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Post by Bogwoppit on Feb 4, 2011 21:19:48 GMT
the stars, the moon, they have all been blown out[/font] Natasha switched the hoover off and wiped a hand across her forehead, looking round at the darkened room. Not fantastic... it would take more than a quick go round with a duster to make it look that good, but not bad. Clean at least, and ready for the morning. She grinned to herself, and lugged the hoover back to its cupboard in the back.
She liked it when there was only her left at the end of the night. There was a kind of peace to the cafe which was hard to describe... the rain on the street outside warped the streetlights, making it seem as though she was in an underwater cave behind the big plate glass window. The quiet of the room echoed after the dull roar of the day's customers, and Natasha liked to sing into the emptiness. Sometimes she would dance too... always to an imaginary soulful tune, but more often than not she was afraid someone might see her as they walked by, which made her self-conscious and stilted in her movements. So mostly she just sang.
Delaying going home was a tactic which had become second nature to the young woman, and she did it now, singing an Irish ballad as she arranged and rearranged the salt and pepper, the sugar and menus. She knew what awaited her at home and she didn't want to face it... Christine and her nagging, her demands, her complaints, all imaginary of course. Funny how there was never anything wrong when Natasha's dad was home...
She sighed, knowing she couldn't put if off for much longer, not if she wanted to be able to drag herself out of bed in the morning. Tugging on her coat, she checked the front door was locked, bolted and shuttered, then walked out of the back, pulling the heavy metal fire door closed firmly behind her. Tucking her hands in her pockets against the cold, she began to walk the short distance home.
you left me in the dark[/center] |
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Post by Bogwoppit on Feb 22, 2011 12:54:59 GMT
the stars, the moon, they have all been blown out[/font] Natasha couldn't sleep in the lumpy motel bed... if they were going to find them all somewhere to stay they could have at least sent them to the big hotel in town! She was up by 6am, and decided she might as well go to the cafe and open up early. There were usually a few guys on their way to work wanting breakfasts, so she could get a start and crank up the grill before Marco got in. Marco liked to call himself a chef, but really he could just about manage to work the grill on a good day. Still, the food was cheap and fresh, and the cafe seemed to do ok.
Walking down the street, Natasha wrapped her coat around her, shivering in the unseasonably cold wind. The sun was coming up, and with it came a faint promise of warmth later. At least the rain of the night before had stopped. She wondered whether her father would be able to come home once Christine told him about the apartment, and more importantly, would they be able to move back into it? Or was it a case of finding a new one? Christine could sort all of that out... she had nothing else to do all day.
Unlocking the door, she stepped into the darkened room and switched on the lights, briskly walking out back to the kitchen and turning on all the appliances automatically. Sadie would be in at eight, until then she was on her own waiting tables, just the way she liked it.
"Morning sweetheart," Marco called from the front door just as she stepped back out of the kitchen. "You're here early. What's up?"
"Our place got blown up last night," she replied, shrugging as though it was no big deal.
"Uh huh," Marco replied absently, not listening just as she knew he wouldn't.
He bustled through to his domain and left her to her thoughts.
you left me in the dark[/center] |
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Post by pristorn on Feb 23, 2011 2:54:53 GMT
Anthony arrived at the Cafe as it was opening, glancing around the establishment slowly. Somewhat gratified to see the place still relatively empty, he stepped over to the counter and pulled up a chair. Tony carried a large bundle of manilla folders under his arm that he set down before him while taking a moment to look over the menu. Still a little ragged from the night before, but atleast somewhat rested, he offered a smile to the waitress.
"Good Morning. Coffee please. I'll just look over this menu some more, thanks."
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Post by Bogwoppit on Feb 27, 2011 21:34:40 GMT
the stars, the moon, they have all been blown out[/font] Natasha started slightly as the door swung open, and looked up to see a tall, dark haired guy enter. It was still early, and he had the look about him of one who hadn't gotten much sleep. Plastering on her brightest smile, she picked up a menu and sashayed over to where he sat.
"Good morning," she chirped, glancing at the folders as he looked at the menu. "Coffee coming right up! You look as though you need it."
She grinned as she poured the dark liquid into a mug, so that he would know she wasn't being rude. He looked like a lawyer, or maybe a cop... FBI perhaps? Now that would be exciting!
"So, what brings you in here so early?" she enquired as she placed the mug before him. "Careful, that's really hot. I've just this minute made it."
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Post by pristorn on Feb 28, 2011 2:42:00 GMT
Tony returned the waitress's warmth with a tired smile, nodding absently.
"Yeah, you could say that. The city's been rather busy lately. There just aren't enough hours in the day..." He took the mug in hand, blowing a moment over the coffee before taking a slow, gratified sip.
"I've got to brief some city officials on a recent case. I'm a detective with the police department..." Nodding to the files before him, Tony yawned, "It been a rough week."
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Post by Bogwoppit on Mar 1, 2011 20:49:15 GMT
the stars, the moon, they have all been blown out[/font] "A detective? That's cool," Natasha grinned, suitably impressed. "Were you at the apartment block that burned down last night? We live... lived there... I have no idea where we're going to live now!"
She uttered a short, faked laugh, suddenly coming to terms with the fact that she might not be going back home. Not that it had been anything special... Christine had chosen to live there to be close to town, and Natasha's dad didn't really care where they lived - he was barely there anyway. It was still home though, and for a minute Natasha experienced a pang of panic at the thought of being out on the streets.
She forced herself back to the present, and smiled overly brightly as she refilled the detective's coffee mug.
you left me in the dark[/center] |
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Post by pristorn on Mar 2, 2011 3:03:48 GMT
Working a scene in the middle of the night among dozens of faceless people and officers was one thing. To find one of the victims of the crime while drinking your morning coffee was entirely different. Tony fell silent for a moment, unsure of what to say to the waitress. Her sunny disposition seemed at odds with the trouble she suddenly faced. Tony felt a sudden hard pang of guilt for the woman. Doing his best to find some words..any words...
"I was there last night...terrible thing that fire. I'm very sorry for your loss..." No matter how many times he gave such a speech, it never got any easier. Tony had joined the force believing he could make a difference, but here was a hard-working innocent woman, and because of the crime on the street, she now had no home.
"We're doing our best to track down the people responsible...I know that doesn't mean much for your current situation." Tony dug into his overcoat pocket, withdrawing a business card and flipping it over. Also withdrawing a pen, he quickly wrote down several phone numbers before handing it to Natasha, "It isn't much, but here is a number to call to get assistance from the city. They are in the process of obtaining funds for those left homeless due to the attack. I've also taken the liberty to give you the number to a hotel too...if you drop my name, they'll be a bit more easy on payment options. I tend to give them a bit of business with informants and such. Decent place though, better then the lumpy beds you probably got dragged to after last night."
Tony took a moment to sip from his coffee again, offering a sympathetic smile. Though he knew he had done the best he could last night, meeting one of the victims made him feel somewhat responsible.
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Post by Bogwoppit on Mar 2, 2011 18:43:18 GMT
the stars, the moon, they have all been blown out[/font] The girl caught a glimpse of the momentary shock on the detective's face before his professional mask slipped once more into place, and she was sorry. It hadn't been her intention to make him feel bad. Sometimes her empathy for others wore her down, but she couldn't help the way she was. From the way he spoke it was almost as though someone had died, and for a moment Natasha shook her head.
"Oh no it's..." she began, but fell into silence as he began to write numbers on the back of a card.
"Thank you," she replied as he handed it to her. "That's really kind of you."
She smiled shyly as she tucked the lifeline into her jeans pocket, then had to turn away, tears filling her eyes and threatening to spill over.
"Would you..." she cleared her throat and tried again. "Would you like anything to eat? I can recommend the hash browns."
She turned back to him, plastering a bright smile on her face once again. Busying herself wiping non-existent marks off the counter top, she watched him out of the corner of her eye.
"What's it like?" she enquired. "Being a cop... well, a detective... in this city? Bet you have your work cut out don't you?"
Natasha had never allowed herself to be drawn into the drug scene which seemed to overshadow the youth of the city. She had spent most of her time at school with her head buried in a book, and so missed out on the social scene which facilitated it. She had watched some of her friends succumb though, and it made her all the more determined to make something of her life. Even if she couldn't afford to go to college she would do... something... something important. She just knew it.
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Post by pristorn on Mar 2, 2011 20:33:42 GMT
Tony's stomach audibly grumbled at the mention of food. Blinking a moment in embarassment, he struggled to remember the last time he had actually eaten.
"That would be wonderful, thank you. Hash browns sound fantastic, maybe with some eggs and toast?" Renewing his smile, Tony took another long sip from his coffee, taking a moment to organize the pile of files before him.
He had taken a moment to run through his debrief for the city officials, making a mental checklist of what to go over. His years of service had educated him on what was needed...Stick to the facts with the higher-ups, and keep it as short and sweet as possible. It was the departments problem to deal with the details, all the city wanted was results they could flaunt to the public, to tighten up their reelections.
Looking over to Natasha at her question, Tony grinned slightly, nodding, "At times it can certainly be trying. It's a rough job I can tell you, but I gain a great sense of accomplishment from it."
Tony chuckled, looking down at his coffee, "Runs in the blood I guess. My family has always been in the business of protecting others. My father, "the Colonel", his father before him and so on." He smiled again, thinking about his dad, "I'm the first one to be part of the police force, but it's honestly not that different from the armed forces."
Glancing back to Natasha, Tony offered a wink, "I'm going to do my best not to let this city go to hell, I promise you that. Some days just seem harder then others."
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Post by Bogwoppit on Mar 7, 2011 12:05:33 GMT
the stars, the moon, they have all been blown out[/font] The waitress smiled surrepticiously at the sound of hunger issuing from the detective's stomach.
"Coming right up!" she grinned, and walked the few paces to the hatch through which she handed the orders. "Marco, heads up."
She gave him the order, and turned back to her customer as he spoke again. Listening to the reasons behind his becoming a detective, she raised her dark eyebrows and nodded, impressed. Then shrugged and smiled ruefully.
"I sometimes wish there was something more I could do," she admitted. "Waitressing in a cafe is not really the way to go about saving the world!"
She laughed, but she wasn't entirely joking. She did wish she was capable of something more, but the rut she was in was so deep sometimes she felt she would never get out.
you left me in the dark[/center] |
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Post by pristorn on Mar 8, 2011 1:59:10 GMT
Tony found himself enjoying the waitress's company. Her bubbly nature succeeded in raising his spirits, and he felt better then he probably should have considering his lack of sleep these past few nights.
At her mention of wanting to do more then work at the cafe, Tony shrugged good-naturedly.
"There's always college...a degree can get you far these days. What are your interests? What do you want to do?" Tony watched her with genuine interest, while taking another sip from his coffee.
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Post by Bogwoppit on Mar 9, 2011 19:44:50 GMT
the stars, the moon, they have all been blown out[/font] The waitress smiled ruefully at the mention of college, her cheeks pinking prettily as she looked away.
"We can't afford college," she explained. "I love dancing, although not well enough to make a living from it!"
She shrugged, turning her back on him fully to wipe the counter behind her.
"I guess I like... helping people," she continued. "And animals, I love animals. But yeah, I guess I would like to do something like... I don't know, nursing maybe? Or... a paramedic. That'd be exciting I guess."
In truth she really had no idea what she wanted to do with her life. All she knew was that she didn't want to be stuck here forever in a dead end job. Marco put the cooked breakfast onto the counter top, and she placed it in front of the detective.
"There you go," she grinned. "Angel Falls' finest breakfast."
you left me in the dark[/center] |
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Post by pristorn on Mar 10, 2011 19:35:17 GMT
Tony smiled broadly at the plate set before him, offering a grateful nod and taking a moment to undo the rolled napkin to take up the silverware within, Tony quickly began devouring the contents of the plate with gusto. Every so often taking sips of coffee, he thought over the waitresses comments.
"You know...there are possibilities of scholarships and loans for college..." He spoke up inbetween bites, "Don't sell yourself short because you think you can't afford it. Education is important..."
He smiled thinking on her comments as a paramedic or nurse, "I'm sure you'd be great in any of those fields."
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Post by Bogwoppit on Mar 14, 2011 14:06:38 GMT
the stars, the moon, they have all been blown out[/font] She grinned at his encouraging words, blushing slightly.
"Thanks," she replied, watching him as he tucked into the breakfast. "I'll look into it I guess. It's just... my dad's never home and my stepmom isn't interested..."
She laughed self-consciously, brushing a stray strand of hair out of her eyes and tucking it behind her ear.
"I will though," she began anew, a determined expression coming across her face. "I'll do it today, just as soon as I get finished here."
She certainly had no intention of ending up like Christine, married to a guy who was never around, mothering a kid that wasn't her own, or living in a trailer park with a deadbeat husband and four whiney brats hanging round her ankles. She was going to Do Something with her life.
((Ooc: don't feel you have to hang around Pris, feel free to take Tony away anytime  ))
you left me in the dark[/center] |
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Post by pristorn on Mar 16, 2011 0:21:36 GMT
Tony offered a smile, nodding at her words. Glancing down to a now empty plate, Tony surprised himself at how quickly he'd eaten. So often his job meant he missed meals, yet for the moment his stomach was content.
Digging into his pocket, Tony withdrew his wallet. Opening it and fishing out twenty dollars, he set the money on the bar before him, offering a wink.
"Best meal I've had in days. Don't be surprised if a few cops show up later for lunch. We always appreciate a good meal." Tony renewed his smile and stood from his stool, adjusting his coat and returning his wallet to his pocket.
"Keep the change." He was sure the money covered the meal easily, wanting to leave a good tip. It seemed such a small favor to someone who currently had no home. Tony made a mental note to return again later on...both to check up on the nice waitress, as well as in the hopes his patronage might somehow benefit a person in trouble. "Consider the rest a beginning to your college fund."
Offering a wink, Tony gathered himself and turned for the exit, ready for the day.
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