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Tweak says, "Or let us live forever"

Margaret May (boxedhershadow) wrote in oldwest_rpg,
@ 2008-05-07 01:37:00

Entry tags:

margaret may, quinlan hyde

Who: Margaret May Austin and Quinlan Hyde
Where: Outside The Heel Kicker and Above the MacNamara Press Shop in Quinlan's home.
When: May 6, 1867, evening
Status: Complete
Summary: Margaret is intent on finding one Mister Hyde a nice girl to make him happy.

Margaret May had picked up her maps the day that she'd been told they would be ready, that afternoon really, from the day she'd dropped them off, and had done so with Ash in one hand and a small loaf of sweet raisin cinnamon bread in the other. She had told him she'd come bearing gifts, and she wasn't about to not follow through on her word. Of course, she was slightly shy when she saw him at first. Remembering the night before and what she had so brazenly done. She felt like she probably shouldn't have, that it possibly made her out to be something she wasn't. She was glad though, that she had brought Ash, who this time had no qualms about entering the small front office and immediately greeting Quinlan with a large smile and stories about his day, what he'd learned and even going so far to pull a folded up piece of paper out of his pocket showing how well he'd done on his spelling test. A perfect ten out of ten.

It made Margaret happy that Ash was so excited to see the man and that he had obviously warmed to him enough to show off his work and try to impress Quinlan. She knew that she would always praise him for a job well done, but it was hard to do that when the student in question was your own relation. Ashley himself had a hard time drawing the line between what was his teacher's reaction to things and what was his mother's. So him being able to show another adult how well he'd done, seeking approval from the man, made Quinlan special. In Ashley's eyes and of course in Margaret's. It was too bad, she thought to herself though, that her life wasn't just a little different. She had no idea how lonely Quinlan actually was, and so her falling in to his life, was possibly over appreciated by him. She liked though, the attention he gave to her son, and decided that he was somebody she could become quite fond of if she wasn't careful. Attached to, which wouldn't do.

So when she'd tried to pay for the maps and having him refuse her again (he'd done it the first time she'd gotten tests printed) she was glad she had brought the bread at least. It was Ash's favorite when it came to making something for a snack and he'd picked it out himself. He was very proud to present it to Quinlan. When he'd asked her to stay for tea, she almost declined, worried that once she had to make conversation with him, that she wouldn't know what to say. She felt shy now, and sheepish around him. The brief contact that they had before had made her want more, and she knew that wasn't going to happen. She gave him gentle and sweet looks though, over tea and Ashley's conversation, unable to help herself. Ash's happiness was infectious.

She suggested to him though, going out to the saloon sometime in the coming week and Tuesday was agreed upon. Ash of course, invited himself, but when it actually came time, Margaret May left him at home. Ashley, was mighty disappointed in not being able to see Quinlan, but settled for teaching his friend, the girl who minded him from down the hall at the boarding house, a lesson in numbers in English. Margaret May hadn't had two places to dress up for in a long while, and so she made sure she was wearing a different dress, one of the same caliber but older and out of style in regards to some of the other women's dresses. She'd once again let her hair fall in waves around her face and pinched her cheeks for good measure. She didn't have much else to use, as she'd taken only things she'd cherished, and hadn't thought to waste money now on products that were for her beauty.

She being the independent person she was, had agreed to meet him out front...no need for him to fetch her first, and waited for him. She knew he'd be along very shortly, assuming the man probably wasn't ever late. He did deliver the news to people after all. Taking a seat on a bench that was sitting just off from where the Saloon was, but under cover, as it has been lightly showering all day, she worried slightly for her appearance, she folded her hands in her lap. Without Ash being with her, she didn't have the agent to distract her, to keep her busy from catching eyes with a stranger or two as they passed. She studied the people who entered the saloon and mentally made a list. There were people from all over going in there, it wasn't just one type of person. Things like that amused her.

She'd set out on this quest tonight to prove Quinlan wrong, that he could find a very nice girl right here in New Shelby. She watched closer to the women who passed by. Looking for signs of a marriage or a steady beau. She was making a list in her head of all these women who passed to make sure she pointed them out to him later. She personally was fond of the red head that just went by with a couple of her friends and in to the Saloon, but she wasn't looking for herself, was she? She was looking for Quinlan. Sitting there lost in thought she didn't even realize he'd approached.

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quinlanhyde
2008-05-07 03:25 pm UTC (link)

Quinlan had been busy with the paper all day. He'd been up since the crack of dawn, and he'd been working ever since. Printing the paper and delivering it. He really needed to hire a delivery person. This was all getting to be too much. He was definitely worn out. Not to mention the incident he'd had with a metal gate that day.

Okay, he was going to live, but he'd managed to cut the palm of his hand pretty badly on the metal, and now it was sore. He had a piece of cloth tightly tied around his hand to stem the bleeding, of course, and it wasn't like he was on the verge of death, but he feared Margaret might freak out or something once she saw that he was injured. He hoped not. It was no big deal. He'd seen worse.

Smiling when he approached her, he gave a bit of a wave with his healthy hand, and kept the other tucked away into his pocket, "Good evening." He couldn't help but give her the once over. She looked pretty. He thought she did anyway. "How are you and Ashley? Did you have a good day at school?" He chuckled softly, "anymore perfect spelling tests?"

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boxedhershadow
2008-05-07 03:47 pm UTC (link)

Margaret would have at one time fainted at the sight of a little blood, she was a bit of a girly girl of course, but after having a son who liked to rough and tumble outside with the boys at school, well, you got over that right fast, tending to her crying son on more then one occasion and now, a school house of little boys who liked to play rough, get dirty and skin their knees and hands. She was able to do minor clean ups and the like, making sure wounds were free of dirt and they were wrapped in clean dressings so that infections wouldn't occur. Margaret May had in fact gotten over her fear of that sort of stuff, and for that, she should probably be proud.

Right now though she stood when she realized that he was there and smiled at him, suddenly very shy. She was glad he spoke first though, because she wasn't sure if she'd be able to figure out how to start a conversation. It'd been a while since she'd been that way around a man...even though she planned on finding this one a pretty girl to call his own. Did it bother her that she seemed to be fond of the man, and yet she was trying to get him to turn his attentions to somebody else? A little she guessed, but really what more could she do? She was in no position...she didn't finish her thought. How many times had she already been over this in her own head, lying in bed at night?

"Good evening Quinlan." she said blushing just slightly at his eyes moving over her. She was glad it was dim outside and that he likely couldn't see what his look had done. "I'm well, and Ashley's just devastated he couldn't come tonight. He's been talking about you and the press non-stop since you made us dinner. He's insisted that we pick up a paper at the store every day since." She admit to him. She couldn't have told Quinlan the day she'd picked up the maps that her son seemed so taken with Quinlan, that would just embarrass her poor son, and she didn't want to do that. "School was well today though. Kids were slightly restless on account of the weather, but we got a lot accomplished."

When he mentioned the spelling test though, she couldn't help but look a bit sheepish. "He was so excited to show you that day. I wanted to tell him that you didn't have time for that sort, but he was very sure you'd be impressed with him. I'm sorry he's so eager to seek your approval...with not having anybody but myself to show things to, he's just so excited." she explained, hoping he didn't mind.

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quinlanhyde
2008-05-07 04:29 pm UTC (link)

Well, then Quinlan had done right in guessing that she might be the squeamish type. Though, she had overcome it, and that was a very good thing! So yes, she should be very proud.

Quinlan smiled when he noticed her blush, and glanced away a bit sheepishly. He nodded, chuckling softly at his embarassment due to make her blush, and looked to her again, "I'm glad to hear that.. and you can tell Ashley he can come back for dinner again soon. Maybe that'll cheer him up some." He grinned a bit and shook his head, "Have you picked up any? Of the papers? I can send you some.. if you'd like."

"Aye.. the weather was a bit fiesty today, wasn't it? My delivery wagon decided it ought to be a good day to skid into a gate too, when the thunder frightened my horse." He smiled, "glad to hear your day at school went well, though."

He shook his head, "No, no.. Don't be sorry. I was very impressed," He smiled, studying her a moment, "You've taught him well. I doubt I could spell horse when I was just five!" He gave her a reassuring nod, "Well, you can certainly tell him that I was very impressed and I highly approve. He's well on his way to being Chief Editor someday." He winked at her with a grin.

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boxedhershadow
2008-05-07 04:49 pm UTC (link)

She couldn't help her blushing really though she hoped she kept it to a minimum. She wasn't a helpless young woman who was flattered at the drop of a pin, but Quinlan's attention...well it hadn't just affected Ashley's behavior in the last few days. Margaret herself felt rather uplifted by it, though she was trying to hide it best she could. It was just nice to have somebody in her life she could talk to. She was feeling less and less like a stranger everyday in this little town, and although she hadn't planned on making this her home, it was slowly growing on her, as were the residents. It still made her scared, and she wasn't sure if she should let it happen, but she couldn't control everything and this was just one of those things.

Laughing herself, Margaret May smiled at him, "Oh don't go offering him that, you may never get him to leave. You've got better things to do then to be entertaining my son." she said, leaving off the fact that she'd probably be in his company too, if he was inviting Ash over...and she didn't want him to get tired of her. Even though there was still loads to learn about the man, she didn't want to push her luck. He was such a sweet person, she wasn't about to take advantage of his time and generosity, towards her. "And we've been picking it up everyday at the store, it's a nice walk for us after school. Ashley likes to get out and stretch his legs and rest his mind, which I completely encourage. You can't keep him cooped up with books all day, as much as we'd both like." She said with a nod.

A small frown graced her face when he spoke about his horse being spooked. "Are you okay?" she asked, growing quite concerned that he may have been hurt. She hadn't felt this much concern for even her husband when he'd once been thrown off a horse back in San Diego when Ashley had only just been three, the man had gone and broken his LEG then...and yet...nothing. Stepping just a little more forward towards him she studied him over. Two arms, two legs, no damage to his face...That was really all she could see, but she supposed it relieved her a little bit. "You aren't hurt are you?" She said again, with a very large bit of concern on her face. She wondered if he would think that was strange that she cared so much already.

His grin and wink though, and the fact that he was so impressed by him made her blush again. Again. Far too many for such a short period of time. "Your approval means too much to him I know...he's just...silly." she said trying to explain away Ashley's antics. "We don't have much to do in the evening when it's just he and I so we read together, and we work on extra work. He enjoys it, though he does play some as well, it's not all learning when we're together." She admit thinking about the times that they'd stayed in bed together on a Rainy Sunday, playing with his little metal soldiers and drawing pictures together. "Shall we go in?" she asked, indicating to the door of the Saloon. She...knew that once they were inside this intimate talking would be over, and as much as she regretted the idea. She'd rather sit in his home and talk to him one on one, absorbing everything she could find out about him, but she knew that they should be looking to find him a nice woman!

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quinlanhyde
2008-05-07 09:37 pm UTC (link)

He chuckled and shook his head, "Not really.. I never have much to do in the evenings except read! That is, when I'm not horribly tired." Quinlan knew very well that Margaret May would be with Ashley too. He liked the idea. And get tired of her? Ha! He didn't think he could! He enjoyed her company, and Ashley's.

"Hm?" He shrugged when she asked him if he was okay. He didn't want to lie to her.. and he also didn't want to worry her either. And he wouldn't thing-- and didn't think that it was strange that she cared so much. He would have felt the same thing if he'd heard that she had had a tough day or an accident off sorts. He decided to skip over her question and respond to her comment about Ash first... maybe that would change the subject. But she'd already asked twice... what if she asked again?

"He's not silly at all, Margaret... It's hard for a kid to grow up without one of their parents. Regardless of their age.. I mean.. I grew up without a mother, yes? well.." He sighed, "my mother passed away on our journey over from Ireland. I was just ten. But it was hard. You have your Da... but.." he shrugged, "Sometimes you'd like approval from another grown up too. I understand where he's coming from." He smiled hopefully to her.

"It sounds like the both of you spend lots of wonderful times together... He's lucky he has a mother like you. Aye, and you're lucky to have such a bright and energetic son, hm?" He chuckled and nodded when she asked if they should go in. Forgetting, of course, he pulled his injured hand from his pocket to reach for the door, but he paused, realizing it and reached across to open it with the other, "After you?" Hopefully she hadn't been paying too close attention.

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boxedhershadow
2008-05-07 10:25 pm UTC (link)

"You really ought to hire somebody Quinlan, then you won't be so tired..." she said wondering if he was maybe too tired to be going out with her tonight. She hadn't even thought about how tired he might have been when she suggested they go out to the saloon. Then he was an adult and he could have easily said for another time...then again he might have been too polite to decline. She worried now, in the back of her mind he'd only agreed to come because he hadn't wanted to hurt her feelings.

When he skipped her question, and she did notice considering she'd asked him pointedly, she figured that he either didn't think about it when answering her or he was fine and perhaps thought her asking was silly. She was slightly embarrassed, perhaps her concern had been too much. She didn't know so she left it for the moment. Though she was making a mental note to ask him later.

The fact that he had understood...and that he knew what it was like for Ashley made her nod her head slowly, thinking. She didn't have to make excuses because he understood her son. It was an odd concept, considering she'd only just met Quinlan a while ago and had only gotten to know him better a few days ago, but calming at the same time. Having an understanding like that would make a difference. She returned his hopeful smile with a relieved one of her own, "Thank you Quinlan, it means a lot." She said quietly.

But this was Margaret May! And she was with Quinlan, which automatically made it so that she was paying close attention. "Oh Quinlan.' She said her eyebrows furrowing, her lips frowning, and immedately reaching for the hand, letting the saloon's door shut on them, leaving them once again outside, the light of the Saloon the only way of seeing. She moved them gently in to better light near one of the window's by the door and she gently inspected his hand careful not to touch it too much. She wondered idly if she should be making such a big deal, if she wasn't embarrassing him. "Can I undress it?" She asked quietly, hoping he'd say yes so she could at least see how hurt he was.

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quinlanhyde
2008-05-07 10:51 pm UTC (link)

"Aye," he said with a sigh and nodded, "I do." He wasn't going to lie. It was the truth. He did need to hire some help. He smiled to her, "I suppose I can run an advertisement in the paper... Soon." He assured her, "Before I work myself to death," he chuckled softly and shook his head, his brows furrowing with thought. He'd had an extra long and tiring day today, what with his silly horse and hurting himself and everything else, so yes, he was feeling a little less dapper.

He hadn't meant to embarass her. Not at all. He just didn't want to bother her with it.

He nodded, "You're welcome," he smiled to her, "He's a sweet boy. I like him. He's very cheerful and full of energy and excitement. Ambitious little lad, too!"

Great. She noticed. Wincing softly when she reached for his hand-- he knew she hadn't meant to hurt him, but she'd taken ahold of it just right to make him cringe. He sighed softly and let her move them over into better light so that she could see. She wasn't embarassing him. Not at all. And she wasn't making a big deal, really... but he just considered it to be no big deal at all. Even if it did hurt. He bit at his lip some, watching her hands near his own.

His brows knitted with worry as he glanced back to her. What was she going to do? It hurt.. He gently nodded, studying her a moment, wondering what she was going to do.