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Post by Gabbi McGinn on Feb 10, 2008 22:25:43 GMT -5
Gabbi had spent much longer than she'd intended to when she set out for the lodging house. The walk that they'd taken had spanned the better half of the hour, but about a fifth of the time of the walk was getting back to the lodging house. This left her with three hours to prepare, and she planned to use them efficiently.
There was a dress in the very center of her burlap sack, wrapped in various other, less important articles of clothing, in the very center of her bag. She hadn't worn the dress out yet, namely because she'd never been tall enough to wear it. It was a hopeful now though, now that she'd grown a few more inches upward and a few less inches in the waist, and she was hoping that the dress would suit her needs.
She rummaged through the bag only after she'd washed her hands as best as she could to purge herself of excessive dirt. She found the dress and took some time to dissemble the other articles from around it, then laid it out on her bed. She'd try it on after her bath, which would have to be relatively quick if possible. She was waiting until the other newsies cleared out for dinner, which started happening around five thirty.
Until then she decided to prepare. Care was taken when she laid the dress out on her bed, her fingers tracing over the blue embroidery, flowers and other various patterns stitched carefully onto the dress. It was her mother's favorite, crafted by her grandmother in the old country. Her mother had cherished the creme colored dress, and made sure it never suffered any water markings or dirt. It was only to be worn on very special occasions, and in truth Gabbi had only seen her mother wear it four times- three at Christmas and once at the marriage of a friend.
It was a deep creme color--far from yellow, but rich all the same-- and cinched in at the waist. The embroidery trailed along the bottom hem of the dress and up, perhaps six or seven inches, to her shins. There was a silky, thick blue ribbon in the middle that matched the embroidery, folded over itself to prevent permanent creases. The neck was cut squarely across, and the sleeves came down to just above her elbows. The embroidery continued at the cuffed sleeves and over the chest, top and bottom, and even around to the back of the raiment.
She looked around and stashed it carefully under the covers, not wanting any other member of the lodging house to see it or soil it. That would be just her luck, and she was not willing to take any chances.
Gabbi bathed quickly but luxuriously, not taking the time to heat the water fully but allowing herself to wash her hair out fully. There wasn't time to curl it to perfection, but her hair had a curl to it anyway. If she brushed it out right she could feign more perfect curls, and he probably wouldn't be able to tell much of the difference anyway.
She stepped out of the tub and shimmied herself dry with a rough towel, then used the same towel to try to dry her hair at least a bit. She slipped on a fresher pair of undergarments and tightened her old fashioned bodice, then went back over to her bunk.
There was no one left in the lodging house, thankfully for her. She didn't hesitate to slip the dress on, but was careful to ensure it's well being. Her teeth bit down on her lip as she pulled it up over her hips, feeling the fabric pull slightly. A sigh of relief was emitted as it slipped up and over, the sleeves coming carefully over her arms, and although her arms were slightly thinner than those of her mothers--Kathleen had had bigger arms from working tracts of land in Ireland, with little success-- it fit rather well.
The waist of the dress was a bit large on her as well, but it occurred to her that it was also probably large on her mother. The dress was meant to last, forgive and enhance, and so the ribbon on the waist came into play. She exhaled a bit, glad for the extra room, before pulling the ribbon belt tightly around her middle and tying it in a neat bow above her hip.
The dress fit her well, better than it had the last time she'd worn it. It didn't drape on the floor any more, which was her biggest concern, although the additional farthingale assisted her when expanded to it's capacity, pulling up another inch or two of fabric on the way.
She shuffled over to the washroom again, bringing with her her mother's leftover makeup. Gabbi applied it delicately and without much experience, but decided in the end that it looked decent. Her hair was combed and she used the brush to enhance her curls before she procured the matching blue ribbon from the small make up bag, tying the potentially unruly curls back into a mid-height gathering behind her head.
Gabbi returned to her bag one last time, delving inside of it in hopes of finding exactly what she needed. There were a few articles of jewelery that she could not bear to part with or pawn, although only one of them belonged to her ancestry.
She didn't select that one for wear, though, and instead took out a pair of pearl stud earrings stolen from the Italian craftsman, unfortunately, and a silver heart-shaped locket that she'd traded another child of the streets for. The locket now bore a picture of her own mother and a story that was entirely false. When asked, she claimed it was her mother's, passed down from former generations.
Once satisfied with her appearance she returned to the sink and began to scrub at her hands again, trying to cleanse her fingernails of the significant amount of dirt underneath them. After fifteen minute's work she'd just about decimated her left hand, but the dirt was gone. Another ten minutes awarded her a sore right hand, but it too was clean.
A borrowed pair of shoes were strapped onto her feet. She rummaged through someone's bag until she found a beaten up brass pocket watch. The time read 6:55, and she snapped it shut contently. She'd only just assembled herself in time.
Presently she took to sitting on her bed, feeling too clean to move. The ink from the newspapers had only just been done away with and, as a result, she couldn't even pick up a paper to read for fear of soiling her recently whitened fingers again. She sighed, feeling constrained and desperate for Blake to come around soon.
She was rather not used to feeling so effete, and it's effect was completely stifling. She felt like she couldn't move for fear of dirtying her dress or clothes. Her face was clean for the first time in a long, long while, free of dirt and smudges and even from cuts. There was one light bruise that had been covered by a slight layer of make up, which had been docilely and painstakingly applied to her cheeks.
Considering that she'd never been on a formal outing before, not in her later teenage years anyway, she thought she'd done a pretty nice job for herself. But it came at a price--her fingers were aching, she couldn't really move, and she couldn't do anything fun. She didn't know how to embroider very well herself, and even if she did she didn't have a kit to begin. If she made this a habit, though, she'd have to procure one. Pricking fingers was better than this infinite boredom.
How oppressive it was to be a girl.
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Post by B l a k e on Feb 11, 2008 13:46:04 GMT -5
{{balls woman... thats a whole lot lol... <.< >.> Girls have so much to do lol.. blakes got nothin' lol}} <---- Love those brackets...))
Blake didnt head back that quickly. He had things yet he had to do. For one he had to go see a guy, he should have done it earlier, but he was afraid cole was going to find out. This man was part of the reason that they had left so quickly before, something that he should thank his brother for. Cole was always the one that was looking out for him, had since they were young boys. Blake couldnt help it, he just seemed to scream trouble and it hasnt changed.
Heading towards hells kitchen he made his way towards the 'better' side of it, a restaraunt called Eddie's, original... heh.. right. Going around to the alley he knocked three times on the back door, his eyes moving each way down the ally before knocking again and placing his hands in his pockets waiting for the door to open.
Finally after a few moments the door opened and a rather short guy opened it, Blake stood at least a foot taller then the man though the guy was far more intimidating with slicked back black hair and muscles that were larger then the guy was tall almost.
"Well well look whos back."he said, "Uncle Sals gonna be happy to see you"he said, "Thought you ran away on us."
Blake just shrugged. "NIce to see you Shorty, Now How could I leave the wonderful company of you guys"He said which earned him a glare. That was probably Blakes problem he always had to have some smart ass remark or joke, it never won him any points with eople like this, but he just couldnt keep himself from doing it.
Shorty growled and grabbed Blake by the middle of the shirt and pulled him in, dragging him down the stairs to the basement. THe door to Sals office was open already, obviously someone had known he was coming.
"Johnson..."Sal said from beind his desk a sick happy smile on his face. "Sit."
Shorty shoved blake into the seat.
"Got that money?"he asked.
"No.."blake replied flatly and before he realized it shorty had layed a fist in his gut.
"Wrong answer.."Sal said. "Whered you go? I hope you didnt think you could run away so easily."
"Im here arnt I?" Blake grunted from the punch and he looked at sal, putting a hand over his stomach. "WE had a family emergency"He remarked. They wouldnt know the difference, neither he nor cole had given any depth to their history when they got mixed up with sal.
"Smart boy. You took something with you when you left though and I expect it back."he said.
"What... brains?"He said and jerked his thumb towards shorty.
That earned blake another punch and this time in the face.
Sal laughed a bit, "keep it up Johnson"he said, 'I can always bring your brother back into this"
"And I can always fuck your daughter again"he growled. IT was out of his mouth before he could stop it. He shouldnt have said anything, he didnt want cole to know that everything hed done had been for nothing. Cole would kick his ass but most of all, even though Cole thought he could take on everyone, blake didnt think he could take on sal and his goons.
"Someone needs to teach you some manners johnson"Sal gave one motion towards the guys on either side of them and the nodded moving to grab blake on either side of his arms and lifted him up taking him back to the alley where they proceeded to teach him some manners.
A little while later Blake fell to the ground as they released him. All he could think was thankfully they didnt hit his face. No they knew what really got people and that was pounding on their limbs and torso.
Blake groaned, and started coughing, he could taste the tinny taste of blood and he spit it out onto the ground. He would have a nice bruise on his face but that could be easily explained. THe rest of it, he could pretend, hed been doing it this long.
His side was tender and he wasnt sure, but he had a feeling theyd broken at least one rib. Standing up he leaned against the wall. "Shit.. shit shit.., come on blake you can do this.."he told himself and he leaned there for a bit to regain a bit of strength.
IT had taken him about a half hour before he managed to get to the harlem lodging house, through the fire escape of course. He pulled his watch out, that was now of no use, their punches had broken the thing. He scowled and tossed it out the window and moved to his cot.
He needed to get ready, hed worry about all this later, right now he needed to pretend nothing had happened. Looking down at his outfit he groaned, it looked like crap and it was torn looking much now like something someone had pulled from the dumpster. He only had two good outfits like this, and now he was down to one.
Searching through his bag he pulled the ointment out, something hed learned he should always have with the crap he did. None of the newsies were home yet, he was pretty sure there was a poker game going on in manhatten. He headed into the wash room and with care he washed himself up.
That was the thing with Blake and cole, even though they were newsies they always had to be clean, well at least at the end and beginning of the day, in the middle they werent always. They probably had the cleanest nails of all the newsies, it came from their years of living in the high society, but that was probably the only thing that had, that and their manners and proper english and grammer, it was how blake could pull it off so easily.
after another half hour hed cleaned up and was now inspecting the damang. There were bruises showing up on his body already and he used the ointment on the cuts he could see. His back would have to heal on its own without it.
Heading back to his cot he pulled out his last good outfit and gently pulled it on. He thought about cancelling tonight, but with gabbi... he didnt want to take his chances. He just had to be super careful and he had to breath lightly. Hed had broken ribs before, as long as you did certain things it wasnt too bad... aw who was he kidding it hurt like hell but he could get through this, then tomorrow hed go to the doctors... hed have to steal some more money but he could do it.
When he was satisfied he hurried out, as best he could and made his way to brooklyn. He was late, but blake was always late to everything he did. He headed up the fire escape as was his custom for everything and knocked on the window.
He was a little later then usual, like 15 maybe even 20 iminutes, he hoped she didnt leave or give up on him, he really did want to go out with her tonight. He had plans, he had everything and he had....
Blake stopped and frowned, Hed forgotten the flowers, goddamit, how could he forget.
Oh well hed have her pick them out, or hed stop and buy her one, surprising her with it, make her think that he had forgotten and then... yeah he could do it. Shed be .. charmed hopefully.
He leaned against the railing of the fire escape as he waited for her to open the window. He knew shed be angry and hed been thinking up an escuse that would be good enough on the whole way here.
Nothing seemed good enough, so ... hed just have to fudge it. Running a hand through his hair he grittd his teeth against the complaints of his sore body as his muscles pulled from that small simple action.
"pull it together blake, dont want her to notice anything"he whispered to himself.
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Post by Gabbi McGinn on Feb 11, 2008 17:40:17 GMT -5
It was a half hour past when she'd sat down that she heard him clamber up onto the fire escape. It was about time--the entire wait had been stabbing her with painful boredom. It had been an acute irritation, initially, but now it was getting severe. She'd walked around the room countless times but always ended up sitting back down in hopes of avoiding any problems that would be related to her dress or her clumsiness.
A few newsies had entered and left, quickly, but during their short duration of entry Gabbi had made a point to disappear into the washroom stalls or into the stairwell, depending on where she happened to be at the time. This was growing absurd--where was he? It wasn't like Blake to lack punctitude--she'd thought he was reliable. Granted, they'd been gone for a long time.
People were liable to change, but she hadn't predicted it in Blake. The boy whose pocketwatch she'd checked had returned and taken it with him to the gambling match--an event that couldn't have been better timed, in her opinion-- but left her with no sense of time. Fifteen minutes off wasn't exactly a lifetime, but it was certainly a lot easier to pass when one had something to do.
She'd gone from her bed to the bathroom and back a dozen score times, checked her hair in the foggy mirror, attempted to fix her makeup. Her hair ribbon was tied and untied, the ribbon that cinched her waist flattened and perfected. Even still the time didn't pass quickly, and she was getting anxious.
If he blew her off now she swore that she was personally going to take him down. It was a highly unfemenine thing to do, but she generally wasn't particularly effete anyway. And presently she was feeling an unfemenine rage--or maybe it was highly femenine, she wouldn't know-- but it was very Irish. Yes, that was how she was going to title her rage-culturally. Irish men had been known to have it, but Irish women were infinitely worse. They usually just couldn't hit as hard.
Gabbi enjoyed thinking that she was the exception.
Finally, though, she heard him approaching. She walked over to the window, trying to think of what to say to him. In reality she kind of wanted to push him off the fire escape, but that would put a slight damper on their date, if he wasn't coming to call it off. If he was, she maintained that she would push him off.
Gabbi pulled the window open, after fiddling with the locks for a few moments. She paused as she got it halfway open. He didn't look quite right to her, but she supposed it may have been a residual ripple effect from the glass. The window was pushed the rest of the way open and she arched an eyebrow at him.
"No one's gonna kill ya if yeh came in da front door," she said, but then leaned over a bit, to get a better look. The fire escape was a bit lower than her present place, and she could see his face more easily from here than if he came in. She brought a hand up to his face and arched an eyebrow, "That's new," she mumbled, half questioning. Even if it wasn't a question, she certainly wanted an answer.
He looked a bit off in general, but she couldn't be sure. She ran her tongue over her lips and was about to purse them, but didn't want to fuss up her make up. "It wouldn't kill you to be on time either." She was quiet for a few moments before she shrugged, backing up. Her anger was self-contained, thankfully, and she stood back from him. "Come in," she added, waiting for his story.
She was going to pay close attention to him, though, monitor him. Usually she could tell when a kid was in a fight--her elder brother used to play the same game, but he never was able to fool her mother no matter how hard he'd tried. Gabbi had gained a keen intuition and sense of realization, having started young, and was usually fairly adept at being able to piece together someone who'd been in a fight.
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Post by B l a k e on Feb 11, 2008 18:22:42 GMT -5
Finally blake heard the window open and he turned his attention to it, his eyes moving over her and he grinned, he couldnt see her completly but what he did see... well she looked stunning. Hed really never seen her in anything close to what she looked right now.
Her face was clean, she was wearing a dress and she had make up on her face. His grin was one of appreciation.
At her words he smirked. "I know..'He said "but I dont do front doors"He said, 'You should know that..."He found a comfortable leaning position and didnt move from it. He also kept reminding himself not to laugh so much and if hedid to just.. kind of chuckle it lightly.
When she touched his face he shrugged lightly "meh.."He said. "Got into a little scuffle on my way home"He said, 'No big deal.."He smirked. He was waiting for her to come outside but she didnt seem to be making it out any time soon.
She then made a comment about his timing. "yeah..'He said, 'Sorry, Got lost"He remarked in his usual playful sarcastic manner. He always answered things with something like that and he figured shed remember that. It had been nearly a year and he wasnt sure how much she had forgotten about him.
When she told him to come in he shook his head. 'naw, we dont really have time, ive got a reservation for us, we should jsut head out"He said to her. He knew he wouldnt be able to climb his way into that window without letting on to something.
He motioned for her to come out. "here... ill help you out"He said and moved over towards her holding his hand out to assist her out of the window. "I wanna take a look at you"He said. "I mean I need the full picture"He smirked.
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Post by Gabbi McGinn on Feb 11, 2008 18:55:46 GMT -5
Gabbi rolled her eyes but couldn't resist a smirkish smile as he gave a brief explanation. "Sometime I'se gonna keep da windows locked," she said, sighing and walking back toward the window. She leaned out of it, her hands on the pane, her shoulders rolled back rather comfortably.
"A little scuffle? With who?" She tilted her head, looking wary and concerned. Generally it was one or the other, and much more often the former rather than the latter. Concern was something that was reguarded heavily and reserved only for those who were deemed worthy of her concern and appreciation.
She didn't bother quelling a short, sharp laugh. "You, lost? Yeah, right, not in dis city. You know exactly where da lodgin house is--t'aint like youse never been round here to see me b'fore. Or anyone else, for that matter..." Her last sentance was said more quietly, and she ran her tongue over her teeth. Jealous? Most definitely. But that was just how she was--she knew Blake's nature, his flirtations and such, but she was by no stretch of the imagination accepting of them.
It was difficult for her to remember not to touch her face too much, not to try to run her hands through her hair, and not to mess any of her clothing or makeup up. Being a girlie girl was more difficult than she would have thought, and it certainly required a considerable amount of willpower on her part.
She looked at the dirty windowsill and felt skeptical about even brushing the whiteish dress along the grotesque sill. Any other day she wouldn't have thought twice, but today was different. Obnoxiously different.
Sighing, she felt a bit torn. She pushed the window open more, as far as she could, and then decided that she hadn't been a lady for seventeen years, and that was her excuse for not being completely modest now. Bending over she gathered her dress in her hands and pulled it up around her waist, her undergarments in full view. But it wasn't like he hadn't seen them before.
"Can't get the dress dirty," she commented, not feeling much humbled by her exposure. She held the dress up with one hand, carefully, and took his hand with the other. She bit down on her lip despite herself and gripped his hand tightly as she hoisted herself out the window, with little help from him other than giving her support.
Once out she dropped the hem of her dress and flattened it, although she didn't know what to do next. He wanted a look at her....but what was she to do with that? What was she supposed to do? She looked out over the city, but her eyesight didn't stretch far. Maybe a few hundred feet to the wall of the next building. She looked back up at him, feeling more exposed now, and certainly embarassed.
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Post by B l a k e on Feb 11, 2008 19:47:07 GMT -5
He smirked >.'Evil evil woman"He teased lightly and shrugged> "I can unlock them, these locks arent the greatesT"he said, "Sides ive unlocked them once before..."He smirked.
At her questionig concern he shrugged "mm.. some kid"He said. "Trying to steal my stuff"he added, the lies seemed to roll off his tongue so easily. He was a good liar, hell hed been lying for the better half of his life. Though he didnt feel good lying to Gabbi, that had probably been one of the very very few people in his life he ever cared about lying to.
Blake smirked giving a little chuckle.. "mm.."He said, "This is true..."He nodded at her words of him being lost most unlikely. he was amused at the last of her sentance and he could have sworn there was alittle bit of an edge to it, but it could have been his imagination. She hadnt said it too loudly so he wasnt sure if hed even heard much at all.
Instead of going into detail as to the true reason he was late he merely shrugged.
Blake hadnt even thought of the dress when hed asked her to come out through the window, though he watched with amusement as she gathered her skirts and then took a hold of his hand, the pressure of her pulling down on his arm as he tried to keep a strong hold put pain on him and he gritted his teeth, taking a, quiet.. at leaast he tried to be quiet, intake of air.
he just nodded at her comment about not being able to get the dress dirty. He understood no big deal.
Finally she was through and he let her go, stepping back his breathing a little labored as he breathed quietly in short breaths.
Finally he felt the pain recede enough for him to get back to the way hed been. Hhis eye smoved over her. "Good good.."he said, "You ... look amazing"he wasnt lying. "You really do clean up good'He smirked, "stunning..."he shook his head "wow.. really... i"he shrugged> "i dont know what to say...i feel like a poor street kid compared to yoU"he nodded.
"hm.."He grinned at her again> "So..'He said, "Did you get all gussied up for me?"h eteased lightly referring to their conversatoin of earlier.
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Post by Gabbi McGinn on Feb 11, 2008 20:05:21 GMT -5
Gabbi snickered a bit, shaking her head at him. "Den it shouldn't be too much of a problem," she began, then paused, "When'd ya unlock them da foist time? Eh, what was so important dat you had ta break da lock instead a just goin in from downstairs, likesay?" It was sheer curiousity, of course, and a bit of something else.
She nodded when he alluded to 'some kid,' but didn't pursue it. She couldn't tell if he was telling the truth or if he was feeding her a load of horse shite, but she supposed it didn't make much of a difference if it was some kid or some hobo. There didn't appear to be any reason to fuss, in her opinion, and so she let it go.
She felt badly about having put so much pressue onto his arm, but he was the one who insisted that she come through the window. The fucking window, for Christ's sake! It would have been more effective for her to meet him down on the street.
He didn't seem quite right afterwards, like he was more hurt than he was telling her, but if he wasn't making a big deal out of it then she didn't think she should irritate him with petty details. If something went more wrong, though, she was going to be bugging the hell out of him to get it checked out.
A slight blush crossed her cheeks, an unquellable redness passing over her pale, clean skin. Generally she wasn't complimented unless she was naked, but she generally didn't go out of her way to make herself look good either. Granted, she'd never really been given much of an opportunity. Any "date" that she'd been on before had been to a bar, and ended up in a bed. Nothing fancy-- just get enough drinks into her so that she'll be willing to pull her skirt up and then tell her to get out the next morning, breakfast not included.
"Thanks," She managed, not being able to summon any sort of smart ass reply. She nervously laughed a bit, though, when he said he felt like a poor street boy. "You feeling poor compared to me? Now dats a first. Usually I'se the one left feelin, uh, insufficient." Gabbi wasn't sure that she'd ever heard that word before, particularly not when talking about herself. Usually she liked to ooze self confidence, but she was feeling rather out of character.
She rolled her eyes at him at his teasing. "Nah, I went to all dis trouble jest so dat I can make eyes at the bum on 57th street," she said, grinning. "And no, it didn't take me dat long." That was a lie, but only a little one. It would have taken her less time if she was better practiced at putting on makeup and if the water hadn't been so cold. She'd stalled getting into the bath for a long time coming for that reason alone, but eventaully realized that if she didn't get into the tub, even before it was properly heated, she wouldn't have had enough time to get ready.
Granted, she would have had enough time if she'd known he would have been late. But, of course, she didn't, and so she prepared to get ready on time.
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Post by B l a k e on Feb 12, 2008 21:45:20 GMT -5
Blake smirked and shrugged giving her that innocently guilty look. "Well..'He said, "I dont think we need to bring up this subject... no on a date"he said, "but ask me tomorrow"He smirked. "Id rather you not punch me while wearing a dress"
He was glad when she didnt persue the topic of where the black eye had come from. It wasnt like it was an unlikely thing, he very well have been attacked by a kid, he had that smart alec mouth that always seemed to get him either in trouble, in bed with someone, or... friends.
He was glad to that she didnt seem to notice his inner pain. To him he thought he was doing a good job of hiding it and if she wasnt commenting on it then he assumed it was ringing true.
He smirked as she lacked any smart ass remark, something he had expected from her. She always had one. He shook his head. 'Hey..'He said capturing her chin in his hand, his eyes serious as they looked into hers. "listen to me... you are never insufficient"he told her firmly. 'You have more then you know. More then anyone I know, dont ever feel that'He said. 'Not even if your around some hoity toity ... person" He stroked her chin with his thumb. "Because you're amazine"
he finallly let his hand drop from her chin as he held her eyes a short while longer and then looked away. That had been a bit too intense for him, he was rarely ever serious but hearing her say t hat hit something in him and he didnt like hearing her say that.
He smirked. "Well..'He said. "you look amazing... "he took her hand. "Come on.. lets get going. I have to remember not to stare at you.. ill end up running into something"He chuckled. IT was true he was having a hard time not looking at her, it had been sucha transition that it was just.... he kept looking. He shook his head and placed a kiss on the back of her hand againa s he started down the steps with her.
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Post by Gabbi McGinn on Feb 12, 2008 22:19:36 GMT -5
Gabbi smiled at him, unabashedly, but was overwhelmingly curious about it. "I promise I wont punch you if youse tell me now," she said, not truting him, particularly not when he was looking at her like that. It was never safe to trust a boy who gave off the guilty vibe, although she was pretty sure that it probably had to do with him getting into bed with some random girl. Or not random, you never did know with Blake.
She was surprised when he took her chin into his hand, though, and she let her eyes fix on his as he spoke to her. Had they been under different circumstances she probably wouldn't have let him hold her there like that, but presently she was intrigued and wanting to hear him out. His words made her blush, even more than his former statement, but she didn't look away from him, even after he'd looked away from her.
There wasn't a person, other than her father, that would reinforce her like that. There never had been, and she hadn't anticipated anyone coming in the future. Compliments were rarely shot her way, aside from the casual come on. But of course come-ons came from the gross old men and were rarely sincere, if ever personal.
And suddenly she felt horribly out of character again, and was at a loss for words. "Blake..." she began, smile still lingering on her lips, but coming without other words for a few moments. "I...don't really know what to say..." her blush deepened and she wanted to put her hands to her cheeks to try to conceal it, but it didn't happen. She was a bit dazed by the occurance, to say the least.
"I...don't think anyones said anything dat nice to me before." Well, no one that wasn't related to her anyway. "And I mean, I don't mean to say dat in...you know. I mean, it's just nice to hear. I mean...well, uh, thanks..." she trailed off, looking away finally and letting her chin return to a more comfortable position, slightly downcast. Her grin gave her away, though, and she couldn't quell it for all she was worth.
"You'd better get good at multitasking, den." She paused, smiling as he kissed her hand, "And I won't let you run into nothing, don't worry about it. Look all yeh want--this don't happen often." Actually, it never happened ever until now. She briefly thought about how glad that she was that she'd scrubbed her hands, despite the pain. It would have been terribly embarassing if she'd neglected the task. The jump from the bottom of the fire escape to the ground was more significant than she wanted it to be, but at least they could pull the ladder down from here.
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Post by B l a k e on Feb 13, 2008 14:23:25 GMT -5
'heh...'He said. "I wouldnt be a gentlman if i Told you, so youll just have to deal with you're own imagination to finish it"He said and shrugged> "Who knows...it might be right"He smirked as they moved down the steps. He didnt want to soil their date with talk of other things such as that. Besides she didnt deserve that, not when she was dressed so.
When she tried to explain about no one ever talking ot her like that he shook his head his finger going to his lips. "Shh.."he saaid. 'Its okay. I didnt tell you that to get anything from you"He said, 'just nod and say 'OKay ill never talk like that again'" he grinned.
Actually"He said, "multitasking is my middle name so I guess im one up on that"He grinned and then chuckled a bit. "well I trust you so.... just so you know i am trusting you with that'He winked at her.
When they got to the bottom he quirked his brow. He hadnt actualy thought of that and the thought of using the front steps being easier was biting him in the ass right now.
"alright.."he said. "Ill get down first then... help you down"he told her grasping the end of the railing and then hopped down, pain shooting up his torso and he sucked in a breath. "Crap "he said, "Think I landed on my foot wrong...'He explained quickly as he lifted his foot up to make it look as though that was what had happened. His other hand rubbing his side gently working the pain out. HE turned to her hten. "arlight... i think im okay... come on"he held his hand out to her again to help her down
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Post by Gabbi McGinn on Feb 13, 2008 17:23:48 GMT -5
Gabbi rolled her eyes--of course she knew what he was talking abuot, but that didn't mean she liked it. She chose to make no comment, but was more dissappointed than she let on. Why she was, though, was a reason that she liked to keep hidden, even from herself. Liking Blake was a dangerous thing for her. She cared for him, certainly, but taking it any further than that emotionally was going to be a risk. A big risk.
Blake was the kind of guy who liked women. He liked women a lot, and he took pleasure in them. Gabbi--well, Gabbi didn't like women, not even as friends. She particlarly didn't like other women when they got in the way, and this would be a major clashing point if she did happen to fall for Blake. Jealous and possessive, she didn't like to think about what he did with other women. And, of course, she knew that he partook in such activitites namely because he told her, intentionally or not, and because of his conduct with her. If he did it with her, then whose to say that he didn't do it with no one else?
No one, particularly not because he seemed to take great pleasure in it.
Gabbi smiled and nodded, agreeably. "I wont talk like dat in yer presence again. Now youse only get uh...whats da word...." She paused, but recovered quickly, looking pleasantly complacent, "Pompus, cocky Gabbi." She did her best to quell her former thoughts, and thereby decided that she was not going to bring it up again this evening.
"Good ta hear," she said, beaming at him, looking at him for assistance with getting down. It was a pretty good way to figure out if he was worse off than he claimed, although she did feel guilty for being so critical of the boy. The guilt was modicum, though, and she found herself getting over it surprisingly easily.
She nodded when he agreed to go down first. He appeared to be in significant pain, but again she didn't feel comfortable pointing it out in case he had, in fact, done some harm to his foot. "You sure your ok?" she asked, cautiously. It was a concern, really, and more of one than she would have anticipated. Generally other people's welfare wasn't exactly high on her list of...well, anything, really.
She held onto the side of the fire escape with one hand and slowly lowered herself down, but her arm strength wasn't all that it could have been and she found herself having a difficult time with the slowly lowering herself down bit. She put her other hand out and used his hand to help herself down, feeling like she was lacking much grace, and eventually landed herself on the ground without too much harm done to her dress or her being, save for her pride.
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Post by B l a k e on Feb 14, 2008 1:38:23 GMT -5
Blake smirked. "Good..'he said, "Glad thats what im gonna get'He winked at her as they continued down the steps.
At her concern he just nodded. "yea.. yeah Im fine'He said, "like i said just landed wrong.. gotta walk it off is all"he gave her a smile, best he could muster right now.
It didnt hurt this much this time, his focus was on someting else so when he helped her down it wasnt so noticable. "Good?'he asked. "Sorry... next time I will take the front door, thoguh I might point out that I had no idea you were going to be wearing a dress'He nodded.
"Gotta at least give me that'He smirked teasing her of course.
He led her down to the restaraunt and they were seated. "Nice huh?"he aasked. "I had them reserve this table for us."He grinned, 'I hope you like the food"
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Post by Gabbi McGinn on Feb 14, 2008 18:04:35 GMT -5
Gabbi nodded in response, though she cocked an eyebrow at his latter response. Of course he was fine. He was always fine--everyone always seemed to be fine in the end. That was a stereotypical answer, one that most people gave but that was least often true. It was obnoxious, yes, but a blimey good cover.
She nodded again with a grin when he said that he would take the front door next time. Next time? Gabbi took a few moments to think it through, but didn't dwell on it for too long. It wasn't like it was a promise or anything, and she figured it would be best to keep the hopes down instead of peaking them and then letting them dwindle away, usually causing worse feelings than the potential hope could make up for.
And so she didn't let her hopes rise at all. Living as an Irish immigrant in the unwelcoming city of New York and the generally entirely Polish city of Chicago for the majority of her life had instructed her not to hope. Hope lead only to disappointment, and that was something she was never prepared to set herself up for.
She smiled at him, rolling her eyes. "It ain't like I'se never worn a dress before in me life. Its just....not this one." She shrugged. The only other dress she had was ratty, brown and not all that becoming, so she refrained from wearing it. It was left over from a brief period spent in a Chicago orphanage. She hadn't grown much since then-- the lack of healthy food kept her from growing much in any case-- and she wore it only when she had to clean her other clothes, or when they were wet from the weather.
Upon reaching the restaurant she looked around, smiling. Admittedly she was a bit bedazzled by it--it was far fancier than much of anything she was accustomed to. She rarely ate out--it was far too pricey for her limited budget-- and she took a few moments to appreciate the situation.
The wood was dark, stained and varnished to a glossy perfection. There were ornate mirrors on several places in the walls, and the restaurant was pleasant smelling and high-ceilinged. There were several live plants here and there, of species she couldn't name herself, nor could almost anyone that she knew.
"Its real nice, Blake," She commented, but suddenly felt very out of place. It didn't appear to her that she should be there--it was nicer than she was accustomed to, and she realized that she would most likely not eat somewhere of this nice again. She took a seat and wondered, briefly, the etiquette of eating in such a place.
"I don't doubt that I'll, uh, enjoy d--the food here. It's a lot nicer d--then the sh--food I usually eat." Speech was becoming a problem for her. She spoke more quietly than usual, now, and tried to remember anything that she could about being in public and acting honorable. Although he'd just told her that she shouldn't call herself insufficient, she certainly felt like she could give herself that title now. There wasn't much to argue against it, either--she was a dirty, city-dwelling daughter to a bastard father figure that, in the eyes of "high society," was worth less than the papers she sold.
Of course this spoke little of her moral self, who she was as a person, but that hardly mattered Right now. Actually, her moral self wasn't so up to par either, but that's a matter for another time entirely. She was presently feeling embarrassed with herself--she could hardly read the language well, much less speak it properly and with dignity. Even if her looks did not immediately give her away, her speech and accent would. Irish-American, poverty stricken adolescent with little hope for the future and no promise of making her way out of poverty anytime soon. She could dress herself up as pretty as she wanted, but it was a poor facade that wouldn't even begin to hide her heritage or her upbringing--or, rather, lack thereof.
Dressing the part and playing it were two very different matters, and to be honest she'd never been a very promising actress.
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Post by B l a k e on Feb 16, 2008 0:54:44 GMT -5
The johnson boys rarely ever shared their true feelings, unless it was something like what had happened earlier with gabbi. But if it had to do with I love yous, then you were screwed...this also goes for when they are hurt. THe johnson boys rarely ever admitted to being in pain unless they were messing around and that was usually blake. So therefore, to get any solid answer from him that wasnt sugar coated you might have to wait till hell freezes over.
Blake did want to see her again, but he wasnt going to put into any kind of stock the grounds on which hed be seeing her. He always gave that little bit, the 'ill see you next time' and leave the true meaning of that in the air. With Gabbi they were friends and that meant they did hang out, so the true meaning of his comments always had a safety net... not so much for her, but for himself. He had a huge fear of rejection, something he hadnt had much of when it came to females, but it didnt stop him from having it. His fear of rejection stemmed from something so deep, something that would be hard to fix. The only person that might be able to recognize this would be Cole because he had that same problem, but his fears were something completely different and ran a lot deeper. He was barely fixable.
"Mm..'He said, "Ive never seen you in anything other"He commented. 'how come I never get the luck"He pouted then smirked."Though to night, i get much more then luck"He grinned." This is like heaven"he winked at her.
HE grinned when she said it was real nice. "Im glad you think so"He said, "I told you I was going to treat you well tonight'he nodded. 'and by the way you're dressed, im going to treat you like a princess"he said.
"God.. really you are absolutely stunning this evening Gabbi"he said bringing her hand up to his lips again. he studied her, he could feel her tension growing and he knew she was feeling uncomfortable. "Would you rather we went someplace else?"he suggested tilting his head to the side. He would do anything she wanted to night. "This is your night Gab"he said, "Just remember that. I want your night to be perfect... that means whatever you want... you get"He grinned at her.
He wasnt going to be disappointed or anything. Hed be more disappointed if she didnt really like it then if she wanted to leave. Blake usually had a way to make himself comfortable in most any place he was in. he was very adaptable, something that usually bewildered some people, but those were usually people that were unaccostomed to being in anything other the the atmospheres they were used to.
Blake saw some of the guys looking at gabbi and he smirked when the women they were with saw this as well and ended up kicking them under the table or smacking their hands. He chuckled to himself a bit and shook his head, "oye..'He said, "you know chere"he picked her hand up again his fingers stroking it lightly. 'You're getting noticed.."he wiggled his brows at her. "hows it feel?"
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Post by Gabbi McGinn on Feb 16, 2008 1:38:16 GMT -5
Gabbi laughed quietly, making a constrained effort to keep her occasionally raucous (sp?) laughter for his ears alone. "You..ve never seen me in it 'cause it's hideous," she remarked quietly. If her voice was low then perhaps people wouldn't be able to hear it, other than in whispers, and they wouldn't trace her accent or her way of speaking to anything because it would fall deaf upon their ears.
And that, of course, was what she strove for. Judgments made against her had never beleaguered her before, but tonight that was coming full circle and backhanding her across the face. She'd not felt so out of place in all her life--even when they moved to Chicago she felt at home. Chicago wasn't any different from New York, it just smelled worse.
The stock yards were the bane of the Chicagoan's existence, particularly on a hot summer's day. Rotten meat reeked and further tainted the city, but that wasn't exactly something that she wished to think about on this occasion.
His speech pleased her, though, particularly when he said he'd treat her like a princess. Being a princess in New York left her with spiraling, regal marble iron staircases fire escapes, corridors ringed with grime and crime, and streets unfit for beasts to walk upon. But his words were kind and she found surprising solace in them.
"I appreciate d--that, Blake," she said, smiling honestly. It was true--there wasn't much else she could say. She'd never been one to gush unless they were words of hatred, and though this occasionally left her feeling misplaced it wasn't something that she experienced often enough to be willing to change. It wasn't her fault, though. She was only acting in her best interest.
Her cheeks hued themselves pinkish when he kissed her hand again, her eyelids half-closing in appreciation of such luxurious affections that were generally reserved for the classy girls only. But tonight she was, in fact, playing the part of a classy girl, so she supposed that she could play the part that much better if she took the treatment with as much grace as possible.
She shook her head no, deciding that her own discomfort was secondary to his motives. It wouldn't be fair to have him move them again, and she really didn't want to leave such a place so soon. It wasn't often--actually, never-- that she got to experience anything like this first hand, and she found herself less willing to part with it so soon.
"Nah, I like it here. Jest....give me a bit of time to adjust, ken?" Oh god. Ken. The worst Irish-Scottish slang she had, aside from likesay. It was something that no one of any status would hear normally, and she mentally noted not to say it again. If she absolutely had to, she'd just say the whole word and try to drop her accent altogether. Saying "know" wasn't that difficult, right?
"I'd like to stay," She said, and then looked over at the other guests at the restaurant. She grinned when she saw that she was, in fact, getting looks. "Different,"she admitted, smiling sheepishly. It wasn't often that she received looks that weren't accusatory or degrading, and it was honestly a pleasant change. It almost made her want to be a lady--almost.
But, sadly, she couldn't afford to live lavishly. Ah, well. Street rat was more fun anyway.
Her own hand turned upwards and she gave his a gentle squeeze in response. "Usually when people look at me they're trying to figure out if I stole something from them." She winked at him--usually, she had stolen. Nothing big--a pocket watch here and there, a purse.
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