Divided Loyalty

"Stick around. I'm sure the Boss would love to see you." Private & Highly Selective Newsies OC RP Blog

[timberdemarco]

romeofoley​:

He gave a firm nod. “I’ll put you near the top of the list.” He put his hand on her shoulder and stared at her once again, earnestly. “I’ll be as careful as I can. I can’t imagine being on the other side of your right hook.” He dropped his hand. “Tell Little John that I expect him to accompany you and I will take no excuses. Let him know that you are in charge of this trip.” He went to his desk and removed a piece of paper.

“The Red Eyes, the Stallions, The Romano Family, and then the Staten Island Wanderers. We’ll add more once we get more information.” He wrote the names down and handed it to her as well as a wad of cash. “If you need to stay in a hotel for the night, do so, though I expect you’ll be able to persuade them all by tonight.” He’d feel better if she came back tonight, though he figured he’d be up late anyway. “You have your pistol?”

“Little John? I can do this on my own–” Timber sighed, walking back to the desk with him. The last thing she wanted was someone else breathing down her neck. She knew how it would go–anything slightly reckless (the norm, for her), and it would be reported back to Romeo. All the better to do it on her own where she only had to answer to herself. Bad enough she’d have to wear a damn corset. She could only take so many restrictions in one night. “I have my pistol, I have my knife, I’ll even take a second one if it’ll make you happy–I don’t need a nanny.”

She took up the wad of cash, shoving it between her breasts for safekeeping and taking up the list of their allies. “The Stallions and the Wanderers shouldn’t be hard. Nothing more they like than a game of poker and free booze–especially at someone else’s expense. It’s the Red Eyes and the Romanos…they’re not going to want to be in the same room together.”

Glancing up at him, she frowned. “We may need to sweeten the pot for them, and more than just a pair of tits.”

[romeofoley]

“I don’t want any of my soldiers to be on their own.” He didn’t want to risk it. He would have to double check if Cobb had any family. He was sure he didn’t. Though the way Timber was acting, he assumed that they may have been more that just colleagues. His face turned to stone as he glanced up at Timber. “If it’s something you believe we can give them, give it to them. If not, schedule a meeting on their turf and I will meet up with them. Give them my word. They know I’m good for it.” He replied before handing her more money.

“We’ll have a family meeting when you return. I should have more information by then.” Romeo stood up. “I’ll send Rusty and South to the hospitals and the morgues, just in case.”

[timberdemarco]

The hardened expression on his face wasn’t something new to her--not in the slightest. It just hadn’t been something directed toward her in quite some time, and Timber frowned deeply, confused. Rather than draw attention to it, she took the other wad of cash, and shoved it into her pocket. 

“Just in case there’s less of us than you think.” She finished for him. As much as she knew this was important, as much as Timber had asked for the work, she was more and more regretting leaving him. If she was with him, at least she knew he was safe, instead of wondering what she would find when she came back.

“I’ll make sure to be home tonight.” She promised, starting to reach for his hand, but stopping herself. “Come over. Get some rest at my flat, and I’ll meet you there.” 

[timberdemarco]

romeofoley​:

He gave a firm nod. “I’ll put you near the top of the list.” He put his hand on her shoulder and stared at her once again, earnestly. “I’ll be as careful as I can. I can’t imagine being on the other side of your right hook.” He dropped his hand. “Tell Little John that I expect him to accompany you and I will take no excuses. Let him know that you are in charge of this trip.” He went to his desk and removed a piece of paper.

“The Red Eyes, the Stallions, The Romano Family, and then the Staten Island Wanderers. We’ll add more once we get more information.” He wrote the names down and handed it to her as well as a wad of cash. “If you need to stay in a hotel for the night, do so, though I expect you’ll be able to persuade them all by tonight.” He’d feel better if she came back tonight, though he figured he’d be up late anyway. “You have your pistol?”

“Little John? I can do this on my own--” Timber sighed, walking back to the desk with him. The last thing she wanted was someone else breathing down her neck. She knew how it would go--anything slightly reckless (the norm, for her), and it would be reported back to Romeo. All the better to do it on her own where she only had to answer to herself. Bad enough she’d have to wear a damn corset. She could only take so many restrictions in one night. “I have my pistol, I have my knife, I’ll even take a second one if it’ll make you happy--I don’t need a nanny.”

She took up the wad of cash, shoving it between her breasts for safekeeping and taking up the list of their allies. “The Stallions and the Wanderers shouldn’t be hard. Nothing more they like than a game of poker and free booze--especially at someone else’s expense. It’s the Red Eyes and the Romanos...they’re not going to want to be in the same room together.”

Glancing up at him, she frowned. “We may need to sweeten the pot for them, and more than just a pair of tits.”

[timberdemarco]

romeofoley​:

sweetjillianryan​:

He wasn’t merely being placating–Romeo didn’t have the time for that, nor did he care about something so silly. If it wasn’t the truth, he didn’t say it. That didn’t mean Timber had to like it. Still in her temper, she refused to face him just yet. She needed to keep herself from throwing whatever shard she could find at him.

Ultimately, Timber finally took a few deep breaths, and glanced back to him. “You’re the boss.” She finally managed, though it was practically through gritted teeth. “I’ll strap on the pair of tits too, shall I?”

Another beat, then, “Mis has the right stuff to wear. I’ll borrow hers. At least she can tie it properly.”

“The tits you have are just fine.” Romeo said as he tapped some ash into his ashtray. He stood up and put on his jacket, shrugging it over his shoulders. He stood in front of Timber and looked down at her. There may have been a flicker of admiration in his eyes. 

“I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t have to, Timber.” It was the safest for her. Their allies wouldn’t dare lay a finger on her, not if Little John went with her and there was no way in hell that Little John wasn’t going with her. “I’ll keep you informed on any news from the Professor and Cobb.”

She wanted to be irritated with him, even lifting her chin as if ready for the fight. It was difficult to keep it up when he looked at her like that. Timber had been exposed to him long enough to see the almost imperceptible shifts in his expression, and when he looked at her this way...

The sigh escaped through her nose, and she finally nodded. She couldn’t have it both ways. Not always.

“You’d better.” She finally replied, more quietly than she had before. “I want a piece of him when you find the fucker.” She glanced toward Reds, then behind her, before meeting his gaze again. “You’d better be careful, too. I’m serious. Be careful, or I’ll beat you up.”

[timberdemarco]

romeofoley​:

Romeo stared at her. “Stay low and discreet for you is wearing a dress and a corset.” He said simply. “You’ll still be working.” He put more of the paperwork aside before lacing his fingers together and resting them on his desk. He was more calm but calm for him was scary. 

“Are you demanding me to tell you to go do something that could potentially show a weakness to our allies?” He continued to stare at Timber, almost amused. “If you want a job so badly, you can pass along to our allies that we will be hosting a poker night. Alcohol causes loose lips, a pair of tits can cause a whole story to be spilled, while the game of poker allows an amicable scene.” He smirked, “Make sure you wear the corset.”

Romeo was the boss. Romeo was the boss. She repeated it in her head like a mantra in an effort to avoid the flaring temper that worked its way along the back of her neck to flush her features. Her hands clenched and unclenched in fists, fingers rigid like sharp talons and barely restrained. 

Boss or no, people didn’t talk to her that way. He didn’t get to talk to her that way.

“I am not your lackey, and I am not your whore.” She seethed. In a quick swipe, the paperwork was flipped off of the desk and onto the floor. “Use one of your showgirls, or you know what? You wear the goddamn corset, you condescending asshole.”

With that, Timber turned to the door, continuing her cursing and tirade, only in Italian. Mischief had taught her well.

[romeofoley]

“You are a soldier, Timber.” He said evenly, not even bothering to make a glance at the papers on the floor. He wanted to laugh. It would’ve been so easy to laugh. If only she wasn’t so daft to realize that she was the only one who could do the job and still come out unscathed. “And a fucking good one at that.” He leaned on his desk, now clean from any paperwork. “It just so happens that you wear many hats in this organization and I chose for you to wear your…feminine one.” He lit a cigarette, his eyes never leaving her. “Would you rather me put someone less experienced on the line?”

[sweetjillianryan]

He wasn’t merely being placating–Romeo didn’t have the time for that, nor did he care about something so silly. If it wasn’t the truth, he didn’t say it. That didn’t mean Timber had to like it. Still in her temper, she refused to face him just yet. She needed to keep herself from throwing whatever shard she could find at him.

Ultimately, Timber finally took a few deep breaths, and glanced back to him. “You’re the boss.” She finally managed, though it was practically through gritted teeth. “I’ll strap on the pair of tits too, shall I?”

Another beat, then, “Mis has the right stuff to wear. I’ll borrow hers. At least she can tie it properly.”

[timberdemarco]

romeofoley​:

Romeo stared at her. “Stay low and discreet for you is wearing a dress and a corset.” He said simply. “You’ll still be working.” He put more of the paperwork aside before lacing his fingers together and resting them on his desk. He was more calm but calm for him was scary. 

“Are you demanding me to tell you to go do something that could potentially show a weakness to our allies?” He continued to stare at Timber, almost amused. “If you want a job so badly, you can pass along to our allies that we will be hosting a poker night. Alcohol causes loose lips, a pair of tits can cause a whole story to be spilled, while the game of poker allows an amicable scene.” He smirked, “Make sure you wear the corset.”

Romeo was the boss. Romeo was the boss. She repeated it in her head like a mantra in an effort to avoid the flaring temper that worked its way along the back of her neck to flush her features. Her hands clenched and unclenched in fists, fingers rigid like sharp talons and barely restrained. 

Boss or no, people didn’t talk to her that way. He didn’t get to talk to her that way.

“I am not your lackey, and I am not your whore.” She seethed. In a quick swipe, the paperwork was flipped off of the desk and onto the floor. “Use one of your showgirls, or you know what? You wear the goddamn corset, you condescending asshole.”

With that, Timber turned to the door, continuing her cursing and tirade, only in Italian. Mischief had taught her well.

[timberdemarco]

romeofoley​:

“It’s not me I need to worry about.” He growled as he poured himself a glass of whiskey. His eyes went from Reds to Timber. “No one goes on their own.” He started to pull out a bunch of paperwork on their desk. He wasn’t worried about himself. He was concerned about Reds and Timber. If Cobb was taken down as a message, it was only a matter of time before he was the last one standing. The thought of him having to identify Timber’s body made him angry.

“There wasn’t any fucking message except a fucking ear.” He said. “No note. No letter. Nothing.” He started to flip through the paperwork. “Reds, we’re going to need to do something about the families.” He took a swig of his whiskey and put it back down on the table. “Go talk to Edith about security. Timber,” Romeo knew she wasn’t going to like what he had to say.

“You may want to stay low and discreet for a while.”

“Get fucked.” Came her instant reply, as though she knew exactly what he was going to say and prepared for it. Her hands came to rest on the desk as she leaned forward. “I’m not putting my tail between my legs, and I’m sure as fuck not hiding. I won’t.”

She gestured to Reds. “You should be more worried about him, huh? He’s the one with the family. He’s the one that’d be missed. I’m gonna keep working, thanks.” 

“We should go check out our allies. See if they’ve had anything similar happen and make sure we’ve got each other’s backs. I’ll go do that. Tell me to go do that.”

[timberdemarco]

romeofoley​:

Reds rubbed his face. He had to keep his anger in. He wanted to continue to destroy Romeo’s office as well as destroy the man who killed Cobb. He crossed his arms over his chest to hide his fists, but he planned on roughin’ up someone today. He dared someone to be the straw to break his back. He needed it.

“We don’t know yet. Once The Professor comes back, we’ll know more. All we have is a fucking ear in a box and a bloody fucking hat.” He growled, staring straight at Timber. He continued to stare at her as though he was trying to read her mind. “You got everything you need to stay safe?” His gaze lingered on her before looking back at Reds. “Both of you?”

“I got what I need.” Timber mumbled immediately, not having to take stock. Not only did they have their secret hoard in the offices, Timber had her own hidden stock in her apartment, and always had something with her on her person. Romeo had taken care of his people, and she couldn’t ignore the fact that she and Reds had been given some small amount of favoritism in it.

She rubbed her hands over her face. No amount of weaponry would protect them, however, if one of the rival gangs got it in their mind that they wanted war. It didn’t make sense to her. Nothing of this did.

“The boys need to work together, then.” She suggested, though it wasn’t a suggestion at all. “Nobody on their own. Until this gets nipped in the bud, we need to protect each other and hope that the Professor brings some news soon.”

Timber gave Romeo a look. “Not even you need to go on your own. If they got Cobb, it’s only a matter of time before they go for the top.”

[timberdemarco]

romeofoley​:

Cobb was the definition of the strong and silent type. He never smiled unless he had a lot of whiskey in him. Even then, it was barely a smile. It was more like a twitch upon his lips.He was like Romeo in a way, but Reds has seen Romeo smile plenty of times and knew how to make him laugh. No matter how hard he tried, Cobb would not smile. He took his job seriously. It was his job to protect his Blue Knife family and he did so without hesitation. 

“He was killed. We’re not sure by whom, but he was found in an alley.” He said seriously. “All I know was that he was missing an ear. The Professor is going to investigate where Cobb was killed.” The Professor was the one who intercepted the ear and Cobb’s hat and came to the conclusion that he was dead. It was the Professor who put on the police uniform and spoke freely with a new cop on the beat and found out where he was killed.

Romeo finally stopped moving and leaned against his desk. “I know a lot of gangs want us dead. None have been so bold as to kill someone that is higher ranked.”

There was an odd sort of roaring in Timber’s ears--as though her heart had rushed ahead through them and drowned out the rest of Romeo’s words. Cobb had been with them as long as she could remember. As far as they were concerned, Cobb was an essential part of the gang. Her personal history with him aside...it was a harsh blow.

“What?” She finally looked back up at him, then shook her head, slumping into one of the seats Reds had turned upright. Almost as soon as she’d sat down, Timber was up and pacing again, as though picking up where Romeo had left off.

“Missing his fuckin’ ear.” She repeated under her breath. “They want us dead, but actually going out and attacking us like this? Taking out someone like Cobb? That’s a fuckin’ death wish. None of those pricks out there want a war with us, not now. Takin’ the ear--that’s, what the fuck is their name? The Carnation Club or some frilly shit. We’re supposed to be in a truce. It doesn’t make sense...”

[timberdemarco]

romeofoley​:

Romeo tore open the door and stood in the door frame, his face was red and his hand was a bloody mess. “You two.” He said, his voice almost hoarse. He stared intently at Timber, his gaze almost softened. Almost. It was still hard and intense and his jaw was tight. “Shut the door behind you.” He went back into his office, standing behind his desk. He couldn’t stand still. He tried. He started to pace back and forth behind it, kicking the toppled trash can.

Reds stood up and muttered, “Lilies.” He repeated as he went into the office which was completely destroyed. “Gonna need a lot of lilies.” He said as he lifted up two of the toppled chairs. Reds didn’t think that he needed to sit. There was already a newspaper, a note, and a hat that was soaked in blood sitting on his desk. Reds knew that it wasn’t good news.

The door swung open, and if it startled her, she didn’t show it. Rather, Timber arched a dark brow at Romeo as he seemed to try and decide how he was going to approach it from that moment forward. Finally invited in, she glanced back to Reds as they wandered into the office. Her step slowed as she saw the state of it, taking it in piece by destroyed piece. “And a cleaner.”

She knelt down, picking up a couple of shards of what was once an impressive vase--one that had likely been worth more than she and Reds combined--and ultimately tossed the pieces back down onto the floor as she stood. Timber wanted to remark on how there were better ways to lose ones temper--

When her eyes fell upon the bloodied hat. Frowning deeply, she took a step toward the desk, not daring to touch just yet. Rather, her fingers lingered at the edge of the wood.

“...is that Cobb’s..?” She asked quietly.

[timberdemarco]

redsoconnor​:

“He’s in, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to go in right now.” Reds said. He leaned back in his seat and looked at his shirt and back up at Timber. “When did you care about what I wear? I’m not lookin’ to impress you! Just my wife and Edith.” He grinned lazily at Edith before glancing at Timber. “Though I think my wife would like it better on the floor, if you know what I mean.”

There was a slight sigh as he glanced at his pocket watch to check out the time. “He’s got an appointment in about two hours and he’s tryin’ to cross his t’s and dot his i’s. You know how he gets. Gotta have a plan B…C…all the way to Z and then some.”

“Boy, nobody wants to hear about your wife’s poor taste in men.” Timber replied immediately, rolling her eyes, though her lip quirked affectionately. While Moira’s taste was questionable, Timber couldn’t think of another couple that seemed to match so perfectly as she and Reds did. They were a unit, and if she had been the romantic sort, she might’ve envied them for it.

Glancing toward the office doors, she pursed her lips, mentally weighing her options. Just how much of Romeo’s wrath did she want to risk incurring? While it likely wouldn’t be as severe as if one of the soldiers had burst in on him, his temper was something to be wary of and rivaled her own. 

Pouring herself a cup, her other hand dug into her pocket for her cigarettes. “I’ve never been much for good ideas.” She decided, extending the pack to him. “You know where to bury me if I don’t make it out.”

[redsoconnor]

Another crash came from the office and the obvious sound of glass shattering. A booming “GOD DAMMIT,” echoed throughout the room, almost loud enough to make it seem that Romeo was in the same room as his three employees. Reds jumped just a bit at the sound but glanced over at Timber.

“You want roses or tulips on your grave?” Reds asked as he directed his attention back to the office door. “Last time I saw him like this, Pugsly was killed. I’d honestly wait for him to come to us, or else I won’t be around to put flowers on your grave.” He got a bad feeling about this outburst. He just hoped neither him nor Timber were going to be at the other end of it.

[timberdemarco]

However used to the outbursts and temper Timber was, it would still occasionally cause her to jolt. Edith merely shook her head, muttering to herself about Irishmen and their fire as she moved back down the stairs to the shop. Timber frowned into her teacup, and took what was meant to be a steadying sip before setting it back down onto the tray. 

“I don’t wait and sit on my hands while he tears the building to the ground. It was hard enough to find carpenters the last time this happened.” She replied. If it was truly like the time that Pugsly was killed...it didn’t bode well. She didn’t particularly want to think about the possibility that another one of them...

She dug into her pocket for her matches and began to move to the office door. “This is ridiculous.” She mumbled around the smoke. “We’re meant to be partners in this. If he’s keeping somethin’ we should know about it.”

“...I want lilies on my grave. Always lilies.”

[timberdemarco]

redsoconnor​:

“He’s in, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to go in right now.” Reds said. He leaned back in his seat and looked at his shirt and back up at Timber. “When did you care about what I wear? I’m not lookin’ to impress you! Just my wife and Edith.” He grinned lazily at Edith before glancing at Timber. “Though I think my wife would like it better on the floor, if you know what I mean.”

There was a slight sigh as he glanced at his pocket watch to check out the time. “He’s got an appointment in about two hours and he’s tryin’ to cross his t’s and dot his i’s. You know how he gets. Gotta have a plan B…C…all the way to Z and then some.”

“Boy, nobody wants to hear about your wife’s poor taste in men.” Timber replied immediately, rolling her eyes, though her lip quirked affectionately. While Moira’s taste was questionable, Timber couldn’t think of another couple that seemed to match so perfectly as she and Reds did. They were a unit, and if she had been the romantic sort, she might’ve envied them for it.

Glancing toward the office doors, she pursed her lips, mentally weighing her options. Just how much of Romeo’s wrath did she want to risk incurring? While it likely wouldn’t be as severe as if one of the soldiers had burst in on him, his temper was something to be wary of and rivaled her own. 

Pouring herself a cup, her other hand dug into her pocket for her cigarettes. “I’ve never been much for good ideas.” She decided, extending the pack to him. “You know where to bury me if I don’t make it out.”

[timberdemarco]

@redsoconnor

“Is he in?” She asked, all but sweeping into the room toward Romeo’s office without much pause. Maybe she already knew he was there--maybe she didn’t care, and planned to wait. 

Glancing back to Reds, she arched a brow. “That’s a terrible color on you, buddy. Did the missus pick that out?”

“I picked it out, thank ye.” Edith replied, sharp but not unkind. She brought up the tray of tea balanced on her hip, and placed it down on the desk. “I think he looks handsome in it, an’ I’ll wager so does the missus.”

“That explains it--you picked it out.” Timber couldn’t help but smirked. They snapped and snarked at one another, but the bond she and Edith shared was special. It was as though Edith knew immediately how Timber chose her friends, and acted accordingly.

[brooklynluna]

timberdemarco​:

Whatever Timber had been exposed to, nothing made her stomach roll more than the idea of tools for such a specific purpose–extracting the brain? No thanks. She was happy living in blissful ignorance of that particular organ’s workings. It could stay put. Wrinkling her nose, she finally tore her gaze away from the tool and the body, instead deciding to focus on her friend’s sure hand as it scrawled across the page.

“Anything to get Tommy the extra funds.” She muttered. Leaning against the counter, she crossed her arms over her chest. “I came to catch up. Shoot the shit, you know…” As much as that was the truth of it, her tone trailed with a secondary purpose.

Idly, Timber picked at lint on her sleeve. “…I was also asked to see if you’ve considered the gang’s offer any further. Since you’d mentioned money…”

Luna was not surprised with Timber’s visit to discuss business. She knew none of her friends would be willing to stick around while she worked in Louie’s underground infirmary… especially when there was an actual “patient” in there. 

The offer had always been in the back of her mind as it was quite tempting, especially in current circumstances. Riverside was in possible danger of being bought out to be turned into luxury housings. Luna could not allow it and throw away her grandmother’s sacrifices and services to the neighborhood. Though Finnnegan’s finances were stable, Luna could not be so sure she would be able to handle the business with her age. It took money to maintain and Luna was not so sure she could handle it even if she were to be a full-time coroner.

“Well, yeah, there’s always money to be made.” Luna closed the folder and set it down before rolling the body over to the cooler. “But, I would still have to think about it. It’s a huge risk and I could get fired if I get involved. Could you be sure that’s not gonna happen?”

[timberdemarco]

“You only get fired if you get caught.” Timber replied, more than a little glad to see their audience was being put to bed for the evening. Sweet dreams, you unlucky bastard.

Curious and nosy, she picked the folder up to peruse the notes within, even though very little of it made sense to her. Luna’s handwriting aside, it wasn’t as though Timber had a vast knowledge of medical terminology...though she could hazard a guess as to what some of it meant.

“You’d be doing us a favor and working for the gang. You’d be protected, trust me. Romeo’s a lot of things, but he protects his people.” She turned her back to keep Luna from taking the folder away so easily, even going so far as to step back and hold it high over her head. “You get your toy back when I get the answer. If you don’t want it, fair enough--no harm done. If you do, that’s a different story.”

“...in all seriousness, Lu, I wouldn’t ask anything of you if I didn’t think you could handle it. And I wouldn’t ask anything of you if I didn’t think you’d be safe. Gang or no gang, I like to keep you in one piece.”

[brooklynluna]

Continued from here

“I’ve seen bodies before, Lu.” Timber rolled her eyes. It didn’t necessarily make it any easier to see one splayed out on some slab–beneath a pub, no less. That was something that would bug her every time she stepped foot inside Louie’s now. Timber had done worse before and to living men, but there was something about cutting them open when they were dead that left a bad taste in her mouth.

Luckily, she couldn’t claim this particular one. The less Luna saw of her own work, the better.

She wrinkled her nose as she rounded the table and redirected her attention to what she assumed were the man’s effects. “I’m talking about this.” Timber gestured to a couple of crudely fashioned weapons. “Apparently the real thing wasn’t good enough for him, so he made his own knife? Not like there isn’t a surplus out there.”

Shoving her hands into her pockets to keep from touching the merchandise, she rejoined Luna by the table, taking to leaning against it–more or less to keep from looking at the body. “So, this is your thing now? Commissioned by the Hospital, or is this extra credit?”

@timberdemarco

Luna continued to jot more notes down, filling out the pages that was to go in the hospital file. The process was quite tedious before she could get to the “good stuff” but it was protocol. She glanced at Timber and the display of medical tools she had laid out for the autopsy. “Oh… no, that’s to scoop out organs for examination and that one,” She gestured to a drill-like tool, “is a craniotome. It cuts a hole in a skull to extract the brain.”

After jotting down more notes, she looked through the rest of the papers to see how much left she had to fill out. Luckily she was almost done and could not wait to catch up with Timber. She felt guilty she rarely spent time with any of her friends anymore. Of course, it did not make it any better she had to meet up with her in such a place.

“It’s a bit of both. When the hospital morgue fills up, they send bodies here for me to examine. That way, they get quicker reports and I get to work in peace. And Tommy gets a little extra funds. Hey, at least I can get a drink upstairs right after a procedure!”

She gave a soft chuckle before she began rearranging the tools on the tray. “So, what brings you here?”

[timberdemarco]

Whatever Timber had been exposed to, nothing made her stomach roll more than the idea of tools for such a specific purpose--extracting the brain? No thanks. She was happy living in blissful ignorance of that particular organ’s workings. It could stay put. Wrinkling her nose, she finally tore her gaze away from the tool and the body, instead deciding to focus on her friend’s sure hand as it scrawled across the page.

“Anything to get Tommy the extra funds.” She muttered. Leaning against the counter, she crossed her arms over her chest. “I came to catch up. Shoot the shit, you know...” As much as that was the truth of it, her tone trailed with a secondary purpose.

Idly, Timber picked at lint on her sleeve. “...I was also asked to see if you’ve considered the gang’s offer any further. Since you’d mentioned money...”

[timberdemarco]

@the-daily-mischief

Timber rounded the opposite corner as the mysterious man exited the alley, and gave his back an odd sort of look. It wasn’t that strangers didn’t use the alley to make their way through, but the glimpse of his face she’d gotten–he seemed familiar.

“Ready, then?” She asked, and arched a dark brow at her friend. “You’ve got a whole…” She gestured vaguely to Mischief’s features, “A face. What’s with the face?”

[the-daily-mischief]

Mischief shuddered as she thought about all that blood and the body parts. “I don’t know how she does it. Being around all those dead people. I mean, the parties that I’ve been to are like being around dead people, but at least they talk. It’s not like the parties we went to where we were allowed to play poker and the men didn’t retire to the smoking lounge.” 

She sighed as she walked into the pub as Timber held the door for her. “Struggling in a different way, I suppose.” Though she was known, she felt lonely. It was hard to fit in with the society she was supposed to fit in with.

“The first round is on him.” Mischief said, mustering a smile as she nodded to the man who seemed to not notice them walk in, but rather, was involved in his poker game. His chips were stacked high and he seemed to be in a jolly mood.

[timberdemarco]

“You get used to it.” She muttered, but didn’t exactly go into further detail than that. Mischief wouldn’t have wanted to hear it, anyway.

“You say that like those things don’t still exist.” Timber said, following after into the familiar din of the pub. Smoke wafted through the air, enticing her to dig for one of her own cigarettes. “Just because you’re not allowed to have any fun doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy it. If you’d sneak out to one of our poker games now and then, I could steal your money again, just like old times.”

A man extended a light for her smoke, cutting off her train of thought. Looking him in the eye, she lit it herself, and took her first drag and moved further in. “Second and third round, too.” She remarked. “The way he’s feeling, I bet he’d buy you the world.” Timber gestured. “Go on then, bat those pretty lashes. Time’s wasting.”

[timberdemarco]

the-daily-mischief​:

“I’m more concerned about him getting hung up on me.” Mischief said with a smirk on her lips. “Besides, I have no time for romantic conquests and late night rendezvous with men willing to give their lives for a glimpse at me.” She joked before following Timber. “But really, work keeps me busy, and planning my roommates demise is a pressing matter that must be resolved.” 

She yawned loudly. “And I’m sure they’re just as boring at the bar as well. Men who believe talking about the stock market and revenue as well as war would keep a lady’s attention. I like the ones that vie for our attention by using brute strength against others. It makes for an entertaining night.”

“Hey, you said I could help with the unfortunate demise of your roommates. Don’t back out on me now, woman. I’ve gotta have something to look forward to.”

It felt as though in that moment, they were back to the old days; years before, where the only worries were selling the last of their papes and if they had enough to afford the lodging house. She, Mischief, and Luna were inseparable then, and there were definitely days she longed to return to that. Money, notoriety all came with a price. They couldn’t ignore the fact that they weren’t kids anymore.

“Lucky you that we’re going to one of the places where they have those brute shows of strength–we’re probably out past those nancies’ bed times, anyway. Tell you what, though. If nobody starts a fight in the first twenty minutes, I’ll do the honors for you. How’s that?”

[the-daily-mischief]

“We need to have a meeting with Luna. With the three of our heads together, I think we would get rid of the annoying ones for good, or at least send them a message.” Beth could stay, though. At least she keeps to herself and doesn’t get into anyone’s business.

“It should be entertaining.” Mischief said as she cracked her neck. “You’re not allowed to fight! Why it wouldn’t be fair to the poor bastards! They wouldn’t have a chance.” She said with a laugh. It felt good to be herself and not a stuffy lady who drank tea with her pinky up and sipped, not slurped. “It feels like yesterday we were dumb kids trying to make ends meet, but at least we had our freedom.”

[timberdemarco]

“Well, if nothing else Luna can help make sure they’re never found again. Well, whole anyway.” Was that funny or too dark? Timber couldn’t tell anymore. She’d been around the gang for far too long.

“Better to not be struggling anymore though, isn’t it?” She arched a dark brow. Maybe she was only attempting to justify her own path. “No more paper cuts, no more ink, no more fuckin’ Weasel and his idiot nephews. The fuck happened to them, anyway? They went to jail. Did they go to jail? They should be, if they aren’t. I dunno what for, but I don’t like them, so that’s enough.”

She opened the door to the pub, and gave an exaggerated bow. “Ladies first.”

[timberdemarco]

the-daily-mischief​:

“I’m more concerned about him getting hung up on me.” Mischief said with a smirk on her lips. “Besides, I have no time for romantic conquests and late night rendezvous with men willing to give their lives for a glimpse at me.” She joked before following Timber. “But really, work keeps me busy, and planning my roommates demise is a pressing matter that must be resolved.” 

She yawned loudly. “And I’m sure they’re just as boring at the bar as well. Men who believe talking about the stock market and revenue as well as war would keep a lady’s attention. I like the ones that vie for our attention by using brute strength against others. It makes for an entertaining night.”

“Hey, you said I could help with the unfortunate demise of your roommates. Don’t back out on me now, woman. I’ve gotta have something to look forward to.”

It felt as though in that moment, they were back to the old days; years before, where the only worries were selling the last of their papes and if they had enough to afford the lodging house. She, Mischief, and Luna were inseparable then, and there were definitely days she longed to return to that. Money, notoriety all came with a price. They couldn’t ignore the fact that they weren’t kids anymore.

“Lucky you that we’re going to one of the places where they have those brute shows of strength--we’re probably out past those nancies’ bed times, anyway. Tell you what, though. If nobody starts a fight in the first twenty minutes, I’ll do the honors for you. How’s that?”