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[Tess goes ahead and mounts; it’s a graceless affair but she knows what it’s supposed to look like.]
Hard not to when they have minds of their own.
Hard not to when they have minds of their own.
[It's not an easy affair, getting on behind an adult, but he manages it without stirring the horse too much. She whinnies a little, takes a few nervous steps.]
That's half the fun.
That's half the fun.
[Tess stiffens when the horse shifts around, one hand going to the horn, the other gathering up the reins like the horse might shoot off.]
Probably handy when you need both hands for what... rifles? Lassos?
Probably handy when you need both hands for what... rifles? Lassos?
Just the optimist in me, I guess.
[She has to have SOME hope people can change if she's going to get her deal.]
[She has to have SOME hope people can change if she's going to get her deal.]
Did Allison ever manage to talk her way into your room, by any chance?
Any of the above, sure. You ever throw a lasso before?
[He snorts and shakes his head.]
Oh, sure. Coming from your world, I bet you was raised an optimist.
Oh, sure. Coming from your world, I bet you was raised an optimist.
I wasn't raised one, but... I was, I guess. Getting bitten and not turning into an infected does that.
[Since he knows that much anyway.]
[Since he knows that much anyway.]
Yeah? Did it give you hope? [It could have gone both ways. Seeing everyone around her get bitten and infected, being the only person not dying of it.]
She told me she was going to try to get at that bootleg. The pretty blonde act was her thing.
...huh.
I would have fell for that hook line and sinker if she told me she wanted to go to my room. Not that I would have
You know what I mean. But she never got that far. Did you know we was together a while, on that train?
Hahaha, guess she should have been more upfront. And nah, she didn't say anything about that. That's funny. She your type, then?
For a little while.
[She shrugs a shoulder. It was the happiest she could ever recall being, even on the road, even facing danger every day. Her life would have meant something.
Even if that meant a much shorter life.]
Tess isn't the only one upset things didn't work out.
[She shrugs a shoulder. It was the happiest she could ever recall being, even on the road, even facing danger every day. Her life would have meant something.
Even if that meant a much shorter life.]
Tess isn't the only one upset things didn't work out.
[She chuckles as she figures out the reins. One hand, like an ice cream cone. Heels down.]
No, never. Easier to just go for the kneecaps.
No, never. Easier to just go for the kneecaps.
Not particularly. I never showed you a picture of Mary?
Guess it's more a matter of manners being buried deep down somewhere in here.
Guess it's more a matter of manners being buried deep down somewhere in here.
Of course she ain't. Everyone who knew about it must be...
[He trails off. Are there words big enough for that feeling?]
[He trails off. Are there words big enough for that feeling?]
[He just holds on to the back of the saddle, not wanting to scare her by grabbing on to her waist too much.]
Well, sometimes you got a bounty needs bein' brought in alive.
Well, sometimes you got a bounty needs bein' brought in alive.
...dead, for the most part.
[She knows. Tommy. Abby.]
[She knows. Tommy. Abby.]
I've never killed someone by taking out their kneecaps, but fair.
[She gives the horse a squeeze and orders it:]
Go.
[She gives the horse a squeeze and orders it:]
Go.
No, just your journal entries about her. Liking finishing school graduates is real cute from some big tough outlaw, though.
Yeah. That's the way it seems to go.
You been through a lot, kid.
You been through a lot, kid.
Alright, smartass. [Medical care was terrible in 1899, Tess. He just holds on, while the horse obediently goes where told.]
[She chuckles despite feeling like she's going to run them off of a cliff in the near future. Here we go, ploddingly slow.]
Who do you bring in on a bounty? Rival gangs?
Who do you bring in on a bounty? Rival gangs?
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