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Post by The Minister on Jul 7, 2009 2:03:38 GMT -5
"Oh, no, I'm fine. This is a tuesday for me. Only you could tell me what you'd be doing in Blackwork, but it's her house that burned down, right?"
Margaret gives a charming smile to Jaime. "So your parents are out house hunting sweety?"
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Post by Cordite on Jul 7, 2009 9:21:25 GMT -5
Cordite smiles silently, and Andrew Cheung laughs. 'He's a scary guy, isn't he? Cordite that is? Do you think that?' Cameron shrugs, "I heard mom talking about corrite one time. She was talking to dad 'bout this sposy -" "Exposé, dweeb," Luke interjected, although his interest in the conversation was quickly dwindling as his concern grew with the absensce of his mother or grandpa. "Expusy about corrite. She didn't seem scared much." 'That's right, boys.' Cordite's voice takes on a strange tone. 'He's not that scary at all. There are much scarier people in the world, child, people who you don't see, and could kill you with the snap of their fingers.' He dusts himself off to turn to leave. 'The tip of an iceberg doesn't sink ships.... what's below it-- does.'
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Post by Anei and Hokori on Jul 7, 2009 12:09:49 GMT -5
Margaret's intrusion provokes a mild look of bemusement from Arella, lip quirking as she filed away the comment for later thought. Hmmph. That was a 'fishing for incriminating answers' question if she ever heard one. "If Officer Palmer says that it wasn't the same fire, I'm sure it wasn't," she interjected with a wry grin, "Didn't catch your name, though."
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Post by The Minister on Jul 7, 2009 13:18:33 GMT -5
'That's right, boys.' Cordite's voice takes on a strange tone. 'He's not that scary at all. There are much scarier people in the world, child, people who you don't see, and could kill you with the snap of their fingers.' He dusts himself off to turn to leave. 'The tip of an iceberg doesn't sink ships.... what's below it-- does.' Cameron's flood of articulation is suddenly dammed up. His mouth hangs slightly open to Andrew's mild psychological terrorism. Luke, however, was too relieved to even hear Andrew's monologue. "Grandpa!" He shouts, running through a few people to get to Gabriel, who bends down to intercept the youth's charge. The older man uses the momentum of the charge to lift his grandson up in a hug and anchor him under his arm - a mistake he doesn't realize until the job is nearly done though, as the strain puts some unwanted pressure on his torn thigh. He bears through the pain as he approaches the small group that had formed around his grandkids. "You guys had your mom worried," Gabriel exclaims to the boys, Cameron's attention diverted away from thoughts of icebergs and snapping. Gabriel takes note of the two people that the boys were apparently with - a thin man in baggy green clothes and glasses and a much shorter Asian youth. "He was just showing us his pretend gun," Luke remarks to his grandfather from his perch on Gabriel's hip. "Pretend gun?" Gabriel repeats? He gets an image of a silver and black firearm tucked into a holster - not a typical party favor to bring to a Fourth of July party. Gabriel gives Andrew a sidelong glance - he didn't look like he was in a gang, but you couldn't always tell; and there was something else about the kid... eyes? "Where's mom?" Luke interrupted. "Getting us some chow," Gabriel remarked playfully to his grandson, ever the fan of throwing stylishly outdated slang into the conversation. He turned to the small group and offered, "Thanks for keeping an eye out for my grandkids. Why don't you join us? Margy will probably have gotten us a table by now." And he also wanted to keep a better eye on this kid, perhaps before he did something he would regret.
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Post by Margaret Hall-Coburn on Jul 7, 2009 13:46:35 GMT -5
Margaret's intrusion provokes a mild look of bemusement from Arella, lip quirking as she filed away the comment for later thought. Hmmph. That was a 'fishing for incriminating answers' question if she ever heard one. "If Officer Palmer says that it wasn't the same fire, I'm sure it wasn't," she interjected with a wry grin, "Didn't catch your name, though." Margaret sets an apologetic smile on Arella. "Oh, your right, I'm being terribly rude. I do that sometimes. You know how it is, desparate housewives and all. Always looking for the latest bit of gossip. "My name is Margaret by the way," she says. A nice common name - nothing to give her away even if her last name might ring a bell. "I'd shake your hand, but..." she embarrassingly gestures to the four plates in her hands.
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Post by Daniel Palmer on Jul 7, 2009 13:49:12 GMT -5
Margaret's intrusion provokes a mild look of bemusement from Arella, lip quirking as she filed away the comment for later thought. Hmmph. That was a 'fishing for incriminating answers' question if she ever heard one. "If Officer Palmer says that it wasn't the same fire, I'm sure it wasn't," she interjected with a wry grin, "Didn't catch your name, though." Margaret sets an apologetic smile on Arella. "Oh, your right, I'm being terribly rude. I do that sometimes. You know how it is, desparate housewives and all. Always looking for the latest bit of gossip. "My name is Margaret by the way," she says. A nice common name - nothing to give her away even if her last name might ring a bell. "I'd shake your hand, but..." she embarrassingly gestures to the four plates in her hands. Phew... thank god Arella covered for me. Palmer knew Margaret's type, having to deal with them on the job often enough - the kind that takes good deeds for granted but questions and criticizes authority whenever they feel like it. "Margaret, is it? I'm Daniel Palmer. It's as Ms. White said, I'm an officer with the MCPD." He gives a friendly smile. "Let me help you with those plates, I insist. Where's your family at?"
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Post by Cordite on Jul 7, 2009 14:00:10 GMT -5
"Getting us some chow," Gabriel remarked playfully to his grandson, ever the fan of throwing stylishly outdated slang into the conversation. He turned to the small group and offered, "Thanks for keeping an eye out for my grandkids. Why don't you join us? Margy will probably have gotten us a table by now." And he also wanted to keep a better eye on this kid, perhaps before he did something he would regret. Andrew nods, and mutely follows, but Cordite is looking for a way out. He saw that look in the old man's eye-- he didn't know him, but he certainly smelt something. Bailing out now would earn him certain suspicion, suspicion he did not want. He curses internally. Then again, screwing up would too... He subtly checks that the hammer is back on the p228 and gets ready to sit down.
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Post by Margaret Hall-Coburn on Jul 7, 2009 14:00:17 GMT -5
Phew... thank god Arella covered for me. Palmer knew Margaret's type, having to deal with them on the job often enough - the kind that takes good deeds for granted but questions and criticizes authority whenever they feel like it. "Margaret, is it? I'm Daniel Palmer. It's as Ms. White said, I'm an officer with the MCPD." He gives a friendly smile. "Let me help you with those plates, I insist. Where's your family at?" "Well, if you insist," she exaggerates her relief as Palmer takes a pair of plates. With a free hand she extends a palm to Arella. "Ms. White was it? And who is this little ray of sunshine's name?" she asks, kneeling down in front of Jamie.
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Post by Anei and Hokori on Jul 7, 2009 14:15:31 GMT -5
"Please call me Arella," the younger twin replied, taking the hand and gesturing at her sister, "And that's my sister Rachel."
"Pleasure to meet you," the aforementioned sibling offers with mock salute, having finished off her hotdog, "Any chance of me getting another hot dog, Mr. Palmer, or are guests restricted to just one?"
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Post by Daniel Palmer on Jul 7, 2009 14:26:41 GMT -5
"Help yourselves, ladies." Palmer nods towards the tables of food.
Jamie, now holding a half-eaten cookie, looks at Margaret quizzically. " 'm Jamie, an' here's my Unca' Palmer." She takes another bite.
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Post by Margaret Hall-Coburn on Jul 7, 2009 14:31:36 GMT -5
"Pleasured," Margaret says warmly. "My father should just be getting the boys together, i'm sure the boys would love it if you came by and kept us company."
With no forthcoming response from the twins, Margaret starts off towards one of the larger tables. Palmer and the covert reporter are only kept for a few minutes before Gabriel comes back with the boys and some company.
Gabriel, Cameron and Luke each take turns reuniting with the woman, a hug and a kiss each. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Dove," Gabriel apologizes, pecking her on the forehead.
"It's your cold food, Preacher," she replies, playfully swatting his arm. She silently notes the presence of a set of bandages under his thin shirt, and her father's sudden wince at such a light blow. "This is Officer Daniel Palmer, and his... I'm sorry, what was your relation to Jamie again?" she asks the nervous officer.
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Post by Daniel Palmer on Jul 8, 2009 0:43:45 GMT -5
"... My niece, Jamie." He finishes the sentence for Margaret, putting the plates down. He then scoops up Jamie and sits her on the edge of the table.
"Isn't that right, cutie? Who's your Uncle Palmer?" He says to Jamie. She responds, "You!", nodding vigorously as if pleased with her answer.
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Post by Margaret Hall-Coburn on Jul 8, 2009 0:58:51 GMT -5
Margaret's frown is replaced in a wink with her trademark smile as she starts a round of introductions. "These are my boys, Cameron and Luke - Luke is the rude one crawling over the table instead of walking over it." Luke stops midstride and slowly edges himself off the table into his seat, his face flush. "And this is my father," she motions to Gabriel, who in turn stretches a hand out across the table to Palmer. "I don't know who this is, though..." she says curiously, staring at Andrew. A questioning glace targetted at Gabriel recieves only a helpless shrug.
"What's your name, son?" Gabriel asks in a friendly tone.
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Post by Cordite on Jul 8, 2009 12:56:14 GMT -5
Andrew gives an awkward smile, and Cordite sneers under the veneer.
'My name is Andrew sir. Thank you for the invitation, I was just talking to your boys here about recent events.'
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Post by The Minister on Jul 8, 2009 15:45:35 GMT -5
Gabriel's brow furrows slightly. The only 'recent' events seemed to all revolve around one particular individual. He unconsciously brushes the wound on his thigh. His thoughts are drawn away as he spots Cameron and Luke getting ready to pounce on their food.
"Boys," he warns sternly. "We haven't said grace yet." His attention drifts to Margaret, who is stifling a laugh - which superficially disappears under Gabriel's gaze.
"Why don't you go ahead, dad?" Margaret suggests. She was a Christian, but she rarely bothered with the strict procedures that her parents and most of her siblings so depended on, and so Cameron and Luke had only to put up with it when Gabriel was around.
Gabriel nods, slightly irritated at the breach, but let's it go, putting a hand out to Margaret on his right and Luke on his left. Luke in turn takes Cameron's hand. Cameron absentmindedly puts out a hand towards Andrew, and Margaret reaches out a hand to Palmer, an apologetic smile etched on her lips.
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Post by Daniel Palmer on Jul 8, 2009 17:04:01 GMT -5
"Why don't you go ahead, dad?" Margaret suggests. She was a Christian, but she rarely bothered with the strict procedures that her parents and most of her siblings so depended on, and so Cameron and Luke had only to put up with it when Gabriel was around. Gabriel nods, slightly irritated at the breach, but let's it go, putting a hand out to Margaret on his right and Luke on his left. Luke in turn takes Cameron's hand. Cameron absentmindedly puts out a hand towards Andrew, and Margaret reaches out a hand to Palmer, an apologetic smile etched on her lips. Palmer is only mildly religious, but has no problem saying grace with the family. He takes Margaret's hand and bows his head slightly, in silence. Jamie looks around, and follows suit, becoming quiet and still.
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Post by Anei and Hokori on Jul 8, 2009 17:19:59 GMT -5
(Oooooh... So this woman is the Minister's daughter, which means everyone's gonna be in this mix. Ah, the hilarity of secret identities.)
Rachel led her sister back towards the fairly-crowded table, a hotdog on her plate, sixth sense having provided the gentle hint or two needed to bring them in visual range of the group parently about to engage in 'Grace'. She blinked at the sight, suddenly self-consious about her and her sibling's battered condition. Easily mixed signals.
Arella nudged her twin sister with a quiet chuckle and took the lead, look saying 'just relax'. The chuckle faded into a smile at Rachel's acceptance, both of them waiting for Officer Palmer or Margaret to introduce them, hanging back somewhat so as not to disturb the prayer.
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Post by Cordite on Jul 8, 2009 18:41:21 GMT -5
This time, both Cordite and Andrew smile, and the smile is only half a friendly one.
'If I may?'
He takes the hands of those next to him, and bows his head, as he had seen on television shows and begins.
'Bless us O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ our Lord.
We thank you for the nation, built on this hallowed day, thank you for the courage of our ancestors and the courage of those that shepherd its.... values.... still.'
Andrews voice is ominous on the word.
'We thank you, O Lord Jesus, for the pillars unto which our blessed nation was raised, upon the stalwart foundations of freedom, equality, and justice, we raise ourselves to you O Lord, in the hopes that you may forgive our failings and honor our triumphs with your blessed countenance.
We pray for the souls of those that we could not help, we pray for the souls of those who would not help, and we pray for the souls of those soon to face thine righteous judgement.
In thine holy name we pray, AMEN.'
The last word is forceful, almost bitter, and the air is left heavy, but when Andrew looks up, his face is nothing less than angelic.
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Post by The Minister on Jul 8, 2009 19:01:41 GMT -5
Cameron and Luke's reiteration of the syllable is a passing obstacle standing between them and their hotdogs, and begin to tear into their food with less than ceremony.
Margaret and Gabriel's amen's come much more slowly, almost obligatory at the completion of the paradoxical supplication. "That was... nice," Gabriel lauds Andrew carefully. The kid either had a borderline heretic sense of humor, or it was just one more reason to be worried about this kid carrying around a gun in his pants. Maybe both.
"Oh, did you decide to drop by afterall?" Margaret asks the White sisters. She introduces everyone at the table, finally explaining, "This is... was it Arella and Rache? White. I don't think i got a chance to hear anything else about them."
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Post by Anei and Hokori on Jul 8, 2009 19:45:11 GMT -5
"I'm Rachel; she's Arella, yes," replied the older twin, settling down at the end of the table and squeezing in to let her sibling sit down, "Needed more food before the fireworks."
"Which we've heard are very good, so I'm looking forward to them," finished younger sibling with a smile, taking a bite out of her hot dog while waiting for an answer and gauging for a reaction. The Asian boy's sermon had seemed more... nuanced than normal somehow, but whatever. Today was not a day for problems.
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Post by Cordite on Jul 8, 2009 21:55:51 GMT -5
"That was... nice," Gabriel lauds Andrew carefully. The kid either had a borderline heretic sense of humor, or it was just one more reason to be worried about this kid carrying around a gun in his pants. Maybe both. Andrew comes to a terrifying realization. It is not his face, the face of Andrew Cheung, that the others see right now; it is Cordite's. And the Carapace remains in his duffel bag back at the hotel, away from him-- far, far away. And Cordite cannot resist almost goading the old man. 'You liked it? I'm glad-- I love America,' a shrug, 'The ideals, anyway.' He finishes the rest of his burger, and raises a plastic cup of soda in a mock toast. 'May Jesus Almighty strikes us down if we ever violate them!' A wolfish smile. He takes a small bow, says his goodbyes, and turns to leave, thanking the group for their hospitality. He's done with this. It interested him no longer, and there is business to be done.
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Post by The Minister on Jul 8, 2009 23:34:47 GMT -5
"Wait, son," Gabriel quickly wipes his hands and gets up from the table to chase after him. Something was telling him quite clearly that he shouldn't just let this kid walk away.
"Dad, what are you..?" Margaret objects.
"Don't worry, just watch over the boys, Dove."
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Post by Anei and Hokori on Jul 8, 2009 23:55:06 GMT -5
"That was weird," the sisters comment in a rare moment of perfect verbal harmony, their sixth senses buzzing in formless warning at *something*, an offputting difference from their normal crystal-clear near-future visions.
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Post by Cordite on Jul 9, 2009 6:26:04 GMT -5
"Wait, son," Gabriel quickly wipes his hands and gets up from the table to chase after him. Something was telling him quite clearly that he shouldn't just let this kid walk away. "Dad, what are you..?" Margaret objects. "Don't worry, just watch over the boys, Dove." Andrew keeps walking, but he tilts his head slightly toward the old man. 'Yes?'
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Post by The Minister on Jul 9, 2009 12:41:46 GMT -5
Gabriel gently grabs Andrew by the shoulder to stop him. He starts to come up with some words, but draws a blank. Sighing, he asks, "Where do you live, son?"
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Post by Cordite on Jul 9, 2009 17:05:28 GMT -5
'Why do you care?'
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Post by The Minister on Jul 9, 2009 19:32:28 GMT -5
"I guess you could say it's my job to care," Gabriel replies empathetically. He searches around his pockets and pulls out a small scrap of paper. "You have a pen maybe? Nevermind, found one." He quickly scribbles some stuff down, using his palm as a support.
"I run a community center in Walsh..." he hands the paper to Andrew. "I realize that's probably quite a ways from where you live, but if you're ever in the area, drop by. If you give me a call, I can also see if I can find some places nearer to you.
"It's not an institution, or a school or anything - it's just a place to talk to people, peers, mentors, just... promise you'll think about it."
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Post by Margaret Hall-Coburn on Jul 9, 2009 21:27:50 GMT -5
"I'm Rachel; she's Arella, yes," replied the older twin, settling down at the end of the table and squeezing in to let her sibling sit down, "Needed more food before the fireworks.""Which we've heard are very good, so I'm looking forward to them," finished younger sibling with a smile, taking a bite out of her hot dog while waiting for an answer and gauging for a reaction. The Asian boy's sermon had seemed more... nuanced than normal somehow, but whatever. Today was not a day for problems. "So," Margaret continues, trying to keep their little party going (and maybe find out a bit more from this enigmatic group), "How did you two meet Daniel?"
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Post by Cordite on Jul 9, 2009 22:52:10 GMT -5
"I guess you could say it's my job to care," Gabriel replies empathetically. He searches around his pockets and pulls out a small scrap of paper. "You have a pen maybe? Nevermind, found one." He quickly scribbles some stuff down, using his palm as a support. "I run a community center in Walsh..." he hands the paper to Andrew. "I realize that's probably quite a ways from where you live, but if you're ever in the area, drop by. If you give me a call, I can also see if I can find some places nearer to you. "It's not an institution, or a school or anything - it's just a place to talk to people, peers, mentors, just... promise you'll think about it." Cordite raises an eyebrow. 'I do something wrong?'
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Post by Anei and Hokori on Jul 9, 2009 23:20:36 GMT -5
"Today at a hotdog grill less than a half-hour ago to my best knowledge," answered Arella with a smile, "Although, given he says he lives in our building, we might have run into him sooner at the local laundry mat without our knowing. There's *alot* of people in this city, whole lot more than we're used to before moving here."
Rachel, chewing a hotdog, perked up her mental antenane, ready to deploy her half of their half-truth if pressed by this woman. Palmer, dependable as he seemed to be, should keep his mouth shut, so all they had to do was a degree of spin control.
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