Southern Style

[Merelan]

Here goes guys. I hope it works out. Anyone is welcome to join. I deliberately left room for many charcters or none. But I guarantee anyone that joins will have a super time!!!
Anyone have ideas just email or jump on in. The returning General and the mysterious blonde lady are taken, but we need help with the estate, and neighbors, maybe a carpetbagger or two... or passing soldiers?
Setting:
Post American Civil War. The war had been over a year now. it had taken that long for him to reach home. Home. It was all he had thought about in the final days of the conflict. Those terrible days when his rank and uniform had been stripped from him by the winning Yanks. But not his pride. he had fought for what he believed, what he still believed. Now, after fighting his way out of prison, and working harder then he ever had before, he was Home.
He reached the mouth of the drive, knowing what to expect. He had seen it as he traveled. The trees cut down and burned. The fields laying fallow and ruined by neglect. The mansions half gone and empty. His families history trampled in the mud and filth of the accumulated years. But, surprisingly, the first thing he saw was a beautiful woman on a fine stallion. A tall blonde, her head high as she controlled the urges and nature of the wild beast between her legs. He watched as she rode past him like a swift
breeze. How dare she not respond to his tipped hat! And he smiled as he realized she wouldn't know who he was, anymore then he knew her. He followed the drive, more amazed with every step. There had been some work donw. He could see where things had fallen and died, but also where someone had tenderly eased them, and replanted others. Around the bend he saw the Mansion.
Yes, part of it was ruined. But the rest looked inhabited, but by who. He had received word that his brother had died in battle. They were all that was left. Surely the slaves had not done this? then who. As he approached he noticed another woman, setting in his mothers rocker, shelling peas. Rocking and humming, she seemed lost in a world of her own. He softly approached, vaguely recognizing her, from somewhere.

Miranda Dolan:
5'6" Auburn haired lady. 25 years old

Sitting there on the porch I thought over what I still had to do before dinner. I shouldn't be relaxing. There was so much to accomplish. She was out taming the stallion we had just purchased, using the last of our ready cash and promises of future payments. I wondered how long it would be before it all fell in. There weren't many of us here, but we did the best we could.
We needed help. I had often been here often as a youngster, for those huge tea parties the owners had held for us children. Then it turned into grand balls that I had been too young for. Just when I had reached the age of my debute. The war broke out. I shook my head and concentrated on the task at hand. It wasn't till the younger brother had come home, wounded, that I came back. By then I was living alone in the shell of my home, with just my Nanny and her son to keep me company. Often they had hidden me from the various troops, from both sides,that had come traveling through. When Henry had returned wounded to an empty home, I had sent Samuel and his mother over to help. After a few days I ended up moving in to be under their protection, and to help nurse him. He was dying. There wasn't anything we could do but make him comfortable. I brushed a tear from my cheek as I remembered his last days, and our budding love, gone before it ever bloomed. Samuel caught his fever and died
soon after, leaving us alone. We had stayed on, as Henry had wanted. It had been a few monthes later when the Lady had shown up. She had taken command, and I had no choice but to obey her. She knew what to do, knew how to get what was
needed done. I finished the peas and stood, stretching my back and admiring the garden.

[Edited by Merelan on 11-16-2000 at 12:47 PM]

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Katie Evans

OOC: 26, blonde and with a look in her eyes that say she wasn't able to hide from the troops as well as Miranda.

IC:
Some people are just born leaders and some are followers. It wasn't good to be a woman and a leader. My pride made me do things that got me in trouble. It seemed that even the lowest male "follower" enjoyed taking down a high-minded female.
When I'd finally stumbled, literally, on this mansion, it was in complete disrepair. There was a woman about my age staying there. She claimed to have been a neighbor of the plantation's owners. Her slaves had been sent here to tend to the youngest son of the house, then she moved here too.
I don't know how it happened that I took charge. I just did. But we got the rooms habitable. She'd balked at starting a garden as soon as spring planting time arrived.
"A lady does NOT toil under the sun!" She'd insisted. I mentioned that a lady could very well rot in her grave, but that I was going to eat.
So she helped.

I was riding our new stallion. I'd been able to haggle a good price for him, but he's still cost us dearly. And he wasn't quite tame. Not that I expected a stallion to be tame, just rideable. I passed a man -- a man in a uniform heading toward my new home. He tipped his hat, but I sped by him in a hurry. He probably couldn't hurt us all, but I didn't want to leave Miranda to deal with him by herself. She was just to sweet and trusting.

OOC:do I see shades of Scarlet and Melanie here?

[Edited by Countess DeWinter on 11-16-2000 at 01:05 PM]

 

[Thor's Hammer]

General Beauregard Thor

A long journey; from the Pennsylvania hills around Gettysburg to Appomattox and General Lee's final surrender. I remember that day well. We tendered our swords and commanded our men to lay down their arms for the Yankees. In that little house I gained something I never though I would have - respect for a Yankee. General Grant returned our swords and commanded that our men could keep their rifles. I can still remember his words..."General Lee, your men may retain their arms - they will need them to hunt and protect their land from the turmoil after this sad, sad war." General Lee said, "You are most kind sir...your chivalry will start us on the path to healing."

The devastation was terrible. Sherman had cut a swath through here, and the people were living in poverty. As I round the bend, I see my beloved ancestral home. Partially ruined, but, amazingly, partially still intact. Dressed in raggedy clothing, my uniform long gone, I spot a woman, riding a stallion, driving the horse by me. She ignored my tip of the hat, but, I chuckle, how could she know who I am? I pause for a moment to admire her seat on the steed; riding him, clearly in charge of the powerful beast.

As I approach the porch of my home, I see another woman - dark haired, sitting on the veranda, shelling peas. She is fair skinned and, after all, all the slaves are gone, I suspect. "Who can she be? And, what is she doing here?"

Resting one hand on the pistol in my belt - it is never far from my hand these days - I continue up the long drive toward the house.

 

[Merelan]

I turn and notice the man's approach, ready to run and scream. For I remember Katie's warnings. But I am not a complete inoccent. I draw myself up and try to act the owner. He looks tired and worn out, yet somehow, familiar.

"What can I do for you sir?"

 

[Thor's Hammer]

General Beau

As I approach the porch, the young woman with the auburn hair asks, "What can I do for you, sir?"

The old manners never leave - bending at the waist, I bow, and in my most courtly southern voice I ask, "What may I do for you, as you are sitting on the porch of what is left of my home?" I must look like one of the carpetbagger scum with my ragged clothes and the gun in my belt. Her eyes widen...

 

[Merelan]

"I don't appreciate your humour sir. Whoever you are please leave now."
I was shocked that someone would claim to own this home, this estate. It was my Henry's, and I had promised to rebuild it for him and the honour of his family.

OOC:
Hey... what is the name of your home?

 

[Vailyn]

Sun Raen Li

OOC: I don't think that my time period is totally out of it...pretty sure some chinese slave ships have already been to the wild west coast and stuff by the war. Not completely sure, but this is fiction so !

IC:

Sun Raen Li
Chinese mix-breed, 4'11", short filthy black hair, painfilled startling jade green eyes, painfully thin body with small breasts, concave stomach, faded white scars and old still bleeding wounds

Whimpering in pain, I crawled and scrambled thru the dark forest. Jumping starts tensed up my black and blue body at any loud sound. Suddenly I came to a clearing and I see a house up ahead. A young auburn woman looked like she's working on the porch and a stranger ahorsed rode up to the house. Hunger ached fiercely in my body and I groaned in response. Just the hint of food made waves of hunger run thru my body. Dizzy, I fall beneath a tall sheltering bush.

'Darkness...wait til darkness and..' I knew no more.

 

[catlover]

Colonel Beaver

As the assigned acting Governor General for the State of Tennessee under the authority of the Union Government in Washington,I arrived in the area on my horse with the first task of finding suitable quarters for my staff, and office space in which to set up the temporary government.

For offices I located a former cotton warehouse that was structurally sound, and that could be divided into offices and other spaces for government purposes. Later in the day I was riding in the countryside, hoping to find an abandoned house or plantation that might be suitable, or failing to find one abandoned, one that with my authority I could requisition for my use as living quarters.

I saw one partially destroyed that looked like a possibility. Then I saw a stately blond lady riding a horse,and turned into the lane to at least get directions. As I approached the house, there was another lady sitting shelling peas.I dismounted, and knowing my welcome would be less than gracious, I identified myself and politely asked the status of this property. The lady rode up on her horse,and a man walked up behind me. We chatted and since the man claimed to be the owner, I politely asked them for their advice. I was told there was a place right down the road that might be available. I thanked them, and offerred my services if I could be of help in any way, especially wanting to be friendly if they were going to be my neighbors

 

[Merelan]

I was furious that this man claimed to be the owner. How dare he.

I turned to the newcomer and my Lady.

"He is not. I knew the owners, they are dead. I buried Mister Henry myself. Please. He is just an imposter! Trying to take advantage of us ladies. If he has any honour he will go!"
I was so close to tears I was ready to shed them at any moment.

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Katie

I put a gentling arm around Miranda's shoulders. It often seemed as if she would never get over the loss of young Henry.
I turned to the stranger (or strangers as the case may be ) and asked, "Who are you?"

Having not one but two men here -- and one a Yankee!!(I assume so catlover, since no Confederate officers were allowed to hold public office after the war), made a shiver of fear lick it's way up my spine, but I stiffened my back and looked it - and them - straight in the eye.

"I say again," I said a little too loudly, trying to keep the tremor of fear from my voice. "Who are you?" I hoped they wouldn't notice the whiteness of my knuckles where I held on to Miranda.

 

[catlover]

Col Beaver

At her question I again identified myself as a designee of the Federal Government, sent here to administer the territory until a permanent government could be established, to ensure tranquility and protect the lives and property of the people here. It was my intention to fully implement that policy fairly and benevolently and without any rancor or prejudice regarding those who found themselves following their hearts, on either side.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

General Beauregard Thor (in Georgia)

Turning my attention to the blonde who has suddenly appeared and thrown her arm around the other girl, I bow again - ignoring the carpetbagger trespasser for the moment. "Ladies, I am Beau Thor, until a year ago General of the Confederate States Army of Northern Virginia. This house and the lands are my beloved home - 'Fairview.' My Granddaddy named it in 1810. I fear that you have the advantage of me. Who might you be, and how is it that you are staying here?" I had hoped against hope that the report of Henry's death had been false, but he is obviously not here.

 

[ManOSafety]

James Thompson

He had also been with Massah Robert at Appomattox Court House, he'd ridden with Stuart and with Fitzhugh Lee. He was also thankful to the Yankees who had allowed him to keep his horse.

As he'd traveled the roads back towards his home in Georgia, he'd been saddened by the destruction he'd seen, cursing Sherman and his men with each step of his horse. He didn't know how he'd been accepted when he got back home. Betty had stopped responding to his letters, so he didn't know if she was still waiting for him or not.

Rounding a turn in the road, he sees the turnoff for Fairview. As he understood it, Mr. Thor had been a general with the Army of Northern Virginia, but their paths had not crossed during the war. Not much longer and he'll be home.

 

[Merelan]

I was stunned as he explained who he was. I shook my head, but, then realized why he looked faintly familiar. He looked like Henry's Daddy. But Thor was dead, or, so we had been told. I knew a way to find out for sure. Looks could be deceiving.
"Sir. If you are who you say you are, I would know you. I was Henry's fiancee, and he told me many things about his older brother. If you are truly Thor then you should be able to tell us what happened with the pecan pie on a certain Sunday during church. Only Thor and Henry knew where it disappeared too. And what happened to the slave Sally as a result."
I had been so sure a moment ago, and now I wondered. What would happen if he was Henry's brother. Would he throw us all off of here? After all the work we had done?

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Katie

I watched the tension between Miranda and Gen. Thor. Despite his rank, he was as bedraggled as any man could expect to be after walking nearly across the country. I had yet to see a Confederate soldier in any better shape, but Miranda was adamant and the tension was thick between them.

"We are here at the behest of the late Master Henry," I said, drawing up my courage. "He was gentleman enough, even in his dire illness, to offer us a home when we had none. We were lead to believe that the owners had all passed away." I took a deep breath and continued, "If you are who you say you are - and we are waiting for your proof - then we will retire to the parlor for a little peach brandy before dinner." I turned to Miranda slighty, keeping my eyes on the men before us. "Nanny is preparing dinner, isn't she?"

Trying to hide the rancor in my eyes, I turned to Col Beaver. "You, sir, are welcome for brandy and dinner as well. But don't expect me to just give you the benefit of the doubt. My experience with Yankees hasn't been pleasant. Miranda, did you remember to polish the gun before you started on the peas?" Winking surrepitiously, I hoped she got my meaning...I didn't want these men - whoever they were - thinking we were easy targets.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Beau

As my eyes light up, I remember, many years ago, the 'great pecan pie mystery.' You have to understand that loving pecan pie is only one small notch below a gentleman's admiration of the flower of Southern womanhood. I began to talk - almost to myself...

"Henry, the mischevious one talked Sally into taking the fresh baked pie and hiding it by the stream - in our favorite summer place. During church she absconded with the pie which was to have graced the family table after church and hid it for Henry. When we returned, our mother noticed the pie was missing and lined up the kitchen staff for questioning. Henry and I were frightened, both for ourselves and for Sally. No one confessed so our mother said that Sally, since she was in charge of the kitchen, would be punished. She dismissed the other slaves. The only people left were Henry, myself, mother, and Sally. She told Sally to bend over and then, with a switch from the corner, lightly tapped her on her bottom - twice. Mother was the kindest person that ever lived and would never hurt a fly. She told Sally to say she was whipped, and dismissed her, with a funny look at Henry and I. Later that afternoon Henry and I feasted on the whole pie - and never told a soul. And that, young lady, is the story of the 'purloined pecan pie.' Now, who are you and who is your friend?"

 

[Merelan]

I watched as a puzzled look passed over his face. Turning to Katie I nodded.
"Yes, and I have the usual here in my pocket, patting a bulge in my apron pocket.
'We don't go unarmed you know." I had to remember to tell her later, you don't polish a gun, and that the suspicious bulge was actually one of Henry's handkerchiefs, wrapped around his medals and the family ring. I carried it with me everywhere. I wondered if this man, Thor, if he was, would demand it back.
I listened then as he correctly told the story. Only he could have known, or Sally, and she was long gone too. I had to believe, by his looks, bearing and the story that it was Thor. I trembled as I held out my hand to him.
"I am sorry Master Thor. I had to be sure, there have been so many people trying to take this place from us." He shook my hand, still wondering who I was.
"I am Miranda Dolan. The youngest of the Dolan clan from Marble Halls. It was taken by the army and used for billeting, now there is nothing left." I explained how it came to be that I was here at his home. Then I had to explain how Henry had come home, wounded and sick, with no one to care for him. I tried to be strong, tried not to cry. But the tears welled out of my eyes and slipped down my cheeks as I explained briefly how we had nursed him to no avail. He was buried in the family plot, next to their parents and sister. I reached in my pocket, but couldn't give it to him here, in front of the others. It could wait.
"I think some brandy is in order. Master Thor, if it suits you, we do still have a small bit of the home blend. But alas, no cigars. Dinner will be done soon. I need to attend to it. If you will all excuse me."
I turned from them, unable to stop the tears from again forming. I walked to the end of the porch and took a deep breath. But a motion caught my eye. What was that? A stray cat? Or maybe a hen? We had to keep track of every one, how. I peered closer, and saw the frightened look on her face.
I quickly held up one finger, not sure who this new man was. Or if he was here looking for her. Old habits died hard.
I mouthed to her.
"Come around to the back door in a few minutes." I hoping she spoke enough English. If she didn't appear I would send one of the servants kids out to get her.
I turned and went inside determined to present to Master Thor the best I could offer, to show what we had accomplished.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Beau Thor

"Miss Dolan...Miranda, if I may, some brandy would be a fine welcome home." I bow and indicate she should precede me. Turning to her blonde friend I ask, "And who might you be?" She seems very self assured for one so young. Of course, I am only 50 myself...but the war has aged me beyond my years.

Adjusting my pistol in my belt, my ice blue eyes coldly assess the carpetbagger - and then return to the blonde woman. She is intriguing - she rode that stallion like a man.

 

[catlover]

Col Beaver

I am honored, Miss Katie, that you would include me in the occasion of welcoming General Thor home. However I wouldn't think of intruding, although the prospect of peach brandy and a dinner with you folks is most enticing. Turning to Gen'l Thor, I said "I am pleased that you made it home, sir. This state needs all the qualified and competent men it can find. I would most appreciate the opportunity of working with you in cooperation. When you have rested, may I ask you to meet with me at your convenience to plan and attend to what has to be done. Your participation may be either public or private as you might prefer, but I assure you that whatever you ask will be granted to the best of our ability."

"It was mentioned that there was a place down the road that seemed to be unoccupied. I will go on down the road and check that out if I may, and hope that I may call on you good people again soon."

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Beau Thor

Bowing to the carpetbagger I respond; "Sir, your courtesy is appreciated. I have served my state in the past and I hope to in the future."

Perhaps all carpetbaggers are not alike. This one seems, at least on the surface, to have a modicum of humanity in his heart. However, my experience makes me cynical - we will see.

 

[catlover]

Col Beaver

Bowing to the ladies and thanking them all for their courtesy,I re-mounted my horse and headed down the road. After passing a fence I came upon a place that looked like a separate piece of property. Back from the road were several buildings that looked like sheds. I turned into the lane and rode in. to see a homesite burned to the ground. What a shame to see these wonderful properties destroyed. There was just a brick chimney left and nothing else except some charred beams fallen on the ground. I gazed at the gruesome sight, and turned toward a shed that looked intact.

Dismounting I looked inside to see very little in the dark, but hiding in the corner was a young white girl or woman, cowering from fright. I said "Hello-are you all right?" Is anyone else here?

She whimpered and said "in the last few weeks everyone has left except me. I am too with child to walk far so I just stayed. We had a group of rabble Rebs that camped here and they took turns with the women here including me, and I became pregnant. After they left, taking several of the women with them as whores, some yankees came and camped, and they did it too but at least they fed us. When they left the rest of the women decided to leave too.I am alone and hungry. Do you have any food?"

All there was was a pile of straw in the corner for her bed. I said "yes I have very little but what I have I will share. Let's make some coffee and eat what there is".

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Katie

"My name is Kathleen Mallory Evans. You may call me Miss Katie." I found that adopting a confident air in frightening situations served two purposes: it gave me the strength to stand my ground and not faint away from fright and it led others to believe I wasn't knee-knocking nervous.
For so long I had managed without men. Miranda was delightful company as was Nanny. What few neighbors were around were mostly women of all ages and old men. The scars those horrid Yankee soldiers left were practically healed, inside and out. But now...now I felt like a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.

Clutching Miranda's arm for support, I steered her toward the parlor, Gen. Thor following us. I breathed a sigh of relief when I looked back and saw that Yankee carpetbagger leaving. At least maybe the odds were even...

 

[Merelan]

I felt her grip, and knew how scared she was. I knew what she had been through. I had been the one to hold her those long nights when she whimpered in fear and pain. I hoped Thor was like the rest of his family, kind and gentle, but the war could change things. I had to trust him a few minutes though. There were things I had to attend too.
I slipped away from her once we reached the parlor.
"I need to check on dinner. I will return momentarily. I am just the other side of the wall though, if you need me just ring the bell Miss Katie."
I left them, rushing to check on dinner and to set another place, at the head of the table. It was his right. This was his home, and we were suddenly the trespassers. Nanny was doing the cooking, luckily. But she was slowly teaching me the way around the kitchen. I told her about Master Thor's return, and had to comfort her. She had been born and lived a slave, not knowing any other way, and not wanting one. To her I was still Mistress Miranda, though only in public. She bossed me when we were alone, as a mother hen. i also told her briefly about the young girl in the bushes.
"I cannot stay, I need to get back to Miss Katie. she doesn't know him and feels uncomfortable. You understand. if the girl shows up get her taken care of. I have no idea who she is, but tend to her. She looked so frightened, and showed up at the same time as some carpetbagger from the North did."

 

[catlover]

Col Beaver

I asked the girl her name.She said "I'm Carrie. I lived just down the road but our place was destroyed and I came here. Then this place was burned too and I have nowhere else to go."

We made the coffee over a campfire and shared my meager rations. I apologized that there wasnt much, but I told her I'd find more tomorrow and help take care of her. As we talked I never did identify who I was- I merely gave her my first name Frank. When it became dark I spread my blanket over her straw bed, and we laid down together and slept.

During the night she awoke me by fondling my groin and asked me "arent you going to rape me? after all those men I began to like it and I want you".I kissed her and said "go back to sleep- I'll talk to you tomorrow" She snuggled up close and we held each other and slept again.

In the morning, we went together to the stream and bathed together,naked. On shore we looked at each other and embraced and kissed. She was quite far along and her swelling was quite noticeable. We laid down together on my blanket and kissed, then she took my cock in her hand and asked me again to have sex with her. I was afraid of hurting her, but we laid on our sides and with her leg over me, I managed to get inside her and pleasure her without penetrating too far. Suddenly she panted and gasped quietly as she came, and then we kissed some more, as I fondled her swolled breasts, and then kissed them too. She slid down me and licked my cock and sucked it a little and then said "the soldiers made me do this. I'd never done it before but after they raped me and made me suck them I began to like it too." I just melted at this girl of about 20, and wanted to take good care of her.

After we dressed again, I put her on my horse and I mounted behind her and we rode back to Fairview. Katie was in the yard and I introduced them and asked if she could stay with them at least until we could find another arrangement, while I attended to my business in town. I told Carrie I would see her later, and rode to find the senior military officer in the area, in order to start setting up my offices.

[Edited by catlover on 11-17-2000 at 10:27 AM]

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Katie

I was a little frightened when Miranda left me alone with Gen. Thor. He was so large and imposing a figure. He made me feel small and helpless. I walked over to the sideboard and poured two glasses of peach brandy, offering one to Thor. I know ladies aren't supposed to have anything stronger than a little sherry, but I have learned the calming effects of harder spirits and used the brandy to calm my shaking nerves.
I looked toward the parlor door, wishing Miranda would return.
"So, General, were you with Lee when he surrendered? We heard a little news, but it was patchy and we were never sure what was truth and what was rumor." I tried to sound casual and unafraid. I hoped I succeeded.