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[stand_unshaken]

 

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[dog_eat_dog]

[“Resentment” feels like a mild understatement, given Ellie, but Tess doesn’t feel like getting into that, either.]

What’s a guy like that doing in a gang?

[stand_unshaken]

His daddy was a black man, and his ma was Indian. As far as I know, they lived with his mother's family until the government got in their way. She got taken by the military, he became a drunk, so Charles headed out alone. Think he was about the same age I was when he left home.

[Arthur pats his horse again, then turns to look at Tess once more.]

Hardens you, bein' out in the open at that age. We was all too glad to have him with us, knowing what he does about nature, about animals. And it's good to ride with people after many years alone.

[dog_eat_dog]

Yeah. I’ve seen that a lot. Military started scooping up orphaned kids a while back, raising them as soldiers so they don’t fall into gangs or something, like any of us want to recruit kids.

[It’s hard enough to find reliable adults.]

Pretty miserable, being dragged into gang shit so young, but sometimes it seems like the best choice.

[stand_unshaken]

He was out there until last year, which I'd wager is even more miserable.

Smart man. I think you'd like him.

[dog_eat_dog]

Yeah. It’s hard going it alone, but I can’t imagine getting swept into Dutch‘s shit that late was worth it, either. I hope he shows up, anyway.

[Arthur could always use more friends.]

[stand_unshaken]

Me too.

Anyone you'd wanna see here?

[dog_eat_dog]

[ She ponders that for a moment and shakes her head. ]

No one for good reasons.

[stand_unshaken]

Really? No one you'd want as warden or inmate?

[dog_eat_dog]

If any of my guys showed up as inmates, I wouldn't want them to see me differently than they know now. And... I think I'd do something stupid if any of them came here as wardens.

[stand_unshaken]

I guess you already got one of 'em. Even if she's from the future.

[dog_eat_dog]

Yep. I'm glad I barely know her. Easier to stay passive.

[Train-induced family delusions aside.]

[stand_unshaken]

Yeah? Is it?

[dog_eat_dog]

I'm glad I got out of there. I don't need reminders of home.

[It's easier to have cargo than a kid, anyway.]

[stand_unshaken]

Now I understand not wanting to dwell, but eventually you might want to return there.

[dog_eat_dog]

Why? It's Earth. Half the people in this place are from some version of it. Could pick one where people aren't fighting to death over scraps from a time half of 'em never even knew.

[stand_unshaken]

Well, in that case. [He drums his fingers on the saddle.] You can forget all about it.

[Like that works. They both know it doesn't; he won't tell her to talk, since he wouldn't in her case.]

[dog_eat_dog]

[She shakes her head, smiles a little.]

Not saying it's easy, just that I've started life over before, and I can do it again. Hell, if I hadn't come in here like I did, I probably wouldn't have told anyone here about cordyceps, or the world changing, or any of it.

[stand_unshaken]

I think you'd've told someone eventually. [Because he has complete and utter faith in her. He knows she'd tell the right people.]

[dog_eat_dog]

Maybe. Back home there are people I've known for over a decade and I don't know their last names because nobody likes to talk about that shit.

[stand_unshaken]

That's back home, though, ain't it? Even if you'd come a year earlier, bein' away mighta just done the trick.

[dog_eat_dog]

And if that's the case, I'm better off here, or somewhere people give a shit about each other.

[stand_unshaken]

Think you could do it, long haul? Like Tiffany?

[dog_eat_dog]

Nope, that wouldn't fly either. I'd get bored, and I'd be stuck with Tiffany.

[stand_unshaken]

Hey - I like Tiffany.

[dog_eat_dog]

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