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Post by Lacey on Feb 12, 2019 23:21:18 GMT -5
It had been a long trip to Hoboken, with Lacey practically dragging her feet the entire way. She had eventually made it, settling down in front of one of the lodging houses to wait for Ace, though he could have easily been inside for whatever reason and she had missed him. Frankly, with how exhausted she was, she was almost positive that she would have missed him anyway.
The only thing that was keeping her going was the fact that she still had to find Spot. Maybe he was in Manhattan, maybe he wasn't. She couldn't be sure.
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Post by Headmaster on Feb 13, 2019 15:24:56 GMT -5
Headmaster had finally finished selling, it had been a long day for him, as selling had gone slow.
he was very happy to get into the kitchen and start cooking.
"and you are?" he asked the unknown girl infront of the lodge. he didn't mind outside newsies, as long as they didn't sell in his borough. "looking for someone?" his tone was neutral, albeit a little blunt.
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Post by Lacey on Feb 13, 2019 18:17:53 GMT -5
"And you are?"
An unfamiliar voice shook Lacey from her daze, hazel eyes moving upwards to meet that of a smaller boy whom she didn't recognize.
"Looking for someone?"
Lacey shrugged. "Yeah."
For the time being, she didn't want to get into a long conversation with anyone. She was too exhausted to talk.
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Post by Headmaster on Feb 15, 2019 2:07:18 GMT -5
the girl shrugged. "Yeah."
"is it one of my boys?" his voice got a bit softer.
"they are either still out selling, or they hit the bar."
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Post by Ace on Feb 18, 2019 22:25:44 GMT -5
Ace was whistling as he headed towards the boys' lodge. Today had been a decent selling day, and well, today was a Lottie day. He would be stopping by the lodge to freshen up from selling, then he would head over to pick up Lottie from school. After that? He would be enjoying the day doing whatever his little sister wish.
However, his happy whistle was cut short as he saw Headmaster talking to a familiar looking young lady. His brows furrowed together in worry as he approached the two.
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Post by Lacey on Feb 18, 2019 22:30:07 GMT -5
"Is it one of my boys?"
The question admittedly caught Lacey a bit off guard. "W-what?" Clearing her throat, the female was finally able to gather her thoughts as she realized that she was talking to the Hoboken leader after all. "Ah... yes."
"They are either still out selling, or they hit the bar."
Lacey frowned at the thought. How was she supposed to find Ace if it was really meant to be this complicated. "Could I stay out here for a while then? I've gotta... find someone."
However, her attention was almost instantly drawn away when she spotted a familiar face approaching. She would have stood up to greet him, but she didn't really have the energy to do so anymore. It had been a long day, and a long walk over... and she just needed to talk to him.
"Ace! I found you." Lacey swallowed.
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Post by Ace on Feb 19, 2019 20:39:31 GMT -5
"Ace! I found you."
He was certainly not expecting that greeting... Ace looked over at Headmaster for answers. Why was Lacey here of all places? This wasn't New York...
"Something... happen?" he asked after swallowing thickly.
Here he had been hoping for a nice day with his sister, but now, he was worried. Had Rip done something?
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Post by Lacey on Feb 19, 2019 21:24:51 GMT -5
"Something... happen?"
Lacey swallowed. "Spot... is gone. Cloud said he went ta 'Hattan, b-but he didn't say anythin' ta me, and I'm really worried he went ta Queens after what happened."
Of course, she hadn't told Ace the story of what had happened when Rip had dragged her back into Brooklyn, but she was too tired to get into the details now.
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Post by Ace on Feb 19, 2019 21:55:17 GMT -5
"Spot... is gone."
Ace's heart skipped a bit. He was about to ask why and how, when Lacey continued.
"Cloud said he went ta 'Hattan, b-but he didn't say anythin' ta me, and I'm really worried he went ta Queens after what happened."
His brows furrowed in concern. "What happened?"
He needed to know the details before he could be of any help.
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Post by Lacey on Feb 19, 2019 22:02:58 GMT -5
"What happened?"
She cast a brief glance towards Headmaster before reluctantly beginning to explain. "Well... Rip dragged me right back inta Brooklyn. Said Spot shouldn't be gettin' other people involved in their business."
Just the thought was still enough to send shivers down her spine. "I'm real worried about him, Ace."
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Post by Ace on Feb 19, 2019 23:08:28 GMT -5
"Well... Rip dragged me right back inta Brooklyn."
Ace pursed his lips as he nodded. He had seen that... just what happened next?
"Said Spot shouldn't be gettin' other people involved in their business."
He bit his lip at this comment. That told him that Rip was pretty angry right now...
"I'm real worried about him, Ace."
He couldn't blame her. He was pretty worried about both leaders. He glanced over at Headmaster. "Is it okay if she comes in for a moment?"
Lacey needed to rest a bit before they made another move.
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Post by Lacey on Feb 19, 2019 23:21:45 GMT -5
"Is it okay if she comes in for a moment?"
Lacey turned her attention towards the other male, pleading silently with her gaze.
"I'll be outta your hair soon, I promise." She mumbled.
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Post by Headmaster on Feb 20, 2019 12:51:23 GMT -5
Headmaster shrugged his shouldres at Ace's questioning look. "i saw her sitting on the curb, didn't know what she was doing here"
"Spot... is gone. Cloud said he went ta 'Hattan, b-but he didn't say anythin' ta me, and I'm really worried he went ta Queens after what happened." "Conlon ty durak." (Conlon you fool.) i don't think Cloud would lead you on, if he says Spot is in Hattan, he probably is.
"Well... Rip dragged me right back inta Brooklyn. Said Spot shouldn't be gettin' other people involved in their business." no suprise there, Rip is not known for his diplomatic skills. he thought.
"I'm real worried about him, Ace." "Conlon can take care of himself," he said in his most friendly voice. "he may not be tall but he aint stupid either."
"Is it okay if she comes in for a moment?" "what do you think? she looks like she is about to fall over, get her to a bed Ace."
"I'll be outta your hair soon, I promise." "don't get any idears, you are in no shape to travel right now, and you stay here until you are."
he turned to Ace. keep a close eye on her Ace. oh, and dinner is ready in a hour.
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Post by Lacey on Feb 20, 2019 12:57:31 GMT -5
"Conlon ty durak. i don't think Cloud would lead you on, if he says Spot is in Hattan, he probably is."
Lacey swallowed thickly. As much as she wanted to believe it, she was afraid to believe it and risk being wrong.
"Conlon can take care of himself, he may not be tall but he aint stupid either."
She nodded. "I-I know, but Rip's got knives. Spot just..." Lacey trailed off for a moment. "If it's just them, Rip'll win. Rip'll play dirtier than Spot will, I don't want him dyin', I care too much about him for that."
Losing Spot would be a blow that she didn't know if she would be able to withstand.
"what do you think? she looks like she is about to fall over, get her to a bed Ace."
She blinked a few more times, turning her attention back to Ace. "H-how far's the goil's lodge?" She hadn't spent much time in Hoboken before. They weren't a borough that ever needed much in terms of birds activity from Brooklyn.
"don't get any idears, you are in no shape to travel right now, and you stay here until you are."
Lacey's eyes shut once again, a grateful smile tugging at her lips despite her tired state. "Thanks."
"keep a close eye on her Ace. oh, and dinner is ready in a hour."
Lacey nodded once again. "I'll be good." She mumbled under her breath.
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Post by Ace on Feb 20, 2019 13:22:50 GMT -5
"I saw her sitting on the curb, didn't know what she was doing here."
Ace nodded. Well, as long as that was the case...
"Conlon ty durak.(Conlon you fool.) I don't think Cloud would lead you on, if he says Spot is in Hattan, he probably is."
"Headmaster's right. Cloud ain't the type to lie," he agreed. He was familiar with the shy bird. Cloud often wandered over to Jersey to check up on things, so he was pretty familiar with kid.
"Conlon can take care of himself. He may not be tall but he ain't stupid either."
Ace wouldn't know, but he knew Headmaster knew Spot better than he did. He just hoped his leader was right about Spot.
"I-I know, but Rip's got knives. Spot just... If it's just them, Rip'll win. Rip'll play dirtier than Spot will, I don't want him dyin', I care too much about him for that."
He bit his lip. "Yeah, he's got knives. But Rip won't play dirty." Ace knew he wouldn't... that was why he wanted Spot to face him like a man.
"What do you think? She looks like she is about to fall over, get her to a bed Ace."
He raised an eyebrow. "Don't get smart with me, Headmaster. This is the boys' lodge after all. Mr. Martin is pretty strict about girls bein' over here."
"H-how far's the goil's lodge?"
Ace pointed to a building next door to the one across the street. "Mrs. Martin's Lodge for Girls. I can take you there if you like. Mrs. Martin will take good care of you."
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Post by Lacey on Feb 20, 2019 13:26:29 GMT -5
"Headmaster's right. Cloud ain't the type to lie,"
Frustration bubbled up in her chest. "But what if Spot lied? What if Cloud doesn't know?"
"Yeah, he's got knives. But Rip won't play dirty."
She ran her fingers through her hair with a huff. From what she had seen, Rip seemed like the type to play dirty. If she was wrong, then that was good, but she still didn't want anything happening to begin with. It just wasn't safe.
"Mrs. Martin's Lodge for Girls. I can take you there if you like. Mrs. Martin will take good care of you."
Lacey looked towards where Ace was pointing. It wasn't far, but she was sure that by this point, the walk was bound to feel like miles. Either way, she dragged herself back up to her feet, fishing some coins from her pocket. "I'll be good." She repeated.
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Post by Ace on Feb 20, 2019 15:35:26 GMT -5
"But what if Spot lied? What if Cloud doesn't know?"
Ace understood her frustration, but he knew she needed to calm down before she jumped to a worse conclusion. "From what I know of Spot an' Cloud, I don't think he'd lie. Cloud doesn't substitute lead for very long. He can't handle it, and Spot knows that. It would do no good for anyone if he lied."
"I'll be good."
He softened. "Just rest here a little and then we can walk to the girl's lodge for a bunk."
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Post by Lacey on Feb 20, 2019 15:58:55 GMT -5
"From what I know of Spot an' Cloud, I don't think he'd lie. Cloud doesn't substitute lead for very long. He can't handle it, and Spot knows that. It would do no good for anyone if he lied."
As much as Lacey didn't want to just risk what could happen if she sat back and did nothing, there was nothing that she could do at this point. She was exhausted, and by the time she would be well-rested enough to head to Queens, odds are everything would be over if it was taking place. So, reluctantly, she nodded.
"Just rest here a little and then we can walk to the girl's lodge for a bunk."
Lacey nodded again. By that point, she could have fallen asleep right there, sitting up and all. Instead, however, she pulled her knees to her chest, resting her head against them and fidgeting with the ribbon that Spot had given her that she had removed from her hair on the way there.
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Post by Ace on Feb 22, 2019 10:29:11 GMT -5
Ace pursed his lips slightly and took a seat next to Lacey on the lodge steps. He'd keep an eye on her like Headmaster asked, but he was also doing it because he cared. Well, he was worried. What could Spot be up to? What could Rip be up to?
So many things to consider... he just hoped Lottie wouldn't be to upset for him running late.
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Post by Lacey on Feb 22, 2019 11:36:21 GMT -5
Lacey was more than prepared to simply fall asleep right there, quite honestly drifting in and out of consciousness a few times just sitting there on the steps. It had been a long day and, despite Ace and Headmaster's reassurances, she was still worried about Spot. Something had been off with him lately... and she didn't want to find out that something horrible was happening.
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Post by Ace on Feb 23, 2019 11:45:19 GMT -5
Time seems to past slowly, yet quickly, as the two stayed seated on the lodge steps. Ace remained quiet, letting the young lady rest as needed. While he waited... his thoughts drifted off to the past events. Rip and Spot... it was always them two, wasn't it?
His brows furrowed in worry. Perhaps, he should try heading to Queens in the evening to check on Rip? He suddenly shook his head in remembrance. No, today was one of those days. Rip wouldn't be able to fight Spot or see Ace even if he wanted to. That was a bit of a relief... but it didn't make his worry go away.
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Post by Lacey on Feb 23, 2019 12:34:38 GMT -5
By the time that Lacey felt functional enough to actually try heading towards the lodge to get some legitimate rest, she had no clue how much time had passed with her just sitting there. The entire time that she was there had been spent worrying that something was happening to Spot while she wasn't there to help... and she felt absolutely useless in the situation.
Slowly raising her head from her knees, she blinked a few times and cleared her throat. "Let's go before I fall asleep again."
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Post by Ace on Feb 23, 2019 12:38:58 GMT -5
Ace pursed his lips. "If you're sure..."
He stood up and held his hand out to help Lacey up. It wasn't a long walk, but he wanted to make sure she was ready for it before they headed that way. He hoped Lottie would not be too upset about him being late.
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Post by Lacey on Feb 23, 2019 12:40:18 GMT -5
"If you're sure."
Lacey responded with another nod, carefully taking his hand to help her stand up. The walk wasn't too difficult. Lacey felt mildly woozy on the way there, but it wasn't far and she was managing to hold herself together rather well.
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Post by Ace on Feb 23, 2019 15:47:51 GMT -5
Ace walked slowly toward the girls' lodge. He didn't want to go too fast. Lacey still seemed a bit wobbly as they went. He carefully helped her up the steps and opened the door for her; he would not be going in.
"Mrs. Martin will take good care of you... Rest well, okay?"
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