AN: Luna... Yes, I am random.
Observations
From her private cabin, Mrs. Luna, an older black woman who had been with Endy since his infancy, heard the men awaken and move towards the main lodge at the Elysion. Muttering to herself about letting old bones rest, she rewrapped her colorful head scarf and walked towards the Big House to arrange some sort vittles for the young men. Without knowing it, Endy had gone and employed himself four of the hungriest cowboys she had ever met.
Tucking her shawl around herself, she crossed the large yard, comforted by the sounds and smells of the animals nearby, but worried about the ominous moon in the sky. Something bad was going on in the world tonight. Hurrying to the Big House, she entered the kitchen, her domain, and started building a roaring fire, whispering to the spirits to watch over the ranch.
With the fire going, she pumped water – knowing they would want coffee. As she began grinding the beans, the old woman gazed through the serving bar into the large room – noting each one of them, good boys – honest and loyal. Since their arrival to the ranch, she'd had visions of them, in a time long past, with sweeping capes and great tunics, her own Endy handsome in resplendent armor. Chuckling to herself about her age, she looked again. Zeke, the youngest, his fair hair shining brightly from his bath earlier in the evening – his boyish countenance was set in concentration. Broader shouldered and older by six years sat Kevin, the elder of the McCallum boys. Without saying much, the quiet young man had come to pass as Endy's right hand man, running things smoothly and precisely. Mrs. Luna's wrinkles gathered deeply as she smiled at dark Nikolai – from faraway shores, he was her special pet, carving her all sorts of useful kitchen utensils and coaxing her to create specialties from his home shores. And finally, there was charming Jake – sprawled carelessly in a chair and, as usual, smoking – the quartet were as good a group as anyone could hope to assemble.
Checking on the status of coffee, she set to make a batch of kissel – a special treat for Nikolai.
With the pot steaming, she stepped into the large room and listened to what they were discussing. Apparently, that nice young Miss Tsukino had gone missing - who would do such a thing? As they talked about various strategies to retrieve her, the old woman finished pouring the steaming fragrant liquid into cracked cups. Planning ahead, she went back to the kitchen to fix them something substantial to take on their journey. She had no doubt her boys would find and return the girl safely. Smiling again, she wondered where they would put Miss Serena when she was found and decided it would be best to put the poor thing in her own cabin.
"Mrs. Luna?" Endy stepped into the kitchen, a serious expression on his handsome face.
"Yes, child?"
"We'll be leaving within the hour."
"I'll have something ready. Be sure to bring extra blankets - there isn't much to that little girl and we can't have her cold."
"No."
As Endy strode out into the night, the old woman wondered if this might be the start of some new chapter in her young man's life. With his dear parents passed on, she was as close to family as he had. In her own way, she wanted to see him happily settled down and looked forward to meeting the next generation. His men provided some form of companionship, but her Endy deserved a family of his own.
AN: Hope you don't mind my attempt at diversity. Also, I wanted to use the word vittles – it doesn't get enough attention.