“Afternoon, ladies,” she said, saluting with the bottle. “Mind if I join you?”<br/><br/>All three women turned their gaze upon the newcomer, and Xia gave her a big smile, “Sure, plenty of room.” Wood scraped against as she pulled her stool away from the bar, making room for the newcomer to join them. None of the women hiding their appraising glances at her outfit. It wasn’t typical female attire, but not so uncommon among the women who worked their farms. And Victoria couldn’t deny that she wore it well.<br/><br/>“Aint seen your face round these parts, before,” Victoria noted, nursing her whiskey and painfully aware how little was left. “What brought you to Onyx Landing?”<br/><br/>Vic was only able to catch half her explanation, noting the elegant figure who entered the saloon. Her fine silk dress was out of place in the mining town, but Victoria recognized the sort that got off the train in town wearing their fineries, “Ah, ‘scuse me.”<br/><br/>Xia turned towards Cassi with her chin on her fist, “So, do you play cards?”<br/><br/>~*~<br/><br/>The young woman smiled as she approached, hiding her nerves well.<br/><br/>“I’m looking for the owner of this establishment, Victoria Freeman. I would like to inquire about a room, and....work.”<br/><br/>You sure?” Vic took a moment to look her up and down. “This probably ain’t the sort of clientele you’re used to.”  But the girl was determined, and refused to shy away, so Vic shrugged.<br/><br/>“It’s 2 dollars a night for the room, plus a 15% of any business you conduct there. I reckon you gotta gun?” She handed over a dainty Deringer pocket pistol, “You can keep that one in the room wit ya. Down here, we look out for each other.” She led the young woman upstairs, the lacquered railing creaking softly with each step.<br/><br/>“Number 7’s available,” she explained, opening the door for her newest employee. “Here is to hoping it lucky for ya.” The room was small, mostly filled by the bed at the center. A plush, hand sewn quilt covered it, and two goosedown pillows rested at the head of it. At the foot was a lard oaken chest, and a matching armoire sat against the eastern wall. There was a desk/vanity tucked into the corner, and a small chair tucked into it. The wooden furniture was sturdy and simple, allowing the natural beauty of the oak to shine through.<br/><br/>“The last girl left a week ago, and I cleaned it pretty good since then. It ain’t much to look at, but it’s comfortable enough.” She stood in the doorway a moment longer, giving the woman a chance to ask her questions or voice her concerns, but speaking again, “I, uh, didn’t catch you’re name, Miss…?”<br/><br/>~*~<br/><br/>Xia sat with the newcomer, trading stories of the places they’d traveled, and the trouble they’d run into. She didn’t get around to divulging why she dressed like a man, and Xia hadn’t yet gathered up the courage to ask. She figured it would take another couple shots of whisky to get to that point.<br/><br/>A handsome fella entered the saloon, tall and lean with light hair and eyes, and Xia flashed him a smirk.  She hoped he’d approach her, and even calculated a discount rate to offer him. Maybe even a free lay, if he could prove those hands were more than just strong, but she turned her attention back to the woman beside her. Desperate was not a great look on a working girl.<br/><br/>~*~<br/><br/>Victoria was coming down the stairs when the doors burst open, and Gustav burst in behind them. She didn’t know him well, but they’d spoken a few times. He was covered in blood, but so far as she could tell, it wasn’t his.<br/><br/>“Jesus, what happened to you?”<br/><br/>"Ich brauche..." he started, and she blinked at the unfamiliar tongue. He seemed to catch himself, and started again. "A room, I need a room."<br/><br/>“All right,” Vic nodded, motioning him up the stairs. “Did they finally break through the cave in?”  Room 8 was the last open room, and she pushed it open for him. “I imagine you’ll want a bath, so I’ll start boiling some water for ya. Do you need anything else?”