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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 24, 2019 16:17:11 GMT -5
Spot decided to have the meeting with his birds at the docks. He would rather of had it at the lodge, but since he now had one or two girl birds, he couldn't. The docks was the best place for everyone to meet, and it was private enough he supposed.
The others should be coming shortly. He didn't set an exact time, just called them to the docks whenever they finished selling. They were to drop all other usual bird duties and meet at the docks for further instruction. Spot was certain Cloud had been able to communicate this to all the birds.
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Post by Lacey on Feb 24, 2019 16:42:54 GMT -5
Quite honestly, Lacey didn't want to go to the meeting. She wanted to avoid the docks at all costs, and yet that seemed close to impossible now. She had to go and listen to Spot explaining that he was going to step down from his place as leader, and she didn't want to. She didn't want to face the next step.
However, reluctantly, she had trudged to the docks after selling, eyes falling upon the familiar figure in the slowly fading sunlight. "All alone for now? Am I early?"
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 24, 2019 16:51:38 GMT -5
"All alone for now? Am I early?"
Spot glanced up from where he was seated and shrugged. He had spotted one or two birds hanging about, but no one had approached him yet since there were still several birds selling. "I wouldn't say early." He nodded at one of the older birds skipping stones not too far from the docks. "More like on time I'd think."
He was being polite, but not his gentlemanly politeness. Right now, he was being the leader of Brooklyn speaking to one of his birds.
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Post by Lacey on Feb 24, 2019 16:53:10 GMT -5
"I wouldn't say early. More like on time I'd think."
Lacey sighed softly, taking a seat on the edge of the docks a fair distance away from Spot. "Glad I'm not late."
Things felt different now. She didn't like it one bit, but there was nothing that she could do to change any of it. Brooklyn was changing.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 24, 2019 17:06:22 GMT -5
"Glad I'm not late."
Spot pursed his lips slightly and nodded, staying in his "leader" mode. He remained where he was, standing now, to wait as the other birds began to come to the docks and take a seat on the creates set up for the meeting. It wouldn't be too long until things got started.
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Post by Lacey on Feb 24, 2019 17:08:14 GMT -5
The silence seemed deafening, simply taking a seat on one of the crates as more people gathered at the docks. There were not too many birds in Brooklyn, but still a fair amount, and it was a bit strange to see everyone in the same place all at once.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 24, 2019 17:14:12 GMT -5
Spot cleared his throat as the last bird made his appearance. It had been quite some time since he had gathered all his birds in one place. He could tell that most of them were nervous and antsy about this meeting. It was so rare for all the birds to be in one place. Usually, these sort of meetings only happened for two reasons: Brooklyn was in trouble or a leader change.
"Glad all of you could make it on such a short notice... shall we get started?"
He looked over all his birds for affirmation that they were ready for the meeting to begin.
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Post by Lacey on Feb 24, 2019 17:15:37 GMT -5
"Glad all of you could make it on such a short notice... shall we get started?"
Lacey wanted to just say no. She wanted to insist that something like this didn't have to happen yet, considering she and Spot were the same age and it was just confirming that she was getting too old to be a newsie herself. It was a hard place to be in and she didn't want to be there.
However, she nodded regardless.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 24, 2019 17:41:35 GMT -5
The birds slowly nodded, signalling to Spot that it was time to get down to business.
"First off, I just wanted to alert you of some changes ta Brooklyn. I'm gonna be headin' to a leaders meeting in about a week where we'll be discussin' the new borders for the boroughs." He glanced over the birds, making sure they understood how important and serious this was. "I expect you all ta be on good behavior and make sure the others do as well. Stay away from the borders until after I've said what the new borders are. Make sure everyone knows that the borders alongside Queens and Long Island are prohibited. No one, absolutely no one, is ta approach those borders until I give say so."
He took in a deep breath. Now it was time to tell them the most important news.
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Post by Lacey on Feb 24, 2019 17:44:38 GMT -5
"First off, I just wanted to alert you of some changes ta Brooklyn. I'm gonna be headin' to a leaders meeting in about a week where we'll be discussin' the new borders for the boroughs."
The sudden speak about the borders admittedly threw Lacey a bit off guard. Sure, it made sense to talk about, but she hadn't realized that the meeting had been scheduled so soon. She figured that it probably meant that Spot was stepping down sooner than she had initially thought.
"I expect you all ta be on good behavior and make sure the others do as well. Stay away from the borders until after I've said what the new borders are. Make sure everyone knows that the borders alongside Queens and Long Island are prohibited. No one, absolutely no one, is ta approach those borders until I give say so."
She swallowed thickly. As long as nothing bad happened between Spot and Rip, then Lacey wouldn't make a move to leave. If something happened, however... she could make no promises.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 24, 2019 17:57:00 GMT -5
"Second, and more importantly," Spot began. "I will be stepping down as leader in the following weeks."
He paused to allow his birds to murmur amongst themselves. He knew they needed some time to think about this news.
"It won't be right away, so don't get all excited." He motioned for Bridges to make his way towards him. "I've chosen Bridges to be your next leader. The next couple of weeks I'll be showin' him the ropes and expect you ta start showin' him the respect he deserves as the next leader of Brooklyn. Once he's settled in, I'll be steppin' down officially."
There was a slight grumbling among the birds, but for the most part, they seemed to respect Spot's decision. That was a relief... and one step closer to growing up completely.
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Post by Lacey on Feb 24, 2019 18:08:36 GMT -5
"Second, and more importantly, I will be stepping down as leader in the following weeks."
Lacey's heart dropped into her chest. There was something different and more painful about hearing it said out loud, but it had to happen eventually.
"It won't be right away, so don't get all excited. I've chosen Bridges to be your next leader. The next couple of weeks I'll be showin' him the ropes and expect you ta start showin' him the respect he deserves as the next leader of Brooklyn. Once he's settled in, I'll be steppin' down officially."
She blinked. Bridges? Of course, she wasn't saying that Bridges didn't deserve it, just that it was unexpected. She had always just kind of assumed that Cloud would be the next leader, despite being older than what would be ideal for a new leader. However, she understood not picking him. Cloud had always seemed to hate being left in charge.
The sadness was evident on her face, sitting in silence and staring up at Spot. This didn't feel right, but it had to happen.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 24, 2019 18:22:54 GMT -5
Spot noticed Lacey's sad face as he introduced the new leader of Brooklyn. However, he did his best not to meet her eyes. He knew he might crumble if their eyes met. He had to be firm in his decision. This was something he had been thinking about for a long time and couldn't keep running from.
He dismissed his birds. They were free to go or stay as they wished. For now, he needed to start walking Bridges through how to a leader. A small smile tugged at his lips as he noticed how relieved Cloud looked. He knew the poor kid was worried that he would be chosen. Leadership was just not his skill, he would always say. Not that Spot agreed with that, but he knew he shouldn't put undo pressure on the bird.
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Post by Lacey on Feb 24, 2019 18:27:26 GMT -5
Lacey wanted to say so many things to Spot. She wanted to tell him just how scared she was, she wanted to beg him not to go. She just wanted to hold onto him and not let go, but she couldn't. Not now. While their relationship might have not been a private one, it was still something that they didn't show off in public situations.
So, instead, she simply got up and moved towards the end of the dock so that she could unwind and watch the sun set. She needed some time to process.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 24, 2019 19:23:46 GMT -5
Spot spoke with Bridges for awhile. The bird had a lot of questions! He was determined to be a good leader for Brooklyn, and Spot felt that his determination would do a great good for the borough. It was something that Spot would never be able to accomplish. Perhaps... maybe Bridges could improve feelings among the boroughs around Queens, but he wouldn't count his chickens before they hatched. He had to take things one step at a time. Bridges wasn't quite ready for all that yet. For now, they would just discuss the basics.
The sun had set by the time Spot had finished talking with Bridges. He had no idea time would pass that fast. Most of the birds had been long gone by the time Bridges and Spot were halfway through their conversation. Now, it looked like it was just him... and Lacey?
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Post by Lacey on Feb 24, 2019 19:26:30 GMT -5
Lacey hadn't actually been planning on striking up a conversation with Spot, knowing that there was bound to be a lot that he had still to discuss with Bridges. She didn't want to interrupt them, so she simply sat on her own and watched the sun setting. Even quite a while afterwards, Lacey found herself still swept up in her own thoughts, worried about what was bound to happen in the future and what she was supposed to do after being a newsie.
She hadn't noticed that Bridges had left until she spotted his silhouette beginning to walk back towards the lodging houses, snapping her out of the relative trance that she had been in.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 24, 2019 19:29:02 GMT -5
Spot pursed his lips as he noticed that Lacey was still there. He had thought she might have left... perhaps it wasn't bad that she hadn't? He approached her quietly.
"Want me ta walk you back to the lodge?"
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Post by Lacey on Feb 24, 2019 19:30:40 GMT -5
"Want me ta walk you back to the lodge?"
Lacey finally lifted her gaze to meet Spot's. It was getting dark, it would probably be best to head back soon. Besides, she hadn't been sleeping well lately. She still worried too much about Rip, but she didn't want to mention those struggles to anyone and make them worry.
Slowly, she dragged herself to her feet and brushed herself off. "Yeah... that's fine. Thanks."
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 24, 2019 19:47:17 GMT -5
"Yeah... that's fine. Thanks."
Spot was still pursing his lips as Lacey stood up. He was about to offer his hand to help her up, but it seemed that she didn't need his help. The hand he was going to help her up with, subconsciously, went back into his pocket.
"It's been a long day," he commented. "You should get some good rest."
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Post by Lacey on Feb 24, 2019 19:50:24 GMT -5
"It's been a long day."
Her frown deepened at the thought. A lot had definitely happened that day... and a good chunk of it had been bad. "Yeah..."
"You should get some good rest."
"You too, Spot," Lacey cleared her throat, "You've earned that."
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 24, 2019 20:01:47 GMT -5
"Yeah... You too, Spot, you've earned that."
Spot shrugged. "I'll be sure to rest, so be sure to get some good rest too."
Her tired expression had not gone unnoticed. She must have been really worried... but why hadn't she trusted his word even if it was through Cloud?
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Post by Lacey on Feb 24, 2019 20:15:24 GMT -5
"I'll be sure to rest, so be sure to get some good rest too."
Lacey responded with a shrug, shuffling her feet a bit as they continue on their way towards the lodges. She didn't know what else to say. There was nothing that she could say to stop him, so what could she say now? What was left?
"I'm sorry." She exhaled.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 24, 2019 20:24:00 GMT -5
"I'm sorry."
Spot stopped and gave her a confused look. "For what?"
What was it that she needed to apologize for? There was nothing to his knowledge that she had done wrong.
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Post by Lacey on Feb 24, 2019 20:26:06 GMT -5
"For what?"
"For everything." Lacey sighed softly. "I don't like that you're steppin' down because it feels like you're just gettin' ready for Rip ta do somethin' to ya."
Sure, it was almost certainly her mind just messing with her because she had been so nervous lately, but it still felt like convenient timing to her.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 24, 2019 20:45:23 GMT -5
"For everything."
Spot was still confused. Everything? What was she talking about?
"I don't like that you're steppin' down because it feels like you're just gettin' ready for Rip ta do somethin' to ya."
He was frowning now. "You shouldn't assume that I'm steppin' down because of Rip." While Rip was somewhat connected, he wasn't the main reason why Spot was stepping down. He knew he had been avoiding this for way too long. He probably could last maybe another year as leader thanks to his height... but his age? He really should be moving on.
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