Huh. Well that there was strange. Maybe she thought I was someone else?
I glance at the palettes that Troll and Stumptown rigged up. The two of 'em are good at that sort of thing. Whenever we gotta move somethin' like this they rig up some wooden …
The family was happy to get work, even if folks aren't too happy to be walkin' over to the Harbor. None of us is exactly a supporter of HM or what he does, and the Harbor is, generally, a strange place.
Nonetheless, we like to keep busy, and sever…
First off, Vignette knows me better. Odd one she is.
Valentine: Highlight Hot. Of course.
SeaTac: Let's see Cool.
I get highlighted by Val. Do your thing, Val.
I can almost feel Bon's body relax as I look away. I look back, avoiding eye contact this time, and say "Well, unless anyone else has anythin' they'd like to chew on with us, I think QuePasa and I might collect our new friend FortyFour who just wand…
I smile at Bon's words. "Mmmm," I say, taking a sip of coffee. "You ain't wrong. If folks are gonna make mistakes, you let folks make mistakes. Fer better or worse we learn by doin' more than tellin'."
As I say it, I glance over at Vignette. "Busy…
I give Valentine a knowing nod when she quirks her eyebrow at the name "HM." "Sounds good, Valentine. We'll be back shortly, tools in tow." I sip my coffee and add "Shame the way things are, sometimes, o' course. The rot in these rooms can run deep.…
I smile as I take a sip of coffee, then actually laugh out loud as I see the mug Bon is drinkin' outta.
I'm not sure she's noticed, but ain't that just the perfect one fer her. That's the kind o' person she is, though. I hope she's able to take c…
Hmmm... might want to warn Efram, iff'n I get a chance. Didn't like the way Cola was...
Then my eyes fall on Bon making her way in our direction and the thought slips outta my head. Bon is good people. Good like almost no one else. She puts me a bi…
I absolutely should not like Valentine, it seems t' me. Ze runs a place where all manner of ill repute goes on. But ze's always been good t' my family and I get the feeling zir heart's in the right place.
Besides, ze's just got a... charm. Hard no…
I smile when Buck's eyes linger longingly on QuePasa. She's just not the kind to notice somethin' like that, serious one she is. QuePasa is like a daughter to me and I want what's best fer her. I hope someday she's able to put one n' one together on…
As QuePasa and I arrive at the Yacht Club I lean in towards her a little bit. "We've been lucky on that walk mostly. The Lord provides. And when we're unlucky, well, the Lord also said he came to bring a sword, which I take as meanin' he knows somet…
See Gates' sheet for answers about the family.
I nod to QuePasa. "Well, fact is, we're surrounded by different kinds o' folks. If you got a problem with how I'm handlin' things, I'm happy to hear yer counsel. You know I trust you, sister. But I'd a…
About the family:
The family definitely drink coffee. We're faithful, not inhuman. As for the rest, we generally practice self restraint. Folks can drink (I already did with FortyFour) although we strongly encourage moderation. Relationships are p…
Well huh. I guess Vignette did some of her... stuff on FortyFour. Weird thing is, he seems impressed. I can't tell if I'm strangely pullin' for these two lovebirds to make it work or worried that one of them is going to break the other into a millio…
I kind of think we call each other brother, sister, and friend. There was a little move earlier to call me "father" but I put the stop to that. I'd rather just be "brother Gates" if I'm anything.
I nod as QuePasa says that. "Me as well, friend. Tha…
I hang back with QuePasa as FortyFour and Vignette chew the fat in their own... awkward way.
"Time was, QuePasa, when some might've said that about you. Don't forget, when I found you... you were cold as a drizzle on a winter night."
I think abou…
I slow my walk a bit so we fall just an extra step behind QuePasa and Vignette.
"Yeah, she's definitely... different from most folks. Like I said, don't know her too well, but if you wanted, I'd be happy to help you make her acquaintance..."
I let out a belly laugh and then catch myself before QuePasa or Vignette hear me.
"Her? Vignette? Nope. She's not with me. I know her, and she's got a bit of a job for me right now, but we're certainly not intimates in any way. Seems friendly enou…
Yes, assuming they'll both go, I'll take the two of them with me as I head to SafeCo. I've got two goals now: (1) see if I can scare up some work for us, and (2) find this WotCee kid and see what the deal is.
I turn towards Vignette.
"Well, that's about as ringing of an endorsement as I think we're gonna get from 'er. Could you show me where this WotCee kid is? I'd be happy to talk with 'em."
I give a bit of a chuckle.
"I do, in fact, know a thing or two about raisin' a young one, but you're right. I probably shouldn't have spoken up. More power to anyone who can get 'em from crawlin' to walkin' and talkin' in one piece. I'll just keep…
I nod tersely as Vignette fills me in.
"Don't know him, m'am, but kids'll sometimes get up to those sorts o' things. It don't mean that's just the way it is. Growin' ain't never easy an' it's especially a challenge in this here time and place."
Wh…