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Post by Spot Conlon on Jun 29, 2019 19:45:44 GMT -5
Spot went to the docks as soon as he finished selling. It was strange to think about how soon, he wouldn't be selling anymore. He was already looking at places to work... it felt so strange. He wondered if the previous leader, Dragon, had felt this way. Maybe he should try talking to him about how to handle all this change. It had been awhile since he talked to the retired leader.
But first... he wanted to take one last look at the docks. Well, perhaps it was a little premature to say it was the last look, but it certainly felt that way. The days were passing by faster, and Bridges really was ready to take that next step into becoming leader.
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Post by Bridges on Oct 10, 2019 14:04:46 GMT -5
Bridges is sitting on one of the piers of the dock, staring at the murky depths below. He's not ready to become a leader. He know he's not. There's so many things he hasn't learned, and yet his time looms closer and closer. He'll be looked up to. He'll have to look after all of the boys, without Spot, no less. Not having Spot around to ask questions scares him most of all. He'll be alone. Technically, yes, he's 'ready' to be a leader, as in he's been trained how to be a leader... But he's not emotionally ready yet. All this swirls in his head, not being shown on his face.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Oct 10, 2019 20:39:44 GMT -5
Spot was about to turn back and go, but he stopped as he noticed Bridges sitting on the edge of one of the docks. The bird looked a bit down. Had there been a problem or something? He furrowed his brows as he walked over to the younger newsie.
"Hey, Bridges," he greeted as he took a seat beside him. "Something wrong?"
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Post by Bridges on Oct 11, 2019 7:51:01 GMT -5
"Hey, Bridges." He looks up as Spot sits next to him. He nods in greeting.
"Something wrong?" He pauses, then nods slowly. "... 'm not ready." He stares back at the water, carefully choosing his words. "...Ya taught me so many things. But I... I ain't ready for you t' go."
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Post by Spot Conlon on Oct 11, 2019 22:51:58 GMT -5
"... 'm not ready."
Spot furrowed his brows, barely catching what the younger newsie said. "What was that?"
"...Ya taught me so many things. But I... I ain't ready for you t' go."
He gave Bridges an odd look. "Trust me, Bridges... you're ready." He cracked a small smile. "In fact, I t'ink you're more ready than I was when I first became leader."
It was somewhat nostalgic.. thinking about when he was in Bridges' shoes. It had been a lot different, but somehow, it had been rather similar as well.
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Post by Bridges on Oct 13, 2019 14:37:13 GMT -5
"Trust me, Bridges... you're ready."
"But there's things that I dunno. Situations where I won't know the answer, and I can't turn t' you for help because you're gone-" He's avoiding eye contact, trying to find excuses to have Spot stay for longer, like a child not wanting their eldest sibling to leave.
"In fact, I t'ink you're more ready than I was when I first became leader."
He scoffs, crossing his arms. "I highly doubt that. Ya don't gotta lie t' me t' make me feel better."
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Post by Spot Conlon on Oct 13, 2019 19:40:47 GMT -5
"But there's things that I dunno. Situations where I won't know the answer, and I can't turn t' you for help because you're gone-
Spot pursed his lips. "It's all part of being' leader. You have ta figure out stuff for yourself."
It was hard. He wouldn't deny it. When Dragon left, Brooklyn felt like it was going to fall a part. But in time, Spot and the boys learned. They all learned.
"You won't have me," he agreed. "But you got loyal boids that can help ya. And well, Mr. O'Quinns is always willin' ta lend an ear." He gave the younger boy a small smile. Mr. O'Quinns had always be there to guide the Brooklyn leaders.
"I highly doubt that. Ya don't gotta lie t' me t' make me feel better."
He raised an eyebrow. "You t'ink I'd lie about dis?" In a more serious tone, he added, "Have I ever lied ta ya?"
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Post by Bridges on Oct 14, 2019 8:49:05 GMT -5
"It's all part of being' leader. You have ta figure out stuff for yourself."
Bridges sighs as Spot purses his lips. "... I know." It's the one thing he's been dreading. He's spent most of his life making sure he was doing things right in his superior's eyes, but if he is the superior... that makes things a bit complicated.
"You won't have me," he agreed. "But you got loyal boids that can help ya. And well, Mr. O'Quinns is always willin' ta lend an ear."
"Yeah, but-" he sighs, fiddling with his hands, rubbing them together.
"You t'ink I'd lie about dis?"
He pauses, looking back at him, clearly troubled. "No."
"Have I ever lied ta ya?"
He frowns, avoiding eye contact again. "... No." He sighs. "Jus'... Jus' in my own head, I guess. Cuz... You're such a good leader. And I... I'll never live up t' ya." He frowns, then turns away, trying his best to not let any tears leave his eyes.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Oct 14, 2019 10:39:11 GMT -5
"... I know."
Spot didn't respond. He knew it was hard... but he believed in Bridges. The kid would figure it all as time passed. However, Spot did have some worries. It had nothing to do with Bridges' capabilities though. It was more about other things out of Bridges' and even Spot's control.
"Yeah, but-"[/I
"No 'buts,'" he said firmly.
"No... No.Jus'... Jus' in my own head, I guess. Cuz... You're such a good leader. And I... I'll never live up t' ya."
He snorted softly, getting up to his feet. "It's not about living' up ta me. I was and never will be the best leader Brooklyn ever had." He turned his eyes towards the horizon, not looking at Bridges now. "You have an advantage over me," he said quietly. "You'll be a fine leader, probably even better than me. So don't try ta be like me. Do this your own way."
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Post by Bridges on Oct 16, 2019 8:38:00 GMT -5
"No 'buts.'"
Bridges falls silent, nodding.
"It's not about living' up ta me. I was and never will be the best leader Brooklyn ever had."
"I think you were," he mumbles, crossing his arms, putting his guard up.
"You have an advantage over me. You'll be a fine leader, probably even better than me. So don't try ta be like me. Do this your own way."
Bridges bites the inside of his lip, wiping at his eyes furiously. Darn it, Spot, he thinks to himself. He really doesn't want to cry. He hasn't cried since he was about 8 years old. He didn't want to start again now, not in front of Spot.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Oct 16, 2019 16:45:01 GMT -5
"I think you were."
Spot just shook his head. He knew he wasn't... he didn't have the best of starts when he became leader, not that Bridges needed to know those details. Most of the younger boys saw Spot as he was now. They admired the Spot who had learned to become a better leader. They didn't know about the past leaders who had been better, stronger even.
He noted Bridges struggle and stayed silent, letting the kid try to gain control of his emotions.
He hesitated a moment as he saw the Bridges continue to struggle. Maybe... well, it didn't hurt.
"Come 'ere. I want ta show ya somethin'." Spot motioned for Bridges to follow him.
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Post by Bridges on Oct 17, 2019 8:00:10 GMT -5
"Come 'ere. I want ta show ya somethin'." "Ok..." He swallows hard and follows Spot, shoving his hands into his pockets.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Oct 17, 2019 18:43:27 GMT -5
"Ok..."
Spot paused only to make sure Bridges was following before walking quickly towards the heart of Brooklyn. He stayed away from the main roads, not really wanting the other boys to know where they were heading. This was a sort of secret place.
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Post by Bridges on Feb 16, 2020 1:35:31 GMT -5
Bridges follows, silently, behind him; he slips his hands into his pockets and frowns, waiting for an explanation.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 17, 2020 20:48:37 GMT -5
Spot stayed silent as they walked through the backways of Brooklyn. Even the Brooklynners didn't like going this way. Spot wasn't one to take this route unless he wanted privacy. It could be dangerous in the evenings, but during the daylight hours it was fine as long as you were careful.
It didn't take long for the two to reach their destination. It was on the rougher side of town. The place where Spot originally grew up. The houses were old and small. No one really lived there anymore.
"This way..."
Spot lead Bridges down a row of houses until they reached the last house. He glanced around even though he knew there wasn't anyone around besides him and Bridges. He pulled out his key from under his shirt, unlocked the door, and motioned for Bridges to enter.
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