It is Wednesday latenight
Malory is arguing with the clerk behind the counter. "No! I don't think you understand. I need a new room and I need it now."
Madeline is simply walking down the stairs. Step by step. Kicking her skirts out from underfoot before she steps down. At the sound of raised voices, though, she arches an eyebrow, and stops on the bottommost. Well, well, what's this?
The clerk looks bored the this man's complaints, what is this the fourth one today? He drawls out, "And just what is wrong with your room, sir." The 'this time' is unspoken.
Madeline looked at you, Chap.
Malory sighs and slows his words in case this clerk is intelligence impaired. "I specifically asked for a room with a large bed. *You* gave me a room with a toddler's crib." Malory doesn't seem to be aware of the woman behind him.
[Madeline] Standing at 5'6", she is enough taller than the average woman about town, that she draws the eye, for a moment, at any rate. She is all eyes: warm, deep blue, and wide, giving her an air of perpetual innocence to mingle with the sparkle of humor, framed by long, thick lashes of ambergold. Eyebrows like fine brushstrokes complete the expression, innocence or amusement. A straight, fine nose settles above full lips that almost always smile. Hair of the same amber-gold color as her lashes is drawn back into a properly done-up braid that traces her spine to the small of her back. The dress she wears is royal, and rich, blue in color, the material woven to shine in the proper light. The neckline is square-cut, showing a well-bred and long neck, and just a modest hint of cleavage. The rest of the bodice is tightly buttoned over a stiffly drawn corset, the buttons carved of ebony. A small bustle helps to heap the skirts out from under foot in the rear, they being full, and flaring with her every step, giving those watching a hint of ivory underskirt. Long fingers grace delicate hands, and the girl seems graced with a bright, and straight, smile.
Madeline's polite smile widens into an amused smile, as she steps off the bottom step, finally. "Maybe he simply thought you were planning long enough that you might /need/ a crib, sir?"
Malory stiffens then turns around slowly at the sound of the woman's voice. His demeanor transforms immediately, the deep scowl fading into a warm smile. "Well now, that is a possibility. Care to help me try?"
Madeline smiles, a trifle smugly, perhaps, and nods almost formally. "I could probably give it a shot, at the very least. As soon as we've been introduced, and you're not just a face I've seen before." Remember the saloon? She extends a hand. "Madeline Quintan."
Malory's smile falters for a moment as a look of confusion passes across his expression and then he lets out a soft chuckle. He steps forward, the clerk and his current room assignment temporarily forgotten. "Alec Malory." He offers a slight bow.
Madeline's eyebrows climb again, at the bow, as she retrieves her hand. More bowing men? Too much, really. She laughs quietly herself. "A pleasure, Mr. Malory." Then, she turns her attention on the desk clerk, and clears her throat a bit. "The gentleman was asking for a new room?"
A new room. Yes. Yes. Something Mallory is going to need apparently. He turns around and lifts his brow towards the clerk, conveying a stern urgency with his tone, "Yes. About that new room."
The clerk rolls his eyes and pulls a random key off the rack behind him, tossing it towards Malory, "2nd Floor."
Madeline smiles brightly, and looks back over her shoulder. "There. Easy as pie."
Though pie isn't very easy, and takes much more thought than Madeline would ever have thought imaginable. Sad, no?
Malory catches the key and turns towards Madeline, walking and guiding the woman in one movement towards the stairs. Best not wait till his luck expires. "Obviously, you bring me good luck. Shall we?"
Madeline blinks, and blinks again, being herded, as it were, back toward the stairs. Er. Did she miss the part in between the exchange of names and the walk up the stairs together when conversation, delightful banter, and such things happen? She smiles, a tad curiously now. "Sir?" That's a 'Were we going somewhere together, sir?'
Malory stops instantly. Maybe he shouldn't have assumed. He moves his hand away and stows the key away, laughing her uncertainty off. "Later then?" Spoken more as a promise then a question. He waves his hand towards the safer confines of the hotel sitting area, "Shall we?"
Madeline frowns faintly, for just a moment, as the man stops, and the key is tucked away. And then it is replaced by a smile again. She nods, and walks toward the sitting area, passing by Malory with a sidelong glance, and sitting before him on a couch, leaving a cushioned chair nearby for him.
Malory watches her makes her way, then finally follows. He steps alongside the couch where she has sat, not considering it will be a tight squeeze there or that she hasn't even invited him. Like he would sit on the chair, really! He sits.
Colleen saunters over from the south double doors..
Madeline's smile falters again, and restores itself. Taking a tiny breath, she shifts over, to make enough room for both to be comfortable, then folds her hands in her lap. "I think, Mr. Malory, that perhaps you've mistaken me.." She trails off, to watch the other woman enter.
Colleen puts her hand to her throat, startled. "Oh, pardon me." She says, her face reddening.
Colleen is a small woman, with such voluminous quantities of chestnut hair piled atop her head you'd expect she could hardly stand under the weight of it. She fidgets, tugging at a loose strand, as her large blue eyes take in everything.
Colleen looks back, smiling hesitantly.
Malory settles himself nicely onto the couch seeing as how Madeline has made the room then turns as the other woman speaks. He smiles at the creeping blush, "Good Evening." He doesn't stand. He just got this seat, he isn't about to lose it.
Madeline echoes a 'Good evening," after Malory.
Colleen notes Mr. Malory's lack of manners. Well-bred young men back home certainly always rose as a lady entered the room. "Good evening," she says, her lips pursed slightly. "Please, don't let me interrupt."
Malory looks devilishly amused at this, "Well as much as I appreciate the free lease, Madame, there is naught here that you are interrupting. Miss Madeline.." He glances at the woman beside him, "and I were just getting our introductions done." And out of the way.
Colleen shifts uncomfortably. Perhaps a comment on the weather then a swift exit. "Lovely weather tonight..." She trails off, the blush deepening further.
Malory answers absently, "Is it? I haven't had a chance to experience it today." He motions towards the empty chair that Madeline no doubt would have preferred he sit in, "Please, join us."
Colleen clears her throat slightly, her fingers fidgeting through her hair. Looking about her, she proclaims, "Do forgive me, but I had best be on my way... Er, my companion must be missing me by now..."
Evan looks into the hotel lobby from the road outside. Seeing Madeline, he stops. No, he'll check later.
Malory contains his smile to a small grin and raises a brow towards Colleen, "Your husband perhaps?" And wouldn't you know Evan peeks in the doorway. Ever the one to assume, "Why, would that be him?"
Colleen "Do forgive me, perhaps we shall bump... er... run into each other again sometime..."
Evan is a lean man of fairly average height, with light brown hair and blue eyes. He wears a mustache, from which often sticks a pipe. He is a polite, congenial fellow, always ready for conversation. He is a shop owner, and so he hasn't picked up the weather-beaten look some other people have. He is wearing a white shirt, with vest and trousers of a matching dark color. Right now, Evan is hatless. He wears a well-kept but unpolished Colt's .44 on his right hip.
Colleen flushes deeply. "Oh, no," she stammers. "I... I haven't a husband. No, no. Er, I mean..."
Evan looked at you, Chap.
Malory leans further out of his seat to peer out the window at the man outside. He makes a clucking noise then smiles at Colleen. "Probably better off anyway. He hardly looks like the kind of chap to suit you. You'd chose someone more exciting." He appears to draw great amusement from seeing how red he can make this poor woman turn.
Colleen fidgets again. Oh, my. Nothing at all like the gentlemen at home. Ouch! If he continues, she just might pull that stray tendril right out!
Evan strolls across the room, toward the blushing Colleen. Who is that fellow, and what has he done to this young lady? Has he no couth whatsoever?
Colleen turns to Evan with feigned surprise. "Why, Mr. Randolph, how good of you to join us! Have you.. er... have you been well?"
Malory leans back to watch the his labor bear fruit. Ah, so she -knows- this man. He eavesdrops openly, glancing once at Madeline beside him.
Colleen pats her hands to her cheek. My, she must be a sight. "Such a warm evening, don't you think?" she asks her companions. There, that would be a good excuse for her blush... Or, had she mentioned the weather already?
Evan smiles to Colleen. "Yes, I have. Well, indeed, Miss Johnson." A quick glance toward Madeline, almost sorry he was noticed. Another glance to Malory, who is enjoying himself too much. Something -- disapproval, perhaps? -- flashes in his eyes. Evan plays along with Colleen. "Yes, just a touch warm, I think." More weather talk.
Malory lets out a soft chuckle then motions towards the clerk. They've only been sitting there for all of ten minutes, surely someone would have offered a Brandy by now. He turns back to the couple just in time to be treated with Evan's priceless look. Another chuckle. Maybe this town doesn't have to be so boring afterall. "Brandy, Madeline?"
Colleen smiles gratefully at him. She should never have left her... oh, but that was a different story. "Is this unseasonably warm, Mr. Malory?" Perhaps if she drew him into the conversation, he'd stop looking at her like that. She flushes again.
Madeline is simply watching. She might be -almost- smiling. Almost. Thought the evening is certainly taking turns she didn't expect tonight. She clears her throat, and brushes at an imaginary bit of dust on her skirts. "As I was saying, Mr. Malory, I think, perhaps you misunderstood what I... er." First name basis already, Mr. Malory? She laughs at that. "I'd be pleased, Alec." Two can play this game.
Colleen starts a bit at the names. Perhaps she hadn't been mistake at what an interruption she'd caused by wandering in.
Malory orders two brandies smiling like he knows some great big secret then hmmms towards Colleen. "The weather?" Again? "I really couldn't say, I'm new to town myself. Though I do find it fairly cool myself." Nope, not warm at all. Sorry.
Colleen flushes again. Goodness, isn't there a limit to how red one could get? "Mr. Randolph? You live in town, didn't you say?"
Malory waits as patiently as he can for the drinks to come, his foot tapping lightly on the floor. He finally acknowledges Madeline's earlier statements. "And just what is it I've misunderstood Madeline?"
Evan smiles at Colleen, hoping to insinuate himself between her and Malory's predatory eyes. "Yes, miss, but I've only been here for a month or so. I don't know much about Montana summers."
Madeline smiles perfectly at Malory. That patented Quintan smile don't you know? "I /was/ on my way out when you.." Accosted? Nono.. "Stopped me."
Evan wonders. Yes, _Madeline_, what is it Alec's misunderstood? He studiously ignores Malory, though.
Colleen eyes the exit longingly. She should never have left her room without Amelia! Sighing, she tries again. Perhaps something other than the weather. She fidgets again, wondering what this strange conversation meant between Malory and Madeline
Malory grows wide-eyed with innocence. "I stopped you?" He laughs, glancing at the other two in the room, should he go so far as to recount word for word. "As I recall, Madeline, I was merely attempting to deal with the clerk when you propositioned me.. with your offer of help."
Evan decides Madeline can handle herself. "Loaded revolver", and all that. What? Propositioned? No, get out. "Would you perhaps like to catch some air, Miss Johnson?" He gestures toward the door, inviting.
Colleen turns delightedly. At last! "Why, thank you, Mr. Randolph. I would like that very much." Nodding to the couple, she murmurs, "Please excuse us."
Evan hopes Malory doesn't hear the shot that kills him, if it goes so far. Metaphorically speaking. He offers his arm to Colleen, and turns to leave. "Miss Quintan. Sir." That last word, a touch sarcastically.
That's right, run away before you are scandalized. Malory accepts the two delivered drinks and hands one towards Madeline, calling after the couple, "Good Evening."
Colleen flushes again and hurries towards the door.
Colleen moves off towards the south door.
Evan strolls off towards the south door.
Madeline accepts the drink, still smiling, but nods nonetheless, once the other .. couple?.. has left. "Stopped me," she asserts. "It was a genuine offer of help."
Malory leans closer, dropping his voice so that the clerk doesn't hear, "Help me find a good use for a crib?" His brow shoots up.
You know what Maddie hates? Having old hair-trigger responses pinged by men with whom she was simply trying to be friendly. And for a moment, she says nothing, lifting the brandy glass to her lips and taking a sip, blue eyes on the green of her determined companion.
Malory knows better then to assume a woman's silence means her acquiescence. He stands from the couch and just keeps smiling like a fool, "It was your words, not mine. Certainly you cannot blame a man for being willing to accept such a beautiful offer from such an equally beautiful woman."
Madeline lowers the glass to rest it against her knee. "I haven't placed a drop of blame. The fault might very well lie with me, for being unclear. And.." she adds, looking you over pointedly, "under other circumstances, I might very well set this glass down, and lead /you/ up the stairs."
Malory interprets that as a challenge to just keep trying and his smile stretches to say as much, "And what other circumstances might that be?"
Malory holds up his hand before she can answer and pulls the room key from his pocket, inspecting the room number which he then shows to Madeline, "2F." He swings the key back into his pocket offering her a slight bow, "In case you ever need to find me. Or want to." He grins and turns on his heel, leaving her there.