stand_unshaken | IC Inbox

Well, if they’re worth more to you in cash than in the weight they can pull, that’s it.

Well, who knows. Ride out somewhere I don't know too many people, make a name for myself there.

[A new man. No reputation, no one to remember what he did, or what he looked like when he was ill.]

Come up to Boston. The winters aren’t usually too bad, and chunks of it are old enough that I’d know where the hell I was if I came to visit.

[His turn to poke her, though he's clearly pleased.]

No self-interest there, huh?

None at all. As you know, I’m an entirely selfless person.

[That’s teasing.]

Boston's likely too big for my taste, though. I'll come out every now and then, see if you shown up.

Sure, I’ll just live in the same apartment I did before. It was around then. [Amused:] You’re gonna ride all the way up to Boston, I might as well just be there so you don’t waste a trip.

Exactly. Mighty kind of you, miss.

My pleasure.

[It’s fun to joke about these things, to imagine a vacation in a world that doesn’t have them anymore, to imagine skipping across space and time instead of finishing the job and never seeing someone again.]

You gonna keep in touch with Abigail and the kid, too?

[He agrees. He'd miss her if she couldn't visit him at home, so he'd like to imagine they could.]

I suppose that all depends on poor old John, don't it? I reckon Abigail wants a life that's a little more stable. If he can get his head out of his behind and give her that - sure. If I know where to find 'em, I'll write, visit if I'm close.

What happens if he doesn't? Awful lot of trouble to go for someone else's family if he still can't take care of them himself.

I'd scalp him if I found out he didn't do it, but it's his choice to make until then. Theirs, I guess. As long as they get a chance to get out.

[A chuckle. Scalping is a new one, actually.]

She should scalp him if he fucks her over like that.

And she just might. But that's her perogative, ain't it?

Never said it wasn’t.

[Not that she needs to, though, given how often she is happy impress her will over others, but. You know.]

Hmm.

You're a pretty alright rider, you know that?

[Success.]

Thanks. I guess I'm a natural.

[Misty absolutely got the brunt of Tess getting heated over struggling to get the horse to turn.]

Well, first time you saw one you wouldn't even come close.

That was when I didn’t care if you thought I was afraid of it.

Aw, geez, you care now? That's swell, Tess. [He prods her in the side, grinning.]

[She lets out a hollow laugh in return, smiling, but it feels deeply embarrassing just the same for him to acknowledge out loud that she cares at all.]

Oh, shut up, I’m just trying to be nice about your love for big scary animals.

[He laughs harder, patting the horse's butt.]

They ain't scary. You got it under control.

For now! If it decided it was tired of listening to me, there would be nothing I could do about it.

Remember you still got me. Unless it decided it wanted to throw me off, in which case you're shit outta luck.

Hey, if it bucks, you’re going first, I’ve got the knob thing and these to hang on with.

[She flaps the stirrups with her feet to make a point. Very helpful.]

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stand_unshaken - 2020-10-19 19:36 (UTC) - Expand

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