Unshaken

Urban Pleasures

Liam somewhat slept in the next morning. He didn't get plastered the night before so he didn't feel all that bad. He remembered that Jack was now back at camp and Dutch was conversing with Angelo Bronte.

He woke to most of the camp being up already. He noticed Kieran and Mary-Beth shooting each other looks every once in a while. He laughed as he poured himself a cup of coffee. He overheard Karen griping to Mary-Beth, who was still paying attention to Kieran. "Sean's still being an asshat, though the bastard does make me laugh. But, more than that, I'm bored as hell. I wanna do something, go on a job. I know you and Sean did that thing with Arthur a couple of weeks back in Rhodes." Karen said. Mary-Beth snapped her gaze from Kieran back to Karen. "Oh... oh yeah. But one of them men did try to kill me. That wasn't so fun." Mary-Beth said.

"Well it's gotta be better than sitting around in this shithole!" Karen griped. Liam saw Susan approaching the two in the corner of his eye. Karen groaned as Susan pointed towards the wash bin instructing Karen to do some work. Mary-Beth quickly went to sew some of the men's pants up. Liam approached Karen. "Didn't you just go rob that bank in Valentine?" He asked her. She looked up at him and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, but I don't like doing this shit." She said throwing the rag down. "You sound like Mrs. Adler." Liam pointed out.

"I guess." Karen said, lighting a cigarette. "But she's a hell of a lot better of a woman than I am." Karen said. "Don't say that. You ain't bad. Come on, let's go scouting." Liam told her. Karen took the last drag of her cigarette and looked at him. "It'd be my pleasure." She said. They waited until nobody saw and walked to the horses. Liam climbed on Colter and Karen on Old Belle. They rode out towards Saint Denis. "I never really get to speak to you much, Miss Jones." Liam said as they rode through the woods. "I know. Stuff's been crazy as hell. Can't believe Sean was almost shot, stupid bastard." She said. "Say, why don't you ride out with the men more? I hear you're good with a gun." He asked. "I don't know. I love the feel and rush I get of robbing. But it seems all I'm looked at as is just another mouth to feed." She said. "I don't wanna be that. I wanna help. Dutch and the rest of the gang have done so much for me. I wanna be involved. Help out. And I know that if I'm stuck at camp, I drink." She said.

"I get you. Some people like Uncle are just homebodies, and I guess there ain't much wrong with that, but it feels nice to bring in money or supplies for once." He said. "Exactly. They never let me go robbing with 'em. I guess I just have to show them that I'm capable." She said. "I know. You ever been to Saint Denis?" He asked her. "Nope. But this girl sure as hell is ready to rob some bastards." She said. He laughed as they passed Caliga Hall. "Let's just check out this place first." He said.

They rode for a bit longer until they came onto the bridge that him and John had the day before. He stopped as she took in the city. "I ain't never seen a place so big and revolting at the same time." She said. "Exactly what I thought." He said. They rode into the streets. He rode as she took it all in. He noticed her shifting as she rode from her dress riding uncomfortably. "You wanna head to the tailors?" He asked. "Do I?" She asked. They rode to the tailors and got off their horses. "Might wanna get you something more comfortable to ride in." He recommended as he held the door open for her.

"Hello! What would you two like today?" The tailor asked. "My lady friend here would like to browse your clothing options." Liam said. The tailor smiled and looked at Karen. "We have a bigger selection than most in women's attire, ma'am. Look away." He said. Liam bought himself a few shirts while he waited on Karen. When she came back out of the dressing room, she was like a new woman.

She let her blonde hair fall down out of the style she had it in. It was covered by a small black bowler's hat. She wore a white shirtwaist with floral embroidery across the upper chest. She was no longer wearing a skirt, but wide legged gray pants accompanied by some new brown leather tie up boots. She posed for him playfully. "You look ready to... run some errands." He said sarcastically with the tailor near. She caught his reference. "Yeah... errands. Well I sure feel good and free, but you know I still like to look pretty." She said walking to the counter to pay. Liam went to pay but she stopped him. "You sure?" He asked. "It's my clothes ain't it?" She asked. "Fair enough." Liam said not arguing. They walked back outside. "Now let's go get you some guns. And I'm paying this time." He said.

They rode to the gunsmith and walked inside. With her protests, Liam bought Karen a dual wielding gun belt with a holster at each hip. He also bought her a pistol and a revolver to go in each one. He then bought her a carbine repeater to go on Old Belle.

"Now I'd say we're ready to go scouting, Miss." He said to her as they rode on. He wanted to pay her back for when she helped him out after the stunt with the O'Driscolls. "Where do idiots with money to blow usually go, Mr. Parker?" Karen asked. "I ain't got a clue." He replied. "The saloon, you fool!" She corrected. "Good idea. Let's go." He said as they rode to the Bastille Saloon.