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Stella Cooper (stellacooper) wrote in oldwest_rpg,
@ 2008-07-05 20:02:00

Entry tags:

mary elizabeth mackenzie, stella cooper

Town festival
Who: Stella Cooper and Lizzie MacKenzie
When: Thursday, July 4th, 1867 : near dusk
Where: In town, main street
Status: Complete!
Summary: Stella is off the clock until later that evening, and is determined to enjoy the Independence Day festival, despite knowing so few of her fellow townspeople...

***

Stella wasn't precisely representing the saloon as an employee during the festival, since she wasn't due to report for her first set for a couple of hours yet, but she wasn't exactly just another town citizen, either. Far too many of the menfolk in town were familiar to her only because of her line of work, and too many of the women were prone to resent her for the same reason. Despite the fact that she wasn't one of Madame Reed's girls, being a saloon dancer was often not considered to be much more respectable, at least by the more old-fashioned women in town.

Still, she was bound and determined to enjoy herself on her afternoon off. She wasn't working, and had dressed to reflect that -- a perfectly proper skirt and high necked blouse in a deep blue that only made her hair blaze that much brighter in its loose bun. Surely no one could fault her appearance, no matter her occupation. She had emerged from her rooms early in the afternoon, her interest in the festival preparations obvious as she wandered among the tents and tables that were already set up. The real celebrations would pick up later in the evening, when the sun set and the whiskey ran, but she would be on stage for her first set by the time the rest of the town really got into their celebrations, so she would enjoy what time she had before she had to exchange her proper attire for her more daring costumes and take her place as part of the evening's entertainment.

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memackenzie
2008-07-06 10:32 pm UTC (link)

Lizzie MacKenzie had always been a fan of local carnivals and festivals -- there were always celebrations in honor of Her Majesty's birthday in Inverness and London, and back in Edinburgh when she was at the town house. Food and games and gentlemen showing off in feats of strength for their sweethearts. It was all very entertaining, and apparently it was an American tradition as well.

Robert insisted that the real rowdy celebrations would happen after the sun set, but Lizzie wasn't sure she'd stick around for those. Men and whiskey were never a good combination, and especially not in the quantities many of the folk here seemed to imbibe. That and it seemed slightly traitorous to be celebrating the victory of a rogue colony over the home kingdom.

Of course, it was also slightly traitorous to wish that Scotland had been so fortunate, so she didn't feel too guilty about thinking both thoughts.

She hadn't had a chance to meet many of the women in town, but luckily she recognized one head of bright ginger hair. "Stella!" she called out, waving happily. "Miss Cooper! How are you?"

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	stellacooper 2008-07-07 12:44 am UTC (link)
	Stella brightened noticeably at the sight of the other young woman. Lizzie MacKenzie's company was almost as enjoyable as her brothers, and Stella was pleased to see someone she knew. "Miss MacKenzie," she beamed. "Fancy seeing you here," she added with a chuckle. "Are you enjoying the early festivities before the celebrations get out of hand, as well?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	memackenzie 2008-07-07 01:00 am UTC (link)
	"I am," Lizzie chuckled. "I have been informed by Robert that the drunkards come out once the sun goes down, and I have not decided if I am willing to stay around and witness such a thing. And you," she tagged on with a grin, "need to call me Lizzie. I would wish to count you as a friend." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

stellacooper
2008-07-07 01:11 am UTC (link)

Stella's smile widened. "I'd like that -- but only if you keep to calling me Stella," she laughed. "I'm enjoying myself until I have to head back to entertain the drunkards that will emerge after sunset." She tilted her head slightly at Lizzie, her eyes twinkling. "Is your brother planning to join the revelry and general debauchery this evening?" she asked with another laugh.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	memackenzie 2008-07-07 01:21 am UTC (link)
	"Oh yes," Lizzie replied. "Robert has one last call to make and he will be here shortly. I convinced him that I would not get into any trouble before he got here, and I plan to stick mostly to that promise," she laughed. "I think that it would take much more than a few pigs and cows to keep him away from watching your performance." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	stellacooper 2008-07-07 02:11 am UTC (link)
	Stella laughed. "You make it sound like that's the only reason he comes to the saloon," she scolded Lizzie lightly. "Although I have it on good authority it isn't the whiskey that keeps his business, at least, so I'll take it as a compliment," she said drolly. "And you -- have you any plans once the celebrations turn less civilized?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	memackenzie 2008-07-07 02:19 am UTC (link)
	"I think I may retire back home," Lizzie sighed. "I fear that Robert would not approve of my staying out here when the saloon becomes the popular meeting place, and regardless of him, I don't think that'll be something I'd choose anyway. I take it you're going to dance again tonight?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	stellacooper 2008-07-07 02:26 am UTC (link)
	"Yes -- and I do wish you could come, even if I understand the saloon isn't your cup of tea," Stella sighed. "I just hate to think of you sitting home by yourself with naught to do while the rest of the town carries on so," she lamented. "If I weren't obliged to take the stage shortly, I'd offer to keep you company." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

memackenzie
2008-07-07 02:56 am UTC (link)

"Oh, please don't feel bad for me," Lizzie insisted, reaching out and grasping Stella's hands in hers. "It is quite odd that there's very little to do here that does not involve becoming a lush, but I have some needlework that will keep me company," she laughed. "But we must set a time to have some fun with ourselves, far from the menfolk. Take an afternoon and gossip."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	stellacooper 2008-07-07 12:47 pm UTC (link)
	"Oh, that sounds wonderful," Stella smiled. "Let the men of the town have their drunken revelries, we'll talk about all of them in detail at some later date." She laughed again. "And we'll brainstorm other things to keep you entertained that don't require needles or spirits, once we're done critiquing the menfolk." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	memackenzie 2008-07-08 12:56 am UTC (link)
	"I think that critiquing the menfolk sounds like an excellent idea," Lizzie laughed. "And you certainly need an afternoon of something that doesn't involve said menfolk ogling you. Unless, of course, you enjoy the ogling, in which case I take back that little statement," she added with a grin. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	stellacooper 2008-07-08 02:05 pm UTC (link)
	"I'm used to the ogling," Stella said dryly. "It's kind of hard to get through ten years of dancing onstage without growing accustomed to it -- it's the inappropriate touching I could do without," she grimaced. The smile she gave Lizzie was sheepish. "I can't tell you how much I miss having another woman to talk to, sometimes," she chuckled. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	memackenzie 2008-07-08 02:55 pm UTC (link)
	"Well, you can quit with that talk -- you have another woman right here before your very eyes," Lizzie pointed out, linking her arm in Stella's as they walked. "Women need women, always have. Men are tiring, although I am loathe to admit that I have not been the subject of stares and touches that you've been." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	stellacooper 2008-07-08 10:14 pm UTC (link)
	"Oh, I bet you just haven't noticed them," Stella said dismissively. "The stares, at least. I find it hard to believe you haven't garnered any male attention around here." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	memackenzie 2008-07-09 08:23 pm UTC (link)
	"I might have had a few conversations," Lizzie mused lightly. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	stellacooper 2008-07-10 12:42 pm UTC (link)
	"Really?" Stella drawled, lifting one eyebrow. "I'm going to insist on more details than that, you realize," she grinned. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

memackenzie
2008-07-10 01:39 pm UTC (link)

"I might have had a perfectly lovely ride with Mr. Donovan a few weeks back," Lizzie explained, walking through the town square with an amused glance at Stella as they made their way through tables of goods and foods being sold to the revelers. "He's been quite the gentleman, although I'm afraid that he seems rather dense and has not yet inquired about a proper courting."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	stellacooper 2008-07-11 09:24 am UTC (link)
	"Perhaps he just needs a bit of encouragement," Stella laughed softly. "I find it hard to believe that any man is really that dense." She lifted an eyebrow at Lizzie teasingly. "The stablemaster, yes? I've seen him in the saloon on occasion, but don't know him very well, I'll admit. And is he the only man to catch your eye here in town thus far?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	memackenzie 2008-07-11 10:11 am UTC (link)
	"I'm afraid that Mr. Donovan has singularly captured my attention," she chuckled. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

stellacooper
2008-07-12 07:15 pm UTC (link)

"Has he, now?" Stella said archly. "Well, then, I expect he needs quite a bit of encouragement, in that case." Eli Donovan had seemed an affable enough sort, the few times she'd seen him in the saloon, but she wouldn't have pegged a rough, hard-working horseman like him to be the sort to appeal to Robert MacKenzie's ladylike little sister.

Then again, she was quite certain she could get more details on the elusive Mr. Donovan's appeal from Lizzie if she put her mind to it.

"And you say you've already had one outing with him, and no mention of courtship?" Stella mused. "I should think you'd have him groveling at your feet by now," she teased.

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memackenzie
2008-07-13 10:14 am UTC (link)

"You would certainly think so," Lizzie laughed, enjoying the good-natured teasing. It had been so since she'd had a good female friend that she'd almost forgotten so fun it was to talk and tease and share about men.

Of course, if Lizzie was going to accept the tease, Stella would have to accept the same thing later on.

"We went riding through his property," Lizzie explained. "A lovely time, really. He really is quite magnificent on a horse."

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	stellacooper 2008-07-13 10:21 pm UTC (link)
	"Is he now?" Stella said, lifting an eyebrow. "I'll just have to take your word for that -- he seems such an unassuming sort." She grinned conspiratorially. "Just how determined are you to have him groveling at your feet by summer's end, then?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	memackenzie 2008-07-13 11:51 pm UTC (link)
	"I'm certainly not in the market for a husband," Lizzie replied lightly, "but I wouldn't turn down a bit of male attention. Especially not from a man like Mr. Donovan." She quirked an eyebrow, considering. "Very determined," she admitted with a laugh. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	stellacooper 2008-07-16 12:01 am UTC (link)
	"Well, then, in that case, I wish you luck," Stella laughed. "And if you need any assistance with that, do let me know, I'll do what I can to help you make him squirm," she added slyly. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	memackenzie 2008-07-16 04:43 pm UTC (link)
	"Do you have any suggestions?" Lizzie prodded. "I must admit, it's quite odd being the pursuer." She laughed, linking arms with Stella as they strolled through the town. "Do you know anything interesting about him? Other than the unhealthy amount of time he spends locked up in his stables?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

stellacooper
2008-07-16 04:49 pm UTC (link)

"Alas, no," Stella admitted. "As I said, I've only seen him a handful of times in the saloon, if that. No, I was thinking more in terms of me giving him a good smack upside the head for you if he continues being dense," she chuckled. She grinned at the other young woman impishly. "If he spends all of his time in his stables, I'm sure you could find some way of drawing him out now and again."

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	memackenzie 2008-07-16 08:23 pm UTC (link)
	"I might have accidentally left my parasol in the stables when I went to visit him," Lizzie mused. "He returned it like a proper gentleman, of course." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	stellacooper 2008-07-16 08:56 pm UTC (link)
	"There you are, then," Stella said cheerfully. "You know one way to tear him away from his horses, then. And if you've been riding with him once, surely that is still an option, as well." She laughed softly. "I'm sure we can come up with a few more, given the time and opportunity," she added slyly. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	memackenzie 2008-07-18 10:14 pm UTC (link)
	"I think you, Miss Cooper, are going to be a wicked influence on me," Lizzie beamed. "And I'm going to enjoy every minute." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	stellacooper 2008-07-18 11:17 pm UTC (link)
	"Of course I am," Stella laughed. "And I'll make certain you do. What's the fun in it, otherwise?" she added slyly. (Reply to this) (Parent)