*cut* “…I see.” The housekeeper nods. “I figured it’s about time. It is good you came prepared.”
One person after another follows up to take the stage, immersing the small congregation in their own retelling and impressions of the man that had brightened their day or changed their career forever. Some hail him as a true inspiration, others as an irreplaceable, loving actor who will be honored for his contribution and dedication to Ninjago cinematography. The room is filled with voices and subtle sniffles, yet Jay Walker finds his face dry and eyes without tears, only a feeling of unease and something heavy weighting on his stomach.
“If he loved me,” he finally asks. “Why did he abandon me?”
Why did they both leave me?
Aaaaaah. Aaaaaah The feeeeeeeeeelsss
;-; Things are just sad all around. Would you like a comfort cookie?
-last edited on Jul 14, 2019 5:32:01 GMT by TeaLeaf❀
Post by TeaLeaf❀ on Jul 14, 2019 5:30:53 GMT
“I think you know,” Nick responds after some thoughtful silence.
He decides to cast his view back on the gathered crowd, not daring to meet Nick’s cutting gaze.
“You are his illegitimate son. The union was not blessed.”
He swallows hard as he sucks in a shallow breath. Hearing the truth spoken aloud carried much more weight and pain than he expected when the exact thought came across his mind ages ago in the passage of messed up time.
“And yet, you are his only son. He had no other love after.” Nick sighs once more, more somber this time. “He knew—even as he laid there, dying—that it was wrong to keep you unaware and raised in ignorance. But he believed it was the best way to let you live a life of love under your adoptive parents and now, your new family and friends.”
Something is tickling in his eyes, something sliding down in droplets that somehow warm his trembling cheeks. There is a pat on his back as Jay closes his eyes to let the water rain down onto the carpet floor, and he knew it was Nick even without looking.
“Cliff regretted it his entire life. He was the one that caused this, yet he couldn’t take up the responsibility as a father should.” The housekeeper hands him a napkin. “Your mother left immediately once she found out, and his wife followed suit. He was a very lonely man, Jay, and he tried to atone for it in whatever ways he could. He considered calling you, writing letters to you in the perspective of a fan, but he could never bring himself to do it. He, no matter how fearless and heroic he acts on screen, was scared.”
Nick lowers his head. “Cliff Gordon was acoward.”
The service reached break time, and soon the room became empty except for the two of them standing by the second-floor railing, one deep in silence while the other tries to hold back his falling tears and pent-up anger. What an odd sight, for a tall man to comfort a teen barely reaching his elbow height. Yet, the pair is here in honor of a person that meant something to their lives, as both master and idol, clown and air.
-last edited on Jul 14, 2019 5:46:57 GMT by TeaLeaf❀
Post by TeaLeaf❀ on Jul 14, 2019 5:46:13 GMT
“But Cliff, in his own way, was a hero,” Nick says as he guides the young man to a seat. “He wanted to protect you from the media, Jay. He hid your identity and silenced any news outlet with ill intentions, all so that you can live on and hold your head high. He sacrificed much in spirit and finance, paying a price that he believed he rightfully earned for the sole sake of your happiness…” Nick shakes his head. “He didn’t want you to experience the ugly side of humanity, and I hold him in much respect for having done such.”
“I guess…” Jay whispers, breaking into a grim laugh. “I guess he and I are more alike than we thought.” Nick forms an apologetic smile. “I guess so.”
People are beginning to return, and the pair looks on as the small progression prepares for the viewing. The casket is open halfway, the face and upper torso of Cliff Gordon revealed in a formal suit and piles of flowers that surround his unmoving body. One by one, the attendees pass through and thank the preacher for his time, the process sped up since no family is available to receive the shakes one is accustomed to giving. Jay finds himself swayed for the first time.
“Shall we?” Nick asks.
Nodding, the teen leaves the seat and travels with the housekeeper to the first floor to join the line for the viewing. His eyes have dried, and while marks of the tears remain, Jay finds himself unashamed in mourning for a person he only learned from memories and stories. A flower in his hand, he follows Nick in placing it alongside the stacks around the deceased actor, seeing up close a face he recognizes very well by heart.
“What happens now?” he asks. “The burial will take place soon after. You are welcome to come along if you wish.”
“And you? Where will you go, Nick?” The man pauses. “What do you mean?”
“Cliff Gordon is gone. There is no need for a housekeeper anymore.”
Nick laughs. “You are wrong, Jason Walker Gordon. There is always a need for a housekeeper, especially now that the estate is yours. I doubt that you will do a proper job taking care of it, being so busy protecting the city and the likes.”
Np:3 I thought you went down in the writing hole to write Skylor fanfics??????? Jk, write whatever you want. It's your imagination Hey, my cookie!
OOOoooooooooooh. Flashbacks
My imagination is weird. I asked for Skylor but it gave me Jay instead. I guess it's time to go into the hole again.... *munches on cookie* Yummy. Oooooohhhh indeed o-o
Good thing. I'll go down mine and ask for Skylor too, maybe it'll give me Morro or Ronin ideas. Who knows *jumps into writing hole* Yeah, you're welcome.
My imagination is weird. I asked for Skylor but it gave me Jay instead. I guess it's time to go into the hole again.... *munches on cookie* Yummy. Oooooohhhh indeed o-o
Good thing. I'll go down mine and ask for Skylor too, maybe it'll give me Morro or Ronin ideas. Who knows *jumps into writing hole* Yeah, you're welcome.
Be careful down there! Thankie! *munches some more*
-last edited on Jul 20, 2019 1:03:06 GMT by TeaLeaf❀
Post by TeaLeaf❀ on Jul 20, 2019 0:57:53 GMT
“The estate is…” Jay shudders as familiar outlines of the villa and its metal gates resurface from his unpleasant memories. “But…why?” “You are the sole heir to his inheritance, the mansion being just a small part of it. I believe keys to it were given alongside to your adoptive parents, and the locks have never been changed for that single reason.”
“What inspired you to become an actor?” he asked, barely able to contain his excitement. Cliff Gordon…THE Cliff Gordon, the man behind the Fritz Donnegan franchise, was sitting five feet away from him, waiting to be interviewed! The actor had an impressive figure and flashed his brilliant smile at the cameras, though Jay had never noticed before howkind the space samurai’s eyes were.
“I was always told I tend to be overdramatic. It seemed like a good use of talent.” “One definitely need to have a considerable amount of talent to be as successful as you are today, Mr. Gordon. I and many others in this city are a big fan of yours!”
“Really?” The actor’s response sounded happy, as anyone would expect, but something echoed of genuine surprise and joy in his tone, though Jay wasn’t quite sure why; it should be common knowledge at this point. “I am honored to have one of Ninjago’s greatest heroes as a fan. This is truly a dream come true.” “No sir, I’m honored that you have agreed to this interview, regardless of how brief this meeting would be. Thank you for gracing me with your time today.”
There was a hint of sadness in the actor’s eyes, though it must’ve been just a trick of the light. “You are very welcome.”
Jay couldn’t help himself but blush, his heart pounding from a mixture of nervousness and screeches of his inner fanboy. “W-well, following the same topic, what does it feel like to beTHE ideal hero figure among so many of Ninjago’s viewers? And is there anything you would like to say to them as they watch this broadcast?”
-last edited on Jul 20, 2019 1:14:52 GMT by TeaLeaf❀
Post by TeaLeaf❀ on Jul 20, 2019 1:10:25 GMT
Mr. Gordon took his time to answer, and when he did, it was with a humbling voice. “It is not accurate at all to say that I represent the ideal hero. I am just an actor on the screen, Mr. Walker. It is the real heroes, like the ninja team you are a part of and all the police officers and rescue services out there working for the protection of this city 24/7, that deserve to be called such. But if I somehow managed to capture an essence of heroism with my acting, then I am beyondglad.”
Turning to the cameras, Cliff Gordon gave a simple grin. “I just want to say to all the viewers out there: thank you so much for your amazing support. Thank you for your enthusiasm, your encouragements, and criticisms. There have been highs and lows in my career, but I am indebted to have such a loyal audience and constructive critics. I hope that you will all stay strong through every danger this city had, and will, endure, and become heroes in your own story and overcome every obstacle in your journey. Say a ‘thank you’ to the servicemen and women you come across today and don’t forget to cheer them on.”
“Sir, you’re going to make me tear up in front of the entire land of Ninjago.”
“No worries, son. We will cry with you.”
Jay laughed, though clearly disheartened by the approaching time. Clearing his throat, he put down his list of questions and clasped his hands together one final time. “Well, Mr. Gordon, it looks like the interview has to come to an end. Any final words you would like to say?”
“Thank you and your friends for your service, Mr. Walker,” Cliff Gordon turned toward the young man before his eyes. “I am very proud of you.”
The old actor reached out his hand, and Jay took it with a firm shake.
-last edited on Jul 20, 2019 1:24:08 GMT by TeaLeaf❀
Post by TeaLeaf❀ on Jul 20, 2019 1:22:21 GMT
“I never thought we would meet again. Not in this way, at least.
It’s funny how we ended up inspiring each other, both as heroes of Ninjago.
I can’t say that I miss you, but now I know the could haves and maybes.
Now I know what I have lost, and I will treasure what it meant.
Maybe next time, we will both be less of a coward.
Maybe we will see each other again in the afterlife.”
Jay watches as the earth covers the lowered coffin. Soil soon fills up the dug-out hole, and the flowers and leaves falling from the trees surrounding the cemetery scattered over the closed casket. Many people are starting to leave, and he and Nick are the only two remaining.
“Are you ready, young master Gordon?” Jay closes his eyes and lets out a sigh. He nods. “Yeah.”
“Goodbye, dad.”
Jason Gordon takes one last look at the grave then finally leaves as the wind begins to pick up in the bright afternoon sunshine and ruffles his brown curls. The housekeeper keeps up with his pace and joins his departure from the private memorial, the two of them walking side by side in silence for a long time after.
“Please just call me Jay. It’s creeping me out.”
“Very well, young master Jay.”
“That’s a…a little bit better. Still, no.”
Nick chuckles. “You will get used to it eventually.”
“Maybe,” Jay looks up at the clearing skies, the white clouds starting to fade away. The only thing in sight is the white dove released minutes before the burial’s end, a small dot in the infinite firmaments colored pale by heaven blue. “I hope so, too.”
-last edited on Jul 27, 2019 16:40:59 GMT by LordTigress
Post by LordTigress on Jul 27, 2019 16:40:44 GMT
ÓmÒ
You know, for a long time I envisioned Cliff Gordon as a character who didn't have much caring or understanding--or, rather, I envisioned him as a stereotypical celebrity who believes they deserve for the world to revolve around them. After all, it seemed to me it would only take that kind of person to abandon their young child. But I like this. I like seeing a kind, caring version of the character that's different from what I pictured in my head judging from the canon information. It gives him so much more depth and makes me the reader feel sad that he's gone now. And it's not just you changed the idea of him, Leaf; you changed it and made it fit into the story we had. You supplied both canon and non-canon clues and evidence to support this version of Cliff Gordon, and it just-- I feel like it works really well. You did a splendid job of both creating this version and translating that heaviness of sorrow into the story. I really like it. ÓwÒ
You know, for a long time I envisioned Cliff Gordon as a character who didn't have much caring or understanding--or, rather, I envisioned him as a stereotypical celebrity who believes they deserve for the world to revolve around them. After all, it seemed to me it would only take that kind of person to abandon their young child. But I like this. I like seeing a kind, caring version of the character that's different from what I pictured in my head judging from the canon information. It gives him so much more depth and makes me the reader feel sad that he's gone now. And it's not just you changed the idea of him, Leaf; you changed it and made it fit into the story we had. You supplied both canon and non-canon clues and evidence to support this version of Cliff Gordon, and it just-- I feel like it works really well. You did a splendid job of both creating this version and translating that heaviness of sorrow into the story. I really like it. ÓwÒ
Looking through my teary eyes, I genuinely thought this was another part of the story
You know, for a long time I envisioned Cliff Gordon as a character who didn't have much caring or understanding--or, rather, I envisioned him as a stereotypical celebrity who believes they deserve for the world to revolve around them. After all, it seemed to me it would only take that kind of person to abandon their young child. But I like this. I like seeing a kind, caring version of the character that's different from what I pictured in my head judging from the canon information. It gives him so much more depth and makes me the reader feel sad that he's gone now. And it's not just you changed the idea of him, Leaf; you changed it and made it fit into the story we had. You supplied both canon and non-canon clues and evidence to support this version of Cliff Gordon, and it just-- I feel like it works really well. You did a splendid job of both creating this version and translating that heaviness of sorrow into the story. I really like it. ÓwÒ
Looking through my teary eyes, I genuinely thought this was another part of the story
Jk, write whatever you want. It's your imagination 
*jumps into writing hole*![[derp]](http://storage.proboards.com/6672327/images/YqNTPqyQUocVMYXZgUAI.png)
![[cook]](http://storage.proboards.com/6672327/images/XSYwdAkTEQMsodaDBxbE.png)
Oh my, the feeeels DX 
Oh my, the feeeels DX 