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Post by Emma Lawrence on Oct 25, 2009 0:28:22 GMT -5
She smiled at the two of them, finding it possible to relax. Now that they had a plan, or at least a direction to head in, she felt much more comfortable. Not that it wasn't scary as shit to know there demons and hell at Satan and all that.
Shaking her head to Ryder's question, she grinned up at him. "No, thank you."
Emma thought about maybe coming along with them if they were going to look for Sylar. Attacking him by themselves would be idiotic, so maybe they'd just go to--this sounded so childish--spy on him; listen in on a conversation he might have to try to figure out what he was going to do. Anything to give them a lead. Because she wasn't entirely ready to tell Colette, Dean, or Cian any of this until she had thought it over herself and given the two in front of her time to adjust as well. No sense in setting up a confrontation if Essence or Ryder was still worked up.
When he walked away to get the drinks, she sent a playful glance to Essence. "He's cute." It was off-topic and possibly completely inappropriate for right now, but damn. He was cute.
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Post by Essence Newman on Oct 25, 2009 0:44:16 GMT -5
"Wish I could believe that, Ess."
She wanted to just burrow into his embrace for a few hours and stay there. She allowed him to move away, though. Seriously considering his response, she felt panic seize her chest. What if he was right? What if Sylar find him? What if he died? A shiver ran over her spine. She didn't want to be one of "those" girls but...she really couldn't even fathom her life without Ryder. She didn't want to. Breathing slowly, she willed herself to calm down. He was right here, right next to her. He was alive, he was fine. [[that totally just reminded me of Josslyn in PR for a sec...]]
"You two want anything to drink? It's on me."
She smile up at him. "Mocha-whatever?" she told him. She watched him go a minute and fought against the silly part of her that wanted to run after him just so she could be touching him, just to assure herself that she was there with him.
"He's cute."
And despite everything, Essence burst into laughter. It wasn't even that funny, but maybe she just needed a release because she couldn't stop laughing. Putting her hand to her aching chest and stomach, she tried to tone her peals down a bit. Ryder was going to be so confused when he got back.
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Post by Ryder on Oct 25, 2009 0:51:51 GMT -5
He reached the counter, tapping his fingers on it a moment before the woman came to him with a smile. "What can I get ya?" She asked. "Mocha lattee? and.. a large... cinnamon swirl coffee please." He smiled, pulling out his wallet and grabbing some cash.
Laughter filled the small place, he turned, brows raised as he looked to Essence. Something was funny. He smirked, wondering what it was. Paying for the drinks, he headed back to the table. Laughing softly, he handed her the drink. "What's so funny?" He asked, sitting down and taking a sip of his own drink.
"I think the best place to find out anything would be the lounge downtown. It's his main hangout place. The guys there know me well, so I'm sure I can get some information out of them." He smiled, leaning back. He liked the fact that they know had their own plan. Whatever you're up to Sylar.. I'll stop you..
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Post by Emma Lawrence on Oct 25, 2009 0:55:39 GMT -5
When Essence erupted, Emma couldn't help but join her. Personally she hadn't thought it was that funny, but perhaps the tension of the conversation had bottled everything up and this was their means of release. Still getting over herself, Emma shook her head as Ryder asked what was funny. "Nothing, nothing," she sighed, still chuckling.
The man started configuring their plan of action, and the room fell silent once more. Emma bit her lip, looking at her hands clasped on the table, instead of either one of them specifically. "And we'll both go with you," she offered with a nod that said he had no choice, so there was no point in aruging about that. "You know, as back up or...something."
Because she still had to sort out telling Dean, Colette, and Cian.
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Post by Essence Newman on Oct 25, 2009 1:03:17 GMT -5
"What's so funny?"
Emma waved his question off but Essence was still on the edges of laughter. "You're cute," she summed up, giggled trailing to an end. He wouldn't understand that at all but that was okay. Breathing deep, she let her body relax. She took the drink from him, murmuring her thanks.
"I think the best place to find out anything would be the lounge downtown. It's his main hangout place. The guys there know me well, so I'm sure I can get some information out of them." "And we'll both go with you. You know, as back up or...something."
Essence nodded her agreement with Emma. Ryder wouldn't like that. He really wouldn't be happy with that, she predicted. But there was no way in hell she was letting him leave her. Even now she subconscious edged closer to him, replacing her hand on his leg.
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Post by Ryder on Oct 25, 2009 1:13:06 GMT -5
"Nothing, nothing," "You're cute."
He perked a brow, looking between the two of them before smiling. "Thanks?" He shook his head, laughing softly as he took another sip. He could tell the two were close, laughing about something he quite didn't know what about... but it was nice, seeing Essence having someone to turn to.
"And we'll both go with you. You know, as back up or...something."
He opened his mouth to protest, when Essence nodded. "No.. it's not a place for a pregnant woman to hang out at." He told her. "It's too dangerous." He told her. "I won't be held responsible if something happens to you."
He sighed, knowing that both of them would go anyway. "Okay.. I see that I'm outnumbered in this. Fine." He tapped his foot on the floor. "Still don't like it." He told them. "Not one bit."
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Post by Emma Lawrence on Oct 25, 2009 1:19:30 GMT -5
Emma chuckled. "My excuse is hormones. I can beat the shit out of anyone I choose." Still, she didn't know if she wanted another run-in like the one she'd experienced with Saikoro. With the car, and the invisible demon, and Cian getting angry... She'd only seen her husband that furious a few times, but goddamn, he was scary.
"Okay...I see that I'm outnumber in this. Fine."
"Yes," Emma replied decisively, allowing a grin. It faded, though, and she reached out to them. "I really want to help you get through this, okay? Don't worry. I know you don't like it. But it will be all right."
She had to say it, for at least one of their sakes. They were both so caring and dedicated to each other; how could she not want to preserve that?
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Post by Essence Newman on Oct 25, 2009 1:41:42 GMT -5
"Thanks?"
"You're welcome," Essence said, still grinning. She popped the top off her drink and took a sip. Mmm.
"No.. it's not a place for a pregnant woman to hang out at. It's too dangerous. I won't be held responsible if something happens to you."
"Ry..." She sighed out, bucking up for a full-on argument. It wasn't needed, though, as a second later he was revoking his previous statements. "Okay.. I see that I'm outnumbered in this. Fine." He tapped his foot on the floor. "Still don't like it." He told them. "Not one bit."
"I know," she said almost apologetically. She gave him a consoling kiss on the cheek, resting one hand on his shoulder. "Not letting you go this alone, though." She would hate sitting around at home while he was off, feeling helpless and useless.
"I really want to help you get through this, okay? Don't worry. I know you don't like it. But it will be all right."
"Thank you," Essence said softly to Emma. "You don't have to do that much, though, you know." She didn't want to put any more people at risk. "I mean, you've got a family with Cian and Oliver and another on the way. And I..." she looked to Ryder a moment. "We can't ask you to risk that for this, yeah?"
Emma had tons of people around her that cared after her. Whereas she and Ryder...just had each other.
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Post by Ryder on Oct 25, 2009 1:57:26 GMT -5
"I know," she said almost apologetically. She gave him a consoling kiss on the cheek, resting one hand on his shoulder. "Not letting you go this alone, though."
He looked between the two, shrugging. "Guess I got no say." He sighed. "But, I think it'd be safer if we go now before it gets dark. Think you can walk there Emma, or do you want me to hail a cab?" He asked.
"I really want to help you get through this, okay? Don't worry. I know you don't like it. But it will be all right." "I mean, you've got a family with Cian and Oliver and another on the way. And I..." she looked to Ryder a moment. "We can't ask you to risk that for this, yeah?"
He looked at Essence with a smile. "I don't think she'll change her mind, Ess." He chuckled softly. "S'what do you say?" He perked a brow. "Wanna head out?"
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Post by Emma Lawrence on Oct 25, 2009 2:07:43 GMT -5
Tossing a hand nonchalantly, she stood up. "I can walk, don't worry about it," she said with a newfound confidence. This would be interesting.
"You don't have to do that much, though, you know. I mean, you've got a family with Cian and Oliver and another on the way. And I... We can't ask you to risk that for this, yeah?"
Her eyes flickered to Essence, and she put her hands in her pockets. "I know I don't have to." She was missing the point. She wanted to do everything and more for them. They were two kids--barely, anymore--trying to settle down, right? It seemed that way. Emma just didn't want their relationship (and lives) in jeopardy. "I'm not taking the risk you think I am," she answered a little more softly. "Trust me."
Emma then looked to Ryder with a grin. "Yeah, let's go."
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Post by Essence Newman on Oct 25, 2009 2:19:22 GMT -5
"I know I don't have to. I'm not taking the risk you think I am," she answered a little more softly. "Trust me."
Essence caught something in her voice but let it pass. It didn't seem to be something she wanted to discuss. Plus she was admittedly a little preoccupied with the situation at hand. She would ask Emma about it later.
She nodded, smiling softly. "Thank you, really."
Emma then looked to Ryder with a grin. "Yeah, let's go." She was so grateful to have Emma with them. Just...to have someone else made the whole situation seem a lot less insurmountable.
"Wanna head out?" "Yeah, let's go."
Essence rose along with them, immediately taking Ryder's hand. "Let's get to it," she offered her consent, finishing off her drink. Adrenaline thrummed through her veins now that they were really starting.
Time to go to work.
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Post by Ryder on Oct 25, 2009 2:23:34 GMT -5
"I can walk, don't worry about it,"
He nodded, taking to his feet and grabbing his drink. "Alright. But if I see you wincing or anything I'll hail a cab." He smiled over at her. It was true Ryder form, always thinking of others.
"I know I don't have to. I'm not taking the risk you think I am," she answered a little more softly. "Trust me."
He smiled, holding the door open for the two. "Thanks, Emma." He said softly as they headed out. His free hand reached for Essences, wanting her close. If anything would happen, he would make sure these two were safe. First and foremost.
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Post by Emma Lawrence on Oct 25, 2009 2:28:58 GMT -5
In a failed attempt to tug back a smirk, Emma looked up at Ryder. "I'm not going to be wincing," she countered with a chuckle. "You worry about her, okay?" She gestured to Essence, who really seemed to be in total need of Ryder. Which was fine--Emma knew the feeling of needing to lean on somebody; having someone else carry the weight of your world for a while.
"Thanks, Emma."
She grinned wide again. "My pleasure."
They started off for the bar, and although it was light out, the closer they got, the more emotions Emma drew in that were related to darkness; fatigue; mystery. Either they were close, or her powers were out of whack.
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Post by Essence Newman on Oct 25, 2009 2:37:08 GMT -5
"Alright. But if I see you wincing or anything I'll hail a cab." "I'm not going to be wincing."
Essence chuckled at the exchange, shaking her head. "Hey, be easy on the little Lawrence. Don't want to have 'er pop out on the side of the street, huh?" she joked.
"You worry about her, okay?"
Essence should have pulled away from Ryder a little at that. She should have shown that she was totally in control of herself and could handle whatever happened. But in truth, she was not totally in control of herself and had no clue how she would react to seeing Sylar again.
She wished she could say she would just be outraged and kill him on the spot out of sheer anger. But she wasn't sure that was true. She wasn't sure she'd be able to overcome the deep fear that had sunk through her skin and into her bones and veins, as if it was an infection entering through the injuries he had given her.
So instead she pulled closer to him, hating herself a little for it, and kept as even a pace she could manage as they headed down the sidewalk.
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Post by Ryder on Oct 25, 2009 2:47:59 GMT -5
"I'm not going to be wincing," she countered with a chuckle. "You worry about her, okay?"
He chuckled at that, nodding. "Yes ma'am." He smirked, pulling Essence close. He wouldn't know what he'd do if he lost her. God forbid if he did, he'd go insane. He couldn't take another of his love's passing away. He let out a fierce yawn as they neared the lounge. "We're close."
"Hey, be easy on the little Lawrence. Don't want to have 'er pop out on the side of the street, huh?"
He laughed softly, shaking his head. "God, that would not be good." He smiled, looking to Emma. His head spun to look at Essence as he smiled. "So what do you say tomorrow we go house shopping?" He asked, wanting to make some kind of conversation before entering the lounge.
As they came closer, a uneasy feeling filled him. Swallowing hard, he held open the door for them. Walking in, a few of the regulars looked over at him. Most gave him dirty looks as he walked to the bar. "Nigel, you jackass, where are you?" He shouted into the back room.
A rather skinny man, with tattoos emerged with a scowl on his face. "God damn it Ryder, what the fuck do you want now?" Ry smirked, leaning against the bartop. "Just got a few questions 'sall." He grinned. "Sylar.. ever heard the name here?"
Nigel perked a brow. "And why the fuck would I tell you?"
Ryder played it cool. "Oh.. I don't know. Maybe because I know about that red red you fucked a few weeks ago. Don't think Missy would approve of that now, would she?" He grinned.
"Your a rather, right tight bitch." He spat, glaring. "Look." He said, leaning in. "That guy came in here a few nights ago, was looking for something. Said it was of great importance to him. Messed up my bar when I said I didn't have it. I don't need that kind of shit here Ryder."
"'Course not, Nigel. One more thing, though." He sighed. "What's this 'thing'?"
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Post by Emma Lawrence on Oct 25, 2009 13:03:20 GMT -5
"Hey, be easy on the little Lawrence. Don't want to have 'er pop out on the side of the street, huh?"
She swallowed thickly, nodding with the tiniest of smiles. "The said little Lawrence will be fine, don't worry." The whirlpools of emotions swimming in this place created a kind of cloud around her. Emma winced, looking about her, keeping a sharp eye. Ryder started to exchange some aggressive words with someone named "Nigel," so she didn't think to interrupt.
That didn't keep her from listening, though.
"...was looking for something. Said it was of great importance to him."
Something told her they'd definitely need Dean and/or Colette by the end of today. With all of the darkness floating around this place, a fight seemed inevitable. "Essence?" she said softly, staying by her side. "Come on with me." She started to lead her farther into the cafe, wanting to listen to some gossip; maybe see if people were talking about Sylar and his visit here. The more information, the better.
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Post by Essence Newman on Oct 25, 2009 15:10:15 GMT -5
"So what do you say tomorrow we go house shopping?"
Essence was a little taken aback at the sudden subject change but she rolled with it easily. "Sure. Don't know how much help I'll be though," she quipped lightly.
"That guy came in here a few nights ago, was looking for something. Said it was of great importance to him.
So, there was something else Sylar needed for whatever the hell it was he was planning. That was good news. He seemed to be looking in all the wrong places as well, which was even better news. The longer it took him to locate what he needed, the better.
"Essence? Come on with me."
Essence looked to Emma curiously but nodded. She squeezed Ryder'd hand to let him know she was wandering away. Moving with Emma, she kept one ear on the conversation between Ryder and "Nigel." What was Sylar looking for? She also tried to focus in on the surrounding gossip, hopinh to pick up on anything.
"What's up, Em?" she asked. She kept half an eye on Ryder though, still nervous about being to far from him. Which was silly and stupid and she knew it, but she couldn't help it.
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Post by Ryder on Oct 25, 2009 17:23:58 GMT -5
"Essence?" she said softly, staying by her side. "Come on with me."
He wanted to protest them not staying by his side, but he was preoccupied with Nigel. He kept a close eye on them though. "So, out with it Nigel. What did he come in here looking for?" He asked, leaning in closer. "Don't make me get physical."
Nigel looked around, more and more people were looking at them. "Look, I can't be giving out information left and right about the people coming in here. You know as well I as do how that turns out in the end." He told him.
"Oh, come on now, Nigel." He smirked, grabbing at the man's shirt. "Don't tempt me." He warned. "Okay.. okay.." Nigel quickly made him let go of his shirt. Dusting himself off, he leaned back in. "Something about a amulet."
Ryder was confused. "But Bella has it.." He talked outloud to himself. "Why on earth would he be looking for it here if she has it?" It took him a minute to figure it out. "God damn it." He muttered, sighing heavily. "Led me on.." He muttered.
He bit at his lower lip, looking around the place. "Anything else you want to tell me?" He asked, perking a brow at the man. "Nothing.. I swear." He confessed. "Except that.." He stopped, looking into the corner at a large man. "Come with me." He waved him on, heading to the back room.
Ryder looked at the girls, before following. "Spill it."
"The other night when that guy came in here, he wasn't alone. Had some other man with him. Went by the name of Cerb. Weird name if you ask me." He told him, looking around nervously. "Seemed the amulet wasn't exactly what they were looking for."
"And what were they looking for?" Ryder asked, without skipping a beat.
"They wouldn't tell me. But I overheard a converstion they were having. That guy was talking about some unknown power source in Rome. Seemed this guy Cerb, was trying to point him in the right direction. I don't know what else you want to know Ryder.. I'm putting my head out there for you. There better be something in it for me."
Sighing, Ryder pulled out his wallet and handed Nigel a hundred dollar bill. "Thanks, Nigel. You know you really should stop cheating on your wife."
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Post by Emma Lawrence on Oct 25, 2009 19:10:46 GMT -5
"I want a safer distance for eavesdropping," she told Essence quietly, sparing a glance back over her shoulder looking to Ryder and Nigel. It was a good idea, too, because Nigel's mouth seemed to be moving more once they moved away. She saw the look they exchanged--Essie and Ry--and frowned. Reaching for her hand, she tried to give her a reassuring smile.
Still, she knew she couldn't keep them apart for long.
The people around them clearly didn't like them being here, but she ignored those emotions and tried to find ones of, maybe, secrecy, or falsehood. This was harder than she thought. Something about an amulet? And, yes, Sylar had been here... So they were on the right track.
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Post by Essence Newman on Oct 25, 2009 20:46:59 GMT -5
She watched the door close behind Ryder and fought to remain nonchalant. Defiant, she put her back to the door and faced Emma full-on.
She squeezed Emma's hand lightly in thanks. She was fine. "Good idea," she said, mustering up a smile in return. She tuned into her heightened hearing and could just catch the whispers of Ryder talking to Nigel. She couldn't make out any of the words, though. Her face screwed up in a frown and she focused a little closer, tuning into the conversations around them.
Most of typical discussions. Shitty days at work, marital problems, affairs, debt, illnesses... Nothing about Sylar or Lillith or anything that might help them. "I got nothing," she murmured to Emma. Her eyes turned inconspicuously to the back room. Door still closed, no Ryder.
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