Oil lanterns, meticulously positioned, cast their flickering amber glow from few wooden posts spaced precisely ten yards apart, encircling the perimeter of the Black Bone Saloon like watchful sentinels. Their soft, wavering light cast long, delicate shadows across the weathered wooden fencing. Beyond the lanterns, horses stood tethered to hitching posts outside the saloon and in the corral, their sleek coats catching the lantern light as they shifted and pawed the earth beneath them.
The air filled with the occasional soft whinny and the gentle rustle of hooves against hay as the animals nibbled at the bales or dipped their heads into troughs of water. Overhead, the sky stretched wide, an endless sea of deepening indigo, where stars began to flicker to life like distant fires. Constellations, once veiled by daylight, now revealed themselves in their celestial patterns, etched across the heavens. The ink-black night was slow to swallow the last vestiges of dusk, but as it did, the lanterns seemed to grow bolder.
At the heart of it all, Black Bone Saloon pulsed with life. On the wide, creaking porch, oak tables sat strewn with empty bottles and forgotten cards, their surfaces illuminated by the lanterns hanging overhead. A few patrons lingered, wrapped in the warmth of woolen blankets, murmuring in hushed tones as they sipped their drinks. Others drifted through the saloon's swing doors, escaping the evening chill in favor of the warmth inside. From within came the faint hum of conversation, all muffled by the thick, wooden walls that enclosed the saloon. The stillness outside was in stark contrast to the muffled warmth within, a perfect balance between the wild vastness of Big Valley's open land and the intimate, lively haven of the saloon—exactly how Lorena had pictured.
Inside the saloon, a heavy glow suffused the space, cast by an array of oil lamps and candlesticks placed strategically on tables and along walls. The golden light flickered across the wooden interior, its soft radiance amplifying the rich hues of polished oak and worn leather that adorned the room. Tables were arranged thoughtfully around the edges of the saloon, framing the central expanse of the floor, which was kept clear for movement, revelry, and easy passage to the staircase that wound its way up to a balcony overlooking the scene below. The spaciousness allowed for fluidity in the crowd, a place for both conversation and lively entertainment. New patrons danced and swayed, caught up in the infectious energy provided by a band of musicians stationed in one corner. The twang of banjos and the lively, lilting notes of fiddles filled the room, their music weaving through the air and setting the pace for the jubilant steps of dancers. The melodies spiraled upwards, mingling with the occasional clink of glasses and bursts of laughter, giving the saloon a vivacious atmosphere.
Against the far wall, a thrifted piano stood with a sense of quiet authority, its polished surface reflecting the flickering light of nearby lanterns. The pianist, with nimble fingers, coaxed out a bright, merry tune, his notes flowing seamlessly into the rhythm of the band. His performance anchored the room, a steady undercurrent to the more frenetic plucking of strings and the stomp of boots on the well-trodden floorboards. Together, the music and movement transformed the saloon into a whirl of sound and motion, where the boundaries between performer and patron blurred, and the night unfolded in a symphony of light and laughter.
Lorena's deep-blue gaze flicked proudly across the Saloon. Her smile beamed brighter as the establishment filled out over the course of the night, aching the apples of her cheeks. She stood in the centre of the saloon amongst the revelry, leaning on the banister of the stair case. Philippa had gifted Lorena a new dress for the occasion. Its milk-maid neckline exposing her collar bone and a little more cleavage than she was used to. The dresses deep mauve skirts, hugged in at the waist by the corset Pippa yanked her into, molded effortlessly over her curves. The leather corset was embossed with a rich, umber and sepia design of floral patterned swirls—highlighted by a turquoise background. The corset secured with brass rivets, clung to her shoulders—neatly lacing through crisscross eyelets at the front, accentuated Lorena's hourglass figure. The materials of the dress cut off at her calves, exposing boots she wore only on special occasions. The outsole moved into a point, adorned with polished steel covering the toe. The side welts lighter leather pattern contrasted with the hickory leather of the rest of the boots.
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Dear Lorena • Arthur Morgan x OC
FanficA new sense of freedom, a scorned heart and feelings kindled in the most desperate of circumstances. Whilst most women lived in the shadows of their husbands, Lorena June Milner had no choice but to step into the sun-becoming the forewoman of a ranc...
