Maddock Square Outdoors
This wide, dusty square is the center of Maddock. New buildings line its sides except for the southeast corner where a new town building is still under construction. The winter night surrounds you Snow lingers in the forks of the broadleafed trees and on the needle-clad branches of the conifers, limning them palely in the darkness. The roads branch off in four directions, continuing in a north-south and east-west direction from the square.
Reno is apparently wandering aimlessly through the town, looking around casually and this building and that, pausing to nod a greeting to the few passersby who don't stop to talk to him. He pauses in front of the Gentleman's Club and shakes his head slowly, murmuring something softly under his breath.
Caitlin makes her way through the square, pulling her jacket more tightly around her. She nears the wandering Reno and offers him a polite nod in greeting.
Reno grins politely to the woman, saying, "Hello miss," as he pauses just in case she'd like to talk.
[Reno] John Reno stands about 5'10" tall. He has chocolate brown eyes that watch the world above slightly dark half-moons beneath them. His hair is short and brown, neatly cut and combed down. He is clean-shaven today, his square jaw marred here and there with a whitened scar from an old wound. He does not possess one of those statuesque physiques that draw the eyes, but he looks as though there is only solid muscle beneath his clothing. The index finger and thumb of his right hand have been stained black by something. Reno is wearing a black jacket with slightly worn elbows, black buttons riding up either side of his chest. Beneath that he has a white shirt that looks rather clean and well pressed, a black tie tucked under the collar. His pants are black as well, his knees a little worn and dusty, but overall clean and well taken care of. Black shoes finish the outfit, polished as well as can be expected.
Caitlin smiles back. "Hello, sir." She doesn't seem intent on stopping at first, but a patch of ice near the side of the road throws off her balance. She drops the black valise she was carrying and reaches for the nearest solid object - a horse post near where Reno is standing - to keep herself from falling.
Reno blinks a moment and then moves over to her quickly, apparently catching the same patch of ice and skidding into the snow, landing flat on his back. He lies there for a long moment, staring dumbly up into the winter sky. At least he's alive - he's breathing - but he doesn't appear to be moving. Finally, though he's still not moving, a light laugh is heard beginning in his throat, building into a full-out roar.
Just in time to see the other man sprawling on the ground, Herod rounds the corner of a nearby shop. He quietly walks up, looking down on Reno and calmly asking, "Comfortable?" He glances to Caitlin next, giving her a disproportionately kind smile as he offers the man a hand.
Caitlin rights herself, clinging to the post until she manages to get her feet on solid ground (well, snow). She looks over in alarm as Reno falls, but concern gives way to amusement when he starts laughing. "Are you all right?" she asks anyway. When Herod appears, she grins back at him.
Reno's feet move first, then his hands. He blinks hard and stops laughing enough to reply, "I think so...." He turns his head a little and then sits up with a groan. The man winces in pain and says, "I was about to ask you the same thing..."
On the saloon porch, Rick strides over from the barber shop.
Herod retracts the offered hand, assuming that if Reno doesn't want it now, he probably won't want it later. He drifts in Caitlin's general direction, "You OK, hon?" He reaches out from more firm ground, offering her a hand instead. Apparently, Caitlin and Reno both had a rough run in with some ice, only seconds before.
Caitlin nods readily. "I'm fine. Thank you." She answers both the gentlemen at once, then takes Herod's hand and allows him to lead her away from the patch of ice. Then a thought occurs to her. "Oh, I just need to get my bag..."
Reno remains sitting on the ice for a moment longer until his eyes refocus. He manages to get back to his feet and looks around for the aforementioned bag, picking up the black valise and saying, "Here you are, miss," with a lopsided grin.
Tori walks along the walkways of the stores, perhaps looking a bit lost or confused.
Herod glances Reno over as he hands Caitlin the bag, the ranch hand tilting his head just to one side. "New in to town... preacher?" There is a hesitation to the given title, the young man not able to think of any other profession that dresses like that, save the undertaker. He keeps ahold of Caitlin, just in case she is going in for a repeat performance.
Tori blanches a bit at the wolf howl.
Reno looks a little puzzled at first - perhaps that fall scrambled his eggs, so to speak - and says, "I'm new, yes. Just been here a week or two. Lookin' fer a big enough shop where I can fix soles." He sticks out a hand and says, "Name's John Reno, most folk call me Reno, though."
Caitlin gratefully takes the bag from Reno and busies herself inspecting its contents for a moment, making sure none of the vials of medicine or whatnot were broken by dropping it. She looks up, then, at Herod's question to Reno and says, curiously, "You're a preacher?" Apparently she didn't notice his clothing at first.
Rick steps down from the porch, carefully, and looks around at the people and the ice. "Dangerous footing, I see."
"Evening." Herod nods at Rick, returning his attention to Reno. Clearly he is curious about what the other man will say in response to Caitlin's question.
Reno chuckles and says with a slight shrug, "I just repair soles when they're brought... Some folk have called me preacher, though." His brown eyes, pupils still a little dilated, look to the pair of people and then to the fellow on the steps. "What do you do?"
"Yes, there's a rather troublesome patch of ice just there." Caitlin points, offering Rick a friendly smile, and then returns her attention to Reno. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Mr Reno. I'm Caitlin Lockhart." She allows the other fellows to introduce themselves, and then says, "I'm Dr Kei's assistant."
"Herod Mercer." The young man answers with some skepticism in his tones, his eyes watching Reno closely. "I work the Brandt Ranch."
Reno nods slowly, a slight crease forming above his eyes as he tries to remember each name. "Miss Lockhart.. and Mister Mercer... I was told that I should go and meet Dr. Kei... I've been trying to meet the mayor, thinking maybe he's got some idea for a big enough space for me."
Rick follows suit, in his turn. "Rick Porter. Town barber."
"A.. big enough space?" Caitlin glances between Herod and Reno, apparently thinking that she's missed something.
In the road by the gates, Hank strides over from the lot to the west.
Caitlin stands next to Herod, the two of them apparently chatting with Reno. Rick is also nearby.
In the road by the gates, Hank hurries off towards the center of town.
A open shrug comes from Herod, his eyes shifting briefly to Caitlin and back. "What do you mean?"
Agatha comes scuttling down the road on her usual trip to nowhere. she hmms softly to herself as she looks oer to the small group of people.
Herod, Caitlin, and Reno stand just aside from a large patch of ice. Reno appears to have recently taken a bit of a jaunt on it.
Reno looks over at Aggie and smiles brightly to her, though his grin seems a little lopsided. "A big place.. repairing soles needs lots of room. And these are small buildings.. well, too small. I am beginning to wonder if maybe I'll just need to wait for summer..."
Herod snorts sharply, getting it. "I see the types of /souls/ you think you will repair." His head cocks to one side, the Texan getting slightly annoyed, "Do you think we are so godless?" Nothing like going for the throat, eigh?
Caitlin huhs, looking puzzled. "I didn't realize it was such a large operation. I..." She stops, looking to Herod, her mild puzzlement giving way to utter confusion. She's not as quick to catch on.
Agatha blinks as she looks to reno and the bump on his head. She hurries over to him "John? Are you alright?" she asks softly tilting her head and looknig him over."
Reno doesn't seem to notice Agatha beyond saying, "I just bumped my head, Aggie..." His attention is on Herod and he says, "I didn't say anything about godlessness, Mister Mercer. I haven't met people to know what the whole town is like. Everyplace has soles that need mending, that's all I'm saying."
Agatha arches a brow and nods to reno taking a step back. she purses her lips.
Caitlin peers more curiously at Reno, wondering if she missed some sign of injury earlier. She then looks to Herod to see his reaction to all of this.
"Mmmm." Herod exclaims with some skepticism, his eyes narrowing a little. He glances at Caitlin, managing a smile before looking at Agatha. Reno is then given a quizzical look, "I'd suggest you worry about yourself, preacher. "Someone once told me that hell hath no fury like a woman’s scorn." His eyes shift briefly to Aggie, a faint smirk touching his features. His left arm is offered to Caitlin in a polite gesture.
Agatha arches a brow to Herod, a slight frown forming on her pale lips as he refers to her. She hmms softly but says nothing.
From afar, Herod grins and tries to get in trouble. It has been too long!
Caitlin closes her valise and takes Herod's arm, offering no commentary to the exchange between the two men. She glances briefly to Agatha.
Reno looks a little angry, but he keeps it under wraps mostly. His eyes do blaze just a little, but his tone is still respectful. He glances to Agatha and offers her perhaps a little nod and then says to Herod, "I hope you'll at least consider stopping by, mister Mercer. And you, Miss Lockhart. If I can find a place, anyway."
Agatha brushes some hair from her eyes. "She curtises the the group then pulls the hems of her skirts and walks away...or tries to. She slips on a ptach of ice and does a header into the snow.
As a man who watches animals for emotions and impressions, Reno's blazing eyes don't go unnoticed. Herod stills smiles politely, knowing full well what he said and did. "You just let us know. I, personally, wouldn't miss it after today's performance." As Agatha takes a spill, Herod's eyes go slightly wide. "Whoa..." Unfortunately, there is a large hitching post in the way and Caitlin is attached to his arm, so he isn't much help in the short term.
Reno looks over at Agatha and rushes over to help her, taking a moment to make sure he has steady footing. "Aggie," he says gently as he offers a hand down to her. He says something very quietly to her, assuming she lets him speak at all.
Caitlin is alarmed by Agatha's sudden fall, concern taking the place of confusion on her face. "Oh dear. Are you all right, miss?"
Agatha sits up looking dizzy from her fall as she gives herself yet ANOTHER bloody nose. She presses a gloved hand to hte side of her head as she attempts to keep her head from swiming. blood drips from her nose to her lips and to the snow infront of her. "Oh...dear.."She replies in a haze.
Herod walks Caitlin around, making the woman doesn't slip and fall... again. Maybe his fiance can do something, afterall.
Agatha looks down at her bloody nose and sighs as she triest to stop it with her gloved hand, only maknig MORE of a mess. Its a rather pathedic picture overall "I cannot believe I did this again"She groans.
Caitlin is appreciative of Herod's assistance, given her luck (or lack thereof) thus far today. She crouches down on the other side of Agatha, and says, "May I have a look, miss? I'm a nurse." Well, more than a nurse, but that's the easiest description. As she asks, she fishes a bandage out of her valise.
Agatha gently moves her bloodied ahnd out of the way, looking horribly embarassed more than in any pain. The Nose doesn't appear to be broken. She sighs as the blood drips onto her one and only dress "This isn't the first time i did this this week."She looks to Reno a moment.
Reno is at Agatha's side, a hankie already produced, just like last time this happened. He watches what Caitlin does and then tucks the hankie back into his pocket.
Herod seems content to just hang out, glancing at the bloody snow briefly. It doesn't seem to bother him at all, to say the least.
"Not to worry, miss. These things happen." Caitlin gives the bandage to Agatha so she can staunch the bleeding. "Just pinch your nose closed and lean your head forward." If Agatha permits, she'll feel along the bridge of the nose as gently as possible to make sure it's not broken.
Agatha nods her head and does as she is told letting her do what she needs to do. She loosk to reno and his Hankie "Thank you John"She replies gently as she is tended to 'Is your head alright?"
Reno nods once and says, "Just banged it, that's all. I'm more concerned about your nose...."
"Doesn't seem broken - you'll be fine. Just keep holding it like that until it stops bleeding," Caitlin tells her, closing her bag and moving back to give the other woman space. She casts a quick glance up at Herod before standing. "I think they need a sign here warning everyone about the ice," she says with a smile.
Agatha nods her head and offers a slight smile to the lady 'Thank you..i appreciate your help Miss."She replies through the bloody hunk of bandge she holds to her nose.
Herod tries to help the woman up, smiling at Caitlin briefly. "It does seem to be a bit of trouble." He clearly in intending to walk her home, but doesn't seem impatient.
Agatha nods to Herod as she takes his hand and wobbles to her feet "Thank you sir. And I doubt it was the ice. I find ican fall like that when i stand perfectly still.
Reno nods his agreement to Caitlin's words and helps Agatha up to her feet. "Thank you for your help Miss Lockhart," he says politely to her. Herod even gets a friendly enough smile and curt nod.
Caitlin smiles at Agatha and Reno, then says, "Well, good evening to you both. Let's hope we all manage to make it home without any more falls."
"Shall I walk you home, hon, or did you have more to do?" Herod gives a polite farewell to Agatha and Reno. "A pleasure, preacher." He add politely.
Caitlin nods to Herod, "That'd be grand. I was just heading back."
Agatha looks over to Reno and offers him a sheepish expression as she continues to bleed.
Reno shakes his head silently and just offers her his arm. He gives her a comforting smile and waits to see where she'd like to go.
Herod offers Caitlin an arm, smiling at her again and starting to lead them away in the direction of Dr. Kei's clinic.
Caitlin takes Herod's arm and walks away with him. As they near the clinic, she asks, "I'm confused what that was all about. Was he a preacher or not?"
"He was." Herod wrinkles his nose, shaking his head as they walk. "He was just being coy about it for some reason. I play on words."
Caitlin aahs, and nods, "I see. How odd. You don't like preachers - or just not a high-faulting one like him?" It suddenly occurs to her that they've never really talked about church.
"High-faulting, yeah." Herod wouldn't have phrased it that way, but it works. He chuckles faintly, adding, "Perhaps I was being too tough."
Caitlin grins and shrugs as they reach the door of the clinic. "I don't know. I was too busy being confused thinking he was a shoemaker. Don't suppose it does any harm, though, having another church in town."
"Well, his use of words got me as well, which was his intent, I'm sure." Herod opens the door, allow her to pass in front. "No, I suppose not. Might shake people up a bit, which couldn't hurt."
Caitlin steps into the clinic and pulls off her gloves, setting them aside to be washed after the whole bloody nose incident. Unwrapping her scarf, she nods to Herod and then says, "I wonder what business he has with Dr Kei, though."
"Who knows. I can't imagine Dr. Kei would be all that impressed with the man's war of words." There is a distant smirk in Herod's eyes, the man shaking his head. "I just didn't get a good feeling from him. A fella should say what he means, not hide behind words."
Caitlin nods, "I imagine not. I suppose we'll find out soon enough." She turns toward Herod, his comment eliciting a warm smile. "That's one of the things I love about you - you always say what you mean."
"For better or worse, love." The horseman grins, stepping closer to her and leaning in to kiss her. He has been shaving a lot more frequently and, in addition, has been getting better and better at it as time goes on. His face is almost perfectly smooth this evening, for example. "I worry someday I will be too honest."
Caitlin returns the kiss, touching his cheek lightly as she notices his recent shaving. "Well, there are certainly worse things to be than too honest," she observes with a grin.
"I suppose." Herod grins, pulling her a little closer. Smiling down at her, he teases, "Of course, I was tempted to ask that preacher if he'd marry us right there on the spot." The expression on his face is kind and honest.
Caitlin slips her arms around him, looking up with a grin. "Even a high-faluting fellow like him?" she teases back.
"I was also once told that the ends justify the means... or some such nonsense." Herod says back faux-challengingly, kissing her once again. This time, he lingers far longer then is polite. Tisk!
Caitlin doesn't seem to mind at all. Of course, politeness is not so important between fiancees. She smiles broadly, and says, "Well, I can't much object given how appealing the end is."
The horseman smiles broadly, shaking his head, "Well, perhaps we should go over to the restaurant, have dinner, and see what ends that turns up?" There is a warm gaze in his eyes as he looks down at her.
"Sounds grand. I can't object to a night out." Though Herod knows Caitlin's happy enough to cook for them in the clinic kitchen. "Though I'd better hold onto your arm, just so as I don't fall." She grins.
"Goodness. I won't have that." Herod smiles, motioning to the door. "It is just a short walk and I'll give you a night without cooking." He hugs her again, stepping back so they can be on their way. "Shall we?"