Quote:
Dawn read over the text on her personal phone once more, feeling the sting yet again. She understood. She really did. Money was tight after a series of unfortunate events, there was no way her parents would be able to travel across the country for her graduation. Not with the cost of gas or how much flights would charge. It didn’t help that her younger cousins were all graduating too, but their graduations were ‘local’ to her folks and as such it wouldn’t hurt their tight budget. She was the only one who chose to move from the West coast to the East for school. She was the one who chose to leave.
It was kind of ironic since Dawn had been born on the East coast, born in the city. She had been raised here until her family moved back ‘home’ to the West coast to be with her ailing grandparents. Dawn had gone with them, but when college became a possibility, and knowing she would be able to do a lot more good here in Destiny City than anywhere else because of her ‘skills’, the young woman chose to move back. Fought through four years of nearly endless work, patrolling, school, repeat. And here she was, standing in the dark waiting for a person she knew was dangerous, especially if he ever found out. But he was also one of the reasons she was able to graduate… and if her family couldn’t come there was no point in letting the tickets go to waste.
She had two, they were only giving each student two due to crowd size. They were for her parents but since they couldn’t make it there was no point in them going to waste. Maybe he would want to go, to prove to him that his help wasn’t pointless. To prove to herself that he wasn’t a danger.
It was kind of ironic since Dawn had been born on the East coast, born in the city. She had been raised here until her family moved back ‘home’ to the West coast to be with her ailing grandparents. Dawn had gone with them, but when college became a possibility, and knowing she would be able to do a lot more good here in Destiny City than anywhere else because of her ‘skills’, the young woman chose to move back. Fought through four years of nearly endless work, patrolling, school, repeat. And here she was, standing in the dark waiting for a person she knew was dangerous, especially if he ever found out. But he was also one of the reasons she was able to graduate… and if her family couldn’t come there was no point in letting the tickets go to waste.
She had two, they were only giving each student two due to crowd size. They were for her parents but since they couldn’t make it there was no point in them going to waste. Maybe he would want to go, to prove to him that his help wasn’t pointless. To prove to herself that he wasn’t a danger.
Quote:
The meeting had been set for that night and he wasn’t one to miss out on things, to leave her sitting there waiting, he had better manners than that. However he also knew she was due to graduate and had thus brought her something, as he was certain of her success in school, a small little cake that a person could easily finish on their own. He’d picked it up as a civilian and now carried it as a general.
Approaching on light feet, despite the heels his boots boasted, the blond called out finally as he drew closer. “Evening, I brought something for the graduate.” The small cake had been worth every penny, as had everything else, the energy she offered helped him cover Rene’s quota just in case he didn’t get in enough time at the club helping out. The energy was a nice bit of padding for his fiance’s quota, and he got to help someone who was trying to make a good impact on the city. It was well worth the money spent, all of it, and he was hoping she’d enjoy the cake as well.
“You seem a bit down tonight, is something the matter?” The air felt off, something felt wrong, though what he wasn’t entirely sure. He liked to think himself good at reading people though.
Approaching on light feet, despite the heels his boots boasted, the blond called out finally as he drew closer. “Evening, I brought something for the graduate.” The small cake had been worth every penny, as had everything else, the energy she offered helped him cover Rene’s quota just in case he didn’t get in enough time at the club helping out. The energy was a nice bit of padding for his fiance’s quota, and he got to help someone who was trying to make a good impact on the city. It was well worth the money spent, all of it, and he was hoping she’d enjoy the cake as well.
“You seem a bit down tonight, is something the matter?” The air felt off, something felt wrong, though what he wasn’t entirely sure. He liked to think himself good at reading people though.
Quote:
At the greeting Dawn shoved her phone in her pocket and waved. “Oh, you really didn’t have too, the sentiment is enough,” She grinned and nodded, feeling oddly touched that this person who was practically a stranger had brought her something to celebrate her graduation. It tangled with the guilt over having made the deal with Beni in the first place, she knew what she was doing was wrong. But it had made it possible for her to have reached this point. Besides, it would be ending soon. Once she graduated and started working full time their deal would end. She wouldn’t need the money any more and they would go their separate ways.
“Um, nothing really.” Dawn absently rubbed at her face, trying to scrub away any possible tears. She hadn’t thought she had cried but maybe she just hadn’t been paying enough attention. “My folks texted to apologize.” She shrugged and sat down on the park bench she had been waiting by earlier. “They can’t make the graduation but they will watch the live stream. The cost of flights and hotels and time off work,” She shrugged again, fiddling with the zipper of her jacket. “I get it. It’s ok and everything. Just stings some is all.” It stung more than just ‘some’ but Dawn really did understand. She would get over it, it might take a little bit is all.
After a moment of sitting there restlessly, trying to mentally figure out what to say, Dawn just yanked a small envelope out of her jacket and stuck it out towards Beni. “You don’t have to take them or anything but, I mean, since they are going to go to waste now. If you want them you can have them.” She rambled only to explain, stumbling over herself, “Their tickets. Graduation seating tickets. Every student got two but could have paid for up to four since seating is limited they couldn’t let people do more than that. Not that I mean to imply that you would even want second hand tickets, and I guess I could see if any other students want the extra tickets so more of their family can come. But I figured you might want to see that your money wasn’t wasted.” She dropped some and was about to pull the tickets back, “It’s a stupid idea. I know. You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”
“Um, nothing really.” Dawn absently rubbed at her face, trying to scrub away any possible tears. She hadn’t thought she had cried but maybe she just hadn’t been paying enough attention. “My folks texted to apologize.” She shrugged and sat down on the park bench she had been waiting by earlier. “They can’t make the graduation but they will watch the live stream. The cost of flights and hotels and time off work,” She shrugged again, fiddling with the zipper of her jacket. “I get it. It’s ok and everything. Just stings some is all.” It stung more than just ‘some’ but Dawn really did understand. She would get over it, it might take a little bit is all.
After a moment of sitting there restlessly, trying to mentally figure out what to say, Dawn just yanked a small envelope out of her jacket and stuck it out towards Beni. “You don’t have to take them or anything but, I mean, since they are going to go to waste now. If you want them you can have them.” She rambled only to explain, stumbling over herself, “Their tickets. Graduation seating tickets. Every student got two but could have paid for up to four since seating is limited they couldn’t let people do more than that. Not that I mean to imply that you would even want second hand tickets, and I guess I could see if any other students want the extra tickets so more of their family can come. But I figured you might want to see that your money wasn’t wasted.” She dropped some and was about to pull the tickets back, “It’s a stupid idea. I know. You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”
Quote:
“You should have mentioned it to me sooner.” They could have booked things, gotten the tickets, he’d have added the funds to her payments so she could have done such. Now it was likely too late to book things and fly them out, though perhaps not, it might be possible still and he would have offered but she was offering him to come instead. It was a risk, a huge one, if she knew where he’d be sitting she could find him and then know just who he was.
Before she could pull back, with the tickets in her hand, he grasped them. “You won’t know where I’m sitting, right?” Can’t have her knowing just who he was, just knowing he was there should be enough for her…to fill the gap her parents absence would leave - right? “I can bring the corrupt you've met before as well, I know you two have gotten along well.” Might as well use both tickets and they could see her step on stage and get what she’d worked hard for. “You worked hard and someone should be there for you, even if you don’t see us or know where we are, we can be there.”
Before she could pull back, with the tickets in her hand, he grasped them. “You won’t know where I’m sitting, right?” Can’t have her knowing just who he was, just knowing he was there should be enough for her…to fill the gap her parents absence would leave - right? “I can bring the corrupt you've met before as well, I know you two have gotten along well.” Might as well use both tickets and they could see her step on stage and get what she’d worked hard for. “You worked hard and someone should be there for you, even if you don’t see us or know where we are, we can be there.”
Quote:
Dawn shook her head and actually chuckled a bit, if sadly, “it's ok. I knew it was going to turn out this way since some of my cousins are also graduating. It just makes sense.” When he asked if she would know where he would be sitting she tilted her head just slightly in confusion. Why would that matter? And then it hit her and for a second she blanched. There was a very good reason one didn’t reveal their other identity. It was bad enough that she had already used her real name when they first met. “No,” She tried to answer as normally as possible. “Its just admission tickets. The seats are first come first served. The tickets even say so.” Maybe this was a bad idea. A very bad idea.
But she couldn’t very well take the tickets back. Besides, he had brought her a little present, even if she had no idea what was inside the box. It would be rude to retract a gift, even if it was second hand. “Sure. Mara right? She was nice.” She had also let slip that she called Benitoite, Beni, but Dawn wasn’t going to tell him that. “I appreciate the sentiment but really, if you have something better to do you truly don’t have to come. I’ll be ok. Besides, it's not like I’ll be the only one graduating.”
But she couldn’t very well take the tickets back. Besides, he had brought her a little present, even if she had no idea what was inside the box. It would be rude to retract a gift, even if it was second hand. “Sure. Mara right? She was nice.” She had also let slip that she called Benitoite, Beni, but Dawn wasn’t going to tell him that. “I appreciate the sentiment but really, if you have something better to do you truly don’t have to come. I’ll be ok. Besides, it's not like I’ll be the only one graduating.”
Quote:
“I don’t have anything better to do, Mara and I will be there. You won’t see us, you can’t know it’s us, but know we’re there. I want you safe so you not knowing who we are is best for you. Support will be there, in the audience, physically and we will cheer for you.” Or at least clap for her, a lot of clapping, he wasn’t much for shouting and yelling especially at a public event.
“You’ve worked hard and deserve to have someone there for you, and you have two tickets so two people will be there.” Even if her family would see it on live stream, as it happened, it would be good for her to have people in the audience even if she couldn't see them and they couldn’t approach her. At least they would be there and she would know it. “I’ll talk to Mara tonight, or tomorrow evening ,and I’m sure she’ll be delighted to join me.” Of course his cousin would, he knew her well enough to know how she’d react to this whole thing, Dawn would have her tickets go to good use that day. He’d likely just text his cousin tonight when he got home, right before crawling into bed.
“You’ve worked hard and deserve to have someone there for you, and you have two tickets so two people will be there.” Even if her family would see it on live stream, as it happened, it would be good for her to have people in the audience even if she couldn't see them and they couldn’t approach her. At least they would be there and she would know it. “I’ll talk to Mara tonight, or tomorrow evening ,and I’m sure she’ll be delighted to join me.” Of course his cousin would, he knew her well enough to know how she’d react to this whole thing, Dawn would have her tickets go to good use that day. He’d likely just text his cousin tonight when he got home, right before crawling into bed.
Quote:
“I…” She cleared her throat and tried again, “Thank you.” Dawn blinked away the dampness she felt in her eyes even as she sniffed and smiled. She knew she was playing with fire even talking to him but there was something about being told straight to her face that she deserved having people in the audience at her graduation that eased something inside. It might not be the smartest thing. Heck, it was down right stupid. But it was still comforting knowing that there were people sitting in the audience for her. People proud of her. Regardless of who they were.
After a moment the young woman straightened up and coughed to shake off the remaining sentimental feelings. It was time to be serious and business-like after all. “So you know I’ve got my job lined up after I graduate and everything. That means,” She winced and couldn’t help but look sheepish, “this will likely be the last time right?” Honestly, she had meant for the whole interaction to go differently. Keeping it cordial and concise. But after everything he said, and even everything he offered, it felt so cold just cutting things off like that. But the contract was very clear, ‘until graduation and job’. Both were within her grasp. Two weeks at most and then she would be a working adult. She wouldn’t need to meet up with him.
After a moment the young woman straightened up and coughed to shake off the remaining sentimental feelings. It was time to be serious and business-like after all. “So you know I’ve got my job lined up after I graduate and everything. That means,” She winced and couldn’t help but look sheepish, “this will likely be the last time right?” Honestly, she had meant for the whole interaction to go differently. Keeping it cordial and concise. But after everything he said, and even everything he offered, it felt so cold just cutting things off like that. But the contract was very clear, ‘until graduation and job’. Both were within her grasp. Two weeks at most and then she would be a working adult. She wouldn’t need to meet up with him.
Quote:
“I am aware, and I am glad that you’ve gotten what you needed.” He was more than aware, and he was trying to think of ways to get more people like her. If he could find more people in need of things, things he could provide, he could get energy in return from them; whether they knew the price or not didn’t matter. It was an idea he’d gotten from helping Dawn, from giving her what she needed so she could make a future for herself, this was his way of further helping the civilians of this city.
“I am alright with that, we both knew this would happen. I think it’s good that it’ll end in a celebration, even if you don’t see me and Mara, it’ll be a fitting end. And you will have a job so you can provide for yourself. I’ll keep our line of communication open, in case you ever need help. If anything comes up, good or bad, and you need help you can reach out.” Be it something with her job, or an emergency, he’d do what he could while keeping her from knowing who he was. He’d invested a lot into Dawn and wanted to know she was doing well; succeeding. He needed that.
“I am alright with that, we both knew this would happen. I think it’s good that it’ll end in a celebration, even if you don’t see me and Mara, it’ll be a fitting end. And you will have a job so you can provide for yourself. I’ll keep our line of communication open, in case you ever need help. If anything comes up, good or bad, and you need help you can reach out.” Be it something with her job, or an emergency, he’d do what he could while keeping her from knowing who he was. He’d invested a lot into Dawn and wanted to know she was doing well; succeeding. He needed that.
Quote:
She nodded, “I will.” Her voice cracked a little even as she smiled. Both gratefulness and guilt were at war within her so rather than face it she chose to ignore it. It wasn’t like there was anything she could do about either. Their deal had already been struck, and was in fact coming to a close. She would have to live with the guilt, the knowledge that she was trading energy for money. And remember how she felt grateful that this officer was proud of her. That he was willing to take time out of his day to celebrate something she had worked years for. Which made her feel even more guilty for ‘betraying her side’ as it were. After all she should not be talking with him, let alone inviting him to her graduation.
So rather than face the turbulent emotions inside Dawn instead held out her arm, the same way she had been doing for the past several weeks. “Guess we should get the show on the roll,” How did one handle something like this? “I know you don’t want to be out too late.” Or for their meeting to be interrupted. They had been lucky so far. One could only hope it continued to hold for just a bit longer.
So rather than face the turbulent emotions inside Dawn instead held out her arm, the same way she had been doing for the past several weeks. “Guess we should get the show on the roll,” How did one handle something like this? “I know you don’t want to be out too late.” Or for their meeting to be interrupted. They had been lucky so far. One could only hope it continued to hold for just a bit longer.
