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Day 20 - Western
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"You low down dirty son of a bitch!"
As Loki stepped down from the stagecoach, he frowned. He hadn't been in town long enough for someone to be cursing him out yet. It usually took him winning two or three rounds of Poker before the curses started flying.
"Did you really think I would let you get away with that?"
Loki turns, reaching up to tilt his hat down to shade his eyes. He spots the source of the ruckus as a body comes flying out of the swinging doors of a nearby saloon. The man hits the hard packed earth, gasping as the air gets knocked out of him. Before he can do more then wheeze, the owner of the angry voice appears.
Like an Old West version of a Valkyrie, you stalk through the swinging doors full of hellfire and brimstone. Wrapped in a scarlet red dress and with your hair piled up on top your head, you might be confused for a dance hall girl but you carry yourself with a confidence that says you are the boss and everyone better remember that.
"I've told you before, you lay your hands on one of my girls and there'd be hell to pay!" You shout as you raise the rifle hidden behind the pleats of your skirt and take aim. The man on the ground opens his mouth to beg but you pull the trigger first. A load of birdshot hits right between his legs. Most of the pellets hit the dirt but a handful strike the man in his thighs. More importantly, several pellets find a home in his crotch.
Loki winces at the high pitched scream the man lets out as he clutches his bloody trousers.
"Damn it! Not again."
A massive mountain of a man with long blond hair appears around the back of the stagecoach. Even from a distance, Loki can see the glint of light off the star on the man's chest. He's the local sheriff.
"How many time have I asked you NOT to shot people?" The sheriff asks, standing over the whimpering man holding his bleeding crotch.
You raise the barrel of your rifle, resting the butt of the gun on your hip. "Six." You reply, not the least bit worried, "Bastard gave Katie a black eye. He's lucky I didn't unload Matilda here into his face."
On the ground, the man groans and says something under his breath.
"Shut up, Rumlow!" You snap, planting the hand not holding 'Matilda' on your other hip, "Those are nothing but flesh wounds. Doc'll have you patched up in no time and believe me. I've seen you with your pants down. There's nothing in there any woman is going to miss!"
Loki can't help the chuckle that escapes him as the sheriff drags the man, Rumlow, to his feet. "Take him to Doc's first." He says to two men who step forward. Each one has a star as well, marking them as deputies. "Then take him to the jail. A couple days sleeping on a hard bench should help him remember how we treat women in this town."
As the deputies carry Rumlow away, Loki takes the chance to step forward calling out, "When Mother's letter said you had decided to play sheriff I couldn't believe it."
Spinning around, Thor tilts his hat back, "Loki?" His face splits into a massive grin as he laughs. Striding forward, Thor wraps his brother in a bear hug, "It's so good to see you!"
Loki hugs his brother back, though with a bit more restraint, "You as well."
Thor lets go and steps back, resting his hands on Loki's shoulders, "What brings you here? Get run out of town again after winning everyone's money?"
Loki sighs, hand over his heart, "Brother! You always think the worst of me. Can't I just have wanted to see your face again?"
Thor snorts, stepping to the side and throwing an arm around Loki's shoulders, "So you did get run out of town."
"Yes." Loki huffs, "But it's not my fault so many people are bad a gambling."
Thor chuckles before stepping forward, pulling his brother along with him. He steers them both towards the saloon. "Come, lets get a drink. We have much to catch up on."
"Yes." Loki says, eyes ahead and watching you.
You've had your eyes on the deputies this whole time, watching them until they disappeared into the local Doctor's clinic. Once out of sight, you spin around setting your red skirt to flaring out around you before marching back inside the saloon with 'Matilda' still on your hip.
Admiring your figure, Loki grins, "Much to catch up on."
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You pause at the bar to hand 'Matilda' off to Sam, you bartender. He nods to you before turning and putting your trusty rifle back on its wall hooks. You found out long ago that a visible sign of force made the more rough and rowdy patrons of your establishment show a little more respect for a female saloon owner.
It also helped that you weren't afraid to put a load of birdshot in someone's ass if they got out of line.
Picking your way across the crowded floor, you march up the backstairs to the second floor. The space above the saloon was set aside for your girls to conduct their 'business' in private. Several doors are closed, the sounds coming from behind them telling you that your girls are hard at work separating travelers, local cowboys and townsfolk from their money. Near the end of the hall is Katie's room. Standing outside, guarding the open door is your security. Despite having only one arm, James Barnes is worth more then three men with both arms.
"Bucky." You pause to lay a hand on his bicep, giving it a squeeze, "Thank you for acting so quickly."
Ducking his head, Bucky tries to play it off, "Just doing my job."
"And doing it well." You state confidently, "Make sure to pass the word along to Sam and the others. Rumlow's banned from ever setting foot in here. He puts one toe through the door and the next load of birdshot is going in his face."
Bucky cracks a smile and chuckles, "Yes Ma'am."
You smile back, patting his arm before stepping into the room. Inside you find one of your girls, Tasha, tending to Katie's face. The bleeding has stopped but the bruising has begun. A large black bruise has blossomed on the side of her face, spreading over her eye and down her cheek. It looks horrible but the most concerning bruises aren't on her face. They're around her neck.
Tasha steps aside as you move closer. You take Katie's chin in hand and tilt her head back, staring at the finger shaped marks around her pale neck. You grit your teeth as a red, hot rage starts to boil inside you. "I should have used the buckshot. Blown his fucking dick off!"
"Ma'am, please don't." Katie pleads, "I'm okay, I swear. And please don't go maiming anyone. The sheriff might go easy on ya for a few flesh wounds but if ya go shooting parts off people he's gonna have to put his foot down."
You frown before sighing, "Fine. He gets to keep his bits.... for now. Tasha, what's the verdict?"
Tossing her long red hair to the side, Tasha reports, "She'll live to steal more hearts. Gonna have some nasty bruises for awhile but there's a couple guys in town that get all protective when they see marks on a woman. Play your cards right and they'll fall all over themselves trying to take care of ya and make ya smile again."
That gets a small smile from Katie.
"Good." You nod your head. Letting go of Katie's chin you stand up straight, "Well, you're off for the night. Ah ah!" You cut Katie off when she starts to protest, "You deserve a brake. You've had a rough day. Rest up and start fresh tomorrow."
"Yes, Ma'am." Katie sighs.
You shoo Tasha out of the room and close the door behind you. Tasha heads back downstairs to work the bar room and Bucky takes his position at the top of the stairs, able to watch the room below and keep an ear out for trouble in the girls rooms.
You pause in the hallway, taking a moment for yourself. You clasp your shaking hands together and take a few deep breaths. This is the first time you've had to take a shot at someone because they hurt one of your girls. Every time before was because someone at the bar was too stupid, too proud or too drunk. Sometimes it was a combination of the three.
Each of those times you'd had them tossed out and taken a shot at them with Matilda, but you'd never intended to hit them. Just to scare the shit out of them.... but this time.....
You'd come so close to reloading and taking another shot at Rumlow.
You kinda still want to.
Giving yourself a shake, you square your shoulders and head for the stairs. Bucky gives you a nod as you step past him, pausing at the top of the steps to survey your pride and joy. When you came to this town, all you had were a few dollars and dream but look at you now. Queen of your own little kingdom.
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"Gentlemen." You say, setting two glasses of whiskey on the table, "On the house."
Thor leans back in his seat and gives you a grin, "Trying to bribe law enforcement?"
"As if you'd take one." You snort, hand on your hip, "You're too good to be bought, Thor and we all know it. Now... aren't you gonna introduce me to your friend?"
"Of course." Thor introduces you as he reaches out and claps a hand on the man sitting next to him, "This is my brother, Loki."
"The infamous Loki I've heard so many tales about." You raise an eyebrow even as you admire the dashing man sitting across the table.
And he is very dashing. Dressed in a black jacket and pants with dark green shirt and topped with a black cowboy hat, Loki looks equal parts dangerous and handsome. And that was before he pinned you in place with his hypnotic green eyes and his smooth grin.
"I can assure you, those tales are all true." Loki purrs, making you flush pink at the sound of his velvety voice. "Won't you join us?"
"Don't mind if I do." Folding yourself into the chair across from him and next to Thor, you admire Loki's hands as his long fingers wrap around the glass and bring it to his lips.
You've never wanted to be a glass of whiskey before but by God, you do now!
"So, Mr Loki. What brings you to our town?" You ask, trying to find somewhere on Loki's form you can look without thinking dirty thoughts but finding none. He's just so damn attractive.
"Visiting my brother. It's been a few years and I wanted to catch up." Loki says with a slight smile.
Beside him, Thor snorts into his glass, "More like needed somewhere to go he hasn't worn his welcome out in before." Thor winces from what you suspect was a kick from his brother.
You ignore the two brothers glaring at each other and plow forward, "How long do you plan on staying, if I may ask?"
"You may ask me anything?" Loki rumbles, making you squirm a bit in your seat, "I was going to stay just a few days but.... after taking in the sights...." Loki smirks as his eyes sweep up and down your body, "I'm thinking I might extend my stay."
"How wonderful." You smile back, leaning forward against the table and giving Loki a view of how low cut your bodice is. His eyes slide down to your chest and you can see him swallow. "I look forward to getting to know you better."
Thor tosses back his drink as you and his brother flirt in front of him as if he was invisible. If this is what his brother's visit is going to be like, he's gonna need more to drink. Thor signals the bartender, "Another round." and readies himself for what's to come.
The spitfire saloon owner and his silver tongued gambler brother. This is either going to be a story for the ages or a complete disaster.
Either way, Thor's gonna need more whiskey. Lots of whiskey.
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END