The Return to Spancil Hill

[Poganin]

OOC: I would like to invite two gentlewomen to participate in this story. It will be set in Spancil Hill, a quaint Irish town. I will be playing Patrick O'Halloran, an exiled resident of this town, now coming back after 5 years of absence. He left voluntarily after accidentally killing his best friend -- Mick Maguire. The lady roles are:

1) Nell Maguire - Patrick's childhood friend and a girl he was to marry. After the accident they haven't spoken and she never answered any of his letters. It's up to you to decide from this point how to role play this character.

2) Kat Kavanagh - Patrick's neighbour who had crush on him before his departure. Kat and Nell are best friends even though they both loved Patrick.

Patrick is a slim, 5'6'' tall guy with dark red hair and awesomely blue eyes. He is a calm person, who rarely gives in to anger and he speaks in whisper.

Persons interested please apply

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

OOC:

Thanks for your PM ...

I really don't mind either role, but if you insist on a choice ...

I'll play Kat for you.

Hope this suits ... any start date is fine with me...

{{{huggs}}}

DM x

 

[Poganin]

To bump this up I'll give some background info on the story. It's been 5 years since Patrick left the town after the dead body of Mick Maguire had been found on the bank of the river. Last time they had been seen together was when they had been on their way home from a pub in Cloomy, a neighbouring town. Mick never made it home that night and some early birds saw Patrick leave at dawn, never to see him again.

For the last half a year before his departure Patrick's life in Spancil Hill had been quite unpleasant, with nasty rumours spreading about his being the father of Siobhan Moran's son. It was Patrick's mother, a well-known gossiper, who actually started it all. After a wedding party in Cloomy, he was seen driving Siobhan home and stayed with her till morning. Everything would have been fine save for two things: Siobhan was married to Jack, and Patrick was betrothed to Nell Maguire. With the nasty rumour about Patrick's being the father of Siobhan's son, whom she named Patrick as if to make things even more ironic, some people started whispering. No explanations from either Siobhan or Patrick O'Halloran were listened to, nobody seemed to care for the truth. Except for Nell and Kat, the two girls who knew him better than anybody else, as they had been spending a lot of time together since childhood.

Some time passed and when one day Mick was found dead and Patrick gone people believe that the rumour was true and Patrick killed Mick in order to dispose of someone knowing it and fleed to escape lynching.

During those five years Patrick's mother died, as did Siobhan's son, Patrick, a child four months of age. About at the same time Jack Moran fell terminally ill and most of his time was in a hospital with Siobhan attending him, trying to ease his pain. After four years of fighting against his illness he died in pain. The tragedies that befell her took a terrible toll on her. At 25 she looked 40 and died of grief soon after her husband departed. The whole Moran family lies interred in an unkempt grave in the Spancil Hill cemetery. With nobody to care for them in death just as nobody cared for them in life.

Patrick had been writing home for some time and asked his father to give his regards to all the citizens, to tell them he is doing well... in California. Nobody cared to answer except for Kat Kavanagh who wrote Patrick from time to time to inform him of the goings on in the town. Nell never cared about answering any of his letters coming monthly, each of them assuring her of his love.

A few months after Siobhan's death Patrick comes back to Spancil Hill and one day on the road from Cloomy people saw a familiar man, slowly waling towards Spancil Hill, looking around, taking the sights in.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Kat Kavanagh

Kat looked down at the letter in her hand.

”NOT KNOWN AT THIS ADDRESS”

Had been stamped across the envelope, which had in turn been “returned to sender”.

But how could that be?
She had been writing to Patrick at that address over the past nine months.
So why now had his letter been returned unread?
Kat sighed and lay the missive away, locked securely in her writing chest.
A hundred possibilities ran around in her mind. C
ould it be that finally after all this time, Patrick had gotten Nell to correspond with him?
Nell did not know that she had gotten in touch with Patrick after the long years of his absence.
Her friend had been so heart-broken by the chain of events that had devestated her marriage plans that there was an unspoken vow of silence between them.
Patrick O'Halloran was never discussed.

But perhaps after all, that was it.
Patrick had somehow made things right with Nell and did not have the heart to tell her,
to tell her that yet again he had chosen her best friend rather than Kat herself.

Impatiently Kat walked to the window and admired the sunlit garden beyond. She would not feel jealous. She would not feel regret. She had been a stalwart friend to both Patrick and Nell throughout the years. She had stuck with them, believed in them and supported them, defending their actions within that close-knit community when no one else would. All around her folks had told her that Patrick was wild and no good and that Nell had been a fool to be taken in by “such a one as he”, but no word of censure had passed Kat’s lips.

It had always been thus.
Kat sighed and rested her head on the still cool pane.
If only things had been different … life might have turned out better for all of them … but it wasn’t.
Patrick had loved Nell.
Nell who was charming, bright, confident and alluring.
Nell had loved Patrick.

Nell considered him a “catch”: handsome and popular, the two made a striking couple.
It was right that they be together.
They had been the envy of the community …
Until the rumours had started…

Only Kat knew how devastated Nell had been when Patrick disappeared without word or trace.
Only Kat knew the contents of the first few letters Patrick had sent Nell:
Letters pleading for her to trust him, to wait for him, to believe in him.
Letters that had been left unanswered and destroyed from that time forth.
Only Kat had offered a sympathetic shoulder.
Only she understood what it was to love Patrick O'Halloran and to lose him!

Loss of Patrick had been the sorrow of Kat’s life.
She knew she had his friendship.
She knew that he had turned to her in times of need.
But she had never had his heart … and never would …

Kat walked to the mantle and raised her head to look critically at her reflection in the glass.
She smiled wistfully. Even on looks she could not compete.
Nell was striking, where she was homely.
Nell was groomed where Kat was “ordinary”:
Ordinary brown eyes, ordinary hair that was long, thick and unruly.
Kat’s figure was “comely”, often described at buxom.
She was a diminutive 5 ft 3 and far from statuesque and graceful.
She was not much accomplished and had never left the county in which she had been born.
Patrick was handsome and now widely travelled.
She had never stood a chance before and knew she would prove even less appealing to him now.

She sighed, altogether dissatisfied with what she saw in the reflection.
She turned away. She knew how it was, how it would be.
Patrick and Nell were made for each other.
She would be content to be a friend to both.
She was what she was and was not bitter.
She would be happy for them and wish them well.

So long had Kat conditioned herself to live in Nell’s shadow, that she could not see her own beauty.
She was totally unaware of the soft doe-like quality of her eyes,
Unaware of the long lashes that framed them and added to their mysterious depths,
Unaware of the generous curve of her mouth that always seemed turned upwards in a gentle smile.
Unaware that her unassuming gentle ways could prove as alluring to the right man, to a man who would appreciate her for who she was.

And even though Kat had not been without suitors over the years she had never allowed the relationships to “develop”.
How could she when she was still in love with Patrick?

Patrick who was so handsome, whose silver tongue and warm eyes had melted her each time he glanced in her direction.
The smile that had reached into her and made her heart lurch and her toes curl.
Patrick who she had longed for, cried for, but knew she would never have.
Patrick who Kat loved selflessly, whose happiness was her sole concern.
Perhaps when he was settled, when he was back with Nell, perhaps then she could carve out a life for herself, make a decision about who she would marry … have children with … but until then …

She sighed and moved to the writing chest again.

”Patrick … Where are you..?”

She whispered.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

OOC:

I hope the above post meets with your approval.

I've kept my references to Nell deliberately vague and can edit if they do not fit the character who is to join us.

I thought I'd just establish her character and relationship to the others as background.

PM me with any specifics you want to include or leave out.

Thanks for letting me play ...

{{{huggs}}}
DM x


PS - pic of Kat to help visualise her.

 

[Lay Z Butterfly]

:smiling: Good Afternoon to you and Poganin. I shall have a post ready by this evening..I have much to read through first.

Thank you DM for a wonderful intro..

One question though..why did SweetP4u edit whatever you had said?

Oh well, on with reading and then writing my post.

I, too, am happy to be writing with both of you.

~Z~

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

OOC:

Hiya ~Z~!

Glad you're back with us!
If you want me to edit anything out of my post, then please PM me and I'll do so ...
I wanted to give a general intro, without making assumptions ...
I think I'm going to enjoy being your "also-ran"! ::ggls::

As to SweetP ... it's a game we play ...

I posted a picture of Kat and she runs after me deleting the pics I post to show my characters ... copyright or some such.
I'm sure I drive her mad, but she takes it in good part.

As such ... just for a short while ... I'l repost Katie's pic, in the hope that you'll get a glimpse of it before she catches me and deletes it once more ...
(Apologies SweetP! - Hope you'll forgive this once ... )

If not, I'll do the "honourable thing" and remove it myself after a few days.

Looking forward to your post!

{{{huggs}}}

DM x


Pic edited - DM x

 

[Sweetp4u]

*sighs*

ooc: forgive the interruption folks have to pipe in. Shame on you DM! *slaps hand* lol. I'll catch it next round that might be a few weeks. I do have to appear to be doing my job as moderator Good luck with the thread dear

Sp

edited note: I never edit text in other's posts just remove the pictures. I did used to edit ages to the appropriate number but got yelled at for doing so, those threads are removed now instead (just a little explanation) I dont take out content, ever. That's a no-no. Have a great day!

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

OOC:

Ouchies...!

<looks sufficiently chastised>

Thanks for your good wishes ... I'll delete the pic myself after the weekend ... if not before ....

You do a wonderful job Sweetp!!

{{{{huggies}}}}

Mari x


PS: I know you never edit text! Take care! x

 

[Lay Z Butterfly]

Thank you DM for the nice welcome back. I had a super vacation.

 

[Lay Z Butterfly]

Nell Maguire


It was always the same for her. Day in and day out living in the closed off manner Nell had become accustomed. It had been five long years, having to hold her head up high when the townsfolk jabbered behind closed doors. Sometimes they had even made remarks to her face, albeit on the sly, but nonetheless very hurtful. It was amazing how much people, who knew nothing, could come to think they knew who Nell Maguire was. However, they didn’t know. Not a blessed soul, save for Kat and Patrick.

She felt the tears well up in her eyes and she angrily told herself to stop such foolishness. It was over, dead and buried her feelings for Patrick. “Succumbing is not an option Nell Maguire.” She told herself. Looking about her room, she grew calm. It was comforting to be here, shut away from the town. Although she refused to show anyone the shame she felt at being abandoned by the one she so loved, Nell always found this room to be her sanctuary.

Sitting on the crème coloured chaise lounge, she rested her head upon the arm. How could it be still, that she thought about this? Taking a deep breath, Nell recounted how she and Patrick had become an item. It had been late August and one of the last festivals of the season was about to commence and Nell had still not accepted a male escort for the festivities. Her parents had been quite exasperated with their daughter. Nell was their only child, spoiled and cherished and the time grew that she should be wedded to an appropriate man.

There had always been an attraction between Patrick and her. It was obvious to all in the town and to her parents, but Nell had remained aloof to all the buzzing speculation. Her parents had believed that their daughter could do better and were happy to see that Nell had no romantic notions towards him, but such was not the case.

Nell did have romantic feelings for Patrick. She found him to be dashing and handsome with the loveliest eyes no other man had in town. It was not just his playfully charming way that spun about him, but the sensitive side as well. He could make anyone smile; soothe a child’s tear, all with a quietly spoken word.
That was how he mesmerized Nell. She knew she could have any man, lord knew enough suitors had come to the house asking her father for his daughter’s hand, but every time her parents had come to her with a proposal, Nell had refused. She had set her sights on the one man she felt worthy of her and that was Patrick.

As she digressed further into her memories, she shook her head and brought herself back to the festival. Patrick had come to her parent’s home, all decked out in his best Sunday suit with a bouquet of wild flowers that had slightly started to droop as he stood at the front door with a visible line of perspiration on his brow. It was when she overheard Patrick asking her father if he could take Nell to the dance that she knew in her heart that he was the one. He had an air of confidence about him where her other prospective dates either acted the buffoon or was overly confident. Patrick had the perfect combination of confidence mixed with a hint of nervousness as well. Before her father could even call for her, Nell had breezed down the stairs with a beatific smile on her face and accepted his invitation, linking her arm with his and calling out behind them, “Poppa, see you later.”

And so it began that very evening with Patrick and Nell dancing together with her skirts swirling about them in what seemed to be a never ending display of love blooming in the air. Everyone who witnessed them dancing knew Nell had met the man she was going to marry.

Fast-forwarding the happy memory, Nell thought about the end of the evening when most started to make their ways home. Nell and Patrick stood locked in an embrace long after the music had stopped. Gazing into each other’s eyes, they had lost the concept of time and the gossiping mouths of the townsfolk. For it was then that the rumours began.

Patrick had walked her home, taking the long way. Their walk had been a comfortably silent one where words would have just seemed out of place. Standing on the porch, Nell closed her eyes and parted her lips awaiting his kiss, but there hadn’t been one given to them. With a serious look about him, Patrick waited for Nell to open her eyes. When she did, he softly said, “I am going to wait to kiss you Miss Nell Maguire.” With that, Patrick took a step back and waited for Nell to go inside her home before walking towards his own abode.

Sighing, Nell thought about the next day. She had run out of her home like the devil himself was chasing her and she didn’t stop running till she had banged on her best friend’s door, gasping for breath.

Kat. What could she say about her that wasn’t totally wonderful. She was her best friend, her confidant, her partner in crime. Kat and Nell were quite the pranksters in the town and always seemed to get away with their harmless tricks. Of course, it helped that Nell’s parents were greatly respected because of all the money they pumped into the township, but Kat had qualities that Nell could never hope to have. That was one of the reasons why they were perfect friends. With their individual charm and talents, together the girls were unstoppable.

With all the self-confidence she possessed, Kat was the one who could remain calm in any situation. Kat could be confronted by the Devil and she would still look square into his eye and tell him to go back to Hell. She was fearless, smart, and clever, with not one mean bone in her body. With so much to admire about her best friend, Nell often wondered why Kat was not married as well.

Although they told each other everything, the one thing they never discussed was Patrick. That was a topic off limits as far as Nell was concerned. Kat knew that her heart was broken into tiny pieces. Why rehash what was already known? Kat even knew she had not responded to the numerous letters Patrick had sent her over these long years. Nell didn’t have the heart to burn the letters nor did she have the guts to read them either. Therefore, they could be found unopened and neatly bundled with fancy lace ribbon in the back of her closet. Nell let Kat believe she had read each one and simply discarded them in the trash. It was easier that way.


Standing up, Nell mentally shook herself for dredging up the memories. She had to hold on to her composure or else she would fall apart and give in to what the townspeople believed and that was his walking away devastated her. She would never say one unkind word about Patrick and on the same token; she would not talk about him either. How could she speak about the one man who had waited on kissing her lips when another would have expected a kiss from her at the end of an evening? How could she ever put into words how she felt when he went away without asking her to join him in his exile? Nell would have walked to the ends of the Earth with Patrick, but instead he slipped away leaving her behind.


Grumbling to herself, Nell angrily walked out of her room. She was not going to dwell on the past any longer. Making her way down the stairs, she called out to her parents that she was going for a walk and left before they could ask her to where.

 

[Lay Z Butterfly]

OOC: Thanks for the explanation! And the picture of Kat was lovely!

 

[Poganin]

Patrick O'Halloran

OOC: I'm terribly sorry, Ladies, for asking you to wait for my post tonight. My best friend from secondary school called on me tonight and we had a drinking bout. As soon as I get sober again (which will come about morning) I shall make my own post. Please, accept my sincerest apologies for this inconvenience.

LZB, I would like to still have your opinion on your brother's, Mick's, death... unless you prefer to let it go in the RPG itself. After all, the rumours have it that Patrick is responsible, actually killed him, and besides, being Nell's fiancee he was also Mick's best friend.

Please excuse any spelling mistakes in the above post... My drinking vein is not what it used to be six years ago...

P

 

[Lay Z Butterfly]

Naughty Pog! I hope you slept well...

and yes, I shall post for that as well..I just felt that I should just get settled in. I apologize for not mentioning her brother..when I said she was an only child, it was a blatant show of how she and her parents refuse to believe anything happened..as if..their brother/son never existed because the pain was too great. I would like to bring in Nell's parents..of course NRP chars..just with her Mom in a state of denial sleeping all day, barely coherent..and the father never the same either. Nell being more alone these past 5 years..etc.

Nell isn't allowed to speak about her brother in their home, but i will most definately bring him into her thoughts.

I am sorry I didn't PM you with those ideas.. tell me to zip it if it isn't acceptable.

Plus, as you can kinda tell..I like to write and elaborate.. anytime that isn't acceptable..let me know. <~~I love that smiley!

~Z~

 

[Poganin]

Patrick O'Halloran

OOC: Yes, Ladies, please feel free to introduce any NPCs you wish. Thank you for your patience.


IC:

It was on a warm, sunny August afternon that the man who abandoned Spancil Hill and whom Spancil Hill abandoned returned to his hometown. Coming in from the west, hitchhiking a lorry just outside Bambridge, he entered the town walking the road that ran next to the local cemetery. There he stopped for a moment, taking in the view he had missed so.

"I'll come to visit ye tomorrow," he said in his silent, calm voice and hesitated for a moment before entering the town of Spancil Hill, his long shadow precedeing him.

Patrick walked slowly, slightly limping in boots that were clearly too big for him... Just as the worn jeans he wore were. On his breast a red T-shirt with faded letters forming "Is there life before death?" sentence. The red rays of the setting sun made his red hair look like fire. On his shoulder the man carried a large sailor's sack, full to bursting.

The town hadn't changed at all, he noticed. No new buildings had been erected, none brought down, only the O'Madden house could boast a new garage. Yes, Patrick missed the town terribly, probably more than the citizens living there... all but three, with one already dead and gone. He was more than eager to meet Nell and Kat, but he knew that he had no right to open his mouth to his beloved. First of all because of all the rumours about his being the murderer of her brother, his best drinking buddy, Mick. And secondly, he was a little sad that she had not answered a single letter of the 60 he had sent. If it weren't for Kat and her occasional writing, Patrick wouldn't have known what had been going on in Spancil Hill. He thought he could understand Nell's feelings. She wouldn't have anything to do with him, because he killed her brother, because he fled, because he offered no explanation of his deed. In all of his letters he pleaded for her to be patient and trust him, that one day he would put everything right again. It was all but a dream, he knew that the rumours his mother had spread were entrenched in people's conscience way to deep for his word to uproot them.

How possibly could he explain to Nell that he had fled to save his own life as much as her own. He had no doubt that had he stayed after Mick's body had been found he wouldn't avoid lynching and knowing Nell, she would stand by his side maugre her parents' orders. And that way was the motorway to perdition for the both of them. Only by escaping, exiling himself far from his friends and relations, as it had been practiced long ago, could he hope to save his life, and his love for the two girls who were always there for him as he was there for them.

Patrick was a peaceful preson, never a harsh word or violent behaviour from him. Even drunk he never took to his dukes to solve an argument. He could hold a grudge, however, and he held one... towards his dead mother who's flapping tongue and prying eyes caused his fall... and Mick's death... and Siobhan's misfortune. That one he would never forgive her, dead or not. The pain, suffering and misery the gentle Siobhan suffered at the tongues of gossiping townspeople. Sure, they had left that wedding party together, Patrick and Siobhan; sure, he had driven her home and had stayed there until morning. Seeing the two together Patrick's mother was all eager to spread the word. She had been too quick on leaving her post at the window that night for she would have seen Patrick leaving Siobhan's house to carry Siobhan's husband, Jack, out of the car and into the house. Jack had fainted, although he hadn't drunk much... it was probably then that his illness had begun. That didn't matter now, the Morans were all dead and it was Siobhan's leaving this world that brought Patrick back.

He caught himself standing at a crossroads, listening to the music and bustle coming from "The Prancing Leprechaun" and decided to come for a pint. The heavy door squeaked in its hinges cutting all conversations short and drawing attention to the newcomer. Patrick dropped his sack to the floor and with a kick shoved it towards the corner.

"Dia duit," he said to no-one in particular in his hushed voice and walked to the bar, pretending not to care about the curious glances shot in his direction, not minding the sudden outburst of whispering. He sat on a stool and looked expectantly at Seamus O'Madden, the bartender. "Pour me a pint, Seamus."

Seamus almost dropped the mug he had been polishing and shot an angry glance around and returned his eyes to Patrick's.

"We don't serve no criminals 'ere, we don't," a reply came.

"Aye, I know. That's why came for a drink. Now pour me a pint, willya?" The exchange sounded strangely loud in the silence of the pub.

"Ye'll get no beer from me, O'Halloran. Now scram!"

A gasp came from the stage where the band performed. "Patrick!" a female voice exclaimed. He looked in that direction but could not see the owner of that voice because some of the patrons stood up to see better.

He rose from his stool and walked to the exit, behind him someone shouted "Titim gan éirí ort." [May you fall without rising]. Patrick stopped and turned and people closest to him took a step back seeing the look in his eyes.

"I already am fallen, amadán. And you are all to blame," he shook his head and picking up his sack he left the pub.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Kat Kavanagh

Spancil Hill

”A totally wasted morning!”

Kat berated herself as she walked along the lane and towards the village’s main street.
Wasting time on “what ifs” had never been Kat’s style.
”So why then today…?”
She mused as she pulled her cloak about her and got a tighter grip on her basket. Even despite the returned letter, Kat was annoyed at herself.
She had spent so much time mooning about that she was late!

She hurried on and crossed the street making her way to “The Prancing Leprechaun”. Although a “locals” pub, a band played regularly to encourage the lunchtime trade. It was a popular watering hole therefore not only for the immediate residents, but drew a regular clientele from the surrounding villages and those living beyond.

With a hasty apology, Kat ducked behind the bar as Seamus grinned at her.

”We’d almost given up on ye…”

He joked.

”So … what was his name eh?”

Kat blushed hotly and hurried to the kitchens.
She heard his laughter follow her.
He was a kindly man, but one of the town gossips.
In his position as landlord, he heard many a tale and enjoyed many a confidence, which of course he felt was his duty to pass on to any who would listen … often with certain “embellishments” to add to the telling!

Quickly, Kat unpacked the pies and pastries and placed them on plates, cutting them up as she did so.
She worked swiftly knowing that the food would be taken out when the band stopped for their break.
Then the assembled audience who had paid for the privilege would tuck into the selection of “cold fayre” that was provided.

It wasn’t a “job” as such, but Kat was paid weekly for her culinary services.
Money, which her father agreed, would serve as an allowance for his only daughter.
Beyond this, Kat had no money of her own.
Kat’s mother had died just before Kat had reached her teenage years.
It was Nell and Patrick who had supported Kat through that time.
Nell especially had let her sob for hours, had amost carried her around for months and it was she who had drawn her out of her grief eventually and tempted her into adolescent mischief!
Nell had always been the leader.
Nell it seemed had it all!
She was pampered by two doting parents and no doubt had a generous sum of money as allowance and as investment in her future.
Even despite the “Patrick” episode, Nell was expected to marry well.
Yet she, like Kat had remained steadfastly single.

Nell’s parents were much more aghast at their daughter’s spinsterhood than Kat’s father.
Shawn Kavanagh was in no rush to lose his daughter to marriage.
Times had been difficult at first, when his wife had tragically succumbed to the fever, but Kat had taken refuge in the domestic concerns of the household and he had consoled himself in the runnings of their small holding.
Their small "herd" of cows, chickens and a variety of crops became Shawn’s concern.
Both father and daughter were united in their grief, yet neither communicated their feelings to the other.
And so it was that although both were entirely devoted to the other and shouldered the workings of the modest farm, both were incredibly lonely!

Kat glanced at the clock.
Again she was supposed to go and see Mary Casey and discuss providing some refreshments an “event” as yet undisclosed.
She sighed and not feeling up to Seamus’ teasing, slipped out the back way, picking her way past the band as they struck up another of their merry tunes.
Empty basket in hand, she pulled at her cloak and paused.

"We don't serve no criminals 'ere, we don't,"

Kat glanced back in the direction of the bar.
It was unlike Seamus to be angry.
She rarely heard him adopt the tone of voice that had carried across to her side of the bar.
Around her men had paused in their drinking. A few began to stand.

"Aye, I know. That's why came for a drink.
Now pour me a pint, willya?"

Kat paled. No. It couldn’t be!
Her head had been too full of him that morning already!

"Ye'll get no beer from me, O'Halloran. Now scram!"

Kat gasped and made to move forward.

"Patrick!"

Her cry went unheard.
Kat tried to push through the mass of men who were not stood to watch the scene at the bar, her view and her path were both obstructed now!

She had to get to him!
Kat darted back to the kitchen and wrenched open the heavy back door.
Lifting her skirts, her cloak half dragged in the dust of the road and her basket swinging, she dashed around the pub to the front.
She froze as she saw his back firmly turned on the building, her heart beating painfully as she strode away up the main street.
He was angry. He was upset.
Kat could tell from the set of his shoulders, from the defiant way he held his head high. Patrick had ever been thus!
She did not stop to question if it were her house or Nell’s Patrick was heading towards.

”Patrick!!!”

Her voice called after him.
She watched as he stopped and turned and squinted.
Without thinking, she sprinted up to him and all but skidded to a halt before him.
She raised her head and looked upwards into his blue eyes, eyes whose anger melted and twinkled with warmth.
Kat caught her breath, her heart and stomach lurched.
God. How could she have forgotten how much she loved him?

”Patrick….”

She whispered, overawed at being face to face with him again.
How she longed for him to hold her, kiss her … to ….

 

[Poganin]

Patrick O'Halloran

Actually Patrick didn't expect a warm welcome with open arms from the locals, his neighbours at one time, his former mates. Not that it mattered, he came back to seek reconcilement with Nell and Kat, or with Kat and Nell rather, as the woman he loved dearly probably wanted nothing to do with him. If chance came, he would talk to Nell and try to explain everything and perhaps get to know her feelings. There was no doubt that the Maguires would harbour no warm feelings toward him, with his being suspected of killing Mick. Well, there was only his word against the prejudice and hearsay. And he already had been discredited by his own mother so no one would hear his explanations. No matter, for the time being he had to go and meet his father. Patrick knew that Murchadh O'Halloran wouldn't turn him down, father would listen to him... hopefully. And if not, Patrick would have a place to stay anyway. He patted the left pocket of his trousers just to hear the rattle of keys.

He shifted his shoulders, making the sack more confortable to carry and started down the road toward his old house. On his way he would of course pass both the house of Kat and then, closer to his own, Nell's. He would pay his respect to Master Kavangh. After all he had spent countless hours listening to the man's stories and tales. Hopefully Kat would be there as well.

”Patrick!!!” a call from behing broke through his thoughts and made him stop. The voice strangely familiar. Only now did he realise it was the same voice that called inside "The Prancing Leprechaun" but he was much too angry to react. He turned and squinted against the sun to look at the caller, shielded his eyes with his left palm. The girl sprinted towards him and he finally recognised her -- Kat, his dearest friend. For a moment there they just stood looking each other in the eye and then Patrick let his sack fall to the ground and grinning widely yet a bit apprehensively he said:

"God be with with you, Katie!" Kat-yeh, not Kay-tee, he always called her when he wanted to tease her but now it was the first thing he thought of before stepping forward, embracing her and spinning around once. He let her stand again and with wet eyes hugged her again, placing a shy kiss on her cheek.

"Ah'm back" he whispered.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Kat Kavanagh

Kat stood transfixed letting her eyes roam over Patrick’s shock of red hair, his warm blue eyes and his now grinning mouth. He was as she remembered and yet … so much more … She barely noticed him drop his sack.

"God be with with you, Katie!"

The familiar “Kat-yeh” and the soft lilt of his voice seemed to tear into her soul. How she had missed him!”

Kat gasped as she found herself held in his arms and spun around.
His body was hard, muscular, more so than she remembered.
The feel of him so close to her made her dizzier than the triumphant spin as her feet left the ground and she laughed finally as Patrick held her.

Gently he set her down again.
Overawed, Kat let her head tip back to gaze up at his face, a soft smile on her lips. Both of them she realised were moved to tears.
Again she found herself in the circle of his arms.
She held onto him, pressing against him briefly, savouring the all too short contact and almost fainted with pleasure as he pressed a chaste kiss on her cheek.

"Ah'm back"

The warm breath of his whisper caressed her ear.
She drew away, looking up at him as she grasped his hands in hers.
She knew the adoration she had always had for him must be shining from her eyes, but at that moment she didn’t care!

”By all the Saints … Patrick O’ Halloran …”

She spoke softly, her voice faltering.

”Shame on you … and am I not after fretting myself witless this past day?
Why did you not write me that you had a mind to return…?”

Her wide smile, belied the mock scolding tone.

She had heard what had happened in the pub.
She could guess what kind of reception Nell would accord him.
How long did he intend staying?
How long could he bare the alienation?

”I have ale and vittals if you‘ve a mind … “

She took one hand as Patrick picked up his sack and allowed her to draw him back in the direction of her home.

” … Me da’ll be out until later.
The farm’s providing well for us these days.
He’s kep’ busy…”

Kat reassured Patrick without adding that her father’s worthy preoccupation with turning a profit often left her lonely.
She looked up at him happily and squeezed his hand.

”Welcome home, Patrick …”

She whispered tenderly.

 

[Poganin]

Patrick O'Halloran

At Kat's mantion of meal Patrick's stomach rumbled loudly at the perspective of tasting her cooking again. He remembered her meals well, the girl was a wonderful cook -- never a boring table at the Kavanghs' place there had been. Holding hands they went down the street, the sun at their backs casting small shadows before their feet.

"Thanks for yer offer, Kat. Ye know I've always a mind fer yer cookin'. Tell ye the truth, I've missed it terribly after all those hembergers. I missed ye terribly." He added softly, looking around, recalling the surroundings. "Pity yer fa'er's not in. Ah wanted tae pay me respecks. But it can wait."

Patrick looked at Kat and smiled, seeing her smile. She's matured, he noticed. Those five years have turned her from a girl to a passing fine woman. He averted his eyes, blushing a bit. He didn't intend to stare but being able to see her again captivated him and he was happy to go like this, carelessly. Besides, he loved her just as much as he did love Nell, albeit in a slightly different fashion. She did keep some of his secrets after all. He felt guilty that he hadn't informed Kat or his dad he would be returning but he didn't want rumours to precede him.

"Ah'm sorry Ah haven't written 'bout me comin' back but Ah had tae pack quickly if Ah wanted tae keep the house. How's life been goin' here? Is Quiggley still bald?" he joked and they both laughed, feeling happy in each other's company. But he really was curious about his town, the letters he had been receiving could not cover everything.

"Feels good bein' back..." his voice faltered, choked by sudden tears of homesickness that had been tormenting him over the years flowing freely. He let go of Kat's hand trying to wipe his face and had to stop to calm himself down. "It feels good..." he said again in his hushed voice.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Kat Kavanagh

Kat walked contentedly at Patrick’s side.
She looked up as he squeezed her hand.

"Thanks for yer offer, Kat. Ye know I've always a mind fer yer cookin'.
Tell ye the truth, I've missed it terribly after all those hembergers.
I missed ye terribly."

His eyes locked with hers and her heart pounded loudly in her ears. She knew he meant as a dear friend and never as a lover, but to hear those words from his lips filled her with a warmth that tinged her cheeks pink.

"Pity yer fa'er's not in. Ah wanted tae pay me respecks.
But it can wait."

Kat bit back the sigh that sprung to her lips.
She wished her father were around more.
She could easily go and fetch him, but for now Kat wanted Patrick to herself.

"Ah'm sorry Ah haven't written 'bout me comin' back but Ah had tae pack quickly if Ah wanted tae keep the house.”

Kat smiled and shrugged.
Apologies had never been necessary between them.

”How's life been goin' here? Is Quiggley still bald?"

She giggled at the joke.
They were feeling at ease in each other’s company, as ever.
They had left the main street behind.
As one they turned and looked back the short distance they had travelled.

"Feels good bein' back..."

Kat nodded in silent acknowledgment.
She had never been the one with the gift of words.
She had been the quiet one of the trio, ever presence, but often mute.
She glanced across and saw Patrick’s tears.
She was filled with an overwhelming tenderness for him.
She made no comment as he moved to wipe his face, but once he seemed more composed, she linked her arm through his in the way she had from when they were children and drew him up the lane and towards her house.

"It feels good..."

She nodded and commented.

”Aye .. an' t’will get to feel better and better … like yer never left … “

Her voice matched his own hushed tones.

”Now … let’s be getting some proper nourishment down yer, Patrick O’Halloran!”

She jabbed him in the ribs playfully and giggled as he made to pull her hair.
Her hand on his once more, she drew him through the gate and led him around the back of the house and through the door that opened up into the large country kitchen.

”There’s allus a welcome for ye here, Patrick,”

She told him seriously and waved him towards the table whilst she rummaged to find the earthernware tankard.
Unaware of Patick’s eyes on her, Kat pulled out the jug of ale and laid them both before him, before turning to prepare a plate of cold meat pie, fresh bread, pickles and cheeses.
She worked deftly and unselfconsciously.
This kitchen was her domain. It was where she earned her small allowance and where she found solace in the solitude it offered.

Turning finally, she laid the generous platter before him lay the knives beside it.

”Now eat yer fill … “

She coaxed, picking up an apple and sitting opposite him to nibble whilst she watched him begin to eat.
She smiled in apparent contentment.
For now, for this short time, Patrick was “hers”.
She pushed the question to the back of her mind.
The question that threatened her peace of mind.

”What of Nell?”

Had he seen her yet?
When did he intend to?
What did he hope would happen between the two of them?
No.
She would not think of that yet.
Those questions would be answered soon enough.

And so her fears went unspoken as she settled back to watch Patrick at her table, seemingly content to eat and drink and make himself at home.

 

[Poganin]

Patrick O'Halloran

Five years. It's been five years since Patrick had last entered through that gate and into the Kavanagh territory. Unconciously he trailed his hand on everything that was in his reach, recalling all those hours he had been spending here with Kat and Nell, talking, playing, or singing. They entered the kitchen and as Kat ushered Patrick to sit at the table he thought about how little had changed here.

”There’s allus a welcome for ye here, Patrick,” she said.

The table, the chairs, the long bench where Master Kavanagh always sat smoking his pipe and telling them stories that made them gape. Patrick stroked the wood around him with shaking hands. Oh aye, now he felt welcome, a feeling much different to the hostility he encountered in "The Prancing Leprechaun." Reminiscing the moments spent here Patrick absentmindedly observed Kat moving around the kitchen, preparing him a meal he knew he would wolf down instantly. He craved Kat's cooking.

When the meal was laid he poured himself a generous tankard of ale and crossed himself. "Ah thank Ye, Lord, for this food Ah'm about to wolf down with delight. And Ah thank Ye for the cookin' talent Ye bestowed upon this here Kat Kavanagh, may she only improve to delight her loved ones' palates. Amen." He winked at Kat and helped himself to the food, groaning as he munched on the meat pie... much tastier than he ever remembered eating it. Constantly would sounds of delight and content escape his throat as he tasted the simple local food he longed for so much. Patrick realised that his exlie hurt him more than he ever thought possible. As he finished, he stifled a burp and leaned back. His eyes found Kat's and he grinned delightedly.

" 'at was good, Katie. Delicious, more than Ah'd ever imagine it'd be. Sittin' 'ere, eatin' yer food and seein' ye... it... feels as if Ah'd never left Spancil Hill. Feels so at home 'ere... Ooh! Right! Ah almost forgot. Ah got somethin' fer ye. Remember that tune yer fa'er'd hum when he'd be tellin' us the story behind the "Leprechaun"?" Patrick grinned even wider, opened his sack and started rummaging inside. He grunted putting his arm deep, turning his eyes around and making faces. Finally he removed his hand, holding in it a small box the size of a jewellery box girls would keep their rings and necklaces in. He put the box on the table in front of Kat and wondered what her reaction would be when she saw the small bowing leprechaun turning to the sound of her favourite tune coming from the music box.

 

[Lay Z Butterfly]

Nell Maguire

As she walked down the long, dusty road, Nell absentmindedly looked out at the greenery that started out sparse until she reached the lush parts she always found a haven in. Here, she could be free to cry all the tears that she prohibited else wise.

Finding this place had been a godsend to Nell. Here she could pour her heart out to the birds and bees that lazily flitted and buzzed about. Her heart and mind filled with soft thoughts of her beloved brother Mick. He had never treated her like a dreaded sister around his friends. She loved how he would pull her close and share his secrets with her ear. Mick had always taken care of her. Kept her safe and made sure no one ever harmed her.

And now he was dead. Lifeless, cold, probably dust by now. The tears silently made their way down her cheeks as she thought how her life had changed within a single night with her brother dead and Patrick mysteriously gone. The rumours and accusations burned through the town like a wildfire. The words spoken through the hateful tongues of the townspeople quaked down to her very soul.

She had forgiven the gossiping tongues, but could not get past her mounting hatred for the way her life had taken a dismal turn for the worse. Her parents could not console themselves so how could they help their daughter. Her mother had taken to drinking in her room and her father, well; he had a fondness for staying emotionally bitter. He could not look upon her without a curl of sadness that crossed his lips. Nell had come to believe that it would have been better off if she had perished instead of her brother. Although, never once did they play favorites, Nell knew was the decorative, fragile, feminine part of their family to be doted on, but not depended on. That was her brother’s job.

Sinking down to her knees under the swaying willow tree branches, Nell was hidden from view. She felt safety and comfort, close to her brother here. Sometimes her mind imagined that he sat just behind the great willow’s trunk and listened to her as she prattled on about the way things were.

Nell let all her emotions out. The wracking, painful sobs she allowed herself to have was a way to purge all emotion until the need to cry again came upon her.

“Why?” she said aloud.

“Why are you dead, dear brother?”

“Why did you leave me, Patrick?”

The small creatures that inhabited the glen around her heard Nell’s breathless cries. They sensed her distress and their tiny hearts went out to the human.

All her energy left the small frame that made her body still the most sought after in the town. Nell lay across the cool ground and closed her eyes. There within her exhausted dreams she found solace. Dreams of her, Mick, and Patrick playing hide and seek.

As the sun began to set so had, Nell settled into a deep slumber.

 

[Lay Z Butterfly]

Nell


She hadn't meant to sleep for so long, she thought, as she woke with a start. The day had turned into nightfall, but Nell didn't think anything of it. No one would be worried about her at home.

Swallowing hard, she blinked her swollen tear stained eyes and let them adjust to the eerie glow the moon cast over the hillside. Nell hadn't a fear of the dark exactly, but with any woman it was not a good friend to her. Standing up, she straightened her wrinkled skirts as best she could realizing it didn't really matter at all.

Her tummy rumbled while she stood surveying the area around her. Time to get your bearings, she muttered to herself. Nell still felt a bit groggy from the troubled sleep she had had. Her dreams were rarely pleasant and she had become accustomed to them.

It was always the same for Nell. The dream she always awoke from were the townspeoples' whisperings that Patrick was the man who killed her brother. Nell thought back five long years ago. She had been mortified that they all thought Patrick had been the reason for the demise of her brother. Only, she had refused to speak about it. To give the townspeople an inch would have caused a bigger melee then had already begun. She would not add fuel to the fire.

Gingerly walking out from under the Willow tree, Nell headed back towards town, careful to remain as quiet as possible. There was no telling what riffraff could be lurking on the dirt roads and trails that led back to where she called home.

Home. What place home was. Nell longed to leave the town, her family behind. She wanted to have a fresh start, but something always held her back from leaving. She couldn't put her finger on what that something was, but it had taken its toll on her. Nell had become a different girl after all was said and done. She changed from that free spirit to a quiet, drawn woman who always had a smile on her face for children, but a reserved look for all the adults.

People whispered about her as she past them by, but nell paid them no mind. What did they want from her? To break down... to become deranged as other poor souls did while under duress? She wouldn't give them that satisfaction and as a result, she looked older than her years.

Nell was still quite the catch of the town. Only she didn't care. Nothing could remove the heavy boulder that weighed her heart and spirit down.

Bringing herself out of the depressing mood she was in, Nell made a game of getting home. She looked left then right, sneaking along the road; pretending she was an escaping damsel in distress only she was saving herself and not some Prince sent to find her. She tiptoed and jumped, slithered behind a tree, quickly turned to catch the mysterious bloke who would try to capture her again. Giggling out loud, she smiled a soft smile. Only in the darkness could she be silly.

Almost skipping the last few yards into town, Nell reminded herself to remain quiet. That reminder stopped her playfull side, bringing the cloak of quietness back around her again.

She nodded to some of the couples who were out on a date or otherwise. They smiled back, pitying the girl who was all alone. Nell was sure there would be a discussion somewhere on how they had seen her out, unescorted, in the dark.

Finally home, she stood facing the porch. Time to go inside, she thought, dread filling her heart. Time to take the almost empty bottle out of her sleeping mother's hand, and time to see her father just look at her without expression on his face.

As lightly as she could, she walked up the porches steps. Her hand had the slightest shake to it as she turned the knob to enter...

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Kat Kavanagh

Kat bowed her head, but grinned over at Patrick as he gave thanks for the meal and her cooking. Her eyes danced with mischief, remembering how they would be scolded as children for "lack of reverence" during "intercessions"!

It was a pleasure to see him enjoying his food.
She smiled broadly as she watched his appetite grow as he began to tuck into the simple fayre laid before him.
Deftly Kat moved to refill Patrick's tankard then settled back in the highbacked wooden chair that had become "hers" since her mother passed on.

" 'at was good, Katie. Delicious, more than Ah'd ever imagine it'd be. Sittin' 'ere, eatin' yer food and seein' ye... it... feels as if Ah'd never left Spancil Hill. Feels so at home 'ere... "

Kat nodded in acknowledgement.
If only Patrick realised just how much he could have ... if he wanted ... but ... he was not for her she reminded herself determinedly.

"Ooh! Right! Ah almost forgot. Ah got somethin' fer ye. Remember that tune yer fa'er'd hum when he'd be tellin' us the story behind the "Leprechaun"?"

Intrigued, Kat nodded and watched as Patrick took up his sack and began to search through it.
She giggled at his antics as he pretended to lose the item he searched for.
It had been so long since Kat had felt so carefree, since she had laughed like this even.
Patrick had always made her happy ... in his own way ...

Finally she straightened her face as Patrick found the item he sought and placed a small box upon the table.
Kat's eyes widened.
It was so pretty. A jewelry box ... ?
Her eyes flew to Patrick's questionningly.

"Open it .. "

He prompted in his soft lilting voice.

Almost with trembling hands, Kat reached out and gently opened the lid and exclaimed as she saw the leprachun begin to turn and dance to the tune that played so delicately ... the tune she loved!

"Oohhh... Patrick .... "

She whispered in awe, her eyes fixed to the animated creature.

"'Tis beautiful ... "

Her voice faltered, so touched was she by his gift.
Gently she extended a forefinger and traced the outline of the box and the figure as it continued to turn before her.
The notes and the movement seemed to hypnotise her ...
Her expression was rapt as she watched until the music slowed and the leprachaun halted it's movement.

Finally she raised her eyes to Patrick's, aware for the first time of his eyes watching her closely.

"Thank ye, Patrick.
'Tis a fine gift ... one I will cherish ... all my days ... "

It was not a love token and yet it had been so well chosen:
Chosen in rememberance of a time just the two of them had shared.
Kat carefully closed the lid and rose from her chair.
She walked around the table and without thinking wrapped her arms about Patrick's neck and pulled him close to her body.

"Thank you ... "

(for coming back to me ... for caring ... for not having changed)

The whispered words held unspoken gratitude for so much, as Kat pressed a kiss softly against Patrick's cheek.

 

[Poganin]

Patrick O'Halloran

Patrick was happy to see Kat enjoy his present so much, he'd hoped she would as he had spent considerable time first finding a music-box maker and then trying to sing, hum, murmur the music he wanted the device to play. Well, the box was done and Patrick was satisfied but now, seeing Kat enraptured, his heart was filled with such joy he felt really good at coming back and bad at leaving in the first place. This was his hometown, this was his place and not some cheap flophouse in California. He smiled contentedly and looked at Kat gently touching the box, her eyes shining, pretty smile dancing on her lips. He missed her, this place, the atmosphere, the air of Spancil Hill. His only worry was finding a source of income but he brushed it aside for now. This matter could wait a few days. First of all he had to take care of personal matters.

His tender smile widening as Kat raised he eyes from the toy and looked at him, happiness beaming in hear eyes. Ah, he missed her smile, her voice, her pranks. As she hugged him, thanking him for the present, he felt moved again by her sincerity and felt guilty of leaving her and Nell behind like that, selfishly. But he had to, there was no other way to do it. As Kat's kiss met his cheek he embraced her too, holding her close, his best friend in the whole world.

"Ah'm sorry, sorry fer leavin' like that with nary a word of explanation. But Ah had tae or another trageday would've 'appened. But now Ah'm 'ere to right all this wrong. It'll again be the way it was, ye'll see." He whispered in Kat's ear and held her close.

"Ah thank ye for yer 'ospitality again, Kat. I should be goin' though. See how my fa'er's doin'. Tell 'im Ah'm back, too..." his voiced trailed off, he wanted to visit Nell as well but he had no idea what reception he would receive. Would she slap him and turn her back on him, or wouldn't even come to the door? Would her da shoot him on sight? He had no idea what to expect with all his letters unanswered. Going to see her would be even harder than deciding to go back to Spancil Hill. But he had to know... he made the first step by returning so now he had to make another by paying Nell a visit.

Patrick gritted his teeth and kissed Kat's cheek, putting his hands on her waist he pushed her away a bit. "Will ye walk me home, Miss Kavanagh?"