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[stand_unshaken]

 

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[dog_eat_dog]

She's fine, but the whole "I used to be a criminal, so I don't judge" thing drives me nuts.

[stand_unshaken]

Don't I do that, too?

[Except he still is, but.]

[dog_eat_dog]

She wasn't a criminal the way we are. There's a pecking order to this. People below us should judge us.

[stand_unshaken]

I used to be comfortable with them fearin' us, actually.

[dog_eat_dog]

Me too. Feels wrong when you smuggle children or kill people just for disagreeing with you and they say "that's okay, we all have struggles" or some shit.

[stand_unshaken]

[He snorts and shakes his head.]

Alright, alright, I take your point.

[dog_eat_dog]

Mmhmm. Besides, if no one ever criticized me, I’d be a total nightmare.

[stand_unshaken]

I'll be sure to keep that in mind.

[dog_eat_dog]

[She gives a vaguely amused little huff.]

It’s true for everyone, isn’t it? If you didn’t have people reminding you that you were acting crazy, how would you know it was a problem?

[stand_unshaken]

I suppose you're right. [Begrudging, but how could he, of all people, say it isn't true?]

I don't know that it was criticism that did it for me, though.

[dog_eat_dog]

Mortal illness speeds that along handily, huh.

[stand_unshaken]

[He makes a face at her - but fuck, is she wrong? She damn well isn't.]

We oughta get back. You want a go at ridin'?

[dog_eat_dog]

[She shrugs at the face –– if he wants to change the subject, that's his prerogative, but she knows where she stands on it.]

Might as well try, you're going to get me on a horse of my own eventually.

[stand_unshaken]

You're damn right about that. You alright with me ridin' on the back? I can call up another horse, probably.

[dog_eat_dog]

That's fine. Might as well have you in reach in case I get off track.

[A very real possibility, given she has ridden right into the bushes with Misty watching her.]

It's not going to freak out because it's me driving instead of you, right?

[stand_unshaken]

She's a gentle creature. No worries, Tess.

You get up first, I'll swing on after.

[dog_eat_dog]

[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.

[stand_unshaken]

[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.

[dog_eat_dog]

[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?

[stand_unshaken]

Any of the above, sure. You ever throw a lasso before?

[dog_eat_dog]

[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.

[stand_unshaken]

[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.

[dog_eat_dog]

I've never killed someone by taking out their kneecaps, but fair.

[She gives the horse a squeeze and orders it:]

Go.

[stand_unshaken]

Alright, smartass. [Medical care was terrible in 1899, Tess. He just holds on, while the horse obediently goes where told.]

[dog_eat_dog]

[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?