Ok, so I finished the 3rd book by reading for 6 hours straight, and I must say. The book, instead of fueling my Locklyle ship, it fueled my... Gucy? Carbbins? I dunno, Lucy x George! Honestly, throughout the whole thing he's the one who pays more attention to her than Holly. Plus, he comforts her.
Oh yeah, by the way, lots of spoils to Book 3, so you've been warned. Twice now.
Ps, I know a lot of people are like "But Lucy loves Lockwood! They could never be together!" Just take off the shipper glasses and look. It's stated that Lockwood thinks she's like his sister. Complimenting and gift giving is normal. I see it both ways though. I really don't care who or if she ends up with. I was explaining how the Gucy ship might work. Ok, someone please come up with a better shipname!
Now Enjoy!
- Chap 1: Soaked Buns are no fun -
It had been five months. Five months since I had left Lockwood and Co. It was taking its toll on me too. I was used to no sleep, but now I got less. My mind always drifted back to him. The Fetch Illusion. The hallow boy. I knew he was a fake Lockwood, but what he had told me. About the future, his death, that I had caused it. It hurt, it scared me, and I could hardly eat or sleep for weeks after. Needless to say, my hips did get a bit more thinned.
After I had told them I was leaving, promptly ruining George's cake, they all begged and pleaded for me to stay. But I knew my Listening was getting out of hand. Sure, minor things like talking with a type three was normal, but 2s was unheard of. I knew I was walking a path of too high a toll. They prolonged my departure as much as they could. Hiding things, not letting me in my own room. Heck, even Holly joined them by trying to strike up a conversation every chance.
It was lonely now. No laughter, no boys or Holly, no smell of food made by George, and no rapier room. In the apartment I was renting, I had a simple plastic practice dummy to practice on. I did, however, have one piece of home. Two, actually. The necklace Lockwood gave me (he insisted I kept it) and a certain someone. Or should I said, a certain Visitor. So I may have swiped it from George, what of it? I was the only one who could talk to him.
I usually walked around with him in my bag, unless I was at work. Which the most thrilling, most action packed job in the world. A baker girl. The skull suggested it to me, I saw an opening in the ads, and bam. Cashier job. I also had a 2nd job teaching younger agents rapier movements. Private lessons really. Well, it paid the rent. Plus, I got free bread.
It was a cold day today, walking home from the pet store. Spooky, a Border Collie pup I had recently adopted from a group giving away puppies they saved from puppy mills, was in desperate need to toys. That puppy was a boat full of trouble. As I continued my merry way home, a drizzle began. "My oh my Lucy, looks like it's going to thunder. Say, I know, let's go play golf!" A familiar voice cheered in my ears.
Remember when I said I carried the skull around a lot? Days like this is when I start to regret taking him. I glanced down at the bread, then the sky. It was going to thunder, and this free bread was valuable. I mostly use the free bread over buying some with money. Glancing around, I noticed the Library. Without a second thought, I rushed in as the rain began to pound.
I slipped it, the shut behind me swiftly. I could very well hear the cracking of the thunder overhead. Poor Spooks, hopefully he was ok. Thinking of Spooky, I decided to peruse the pet section. I quickly came across Border Collie books, examining each one. Above head, there was a loud noise. "Ladies and Gents, I am sad to say that the rain and wind is very serious, so we are locking the doors so no water can get it. We'll unlock when it's ok to leave, which they say will take at least five hours. Enjoy your day, and complimentary tea and coffee is at the Cafe," with that the announcement was off. Poor, Poor Spooks.
I grabbed a few of the books I had and made my way to the cafe. Picking out a nice spot by a fire place, I set the books down and got some tea. It wasn't half bad either. As I went back to settle down, my eyes grew huge.
There he was. One of the two people I dreaded seeing the most. His mischievous blond hair, his untuck shirt, his glasses, and books in his arms. George. Of all of them, it had to be George. Quickly, I raised a book to my face as he glanced over and began to fake read. I guessed, however, that didn't help. George came walking up, stopping across the table from me. "Mind if I sit here, Miss?" He asked.
Glancing around, all the others seats had been taken. Sighing, I shook my head. I really couldn't let him sit on the floor to do case work. I still had a soft spot for the team left in me. Thanking me, he took a seat across from me and began to dig into his work. Lowering the book the slightest, I could somewhat make out the work. According to what I got a glimpse at, the team was going against a Wraith at some park. Actually, it was the dog park, the same one I take Spooky to. "Oh Lucy, still wrapped up in that silly agent buisness? I'm ashamed Lucy, I thought you were doing so well," the skull laughed.
I gave a jar a quick elbow, a gesture to shut up. George perked up a bit, probably from its talking. "Oh, you can't talk?! Oh, well, this makes it such better! Go on, let's club him! Paper cut him! Staple his forehead! Book tape all the hair on him and then rip it all off at once! Slowly," I jabbed him again.
At the worse timing, my stomach growled. I hadn't gotten breakfast because Spooky ate it all on accident. Now here I was in a bad spot. If I went to get my bread, George would definitely see me. But if I kept growling, his kindness might show and offer me food. So, with care, I stood up. The book was still covering my face as I stalked away towards the back, leaving my tea. I finally made it to the back to the Library, lowering the book down. Sighing, I ran a hand through my hair. Pulling out my bread, I pulled out a loaf. My hands squeezed the bread, only to find it soggy
Great, not only did I have no food, I had to avoid George for at least 5 hours, and fret over a puppy.
"Lucy?"
And I didn't even make it twenty minutes in...
Sighing, for what seemed like the hundredth time, I glanced up. A grin broke out as relief swelled. It was just the Landlord. He had his graying hair in his usual ponytail, his golden glasses tucked neatly against his face. "Ah, Mr. Blint, you scared me for a second. I thought you were someone else," the older man grinned back.
"Lucy, I've told you many atimes call me Luke. I just thought you may want to know that Milan heard about the storm and is keeping 'Lil Spook safe. Somehow, he broke out and went to her apartment room. So, you thought I was that handsome gent you were with? The blonde?" Luke asked.
"George? No, he was an old friend. I... I split from an agency and he worked there. We were close, but," I shifted my gaze down, "it's better his way. Not for me, but for them. It's complicated, Luke," I grinned up at him.
"By the way you took off, and that look in his eye, hun, I don't think-" Luke was promptly cut off by a throat clearing.
He turned around, revealing a George leaning on to a shelf. "If you don't mind, Mr. Stone, I would love to talk with my old team mate. Catch up maybe," He gave a smile at me.
Luke nodded, hurrying out before giving me one last reassuring glance to know I was good with it. I nodded, sending him off to do his buisness. "'Old friend'? It's been five months, Lucy, not five decades," George said as he said on the floor besides me, back against the wall as he pulled his leg to his chest. "We've been worried, you know. Lockwood especially. Somehow he thinks his was all his fault. He gets really gloomy when he walks into the rapier room or by your old room," George whispered.
"Oh my Luce! What an adorable moment! You should go, running in the rain, to the house. Whip open the door, shove Holly off his lap, sit in his lap, then proclaim your love to Lockwood. Then while Holly sobs, you two could passionately m-" The annoying voice in my said. "Hell no! I-I'm not that type of girl!" I yelled at the Skull.
I could see George stare at me. "You took him?! I thought that Holly threw him out finally! Or gave him to DEPRAC! Lucy!" George yelled at me.
Waving him off, and trying to drown out the blush in my face, I looked back at my book. I was training Spooky to be an attack dog. No, not the ones that rip people's faces off. Just trained enough incase the Winkermans decide to pay me a visit. "Although.. I would be lying if I said I didn't miss you. The house is too empty now. Even though Holly moved in, it just isn't the same," George shook his head.
That perked me up. "Holly moved in?" I asked.
"Yeah, Lockwood offered it to her. Once he finally realized that you weren't coming back. Needless to say, she took his offer about a week after. Finally settled in a few days ago. We got a new agent, too. Riker. He's one cool cucumber, alright. Arrives everyday at about 9. Hired him about two weeks ago," George went on with his rambling.
"George," I asked, "why are you telling me this?"
His gazed lowered as he pulled himself into a tighter bundle. "False hope, maybe. I don't know what happened on the Chelsea case, or why it spooked you so bad, but I respect your choice," George looked up, giving me a sad grin.
Now that I looked at him, he was slimmer. I guess he dropped a few pounds. "You know I just can't. Maybe one day I'll say, but until then, no... Did you lose weight George? You look a bit thinner," I tilted my head at him.
"Yeah... decided to get more fit for jobs. Biked here, so I probably smell. Besides, it's easier now. You did ruin cake for me, y'know Lucy?" He chuckled a bit.
Oh yeah, the cake. We never did eat that cake, did we? "So, is that why your at the library all the way across town?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
We sat in silence for a bit. "Do you mind if I stay at your place Lucy for tonight? By the time they let us leave, it'll be dusk. It'd be dumb to bike at night in the wet. Plus, I'd rather not sleep in a Library. We don't have any cases tonight for once, so I don't want to hog a night cab for no use," He asked me politely.
I nodded to him. He could just sleep on my couch, it was only for one night. Besides, even if I never saw him again, I wouldn't want the last time to be at his funeral. "Lucy, inviting boys over at night?! As your father figure Lucy, I demand you revoke that! You young lady are too young for men over at your own apartment!" The skull ranted in my skull. I could feel my face burning up a bit. Stupid skull and that dirty is mind of his!
I could see George staring at the bag, then at my red face. "So, you got a dog?" George asked, pointing at my book. Trying to change the subject, I guess.
"Yeah, three and a half month old Border Collie pup. Name is Spooky, aka Spooks or 'Lil Spook. I guess I named him that because he looked a lot like a Visitor to me, all black and white," I told him, setting the book aside and showing him the toys I had just bought for Spooky.
"Sounds cute, I'm sure he'll be. It's a puppy after all."
"Oh he is, alright. Oh, and a warning: Spooky bites new people."
XxxxxxxxX
Yeah! Don't ask why I gave Lucy a dog, I just did. Spooky will become a good plot line device (hehehe). Sorry if characters are a bit OOC.
Anyone else picture the skulls voice like John de Lance's? (Discord from MLP, Q from Star Trek)
