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Gale’s eyes snapped open at the sound of her voice. His body stiffened instinctively, muscles still tensed from the weight of his dreams and the lingering remnants of the day’s frustrations. At first, he thought it was a trick of the storm—a flurry of wind playing with his mind. But then he heard the soft shuffle of feet against wet grass, followed by the familiar tone of her voice, soaked through with weariness. "Wilson. Mind if I take refuge?" For a moment, he didn't answer. His heart was beating too fast, his thoughts racing. The rain fell in torrents outside, the rhythmic drumming on the canvas of the tent almost deafening. It was only then that he realized something: Jillian had made her way into his space by mistake. It wasn’t that he didn’t understand why she'd come. The storm was unforgiving, and she had no real place to go. The thought of her standing out there in the rain, soaked to the bone and freezing, gnawed at him. Yet, there was something about her presence, about the way she always seemed to show up when it was least expected, that set him on edge. He couldn’t keep her out, though. Not like this. He let out a quiet sigh, resisting the impulse to ask why she couldn’t have gone to Wilson instead, or why she insisted on making everything so difficult. He had a way of convincing himself that he didn’t care, but it was a lie—he always cared, even when he wished he didn’t. “It's not Wilson's tent,” he said, his voice gruff from sleep and the rain. “But... I guess it’s not like you’re going to melt in the storm.” He sat up slowly, rubbing his face with one hand as he adjusted his eyes to the dim, wet light. The lanterns flickered but offered little warmth. |
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Jillian didn't mind getting soaked in the rain, but the thought of getting struck by lightening? That didn't sit too well in her mind. Especially when it had already hit so close once. She figured that Wilson of all people wouldn't care if she just sat in the corner of his tent, which was why she'd went to him. He was a gruff and salty old man, but he was rather caring deep down. To her at least. When she didn't hear him respond, Jillian almost called out again, but then she heard a voice speak back.
Gale? Shoot, she stumbled into his tent. Of all the tents, did it have to be his? She had almost decided to backpedal and leave, already assuming she wouldn't be that welcome in his tent. They didn't sit quite well with one another, though it wasn't his fault. She was well aware of the kind of person she was.
"Sorry. Couldn't see much where I was going," she told him with a light grimace. She stopped her retreat when he told her more or less he didn't care if she stayed. She shuffled in enough so that the flap closed. "Melting isn't my worry. It's frying," she admitted, wiping away the water that streamed down her face. She was a pitiful sight, drenched head to toe. Even after she'd stood out in the rain voluntarily she hadn't been that wet. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the dim lighting, picking out his now sitting up form on the cot. She did feel bad for waking him and being a general inconvenience, but she couldn't take that back now. Hopefully it wouldn't make things between them worse. |
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"Getting fried,eh?Just shut up and stau over there." He mutters,dumping the last drop of brandy from his flask onto his tounge. "Dammit." Gale says,tossing it.He lied down,falling asleep eventually. (would write more but my mind kinda blank) |
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(No worries :) ) "Yes sir," she grumbled with a roll of her eyes. She sunk to the ground, finding her flask again. Drunkenness be damned, she was finishing what was left. And she did. After doing so, she slept like baby, her head against her knees.
- Morning came, birds chirping obnoxiously loud. It wasn't raining anymore and the weather had warmed up, much to Jillian's pleasure. She dried out over the night, no longer resembling a drowned rat as she crawled out of Gale's tent. She didn't bother to see if he was still in there or not, as she didn't care, but she was considerate enough to be quiet when she left.
Her mood was still relatively foul and she was decently hung over, but when Wilson gave her a curt "good morning" nod, she returned it with a stiff smile before going to sit next to the relit fire. |
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Gale awoke,feeling half dead. He groaned as he got up,stumbling out of his tent.Gale walked to the side,sorry,stumbled to the side of the tent,hurling up the liquor from the night before. He walked to Dean and Hugh. "I feel like cow dung but last night felt like fire!" He says,the other two lauging. "We have any more Brandy?" He asks,slamming his empty flask down. "Brought some back earlier.Idiots could've drank it all by now.Near Felipe's tent.Big jug of it." Gale nodded after Hugh responded,walking over to Felipe's tent.He poured out some into the flask,dumping some into his mouth aswell.It felt like fire as it went down his throat,felt good though. |
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It was a miracle in itself that Jillian hadn't puked, but in truth, the night's she spent draining the entire contents of her flask came often. She lazily watched the exchange between Hugh and Gale, all the while Wilson watched her. "You look like shit." He grumbled out, causing her to look at him with an amused expression. "Oh? Like you're looking much better, you old coot," she clapped back, pulling a chuckle from the older man. She reached for her flask but frowned when she found it empty. Oh well. She needed to go to the back post anyways. Jillian stood to her feet, wobbling slightly as she stretched, bones popping as she did. She situated herself before speaking. "Any of you going back to the backpost today? I need to sell and buy some things and I'd rather not walk. I'll even pay you for your time," she offered, knowing she'd need to buy herself another horse as well as get rid of the stolen goods she'd been carrying. Her satchel was heavy with jewelry and other things, so she knew she should have plenty to get herself what she needed, including a tent of her own. |
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Gale choked,coughing up the liquor and laughing. "We going to the backpost?" He calls out,taking a swig of the brandy. "Hell yeah!" Gale smiled,he shoved the flask in his pocket as he darted in his tent,pulling a sack of coins and a leather sack filled to the brim with stolen items,and the pearls.Gale was getting paid well today. He walked over to his horse.A buckskin manchado.He slid the bag with his coins in his own pocket,tying down the bag with stolen goods infront of the saddle. Dean and Hugh were already on their horses,that was all Gale needed. "Well ya'll hurry up!" He exclaims before darting down the dirt road,Hugh and Dean following. They reached the back post,staying on their horses as they usually did. Gale parted,walking to Sarah's tonic shop.He slid off his horse,Burgandy,and walked in.Gale spotted the older woman first,Kate. "If you don't mind me asking Kate,wheres Elizibeth?" Kate set her broom aside and smiled. "She's out back.Doing me a favor of fixing them grape vines." Gale nodded a 'thank you' and headed out,spotting her. "Elizibeth?" He asks,the girl immediatly turning and rushing over to him and hugging him. "Sorry I'm late.We had a newcomer.And we were out of Brandy." Elizibeth smiled. "As long as my man comes I don't care what time it is." |
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Wilson ended up being the one to let her hitch a ride to the backpost, being much more laid back then the group of rowdy young men. He didn't waste anytime following, however, apparently needing to do some things of his own in a hurry. Once they made it there, she hopped off, telling him not to worry about her too much.
She headed straight into Jacque's Jewelry Store, where the man himself came out from behind the counter to greet her. "My little love! I was starting to wonder when you'd show," he purred warmly, pressing kisses to either side of her cheeks before hugging her and letting her go.
Jillian laughed, kissing his cheeks in return before speaking. "I know. Junie threw me and bolted, but I got picked up by group of people. They're pretty decent, but being there delayed my arrival when I was already late." She explained, pulling her satchel off and setting it on Jacque's counter.
"Got a heavy load for me I see." He hummed as he went around to the other side, pulling it all out to sort through.
There were rubies and sapphires, diamonds and amethysts, and even a few pearl necklaces. He accepted it all, giving her a little over 1500 for the bulk of it. She pocketed the coin before he came back around to say his goodbyes. Jacque pulled her close by the waist, brushing back her hair from her eyes.
"Are you going to take ages to come see me again?" He asked, looking down at her with a smile. It was no secret that Jacque was sweet on Jillian, but she made it a game of cat and mouse, unable to allow herself into a commitment with him. "You know I can't say for sure, but you also know I can never stay away for long," she answered, smiling at him gently. |
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"Well m'lady,I have some jewels to exchange,care to join?" He asks,slipping his arm around her waist. "I don't mind coming.As long as I get something in return." She purred,Gale kissing her quickly before the two walked back inside.Elizibeth told her mother where she was going before the two started walking around.They passed a store,Gale seeing the newcomer inside.He smiled as he saw Jacque and what was her name?Eh,did'nt matter.He smiled as he watched them,focusing his attention back to Elizibeth. "Well love,I was thinking of the Blue Bar first?Get this bag filled with more coins." He says greedily,popping a piece of tobacco into his mouth to chew. "I like that idea.Perhaps we could go to the cross-bones?" Gale nodded,walking into the jeweler. "Oh would you look who it is?Mr.Hummendeaus.Let's see what you have brought me and ooh!Pearls AND Rubys?My,this is a very expensive match.2800.Final offer." Gale grinned. "You have a deal." Elizibeth blurted out,taking the coins and filling Gale's bag to almost the top. "Now,bar or alley?" She flirted,as Gale puckered at the coins. "Im a better lover not drunk." He says before the two start laughing. They walk out,Gale's hand around her waist.They walk into the alley,Elizibeth pulling on the collar of his shirt until his lips met hers. He was sligtly out of the crack between the two buildings,enough to where you had to swerve around. |
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Jilly teased Jacque with a ghost of a kiss, her smile holding until she'd caught sight of Gale and some girl. The look fell and she turned back to Jacque, who was busying himself at her neck. "When will you let me pretty you up, hmm?" He asked, making her roll her eyes before giving him that knowing look. "Perhaps next time, my darling. I'm afraid I have too many things to attend to today to have that conversation again," she told him, to which he playfully pouted before letting her go once he'd pressed a little kiss to her lips. "I'll hold you to that. Don't be a stranger, Jillian," he told her, making her smile softly once more. "I'd never dream of it, Jacque. Until next time," she replied, winking at him before leaving his store.
Jillian had some pelts to sell and a few other things, which was what she headed to do next. She was headed to her next stop when she saw Gale sticking out of the alley with that same girl, making her roll her eyes and keep walking, brushing right past them with another thought.
She ended up getting another 1000 for the rest of what she sold, leaving her with plenty for a new horse, booze, and a tent. |
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Heavy Rain
