ivegotmypride | footsteps on the stairs

footsteps on the stairs

She'd been too late.

That was exactly what she realized when she'd opened the door. The second the door was open she could feel something was off in the air. She took a few tentative steps into the den and called out, "Oi! Who's about?" a customary way to greet the denizens of the den.

She already had a very strong idea who was about. And she didn't like it.

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Jackie wouldn't want Nancy to go begging on her behalf. It weren't right that she would need to beg in the first place.

"Jem gets away wiv a lot anyway. Never brings in his quota."

"Well, that's going to end now, ain't it?" She gave her a reassuring smile, rubbing her shoulder.

She takes the gin for a long swig.

"D'you want t'talk about it?"

Jackie is silent but then she can't seem to stop herself:

"It's like he had somethin' to prove. It didn't matter that it was me, he just... had to prove somethin'."

She rubs her shoulder again, intent on keeping her feeling warm and safe.

"That's more'n half of 'em," Nancy has to admit. Men who fucked like they had something to prove. And yet they never did prove themselves.

At least, not in the way they wanted.

"And he proved himself a right bastard what don't know the meaning of loyalty. Not the sort Fagin'd ever trust." With any luck, maybe Fagin would be furious that Jem'd acted without his permission. That he'd jeopardized so much.

Jackie pauses, looking at Nancy with an expression that makes it very clear that that particular thing had not crossed her mind. Fagin would be angry that Jem had taken it upon himself to ... to do what he did. (It was hard to even think on it.) It was acting outwith his orders. An' you didn't go against Fagin's word.

"... I didn't think of that."

Nancy pulls the girl a bit closer to her. "Yeah- see? We can come out on top of this. And you won't be coverin' for what he don't bring in, we'll get you out of this no problem." She had to think that. She couldn't consider how wrong she actually was.

"Fagin ain't gonna like not havin' as much coin," Jackie worried her lip. It had to mean something, didn't it? It had to mean something that she was able to double his daily profits.

"Exactly. And when you're not covering them, your numbers'll be even higher'n what they are now." They could be logical about this, get ahead of the whole thing. Nancy could go to Fagin tonight, even, and try to explain the situation. Once Bill was home, so he could keep a watch on Jackie.

The dog would be a comfort, too.

Jackie actually started to look a bit hopeful. It was a long shot, she knew, but if anything could motivate Fagin in her favour, it would be the loss to his daily profits. If they could convince him of how they would suffer, then...

"There's a chance."

"And it's a chance we've got t'take." They knew that. Take the risk. And it'd be worth it. Even if Jem didn't back off, they'd have put him in his place.

"And if he tries anything again..." Nancy reached under her multitude of skirts, pulling them up about her knees, revealing her stockings and boots. She reached into her boot and pulled out a small knife- closer to a dagger. Wordlessly, she handed it to Jackie. It was hers now. She needed it more than Nancy did.

Jackie took the knife, looking at it before looking at Nancy.

"You sure?"

Wouldn't she need it for work?

“When’ve I said something I don’t mean?” For a liar, she was honest. “Keep it. You know how to use it, yeah?” She knew she did. She just had to check, keep it light.

"'Course I do," Jackie nodded, tucking the knife into her own boot. She'd need to get use to how to wear it properly.

"Good." She gives her a nod. If she needs another one, she can find it. But Jackie needed a way to protect herself more than she did.

"Rules mean nothin' on the streets, Jack."

"I know."

She's seen how it can be, knows how quickly people can turn on you on the streets. If the knife keeps her safe know that people are going to know... She will get good at it, fast.

It's a bit frustrating. She's trying to help, and Jackie shuts her down. It's understandable- she wants to feel in control, Nancy doesn't doubt. Besides, she does know, she's a smart girl who was raised same as Nance. But knowing and experiencing are two different thinks.

She takes another drink.

"What can I do t'help?"

"...Teach me," she looks up Nancy. "To use the knife proper."

She needs to know, so she doesn't end up hurting herself.

"Of course." She took the knife back, and gestured to the blade. "Alright, see here it's sharp on both sides, so it goes in nice and easy. Keep it in your boot, blade facing down. If you've got to, aim for around their ribs, yeah? Works if you get 'em from the back just the same. Thighs, too, if you think you can run.

"Keep it in your boot, it's easy enough t'grab that way. And men'll be pleased you can get your leg up that high." She can't help it, but she rolls her eyes. Men were so predictable.

"But round the den, maybe keep it in your sleeve. We can make you something to keep it there."

Jackie nodded, paying close attention to how Nancy gestured with the knife, and the words she said. Ribs, works if you get them from the back, things work too. Men would be... Okay. well, she didn't want to think on that one too much.

"What would keep it in place?"

"we'll figure something out, a leather strap maybe." Nancy had kept her knife in her boot the whole time. But Jack had a different set of circumstances.

"With the knife- if you need-- twist it. Twist it and pull upward." She'd seen it happen first-hand. Brutal, but it worked.

She tapped the side of her boot where she had stashed the knife for now. Yes, a leather strap of some sorts sounded like it would work. If she got a holder for it, that would work too, make sure none of them 'accidentally' pressed it against her to cut her.

"Twist an' upward?" She asked, frowning to clarify.

Another nod. "Yeah. Twist the knife- like you would t'make a hole in leather." Jack would understand, they'd had to create plenty of additional belt holes in their life.

Jack nodded, understanding. They had done that often enough, trying to make belts last longer for people to use. "Anythin' else that might help?"

She thinks for a moment. "Don't let them win. Don't let 'em see you crack. You've got to be strong, but know if you need t'cry, you find me. You need anything, Jackie, you find me, alright?" She takes Jack's hands in hers.

Jackie can't do anything but nod, finding herself pulling nearer to Nancy, needing the comfort at that moment. She knows, of course she does, that's it's going to be hard going and she'll need to do more than double the work she usually does to try to keep herself safe but... It had to be worth it.

"Life ain't fair, is it?"

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