Fic: A Touch Of Home 1/3 The Magnificent Seven
Title: A Touch Of Home. Author: Lopaka Tanu Disclaimer: I do not own Magnificent Seven. Characters: Ensemble Words: 31,490 Prompt: Sequel to Fic Previously Written/By Request Fandom: Magnificent Seven Pairing: Vin/JD, Maude/Josiah, Chris/Vin, Nathan/Rain, Chris/Buck, Ezra/Vin, respectively. Rating: Adult Warnings: Language, Violence, Het (trans gender), Gender Bender, Slash, Sexual Situations, Character Death. Summary: A new start in a medium sized Alabamian city brings with it dangers from the past that threaten the carnival. Author's Note: Circa June, 1933, Magnificent Oddities AU - Open. ______________________________________
He stood alone in the center of a wheat field. Green stalks stood tall in the bright sun light, haloed from above. Blinking, Orrin raised a hand to block out the brilliance so he could see.
As far as the eye could see, a vast plain of green wheat stretched on forever.
Closing his eyes, he clenched them tight in an attempt to block out the light. When he opened them again, he was no longer alone. The sun was not so bright that he couldn't make out her features clearly.
Golden blonde hair cascaded in curls around her face. Her smile showed more teeth than was lady like, but every other feature was perfectly sculpted. Upon her shoulder perched a Golden Eagle.
Orrin found his breath, unaware until then he had not been breathing. Swallowing, he tried to speak. "Who...are you?"
"Crimson is the fire that sweeps the plains. No cries of sheep will summon the hand of a shepherd. Look to the fields and know your fate." She raised her right hand and pointed past him.
Twisting, Orrin found a great doe bounding among the wheat. He found himself amused by the scene. As if summoned, he faced the woman once more.
"Look again and see the truth." This time, she raised her left arm, uprooting the eagle from her shoulder.
Orrin turned to find the wheat had turned brown, and the graceful doe was now a proud stag. There came a cry from above, then the flash of feathers. When Orrin could make sense of it, he found the stag dead upon the field, the Golden Eagle standing atop its corpse.
Pain, sudden and blinding spread out from his temple. Reaching up, Orrin rubbed at the spot. As he blinked, the wheat field merged with the green stalks of cotton plants. The deer and eagle were no where to be seen. Turning to the source of his pain, he found the door jam.
A door opened on the other side of the cab. Climbing in the truck, Josiah nodded to Orrin. "Have a good sleep?"
Shaking his head, Orrin went back to staring at the fields. "When are you leaving?"
"The others are saddling up as we speak." Josiah checked the contents of the glove compartment, carefully avoiding touching the judge. Finding what he was searching for, he shut the door and held it up. "Can't go anywhere without these. It's bad luck."
Travis watched the beads for several moments before shaking his head. "There's too much bad luck already." He waited until Josiah started to slide out of the truck before he cleared his throat. When the man turned to look back at him, Orrin smiled. "Make sure they work."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Even in the shade, sweat rolled from her throat down to her blouse. Using the flat brimmed hat to fan herself, she swiped a damp rag over her chest, then up the back of her neck. If there was a hell, Alabama in July would definitely qualify. She tried tossing the hair off her face but the few stray strands clung defiantly to her face.
Through the buzzing of summer flies, Vin became aware that the talking at the other end of the room had gone quiet. Looking up from the glass of lemonade on the table, she found the men watching her. Watching her chest to be more exact. She glanced down at her half buttoned shirt and sighed.
"Gentlemen, have we reached an accord or is there still more which needs discussing?" Tapping his cane on the stone floor of the Council room, Ezra glanced to each of the eight men in turn. As the elected city Council, it was his loathsome duty to deal with them. "I believe our offer to be more than generous considering the bounty with which your city is blessed."
"Be that as it may, you simply cannot expect us to allow your traveling fair to grace our beautiful city. Certain standards need be met. Our local police chief must inspect for the criminal element." The mayor held up a hand, forestalling disagreements that weren't about to come from Ezra. "Not that I am implying as such of your people. But, you must admit a certain number of disreputable personage are attracted to large gatherings."
Nodding, Ezra sighed heavily. "I am well aware of that which you speak. However, before you go any further down that road, you should remember who exactly I represent." Pulling from his vest a tiny card, he held it out between two fingers to the mayor.
With a polite smile, the man took the card. He picked up his folded glasses from the table and held them up only high enough to examine the card. Seeing the name, he frowned. "How do I know this to be accurate? Last I heard, Judge Travis' traveling carnival was over two hundred miles from here."
"Alas, we've happened upon the criminal element." Retrieving the card, Ezra slid it deftly back in to his vest pocket. "A Mr. Guy Royal and his musical band of thieves, much whimsey has been made over this, I assure you. Still, it has been our disgrace to have been associated with him, unknowing of his intentions."
"How much did he make off with?" The mayor was the only one of the eight men not chuckling over the carnival's misfortune.
"Enough that I've had to pay their way here." Hair now off her forehead, Vin fluttered her shirt to cool off. All eyes once again returned to her chest. If they hadn't been desperate, she would have killed Ezra for even suggesting she wear the thin white dress shirt. "My momma always said your city was generous to a fault. I figured your city was best to get them back on their feet."
Running a finger over his upper lip, the mayor studied Vin's face, having finally broken his gaze from her chest. A line appeared between his brows in leu of a full blown frown. "Do I know you, young lady?"
"My associate is the wonderful Vin Tanner, a lady of many and varied talents." As he said the name, Ezra could see the recognition in the postures and faces of the city Council. His fingers drummed on the handle of his cane in satisfaction.
"Well, now, that is a horse of a different color." Grin a mile wide, the mayor turned once more to Ezra. "I am to take from this lady's presence she will be performing with your troupe?"
"She is but one of many talented people in Mr. Travis' employment." Reaching out for the glass on the table in front of him, Ezra finally allowed himself to taste the vile liquid concoction. It was worse than he had expected, but he smiled as if it were ambrosia. "Wonderful, give my compliments to your wife."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reaching out, JD tasseled the fur on the dog's head. In the heat, he barely had enough strength to do much else. At least the panting animal was close, which meant not having to move his body out of the shade of the porch. When the dog thumped its tail against the wood slats of the porch, he smiled at it. "Good boy."
Further up the porch, not on the steps, Josiah used the fan Ms. Lavender had given him. It was counter productive, he knew, but any air flow was better than nothing. "Don't bother the poor beast, JD. The lord's blessing of winter survival was never meant for this unholy heat."
"Ah, leave off, Josiah." JD's tone would have held a hint of petulance, but the heat was making him drowsy. Closing his eyes, he fought off a yawn, but found himself losing. When it became too much of an effort after that, he let his head sink to his chest.
Seeing that his younger companion was about to drift off, Josiah merely shook his head and glanced out over the court yard. They were sitting on the porch of a centuries-old court house. The ancient trees were as weighted down by their own bulk as they were by Spanish Moss. In contrast, beyond the wrought iron fence were modern brick streets complete with cable cars and automobiles.
It made him feel his age to know that, in his lifetime, those cars had gone from not existing, to being every where. Heaven knew what fantastic invention would come next. Life seemed to be speeding up for no apparent reason than it could. At least, until they had come here.
Taking his time, Josiah watched the birds flutter about in the trees. One would have assumed they were in danger of bursting into flames from how close to the sun they were. Strangely, that thought was oddly appealing. Exhaling loudly through his lips, he puttered them just to do something.
JD snorted. Having awakened when the dog's tail thumped against the porch he was busy staring at nothing and everything. "How much longer do we gotta wait, Josiah?"
"It could be worse, son, you could be one of them poor souls we passed on the roads getting here." He caught JD's swallow, and acknowledged it with a nod. At least the boy was aware of a very real situation. As well as he should be. "Half them done nothing more wrong than being born in the wrong skin."
"That's awful!" Even as he said it, JD's thoughts turned to Nathan. Shifting so he could face Josiah, he raised his eyebrows in question. "Is that true?"
"Afraid so, no man's perfect, and justice don't apply equally to all except in His embrace." He hoped the boy understood the implied words about their friend. JD wasn't known for his tact, and the last thing they needed was some nosy moron with bigger ears than heart hearing them.
Swallowing, JD nodded once. Turning back out to face the yard, he found he was no longer sleepy. Before he could get up the courage to ask another question, there were footsteps on the porch. He glanced up in time to see Ezra walk around the side of the court house, Vin on his arm.
Vin's face was pinched as she kept casting glances towards Ezra. When she tugged on his arm, signaling she wanted to walk faster, he snorted. "Come on, Ezra, I want to get back to my truck."
"Do not worry, young Mister Dunne and the esteemed Josiah have been keeping an eye on your precious vehicle." His cane tap echoed down the long porch with each step. Ezra found the noise rather pleasing in companion to Vin's clacking shoes. As they drew near, he found JD watching both of them. "I deliver her back unto you, my young friend."
"I ain't a package to be handed off." As she pulled her hand back from Ezra's arm, she elbowed him in the ribs. She slipped away from him and off the porch, bypassing the other two men. Her entire focus was on the truck sitting in the grand driveway.
Standing up, JD put his hands in his pockets. He waited until Ezra was in whispering distance before he spoke up. "How'd it go? We get the permit?"
"As if there was ever any doubt." Ezra began to pat the breast pocket on the inside of his jacket. "A word of advice, be certain to keep your eyes off Ms. Tanner's large endowment. I fear her time among the heathens has left her rather sensitive."
With a exhalation, JD nodded. "Thanks, Ez." Hands still in his pockets, he pulled at the tops of his pants to allow air flow through the legs. He decided it was best now to talk with Vin rather than later.
Josiah watched the younger man with sly amusement. "Why do I get the feeling our youngest brother will be walking funny tonight?"
"Because when one tangles with a hellcat, one either gets the tail or the teeth." To emphasize his point, Ezra gingerly stretched out his already-bruised arm.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Watch it with those boxes! You break those and it comes out of your hide!" Hoisting his own crate over one shoulder, Nathan wished to hell he had a whip. The group of men were acting nothing so much as like a pack of wild asses. He had never had this much trouble with them in the past. When the man in front of him stopped again for the third time since stepping off the truck, Nathan had had enough.
Without any warning, he kicked the drunken fool's legs out from under him. The man collapsed with a cry and Nathan stepped over him. "Move your asses or get the hell out of my way!"
From the sidelines, Travis watched with a clipboard in hand. His own stiff-collared shirt was unbuttoned and hanging open in the mid-day sun. They had to get the load off the truck first before they could set up anything else. As another man cried out, Jackson's foot in his ass, Travis shook his head. "The next man who dawdles in his work is walking without pay!"
"It's just so damned hot, sir!" Stopping off to the side, Mortemer pulled off his cap with a hiss. He rubbed at his balding scalp with the back of his other hand. "You can't work us like we're coloreds!"
"May be I should hire a couple more. Nathan has done ten times the work you've done and he hasn't slowed down." Travis knew he hit a nerve when not only the hand froze, but half a dozen others did too.
Mortemer looked about to say something, but a shadow crossed over the sun. Looking up, he found Nathan towering above him, hands on his hips.
"What's the matter, worried a few niggers will outshine you?" He raised a hand, enjoying the way the smaller man flinched. Instead of hitting Mortemer, he worried the spooked man's hair. "If it's too tough, you can always go ask one of Ms. Nettie's girls to offer you a tit to suck on."
Cackles filled the air as Mortemer turned bright red. Shoving off Nathan's hand, he stomped back up in to the trailer. Lifting a large box all by himself, he carried it off the truck and towards the center of what would be the worker's camp.
Nathan headed over to stand next to Travis, taking the time to ease his cramping back. Shaking his head, he hissed out through his teeth. "Stupid son of a bitch. I hate having to sound like some ignorant goon just to get a rise."
"It's the heat." Travis picked up a crock with water in it, taking a swig. After he finished, he held it out for Nathan. "You will have to keep at them until it's finished."
"That's not who I am, and you know it!" Nathan cast a look about him to make sure no one had been paying attention. "You are going to have to find a new crew and soon. This bunch hasn't been worth the sweat off my ass for a long time."
With a resigned sigh, Travis nodded. He faced away from Nathan to keep an eye on the men. After the outburst, they were doing a little better, but still way behind their normal pace. "Have Mary print up some job fliers along with the posters. Offer five dollars a week for inexperienced Hands, ten for experienced."
"All right." It was better than Nathan had been hoping for.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pounding in the final tack with his mallet, Chris finished up with a little more effort than necessary. The day was almost done and it seemed Lucifer was busy stoking his flames for one last hurrah. He slid the mallet in the loop off his pant's hip one-handed and pulled out the rag from his back pocket with the other. With a growl, he wiped the sweat from his brow.
"That's no way to be." Further down the street, her own tack nails and hammer under her arm, Mary grinned at Chris' glare. Her hair was tied back in a dew rag, her work pants rolled to the knees, both stained with sweat. "I've finished this side. We can hit two more streets and then Orrin wants us back at the fair grounds."
"I don't see how two more streets are gonna make a difference. We and every body else have already scattered enough paper around this town to fill a dictionary." He ignored whatever expression was on her face. At that moment, he didn't care what she was thinking. They had been at it for over five hours already.
"Yes, but..." She trailed off with a half-formed thought. There were only a few posters left to be put up. She checked the few remaining in the carrier bag on her shoulder. They might save them to be used come next town. Mary looked up with a grin. "All right. What would you like to do instead?" Her heart skipped a beat in hope.
"I'd kinda like to see what this town has to offer. Perhaps turn in early. After three days on the road, I didn't get much sleep." Not bothering to see her response, Chris flicked an imaginary hat towards her and started off.
Mary watched him walk down the street, half smile fading with each purpose-filled stride. She wasn't fooled, she knew exactly where he was headed. They had passed it half a hour and four blocks before. With a shake of her head, she continued on her way. The posters wouldn't hang themselves.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Arm thrown over JD's shoulders, Buck leaned over on to the younger man's person. "How's my favorite little geek?"
With a roll of his eyes, JD shoved Buck's arm off his shoulders. The thick smell of cheap whiskey was clearly flowing from the older man's breath. "What do you want now, Buck? I thought you were going in to meet up with Chris in town to check out a few of the local haunts." Leaning forward, he picked up his cards from the table. Ezra wasn't dealing, so he actually had a chance of winning.
"I did, we did, now we're back." Snickering, Buck sat down on the arm of JD's chair. This time, he put more body into his arm slinging, hugging JD to him. "I was just thinking how proud I am of you. Landing that mighty fine specimen of feminine beauty. How did you do it? No one's quite sure and Josiah's not speaking. Very queer."
Sputtering, Ezra covered the laugh with a coughing fit. Eyes hidden behind his dark green glasses, he smiled innocently at Buck's confused expression. "Whatever is the matter, Mr. Wilmington, doubting your appeal to the fairer sex?"
"What?" Buck blinked at Ezra for several seconds, his brain slowly interpreting the words. JD forgotten, he shook his head. "No! No way, ole Buck's just... What were we talking about?"
Laughter erupted around the table.
JD elbowed Buck until he cleared out of his way. Checking his cards against the table, he made a small bet. "I bid five cents."
"I call." Putting a nickel in the pot, a now male Vin grinned as Buck slowly turned to look at him. There were several seconds when he was certain the other man would say something about his appearance, but that passed when Buck focused on JD's cards.
Ezra cast a quick glance to Vin, at the other's head shake, he snorted. "I do not believe lady luck has graced me this hand. I fold." Closing his hand, he tossed it to the table.
"More money for me." Staring across the table at JD, Casey picked up a dime. "I call your five cents and raise you the same." Tossing it in, she cast a speculative look over her arm at Vin.
"Too rich for my blood." Closing out his hand, Nathan tossed his cards on the table. He stood up slowly, his joints popping as he rose. Stretching out, he groaned. "Anyone want a cup of coffee?"
"If you would, I'm sure Buck would take one." Waving the air, JD called Casey's raise and tossed in another nickel. He ignored the calculating look she sent his way, choosing to focus on Vin instead. "You gonna call?"
"I think my cards are good enough." Calling the bet, Vin tossed in another dime. He could feel Casey's eyes on him, but chose to ignore her. "Let's see what you got." Putting down his cards, he laid out the two pair, one of tens and one of queens.
Casey stared in shock at Vin. Her hand forgotten, she let the cards slip to the table. It couldn't be.
Glancing down at his cards, JD shoved off Buck's arm for a third time. He set them out, the three aces clearly visible. "Read them and weep!" JD had to strain to see over Buck's other arm across his chest to see Casey's. "I won? I won! I can't believe it, I finally won one!"
"Looks like." Standing up from his chair, Vin stretched out his back. "And with that, I think I should call it a night."
"Oh, come on. It's still light out." Busy scooping of his winnings, JD only spared Vin a look. "Ezra, tell him it's not late. I just started winning!"
"Young Mister Dunne is correct. The hour is not quite late." To emphasize his point, Ezra pulled out his pocket watch and showed the face to the others. It wasn't large enough for the others across the table to make out. He slipped it back in to his vest pocket and reached out to pick up the cards.
JD stopped in mid sweep. Seeing that Ezra had the cards, he swallowed and the triumphant grin left his face. "Uh, I think I will call it a night myself."
Snickering, Vin pushed up the brim of his leather hat. "Well, gentlemen, Miss Wells, it's been fun. I may have to stop by again soon." He cast a smile to each of the people at the table, stopping on JD, and by association, Buck. "It has been a pleasure meeting you, the both of you."
"Yeah, yeah." JD slapped at Buck's fingers as they combed through his hair. "Buck, if you don't stop that, I'm gonna hurt you!"
"You haven't the strength to kill a fly, not much you can do to me." Still, Buck stopped his harassment of the younger man's hair. That lasted all of a moment, then he was distracted by the tattoos under JD's collar. "When you gonna let me see them? You know, I've never seen them."
JD groaned. "Not this again." He slapped Buck's hands away. It never failed to happen. Whenever the older man ever got a hint of his tattoos, he eventually got around to asking. "Go to bed, Buck!"
A growl was all the warning Buck gave before shouting, "Let me see!"
Seeing his chance, Vin slipped away in the ensuing melee between the two men. He winked at Ezra before stepping between two trailers and disappearing from the sight of the poker game. There weren't many people left in the camp, having gone into town for a break.
Casting a quick glance about, Vin put a hand to his necklace. Closing his eyes, he reluctantly raised it over his head. The moment it left his body, the change came over swiftly. Her breasts pushed out the front of her shirt, the hips of her pants becoming tight.
She pulled off her hat, shaking out the long strands of curls. Her feet felt too heavy to walk, so she remained in her spot for several minutes.
The late evening produced a chorus of crickets and frogs. Laughter and whispers echoed on the slight breeze. The smell of honey suckle and jasmine brought tears to her eyes.
Hidden by the animal trailer, Casey watched Vin in silence.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Josiah watched the stars above, noting the familiar configurations. There was something special in them tonight. It wasn't something tangible, but the very air was alive with it. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath.
"Pleasing, is it not?"
Startled, Josiah nearly fell over from his lean against a post. The porch he was standing on belonged to the city's post office. Almost as old as the court house, it had seemed the natural place to watch the sun go down in peace. He composed himself before he faced the owner of the voice.
The moment he saw her, his heart skipped a beat. Taking off his hat, he put it to his chest. "Madam, whatever it is you find pleasing, it can't hardly compare to you."
Chuckling, she flashed a smile with too many teeth. "Aren't you sweet."
"If it pleases you, I'm honey." Stepping towards her, he held out a hand to take hers. "If you would permit me, I would kiss your hand."
"And a gentleman." She held up her hand, palm first. As he grasped it, placing a kiss gently in the center, she giggled. "Oh, such a romantic. I have sorely missed the true men of our generation."
Closing his eyes, Josiah took a shuddering breath. When he opened them, they barely made it past half mast. "What heaven have you drifted down from?"
Blue eyes glowing with amusement, she slipped her hand down his arm to grasp his elbow. "I am hardly an angel." As he cupped her hand in his own, she grinned up at him. "Please, call me Maude."
And then Josiah knew he was hooked. "My name is Josiah, my beautiful Maude."
"Let us go for a," she winked at him, "walk."
"As you wish." Josiah had to close his eyes to keep from falling over as his world seemed to spin. His heart racing, he sighed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
White dress flowing about her knees, Vin moved slowly through the camp. Most of the people who had come back were asleep in their tents, a few were doing anything but. A stiff breeze picked up her hair, blowing it about her head in tangles. She glanced about, looking for JD.
Having left him an hour before in the common tent, she had hoped to find him still there. Sadly, only the light of a single lamp still burned on a table. The cook fire in the center of the worker's camp was nothing but smolders, which meant he wasn't there either.
Frowning, she turned to head back towards the vehicles and trailers. If she couldn't find him there, she could always ask Ezra. Her bare feet left a trail in the rising mists. The chill in the air made her shiver and her skin pebble.
Passing through the trailers, she heard the familiar sound of laughter. Smiling, she turned and headed towards it. She walked down an alley formed by two equipment trailers and came out in a small grotto. In chairs, Buck, JD, Nathan, and four men she didn't recognize were passing a bottle of what was clearly moonshine.
She had to clear her throat when it became obvious they weren't going to notice her any other way. The laughter and words stopped and all heads turned to face her. Chin held high, she strolled over towards the chair JD sat in.
He instantly sat up and took notice of her without getting out of his chair. Half grin in place, he reached out a hand to her. Somewhere in the last hour, his clothes had dwindled down to a pair of worn pants. "Vin!"
Instead of saying a response, she bent down at the waist and placed a kiss upon his lips. Cupping his cheeks in her hands, she pulled him to his feet without breaking contact. As he stood in front of her, swaying from side to side, she released him.
Giggling, JD grabbed one of her hands in his own. "Lead on."
Vin smirked at the men before dragging a very happy JD out of their circle.
Whistling low, Yosemite shook his head. "God damn."
Buck watched them until the white of Vin's dress disappeared in to the night. After they were gone, he turned beaming at the other men. He pointed to his chest in triumph. "I taught that boy everything he knows. It's the ole Buck charm."
Taking the jar from Clayton, Nathan shook his head in disagreement. "Some how, I think she's taught him more than you ever could." He busted out laughing with the others at Buck's proud grin.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Having spotted Vin's dress in the cook tent, Casey had decided to follow her. Whatever sick game she was playing with JD, it wasn't going to work. It had taken all her will power not to follow the woman into the trailers. That wasn't right, JD should have been paying attention to her, not that whore! She would have to wait until Vin came back before confronting her.
So, there she sat on the tongue of a trailer. Chewing on one of her nails, she kicked out her feet. It was taking longer than she had expected. If Vin didn't come back out soon, her patience would run out and she would do something stupid.
A hand on her shoulder startled her so badly she fell off the trailer. Cursing, she rolled over to get to her feet and confront whoever had scared her. Finding only Ezra, she shivered and took a step back. "What do you want?"
For several seconds, Ezra stood there unmoving. His dark glasses hid his eyes and he seemed a statue in the pale moon light. Eventually, his chest rose in breath. "Stay out of it."
"Out of what?" Reaching up, Casey tugged on her pigtail. It was too large to qualify as strictly a pigtail, but Nettie called it that. "I have no idea what you are getting at?"
Moving faster than she could see, Ezra snatched her hand out of her hair. Twisting it, he forced her arm up. "Do not play at games you are ill-prepared to face the consequences of. You are but a child, yet; there are many things unknown to you."
"I'm old enough!" Wincing in pain, Casey tried to pull her hand back. She was rewarded with it being raised higher for her efforts. "She's just using JD."
Ezra's response to that was to snort. Shaking his head, he released her with a shove. "Jealousy is the harbinger of fools." Wiping his hand off on his pants, he grimaced at her. "Take my advice, stay out of business that is not your own. You'll live longer."
A lightning bolt filled the sky, the echoing thunder deafening in its violence, distracted Casey by scaring the hell out of her. By the time she had her heart settled down, a violent wind picked up.
Ezra was no where in sight.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The gentle caress of a morning breeze drifted through the tent, blowing a lock of hair over her face. Moaning, she reached up to knock it off. Catching her nose instead, she blinked awake. There was something different about her bed than last night. Reaching out, she found her bed empty.
Rising up in the pile of skins and straw, Vin searched the small tent for JD, but found him gone. The dull gray-yellow of early morning haze lit the tent enough that she could see there was no sign of him. Vin closed her eyes. Pulling the blankets up higher around her breasts, she rolled over in to her pillows.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Anchoring the pulley ropes with his weight, Josiah adjusted the coils in glove clad hands. The bulk of their excess was wrapped under his ass, which let him keep his place by sitting. There wasn't much of a breeze, yet, and he wanted to get this done before the winds picked up.
Above him, JD was busy lathering up the everything that moved with axal grease from the bucket beside him. His harness shifted a little, causing him to hold on to the ferris wheel for balance. Glancing down at Josiah, he glared at him. "Watch it!"
"Sorry, son, this ground's a bit slippery." Well, technically, the grass was, but that was a part of the ground. Grinning brightly, Josiah tipped his hat at the boy. "You just keep on doing your job. We're almost done."
"That's easy for you to say, you're not suspended forty feet in the air!" Grabbing the thick paint brush out of the bucket, JD wiped the excess off, then dragged it over the exposed wheel parts. The nuts and bolts would have to be cleaned off when they tore it down again, but that was a job for another day.
While he was up there, he took his time gazing out over the land. The town they currently occupied was filled with three-story brick buildings possibly older than even Mr. Travis. Mrs. Wells might give them a run for their money, though. He wasn't sure how old either of the adults were, but they were the oldest in the troupe and that was his base of reference.
By the time he had finished going over the spoke base, he could hear cocks crowing in the distance. There would be a dozen more for his show in the next couple weeks. All they needed were three to ensure the viability of his breeding stock, but he kept at least six at any given time. They didn't taste as good as hens, but fried chicken was fried chicken.
Grinning, he smeared the last few bolts with the grease. When he was through, he tugged on the grease-bucket line three times. With a sigh, he heard Josiah starting back towards the ferris wheel and he began to lower.
Using a gentle hand, Josiah guided JD's descent from the midsection of the ferris wheel. In his opinion, the blasted thing was too big. It took almost a full day to assemble, and then another two hours to safety inspect. Like most people around, his duty wasn't normally the ferris wheel, but he helped out where needed.
Nearing the ground, JD kicked out with his feet to push himself away from the base. He didn't want to get caught up in the machinery. He'd never get the gunk off his hair and body in time for the performance that night. A few more seconds, and he was on the ground, sliding out of his harness. Handing it off to Tiny, the regular ferris wheel worker, he craned his neck to peer up at the top.
"It's good work, JD." Josiah slapped JD on the back as he came up behind him. They stood there inspecting it for another minute before he surveyed the carnival around them. The tilt-a-whirl was being tested by the Potter brood. Each of them were in a car and were busy spinning the living hell out of it. He knew they weren't tall enough according to standards, but they were responsible, so it didn't matter.
JD was about to respond, but the smell of baking sweat bread made his stomach grumble. Rubbing the noisy body part, he grinned widely. "Sounds like it's breakfast time."
"I guess so." Josiah nodded, then stepped back to allow the teen to run along. While the ropes were unwound from around his body by the dart booth manager, Yosemite, he believed the man's name was, he stroked the flat patch of hair on the top of his head. No matter what he did, the hair wouldn't rise like the rest after he had slept on it.
Finally freed, he stepped out of his own harness and handed it to Tiny. There would be need of him again in five days when they tore the blasted thing down. One of these days, they would get a tall person with some real meat on their bones and he wouldn't have to play anchor any more.
His own stomach growled, but it would have to wait. He had his own 'ride' to inspect. After Tascagula, there was no one else to man the dunking booth. Oh, what retched a creature had thought the inquisition's torture device was a fun idea would find a seat in hell waiting for them. And if he ever caught that one-eyed Bob, there would be another damned soul!
Walking in the general direction of the dunking booth, Josiah whistled a tune he'd never heard the words of. The song wasn't even one he particularly liked. But if Ms. Maude wanted to hear it, he would be happy to practice until he got it right.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The morning sun was already beating down on him. Chris felt it like a ton of bricks weighing him down. Reaching in to his back pocket, he pulled out the glass whiskey bottle. After he untwisted the cap, he brought it to his lips and took a long swig.
Most everything was already set up from yesterday. The advantage of arriving half a day early was having plenty of time to set up before they officially opened. Of course, that meant they had set everything up in the killer afternoon sun with no shade trees for protection.
Not that the morning was any better.
Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he staggered into the heart of the workers' camp. There was still a small fire burning in the cooking pit, a pot of coffee off to the side still steaming. If someone didn't tend to it soon, it would burn the liquid inside.
He figured someone would be out to deal with it soon enough, so he plopped down on a bench to rest for a bit. There were dozens of tents around him, making it look like one of the many shanty towns popping up across the country. Reaching up, he removed his hat to scratch at the top of his head.
While he was at it, he decided to stretch. A cool breeze drifted in over the tops of the tents. As it struck his sweat-dampened shirt, the chill sent a shiver through him. In the years past, the wind would have carried the hint of moisture promising a storm. Today, the stale scent told of only more dust.
Wrinkling his nose as a perfume came wafting off someone upwind of him, Chris turned to scowl over his shoulder. Seeing only Buck coming his way, he shook his head. There were some things that never changed.
Buck, tugging up his breeches, grinned lazily at the blond man. With a self-satisfied grin in place, he ambled over. He bypassed Chris and his bench, making for the fire and the waiting coffee. After pouring himself some of the black tar in a tin cup, he eased himself back on to the bench beside Chris. He turned to grin at Chris.
"You smell like a whore." Chris felt a moment of pleasure over Buck's stunned expression.
Of all the greetings he had been introduced to over the years, that was a new one. Taking a sip of the vile concoction, Buck grimaced then dumped the coffee over his shoulder. "Good god, that is the worst. And what the hell brought this on, Chris?"
Chris waved it off. It wasn't important. "Have you seen my wallet? I went to sleep with it in my pants' pocket last night, it wasn't there when I woke."
"Are you accusing me of taking it? What is this, that rotgut done ate away your brains?" Leaning forwards in his seat, Buck was one more insult away from walking off. He could smell the strong hint of whiskey on Chris' breath. "Starting a little early, pard?"
"I'm not doin' any such thing, Buck. If I was, you'd know it. I asked if you've seen it!" Standing from the bench, Chris shakily rose to his feet. He had to grab on to Buck's shoulder to keep his balance. When he was steady enough, he released the other man. "You know what's in it, why it's important."
And Buck realized he did. Swallowing, he shook his head. "I ain't seen it."
"Keep an eye out, then. I may not have much on walking, but I still got a steady enough hand." His threat made, he nodded to Buck. Chris slipped the bottle in his back pocket once more. Taking out a rag, he ran it over his forehead. "Travis has us running double-time on all the damned rides. He wants everything set up by this afternoon for an early start. Make sure Inez knows."
"All right." His good mood soured, Buck watched Chris stagger off out of the workers' camp. He gave the man another hour before he found a spot in the shade to pass out. Heaven help whoever took his wallet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There were certain things one did not do while in the presence of white men, and one of those was act like he was in charge. Not that Nathan gave a damn what they thought at that particular time. Since Chris was busy, the gathered lot of hungry looking men were his to deal with. Cracking his knuckles, he drew himself up to his full height.
More than one of the lean men stepped back, eyes going wide.
Where this should have given him a sense of satisfaction, Nathan tightened his jaw in response. They were going to try his last good nerve. If they weren't banding together to lynch him, they were huddling together in fear. "You are here because you can read the banners or because someone read them for you. Either way, doesn't matter. If you work when told, don't steal, and keep your hands to yourselves, everything will be all right."
Watching them for a reaction, he was pleasantly surprised to find not a one of them looked ready to argue. Maybe things would work out after all. "All righty then. You'll each be hauling boxes, you take the box where you're told. Pay attention, cause I'm not going to repeat myself."
As he raised the clipboard, Nathan glanced at the assembled numbers and names. They were all vaguely familiar, some more than others. "All right, you there, take the box with Blue, to the largest tent." He pointed a scrawny kid in the back. The blue box was filled with something for Mary, so it reasoned not to be too heavy.
"Once it's delivered, have Mrs. Travis sign this and bring it back to me." He pulled off a small sheet of paper from the underside of the clipboard. Handing it to the kid as he came through the crowd, he pointed to the box. "It is important that you bring me back the slips of paper, signed. Once I get the paper, you will get a small card." Nathan reached in to the front pocket of his pants and pulled out a wrinkled green card. "This entitles you to a free meal, only I have these. You complete your delivery, you get a free meal, may be even a job."
The boy glanced down at the slip of paper in his hands, then to Nathan. Blinking a few times, he stared at the green card. After a second of meeting Nathan's gaze, he scurried for the box.
With that, Nathan was surrounded by eager hands. Closing his eyes, he shook his head.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was easy for Vin to find the tent where she was to perform. The layout of the carnival made it so that their main draw, the so-called Side Show, was at the center. This made it harder for kids to sneak under the walls of the tents without being caught. Surrounding the side show on all four sides were the specialty tents. One of these was hers.
She lingered outside the tent for awhile, just staring up at the sign. Her name was painted in a sprawling, formal hand. There were two lights at the base that would shine upon it that night. The Amazing Venessa Tanner was once more performing.
Vin hadn't been aware her eyes were filled with tears until a hand was gently laid upon her shoulder. Turning to face the owner, she pushed several locks of hair behind her ear. "Yeah?"
The man was only slightly taller than she, but broadly built. The trunk he held over his shoulder barely seemed to phase him. "Ma'am, is this Mister Vin's tent?"
"I am Vin." She smiled when he stared at her in confusion. "Here, let me help." Reaching up, she helped guide the trunk from his shoulder.
He slipped the trunk to the ground, groaning as he bent forward. "That's a heavy lotta work there, Ma'am. Now, there was a time I coulda hauled it and three times that, but not any more. My bones aren't what they used to be." Taking out a rag from his back pocket, he wiped his hands off on it before sticking one out. "Name's Henry."
"Nice to meet you, Henry." Vin shook the man's hand with as much enthusiasm as she could put in to it. Her mother had ingrained in her a sense of self that would never make pride her greatest sin. "Looks like that's my stuff, all right. What do I owe ya?"
"Owe?" It took Henry a moment to realize what she was saying. He looked to say something, but then raised a hand and shook his hand. "Nothin, but I do gotta get your signature, though." Reaching in to his other back pocket, he searched for the piece of paper. Not finding it, he froze. "It were here a second ago, hold on." He checked his other pockets, but found it no where.
Reaching up, Vin put a hand on his arm to still his actions. "What did ya need my signature for?"
Biting his lip, Henry glanced out back the way he had come, searching for the paper. Not finding it in the dirt and tents, he took a shuddering breath. "I won't get that green card if I don't have your signature. It won't matter that I got the trunk here or not."
"All right, I tell you what." Bending down, Vin grabbed one of the trunk's handles. "You help me get this in the tent an' I will go with you to whoever needs to know. I'll sign a paper there with them and you can get that card."
Staring at Vin, Henry seemed to unable to believe what she was saying. He continued to watch her even as he slowly bent down to grab a handle. When they lifted it together, whatever bit of doubt he had evaporated.
Leading the way in to the tent, Vin pushed aside her flap. Since it was her first time, it was all new to her as well. Inside was a low stage half divided by two large sheets of cloth for curtains. There were a dozen single board benches to either side of the center walk, so all the patrons could sit. She had to take the physical lead and carry the trunk behind her as she moved between them.
Mindful of his condition, she took her time. Carrying it up the stairs to the stage, she marveled at how level and even the boards were. Considering their travel schedule, the carnival could have done a lot worse. Vin glanced over her shoulder to Henry. "Okay, set it down here."
Nodding, he bent with her until it was on the stage. Pulling out his rag again, he wiped his forehead. "Thank you, ma'am. If you don't mind my askin, what is in this trunk?"
"I'm sure your Eve would tell you to avoid them along with those apples." She winked at him, leaving it for him to figure out. Wrapping her hand up under his arm, she squeezed his wrist. "Come on, you can tell me about yourself as we go get you one of them cards you're so bent on gettin."
"There's not much to say." He felt breathless, watching her beautiful face in the pale light filtering through the tent. "But, whatever has come to pass before mustn't have been so bad, 'cause you're the angel of god himself, ma'am."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Umbrella in hand, Ezra walked with Nettie on his arm. In comparison, he mused, she was by far the more manly. Not that he wasn't male in appearance, but she seemed more determined to prove she could beat him at it. With her worn out men's coat, faded jeans, and leather work boots, she did nothing to appear womanly. Even her hold on his arm was dominant.
"Ezra, if you are intending to get something from the chow line, I suggest we pick up the pace." Squinting under the brim of her hat, she was unaware of the dirt smudges on her cheeks. "With that army of hungry men and boys he's got running around, Nathan's going to run this place by the end of the day."
"There is no need. I have no intention of sharing my meals with a man who feels no compunction against bedding down with a furry beast." He cast a warning glance out of the corner of his eye towards her.
Her amused grin was the only response.
"No matter how much hair I may have upon my person, it will never equal that of Mr. Larabee or his pet, the notorious Buck." He adjusted the collar of his suit in a fit of pique. If there were to be layabouts, he would prefer they did not smell of liquor. "The lesser of the two made quite the spectacle of himself last night, pawing at young JD."
"If I'm not mistaken, Vin and JD fit that description better." She caught his jaw twitch, regarding it with surprise.
"Perhaps your ward should best mind her own business. Nosiness is the quickest way to get it cut off." Deciding the topic was closed, Ezra began to scan the various sheets as they passed. Nathan's and Vin's were two of the more prominent ones, twice the size of the rest. A third caught his eye, making him sigh. "It seems I am to be forever a show pony."
"Cheer up, not everyone gets their own tent." She gestured to the row of sheets below his, Vin's, Nathan's, and Buck's. "They have to share the main tent."
"Yes, but that is because they are far less interesting." Turning the umbrella to block out the sun, Ezra studied all the sheets again. Not finding one, he thought to ask her. "How will you be performing tonight?"
"Music." Nettie sighed. "It seems no one in this city cares to join a traveling carnival." With a shrug, she tugged her arm, pulling his hand along. "Come on, I'm hungry. I need to eat and then get my chair fired up. My girls must look their best."
Smirking, Ezra nudged her with his elbow.
"Well," she conceded, "not their best-best."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sitting under a grand Magnolia tree, Travis had himself spread out as far as his chair would let him. The perspiring glass of lemonade in his hand was occasionally pressed to his chest and neck. His slow breathing was the only sign he was still living, but not even that deterred the flies from landing on him.
Dropping in the chair beside the former judge, Chris scattered the flies. In his hand, he uncapped the bottle of whiskey and took a swig. "This was a load of horse shit, Travis."
"Did you get the job done?" Not bothering to even so much as open an eye, Travis appeared not to have spoken at all.
"That's not the point." Chris wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. The bottle was almost empty and he planned to go in to town for another before the shows started. "You shoulda talked to me before you fired my entire crew."
"I didn't, you still have Yosemite, Charles, and that one other fellow." Travis raised the glass to his throat, dragging it slowly a crossed his skin. The chill of ice made him shiver, dislodging the flies again. "Between the four of you, there is enough knowledge and experience to train a new crew. One at half the pay and none of the sass, I might add."
"Greed? Ezra have a hand in this?" Glaring at the relaxing old man, Chris shook his head when he didn't get a response. "You're going to take whatever he tells you at face value? One of these days it's all gonna blow up in your face."
"It already has." Parting one set of eyelids, he glared at Chris through them. "You've been an Albatross around my neck ever since."
Chris raised his bottle, sucking in a mouthful through his teeth. His eyes already watery from the contents, he shook his head. "You are..."
"Don't finish that sentence." Travis sat up, jerking his hand to point towards the carnival across the road. "Get your ass back in that carnival and double check every ride. If you've made one mistake, you're gone too."
Back straightening, Chris stood up. He nodded once, then marched across the street back in to the sunlight.
Travis watched him go, the knot in his chest constricting his heart until the blond was out of sight. He started to lay back in his chair again, but hands landed on his shoulders. Raising his head, he thought he saw someone standing over him. When he blinked, the hands and the person were gone.