I tilted my head again. “Why?” I asked as he told me he helped others. “Why help others if you can’t even help yourself get out of this nightmare city?” I asked and leaned closer to the guy. “This city is as corrupted as it gets, not a single person here deserves help, nor will they ever return it. Why use your skills for the benefit of others when all they will ever do is betray and hurt for their own personal gain as a return. You can be good all your life, but in the end, those who dare to be corrupt will always stand above the others” I said clenching my fist.
@bpalmer
3 Likes
Archer
He thought over his answer to a question like that. “Come with me I’ll show you why.” Archer walked to the edge if the alley and peeked his head out looking both directions before stepping out into the crowd then looking back to the man. His intention was to show the man why he did what he did. Show him the orphanage that he had grown in. “Are you coming?” Archer smirked as he kept his eyes trained on the other man. He didnt know what about this man didn’t scare him, what about this man made him feel like he could tell him what he did, why he felt like this guy would never hurt him or turn him in for what he did.
@Meekepeek
3 Likes
I shook my head and stayed in the shadow of the alley. “Not like this, I won’t. You just walk, I can follow” I said with a sarcastic chuckle and turned back into a crow. I had enough of people staring and looking at me, even stupid punks who would try to take off his mask. This guy intrigued me. Most people are gone within seconds as they see me, calling me a freak and whatnot. So I didn’t have much human contact and any type of neutral or slight positive interaction would feed my interest.
@bpalmer
3 Likes
“Giggly juice, really?” it was the fourth or fifth bar in which Bill desperately tried to find a job. He had experienced years of unemployment many times during his lifetime, but never before has it been so difficult for him to find a music profession! With a slight resignation, he went inside, meeting the dense odor of oak wood. The bar, as Bill expected from the name, tried to resemble those from the 1930s. Despite how hopeless it managed to convey the richness of those times, Bill, for the first time, felt
at home.
He didn’t even have to sing! His clothes and New Orleans accent were enough to make the owner, a scary woman, give him this job. Or maybe it was due to a long-term lack of employees? The bar didn’t seem to be very successful. Dusty shelves with very few cheap-looking liquors. One bartender, no waiters, and… zero clients. Something was wrong here.
The next evening, Bill was going to play a concert here, right away. Surprisingly, it was supposed to be a Christmas performance, although tomorrow was only December 1st. And Bill couldn’t wait to show everyone his jazz skills. All night he was preparing a list of songs he was going to perform. He had to write music and words from memory… but in the end, due to his lazy nature, he fell asleep over his unfinished notes.
Late. The first day of work, and he was already late. He’d only been living here for two months…, but he had already noticed that everyone was on time - perfect to every single second. As if they were walking clocks themselves. As stiff and annoying as them. Especially his new boss, a scary woman. On the threshold, she greeted him, wincing as if she had just eaten the sourest lemon in the world.
“You’re lucky you’re cute and cheap,” she said, pressing a stack of pages to his chest. Those were music notes…? But, Bill prepared them… well, new times, new rules.
He apologized and went inside, heading toward the main stage.
“Hi… erm… Cole, right? And…?” Bill bent down to see who was hiding under the storm of hair lying tiredly on the counter. “Mikhael?” he shot in the dark only after saying the name, realizing it was indeed Mikhael. He didn’t know why, but looking at the man, he felt as if he had forgotten something. However, no door in his mind wanted to open and enlighten him. He concluded that it was clearly not important enough to waste his time.
He scanned the notes given to him. “Have a Cheeky Christmas, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Santa tell me… What 's 'dis cr*p?”
He looked around for the owner. She had been standing in the dark corner the whole time, watching his every move - like a lion waiting for its prey to make a mistake.
“Sorry, but I’ve never heard those songs…” noticing her suspicious and surprised reaction, he quickly saved himself from this awkward situation “…in an old-fashioned gin mill like this one.” Bill sighed, before continuing, “Shouldn’t there be some… jazz 'ere?” he asked, making a “jazzy hands” dance-move to get his point across.
The woman rolled her eyes. “It’s supposed to be fashionable here, sweetheart. It’s not my fault I can’t afford to renovate this godforsaken hole. As you may have noticed, we are not the town’s hotspot, and we have to catch up with the competition." She directed her little, mouse eyes towards the notes squeezed in Bill’s hands. “This is the only way we can make money and gain young rich fellows to come here. Do you understand, pumpkin? "
Bill nodded uncertainly. “Perhaps if the music and the decor were consistent, guests would start coming here,” he muttered under his breath.
“Did you say something, kitty boy?”
“No, I wouldn’t dare to!” Bill reacted quickly, raising his hands defensively. “I’m already getting to work.” The woman smirked as she guided her stick-like legs towards the backdoor. Even before she closed the door, she gave Bill a sinister look, then finally disappeared from the man’s sight. Bill breathed out a sigh of relief. He didn’t care what that horrible woman had to say. He will play the songs that he has chosen himself.
He began to relax his vocal cords by singing a few simple warm-up songs. His exercises were interrupted by a voice he knew well. “Hey Mikhael!” he turned to him, smiling. The man looked… like he was having a really good time yesterday. Maybe too good. Bill was terribly amused by his sluggish mood and elegant-differently appearance, and he tried to cover up his stiff laughter with a short grunt. “I had to come for a rehearsal, but I still managed to be a few minutes late.” He explained jokingly.
“What about yo- oh…” Bill nodded, now remembering what he forgot about yesterday. He and Mikhael were supposed to meet here to “check out” the place. Obviously, Bill was too focused on the songs he thought he had to prepare. “I’m sorry, Mikhael. I was swamped with work. Which didn’t matter anyway, cause I would ‘ave ta sin’ 'dis bulls*it!” he scrambled the papers even more. “I probably won’t do it anyway,” he whispered with a significant wink.
“But… ya seem like ya had a great time without me.” Bill cockily raised his eyebrow. “Anythin’ interestin’ happened in 'dis godforsaken hole?”
@elixr ~ Mikhael Braun (btw, I love the way you tag people, ahha)
I hope it’s not absolutely awful! 
And sorry that it’s so long, sorry that it has maaaaany (probably) mistakes, and sorry that it’s not funny!
2 Likes
Archer
Archer nodded understanding as he changed back into a bird. He walked weaving through the crowd head down until Archer got to the small orphanage on the edge of town. That was the first time he looked up and he was still their. Still was the man flying in bird form above his head. He didnt know why but the sight brought a smile to his face as he came to a stop in the open yard of the orphanage. “We are here.” Archer called as he waited for the crow man. He looked over the ramshackle yet familiar place. It was all so familiar for him. He debated walking to the door being let in by someone. No one would question that he was visiting it was an often occurrence. However Archer faught the urge and waited for the man in crow form to return to a human shape near him.
@Meekepeek
3 Likes
I followed the guy, wondering where he was going to lead me, skeptical and curious at the same time. That was always a big reason I follow as a bird, in the sky, no one can touch me, no one can hurt me.
As the guy called out I dove down and landed in front of him. I changed back and looked at him. “Where is here exactly?” I asked.
@bpalmer
3 Likes
Archer
The mans question rang through the still air. Archer simply pointed to the sign near the front door. The sign read merryman home for wayward and orphaned boys. “What I called home until last year.” Archer sighed as he looked back at the door. “This is one of the papal I help the most.” As he said this Archer pulled the straps of his bag tighter on his shoulders. “And contrary to anything you tell me I know first hand that they deserve it.” He said as he took a deep breath and crossed his arms.
@Meekepeek
3 Likes
I nodded with a sigh as I put my hands in the pockets of my jacket. “As heartless as it sounds, I can’t fully agree with you. They are outcasts, unwanted…unneeded. All you’re doing is giving them a fish and as long as you do that, they will starve” I tell him as I look up at the building. “You know the saying?” I asked before looking at him. “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to catch a fish and he will never be hungry again” I explained calmly. “This world doesn’t do hand-outs, nothing is for free, all you’re doing is giving them false hope,” I said coldly while shaking my head. “If you want to help them…teach them how to survive in a city like this, and they will be able to create a life anywhere they want,” I tell him,
@bpalmer
2 Likes
Archer
He sighed and rolled his eyes slightly. “I understand where your coming from but they are exactly like me unwanted and that’s the point. I dont just hand the money over to them either. That’s not the case.” He was a little irritated at what seemed on at least some level to be an accusation. “I paid back what they were due for keeping me alive. I’ve taught some of them it’s simply that if I dont help none of them are skilled enough to provide. They would all die here.” He was trying to keep his voice even trying to bite his tongue from the taste of malice that was starting. Archer knew he needed not to take this to heart. He took a deep breath and looked back at the man. “In your words I’m teaching them to fish but they are unable to do it well enough yet to survive. And I am just paying back what I was given. It’s not like giving money here is worse than what it would be used for otherwise in this town. You said so yourself. This place is corrupt and cruel at leat this is s little Ray of light on that darkness.” He was still trying not to take on a tone that suggested argument, a tone that would scare the man off, but he wanted the man to see that this wasnt a hand out either.
@Meekepeek
2 Likes
I nodded. I could understand his point of view but I couldn’t share it. “So I know the why but now I’m curious about the what,” I said in an amused tone. “Because stealing apples and bread doesn’t seem to fit your previous actions” I explained while crossing my arms as I was thinking and analyzing out loud. “Going by how you acted and your computer, I would go with a white hat hacker…well probably grey hat in your case, or…no definitely a hacker” I concluded after thinking a bit more.
Which was useful since I didn’t know many hackers yet, any new addition would be useful in this environment.
“Am I correct?” I asked with a little shrug.
@bpalmer
2 Likes
Archer
“Exactly why do you want to know the what? I mean I feel the what is kind of clear.” He he sat down in the grass and pulled out a notebook it was covered in a series of numbers scrawled out in the messiest hand writing imaginable. “I mean we all have to start some where maybe apples and bread is where I started. Maybe that was my beginnings or maybe not.” He was starting to not feel as unthreatened by this man maybe it was the sudden change of air that their disagreement had brought on or maybe it was something else. “Or what if im not a hacker what were you thinking?” He asked simply curious as to hear the man’s train of though. “I mean it is possible I could be anything. I mean isn’t that what we are all told constantly as children?” Archer smiled. He was starting to like that despite the fact that he thought what he had done and would do was obvious just from his actions alone the man had to think it through still.
@Meekepeek
2 Likes
“Just curiosity I guess and knowing who I’m getting myself in contact with,” I said with a shrug. “It’s good to make allies, but dangerous to make have the wrong ones” I explained and looked at him as he sat down on the icy grass. “But how are you going to protect them all?” I asked. “People are disappearing, gone without a trace, not to mention it’s getting cold and it will only get colder,” I said. “you need connections too if you want to really help them” I explained.
@bpalmer
2 Likes
Archer
“Well I feel like you have something in mind.” He said as he opened his notebook and pulled out a red and green pen. “Whey dont you tell me a little about yourself. I mean you already know im a sad excuse seeing as im an orphan hacker.” He pulled up the hood of his sweat shirt. The air was chilled but Robin didn’t mind the chill was like a rush of adrenaline for him. It reminded him he was alive. “I know people are disappearing and they are easy targets but they have made it through winters before. The older kids pick up jobs here and their I help when I can manage to find a decent back door. However from how you asked you have a plan. You mentioned allies are you propositioning for something?”
@Meekepeek
2 Likes
I shake my head. “I wing things…no pun intended, but when I do, I like to keep my arsenal of connections as full as possible” I explain. “I only have to take care of myself, I won’t disappear, because who would go after a random crow?” I asked. “But I like to know what is going on, there’s something going on and it’s ticking me off” I explain. “also who I am…just a city bird, living and flying” I explain. “No greater role in life, just feeding my own curiosity and trying to not die of boredom” I chuckle
@bpalmer
2 Likes
Archer
He giggled a little bit even if the pun wasn’t intended it softened the mood enough that it made Archer smile. “Crazy as it sounds now that I know it is you I would go after a crow not that it wouldn’t be a random crow you have more depth in your eyes than a normal crow.” He said thinking more to himself than actually trying to tell the man anything. “What do you mean something is ticking you off? I am going to need to have a bit of a clearer description than that im afraid I don’t understand exactly what you are wanting me to tell you about if I dont know what is you want to know about.” He said as he laid down cold ground surrounding him enveloping his being. “I think their is more to you than just some bird that flies around you clearly have more depth than that more to offer as a being than that.” Archer smiled at his sarcastic and snarky answers. It was nice to meat someone that took a little more to get to their core but wasn’t fake or hard to talk to. “So what I piqued your interest in me today? You don’t seem like the type that would blindly follow me hear just because.” He was still smiling the air that had come with their disagreeing views had fallen softly and Archer was relaxed in this man’s presents.
@Meekepeek
2 Likes
I let out a chuckle. “Actually, that is exactly what I did” I said. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not someone who follows anyone any time nor just show I’m a crow, only if I know for sure that you’re not a threat to me” I explain. “I know this area, and this place but up until now it had no connection to me.” I added. “there are areas that are know to draw bad people. If you took me there, I would’ve flown away.” I tell him before siting on a concrete pole that indicates a waterpipe was underneath us. “You say that you can tell who I am, but that’s only because you pay attention to it. Finding me when I don’t want you to find me, is like looking for a yellow needle in a haystack” I said.
@bpalmer
2 Likes
“Mr. Hook, my son still hasn’t been found, has he?” the crying on the other side of the phone grew louder with each of their conversations. Arthur felt awful about not being able to comfort a woman with good news… and a lie would be even worse than the bitter truth.
“Sorry, we’re doing our best to find him.” Arthur rubbed his sore temples. Fatigue and age left a mark on his face. The wrinkles on the once-handsome face seemed more noticeable than before. The investigation was exhausting him. “Ma’am, I promised to let you know if we would find anything interesting. Our police staff is working really hard to collect as many clues as possible. Unfortunately, at this stage, we do not have enough of them to take further actions." In response, he heard a malicious snort. It gushed with hatred and anger. The woman was fed up with the police… but Arthur wasn’t surprised. He knew what it meant to lose a child. But he had to be professional at work. “Please, ma’am, let us know if you remember anything else from… that night. Every, even the smallest detail, may turn out to be important to the case. Please trust in our skills." he added. “Goodb-” beep. End call sound. Arthur softly sighed as he put the phone down.
They had been looking for the woman’s son for a week now, and to make matters worse, more children went missing last night. The police bent over backwards to find them, but the kidnapper left little to none traces behind. Something that seemed important sometimes turned out to be just a random detail found at the crime scene.
“I need something to drink… some alco-… no… coffee would be good enough,” he muttered under his breath. He left his office. He quickly put on a long black faux leather jacket and headed towards the door. Before leaving, he told his crew that he should be back in a moment.
His legs guided him to a nearby cafe. On his way there, he noticed a group of protesters. He read about them in today’s paper, so he knew what they were fighting for and against whom. He could feel their eyes on him, and the words they shouted became more powerful and personal as he strolled by them. He just hoped they won’t get too involved in the case. It could end badly for either party.
“Good morning. Plain coffee, please. To go.” He smiled and approached the woman standing behind the counter. The barista gave him a doubtful look and proceeded with the order without saying anything. Arthur had seen a face like this many times. There were a lot of rumors about him, and he knew everyone hoped they wouldn’t get back to him. But a policeman’s ears are more sensitive to everything that is being said around. Earlier, the inhabitants spoke about his deteriorating appearance and the genesis of his malaise. Now there were also speculations about his role as a policeman.
Shortly after, Arthur was given hot coffee with cream on top. Without the heart-drawing that could be visible on other customers’ drinks. With a sad grin that was barely visible beneath his thick beard, he paid the barista and left the cafe, slowly making his way back to the police station.
APPROACHABLE
@angelic ~ here’s Arthur’s post!
See @unsungcheerio and @liyahsdiamond? I posted in time! You have nothing on me! Hahaha!
5 Likes
Archer
“That is my skill though finding something that is hidden just below the surface. Hidden in plane sight just undercover.” He says smiling. “Hey can you at least tell my your name or something to call you other than bird man.” He was smiling as he wrote a new string of code down in his notebook. “I mean I don’t know if introduced myself but Im Archer Hood.” he said as he looked up at the man. “Are you cold?”
@Meekepeek
2 Likes
“Sure, but it’s my skill to hide in plain sight so we’ll see,” I said. I then think for a bit but decide to give the guy my name. “Genosta, you can call me Geno too, I don’t care,” I said with a shrug. “And no,” I said. “My body doesn’t really register to be cold or hot,” I said. Probably a side effect of returning from the dead - I added in my head.
@bpalmer
2 Likes
Archer
He smiled when he got his name. “Your name has a nice ring to it. Genosta.” Archer was testing the name out on his lips. “I like that. Well if your not cold then we can stay here for a while longer.” Archer was enjoying being with the other man even if he was a little mysterious. “Anyway what was it that you were trying to figure out earlier Genosta?” He asked as he looked to see where the sun was in the sky.
@Meekepeek
2 Likes