<hr/><br/><div class="floatleft">(http://24.media.tumblr.com/a16483c2858f862945634d46b9ad41b9/tumblr_mh480oybdg1r64urio1_500.jpg)</div><br/><strong>Name:</strong>Jaelyn Scot-Jones<br/><br/><strong>Faction:</strong>(n/a)<br/><br/><strong>Date:</strong>May 12th, 1876<br/><br/><strong>Time of Day:</strong>morning<br/><br/><strong>Location:</strong>Jones’ Mercantile & Trade<br/><br/><strong>Tagged:</strong>open<br/><br/><hr/><br/>In the still predawn hours, Jaelyn woke in a rush.  Not quite coming to a full sit, she leaned back on elbows and took a few blinks to brush away the lingering cobwebs of strange dreams.  Nothing as frightening as what the children had endured, but more of an odd patchwork of memories, old and new.  With a furrowed forehead, she reviewed the bits and pieces she could immediately remember.<br/><br/>Her dead father, as he had been all laid out for identification, sat up looking right as rain.  Not one of the flesh flaying injuries that killed him was evident.  He held out to her the necklace he’d bought so long ago for his beloved Renae.  The band that Jae herself had pulled from his dead finger was already there sharing space with the charming dangles - an open heart for his ‘wife’ and a pink enamel painted bow for his baby girl.  Thommy’s mouth opened in the dream, and stayed open, with no real sound coming out, but Jaelyn understood him as if he spoke the words.  ‘You have the key, use the key.’  Dropping back to lie on her back, she breathed deep and sighed, sleep still dulling the edges of an interpretation.<br/><br/>She had no time for such indulgences.  Minutes later with the bed made and clothes on her back, the dream was barely a memory.  The object of said dream was in a small, pretty trinket box made especially for such keepsakes.  Jae instead donned the dogwood rosary the good Father had given her just the evening before, its pink hued beads lay in stark contrast against the black mourning dress, the rustic carved cross hanging low.  Higher up, slipped in between dress and petticoat, laying against her breastbone was the weight of a key.  It hung on a thin leather strip that was already pliant and warmed by her body.  She was the keeper of this key and it would nestle close to her person but for the hours when she slept.<br/><br/>After brushing and pinning her hair up, the new shopkeeper was out of tasks that might delay her descent into the day.  There was nothing left but a rush of doubts to assail her, flipping a suddenly queasy stomach.  This day would be the true trial by fire, testing the mettle of the pretty little orphan.  Easily finding the rosary, Jaelyn nervously wrapped the string of beads around a finger before offering up a prayer.  “Lord, in Your all knowing wisdom, You have always been leading me to this place in time, to this opportunity.  Forgive my doubts, oh Lord, as things happen around me that I do not understand. Things that make me feel confused and afraid and angry.  Yet even in the midst of all this, I know that you are with me, Lord.  I beseech You - on this day i begin a new life here in Gomorra - for strength and for wisdom, and that I be able to bring glory to Your name.  Amen.”<br/><br/>She felt a little better after that, at least in her heart.  There was nothing but to do her best and then see what the next step was.  It was enough peace of mind to move her to meet the challenge of the day.<br/><br/>In the kitchen she made a pot of tea.  She also opted for a slice of cold, crisp, leftover bacon, a nibble bread and tinned fruit, knowing it could be hours before she found time to eat.  Since her time with John Malta, food had become so much more enjoyable, she realized as she sat at the dining table.  A soft knock interrupted her thoughts about her time with the traveling preacher.  At the door were two blurry eyed whippersnappers who were there to assist her as they could throughout the day, bless their hearts.  She sent them back to the kitchen to fetch their own bread, fruit and tea.  They would earn that fortification along with some coin.<br/><br/>Finally it was time.  The sun was barely above the bleak desert horizon when, knees knocking, she unlocked the door to the store.  It would be some hours later before Jaelyn would be able to catch her breath.<br/>