The Great Tragedy of Youth

Ingredients:

1. Emotionally Volatile Teenager

2. Several glasses of rum

3. Polite Company

Throw them all into a Christmas Holiday Ball and mix well. But it will not keep for more than a few hours, you'll have to throw it out the following day.

(See results below)

The end of the Govenors Christmas Ball. 20th December 1899

[18:57] Cassandra Whitesong beams at Lilly, I'm just next door"

[18:58] Lillian Joy Swann smiled as she'd wave to all, "You all have a wonderful rest of your night! Thank you again Miss Kitty and Mister Governor for a wonderful evening!"

[18:58] Sadie Hiker is trying hard not to laugh, and snaps her fingers at Phillip "C'mon Rummy, lets get y'sobered up!"

[18:58] Jackson Menkes: Good night miss Cassie!

[18:58] Wedge Zeluco: good night you two

[18:58] KittyDoxie: good evening miss Lillian

[18:58] Vera Porter: think the ball is about to end

[18:58] Lillian Joy Swann smiled to her friend, "Ready when you are."

[18:58] Jackson Menkes: oh?

[18:59] Jackson Menkes: I won't shoot anyone that keeps dancing

[18:59] Jackson Menkes: much

[18:59] Neithan Philip Harnett smiles wide at sadie "im snot rummy! see!" taps the glass bottle of cola

[19:00] Cassandra Whitesong nods, "Yes, this way Lillly"

[19:00] Lillian Joy Swann blinked a bit as she'd hear Phillip, "PHILLIP!" she'd yell out, "Get down here right this instant, young man!"

[19:00] Sadie Hiker laughs even though she knows she shouldn't be "Mister, y'gonna have y'self one heck of ah mornin."

[19:00] Cassandra Whitesong gigglies, "I think he's fallen asleep"

[19:01] Cassandra Whitesong: On his feet

[19:01] Vera Porter: it was a lovely evening

[19:01] Sadie Hiker waves her hat to everyone "Night y'all! Merry Christmas! An Kitty, be sure t'say gud'nite t'mah daughter for me!"

[19:01] KittyDoxie: good evening miss vera

[19:01] Neithan Philip Harnett blinks and looks around startled by the disembodied voice

[19:01] Wedge Zeluco: good night Vera

[19:01] DollEyes Wise: happy holidays!

[19:01] DollEyes Wise: hugs you both

[19:01] KittyDoxie flashes a look at sadie

[19:01] KittyDoxie: YOU MEAN MY DAUGHTER!

[19:01] Sadie Hiker: c'mon Rummy

[19:01] Sadie Hiker laughs as she goes "Time will tell!"

[19:02] Lillian Joy Swann blinked out of her daze, "Oh dear, sorry..."

[19:02] Cassandra Whitesong: Good night Miss Vera

[19:02] Lillian Joy Swann: Have a good night, Vera!

[19:03] Sadie Hiker yells "Phillip! Get those scrawny legs down here! We're goin!"

[19:03] Neithan Philip Harnett pouts putting the bottle on the bar "bye everyone, thank you for the party mr jackson and miss kitty."

[19:04] Neithan Philip Harnett: sadie theres to many stairs sadie!

[19:04] Sadie Hiker struggles not to laugh "Ah know just how y'feel, c'mon, lets get ya t'Cassies"

At Cassie's Ranch

[19:06] Lillian Joy Swann had rubbed her eyes some whilst allowing them to adjust, "Oh my, you've gone all out for the season, haven't you? " she'd say with a chuckle, "And good thinking on the coffee, he's going to need it with all that he put into his system this evening."

[19:07] Sadie Hiker knocks on the door, not sure she should be bringing an inebriated teenager with her

[19:07] Cassandra Whitesong nods and nods, "Have a seat!" she says merrily as she pours some spiced mulled wine for Lilly as she goes to see on the coffee in the kitchen, she calls, "Come in Sadie!"

[19:08] Sadie Hiker looks at Phillip and slowly sways herself from left to right "How y'feelin?"

[19:08] Lillian Joy Swann looked over at the sound of the knock, "Oh, I think-" she'd chuckle before going to take a seat, "Thank you so much!"

[19:08] Neithan Philip Harnett puts his hand out to lean agains the post but its to far away and he almost falls into the snow again but somehow manages to catch himself

[19:09] Sadie Hiker smiles "Cassie, Lillian. Apologies fur... " nods to Phillip

[19:09] Lillian Joy Swann peered back over her shoulder, smiling to Sadie and Phillip, "Oh dear, " she couldn't help but let off a small chuckle at the sight of Phillip.

[19:10] Cassandra Whitesong: "Come sit, or lie down Phillip" she chuckles as she brings a tray of coffee and cakes and some mulled wine she had heating in the kitchen

[19:10] Lillian Joy Swann nodded to Sadie, "Oh, it's all good!" she'd say while taking a sip of her wine.

[19:10] Neithan Philip Harnett looks around the house vaguely familiar confused then spots cassie and lilly and grins at them "hello!"

[19:10] Sadie Hiker chuckles "Well, he sure ain't gonna forget this Christmas Ball, well, if he duz, he ain't gonna be forgettin t'morrow mornin, thats fur sure"

[19:11] Sadie Hiker leans to Phillip "Y'think y'gonna hurl, outside. You duz nawt do that in here. okay?"

[19:12] Cassandra Whitesong looks concerned, "Have some strong hot coffee, I think that might help"

[19:12] Lillian Joy Swann let out a small laugh, "Well, if you need anything from the Russ tomorrow, such as crackers or coffee, please help yourselves. I also have peppermint candies stashed away in one of the kitchen drawers if he gets nauseous."

[19:13] Neithan Philip Harnett pouts hearing sadie "m'snot gonna be sick!"

[19:13] Lillian Joy Swann lifted her brow some, "You say that now!"

[19:14] Cassandra Whitesong smirks hiding her mirth, she doesn't know why but she was finding this a little funny, remembering her first time being drunk and it was not fun, her head spun like mad, she looks at Sadie and says, "How many .. drinks did he have?" with an oh my concern back in her eyes

[19:15] Sadie Hiker smile "Thank y'Miss Lilly" and laughs and nods "Yup. Yung man's first hangover. He's gonna treasure it." and looks to Cassie and shrugs "Ah have no idea, lil'sneak..."

[19:15] Lillian Joy Swann shook her head a time or two with a bit of a grin.

[19:16] Cassandra Whitesong pours herself a mulled wine and sets it in front of the chair she'll be settling in, and then pours one for Sadie

[19:17] Lillian Joy Swann quietly stirred the mulled wine with the cinnamon stick in her glass.

[19:17] Sadie Hiker smiles "Thank y'Cassie" then looks to Philip "N'before y'ask, No."

[19:18] Neithan Philip Harnett looks around frowning "sadie! I lost the stick!" the boy looks as as indignant as he can manage right now "snot my first hangover! m'not a baby so nomore stupid closet!"

[19:18] Lillian Joy Swann nodded in agreement with Sadie, "I think Miss Cassie has some coffee for young Phillip there."

[19:19] Lillian Joy Swann looked up to Cassie with a bit of a wink, before looking over to Phillip, "It may SNOT be your first hangover, but you do have a little snot.. or a boogie dangling from your nose."

[19:19] Cassandra Whitesong pressed her lips together at Sadie joking about him getting some mulled wine, it was delicious and she loved it, but she had left a pot on the stove with more heating, she had made coffee and cake and now sits, chuckling a little. Poor Phillip

[19:19] Sadie Hiker gives Phillip a sympathetic smile "That's right. It ain't. Y'want some coffee?"

[19:23] Neithan Philip Harnett looks horrofied hearing lilly and clumsily checks his pockets for his handkerchief finally finding it in the inside pocked and wipes his nose and stuffs the rag back in his pocket in exagerated disgust and follows sadie a little way to the chair and nods mumbleing "yes please."

[19:23] Cassandra Whitesong asks, "So how did you like the ball! I'm so glad I got to dance after not having had any chance in a long while! When I go on the road, we just work work work"

[19:24] Cassandra Whitesong smiles at Phillip, she wonders how old he is, she says, "When I was 16, I ran away from home and headed out west and ran out of money by the time I got to Tombstone. Never made it to California back then. Miss Angel gave me a job at her bakery. Sheriff Angel"

[19:25] Sadie Hiker smiles "It wuz gud t'see ev'ryone. Kinda sad none ah the yung'ens wuz there. But still, it wuz nice t'get out."

[19:26] Lillian Joy Swann looked up following another small sip, "Oh, it was definitely a lovely ball, though.. I do wish my dear Mr. Topaz had been there, " she'd then nod, "I do remember that! You came into town about four or five months after I had. I'd come into the bakery every once in a while to gather things for the Russ!"

[19:26] Sadie Hiker watches Philip miss the couch and sit on the floor... and smiles, feeling so incredibly proud of him right now, and knowing how incredibly wrong that is

[19:28] Neithan Philip Harnett: "miss kitty partys are the worst all anyone does is dance an talk and dance and talk and s'... s'boreing!"

[19:28] Lillian Joy Swann quickly covered her mouth with her free hand to try and muffle a laugh.

[19:29] Sadie Hiker leans over "Y'forgot t'mention the drinkin..."

[19:29] Cassandra Whitesong nodded at Sadie and Lilly, then at Phillip's comment, she chuckled, agreeing with him, but remains quiet, she says, "I'm going to have some cake! There is never any food at her soirees" chuckles at Sadie's last comment

[19:30] Cassandra Whitesong cuts everyone a slice and places it on the table beside them and then begins to eat hers, coz truly she was famished, "I don't remember the last time I ate today! I was so busy getting dressed and getting dressed!"

[19:30] Neithan Philip Harnett giggles and sips at his coffee wrinkleing his nose at the taste but looks up at sadie "see i didn't burm by mouth!"

[19:31] Lillian Joy Swann looked to Cassie for a moment with a nod after hearing her words, " That's because Miss Kitty has to fit all her ego and big head through that dress, if she adds food it may rip," she'd say before dipping her head down for another sip.

[19:32] Sadie Hiker laughs putting her hand to her mouth "Oh dun get me started awn that buzzard..."

[19:33] Lillian Joy Swann looked up from her drink, "Oh dear, did I say that out loud?" she'd say with a laugh

[19:33] Cassandra Whitesong almost chokes on a morsel of moist cake, swallows and then giggles, sipping her sweet mulled wine, but she needed all the energy right now. Chuckles at Lilly.

[19:33] Neithan Philip Harnett: miss kittys dress was like a wedding one. mr jackson needs to start planning a wedding miss doll says so!

[19:34] Sadie Hiker giggles and nods to Lilly

[19:35] Lillian Joy Swann frowned some at the mention of a wedding, only to realize that she was and immediately lifts the corners of her mouth into a soft smile.

[19:36] Sadie Hiker puffs and sips her drink muttering "Ah rekon ah gawt more chance ah gettin married than Doxie duz..."

[19:37] Neithan Philip Harnett is focusing very hard and puts his cup down on the table not wanting to knock it over then goes to pick up his cake his hand eye coordination was completely off and he just touches the table top instead and huffs

[19:38] Lillian Joy Swann tilted her head whilst watching Phillip trying to put his cup down, "You need some help there, Phillip?"

[19:39] Lillian Joy Swann then nodded to Sadie, "I think anyone has a better chance than she does, even John."

[19:40] Neithan Philip Harnett shakes his head ignoreing the cake and hugs his knees "no thank you misslilly... i did it!"

[19:40] Cassandra Whitesong notices that Phillip is actually inebriated, she looks sympathetic, and asks, "I also can make peppermint tea if that is better?" it's been a long time since she had been drunk so she couldn't remember how to help him. She looks helplessly at Lilly, feeling awful for Phillp, but he can eat cake, and he wants cake, so that should mean he's not too poorly, she hears a horse neigh thinks her horse was protesting something

[19:41] Sadie Hiker chokes and coughs hearing Lillian, nodding "Ah can't see it. Ah rekon if it wun fur Jawn n'the Guv'ner... Annie's wud go out of business"

[19:42] Lillian Joy Swann offered the young man a bit of a gentle smile with a nod, "Alrighty, well if you change your mind we're here to help in any way," her gaze then shifted over to Sadie, " You do have a point there, John seems to have a permanent residence there inside of Annie's."

[19:43] Neithan Philip Harnett: annies cant do that! that funny girl hasnt even got her job yet!

[19:43] Lillian Joy Swann tilted her head some, "Funny girl? Which girl, Phillip?"

[19:44] Sadie Hiker hears Philip, looks to Lillian and shrugs shaking her head

[19:45] Lillian Joy Swann having caught Sadie's shrug and head shake she'd give her a nod with a silent, "Ahhh.."

[19:46] Neithan Philip Harnett yawns rubbing his eyes "the funny girl at mr olivers old house. she has no more money so shes looking after it for me tell she gets a job. she went to go talk to miss chili cos she gignt want to work for the gunsmith cos he's a miserable git."

[19:46] Neithan Philip Harnett snickers at the last part looking up at sadie "she thinks you are a boy!"

[19:47] Lillian Joy Swann furrowed her brows as she'd ponder of the last few weeks, trying to think of the girl he may be talking about, "Wait... " and suddenly she remembered the young lady she had met at Kate's when she brought the cloth of ice to her nephew, "Oh wait... Young Miss Tabbie?"

[19:47] Sadie Hiker can feel herself beginning to turn red with anger as she slowly figures out what Philip is saying

[19:48] Lillian Joy Swann gasped a bit after hearing Phillip, "Oh erm.. I.. uh.." she'd then look towards the table, "Cookies!" she'd blurt out to try and soften the mood a bit.

[19:49] Neithan Philip Harnett nods to lilly "tab i tha but she likes being tabbie. i don't like that name bery much though."

[19:49] Sadie Hiker restrains herself for a moment as asks as calmly as she can "An how, exactly, is she livin' in your house?"

[19:50] Cassandra Whitesong frowns listening, and then says, "Oh that sweet young lady I saw at the School ... er.. School Comity meeting.. what has happened to her?"

[19:50] Lillian Joy Swann slowly sank back into her seat, listening as she waited to hear Phillip's answer.

[19:52] Sadie Hiker looks to Cassie "If ahm understandin' this right... she turned down my job offer... to go an work at Annies... and somehow... she is shacked up in Phillips house... while he is livin' with us." and glares at Phillip "You gawt sum serious explainin' t'be doin?"

[19:52] Neithan Philip Harnett: miss kittys bed and breakfast people kicked her out cos she had no more money so i let her stay at my house cos shes to old for the orphange

[19:53] Lillian Joy Swann furrowed her brows a bit as she heard, "Miss Kitty... Of course.. " she'd say with a snort, and not a happy one.

[19:53] Neithan Philip Harnett: she cant read or write or anything, she needs to go to school but shes to big like im to big for school now so im not going back!

[19:54] Lillian Joy Swann shot Cassie a bit of a look after hearing all this.

[19:55] Sadie Hiker burries her face in her hands "Ah can't believe ahm hearin' this... Philip, she's twenty one! y'gawt ah twenty one year old... trollop shacked up in'yah house! What will people... what wuz y'thinkin!"

[19:55] Neithan Philip Harnett: an tab it tha has to be a grownup who can't read or write... thats going to be dificilt

[19:55] Cassandra Whitesong chokes a little in surprise to discover the girl has gone to work at Annie's, that is a ... bordelo. And, she is living in Phillip's house. Shakes her head, "Oh my" and catching Lillly's looks she shakes her head some more, "That doesn't sound good.. she's soiling herself and not .. right to be living in the house where Joseph lives.. lived, will live"

[19:56] Sadie Hiker looks between Cassie and Lillian shaking her head "Ahm gonna have t'fix this before Nicolette finds out..."

[19:56] Neithan Philip Harnett: she's not she's not twentone she's eighteen

[19:56] Lillian Joy Swann just glared at Phillip for a moment, "Boy, you have a lot to learn."

[19:57] Sadie Hiker rolls her eyes "Honestly, Phillip, ah thought y'wuz smarter than this..."

[19:57] Neithan Philip Harnett flinches a little not understanding why he was in trouble.

[19:58] Lillian Joy Swann would keep going, "Of course she said she was eighteen, she was in trouble and wanted help, but she is the last danged person you want living in your home."

[19:59] Cassandra Whitesong nods, "But old enough to decide what's right and what's wrong. I was broke when I got to this town. I didnt' go work at Annie's. There are plenty other places to be employed at. Sadie had offered her a job" nods and nods. But gives Phillip a sympathetic look, he was being kind to the homeless woman. She says, "It's just.. unseemly, dear Phillip.. perhaps she can live with Miss Kefira or Miss CHili"

[19:59] Neithan Philip Harnett hugs his knees sulking "i only wanted to help, when people don't get helped they end up with everyone hateing them for ages like sadie had."

[20:00] Sadie Hiker sighs out loud shaking her head, glaring down at him "Do nawt, ah repeat, do NAWT mention this t'Nicolette. Ah'll fix it..." then looks to Cassie "Ah offered her ah jawb in mah shop! So did Dani... She had no need ah reason t'got t'that... place..."

[20:01] Lillian Joy Swann sighed a bit as she'd look down to her glass for a moment, then back up to him, "Boy, we're not saying this to be spiteful, we just want what's best for you and little Joseph."

[20:02] Cassandra Whitesong looks at Sadie, she had not known Sadie's history, so didn't know what Phillip was talking about. She looks quizzical, then shakes her head and says, " So this Tabbie, refused two good offers of employment to go dance naked in the ... bordello." sighs nodding at what Lillian said, "Yes. It's unseemly. You don't want well, you want what's best for Joseph."

[20:02] Sadie Hiker nods, controlling her rage "It ain't you Phillip, y'just gawt out'ah boardin' School... y'been taken advantage of. It's gonna be okay..." and silently preys Kitty doesn't hear about this.

[20:02] Neithan Philip Harnett: stop calling me tat! mr wes says son i'm not son an im not boy! i'm sixteen!

[20:03] Lillian Joy Swann lifted her left brow for a moment, "Oh, excuse me, Mister Maaaaan."

[20:04] Cassandra Whitesong tries to keep a straight face, at Lilly's response

[20:05] Lillian Joy Swann looked up to Sadie, then back to Phillip, knowing that her temper wasn't exactly something she was proud of, especially after throwing and smashing a pie on her brother, Conway.

[20:05] Sadie Hiker looks to Cassie and nods "That's 'bout it, in ah nutshell" then glares at Phillip "An you duz NAWT speak t'ah proper lady like that! Nah you apologise t'Miss Lillian right nah!"

[20:05] Neithan Philip Harnett: i don't want to work at your shop either sadie. i don't want to smell like maggots or my hand get exploded off!"

[20:05] Lillian Joy Swann's eyes had widened, "Ok.. that is.. IT, Phillip, you will show Sadie the respect she deserves!"

[20:06] Cassandra Whitesong chuckled, she couldn't help herself as both Lilly and Sadie request Phillip's apology to each other

[20:07] Neithan Philip Harnett frowns at his feet stubornly avoiding eyecontact with both of them.

[20:07] Lillian Joy Swann: Unless you would like to work a week in the Undertaker's office, and boy do I have a list of chores that would be perfect for you.

[20:07] Cassandra Whitesong shudders at that, imagining the chores there

[20:08] Sadie Hiker nods "A rekon that wud be right ways t'pay off the disrespect y'shown Miss Lillian? wun y'agree Phillip?"

[20:09] Neithan Philip Harnett grumbles wordlessly and pulls his stupid hat over his eyes as though that would make them all vanish

[20:10] Lillian Joy Swann: Now let's see here... I have a few coffins that need moving and polishing, and a chained up one that needs the chains removed.. the shelf of embalming fluids needs cleaning and rearranging.. oh and you'll need a ladder to get some of the cobwebs down.

[20:11] Cassandra Whitesong listened and looks at Phillip with eyes twinkling, "You might wake up to wonder what got you into this" chuckles

[20:13] Sadie Hiker looks between Lillian and Cassandra shaking her head a little "Ah am so, so very sorry ladies... Ah had no idea any ah this wuz goin' awn.. and ah think it's clear that alcohol really duz bring out the worst ah this one. Oh, ah can assure you he will be comin' t'see you with his tail between his legs t'work off that insult Lilly, ah'll make sure ah that."

[20:13] Neithan Philip Harnett growls into the darkness "i'm not a skivvy"

[20:14] Sadie Hiker glares "No, right nah, you are ah very rude n'petulant child. An ah thought better of'ay."

[20:14] Cassandra Whitesong chuckles at his comment, softly, and hides it by taking a sip of her mulled wine.

[20:15] Lillian Joy Swann shot Phillip a sharp glare, "What was that? You know.. until you can act like a young man, you will be treated as a boy, chores and all." she'd then nod to Sadie, " Thank you."

[20:19] Neithan Philip Harnett hears sadie and whimpers feeling that cut deep and still hidden under his hat his eyes well up with tears and with a pitiful wobble in his voice he says "goaway"

[20:20] Cassandra Whitesong feels bad for Phillip now, he was suffering from the alchohol, making him weepy, she says, "Would you like more coffee, Phillip?"

[20:21] Neithan Philip Harnett shakes his head

[20:23] Sadie Hiker sighs, knowing this is just the alcohol, and more angry knowing someone has taken advantage of his good nature... but that problem she will be taking care of first thing in the morning..

[20:24] Cassandra Whitesong pulls her gloves off, she was getting hot, the fire was going nicely, having popped in a couple more logs. She says, "It will all seem better in the morning. It always does, after the first hour or so had passed" as she remembers the grogginess like she had cotton balls in her mouth...

[20:25] Sadie Hiker nods "It will.... An if he 'members any ah this, he's gonna be beatin' himself up over it, ah know that..."

[20:26] Lillian Joy Swann slowly took in a series of deep breaths that she would exhale after few seconds, feeling herself calming down some, as she'd nod.

[20:27] Neithan Philip Harnett slowly lifts his hat and tearfully looks up at lilly "please, i don't want to work with bodys."

[20:28] Sadie Hiker leans over and says softly "Well then, dun y'think y'wanna be sayin sorry t'Miss Lilly fur the way y'spoke t'her?"

[20:28] Lillian Joy Swann tilted her head some, as she felt her heart break at the sight of his tear-stained face, "Oh Phillip..." her tone softened, she knew she had to stay firm, but it was so hard to do so with that face.

[20:28] Cassandra Whitesong makes a sympathetic face, she wouldn't want to work with dead bodies nearby either, she tsks feeling for Phillip. Sips her wine, it was giving her nice mellow feeling. Nods at that, "oh, yes, that would solve everything"

[20:29] Lillian Joy Swann let out a rather heavy sigh, "And make sure you apologize to both Miss Sadie and Miss Cassie, for the way you spoke to Sadie and for doing so in Miss Cassie's home."

[20:32] Neithan Philip Harnett takes a slow shakey breathe and an wipes his face on the sleeve of his coat forgetting about the handkercheif with how worked up he had gotten himself an nods "i'm sorry i've been so horroble and rude to allofyou." he blinks away burning tears "i'm sorry."

[20:33] Sadie Hiker reaches out a hand to put on his shoulder for reassurance, but clenches a fist and pulls it back, knowing if she touched him now it would probably send him into a rage of panic... and smiles a little hearing him "Apology accepted. It'll all be alright in the mornin, just you see."

[20:33] Cassandra Whitesong nods and nods, she had not minded but she would not undermine the other two women who were teaching Phillip. She says, "It will be all better, I'm sure, tomorrow... Phillip."

[20:33] Cassandra Whitesong giggles at Sadie

[20:34] Lillian Joy Swann nodded to Phillip, "All is well, may not be so well in the morning, but it is with all of us."

[20:36] Neithan Philip Harnett takes a few short hickupy breaths and nods wipeing his eyes again and swallows the lump in his throat "i want it to be morning... i want to go home"

[20:38] Cassandra Whitesong nods, at Phillip, poor young man, she rises, "You probably need to lie down really badly. Sadie, why don't you take the carriage home, it will be safer I think?" she looks to the back and says, "I can have my farm hand get it ready"

[20:40] Lillian Joy Swann slowly leaned forward to set her glass down onto the table, frowning she'd look over to her right, "Miss Cassie's right, best sleep it all off."

[20:40] Sadie Hiker nods "Ah'll get y'home." then looks to Cassie "Thank y'fur y'hospitality, and ah am so, so very sorry 'bout this... an'thank ya, but ah thinks a walk home in the brisk air will help him sleep it off..."

[20:41] Cassandra Whitesong nods and nods, "Oh you say so... Lilly. you can take the carriage home? Or stay the night, we can enjoy a nice breakfast together"

[20:41] Cassandra Whitesong: If you say so*

[20:41] Sadie Hiker stands, straightening her vest, muttering to herself "Dun like the gunsmith cos he's a miserable git... ohkay..."

[20:42] Lillian Joy Swann sighed a bit, "I think I had best walk, but thank you, Cassie.. I need some time to think about erm.. things.." she'd say as she'd start to twist her engagement ring around her finger.

[20:42] Lillian Joy Swann slowly lifted herself up out of the seat.

[20:43] Cassandra Whitesong tilts her head, "Who is the gunsmith?" she wondered, and then hearing Lilly, she nodded, sad to see them all go. She was lonely here alone, the farm hand didn't talk more than a couple words in a sentence

[20:43] Lillian Joy Swann cleared her throat and notioned to Sadie

[20:43] Sadie Hiker smiles to Lilly and Cassie "Well, wun how ah wuz expectin' the evenin' t'pan out... ah hope ah can trust in y'discretion awn the revelations Young Phillip made..." then smilest to Cassie "That wud be me. Ah own the Gunsmith's."

[20:44] Lillian Joy Swann nodded, "Her shop is actually right next to my home in Black Diamond."

[20:45] Sadie Hiker adds "Currently expandin' out t'Goldfield too.. gonna have two stores shortly. new signs bein' made n'everything."

[20:45] Lillian Joy Swann: Oh, that's wonderful!

[20:45] Cassandra Whitesong brows raised she had not known, "Oh! I used to have a bakery there, we, me and Gerty worked so hard, but we didn't have any customers.." chuckles. "I dont' remember seeing your shop, Sadie. Ah that is good to know, I'll come buy a derringer from you"

[20:46] Cassandra Whitesong goes to wrap up some buttery cookies she made, "These are for Joseph."

[20:46] Sadie Hiker nods "Gunsmiths up in Black Diamond, Guns, bait n'tackle down awn the crik in Goldfield."

[20:46] Sadie Hiker beams "Aw, that is most generous and he will be thrilled. Thank you."

[20:47] Sadie Hiker holds out her hand with a smile to Phillip

[20:48] Lillian Joy Swann slowly walked over to the door, "Anyhow, I best get on home, thank you for opening your home up to us, Cassie, the wine was absolutely delicious."

[20:48] Sadie Hiker smiles "Take care Lilly"

[20:49] Sadie Hiker: C'mon Phillip, lets get you home

[20:49] Cassandra Whitesong: hugs Lilly and says, "Be safe. And I will see you soon, Lilly!"

[20:49] Neithan Philip Harnett is slowly regaining something that resembles composure with the occasional dry sob as he sits there half listening to the women half lost in his groggy mess of a brain and blinks seing sadies hand and stares for a moment like its a snake ready to bite her but then takes the offered help and stands.

[20:49] Lillian Joy Swann smiled with a wave, "You as well, Sadie, and you too, Phillip,' she'd then turn to Cassie and returns the hug, "You as well, I hope to see you soon, too!"

[20:50] Neithan Philip Harnett: *her=him

[20:50] Cassandra Whitesong watches Sadie and Phillip come out, and goes to hug Sadie, "Thank you for coming to spend some time with me! And I'll come by to your shop" smiles at Phillip, 'You decide in the morning if you hate drinking or love it. Good night. Get some rest"

[20:51] Sadie Hiker smiles "Thank y'gain fur y' hospitality Cassie, an ah dun gets t'mention it earlier, but this is one stunning dress." and hugs Cassie

[20:51] Sadie Hiker waits for phillip, hoping he doesn't have any more revelations

[20:52] Cassandra Whitesong glad a little angel told her to pick pink, she beams, "See you very soon! Perhaps we can bring the new year in together!"

[20:52] Sadie Hiker smiles "New century. That wud be summin. Ah rekon we needs t'be talkin' bout that soon."

[20:52] Neithan Philip Harnett: goodnight miss cassie, i'm sorry i was so horrid to everyone

[20:53] Cassandra Whitesong nods and nods, smiling warmly at them both. She shakes her head, "Oh no, Phillip, you weren't horrible. I am glad to have had your company"

[20:53] Neithan Philip Harnett bows his head "i ruined your tiny party"

[20:53] Cassandra Whitesong: No you didn't, I enjoyed it very much. More so than the ball over there, actually.

[20:54] Sadie Hiker shakes her head "YOU didn't ruin nutthin.. but there is blame here, an ah will be takin' care ah it. So dun you worry 'bout it no more." and smiles and nods to Cassie "We'll be seein' ya soon."

[20:54] Neithan Philip Harnett obviously doesn't believe her for a second but he dosen't say anything

[20:55] Neithan Philip Harnett: goodnight miss cassie

[20:55] Sadie Hiker smiles warmly "C'mon Rummy, lets get y'home."

[20:55] Cassandra Whitesong smiling she chucks his arm, swinging her chilled bare arm, "You'll be fine, Mister Phillip"

[20:55] Sadie Hiker waves as they head back to Benson

Home in Benson

[21:00] Neithan Philip Harnett sheepishly follows sadie inside

[21:01] Sadie Hiker sighs, looking at Phillip with nothing but sympathy

[21:02] Neithan Philip Harnett holds onto his sore hand stareing meekly at the floor

[21:03] Neithan Philip Harnett whimpers and says very softly "please don't make a closet "

[21:05] Sadie Hiker watches Phillip, a deluge of questions, but decides this is not the time. "Oh Phillip y'know we wud nev'r do that. In any case, If we had ah closet, the 'mout ah times ah get drunk, ah'd be in there all the time nah wun ah?"

[21:05] Sadie Hiker: Y'wanna glass ah water?

[21:08] Neithan Philip Harnett listens nods slowly "yesplease"

[21:10] Sadie Hiker sighs me goes and fixes a glass of water, handing it to philli

[21:14] Sadie Hiker smiles warmly "C'mon, ah rekon its time y'wuz in bed... n'dun wakes Joseph nah will ya?"

[21:14] Neithan Philip Harnett takes the cup carefully with both hands "thankyou sadie." he drains half the cup thinking back over the evening haveing already forgotten most of what had been done and said but the stress was still there and he swallowed the lump in his throat again that wouldn't go away "i'm sorry for everything tonight. can you really fix it?"

[21:16] Sadie Hiker gives phillip a wide tooth filled smile and a nod "Oh yeah, I'll fix it alright..." then shrugs a little "Wud ah been better t'find out without Cassie and Lilly hearin' it... but it wun be a problem no more, bah this time t'morrow."

[21:19] Neithan Philip Harnett looks exausted and listens draining the rest of the glass with a nod, not realizing just how much trouble he has dropped tabbie into

[21:21] Sadie Hiker smiles and offers to take the empty glass "Ah'll get that filled 'gain fur ya. Y'gonna be wantin' lawts ah water. Just keep it bah y'bed."

[21:23] Neithan Philip Harnett frowns putting his sore hand over his ear "my ears hurt." he gives her back the glass. "im going to go... outhouse. i don't want to..." he trails off

[21:23] Train Conductor shouts: Reno Arriving at Bensons Water Tower taking on water

[21:23] Mad Thunder Combat HUD 4.4 shouts: Nessa Pintens has entered Tombstone!

[21:23] Mad Thunder Combat HUD 4.4 shouts: Nessa Pintens has left Tombstone!

[21:24] Mad Thunder HUD 4.7 shouts: Nessa Pintens has entered Tombstone!

[21:26] Sadie Hiker smiles "Y'do what y'gotta do."

[21:26] Neithan Philip Harnett comes back in and goes to the kitchen sink to wash his hands and splash water on his face before returning to sadies side

[21:27] Neithan Philip Harnett: i hate the dark

[21:27] Sadie Hiker refills Phillips glass and leaves it by the side of his bed, checking to make sure Joseph was still sound asleep before returning to the living room

[21:28] Sadie Hiker nods "Well, y'keep ah candle goin' if y'like, ah dun think it'll bother Joseph none, he's fast asleep"

[21:33] Neithan Philip Harnett shakes his head "i can't keep a candle going every night, he dosen't."

[21:34] Sadie Hiker shakes her head and shrugs "Ah duz. What duz it matter?"

[21:36] Neithan Philip Harnett whispers: nightlights are for little kids

[21:38] Sadie Hiker smiles at his rational, and adds "An people who dun wanna bump intah things in the middle ah the night. Dun makes y'brave t'sleep in the dark when y'haz ah candle... just makes y'ah fool if y'asks me."

[21:39] Neithan Philip Harnett shrugs out of his jacket and vest

[21:41] Neithan Philip Harnett frowns thinking about that

[21:41] Sadie Hiker nods and decides to take the decision out of his hands, fixing him a candle in a holder, lighting it, and placing it on the stairs, so the glow gently illuminates the boys room.

[21:43] Neithan Philip Harnett eyes follow sadie around as she sets up the candle

[21:44] Sadie Hiker smiles "Dun worry 'bout that... thats just so ah dun trip down the stairs if ah has t'come back down in the middle ah the night."

[21:45] Neithan Philip Harnett eyes are feeling very heavy now he looks up hearing sadie and nods

[21:46] Sadie Hiker smiles "C'mon nah, y'get y'self t'bed. Ahm goin' up mahself. "

[21:47] Neithan Philip Harnett nods again and gives sadie a faint smile

[21:47] Sadie Hiker shakes her head a little, thinking in a few hours time he's going to feel worse than he can possible imagine right now...

[21:48] Neithan Philip Harnett: goodnight sadie

[21:48] Sadie Hiker: G'night phillip, ah will see y'in the mornin.

[21:52] Neithan Philip Harnett starts getting changes but gets to his pants and gives up and flops into bed and burrows under his blanket

[21:53] Sadie Hiker doesn't wake Nicolette... instead pulls out her shotgun from under the bed... and loads it....

[21:56] Neithan Philip Harnett nuzzles his pillow and falls into a thankfully dreamless sleep.

Nicolette Charpentier's Homestead

Benson

[14:14] Sadie Hiker wall of rage melts a little to a smile when she sees Nicolette, then looks to the boys room, asking flatly "Is he up yet?"

[14:15] Sadie Hiker realizes she's still holding her gun and tucks it away

[14:16] Nicolette Charpentier smiles back..."No...*je ne pense pas ma choue...too much of the late night excitement, **je pense...les petits are not used to such spectacles."

(*I don't think so sweetie)

(**I think ... the little ones)

[14:17] Sadie Hiker laughs a little and nods "Spectacle, well, that is a gud word fur what followed, that's fur sure."

[14:19] Nicolette Charpentier perks up a bit..."whatever do you mean, ma choue...perhaps he had a LITTLE of the Christmas cheer, mais...he is not a small boy comme Ti-Gars."

[14:23] Sadie Hiker rubs her face in her hands for a moment, wondering how on earth she's going to explain what he did to Nicolette. "Jesus, Mary n'Joseph... Ohkay, well, he gawt himself drunk. Ah wun gonna give him a hard time 'bout that... trouble is though, like with ah lawt ah us... loosened his tongue somewhat... and he made some revelations I still..." and shakes her head "Ah still can't believe that boy could be so..." and sucks in a deep breath "and in front ah Cassie and Lilly too... ah only hope they they keep it t'themselves... or at least until ah..."

[14:24] Nicolette Charpentier frowns..."What of these revelations, ma choue...what could he have said that was so very horrible?"

[14:27] Sadie Hiker mutters "an' he wuz so rude t'Lilly, he's gonna have t'apologise t'her proper like when he's sober... but that nutthin' compaired t'what he's..." and thinks hard, "SO, it turns out... that... strumpet that turned down me, Dani... and ah believe Larah fur ah job... is workin' at Annie's. Nawt only that... but Philip has her shacked up in their family home in Bisbee while he's livin' here!"

[14:31] Nicolette Charpentier gasps..."*Chez Monsieur Oliver? This jeunne fille qui s'appelle Tabitha?...Elle est une pute tabernac?...un salope?...une...une...colombe!?"....stands angrily and begins to pace.

(*At Monsieur Oliver's? This young girl named Tabitha? ... She's a tabernac bitch? ... a bitch? ... a ... a ... dove)

[14:33] Sadie Hiker nods "That's the one! Ah sorry, Phillip may ah been a blinkered fool awn this, but that Trollop has taken advantage ah him! an ah ain't havin' that! nawt fur one second."

[14:39] Nicolette Charpentier nods slowly..."*Peut-etre, ma choue...mais...he is NO innocent in the REST of it...**et...je suis tres decu..."...huffs with anger at the situation...and her dissappointment with Philip's behavior toward Lily and the insult to Cassie's hospitality..."Do I not have enough to worry about with them scraping ONE member of cette famille off the sidewalks from the drink? Am I to be DOUBLY cursed de ca?...NON!...c'est inacceptable!

(*Maybe, honey ... but)

(**and ... I am very disappointed)

[14:44] Sadie Hiker frowns "Hey, bit harsh sweetheart, ah ain't that bad... and ah wuz the sober one yesterday... also... ahm afraid... there's more... and its worse."

[14:46] Sadie Hiker sighs "Ah lawt worse."

[14:49] Nicolette Charpentier growls with frustration and plops down on the couch..."Do not hold back, ma choue...tell me all...so that I may know against what I am up...non...I do not wish to know...*mais...oui...dit a moi...non...oui!"...sighs and just looks at Sadie and waits for it.

(*but ... yes ... tell me ... no ... yes!)

[14:50] Sadie Hiker sighs "This MIGHT be ah silver linin' in all this. Did ah hear someone at the ball say the bank in town had been robbed?"

[14:53] Nicolette Charpentier thinks..."*Je ne sais pas...I did not hear, mais...c'est possible."

(*I don't know ... I did not here, but ... it's possible.)

[14:56] Sadie Hiker grins "Well, ahm sure I heard at the Ball that the bank had been robbed awn Saturday. So ahm sittin' over there waitin fur that hussy t'come home... so ah can shoot her... and ah find ah Tombstone bank bag... with easily ah thousand in it. Nah, This is how ah see it. That hussy helped in that bank robbery. She's holdin' the money. So. We keep the thousand, tell her t'get outtah philips home, an nev'r ev'n look at him again... if nawt, we hand her ov'r to the law? I wuz gonna shoot her. Then ah thought ah'd tell Wes, but then that will raise questions and ah duz nawt want t'see Phillip's face in Doxie's rag about keepin' dove's in his home...What d'you think?"

[14:59] Nicolette Charpentier nods a bit..."Oui. One way or another, *ma choue...la pute tabernac doit partir!"

(*sweetie ... the tabernac bitch must go!)

[15:00] Sadie Hiker grins "Oh this gonna be one life lesson she ain't ev'r gonna forget. Just ain't sure 'bout the money. We cud keep it, or hand it back fur the reward, say we found it in ah bush bah the tracks ah summin..."

[15:01] Sadie Hiker shrugs "Either way, banks insured..."

[15:04] Nicolette Charpentier shakes her head..."We must make it look as if..."...thinks..."We will hide it...and find someone...*je ne sais pas qui...someone who will ...for a small fee that we can hand it in the small amounts and will wire it back to us by the Western Union so that it will appear we have come by it sans commettre un crime."

(*I do not know who)

[15:07] Sadie Hiker nods "Y'gawt someone in mind?"

[15:08] Nicolette Charpentier shakes her head..."I must think on this, ma choue."

[15:09] Sadie Hiker nods "Well, ah've already relocated the bag. Ah wun ev'n mention it t'the trollop when ah kick her out, cuz ah know damn well she ain't gonna ask me 'bout it."

[15:12] Nicolette Charpentier's eyes falsh with an idea..."peut-etre...mais non...mais ce serait PARFAIT...mais...je ne sais pas."

(*maybe ... but no ... but that would be PERFECT ... but ... I don't know)

[15:13] Sadie Hiker cocks her head to one side "What y'gawt there sweetheart?"

[15:16] Nicolette Charpentier: "What if...we gave to les yeux publique...the provision of some service which we provide to a very respectable business, non...et ...this business...would PAY for this service, non...mais...it is all a ruse, ma choue...mais...no one will suspect this."

(*public eyes)

[15:18] Sadie Hiker slowly nods "Worth ah shot. Rekon it cud work?"

[15:24] Nicolette Charpentier gasps..."*Ma soeur...le petit boulengerie! I will bake the **baguettes et des croissants...it will be a delicacy for ***les clientes et...we will give to ****ma soeur, secretly, l'argent...which she will use to pay for *****les baguettes et les croissants."

(*My sister ... the little boulengerie!)

(**baguettes et des croissants)

(***the clients and)

(****my sister, secretly, the money)

(*****the baguettes and the croissants)

[15:26] Sadie Hiker can't help but laugh a little "Oh that just perfect. There ain't no trail, I just can't see how it cun work?"

[15:27] Nicolette Charpentier smiles proudly for a moment then her mind goes back to Philip...she rises and goes to wake him.

[15:27] Nicolette Charpentier "GAZOU!!!"

[15:28] Nicolette Charpentier: *Il n'est pas ici.

(*He's not here.)

[15:28] Sadie Hiker jumps up hearing Nicolette scream "What the heck?!"

[15:29] Sadie Hiker sighs angrily "That's it. Ahm diggin' ah hole in the yard f'that strumpet."

[15:30] Nicolette Charpentier looks back at Sadie..."I have not forgotten about *notre Gazou...et...I will not have him behaving so without the consequences, ma choue...he must know that Mademoiselle Lily et Cassie are to be respected et that the drunkeness does not excuse the bad behavior."

(*our)

[15:31] Sadie Hiker nods "Well nah, Lilly suggested he shud do sum chores f'her, an ah said ah thought that wud be the ideal way t'work off the insult..."

[15:32] Sadie Hiker looks over her shoulder the the boys room "Ah rekon mah drinkin' days came t'ahn abrupt end last night too... ah can hardly chastise the boy when I spend most ah my time in ah bottle..."

[15:34] Nicolette Charpentier nods in agreement..."Oui...et when Mademoiselle Cassie is in his presence...her hand will touch no door handles, Gazou will polietely open them for her as a gentleman...her bottom will touch no chair which he has not pulled away from the table for her...he will be the PERFECT gentleman, non?"

[15:38] Sadie Hiker looks a little pensive

"Ah agree... but, this is his first indiscretion. Y'know as well as ah duz, if he had'nt ah been drinkin... he would ah been the perfect Gentleman... Nah, ahm nawt sayin' we let this slide... ahm just sayin..." and sighs "Oh the looks awn those ladies faces when he said he'd shacked up the funny girl... Ah just wanted the ground t'swallow me up..."

[15:41] Nicolette Charpentier softens a bit and actually tries not to giggle...knowing she will soften even more when she sees his sweet face..."*Eh, bien Ma choue."

(*Oh well, honey)

[15:54] Sadie Hiker smiles warmly knowing Nicolette couldn't stay mad at the boys if she tried "Also..." and sighs sadly "Ah rekon nothin' we cud do will compare t'what he's gonna do t'himself... He was scared... real fear n'worry that ah wuz gonna build ah closet t'lock him in... I knew ah shud ah done more than break that..." mutters a rude word she does not like to use "nose..."

[17:24] Nicolette Charpentier busies herself with housework to get her mind off of Philip

Philip returns later that day...

[18:47] Sadie Hiker looks to Phillip, says nothing, and points to the vacant sofa

[18:48] Nicolette Charpentier turns her head and sees Philip, frowns and turns away

[18:49] Sadie Hiker clears her throat "Mind takin' ah seat..." and point to the sofa "There... Master Harnett?"

[18:52] Neithan Philip Harnett looks between between the two on their sofa and the empty one and breifly glances to the back door visibally cringeing hearing sadie trying to work out what had happeded last night and why they were pissed now.

[18:53] Nicolette Charpentier turns away again as Philip comes into sight again sits

[18:53] Sadie Hiker reads Philip's expression, knowing it only too well... "So, lets start with... how much d'ya 'member 'bout last night?"

[18:58] Sadie Hiker stands with a sigh, stretching her back and watches Phillip, patiently waiting for an answer, whilst truthfully just positioning herself to catch him in case he tries to make a bolt for it....

[18:58] Neithan Philip Harnett: i remember standing by the bar watching you and everyone dancing... then i remember talking to you a bit but after that, not very much

[18:58] Sadie Hiker gives a long and slow nod. "So. Y'dun remember goin' t'see Miss Cassie an Miss Lilly after the dance then?"

[18:59] Nicolette Charpentier glances at Philip and sighs heavily then looks away again her eyes wet with tears of disappointment...she tries to hide them.

[19:00] Neithan Philip Harnett rubs his eyes and drags his hand through his hair watching sadie not likeing the sound of that" "no... why did we go there?"

[19:02] Sadie Hiker sighs "Well, there's no secret round these parts that ah know mah way round the wrong side of ah bottle ah liqure. Ah know where y'at right now Phillip. Ah know what it's like t'wake up nawt 'memberin what y'said ah dun. So... let me help fill in some ah those blanks for ya. Tell y'what. Lets start with the BIG one. Why dun y'tell us 'bout the funny girl?"

[19:03] Neithan Philip Harnett furrows his brow trying wo work out who the funny girl was

[19:03] Sadie Hiker smiles a little cruelly, yet unintentionally "Y'ahd ah LAWT t'say 'bout her last night."

[19:05] Sadie Hiker shakes her head and gives in, yelling "The gawddamned whore y'gawt secretly shacked up in y'family home! Remember her!"

[19:06] Sadie Hiker shoots Nicolette an apologetic look for loosing her temper and choice of words

[19:07] Nicolette Charpentier sobs loudly..."*J'ai essaye...mais..."...turns to look at Philip taking out a handkerchief and dabbing at her wet eyes..."Ivre et frequenter des putes tabernacs."...sobs again and pouts as she stands and goes to clean off the table.

(*I tried ... but ...)

(**Drunk and hanging out with tabernac whores.)

[19:10] Sadie Hiker visibly slumps watching Nicolette go, and looks back to Phillip exasperated "Y'breakin' ah hearts here Phillip, what in the world wuz y'thinkin?"

[19:11] Neithan Philip Harnett visibly jumps at the shout then frowns "the girl wasn't a whore when i first let her stay, how was i to know she'd want to be one . she'd been telling everyone shes 21 and waiting on her friends to show up. but she lied. she's 18 illiterate and broke and i felt sorry for her. i just wanted to help."

[19:13] Neithan Philip Harnett grumbles "I said she should go work on the stage with the act she'd been putting on, i didn't think she'd pick that one."

[19:14] Sadie Hiker sighs, and continues quietly "Ah know, ah said frum the start, y'been taken' 'vantage of. That's what they do. They tell y'what y'want t'hear. But what ah really dun understands it... why dun y'tell us? Ah thought... ah thought we wuz different, y'know? Ah thought y'cud trust us?"

[19:15] Neithan Philip Harnett looks up at sadie wide eyed "i can trust you! i do!"

[19:16] Nicolette Charpentier wipes vigorously at a spot of something dried on the table and throws her rag down and takes a deep breath composing herself and returning to the room.

[19:17] Sadie Hiker shrugs and slaps her arms to her side "Clearly nawt. Ahm the... what wuz it, smelly miserable git of ah gunsmith? that wuz it? wun it?"

[19:18] Nicolette Charpentier Sobs loudly hearing Philip's drunken insult repeated.

[19:19] Nicolette Charpentier: And after all that which Renardette has done for you...

[19:19] Nicolette Charpentier shakes her head

[19:20] Sadie Hiker looks to Nicolette and shakes her head "Ah... actually think thats what she calls me... a think Phillip wuz just repeatin' it.... at least, thats what ah wud ah thought..."

[19:20] Neithan Philip Harnett chews hard on the inside of his cheek staring at the rug

[19:22] Neithan Philip Harnett: i... added the git part, i don't know what it means but Aaron used to call people that all the time

[19:24] Sadie Hiker sighs and turns away, nodding and tearing up a little. "Beginning t'come back is it? Well, least ah know nah, ah guess... An that wuz just the start ah it. Y'wuz rude t'Miss Lillian an' Miss Cassandra-" then emphasis "in her OWN home."

[19:24] Neithan Philip Harnett: She think's youre a boy sadie, i should have corrected her but... i thought it was funny so I didn't

[19:25] Nicolette Charpentier sighs heavily..."*Et, Mademoiselles Lily et Cassie aussi...incroyable, Gazou... je suis TRES decu."

(*And, Miss Lily and Cassie too ... incredible, Gazou ... I am VERY disappointed.)

[19:26] Sadie Hiker nods, covertly wiping the corner of her eye "Yup, that me, town drunk, town joke. Always gud fur ah laugh."

[19:31] Nicolette Charpentier pouts and wipes at her eyes...then speaks softly but confidently..."*La salope...elle doit partir. Et...you will show to Renardette that you did not mean what you have said...you will go to Mademoiselle Lily and you will say that you are sorry and you will help her in any way which she needs et you will be nothing but a gentleman in the presence of Mademoiselle Cassie, you will open for her the door et offer to her a chair as any gentleman should...**tu compends, Gazou?"

(*The bitch ... she has to go. And...)

(**do you understand, Gazou?)

[19:33] Neithan Philip Harnett looks between them feeling very ashamed of his actions and words though he still didn't truly remember them but he wasn't going to argue and was trying desperately to think of away to make them stop crying, he didn't like or know how to deal with other peoples tears.

[19:37] Sadie Hiker takes a long controlled breath "Well, ah ain't as fluent as the pair ah you... but... ah rekon it goes summin like '*LUI qui rit le dernier, rit le mieux' or words t'that effect... an believe you me... when ah catch up t'that bitch... she ain't gonna be laughin'... nawt one bit."

(*HIM, who laughs the last, laughs the best)

[19:37] Neithan Philip Harnett: what did i say... to miss lilly an miss cassie?

[19:38] Nicolette Charpentier see's Philip's reaction and knows that he finally understands and feels responsible...she sniffles a bit and nods...feeling better...she goes to sit next to him...putting an arm around him..."The words which you have said ...*ces ne sont pas importantes...You are un homme, Gazou...et...like all men...imperfect non?...you make **parfois, the mistakes. Mais...it is never too late to make things right, this is a thing which you will do, ***n'est ce pas?"

(*these are not important ... you are a man)

(**parfois)

(***is it not?)

[19:40] Sadie Hiker nods adding quietly "Just tell 'em the truth, tell 'em y'dun 'member anythin' y'said, an y'truly sorry. They'll forgive y'in ah heartbeat."

[19:43] Neithan Philip Harnett nods leaning into nicolettes arm a little swallowing the lump in his throat and says very softly"je te promets que"

(*I promise you that)

[19:45] Nicolette Charpentier squeezes Philip and looks up at Sadie for her approval

[19:45] Sadie Hiker smiles silently nodding

[19:46] Nicolette Charpentier sighs with a bit of relief and wipes her heyes one last time...then smiles..."Then it is settled, d'accord Gazou?"

[19:49] Neithan Philip Harnett: *Je vous ai fait mal paraître tous les deux. Je n'aurais pas dû boire autant. Kitty et les autres va penser ... Je suis désolé. Je suis désolé.

(*I made you both look bad. I shouldn't have drunk so much. Kitty and the others will think ... I'm sorry. I am sorry.)

[19:52] Neithan Philip Harnett: i'm sorry sadie, for everything

[19:52] Nicolette Charpentier smiles again..."It is all right, mon fils...all will be forgotten soon enough et **Mademoiselle Chaton...elle peut aller faire se foutre."...gasps at herself..."Do not repeat this Gazou!"...blushes and laughs at herself.

(*my son)

(**Miss Chaton ... she can fuck herself)

[19:54] Sadie Hiker sits deciding there's not much point in standing any more, and forces a smile, pushing all the other feelings down inside, saying quietly "Ah know y'ah. S'okay."

[19:55] Nicolette Charpentier: et...we will mention nothing of this to Ti-Gars...you know that he...how do you say...looks up to you? He will know nothing of this...*je te promets.

(*I promise you.)

[19:57] Sadie Hiker flashes a look to Nicolette before asking "He doesn't know 'bout any ah this duz he? ah mean? he goes feedin' those animals? Jesus, Mary n'Joseph, he ain't met her has he?"

[19:57] Neithan Philip Harnett bows his head with a little whine and instantly regrets the words as they leave his mouth "*s'il te plaît ne m'appelle pas fils. mr wes fait et pomme de terre privée. je n'en veux pas. je ne suis plus le fils de personne. je suis orphelin."

(*please don't call me son. mr wes done and private potato. I do not want it. I am no longer nobody's son. I am an orphan.)

[19:58] Neithan Philip Harnett shakes his head "i don't know if he has met her or not, i don't know when he last went to the bisbee house."

[19:59] Nicolette Charpentier nods..."*D'accord Philipe l'orphelin. Desolee."

(*Ok, Philipe the orphan. Sorry)

[20:00] Sadie Hiker rolls her eyes to herself at another exclusion, beginning to realize how wrong she had been about so many things "Ahm... ahm Just goin' upstairs."

[20:00] Neithan Philip Harnett sulks, he didn't know what he had wanted to hear but he didn't like the title one bit.

[20:00] Sadie Hiker reaches under the bed...

[20:01] Neithan Philip Harnett eyes follow sadie "sadie?"

[20:02] Nicolette Charpentier gets up and squeezes Philip's shoulder comfortingly and goes to continue her housework

[20:02] Sadie Hiker marches out without looking back, growling "Dun wait up."

[20:03] Neithan Philip Harnett (eldarionsalai) dosen't move from the sofa finally feeling hot tears of his face

[20:04] Neithan Philip Harnett (eldarionsalai): miss nicolette where is she going?

[20:07] Nicolette Charpentier (nicolettera) tears up a bit as well..."*je ne sais pas, Gazou...mais...as misguided as it may be...I trust Renardette...she has never yet failed to return et...she has never hurt a soul without a good reason. You too must have some faith, **mon f...mon Gazou."...straightens the packages beneath the tree.

(*I don't know, Gazou ... but)

(**my f ... my Gazou.)

[20:11] Neithan Philip Harnett (eldarionsalai): i only wanted to help tabitha miss nocolette i didn't think letting her stay at the empty house was such a bad idea until she got some money for a real home for herself.

[20:16] Neithan Philip Harnett (eldarionsalai): "i'll make sure she leaves tomorrow, last time i saw her she said she had another trial... at annies. she'll have no problem getting cash when she gets the job for real." parrots what he had heard the adults saying with a little smirk "not with mr john and the govoner around."

[20:16] Nicolette Charpentier (nicolettera) goes and puts the kettle on and steeps some tea...pouring a steaming cup for Philip and taking it to him..."*Voila, Monsieur Philip L'orphelin...mais...if this is who you wish to be...you must not tell the OTHER orphans that you have a home...they will grow jealous and resentful...for as long as I have a home...so will YOU, Monsieur l'orphelin and you will forever be mon Gazou."...she winks...then considers..."A very wise man has once said that...if given the choice between doing a good thing and being perceived to have done a good thing...I will take the perception...**Mademoiselle the Salope has taken advantage of your charity, Gazou...et she KNOWS how it will be perceived, mais...you...you could not have known such a thing...ce n'est pas de ta faut."

(*Voila, Mr. Philip The orphan ... but ...)

(**Miss, the Bitch)

(***it's not for you)

[20:18] Nicolette Charpentier (nicolettera): *mais non...you will do no such thing, Gazou...you will keep from **la colombe the DISTANCE...she will soon be gone from la maison de Monsieur Oliver...ne t'inquiete pas."

(*But no)

(**the Dove)

(***Mr. Oliver's house ... don't worry.)

[20:19] Neithan Philip Harnett (eldarionsalai): is... is that where sadie went?

[20:20] Nicolette Charpentier (nicolettera) simply shrugs

[20:24] Neithan Philip Harnett (eldarionsalai): a house of not none of those kids should be jealous or resentful of me.

[20:26] Nicolette Charpentier (nicolettera) nods and smiles ..."Perhaps you are right, Gazou...*je ne sais pas...mais...I will stand by that which I have said...tu es mon Gazou...pour toujours."

(*I do not know but)

(**you are my Gazou ... forever.)

[20:30] Neithan Philip Harnett (eldarionsalai) listens and sobs unable to stop himself sounding half his age "*pourquoi tu me veux encore? J'étais horrible, je t'ai fait pleurer."

(*why do you still want me I was horrible, I made you cry)

[20:36] Nicolette Charpentier (nicolettera) can't help but giggle a bit..."you know of this mighty river which is called the Misses Pippi, non? It is very stong and very wide...mais...it begins in the place which is called Mini-Soda at place where you can walk across in only two steps...that is how you et Renardette et Ti-Gars have started...like a tiny prick to mon coeur...mais...like the mighty river you have grown and grown and now...you RUSH through my heart, Gazou...et...I can no more stop you from dwelling there than I can stop from flowing the mighty Misses Pippi...we are all imperfect...we ALL let each other down...mais...we do not stop being *une famille pour ca...et that is what you are, Gazou...family."

(*a family for that)

[20:37] Nicolette Charpentier (nicolettera): *pas horrible...pas en tout.

(*not horrible ... not at all)

[20:41] Neithan Philip Harnett (eldarionsalai) wipes his eyes and scoots over moving to rest his head against nicolettes shoulder

[20:44] Nicolette Charpentier (nicolettera) smiles and settles in...just letting him rest and recover a bit from the emotional turmoil of the past couple of days.

[20:48] Neithan Philip Harnett (eldarionsalai) closes his eyes still resting against nicolettes arm and whispers "je suis jaloux de toi et de joseph parfois. Je sais qu'il est petit mais je n'y peux rien."

(*i am jealous of you and joseph sometimes. I know he's small but I can't help it.)

[20:49] Sadie Hiker marches upstairs without a word, cracking open her shotgun and removing the cartridges before sliding it back under the bed

[20:51] Neithan Philip Harnett eyes snap open hearing feet above them.

[20:53] Nicolette Charpentier: *Ah, Gazou...je suis desolee...it is true that Ti-Gars is quite young and his has needs of us which you do not, mais...the opposite is true as well...et...this is known...you have no need to feel this way...**mais je le comprends...you have only to know that we will do ANYTHING for EITHER of you which will help you...you have but to ask.

(*Ah, Gazou ... I'm sorry ...)

(**but I understand it ...)

[20:56] Sadie Hiker calls loudly without looking "Anyone else want anythin' while ah here?"

[20:57] Sadie Hiker starts to fix herself a drink...

[20:58] Neithan Philip Harnett: i don't know what i need or want anymore. i wanted to get out of the city, i did it... twice thanks to oliver and sadie, i wanted to look after joseph, he's safe with you and sadie, he hardly even looks at me anymore, and now. i don't know...

[20:58] Nicolette Charpentier: no...*merci, ma choue

(*thank you, honey)

[20:58] Neithan Philip Harnett dosent think he is makeing any sence "no thank you sadie."

[20:59] Sadie Hiker nods

[21:03] Neithan Philip Harnett hesitates but finally looks over at sadie "are you okay?"

[21:04] Nicolette Charpentier smiles at Philip..."you give him that which Renardette and I cannot, Gazou...Ti-Gars needs you very much."

[21:05] Sadie Hiker eye slides to Philip and nods "Yup."

[21:07] Nicolette Charpentier notes the absence of Sadie's jacket and wonders if there are incriminating stains that will need scrubbing.

[21:10] Neithan Philip Harnett: "i'm scared about whats next though, i didn't finish school i still had a year left, before she died my mother arranged from me to stay as long as they would let me and Knight accommodated it. He was going to help me figure out what to do next.

[21:12] Nicolette Charpentier smiles..."What is it that you WISH to do, Gazou?"

[21:13] Neithan Philip Harnett: i wanted to be a lawyer but... we still have a trunk of papers to go through and i don't know if i could look at that stuff every day even if i knew what any of it meant.

[21:19] Nicolette Charpentier nods...perhaps there is another line of work with less of the papers...perhaps one of the building trades will suit you better or the banking...you do well with the number, non?

[21:24] Joseph Mordred Harnett sits up in bed and looks over to philips bed and sees it empty and pouts burrowing under the blankets again and closes his eyes.

[21:32] Sadie Hiker finishes her drink and gets a refill, sighing heavily as she does so, looking over the back of her hand and her knuckles as she sits back down

[21:33] Neithan Philip Harnett shakes his head "no, woodwork and arithmetic was my worst subject. I like music but, thes recreation and not really a job."

[21:36] Neithan Philip Harnett looks over at sadie concerned and watched her wondering what she had hit.

[21:42] Sadie Hiker finishes her drink, pulling herself to feet, saying in no direction "Ahm goin' t'bed. Night." and tosses her glass carelessly into the sink before she goes...

[21:42] Neithan Philip Harnett: g'night sadie

[21:44] Neithan Philip Harnett furrows his brow and goes to see if the cup survived

[21:45] Neithan Philip Harnett washes up whats in the sink then his hands before returning to the sofa.

[21:49] Neithan Philip Harnett: is it alright if i go to bed too miss nicolette? ... i know i spent most of the day there but i'm tired.

[21:50] Nicolette Charpentier nods...and actually hugs Philip.

[21:50] Nicolette Charpentier: bonne nuit, Gazou

[21:50] Nicolette Charpentier: is there anything you wish before you go?

[21:53] Neithan Philip Harnett freezes for a heartbeat but hugs her back tightly as he dares and shakes his head "just this."

[21:54] Nicolette Charpentier hugs him tightly and gives the top of his head a little kiss...giggling happily.

[21:55] Neithan Philip Harnett: goodnight

[21:55] Nicolette Charpentier smiles watching him go and heads upstairs herself.