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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2014 22:56:20 GMT -5
"Eh, its already tough as it is, I'm sure Opera singin' wouldn't get me any help down at the department." Harvey knew it was a bit of a sorry excuse, but it was true. He already had it hard enough as it was. Delilah gave him a knowing nod. "Perhaps one day things will get better there, Theo."At Selina's proposal the girls, especially Laverne, looked like they were willing to take the deal. They looked over at their mother who kept the bemused and cool smile upon her face. She looked over at the girls. Laverne was mouthing the word 'please' over and over silently. "After dinner."
Laverne didn't need to told twice. She began gobbling her food up in a hurry. Harvey kept his pace and just shook his head at Laverne. It was nice to see his mom put her money where her mouth was every now and then.
After dinner was finished Delilah needed to take some time to drink some tepid water and get her voice squared away. While she did Harvey cleaned up with Gretchen helping him. Susie played at the piano, helping her mother get in tune, and Laverne just bounced around Selina asking up a storm of questions and telling her all the wisdom a six year old had to offer about life.
Eventually Delilah was finally ready.
"Alright, everyone, I think I am prepared now. So, without further adieu, the Queen of the Night."
Susan began playing piano. Harvey and Gretch came from around the corner. Harvey leaned against the wall, drying his hands with a rag as his mom piped her pipes like a real pro.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2014 16:09:14 GMT -5
Pursing her lips, she wanted to say something, but...didn't. Instead she continued to eat her meal, in silence as they all finished, and she helped clear the table. She hadn't danced in a while, but it wasn't something that one just forgot. Selina found herself poised on the couch, legs curled beneath her as she watched the mother daughter duo at the piano, and brother and sister in the kitchen. She answered questions as fast as they were fired at her from Laverne, politely nodding to the six year old on her 'things to know in life.'
It was...amazing. Freeing, to hear such a clear voice. It was an instrument in its own right as she ran along each aria and note, the piano accompaniment a perfect companion to the purity coming from Mrs. Bullock's lips. It took her back to a time when things were good, and warm, and she had a place to go where she was safe.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2014 17:55:29 GMT -5
Once she eventually came to a finish she smiled and gave a little bow. Harvey and the girls clapped and Delilah showed thanks for it. Laverne started bouncing up and down in front of Selina.
"Your turn, your turn, your turn, your turn, your-"
"Laverne, SHHH. Miss Selina, I can play a song for you. What would you like?"
Susan had turned around from the piano to face her when she asked the question. Laverne bounced over into Harvey's lap while Delilah went to take a seat herself. Harvey messed with Laverne's hair, absent mindedly beginning to braid it while she watched around at all the other girls in the room.
Poor Harvey, he has gotten way to used to being surrounded by women to the point that he could braid their hair and not even think about it while he did it. Each of the Bullock girls had that same brown hair as their mother's. Harvey's was black.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2014 19:38:44 GMT -5
Eyes wide in awe, her hands came together clapping furiously. This...was better than going to the opera, because she was so close to the woman who was performing. It was so magical. The bouncing ball of energy finally snapped her attention back to where she was, as her eyes went wide. What to play? Music? Shit. She hadn't stretched, or anything. And no shoes. Alas, that wouldn't be too much of an issue; her feet were mangled beyond belief from her years of dancing, anyway. And gymnastics, all those hours had painfully convinced her that paining her nails was a futile effort.
"If you know anything to the nutcracker...I could do that," she said quietly, her fingertips making quick work of the laces on her shoes as he undid them, and set those aside, her socks removed and neatly folded atop them. "I just need a minute or two, if that's ok," she added, before slipping from where she was sitting, to the living room floor as she bent forward, and then started a routine of quick stretches, before her hands were on her feet, warming them up a bit, and then flexing. She wished she had a bit of tape, or even cornstarch to not slip, but it was fine. She was quite adept at adapting, and knew there was no way she could possibly match Mrs. Bullock's fantastic performance, but hell, it's not like she'd be seeing this family again, right? So she'd make do with what she had, and show off what she did know, especially with having a Principle dancer as mother.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2014 21:12:33 GMT -5
The Bullock girls all got settled and Harvey tried not to have a heavy eye on her while she stretched. He didn't want to look like a weirdo in front of his mom or his sisters, but alas, Gretchen caught sight of it. She bit her lip and just kept quiet while Susie got out the right sheet music. Delilah got settled on the couch between Harvey and Gretchen. Laverne, of course, was still fidgeting in Harvey's lap.
Once Selina was ready Susie began to play something from the nutcracker, looking up on occasion to see what the lady was up to in her dance.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2014 1:07:35 GMT -5
It was going to hurt, but no worse than the pain she'd felt in the last year. Somewhat limber after stretching, Selina positioned herself on one end of the living room, eyeing the space to see what she could do on the fly. Not a whole lot of leaping; she didn't want to knock anything over. Nor would she be able to go en point too long; she didn't have her shoes. But the space would allow for enough movement she could do the music some justice.
After rolling her jeans to a decent cuff, she waited for the piano to send out a few notes before she would start with some delicate foot placement, something almost akin to Celtic dancing, but not quite. Raising her arms above her head, she would spin into several pirouettes carrying her across the room, until she spun once, twice, to a near standstill as she rose high on her toes; sans shoes. Making her way with the music about the room en pointe didn't last long, but she took the increasing pressure off her toes by adding in several truncated leaps, a few spins, and some more footwork.
Concentrating as she moved, all was tuned out. She was back home, practicing. Or she was on stage, performing beneath the warm lights and before the quiet audience. It seemed like mere seconds, and the piano's song ended, as did she, feet falling flat to the floor as she took a short bow, and sat on the floor, her blood pumping, and her heart pumping a staccato beat in her chest.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2014 14:38:45 GMT -5
"That was.... AMAZING!"
Laverne began to move allover the place trying to imitate what Selina had just done. Susie continued just playing random little things on the piano while Gretchen was sitting between her mom and brother watching the exchange between them. She occasionally looked over and would crack a smirk when Laverne tripped over her own feet here and there.
"Well, that's quite something, Selina. Thank you for sharing your skill and talent with us. Don't let it ever be said the Bullocks don't appreciate beauty."
Damn straight, thought Harvey. Harve smiled to the young woman, going to stand. He seemed a little at a loss for what to say.
"That was... nice. Thanks."
Delilah went to the kitchen and began putting the left overs away, mentally thanking Harvey and Gretchen for washing the dishes. It was always nice when Harvey was around, he seemed to put off a sense of authority that his sisters looked up to and respected. Harvey had to crow loud enough or he'd get drowned out by all their clucking.
Eventually, after a little while longer of lingering and goofing around Delilah was at the door, the girls beside her, bidding good night to Selina and Harvey. Delilah had sent them each off with a paper plates loaded with food and covered in foil inside of a brown paper bag. She hugged Selina before they left and kissed her cheek.
"Stop by any time, dear. It was such a pleasure to have you come for dinner."
One more little squeeze. The older two girls just waved to her saying bye and wishing a safe journey. Laverne just ran up to her and squeezed Selina's legs.
"PLEASE COME BACK AND TEACH ME TO DANCE AND STUFF, OK?"
Delilah hugged Harvey, also giving him a kiss on the cheek and expecting one in return. Harvey gave her a son's smile.
"Alright, Ma. I'll catch you guys later this week, alright?"
"Alright, but don't forget to bring that wrench. I need to tighten the drain pipe and I can't find mine."
"I'll come deal with that in the morning. I don't want it to bust loose or something."
Delilah gave him another squeeze and kiss on the cheek. Once he got loose they all said goodbye, his sister's hugging him before they walked off. Harvey opened the door for Selina, once again, and ended up setting the bag in a secure spot in the backseat.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2014 16:42:13 GMT -5
The sister's joy was almost too much for her. She didn't think she was that good, considering what her mother did, but she thanked them nonetheless.
"Thank you as well, Mrs. Bullock. You truly were amazing." The whole family was something, and Delilah's raising of her kids, and teaching them to appreciate everything, not just beauty was clear in how they acted, and treated everyone. Hell, she was...just hours ago in jail. And Harvey...had thought to bring her here. She didn't even want to think of the time. Her aunt was going to be livid.
It was after a bit of talking with the girls, and slyly noticing Harvey did they gather their jackets, well, she took and put his back on, were they ready to be on their way. The motherly embrace Delilah gave her was too much. She could feel the little snap in her chest, and the tears threatening as she was treated to soft endearments and even warmer hugs. "Thank you all. I'll try." She choked out, before turning, her legs suddenly immobile. "I will, ok?" She echoed back to the tiniest Bullock. It wasn't as if she were some street rat. She had decently clean hair, modern clothing. So while Mrs. Bullock may want her to visit, she'd somehow have to get out of her own boarding school jail, and then the three hours back to Gotham. With no car. While it wasn't impossible, it was a daunting feat.
And then, they were back in his car, her arms tucked into the pockets of his jacket, her face blank.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2014 16:55:15 GMT -5
Harvey began to pull off. It was about two minutes later, a contented smile slathered across his dashing face, that he looked over to Selina. The expression fell a little at seeing her face so blank.
"What's wrong? I'm sorry if- Oh."
It took him a second, but he could figure what it was. She was likely not looking forward to returning to her boarding school and/or she was missing her own folks. He looked back to the road for a moment more before looking to her again. He would essentially look between her and the road, casually, obviously putting more of his visual attention onto the road ahead.
"This boardin' school life of yours is pretty restricted, eh?"
He hated being the guy that had to take her back to the place she so dreaded. A place that represented all that blew in her life. He honestly wished there was a way he could make it all better and happy times for her, but he wasn't sure what it would take. They'd only known eachother for a few hours. He had noticed she seemed to be insistent upon wearing his coat, which he didn't mind at all. It was hers now, as far as he was concerned. She needed it more than him, she was thin little thing, well Harvey was a little, too, but he'd never let any cold get at him.
"What're you wantin' to do when you get loose from there?"
Harvey leaned over toward her and reached for his glove box. He pulled out a pack of smokes and a box of matches. He took one out and lit it for himself and then cracked his window enough that the smoke would drift out of the crack, but wouldn't cause the car to get terribly cold.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2014 17:17:19 GMT -5
At least he was being honest about it all. Being a cop, she didn't expect bullshit. So when he started talking, she blinked several times, and took a bit of a breath.
"You didn't have to take me to your home. It really was...fantastic, though. Your mom is great, and so are your sisters." She'd had a sister once, but that seemed like eons ago, now. "And...don't be sorry. It gives me hope that things can turn out for me, you know? I can get married, have a bunch of kids, have someone to love me," she adds quietly, looking down at her boots. His next question is harder to answer.
Is it hard? Yes, but not in the way most expect. It's hard to see how the other girls are so spoiled, and don't see all the things they do have. They're always asking for more money, clothing, things from their parents. But never, really, for the mother and father themselves. Then again, she's a teen, but all she wants to do is get away.
"Yes, but not really. It's a lot of ritzy kids. They throw money around like it's nothing. And the drugs. They just beg mommy and daddy all the time for things, then forget where they stash them. Stupid places, really, that they forget about. So...I've sort of ...found a lot, and stashed it in my own places that they really wouldn't think of. I'm ahead in my studies, so I should be able to get out soon, but...I don't know." Which in truth, she doesn't. She's an uprooted 'rich' kid herself, and while she doesn't want to feel bad for the fact of having a roof over her head, food on the table, and clothing on her back, there is a suckng hole in her chest, and a drifting in her soul she can't quell.
"I think I want to study art history. Maybe go to Europe. Mom wanted me to dance...but..." She can't really continue, because even though her dad started to drink more, and her mom got more desperate, there were the happy times, too. And Maria had been planning on driving her to try out for a troupe. Now, it had been months past that, if she was remembering correctly. "I just...really want a home again." She mumbles, the flick of the lit match catching her eye. She didn't regularly smoke, but tended to bum one off a classmate now and again. Those dark brown ones tha were sweet were fantastic, but she could never get herself to finish a whole one.
Deft fingers quietly release her lap belt as she scoots over to where he is, closing the small distance between them. It's probably after she removed the cancer stick from his lips he notices she's quietly removed it, taking several puffs casually before she quietly holds it out for him to take. "They say those things are going to kill people, you know." Comes from her mouth, despite her just indulging in such a toxic hobby. Hell, life will kill you, why not take a few chances.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2014 17:49:57 GMT -5
Harvey just listened. Sometimes people just needed to be listened to, and she sure seemed to need it more than a lot of people he had met. It was a good thing to be listened to. He gazed over at her, suddenly much closer and having taken his cigarette briefly. When she placed it back in his mouth he liked her even more than he had before. It wasn't but a few years ago that a teenaged Harvey Bullock was stirring up fires himself. "I was in a little gang when I was a teenager. I got into all kinds of trouble. It was when my dad divorced my mom and just disappeared out of our lives I started being a little less of a hellion. My mom acts like she doesn't like me being a cop, but she seems to fear that if she seems to pleased with it then I might go bad again." Harvey kept his focus on the road but stole glances toward her here and there during their conversation. He finally took the cigarette from his mouth and flicked the ash out the window. Yeah, he could have said something about the fact that she was underage and smoking with him, but he wasn't one for nitpicking people. She obviously could do whatever the hell she wanted, so he chose to say nothing about it. "Europe, eh? Supposed to be an interesting place. I never been out of Gotham much. I think I went to Los Angeles once when I was really young, but I hardly remember it. Though, I think if I ever took some sort of vacation I'd head to Miami or somethin'." The radio had been largely ignored up until this point. When the new song rolled over into the speakers Harvey visibly perked up a bit. He reached over and turned it up just a tiny bit. "You ever heard this song? Love it, 'specially when I was a kid. I was always gettin' into some sort of trouble somewhere." Harvey smirked a bit, ah, the good times.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2014 21:31:33 GMT -5
He just didn't seem the sort to be in a gang. So as she glanced out of the corner of her eye at him, the picture of this cop being scrappy at once point in his light was so odd, so different, it made her smile. "That's how parents are, it seems. The more then like something, the more we go off and do the opposite." Not that she could live up to that, now. But she could try to honor her parent's memory, at least. But dancing, was that really where she wanted to be? Her nose crinkled again at the though. Not really, even though she liked it. Art was fantastic, though, each piece different, each with such a rich history. But to be honest? She was good at being sneaky lately. Save for the times when she got caught.
But even this time had turned out so different than normal. A real home, too. And food, and singing, and dancing. It was something else. Something she hadn't expected when she'd sassed about her hair being in her eyes. And then, all of a sudden she was here, listening to music, being driven back to school.
"My parents travelled a lot before I was born. They liked France and Italy. And I really can't piss them off any more, so I thought I might...honor them, in a way, I guess." She shrugged in the too-large coat, grateful for it's warmth.
Glad that he'd ashed the cigaratte, and she hadn't had to, she shook her head before realizing he might not be able to see her. "No, but I do like Elton John quite a bit. It's hard for him to make bad music, you know." After he'd turned up the volume, she quietly thieved his cigaratte again, taking a few puffs and even exhaling to her right, instead of in his face, before replacing it once more. The song was good, and reminded her of what he'd just said, even. Maybe he was the radio whisperer, or something. Leaning her head on his shoulder as he drove, she could see that he was in trouble, or causing it.
"I..guess I waited to get in trouble. I just...it's not some OCD thing like one of the doctors said. Maybe it's a way to cope, but I'm not too good at all that stuff, but I do know I'm good at ...getting things. And it only seems to be a problem when I'm caught. But really, is it that bad when the people you're taking it from, don't even care, or remember that they put stuff there, in the first place? I don't think so..." She got quieter as she spoke, her final admission so soft it was whispered. She wasn't trying to rationalize what she did. But it just, well, hurt when the other girls didn't care about their things, especially when it was from there parents, from home.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2014 21:40:08 GMT -5
"Well, we all find a way to make 'em happy or mad, or both at the same time. I think its our job as their kids..."
Harvey didn't even react to her stealing the cigarette again. She was going to do it and he kind of liked it. It was cute and very juvenile. It was nice to see and feel something fresh again.
He snorted a bit of a chuckle at the Elton John comment and shook his head with a grin.
"Yeah, the day that man starts making bad songs will be the day the world falls apart. Apocalypse and all, or whatever end game you believe in."
Harvey noticed her head against his shoulder once she began speaking in a low voice. Her breath was awful close to his ear. It was one of those things he'd always wanted, a girl speaking so closely into his ear that he could feel the changes in temperature in her breath as it hit him. He blinked a bit slowly and turned his head to her for a second.
"Nobody is all good or all bad. Sometimes I forget what's real."
He turned his attention back to the road, but his mind was on her.
"Whatever you decide to do, I think you'll do it well. I can tell you're the kind that'll make a royal flush out of the shitty hand you got dealt, baby."
Harvey didn't even mean to call her baby, it just came out of him. Felt natural somehow.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2014 1:13:03 GMT -5
He knew so much already. Like he had a wife and kids, or something. Then again, maybe he didn't. But his mother sure had liked her, and so had his sisters. "You must be a dad, or something. You already know so much..." She said out loud, already regretting it as soon as she heard it. Pursing her lips she sighed, shaking her head a bit before apologizing. He couldn't be that much older than her, now could he? That didn't matter. He'd been kind, and that was something she hadn't been used to since her parents had died.
"He is fantastic. I've always loved piano driven anything. I just wish more of the stuff that is coming out now was like this, you know?" Selina thought on his words next. She thought he was right on that, for sure. "I just think that too many people think the whole world is black, or white. Just those two. Things are more gradient than that. And...why would you forget what is real?" That puzzled her.
But thinking back on his words, she had to shrug. "I'm good at taking things, but I think that is because I have drive. But I don't think anyone can really make a life out of that. They usually get caught...like what happened to me, and end up in prison. I just...I dont know. But thank you for the confidence," she said quietly. He seemed to be one of the few that saw her as amounting to anything. Even her aunt didn't have much faith in her. Mostly because despite her good grades, she just wasn't like the other girls. She had realized a few weeks in that she had the same money as them, but her home had never been like how these girls were. She never would be.
"Thank you, Detective." She'd shifted a little, raising her head to look out the window, and to admire the interior of his car. It was pretty luxe, for a classic. As she had spoken 'Detective' it had just felt right. As much as him calling her baby had been. And if it felt right, she wasn't going to question it.
"I hope that your work doesn't bring you down. You're one of the few there that treated me like a human being. I guess they just overlay my crimes and rap sheet, and don't see me." Resting her head back down, she had somehow found that illusive spot that was just right. It seemed that talking to him was getting more out of her than the numerous therapy sessions had. And she didn't feel guilty afterward, either.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2014 1:23:47 GMT -5
Harvey smiled a bit at the dad comment.
"Nah, not yet. Maybe one day I will be. Been helpin' Ma with my sisters for a while, so I think I've been practicing for it pretty good. Then again, those three are a birth control all their own."
Harvey snorted a relaxed little chuckle and let it roll away gently. He smiled again at Elton John. Hell yeah, he's a boss.
He let his expression become a little more somber when they moved onto her taking of things. He just listened intently and silently for a bit to what she had to say. He thought maybe he should correct her about the Detective thing, but he just stopped himself. He'd say something later. He would make detective one day, he knew he would. He had his goals clearly laid before him.
"I try not to let it. It's not easy. Some of the things I've already seen wake me up in a cold sweat some nights. I would tell you, but really, they are terrible and I don't want the pictures in mine nor your mind. There is a reason there aren't a lot of good guys in this job. I think..."
Harvey went silent for a few seconds. He had a slight catch in his throat. It was a hard truth to examine.
"I think some bad men start to become bad when they've seen nothing but bad. It's like some sort of vicious cycle. I just... I don't, won't let it happen to me."
Harvey's jaw was set. He looked out to the road like it was his sworn enemy. There was an anger and defiance in his brown eyes that could speak volumes of how terrible he'd be to deal with if he hated you.
"I hate working for a bunch of guys that think the trashy shit they do and partake in is somehow better for everyone. Its just so...."
Harvey was clenching the wheel in a white knuckled rage. He was so young, so angry, so passionate in what he was placing his hate into.
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