The Music Man

"Sometimes words aren't enough. That's where music comes in." - Strings Taylor. Highly Selective Newsies RP Blog

[stringstaylor]

Strings put his feet up on the coffee table as he cradled his guitar. He strummed a few chords before pausing. His poor guitar must’ve been tuned around fifty times that day, but it still didn’t sound right.

“My muse is sad.” He said to his guitar. He knew he shouldn’t arrive early. Grandma May always chased them out with a broom, but the girls always came out with bowls with remanence of pie or mashed potatoes. The taste tests to see if they needed to add more seasoning were the best. He loved going there in the morning and not leaving until late that night, stuffed like the turkey. If he pretended to be asleep on the couch with his arm around Juni, Grandma May would put the quilt over them and let them sleep by the fire. Instead, they were given a time that dinner was going to be ready.

“My muse is sad…but I must cheer my Libbit up!” There was no hesitation of what he was going to do. It was the Holiday season and no one should be sad, even if they couldn’t use their hands or couldn’t see!

“Rat! Get your guitar! We’re going to the May’s!”

[stringstaylor]

@blueknivesandyounglives

Strings scooped up Marvin up from the floor, burying his head in his orange fluff. He was nervous to see his girlfriend. He was happy she was alive, but she wasn’t well. If it was anything like him, she probably wasn’t talking because of the smoke. Her throat probably hurt. But her hands? That scared him. Strings would love her regardless of if she had hands, or feet, or even if she was missing a nose. Art was her life!

“They’ll heal, Strings. She’ll heal.” Strings thought to himself. He had to smile and make sure she knew he was at her side and will always be there with him.

He took a deep breath and opened the door to the bedroom, Marvin scampered from his arms and jumped on Juni’s bed. Strings’ brown eyes went from the cat to Juni and he tried not to gasp from shock. Her hands were all bandaged up and she looked worse for wear.

“Oh, Juni…my beautiful Juni…” Strings whispered as he hurried (as fast as the injured Strings could hurry) and lowered himself onto her bed.

[blueknivesandyounglives]

stringstaylor​:

“You’ll make it up to me by leaving the gang and going back to the docks. We can go back to our first flat and pretend that none of this ever happened.” He replied as he grabbed his coat. He moved his body a bit too much and he immediately yelled in pain and anger. “And you better pray that Juni is okay.” He put on his coat slowly, a grunt escaping his lips.

“The last thing we need is you going to the Boarding House and having that blow up too!” He tried to make it to the door but he couldn’t. He just slowly sank to the floor. “Think you could carry me there?”

Rat wanted to point out that there was no going back to the way things were. There never had been, ever since they’d left England for America. And yet, he couldn’t bring himself to rub further salt into his friend’s wounds. As Strings slid down onto the floor, Rat’s hands hovered. Did he try to pick him up? Did he just…join him on the floor?

He brushed his palms onto his trousers, and ultimately moved to help Strings back to his feet. Luckily, he was stronger now…but…

“I’ll carry you. Heavy as a cow hide, but I’ll carry you there.” He bent and slapped a hand at his bum. “All aboard.”

[stringstaylor]

“Oooouch! Strings screamed. He was certainly not in the best shape to be tossed over anyone’s shoulder. “Carry me like a bride, Rat! It would be bumpy ride on this shoulder.” He had to be moved carefully and slowly or else he could risk injuring himself more.

“Who would’ve blown up the place, Rat? I mean, I know the Blue Knife Gang got some enemies, but enough to blow up a Christmas party? I heard the large bloke say that there’s always a peace for Christmas.” He asked. “Who do I gotta watch out for until we get you out of this mess?”

[blueknivesandyounglives]

stringstaylor​:

Strings grumbled loudly. He was livid that Rat would accept a job with a notorious gang. Of course bad things would happen! Bad things happen to bad people and Rat was with bad people.

“If you haven’t noticed, Rat, I’m not speaking to you. In fact, after I stop speaking to you now, I will continue to not speak to you until I realize what the bloody hell we’re going to do to get you out of this.” He said before grabbing the ring back from him. He was so close to proposing. He was so close to having the woman that infiltrated his dreams and gave him immeasurable joy to be his fiancé. Then the beam fell on him. He was told that Juni tried to pull the beam off of him and that she was in bad shape.

“But before we even do that!” He continued, his voice still hoarse from all the smoke. “I have to write the nurse an apology for being a right git to her and then!” He frowned, but that hurt too much and he was miserable because his eye was itchy and his eyepatch was itchy and everything was starting to itch. “And then, I have to get to the Boarding House and make sure my bird is okay!” He tried to put on his coat but it hurt too much to move. He let out a loud (at least, as loud as he could with a hoarse voice) yell before slumping into the chair.

Like a scolded child, Rat bowed his head, stopping short of kicking invisible pebbles sheepishly. It was his fault–this entire thing, the mess…their lives. He’d almost lost his friends, because of his own stupidity. Because of what he did and who he knew. He could have lost them, but here Strings stood. He was still here.

“I know you’re cross, mate…I deserve it.” Rat mumbled after Strings had stopped his tirade. “I know you’re cross, but I’m still too chuffed you’re up and about and not neck-deep in dirt.” 

He gently picked up Strings’ jacket, and moved to hold it up for him. “I can go to the Boarding House. Pass on letters, if you wanna rest. Stay here and…” Get better, Rat thought. He hated seeing Strings this way.

“I’ll make it up to you, Strings. Y’know I will.”

[stringstaylor]

“You’ll make it up to me by leaving the gang and going back to the docs. We can go back to our first flat and pretend that none of this ever happened.” He replied as he grabbed his coat. He moved his body a bit too much and he immediately yelled in pain and anger. “And you better pray that Juni is okay.” He put on his coat slowly, a grunt escaping his lips.

“The last thing we need is you going to the Boarding House and having that blow up too!” He tried to make it to the door but he couldn’t. He just slowly sank to the floor. “Think you could carry me there?”

[blueknivesandyounglives]

@stringstaylor

“You’ve gotta take it easy, mate.” Rat pleaded, himself the worse for wear but far more used to it than Strings likely was. They were both incredibly lucky to be alive still, injured as they were. “You move too fast and you’re gonna open things back up–that’s no treat at all, eh? Lay back again, there’s a lad.”

He hovered, feeling a sick sense of guilt lingering in his belly. His friend could have died. Biddy could have died. This was entirely his fault–well, the bombing wasn’t, but…he’d asked them to go. They should’ve been safe. They should’ve…

“I found it…eh?” He dug in his pocket, and produced the small ring, polishing it on his sleeve before handing it over. “Found it under you when we pulled you out. Gotta find a new way to pop the question, yeah? Something special and safe.”

[stringstaylor]

Strings grumbled loudly. He was livid that Rat would accept a job with a notorious gang. Of course bad things would happen! Bad things happen to bad people and Rat was with bad people.

“If you haven’t noticed, Rat, I’m not speaking to you. In fact, after I stop speaking to you now, I will continue to not speak to you until I realize what the bloody hell we’re going to do to get you out of this.” He said before grabbing the ring back from him. He was so close to proposing. He was so close to having the woman that infiltrated his dreams and gave him immeasurable joy to be his fiancé. Then the beam fell on him. He was told that Juni tried to pull the beam off of him and that she was in bad shape.

“But before we even do that!” He continued, his voice still hoarse from all the smoke. “I have to write the nurse an apology for being a right git to her and then!” He frowned, but that hurt too much and he was miserable because his eye was itchy and his eyepatch was itchy and everything was starting to itch. “And then, I have to get to the Boarding House and make sure my bird is okay!” He tried to put on his coat but it hurt too much to move. He let out a loud (at least, as loud as he could with a hoarse voice) yell before slumping into the chair.

[stringstaylor]

Strings enjoyed the party as much as he could. He knew that most of the people in the party were unfavorable criminals that roped Rat into some sort of deal. He couldn’t help but wonder if the hands he shook murdered, stole, and hurt someone else. Still, he put on a fake smile and gave these thieves a strong handshake. He never let Juni wander away from his side, even when Biddy excitedly pointed out a watercolor that was framed on the wall. He accompanied her to the painting and nodded as though he was interested. It was at the picture where he saw a vacant room. He could see through the crack of the closed door, a large beautiful vacant room with an idle grand piano just asking to be played. Upon further inspection, he could see several chaises and chairs sat empty. It was far away enough from the party to have some privacy and beautiful enough to propose.

“Come on,” Strings whispered as he took her hand and led her into the room. “What do you think they use this room for? Surely it’s not for dancing, or else they’d have the party here, yeah?”

The chandelier hung from the center of the room, but was not lit. If it was, a glow would light the entire room. Instead, the sconces attached the walls were dimmed. It may not have been the brilliance of the chandelier, but it would do.

[blueknivesandyounglives]

stringstaylor​:

“Maybe you can’t paint yourself, but someone could! Maybe Biddy, or someone Patch knows. He’s got connections now, which is weird because it’s Patch, but everyone loves him.” He said while looking up at the blank space on the wall. “If anything, maybe some flowers somewhere. Add a woman’s touch.” Maybe having a woman’s touch would make the apartment less gang-like and more homey. He wasn’t sure if he could ever call it home, not in the way it was earned or in how it looked. At least the tree looked nice, but that couldn’t be here year round.

“I think if you moved in, it would feel more like home.” His heart started to pound out of his chest as he turned to face her. “Libbit,” He put his hand in pocket. It wasn’t the most expensive ring, but it was something. He reached down to feel for the box. “Juni, I” But there was no box. There was no ring. He could’ve sworn he put it in there. “Juni, I’m really…I’m…” Sweat beaded on his brow and he laughed nervously. “I’m hungry.”

“You b-boys wouldn’t want a g-girl in here ruining your fun.” She joked, though the idea was more than a little appealing. The years they’d known one another, Juni already knew what it felt like to be at home with him. The last step was to make it for themselves, but…well, when the time was right, she supposed. 

It was when Strings looked at her in earnest that her heart began to pick up speed. Was…was he..?

Oh. No, he was…nevermind.

His nerves were contagious, or perhaps she was a little disappointed–well, no, she wasn’t that. She was never disappointed with him. As she’d thought before, the time needed to be right.

“Th-then we should get g-going!” Juni beamed at him, dashing the previous display away. She took his hand and tugged it along. “C’mon, it’s t-time to go to the party!”

[stringstaylor]

To be fair, Strings would argue the opposite. Three men, living in a beautiful flat together...it was only a matter of time that the place burned down. It almost did when Strings burned the pudding and when they caught a few branches of the Christmas tree on fire from the candles. A woman with some common sense would do the apartment some good, and probably make it not smell like rotten eggs and dirty socks.

He sighed but tried to mask his annoyance with a laugh. It sounded like a chicken being strangled. “Yeah, the party should have some good food.” He paused and patted his pockets. “I have to get my pocket watch. I’ll meet you back in the foyer.” Though he did forget his pocket watch, he wanted to make sure that he did not misplace the engagement ring. 

[blueknivesandyounglives]

stringstaylor​:

Strings wasn’t sure if this place would ever feel like home. It would be much better to have Patch there on a full time basis and even Sticks.

He forgot about Sticks. He wondered how he was doing around the Holidays, being by himself. He may have all his rich friends around, but he wasn’t even sure if he had any friends now that he was back. It almost made him feel sad.

“That’s where you come in, Libbit. We would love for you and Biddy to paint some pieces for us. I think we’d be able to pay you as well.” He took her hand and rushed her over to one of the bigger walls. “A painting right here, above the piano. Maybe a portrait of you with the cats?” It would inspire him to write more, as Juni was his love and his muse. “With Monster chewing on the hem of your dress like he normally does and Martin asleep on your lap.”

“You d-don’t need to pay u-us–” Juni began, but was cut off as he pulled her toward the larger wall, the suddenly enthusiasm drawing a giggle from her. She stared at the blankness of the wall, her head tilting to the side as she considered its potential and all of the possibilities. 

“I c-couldn’t paint myself.” She laughed, the idea absurd to her. While she and Biddy were artists, she preferred painting other people, other places and things. Vanity aside, it felt…odd, to consider encapsulating herself that way for years to come. The cats, however…

She chewed on her lip, thrilled by the prospect of helping to make this place a home for him. Perhaps if they married…

Well. That was something to think about later. 

“W-we’ll come up with something.” Juni assured him, and squeezed his hand. “It’ll be b-beautiful and it’ll feel like home here. You’ll see. Y-you deserve good things, sweetheart.”

[stringstaylor]

“Maybe you can’t paint yourself, but someone could! Maybe Biddy, or someone Patch knows. He’s got connections now, which is weird because it’s Patch, but everyone loves him.” He said while looking up at the blank space on the wall. “If anything, maybe some flowers somewhere. Add a woman’s touch.” Maybe having a woman’s touch would make the apartment less gang-like and more homey. He wasn’t sure if he could ever call it home, not in the way it was earned or in how it looked. At least the tree looked nice, but that couldn’t be here year round.

“I think if you moved in, it would feel more like home.” His heart started to pound out of his chest as he turned to face her. “Libbit,” He put his hand in pocket. It wasn’t the most expensive ring, but it was something. He reached down to feel for the box. “Juni, I” But there was no box. There was no ring. He could’ve sworn he put it in there. “Juni, I’m really...I’m...” Sweat beaded on his brow and he laughed nervously. “I’m hungry.”

[blueknivesandyounglives]

stringstaylor​:

Strings was shocked when Rat showed him the apartment that they would be living in as well. “I’d like to call it humble. At least, we make it humble.” It wasn’t furnished with expensive items. Strings preferred the space as it offered an amazing sound when the boys played. Their neighbors weren’t too impressed with their music, but Strings made it a point to play some nice lullabies near the end of the day. No one usually pounded on the walls when he did this.

“Merry Christmas, love.” He kissed her forehead before offering his arm. “Shall I give you the grand tour?”

“Oh, y-yes please.” She beamed and slipped her arm through his. “Isn’t e-every day I get a t-tour of such a fine place.” 

And if she glanced behind her at Biddy and Rat and smiled to herself, who was to say?

Juni was practically skipping beside him as they began down the hall. Even so, she was like a bloodhound when it came to things…not being right. “You’re worried.” She murmured, and brought her hand to his arm. “You’re w-worried on Christmas. Why a-are you worried on Christmas? It’s Christmas!” She took his hand instead, swinging it between them. “Th-there’s no worry on Christmas, Strings. It’s in the rules.”

[stringstaylor]

“You have entered our main foyer. It’s…the main entrance.” He walked down the hallway. All of this was bought with blood. Who died for the living room? Who gave up their life for the room that kept their instruments and the couch that scared the cats? He never knew why the couched scared the cats. He figured that it must’ve been because the couch was new and newly upholstered. They sure liked laying under the Christmas tree. They had grown out of playing in it, but perhaps that was because it was so big.

“I’m just nervous about meeting Rats’ new co-worker. I also burned the figgy pudding.” It wasn’t lying. He was nervous and he did burn the figgy pudding. But he felt strange showing Juni this huge flat that Rat earned through being a punching bag. 

“You don’t think this flat is too big, yeah?”

[blueknivesandyounglives]

An easy enough explanation, and Juni had no reason to believe anything else was amiss…so, for the moment, she let it slide. Her hand rubbed gently at Strings’ arm as he led the way about their flat, content to spend the time with him. 

“No use b-being upset over burned p-pudding, hm?” She beamed up at him. “We’ll have a l-lovely time without it, don’t fret.”

She glanced about. The flat was…well, it didn’t have the character and familiarity of the old flat, but part of that was due to the fact that there weren’t holes in the wall, and they had their own washroom that wasn’t shared with neighbors. The worst part, she supposed, was how uncomfortable Strings looked in a place that was meant to be the height of comfort. 

“I-it’s big.” Juni replied after a moment, and chewed on her lip. “B-but you only just m-moved. It t-takes time to make a p-place a home. As long as y-you and Rat and the c-cats are happy, it d-doesn’t matter where you are.” 

“I must s-say, though, it is m-missing art.” She glanced to the tastefully decorated walls.

[stringstaylor]

Strings wasn’t sure if this place would ever feel like home. It would be much better to have Patch there on a full time basis and even Sticks.

He forgot about Sticks. He wondered how he was doing around the Holidays, being by himself. He may have all his rich friends around, but he wasn’t even sure if he had any friends now that he was back. It almost made him feel sad.

“That’s where you come in, Libbit. We would love for you and Biddy to paint some pieces for us. I think we’d be able to pay you as well.” He took her hand and rushed her over to one of the bigger walls. “A painting right here, above the piano. Maybe a portrait of you with the cats?” It would inspire him to write more, as Juni was his love and his muse. “With Monster chewing on the hem of your dress like he normally does and Martin asleep on your lap.”

[blueknivesandyounglives]

stringstaylor​:

Strings was shocked when Rat showed him the apartment that they would be living in as well. “I’d like to call it humble. At least, we make it humble.” It wasn’t furnished with expensive items. Strings preferred the space as it offered an amazing sound when the boys played. Their neighbors weren’t too impressed with their music, but Strings made it a point to play some nice lullabies near the end of the day. No one usually pounded on the walls when he did this.

“Merry Christmas, love.” He kissed her forehead before offering his arm. “Shall I give you the grand tour?”

“Oh, y-yes please.” She beamed and slipped her arm through his. “Isn’t e-every day I get a t-tour of such a fine place.” 

And if she glanced behind her at Biddy and Rat and smiled to herself, who was to say?

Juni was practically skipping beside him as they began down the hall. Even so, she was like a bloodhound when it came to things…not being right. “You’re worried.” She murmured, and brought her hand to his arm. “You’re w-worried on Christmas. Why a-are you worried on Christmas? It’s Christmas!” She took his hand instead, swinging it between them. “Th-there’s no worry on Christmas, Strings. It’s in the rules.”

[stringstaylor]

“You have entered our main foyer. It’s...the main entrance.” He walked down the hallway. All of this was bought with blood. Who died for the living room? Who gave up their life for the room that kept their instruments and the couch that scared the cats? He never knew why the couched scared the cats. He figured that it must’ve been because the couch was new and newly upholstered. They sure liked laying under the Christmas tree. They had grown out of playing in it, but perhaps that was because it was so big.

“I’m just nervous about meeting Rats’ new co-worker. I also burned the figgy pudding.” It wasn’t lying. He was nervous and he did burn the figgy pudding. But he felt strange showing Juni this huge flat that Rat earned through being a punching bag. 

“You don’t think this flat is too big, yeah?”

[blueknivesandyounglives]

obediencemay​:

Biddy took Juni’s arm in the elevator. She was terrified but slightly excited. The man inside the elevator took little notice of the odd pair, as though sisters of different misters frequented such a luxurious place. “What if he thinks we’re…we’re..” She cupped her hands around Juni’s ear and whispered, “whores. We don’t look like them, but we sure don’t look Ike we fit into a place like this.” She said with her wide brown eyes. She took a long glance at the operator who seemed rather bored at his job.

“Fourth floor, misses.” He said with a tip of his hat.

The idea that anyone could consider either of them capable of such a career caused Juni a good deal of embarrassment, her features turning a bright pink. As they exited the elevator, she continued to cling close to Biddy. “I-I don’t think he c-cares much at all.” She whispered as she glanced to the elevator, watching the operator yawn as he returned the lift to the ground floor.

Glancing again at the address, she paused in front of the door. There was piano music coming from inside, but who was to say it was anyone familiar? Uncertainly, she looked to Biddy, before raising her hand to knock. 

When Strings opened the door, she beamed in relief, and laughed as she was spun about. “Humble?” She asked, glancing about. “I-it’s…certainly something. Wh-when you said you had a b-bigger apartment, I have to admit, I wasn’t think a-about this.” That thought, however, was quickly dashed in favor of beaming at him again.

“Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”

[stringstaylor]

Strings was shocked when Rat showed him the apartment that they would be living in as well. “I’d like to call it humble. At least, we make it humble.” It wasn’t furnished with expensive items. Strings preferred the space as it offered an amazing sound when the boys played. Their neighbors weren’t too impressed with their music, but Strings made it a point to play some nice lullabies near the end of the day. No one usually pounded on the walls when he did this.

“Merry Christmas, love.” He kissed her forehead before offering his arm. “Shall I give you the grand tour?”

[blueknivesandyounglives]

stringstaylor​:

Strings sat down at his piano and started to play a few notes, a few chords, a couple arpeggios, before starting to play a quiet Christmas song. “A few kids. Are they coming as well? The whole family?” He tried to keep himself distracted with the piano, but occasionally he would play the wrong note and start the verse or chorus over again. “We didn’t bring anything for the kids. Do we have enough chairs to play musical chairs with them?”

“Mate, are you plannin’ on bringing chairs?” Rat asked, thoroughly confused but just as amused at the prospect. The image of Strings stacking as many chairs as he could find and carting the toppling mass to the Lion’s Den–

He shook his head. “They’re chaos, mate. They wanna cause as much mischief as they can, and that’s their favorite thing. No reason to lose your mind over kids this late–you’ll have your own soon enough, eh? You can dote on them.”

Rat, still uncomfortable, rubbed at the back of his neck. “You don’t have to go, Strings. If this’ll bother you. I get it, aye?”

[stringstaylor]

“I don’t know, but there should be some sort of entertainment for the kids. We could put on a puppet show? You got some socks that we can use?” At least he could distract himself with the kids and not some criminals. Unless the kids stole candy from the candy store…but he doubt that counted as a horrible crime.

“No, I’ll still come and meet your gang, I mean, coworkers. I should know what I’m gettin’ myself into.” 

[blueknivesandyounglives]

Little did Strings know, those very kids had indeed stolen from a candy shop, but that was likely to be one of the worst things they’d ever done. Rat thought the kids were fun, and they thought the same of him. Moira said something about them being on the same level, whatever that meant.

Rat winced, shoving his hands into his pockets. He regretted telling Strings about it–but then again, he couldn’t help but also feel glad. After all, it was truly best if Strings knew what the gang looked like and who these people were that were going to be in his life for…well, however long.

A few moments later, there was a timid knock at the door. 

[stringstaylor]

Strings got up from the piano, leaving an unresolved chord echoing through the apartment. “Probably Juni.” He said, feeling a bit relieved that Juni was here. Another pleasant distraction. He smoothed his vest and took a quick glance at himself in the mirror by the door. He made sure his hair was slicked back but had to squint his eyes to get a better look at himself. He pocketed his glasses for the time being, but he was sure he would put them back on.

“Libbit!” Strings said while lifting her up in a swinging hug. It was how he always greeted her, as though they hadn’t seen each other for years. “Welcome to our humble abode!”

[blueknivesandyounglives]

stringstaylor​:

Strings sat down at his piano and started to play a few notes, a few chords, a couple arpeggios, before starting to play a quiet Christmas song. “A few kids. Are they coming as well? The whole family?” He tried to keep himself distracted with the piano, but occasionally he would play the wrong note and start the verse or chorus over again. “We didn’t bring anything for the kids. Do we have enough chairs to play musical chairs with them?”

“Mate, are you plannin’ on bringing chairs?” Rat asked, thoroughly confused but just as amused at the prospect. The image of Strings stacking as many chairs as he could find and carting the toppling mass to the Lion’s Den–

He shook his head. “They’re chaos, mate. They wanna cause as much mischief as they can, and that’s their favorite thing. No reason to lose your mind over kids this late–you’ll have your own soon enough, eh? You can dote on them.”

Rat, still uncomfortable, rubbed at the back of his neck. “You don’t have to go, Strings. If this’ll bother you. I get it, aye?”

[stringstaylor]

“I don’t know, but there should be some sort of entertainment for the kids. We could put on a puppet show? You got some socks that we can use?” At least he could distract himself with the kids and not some criminals. Unless the kids stole candy from the candy store...but he doubt that counted as a horrible crime.

“No, I’ll still come and meet your gang, I mean, coworkers. I should know what I’m gettin’ myself into.” 

[blueknivesandyounglives]

stringstaylor​:

Strings wasn’t so sure, but he swallowed his worry, or at least tried to. The worry stayed a lump in his throat.

“Any minute now.” Strings replied as he smoothed out his vest. He wasn’t sure how he was going to explain the place to Juni and the new job. Maybe he got a promotion? Technically it was. He wasn’t about to lie to her, but it was going to be hard to keep from her. “How many kids does this Reds guy have? Does his wife know what he does or is that forbidden knowledge?”

“She knows.” Rat mumbled, trying not to sigh. He had told Strings, tonight of all nights, and he couldn’t expect him to brush it off and continue on as though nothing had changed. It wasn’t forbidden knowledge–just…it was best if not many people knew. An open secret, that’s what these were called. “She knows, or she doesn’t ask much more about it. She’s a tough bird, that Moira. They’ve got…” He squinted, trying to remember. “A fair few.” He finally settled on.

[stringstaylor]

Strings sat down at his piano and started to play a few notes, a few chords, a couple arpeggios, before starting to play a quiet Christmas song. “A few kids. Are they coming as well? The whole family?” He tried to keep himself distracted with the piano, but occasionally he would play the wrong note and start the verse or chorus over again. “We didn’t bring anything for the kids. Do we have enough chairs to play musical chairs with them?”

[blueknivesandyounglives]

stringstaylor​:

Strings wanted to shake some sense into him. What Rat got himself into could get himself killed, as well as anyone who associated with him. How would he feel if Patch said the wrong thing to the wrong person? 

“You have to keep it quiet around Patch, okay? And Juni and Biddy. They can’t be wrapped up in this.” He said as he started to light some candles around the house, mainly to cover the smell of the figgy pudding. “You gotta keep me in the loop with things. I gotta know what’s going on to make sure everyone is safe.”

“You’re the first soul I told, eh? I can’t be risking tellin’ anyone else. That’s where trouble starts, mate.” Rat flopped into one of the dining chairs as he watched Strings putter about. The man was getting all the more domestic the longer he was with his bird, wasn’t he?

What he didn’t want to say was that Biddy, at least, was already wrapped up in it. She and her family just didn’t know it.

“It’s alright, mate. Let’s just enjoy the night, yeah? You’ll see…it’ll be alright, mate. We’ll have a good Christmas night still. You’ll like Reds, at the least. He’s a good man with a big, big family of his own. He’s the type of bloke we might’ve run with back home, yeah?”

“When’s Juni-bird gettin’ here, then?”

[stringstaylor]

Strings wasn’t so sure, but he swallowed his worry, or at least tried to. The worry stayed a lump in his throat.

“Any minute now.” Strings replied as he smoothed out his vest. He wasn’t sure how he was going to explain the place to Juni and the new job. Maybe he got a promotion? Technically it was. He wasn’t about to lie to her, but it was going to be hard to keep from her. “How many kids does this Reds guy have? Does his wife know what he does or is that forbidden knowledge?”

[blueknivesandyounglives]

stringstaylor​:

Strings wasn’t sure what to say. His best friend, his brother, kept such a secret about what he did from him. Strings would’ve talked him out of it. The Blue Knife Gang was not a group to mess with. He once heard that their leader was so brutal that when someone left the gang, he dismembered them and hid their parts in barrels and sent them out to sea. They only found out when a barrel with the man’s head washed up on the shore in New Jersey.

“How the bloody hell are you still alive!” He exclaimed. “Why? How? What?” He stammered. He abandoned the dishes that were sitting in the sink. “What did you get yourself into, Rat?”

Rat, unable to keep still, began to pace. 

“It all happened so quickly!” His voice had wavered into a higher register. “I was gettin’ it bad from a couple of meatheads at the docks, and out of nowhere, Mr. Foley of the fuckin’ Blue Knife Gang himself comes and scares them off. Says he sees potential in me, as a fighter. That he wants to sponsor me. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse, mate. Probably literally.”

He shrugged helplessly. “It’s…it’s not been too bad, mate. The boys there, we get on, you know? They look out for me and for each other. Got us this place–safer here. Warmer here, yeah? Nobody’ll bother us again.”

[stringstaylor]

Strings wasn’t too sure. “So, we’re living in blood money.” He said as he pointed to their ice box. “Who had to die for that? And our couch? Who was killed for that?” Strings shook his head as he sighed . “You had me and Patch. We looked out for you.” He was disappointed that this is what it had to be.

“Don’t you think they might be using you? As soon as you can’t fight anymore or lose a certain amount of rounds, they’ll toss you out in the ocean only to have your body resurface in New Jersey or something!” Strings couldn’t bear tot think of losing his best friend, his brother. “I don’t want something bad to happen to you, mate.”

[blueknivesandyounglives]

“What’s the alternative, Strings? Keep workin’ fingers to the bone at the docks, hoping that one day I’ll make it big? Maybe this time people won’t wanna beat me head in, or the boss won’t decide to keep me pay because he don’t like my attitude that day.” Rat was desperate for Strings to understand. He felt lost. He’d felt that way for some time. While Strings had his path set with some happiness and some certainty, Rat didn’t seem to have one. Now he did, as dangerous as it was. 

He sighed, rubbing his hands over his healing face. “I’ll be fine, mate.” He finally replied. “I swear to you, I’m tryin’ to be smart, and it’ll be fine. We’ll be okay.”

[stringstaylor]

Strings wanted to shake some sense into him. What Rat got himself into could get himself killed, as well as anyone who associated with him. How would he feel if Patch said the wrong thing to the wrong person? 

“You have to keep it quiet around Patch, okay? And Juni and Biddy. They can’t be wrapped up in this.” He said as he started to light some candles around the house, mainly to cover the smell of the figgy pudding. “You gotta keep me in the loop with things. I gotta know what’s going on to make sure everyone is safe.”

[blueknivesandyounglives]

stringstaylor​:

Strings wasn’t sure what to say. His best friend, his brother, kept such a secret about what he did from him. Strings would’ve talked him out of it. The Blue Knife Gang was not a group to mess with. He once heard that their leader was so brutal that when someone left the gang, he dismembered them and hid their parts in barrels and sent them out to sea. They only found out when a barrel with the man’s head washed up on the shore in New Jersey.

“How the bloody hell are you still alive!” He exclaimed. “Why? How? What?” He stammered. He abandoned the dishes that were sitting in the sink. “What did you get yourself into, Rat?”

Rat, unable to keep still, began to pace. 

“It all happened so quickly!” His voice had wavered into a higher register. “I was gettin’ it bad from a couple of meatheads at the docks, and out of nowhere, Mr. Foley of the fuckin’ Blue Knife Gang himself comes and scares them off. Says he sees potential in me, as a fighter. That he wants to sponsor me. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse, mate. Probably literally.”

He shrugged helplessly. “It’s…it’s not been too bad, mate. The boys there, we get on, you know? They look out for me and for each other. Got us this place–safer here. Warmer here, yeah? Nobody’ll bother us again.”

[stringstaylor]

Strings wasn’t too sure. “So, we’re living in blood money.” He said as he pointed to their ice box. “Who had to die for that? And our couch? Who was killed for that?” Strings shook his head as he sighed . “You had me and Patch. We looked out for you.” He was disappointed that this is what it had to be.

“Don’t you think they might be using you? As soon as you can’t fight anymore or lose a certain amount of rounds, they’ll toss you out in the ocean only to have your body resurface in New Jersey or something!” Strings couldn’t bear tot think of losing his best friend, his brother. “I don’t want something bad to happen to you, mate.”