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Home is where the heart is (Ravenofpoe X ZoneyGirl)

Ravenofpoe

Ravenofpoe

Quoth the Raven "Nevermore."
Joined
Jan 22, 2020
THe truck rambled down the highway at speeds twenty over posting. The driver was Captain Lucian Ravencroft. Well former Captain. The road was empty and his lean form relaxed tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. His phone chirped, interrupting the music. He learned growing up portable media was the way to go. The reason was reception could be spotty. Back then at least he didn’t try now as when he started he had good stations then the farther away from civilization he got the more static he picked up. Switching stations did not alleviate this problem. When he found for a good ten clicks all he had was Jesus radio he turned to the phones music.

The text was from the movers saying they reached the house and wanted to know if they could unload and unpack. There was a picture of the house recently renovated by the bank by the looks of it. It was his home. Though different. Some things were off like the paint. His Father had painted it white blue trim. God awful job he did to please his mother. Now it was a professional job; dark blue with white trim. The porch was repaired and the movers truck in view of the sold sign. He texted one eye on the road that yeah go ahead careful with the safe. There was a marker in the house where the gun safe would go.

Lucian was a good few hours from home and that time ticked by quickly. The movers texted when they were done as he was pulling into Bell's most famous landmark. Saints was a family owned business. His friend from high school was the current owner having taken it over from her father. Lucian stretched and got out of the Silverado. Stretching again he popped his back and went for the gun under the seat. Then he realized. Didn’t care for it. It was there because he was a soldier; it was an extension of himself. Though he was still a good shot, he just couldn’t bear to hold it for no reason anymore.

Locking the truck he walked into the restaurant to get dinner. Taking a seat he looked over the menu and ordered a sweet tea from the high school aged waitress. When she returned he ordered a steak burger all the fixins medium rare with fries. Twenty years nothing really changed about that order. He thought about that number, twenty years. He had been gone for twenty years. Looking about he didn’t notice how much things changed his rose colored glasses still made saints to be the almost failing business he hung out with his friends after school or after work in the summer months.

In the reflection of the nearby window he saw though he had changed. Gone was the boyish face with short hair. Gone was the lanky kid that was good on a horse and muscled only from farm work. Reflected there now was a middle age man still lean but muscled from years of pain and misery of doing pt that sucked. His hair was longer and the beard trimmed now. When overseas that was longer as well. Today was jeans and a faded t-shirt bearing the bat of hell album cover. He sipped his tea and stared into the abyss of memory. This was a new life for him and he all wanted to do was retire in peace.
 
God she hated it her. The same small town she was born in. It would be the same small town she would die in. At least that is how it felt on days like this. Hector had gotten mad last night, it wasn't her fault. Something about a job falling through and he took to the bottle and all is rage was focused on the woman he married. He was smart, he never hurt her where it would show. He didn't want to deal with the cops. Her arms were bruised, a few on her legs. He mostly used a belt or his cigarettes. A lot of name calling, always with the names.

Temperance had laid in bed for a while. Hector leaving for work after his night doing as he pleased. She just let it wash over her before she started to get read for the day. A long shower to calm her aching body. Long honey brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She put on a peach colored dress with sleeves that ended just above her elbows, a pair of stockings and cream colored heels. She was supposed to have lunch with some of the girls at Saints. Teresa took over it after her father died, the woman still single and was trying to revamp the entire town if given the chance. She was on the city council and even planning to run for mayor.

Lunch seemed like a good idea after her night with Hector. She wanted to leave him, but the fear of failure kept her around. The fear taht she would never be anything outside of this town. Hell, she could never even be a mother. That was always something Hector resented her for, after their third attempt and third failure. It was like all the love faded.

The drive to Saints was quick, she parked next to a new truck. Eyeing it careful for a moment. A town like this, people knew everyone, and a new truck was bound to bring a lot of talking. She stepped in, seeing the ladies in the usual round booth. Chatting over coffee and tea. She smiled a bit and started her way towards them. Saying hello the the regulars and people working, everyone knew her. She had been cheer captain and prom queen. She was married to one of the richest people in town. Hector owned a construction company that brought a lot of jobs and money into the town.

There was one new face. Though, it seemed familiar. She knew it, the baby fat was gone from his cheek. He looked tired and worn out from the world, but so did everyone after a certain age. Temperance stopped in her tracks at the end of Lucian's table, taking a good look over him.

"Lucian?" the name felt so foreign to say. They had been sweet on each other in high school. Of course they both changed. She still had the soft honey brown curls, but a few strands of grey made their way in. A faded scar on her left cheek, the wrinkles that came with age and she had lost some of her figure. She was still blessed with a youthful face, always looking younger than she was.

"What brought you the hell back here?"
 
Not used to hearing his name twenty years of the surname made him less likely to answer when that given name was used. He was lost and knew someone was there. Glancing up at her he said, “Do i…” He stopped and yes he knew her. “Sorry lost in thought. Temperance, you look as beautiful as ever.” He smiled, it was genuine and he looked her over his eyes taking in the woman that he once loved still did in his memories though he did leave her so she could perhaps have a chance to escape.

He was tired of bureaucracy and wanted nothing more than to turn his rifles into plow shares. Not literally though as the two sniper rifles were the most expensive thing he owned. To answer the question his voice was deeper but retaining the old family's southern accent that was misplaced here. “I got tired of taking orders. Turns out if you hit twenty years they like to send you home full benefits. You look good. I’d ask you to join me but i know how small towns are.” He left out part of why he was discharged. It was honorable but hitting a major was not a good idea. Just got pissed off after a bad night. He looked her face over and said, “What happened? That scar is new...well new to me. Though the town is still new to me even. As to why i am here. Bank had dads house up for a good price. After I threatened to take them to court for wanting me to pay the balance dad owed.”
 
Temperance couldn't help but smile at Lucian, the dimples clearly seen with it. She looked over at the women in the corner, giving them a smile before she looked back at Lucian. "You never were good at taking orders, surprised you even lasted that long in the first place," she smirked and raised a hand to rub her thumb over it. "Got in an accident sometime after you left, think it was the glass or something," the lie she told everyone and it came off as the casual truth. Not that it had been from a broken mirror when Hector lost his temper. She had the scars on her arm and shoulders to finish it up.

"Its good to see you though," she gestured to take the seat across from him. It had been a while, she was happy to see a new face in town. Someone new to talk to, well at least someone who didn't have the same small town gossip. "Would explain why I saw folk working on your house last week. It looks a lot better than it was before, it was starting really fall apart. Hope you had them look at the roof."

Temperance waved over the waitress to get herself a cup of coffee and a club sandwich with a bowl of the potato soup. Saints was famous for the potato soup, a family recipe and they had perfected it many years ago. "Can't say much as happened. Town is same as ever," she caught her chin in her hand, tapping her finger against her cheek. "Got married, of course. What else is there to do in this hick ass town."
 
Lucian nodded listening to her talk brought back memories. When she touched the scar telling him the story something seemed off though. He was not really sure could be reading too much into seeing an old fiend. "Yeah they were happy to check it. There will probably be people there for the next month doing work on the house." Lucian closed his eyes all the happy memories of that place had been wiped clean from one very bad one. It was shortly after his father tired of fighting his fight with depression the loss of his wife from cancer and a mountain of debt from that latter fight ate the end of a twelve Guage leaving lucian with a life insurance payout that helped in the short run he invested it wisely and got through until bootcamp.

"You think this is bad try being stuck in a village where the newest thing they had was 2000 Toyotas and nokias. That was fun times. The locals freaked seeing us with phones that did not flip up." That had been a very good time they had learned the language and he had some very good food but nothing compared to home-cooked meals. "I'll take saints any day over some the food overseas."
 
"It will a lot of work to turn it back into a home," but the mess at the end, she wasn't sure how Lucian could handle it. Maybe that was why he joined the service, it seemed like a good idea. She chuckled a bit as he brought up being stuck in some village that was behind on the times. She took a sip of her coffee. "I suppose that is a bit worse than being in a small hick town with all the same gossip. But if I have to hear about which young and perky barely legal adult that the sheriff if having affair with one more time," she rolled her eyes and looked out the window.

"Still, all the traveling. I'm envious," she muttered, her finger running around the rim of the coffee mug. "Most I traveled was to the Bahama's for my honeymoon," she sighed a bit and leaned back in the seat. "At least they haven't changed their food much. Teresa does a good job at running this place. Brought in a few new things and lost some that didn't sell. Her veggie burger is pretty damn good."

It felt odd, Lucian being back in town. They didn't leave things on a bad foot, she just didn't want to leave like Lucian did. It had been part of what broke them up.

"You look good. I remember you leaving as this twig with no muscles regardless of how much you swore you had muscles," she teased.
 
“Knowing the language helps. We roomed with a nice family and helped them with some stuff.” He was dismayed that Bell was still bell. It was like it was stuck in a time warp of keep things the way they run because change is hard. “Home is just a word. I have lived in barracks most of my life. I’m not used to having more space than necessary and while I restocked the place its just nice to be alone without a roommate.

“As far traveling. I am lucky I saw places that were beautiful. Japan in the spring for instance is breathtaking. Though the Bahamas are fun for other venues.” At the tease he laughed. “I did have muscles they are more pronounced now and I have that fighter’s body. Rangers lead the way in physicality. I was the army middle weight boxing champ one year.” He left out the fancy that he had that title only one year for being deployed in Russia on a deployment. “Still least you get do more than others do. Leaving is great all I want to do is to stay here though not get a plane. And god help me if I have to see another dessert.”
 
She was still envious of his traveling, even if it was with the military and it was for work. She still wished she could have done something like that. It was her choice, it was how it happened. She never had the desire to leave. She never put the effort into it. "Well, it might get awfully boring being all alone," she told him. Though part of her often wished Hector wasn't there. It would be a lot more simple.

"You just thought you had muscles. You were just a twig with baby fat still on your cheeks," granted she wasn't any better. She had struggled with her body and how her weight always fluctuated. Always blamed it on the hormones being a teenager. "You say that you want to stay here right now, but its the same shit place we grew up in. The same tired gossip and ugly faces to see day after day."

She leaned back, looking out the window. Watching a few people walking down the street with their dogs. The nice old couple that had brought her casserole after her father died and Hector was working out of state. "At least you are bringing in a slightly new face and stories I haven't heard before. Also here in time for our Summer festival," it was one of the highlights of the year. Everyone came together to celebrate summer. Fireworks, food, and music. People selling home goods and all sorts of other things.

"Husband and I are part of the parade. He brings in a lot of work for people. So he's celebrated I suppose," and she was the ever supportive wife.
 
“To be fair after the last few months, solitude would be good. I left because it was a way out. Roads often lead home though. Some ghosts can't be escaped forever and that low point can turn into a high if looked at right.” His father said that often. A vietnam vetran who had been a sniper of renown not in the same vein of Carlos Hathcock. Though good and that skill was taught to Lucian. He had that mindset forever ingrained. Squeeze don't jerk was his life. He didn’t do rash and being home was not rash. He hadn't realized the complications though.

HE hit a higher rank and normally that was tolerated given he didn’t have one anyone. Problem was he was brought up on charges because the guy had friends. Sitting in the diner he saw other complications. Town was small. Bell was just that a small a town. In a rural area one gun shop could suffice. Bell had three. That he counted. The oldest no doubt was more legit. The other two he would look into. Other things seemed out of place. He made a note of Teresa's sign out front declaring only law enforcement could carry in the restaurant. A good thing he left his in the truck.

“Festivals are fun. I may have to come see the parade.” He saw that sadness she wore like a thin layer of makeup when she mentioned her husband. He was going to comment but then it wasn't his place.
 
Temperance shrugged a bit. She had always tended to feel a bit more alone here. A lot of pretended, specially with women she was usually having lunch with. She couldn't have any rumors spread about Hector being unkind or an ill fitting husband. It wouldn't do her any good. So she lied. She did it to everyone, she was doing it to Lucian. It was natural to her now, just part of her survival. "Well, hopefully you'll find your solitude here," she smirked. "One perk of a small town."

Things had changed in Bell since Lucian was gone. It came with the new politics the town seemed to latch onto. The new mayor and his strong hand and talk about the government. Everyone owned a gun. They owned more than one. Hector had at least four. Went to the shooting range every weekend, dragged her a few times as well. She was always a shit shot.

She shook her head. "Please don't. Rather not have you see me in whatever embarrassing costume they shove me into to match this years theme," she smirked. "This years theme is the Old West. I'm sure I'll be shoved into a very uncomfortable costume and Hector will be a gunslinger," she rolled her eyes and smiled as the waiter brought the food to the table. Taking a spoonful of the potato soup that was in front of her. "But maybe we should just skip it all and head out to the lake like we did in high school. Hide out by the lake and ignore everything important," she chuckled. If only she could do that.

"But, once people here you are back. They will shove you into the parade yourself. A decorated solider. Back home. Someone we are all proud of."
 
Lucian listened to her complaints at the mention of the lake that sat on his property he said,"Good times but probably not a good idea." The memories of youth. "In my experience on guns most can be taught to shoot just takes time." Lucian was decorated for many things. Marksmanship was one. His father would have rolled over in his grave had he not been somewhere decent.

"Horrible costumes? Cant be worse than the fairy princess you went as our junior year." His eyes watched the scene outside people walking he made a note of how armed bell was. His head ticking boxes that led him to conclusions. One was the milerization that the west and Midwest led people to just amass weapons. It was the bdu pants and uniformity that ticked the miltia box."I don't have decorations." He said ot as he kept watching. He had a chest of decorations. A silver star in one a bronze star two purple hearts, the list went on. Those awards had lots of adornments his good conduct medal had three before his record got spotty. Last he saw his record the reactions were so heavy that they must have used two permanent markers. "I did my job overseas and here in a few cases but tjat stuff happens to another of soilders."
 
"I worked hard on that costume," she told Lucian, a little bit loud. Sure it had been a terrible costume, but she made it all on her own. She was proud of what she had made. After all it wasn't like her father had been very good with those things and her mother left the two when she was young. The woman not wanting to be tied down to some pathetic small town. Her father tried, she loved the man he was always good to her. "You were just jealous you were never good at anything sort of craft related. I think all that teaching with guns just killed that in you," she teased.

"I heard otherwise about you. Small town don't have much to talk about. But, we were all proud with what you did. The work you put into your career. We always got some sort of rumors," at least a few. She knew most of Lucian's career would be shoved under the rug and not talked about. They still got work of awards he received, successful mission that were aired to the public. "Regardless. Our hometown solider is back. They'll shove you on a float and you'll be stuck in a stupid costume just like I am."

The mayor was making his way to Saints for his lunch. The two goons behind him as Temperance saw them. Violent men that only spread rumors and made the entire town on edge. Using fear to keep himself voted into office. She took a bite of her sandwich. "You remember Vincent, the king of jocks? Well he got himself a nice job as our damned mayor," she rolled her eyes. "Man is a damn lunatic and it keeps people voting for him. Hector is his number one supporter."
 
“I figure Thersa was keeping tabs. Local gossip aint everything.” He knew someone in town was being fed a line. He never came home and was asked if they could release public info. HE said sure. Why not. “No what killed it was having to work all the time to help dad keep up the farm and everything else. I had my hobbies but they were all farm related or shooting.”

“They can try to shove me on a float it won't end well.” He looked at her gesture and nodded. “Good job for him. Both his men are carrying. I'm sure that looks good. The mayor flaunting a public business right to bar service. Not my business though.”

That sadness again and he resisted the urge to ask. He ate his sandwich and kept his face away from the people passing by. He was getting looks he knew that and he was sure the rumor mill was starting. He felt the urge to run to a foxhole. Baring that he finished his tea and watched the waitress refill it. “No i think ill just watch the parade and go on back to the farm and unpack some things. What are you dressing as?”
 
"She was always good at getting the news out. Never had a better school newspaper than when she was running it," and now Saints was all hers. The small town diner was a center for gossip, she stuck around what she knew and did best. Perhaps it was what kept her in such high favor in possibly becoming the new mayor and making some good changes around here. "So creative freedoms on building a fence, got it. We I need a new one I'll ask you to build it instead of Hector," she chuckled.

Temperance rolled her eyes at the comment about the mayor and his men. "Yeah and so is most of this damn city. Brainwashed to be ready to fight against the government as they are ready to take away all our freedoms," she took another bite of food and shoved off the thoughts. It wasn't important right now.

"Well lucky you. Maybe I'll just drag you onto the float with me," she hated the parade and she hated the same damn show. "I'll be our handsome gunslingers leading lady. Dressed up in some corset and skirt with my hair all done up. Will be so much fun," she leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes for a moment. "But you know its so damn good to see you. Missed you all these years. This place wasn't the same without you."
 
“Ok now I have to watch to see you in a corset. Though those things look like torture.” He waved the waitress over asking for the check. Paying for her soup he had the teenager keep the change and got a sweet tea to go. Finishing his burger he smiled. “Been awhile since i laid fence. Buy the stuff ill do it. I work for cheap, lunch in fact.”

At the mention of the militia. “I noticed it was hard to miss but i don't think they understand they will lose. We have tanks. And nukes. Nukes make everyone reconsider.” He had put insurgents down, will nothing more or less, is knowing where to apply pressure. “Besides if it comes to an uprising i have seen the contingency plan and they want nothing of it.” HE stood stretching his phone chimed letting him know the movers ere done. They thanked him for the tip. “Let me know on the fence. It was good seeing you again Tempy. I have missed home more than ill admit.” I have missed you more than i can stand. He walked out and across the street to the gun shop. IT was closed. He made a note to get ammo for target practice. He may need it.
 
Temperance stuck out her tongue at Lucian a bit. She would rather not be stuck in a costume at all. It would only fall on dead ears, as it always did. She shook her head as Lucian beat her to the check, she would have to get it next time. "I'll remember that, might have to take you and your truck with me to get it. My car isn't very friendly for getting those supplies. But, I could use a fence around my garden. Keep the dogs out of if."

She grit her jaw a bit. She knew they would lose, but it didn't mean the mindset didn't stick around. That people believed in the new found government that controlled the city. After all nothing happened to them, they had little to no crime and strangers only passed through. Strangers were often watched like prey, making sure they behaved for their visit in the town. The idle aggression drove them away quickly.

"I'll get in touch with you," she watched Lucian leave and sighed. Finishing up her coffee before leaving. Doing her errands for the day before returning home to cook dinner for Hector before he got home. That and talk to Hector about the new fence and how he wouldn't have to worry building it at all. She would just skip out on how it was Lucian, just someone making her a more artsy fence. Something Hector didn't know how to make.
 
Driving home he tossed his keys on a desk. HE walked through the house and felt the past come awake. IT beckoned him to sit revel in the happy times. He passed his father's old work room. His father was good with guns. He made this office his oasis where he could clean the rifles in peace. The chair that was there now was out of place it didn’t match. He knew why of course. The bank just stuck a chair here. He remembered the high back leather number. He walked around the office and a new desk one he picked out sat near the chair. It was a work desk big enough to tear a rifle apart and set the pieces out.

His phone rang. He answered it knowing the jingle, it was his old boss. “Good sir. Nope not coming back. Not even if he was in a court martial. No sir. You too.” He went to the gun cabinet and spun the dial finding the numbers he needed and then keying in the code on the touch pad. All present and accounted for. He walked outside and took stock of home. He was free. For now. Free to live free to play and do whatever he wanted.
~*~​
The day of the festival after dodging the mayor for a week and his goons he was watching the crowds. He stayed to himself the most anyone ever saw him was running every morning. His habits died hard and he enjoyed working out still. Now he saw the costumes and he cringed inwardly. This was quaint to say the least. He looked around and waved to a few people who remembered him from high school. His hair was still longer than most liked it seemed as he was asked if he wanted to be a hippie. It was more that he just liked it. It was a freedom he enjoyed in the military. He ordered a drink from a food stand and waited looking for Temperance. He had to see if she was telling the truth about the corset.
 
The festival got to the town quickly. Food and drinks stands, stages set up for music. It all matched the theme as well, the town did its best to look like it was from the Wild West. People were dressed up and trying to speak in the same manner they did back then. Temperance was in her costume. A deep red and gold corset with the full skirt and an itchy cotton blouse. Her hair pulled back and done in curls. She felt like an idiot, felt like she looked like one. Hector was dressed up like a cowboy, with the guns to prove finish off the costume.

"I hate wearing these damn costumes," Temperance muttered as she looked at herself in the mirror. The one perk was it made her boobs look great. Not that she would say it out loud.

"I don't think they look bad," Hector told her with a smile.

"You aren't stuck in a damn corset all day. Get to look like some wild west gun slinging cowboy and I'm some saloon whore..."

Hector sighed and turned to Temperance. "A whore that would only belong to me."

The two arrived at the festival, Temperance and Hector with linked arms as they greeted the mayor who was dressed like an old time sheriff with a shiny badge on his chest. His goons wearing them as well. She excused herself as the men got to talking about guns and the town. Things that she didn't care about.

She was off to look for Lucian. Able to find him in the crowd as he was one of the few not in costume. "Bet you feel like a rightful idiot not dressed up now. Stand out like a sore thumb."
 
When she walked up lucian was standing watching an eighteen year old show off his new toy. It wasn’t a toy of course it was a new Smith and Wesson. IT was nice but he was acting too laid back with it and the older adults should have stopped him. That teacher's instinct came back and he asked to hold. Like the others he handed it off loaded. In a flash he dropped the magazine and Pulled back on the receiver, ejecting the loaded round. Catching it he did the safety check one handed. It was a pet peace of his to be handed a loaded firearm. He gave the kid back the gun then magazine then the extra round. The applause was not what he was looking for. He had taught firearms for a year at Quantico, some cross training program the marines and army cooked up. He had soldiers better trained doing pushups for doing much less. He often had them do twenty-five for each shot that was in the head on purpose.

Turning he shrugged to Temperance and gestured around, “Not my style besides jeans and my faded shirt world fine.” Though he was wearing work boots new by the looks of it and the jeans were looser than he liked. It was hard to find his leg and waist combination though so he took the length over the waist. His tee shirt was a new black one that came with two others in a pack. He was a simple person at times and wanted to stay that way. Looking at her he said, “Though i thought you were lying about the corset i am glad i did show up. It is always refreshing to see girls in cam cam outfits.” The fair was in full swing and given the area he heard on the edge the distinct sound of range fire. “I see we have forgone the dunk tank for a shooting range.” He felt the familiar itch. He wanted to watch if not shoot outright. “I kind of want to participate. Though I'm under dressed for it.” He came unarmed but the truck had his concealed carry. He thought of the case locked in the safe. His competition pistol was there with the challenge coins from his winning years.
 
Sadly seeing the young man mishandle the gun was nothing new these days. They started them out young, teaching the young men to shoot and fight. All while ingraining in the young women that their place was in the house with the children. They were to cook, clean, and care for the men. Their protectors. How she hated it, but she had little power over these things, as much as she tried. She smiled at Lucian and shook her head.

"You are a lucky bastard, don't have to wear one of these damn things," she adjusted the corset to sit better against her hips. It was terribly uncomfortable, but she just hated how restricted her movement was when she was wearing it. She could barely do anything in it, at least not with out help. Maybe that was why men had women wear these things, so they were all the more helpless. "Yeah, shooting range was the mayors idea. They got a big contest and everything. Winner gets a shiny new rifle of some sort. I don't much care to learn the details of it. I don't shook them."

She smirked a bit. "Well, we can dress you up should you wish to go all gunslinger for this," she knew what he was meaning, but it didn't mean she wouldn't try to get him dressed up. She didn't want to be the only one feeling like the idiot at this thing.
 
Lucian walked, stopping to get another tea buying her one. “Well i can't say you look bad but yeah it does look uncomfortable. As they approached the range the smell of cordite brought him home. This was where he was most comfortable. He hated the look of everyone in costume but he saw the range master had the standard red shirt on. His eyes watched the range seeing the set up and target placement.

“Reminds me of my first competition. I felt the itch to get out and prove myself there. I can take it or leave it today though. I have my competition rifle and pistol. Then the daily drivers but more than enough.” He saw the prize, a new model AR-15. He liked it but he used a Barrett for both his rifles. His competition rifle was set up to take the .308 while the other was set to take the bigger round. His handguns were always either smith and wesson for competition and the sig sauer .45 for his daily go to in the field. “It’s pretty but I like mine better. May just bias though.” He smiled at her, “Oh and yeah not dressing up you'll be lucky to get a holster on me. That is only if I enter the competition.”
 
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