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Post by Whisper on Dec 31, 2016 22:00:13 GMT -5
Visiting the cemetery after selling was something that Whisper didn't do a lot. She found it to be a slightly creepy place, despite the fact that nothing seemed to move there, and she didn't really like being there. However, there was one grave that she found herself spending quite a bit of time at, and that was the one belonging to her younger sister.
She didn't visit a lot, although it only took Whisper a few moments to find her sister's grave, sitting in front of it and placing down a single flower that she had picked that day while she had been selling. It was freezing outside, and Whisper was faintly trembling, although she didn't notice it much. All that she noticed was the stone in front of her, with the dates giving the girl buried there only seven years of life. Letting out another soft sigh, Whisper closed her eyes, sitting in silence for a few minutes.
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Post by Rip on Jan 1, 2017 11:58:10 GMT -5
Winter time was his least favorite time of the year. It was at this time of year that things always went wrong for him. But despite this, he would take the time to visit the cemetery. He wanted to pay his respects even in this horrible weather.
Rip stood beside a small stone he had set out for his cousin. It was small... but it had been all he could afford. He was grateful he had been able to make this stone. After all, he hadn't been able to make a memorial for his little brother. He had to make one for his cousin at least, since he had had some money.
He was silent as he stared down at the grave below, replaying happier moments of his life in his head. If only things could have been different.
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Post by Whisper on Jan 1, 2017 12:48:05 GMT -5
Upon opening her eyes, Whisper was met with the sight of the cold, familiar gravestone. She sighed, chewing lightly on her bottom lip as she tore her gaze away, getting up and quickly beginning to walk away from the grave, eager to get out of the cemetery.
However, once again, a familiar form standing at a makeshift gravestone caught her attention. Whisper almost didn't say anything, knowing that it might not be the best time to disturb him. She knew that it could be a touchy moment, just trying to spend time with someone who had passed on for whatever reason. However, despite her best judgement, she found herself making her way to his side, stopping beside him and scanning his face.
In the end, she didn't say anything, simply clearing her throat to alert him that she was there, but not wanting to interrupt whatever moment he was having too much.
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Post by Rip on Jan 1, 2017 15:26:59 GMT -5
Rip was slightly startled when he heard someone clear their throat. He scowled slightly but didn't lash out. The cemetery wasn't a place to get angry. Ace had reminded him of that. This was a place of peace and respect.
"Hi," he greeted gruffly, hands in his pockets.
It was odd seeing Whisper here. He had never really seen many newsies visit the cemetery. To say he wasn't curious would be a lie. He just never really showed his curiosity.
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Post by Whisper on Jan 1, 2017 15:34:09 GMT -5
"Hi."
"Hi yourself." She mumbled back, glancing down at the gravestone slowly. She didn't know who it was in relation to him, but it was obvious to her that it hadn't been an official burial there. The grave had been put together by someone who wasn't doing it as their job, and she assumed that it was probably Rip.
"I didn't think many newsies came here all that much." She slowly continued, making it a point not to ask about the person's grave in particular, although she would have welcomed some sort of explanation.
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Post by Rip on Jan 1, 2017 15:57:42 GMT -5
"Hi yourself."
Rip just grunted softly, fixing his gaze back on the stone at his feet. He wasn't the best at making casual conversation after all. He probably could if he would practice.
"I didn't think many newsies came here all that much."
He shrugged. "Not many have people here ta think about..." He squatted down to clear off some snowflakes off the stone. The letters were clearly visible now even if it was poorly done.
Key
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Post by Whisper on Jan 1, 2017 16:00:45 GMT -5
"Not many have people here ta think about..."
Whisper shrugged. Even though a lot of the newsies were orphans, they either didn't know their parents, or something had happened... Some had just been abandoned at the lodging house as kids. She had been one of those.
Once the name on the stone was readable, Whisper found herself frowning. Key. She had heard that name before, although she had never known anything about who it was. It had been brought up once or twice in conversations between the birds or something like that - she couldn't remember exactly.
"Who is 'Key'?" The words slipped out before she had time to think about them, and she was instantly mentally slapping herself.
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Post by Rip on Jan 1, 2017 16:28:52 GMT -5
"Who is 'Key'?"
Normally, Rip would just snap at a newsie who dare brought up Key's name... but today was different. He was more quiet during the winter. Softer even, if you caught at the right time. Those moments were very rare. Hardly anyone caught him like this. Ace was a special exception.
"My cousin," he answered gruffly, rubbing his thumb along the stone.
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Post by Whisper on Jan 1, 2017 16:32:06 GMT -5
"My cousin.
Whisper nodded. That made sense. Family could definitely be a soft spot for the newsies, whether it was immediate family or not. She still felt bad for asking, and she didn't know quite what she was supposed to say next.
"I'm sorry for your loss." She mumbled, although she didn't know if that had been the right thing to say or not. She just didn't want to be snapped at. She wasn't great at dealing with people yelling at her.
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Post by Rip on Jan 1, 2017 17:06:49 GMT -5
"I'm sorry for your loss."
Rip remained silent, scowling down at the stone. Key shouldn't have died... Key would have been fine if it weren't for Spot.
He clenched his fists. "Spot's the one who should sorry," he muttered under-breath.
And Spot would pay... very soon.
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Post by Whisper on Jan 1, 2017 17:10:49 GMT -5
"Spot's the one who should sorry,"
"Why though?" She asked, once again not thinking much about what she was saying. Whisper didn't talk much - she wasn't used to having to filter herself.
Either way, Whisper didn't understand what Spot had to do with anything, and that was what confused her. "Everyone's talkin' about Spot 'payin' for somethin'. But what'd he do? Why's he payin'? And what are you gonna do?"
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Post by Rip on Jan 1, 2017 17:17:16 GMT -5
"Why though?"
Rip slowly got back onto his feet, towering over her like a giant. He was quite the giant in Queens. Probably the tallest boy in the borough. He could get away with alot of things since most people assumed he was an adult.
"His fault," he replied simply, not realizing how much he was letting slip. It was his loneliness getting the best of him. He needed someone to talk to, and well, Whisper had caught him in his most vulnerable moment.
"Everyone's talkin' about Spot 'payin' for somethin'. But what'd he do? Why's he payin'? And what are you gonna do?"
His eyes darkened and he clenched his fists, hands ever so dangerously close to his satchel where his knives were hidden. "He killed Key... so he's goin' ta pay for that." He didn't bother answering how he was going to do it. After all, he was still carefully planning.
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Post by Whisper on Jan 1, 2017 17:20:09 GMT -5
"His fault."
Whisper frowned; It wasn't much of an answer, although it was more than she had been expecting. Rip seemed to be talking much more than normal, and so was she. The tension was incredibly high, and Whisper found her heart beating quite rapidly in her chest. However, she couldn't make herself just walk away. Not when she felt as though she could help somehow.
"He killed Key... so he's goin' ta pay for that."
"Let me help you." Whisper mumbled, although her grey-eyed gaze was locked on his hand, ready to run if he grabbed a knife and tried attacking her with it. "I can help you get back at Brooklyn. They don't know me."
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Post by Rip on Jan 1, 2017 17:40:31 GMT -5
"Let me help you."
Rip looked down at her, frowning. "You help me?" He wasn't scoffing at her, but he certainly didn't believe in her. Besides, this was his fight. He didn't need to get other people involved.
"I can help you get back at Brooklyn. They don't know me."
He laughed, but not a happy one. "It ain't Brooklyn. Never was. Don't care about Brooklyn... As long as they stay out of Queens, I'm fine." He shook his head and clenched his fists once more. "It's Spot I got a bone ta pick wit'."
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Post by Whisper on Jan 1, 2017 17:44:39 GMT -5
"You help me?"
Whisper raised an eyebrow, "Yeah, that's what I said, ain't it?" She knew that she was being slightly sarcastic, but she could help it. Rip was treating her like she was stupid, and it was a natural defense mechanism.
"It's Spot I got a bone ta pick wit'."
"Then I can help ya with 'at. Spot has a ton o' boids, and everyone knows ya. I'm never anywhere near Brooklyn. Ya have ta admit, it's gonna be difficult gettin' Spot to a point where ya can even talk ta him alone, much less actually do anythin'." She insisted once again. "If ya try doin' it all on your own, you're gonna fail."
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Post by Rip on Jan 1, 2017 17:53:27 GMT -5
"Yeah, that's what I said, ain't it?"
Rip raised an eyebrow. Her sarcasm didn't bother him. He actually was amused by it. "Why?" he couldn't help asking. Why would anyone want to help him?
"Then I can help ya with 'at. Spot has a ton o' boids, and everyone knows ya. I'm never anywhere near Brooklyn. Ya have ta admit, it's gonna be difficult gettin' Spot to a point where ya can even talk ta him alone, much less actually do anythin'."
He scowled. He hated that she was right... but he didn't like having people involved. It was hard trusting his birds, but that was all he really had to go on. Whisper could prove useful as long as she didn't get in the way.
"If ya try doin' it all on your own, you're gonna fail."
His scowl deepened. He wouldn't have failed last time if Darcy hadn't suddenly chickened out and made a mistake... but that was in the past. Things were different now. He was being offered help. He should take it while he had the chance, because he certainly needed it.
"Fine... I accept."
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Post by Whisper on Jan 1, 2017 17:56:37 GMT -5
"Why?"
Whisper couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Because like I said. You can't just do it on your own. You won't get anywhere at all."
"Fine... I accept."
She was actually quite a bit more relieved than she had thought. However, this would be her chance to do something big to prove that she really was loyal to her borough and her leader.
"Good. Now I act every day. I'm not good at talkin', so actin' it how I sell my papes in the first place. Plus, I'm a goil. I can get Spot in a few days, just gimme a place that ya want 'im ta be." She stated, her voice slightly more firm as she became more confident with the whole conversation in general.
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Post by Rip on Jan 1, 2017 18:21:54 GMT -5
"Because like I said. You can't just do it on your own. You won't get anywhere at all."
Rip snorted. "That's not why. You don't just go around helpin' people just 'cause they can't do it on their own. There's got ta be a reason behind it..."
"Good. Now I act every day. I'm not good at talkin', so actin' it how I sell my papes in the first place. Plus, I'm a goil. I can get Spot in a few days, just gimme a place that ya want 'im ta be."
He raised an eyebrow, obviously impressed. He never really thought Whisper was this kind of girl. She was exactly what he needed... He could never ask Ace to do something like this.
"Not much ta do yet..." He pulled out his favorite knife and twirled it around in his fingers. "Spot knows I'm plannin' so been lyin' low. Ace told me everyone is startin' ta know about things so I wanna keep it quiet. Better if they forget so I can surprise 'em." He frowned a bit. "Heard Trix- Darcy is back in New York. Might need her if I want ta get ta Spot. His older brother is in Staten so no worries about him... Though, I can take 'im on if needed."
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Post by Whisper on Jan 1, 2017 18:27:33 GMT -5
"That's not why. You don't just go around helpin' people just 'cause they can't do it on their own. There's got ta be a reason behind it..."
Whisper raised an eyebrow. Was Rip really just assuming that people didn't want to help for the fun of it? "Well, then let's just say I've got nothin' else better ta do... Plus, I wanna do it for the borough, y'know? It's home."
"Not much ta do yet..."
She nodded slowly, although she knew that she would have to begin working on a few more things. Perhaps if she could make herself cry on command, that could be helpful...
"Spot knows I'm plannin' so been lyin' low. Ace told me everyone is startin' ta know about things so I wanna keep it quiet. Better if they forget so I can surprise 'em."
"Anytime you've got somethin', or ya want me ta head over there... I know how ta draw people in." She nodded curtly. Whisper was typically someone who could play injured, and if she really needed to, she could give herself a few bruises or look dirtier. Something easy like that.
"Heard Trix- Darcy is back in New York. Might need her if I want ta get ta Spot. His older brother is in Staten so no worries about him... Though, I can take 'im on if needed."
Whisper raised an eyebrow, "So who am I supposed ta go for? Spot or Darcy?"
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Post by Rip on Jan 1, 2017 18:50:34 GMT -5
"Well, then let's just say I've got nothin' else better ta do... Plus, I wanna do it for the borough, y'know? It's home."
Rip shrugged. "This ain't really for the borough. It's my own problem..."
He did his best to keep revenge and the borough separate. It had been difficult, but he thought he had done decently for the most part.
"Anytime you've got somethin', or ya want me ta head over there... I know how ta draw people in."
He nodded. It seemed like Whisper would be very useful. Being willing definitely helped. He would have never gone out of his way to ask anyone to do something like this for him."
"So who am I supposed ta go for? Spot or Darcy?"
Rip frowned slightly as he stared at his knife. "Spot. Leave Darcy ta me."
Darcy would be someone he could read fairly easy, plus she wasn't with her cousin so he could still be able to meet up with her somehow.
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Post by Whisper on Jan 1, 2017 18:54:45 GMT -5
"This ain't really for the borough. It's my own problem..."
Whisper sighed. There was really no winning when she spoke to Rip, so she just figured that keeping silent would be the best way to keep things going the way that they were going.
"Spot. Leave Darcy ta me."
She nodded. "Just tell me what to do and I'll do it." If she could prove herself and her loyalty, then that would be something that she could do for her sister. She could do that for herself, too. Perhaps then... She wouldn't be considered such an alien around the other newsies in the borough.
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Post by Rip on Jan 1, 2017 19:03:26 GMT -5
"Just tell me what to do and I'll do it.
Rip nodded and slipped his knife back into his satchel. "First, find out what Spotty-boy is up to. I know his normal routine, but it might change a bit since he's onta me." He scowled. "Too many people stickin' their noses where it don't belong... Just find out what Spot is up ta and what he's plannin'. I'll keep in touch wit' you here at the cemetery. Don't come lookin' for me durin' the day," he warned.
There was no need to get her involved with his 'day job.' Not that it was really a job. He was a slave to the White Hand.
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Post by Whisper on Jan 1, 2017 19:06:34 GMT -5
"First, find out what Spotty-boy is up to. I know his normal routine, but it might change a bit since he's onta me."
Whisper nodded. That wouldn't be a problem; she was typically pretty good at tracking people down. Plus, Spot was the leader - he couldn't exactly hide when he had a borough to run.
"Too many people stickin' their noses where it don't belong... Just find out what Spot is up ta and what he's plannin'. I'll keep in touch wit' you here at the cemetery. Don't come lookin' for me durin' the day."
She nodded, flashing him a quick smile, although it was weak. A part of her was nervous, but she was mostly just excited to finally be an important part of something. "Should I go taday? Or should I wait?" She raised an eyebrow. She was ready to go whenever - she didn't really need much of anything.
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Post by Rip on Jan 1, 2017 19:14:01 GMT -5
"Should I go taday? Or should I wait?"
Rip adjusted his satchel's strap and shrugged. "Up ta you. Jus' get back ta me within' two days."
He was busy with the White Hand for the next couple of days, but as soon as he was off, he wanted to hear what Whisper had found as well as see about getting to Darcy.
"Meet me at the cemetery after the evenin' papes have been sold."
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Post by Whisper on Jan 1, 2017 19:16:25 GMT -5
"Up ta you. Jus' get back ta me within' two days."
Whisper nodded. Two days would be enough time. From what she had heard, Spot didn't let girls go anywhere alone after dark. That could be the perfect thing for her to get him somewhere for Rip. If it worked, that is. She couldn't afford to slip up now. There was too much riding on the fact that she could do well.
"Meet me at the cemetery after the evenin' papes have been sold."
"I'll be here." She whispered. That gave her time to get started, at least. Without so much as a glance back, Whisper was off, making her way towards the only borough that she had never done anything in before: Brooklyn.
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