Lechance

[OOC notes: Players, please check ooc post here for more information. The ooc post will be updated as the thread progresses.]

They'd met in the Town Square shortly after 1.30pm.

When it was clear that every one was there, Jonas swung up onto his borrowed mount, called Digger near, and addressed the assembled folk from horseback.

"First off, may I jus' take the opportunity to tell you how grateful this town, and indeed myself and my team are for all your valuable help and support over this last while. Hopefully now we're actually getting somewhere, but I won't lie to you, this situation is still potentially very dangerous. And so I must urge you to practice extreme caution at every turn. Your safety is paramount above and beyond anything we may find. Stick together, no wanderin' off the path. Buddy up whenever you can, even if nature calls, beggin' your pardon. Deputy Charles has your names duly noted, and we'll be checking on folks along the way. Please be aware of everything around you. If you see something out of place, unusual tracks, items, sights, sounds, hell, even smells, please bring them to the attention of either myself, or Deputies Coleman or Charles."

He waited until he was sure everyone had absorbed the information so far before continuing. "Right, we're going to head up to the trail the patrol took and past their shelter from the other night, and up on up to the fissure to the co-ordinates that Sheriff Bowbuck left behind him when he left. If we encounter any strange weather on the way, everyone is to head for that shelter, is that understood?" 

The assembled patrol murmured their agreement. "Good, good. Right. I'll head up the column for now." He looked to his deputies. "Leo, can you take the back of the line, and Andrew, if you could ride out alongside as spotter? We'll be stopping for breaks along the way so that I can check on progress and where everyone is up to. First of these I suggest'll be just up from the shelter. There's a bit of a flat area just up beyond it. We'll stop there."

He looked around the folk gathered, "And I just pray that the good Lord'll be shinin' on us, and we'll find somethin' useful. Everyone got watches to hand?" He took his out of his waistcoat pocket, and checked it against the town clock. "Happen it's now 2pm. Worse comes to worse an' we get separated, everyone's to report back here afore 4.30pm. Any questions?" he finished, looking around. "Speak up now if so." 

His eyes scanned over those assembled to look for any hands, or people shouting out with questions.

Having heard the news about the trap, Theo set about making Julian's favorite dinner as a way to celebrate. Michel had helped and as a result, Theo had recleaned the kitchen once they were done. Michel was upstairs bathing off the results of his assistance, upstairs with the door open where Theo would hear him singing made up songs.

When he heard the front door, he rinsed his hands and went to greet his husband.

Julian woke Theo with soft, light touches to his husband's arm and chest, murmuring his name. "Theodore. Theo."

The main gathering hall had been decorated with swags of greens and candles, lending a soft, romantic glow to the space. Tables were scattered throughout the hall and along one side there was an elborate buffett spread. Musicians had set up unobstrusively next to the large space left open for dancing.

In one corner there was a large evergreen tree decorated with more candles, preserved flowers and fruits, strings of cranberries, small paper doilies, and ribbons and tied to tree branches. But the center of attraction was the yule log burning in the huge fireplace at the end of the hall.

Before the festivities began, Leroy made a short speech thanking the residents of LeChance for the hard work over many months, congratulating the newly married and affianced, wishing everyone happy holidays and set the party in motion.

The wedding itself had been very simple and the reception was as well. Theo's family had arrived, both parents, three sibs and their spouses and eight children. Theo's nephews and nieces were happily romping with Michel and introducing him to all sorts of new diversions. Theo's mother had been quiet as she usually was, but had immediately accepted Michel as one of her own grandchildren and approved of Julian. Theo's father was slightly more effusive in his greeting and expressing his joy as this widening of their family circle. Theo was slightly worried Julian would be overwhelmed.

At the moment, the children were playing in the grass as the adults ate at picnic tables that had been decorated with flowers. Theo's mother and sibs had forbid him or Julian from helping prepare the food, which had led to some slight fussing on Theo's part, but everything had turned out just fine.

Under the table, Julian's hand was held in his as he turned to beam at his new husband happily. "What are you thinking?" He leaned in and whispered.

Julian had sent Michel to his friend's for the day. He wasn't nervous, exactly, but there was a slight feeling of. Anticipation. Anticipation was the right word. He'd cleaned the house slightly, setting up an inkwell and paper on the kitchen table for Theo and he to negotiate their contract.

He heard the door, and went to answer Theo in just his shirt and trousers, feet bare and coat off.

Well. Casual.

Wednesday daytime, and Jonas sends out personal telegraphs to the following people, either to their own residences, or addressed privately via the Hotel:
Santiago de la Vega
Simon Belgrave
Julian MacKallister
Benjamin Simoneaux
Daisuke Shimada
Missy Lee
Jonathon Stanton

The message reads:

'The Acting Sheriff of this town, Mr Jonas Wilder hereby invites you to an informal meeting to take place on this Sunday the 26th of October. The meeting will commence at 6pm in the Sheriff's Office. This meeting is to gather together a consultancy of sorts to discuss ongoing and current reports of unusual activity received by the Office.

Light refreshments will be available, and appropriate chaperones will also be in attendance.

Please feel free to bring along any persons you may feel will assist. Your help and assistance in these matters would be much appreciated.'

Jonas also talks to his staff, including new employee Leo Coleman, to inform them of the upcoming meeting, and to request their attendence also.

Theodore read Julian's letter again even though the paper shook slightly from the trembling of his fingers. He'd already read it so many times through that he was amazed the paper didn't show the tracks from his eyes running over the lines. Feeling giddy, he took out a sheet of paper to write back, but there was so much he wanted to say. So many thoughts and feelings and he couldn't get them onto the paper in any kind of sense.

He checked his appearance, smoothed his hair and his clothes then did something so bold that a month ago he never would have dreamed it. Theodore walked through town to Julian's house and knocked on the door, a boquet of small, fragrant, deep blue flowers in his hand. He had no clue what they were.

My dearest Theodore,
It feels odd to say that, yet it's true. We can be married as soon as next Friday. Though we agreed upon a Wednesday so our wedding date with be the 22nd. Or perhaps the 29th. Maybe even more because it's been not quite a month since our betrothal.

I think of you every day. But not as a lover thinks of his first beloved and dreams of serenades and midnight flowers. No, I think of you as a lover thinks of his last beloved and dreams of cold feet and morning kisses, lying snug together in a bed we share.

It's bold of me to even think it, let alone write such a thing in a letter to you, but I think- I hope- you'll forgive me because in my heart I hope you think of the same things. Of the life we'll make together. You've yet to be to my home and we have to remedy that soon because it will be yours as well. There's a beauty to it, rambling as it is, and I think it will fit you as it fits Michel and me. As I hope it will fit any more children we have.

We have more to talk about, much to contract and discuss and agree upon. But I woke thinking of you and had to write before I could sleep again.

Always yours,
Julian

Julian arrived, without notice, at Theo's shop around noon with Michel on his hip. He knocked on the door, then came in, calling, "Mr. Nordstrom?"

Theo locked up his shop for the evening and headed down the street toward the hotel. He hadn't really heard from Julien since Mr. Lechance had spoken to him and that was something that was weighing on his mind. When he saw Julien, Theo blushed brightly, but walked toward him with a smile. "Mr. MacKallister. What a pleasure to see you, are you well?"

Julian arrived at the hotel at 10 of 7 with a small potted coreopsis and a tiny basket of four apples. He had another chaperon with him, a lady in her thirties who was laughing at him. Julian made a face at her, sent his card up with a maid to Effie and waited in a parlor.

Ms. Gallehawk,

If you'd be amendable, I'd be honored to call upon you on Wednesday evening at 7.

Thank you,
Julian MacKallister

Temporary booths seemed to have sprung up overnight in the open space near Ms. Sheedy's hotel. Merchants of all kinds were selling their wares -- food and cloth, tools and trinkets, necessities and things people didn't really need, but wanted. Some of the expensive goods were tucked within the safety of more permanent "stores" in the building that housed the nickelodeon.

Performers roamed through the crowd and the streets, and there was a bright, festive feel all about.

A few blocks away, near the smithy, the livestock market was slightly less festive (and slightly more oderous) but still just as popular.

( Home )


( To Julian MacKallister )

Mercedes had found herself with some quiet time and proceeded to head to the nearest park intent on getting some sun and fresh air. She was wearing a soft peach linen gown with lace gloves and carried both a fan and a parasol to protect her from the sun. She found a bench in the shade, closed her parasol and looked about with interest.

When someone paused, she smiled, "Please, do feel free to join me."

Julian had arranged with the parents of one of Michel's playmates for one to watch Michel while the other accompanied Julian on his call. So with Madeline Macen, Julian showed up at the hotel, promptly at 3pm. He'd brushed his hair, had his hands slapped away by Madeline every time he'd tried to put his fingers into it. He hadn't been able to be talked out of bringing a potted plant, however.

Despite having done this before, he wasn't very good at it. Twelve years out of practice too. He sent word with a maid for Theo that he was at the hotel and went to a sitting room to wait, sitting and talking with Madeline. When the door opened, he stood immediately, sketching a half-bow.

Mr. Nordstrom,
I would like to call on you this coming Saturday afternoon, if such a time would be convenient to you.

Thank you kindly,
Julian MacKallister

( Letters to Ascendants )

( Beloved )

Despite it being Monday, noon found Julian outside near the playground with a leather bound journal and a pencil, drawing intently, while he periodically looked up to keep an eye on Michel and his kite.

When he looked up next he saw Michel trying to show someone how the kite worked, handing it to him. Julian winced, standing up and marching over, "My apologies, is he bothering you?"