Strangers By Nature | Red Dead Redemption II |

Chapter Ten | Can You Hear the Music?

"Keep it on the down low if you can alright? Don't want anyone noticin' us," Arthur instructed as he opened the door to the saloon for Peter. Peter happily walked inside with Arthur trailing behind.
"Oh please. I'm always on the down low," Peter scoffed, wandering over to the bar.

The saloon was as packed as expected, it was Saint Denis after all. The damn city was packed like sardines. This particular joint was the center of Saint Denis's nightlife, women dancing around with men. Countless working girls wandering around looking for some money, men drunk out of their minds all around, and some old man playing the piano far too loudly. Mix in some gambling and the place was positively booming.

The most jarring thing however was the prostitution that was happening out in the open. Nobody seemed to care as long as they were at least behind a wall. People were going at it on the damn balcony for Christ's sake.

The bar itself was crowded so badly they couldn't even see the counter, Peter was content sitting back and waiting for an opening but Arthur lacked the patience.
"Outta the damn way!" the blonde shouted, pulling a few men away from the counter. Fellers was too drunk to even realize they weren't at the bar anymore.
"Well that's one way to handle a crowd," Peter scoffed,
"They've had their fill that's for sure," Arthur said, then raised his hand, the barkeep wandering over to him as the stranger dried a mug in his hand.
"A whiskey fer me and...," Arthur looked at Peter,
"Just a beer."

The barkeep slid Arthur his shot, then handed Peter a lukewarm beer. After flicking the man some change Arthur and his partner wandered over to a table. The only one not occupied was a booth tucked away in a corner, spilt liquor overtook half the tabletop.

Arthur and Peter sat down with their drinks,
"Y'know yer gonna have to go back and forth to get more shots right?" Peter asked as he uncorked his beer,
"I'm not too sure 'bout that-" Arthur pulled out a bottle of his own liquor from his satchel, setting it on the table with a grin.
"Touché," Peter took a swig of his drink as Arthur downed a shot with a groan, the bitter liquid spilling down his throat.

"You ever been wit another feller before?" Peter asked as he set down his beer.
"No. Only been with two other people in my time."  Mary. And Eliza. That is it. That's not to say Arthur hasn't had feelings for other people, he's had his fair share of infatuations.

His first real adoration was of a girl named Elaine. She was a pretty lady whom Arthur met when he was about thirteen. She was probably in her mid-twenties. Needless to say, it didn't go anywhere.

Then the confusion started when Arthur found himself infatuated with another boy. His name was William, he spent a lot of time around the gang as he was Bessie's nephew. And after the death of his parents, he stayed with the gang for a little bit.

William was actually Arthur's first kiss. He left pretty soon after that, and it never went anywhere either.
"Shut up! There's no way. Women oughta be all over you." Peter teased,
"I don't really have my way with the ladies."
"You call them heifers or somethin'?" Shit Arthur could look a woman in the eye and call her a dumb whore and they'd still probably be all over him.

"No of course not. Just ain't that much of a charmer s'all," Arthur poured himself another shot, downing the liquor with ease.
"Well you charmed me," Peter smiled, finishing his beer. Instead of buying another, he retrieved the bottle of Kentucky Bourbon he'd shoplifted.

"Did I? I told you to get lost and kicked you in the snow." Arthur scoffed as Peter took a swig from the bottle of liquor.
"Oh. Well... yeah. Maybe you ain't a charmer. But you still got a good heart Arthur," Peter said as he reached over to touch Arthur's shoulder lovingly.

"Aww shut up," Arthur playfully shoved Peter's hand away. He doesn't have a good heart. Right? As they both took another drink Peter had an intoxicated idea, seeing a prostitute nearby who looked friendly enough.