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Post by Paul Turner on Apr 4, 2016 20:11:56 GMT -5
Paul looks out at the Merrimack, taking in the sound and looking for smooth stones to skip. He is completely unaware of the palace theatre meeting, as no kindred has a means to contact him yet.
He hums a solace tune, but has a peaceful smile on his face.
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Post by Addy Becke on Apr 5, 2016 18:52:12 GMT -5
A woman dressed in antique-inspired clothes appears a few feet away as if from thin air.
"I see you are enjoying the river this evening. You should have seen it in it's glory before it was spoiled with all this..." she looks around her, searching for words, then adds, "...unpleasantness."
She smiles at the man and tries to read his reaction. If her presence is not wanted, she will leave him be.
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Post by Paul Turner on Apr 5, 2016 20:40:30 GMT -5
Paul's lip twitches a little before she speaks as his face flushes with life. He was expecting to be alone but doesn't shy away.
Shrugging, he answers, "Well I think it's wonderful. Water has always been soothing to me, especially with..." he stumbles a bit, realizing he's talking to a stranger, "I mean, the way it flows; it's graceful, but forceful at the same time. The ebb and flow of a tranquil beach, the crashing against a rockface, and thunderstorms; I love thunderstorms."
Turning to the woman, "Sorry, but I'm new around here. What unpleasantness?"
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Post by Paul Turner on Apr 6, 2016 11:44:58 GMT -5
He lightly taps his palm to his head, then extends hand, "Oh, manners. I'm Paul. And you are...?"
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Post by Addy Becke on Apr 6, 2016 17:32:34 GMT -5
She smiles genuinely at the profered hand and slips her own gloved hand into his for a dainty, but sincere handshake.
"Paul, the pleasure is all mine. Addy Becke."
She sighs again and looks longingly at the river. "This city used to be so lovely. Before all the spew and sprawl. But please pardon my nostalgia. You said you're new to the city?" She meets his gaze pointedly. "Have you.... met any friends yet?" Her question is loaded with an ulterior meaning and she watches carefully for Paul's response.
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Post by Paul Turner on Apr 6, 2016 18:42:31 GMT -5
As their hands make contact, Paul twitches again. Then his eyes focus on the woman in front of him, as his suspicions rise, "Your hands are frigid. Are you alright, Miss Becke?"
He does not answer her question.
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Post by Addy Becke on Apr 6, 2016 19:07:13 GMT -5
She smiles again at the man's candor. "I am well, thank you. It's a cold night, yes?" She waits pointedly for the man to answer her previous question.
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Post by Paul Turner on Apr 6, 2016 19:37:32 GMT -5
He pauses for a moment and decides to not push the issue, "Yes I suppose it is."
Paul is getting uncomfortable being confronted about himself, "Friends is... a strange way to put it. What would you call people you hang around with because of poor life choices someone else made for you? Met them? Yes, I've visited briefly. I didn't like the atmosphere too much though, so I ditched as soon as I could."
Trying to steer the conversation away from himself, he asks a question of his own, "How about you Miss Becke? Would I be right in in assuming you used to live here? It sounds as if you haven't been here in ages."
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Post by Addy Becke on Apr 7, 2016 16:02:23 GMT -5
She senses his discomfort and softens her face into a genuine smile. "Friends have a way of making their own decisions, it's true..." she trails off and sighs wistfully to herself before addressing Paul again. "Me? Yes, I grew up here, quite some time ago, but I've been back for a couple of years now. The city has changed so much." She notices a hesitant look on Paul's face, so she smiles again, then whispers behind her hand, "My appearance belies my age." She winks cutely then asks, "Mr. Turner are you in the Queen City on business or pleasure?"
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Post by Paul Turner on Apr 7, 2016 16:52:18 GMT -5
Paul flinches a little when she winks and turns the conversation back to him, "Between the two, I guess it would be business; I mean it definitely isn't pleasure." He rocks his head side to side a little while thinking, "Yeah, business. Sounds right. I left home and gotta make my own way, so I could use an odd job or two."
The stranger was in an antiquated dress and she was reminiscent about city expansion which would have happened too long ago for a city this size in New England. Her hands were like ice, but she was persistent in talking to a strange man by the river in this city known for it's junkies. Her interest in whether or not he is alone, and what he is doing in the city. He decided she was either looking for a meal, or protecting her territory. No one is friendly for goodness sake. Even if she turned out to be an ally, trust would need to be earned.
But he would play the game, and continue the tit-for-tat conversation, "And you Ms. Becke? What do you do for a living? What made you come back to Manchester?"
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Post by Addy Becke on Apr 7, 2016 17:25:02 GMT -5
"Nostalgia." She looks past him at the river again and takes in the view for a quiet moment before returning back to their conversation.
"But you said you were looking for an odd job or two? What line of work do you engage in, Mr. Turner? I'm quite well connected in this city and perhaps I can refer you to a potential employer?"
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Post by Paul Turner on Apr 7, 2016 18:20:50 GMT -5
For the first time, he smirks, "I can do a bit of this and that. Jobs usually find me, so I don't have anything ready. Do you have a card, office, or some way for me to contact you? I'll put together something more official."
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Post by Addy Becke on Apr 7, 2016 18:48:39 GMT -5
For the first time, he smirks, "I can do a bit of this and that. Jobs usually find me, so I don't have anything ready. Do you have a card, office, or some way for me to contact you? I'll put together something more official." "Of course, Mr. Turner." She rummages in her purse for a moment and withdraws an antiqued style calling card. It reads "Vexations & Villany, Addy Becke". "If we do indeed have mutual friends, as I suspect, you will be able to contact me. I do believe I have some other business to attend to this evening, so I shall take my leave. Enjoy the river, Mr. Turner. I hope we meet again." She dips her head slightly in a pleasant goodbye and walks past him down the footpath away from the river bank. |
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Post by Paul Turner on Apr 7, 2016 18:59:07 GMT -5
Paul takes the card, reads it while raising his eyebrow, and leaves as well.
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