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Post by deaartio on Sept 26, 2012 10:29:50 GMT -5
Adelaide tied her bright blonde hair back. She checked her reflection in a shard a mirror she had bought from a peddler. She was getting used to this, cross-dressing that is. It was almost comforting to know that she could hide her real self away and become an army boy know as Aleid.
Still, she wished to be able to return to her family, to the gentle farm in New York with her prized milk cow Gemma. She shook her head, banishing those thoughts. For the time being, the army was her family.
She pulled on her shirt over her chest bindings and gave herself a once-over.
“Yep,” she muttered to herself, “I look like man.” She decided not to think about what her parents would say if they saw her like this.
She stepped out of the tent and stretched in the warm spring sun.
“Hey, Aleid!” One of her comrades called. “We’re goin’ to head into the nearby town, want ta come.”
She and a few others had been given leave for the day and they had to be back by next morning.
Of course, Adelaide knew what they planned to do in the town, but she figured that she could slip away and spend some time on her own.
“Sounds nice.” she said quietly, lowering her voice slightly.
“Well hurry up then, we’re leavin’!”
Adelaide smiled and grabbed her bag that held all her worldly possessions. She took one last look at the lovely Massachusetts country side before running after her friends.
“Wait up for me!”
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Post by Rhiannon ☽ on Sept 26, 2012 11:07:24 GMT -5
Rhiannon hadn't been into the Salem Village in a long while. She had lived about a mile away for over ten years, but she wasn't always comfortable being there. She had recently been accepted as a medicine woman or a nurse for Col. Caradog's troops so her trips here were more frequent than they had been before. Thankfully, he didn't mind her witchy persona.
She was in town looking for a new dress. Annie only needed one new dress since the others had been big on her to begin with, especially in the bust since she was unusually petite. Since joining the army as a nurse, she had been fed regularly so her weight had gone up to a more healthy number. She had gained about ten pounds, now in a healthy weight zone. Annie had been slightly under a hundred pounds before, but now was fine.
Then, she saw a group of soldiers approaching the town square. Rhiannon had tended to avoid men when they crossed her since there were multiple occasions when they tried to take advantage of her being alone all the time. Annie was a smart woman and could get out of those kinds of situations, but she still wished she could be left to her own business. The group of men, who were looking rowdier than before, were growing closer so she started to walk away, crossing in front of them to get to the other side of the dirt road.
"Pardon me," she said softly, trying to slip past.
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Post by deaartio on Sept 26, 2012 11:29:35 GMT -5
“Check that one out.” one of the men jerked his head towards a lone woman walking down the street.
“I bet she’s up for a good time tonight.” the crowd laughed heartily in approval.
“What say you, Aleid?”
“Oh, uh. Well, she’s lovely.” Adelaide fidgeted, not liking where this was going.
“Heh. Ya’ got that right.”
Adelaide riveted her eyes on her feet.
“You’re barely a man, Aleid. Tell, you ever felt the touch of a woman?”
Adelaide flushed deep red not know exactly what he was talking about, but figuring that it was not Christian, “Well, you know...”
“So that’s a no?”
"no, I mean... yes...” she stuttered, thoroughly confused.
“Don’t feel bad, boy,” one of the older soldiers slapped her back, “we all gotta start somewhere."
Adelaide tensed as the woman muttered something under her breath and tried to pass by the group.
“Hey, lady!” one of the stronger soldiers shouted, making the poor woman jump slightly. “I got a friend over here in need of something you got.” he closed his hands around her thin arm in a vice-like grip.
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Post by Rhiannon ☽ on Sept 26, 2012 11:39:35 GMT -5
Rhiannon tried to make a quick getaway, but failed when a huge, burly man took hold of her arm. She began to look frightened. Annie knew how to deal with a single man trying to harm her, but a whole group was another tale. She made eye contact with a young looking, and may she add feminine, soldier who looked uncomfortable with all this.
Normally, what she'd do was act like she was to get intimate with the man, get him a drink, slip some belladonna inside his alcohol and then her problem was solved, considering belladonna was a sedative. She hadn't ever killed anyone by doing that, it simply put them to sleep for the night, giving her the chance to slip away.
"Ohh, I can assure you I have nothing you want," she said shakily. These men were animals and it was sickening. Rhiannon pleaded lightly, "Please let me go..."
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Post by deaartio on Sept 26, 2012 11:54:28 GMT -5
Adelaide gasped, she hadn’t expected it to elevate this quickly. She bit her lip and looked around, all the men were preoccupied with the woman. Adelaide could simply peel away from the group now and resurface at the encampment the next morning.
She darted her head back to look at the woman, her eyes dark and clouded with fear as she pleaded with the men.
Adelaide swallowed, steeled her nerves, and thought a quick prayer, hoping that she wouldn’t regret what she was about to do.
“Let her go!” she pushed up to the front of the group and wrenched the woman’s arm away from the man.
“Aleid! What the devil are you doing?!”
Adelaide got a firm grip on the woman’s arm. “Run!” she shouted and began tugging her foreword.
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Post by Rhiannon ☽ on Sept 26, 2012 11:59:50 GMT -5
Rhiannon paused for a second before taking off as the young man told her to. Had this man just saved her from what was fixing to be an unfortunate turn of events? She hoped he wouldn't get into trouble for helping her.
"Bless you," she told him before running.
Annie took off as fast as she could, getting weird looks from folk who were being passed by her. Rhiannon could worry about buying new things later, she needed to get back to Dewi's camp as fast as she could and thankfully, it wasn't far.
She slowed up a few blocks from where the men were, out of breath. She hoped they hadn't followed her, she was in no fit state to fight.
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Post by deaartio on Sept 26, 2012 12:14:29 GMT -5
Adelaide had run too, taking her own advice.
She didn’t want to face her peers for at least a few hours. She figured that she could stop by a tavern and recover her continuity and think up some good excuses.
Adelaide ran through the twisting and turing streets for what seemed like an eternity. She made as many turns as possible to discourage any people that might have run after her.
She came to a stop on a street corner, ignoring the looks she was getting. She swallowed and hung her head, praying again that the woman was okay.
She undid her hair and ran her fingers along her sweaty head. She walked for a few blocks twirling the ribbon with her hands thinking of excuses.
‘She was ugly anyways.’ and ‘I bet she was a witch.’ were the two bets ones she had come up with by the time she stopped and lifted her head to feel a breeze.
When she lowered head head and scanned the area around her she nearly jumped out of her skin seeing the woman there.
Adelaide quickly tied her hair back and, without really thinking, walked up to the woman.
“Hello.” she said softly in a low voice, mentally kicking herself as the woman jumped slightly. She offered her hand to the woman, “I’m Aleid. Are you alright?”
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Post by Rhiannon ☽ on Sept 26, 2012 12:50:14 GMT -5
Rhiannon jumped and gave a little shout of surprise as the man came up behind her and asked if she was okay. She didn't trust him, so she took a few steps back and away from him, only to be up against a wall. She noticed it was the guy who helped her, but still, she was cautious.
"I-I'm fine just leave me alone," she said softly, a pitiful quiver in her voice.
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Post by deaartio on Sept 26, 2012 13:04:29 GMT -5
Adelaide’s light blue eyes widened, hurt by what the woman said. She slowly lowered her hand and looked down.
“I... I’m sorry for what happened. It’s my fault, I should have told them to stop earlier.” she said, forgetting to lower her voice.
She looked up to the woman, she was only about one inch shorter than Adelaide but looked much older.
“If there’s anything I can do to make it up to you...” she said sincerely, wondering how she let this happen.
“I could help you get to where your going.” she offered, “I have to be back to my camp by sun up tomorrow, but I could make sure that no one picks on you while your here."
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Post by Rhiannon ☽ on Sept 26, 2012 16:19:40 GMT -5
Rhiannon's eyes sofened at the younger person in front of her. Now she wasn't sure if it was female or male because their voice was soft and light pitched, but they looked man enough even if Aleid was only a mere two inches taller. Annie had heard of women sneaking into the army as of late so they could be one of those.
"It's not your fault, some men are animals," she said gently, giving a little smile. "I'm Rhiannon," she introduced herself. When Aleid offered to help her out, her first instinct was to just say no and get out and go home. But she could probably use some help if those men came back to bother her.
"I hate to be a bother, but it'd be nice, yes please," she said, accepting the offer.
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Post by deaartio on Sept 26, 2012 18:52:26 GMT -5
Adelaide looked jubilant at the response.
“Really? Great!” She straightened her back, try and failing to look like a soldier. “Ensign Linden at your service.” She saluted making Rhiannon smile slightly. “If any one gives you trouble, I’ll get rid of them.” She said, remembering to lower her voice and hoping that the woman didn’t notice the change.
She lowered her hand to her side, “And it’s no trouble for me at all. I had nothing else to do anyways. And there’s no need to worry about my friends, they’ll be off drinking themselves into a stupor.” she smiled, “What were you doing before, uh, you were interrupted?”
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Post by Rhiannon ☽ on Sept 26, 2012 21:47:52 GMT -5
Rhiannon smiled, he seemed friendly. He was so young to be fighting, it looked like. Possibly eighteen or around there somewhere. She herself was thirty five so she was impressed with the boy for wishing to risk his life for his cause.
"I never get bothered, really, this was the first time that's happened...in town at least," she said, shrugging as they walked. She gave a little dry laugh as he mentioned his friends getting drunk beyond all imagine. "Oh I'm sure they will," she agreed.
Rhiannon really should start to head back to her new campsite. She had promised Dewi she'd be back about an hour ago, he was bound to be worried.
"Well, I had been looking for a new dress, but seems to me I've lost the time to buy anything," she said, reaching the edge of town by now.
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Post by deaartio on Sept 27, 2012 14:29:28 GMT -5
Adelaide smiled broadly to the older woman, slightly sad that they’d have to part so soon.
“It’s good that you've got a thick skin.” Adelaide said, wondering what she would have done in that situation.
She looked foreword down the road. “Where are off too, anyways? We might see each other sometime again.”
For a brief moment she considered telling Rhiannon who she really was after Rhiannon had placed so much trust in her. Adelaide also thought that it just might be nice to able able to tell someone her secret.
She opened her mouth to say it, but then closed it and looked down pensively.
“Well, you’d best be moving on.” she said.
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Post by Rhiannon ☽ on Sept 27, 2012 21:16:30 GMT -5
She laughed,
"Me? Thick skinned? Not at all," Rhiannon said, smiling. "I'm nothing but a softie. I just know how to get out of bad situations is all."
She really wasn't thick skinned. Things like this normally brought her to tears the minute she was alone. "I'm a nurse for the 7th Dragoons," she explained. "I was expected back a while ago, but I don't think I'll be missed by anyone."
She continued to walk with Aleid, he seemed nice and respectful. "You seem awful young to be in the military among men like that," she said, referring to the gang of men that could be seen now looking for a pub close by.
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Post by deaartio on Sept 27, 2012 21:29:42 GMT -5
“I suppose I am a but young, nineteen actually.” Adelaide mumbled, “I just got swept up in it.”
She turned to look at the men, “They’re alright once you get to know them, I swear.” She smiled, “They don’t ask many questions about where you come from, just where your going, I like that in people.”
She sighed as a fight began to break out. “Of course, it was all a bit much for me, a simple country gir- boy.” she laughed awkwardly as Rhiannon arched her eyebrow.
“And, the 7th Dragoons,” she continued on as if nothing had happened, "that’s a British force, isn’t it? Oh, why bother asking, it doesn’t matter me to me who you fight for as long as it’s what you believe in.” she looked up to the setting sun.
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Post by Rhiannon ☽ on Sept 28, 2012 8:41:53 GMT -5
Rhiannon nodded, that was very young to be putting their life on the line.
"It's mighty young, be careful," she warned gently. Annie always wished the best for everyone. She'd even hate to see the group of now drunken men that Aleid was with be killed. Death wasn't something to be celebrated, in her opinion.
She laughed at, what she thought, was an innocent slip up. "I understand what you mean. I cannot tell you how many people are on my property day and night either running away or at someone or another."
Rhiannon nodded, "It is a British force, but I do try and help everyone I can..."
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Post by deaartio on Sept 28, 2012 14:11:53 GMT -5
“I thought so.” Adelaide shrugged. “Doesn’t matter to me.” She laughed slightly, “A British camp and a Patriot camp only a few miles away from each other. I won’t tell my captain about it if you won’t tell yours.” she smiled childishly.
“And it’s great that you help anyone who needs it,” Adelaide said, “but it can be dangerous, no? You could also get in trouble with your captain for helping the enemy, right?” She shook her head, “You’ve got more courage than me, that’s for sure, I’d faint if I had to stitch a man up.” She shuddered at the thought.
“Why are you such a helpful soul anyways? I’m a good Christian, but not that good."
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Post by Rhiannon ☽ on Sept 28, 2012 15:06:47 GMT -5
Rhiannon laughed,
"Sworn to secrecy, I promise."
She smiled, Rhiannon really loved having her gentle persona complemented. It meant a lot and made her feel like her kind acts weren't going unnoticed. When he mentioned getting into trouble with her captain, she nearly chuckled. Dewi wouldn't raise a finger to her. He would yell, but he wouldn't harm her in any way.
"I could, but a few harsh words from my captain is worth saving a life to me," she said. Rhiannon found herself getting along with Aleid, he was kind.
"Well, I'm no Christian that's for sure," she told him with a shrug. "But I know deep down people appreciate a little extra aid. Plus it's nice to know someone cares."
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Post by deaartio on Sept 28, 2012 18:04:27 GMT -5
“A few harsh words? If I was seen helping an enemy, it’d be fifteen hits with a switch, which is why I pretty much keep my head down. When this war is over, I just want to see my family again.”
Adelaide flinched at the ‘Not a Christain’ comment, but decided not to pry. “I’m sure everyone you help appreciates help, even if they don’t say it.” she said softly.
“Anyways, how much farther do you think to your camp?” Adelaide looked back at the disappearing Salem houses, and then at the setting sun, not sure how safe it would be to walk back to either the encampment or Salem at night.
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Post by Rhiannon ☽ on Sept 28, 2012 18:16:24 GMT -5
Rhiannon was used to the reaction that people normally gave when she told them she wasn't Christian. She didn't mind the people who were, she just believed in different things. Smiling, she said teasingly,
"Don't say anything, but I'm almost certain my captain is...sweet on me."
It was probably true. While everyone else got smacked, cursed at and shot irritated looks, it was all kind words and smiles for her. She replied with a little smile,"Even if they don;t I'm glad to have helped."
"It's not far," she told him. "If you need to go, I can make it from here by my self, I think."
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