Justus Quinn
- Masterful Virgin -
a fighter by his trade%\0\%
Posts: 23
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Post by Justus Quinn on Feb 8, 2009 0:42:37 GMT -5
*With a loaded bag slung over one shoulder, a man in dusty, sweat-stained traveling clothes knocked on the door. On his other arm he carried a small boy with rumpled dark blonde hair, equally dirty, who had his fist stuffed comfortably in his little mouth, his large brown eyes wide with wonder.*
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Post by Lark Quinn on Feb 8, 2009 7:44:05 GMT -5
((I wasn't sure if this was for me, so please let me know if it'll be a problem.))
*Lark hurried to the door, trying her best to be the dutiful housewife, especially with Lizzie being gone more and more. She caught her breath at the door, taking the briefest moment to tuck up any loose hair before opening the door with a genial smile.*
"Howdy." *She answered instinctively, but her brow furrowed at the sight of the two.*
"Oh, is there somethin' I can do for you?" *She asked sweetly, clearly out of her waters on the whole keeping house thing.*
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Justus Quinn
- Masterful Virgin -
a fighter by his trade%\0\%
Posts: 23
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Post by Justus Quinn on Feb 8, 2009 16:22:58 GMT -5
((Sure, could be!))
*Justus squinted at the young woman. Sure, her accent was American as apple pie WHICH ISN'T ACTUALLY AMERICAN BUT WHATEVER but he didn't know her from Adam.*
"Pardon me, miss...I--I'm lookin' for th'Quinns...do they put up somewhere in this neighbourhood?"
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Post by Lark Quinn on Feb 8, 2009 17:02:02 GMT -5
"Oh, uh..." *Lark looked a bit startled, but managed to regain a nervous smile.*
"I...I'm Mrs. Quinn." *The name sounded strange on her lips, first time she'd used it and all. Her face lowered shyly for a moment while she collected herself.*
"Were you...lookin' for Jake?" *She asked cautiously.*
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Justus Quinn
- Masterful Virgin -
a fighter by his trade%\0\%
Posts: 23
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Post by Justus Quinn on Feb 8, 2009 22:38:55 GMT -5
*Justus' jaw dropped slightly, but he wisely shut it a second later.*
"I...well, I s'pose I am...my name's...my name's Justus...Justus Quinn, I dunno if Jake ever...if he ever said anythin' 'bout me, but...uh..."
*His eyebrows rose.*
"Jake's married? --Nothin' 'gainst you, ma'am, I'm sure you're...well, no one expected Jake t'--least of all a lady of quality as y'seem t'be...uh..."
*Justus ran a hand through his hair, making it stand out on end.*
"Beggin' yer pardon, ma'am...I...I guess I'm yer brother Justus," *he said with an awkward grin, blowing out a breath of air nervously.*
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Post by Lark Quinn on Feb 9, 2009 7:23:00 GMT -5
*Lark felt the tips of her ears growing quite hot as he went on, her gaze lifting and falling with insecurity. Her? A 'lady of quality'? But she managed a smile for him and offered her hand (to be shaken, palm to the side).*
"Lark." *It still seemed odd to be herself again, not that she was sure yet who that was. Except the part about her being Jake's wife. She was damn sure of that.*
"Jake's mentioned you. I think. Won't you come inside?" *She asked, looking down questioningly to the boy.*
((Is Jake around? Or is he at work? I didn't want to assume.))
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Justus Quinn
- Masterful Virgin -
a fighter by his trade%\0\%
Posts: 23
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Post by Justus Quinn on Feb 9, 2009 12:47:40 GMT -5
*Justus shook her hand and was on the point of nodding and accepting her invitation when a sharp whistle pierced the air.*
"Sheeeeee-it! It's like seein' a ghost!" *bellowed Jake, nearly bowling Lark over as he bounded through the door and threw himself at Justus for a manly embrace. Jake drew back after a second, gingerly avoiding crushing the small boy. Jake's eyebrows shot up as he looked at Justus.*
"...yer in France, Justus. With...a...boy?"
"This here's mah son..." *said Justus thickly.* "Yer nephew. Christened him Johnathan but mostly we call him Jack."
*Pain flickered across his features, his jaw tightening.*
"Well, I. I call him Jack..."
*He sighed and shook his head.*
"Mebbe we'd better all siddown an' talk..."
"Yeah...sure," *said Jake, frowning lightly as they all went back inside. Jake led the way towards the kitchen--Jamie and Kip sleeping in the "parlour" left it in no state to receive guests, even their big brother. And Jake felt they would need to have glasses and whiskey close by.*
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Post by Lark Quinn on Feb 9, 2009 14:26:21 GMT -5
*The sharp sound gave Lark a start, eyes widening in surprise. But she quickly stepped back, letting the boys do their...manly business and quietly followed them towards the kitchen. Her eyes occasionally dropping to the tiny Jack. She worried though, for why they might be here on their own. 'Cause...wasn't he married? She seemed to recall. Once in the kitchen, she kinda just hovered, waiting for a cue from Jake if she should make something or get something or...she really was terrible at all of this.*
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Post by Jake Quinn on Feb 9, 2009 15:12:37 GMT -5
*Jake motioned for Lark to sit beside him.*
"I see you've met...my wife..." *the words were still strange, but he grinned as he said them. He slid a keen glance at Justus.* "How's Eleanor-Faye? Is she...is she with you? How's Ma?"
*Justus took off his hat and chewed his lower lip for a moment.*
"Uh..." *he cleared his throat, trying to find the words. Jack had no such manners, however. His high, thin little voice cut through the silence.*
"My momma's gone t'Jesus an' my gran'momma's gone dere, too," *he said clearly, his big brown eyes filling with tears for a moment before he scrubbed them away with his sleeve, manfully, his little chin trembling.*
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Post by Lark Quinn on Feb 9, 2009 15:17:22 GMT -5
*Lark sat with a nervous smile, grateful to have a place. Especially one next to him. She took his hand gently as they spoke, her eyes immediately softening in sympathy and tenderness. Giving Jake's hand a soft squeeze, her eyes focused on the child. It must be so hard. But what could she say? Especially to a man she just met.*
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Post by Jake Quinn on Feb 9, 2009 16:12:50 GMT -5
*Justus stared at his son for a moment, then his gaze slid to Jake and he nodded, his free hand covering his face for a moment as he collected himself.*
"...it's true, Jake."
*Jake cleared his throat.*
"Ma...?"
"Typhoid. On the ship."
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Post by Lark Quinn on Feb 10, 2009 8:03:30 GMT -5
"Oh, God..." *Lark breathed, her other hand lifting to her lips.*
"I...I'm so sorry." *She whispered, her eyes lifting cautiously to her new brother-in-law. It seemed such a terrible weight, crushing what would have otherwise been a most welcome visit in a fresh burst of happiness. But now things were unsure, but certainly no longer going well. Questions started to buzz up in her mind, but she kept her mouth shut, her grip more firm on Jake's hand.*
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Post by Jake Quinn on Feb 10, 2009 16:08:39 GMT -5
"So...you an' Ma...you were both comin'? An' El--"
*Justus shook his head gruffly.*
"No...she...she died givin' birth to our second baby...a girl...a daughter... Things got so bad after that...Ma talked me into sellin' off the ranch, the stock, the land...and comin' over here. She missed y'all...real bad. Then...then people started gettin' sick, an' Ma was tryin' t'help...an'..."
*Justus swallowed heavily and fell silent. Jake nodded, his eyes wet.*
"...right. So...now...yer hopin' t'set up a place here? A ranch, or a farm?"
*Justus nodded.*
"Got good dollar fer all of it...it was doin' well...I guess...I guess I was hopin' you and the others might be interested..."
*Jake nodded, but his face darkened. He knew he'd give up his place at the head of the family, as the oldest, after he left, but something in him twinged to know that Justus had gone on ahead and made all these decisions and now it was left to him to follow where his younger brother led. He didn't mind, of course, but it wasn't like falling off a log, either.*
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Post by Lark Quinn on Feb 10, 2009 16:25:52 GMT -5
((Poor Jake.))
*Lark noticed the storm clouds in Jake's eyes and they worried her a bit. Not that she was in a place to say anything about them. Her lips tightened, wondering what this all would mean. New family or no, she felt helplessly locked on the outside, unable to help Jake when she felt like he needed it. She swallowed, a little antsy but trying hard not to be so. She wondered if she should get them something, but she worried to leave Jake like this. Unless that's what they needed. To talk family business. Licking her lip briefly, she leaned to whisper as private as she could.*
"If ya'll need to talk..." *She couldn't find the words for the rest, but when she looked up to him, she hoped the implication would be obvious. She wasn't sure she'd ever belong.*
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Justus Quinn
- Masterful Virgin -
a fighter by his trade%\0\%
Posts: 23
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Post by Justus Quinn on Feb 10, 2009 17:03:09 GMT -5
"No, no, you should stay--you're family now," *he said with a sympathetic smile, aware of how awkward she must feel.*
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