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Jun 1, 2023 14:53:48 GMT -5
Post by Sophie Chang on Jun 1, 2023 14:53:48 GMT -5
If you had known Sophie before her aunt died you'd have seen the sense of confidence she had in herself. It wasn't all there now but she was always more focused and grown up sounding when she had a problem to set her mind to. Right now it was figuring out what Avery really wanted of her. People didn't help each other without wanting something in return in the world she grew up in. In the triad case it was loyalty and if you served the cause they'd take care of you. And her father knew they'd also take care of her in the future. She still looked a bit sad but focused. Then replied "I'm not afraid; just not all together right now. So you could help me make a future?" She had been gradually putting the pieces together since she'd been through her aunts computer and she knew them helping her out would mean she'd have to help them out later on. Just like her father had worked for them. This could change her path and she seen that. So she added "I'm listening". Avery Ashford
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Jun 2, 2023 15:53:58 GMT -5
Post by Avery Ashford on Jun 2, 2023 15:53:58 GMT -5
People would tell you that children were impressionable and she knew that all too well but she was not trying to use children only make them understand that there was a good world out there. "I think that we should look at the world and never see it as good or bad but simply a place that we can always change and challenge ourselves to make better. Now this meeting that I am headed to it's full of stuffy people but you can look around on the floors if you want or listen in on the meeting also. They will probably like to hear from a child." Sophie Chang
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Jun 2, 2023 16:03:55 GMT -5
Post by Sophie Chang on Jun 2, 2023 16:03:55 GMT -5
Sophie listened carefully and she looked like she wasn't missing a single detail right now. The more information she picked up the better her chances of figuring out what this lady was really up to. It wasn't that she was distrustful; she could be be too trusting if something sounded plausible to her but so far this sounded like it should do. There was nothing yet that sparked her intuition. "Mrs Ashford. That sounds good to me but how honest can I really be to the stuffed suits? Can I also stop off and get bubble tea before this starts? You might even like it too" she replied. Avery Ashford
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Jun 3, 2023 10:00:39 GMT -5
Post by Avery Ashford on Jun 3, 2023 10:00:39 GMT -5
"Stuffed suits?" That was actually funny but she wore suits and she did not consider herself stuffed she honestly considered herself more eloquent but she knew that people had to come to their own conclusions. "You can be as honest as you want as long as you are prepared for them to be as honest as they want back. I think you can take it but some people say they can and they truly can not but I think you are different." Sophie Chang
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Jun 3, 2023 10:09:28 GMT -5
Post by Sophie Chang on Jun 3, 2023 10:09:28 GMT -5
"Stuffed suits was a name my aunt had for high level business people. Another thing I picked up of her I guess" she replied to explain it. Avery seemed to have either guessed correctly or pickup up something from her as she spoke again. "Every teacher I ever had could say that about me but I will wait to hear what they have to say". So no bubble tea but she hoped there'd be something to her liking at this meeting. "So what got you into business?" she posed. Avery Ashford
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Jun 4, 2023 11:14:04 GMT -5
Post by Avery Ashford on Jun 4, 2023 11:14:04 GMT -5
Kids with inspiration were always good ones that you wanted to work out. Most people lived to crush their inspiration but she found that she did not, she simply wanted them to be able to have a place to grow and be themselves. "After you have said your piece I will make sure that they know that we need to file it and take it under true consideration." Maybe it would help her to deal with the other kids around the island too because her child skills did need a lot of help. "You could be the cause for change Sophie and that is never a bad thing." Sophie Chang
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Jun 4, 2023 14:04:58 GMT -5
Post by Sophie Chang on Jun 4, 2023 14:04:58 GMT -5
Again there was another question that might be answered later as the car sped on and was now exiting the slums proper. The fact the car was functioning and fancy might well get peoples attention but it was just another vehicle at the end of the day. Bicycles were still the best way of getting round her if you didn't need four wheels. If you did there were older vehicles that could suit your purposes. "That sounds good to me" Sophie replied and this translated to her as we'll listen, record what you say and then we might act on it or parts of it. Which was as good as you'd get with anybody. "Change isn't always good but it will happen" she added softly. She knew how quickly things had changed for her in just a few minutes; you just had to deal with it whatever it did to you. Right now she could barely walk even with crutches but later she could be back to doing what she'd done before. Just not with her aunt and probally not in a slums apartment. Avery Ashford
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Jun 5, 2023 14:17:58 GMT -5
Post by Avery Ashford on Jun 5, 2023 14:17:58 GMT -5
"Necessity is never easy it's like drinking water. Who really likes to drink water? The truth is that most people only like water to swim in and take baths or showers with. You take the average person and ask them about drinking water every day and they are going to tell you that they hate it." She was realistic in too many ways sometimes. The car finally stopped and she got out and made her way around to help Sophie out as she opened the door. "Come on no need to be ashamed and scared now. Everything will be fine." Sophie Chang
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Jun 5, 2023 14:45:59 GMT -5
Post by Sophie Chang on Jun 5, 2023 14:45:59 GMT -5
Sophie had gotten quite comfortable and did need the help to get out of the car. A place this big, also one she didn't know and lacking a means of escape if trouble found her did bother her but a lack of information was also an opportunity for adventure. She'd need her brain to get out of a mess now if trouble found her. So once she felt the crutches hit solid ground and her right foot join them she felt more secure. "I can't change what happened. I can only build on what's left of my life" Sophie replied. As much of a statement of her self belief as it was stating how driven she was. Other things came from self belief which included courage to overcome fearing how to handle change. She walked just slightly behind Avery as she lead the way. At least for now but if she was ever fully recovered that afternoon had unlocked another side of her. She'd taken a life by choice and now she had no doubts about doing it again. Avery Ashford
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Jun 7, 2023 7:19:07 GMT -5
Post by Avery Ashford on Jun 7, 2023 7:19:07 GMT -5
She supposed that it was life for everyone to make their own choices as she listened and it did make sense as she opened the doors to the conference room. Most people would be intimidated by such a big room but she was not and she felt that no one should ever as she waved to them. "Gentlemen" she said. The truth was that men had been trying to run her out of this business ever since Ethan had to take a small bit of time off but she would not let it. "This is sophie and she has a few things to say so please listen up." Sophie Chang
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Jun 7, 2023 8:31:09 GMT -5
Post by Sophie Chang on Jun 7, 2023 8:31:09 GMT -5
Sophie when she left the elevator seen what she expected with smartly dressed people of all types in the corridors and moving between offices. She wondered if this was ARI proper as she hadn't seen any obvious scientists or just a rather big office building. A question that was partly answered as Avery led her into a large conference room and the only females there were Avery and herself. She took a few moments to get comfortable in her standing position as the pain helped her concentrate better. When she was truly dosed up in the hospital she felt she'd either been sleeping or imagining things; surely a police officer shouldn't look like an angel? Then she looked round the room and down the big table. There were people who might have reminded her of her father and some who looked even more dangerous than he did. Some were ordinary looking too. She could sense this all this from the rooms atmosphere in the same way she sensed danger round her while in the slums. "Some of these people are dangerous Mrs Ashford" she whispered as she leaned in close. Then gave Avery more space and started to speak in a clear voice that showed she wasn't nervous or fearful of much. The warning for her host in case she hadn't noticed that fine detail. "Hello Gentlemen. My name is Sophie Chang. Mrs Ashford asked me to come to this meeting but as I don't know what the agenda says I suppose I'll have to freehand this. Around four weeks ago I came here after the death of my father. I'd grown up in California and mainly in Los Angeles. A city that has a lot in common with here in fact; the main difference I've noticed is the lack of guns and there's a lot more oddities around here. Even school feels the same. I also grew up in an area that looked a lot like the west slum and even in a short time I've made a few observations. Some of the building in East slums look like they've been around a century judging by the state of the fire escapes and there's a thriving recycling industry going on in the South side. An area full of adventure once I'm back on my feet again. Also gangs are a reality and crime happens just like in my former home. I was also orphaned this week after a pointless robbery at the general store my aunt and guardian worked at. I was also shot and left for dead but not before I killed one of them in self defence. I'm sure some part of the social services will take care of me from now on but I'm sure you're wondering just why I'm saying this. The slums need to remain as a way of expressing a sense of adventure and a place even you might learn lessons from. Don't give up on the area I call home and don't forget about the other children and people who live there. Don't look down on them either because they are the beating heart of this island. You can help improve this area and not make the same mistakes that the LA city fathers did. Slum areas get left to decay and are forgotten about but that should not happen here. If you have any questions I will attempt to answer them". Her little speech hadn't taken any more than a few minutes but she'd said what was on her mind. If anybody asked her questions then she could direct those thoughts better. Avery Ashford
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Jun 8, 2023 17:26:29 GMT -5
Post by Avery Ashford on Jun 8, 2023 17:26:29 GMT -5
The rich always had a way of looking down on others because they had been their before. They had been the scums of the earth and now they were the cream and they did not want to ever go back as the people clapped once she was done and Avery shrugged as she walked over. "See they like you. I am sure that they will take all of your ideas into consideration as well," she said as she carefully lead Sophie out of another door into another room. "More than likely the social services will put you at the orphanage I have friends who work their and this might be hard to believe but I too sometimes come by there. It's nice Sophie I do hope that you get comfortable enough to fit in." Sophie Chang
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Jun 9, 2023 0:03:02 GMT -5
Post by Sophie Chang on Jun 9, 2023 0:03:02 GMT -5
As Sophie was moving so slowly Avery had to be careful with her. She was surprised by what came of the top of her head for starters. Their applause surprised her too but the warning she'd whispered to Avery still stood. Things had moved so quickly since she'd gotten out of hospital and she could well believe what Avery was telling her about the orphanage. Things were beyond what she could influence right now but once she got settled there she could build her life again. "They seemed too but what I whispered to you still stands. I'm used to sensing what's round me as I needed to have a feeling for danger as I grew up in LA but I didn't pick that up the afternoon after school when I went to visit auntie at work. She can't cook; couldn't cook so it was left to me. I wanted to know what she wanted for when she finished work but just as she said she wanted the tempura prawns the two robbers came. It was over in a few minutes and pointless. They didn't even take that much out of the till. I seen her be shot as I killed one of them and then I was shot. I didn't honestly think she'd die". Telling Avery this made more tears fall and far from the last she'd cry. Avery Ashford
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Jun 11, 2023 5:47:48 GMT -5
Post by Avery Ashford on Jun 11, 2023 5:47:48 GMT -5
"You did well Sophie," she said. "You see when you tell peple what you want it is not always a bad thing. They now know what your thoughts and opinions are and can take them into thought and if nothing gets done this time then this is once you become an adult you will realize that it is always important to work the crowd. Let's show you my office and get you a few minutes rest, yes?" She blinked as Sophie spoke and then the little girl was crying. Avery could not stand kids at all so this was all lost on her but she had watched enough training videos that she knew. "Oh sweetheart that is terrible and merciless and for nothing but to cause you pain." She softened her voice. "I will make sure I put some of my best security on this case of your aunt's okay?" Sophie Chang
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Jun 11, 2023 6:37:19 GMT -5
Post by Sophie Chang on Jun 11, 2023 6:37:19 GMT -5
Sophie still tried to keep part of her attention on Avery as the tears fell. Everything she heard made sense and she finally found words. "Thank you Mrs Ashford. I could do with some rest" she quietly replied. What she had done today was informative and off the top of her head. Even two years ago she knew people that not everybody listened to you and she'd made enemies even then. Then you'd only influence some of them whatever your aims. So the same should happen when she was older. "I had a feeling there was two police forces here. Like the fact California has the California PD and the FBI?" she posed still trying to wipe tears away. "I've seen their black jeeps but have had no dealings with them until my aunt was murdered. One of them called herself a detective and she had wings. Or might have as the drugs were keeping me woozy at the time". Again another piece of information for her. Anything she'd heard about the Security services from people in the slums were in terms of the islands army but she suspected there was more. "I would appreciate that. When the other is caught I want to kill them myself" she added looking straight at Avery and meaning what she said despite the quiet voice. Revenge was part of triad life and she could claim that right when there. If she could get that right here was another matter. Avery Ashford
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