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Post by neverlandlostgirl on Feb 28, 2017 3:47:08 GMT
Ralph shook his head in anger and annoyance at Elsa's words, but he wasn't really mad at her. No, he was more upset with himself. Shadow was his oldest and closest friend, someone who he could relate to and be open with about anything. He was the kind of guy who was committed to protecting people, who was always good for grabbing a drink down at the bar, who could make you laugh when he forgot to be so serious. How could he have not noticed something upsetting his friend? Surely there had been some sign Shadow had given, some warning that the Giant had missed?
"It doesn't matter. I shoulda called him or something, gone and seen him sometime. If I had I would have known something was bugging him and could have helped him. What kind of friend doesn't help?"
Ralph's frown deepened as he pushed his massive hand through his hair. He suddenly began to pace the room, his stride large and aggravated as he mumbled to himself.
"If I'd seen him, I coulda talked to him. That he did this... something had to have happened. Shadow wouldn't just pick a fight like that, not even with somebody like Pitch, not unless he felt he had a damn good reason."
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Post by Zuyuri on Feb 28, 2017 17:10:14 GMT
Elsa's frown deepened. A small bit of relief was washed over herxat the realization Ralph's anger was self-focused. She had never expected the two cops to have been, well, friends. They had been assigned as partners, yes, but she only known through lawyer files how they were partners. But then again, Ralph was about as strong as Shadow was, and it would make sense they would connect on that.
Ralph was pacing, which meant he was cracking a case. Elsa had always wanted to join in on cops working on a case, and since Ralph was a PI and not a cop, he wouldn't chew her out on poking her nose into "delicate evidence"
"The only reason I can think of as to why he fought Pitch is his lost memories. That had always been one his drives, one of his motivations to becoming a cop."
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Post by neverlandlostgirl on Mar 1, 2017 10:42:01 GMT
"His memories?"
The Giant paused in his pacing to look at Elsa, his expression intense and frustrated. Why had he been the last to know about what had happened with Shadow when supposedly they were friends? It didn't sit well with Ralph one bit.
"Why the Hell would he attack that Demon over his lost memories?
He knew plenty well about Shadow's missing memories and how he couldn't recall anything from his past. He'd spent plenty of long, hard cases with Shadow over the years and cultivated a deep trust. He'd known about the blanks in Shadow's history and how much it bothered him just as Shadow had known about his own issues with his temper. Which begged one major question that was eating away at Ralph.
"Why didn't he come to me if he needed help?"
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Post by Zuyuri on Mar 1, 2017 18:40:25 GMT
"I...I don't know.." Elsa stammered.
To be honest, the fact that all contact had been broken between the two of them wasn't quite right to her either. She just fiddled with the edge of her dress. It wasn't her place to answer questions Shadow could answer himself. She wasn't even sure if she wanted to know the answers.
"My guess is Pitch had information. Information that was delivered in the wrong way. You and I both know Shadow resorts to violence as an absolute last resort."
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Post by neverlandlostgirl on Mar 4, 2017 4:08:03 GMT
Ralph turned sharply and glowered at Elsa, but it wasn't directed at her. While he desperately wanted to vent his frustration and anger about this whole mess that he was only now learning about, he knew Elsa wasn't responsible at all. She was merely the messenger who had delivered the bad news.
No, he was really angry at Shadow and Pitch in that moment.....and himself. He'd never trusted that Demon to begin with and this seemed to just prove his mistrust was well placed. Shadow hadn't been bothered to come and talk to him about his problems at all when he knew full well Ralph would have helped him. And he himself had been so busy that he'd never stopped to consider one of his only friends might be in trouble.
"Does anyone have ANY idea where he might be?"
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Post by Zuyuri on Mar 5, 2017 20:11:38 GMT
Elsa paused. Ralph was angry enough, and to tick him off further was a bad idea. She clasped her hands together, racking her brain. The truth was no one had an inkling of what was going on with Shadow, nor where to start.
"Sunshine wants to go to the cemetery and check the grave of the girl he remembers, Maria. Right now she's the only clue."
That was the truth. If the grave investigation went well, it could lead to where Shadow might be. Hope was the biggest thing they could have at this point.
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Post by neverlandlostgirl on Mar 5, 2017 20:23:15 GMT
Ralph ran his hand once more through his hair, causing the spikes to shoot out in unusual directions as he tried to deal with his frustrations. He continued to pace back and forth as Elsa continued speaking from the couch. However, when she mentioned a girl by the name of Maria, a good portion of the anger in him disappeared.
Yes, he'd heard that name before.
Slowly, he went over to the couch and sat down once again with a disgruntled sigh.
"Yeah, I know that name. Heard Shadow say it once while he was talking to himself and asked who Maria was. He wasn't very happy I asked and only told me a little bit. Then he made up some excuse and left right then and there. I got the message, it was a touchy subject for him."
Ralph let out another sigh, this one more unhappy then angry in that moment. If what Elsa said was true, he'd known about Shadow's connection to this girl a long time ago but hadn't realized anything important about it.
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Post by Zuyuri on Mar 6, 2017 6:16:00 GMT
"You meant well, Ralph. And the cold shoulder response doesn't surprise me. We all get...defensive about people that we consider close to us."
Elsa wasn't just talking about Shafow's protective nature of Maria at this point. Up until the rescue at Bellerouge, she had avoided any thoughts of Ralph. But then, positive memories she didn't want anyone, except maybe Jenna, to know about.
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Post by neverlandlostgirl on Mar 13, 2017 3:50:41 GMT
"Yeah, that's true enough..."
As he spoke, he couldn't help but glance at Elsa. Things between them were still uncertain and he had no idea what they were even to each other in that moment. Friends? Acquaintances? Individuals connected by their work? Or was it something more? Either way, such questions would have to ben answered later. Right now he needed to focus on his missing friend.
"So his partner wants to check out the grave of the girl Shadow knew? I don't know what good it will do at this point but....maybe they can find something the rest of us have missed."
He shrugged his massive shoulders. While it wasn't much it was better then nothing at this point.
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Post by Zuyuri on Mar 13, 2017 4:19:59 GMT
"She'll find something, she's too stubborn to break down when she thinks she's gotten close. And listen to you, cheering on the good people."
At this, her face took on a cheeky expression. Her lips curved into a smile in his direction, and her blue eyes eyes were turned upward. That was one thing she remembered liking about Ralph. It didn't matter if the cop taking on the tricky case was an Other or human, all that mattered was that the person had their mind in the right place. It was rare that men, be they Giant or not, came along that way.
"That....that was something I always liked about you"
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Post by neverlandlostgirl on Mar 13, 2017 5:06:31 GMT
"Really? And here I thought it was my animal magnetism."
Ralph's tone was laced with sarcasm, but he couldn't hide the smile that was pulling at his lips. His worry for Shadow was still there of course, but he knew at this point that everything that could be done was being done. Also, focusing on his missing friend wasn't going to help anyone find him and would only succeed in putting him in a bad mood.
It was far better right now to just be grateful that he had been brought up to date. And he had the young lawyer to thank for that.
"Listen, Elsa.....thanks for telling me."
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Post by Zuyuri on Mar 14, 2017 16:24:52 GMT
Elsa laughed. This laugh wasn't her fake sounding one she gave when at galas or her usual polite giggle. THis was her eyes crunched, lips wide, teeth shown laugher. She rarely let that side show, but when she did, it had to be around people she trusted the most. People like the Lafayette kids or...well, Ralph.
Her eyes still retained the glitter when she finished.
"Well, I can't let someone I care about be out of a serious loop."
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Post by neverlandlostgirl on Mar 16, 2017 7:57:26 GMT
Ralph couldn't help but smile upon hearing Elsa's laughter. It was rare that the young lawyer laughed, a genuine and carefree laugh, so to hear it now helped to lift his own spirits where a moment before they had been very low.
Suddenly and without thinking, Ralph reached out and gently took one of her pale hands into his own. He wasn't even aware of what he was doing until he felt her cool hand resting in his own palm.
"Guess I'm the lucky one then, for you to care about me."
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Post by Zuyuri on Mar 18, 2017 15:56:24 GMT
A large but getnle gentle grip took Elsa's hand, slowly letting her laugh die, But it didn't erase the smile that was on her face. If her touch was dexcribed as cool, then his was warm. Her face tingled pink, and she could have sworn her heart was pounding. If Jenna were here, they'd be teased without end. She stumbled on her words, trying to find something to say that wouldn't hurt his feelings or give the wrong impression.
Why was it so hard?!
"I...um...I'm...glad you're okay..."
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Post by neverlandlostgirl on Mar 18, 2017 19:53:11 GMT
"Yeah...you too."
In that instant, Ralph didn't know what to say beyond that. All he could do was sit on the couch while he lightly held Elsa's hand and try to sort through his feelings for the young lawyer while also battling with his worry for Shadow. He was deeply grateful that she had taken the time to tell him Shadow was missing. And he was doing his best to try and get control of his temper for her.
Yet part of him still felt confused. He cared for Elsa without a doubt, but should they even try at a relationship again? Things had ended so badly the last time he had tried to take things beyond just friends that he couldn't help second guessing himself. Was it worth trying again? Or was it simply better to stop where they were?
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