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Post by Astrid on Aug 19, 2016 12:01:05 GMT -5
Astrid had mostly tuned the boys. She kept trying to not stare at Ace. He was so different from what she had thought. It was so odd to think that this person was in league with Rip. Was somehow apart of this plan. He seemed so nice. Genuine even. He didn't seem like the type to be around Rip.
No, and you should know better than ta call a young lady that! Don't mind the boys. I'm sure they'll mind their manners for the rest of tanight.
She looked up at him. He was even taking up for her. "It's fine...I've had people with worse manners at my work. So no worries." She said softly.
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Post by Blondie on Aug 19, 2016 12:09:38 GMT -5
"No, and you should know better than ta call a young lady that! Don't mind the boys. I'm sure they'll mind their manners for the rest of tanight."
Blondie was surprised that Ace stood up for Astrid. He didn't even know them! Blondie was going to say something, but it seemed like Ace had it covered. He casually put his arm around Astrid and gave Ace a small smile of thanks.
He glanced over his cards, feeling a little nervous about how the rest of the night would go. Ace really wasn't acting at all like he thought he would.
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Post by Ace on Aug 19, 2016 12:28:30 GMT -5
"It's fine...I've had people with worse manners at my work. So no worries."
Ace was frowning at her words as he glanced down at his cards. "Well, people should be more polite... especially to ladies." He looked over at her and added softly, "You shouldn't get use to be treated like that. It ain't right."
He then smiled back at the boys as they began getting into their game. It would be a fun night. Ace was sure of it.
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Post by Astrid on Aug 19, 2016 13:05:11 GMT -5
Astrid watched the game looking a bit lost in her own thought. As the game ended for a break she moved to get herself a drink. It was rather boring just sitting watching. She wanted to do something. She wanted to get to the bottom of this mystery. She took a sip of her drink and tried to relax away from everyone. She couldn't figure it out. What was going on? Things just weren't making since. Astrid took another drink and tapped the glass with her finger staring at the bottomz
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Post by Blondie on Aug 19, 2016 13:12:17 GMT -5
Blondie watched Astrid go as the other boys also went to get some drinks. The game had actually been rather fun despite Blondie having to keep an eye on Ace. He decided to stay back and just watch for now. He'd get a drink later.
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Post by Ace on Aug 19, 2016 13:14:48 GMT -5
Ace decided to go over and get a drink during the break. He got a coke like he usually did, but he desperately needed a nice hot cup of tea. He sighed softly and sipped his coke, glancing over at Astrid who was beside him getting a drink as well.
He cocked his head slightly and scooted closer to her. "Hey, I don't think I caught your name."
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Post by Astrid on Aug 19, 2016 13:17:49 GMT -5
Hey, I don't think I caught your name.
Astrid looked up at Ace. "It's Astrid. You're Ace right?" She asked taking a sip of her drink.
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Post by Ace on Aug 19, 2016 13:34:21 GMT -5
"It's Astrid. You're Ace right?"
Ace grinned and held out his hand toward her. "Pleasure ta meet you, Astrid. And you'd be right. Name's Ace." He glanced over at Blondie who was talking with some of the other boys about the next game. "That's Blondie you're with, right? I know Sand speaks highly of 'im."
He sipped his coke and glanced around to see what the other boys were doing. Occasionally, he'd smile and wave at the newsies he knew.
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Post by Astrid on Aug 19, 2016 14:20:58 GMT -5
Pleasure ta meet you, Astrid. And you'd be right. Name's Ace.
She smiled a bit. He couldn't be friends with Rip. He was far too kind. "Nice ta meet ya too."
That's Blondie you're with, right? I know Sand speaks highly of 'I'm.
"Yeah it's Blondie." Astrid cocked her head some. "She does?" She was a little proud of herself for guessing that Blondie was more then just a kid from Bronx. If the leader talked highly of him he was important. She looked over at Ace. "You know a lot of people. Ya come here often?"
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Post by Ace on Aug 19, 2016 14:29:19 GMT -5
"Nice ta meet ya too."
Ace's smile widened, and he gave her a firm handshake. "Please ta hear it."
"Yeah it's Blondie."
He nodded some. He had never met the kid, but he knew him by sight.
"She does?"
He nodded again smiling. "Yeah, he was good friends with the leader before Sand, so she looks ta him for advice sometimes. And well, I never heard anythin' bad about him so I know he's a good guy."
"You know a lot of people. Ya come here often?"
Ace chuckled softly before sipping some more of his drink. "Ah well, I'm originally from good ol' 'Hattan so I know quite a few people here." He waved at Biscuit, the leader of Staten, and Davey as they entered Medda's. "I try ta come over here as often as I can. Haven't really been spendin' time in 'Hattan these days though."
He glanced over at Astrid curiously and waved for a refill. "What about you? I don't think I've really seen you around in Bronx or in 'Hattan."
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Post by Astrid on Aug 19, 2016 14:48:16 GMT -5
Please ta hear it.
Astrid smiled softly. He was decent...it was nice. She shook his hand.
Yeah, he was good friends with the leader before Sand, so she looks ta him for advice sometimes. And well, I never heard anythin' bad about him so I know he's a good guy.
"Sounds important..." She said quietly.
Ah well, I'm originally from good ol' 'Hattan so I know quite a few people here. I try ta come over here as often as I can. Haven't really been spendin' time in 'Hattan these days though.
Astrid nodded listening to him. "'Hattan huh? Ya seem ta be doing well."
What about you? I don't think I've really seen you around in Bronx or in Queens.
"I work a lot...in fact work tomorrow afternoon. So ya haven't seen me cause of that." Astrid shrugged.
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Post by Ace on Aug 19, 2016 14:54:29 GMT -5
"Sounds important..."
Ace shrugged. "Yeah, I guess it sounds that way." He glanced over at Blondie. "Though, I just don't see why he hasn't become a boid. He's that good and important ta Bronx." He shrugged again. "Ah well, it's none of my business... but maybe," he gave her a friendly nudge and a mischievous grin, "maybe you can convince him ta be one?"
His eyes twinkled mischievously as he drank some more coke. "Jus' teasin' you," he added seriously. "Blondie is free ta do as he pleases, though he'd really make a great boid."
"'Hattan huh? Ya seem ta be doing well."
He nodded then found himself shrugging again. "Yeah, I'm a 'Hattan, and I guess I'm doin' all right. Newsie some, part-time at the broth house so I ain't too busy ta come over and hang out with the guys."
"I work a lot... in fact work tomorrow afternoon. So ya haven't seen me cause of that."
He nodded in understanding. "Yeah, makes sense. Not all of us have free time ta spare."
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Post by Astrid on Aug 19, 2016 17:16:30 GMT -5
Yeah, I guess it sounds that way. Though, I just don't see why he hasn't become a boid. He's that good and important ta Bronx. Ah well, it's none of my business... but maybe, maybe you can convince him ta be one?
Astrid smiled a bit but as he nudged her her drink splashed out of her glass and onto her sleeve. Sitting her glass down she tried to sop up the liquid. "I don't know him to well...so honestly I think I'll leave him on his own." She said with a small smile.
Jus' teasin' you, Blondie is free ta do as he pleases, though he'd really make a great boid.
"I know." She said as he explained he was teasing her. "He'd be a good bird..." Astrid said looking down at the glass. She was trying her best not to look at him too often. It was hard though. Give what she had in her mind and what was before her she wanted to find every detail that she had so wrongly imagined and find what exactly Blondie had meant given his vague description.
Yeah, I'm a 'Hattan, and I guess I'm doin' all right. Newsie some, part-time at the broth house so I ain't too busy ta come over and hang out with the guys.
Astrid smiled at him a bit. "As long as you have time to keep up your friendships here." She said with a playful smirk.
Yeah, makes sense. Not all of us have free time ta spare.
She nodded a bit and took a drink. That was the truth. She hardly had free time. Astrid had plans though.
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Post by Ace on Aug 19, 2016 18:45:11 GMT -5
Ace's eyes widened some as he noticed he spilled Astrid's drink. "I am so sorry!" He waved a server over and asked for some napkins before turning to Astrid with an apologetic look. "I'm really sorry about that... Lottie tells me I'm clumsy." He looked at his Coke sheepishly. "She won't let me live down how I lost my first date."
"I don't know him to well...so honestly I think I'll leave him on his own."
He nodded. "Yeah, that would probably be for the best."
"I know. He'd be a good bird..."
He sipped his drink, eyes sparkling happily. "Yeah, he really would make a good one. Bronx could use some more good birds being so close to Queens and all." He shook his head some and sighed.
"As long as you have time to keep up your friendships here."
He smiled softly. "Yeah, I don't want to forget my roots. I'd hate ta lose any of my friends."
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Post by Astrid on Aug 19, 2016 19:04:59 GMT -5
I am so sorry! I'm really sorry about that... Lottie tells me I'm clumsy. She won't let me live down how I lost my first date.
Astrid smiled softly. "It's ok...it happens more often then not." Astrid cocked her head a bit. "Lottie?" She asked softly. A small laugh left her as she heads he lost his first date. "How did you manage to do that?"
"Yeah, that would probably be for the best.
She nodded some and took a sip of her drink.
Yeah, he really would make a good one. Bronx could use some more good birds being so close to Queens and all.
"I think that's why he's here. Making sure nothing bad happens. Though I think it's mostly cause Sand's worried." She chuckled a bit. "I think he has small amount of feelings for the Bronx leader." Astrid chuckles a bit. "He'd kill me if told him."
Yeah, I don't want to forget my roots. I'd hate ta lose any of my friends.
Astrid nodded. "Well...some of us aren't that lucky ta keep friends..." She whispered looking at the glass. "Then of course some of those friends turn ta not be friends in the end..."
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Post by Ace on Aug 19, 2016 20:04:11 GMT -5
"it's ok...it happens more often then not."
Ace shook his head as he helped her clean up her spilled drink. "No, it's not okay. I should have been more careful."
"Lottie?"
His face softened. "Lottie? She's my little sis. She doesn't care ta cross the Hudson ta visit 'Hattan so I come by myself."
"How did you manage to do that?"
Ace rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Heh heh... I bumped her drink all over her pretty new dress. I made her really upset... and yeah, my first date ended badly." He shrugged it off with a smile. "And well, I got Lottie so I don't really need a date for now."
"I think that's why he's here. Making sure nothing bad happens. Though I think it's mostly cause Sand's worried."
He nodded. "Yeah... I'm sure she is quite worried. It would make sense for her ta send Blondie."
"I think he has a small amount of feelings for the Bronx leader. He'd kill me if I told him."
Ace blinked in surprise. "You an' Blondie aren't... aren't a couple?"
"Well...some of us aren't that lucky ta keep friends... Then of course some of those friends turn ta not be friends in the end..."
He pursed his lips some and stared at his drink. He really wasn't sure if he should or how he should reply to that.
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Post by Astrid on Aug 19, 2016 21:18:13 GMT -5
No, it's not okay. I should have been more careful.
Astrid shook her head. "I get stuff spilled on me all the time..."
Lottie? She's my little sis. She doesn't care ta cross the Hudson ta visit 'Hattan so I come by myself.
She smiled some. "It's a nice name. And I would t much like crossing the river ether."
Yeah... I'm sure she is quite worried. It would make sense for her ta send Blondie.
Astrid nodded in agreement. Blondie was a good bird. Sand was lucky to have him.
You an' Blondie aren't... aren't a couple
"No but don't tell anyone. He wanted ta come here and see if there was anything that anyone knows here about Queens and what Rip is planning...I'm here as part of a cover of sorts for him ya know?" She shrugged slightly. "He's tryin ta impress Sand between me and you. Course I don't think even he knows." It could be the truth. But she didn't know the truth. It was a guess and a cover for her and him. Be more believable then a couple.
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Post by Ace on Aug 19, 2016 21:30:17 GMT -5
"I get stuff spilled on me all the time..."
Ace cocked his head slightly. "You did it again... you keep sayin' it like this happens all the time." He frowned a little. "It shouldn't happen all the time, and you shouldn't shrug it off an' make it out like it don't matter." He stared at his drink and added quietly, "You make it sound like you deserve it... which you don't. No one does."
"It's a nice name. And I wouldn't much like crossing the river either."
He chuckled softly, eyes sparkling. "Yeah, Mum picked out a great name for her." He rubbed the top of his glass thoughtfully and chuckled. "Yeah, she gets seasick so that's why she hate's crossin' the Hudson."
"No but don't tell anyone. He wanted ta come here and see if there was anything that anyone knows here about Queens and what Rip is planning...I'm here as part of a cover of sorts for him ya know?"
He furrowed his brow some, frowning slightly at the mention of Rip. "Oh don't worry... I never blab."
"He's tryin ta impress Sand between me and you. Course I don't think even he knows."
A slight smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Maybe, maybe not. I don't think he's doin' ta cause any trouble though."
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Post by Astrid on Aug 19, 2016 22:11:35 GMT -5
You did it again... you keep sayin' it like this happens all the time. It shouldn't happen all the time, and you shouldn't shrug it off an' make it out like it don't matter. You make it sound like you deserve it... which you don't. No one does.
Astrid looked down at her glass. "Maybe I do deserve it. Ya don't know me..." She took the last swig from her glass and sat it down. "Maybe one day you'll get ta hear the sad story of Astrid...but it's not really a card night story. Then ya can decide if i deserve ta be beating myself up." She smiled softly. "That is if there is a next time."
Yeah, Mum picked out a great name for her. Yeah, she gets seasick so that's why she hate's crossin' the Hudson.
"Even better reason ta not cross the river." She said with her eyes widened slightly in shock. "I don't think i'd ever wanna see water again."
Oh don't worry... I never blab.
Astrid smiled at him. "Good ta know." She looked back at Blondie and the other boys. "Ya know... they all think ya should have been a leader somewhere...Heard it at least five times today." She smiled softly.
Maybe, maybe not. I don't think he's doin' ta cause any trouble though.
She nodded in agreement. "Nah...he just wants ta make sure everythin's safe for Bronx. Blondie's not the type ta stir up trouble..." Astrid looked up at him and felt a small smile pull at her lips seeing his smirk. Odd...this didn't happen usually. Her small smile fell slightly. "So I gotta ask for Blondie...ya know anything that Rip might be doin'?" She asked quietly getting a feeling that their conversation was going to end with that statement but she needed to ask. Not just for Blondie and Sand but for herself. What was her former friend planning and is there any way she could stop it from destroying him along with everyone in his path? Astrid prepared for the speech. None of your business. I don't rat on friends. Anything was racing through her mind as she stared at the empty glass waiting for the polite conversation to turn to dust before her eyes.
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Post by Ace on Aug 19, 2016 22:27:05 GMT -5
"Maybe I do deserve it. Ya don't know me..."
Ace looked over at her and studied her a moment before replying slowly, "No... I don't know you, but that doesn't mean you deserve that. I will believe that until proven otherwise."
"Maybe one day you'll get ta hear the sad story of Astrid...but it's not really a card night story. Then ya can decide if i deserve ta be beating myself up. That is if there is a next time."
He frowned and stared at his now empty glass. "No one should beat themselves up..."
"Even better reason ta not cross the river. I don't think i'd ever wanna see water again."
He chuckled softly. "Ah well, she don't get real seasick. Just a little so she comes across every once in awhile. She loves comin' ta Tibby's when she can."
"Good ta know."
Ace nodded seriously. He never blabbed unless it was absolutely necessary. That was probably one of the many reasons why he had so many friends. They knew they could trust him not to say a word.
"Ya know... they all think ya should have been a leader somewhere...Heard it at least five times today."
He laughed. "That's what they say? Me? Leader? Naaaaaa." He chuckled softly and waved for some more coke. "I could never do it."
"Nah...he just wants ta make sure everythin's safe for Bronx. Blondie's not the type ta stir up trouble..."
He nodded once more. "Yeah, don't blame him. Queens is really close ta them and so is Harlem. Those two boroughs are much stronger than Bronx. Blondie would definitely know better than ta pull a stunt that would get those two riled up against Bronx."
"So I gotta ask for Blondie...ya know anything that Rip might be doin'?"
His smile faded and the sparkle in his eye disappeared. "It really ain't somethin' I can say," he replied quietly and paid for his drinks as well as for Astrid's. "I would like for you ta tell Blondie ta knock it off. Rip is my friend, an' I'd rather not share private information unless absolutely necessary. I'm tired of all these guys tryin' ta abuse my friendship with the guy." He stood up and placed gave Astrid a polite but somewhat stiff nod. "I best be goin'... I'm sorry we aren't leavin' in better circumstances. It was really nice meetin' ya though." He turned to go but stopped, sighing. He looked back at Astrid. "Just for the record, Rip has got nothin' against Bronx or the other boroughs, just Brooklyn."
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Post by Astrid on Aug 19, 2016 22:58:23 GMT -5
No... I don't know you, but that doesn't mean you deserve that. I will believe that until proven otherwise. No one should beat themselves up...
Astrid shrugged slightly. "Thanks for trying, but I've got some reason ta believe i deserve it." She smiled a bit. "More then most would do."
Ah well, she don't get real seasick. Just a little so she comes across every once in awhile. She loves comin' ta Tibby's when she can.
"Who wouldn't wanna come ta Tibby's?" She smiled softly with a hint of laughter on her voice.
That's what they say? Me? Leader? Naaaaaa. I could never do it.
Astrid laughed softly. "They think ya are more then capable. Too many folks would be leavin boroughs ta follow you if ya did decide ta lead."
Yeah, don't blame him. Queens is really close ta them and so is Harlem. Those two boroughs are much stronger than Bronx. Blondie would definitely know better than ta pull a stunt that would get those two riled up against Bronx.
Astrid nodded her agreement. It was true. That would be a valid reason for Sand to worry.
It really ain't somethin' I can say,
And here it was. Astrid had watched as she crushed the light in him. He seemed colder now. She would have thought that she was immune to this. After so many people leaving she thought she could handle it. Somehow though...this hurt a lot more then she had anticipated. She felt the tears rise in her eyes but they were quickly suppressed.
I would like for you ta tell Blondie ta knock it off. Rip is my friend, an' I'd rather not share private information unless absolutely necessary. I'm tired of all these guys tryin' ta abuse my friendship with the guy.
Astrid looked up at him as he stood and gave her a stiff nod. It seemed almost unnatural for him. It looked so wrong. So out of place. She let out a small breathe and pulled on a smile. " Yeah. Will do." She said in a much more natural tone then she was feeling.
I best be goin'... I'm sorry we aren't leavin' in better circumstances. It was really nice meetin' ya though.
She nodded a bit weakly. "Yeah...nice meeting you too." Astrid said quietly. She knew she would never see him again. That how things went. People never stayed in her life. She was a stop on the road that people came to every once in a while and for a short period of time usually. Astrid turned back and waved over another drink. After all her emotions said she deserved it.
Just for the record, Rip has got nothin' against Bronx or the other boroughs, just Brooklyn.
She looked back some as he spoke. Astrid shook her head as he finished. "Yeah...just wants Brooklyn..." She scoffed a bit. "Ya don't know anything about Queens..." She mumbled some rubbing her eyes. It was too late for this. Ace didn't realize just how bad Queens was. No one was safe. All the girls had made a curfew an hour earlier then the curfew set at the lodge. If you weren't at the lodge by then you were on your own to get home. Queens wasn't always such a horrible place to be. Rip made it that way. If Ace didn't know that then well maybe he was better in the dark and across the bridge. Out of the way for whatever happens to happen.
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Post by Ace on Aug 19, 2016 23:14:53 GMT -5
"Thanks for trying, but I've got some reason ta believe i deserve it. More then most would do."
Ace frowned and stared at his hands. He couldn't figure out what to say to her to convince her she didn't deserve to be treated in such a way, but he was definitely determined to find away next time they met.
"Who wouldn't wanna come ta Tibby's?"
He grinned. "Ah well, I do have a soft spot for the Clam Broth House, but that might just be because I work there." He chuckled softly. "But Tibby's really gots the best sandwiches."
"They think ya are more then capable. Too many folks would be leavin boroughs ta follow you if ya did decide ta lead."
He shook his head, but he was smiling. "Then I definitely wouldn't want ta become leader. I would hate ta cause problems for other boroughs if all of 'em suddenly just up and left ta join me."
"Yeah. Will do."
Ace hated doing this, especially to a girl, but he had had enough of this. He was definitely thinking a bit poorly of Blondie now. How could he send a girl to ask such questions. He could have forgiven him if Blondie had just flat-out asked him.
"Yeah...nice meeting you too."
He gave her a small smile. "Maybe we'll see each other at Tibby's some time... I'm sure Lottie would love ta meet you."
"Yeah...just wants Brooklyn... Ya don't know anything about Queens..."
Ace couldn't help but scowl at her words. "I know a lot more than most people think," he said softly, but there was a little bit of anger in his voice. "I know Rip isn't the nicest guy around, but you'd be surprised at how much worse Queens could be if you didn't have him as leader."
He gave her another stiff nod before heading over to the boys to let them know he was done playing. The boys were rather bummed to see him go, but they knew it was getting late and Ace probably wanted to get back to his lodge before curfew.
He slipped out the back and stuffed his hands in pockets. He felt rather frustrated. He hated people trying to use him to get to Rip. It wasn't right. He didn't want things to get ugly between him and Rip when things were really starting to get better. Rip was actually really listening to his advice. The guy was a lot softer than most would give him credit for.
But he supposed what made him really upset was the girl he met. Astrid. She seemed like a nice young girl that he wanted to reach out and help. Blondie had certainly made a mess out of things. It would be awhile before he'd be able to forgive him for pulling a stunt like that on him with Astrid.
He shook his head and pulled out a cigarette. He hated it when people used other people. It just wasn't right. So was his smoking... but he really could use it right now.
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Post by Astrid on Aug 20, 2016 5:38:21 GMT -5
Ah well, I do have a soft spot for the Clam Broth House, but that might just be because I work there." He chuckled softly. "But Tibby's really gots the best sandwiches.
"You actually like the food where you work? I've been around that food so much I don't think i could stand to eat it anymore." She laughed softly.
Then I definitely wouldn't want ta become leader. I would hate ta cause problems for other boroughs if all of 'em suddenly just up and left ta join me.
Astrid smiled some. "Its a good thing ya didn't I believe. No one will say that to ya again I bet."
Maybe we'll see each other at Tibby's some time... I'm sure Lottie would love ta meet you.
She bobbed her head a bit. "Yeah...don't know about that." Astrid's voice was starting to deceive her. "Live in Queens...but maybe..."
I know a lot more than most people think, I know Rip isn't the nicest guy around, but you'd be surprised at how much worse Queens could be if you didn't have him as leader.
Astrid got a sinking feeling in her stomach. Anger and sadness boiling up and she couldn't quite decipher the feelings. She turned back to add her own remark to only find that Ace had gone. She quickly got up and moved outside. "Ya know Rip. I thought I did once too." She shook her head in anger at the memories flashing in her mind. "I will not let him leave me in the dark. Never again." Silent tears rolled down her cheeks. "Ya wanna hear how i met Blondie?" Astrid didn't even wait for a reply. "I was comin home from walkin a kid who got lost and wandered into Queens. Couple of the news boys saw me comin back in and chased me. Hid in the cemetery and ran inta him." She let out a breathe and rubbed her head gently. "I almost got soaked in my home for walkin a kid home. So I'm sorry if I don't really see how it can be much worse." Astrid watched him for a minute. She could feel the anger building in her voice, but there was also a hint of sadness. "That's why I'm here. I want answers as much as Blondie. Because i get the feeling you don't understand what it feels like to loose everyone you cared about. Don't try ta be a hero by tellin me Rip is a great guy. I believed that lie once. So ya want me ta believe it come back ta me with proof that what he did was alright. Till then I'm gunna survive." She said with a sad half smile and tear stained cheeks.
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Post by Ace on Aug 20, 2016 8:56:50 GMT -5
"You actually like the food where you work? I've been around that food so much I don't think I could stand to eat it anymore."
Ace shrugged as he smiled. "Good food is good food."
"It's a good thing ya didn't I believe. No one will say that to ya again I bet."
He shook his head. "Yeah, I couldn't imagine tryin' ta lead a borough. It's a lot of work and responsibility. Not sure I could handle all that and Lottie."
"Yeah...don't know about that. Live in Queens...but maybe..."
He cocked his head slightly in surprise. "Well," he said slowly and quietly. "Lottie doesn't like Queens, but um I go to Queens quite a bit. We could always meet up there if ya like."
"Ya know Rip. I thought I did once too. I will not let him leave me in the dark. Never again. Ya wanna hear how I met Blondie?
Ace was surprised to see Astrid come up next to him as he smoked. He remained silent as she continued.
"I was comin home from walkin a kid who got lost and wandered into Queens. Couple of the news boys saw me comin back in and chased me. Hid in the cemetery and ran inta him.I almost got soaked in my home for walkin a kid home. So I'm sorry if I don't really see how it can be much worse."
He glanced at her eyes widening ever so slightly. There was hurt in his eyes as he realized Astrid had been lying to him about her and Blondie. It always hurt when people lied to him. So many people had lied to him, even a few that were truly close to him, but that didn't stop the pain. Why did people find it necessary to lie? He wanted the truth, because even if the truth hurt, it never hurt as much as someone lying to you.
"That's why I'm here. I want answers as much as Blondie. Because i get the feeling you don't understand what it feels like to loose everyone you cared about."
He stared into the night and let out a breath of smoke before extinguishing his cigarette. "I do," he said quietly, tossing his cigarette in a nearby trash bin. "I do know what it feels like ta lose everyone I cared about. I might seem like a happy guy, but there's a lot of loss and sadness I've had ta face. I've lost everyone except Lottie. Yeah, I have friends... but I had to rebuild those after losin' everyone back then. Don't tell me I don't know what losing everything means... You don't even know the whole story behind me."
"Don't try ta be a hero by tellin me Rip is a great guy. I believed that lie once. So ya want me ta believe it come back ta me with proof that what he did was alright. Till then I'm gunna survive."
Ace clenched his fists some at his words, but forced himself to remain calm. He was hurting from her lies and her harsh words towards himself and his friend. He didn't understand this girl. He really wanted to, but it wasn't going to happen if he got angry. He needed to hold back and think things through, but not before he gave her his two cents.
"I never said what he is or was doin' is alright, he is much better than ya take him for. The guys in Queens are bad, believe me I know." He rubbed his arm absentmindedly. He frowned deeply, if Astrid was looking closely she could see that he was holding back some tears himself. He bit his lip hard before continuing, "If it weren't for Rip, things would be a whole lot worse. Blizzard picked a pretty good guy ta lead Queens. Hooks was supposed ta be the next one, but Rip was chosen. Hooks keeps the boys riled up half the time, but Rip keeps most of it at bay. I know he ain't doin' the best job at it, and I ain't sayin' he's a saint. But the guy does care about Queens and tries ta keep it from gettin' worse." He angrily wiped his eyes. He blamed the smoke for making them water. He didn't want to think about the real reason why tears were stinging his eyes.
He stuffed his hands in his pocket. "Good night..." he barely whispered as he headed off towards the Hudson.
Tonight certainly had been different from his expectations. He wasn't sure how he felt about it. Astrid was certainly an interesting girl. He had an idea of how he felt about her, but he wouldn't set them in stone until he knew what she was really like. Tonight might just be a bad night for her. He would do his best to think the best of her until he found out other wise. Though, it was kind of odd how she mentioned she knew Rip. He never mentioned another girl beside Darcy before. The only people he had said were close to him were Darcy and Key and now Ace. Rip had a sharp mind and wasn't one to forget details, so why didn't he mention Astrid?
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Post by Astrid on Aug 21, 2016 14:35:23 GMT -5
Good food is good food
Astrid laughed a bit. "Yeah...that's true." She replied quietly.
Yeah, I couldn't imagine tryin' ta lead a borough. It's a lot of work and responsibility. Not sure I could handle all that and Lottie
"It'd be hard but people would love ya." She said with a gentle shrug. "I'd rather just stay out of it all together ya know?"
Well, Lottie doesn't like Queens, but um I go to Queens quite a bit. We could always meet up there if ya like
Astrid felt a smile cross her face and an odd feeling tickle her stomach. "Yeah...I think it'd be fun." She looked up at him. "Ya ever wanna find me go ta the girls lodge. If I ain't there someone can tell ya." Astrid said feeling som hear build in her cheeks.
I do, I do know what it feels like ta lose everyone I cared about. I might seem like a happy guy, but there's a lot of loss and sadness I've had ta face. I've lost everyone except Lottie. Yeah, I have friends... but I had to rebuild those after losin' everyone back then. Don't tell me I don't know what losing everything means... You don't even know the whole story behind me.I never said what he is or was doin' is alright, he is much better than ya take him for. The guys in Queens are bad, believe me I know. If it weren't for Rip, things would be a whole lot worse. Blizzard picked a pretty good guy ta lead Queens. Hooks was supposed ta be the next one, but Rip was chosen. Hooks keeps the boys riled up half the time, but Rip keeps most of it at bay. I know he ain't doin' the best job at it, and I ain't sayin' he's a saint. But the guy does care about Queens and tries ta keep it from gettin' worse.
She just watched him. Astrid didn't know. Her emotions clouded her mind and she said words out of anger. The look on his face though. She had lied...but it was to get what she needed. She had also told him about it not long after. Astrid stayed quiet. He had no idea what she had been through. Why it was so hard to trust her friends. Why she didn't really want any. "Some people just aren't meant to be happy..." She whispered before she stopped letting him walk on alone. "If it makes a difference I'm sorry..." Astrid looked up at him sadly. "It's just hard to see the light in someone when they crush it...so maybe he's doing good..." She shrugged gently. "I don't know...all I know is an angry boy..." Astrid wiped her eyes casually. "So I'm sorry...he's your friend..."
Astrid tired to hide her tears and keep them for when she was alone. Maybe Rip was a good true friend to Ace. The only experience she had with friends wasn't good. Her father's friends were the ones to kill him and her mother. Her friends...well they disappeared and left. It was hard to trust people who treated you so poorly.
Good night...
She wrapped her arms around herself and nodded a bit. "Night..." She slowly made her way back towards Nedda's when all she really wanted was for him to forgive her. It was an odd feeling and she hoped it would disappear with Ace.
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