Posted November 12, 2020 | Emeline Pike | With: Barnabas (Bridget & Barnaby, indirectly)
“Well, strollin’ around or dancin’, eithers fine with me. May a bit of both as the dance is young yet an’ the place ain’t really jumpin’ yet, so maybe we oughtta stroll about afore the place is to crowded ‘round the edges to do that.”
"A stroll it is. The table will see to itself, folks are free to take what they like." With the table well-stocked, it wouldn't need attending, and Emeline embraced the idea of a stroll in the cool evening. "I like the town at night, when it's dark and quiet." Well, that would be several hours from now, but there was something special about the stillness and the lights in windows. Of course, Barnabas didn't need to know that she occasionally roamed the streets at night.
Then Bridget and Barnaby come back from their dance to have some cookies, and the couple was accosted by Arabella, eager to dance with Barnaby.
"Just a moment," Emeline whispered, squeezing Barnabas' hand, "I don't want to leave Bridget alone, she's..." Well, there wasn't much of a delicate way to say it. "She's sweet...maybe I'll dance with her, if you don't mind?"
Want... dolls!
Posted November 13, 2020 | Bridget Monahan | With: Emeline, Pronto
"Just a moment," Emeline whispered, squeezing Barnabas' hand, "I don't want to leave Bridget alone, she's..." Well, there wasn't much of a delicate way to say it. "She's sweet...maybe I'll dance with her, if you don't mind?"
Although Arabella had brutally dragged Brendan off, Bridget still stared wistfully after him. She couldn’t even take her eyes off him to look at the table, and had to just feel for her next cookie with her hand. The plate now had more empty patches than cookie covered, but she soon found one and started to demolish it, burying the ache of longing in her stomach with sweet, sweet food, in the age-old trusted manner of many a lovesick soul.
What did get her attention was the approach of the Pie Lady. She turned to the kindly, pretty woman and then glanced behind her: the handsome beardy man with the nice shiny badge was there, too. Arabella had told her to explain to anyone who asked her that she couldn’t dance the fast dances due to a ‘slight indisposition’: a word that the simple girl couldn’t pronounce, let alone remember, so she leaned into Emeline and whispered “A can’t dance … not aloud fast uns.”
Then, realizing that he might need to know as well, but was too far away to hear her, she looked over to Shiny Badge and shook her head, mouthing the words “Can’t dance” and pointing to her legs. Then she looked between the two of them, smiling amiably while munching on the cookie.
Then, on a whim, she leaned in to Emeline and whispered "A like Bren'n." It felt wonderful to say it out loud to someone.
Posted November 13, 2020 | Barnabas Pike | With: Emeline, Bridget
"A stroll it is. The table will see to itself, folks are free to take what they like." With the table well-stocked, it wouldn't need attending, and Emeline embraced the idea of a stroll in the cool evening. "I like the town at night, when it's dark and quiet." Well, that would be several hours from now, but there was something special about the stillness and the lights in windows. Of course, Barnabas didn't need to know that she occasionally roamed the streets at night.
“A turn around the floor an’ see who’s here an’ mebee who’s not’d be good. I thought Fer sure I saw Speed, an’ he was with Leah Steelgrave, of all the wimmen in town.” Pronto stated, not that he had a problem with the Steelgrave woman, but he wasn’t sure of the reception she might get.
Just the same, with everyone having such a grand time, he doubted there would be much of a problem, if there was one at all.
Then Bridget and Barnaby come back from their dance to have some cookies, and the couple was accosted by Arabella, eager to dance with Barnaby.
"Just a moment," Emeline whispered, squeezing Barnabas' hand, "I don't want to leave Bridget alone, she's..." Well, there wasn't much of a delicate way to say it. "She's sweet...maybe I'll dance with her, if you don't mind?
“Mind? Ain’t no reason ta mind why you wimmen-folks do that all the time. So, sure. I don’t mind one bit, I’ll just guard the cookies. Proper job for a Deputy such as myself.” Pronto observed. It was common place for women to dance with on another without a second thought, sometimes due to the lack of male partners, other times on a whim.
Although Arabella had brutally dragged Brendan off, Bridget still stared wistfully after him. She couldn’t even take her eyes off him enough to look at the table, and had to just feel for her next cookie with her hand. The plate now had more empty patches than cookie covered, but she soon found one and started to demolish it, burying the ache of longing in her stomach with sweet, sweet food, in the age-old trusted manner of many a lovesick soul.
What did get her attention was the approach of the Pie Lady. She turned to kindly, pretty woman and then glanced behind her: the handsome beardy man with the nice shiny badge was there, too. Arabella had told her to explain to anyone who asked her that she couldn’t dance the fast dances due to a ‘slight indisposition’: a word that the simple girl couldn’t pronounce, let alone remember, so she leaned into Emeline and whispered “A can’t dance … not aloud fast uns.”
Barnabas watched as the one called Bridget whispered to Emeline, one of those girlie things he thought to himself, know how women would often share their ‘secrets’ in these sorts of situations. Probably had to do with a man, likely the one called Brenden, whom he didn’t know, but seemed nice enough.
Then, realizing that he might need to know as well, but was too far away to hear her, she looked over to Shiny Badge and shook her head, mouthing the words “Can’t dance” and pointing to her legs. Then she looked between the two of them, smiling amiably while munching on the cookie.
Barnabas was taken aback by the young woman’s confession and was startled when she pointed to her legs, which could mean any number of things too personal to divulge to a man other than her husband or betrothed.. “Dang” He responded. “Sorry to hear that, me, I ain’t real good at it either, al’ays steppin’ on the lady’s feet.” Which was a untruth meant to comfort the woman. He actually loved to kick up his heels, and yes, time to time he did step on the lady’s feet. Not that his were immune, consequence of the dance.
Posted November 13, 2020 | Mike Wentworth | With: Jay, Addy
"Maybe you should let the lady know. You might find unexpected joy, if she receives it well. Tonight with the music and drinks is a very good opportunity....oh and sorry for listening. Your conversation was quite loud."
Mike turned to look at the newcomer to his and Quentin's conversation. He was about to say something when Quentin spoke up.
"I suppose both of you are right. Pardon me if I seek out much prettier company."
As he watched Quentin head off, Addy then replied.
"Hey, now! Jay went ta all that trouble ta get all gussied, an' he's about th' prettiest thing here, even if I do say so myself!"
"Seems in a powerful hurry, don't he?"
"He sure is," Mike answered with a grin of his own, "It looks like spring has well and truly sprung. Judging by what I've seen so far tonight, many young men's fancy has turned to love. I, however do not plan to be one of them."
He smiled at Jay and Addy not knowing if they recognise the line from Tennyson's poem. What he could see was something was brewing between these two judging by the way Addy had linked her arm with the man she was with.
"I think introductions are in order," he held out his hand, "Mike Wentworth."
I took an oath for this job. The oath says bring him in. That's what I'll do.
Posted November 13, 2020 | Charlie Wentworth | With: Clara
"Well, here we go then. Do not panic, just do what everyone else does and when we are together, I can lead," she explained hastily as out onto the floor they went to line up with the others.
Charlie stopped in his tracks. What did she think he was? There was no way he was going to let her lead. There were Lost Lake ranch hands here and no way was he going to be the butt of their jokes. The ribbing he was getting from learning the job was just easing off. Something like this could make it go on for weeks.
"No, Clara, " he said in a serious tone, "I know you don't have a mother to teach you these things but in polite society, it's the man who takes the lead. If you want to dance with me, that's the way it's going to be. All I want is for you to trust me."
Retired Characters and NPC Writer.
Posted November 14, 2020 | Jay | Written by Jack
One of the men took his advice much quicker than expected and hurried off to see the lady in question after making a slightly rude comment.
Jay couldn't help but grin at Addy when she came to his defense and called him pretty. "Why thank you...."
He didn't mind the insult. "Been called worse."
Then he turned his attention on the other man while the musicians started a new tune. It was much livelier than the walz.
Generally people were in a very good mood tonight, chatting, eating, singing...he was glad he had come. Plus Addy showed him affection, which made his heart grow happy.
"Oh, you enjoy poetry....who wrote that?" Jay shook his hand. "Pleasure, Mike. I'm Jay."
What would he tell him if he asked more questions? Hopefully they weren't too personal.
Posted November 14, 2020 | Clara Redmond | With: Charlie
Clara wondered if this particular dance might not prove an obstacle to Charlie, it was nowhere as easy as a waltz so she made the offer to help him out by leading when it was necessary. To her it was no big deal but she didn't want the young man embarrassed once he got out there and the dance was underway. However he suddenly stopped short of the dance floor. She turned. Now what?
"No, Clara, " he said in a serious tone, "I know you don't have a mother to teach you these things but in polite society, it's the man who takes the lead. If you want to dance with me, that's the way it's going to be. All I want is for you to trust me."
Clara blinked. What ? Was he calling her lacking in the ways of polite society? This cowboy especially after some of his previous behaviors with her?
"My mother taught me quite well, thank you," she replied, "So, you have to lead then? Tell me, do you know how to even do this particular dance? So that you can lead?"
Posted November 15, 2020 | Weedy | With: Wyatt
"Really, you don't know how? Oh well, it's easy enough. I can show ya how. Don't worry I won't let ya drown. "
Shrugging, Weedy grinned. "Only place in town to swim is a water trough, and I don't think those are really big enough!" Oh, he'd waded in the creek, but that barely came to his knees.
"Just one thing though - when you come, if my Pa or my sister ask if you know how to swim, tell 'em you do. Otherwise they might be all worried and not let us do it. Adults are like that, they worry way too much."
Weedy understood that, and he nodded. "Sure, can't have them ruin the fun!" Well, there was one good thing to not having parents, although he was pretty certain that Miz Addy wouldn't want him to just jump into deep water with his friend and hope for the best!
"I won't tell. Maybe we can ask tonight and I can go home with you?" The stage barn was just up the street, it wouldn't take him long to grab a few things.
He peered over the railing at Addy. "She seems kinda sweet on Jay, don't she...doesn't she? Maybe she'll be happy, so she'll say yes?"
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Posted November 15, 2020 | Adelaide Chappel | With: Mike, Jay
"Poetry?" Addy chuckled, her nose wrinkling up. "Lots'a pretty words ta say somethin' simple. Or just words that don't have no meanin' fer each other!"
She hadn't heard a lot of poetry, but most of it seemed muddled and disjointed, a high-fallutin' way of saying what you wanted.
"Good ta see ya, Mike. Been a while, but then, I ain't been out yer way in a time." She hooked her arm into Jay's. "Jay here's from Whitefish, settled here after th' trouble. He's been helpin' out here an' there...smithin', mostly."
Posted November 16, 2020 | Emeline Pike | With: Bridget, Barnabas
Emeline was pleased when Barnabas claimed that he wasn't a good dancer either -- a little fib here and there wasn't bad when it could help boost the girl's self-esteem.
"He's done well, tonight," she confirmed, "only stepped on me once!" Laughing, Emeline hooked her arm into Bridget's, urging her toward the edge of the dance floor. "We don't have to do the same dance as everyone else, as long as we stay out of the way...and I don't even know this dance."
That was the truth. It had fragments of a waltz, but was far more organized, and Emeline wasn't familiar with the pattern, so she and Bridget could just do their own waltz, if the girl was willing.
"So, you like Brendan?" she asked quietly, smiling. "He's a handsome boy. And quite the dancer, too!"