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Post by Rip on Mar 20, 2019 10:22:57 GMT -5
It had been a little over two days since Rip had talked with Jack. He would have come sooner to check up on the new date for the meeting, but there had been a few things he had to settle in his own borough that took more time than he had intended. His plan had been to head straight to the lodge again, but when he crossed over to Manhattan from Bronx, he changed his mind. While he didn't really think the rat was from Manhattan, it would be better to stay low and out of sight from prying eyes. He wasn't quite sure where to find Jack, so he wandered around Manhattan, sticking to dark alleyways and less frequented areas. Somehow, his wandering led him to the House of Refuge.
Most newsies who had no family had ended up here at least once, even himself. It was in his younger days, but still it wasn't something he wanted to really remember. Yet, here he was, staring up at the all too familiar building.
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Post by Jack Kelly on Mar 20, 2019 15:01:34 GMT -5
Jack tried not to hang around the House of Refuge all that much. He had spent far too much time there for it to be a comfortable place, and the only times in which he would ever find himself inclined to go back had been because of some of the other kids that had been there. Now, the whole building just seemed to hold a darker aura, and all of the kids had been released after the strike when Governor Roosevelt had made sure that they were all released. However, Jack had heard one of his birds mentioning that he had seen Rip hanging around there, towards the edge of the borough, so he had gone to inspect those sorts of claims.
After meeting with all of the leaders beyond one or two that he hadn't been able to find, instead talking to birds that he had recognized and asked for the leaders to come find him, he had figured out another date that would take place another week or so after the initial meeting had been planned. By the time that he had found Rip staring up at the old building, he called out to the other male. "Rip?"
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Post by Rip on Mar 20, 2019 15:12:56 GMT -5
"Rip?"
He tensed when he heard his name being called, almost reaching for one of his knives, but relaxed as he saw who had called him. "Jack."
Rip was secretly glad that Jack had found him and not the other way round. He didn't like traveling around Manhattan too much.
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Post by Jack Kelly on Mar 20, 2019 20:35:24 GMT -5
"Jack."
It was obvious pretty quickly that Rip was on edge about someone calling out to him, but Jack was just relieved that he had found Rip before it was dark again. He didn't want to make the other leader wander around after dark in Manhattan if he didn't have to.
"I talked ta the other leaders. They said we can move things back a week." He cleared his throat.
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Post by Rip on Mar 20, 2019 21:43:06 GMT -5
"I talked ta the other leaders. They said we can move things back a week."
Rip raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised that the others would be willing to push back the date but relieved. "Meetin' in Medda's like usual then?"
Since the date was set, it was time to make sure he knew where everyone was meeting. Hopefully this time, there wouldn't be a rat again. Queens wouldn't be able to handle the strain of this meeting being rescheduled again. They really needed new borders desperately.
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Post by Jack Kelly on Mar 20, 2019 21:44:53 GMT -5
"Meetin' in Medda's like usual then?"
Jack nodded. Medda had always been great about giving the newsies a place to talk when they needed it, and she more than understood what was going on right now.
"I talked ta Medda about movin' it, too, and she said it should be fine." He agreed.
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Post by Rip on Mar 20, 2019 21:59:59 GMT -5
"I talked ta Medda about movin' it, too, and she said it should be fine."
Rip nodded. Medda had always been kind to the newsies, even the ones in other boroughs. "Sounds good."
He hesitated. Wondering if he should speak his mind or not. He was still concerned about the rat and still felt that Brooklyn was guilty of spreading the news about the meeting. But again, Jack was likely to be on Brooklyn's side. It was sad how few friends Queens had... but with the way the borough was, it wasn't really that surprising. He should just be glad that he had somewhat of a friendship with Jack and some of the other leaders.
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Post by Jack Kelly on Mar 20, 2019 22:02:44 GMT -5
"Sounds good."
Jack nodded again. It seemed as though the conversation easily could have ended there, but Jack couldn't help but feel as though there was something more on Rip's mind. "Is somethin' else wrong?" He inquired, figuring that it would be best to ask rather than just let it sit.
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Post by Rip on Mar 20, 2019 22:21:31 GMT -5
"Is somethin' else wrong?"
Rip wasn't one to just spill out his thoughts, so why make an exception now, even if he was worried? He clenched his jaw some and shook his head. "It's nothin'..."
He didn't trust Jack enough, and well, he had to admit that he knew the Manhattan newsie probably didn't trust him either.
"Jus' make sure your boys and gals don't know nothin' about this meetin'," he warned. "I don't want more trouble for Queens."
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Post by Jack Kelly on Mar 20, 2019 22:23:40 GMT -5
"It's nothin'..."
He raised an eyebrow. While Jack didn't fully believe that, he wasn't the type to push, so he left it where it was.
"Jus' make sure your boys and gals don't know nothin' about this meetin'. I don't want more trouble for Queens."
Jack bit his lip. His borough had been one where not many people seemed to know about the meeting last time around, definitely not as many people as Queens and Brooklyn. However, he would do his best. "We ain't gonna give ya no trouble."
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Post by Rip on Mar 21, 2019 9:56:14 GMT -5
"We ain't gonna give ya no trouble."
Rip didn't look completely convinced but nodded. "Better not..."
There was no way he would let it slide if the meeting got messed up again. He made sure Jack could see the seriousness of the situation was for his borough. He gestured to his pocket where one of his knives was. It would be all out war if there was trouble, and it wouldn't be just him. His boys would be the main instigators. He had control, but when the strain was too much... there was no controlling anyone.
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Post by Jack Kelly on Mar 21, 2019 16:57:18 GMT -5
"Better not..."
Jack bit his lip. There was definitely something about Rip that sent chills down Jack's spine, but he didn't mention anything of it. The threat of the knives was one that Jack didn't want to mess with, knowing that Rip would have no issue with getting back at him if that was what it came down to.
"I'll see ya at the meetin' then." He affirmed, a bit eager to get out of the conversation.
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Post by Rip on Mar 21, 2019 17:21:36 GMT -5
"I'll see ya at the meetin' then."
Rip raised an eyebrow. "Until then, Kelly."
Jack might not have given an obvious reaction to his warning, but Rip knew the guy well enough that he got the point. No one wanted to mess with him when he was angry. But at least the meeting seemed to be settled for now. It was time to head back to Queens. He didn't like staying in Manhattan longer than necessary... and well, he didn't like hanging around the Refuge either. Unhappy memories.
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