hello all. here goes another story, and i hope ya'll enjoy.
i took some liberties to change some aspects of the storyline as it is set in the show (hence the slight AU), but the majority ofthe storyfits in the framework of the show. only two things have been majorly changed, so anywho, on with the show.
disclaimer: don't own anything "Deadwood" related, i only write about it for fun.
rating: M. the nature of "Deadwood" is mature, so between language, some violence and sexuality, i'll give it an M just to be safe.
Hunt
Chapter 1: Deadwood
Marshal S. Bullock
Montana
Marshal Bullock—
It is with heavy heart and the deepest sense of regret that this letter finds you. A particularly deadly strain of typhoid fever is running rampant through Cold Falls, and this is the first of many letters I am compelled to write. Mrs. Martha Bullock and William Bullock died yester eve despite care rendered. Words can not even begin to express the sorrow I feel at your great loss. May God go with you sir.
-Dr. C. Young, M.D.
Cold Falls, MI
xx
Seth's grip on the letter tightened the farther along he read. He couldn't believe it true. But somewhere, he knew better.
"Don't know how old that there letter is," the courier said, scratching his head, "took me almost two months to get to Montana, and then once found out you wasn't there, but here…another month or so to get here." Seth nodded his thanks at the courier, who tipped his head in farewell and disappeared down the street.
Letting go a silent sigh, Seth's eyes closed as he lowered his head, folding the letter absent mindedly. She wasn't really his wife anyway, was she? But still he couldn't help but feel a sense of obligation and devotion to her nonetheless. Her loss hurt, but maybe not as much as he knew it should.
"Y'alright Seth?" Sol looked over at his partner uncertainly.
"I'm fine," Seth said, quickly pushing the letter deep in a pocket, "I'll tell you more later, but for now," he squinted up the muddy crowded thoroughfare, "lets finish unloading, and start setting things up before nightfall." He hefted a box of tin dishes down from the wagon.
Deadwood. Supposed to be no other place like it. Bullock and Star couldn't exactly say why they were drawn to Deadwood. Maybe it was just they'd seen what promised to be a lucrative business endeavor. From the look of things, it seemed to be a safe bet.
They'd already rented a lot from an Al Swearengen with a tent that was questionable at best. Both Seth and Sol had hopes of buying a plot to permanently build on, but neither was the type to just stick their nose into things without getting to know a place.
"Well would ya look there," Sol nodded over towards the hotel, "you'd think city people would have more sense with what's out here." A young couple, both of them tall and slender, had just pulled a heavily laden wagon to a stop in front of the hotel across from the Gem.
"Maybe that's just it. They don't know." Seth glanced at the couple for a minute, noting their strikingly similar appearance. "Guess they're related?" Sol turned back, curious at his partner's question.
"Possibly, or else he is just attracted to women that look like him."
"Interesting to say the least." Seth turned with a smile back to unloading the wagon, finding the prospect of making love to someone who looked like him weird at best.
xxxxxx
This camp reminded her of Camp Robinson. Just another rabble of men, draft animals, worn tents and questionable buildings. She glanced around the street as she pulled off her slim leather gloves. The men who met her eye mostly smiled lusty smiles in return, few tipping their hats.
She looked up at the buildings, stopping on the balcony of the building labeled 'Gem Saloon.' A powerful stocky man with black curly hair and dark beady eyes stood sipping coffee, staring out as though a lord over his domain. Their eyes met for the briefest of seconds before she quickly turned away.
The man with her climbed down from the wagon before extending his hand up to her. She took it, gathering her green skirt in the other hand, stepping down to join him.
"I just saw the eeriest man." She said quietly.
"I don't doubt it," he said, smiling comfortingly, "once we get our room, I'll hear all about it." He turned from her as she checked over the wagon.
Farnum couldn't be sure how the man who walked into his hotel had escaped off whatever farm he came from. He was so spindly; Farnum couldn't help but think him a scarecrow.
"G'day to ya sir," he greeted warmly, tipping his head in greeting, "E. B. Farnum's mu'name, feel free to call me E. B.."
"E.B., Andrew Hunt," he nodded politely, "looking for a room."
"Alrighty sir, just you?"
"And…," he looked, pointing over his shoulder as she walked through the door, glancing around the dusty sunlight filled room, her forest green dress contrastingly sharply with the faded wood.
"You and the missus, yessir."
"Not my wife."
"No…?" The word left Farnum's mouth before he could think otherwise as he took a closer look at the woman coming to stand along side Hunt. She had the same raven hair as the young man, as well as the same piercing blue eyes. In fact, now that Farnum really looked, he could even see they were somewhat alike in facial appearance.
"Is you twins?" He looked between the pair.
"How very perceptive Mr. Farnum," she said quietly, a small smile gracing her slim face, "most people don't figure it out right away. I'm Nora Hunt."
"Aw shucks Ms. Hunt," Farnum scratched his head in embarrassment, looking down at the floor before back at his newest customers, "well I'll show ya'll up to the room," he moved from the counter, up towards the stairs, the Hunts following close behind, "you here to prospect some I 'magine Mr. Hunt."
"I'm already here, might as well give it a try."
"Not looking to buy a claim is ya?"
"Oh no, just here to find what I can."
"And you Ms. Hunt?"
"No reason for me to stay behind by myself."
"Just be careful ma'am. Deadwood can be a rough place."
"I don't doubt that." They came to a stop outside door number 7 before Farnum unlocked it and stepped inside, sniffing the air.
"Had some rather unsavory guests stay here last," Farnum said as the Hunts looked around the room, "not used to living under a roof. Smelled something awful." He caught the look on Nora's face and stopped talking, looking down at the floor nervously. "Well, the window's been open since they left. It should be good and aired out by now. If you need something, ask at the desk." He handed the key off and left the room, closing the door behind him.
"Well what do you think?" Nora asked quietly as she sat on the bed, listing to the worn springs creak.
"I think this is as good a place as any. Don't you?"
"I guess so. Guess any small western town would be the same."
"We can make this work." He offered her a smile before moving over to look out the window.
"I know we can." A silence fell in the small room, save for the sounds from the street below.
"Now there goes a man who means business." Nora joined Andy at the window, glancing curiously down at the street. Of course it wasn't hard to pinpoint the man Andy was referring to. His walk was the most unusual.
"He does look to walk with a purpose…and maybe a dead arm." One side of his body was so stiff as he moved.
"Yeah, I'm sure there're lots of men like that 'round here. Just soon as shoot you as look at you ." Nora nodded quietly.
"He does look like he's killed a few men in his day."
"You be careful around this town. Promise me?" He took her hand in his, squeezing it gently.
"I'm more worried about you," she raised a hand to his cheek, "than me."
"I'll be alright. We both will," she nodded resolutely and met his smile, "and by tomorrow we'll be out of here and setting up house in a rather fine tent, if I do say so myself. Now, what of this man you saw earlier?"
first chapter, kind of boring i know. but it sets the stage for the rest of the story. i'm trying to work on my style & not be so wordy and lengthy, so reviews, comments or suggestions on that, or anything that needs improving really, would be most helpful and appreciated. hope to have the second chapter up in the next day or two. thanks fer stoppin' by!