InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "STALLION DUCK"

Delilah Honora Darby (the_prodigal) wrote in oldwest_rpg,
@ 2008-05-13 22:59:00

Entry tags:

delilah darby, james ellwood, theo ellwood

Visiting
Who: Lilah Darby, Theo Ellwood, James Ellwood, and OPEN
Where: The Sheriff's Office in New Shelby
When: Saturday May 4, 1867 - 2:00 PM
Status: Incomplete
Summary: Lilah goes to see James about sending an abusive jerk to jail, and brings long-lost brother Theo along for a reunion!

Despite being petite, Lilah generally moved pretty quickly. Today, the speed of her movement was impeded, though - first, by the fact that her head hurt a bit on and off from the hard slap she'd received at the hands of Bill Decker yesterday. Her face was bruised and sore, and it was obviously she'd been at the wrong end of somebody's hand, and she'd really much rather be at home with ice on her face, if not for the fact that James really needed to be informed about all this.

The second thing slowing her down a bit was the fact that her brother, Theo, had just been in a fight himself, and was nursing bruised ribs, so she didn't want to rush or make him strain himself (though likely, Theo would protest if he knew her reasoning). Despite that, it didn't take them long to travel from Lilah's house next to the schoolhouse in town to the Sheriff's Office, where James could be found most days. Lilah wanted Bill Decker put away as quickly as possible - she was concerned about his daughter and her student, Susie's, well-being once he recovered from the beating he'd gotten at the hands of one Mr. William, Lilah's knight in dusty black boots.

Not that she thought of him in those kinds of terms. Really.

They arrived at the Sheriff's office with little fanfare, Lilah taking Theo by the hand at some point, because having him there was surreal. After fourteen years without seeing him, she still hadn't decided how to handle the fact that he'd left - but she knew, at least, that she was glad to have him back, and that she was worried about him. Maybe she felt as though if she was holding his hand, he couldn't get into any more trouble - or that she could keep him safe - or keep him from leaving again. Whatever it was, she didn't think it required much consideration. Theo was going to see James, he was going to get reintegrated into the family, and then he wouldn't want to leave, would he?

As they entered the office, Lilah looked around for her other brother.

"James?" she called for him. "James, it's Lilah. And I have quite a surprise for you."

Lilah looked at Theo with a bit of a rueful smile that hurt her bruised, sore face.

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londonaftrdark
2008-05-14 06:32 am UTC (link)

Both Theo and Lilah left the house for what would be a small adventure to James' office. He was still quite surprised that his own younger brother was a deputy. Good for him. He chose a better path than him, that was obvious. But Theo could never in a million years be a deputy; it would be odd and he would feel slightly uncomfortable putting people away for things that even he has done.

They walked side-by-side slowly. He was in no hurry, and it seemed that neither was she. The same nervousness that struck him the moment he saw Lilah was starting to build again. No. He wasn't going to let it get the best of him. It was just his brother; just another sibling that he hadn't seen in 14 years. Just James.

Theo reached up and ran a hand down the front of his vest, trying to smooth out imaginary wrinkles to maybe try and get his mind on something else for the time being.

Lilah and Theo reached the building as she took him by the hand. A small smile crossed his face, glancing sideways at her as the two made their way inside. Leaning over, he whispered into her ear.

"How do I look?" he asked jokingly, patting his hair then rubbing at his scruffy face before taking her hand and kissing it. This was it. One sibling down: Three more to go.

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deputy_james
2008-05-19 07:49 pm UTC (link)

James was in fact at the Sheriff's Office. Though he'd only been back for a short time, so it was lucky the two hadn't shown up before.

There'd been a bit of a scuffle outside the blacksmith he'd been sent to handle. It hadn't been to bad, for which he was grateful, just an ornery drunk trying to give the blacksmith a hard time.

He'd hauled the drunk back to the jail cells to sleep it off away from the townsfolk. Which was why he hadn't heard either Theo or Lilah come in. He'd been situating the man in his cell for the evening.

When James heard Lilah calling he headed back out to the front, friendly smile in place, and teasingly called, "'Course it's you Lilah." He didn't bother to ask what sort of surprise because by then he'd laid his eyes on both of them. Honestly he didn't know which was more surprising and he knew he must look surprised as hell too.

He was split between wanting to box Theo in his ears or hug the life out of the man. So he looked over at Lilah, then Theo, and asked, "'fore I do anything, lets just make sure you ain't the one who put that bruise on Lilah's face." He doubted their older brother had, but then it'd been a long while and people did change, so he wanted to be sure.

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the_prodigal
2008-05-19 08:09 pm UTC (link)

"As though you've been in a brawl," Lilah whispered to Theo with a grin to take the edge off. He seemed nervous, and she couldn't blame him. She'd have been nervous, too, if she'd known ahead of time that she was going to see him, or if she were about to see James for the first time in a decade and a half.

Hearing James' teasing made Lilah smile, even as she put a hand to her sore face. Lilah was already impatient with the recovery process. But when he entered the front part of the office, his expression swiftly shifted, and it was apparent he wasn't at all amused. Nonetheless, Lilah shook her head immediately when he asked if Theo had bruised her.

"Of course not, James!" she said reproachfully. "I actually found Theo on my way over here. You can imagine my surprise!"

Lilah released Theo's hand to give James a hug, but then returned to their elder brother's side. Despite the circumstances, it felt wonderful to have the three of them together again.

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londonaftrdark
2008-05-20 05:20 am UTC (link)

Theo stood there, still, like a child afraid to meet new people. He only drew a small smile when Lilah had whispered to him, but instantly his lips curled downwards into a slight frown. James wasn't at all happy, it seemed, but he wasn't going to blame him for it. Had Theo been in James' shoes, he'd be pissed off himself, that was for sure.

Lilah was the second to speak, which was almost a relief. Theo was afraid if he would open his mouth, he'd be shot where he stood. He gawked at James, his arms laying loosely at his sides once Lilah had released her hand from his. The assumption, however, bothered him.

"I haven't changed.. Not like that," he said, motioning to Lilah, "I would never hit family. Shit, I would never hit a woman."

From here he hadn't a clue what to say nor do. It felt like a large restriction in the room, forcing him to keep quiet and stay put or else. He reached up and nervously ruffled his own hair, lowering his eyes to the ground in search of how to make the situation better... He failed.

(( Sorry it took me a while. I'm in Hawaii so I reply when I can. :D ))

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deputy_james
2008-05-20 09:04 am UTC (link)

James looked sheepish when Lilah responded, but also relieved. "Finding Theo would surprise anyone," he agreed. Then hugged Lilah tight and gave her a look he hoped made it clear they'd be talking about her bruise in just a minute.

He watched Theo for a moment, judging for himself if what they were both saying was true. He felt beyond relieved when he decided it was. The thought of any of his family being able to bruise up one another was enough to make a man sick. "Alright then. It's a valid question though." He felt it important to point that fact out. It was an important fact to have straight and he hadn't been trying to be cold or rude by asking.

It was an awkward sort of thing, truly, but Theo was family and in the Ellwood clan that meant despite that awkwardness there was a lot of love. And so he stepped toward his brother and pulled the man into a tight embrace.

[[It didn't take you anytime at all hun, really. It took me like four days to respond the first time. :)]]

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londonaftrdark
2008-05-20 06:27 pm UTC (link)

It was true. The discovery of running across Theo would have made anyone shit themselves. For all they knew, he could have been dead. And he knew it. Feeling terrible about it wasn't going to make it any better, but the feeling was still there.

He let out a huff, opening his mouth to speak but then closing it again smartly, not wanting to start any kind of.. well, anything right here in the jail house. Instead, he lifted his eyes, keeping his head slightly down, and shifted them between Lilah and James. The two were conversing for a few seconds with their expressions before James turned to Theo.

Theo was ready for any kind of blow that he deserved. Lilah hadn't hit him, so he was almost sure that James might want to get at least one blow in. But to his surprise, there was no hit, only a few words followed by a tight hug.

He smiled, overly relieved as he too returned the embrace. He did not have to act like he'd been gone for years; this one was true.

"I don't deserve all these.. Hugs," he said, peering over at Lilah, "Either of you should 'ave kicked me right in the ass."

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deputy_james
2008-05-28 09:24 pm UTC (link)

[[ugh. i am so, so sorry y'all. just, ugh. i'll try to not take so long from now on..]]

While James wasn't above roughing up his brothers, behaving just like any other set of brothers did, hitting Theo wouldn't have done any one any good. It wouldn't make the time he'd been gone disappear, nor would it change anything that had happened. Lilah probably would have made James feel bad for it anyways.

He didn't comment on whether Theo deserved the hugs or not, just let go and stepped back to talk with his siblings once more. "I reckon you still got two more siblings to meet up with, right?" He was fairly sure that had the other Ellwood siblings seen Theo they too would be at the jailhouse. "Well still a chance one of them might." And while this was true it was said in a mostly joking sort of manner.

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londonaftrdark
2008-05-29 05:01 am UTC (link)

The air lightened so quickly that Theo could have sworn he could see the imaginary "heavy fog" disappear. He was glad that neither Lilah nor James wanted to give him a punch or two. Secretly he wondered whether or not it hung in their heads for a short second before throwing it away. With that thought, he smiled to himself.

It felt as though, now, that he had only left just the other day - even though in reality it was years ago. He could still see the young in both Lilah and James, even if they were much older now. With family, even looks cannot trick the eye into thinking that they are someone else. Theo was glad that at least he could say so.

"That I do, James," he said, puffing his chest slightly and running his left palm down the front of his vest, "I.. Wait, they live here in Shelby now, too?" His brow quirked so high that it almost gave his forehead a cramp. Whether he had asked this same question to Lilah he couldn't remember - even if the time was only moments earlier. His eyes shifted from Lilah to James numerous times as his brow slowly lowered back to it's place.

"Uh, well.. Hm.." he wasn't sure of what to say. It was like a planned reunion from God himself (not that Theo was much of a religious man). Placing his hands on his hips, his brows now furrowed, making a wave across his forehead. His eyes searched the floor as he began to chew on his lower lip. Two more siblings. Well, he should hope that they would be just as forgiving. "Where are they now?"

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deputy_james
2008-06-07 05:43 am UTC (link)

[I don't always suck so much, honest. *sighs* Feel free to kick me in my ass next time, 'kay?]

There was defiantly still some young in James. Despite everything they'd been through, everything he'd seen as a deputy and as a person, there was an odd sort of naivety to him. He was the type of man who thought everyone was good until proof that they weren't was given.

He was amused by his eldest siblings chest puffing, but more so by his brow shooting up. Needing a moment so he didn't just laugh out loud, James took the opportunity to remove his hat and place it one his desk. Leaning his hip against the wood, then nodding at Theo's first question.

James was religious enough to believe this was something planned by God. Timing such as this was too perfect not to be a gift, after all. His face split into a wide, friendly smile as he responded. "Reckon this time a day the two of them should be workin'."

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londonaftrdark
2008-06-07 05:58 am UTC (link)

(( Ok, I'll believe you, but just this once.. Kidding. :P ))

Theo's chest began to deflate when James started to speak. So the others were here. How strange to think that he was in the same town as they, but hadn't seen them just as long as he hadn't seen both James and Lilah. He wasn't sure if he'd recognize them as easily, either. They could have passed his way many times without either of them even noticing. However, Theo thought about it and denied this. He would know what they look like, no matter the time that has passed.

"Really?" he asked, rubbing his forehead, "Well, uh, I'd try to make a point to stop by but it might drive me crazy to see all of you in one day." Secretly he would love to see them all, but it would be way too overwhelming, he wouldn't know what to do with the situation.

He sighed, folding his arms against his chest and twisting his mouth thoughtfully. The silence that soon surrounded the three of them started to thicken. Words could not escape his lips even if he had known what to say.

"I.. Um.. Hm.." he started, eyeballing Lilah then looking over at James, "Did I already mention how much of an idiot I am?"

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deputy_james
2008-06-07 06:18 am UTC (link)

[ I greatly appreciated it. XD Also, look! I really can reply fast.]

"Don't know why I'd lie about that," he responded, a slight teasing edge to it (nothing quite as smooth as the teasing between him and Lilah, but then, they'd had awhile to get back into the swing of it). "Suppose spreading out the meetings is in every ones best interest then. Don't reckon we need us a crazy Ellwood running round these parts." The twinkle in his eye made it clear James found that thought to be on the amusing side.

He mimicked the other man, folding his own arms against his chest. Though it wasn't exactly a comfortable silence, it wasn't something he much minded either. After all, a man of words he was not.

When Theo spoke up again, while the younger man finally let out a laugh. One which was fairly loud in the relative silence they'd been stewing in. "Don't think you did big brother," James shook his head before adding, "but suppose me and Lilah already knew."

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londonaftrdark
2008-06-07 06:37 am UTC (link)

Thank God James was throwing in a bit of humor. It would have been the most miserable conversation Theo had ever been had a chuckle or two not been heard. It was like the sun had risen on a rainy day, allowing him to loosen the muscle which were starting to cramp after an immensely tense hour.

A large smile spread over Theo's face, lowering his head with his own spurt of laughter. It was nice to have a humor bug running around; they all needed it.

Theo finally moved from his spot - in which it seemed that he was glued to - and shuffled over to where his brother was, his arms still folded. He looked up at James, then turned and placed himself in a sitting position on the desk, unwrapping his arms so that he could plant either palm on each side of him.

"Can't admit that I'm not already a little crazy. Even dad would say so," he said, laughing again but only a little. How much Theo missed his parents he could never show, much like the others, most likely.

"Ah, yeah, of course you already knew. But I just thought I'd be the one to actually say it," he mumbled, lowering his gaze yet again. It still ached him to think that he left them behind, but with time after seeing them again, he could gather his emotions and bring himself to forget the past and focus on the future. As for his siblings, well, that was completely up to them.

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deputy_james
2008-06-08 07:10 am UTC (link)

[*sighs* I love my typos so hardcore! /sarcasm]

When Theo's laughter joined in with his James literally felt the room relax. Everything had been so tense between the two in his mind, right up until that very moment. It was good to feel like things weren't so odd.

When Theo planted himself on the desk James almost protested. Deciding against it only because it wasn't worth making a fuss over, there was a slight ease to the room finally that he didn't want to break over something stupid. Besides his brother hadn't sat on his hat or anything else important, so instead of protesting he just shook his head a little.

"Dad would be the first to tell folk," he didn't quite laugh with Theo, but it was close. Talking of their parents always brought along a slight pang of sadness that came from missing them so very much. At least for him it always had, even when the stories being told made him smile.

James unfolded his arms then, clapping one of his hands on Theo's shoulder in a brotherly sort of way. "Well it's mighty kind of you to get that out the way then." He kept the teasing edge to it, hoping that would convey that he was willing to move on. Sure Theo having been gone for so long, having left the way he did, that still hurt, might always hurt a little. But even without being a man of books James didn't think dwelling on it was the smart thing to do. It wasn't going to bring the family any closer together, which in the end was all he really wanted.

[Filling this with ooc comments. Did we want to keep Theo and James talking or wait for Saturday to be able to reply so Lilah gets back in on the conversation?]

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londonaftrdark
2008-06-08 09:09 am UTC (link)

Instantly Theo knew that James would have wanted him to remove himself from his desk, but the thought crossed his mind so quickly that it left just the same. Sure, no one would want anyone on their desk; it was disrespectful.

Theo looked over at Lilah, who was as quiet as a undisturbed ghost. Did she not want to interfere the reunion between the two brothers, or did she not know what to say? He raised his brows, then slowly focused his gaze back unto his brother.

"Deputy. What on God's green earth made you decide to handle the law, personally?" he asked, a patiently waiting look on his face.

(( I was thinking the same thing. We could wait, or continue AND wait until she replies. Doesn't matter. ))

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