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[kateohara.livejournal.com]

Thursday, September 17th, lunchtime

I close up the store for lunch as usual. It's been a busy sort of morning. The chill weather that came with the rain seems to have put people in mind of autumn, and so I've been selling more tea and spices. The power cut we had recently has also had people buying up candles. We're nearly out. I'll have to see the Kincaids soon. I wait for that thought to give me a pang, but it doesn't. Too much has happened for me to be sad any more about that missed opportunity. But I do hope Jamie and Molly are well. Hardly anyone has seen them since Edith attacked Molly. I went over a few weeks ago and brought Molly a basket of fruit and cakes, but I haven't had time to go out since then. I should make the time.

I sit down on the rocking chair on the porch of the store. I've got a cup of coffee and an apple; I don't feel hungry for much else. The last few days I've had to force myself to eat proper meals. My stomach feels tied up in knots after my conversation with Laurence. I haven't seen him since Monday, and that in itself would be strange normally, because ordinarily he'd at least walk by the store and say hello. I worry about him, but I feel like I can't go check on him. I could try seeing Cain, but Laurence might be with him... Maybe I can ask Kaeli to ask Cain to let me know if Laurence is alright, but that seems a little ridiculous, asking through all those people. I don't know how one's meant to handle these things, really...

I eat my apple slowly, peeling it with a small knife. In my old town there was an old belief that if you threw your apple skin over your shoulder, when you looked you'd see your future husband's initials. I look at the peel on my lap and hesitate, and then with a small laugh I drop the peel over my shoulder behind my chair. I crane round, but the peel doesn't tell me anything, unless my future husband's name begins with a backwards S. Foolishness. I shake my head a bit at myself and pick up my coffee and sip it, watching the traffic of Main Street go by.

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[pirate-mystic.livejournal.com]

Weather's turned good, but I don't plan on forgettin' my coat. Weather only gonna get worse from here, an so I heads down to General Store.

Kate's sittin' out on the porch, an she looks tired like she been lately but smilin' - that's somethin'. Eatin' an apple an sippin' at her coffee, an somethin' down by the rocker of her chair catch my eye.

"Remember you tellin' me that," I say with a smile, leanin' against the rail of the porch. "I ever tell you when I was small, the girls used to do somethin' like with apple stalks? Number of twists to pull it off'd tell 'em the letter of their husband's name. Weren't many ended up thinking they was set to marry a Zebediah, I reckon."

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

"Reed," I say, with a smile, and then she spots the apple peel. Oh, dear. I feel myself flush a bit, but her eyes are kind and her smile has nothing mean in it.

"I ever tell you when I was small, the girls used to do somethin' like with apple stalks? Number of twists to pull it off'd tell 'em the letter of their husband's name. Weren't many ended up thinking they was set to marry a Zebediah, I reckon."

"I'm guessing there were a lot Edwards and Georges, though," I say, smiling back at her. "I... I told Laurence Tillermann maybe we shouldn't see each other for a while," I say in a rush, as if that explains what I'm doing. I don't know if it does.

[pirate-mystic.livejournal.com]

See her turn pink in the face when I see the peel, an then, "I... I told Laurence Tillermann maybe we shouldn't see each other for a while," come out fast, words tumblin' over each other.

"Well," I say slow an soft, an settle myself more comfortable against the rail, "you was just walkin' out with him, surely? You wasn't fixin' to marry him, Kate?" Nod down at the apple peel. I sure hope she wasn't. Ain't never seemed to me they got much in common, 'cept for religion, for all he settled down some since they been courtin'.

"You sorry you done it? Tellin' him that?" She's smilin' still - don't look like she gone an got her heart broke. Good thing, or I'd have to go find that boy. "Or will I be needin' to go have a word with young Mr Tillerman?"

Store faces south, an I feel the heat risin' up off the wood where the sun been hittin' it. Thinkin' I got more to talk on with Kate than Laurence Tillerman, but I ain't bringin' that to her if things're bad with her.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

"you was just walkin' out with him, surely? You wasn't fixin' to marry him, Kate?"

"My ma always said not to walk out with a man if you couldn't imagine settling with him," I say. And then I sigh. "No, I wasn't planning on it. I wasn't planning on anything, really."

"You sorry you done it? Tellin' him that? Or will I be needin' to go have a word with young Mr Tillerman?"

I shake my head.

"No, Reed, no." I screw up my mouth a little sadly. "He's the one who's really hurting now, I think. I'm sad to have done it, but not sorry. I think I did the right thing. The... the honorable thing." I look down at my lap, and then back at her. "But that's that. Are you keeping well? Can I get you a coffee?"

[pirate-mystic.livejournal.com]

"He's the one who's really hurting now, I think. I'm sad to have done it, but not sorry. I think I did the right thing. The... the honorable thing."

Proud of her when she says that, but her mouth twists up like she hurtin'. Tell her soft, "You always was the honorable sort, Kate."

She changes the subject fast; I know she proud as well. "But that's that. Are you keeping well? Can I get you a coffee?" Always takin' care of others, that's Kate.

"No," I say, an I smilin' properly now, "think I done had enough of that for today. Mrs Danvers keeps a pot made, and I ain't sure so much is good for a body. An I keepin' well enough...." Pause for a moment. "Havin' a few dreams, though." Scratch my chin, not real sure of what to say. Kate got her own god, after all. "Kind that seem - sent."

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

"You always was the honorable sort, Kate."

"I hope so," I say quietly.

"think I done had enough of that for today. Mrs Danvers keeps a pot made, and I ain't sure so much is good for a body. An I keepin' well enough...."

"Well, sit down at least," I say with a smile, nodding to the chair beside me. It's not a rocker, but it's comfortable enough, all warm weathered wood.

"Havin' a few dreams, though. Kind that seem - sent."

I put down my coffee cup at that and fold my hands in my lap. It doesn't come as a surprise to me, but I want to give Reed my full attention.

"Nanshe?" I ask. "She's... she's spoken to others, I think." I think of Laurence, and how Nanshe spoke to him, and I feel faintly frustrated that it didn't seem to do anything. Aren't visions meant to change us? Or maybe I just wish I'd had a vision, too. Some guidance would be nice... But I'm no saint, and I'm not sure I deserve to talk with a goddess, never mind God.

[pirate-mystic.livejournal.com]

"Nanshe?" I ask. "She's... she's spoken to others, I think."

Somethin' a bit odd in her voice. Look at her, try an figure it out. "Didn't speak to me. Not like to Oya. Just - made it clear what other folks've said is true."

Settle in the chair she sent me to. "Was hearin' all manner of wild talk. Bout...well, stuff out of your holy book, among others." Nod to her. "Thought it was just craziness when I heard it. Devils walkin' among us an that." See something change in her face, and give her a sharp look. "You know somethin' bout that, Kate?"

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

"Didn't speak to me. Not like to Oya. Just - made it clear what other folks've said is true."

I nod.

"Things seem... thinner in dreams, now. Between sleep and the real world."

"Was hearin' all manner of wild talk. Bout...well, stuff out of your holy book, among others. Thought it was just craziness when I heard it. Devils walkin' among us an that."

I feel myself stiffen at that, and a weariness settle on me again. We never get away from that Tower.

"You know somethin' bout that, Kate?"

"More than I'd like, Reed," I say quietly. "There's..." I pause. "You think I'm sane, don't you, Reed? Alright, then. In the Tower there's a man, but he's not a man, and more than one person has told me he's -" my voice dips - "the Devil. And there are gods out of old tales here. One can look like a dog or a man, and one can take on the shape of other people and pretend to be them, and all of them seem to bring bad fortune." I pinch the bridge of my nose with my fingers. "I've been thinking on it for weeks, Reed, and I don't know what to do. I've been praying, but... I don't know what to do."

[pirate-mystic.livejournal.com]

-- now she really don't look good: her face gone all pinched up like somethin' painin' her. Ain't anythin' good she gonna say, I know it.

"You think I'm sane, don't you, Reed?" Course I think that, an I give her a nod an she carry right on: "In the Tower there's a man, but he's not a man, and more than one person has told me he's - the Devil. And there are gods out of old tales here. One can look like a dog or a man, and one can take on the shape of other people and pretend to be them, and all of them seem to bring bad fortune."

Well. Well now. Kate ain't crazy, that I know. Think about what Cain say that time, think about the stories my mama told me, when she was startin' to get mixed up an stuff from when she was a little girl was gettin' all jumbled up with the present day. Bout a devil who ain't just Esu who's Saint Peter anyway who open up the roads, but Devil with a capital like I can hear Kate's sayin' it. Thing that don't want anything good for anyone ever, an the thought of somethin' like that in our town....

Rest she's sayin' ain't so hard, maybe: "And there are gods out of old tales here. One can look like a dog or a man, and one can take on the shape of other people and pretend to be them, and all of them seem to bring bad fortune." Ain't like I never seen gods walkin' about in people for a bit, though she an Cain ain't makin' it sound like anythin' so normal. Make it sound like them come walkin' in town like ordinary folks, an though there always tales about times such happened I ain't never heard from anyone who seen it until now; was always in the long ago. "Bad fortune," I say, focusin' on what seem important, an my voice don't sound any better than hers do.

"I've been thinking on it for weeks, Reed, and I don't know what to do. I've been praying, but... I don't know what to do."

Don't like to see Kate lookin' like that, all crumpled up like life too much for her. Lean over an put my hand over hers, because first thing I gotta do's look after her. "Tell you what we do, Kate. Nanshe don't go givin' out dreams for no reason: she want somethin' done. An I know other folks've talked on this - that boy Cain, for one. Mentioned you maybe knew, or I wouldn't've come a-botherin' you with this. Miss Miao, he tell me, too. Nanse-kam up at the Abbey, he know things ain't right."

Give her hand a squeeze. Thinkin' on it for weeks, prayin' an not sayin' nothin'...oh, Kate. "There you go, girl, takin' all the world on your own back. Who're you, to carry all that around? Got good folks in town, folks as'd do anythin' to help you. Do most anythin' for this town, too, an some as'd do it just cos they good people an' they care that evil don't go walkin' about the place."

She still don't look convinced any, an I take her hand a bit firmer. "Kate. You listen, now. You not alone with this, you hear me?" I reckon she carried enough stuff all silent in her life before now.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

"There you go, girl, takin' all the world on your own back. Who're you, to carry all that around? Got good folks in town, folks as'd do anythin' to help you. Do most anythin' for this town, too, an some as'd do it just cos they good people an' they care that evil don't go walkin' about the place."

"I hope so," I say quietly. "When Annegwish died, though, and I spoke out at her funeral... A lot of people came and said they agreed with what I'd talked about, but it didn't seem to move anyone to do anything. And I don't know what I can do." I look at Reed seriously. "I'd give my life to stop whatever wickedness the thing in the tower wants to bring us. I don't have a death wish. I like being alive," I say, and I know that it's truer now than it has been in years. I have had so much joy in the last few months, even though my pain has been keen, too. "But all the same, I'll do what needs to be done," I continue. "I just don't know what I can do." I think of Glass, daughter of a god, and all the people here with their gifts.

"Kate. You listen, now. You not alone with this, you hear me?"

Reed squeezes my hand, and for a moment I want to lie my head against her breast and cry until I feel better. Reed doesn't look at all like my ma, and she doesn't sound like her either, but I wish for a minute that she was my mother. But she's not, and so I squeeze her hand back.

"I'm learning that, day by day," I say, and I give her a little smile. "We need to think about what we can do. Maybe there are other people who feel like we do," I say. "Who haven't said anything because they don't know what do, either. Maybe we can all... get together, or something." I look at Reed, and give her a half-smile. "Have you ever led an army, Reed? Maybe that's what we have to be, though I'm not sure I'd make much of a soldier," I say, and I laugh a little at that.

[pirate-mystic.livejournal.com]

"A lot of people came and said they agreed with what I'd talked about, but it didn't seem to move anyone to do anything."

Kate's words bring a snort out a me. "Easy for folks to say they think the whole world's goin' to the dogs. Much harder for 'em to set their hand to doin' a damn thing about it, less they or theirs is gettin' hurt." Ain't a cheerful thing, but it true. Here like anywhere: get folks comfortable an they'll cluck like old hens over the wrongs of the world and never stir from their damn chair. An folks like Kate, folks as speak up, they don' always get a warm welcome either. Not unless things're real bad, an it always so easy to pretend they ain't.

"Maybe we can all... get together, or something. Have you ever led an army, Reed? Maybe that's what we have to be, though I'm not sure I'd make much of a soldier."

Want to laugh - imagine me leadin' anyone's damn army, me who was down in the muck with the worst of 'em, poor bloody infantry like folks used to say - an then think maybe I want to cry. Give her hand a last pat and set back in my chair, look at her.

"I done some soldierin', but I ain't ever led no army. An nothing like this for certain sure. Thought I'd never have to turn my hand to that agin." Hear my own voice gone soft an troubled. Put all that behind me, long time ago. Ain't Nanshe the one takes care of the widow an the orphan, an how can you go makin' em by killin' a man for pay, with that in your mind? Any fellow go gettin' rough at the 'Boy an I bust his head for him, but that ain't the same, not the same at all.

"You thinkin' this a war, Kate?" I seen war, an it ain't no damn call to arms against evil, just men an women dying badly for somethin' that ain't even theirs. Think on how to say that to Kate, but I ain't got the words. An I say to myself, too: if someone go bringin' war to you, what you gonna do, girl? Gonna sit back an see these good folks killed, just cause you said you never gonna do that any more?

She's laughin' at the idea of her bein' a soldier, though she don't sound like there any humor left in her, no matter how hard she try. Reckon you already is, Kate, an on the front lines too. "Folks up at the Abbey," I say instead, considerin'. "Whole parcel of folks know how to fight, an how to teach folks, too. You think of talkin' to them?" Think of Cain too, now I know he not wholly crazy, but I don't want to talk on anything gonna remind her of Mr Tillerman right now. Blacksmith'd be a good kind of man to have at your back, though, if it come to fightin'.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

"Easy for folks to say they think the whole world's goin' to the dogs. Much harder for 'em to set their hand to doin' a damn thing about it, less they or theirs is gettin' hurt."

I nod.

"That sounds about right," I say.

"I done some soldierin', but I ain't ever led no army. An nothing like this for certain sure. Thought I'd never have to turn my hand to that agin."

There are old hurts in Reed's voice, now. I wonder where she fought, and why, but I don't ask.

"I hope it doesn't come to that, either," I say quietly. "I don't want more blood spilled."

"You thinkin' this a war, Kate?"

"A war like with swords and guns? Maybe not. But it's a fight we're facing, to not... To not let our town go to hell. Maybe literally," I say, and my mouth trembles a bit at that. "To say we don't accept that pain and cruelty and the wicked winning because they're stronger is the way of things. I don't," I say, jutting my chin out. "I've seen hard things, Reed, and I've lived some of them, but I won't let them lick me, by God," I say, and my voice is fiercer than I've heard it in a long while. "I won't."

"Whole parcel of folks know how to fight, an how to teach folks, too. You think of talkin' to them?"

I lean back in my chair, considering.

"I hadn't really thought. I just kept missing Mother Oya," I admit. "I keep expecting her to come back and take charge. But if she's left us -" - and my voice can't help a little bitter twist - "we've got to look after ourselves." But thinking on the abbey lifts me a little. There must be fifty people there, and I know they've all been trained to fight. I don't know what fifty people could do to a god, but it's better than nothing. Maybe much better.

[pirate-mystic.livejournal.com]

Kate's mouth shakin' a bit, but her voice gets real firm. Not angry, properly, or loud, but real strong. I know she seen hell, my Kate, in her own way. Voice of someone as knows what they're sayin', an what it mean. She ain't goin' back there, an ain't lettin' anyone else neither if she can stop it.

The way she sayin' it makes me hopeful, but worried too. Scared for Kate. Pain and cruelty and the wicked winning because they're stronger, an I seen what can happen to even the best folks an the most determined when they come up 'gainst somethin' like that. More than just a chance of that, as I sees it, if this come down to war of any kind. Always some folks broken, some folks lost.

Feel all that settlin' down into me, the knowin', cold an hard like I swallowed a stone. We gonna do this, I know: ain't no pretendin'. We got to. An this time my Lady, she givin' me time to prepare. Don't know if it better or worse, to go into this knowin'.

Just keep Kate safe, I ask her silently. She been through enough, Lady. An she doin' better, so much better. Just bring her through this whole's she can be.

"I hadn't really thought. I just kept missing Mother Oya. I keep expecting her to come back and take charge. But if she's left us - we've got to look after ourselves."

"Don't think no one comin' for us, Kate." Comes out sadder'n I mean it to. Don't know what happened to Oya. Maybe - maybe they got to her, the ones who want bad for us all. Don't want to think they could, but.... An not just her I mean, either. "Don't figure we can afford to wait for some person or power to come an' save us."

Straighten up in my chair, ease the ache in my back some. "So I reckon we got to talk to other folks. I can ask Miss Miao - Nanse-kam too - but I figure you better set than me for anyone besides."

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

"Don't think no one comin' for us, Kate." I feel a lump in my throat at that. But I learned long ago not to expect anyone to come for me, and I managed. I managed. And I will again.

"Don't figure we can afford to wait for some person or power to come an' save us."

"We are our only saviours," I say quietly. "Yes. We can't wait."

"So I reckon we got to talk to other folks. I can ask Miss Miao - Nanse-kam too - but I figure you better set than me for anyone besides."

"Hermia, the librarian," I say thoughtfully. "She'd come, I know it. She has a brave heart." I was glad to hear that Mr Laclos didn't die in that duel - for his sake, of course, but mostly for hers. "Nanse-kam can ask among the folk at the abbey. Glass, I think," I say. "I hope Karina would," I continue. "Especially if she's to be mayor... Tess Thiess would come," I say, feeling an odd little cramp of something like embarrassment when I remember how she looked at me, just for a minute. "And Edmund White, and Kaeli Whyte, and with her Cain would come. And Laurence too, even if we aren't what we were." I smile at Reed, feeling more hopeful now I have something to do. "There are lots of people who'd help, I think. I still don't know what we'd do... But maybe if we all get together, just talking on it will help." I squeeze Reed's hand. "Thank you. For making me think things through."

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

Bright and cool, and I suppose it'll turn to chill when it gets darker, but that's not something to worry about now. It's been still time, without needing to keep to the Apothecary counter or needing to see folk, and I'm of a mind to wander and watch.

Take one of my cups down to the Miskatonic for coffee, and step out and down Main, thinking to maybe go by the park or the graveyard, when I see Kate sitting out on the store porch talking to a woman I'm not placing.

Well, then. Less of a watch and more of a conversation, I suppose, but it ought do. Stroll on over and up, smiling a little. I've not seen Kate in a while, though perhaps it seems longer than it is... Looking serious, I think.

Clear my throat and "Thought I heard my name?" I say gently when I catch just enough to think I'll excuse myself if Kate's helping the other woman.

[pirate-mystic.livejournal.com]

Listen to who she names, an some of them surprise me. Ain't met the librarian, an I ain't ever known the Thiess family have much to do with town if they can help it. New assistant in the apothecary, the baker. Don't know what all I meant to do with 'em, but if we're doing to war then shit, I better start thinkin' like a general or somesuch. And ain't that a joke, me who spent so much time out away from folks in these past years?

"I figures - " I'm starting to say, an then there someone sayin, "Thought I heard my name?" Look over: serious-lookin' girl, for all she wearin' a smile. That ain't a face spent all its life laughin'. Librarian, maybe - ain't got a look of the Thiesses. Glance to Kate. I figurin' the girl for a friend of hers, an maybe we got a chance here.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

Glass appears by the porch, and I smile, looking from her to Reed. There's a strength in this, the company of women, and there aren't many women I'd trust above Reed, and none I trust more than Glass.

"Glass," I say. "Come on up. Reed, this is Mrs Glass Beddau," I say, and I smile a bit over that title. "Glass, this is Marian Reed. Reed and I were talking on some serious things," I say, my tone growing less light. "And I named who I'd trust to be interested in the way they went."

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

Even serious, it's good to see Kate smile. Take the invitation and step up on the porch to stand by Kate.

:Reed, this is Mrs Glass Beddau. Glass, this is Marian Reed." Switch my coffee to my left hand and hold out my right, and murmur afternoon as Kate continues. "Reed and I were talking on some serious things. And I named who I'd trust to be interested in the way they went."

"Ah." Glance between the two of them. "Excolo seems rife with serious things, of late," I say carefully. "Find myself being quite interested in them, it's true. A matter particular under discussion?"

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

I glance at Reed, but perhaps she'd prefer me to answer, seeing as she doesn't know Glass at all.

"Gods and monsters," I say softly. "And what we can do about them. Reed and I have decided we're not willing to just sit back and let them run roughshod over everything. We're not planning anything reckless, I don't think. But we're mulling over what we can do."

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

It was a good day, fer the rest 'a it, with Syl. The food was hot 'n fillin', and it was nice just spendin' the day soakin' plants 'n choppin' and mixin' and talkin' craft. It weren't like talkin' sewin' with Ma 'r Mary, neither. I grin t'myself, wonderin' 'f I ought t'stay later next time.

I'm walkin' down from the Abbey, and there's Kate with that woman Glass Johnny mentioned and the hermit, Reed 'r somethin'. Never talked much, though I run 'cross her once 'r twice out in the bush. I slow down 's I get near 'em. They're talkin' close 'n I dunt want t'interrupt, but it's Kate so I step near, makin' sure t'make some noise as I walk.

[pirate-mystic.livejournal.com]

Mrs Beddau, then - Glass. Got a firm grip, hands've seen work. Cautious sort, maybe, from the way she looking between us until Kate lets her know it alright to talk: "Gods and monsters. And what we can do about them. Reed and I have decided we're not willing to just sit back and let them run roughshod over everything. We're not planning anything reckless, I don't think. But we're mulling over what we can do."

Sound of feet, an my, but they all showin' up today, ain't they, cause here come the Thiess girl. Makes me wonder if maybe somethin' ain't watchin' for us an bringin' em on, an for all I say to Kate I feel a bit warmer to think maybe we got somethin' on our side too, even if it only plain luck. Give her a nod: "Aft'noon, Tess."

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"Gods and monsters," and I can feel my mouth draw down into a thin line.

"Gods come walking," I say equally soft as Kate, "I'm not seeing difference worth speaking of 'tween them and monsters." Murder and mayhem and cruelty and petty sulks. Trying to think what else in Excolo's caused trouble besides the usual that I know of, and sure there must be something...

Not really placing it at the moment, though.

"And what we can do about them. Reed and I have decided we're not willing to just sit back and let them run roughshod over everything. We're not planning anything reckless, I don't think. But we're mulling over what we can do." Nod thoughtful; times like this leave me glad I've learnt to leave off the idea of Kate as delicate.

"You've a mind particular for anything? I know of ways to ward off the Shuck, but they'd... be awkward, I think, to use throughout town." Think of Wanda's garden's willowtree again, and how I'd thought on hanging it entire with bell-jars when I first heard she'd let slip news of the reception to the Shuck. "Think Hermia'd have finer mind for placating a couple of them..." Trail off considering, and Reed nods to someone and I turn to see another woman approaching. 'm not quite placing her until Reed greets her, and then it comes to me. John's sister, I think.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

"I'm not seeing difference worth speaking of 'tween them and monsters."

I nod. It's just wrong the way the gods walk about the town. Christ came as a man, I know, but He had a purpose, and when it was done, He returned home... The gods here seem aimless, and in that aimlessness, cruel. What is the point of any of them, if all they do is clutter up our town, hurting people when they run out of other things to do?

"You've a mind particular for anything? I know of ways to ward off the Shuck, but they'd... be awkward, I think, to use throughout town. Think Hermia'd have finer mind for placating a couple of them..."

I smile.

"I thought of Hermia, too. I heard that Valmont survived the duel," I say. "So perhaps her spirits will be high enough to talk things over with us." I don't know, though; it must be a hard thing, knowing any man has died in a quarrel over you. I wonder who that cold young man was, and if there's anyone who will mourn him. "Nothing particular was in my mind, just mulling things over - "

I break off as Reed says Tess's name, and I look over to see her approaching the steps.

"Tess," I say. "It's nice to see you." I glance at Glass and Reed, wondering if we should move on to safer topics, but... I named Tess as someone I thought would want to stop the bad things in this town, and if I think that, she should also know what they are. "We were talking about some of the bad fortune town has had lately," I say. "And what we can do about it."

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

The hermit woman notices me first, noddin' and sayin' "Aft'noon, Tess." Glass turns next, and then Kate. "Tess," she says, "It's nice to see you." She glances at the other two, a bit hesitantly. "Good afternoon, Miss - Reed, right?" I nod back 'n turn t'Kate. That Glass woman dunt say nothin', so I just say "'S nice t'see you too, Kate," and give her a smile.

"We were talking about some of the bad fortune town has had lately," Kate says, her voice firmin'. "And what we can do about it." Well. 'S good t'hear that. I know we ain't really bin doin' our part, and I ain't heard much word 'a the sheriff. "I'll help, 'a course." I glance at Reed, 'cause she probably knows more 'bout the family than either 'a the other two. "We should be doin' more 'n we bin doin'."

[pirate-mystic.livejournal.com]

I just keepin' quiet while the girls're talkin'. Wonderin' why the two of 'em think the librarian would be so much use to us - guessin' there's something there I don't know.

Interested to hear what young Tess has to say. We should be doin' more, she says, and I ain't thinking she means us standin' here now. A whole parcel of them out there on that farm of theirs, all turned in on themselves like these old families sometimes are. An I ain't the only one finds somethin' uncanny about them, I know that.

Don't think there anything bad there, though, so I give her a smile. "You all, you mean?"

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

Reed and Kate greet Tess, and she smiles back to Kate, and she slips in her loyalty light and smooth. "We should be doin' more 'n we bin doin'."

"You all, you mean?" Catch a bit of a lilt in Reed's voice, and look thoughtful at Tess, whose brother came by naked and covered in dirt to see Verdi, with a story thinner than winter grass and the oddest keen sense of smell.

"Think there's a matter I'd care t'settle afore this goes father," I say, sipping at my coffee and cradling the cup in both hands. Odd halt and jerk to the talk, but that's the least of what the gods've been doing to us of late. "Kate, that time I came and spoke t'you of the wedding party that was held after the paperwork was done--you recall anything particular I said?" And then we shall go from there and settle out the matter of Reed and Tess, and hopefully neither of them is that mockingbird bitch.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

I look at Glass look at Tess, stony faced, and I think of how Tess's mouth set at Glass's name. What's there, I wonder? And then Glass says:

"Kate, that time I came and spoke t'you of the wedding party that was held after the paperwork was done--you recall anything particular I said?"

I tilt my head.

"I'm no goddess, Glass," I say, with a faint smile. "But we talked of your wedding dress, and how Wanda was fussing over it more than seemed sensible." I pause, for that is known by more than just me, I think. "And... you asked about the rumour that I was getting married," I say at last, feeling a flush of remembered embarrassment, overlaid with a newer sorrow. "Do you remember who spread the gossip?" I say, for if she's asking, I should ask her back, I suppose.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

Reed smiles at me. "You all, you mean?" I flush, slightly, but it's fair 'nough. "Yeah." I guess she's bin 'round long 'nough t'get a sense 'a us, and I doubt she misses much. "'S kinda what I mean." I glance at Kate, but she's answerin' Glass, and Glass is givin' me this measurin' look, and I wish Johnny'd bin more careful.

Glass and Kate sound like they're talkin' real careful 'bout somethin', but I ain't got no idea 'bout what, so I just give Reed a kinda confused look.

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"And... you asked about the rumour that I was getting married," and I nod, and glance away from her in courtesy as the blood rises to tinge her face. "Do you remember who spread the gossip?"

"To me, it was Jenna," I say dryly. "Ran into her on Main, and she spoke of both our weddings as impending, and said she'd taken my for carrying on with Bluebeard aside." Shake my head a touch, then glance to Tess and Reed. "'m afraid I scarce know either of you--" though Tess could maybe offer explanation for some of John's oddities, I imagine that'd be too sweet to happen-- "and've little mind for a manner to prove you are who you say you are. Though if you've got aught to offer..."

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

Kate blushes answerin' Glass, and her words dunt make much sense, neither. "Do you remember who spread the gossip?" she asks Glass in return, and now 's like they're playin' a riddle, 'r a recognition game, and I'm minded t'wonder how many things walk 'round Excolo in their own shape. "To me, it was Jenna," and my gut churns a bit in remembered turmoil, "Ran into her on Main, and she spoke of both our weddings as impending, and said she'd taken my for carrying on with Bluebeard aside." She shakes her head 'n looks at Reed 'n I. I know Jenna likes t'spread talk some, but it just adds t'what I heard 'bout this Glass. Between 'Lord' Hughes (I recognize his insult-name from Jenna) and her man at the clothin' shop I feel sorry fer her husband. Though 'f he can afford that rock she's sportin', maybe he ain't that bad off neither.

"'m afraid I scarce know either of you--" she says t'us, "--and've little mind for a manner to prove you are who you say you are. Though if you've got aught to offer..." I set my jaw a bit, 'cause I ain't got t'prove who I am t'her, but since Kate's doin' it i'll carry 'long. "I dunt really know you. Johnny met you one mornin' early at the Tavern, lookin' fer someone." I turn t'Reed. "I met you one mornin', huntin' fer valerian-root and maypop." I turn t'Kate, 'n blush slightly. "Um. You thought someone here was teachin' me, and then warned me when you learned different."

That reminds me 'a them bein' good friends, her 'n Glass, and I'd better keep my manners. So I smile thin at Glass, wonderin' how she 'n Kate get 'long.

[pirate-mystic.livejournal.com]

I don't know what all they're talkin' about, but I can maybe figure some of it. "You think someone walkin' around lookin' like me?" Can't help but be amused. "Damn, Kate, don't know I could rightly tell you when we met. you ask me any question you want an I'll answer, but I can't see you not knowin' me as me, whatever damn thing come walkin' round this town."

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

Tess doesn't look pleased to be questioned, but she answers all the same, and I feel glad that Glass didn't make her lose her temper.

"Damn, Kate, don't know I could rightly tell you when we met. you ask me any question you want an I'll answer, but I can't see you not knowin' me as me, whatever damn thing come walkin' round this town."

I smile and touch Reed's arm.

"I trust you," I say softly. "But yes. There's -" I glance at Glass. "There's a... a goddess called Eris who can make herself look like other people," I say. "And she's here in town with her husband and brother." I think of the strange conversation Eris and I had. "She is a goddess of chaos, and whilst I don't think she's evil, she doesn't often seem to care to do good." I look at Tess to see how she's taking this.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

Reed figures it better than me, but she dunt follow 'long like me. I guess she knows them better. Kate smiles at her. "There's a... a goddess called Eris who can make herself look like other people," she says, and my eyebrows lift. I guess it shouldn't be so surprisin' with Johnny and everythin' else in town, but still. I hate the idea of havin' t'make sure I'm actually talkin' t'who I think. "She's here in town with her husband and brother. She is a goddess of chaos, and whilst I don't think she's evil, she doesn't often seem to care to do good."

I shake my head and sit down on the edge 'a the porch. "'S still a lot t'take in," I say, lookin' at her. "'F it weren't fer what Johnny had t'say 'bout that hound-god and Syl confirmin' 'bout that magician, well. After everythin' I guess it ain't such a surprise. Same goes fer her menfolk, as bein' gods goes?" I'm really near t'shakin' I realize, fer all I sound calm. It's easier t'hear it in talk with one person, but changin' what we're doin' and talkin' in a group 'bout it makes it seem so real, 'n so absurd all at the same time.

[pirate-mystic.livejournal.com]

Goddesses an gods, and makin' to look like other people, an there's Tess lookin like she needs somethin' to hold onto. Watch her sittin' down on the porch an feel bad I didn't get up an give her the chair.

Least Kate's sayin' she don't think this Eris is all bad. "If she don't often care to do good," I say, "means she does sometimes. Three gods in town," an I feel a fool sayin' that, gods livin' in Excolo; "you'd reckon one of them at least might want to set up against - "

Jerk my head away north, towards the Tower. No sense in sayin' its name if I don't got to.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

Tess mentions her brother and the hound god, and I feel my skin prickle.

"Johnny met the Shuck?" I say, and I feel my lips pull back against my teeth. "Thank God he is alright." I carefully don't look at Glass, because I'm sure she doesn't want it widely known that her father is a god, and I don't want to give anything away by accident.

"you'd reckon one of them at least might want to set up against - " says Reed, nodding toward the tower. I shrug.

"Maybe. I think mostly the gods in town do what pleases them - but who knows what pleases gods?" At least, these gods. I understand what I'm meant to do for Nanshe... Flowers and prayers and kindnesses to the poor. It all feels much easier to understand.

Tess is sitting on the step, looking a little faint. I have a strange impulse to sit down next to her and put my arm around her, but I hardly know her, and it would be very forward. So instead I say:

"Tess, can I get you something to drink? Coffee, or water, maybe?" I look at Glass and Reed. "Would you both like anything?" I can get black coffee from the pot in the storeroom easily enough.

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"There's -" Kate looks to me, and then says steady and plain, "There's a... a goddess called Eris who can make herself look like other people. And she's here in town with her husband and brother." And there it is, laid out neat in cool sunlight, plain as stalks or stones or the folds in a shroud.

Tess shakes her head and sits down, and she's taking it well enough. "Same goes fer her menfolk, as bein' gods goes?" And she's heard tell of the Shuck and Tez, that makes that a touch simpler. Reed's got an oddly bright take on it, I think. "If she don't often care to do good, means she does sometimes. Three gods in town, you'd reckon one of them at least might want to set up against - "

Shake my head as she jerks hers towards the tower.

"Seven," I say quietly, thanking Kate's glance and quiet as Tess mentions the Shuck. "Six come walking town since winter, and then the thing in the tower. Eris, yes; and her husband Llew who's gone twisted and lying from what he once was; and her brother Anthony Marks, butcher and god of war; and the magician from the Carnival; and mischance and murder on a winter midnight wrapped up and come walking as a hound or as a man. And another I can't speak of." Oh, Verdi, I promised, swore and that yet holds. Cyn ddistawed ar bedd.

Shake my head at Kate's offer of something to drink, and look to Reed and Tess to see how they're taking it.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

Reed gives me a look. "If she don't often care to do good," she says, "means she does sometimes. Three gods in town, you'd reckon one of them at least might want to set up against - " and she points her chin up north t'the Tower. That's worse, 'cause they know too, everyone knows the Adversary's here in our town and we never figured that out. I hardly hear Kate remark on Johnny meetin' the hound-god, but fer notin' the name she uses. "Tess, can I get you something to drink? Coffee, or water, maybe?"

I swallow. "Could do with a cup 'a water, thanks." I look up at her and she's lookin' at me concerned. I straighten up some but I still ain't feelin' good. Glass names them off and her voice is flat and matter 'a fact, and I'd not expected that sort 'a no-nonsense sound from her, fer all Jenna thinkin' her cold. That dunt help, either. "Sounds like more and meaner than I'd heard. How've you all bin copin' in town, with them wanderin' 'bout?" And who's the other? johnny mentioned somethin', but he was bein' coy.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

I slip inside and fetch Tess a glass of water. Coming back onto the porch, I hand her the glass and sit down on the step beside her, smoothing down my skirt as I do so.

"Sounds like more and meaner than I'd heard. How've you all bin copin' in town, with them wanderin' 'bout?"

I laugh faintly, but without much humour.

"Only just coping, I think. We've been... lucky, I suppose, so far. There have been deaths - too many - and some... upsets," I say, thinking of Eris deceiving Iago and Gaueko throwing Iago's father through a window. "But I suppose, given how many of them there are, it could have been worse." I rest my hands on my knees. "And often they seem to be able to mix with people," I say, because I'll be fair to them. "Lugh and Eris and Ares, for instance, have been quite polite, often. They even held a party. But all in all... It's been a strain." I touch Tess lightly on the arm. "But that's why we're going to do something. Together we're strong, I think. So many people here have talents." Reed with her soldiering and Glass who's an expert in herbs, and Tess who if she's looking to Syl for help may know something of magic... I wish I had some more unusual skills, but I'll do what I can. "Nothing is hopeless," I say, firmly. "Times are hard, but we are harder." I lift my head a little proudly. "We're a fine town, Excolo."

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

Kate leaves 'n comes back, handin' me the cup 'n then sittin' 'aside me, smoothin' her skirts as she does. "Only just coping, I think. We've been... lucky, I suppose, so far. There have been deaths - too many - and some... upsets," she says, lookin' distant at her memories. "But I suppose, given how many of them there are, it could have been worse." She mentions them goin' to 'n holdin' parties, but she dunt sound too cheerful 'bout them. She touches me light on the arm 'n I'm feelin' bad 'nough I almost press my side 'gainst her fer the comfort, but I dunt. Dunt think she'd take it well, but then I still can't quite figure her out fer that.

"But that's why we're going to do something," she says, her voice gettin' stronger. "Together we're strong, I think. So many people here have talents." She looks 'round at us. "Nothing is hopeless," she continues, her voice gainin' power. "Times are hard, but we are harder. We're a fine town, Excolo." She's holdin' her head high now, and it makes me smile. I put my hand on hers, briefly.

"So what d'we do, then?"

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"Sounds like more and meaner than I'd heard. How've you all bin copin' in town, with them wanderin' 'bout?" I try not to smile, and there'd be no humour in it anyway.

"Only just coping, I think. We've been... lucky, I suppose, so far. There have been deaths - too many - and some... upsets," and isn't that a polite word for it. "But I suppose, given how many of them there are, it could have been worse. And often they seem to be able to mix with people. Lugh and Eris and Ares, for instance, have been quite polite, often. They even held a party." So's Bluebeard, and Iago's father and grandmother have polish and grace to them, and with all I've seen from the one and heard from the other I'm thinking they've had folk who didn't suit them quietly disappear in their time. Politeness means little enough for safety, when it's only stretched over claws.

"Even Tez has his moments of courtesy," I point out, "and the Shuck's been near to faultless polite, and the thing from the tower when I saw it. And Ares threatened to set his dog on two women for choosing not t'speak with him, and Llew murdered a man in the street over squabbling with his pet." Offer Tess a dry smile. "Needn't worry over that. Man in question got better. Excolo's all its own oddities, these days." Turn my coffee cup in my hands a moment, quietly glad that Kate's not caught hard attention from any of them.

"Polite if it pleases them to be, I'd never deny. But no matter that they can lie well enough to dress up as folk sometimes, don't dare mistake them for such, nor for seeing us that way... Save one, maybe, who I'd not counted." Echo of a great and sweeping calm, then, and the twisted smile fades from my face. "There's another, a god of death, and... he at least I think sees us as--as other than pets or tools." As folk he deals with grave and just in his time and his being, and I'd call him that which Iago once and long ago named sacred, though I've little enough mind for how to set that out. "Calls himself an angel."

"Together we're strong, I think. So many people here have talents," Kate says, touching Tess light on the arm. "Nothing is hopeless. Times are hard, but we are harder." Think of telling myself over and often that I've been through worse, and I think that's truer after this summer than it's been all my life, and I swallow and remember pallid bleaching brightness for a moment, and come back to Kate saying "We're a fine town, Excolo." with the thought in my mind that there can't be worse done. Thin comfort.

"So what d'we do, then?"

"There's ways to ward against at least one of them," I say thoughtfully. "It'd be marked as my work if it came t'his attention--with all that entails--and it's not perfect, but it'd start. Like to be something of a kind for the others, charm against or bribe or covenant. The library's been uncommon helpful on that score, I find."

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

Glass sniffs at the idea of the gods being polite, and I know it well enough... But Tess is looking frightened enough, I think, to have to hear about these petty cruelties. That is the right word, I think. Petty. And that is why, whilst I might have fallen into the habit of calling these creatures gods, I don't think they deserve the name. No matter what powers they have.

Tess touches my hand lightly, and I squeeze her hand back for a moment, trying to give comfort.

"It'd be marked as my work if it came t'his attention--with all that entails--and it's not perfect, but it'd start. Like to be something of a kind for the others, charm against or bribe or covenant. The library's been uncommon helpful on that score, I find."

I breathe out and shake my head.

"I'd like to keep his attention from you, Glass," I say. "So we shouldn't put that ward all over town. But perhaps a few well placed charms could protect us without making him angry." I think of Gaueko showing his displeasure to his daughter, and I shiver. No, never. Glass has been through enough. "It seems to me," I say thoughtfully, "there are a lot of rules gods need to abide by, no matter how lawless they appear. Rules and superstitions. You're right, Glass. The library is a fine place to start. Perhaps we should meet there another day and see what we can find. There being a few of us there will make the task faster." I look around at the three of them. Such different women, but each strong. "I'm glad to know you all," I say quietly. "I think we can do some good, together."

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

Glass sounds hard and brittle, layin' out the gods and their stripes. "Polite if it pleases them to be," she continues, her mouth twisted in a grimace 'r a grin, "I'd never deny. But no matter that they can lie well enough to dress up as folk sometimes, don't dare mistake them for such, nor for seeing us that way... Save one, maybe, who I'd not counted." She calms down some and it makes me wonder 'bout that one. And then she names him "angel", 'n my eyes goes wide. Right out 'a the Book, that, and all fer opposin' the Adversary.

"There's ways to ward against at least one of them," Glass says thoughtful, and I got t'say I'm thinkin' better 'a her now, with the edge in her voice fer false gods 'n givin' plans t'halt 'r at least placate them.

Kate squeezes me hand back. "I'd like to keep his attention from you, Glass," she says, and Johnny said she smelled as like the hound-god, somehow, and his blood 'round her jacket. The witchfinder itches, but not so much I bin noticin' it 'till I thought on it. It ain't really magic then, if she's carryin' it. Not like the bells are meant fer, anyways. Sounds like we're fer the library, then, and I'm glad I bin readin' the journals 'cause none 'a us 'r really good at readin'. Other 'n the Book 'a course.

Kate looks 'round at us. "I'm glad to know you all," she says quiet but proud. "I think we can do some good, together." It makes me smile through my shock, 'n I give her a quick hug. "Thanks, Kate." I look at Reed 'n Glass. "I - I got some journals 'n such that might help some. I'll go through 'em and see 'f there's anythin' a use in those." I dunt want t'let anyone 'a them read them, fer all I kinda trust 'em, but I ought t'look myself.

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"I'd like to keep his attention from you, Glass," and I breathe out easy, and find my fingers aren't knotted quite so tight 'round the stoneware heat of my cup. "It seems to me, there are a lot of rules gods need to abide by, no matter how lawless they appear. Rules and superstitions."

I nod, thinking of bells and blood--things woven into them, maybe, bones or nature. And thinking of the work Kate did, turning that nail into more iron than itself, and how she stands at the heart of the town. "My days are free, of late," I say. "Name time that suits, and I can be there."

"I'm glad to know you all," she adds in that quiet voice that's oak-steady, "I think we can do some good, together," and there's a quick light squeeze in my heart, a memory of something ice-blue and cold, maybe only worry over winter coming and which of us'll see the other side of it... and I swallow, and it passes, and I think that for all I hate messes there's few enough I'd set my hands to for trying to set this to rights but Kate O'Hara's one.

And Tess hugs Kate, quick and light, and I consider her--not angry, really, and I'm sure Kate'll straighten things gracious if she pleases, but I can feel some part of me being ready to bristle if she's left my friend ill at ease. And then she lets Kate go and offers "I - I got some journals 'n such that might help some. I'll go through 'em and see 'f there's anythin' a use in those."

...the Thiess family is really getting truly fascinating, I swear it. "I've... little enough that I've not already used," I say thoughtful. "But I'll think on things, and find what I can."

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

Tess leans in and hugs me, and I blink, but her arms are gone from around me quicker than I can react. I'm glad that she and Glass keep on talking, because that means I don't have to say anything about it. I can still feel the warm weight of her against me, like an echo, and I don't know whether to smile or frown.

"Name time that suits, and I can be there."

"My days off are Sundays and Mondays," I say. "If that suits anyone."

"I - I got some journals 'n such that might help some. I'll go through 'em and see 'f there's anythin' a use in those."

I wonder what's in Tess's journals. Are they her family's? I wonder about the Thiesses, who keep themselves so apart from everyone. They live a few miles out of town, true, but every farm around here has horses, and it'd be an easy enough thing for them to trot in on a wagon. But they almost never do. It doesn't seem to fit with Tess, who seems so eager to show affection, or with Johnny, who has a clumsy sort of sociable sweetness. But perhaps that's why they are in town, not at home...

"But I'll think on things, and find what I can."

I nod, and look at Reed, who has been silent but listening. None of us here are given to speaking at length if it's not needed, I think.

I stand up, brushing the dust from my skirt.

"I need to get the store opened up again," I say. "I think the hour's passed. But thank you all for stopping by," I say. I touch Tess's shoulder lightly with my fingertips, and then squeeze Reed's warm, hard hand with my own, and finally take the coffee cup from Glass and let our fingers meet, just for a moment. I don't know why it seems important to touch them all in this moment, but it has a sense of ritual, somehow, and of connection.

"We'll meet again soon," I say. "Do drop by any time, though, if you're passing," I say with a smile to them all but a tilt of the head to Glass to let her know I have things to tell her, if she's interested in hearing, and then I go into the store, feeling much lighter in heart.