Participants:
| Scene Title | Stone's Throw |
|---|---|
| Synopsis | A stone's throw from one another, Huruma and Ryans have an interesting- and unorthodox- exchange. |
| Date | February 11, 2011 |
Queens : Calvary Cemetery and Inside The Dome
A massive, sprawing collection of gravestones, all as unique from each other as the names and dates printed upon their faces. There is a chaotic feel to this place, overcrowded with those that have passed away; a jungle of crosses, statues, tombs, domes and headstones as simple as jutting teeth. Winding pathways lead several different tours through the plain, and there is a kind of anxious peace to this place, and its visitors are few and scattered. There is an awe-inspiring view of the wrecked skyline of Manhattan, reminding those that don't need to be reminded of how fast life can be snatched away.
&
At quarter to 4 PM, on January 31st, 2011, an impenetrable forcefield was created. It covers the south half of Roosevelt Island with exception to the very tip, and a portion of Queens that makes up the majority of the land mass within the field of effect.
It severed the western end of the Queensboro Bridge, ending in its partial collapse between its supports on Roosevelt Island and Manhattan. Exploration underground, in the deep tunnel of the F line train tunnels and sewage tunnels, shows that the Dome cuts deeper, implying more of a sphere.
Friday mornings in February are always chilly; not as cold as they were before, but enough so that people outside need coats and gloves, though should the sun be shining down on the city, it warms the buildings and concrete jungle into something far more hospitable to everyone. Spring is coming soon, one can hope, and perhaps with it something new. Or maybe something old in a new guise. Whatever the case, people are beginning to take that leap of faith and start making the mornings and warmer midday into something productive. The winter thaw begins, but winter hasn't quite ended. There is still a lot of snow to sort out between meltings, and trees bogged with ice can finally get a bit of a breather.
Huruma has been finding herself wandering around the dome when she passes by it, and today is no different. Calvary Cemetary is not usually the best place to find oneself, but somehow coming here seems more probable than finding a park bench. The stones are cold and covered with snow, the paths shoveled out and footprints dotting between lines here and there. There are benches along the paths here, too, but Huruma seems more comfortable in finding the front stoop of a mausoleum and parking it there.
It took her long enough to find a place where she got reception into the dome, so she's not about to move out of it again. She looks well dressed enough to be a mourner, technically, but nobody is around to bother her about it, while she takes out her phone and flicks the keyboard open so that she can start typing something out, the first message always being one of the hardest. Ryans will recognize it as one of Huruma's numbers, but she dots a sort of signature on anyway.
2011-02-11 09:17
From: 1-718-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-347-XXX-XXXX
Outside in Calvary- when you get this, respond, reception is still scattered out here. - H
The roof of the Auto Repair shop is wet and slushy, but that doesn't stop Benjamin Ryans from being up there in an attempt at better reception. Lips are pressed together in a line as he watches the bar go up by one. When that happens, his phone comes alive with various texts. The phone vibrating and chiming with each. It gets a mild look of amusement.
Thumbing through them, he comes across the most recent. Brows lift and he brings up the message. "Hmm." He turns slightly in the direction of the cemetery, even if he can't see if from where he is.
Fedora topped head, dips down again as eyes consider the message. Thumbs slowly work over the keys. Even if he's gotten better at it, messages take time.
Messaging is hard work for them old guys. :(
2011-02-11 09:27
From: 1-347-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-718-XXX-XXXX
I'm here. No where else to go really. - B
2011-02-11 09:29
From: 1-718-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-347-XXX-XXXX
Are you still in Queens? They are having no luck finding the cause of T.D. so far. Some trouble brewing on R.I., not looking likely to bleed over. Yet. -H
2011-02-11 09:32
From: 1-347-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-718-XXX-XXXX
Won't be long. Tension is thick. Just waiting for the flare up. No luck here, finding the kid. Only have a recruit who doesn't know much of anything.
2011-02-11 09:34
From: 1-718-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-347-XXX-XXXX
Same as male rats in the same pen, they'll kill each other before long. If you haven't almost killed him by now- you could let him go and follow him back.
2011-02-11 09:34
From: 1-718-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-347-XXX-XXXX
If he's a sheep he'll go back to the flock. (Sorry for the animal metaphors.)
2011-02-11 09:35
From: 1-347-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-718-XXX-XXXX
And risk him exposing the boy? Not an option. I have a feeling that they think he is this recruit. Waterfront was mentioned. May check that out.
2011-02-11 09:37
From: 1-718-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-347-XXX-XXXX
If they think he is a recruit, he may be smart enough to act the part. Waterfront means boats, just watch for high traffic areas, macho men.
2011-02-11 09:37
From: 1-718-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-347-XXX-XXXX
HF doesn't get many willing women from what I've seen. Men with spare testosterone mostly. Guns too big to handle.
Benjamin's brows lift a little and he shakes his head.
2011-02-11 09:38
From: 1-347-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-718-XXX-XXXX
That is my hope, but it can't last long. Only takes a test to out him. Or the wrong thing said. - B
2011-02-11 09:39
From: 1-718-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-347-XXX-XXXX
I wish that I could help you find them, I hate being stuck outside. I am terribly inept at babysitting, but stalking not so much. =)
2011-02-11 09:40
From: 1-347-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-718-XXX-XXXX
Smilies don't fit you. It's something I expect from Lucille. How is Delia holding up? I hate not being around.
There is a passing moment where Huruma debates sending a message completely full of emoticons. But she doesn't. For his sanity, not hers.
2011-02-11 09:41
From: 1-718-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-347-XXX-XXXX
You rather I be a sourpuss? Delia is being a girl. I think she sometimes thinks I am oblique just to harass her. I expect you felt like this when they were 14.
2011-02-11 09:42
From: 1-347-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-718-XXX-XXXX
I hold hope that they will grow up mentally. She will have to get over it. I don't trust this Logan person. Even if he is her friend.
2011-02-11 09:45
From: 1-718-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-347-XXX-XXXX
Some seem to think you like him. Would have strung him up by now if people hadn't told me not to.
2011-02-11 09:46
From: 1-718-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-347-XXX-XXXX
I think D will get over it, she is still unsettled from the coma. L keeps following me around. Met R at a bar, seems nice, self-deprecating. Too flirty.
2011-02-11 09:47
From: 1-347-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-718-XXX-XXXX
Eileen suggested him. He wanted to kiss me, but I don't have many options. No money. It's a small world tho. Pulled him out of wreak last winter.
2011-02-11 09:47
From: 1-718-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-347-XXX-XXXX
…did you?
2011-02-11 09:47
From: 1-347-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-718-XXX-XXXX
No!
She can probably picture Benjamin doing that frowny face. Possibly there is a rolling upward of eyes on Ryans' end and a plea with the Almighty for patience.
2011-02-11 09:48
From: 1-347-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-718-XXX-XXXX
I would certainly hope you know me better then that.
Huruma has to laugh just for posterity, filling the arch of the monument with a tiny chuckle, half-sheepish in its own way.
2011-02-11 09:49
From: 1-718-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-347-XXX-XXXX
I do. Don't make a face. Last I knew he had bio-manip and used it to assault people.
2011-02-11 09:49
From: 1-347-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-718-XXX-XXXX
This was a technopath I met. Just keep an eye out. And make sure Bradley doesn't do something stupid. Or Delia. Both are…
He doesn't finish that. Ben doesn't know how to explain them. Oh.. wait.
2011-02-11 09:49
From: 1-347-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-718-XXX-XXXX
Frustrating.
2011-02-11 09:50
From: 1-718-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-347-XXX-XXXX
I know. He needs to grow a little too, he's already been. I think it might just be an inherited.
2011-02-11 09:52
From: 1-347-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-718-XXX-XXXX
He is a spoiled celebrity. He should spend some time in our shoes. He is blind to our world.
2011-02-11 09:55
From: 1-718-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-347-XXX-XXXX
He is ignoring his ability, like it will go away. I told him to change his tune, he won't get far. I should open a school. Admit idiot with cannon hands.
2011-02-11 10:00
From: 1-347-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-718-XXX-XXXX
Not surprised. He doesn't seem to think much of me, but again he doesn't know our world.
2011-02-11 10:01
From: 1-347-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-718-XXX-XXXX
By the way, I got a text from the network that Doyle is in here. I think I will hunt him down where he is holed up. Need some place to stash the kid.
2011-02-11 10:02
From: 1-718-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-347-XXX-XXXX
Be careful with Doyle. Level 5 was a bitter place.
2011-02-11 10:04
From: 1-347-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-718-XXX-XXXX
I am fully aware, but he is also the best man to hold an ex-military prisoner. I don't expect a warm greeting.
2011-02-11 10:06
From: 1-718-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-347-XXX-XXXX
Just a friendly reminder from someone with a unique perspective. =)
2011-02-11 10:06
From: 1-347-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-718-XXX-XXXX
Noted.
2011-02-11 10:07
From: 1-718-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-347-XXX-XXXX
Good luck though.
A second one comes a few moments later, before anything comes back to Huruma. What she pings at him could be a little …odd, but in the context of what she does, maybe it is a little endearing.
2011-02-11 10:08
From: 1-718-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-347-XXX-XXXX
I miss actually talking to you. Go figure, text is emotionless. It bothers me that I can't feel you.
Huruma doesn't get another text right away. The time drags on for what feels like forever, but then…
2011-02-11 10:13
From: 1-347-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-718-XXX-XXXX
I need to get started. Long trip for carrying a body. Take care.
Go figure that she also doesn't apologize for sounding awkward. A suspicious person might think that she did that on purpose. Maybe she did, or maybe it just came from her subconscious.
2011-02-11 10:14
From: 1-718-XXX-XXXX; To: 1-347-XXX-XXXX
Be safe.
His cellphone is snapped shut, head coming up to look in the direction of the cemetery. Benjamin isn't sure what to think of that text. He doesn't want to linger on it. He has business ahead of him.
Ryans lifts the trap door that leads back down into the shop. He's been suspicious of the amazon's feelings, tip toeing around them as best he can. There is a part of their past that keeps nagging at the back of his head. His shoulder still twinges from it.
He doesn't know how to deal with something like this, so instead he buries it away in the back of his head and focuses on what needs to be done.
Chances are that he'll have to address it sooner or later. Perceptiveness can be a curse at some points- but even the perceptive people of the world can make changes to how they see their past. For Huruma, she can only hope that Liza was right and that he already realizes her regrets- less for defending herself, more for the events leading up to incidental enemies. She needs to work with what god gives her, though- and right now that is constituted by a degree of remorse, and the ultimate and deftly strange desire to be …better. At least he knows about those, they are no secret.
Huruma closes her phone soon after she sends the last words, staring intently at it from under her hood and cap, as her arms wrap around both legs, which have long since been pulled nearer. Powerful lungs heave a great sigh more befitting a Shakespearean drama, and the dark woman nudges her forehead down onto her knees, matte black cellphone dangling from her gloves.
As another ex-agent friend might say- one step at a time- even if he isn't quite standing on the one above and offering his hand.
