Detailed Roleplayers discussion
1x1
>
Anna ~ Don't let anyone dull your sparkle ~ & Maven's Queen
"I won't pass out," Jarin told her, shaking his head. The water did seem very tempting, and while he didn't want to take the liquid from Dasha and waste it in himself, his mouth felt dry and parched. "Yes, doctor," Jarin said, and obediently took the cup. He tilted it to his lips and sipped part of it -- not much at all -- and handed it back. It wasn't easy to control himself like that. "Now I got to head to work. Hopefully I can start working on metal or something soon."
Dasha wanted to protest that he should drink some more but decided not to argue the subject. There would be time for that later, after she found another source of clean water and there was no longer any clear argument to ration it. She carefully set the still almost full cup down next to the bucket, not wanting to risk wasting any further by attempting to pour it back in. "Yeah," She agreed, though she was half distracted with wondering what she should do about the boy and dog. She didn't want to wake them, but It seemed wrong and risky to leave them here alone . . . of course lately almost all the options at hand for just about everything had felt that way. ". . . maybe you'll get to try your hand at it today." That statement was not so much meant to be optimistic as it was to be an attempt to speak it into existence. The windowsill she had been keeping track of the days on already had far too many tally marks craved into it, each one part of a silent countdown.
((Sorry it's been so long...kinda dealing with some stuff right now and it's hard to be motivated to reply. I still really love this RP but it may be still awhile before I can get a post up. I hope this is okay but I understand if you'd rather stop it since I haven't been on much. Same with the other RP we are doing together.))
((That is totally fine! There is no rush, take as long as you need.))
((Thank you!))
"Perhaps I will. I'll try to ask the blacksmith about it again," Jarin said. He paused in the doorway, his eyes drifting back towards the little boy with the dog. Both were still sleeping. "We should figure out where they came from. Or at least the little boy. If he's got parents, they might be looking for him." He looked at Dasha and shrugged. He really didn't know and felt helpless. The two of them could barely get through a few months of being out here. Now they had to look after a little boy with an unknown background?
"Perhaps I will. I'll try to ask the blacksmith about it again," Jarin said. He paused in the doorway, his eyes drifting back towards the little boy with the dog. Both were still sleeping. "We should figure out where they came from. Or at least the little boy. If he's got parents, they might be looking for him." He looked at Dasha and shrugged. He really didn't know and felt helpless. The two of them could barely get through a few months of being out here. Now they had to look after a little boy with an unknown background?
Dasha too glanced back to the still slumbering little boy and dog once she watched Jarin do so. She nodded in agreement, hoping that that did end up being the case and that there was indeed someone out there missing him. She didn't want to think about the alternative. She had no clue what to do with him if she didn't end up finding a relative or something of his. He certainly couldn't stay around here much longer but she didn't want to just throw him out. Hopefully that would be one bridge that wouldn't need to be crossed. "I'll see what I can find out today. Even if I can't get anything out of him, someone around this town is bound to know something. I'll ask around."
Jarin nodded. "So will I. We can at least try. Anyway...have a good day, whatever you do. I'll be back with hopefully another step closer to getting that part made." He ducked out of the shack and continued off down the dusty street. Just walking sent up huge clouds of dust everywhere, it was that dry. Looking at the town for too long made you thirsty for water that didn't exist.
Mattie stirred, and the dog on top did as well. Before Mattie was fully awake, the dog started tenderly licking his cheek.
Mattie stirred, and the dog on top did as well. Before Mattie was fully awake, the dog started tenderly licking his cheek.
It was only as she watched Jarin leave that Dasha began to feel a little anxious about being left alone with Mattie. She couldn't help but feel she was by some default responsible for him in the time being until his actual caretaker was found. She hadn't been around children much since she had started bounty hunting- at all really- which meant she was a little out of touch with how to interact with them. At least Mattie was old enough to be somewhat autonomous, if it would of been an even younger child in question she wouldn't of known in the slightest what to do. She hadn't had any younger siblings- at least she didn't think she had ever had any- and what she could remember of her own upbringing was certainly not something that felt reliable or even right to draw from. The thought crossed her mind that she had dealt with Jarin those first few weeks that they had been stranded here and that experience had been close enough to dealing with a young child. That thought eased her mind and made her smile a bit. Unaware that the boy was beginning to wake she headed over to where the remnants of the fire still smoldered. Since the sun was now a good ways into its ascent into the sky and it was getting warmer she used a long stick to rake the spent ashes over what was still burning, smothering it out.
Jarin headed to the blacksmith. It was hot out here, and it would be hotter in the blacksmith's hole of fire and metal. He wasn't long forward to that bit of it, but maybe the man had a suggestion as to where they could get water.
Mattie yawned and rolled over onto his tummy. The dog stood and circled around him, perking its head up to stare at Dasha. Mattie climbed to his feet slowly and yawned, then stumbled sleepily over to where Dasha was. He still gave her some space, but he looked hopeful. "Do you have anything to eat?" He asked hopefully, rubbing his belly with a skinny hand. In fact, the sandy haired boy was pretty thin all around. And a small, nearly invisible bruise crept around the back of his neck. He watched her expectantly, still giving distance between the two of them. The dog stood between them, ears forward.
Mattie yawned and rolled over onto his tummy. The dog stood and circled around him, perking its head up to stare at Dasha. Mattie climbed to his feet slowly and yawned, then stumbled sleepily over to where Dasha was. He still gave her some space, but he looked hopeful. "Do you have anything to eat?" He asked hopefully, rubbing his belly with a skinny hand. In fact, the sandy haired boy was pretty thin all around. And a small, nearly invisible bruise crept around the back of his neck. He watched her expectantly, still giving distance between the two of them. The dog stood between them, ears forward.
((I apologize for the irregular replies. Just about everything in my garden decided to be ready at the same time and I've been canning things like crazy with all the free time I've had to spare lately.)) Once Dasha has finished smothering the fire she tossed the stick she had used aside and wiped the ash that had managed to settle on her hands off. By then Mattie was well awake and asking for food. She glanced between the dog and the boy as she turned to face them. "Oh, uh there are still a few pieces of dried fish left I think, it's not the best but it beats nothing . . ." She hadn't realized last night how scraggly the boy was. The dark had a habit of casting shadows that hid a lot of details that the daylight could expose. "I'll get you some." She stepped around the boy to go get some to give him, trying to silence her newly kindled doubts that there would be anyone for her to find to reunite the boy with. There was a drought, times were hard for just about everyone- not just individuals out on their own. It was possible that he hadn't been on his own long despite his slender appearance. There would be someone for her to find today, there had to be. She returned with a couple strips of the dried fish and handed them off to the boy.
((Don't apologize! My replies are so spotty as well right now. That's awesome you've been able to do all that canning; gardens are so rewarding.))
Mattie took the strips of dried fish eagerly and thanked her gratefully. He gave one to his dog -- since he was such good friends with the animal he had to make sure he was taken care of as well -- and started chewing on the other for himself. While the boy ate, his eyes were pinned on Dasha, especially her hands. What would this woman do? Was she nice? She had to be at least a little since she'd given up a bit of their food for him and the dog.
Mattie took the strips of dried fish eagerly and thanked her gratefully. He gave one to his dog -- since he was such good friends with the animal he had to make sure he was taken care of as well -- and started chewing on the other for himself. While the boy ate, his eyes were pinned on Dasha, especially her hands. What would this woman do? Was she nice? She had to be at least a little since she'd given up a bit of their food for him and the dog.
After Mattie took the fish Dasha started to restack the remainder of the firewood file they had that had gotten knocked askew at some point during the night. It helped her judge if she would need to find more today. She spared a couple glances over to the boy as she did so, watching and trying to find a good way to bring up the topic of getting him back to some sort of guardian. She decided to more or less cut right to the chase. ". . . Someone must be awfully worried about you right now - you having been out all night by yourself and all." She studied the boy as she placed the last broken branch on top of the pyramid she had re created, watching for his reaction.
The dog gulped down the fish within seconds and looked expectantly at Mattie for more. Mattie, however, had moved closer towards the stack of firewood to keep watching Dasha. He fiddled with a piece of wood and looked over at her. First he frowned, which transformed into raised eyebrows. "No, nobody's looking for me right now," he said, shaking his head. "It's fine. I can stay here."
With the last of the remaining firewood now stacked Dasha stepped back from the pile, assessing it and trying to judge how much more needed to be gathered for tonight. She didn't really give any outward reaction to the boy's answer, but she did suppress a sigh. No one would be looking right now. That left open a lot of variables. Would someone be looking later? Did they just not care to look for him in general and trust that he would just show back up on his own? Was there even anyone to look to begin with? She considered questioning the boy further, but by the fairly vague answer he had presented she could tell that he might not be the most reliable source to ask, especially if it turned out he was running from something. Besides, if she asked too much she could very well run the risk of startling him off- something that wouldn't feel at all in good conscience with the current drought added to the list of possible dangers a boy his age could face in a place like this while running off on his own. She decided it would be safer to rely on her backup plan of asking around town. She had to ask around about water sources anyway so she let the subject drop. ". . . I have some business to take care of in town this morning, you're welcome to tag along if you want." She hoped he would as she really didn't want to leave him here by himself.
"I'll be really good," Mattie added before she could say no. "I can help, and I'm strong. And I'm nice to talk to." He smiled his little boy smile and wiggled in his seated position. He rubbed at his forehead. "Where're you going? I can stay here. I won't be bad, and I have Rudy." He patted the dog's head, and the dog, now apparently Rudy, wagged his tail at the name. "Rudy will take good care of me. And we could get you more wood!"
Dasha didn't bother to argue against any of his points, but she did not outright agree either. She wouldn't make any form of promise she wasn't sure she would keep- that included giving any outright indication that he could stay here, even temporarily. "Most likely just to the general store, maybe the boarding house too to see if the owner has any odd jobs for me today." At least that wasn't an outright lie. "I shouldn't be gone too terribly long." She glanced between Mattie and the mutt now seemingly dubbed Rudy. ". . . If you do go out and gather wood, just be careful." She didn't fully doubt that the boy could handle himself, but there was always the danger of accidentally disturbing venemous insects or brushing against harmful plants that flourished even in times of drought just like this.
"We'll be careful," Mattie nodded. He did not want to go to town with Dasha right now. And the dog seemed to be protecting the kid for the most part. The dog sighed and stretched out, chin resting on his paws. Mattie smiled as if to assure Dasha that he would be totally fine.
((Sorry my posts are short and very sparse right now.))
((Sorry my posts are short and very sparse right now.))
Dasha seemed to consider the prospect of leaving them here alone a couple moments longer before she gave them a nod and headed out the door without another word. She didn't have any more time to waste if she wanted to seek answers both about the boy and a new source of drinking water. Although the sun had risen only a short a while ago it was already plenty hot, without a single cloud to dot the sky or instill any ounce of hope that rain would be on its way any time soon. As she made the short walk into town she could already feel a headache begging to form. It was going to be a long day. She decided to start her hunt for information at the general store.
Mattie and the dog settled down for a little while and waited until Dasha had left before going out to collect some firewood and possibly anything else interesting that could be dubbed valuable. Mattie would be careful, and Rudy would watch over him.
The general store was busy and stuffy with heat. The man at the counter swiped his brow with a dirty rag and pulled a can off a shelf. He named the price, and the customer dealt out an assortment of coins. It was hot, and nobody was really in a mood to stay and gossip. When Dasha stepped in, the owner simply gave her a nod and grunt and dusted his shelves.
The general store was busy and stuffy with heat. The man at the counter swiped his brow with a dirty rag and pulled a can off a shelf. He named the price, and the customer dealt out an assortment of coins. It was hot, and nobody was really in a mood to stay and gossip. When Dasha stepped in, the owner simply gave her a nod and grunt and dusted his shelves.
During the walk to the store Dasha had decided that she would only ask about the boy here. She didn't want to frustrate the store owner by asking too many questions- especially since he had already been generous once in working out a deal with her for the supplies she had needed before. She could always get information about other water sources elsewhere- maybe even from the boarding house owner. She perused the shelves and lines of barrels, knowing that the wisest course of action would be to buy something first and then ask her questions about the boy. Were she in the store owner's shoes she knew she certainly wouldn't take kindly to a nonpaying customer bothering her with such things. She stopped before a barrel of apples, and after double checking what meager funds she had managed to save up against the price that was posted above the barrel, chose one. It was smaller than those she was used to seeing in her own century- here mankind had not yet pushed the boundaries of genetic modification. She took the fruit to the front counter and set it down, already pulling the coin that she would use from her small collection while she waited for the store owner to finish his current task and step back behind the counter.
The owner finished dusting the shelves and tossed the rag onto an empty barrel behind the counter. He finally turned his attention to the woman standing before her. Somehow she looked familiar but he wasn't sure why. Either the heat was causing him to forget a common face or she was a rare customer. He rubbed his temples and raised an eyebrow. "Just the apple for you?" he asked, yawning, a hand already sliding forward to receive a coin or two. He named the price and blinked, waiting for his prize.
Dasha nodded when the owner asked if that was all she was buying. Once he confirmed the price she pulled out the appropriate coin. "I was wondering . . ." She started as she handed over the coin, knowing her window of opportunity would close if she didn't seize it. "Do you happen to know of anyone who may be missing a small, fair haired boy?" She didn't offer up any further details, mainly because she didn't have that many more to give and didn't want to waste his time if the answer was no.
The owner pocketed the coin and let her take the apple. He tilted his head as the question began and slowly turned his lips into a frown. "Little boys go missing all the time," he said with a shake of his head. "Why would I know?" But he leaned forward on the counter, squinting at Dasha, measuring her up and trying to get a read on her. "Well," he said, letting out a foul breath of air, "the mister who owns the tavern has a little boy. I wouldn't know if he's missing or not."
Dasha couldn't help but frown herself at the answer the store owner gave. "Hmm, I wouldn't of pegged him as the paternal type." The thought was spoken aloud before she could think better of it, or think about it at all really. Based off her first- and hopefully only- run in with the man she had a hard time imagining him so much as ever standing in the same room as a child, let alone caring for one in any capacity. Of course based off how Mattie looked, if he was his son there wasn't much care in the equation anyway. She hoped that wasn't the case, that there was someone else to find . . . there had to be. She picked up the apple she had just bought from the countertop, already on to hoping that she would run into someone in the streets, actively looking for the boy. "Well, thank you anyway." For now she didn't want to even entertain the idea that the store owner had mentioned.
"Me neither," the store owner said, shaking his head. "Shiloh isn't fit for children." He did not acknowledge whether or not the saloon owner was the father of little Matteo. He grunted, gave a nod, and said, "Have a good rest of your day, miss," before turning to his next customer.
Outside, there was already the slight increase of heat in the air as the sun wasted no time scorching the earth. Of course, it was only a precursor of the weather to come.
Meanwhile, while Dasha was at the store, Matteo had gone in search of some firewood with Rudy and Jarin was busy at the blacksmith.
The town boardwalks had a few people rushing about, hurrying to get their shopping done or race to their jobs before the heat grew unbearable.
Outside, there was already the slight increase of heat in the air as the sun wasted no time scorching the earth. Of course, it was only a precursor of the weather to come.
Meanwhile, while Dasha was at the store, Matteo had gone in search of some firewood with Rudy and Jarin was busy at the blacksmith.
The town boardwalks had a few people rushing about, hurrying to get their shopping done or race to their jobs before the heat grew unbearable.
Once Dasha stepped out of the general store she was greeted with the full force of the heat. It was going to be another long, hot day. She silently questioned for about the hundredth time why they had to get stuck in a century without air conditioning. Since she didn't want to stay out in the direct sunlight any longer than she had to she started to make her way to the boarding house- trying to forget the suggestion that the store owner had made and scanning the faces of the those she passed, looking for any sign of some distraught parent searching for a lost child. There seemed to be not a one to find as she made it all the way to the boarding house without spotting anyone who seemed to fit that criteria. For now she supposed that search would have to take a back seat- at least until later in the day.
The boarding house lady was seated at the table in the dining room, busily sorting through a collection of papers at one elbow, knitting some type of garment on her lap, and occasionally folding fabric into a medium sized crate. Busy as always, trying to do everything at the very same time as everything else. Her hair was up in a tight bun but several strands had drifted down, framing her stern face.
Usually Dasha made a conscious effort to make her presence known early- letting the door squeak or letting her footsteps fall heavily. Here there was no need for stealth and it seemed rude to startle anyone. Today she was rather distracted though and unconsciously her old habits resurfaced- lifting the door up by the handle as she opened it so there was no squeak, light steps that avoided the center most portions of the floorboards that were more likely to produce creaks. She started to head for the kitchen since that was a frequent place she found the owner, but instead found her in the dining room. She paused at the threshold of the room a moment, watching the woman work. As her eyes fell to the knitting in the woman's lap Dasha had the vague sense that someone had tried to teach her how to do that once. Perhaps her mother or some other maternal figure, someone had sat her on their lap and guided her hands- she was almost sure of it in this moment. The memory, like all of those from her early childhood, seemed to be just out of reach and the more she tried to recall it the farther it retreated and the more her headache threatened to intensify.
She stopped trying to recall the memory and let the fleeting moment of familiarness pass and dissapear as quickly as it had set in. "Good morning." She spoke, still standing at the threshold of the room, "Do you have anything for me today?" This was how their interactions most often went - straight to the point. The woman was always busy and Dasha would not waste her precious time with small talk.
((Okay, major plot question; would you be cool with having the saloon/tavern owner have a similar background to Dasha's? Like in his case an ex time travelling bounty hunter who broke the ethics of the profession and is now in turn a wanted criminal hiding out in this time period. I'm thinking Jarin's first, maybe even second attempt at making another gear to fix the broken time mechanism shouldn't work because that just feels too convenient, and Shiloh could have another option to offer up- for a price to be determined of course. He can still 100% be Mattie's father and we can continue along with that as part of the story line as well, it would just be a bit more added conflict than what we already have going on currently. We can totally leave it as it is if you'd prefer I just thought I'd offer that idea up for some possible added spice, lol. ))
((To let you know, I'm going to be gone from Goodreads on vacation from December 24th through January 1st. If I haven't replied yet, I'll try to once I get back. Sorry I've been so busy lately!))
Oh sure! I think the criminal part would be awesome for Shiloh(as well as the time travelling bounty part) and would make more sense on why Mattie is always alone or hiding from him. What offer would Shiloh give? I'm thinking that there wouldn't be many good ones with that guy since he works in a saloon and Dasha's a girl; though a smart one at that. It might be neat to have the plot tangle the two into some trouble as long as it isn't (view spoiler)
And again, d'you think Dasha and Jarin might ever have feelings for each other? XD))
And again, d'you think Dasha and Jarin might ever have feelings for each other? XD))
Despite Dasha's utter silence approaching the threshold, the woman did not startle at her sudden voice. After a few seconds had passed since Dasha had greeted her, the woman set down the last piece of folded cloth and turned somewhat in her chair to face her. "Good morning," she said simply. Her features were blank from expression. "There are always the dishes. You're a bit late this morning. They're piled up in the sink and before I know it I'll be having to cook up a huge meal for all the boarders. If you could get started on those, especially the pots and pans, I'd be grateful."
((I honestly don't remember this woman's name, that's why I keep just calling her woman))
((I honestly don't remember this woman's name, that's why I keep just calling her woman))
((Oh definately nothing like that, I always steer clear of such mature themes. I'm thinking that even though Shiloh’s goal is to lay low for the most part he still has a big hand in illegal trade (I envision thats what got him in trouble in the first place- kidnapping important/famous figures and causing crazy conspiracies to spread like wildfire within the timeline he disturbed. Just maybe now he's gotten smarter and for the most part has moved on from people to less notably significant/trackable things like limited natural resources, basic valuables, endangered and/or later extinct animals- basically anything there is an underground market for.) He could be at the center of it all even and have a payroll of others who assist in gathering inventory/make sure the trades get transported through unnoticed by the regulatory board. This could be where Dasha comes in- (I figure first he would offer to take Jarin off her hands despite not dealing in people much anymore because its convenient/has a payout well worth the risk, but obviously she would refuse.) Occasionally Shiloh could agree to take bigger profile jobs like taking a famous painting or some other item of high monetary and historical value, and for that he wants another pair of skilled hands in his reserve that he can call upon when he needs. They could agree on a number of jobs- well maybe not agree, i can't imagine either wanting to budge on their offer/counter offer- perhaps settle it by a card game or card draw because that just seems fitting to Shiloh’s character and cover as a saloon owner. Eventually . . . maybe. . . I hope. I think Dasha's starting to come around, at least to thinking of Jarin as more of a friend now instead of just a charge to look after. Something needs to happen to make a firmer shift to that dynamic and then I think things will fall into place a lot easier from there.
That's cool, I don't remember it either. I honestly don't even know if we ever gave her one, lol.))
When the woman noted that she was late Dasha couldn't help but spare a quick glance out the window at the position of the sun. The woman was right, the sun was notably higher than it usually was when she arrived here- Dasha guessed it was about an hour later than she had intended to arrive. She hadn't realized that her conversation with the general store owner had cost her so much time. It wasn't like her to be so unobservant. "My apologies ma'am, I will get on them right away." She replied before automatically starting off to the kitchen. The tall pile of dishes that greeted her beyond the door made her breath a silent sigh. Her hands had just started to recover from the last batch she had done- by the time she finished with them all she suspected her skin would be rubbed raw and burning from the harsh soda ash soap again. She grabbed the pot that looked the worst and reminded herself that it could be worse off- at least she wasn't the one stuck in close proximity of a blazing forge under an already oppressive sun. Instead of feeling lucky she felt something else she couldn't quite put her finger on- sympathy? guilt? Concern? Worry? None of them seemed to quite fit on their own, perhaps it was an odd mixture of the quartet. She redirected all her attention to the dirty pot- thoughts of Jarin, Mattie, races against time, and all other topics of survival and concern discarded as she focused on nothing more than getting the pot spotless.
((Awesome, that's what I thought, and same with me, but I just wanted to double check on that. :)
As far as your ideas go, they sound great and I think we should shoot for them!
What if Shiloh is a key (maybe not the right one necessarily) to getting the two of them out? Since he's playing around with the illegal trade and can transport items through the time zones without being caught?
No worries, it's huge improvement that they aren't acting like they want to kill each other anymore. The only thing I can think of is getting them both into a serious situation that would end up with one or both of them nearly being killed, but that's kind of dramatic and it might not work.
Okay good I certainly don't remember XD))
The woman just nodded abruptly and went back to her work without another word. She knew that this Jessie girl was smart enough. She'd work if she wanted the pay, and the woman knew enough about robbers and hold ups than to keep her money in an easily accessible location. And if the woman didn't appreciate Jessie's work, she'd send her out. But even she knew that would be pointless.
Jarin was finally being shown some of the skills needed in order to properly perform any metalwork. He was also testing his strength; lifting that huge hammer over and over again to slam it constantly into the iron took brute force and lots of energy. And Jarin wasn't about to forget the heat radiating out of the forge. His hands and forearms were bright red with it, and sweat was constantly running down his brow. He barely had enough time in between orders from the blacksmith to swipe at his brow and rest his arm for a minute.
As far as your ideas go, they sound great and I think we should shoot for them!
What if Shiloh is a key (maybe not the right one necessarily) to getting the two of them out? Since he's playing around with the illegal trade and can transport items through the time zones without being caught?
No worries, it's huge improvement that they aren't acting like they want to kill each other anymore. The only thing I can think of is getting them both into a serious situation that would end up with one or both of them nearly being killed, but that's kind of dramatic and it might not work.
Okay good I certainly don't remember XD))
The woman just nodded abruptly and went back to her work without another word. She knew that this Jessie girl was smart enough. She'd work if she wanted the pay, and the woman knew enough about robbers and hold ups than to keep her money in an easily accessible location. And if the woman didn't appreciate Jessie's work, she'd send her out. But even she knew that would be pointless.
Jarin was finally being shown some of the skills needed in order to properly perform any metalwork. He was also testing his strength; lifting that huge hammer over and over again to slam it constantly into the iron took brute force and lots of energy. And Jarin wasn't about to forget the heat radiating out of the forge. His hands and forearms were bright red with it, and sweat was constantly running down his brow. He barely had enough time in between orders from the blacksmith to swipe at his brow and rest his arm for a minute.
((Awesome. :) Sorry for my delay in reply, for some reason my attention span has been practically non existent this last week and I found it impossible to write. That was my thought exactly- to have Shiloh at least seemingly be the best key out. Heck he could even be tilting the hand to make it seem that way- discreetly sabotage any attempts they may make to get out without his help and the like.
Yeah, at least it's some improvement lol. Maybe, it would definately be hit or miss if we try something like that. I don't know, I'm sure we'll come up with something.
Yeah, its difficult to keep track of names for characters like that that really don't get referenced all that much, lol.))
Dasha made her way through the pots and then started with the other dishes. At least those didn't take quite as much scrubbing to get clean. Even so she was only a quarter of the way through the stack when she began to wonder exactly how much longer from this moment it would be before the electric dish washer was invented- she concluded that no matter the actual answer it was far too long in her opinion.
Once she finished with the last dish she double checked that all were spotless and dry before neatly stacking them and putting them away. She didn't know exactly how long it had taken her to finish the task, but she suspected it had been a fair while as her back had begun to ache from being hunched over the wash basin and her fingertips had shriveled due to prolonged contact with the dishwater. She used a damp rag to quickly wipe down all surfaces that would later be in use before she wrung it out, hung it up to dry, and then went to dump out the dirty dishwater.
She hoped that whatever else the woman might happen to have for her to do today would be quick- that way she could get back to searching for answers about Mattie. Maybe if she kept looking something would go right for once and she would find an answer she actually wanted- something, anything that didn't involve that saloon owner would be a welcome answer. She never wanted to so much as cross that man's path again.
((Ooo sounds exciting. I think Shiloh will become a big part of this, then! And little Mattie :P with Rudy. Sorry it's been a bit since I've posted. Not sure where to go right now. ))
((Oh yes, they are definately going to become more thoroughly woven into all of this lol. Totally cool, we are at kind of a slow point that is difficult to write for since all the characters are separated. We could skip over to when they are in/headed to the same place again if that helps at all.))
((Yeah, maybe we should do that. How would they run into Shiloh again though? Just on the streets while they're walking to a store, or would they purposely be heading to meet him?))
((How would you feel about them possibly finding out at different times/having their own run ins with Shiloh for the sake of dramatics/creating conflict instead of just one interaction? Perhaps Dasha runs into him first and that is where it starts- he says something in passing that would make her question his identity- she takes the bait and follows demanding to know who the heck he is- he's busy, tells her to come back later if she wants answers, which of course she does.
She wouldn't tell Jarin right away that something was going on/what she finds out since she is so used to keeping everything to herself- instead he could hear through the grape vine that Shiloh has been around her again (Maybe the blacksmith could tell him or something since right now thats about the only point of contact he has). He could take the opportunity to confront Shiloh like he wanted to after that first time Dasha had a run in with him- the compromise that they had struck previously about Shiloh now null. Shiloh and Jarin could end up getting into a fight and the aftermath- although maybe not to the point of a life or death situation- could possibly work as that event we were grasping for to drive Jarin and Dasha closer
If you would rather skip the dramatics though and keep it at one interaction then I'd vote for the purposely seeking Shiloh out option- we have the whole Mattie situation, and that could be the original purpose and then it could just snowball from there. ))
((Different run ins would be awesome. The more drama, the better and more fun it is to write. I think your ideas with the fight would work great; Jarin would definitely be ready to swing some fists around or whatever he'd do if he found out that Shiloh was bothering Dasha. And obviously if Dasha finds out or sees the two fighting, then I feel like Jarin would defend his point about her or something. Probably not a life or death situation.
We can do the stuff with Mattie at a later date, too, if you want.))
We can do the stuff with Mattie at a later date, too, if you want.))
((Great! I 100% agree, the more conflict the better. I figured that wouldn't be too far off base given how he reacted the first time, lol. Yeah, we can totally work in the Mattie thing later :) ))
((Okay, cool. So are you okay with me skipping a bit to maybe Jarin walking home one day from work and running into Shiloh, and maybe while they talk he finds out that Dasha had another run into him, or would you like to also write out that scene before Jarin meets Shiloh?))
((I could probably write something up really quick for Dasha/Shiloh’s interaction that way we have a general reference for what was said/what happened so we are both on the same page and I can get a feel for writing in Shiloh's voice before we jump straight into the thick of it. After that post is made we could totally skip ahead and start off again like you suggested- that is if that option is cool with you.))
Lynn wrote: "((I could probably write something up really quick for Dasha/Shiloh’s interaction that way we have a general reference for what was said/what happened so we are both on the same page and I can get ..."
((That'd be awesome if you could! And then I can have Jarin find out and run into Shiloh or whatever :) ))
((That'd be awesome if you could! And then I can have Jarin find out and run into Shiloh or whatever :) ))
((Yes, perfect! :) Sorry it took me so long, this week has been horribly busy)) Dasha's shoulders still ached from scrubbing dishes, the floors, and almost everything in-between at the boarding house this morning. She had finished her work there sooner than usual due to her early start. She had been up well before the sun and had decided to use it to the best of its advantage.
She hadn't been able to sleep much last night- every time she had tried to settle in something had disturbed her, be it the headache she had had that had only seemed to get worse every time she laid down or the growing restlessness she felt with being stuck here doing next to nothing that had sent her pacing around the outside of the structure more than once. She had given up on sleep all together after yet another couple boards had given way overhead and clattered to the dusty floor only a foot or so from her, just as it seemed she had finally managed drifting off to sleep. Instead of trying to find it again she had stared up at the stars through the new hole in the roof, wondering how much longer it would be before the entire structure gave way around them.
It was late morning bleeding into early afternoon now, the sun had risen whisking the stars and any hint of the cool reprieve of night away, leaving only merciless heat in its wake. In attempt to avoid the bulk of the heat Dasha stuck close to the shade that the overhangs of the storefronts provided as she walked. The streets were still somewhat busy, filled with individuals rushing around trying to get what buisness they had dealt with before the temperature peaked and made everything downright miserable.
She smelled the cigar smoke before he came into view- rounding the corner of the storefront ahead of her. He walked leisurely, the cigar she had smelled held between his teeth- a quarter of the way burned.
Dasha contemplated crossing the street to avoid the saloon owner but that would mean braving the full rays of the sun for longer and she didn't have the energy to spare. Besides, it would only take a few moments to walk past him. She kept her set pace, not speeding up nor slowing down. She would just carry on with her own business and not acknowledge his existence. Unfortunately, and maybe somewhat predictably, it seemed Shiloh had other plans as he altered his path to intersect with her's.
"Ah" he shifted just far enough in front of Dasha that she had no choice but to at least stop and acknowledge him. He pulled the cigar from his mouth and after a moment let a cloud of grey white smoke seep from his lips. "I was wondering when I might cross paths with you again. Thought any more abou-?"
Before he had time to finish his statement Dasha cut him off "Perhaps I didn't make myself clear enough the first time. I want absolutely no part of anything that has to do with you. Now, if you will so kindly excuse me" she started to step around him.
"Hold on" Shiloh protested, stopping her by grabbing her left arm. She stiffened, her hands forming into tight fists and teeth clenched as she glanced from where his hand rested on her arm up to his face, giving him a glare that could very likely wither a full grown oak tree. He seemed to remember himself and quickly let go- raising his hands in surrender, cigar still held between the fingers of one, the faint shadow of a bruise on the palm of the other. He still wore an amused looking smirk though which threatened to make Dasha's blood boil.
"I have something I believe belongs to you." He offered as explanation as he took a step backwards and began to feel around in the pockets of the vest he wore with his free hand. ". . . And I'd like to see it returned." At last he seemed to find what he was looking for and held it out in offering. It was the gold ring she had traded for supplies- the one that she had planned on buying back from the general store owner somehow before leaving this place.
She stared at his outstretched hand a long moment in disbelief. It was wrong- this man holding the only piece she had ever had to connect her to a life she couldn't remember. "Keep it." She growled, though the idea of leaving it with him made her mouth go dry. "For I refuse the price you will undoubtedly demand."
This time Shiloh did not try to stop her and let her walk past, instead electing to drop his cigar, snuff it out with the toe of his boot, and turn oh his own heel to follow behind her. He was silent a few moments and all Dasha could hear was the telltale thump of his boots on the boards of the walkway behind her. "There is no price. I simply would hate for you to loose something that looks so important. It is yours, no strings attached." He insisted as he followed, "I am not such a villain as you paint me to be."
At his last statement Dasha stopped abruptly and turned to face him again. "Fear not, I do not view you a villain." She stated, dangerously calm. "That would give more credit than what is due. You are a parasite." Her words did not seem to bother the saloon owner in the slightest and instead that amused looking smirk of his made a reappearance.
Shiloh set the ring down on the ground between them and took a step back, leaving her to decide if she would pick it up or leave it behind for someone else to find. He gave her a tip of his hat before turning to start off on his own way again. "Have a nice day, Miss Ripley."
Dasha waited until he had made it a few storefronts down before she picked up the ring he had abandoned. She turned it over in her fingers, inspecting it for any hint of trickery. She found none. It was only when she turned to be off on her own way that she realized what was wrong. She turned back in the direction that Shiloh had dissapeared into, walking as fast as she could without breaking into a sprint. It didn't take long for her to catch up. "Wait!" she called ahead as soon as she was a couple yards away. In the next few seconds she had caught up to him and crossed in front of his path, blocking his way just as he had done to her.
"I never gave you that name." She was always cautious to use an alias. "I never gave you any name for that matter." She narrowed her eyes, keeping her voice low, "Who the h*ll are you?"
"You really don't know?" At her blank expression Shiloh shook his head and gave a little chuckle. "I suppose that explains your warm reception of me . . . I've read about you." He remarked rather than answer her question. He stepped around her and continued on, leaving her to follow. "You have quite the file- a child of the lazarus project turned sucessful bounty hunter. Impressive, though dare I say your means to get there has cost you a ridiculous ammount of autonomy."
Dasha could hardly believe what she was hearing. This man knew about her, about her file. He knew about time travel. "What do you want?" She asked, still incredulous.
"It's not about what I want, it's about what you want. I can help. . . I'm afraid I don't have time to explain everything right now, I must part ways with you here in order to attend to some business." He replied, coming to a stop. "If you want to hear more you'll come to the saloon tomorrow night. Show your ring to my bartender when you arrive . . . no one will give you any trouble."
"You still have yet to tell me who you are." Dasha pointed out.
This earned a smile from the man, his eyes holding a mischevious glint. "You're a smart girl, I'm sure you'll figure it out." He didn't wait for any sort of reply before starting off again- stepping out from under the shade of the storefronts and into the street, his pace quicker than the leisurely one he had been using. Dasha stood there long after he had dissapeared, wondering why it felt like she had just made a bad deal when she hadn't yet agreed to anything at all.
That rest of the day passed. As usual, Jarin never saw any sign of Dasha during the day; only then did he realize that often he picked up his head from his work to see if he noticed her walking down the streets close by. It was a startling thought and as he put away the tools for the night, he jammed his tired hands into his pockets, hoping that such a thought would leave his brain. They'd been here together for a few months and now he was wondering about her more than he knew was appropriate for him to.
"Good night, see you tomorrow," Jarin told the blacksmith, whose name was Daniel, and nodded before stepping out into the night.
The heat had mostly lifted from the western town, and since most of the citizens had gone off to their homes by then taking their noisy horses and carriages with them, the dust had quite settled by then. The moon hung lonely over the land, a few stars dancing in between the shifting clouds.
At least Jarin was returning with something for Dasha; he'd managed to gain a hunk of meat for his hard work during the past week and gratefully he'd accepted. It was worth it, especially since he'd earned himself a burn on his right forearm today.
Jarin stepped into the shack, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the poor light. A fire flickered in the fireplace, but otherwise shadows cloaked the entire interior. "I brought some food," Jarin said, ducking under a particularly low board that was bound to fall soon.
"Good night, see you tomorrow," Jarin told the blacksmith, whose name was Daniel, and nodded before stepping out into the night.
The heat had mostly lifted from the western town, and since most of the citizens had gone off to their homes by then taking their noisy horses and carriages with them, the dust had quite settled by then. The moon hung lonely over the land, a few stars dancing in between the shifting clouds.
At least Jarin was returning with something for Dasha; he'd managed to gain a hunk of meat for his hard work during the past week and gratefully he'd accepted. It was worth it, especially since he'd earned himself a burn on his right forearm today.
Jarin stepped into the shack, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the poor light. A fire flickered in the fireplace, but otherwise shadows cloaked the entire interior. "I brought some food," Jarin said, ducking under a particularly low board that was bound to fall soon.
Dasha sat off to the side of the flickering fire, every once in a while poking at it with the rusty fireplace poker she had managed to track down a few days ago. Her mind was still largely on her earlier conversation with the saloon owner and apparent fellow time traveler. Despite her best efforts she had not been able to place his identity yet. It felt like a puzzle for which she was missing a handful of pieces- and it seemed the only way she would get those missing pieces would be to entertain his request for her to come back tomorrow night. The ring that he had given back to her once again hung on the cord it had been threaded through originally. The metal felt unnaturally cool against her skin, but she knew that had to be a mere trick of the mind. She didn't yet know if she would end up using it as Shiloh had instructed or not. She didn't hear when Jarin stepped into the structure and as such was startled out of her thoughts by his voice. She hadn't realized it was already getting so late. The last she had been aware of the sun was just beginning to sink below the horizon, now the warm hues of the setting sun had completely given way to the cool silver of the moon and stars. "Oh, wonderful." It had taken her a moment longer than it probably should have to respond to such good unexpected news, but she quickly recovered, falling into their normal banter. "Please tell me it's something other than dried fish though. If you got my hopes up over more dried fish, you might be sleeping outside tonight." She teased, discarding the fireplace poker that she had still been holding.
A chuckle escaped Jarin's lips at that comment, and he shook his head. "Even better." He sat down near the fireplace where she was and opened the little packet the blacksmith had given him so graciously. Inside was a slab of beef; perhaps not the best quality out there and definitely not the richest kind Jarin had eaten, but it was a change from fish and edible all the same. It would just take some time to roast or boil. He grinned at her, a boyish happiness shining in his tired face.
Little Mattie, who'd been sitting in the back of the shadows of the building with his little dog, scooted forward a bit, hopeful. "Can I have a tiny piece?" He asked. "Or I can just have fish, I don't wanna be in the way." He looked a bit ashamed to have even asked. Rudy wagged his tail and barked, a string of drool hanging from his lip.
Little Mattie, who'd been sitting in the back of the shadows of the building with his little dog, scooted forward a bit, hopeful. "Can I have a tiny piece?" He asked. "Or I can just have fish, I don't wanna be in the way." He looked a bit ashamed to have even asked. Rudy wagged his tail and barked, a string of drool hanging from his lip.
Dasha watched as he opened the parcel, not knowing what to expect to see inside. Once it was open she leaned in closer to get a better look. It was a cut of meat - vibrant in color unlike the bland pale grey-white of the fish that they had been relying upon so much lately. Either beef or mutton she concluded- it was hard to be certain by sight alone in the flickering firelight- , her eyes widened slightly with the realization. "Definately better" she agreed, unable to help but smile herself, especially after noticing his pleased expression. "Oh," Mattie had been so quiet it had been easy to forget he was still hanging around. That seemed to be a common theme with him and it made her wonder further about his background. "I'm sure there is probably enough for us all?" She didn't say it as a statement, but instead in a tone of question directed towards Jarin. He had earned it and therefore it was ultimately his decision to make- though she figured she already knew what his choice would be.
She had a hard time entertaining the idea that he would so much as think about denying the boy the request. Afterall he had shared with that dog - Rudy. she mentally corrected herself- when they had had far less to spare at the time. It had annoyed her then, as she had been unable to view it as anything more than a simple and foolish waste. Now she was able to recognize such an action as an intentional kindness instead. It still felt odd to observe such- to not have to wonder at and calculate what the underlying motive behind the action might be . . . there was no hidden agenda to find with him. It was one of the main reasons she could no longer picture anyone wanting a bounty on his head to begin with.
"Of course it's better," Jarin said, grinning. He felt triumphant to have scored such a piece of meat for them. Jarin looked around the building, quickly letting his brain think. He pushed away any disappointment that would have showed on his face. "Don't worry, there's plenty. You can have mine." He smiled at Mattie. "I'll eat fish. You and Dasha need it more than I do, okay?" He thought the kid was skinny and the lean fish meat was healthy, but it wasn't going to stick on his bones as well as the beef. As much as his mouth was drooling for the beef, he couldn't hold it back from the little boy. Jarin might have lost a little weight himself but he refused to acknowledge his own needs. "It'll take some time to cook, though."
"Oh, I didn't want to take your portion," Mattie frowned, shaking his head. "If there's not actually enough I don't need it. I can just eat the fish. I'm sorry."
"Oh, I didn't want to take your portion," Mattie frowned, shaking his head. "If there's not actually enough I don't need it. I can just eat the fish. I'm sorry."
"We have more than enough for now." She filled up the tin cup and took it over to him, holding it out. She didn't intend to let him leave the shade of this little shelter without drinking at least half of the cups contents. "You just worry about working on getting us out of here. I'll ask around town and find a new water source today" She assured, "- like you said, there must be another." She still held the cup out stubbornly to him. "I am not carrying you back if you pass out due to dehydration." She warned half jokingly in attempt to get him to take it.