems as if someone forgot their promise."
"Would you rather than I walked straight into Queens to talk to you? Because I could do that instead if it would make you feel better."
Ace winced not liking how this was probably going to go. He was slightly surprised when Rip did not yell but started placing the money down for their dinner. "I can-"
But Rip was ignoring him, except for a slight nod as he stood up to go.
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Post by Lacey on Jan 23, 2019 10:41:51 GMT -5
"I let the first three slip, but it seems as if someone forgot their promise."
Lacey was beyond frustrated. She was worried, she was flustered, and she just didn't understand why this was happening. She didn't understand why this was so difficult. Why couldn't he just leave the past in the past and let things go?
"I can-"
Rip was standing up to leave, but Lacey wasn't willing to just let it happen. She couldn't just let it happen when Spot's life was at stake. She wasn't going to just sit back and keep waiting for something horrible to happen when the person she loved's life was at risk.
"No. Not again." Lacey abruptly rose from her seat as well, hand shooting out to grip onto Rip's wrist with a vice-like grip. "This ain't okay. I ain't just gonna let ya keep walkin' away from me."
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Post by Rip on Jan 23, 2019 12:35:32 GMT -5
No. Not again. This ain't okay... I ain't just gonna let ya keep walkin' away from me."
Rip was slightly surprised by her grip, but then again, girls could be just as strong as boys when pushed the right way. However, he was stronger and it was easy to pull out of of her grip and hold her wrist tightly.
"Enough," he said in a low voice. He motioned for Ace to stay put as he lead Lacey out of the cafe. He stood her in front of the cafe, but still kept a tight hold on her wrist. "Now, you need ta stop messin' with stuff that ain't none of your business. You lied ta me before, so you've lost any chance for me ta even think about listenin' ta a word you say. I can be patient, but you've pushed a little too far. If ya wanted ta fix things, you should've done so before Spot made this whole mess. Now, you're gonna regret it."
Without another word, he pulled Lacey behind him, ignoring Ace as he just came out of the cafe. He walked at a quick but firm pace towards Brooklyn.
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Post by Lacey on Jan 23, 2019 12:40:08 GMT -5
When Rip had initially pulled out of her grip, Lacey had been more than prepared to simply grab him again. She wasn't going to let him go this time, not when there was so much at stake. However, Rip's sudden grip on her own wrist caught her a bit off guard.
"Enough."
As she was pulled out of the cafe, Lacey stumbled after him, turning behind her briefly to shoot Ace a worried glance as she was pulled out of the cafe.
"Now, you need ta stop messin' with stuff that ain't none of your business. You lied ta me before, so you've lost any chance for me ta even think about listenin' ta a word you say."
Lacey flinched a bit. The grip that Rip had on her wrist didn't hurt outright, but she knew that it was bound to if he didn't let go anytime soon. His words sent chills down her spine, staring back up at him with wide eyes.
"I can be patient, but you've pushed a little too far. If ya wanted ta fix things, you should've done so before Spot made this whole mess. Now, you're gonna regret it."
They were headed to Brooklyn. Almost instantly, Lacey was left to fight back against him however she could, fighting against his grip and digging her heels in, though she continued to be practically dragged behind Rip on their way to the familiar borough.
"Stop! Stop it, please, this won't end well." She begged. Tears of worry formed in her eyes, and the growing soreness from her wrist only made it worse. "Please just leave him alone."
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Post by Rip on Jan 23, 2019 12:45:13 GMT -5
"Stop! Stop it, please, this won't end well."
Rip ignored her pleas and ignored Ace as he tried to talk reason to him. He only barked at Ace to go back home as he continued his way towards Brooklyn, not even loosening his grip a little on Lacey's wrist. It was obvious that the guy was fuming.
"Please just leave him alone."
He just snorted and picked up the pace. The border wasn't far way and it wouldn't be too hard to find Spot. He knew his usual hangouts all too well.
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Post by Lacey on Jan 23, 2019 12:47:56 GMT -5
He was silent, and the silent was deafening. Nothing that Lacey was saying now could have done anything, and this situation wasn't going to end well. She was terrified, not just for herself, but for Spot. What would happen? She couldn't do anything to warn Spot what was coming, and now there was nothing that she could do. She had tried to help but had made things so, so much worse.
"Please..." She pleaded once again, voice softer and weaker this time as tears fell down her cheeks. She could see the Brooklyn border, and nothing that she was doing slowed Rip down even a little bit.
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Post by Rip on Jan 23, 2019 12:52:43 GMT -5
"Please..."
Rip glanced at her but said nothing as they stepped into Brooklyn. He didn't seem bothered by the looks the newsies were giving them. No one dared approach them. Rip had quite the presence even in Brooklyn. He didn't hesitate one moment as he headed towards the docks.
They were barely with in earshot when Rip called up to the Brooklyn leader in his dock hideout. "Spot! Get down 'ere."
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 23, 2019 12:56:58 GMT -5
Spot had been at the docks like usual. He liked coming to the docks to watch the boats come in and out, especially after a long day of selling and watching the boys. Everything seemed calm.
"Spot! Get down 'ere."
He about jumped right out of his skin. That was a voice he never thought he'd hear in his own borough. He gulped apprehensively before glancing down below. His eyes widened in surprise and shock to see Rip tightly gripping Lacey.
"Lacey?!"
He didn't even bother climbing down. Spot jumped down, scowling at the taller leader. "What's goin' on here?!"
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Post by Lacey on Jan 23, 2019 13:02:13 GMT -5
The moment that they had stepped into Brooklyn, Lacey's heart had dropped into her chest. It was her home, and yet she had never hated being there as much as she did right now. She was terrified, and approaching the docks, it wasn't difficult to see Spot in his usual spot there.
"Spot! Get down 'ere."
"Lacey?!"
Tears only seemed to fall faster from her eyes as Spot came down, the grip on her wrist growing more and more sore with every passing moment. It would almost certainly bruise within the next few days. "Spot..."
"What's goin' on here?!"
"Leave," She pleaded with him, "Please, please run, don't let 'im near ya."
Once again, she would do anything that she could to protect Spot. She wasn't going to let something bad happen to him. She had gotten him into this mess, and she wasn't going to let him get hurt.
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Post by Rip on Jan 23, 2019 13:06:52 GMT -5
"Lacey?! What's goin' on here?!"
"Found somethin' that belongs ta you."
"Spot... Leave. Please, place run, don't let 'im near ya."
Rip snorted softly and roughly pushed Lacey towards Spot as the leader rushed towards them. "Keep a better watch on your gal. This is the last time I'm playin' nice, you hear? If I see you or your gal in Queens again, it ain't gonna be pretty. What's between us, stays between us, Spot. I involve no one on my side, an' you should start doin' the same."
He patted his pocket where Spot knew a knife or two probably lay. "My last warnin'. Keep your gal in Brooklyn."
And with that, Rip turned back towards his own borough.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 23, 2019 13:10:29 GMT -5
"Spot... Leave. Please, place run, don't let 'im near ya."
He barely heard her over the rush of blood in his ears. He was more than ready to tear Rip apart limb from limb for laying a hand on his girl. But before he could even attack the guy, Rip had shoved Lacey into his arms.
"Keep a better watch on your gal. This is the last time I'm playin' nice, you hear? If I see you or your gal in Queens again, it ain't gonna be pretty. What's between us, stays between us, Spot. I involve no one on my side, an' you should start doin' the same."
Spot looked up at Rip, brows furrowing. "What do you--"
"My last warnin'. Keep your gal in Brooklyn."
He scowled as the other leader left. The guy didn't even give him a chance to put a word in. He clenched his fists, but would worry about that later... He needed to check on his girl.
"Lacey... you okay?" he asked quietly, trying to keep her from hearing the shaking of his voice. She had given him a bad scare.
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Post by Lacey on Jan 23, 2019 13:14:29 GMT -5
"Found somethin' that belongs ta you."
Lacey was trembling, suddenly being shoved towards Spot with a sharp gasp as she stumbled forward. She barely processed it before she had been pushed into Spot's arms, but her legs felt so shaky that she could barely stand on her own, gripping onto Spot tightly and trying her best to gather herself.
"Keep a better watch on your gal. This is the last time I'm playin' nice, you hear? If I see you or your gal in Queens again, it ain't gonna be pretty."
She barely processed anything anymore. Her head was spinning so much and everything around her felt fuzzy. She had messed up, badly, again.
"What's between us, stays between us, Spot. I involve no one on my side, an' you should start doin' the same."
"What do you--"
My last warnin'. Keep your gal in Brooklyn."
Watching Rip walking away again was one weight off of Lacey's shoulders, but in a way, she felt even worse. She felt sick, like her mind couldn't process anything that was happening. She was shaking so badly from the worry that this was going to be the moment where she would be the reason that Spot died that she was barely functional, and she couldn't breathe.
"Lacey... you okay?"
She shook her head once, sobs practically ripping from her throat now as she buried her face into his chest, clinging onto him for dear life.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 23, 2019 14:26:20 GMT -5
Spot wasn't sure what to do... He could feel Lacey shaking as she sobbed on his chest. He initially wanted to scold her for being anywhere near Rip, but now wasn't the time. She was emotionally distraught. Scolding wouldn't help. Spot had learned that now. Right now, all he could do was gently pat and rub her back as she cried.
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Post by Lacey on Jan 23, 2019 14:28:30 GMT -5
Just being in Spot's arms again was enough for Lacey to feel just a little bit better, but this didn't feel right. She didn't feel safe anymore, and she definitely didn't believe that Spot was safe.
"W-we have ta go. We have ta leave Brooklyn, Spot, he's gonna come back and he's gonna kill you. I-I tried..." She hiccuped a bit, clinging onto him just a bit tighter. "I tried helpin'. I wanted ta help, I made it worse."
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 23, 2019 16:04:51 GMT -5
"W-we have ta go. We have ta leave Brooklyn, Spot."
"Whoa, whoa... deep breaths, Lacey." Spot pushed back a stray hair away from her face. "We have ta go? Leave? You know I can't leave Brooklyn."
"He's gonna come back and he's gonna kill you."
"Lacey... calm down. He's not comin' back. He wouldn't dare ta step inta Brooklyn again after this. He knows I keep watch on the borders and he ain't one ta just march in."
Rip was wary of Brooklyn. Spot didn't know why, but the Queens leader never initiated the fight in Brooklyn. He always drew Spot into Queens somehow.
"I-I tried... I tried helpin'. I wanted ta help, I made it worse."
Spot pursed his lips. He wasn't too thrilled to know that Lacey had tried to work things out again. But he couldn't scold her, not when she was like this. "Shh-shhh..." He helped her stand on her own two feet. "Let's get you somethin' warm ta drink, hmmm? We'll talk somewhere quiet."
He needed to help Lacey calm down and then figure out where they needed to go from there.
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Post by Lacey on Jan 23, 2019 16:09:04 GMT -5
"Whoa, whoa... deep breaths, Lacey."
She was too worked up to listen. There were so many thoughts about what could have happened rushing through her head that Lacey barely processed that Spot was speaking to her at all.
"We have ta go? Leave? You know I can't leave Brooklyn."
Lacey let out a whimper. She knew that Spot couldn't leave, especially since he didn't have anyone set up to lead after him, but that didn't mean that it was any easier to hear. "He's gonna kill ya, Spot, we have ta go."
"Lacey... calm down. He's not comin' back. He wouldn't dare ta step inta Brooklyn again after this. He knows I keep watch on the borders and he ain't one ta just march in."
"He just did!" She snapped, "He just did march in and he was draggin' me right with 'im! No one would bother stoppin' him!"
"Shh-shhh... Let's get you somethin' warm ta drink, hmmm? We'll talk somewhere quiet."
She deflated slightly. Nothing that she was going to say would be able to tell Spot exactly how she was feeling, and she had to get over it now. Rip was gone. They were safe... for now. And Spot couldn't leave. Nodding slowly, she wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her jacket, only then looking down at her wrist when Rip had been dragging her. There was definitely going to be a bruise there soon enough.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 23, 2019 16:21:41 GMT -5
"He just did! He just did march in and he was draggin' me right with 'im! No one would bother stoppin' him!
"Now that's enough," Spot said sharply. He only raised his voice to get Lacey to stop and pay attention to what he was about to say next. "Rip came in because he wanted to give you back ta me. I don't know why, but I know that's why he came right inta Brooklyn when he normally wouldn't. No one stopped him because you were wit' him. I know Rip well enough ta know what he would or wouldn't do, but at the same time he can be a little unpredictable, 'specially if a goil is involved. No one went after him, because they knew you would be in danger and I would never forgive them."
"Now," his voice was softer. "Let's go to the lodge."
He gently took her hand, the one that Rip hadn't grabbed, and led her towards the boys' lodge. Certainly Mr. O'Quinns wouldn't mind if Lacey stayed in the kitchen with him for a few moments.
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Post by Lacey on Jan 23, 2019 16:24:12 GMT -5
"Now that's enough."
Lacey flinched a bit when Spot raised his voice, falling silent again almost instantly.
"Rip came in because he wanted to give you back ta me. I don't know why, but I know that's why he came right inta Brooklyn when he normally wouldn't. No one stopped him because you were wit' him."
Her eyes teared up again. "He coulda been holdin' a knife ta my throat and no one would've stepped in."
"I know Rip well enough ta know what he would or wouldn't do, but at the same time he can be a little unpredictable, 'specially if a goil is involved. No one went after him, because they knew you would be in danger and I would never forgive them."
She looked down again, sniffling once again. Of course, she understood, but she didn't like that she understood.
"Now, let's go to the lodge."
She nodded again, following him in silence towards the lodge, just eager to sit down again.
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