The Jester Of Tortuga
Ready Player One RPG
Cashy-money: $53,400
A Batman Who Laughs Is A Batman Who Wins
Posts: 2,739
Ready Player One RPG:
- Morrigan Ashen
_________________________
X-Men RPG:
- Hope Summers
_________________________
Lost RPG:
- Lillian-Rose Craven
- Stu Miley
_________________________
Once Upon a Time RPG:
- Oogie Boogie/Ken Calloway
_________________________
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Post by The Jester Of Tortuga on Oct 12, 2018 0:08:00 GMT -8
Belinda stepped out to make a call before announcing she may have found some help and left to follow up on it. A new woman came in to express her interest to help so it was all come together, albeit slowly but enough small steps still get you to your destination. Kitt swung the mighty sledge hammer at the damaged wall causing a big chunk of dead dry wall to down at his feet with a loud scuffle.
"Ah, it was like that when I got here..."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Oct 20, 2018 9:42:07 GMT -8
Speak of the devil, Belinda popped her head back in to fill them in on just what the phone call she'd had to make had been about.
"I believe I've got us a sponsor for some supplies! But he wishes to meet with me now to further discuss what we will need. If we can score this deal, this could be the end of our worries!"
Gabriella had had no problem parting with some of her own substantial savings to cover costs. However, the cost was continuously increasing the more they uncovered and the more they realized they had to do. Having other town folk pitch in on the bills would be nice and spreading it out would mean William could less likely hone in on a certain individual or two and get it in his head to insist setting up any form of repayment despite this all being a gift from the town as a whole.
"It was lovely to meet you all, I will be back!"
"Thanks, Belinda!" Gabriella called after her. A loud thump startled Gabriella and with her heartbeat kicked up a notch, she turned to see it had only been drywall finally surrendering to Kitt's sledgehammer.
"Ah, it was like that when I got here..."
She did not need another Elle episode, particularly not here amongst good Samaritans. That horrid woman who'd verbally and physically attacked her at the hospital that morning had deserved it but the sweet, skittish young lady in front of her did not. Hand over her heart, Gabriella chuckled at her own reaction, willing herself to calm down. She returned her attention to the new young lady who hadn't gotten the chance to introduce herself yet. "I spend my days in the relatively quiet hospital and alone at home. All this noise is going to take some getting used to."
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Post by Storyteller on Oct 30, 2018 16:49:09 GMT -8
Lily waved slightly as the other woman- Belinda?- left the store. Without time for a proper introduction, the wave ended up feeling awkward and Lily along with it. But before she had time to dwell on her own doubts, a loud crash caused her to jump and reel about to see Kitt sheepishly looking back, a large pile of rubble at his feet. "Ah, it was like that when I got here..."
It took a moment to land but before she realized it, Lily started to laugh. The laugh dispelled her remaining feelings of unease and she took the opportunity to turn back to Gabriella, who looked a bit startled before she joined in with a chuckle.
"I spend my days in the relatively quiet hospital and alone at home. All this noise is going to take some getting used to."
"I know what you mean." Lily replied, "I-uh, I don't get out much so all this is pretty new to me too. I'm Lily, by the way. Lily Rampion." She gently reached out for a handshake before she could talk herself out of it. "It's really nice to meet you both."
Her head was spinning with all the commotion of the past several minutes, but not in a bad way. It felt like every creative bone in her body was humming, sending sparks of ideas zipping from her brain to her fingers. The walls of the toy store, despite being sooty and wet, were empty and inviting. Like the walls of her studio at home. Lily could already envision it. Castles, oceans, towers, flying carpets...a whole world living on those walls. A Wonderworld.
"This place would make an amazing canvas," her eyes sparkled as she agreed, harkening back to what Gabriella had said. "So, what can I do to help get it there?"
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Nov 17, 2018 16:19:09 GMT -8
"I know what you mean." "I-uh, I don't get out much so all this is pretty new to me too.
Interesting. Another shut-in. It made Gabriella feel a bit more comfortable, less self conscious.
I'm Lily, by the way. Lily Rampion." "It's really nice to meet you both."
Gabriella gave a friendly smile and shook Lily's hand. "Nice to meet you, Lily. I'm Gabriella Stevenson. That's Kitt." She gave a nod toward the man busily knocking down the destroyed wall, belatedly recalling his last name. "Kitt Walker."
"This place would make an amazing canvas,"
Gabriella followed Lily's glance around the place. "It would," she agreed. "I can't wait to see what you do with it." She was starting to relax and settle into the common conversation and niceties that tended to come easily for others.
"So, what can I do to help get it there?"
"Well," Gabriella began, taking another assessing look around. Her eyes settled on the soggy, charred remains of a stuffed bear, knocked to the floor most likely by the power hose. Nearly half of it was burned away. "Why don't we start by getting everything out." She picked up the destroyed teddy bear and looked around, quickly stepping over to one of the tall trash bins she'd brought in and dropping it in. She dragged it closer to the shelves where they'd been talking. It looked like one of the spots the flames had eaten away at. "We need to get as much as we can out so we can muck up the mess. Total losses in the trash bins, anything salvageable, we can use the towels to dry them and place them in boxes out back. Stuffed animals and the like, we can lay out a tarp out back and let the sun dry them." Gabriella looked thoughtful for a moment. "Should have thought to bring my blow dryer. Perhaps I'll run and pick it up later," she waved off and picked up a stuffed chameleon, the smile on its face was adorable, making her smile back at it. "We'll let the sun heal some of these little guys for now."
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Dec 17, 2018 8:19:20 GMT -8
*Scarlet, Terri, Noel enter from Granny's Diner*
The sounds of the girl's motorcycles could be heard coming towards the shop. Coming to a stop just a few feet away, they all took the same spot and paid for three. Scarlet wasn't surprised to see they were the first from the group to arrive. Some of the girls partied a little to hard last night, they would no doubt arrive later.
"Morning, Gabriella, looks like you could use a bit of a hand? The others are having a bit of breakfast but The Amazon's are here for anything you need today." Scarlet smiled walked over to shake her hand, "We'll get this place back in shape, don't you worry."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Dec 22, 2018 21:53:04 GMT -8
Gabriella had gotten caught up with sorting the items on the shelves alongside Lily when the arrival of multiple motorcycles sounded their approach. When the engines cut and the footfall from the small group approached the shop entrance, Gabriella took hold of a couple more items then turned her attention to the new arrivals.
"Morning, Gabriella, looks like you could use a bit of a hand? The others are having a bit of breakfast but The Amazon's are here for anything you need today."
Scarlet, the one who appeared to be the leader of the bunch, was outgoing and friendly. Her enthusiasm and ease with which she spoke to Gabriella gave the impression they were longtime friends when in truth, Gabriella had only spoken to most of them briefly when tending to minor injuries due to their adrenaline junky way of life. Gabriella did her best to try to be at least half as socially at ease as Scarlet was. "Good morning. We appreciate you and your crew volunteering." Gabriella dropped the two soggy stuffed animals into the wheel barrel, then wiped her damp hands on her jeans before taking Scarlet's offered hand for a shake. She looked over to the other ladies, giving them a single arching wave.
"We'll get this place back in shape, don't you worry."
Gabriella gave a confident grin. The inclusion of the motorcycle club of ladies would more than double their number of volunteers thus far. "I have absolutely no doubt about it. Right now, we're working on gutting the place so we can fix up the structure and shelving units. Some of it looks to be a loss. That'll need to be pried free and rebuilt," she said as an example, gesturing to a half burned shelving unit bolted to the wall. "Some of the free standing units need to go as well," she said, turning to gesture to a unit in the middle of the room.
"Dive on in. There's a collection of various tools over there," she pointed to the corner near Kitt. "Large trash container front right of the building and anything salvageable, goes out back to dry out while we fix up the structure."
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 25, 2019 21:50:53 GMT -8
Lily smiled to herself as she worked quietly beside Gabriella. There was something about working in an easy yet silent tandem, connection without saying a word. It was another new experience for Lily to add to her ever growing list and she relished in it. Though, of course the room wasn't truly silent, she conceded with a soft giggle as another smash of Kitt's sledgehammer echoed through the air.
As the last ripples of sound faded, Lily caught another noise. She recognized it as the sound of motorcycles, though she wasn't sure how she knew the sound. She couldn't recall ever having heard them in person. Soon after, three new women entered the building and headed straight for Gabriella. Lily could feel her heartbeat quicken slightly, as it often did when more variables were added to a situation she'd grown comfortable in. She allowed herself a moment to breathe and then turned towards the conversation, slightly more confident in her ability to not act like a freak than she had been on first arrival. Gabriella was giving them the lay of the land. That was good, Lily could build conversation on that.
"I think this set of shelves is just about ready to be taken down," she offered softly, eyeing the half burnt unit that they had been working on. Though there had been salvageable merchandise, now that the shelves were empty it was clear that the fire and water damage to the wood was extensive. "Hi, I'm Lily," she added, almost as an afterthought.
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Jan 26, 2019 7:33:47 GMT -8
"I have absolutely no doubt about it. Right now, we're working on gutting the place so we can fix up the structure and shelving units. Some of it looks to be a loss. That'll need to be pried free and rebuilt, Some of the free standing units need to go as well, dive on in. There's a collection of various tools over there, large trash container front right of the building and anything salvageable, goes out back to dry out while we fix up the structure."
"William has done a lot for this community, it's only right that we return the favor." Scarlet smiled.
"Yeah, he did some emergency on an old toy my mother gave me. It was downright magical, it looked brand new." Noel smiled.
"I think this set of shelves is just about ready to be taken down, Hi, I'm Lily,"
"Well, I'll go ahead and tackle that shelf." Terri smiled at Lily, "Nice to meet you, Lily." Terri headed over to the shelf and grabbed it with both hands, pulling it from the wall with two yanks.
"Terri, don't be show off." Scarlet called out before turning to Lily. "I don't think I've seen you around much, I'm Scarlet. I'm a security officer at the bank," Scarlet extended her hand to Lily.
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 27, 2019 13:58:29 GMT -8
Lily jumped at the cracking sound the shelving unit made as it pulled away from the wall. She hadn't expected it to go so easily. She was simultaneously impressed by the woman's strength and disconcerted by the lack of sturdy engineering displayed by the shelf.
"Terri, don't be show off." "I don't think I've seen you around much, I'm Scarlet. I'm a security officer at the bank,"
"Oh I, uh. I don't really get around all that much," Lily delicately took the offered hand, accompanying it with a light smile. "I guess you could call me a bit of a homebody. It's really nice to meet you Scarlet. And you too, Terri!" The last bit she threw over her shoulder to the woman hard at work on the shelves. She hadn't caught the third woman's name yet, so she added, "All of you. We can definitely use the help to make this place magical again."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jan 27, 2019 14:39:58 GMT -8
Gabriella remained nearer to Lily, drawing comfort from their seemingly similar social awkwardness. She gave Lily an encouraging smile when she took the initiative and introduced herself, sensing that it hadn't been easy for her
Gabriella watched with mouth agape as one of the women pulled a bolted shelf from the wall with bare hands.
"Terri, don't be show off."
"Let's try to avoid any injuries. I'm here as a volunteer, not as a nurse," she added with a shake of her finger in a good-natured chiding. Though, like any good medical professional, she did have her first aide kit with her.
"I don't think I've seen you around much, I'm Scarlet. I'm a security officer at the bank,"
"Oh I, uh. I don't really get around all that much," "I guess you could call me a bit of a homebody. It's really nice to meet you Scarlet. And you too, Terri!" "All of you. We can definitely use the help to make this place magical again."
Gabriella gave them space to get to know each other, though she didn't step away far, keeping an ear open in case Lily needed a lifeline. She chose the nearest shelf with items and continued the sorting process.
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The Jester Of Tortuga
Ready Player One RPG
Cashy-money: $53,400
A Batman Who Laughs Is A Batman Who Wins
Posts: 2,739
Ready Player One RPG:
- Morrigan Ashen
_________________________
X-Men RPG:
- Hope Summers
_________________________
Lost RPG:
- Lillian-Rose Craven
- Stu Miley
_________________________
Once Upon a Time RPG:
- Oogie Boogie/Ken Calloway
_________________________
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Post by The Jester Of Tortuga on Feb 9, 2019 23:30:46 GMT -8
The wall before him was pretty much all but destroyed, the fire damaged shell giving way to a mostly health wooden structure. Kitt cleared the last of the debris from his wee section by placing it in a wheelbarrow to be taken away.
"So do we have a plan or are we just gonna rub a magic lamp and hope for the best?"
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Feb 10, 2019 20:29:20 GMT -8
"Let's try to avoid any injuries. I'm here as a volunteer, not as a nurse,"
"You hear her, Terri."
"Got it!" Terri called out.
"Oh I, uh. I don't really get around all that much, I guess you could call me a bit of a homebody. It's really nice to meet you Scarlet. And you too, Terri! All of you. We can definitely use the help to make this place magical again."
"That is what we're hoping for, we'll have this place back in shape. I'm glad we caught sight of those help wanted posters. Though I'm pretty sure we couldn't miss them if we tried," Scarlet joked slightly, "Noel, go ahead and give Terri a hand."
"So do we have a plan or are we just gonna rub a magic lamp and hope for the best?"
"You got one because that would make this a whole lot easier?" Scarlet grinned, taking in the sight of the shirtless man. "Looks like right now we're clearing out the place and separating what can be saved and what can't."
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 16, 2019 21:27:43 GMT -8
"You got one because that would make this a whole lot easier?" Scarlet grinned, taking in the sight of the shirtless man. "Looks like right now we're clearing out the place and separating what can be saved and what can't."
"Maybe we can organize into teams?" Lily offered to everyone, though she looked to Gabriella for approval. "Inventory appraisal, shelving removal and, uh," Her eyes flickered over to Kitt and his handiwork, "Demolition? It might make things go faster if we're all working simultaneously. Anyone else who comes to help can jump in where they feel they could help the most."
That was a brilliant proposal, Lily. Particularly since that is precisely what you were already doing. The snide, sarcastic remark caught Lily off guard as it rang through her mind. It had been some time since she had heard that inner voice. The one that sounded so familiar, though she knew it was not her own voice.
Suddenly feeling self conscious, Lily flushed a shade of red and seemed to find the floor very interesting as she quickly added, "Of course, we don't have to do that."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Mar 9, 2019 21:12:33 GMT -8
"So do we have a plan or are we just gonna rub a magic lamp and hope for the best?"
"You got one because that would make this a whole lot easier?" "Looks like right now we're clearing out the place and separating what can be saved and what can't."
"Maybe we can organize into teams?" "Inventory appraisal, shelving removal and, uh," "Demolition? It might make things go faster if we're all working simultaneously. Anyone else who comes to help can jump in where they feel they could help the most."
"Of course, we don't have to do that."
Gabriella was nodding her head in quiet, distracted agreement as she looked around the place and the current volunteers when Lily's self doubt grabbed her attention back. Her eyes went to the young lady, eyes downcast and looking as if she was chastising herself. Like someone who'd spent her life being beaten down and demeaned. Gabriella felt a sudden anger at whoever the unknown bully was, abusing an apparently sweet and kind person to make themselves feel like a big man--or woman. Or to keep her passive? Whatever the reason, it wasn't Gabriella's place to pry but she'd be damned if she'd stand by and let the wheel of abuse continue to turn even without the bully present.
"That's a brilliant idea, Lily." Gabriella gave Lily an encouraging smile. "Now that there are more of us, we should assess everyone's strengths and organize teams, just as you suggested," she said, hoping that directly crediting Lily would help ease her out of her discomfort and perhaps give her a bit of confidence in herself. Maybe even begin to put a little resistance into that well oiled wheel of abuse. "How about you and I throw together a to-do list, then we can have a quick chat with each person and see where their skills will fit best?"
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Mar 22, 2019 15:05:10 GMT -8
*** Mr. Gold enters from Street Outside of Shops and Diner ***
"I'm right there with Miss Stevenson.", Mr. Gold suddenly chimed in like he would have been part of the ongoing conversation for quite a while already. The fact that he sometimes was able to appear somewhere like out of nowhere was just adding to the surprise effect of his presence.
He gave Gabriella an uninterpretable smile before turning his attention towards the social misfit who seemed to work on fitting into society recently. One of many proves that things were changing since Emma Swan had decided to stay in Storybrooke. Mr. Gold's smile grew wider. "You may not have guessed, but teamwork is something I see as an important move in every condition of life." Before anyone else could have spoken up as well, Mr. Gold raised the bags in his free hand and questioningly added: "I hope none of you is allergic to tuna or turkey?"
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The Jester Of Tortuga
Ready Player One RPG
Cashy-money: $53,400
A Batman Who Laughs Is A Batman Who Wins
Posts: 2,739
Ready Player One RPG:
- Morrigan Ashen
_________________________
X-Men RPG:
- Hope Summers
_________________________
Lost RPG:
- Lillian-Rose Craven
- Stu Miley
_________________________
Once Upon a Time RPG:
- Oogie Boogie/Ken Calloway
_________________________
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Post by The Jester Of Tortuga on Mar 31, 2019 18:41:11 GMT -8
"I hope none of you is allergic to tuna or turkey?"
Gold had entered and raised a bag Kitt guessed had sanwhiches in it. Kitt slung the heavy end of the sledge hammer over his shoulder so the wooden handle was resting against his collar bone.
"Only allergic to the poison you put in it." Kitt mumbbled unable to trust a Greek bearing gifts.
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Post by Storyteller on Apr 20, 2019 19:33:34 GMT -8
"That's a brilliant idea, Lily."
"It is?" Even as her doubt pushed for a voice again, Gabriella's praise proved to be a tenacious balm that warmed her soul. Maybe she did have the strength to push back.
"Now that there are more of us, we should assess everyone's strengths and organize teams, just as you suggested," "How about you and I throw together a to-do list, then we can have a quick chat with each person and see where their skills will fit best?"
A genuine smile spread across Lily's face. It wasn't often that anyone wanted her opinion. Well, anyone other than Errol. Mother never had. She considered carefully and was about to reply when a new voice cut in, "I'm right there with Miss Stevenson."
MR. GOLD!
Lily could feel the color drain from her face, the sheer awkward agony of their prior meeting still very much present in her mind. And visions of the stolen tiara still stashed away in her underwear drawer dancing before her eyes. But it appeared Gold was there for a more altruistic motive. "You may not have guessed, but teamwork is something I see as an important move in every condition of life. I hope none of you is allergic to tuna or turkey?"
"Only allergic to the poison you put in it." Lily's jaw hit the floor at Kitt's barbed jab. Was he crazy? Did he know this was MR. GOLD?!?! A man who could probably kill someone with one crack of his gold handled cane?!
Before she knew what was happening, Lily let out an awkward forced laugh, "Oh Kitt, you're...you're such a joker. Mr. Gold, that was, uh, that was very kind of you. We're all very appreciative."
Her face hurt from the frozen grin she held. Subtly, she turned to Gabriella with a look of pleading for help.
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Apr 20, 2019 19:39:30 GMT -8
Scarlet stood by and listened to the conversation, taking in everything people were saying and then her smile faded. "I'm right there with Miss Stevenson." Scarlet and her girls were instantly on alert, "You may not have guessed, but teamwork is something I see as an important move in every condition of life...I hope none of you is allergic to tuna or turkey?" She heard Kitt mumble something about poison and smirked.
"Oh Kitt, you're...you're such a joker. Mr. Gold, that was, uh, that was very kind of you. We're all very appreciative."
"That we are but The Amazon's will pass, we just came from breakfast." Scarlet didn't trust that man, he never did something for nothing.
*The Amazon's enter from Granny's Diner*
Scarlet smirked as they pulled up, a few other branching off towards the storage unit to grab more supplies. "About time you slackers showed up."
"Would have dragged it out but Granny shooed us out."
"Do not make that woman angry or we'll lose our food spot."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Apr 20, 2019 23:28:59 GMT -8
Realizing that the majority of the room took on a deer-in-headlights look at Mr. Gold's voice had her own vanishing to one of baffled curiosity. So it wasn't just her. He hadn't singled her out as she'd thought due to her... issue. Well, yes, he had, but she was starting to get the feeling he had a knack for finding something to single out about a person. The way everyone immediately turned against him had a very, very, teeny, tiny, small part of her almost feeling sorry for him. If only it wasn't obvious his own actions had warranted such an ungrateful greeting.
Simple manners along with what he had on her had her stepping forward. "Thank you, Mr. Gold. We appreciate your contribution." Noticing the logo on the packaging as she freed him of the burden, she added, "Oh, from that new place. I've been meaning to give it a try." The glorious aromas of breakfast sandwiches and pastries made her stomach growl, reminder her that she hadn't yet eaten. After finding a clean spot to place the packages of food, she returned with a still hot breakfast sandwich in hand and eyed him wearily. She hoped the bit of boring, normal chatter had gotten everyone back to the grind so that when she returned to Mr. Gold, people would no longer be paying them much mind. "Are you here to check up on me?" she asked quietly through a plastered on smile before taking a bite. Gabriella was hoping he wasn't here to make a scene since she'd decided without consulting him that she was taking a break from treasure hunting to tackle fixing up this place.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on May 4, 2019 3:53:53 GMT -8
All the sudden chat about poisoned sandwiches made Mr. Gold inwardly smile. Why would he poison potential dealing partners? No, that wouldn't make any sense. Despite, poisoned food was not exactly his thing but the thing of someone else. Someone who wouldn't show up of course, at the very most to tell everyone to go home. Regina didn't have the power to do so though. Mayoress or not, the one with the real power was still himself. The inward smile slightly raised to the surface for the little moment of this thought.
"Thank you, Mr. Gold. We appreciate your contribution.", suddenly Gabriella stepped forward to receive his hostess gift. Mr. Gold gave her one of his friendly and at the same time unpredictable smiles. "Oh, from that new place. I've been meaning to give it a try."
"Oh, you should. It surely has things in petto that deserve better than to just appear in a display window.", Mr. Gold stated while leaning on his cane, waiting for Gabriella to return to him, only to look into a sudden gaze of distrust.
"Are you here to check up on me?"
"Miss Stevenson", he began as he leaned a little forward to make their conversation a little more private. "as much as I appreciate our business relationship, I have still other motives for being here. Just like..." Mr. Gold leaned back again, giving her another smile. "... offering my help to build this place up again. You know, practically, this is also my place." He'd said this like it would have been a joke, but in actual fact, it wasn't.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on May 26, 2019 9:43:05 GMT -8
Gabriella had been about to take another bite but paused at that bit of news. "That a fact?" she said rhetorically in a light voice. "So does that mean that if the fire marshal determines the fire was due to faulty, outdated electrical wiring, you'll be covering the cost of repairs and refurbishments?" she asked sweetly before taking another bite. Not that she needed help where funds were concerned. Gabriella had plenty, but she couldn't pass up the opportunity of throwing his boastful claim over William's place back in his face.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jun 8, 2019 9:05:52 GMT -8
"That a fact?" Mr. Gold raised an eyebrow at that. Of course, everyone knew that he was the owner of every building here in Storybrooke, so he assumed this was meant sarcastically. "So does that mean that if the fire marshal determines the fire was due to faulty, outdated electrical wiring, you'll be covering the cost of repairs and refurbishments?" Oh, of course, it had been.
A slight smile, yet rather a line of suppressed annoyance, appeared on his features as he leaned on his cane once again. "Well, that is... correct.", Mr. Gold answered like someone who just had been beaten at his own game but was having too much pride to confess to himself. "But I would rather bet on the old toymaker had been a little lax about an open fire along with the fact of having applied a little too much of wood glue on his toy building bricks." Then the smile came back to his face. "But let's not ponder about the reasons. We're all here to fix it, aren't we?"
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Post by Storyteller on Jun 13, 2019 10:05:17 GMT -8
Mr. Gold's entrance seemed to have had a dampening effect on the jovial mood of the store. The sound of work and demolition prevailed once again but the ever present chatter had diminished greatly. Lily stood there, not quite sure what to do next. An irrational part of her was scared to move, for fear that it would cause Gold's attention to fall on her. Like a tyrannosaurus rex on its prey.
It took all her effort to remind herself that this was Storybrooke- not Jurassic Park- and that Gold's attention was, at the moment, solidly on Gabriella. Lily cocked her head to the side as she surveyed the two exchanging what appeared, on the surface, to be small talk. But the subtle tensing of Gabriella's shoulders and Gold's ever strengthening grip on his cane told a different story. Should she do something? Ask a question or break into the conversation in some other way? Her pulse raced at the prospect of purposely putting herself in firing range.
In the end, red faced and slightly ashamed at her own failings, she quietly scooted behind the bank of shelves putting as much space between herself and the interaction as possible.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jun 23, 2019 16:09:00 GMT -8
"Well, that is... correct."
Gabriella wasn't buying his play of defeat. There was no way she'd managed to beat him at his own game with one simple volley. She waited for the 'but' to drop.
"But I would rather bet on the old toymaker had been a little lax about an open fire along with the fact of having applied a little too much of wood glue on his toy building bricks." "But let's not ponder about the reasons. We're all here to fix it, aren't we?"
A slight frown marred Gabriella's brow. Frustratingly, Mr. Gold was probably right. William, bless his sweet soul, seemed a dreamer. She could picture him becoming easily distracted. She did, however, doubt Mr. Gold's use of 'we' when suggesting he was a participant in fixing anything. He'd done nothing but give the impression that he was the sort to break things to his liking. Such as the peaceful, quiet life she'd been leading until he came along. The reception he received from all the other people only magnified the negative view she had of him.
"Yes, we are," she said, gesturing to everyone around them working hard with no ulterior motives. "What role do you plan to play in 'fixing it'?" she asked. She withheld any snideness or sarcasm in her tone, sounding only straightforward as if discussing business. Perhaps she'd have better luck if she could remember to stop allowing herself to be drawn into his mind games.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jul 3, 2019 15:35:19 GMT -8
"Yes, we are," Of course Mr. Gold wasn't missing the sharp undertone in her voice while she said we, gesturing to everyone around but him. He smiled. "What role do you plan to play in 'fixing it'?"
"Oh, you would be surprised about my handicraft abilities, dear.", Mr. Gold hit back at her. "I've always been a homeowner just as I've always been someone who doesn't like to turn any business regarding my safety over to a stranger." And that was the truth. Back at a time when it had been Bae and him only, and, of course, before the change of him being able to do anything with only a snap of his fingers had happened, Rumple had had to take care of their home all on his own. Mostly though because they didn't have the money to afford craftsmen. Why he would do this for someone else? Well, he had his reasons. Anyways, it could always be good to have others owing you one.
"So, how can I be helpful, Miss Stevenson?", Mr. Gold finally asked with a smirk. He knew that on her list of people she didn't like to be here, he might be right among the top three, but he also knew that she wouldn't reject any helping hand she could get, especially with no evidence that his motives weren't good-natured.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jul 6, 2019 12:25:19 GMT -8
Bullocks. She'd expected him to offer financial help then be on his merry way. But once again, he went beyond the expected and threw her off course. She heaved a sigh of resignation, crossed her arms, and looked around the place.
Kitt was breaking down a wall. Scarlett and her team were breaking down parts of unsalvageable built-in units and hauling them out. Lily was continuing sorting through the inventory and shrinking away from Mr. Gold. Gabriella couldn't blame her. She wished she was right alongside her with a shelving unit between herself and Mr. Gold.
Spite made her want to suggest something difficult or impossible for a man dependent on a cane but no matter how angry she was over him manipulating her, she wasn't an asshole. With idea in mind, Gabriella headed toward the small table set up with a few office supplies such as papers, clipboards, pencils, pens, tape measures, rulers, and the like. "We need someone in charge of creating an inventory; what we need to replace as far as fixtures," she said, gesturing to one of Scarlett's friends who was freeing a shelf with a chunk burned out of it, then to the discard wheelbarrow of items that would eventually be heading that way, "inventory that's a loss." Those two would be most important, both for knowing what they needed to replace and also to provide to the insurance company.
Gabriella pulled the table a bit closer to the front door so that anyone heading out with things for the discard pile would be going right by it, making it easy for the person in charge of inventory to keep track. "Interested?" she asked, grabbing one of the folding chairs against the wall and placing it behind the table. It seemed like something right up his alley. He'd get to lord over everyone, sitting where everyone had to pass him and report what they were discarding. To Lily's benefit, it put him further away from her and Gabriella would be sure to assign her the task of taking the salvageable items going in the opposite direction out the back of the building.
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Post by Storyteller on Jul 6, 2019 20:16:17 GMT -8
Lily didn't mean to eavesdrop. Honestly she didn't. Yet that was exactly what she found herself doing from her hiding place behind the shelves. To be fair, she could hardly help it with her still close proximity and the fact that neither Gabriella or Mr. Gold were speaking in hushed tones.
Her eyes grew wide when it became clear that Gold had no intention of leaving any time soon. Maybe she could make an excuse and leave instead? That would be the easiest course of action...but it just didn't feel right. There was still so much work to do and it wasn't poor Mr. Robinson's fault that she was a coward who couldn't shake her basic instinct to flee whenever the pawnshop owner was near.
So, after a quick run through of one of Archie's deep breathing exercises, Lily quietly walked out to the front of the shelves to resume where she and Gabriella had left off.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jul 11, 2019 9:38:38 GMT -8
For the time of silence covering them up, Mr. Gold wondered if Gabriella would allow her spite to raise to the surface. A slight smirk of amusement appeared on his lips once he realized his inner guess had been right. She wouldn't. Not without him wanting that to happen. And right now, he had other things to do.
"We need someone in charge of creating an inventory; what we need to replace as far as fixtures,", she suddenly spoke up again, heading towards a small table set up with a few office supplies. Mr. Gold's eyes wordlessly followed her gesturing towards everyone around. "inventory that's a loss.""Interested?"
"Why, of course.", he answered as he walked up to the chair she had just adjusted for him, in passing allowing himself to grab one of the pastries he had brought with him. Leaning his cane right beside, he slowly took a seat. "Compiling documents is practically my favorite pastime. So, leave it to me.", Mr. Gold assured before taking a good bit of the pastry in his hand.
He noticed the nervous glimpses every now and then around him and would have lied if those weren't satisfying him. But after all, he was just a friendly citizen who offered a helping hand. Or wasn't he?
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Aug 4, 2019 19:12:59 GMT -8
Scarlet kept quiet and watched on from her spot, she would leave the diplomatic stuff to Gabriella and focus on the cleanup. "The girls and I will finish cleaning out the debris and sorting. We'll have the building cleared out in no time." Scarlet went ahead and started to give out orders to her girls and they got to work to clear out what they could. They were fast, efficient, and a strong bunch. A few of the girls teasing Kitt as they passed, calling him a pretty boy and a few other things. Which Scarlet disapproved of shot them a stern look, "If it were in reverse you would be calling it sexist, so cut the crap and leave him be."
"Jesus, Scar, you are such a buzz kill when you are sober." Dani rolled her eyes and got to work.
Scarlet had to be the stern one, the strict one, it's what made her a leader. She could have fun but she was respectful, something her girls occasionally needed a reminder on.
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Post by Medieval Kevin on Aug 5, 2019 14:49:56 GMT -8
**Enters from Granny's Diner**
Errol came to a stop a few strides down from the front of the ruined toy shop. Funny he didn't see Ruby. He had prided himself on his pursuit of quarry in the past, and his ability of being light of foot, but she had given him the slip. She must have already made it inside, he thought. At least they wouldn't have heard him approach.
Before he could offer up a sigh of relief from that fact he heard voices. Female. "...so cut the crap and leave him be." Wayne's jaw hit the sidewalk. He couldn't be sure but the voice had sass. He knew she was going to interfere but that was not at all what he was expecting! He couldn't help but crack a smirk, she must have feelings for him!
Instantly he shook his head to clear his thought's, Lily was being berated inside, this was horrible news! Without wasting another second he barged into the lioness's den. "Lily whatever she's saying just let me say this is the most outrageous thing I've ever... Gold." As if this couldn't get any worse. No sign of Ruby at all, but his timing was fantastically awful because Mr. Gold stood but a few feet away. A new arrival himself no doubt. Any hope of slipping away unnoticed was gone.
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