Julia smiled as she knocked on the door to Lily's room. "Lily? May I come in?"
There was no answer from inside, though Julia knew the girl was in her room.
Opening the door softly, Julia peeked inside the room. "Lily?"
The redhead could see Lily was laid out on her bed, a book in her hands.
Smiling, Julia took a quick look at the cover of the book Lily was reading. Such a young girl and already she liked reading.
Lily was reading the final book in the 'The Three Musketeers' series. A tragic book since all the heroes died.
Sitting down at the foot of the bed, Julia allowed Lily to finish reading before she spoke. She could see the girl only had a few more pages to go.
Five minutes later Lily closed the book and let out a depressed sigh. Even her hero died alone.
"Hello, Lily..." Julia spoke softly. "Did you enjoy the book?"
Lily sat up quickly and Julia could see the girl trying to hide her emotions. This time it was quite a visible process. "What do you want?"
Julia told Lily, "Pack a backpack, Lily, and rest well tonight. We're going on a nature trip tomorrow for two days."
The girl obviously wasn't expecting that answer, for she blinked in surprise before her features darkened again. "But Mr. Howard doesn't let me go out of the Tower without escort."
The redhead smiled. "Well, this is a special exception. It's going to be just you, me and Mr. Howard." Her smile brightened as she told the girl, "No tower, no walls, and no guards. Just the three of us and nature."
Lily's pale face told Julia all she needed to know about Lily's feelings for Geese. "Mr. Howard?"
"Yes," Julia said. "After all, Geese loves to be around nature as most people would. It's a good place to train and connect with mother earth." She placed her hand on the girl's shoulder. "And don't worry. It's not going to be all training. I'll be teaching you what I know about plants, animals, and if there's a good stream I'll teach you how to fish." Julia winked. "Won't that be fun?"
After all, Julia didn't want Lily to feel bad about having Geese around. She wanted the girl to relax and have fun for once.
Lily nodded hesitantly and averted her eyes from Julia's own. While she was happy for the chance to go outside and really get in touch with nature she felt unease whenever Geese was around... Even if she owed him her life.
Julia rubbed Lily's shoulder gently, trying to reassure the girl it would be all right. "Don't fret about this, Lily. I promise you you'll have fun. This trip will get you to smile yet."
"... Thank you," Lily said before placing her book on her night table. "Why are you doing this?"
Smiling, Julia told Lily, "Because you're a little girl, and should be allowed to live like one."
Lily didn't respond for a while. When she did she looked up at Julia. "I'd like to sleep now." While she didn't say it with words her eyes were thankful to the redhead.
Julia nodded her head with a smile. "Sleep well, angel."
Lily laid down and closed her eyes, though she was sure she wouldn't be able to get much sleep that night. Confusing thoughts about Julia would keep her up all night.
---
The light above the elevator entrance into Geese's office 'dinged as the elevator reached that floor. The doors opened slowly to reveal Geese's two most trusted employees. Hopper and Ripper.
"Sir," Hopper started. "What is the matter?"
"Yes," Ripper agreed. "The urgency in your voice told us this wasn't a joking matter."
Geese looked at his employees seriously. "You two will have to take care of my business for a couple of days."
The two raised an eyebrow in sync. It was sheer coincidence both raised their right eyebrows, really.
"What?" Geese asked.
"You mean you don't want us to do your work, but actually want us to act as authority in your steed?" Hopper asked inquisitively. "Sir, not to overstep my bounds but isn't that... Inappropriate?"
Geese treated his employees with a serious gaze. "Then what do you suggest, Hopper? I have to leave the city for a few days."
Both men stiffened suddenly at those words. Geese leave the city? HIS city? This MUST have been of the utmost importance!
"Sir!" Hopper practically shouted as he saluted.
Geese nodded. "I'm leaving everything in your hands."
"Leave everything to us, sir," Ripper said. "We won't fail you."
Geese's eyes glinted dangerously. "You better not."
Both men couldn't help but feel a chill go up their spines at their boss's words of 'encouragement.'
Geese stood up and sighed. "I don't want any escorts. This is a personal matter."
Now the two were REALLY confused. "Sir?" Hopper asked curiously.
Geese walked to the window and changed the subject away from his employee’s questions. "What have you learned of that boy? The one that uses the pole to fight."
"Ah! William Kane," Hopper said. "Born in Westchester, England, December 25th, 1971."
"Blood-type is B+, weighing in at 164 cm and 74 kg," Ripper added.
Geese frowned. "And you say he's a low-life mugger?"
"Not at all. Seems here, he got some his skills at first in pole-vaulting," Hopper said. "Gold medalist in '82 Jr. Olympics."
"He's also been seen in local fight circles lately," Ripper added. "Been winning a lot of underground tournaments, presumably to support his younger sister."
Geese nodded. "Ripper, while I'm away I want you to approach young Kane."
Hopper nodded. "With purpose of employment or KoF invite?"
Geese smirked and turned to regard Hopper. "Invite, of course. We need to test the boy before employing him."
"Understood!" Hopper said seriously.
The crime lord turned back to the window. "Any further questions?"
"No sir, all is understood," Hopper said seriously.
"We will get on your orders ASAP," Ripper agreed.
"Good," Geese said without turning.
"One unrelated question to this though, sir," Ripper did speak up.
"Go on."
"Do you want us to have your desk repaired while you're away, or just get you a new one?" Ripper asked as he motioned to the rather damaged spot in the marble-top.
Geese turned to see the fist indentation and raised an eyebrow. He did remember hitting his own desk, but not actually applying that much strength. "Leave it like that." He had a feeling that with Julia around this would be a common occurrence.
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(Posted Wed, 01 Sep 2004 03:56)
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