Lydia Monteran

> "There's a girl involved, she used to be a friend." - James West explaining the situation to Colonel Shear
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Lydia Monteran was a fraudulent socialite who travelled in the United States engaging in various scams, throughout the time being primarily based in New Orleans. An early feminist, she was an affront against womanhood and thought herself to be capable of "independence" and not "throwing like a girl". Fortunately enough, she did not descend into whoredom.

## History

### New Orleans

> "I waited on that hard bench for hours all alone. That is, until the police came."
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While in New Orleans in 1868, Lydia had become associated with a local French smuggler, Terri Garde, who had developed an infatuation with her. Young and not knowing where to go, she used his interest to gain a higher place in his counterfeit scheme, which was racketing money from local water treatment stations. Lydia thought to amass a certain amount for herself, and then run away from town. During this time, she met and developed feelings for James West, who unbeknownst to her was a Federal agent. Hoping to plan her runaway with West, they agreed to meet at a city bench at the New Orleans train station. Lydia was only instead greeted by sirens.

While in custody, Lydia engaged in self-harm to try to free herself from a fair trial. While on route to a supposed counselor, Lydia managed to free herself from her chains. It is possible that Lydia suffered from apparent "mental health" issues.

### Quanando

*"Get out of my house."* - Lydia Monteran

*"Your house? Some people are convinced this is Juan Manolo's house"* - James West

A year later, Lydia found herself in the New Mexico Territory, running a gambling scheme with Juan Manolo. The Casa Estrella was a large palais de chance in Quemado which Juan Manolo gave ownership to Lydia, so that he could distract authorities from his activities in the area. The palace was used for money laundering and the stashing of illegally smuggled goods and war munitions. The servants knew full well that Manolo was the palace's true owner, but were discreet.

Lydia was blissfully unaware that they were using the palace as a staging ground for a planned war against the western territories. Neither was she aware of the war munitions being held in the wine cellar. However, she was fully aware that Juan Manolo was Wing Fat.

### Remeeting West

> *" I've missed you.*" - Monteran
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> *"And I missed you at the station in New Orleans." -* West
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> Paul and one other unidentified butler then brought the two upstairs to Monteran. Wing introduced West, and then left to play the little game which Paul had prepared for him. Monteran excused her other butler Bedford, and then became candid with West. She confessed that she had missed him since they last seen each other, and had waited on a city bench in New Orleans for hours until the police arrived that West had sent to retrieve the money she had stolen. She had since then clearly escaped from custody. West concluded that this was another business call for Monteran, a means to engage in fraud. When West questioned her concerning Manolo, she got defensive and took a pistol from her drawer. West doubted that she would shoot at him, but she did and West was forced to flee.
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> Later that night, she took to partying, to distract herself. Coming back, she found West waiting for her at the balcony. He had discovered the wine cellar.
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## Personality

After entering her lifestyle, Lydia quickly wanted to depart, but found it difficult to return to a normal life.