Author's Note: I've been interested in the history of Deadwood, South Dakota ever since reading Pete Dexter's Deadwood (ISBN: 978-1-4000-7971-1) many years ago. Then along came the HBO series which ran all-too-briefly for three seasons. Lately, I've been re-watching all of the episodes so of course my sick mind asked "What would the Otalia story be like if it was set in Deadwood at the end of the 19th century? Hence the birth of this story. It is, in effect, a re-telling of the love story of Olivia and Natalia only set in the town of Deadwood instead of Springfield. Obviously, some things will be different. Also, this is set in 1880, which is after the events of the HBO series.
Much was made of the use of language in HBO's Deadwood. Many criticized that the people of the time did not speak that way. This is true to a certain extent. No, they did not use words like 'motherfucker' and 'cocksucker,' but they did use different terms to mean the same thing. Were the writers of the series to write the exact dialogue of the time, modern audiences would find it utterly ridiculous and the show would have suffered for it. It may not be as historically accurate as it can be, but the spirit remains intact. I will attempt to do my best to maintain that spirit in this story and that includes using language that is racially offensive, but it will not be gratuitous. Yes, there will be use of the "N" word; in fact, one of the character's name includes the "N" word. (BTW: he was a real person.) I don't like the word, I don't use it in my own speech and I don't like writing it, but were I to not use it, it would make for a lesser story I believe and that would do it and the readers a disservice. So you will hear familiar GL characters using language they never did before, but remember, this is AU. If you are offended by this kind of language, stop reading right now and close the page.
Warning: At various points in this story, both Natalia
and Olivia will be with other people. If this is not your cup of
tea, then stop reading right now and close the page.