<div class="floatleft">(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/991d95_d844c1422d6d48cd9fa850da8fa47f47~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_342,h_457,al_c,q_90/991d95_d844c1422d6d48cd9fa850da8fa47f47~mv2.webp)</div><strong>Name:</strong>Belladonna<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Lola's / Stairs<br/><strong>Time of Day</strong>: Night<br/><strong>Tagging:</strong>Desmond, Lola<br/><strong>Dress:</strong><div class="floatright">(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/991d95_6b79abde832e4be4bb37b76db73786a9~mv2.jpg)</div><hr/>Sheer logistics.   If he was upstairs, he wouldn't be spilling blood downstairs.  "Well, you have to realize, this is more than a saloon for us, it's our home."   She smiled at him as they continued upward, her own gaze following his to Lola as she moved to Tom's table.  As they reached the upper landing, and he pulled her close, her free hand flattened against his chest as she looked up at him.  A slow intake of breath gave her the mingled scents of whisky, tobacco, leather, and horse.<br/><br/>As for love, it was for fairy tales.   Something poets spoke about, that was elusive and mythical.   Nandy was entirely too practical to indulge in such fancies.   There were no white knights on their gallant steeds out to rescue damsels in distress.  If a woman wanted to be rescued, she'd damned well better have the wit and aim to do it herself.  Absently, her fingers traced along the pattern of his vest, until he stepped back.   As his gaze shifted once more, so too did hers.   She only hoped the card cheat met his end out in the street.   Or the alley at the very least.<br/><br/>Looking back at Desmond as he spoke again, she smiled.  "That glittering promise of a better life, what more does one need to forge a new path?"  The new path was only half the story, though, wasn't it always that way?  Most people were running from as much as running to, and Nandy was no different.  Her story was no different than any number of girls who found themselves working in saloons and brothels.   The difference between the girl she was and the woman she is now, was simple.   It was a matter of choice.  Here she made the rules, took the clients she wanted, didn't have men forced on her.  The house got a cut of her earnings, sure, but it was a far cry better than being some rich man's puppet, owned by him, and passed around like a party favor.<br/><br/>"I have no plans on being saddled, though I could be persuaded into a ride."  Her lips curved up and then she was heading for her door, pausing to look back at him as she unlocked it and let the door swing inward.