Somewhere in the Darkness....

[BadForm]

OOC: Edited - made it an agile swing out and up instead, which would certainly explain the lack of any ability to find a footing... sorry bout the screwup, was thinking of a wagon for some reason....

 

[ARaynes]

Leanna Talbot

Leanna felt the girl before she fell. "Shit!" She said as the horses bucked and took off. The girl was going to get trampled by the hooves if she let her.

One hand held on to the railing while the other reached out for the girl. "Grab my hand!" She yelled. "I'll halp you up."

 

[Merelan]

It all happened so fast I couldn't move, entangled in the damn skirts I was wearing. The slave girl had launched herself out the door, after whoever it was. Was it that man, looking for her.
Reaching for my derringer in my stocking. Damn it. I deserved to be caught, I had packed it. Not thinking it appropriate for a funeral. He must be groaning at me now.

"Wait up honey, I might just be joining you quicker then I thought." The coach slowed to a stop, and I pushed the door open, stumbling out, tripping on the shawl I had wrapped her in. landing on my knees with a very unladylike cuss.

 

[afternooner]

Sheriff John Tilden

Hi Ellie, what's for supper? She didn't answer, tired of answering questions she Knew I had the answer to allready. Just picked up my hat off the table where I had flung it and hanging it up, shrugged her shoulders and started dishing up the chicken she'd been keeping warm for the last three hours.

I shrugged back, seems like thats all we did anymore, ask questions we already knew the answer to and shrug. Never really looking each other in the eyes or smiling. I had a hard time recalling when it had been any different it seemed so long ago.

How was your day

She already knew, word spread like wild fire in this town specially when something exciting was going on.

I shrugged and picked at my food not really as hungry, as I thought I was.

wher'e the kids?

She shrugged. she knew I knew they were over at the neighbors. I'd a met them as I rode home. I had of course, they just nodded as we passed seemed like they were always over at the neighbors lately Little John courting that wild redhead, sometimes Jonn envied his son. Susie playing with her younger sister, her best friend.

Think I'll sit on the porch a bit

Ellie shrugged, she knew he always did after eating.

He watched a tumbleweed roll across the yard slowly at first and then picking up speed as it bumped across the road and disappeared over the hill.

He went to the barn where he had bed roll and trail gear, grub enough for a couple of days and a change of clothes extra ammo and utensils for cooking. grabbed his carbine and his pistols and saddled his horse. No sense making a scene he thought. just get out of here, drop off his badge at the jail.

Ellie was in the kitchen cleaning up. when she heard the screen door slam She sighed she knew it was coming even before he did perhaps at any rate she made no effort to stop him and went back to the dishes.

John saddled up and was gone..... following the tmbleweed over the hill.

 

[Lacewing]

Clem found herself rootless once more sitting on her horse, the guy in the stable was getting better and as usually happens with CLem, she made the women nervious, fearful that their daughters would follow her exsample and go riding off on an idian pony into the wild.

Not like that would hurt those farm girls any.

So uncomfortable with the stares, and especially upset over the commotion caused over her bathing behind the stables, she packed her things and left. Some young son of one of the families offered to help the guy at the stable for however longer he still needed it.

She started her horse out of town stopping pausing to notice the sherrif "Howdy" she tipped her hat.

She noticed too the sichuation of his leaving and frownded.

She'd been a woman left behind as well...

But she shook her head of thoughts and smiled pleasant enough "Where too?" better traveling with someone than alone.

 

[afternooner]

John

John looked up to see the young girl on her horse heading out in the same direction as him and tippped his hat. he knew that she had heard the news of him leaving town his badge soon pinned on his deputy no doubt.

He hoped she would't fault him for his descision to leave and when she smiled brightly and said... where to, he relaxed glad to have some company and somehow he knew that he could trust her to watch his back and bear her own load.

West, he said.... theres lots of open space and opportunity that way I hear.

He didn't tell her that was the way the stage had gone or the reason he was following it. Time for that later, once they got to know each other better.

They rode off slowly. He noticed how well she sat in the saddle like the horse was part of her own body, as they moved down the trail.

What's your name, he asked.... Mine's John. just plain John, I left my badge back there. I'm not the sheriff any more. Just John.

 

[Lacewing]

"Clem" she said then looked as if she wanted to say something mroe but then changed her mind, she kept riding relaxed over her thin saddlepad. Watching the treeline then after a longer bit of surprisenly comfortable silence "Following th'stage?" she gave a sideways glance and grin "Canna be trustin' them slavers. Them girls mighta be needin' some protection eh John?" she made no comment of his leaving his wife and children, set no blame.

She only got to the point of the matter.

 

[afternooner]

John

I don' know... Maybe... 'cept I'm kinda tired of looking after people, just to see them drift away from me Maybe it's time I looked after myself for a while.

He left it there, no need to burden her with his problems, looked like she had a few of her own, just drifting, no bed roll or trail gear. He'd be glad to share his and his grub too and there was plenty to be got. He saw a rabbit in the trail ahead of them He looked at Clem, she looked hungry and he hadn't eaten much for supper himself.

How's your shooting eye?

He took his carbine from it's holster and tossed it toward her.

 

[BadForm]

Cocheta

The thoughts running through my head were bizarre, given my predicament. It could only be that the bouncing of the coach had shaken my brain loose. Hadn't I just landed against the woman who was now trying to help me up, I thought, and if so how was she still standing? And was the woman in the coach all right or was she hurt? And was the coach slowing down for some reason? And how could I give her my hand when it was everything I could do to hold myself up as the ground ripped at me? Yes, the coach was slowing. The whole world was slowing. It was turning black. I didn't feel the ground as my body hit it. Thankfully the coach had stopped by then.

 

[Lacewing]

Clem took the hoslter and without hardly a thought took aim and shot, the rabit dropping like a stone then she re aimed and hit another creature, a grass grouss he hadn't seen hidden in the thicks

She gave him a lopsided grin not commenting on his earlier comment since it had no baring on what she said and frankly as she thought to herself often enough it wasn't non of her business.

She dismounted and handing him back his gun picked up her own rifle and pulling the decoraded indian knife from it's sheath she quickly took care of the kills bring back neat little bundles of fur and feather "Wanna go a bit or stop and eat?"

 

[afternooner]

John

John let out a whistle of admiration when he saw Clem drop the Rabbit and a grouse he hadn't noticed on top of that.

Recon we better make camp the sun will be settin in a hour or so.

He looked at her and wondered if maybe she usually rode all night no bedroll just that indian blanket she used on her horse. No matter he wnted some shuteye and that little bit of woods to their left with a clear stream running through it looked mighty welcome, a place to wash up, woood for a fire and fresh game. pretty close to paradise he thought.

Then a thought ctossed his mind... a purty woman to boot he looked at Clem wondering if indeed there was a woman under those mans clothes, no doubt there was but he erased the thought from his mind If they were gonna git along on the trail he'd better not be thinking of her as a woman.

I'll git some wood and start a fire, theres pans and such in my packs and some corn meal to dip the meat in. I'll bring some water and make some coffee.

 

[Lacewing]

She had nodded mutely and got things going as they should, it was nice having someoen to share chores with. Made the meal more pleasant. She spitted the rabbit over the fire he started and burried the grouse in a pit-fire to cook next to the camp fire. Then while he readied whatever else he wanted she unloaded the horses and brushed them down, letting them both brouse free, she knew her mustange wouldn't travel far and the stallion would quite willingly keep the former sherrifs mear from wandering far. Besides her horse woudl come back anyway when she settled for sleep, since usualy the horse woudl lay down and let her use him as a backrest with the saddle blanket under her as protection from the ground. Pull her hat downand she was quite comfortable.

Let laone it was an easy and practical way to tavel, less gear and less trouble. She could get up and be gone in a heartbeat if she had to.

As it was she spred out her saddle blanket, took off her hat, gloves, coat and vest then took a seat digging through her one saddlebag for a small flute, indian styled and began to play, her features went from harsher to soft and with her hat sitting next to her her long hair fell down softening her features.

Her figure was fuller, than it apeared under all the clothing she wore. But she was also moe mussled than most women he'd seen. But at the moment all that was lost as her flute sored like the eagle through the praries

 

[afternooner]

John

He couldn't help but notice how well she took care of thingswithout needing a lot of fancy fixens Made him think of his younger days when he traveled light to it seemed like he had gotten used to having it nicer but then it got to be some trouble too makin sure he had it all together before he broke camp the coffee was nice and aas it boiled wafting the scent into the air he watched the sun set beyond the hills, letting the music of clems flute lift his spitits and calm his mind. He stirred the fire a bit watching the sparks waunder upwards and away into the night sky.

Coffee

He brought her a cup along with his own sitting cross legged beside her. The fire light illuminated her face and body she was indeed a woman full figured and with her features softened by the shadows John felt himself shiver..... been a long time he thought ... he chastened himself again pulling his mind from the trouble he knew it was heading for.

 

[Lacewing]

clem

She played relaxing under the light of the moon and sparks of firelight floating like lightning bugs in teh evening breeze.

The crackle of fire offsetting the traveling flight of her flute the haunting notes nearly suductive.

This was clem's favorite song, she loved it, quiet haunting and always calming after a long day riding or just a fustrating day, or even if she just felt good like she did now.

 

[afternooner]

John

He sipped his coffee listening to the sound of her flute wondering where he'd heard it before, probably not anywhere he thought it was just that somhow it made him feel comfortable like it was her way to share some of herself with him.

He heard his mare whinny and an answering whinny from clems stallion. Soft gentle sounds as if they had gotten used to each others presence.

Id better check on the horses.

He said quietly so as not to interupt her music and rising waundered off in their direction. The moon was coming up, now full, it's light showing him the way to where the horses grazed preacfully

He noticed how they had their heads together and were playing a game of getting to the better grass nudging each other occasionally and backing off when one or the other got too aggresive. he wondered, why couldn't humans be that way, knowing when to back off when the tension grew between them. It seemed they rather push and shove until some one got hurt or worse yet, killed.

He walked up to his mare and softly whispered so as not to spook the stallion.

Hey, sugar what do you think of this guy here. He's mighty handsome right. well don't git to close or you'll wind up with a colt... though you'd probably like that... as a matter of fact, I might too. He'd sire a beauty I'm sure of that. He scratched her behind the ear when she looked up at him as if to say mind your own business cowboy.

 

[Lacewing]

Clam's music came to it's rightful conclusion and she got up watching the cowboy talk to his horse and grinned, If she knew her stallion if not watched he'd have that mare before the night was through, but then, that could be fun. Her stallion was starting to get agitated and she knew from past experence that John was going to get bit, so she wisled the mustang over "Now m'boy, be good, she's his lady first ya?" she scratched the subdued horse who watched her as if to say 'pu-lease? I'll be really good! please please?" she laughed and slapped his rump the horse startling and with a startled indignate sound went off a bit before sisling sideways and looking at her balefully she stuck out her tungue and was soon playing a game of 'who can knock Clem on her ass first?' She ended up climbing a tree laughing toescape her horse who convinced his lady wasn't going to interupt his other planned games for hte evening went off tail like a flagging banner and nudged the mare away from her owner and wuffled the man over as if askingpermission to take off with his daughter.

"Aw let 'em go John," clem said climbing down the tree "That horse will be impossible come mornin' if he doesnt' get laid" She laughed shaking her head, the horse was spoiled, everyone told her that, but then, why shouldn't he be? Good horses like that don't come along every day.

(Anyone curious, Clem's horse based off of a mustang stallion named 'patch' I might be getting him, love that horse best barrel horse anyone could want)

 

[afternooner]

John

John started laughing when he saw the stallion tree Clem. It was the first time in a long time that he had laughed that way. A long deep down belly laugh, no pretense to it. He went over and gave her a hand coming down. and motioned to the direction that the pair of lovers had galloped off to.

Looks like we'll have a couple of tired mounts in the morning, Clem.
he laughed again and with out planing it put his arm around her shoulder they stood there for a moment and watched tho moon, full and bright riding high in the sky by now. The hoot of an owl startled them and then the long whail of a coyote off in the distance made John shiver and he felt Clem shiver too, not in fear but just in tune with the wilderness and the emensity of it all.

Better git some shut eye John said briskly tommorrow is another day.

Hhe threw the fire together and spread out his bedroll. It' was gonna git chilly tonite it always did under a full moon.

Nite Clem

he hollered across to her on the other side of the fire. She'd be cold tonite without her horse to lay against. but she was used to that he surmised He chuckled under his breath at the thought of his mare gittin laid like Clem had said so boldly.
That gal sure was a diamond in the rough he thought, if any man could tame her she'd be one he wouldn't leave.

He thought about the mare and stalion again only this time instead of chuckling, he felt a longing begin it's lonesome journey through his body.

 

[Lacewing]

Clem stretched out on her roll thinking too of her stallion wiht a little envy.

"Nite John" she replied and rememebred too his arm acrossed her shoudlers and sighed, damn, all this was making her feel a tad uncomfortable. But she lays on her saddle blanket and crossed her arms and legs pushing her hat down over her face and tried sleeping.

But not finding that easy. First off, it was a colder night than usual and second... Her horse had chocen not to wander too far off, if anything the pair had come back nearer camp and she could hear them.

Shit.... She glanced under her hat at John acrossed the fire and thought 'well he ain't have bad of a man, but damn, he's married, even if he had run off on his girl he was a married man with children.

Wasn't her place to go messin' with god's arrangement

 

[afternooner]

John

John heard the horses come back and listened to them makin courting noises. little anxious whinnys and then the scuffing of their hooves as they danced the erotic dance of mounting arousal. he turned and tossed and finally said

damn, I thinkI need a cold dip in that stream beyond the trees.

He got up creeping softly so as not to disturb Clem though he doubted if she'd be sleeping what with all that damn ruccus those two lovers were making.

At the streams edge he stripped his clothes off and dove into the cold water. The shock of it made him beller

Oh shit! and then he laughed as the hoot owl in alarm hooted even louder and flew off into the distance. He settled into the cold water letting it sooth his jangled nerves and mellow his arousal.

 

[Lacewing]

"Mind if I join you?" he heard suddenly and saw Clem on the rocks by the stream, she was watching him oddly her hat pulled low then he might have gotten the realisation she wore nothing but the hat in the darkness. Soft curves silloetted by moonlight.

 

[afternooner]

John

Dont mind ifn you do John answered trying to hide his surprise,hoping she wouldn't see his wide grin

She didn't wait for him to guawk at her too long as she plumeted into the cold water, letting out a yelp as it hit her. The water splashed in johns face as well and he scooped up a double handfull and doused her with it. he marveled at how her hat stayed in place with all the dancin around she was doing. she squatted down and studied him and then he realized he was only in knee deep water his poor little pecker was shrunk up like a prune. He dove out toward her and upset her just for lookin so intently and then squatting himself, he caught his breath and said

Refreshing aint it.

 

[Lacewing]

Clem fell back laughing as John dumped her into the water and stil managed to keep her hat. It was now wet, but still on her head.

The water though had a slightly different effect with her nipples hardening and the heat of his skin brushing against her in the freezing water felt damn good. She grinned at his sally "Damn good" she echoed her thoughts of just a moment before still laughing and starting to stuggle playfully making sure she got him dripping wet with water.

He looked like he could use a drink anyway

 

[afternooner]

John

John started to get that butterfly feeling agin as n their play they brushed together thei cold skin sensitive to each others touch.

Thats not what he came to swim for he recolected and stopping his movement looked her in the eyes.

Clem I didn't mean for this to happen I have more respect for a woman that to coherce her into doin somethin she might regret so ifn its alright by you perhaps we should stop acting like a couple of kids and really think about some sleep.

He suddenly burst out laughing he hadn't said that many words at one time for quite a spell he thought and not knowing why gave her a kiss a short quick one at best but still a kiss. he suddenly got quite embarrased and headed for the shore.

 

[Lacewing]

Clem sat up in teh water wtching him go "Well cowboy, I wouldn' h'been hr'at'all if'n I felt cohersed." she said as a way of parting then marching boldily by him brushing her body next to his on the way out of hte water she paused turning her head a little looking at him with a smile from under the brim of her hat "May be next time eh?"

and she headed back to camp to get into her clothing and lay down again and try sleeping.

 

[ARaynes]

Leanna Talbot

Leanna was getting to the ground to check on the indian woman when out fell the one she really wanted. Her shooting hand went out towards her, "Why don't you just stop there, missy!" She shouted.

She looked at her. All her beauty. All her purty clothing. It made Leanna sick. "Let me halp this one and I will deal with you as I need to."