〖 ❝ʜᴜᴍᴍɪɴɢʙɪʀᴅ❞ 〗

তততততততততততততততততততততততত

         𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐅𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐋. The girls seemed to like the violet tea that Lina had made. There seemed to be some chemistry between Etta and Mary Jane. Lina could sense a strong bond forming between the three of them. By the end of their time together, Lina and Mary Jane had convinced Etta to stay and find a job. At least, for a little while. Eventually, it was time for them to Lina and Mary Jane to go to work.

        As soon as the girls were out, Lina changed into a blue skirt and a white linen shirt. She'd be waiting on tables today, so she made sure to look orderly. She washed her face in the small washing basin and braided her hair, finally pulling on and tying her boots, scrambling down the stairs.

        She greeted Sam and grabbed a notepad, heading off toward the tables.

        Breakfast hour came and went, and she had about four hours of free time before she was due for another shift. She packed a wicker basket filled up with enough food and silverware for one person. She was going to have a peaceful picnic before she did her chores and returned to the saloon.

        The picnic went well, Lina was able to pick more Devil's powder puffs. Keeping in mind all of the shooting, stabbing, and just lawlessness in general, she picked a great many. She watched intently, munching on a biscuit as a fancy carriage rolled into town. She watched a queer-looking man step out to help a lady out and onto the ground. They exchanged words and headed into the saloon.

        "Great, another petticoat I've got to keep the sashes out of." She said, at no one in particular.

        "I hope you're not talking about us, little hummingbird." a voice came from behind Lina. She gasped and turned around, met with the sight of a sash. The man wore an ivory-colored hat and kept a mustache. He wore a maroon wild rag and his shirt was scarlet, matching his sash. What stood out to Lina was his boots, which had a hand of poker on the front of each of them.

        "Who the hell are you?" she paused between every word, letting them sink in. Where did this man learn the nickname her father gave her years ago? No one but her family and her tribe had ever called her that. To everyone else, she was Lina. He shrugged.

        "You're on our territory. Get off."

        "Last time I checked, you don't own this land. It belongs to everyone."

        "I said, get off our turf! Take your stupid little meal," he gestured to the assortment of goods sitting on the ground. "and get the hell out!" He yelled, pulling his pistol out of his holster. No, Lina thought. I'm unarmed. Deducing that she shouldn't try to resist, lest the man's trigger finger twitch. She gathered what dignity she had left, gathered her things, and got out. Head held high as she stormed back into the saloon. So much for a peaceful picnic.

        She ate the rest of her lunch in her room, absolutely livid. She finished, picked up the Devil's Powder Puffs, and sat them down in a small box, pushing it onto a shelf. She tied her apron back on, finished her to-dos within her room, plastered on a fake smile, and headed downstairs.

        All was well, she made her rounds with a genuine smile creeping onto her lips. That all was dampened when the cowboy from earlier, the one who knew that name, waltzed in. She retreated to the kitchen, for there was a lull in eating customers anyway. Sam would get the cowboy's drink, or drinks really.

        The plan worked for a little while, and she remained undetected. The piano player was back again, playing a familiar melody. All was well... until the mayor and his wife decided to eat out for dinner.