An Impact
Who: Dodge and Elle
Where: on the streets
When: afternoon
News travels, even to the lonely room above the Apollo. Dodge watched the street war boil over into the alley that his fire escape overlooked. It was a bunch of young ones, really young, wailing on one another with whatever they could find. It got so bad he found himself climbing down the fire escape shouting at them to stop. They didn't have a reason at all for fighting, just beating on one another to see one bleed. Being taller, older and louder, he managed to wrestle their weapons from them with nothing more than a bruise on his shin. They weren't his kids, no one he'd dealt with and to them, he was just another older boy, not Dodge. Dodge wore suits and had a fedora. Not the pageboy hat shoved over Dodge's curls and the ratty slept in clothes he had on.
Once they were unarmed he got the story of the what all the ruckus was. Dodge's gang was gone, which meant someone else needed to step up, to rise up. Dodge sent the two on their way, telling them point blank that if they didn't stop fighting he was coming after them, though he doubted they made it much farther than out of ear shot before they started up again. Curious and worried, Dodge found himself braving the daylight with his new hat pulled down low, avoiding scuffles, but trying his best to break a few up, especially with young ones. One particularly bad brawl had him ducking under a familiar awning to get out of the fray.
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Elle should have known from the weather that today wasn't a day to venture out. The sun usually had a reason to hide. Still, there were things she needed to get. Milk. Tea. Boring every day essentials. It would only mean a short trip to the store. Then she could brew a nice warm drink, get cozy and ignore the rain.
Armed with her umbrella, she wandered along the familiar route. Content in her own little world and thoughts. Perhaps a movie would be a good idea. Something bright and fun that would be in direct opposition to the miserable day. Elle smiled to herself at the thought.
The sight of a boy belting another across the back with a length of pipe cut through her pondering of movies and humdrum chores. She found herself coming to a stop and watching with wide eyes. It took a moment for her brain to kick in and realize that yes, it was happening. And that getting out of the way very soon would be a very good idea. Whatever was going on, she didn't want to find herself being swept up into it by gawping. She doubted that people with pipes appreciated gawping.
Her slowly side stepping then breaking into a jog was almost comical. The umbrella bobbed, her bag swung from side to side.So when she saw the awning that was out of the hullabaloo, she made a beeline for it. It looked like someone else had already come up with the same idea. Umbrella held in front of her almost like a shield, she looked over at the guy with a wide-eyed 'what on earth is going on?' look.
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Dodge had his fists up already when he had company but dropped them slowly when he realized it was just a girl, and from the looks of her not a street girl either. It took a moment, but after a moment it dawned on him that he knew her, recognized her from where she worked at the theater that Maddy lived in. Not wanting to be recognized, even if he hardly looked like himself anyway, he tugged the pageboy had lower, covering most of his eyes. "You alright?" he asked, waving her in closer out of the fray.
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Elle stepped further back and nodded, glad that there was someone else there. And that the someone else hadn't actually hit her. The whole thing was kind of surreal. Young people charging around, chasing each other. Doing far worse than that. Some didn't look that much younger than herself. Ones that should have known better than to beat up little ones. She shrank back further, not wanting to watch but finding herself stealing glances despite herself.
Shaking off the umbrella, she closed it and hooked it over one arm to better free up her hands. Expression changing from one of confusion to concern, she pointed towards the boy to ask if he himself was okay.
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Dodge kept one eye on her, the other watching the endless bits of fighting in the streets. This was his fault, something he didn't account for. After all their talk that he'd had no power at all, when in reality he'd been keeping the balance in check. When she pointed to him with that look as if to ask if he was alright he frowned, not sure why she didn't just ask. After a moment it clicked. That's right, she didn't talk. He knew that. Giving her a grim smile he nodded. "I'm fine. Just a few scrapes and bruises, trying to break things up." Not that it had mattered. Most of the fights he'd stepped into were kids, and while they were dangerous enough, the older boys who were fighting had started to take things farther, more towards brawling. "You shouldn't be out," he warned the young woman.
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She nodded in agreement, having already gotten the impression that someone like her should have stayed home. If she had been aware, if she wasn't so much inside her own safe bubble, she wouldn't have. In her mind she criticized her lack of street smarts and her ignorance. It was something she could do with changing. She had told herself that she would become more self reliant, after all.
As what she wanted to say couldn't be conveyed with looks and pointing, she got out her notebook. Are you sure you're alright? she asked, not entirely sure if she believed him. You shouldn't be getting involved either. I mean, it's very brave that you did but you could really get hurt.
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Dodge leaned in to read what she'd written, frowning at her handwriting a little, but thanking Patrick and his stupid ghost that he knew how to read. "I'm fine," he promised with a little more sincerity this time. The worst of his bruises were days old now at this point, remnants of Ethan's ideal of a wake up call or from battling Pepper's assailants. "And I am involved these are..." Who were they? His people? They had been at one point, but not anymore. Dodge was dead, that was why they were fighting. "It's my fight too," he settled on.
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Isn't that what everybody says? That it's their fight? Maybe as a justification. Maybe out of wanting to do the right thing. Maybe as an excuse. Either way, it didn't seem to be doing much but make the situation worse. Now it was her turn to frown. If you are involved or have friends out there, couldn't you convince them to stop? Maybe others would too. Though she felt that might have been far too a simplistic view. Not confident in her opinion, she kept her gaze on the page. She didn't have the first clue about how street gangs worked or what they were fighting about in the first place. There might not have been a place for pacifism.
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"No, not everyone says that. Only when it's applicable or if you're stupid. I'm not stupid, especially not when it comes to fights." Dodge typically had someone else do that sort of dirty work for him. The comment about his friends had him frowning again. They weren't out there. Hell, the fact that they weren't out there was why the fighting was there in the first place. "I wish it would work that way. I don't have much pull." At least these days he didn't. "Are you headed home. I can walk you there." Then he'd feel like he'd done one decent thing today instead of starting a street war.
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Elle quickly shook her head. I didn't mean that you were stupid. She paused, looking poised to write a further comment but gave a shrug instead. She didn't really know what she could say. Already out of her depth, she was making herself look like the stupid one. Sighing gently, she nodded. The world could have a nasty habit of not working the way you wanted it to. Or it should. But she kept the thought to herself.
She was about to protest the idea, not wanting to draw him out into the scuffle, then decided against it. She didn't exactly want to be out in the scuffle alone. Selfish as it was. So she nodded again and put up the umbrella, trying to hold it over both their heads. It was a small compensation that she could offer.
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"I know you..." Dodge frowned, then gave in on arguing. Reaching out he took the umbrella for her, easier for him to hold it rather than her since he was taller. "Come on. And don't worry." He'd get her wherever she needed to go safe. If he did nothing else right he could do that.
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Giving him a smile, Elle nodded. Even if she was still kind of worried. She was about to put the notebook away when she hesitated and quickly penned, I'm Elle, by the way. A few raindrops fell onto the page. She closed the book before more drips joined them. It would make the ink smear and run, rendering her words indecipherable blobs. That wouldn't do.
She pointed down the street and off round a corner to indicate the direction they needed to go in. As they walked she tried to keep her eyes fixed straight ahead, tried to ignore everything else as best she could.
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Dodge moved so she was closer to the walls, blocking her from the street, just in case the fighting spilled out towards them. "Hi Elle. I'm JD," he said, returning her smile. The new name came easier, far more natural than it had been the first few times. He kept close to her, even though he might be invading her personal space, both to they both stayed under the umbrella and so that he could pull her out of the way in case something happened.
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Under normal circumstances, being in such close proximity to a stranger (and a male stranger at that) might have been a little uncomfortable. At the moment Elle appreciated the protected feeling that it brought. From the way he'd been talking he sounded like someone who was wise to how the streets worked and so Elle was content to go along with it.
Still, a sense of relief washed over her when her building came into view. Her safe, comfortable little world. She gestured towards the building then to herself, letting him know that there wasn't far to go.
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Dodge glanced up, following where she was pointing. So they were almost there. He breathed a small sigh. Since they'd rounded the corner they seemed to have missed most of the trouble. Still, he picked up his pace just a touch to make sure she was at the door before something could jump out at them.
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Once they reached her stoop, Elle puffed air out of her cheeks and sagged at the shoulders. It was a little exaggerated for effect but the tense feeling of unease that drifted out of her was definitely real. Huddling under the bit of shelter that was avaiable, she thought that it would probably be alright to bring out the notebook again.
Thank you, she wrote with a sincere nod. It's very kind of you to walk me back. Her eyes went skyward, watching the rain continue to fall for a moment, then down to the floor and finally back to JD. Would you like a warm drink? It seemed callous to let him escort her back then turf him out in the cold the second she was home.
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Dodge hesitated, lingering on the stoop until she was inside safe, but then when she offered him a drink he couldn't help but tense up just a touch. Offers like that didn't come often, and it wasn't as if he couldn't overpower Elle with ease, but he still hesitated. Call it caution, call it paranoia, call it whatever. What couldn't be ignored was the full minute or so before he nodded. "Yeah, I'd like that."
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All the while he was quiet, Elle smiled the awkward smile of someone who found themselves in a somewhat uncomfortable silence . Maybe she had come off in the wrong way or something. She certainly hoped not. However, the smile quickly brightened when he agreed. giving him a pleased nod in kind.
Up in her apartment, she hung her coat on the coat stand and left her shoes by the door. Both were wet and needed to dry off, and the shoes were flecked with the grime of the city. She led him through to the living room and gestured for him to sit and make himself comfortable. What would you like? There's coffee, chamomile, peppermint, elderberry or raspberry tea. I think I still have some regular tea too. She liked to try and be a good hostess.
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Dodge shucked off his coat and shoes as well, leaving them to dry. As he followed her into her living room he hardly moved like he was wearing just a ragged and worn shirt and worn pants. He moved like he was still dressed as Dodge, in the suit and fedora. Sitting where instructed he shrugged a little when she listed off the options. "I'm fine with whatever you're in the mood for," he told her. He wasn't a tea drinker so besides have an idea of what the flavors were he didn't actually know.
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It was wrong of her but she couldn't help doing a double take when she caught sight of the clothes that had been lurking under the coat. While it wasn't entirely surprising, it wasn't the sort of sight she was entirely used to. At least not juxtaposed with her nice home. She didn't feel sorry for him, that was demeaning, just... bad. Like it was unfair that there were people, particularly children, that didn't have everything she had.
In the kitchen she brewed up a pot of tea and one of coffee as a back up. She set them down on a tray along with cups, a bowl of sugar and cream. Walking carefully as not to spill or drop anything, she put the tray down on the coffee table and knelt on the floor opposite. This is elderberry tea, she explained as she poured out a cup. It's warming, and it can ease aches and pains.
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Dodge caught the double take, but all she got out of him was a raised eyebrow. He reached up and tugged his pageboy hat down a little. He hated this, hated not being himself, or maybe he just hated that he couldn't be himself anymore. When she left he rubbed his head wondering if he should just leave.
He'd stood again when she walked in, thinking of helping but she had it under control. Once she sat he sat down again, leaning across his knees to read what she wrote as she poured the tea. The smell was the first thing he noticed, distinct and different. "Aches and pains? How does it do that?"
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It reduces inflammation. It's also very good when you have a cold as it can break the fever too. You can use herbal teas for all sorts of things. Her thoughts drifted to the tea shop in Chinatown. Elle's collection of teas, and knowledge thereof, was nowhere as extensive as the owner's. They were simple and store bought, not elaborate blends in silken pouches. Then again, Elle didn't claim that tea could work miracles either. So if you ever get sick, you know where to come, she added with a small smile. Partly trying to make up for gawking at him earlier.
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Dodge reached for the cream, adding it and a little sugar to his tea. He brought it up, breathing in the warm steam before taking a small sip. So rarely did he get something like this, something that tasted so full and warm. "To you?" he asked with an impish smile. This thoughts drifted a little, imagining Elle as his nursemaid which only served to make the smile wider. Just because he wasn't acting on it, didn't mean he couldn't think about flirting.
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Elle poured a cup for herself. She should have said that it was usually taken plain. Not wanting to embarrass him by leaving her tea as it was, she spooned a generous heap of sugar into it. It wasn't like adding sugar or cream was going to do any harm. Do you like it? she asked. That was the main thing.
Missing the playful edge the smile had to it, she gave a warm smile back and nodded. You helped me today. I'd be happy to help you if you needed it.
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Dodge did the like the tea, no matter how it tasted. It was warm and sweet. He nodded and smiled over the teacup. "I do like it." When she wrote again he looked at the notebook and then back to her again. "Taking care of a sick guy isn't the same as seeing to it that you got home in one piece. You wouldn't have to do that."
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At first Elle frowned at him. Then, in a purposely overplayed display of thought, looked up and off to one side, tapping her fingertips on her chin. Obviously and playfully debating her counter argument. Well, taking care of a sick person is ensuring they stay in one piece. You could be blundering around delirious. Or parts of you might drop off. You never know. Blinking a couple of times, her nose wrinkled as the thought of that apparently sunk in. Though on second thought, you may be right. I'm not sure if I want to get involved.
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That had Dodge leaning forward across the small coffee table. "Parts of me dropping off huh? Just what exactly do I have?" he asked, impish smile back and this time paired with a tease in his voice, a flirtatious type of tease. "I imagine whatever was wrong with me a smile from you could cure." Okay, he lied, he wasn't past actually flirting with her.
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Okay, Elle managed to twig onto it that time. The thoughtful expression crossed her face again, leaving a lingering pause before responding. It was intended to seem like she was joining in the teasing. Really it was more giving herself a moment to try and stop herself blushing whilst avoiding all eye contact. Arms. Legs. Your head. She attempted to address the second part with a mere 'that's corny' look. It might have worked, had it not been for the shyness and embarrassment it was delivered with.
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Dodge smiled like everything she was doing was just fine, hoping to put her at ease. "My head? Dear god woman what do I have?" He laughed a little, giving her a wider smile, a trouble making grin. He took another sip of the tea then set it down, reaching out to steal her pen. I bet a good nurse could cure anything though.
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Eyes going very wide, Elle gave a shrug and shook her head gravely. The somber face didn't last long as she found it impossible to keep up when he started laughing. Try as she might, she couldn't quite recreate that serious look, slipping into a smile each time. Eyes flicking from her now empty hand to him, she watched him curiously. She didn't mind him writing, just wondered why he would choose to do so. In her current catalogue of conversations, the only other person to have done that was the kind lady from the church, Janey. Hand outstretched, she gestured for him to give the pen back.
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Dodge had chosen to write it instead of say it because of what it was, because it made it more of a tease. He pulled the pen away for a moment, giving her a playful grin like he wasn't going to give it back. After a moment or two he conceded, handing it back and sliding from the couch to sit on the floor so he was eye level with her. He propped one elbow up on the table as he watched her write.
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He got a jokingly curt nod as a thank you once the pen was back in her possession. Nothing of her own was added to the page immediately as she looked at over his sentence and back to him again. She wanted to give almost as good as she was getting, even though she suspected that they weren't playing on the same level. She broke into a sweet, beaming smile and wrote, Well, I have ice, warm washcloths and a sewing kit. That should cure most things.
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He'd reached for his tea again, taking a larger sip. She was right about this stuff, it did make him feel better, even right away. "Those are useful," Dodge said casually with a shrug before setting down the cup and leaning across the table a little more fixing his gaze on her. "But I was referring to your bedside manner."
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From the way Elle drank her tea down, one would think it had something far stronger than elderberries in it. Once that cup was drained she poured another. That way some of the pink in her cheeks could be dismissed as the warming effects of the tea. Maybe. Doubtfully. Plus pouring and stirring and sipping gave her something else to focus her attention on. After some pen twiddling she settled on putting, As long as patients aren't troublesome, I'm sure it would be fine.
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Dodge couldn't help but grin at the blush on her cheeks. It was what he'd been going for and it had him tilting his head a little to watch her. "I'd be on my best behavior if you were going to keep my head from falling off," he said gravely, as if it was a serious comment, but his eyes were glinting just a little with the tease.
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Very aware of the fact she was being watched, Elle let her hair fall from behind her ears to the sides of her face. She didn't feel quite so exposed that way. I should hope so too, she replied and wagged a finger sternly at him. It was much easier to look at him, rather than the tabletop, when she was playacting.
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"What makes you think I'd be trouble?" Dodge asked sounding as if he might be offended when he knew full well he'd done very little to actually appear as if he wouldn't be trouble. In the back of his mind it clicked that he was supposed to be changing, that he wasn't supposed to act like this, but it was natural. It just happened. "I'd be on my very best behavior," he promised, giving her a sweet face.
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Someone once told me that men are always trouble. Indeed they had - stepmother number one, to be exact. The poor woman had been given plenty of reason to think that, and there had been plenty of times when Elle had regarded it as sound advice. Still, the comment was intended to be lighthearted so she smiled a little smile. Head tilting to one side, Elle narrowed her eyes in a 'I'm not sure I buy that' way. It was followed by a nod a few moments later. Alright, I'll believe you. At least until I'm proven otherwise.
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Dodge laughed at the first comment, nodding enthusiastically. "They are. And always up to no good." Wasn't he doing just that now? Being up to no good? "But like I said, I promise to be nothing but charming. Absolutely. Even if my head falls off. It'll continue to be charming laying there on the ground." He smiled at her again, leaning on the table so he was just a little closer.
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He had no idea how right he was. In the limited scope of her experience, anyway. Despite that, she had to smile at him. He was quite charming, actually. Though she suspected he was probably quite aware of it. I'll find a nice cushion to put your head on. Or a basket so your body could carry it around. I wouldn't leave you abandoned on the floor. She finished with a nod of complete sincerity.
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"How incredibly dear of you. Thank you," he said with the same sincerity but the impish smile slipped through at the end. He picked up his teacup and tipped the last of it back. He was enjoying himself, feeling far more relaxed than he'd been in days, but he also had things to do before dark. "I should go before your boyfriend gets home," he said moving to stand. In anyone else it would have been awkward, but with Dodge it looked easy and graceful.
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Elle paused briefly before writing anything. The natural, and true, reply of 'I don't have one' may not have been the most appropriate comment to make. It could have easily been misconstrued, and she didn't want to come across as some sort of floozy. Instead she wrote, Be careful. And it was nice to meet you. Getting to her feet, she smoothed out her dress. Struck by an idea, she went slightly wide eyed and held up one finger to ask him to wait a minute. She quickly darted into the kitchen and returned with a small paper bag. Inside were a few of the elderberry teabags. She wrote 'take care!' on the front of the bag before holding it out to him.
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The lack of an answer gave Dodge enough of an answer about the boyfriend. Actually it was nice, the way she didn't exactly open or close the door to that line of thinking. When she got up he watched her go, surprised to be handed the bag. He peeked inside, catch a whiff of the same smell from the tea and gave her a warm smile. "Thank you. And it was lovely meeting you as well." Very briefly he reached out, fingers brushing across her cheek before he turned, claiming his shoes and coat at the door and letting himself out.