Tweak

InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Run, little thing, run!"

Username: 
Password:    
Remember Me
  • Create Account
  • IJ Login
  • OpenID Login
Search by : 
  • View
    • Create Account
    • IJ Login
    • OpenID Login
  • Journal
    • Post
    • Edit Entries
    • Customize Journal
    • Comment Settings
    • Recent Comments
    • Manage Tags
  • Account
    • Manage Account
    • Viewing Options
    • Manage Profile
    • Manage Notifications
    • Manage Pictures
    • Manage Schools
    • Account Status
  • Friends
    • Edit Friends
    • Edit Custom Groups
    • Friends Filter
    • Nudge Friends
    • Invite
    • Create RSS Feed
  • Asylums
    • Post
    • Asylum Invitations
    • Manage Asylums
    • Create Asylum
  • Site
    • Support
    • Upgrade Account
    • FAQs
    • Search By Location
    • Search By Interest
    • Search Randomly

playing the game -- rick austin ([info]takingsides) wrote in [info]bellumlogs,
@ 2010-01-13 22:40:00

Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Entry tags:beauty, cheshire cat, meg giry

Who: Rick, his willing volunteers, and OPEN to unsuspecting bystanders press-ganged into assistance.
What: Moving in.
Where: Starting in the lobby.
When: Late afternoon.
Warnings: None!
Notes: Assume Rick posted a date and time. See this post.

Rick generally went with the flow. When his Giancoma contact hinted strongly (with cross-streets and an address, no less) that he move into this building when his last apartment building was condemned (that's progress for you), he had no overwhelming objections. He was smart enough to know that a change of location would neither help nor hinder his own personal game plan. Rick tried not to get too attached to material objects, but somehow he always ended up possessive of space, a habit he had tried to avoid even though the job pretty much defined 'territorial.' His private occupation as informant, his public profession, and his personal preference all supported the idea of working on as much information as possible, and that meant getting to know his neighbors.

Acquaintances and almost-friends from the department helped him haul most of the skeletal furniture into the lobby. Most of it wasn't anything all that impressive, everything masculine in color, rich brown leather for the armchairs and couch, an oak bedframe, a thick pseudo-Persian the height of a man, and, the pièce de résistance, a wide entertainment center made to fit a modest widescreen. Boxes of dishware and bedding was already upstairs, this was the stuff he couldn't haul up on his own. To all appearances, Rick was an utterly normal, bachelor type, who probably liked to watch some seasonal sport on his television, didn't smoke, and had no family. He'd already locked up the gun and the badge upstairs, and he wore jeans and a Mets sweatshirt.

Still wondering (without apparent concern) if anyone was going to show up for this, Rick leaned against his upended bedframe and pocketed his cellphone.



(Read comments) - (Post a new comment)


[info]fond_affections
2010-01-14 07:36 pm UTC (link)
Ed turned to glance over his shoulder, his tired eyes lighting up with warm mischief as he saw Jude. "Glad to hear you think so!" he chuckled, before adding quietly, "Nice to see you again, Jude!"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]ex_sepulchre370
2010-01-15 03:01 am UTC (link)
She grinned. "Been busy, Ed?" she asked, brushing imaginary dust off his shoulder and then glancing at Rick, who she had yet to meet. "Working off some excess energy in new and exciting ways?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]fond_affections
2010-01-15 03:07 am UTC (link)
He winked at her, feeling at ease with the teasing. "Didn't you know? In addition to being a Boy Scout I'm a member of the 'good neighbor' club!...It's all part of my day job as a nice guy!" he quipped back.

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]takingsides
2010-01-15 03:09 am UTC (link)
Rick's eyes went from Ed to Jude and then back. His smile was divided exactly in two, one for each of them, and he put out a genial hand for introductions. The hand was in Ed's direction, his eyes in Jude's, and he said, "I'm Rick." Then, to the Chinese girl, "You must be Li." Back to Ed. "And if you have excess energy this is the place. I was thinking maybe we'd try that entertainment center first."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]fond_affections
2010-01-15 03:15 am UTC (link)
Ed turned toward Rick shook the outstretched hand, still chuckling from Jude's teasing. He nodded at the Asian woman who had also offered to help, but couldn't quite look over at Ella. "Good to meet you Rick! I'm Ed... and I thought the entertainment center might be first--after that the rest will be easy!"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]snaked
2010-01-15 03:32 am UTC (link)
Li waved to the redhead as soon as she heard her name called. She was not nearly as talkative or bouncy in person as she appeared to be over the safety of the message boards. Her smile was polite and her eyes were focused.

"Do you want me to take it on top or on bottom?" She was referring to carrying order for the entertainment center over the stairs, of course. Li walked in and around different furniture, sizing up the wooden beast.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]ex_sepulchre370
2010-01-15 03:39 am UTC (link)
Jude moved to the stairs, giving Rick an entertained smile as she almost ashed on his shoe. She sat down, and she settled in to observe.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]takingsides
2010-01-15 03:43 am UTC (link)
Rick quirked one eyebrow at her. "If you start making irritating comments, I'll drop something on your head," he threatened, good-naturedly. Then he turned to the others. "We'd probably be better off tipping it sideways. I'd rather not take it apart because I don't remember how I put it together, and when it's apart it's not much good to me. Ed and I can tip it and you can catch it on the side and then we all move toward Jude's head?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]fond_affections
2010-01-15 03:47 am UTC (link)
Ed nodded his agreement as Rick mentioned not wanting to take it a part. "Yea...I still have a cabinet that I can't get reassembled..." he muttered before laughing at the mention of Jude's head. "Jude would never make irritating comments--it's not in her nature!" he grinned over at her before moving toward the furniture in question and looking for a place to get a good grip.

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]snaked
2010-01-15 03:48 am UTC (link)
"She's a smoker so I think it is okay if she saves her lungs." Spoken with such an earnest expression, it was difficult to tell if Li was serious or joking. Li moved to the side of the entertainment center, ready to keep it steady.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]ex_sepulchre370
2010-01-15 04:08 am UTC (link)
"Oh, I'm a saint. Listen to Ed. Ed knows." Jude winked at the girl. "What's your name?" she asked, then looked to Rick. "Why didn't whoever dumped these here carry them up the stairs, or can't they be bribed with lasagna and beer?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]takingsides
2010-01-15 04:13 am UTC (link)
Rick had bent down to pick up the entertainment center (the jeans fit well, by the way), but he stopped and straightened to look back at the smoker with a sharp look in his blue eyes. "They don't like me as much as you do," he told her. Turning back around. He got a grip, glanced to the side to see that Li was ready, then, with Ed's help, tipped it over. The full weight of it came down on six hands all at once; it was considerable. "Huh," Rick said, breathing out hard when it came down then taking a slow breath as it rocked, then steadied. "Nice. Shall we go up, then?" He quirked a brow at Ed as they started to move, Rick backward, Ed forward, Li sideways. "Do this kind of thing often?" he asked the other man.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]snaked
2010-01-15 04:17 am UTC (link)
"And they are very busy and underpaid," Li added sagely of Rick's police buddies with a grunt. She had considerable strength and control, though it was not utilized completely from her position on the side. Each breath came slow and easy.

"I'm Li," she answered afterward, her arms too preoccupied to wave, her mind too focused for a proper introduction.

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]fond_affections
2010-01-15 04:20 am UTC (link)
"Well, Jude's a saint," Ed teased, "She has to like everyone!" He readied his grip and helped Rick shift the considerably heavy and awkward piece of furniture. Li caught the side--which was essential to the process--and they were soon ready to go.

He laughed under his breath, focusing on watching behind Rick to help guide the process since the other man was backing up. "Um...actually, no. Unpacking boxes is more my strong suit, but hey--what kind of neighbor am I if I can't wrestle furniture once in a while?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]snaked
2010-01-15 04:30 am UTC (link)
"Don't wrestle this one," Li responded in an exerted huff. "or you will loose."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]ex_sepulchre370
2010-01-15 04:49 am UTC (link)
"I am the patron saint of movers," she said with a wry grin. "Ed, I think Li is adorable, don't you agree?" She looked over at Rick and she exhaled cigarette smoke and then grinned.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]fond_affections
2010-01-15 04:52 am UTC (link)
Ed smiled at Li as he nodded, "I think Li is quite charming and smart. Definitely smart not to wrestle this piece of furniture!" he said then he glanced over at Jude who was grinning at Rick. He looked back at Rick and sized the man up as able to take care of himself, so he looked back at Jude and raised a playful, questioning eyebrow.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]snaked
2010-01-15 05:19 am UTC (link)
Li didn't respond to being the subject of Ed and Jude's conversation. There were some situations social situations she didn't know how to respond to. If they were making fun of her, or sincerely complimenting her, Li felt it was best to let it roll off her either way.

She focused on the job and no longer made eye contact.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]ex_sepulchre370
2010-01-15 05:23 am UTC (link)
Jude leaned forward on the stairs, and she grinned at Li. "Ed is single," she said with a smile and a matchmaking grin.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]fond_affections
2010-01-15 05:33 am UTC (link)
Ed noticed Li look away and was about to change topics when Jude spoke again. He shook his head and chuckled, "I'm only single because Jude is determined to break my heart..." he teased, shifting attention back to Jude.

Balancing the entertainment center wasn't easy and they were nearing the mouth of the stairwell. He frowned a bit, "I hope this thing is going to fit around the corners..." he commented.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]ex_peepshows656
2010-01-15 10:18 am UTC (link)
James broke into the lobby from the street, unraveling a scarf from the poignant glimpse of her neck. The sky outside was overcast, which meant that it actually on this day at least matched her eyes. That bomber jacket was zipped to half mast, set off by ash gray leggings that vanished into the dark carve of boots that nibbled above the knees.

She hadn't been at work, so James at least looked refreshed. More accessible, more dimensional than her standard veil of a paperdoll cut-out of sexual appetites.

"Li?" Perplexed by the scene going on with the entertainment center, she approached with caution. The bulkiness of the furniture actually kept her from recognizing anyone but Li at the moment. Which was probably a good thing.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]ex_sepulchre370
2010-01-15 08:43 pm UTC (link)
Jude could see James from where she was, even if James couldn't see her, and she lit another cigarette and she took another steadying drag before talking.

"Ed, maybe Li wants to break your heart next. I'm hardly one to monopolize... am I James?" she asked, leaning forward to look around the entertainment center.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]snaked
2010-01-15 09:56 pm UTC (link)
Li was not sure they liked the way Jude and Ed talked. Ed himself was not suspicious but his association with the girl was. Li did not like the increasing feeling that she was the punch line to an inside joke.

"Maybe," Li offered politely enough to Jude the heart breaking supervisor, "since you are saving your lungs for moving you should save your lungs for talking, too."

Li tried to glance through the entertainment center at the other voice that called her name, but she was at an awkward angle on the stairs. Regardless, it seemed like a wonderful opportunity for a change in subject. "James? I am helping Rick move in. Do you want to help?"

Li helped scoot the furniture around the mouth of the stairwell and confirming it was James she smiled with mock seriousness, "I will make sure the carrots do not get you."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]fond_affections
2010-01-15 11:24 pm UTC (link)
Ed couldn't see who had come up behind him, but he called out, "Hi, James!" as he took a look up the stairs and wondered what the hell he'd actually gotten into. Focused on moving the entertainment center, he raised an amused eyebrow but didn't ask about the carrot comment.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]takingsides
2010-01-16 12:31 am UTC (link)
Rick didn't take part in the conversation until they'd reached the landing, focused on keeping the thing in his hands from falling--since it would probably crush Ed into pink paste if he did. Finally he called out directions and set it down, pulling his fingers out of the way in time, and leaning up against it to catch his breath. The sweatshirt, even with the cut off sleeves, was starting to be a bit warm, but he ignored it. The material would protect his arms, and he wasn't in danger of becoming overheated yet. Rick knew himself, and he knew his own limits.

"James," he said, blinking at her with the first trace of uninhibited expression anyone had seen on his face all evening. Surprise, then--nothing. His expression went blank, erased. Then he smiled an enigmatic smile that must be natural. "James," he said, in tone of greeting this time.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]ex_peepshows656, 2010-01-16 06:28 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]takingsides, 2010-01-16 06:50 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]ex_peepshows656, 2010-01-16 06:33 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]fond_affections, 2010-01-16 06:43 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]snaked, 2010-01-16 07:30 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]takingsides, 2010-01-16 08:11 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]fond_affections, 2010-01-16 08:19 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]ex_sepulchre370, 2010-01-16 08:21 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]ex_peepshows656, 2010-01-16 08:37 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]ex_sepulchre370, 2010-01-16 08:41 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]snaked, 2010-01-16 08:48 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]takingsides, 2010-01-16 09:24 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]fond_affections, 2010-01-16 09:31 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]ex_peepshows656, 2010-01-16 09:47 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]ex_sepulchre370, 2010-01-16 10:01 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]snaked, 2010-01-16 10:07 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]takingsides, 2010-01-16 10:14 pm UTC

(Read comments) -


Home | Site Map | Manage Account | TOS | Privacy | Support | FAQs