RDR II : The Tulip & the Willow (CANNON)

(Ch9) -Horseshoe Overlook-

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Chapter 9
"Blood Between the Teeth"

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The mess back in Blackwater was like a dream from which they had escaped from. A day or two has passed, Tulip was up and early as the morning mist settled upon them, the air was calm and chilly. Willow was already up, groggily rubbing the sleep dust away, and yawning.

Tulip was still staring at her Winchester, bothered by the dirt that has flaked the loading gate and barrel. She had kindly reminded herself to bring her rifle next time, by internally scolding herself.

"Let's go get 'em coffee, then head to town to resupply, yeah?" Willow stretched. "I'm startin' to hate the muck on my rifle as well."

Tulip coughed to get her attention before she turned around, a pouch full of salt was swinging between her fingers.

"Already have, so ha!" She pointed to a cup of saltwater.

Tulip laughed at her silly, childish demeanor. After a mouthwash and finishing up the coffee, they wandered around the camp, Tulip was at the cook's area with a couple of dead animals in hand.

She heard Arthur greeting someone while grabbing a drink. "So, Susan, what do ya think of this place?"

Miss Grimshaw scoffed, "Better than the last one, that's for sure."

"Yeah well, that ain't too hard."

Tulip was at Pearson's workstation skinning a few coyotes and rabbits around the corner of his chuck wagon, in which she had also planned to sell in town.

Mr. Pearson piped up. "Don't forget, me and Tulip are more than happy to craft ya somethin' if ya hand us the right materials."

She waved at Arthur, who wore a shirt and over it was a furlined, saddle-brown leather waistcoat of his. "Thank you, Mr. Pearson and Tulip, but I reckon I'm gonna have to get some materials myself." He chuckled, scratching the back of his head.

Mr. Pearson was dumping the little coyote bits they had left, "I apologize in advance for the stew, it needs better meat." Tulip made a silent, mental note of that.

Willow came over with a bucket of water to place at the back. "Well, it's better than nothin', Mr. Pearson, that's for sure!"

"Hahaha, how can a young filly like ya, have so much energy? I swear, I've only seen lively sharks out for blood, and those nasty things have as much energy as ya!"

Arthur replied, "A mix of candy and coffee, I guess." He walked past Micah, who was sitting on a log around a dead campfire. Within the next second, the outlaw pointed the muzzle of his revolver at them. Arthur drew back a step in a reaction. "Heheheh, got ya there, tough guy." He laughed.

Arthur didn't find it very much amusing. "Just name the place, my friend. Just name the place... You're all talk."

Tulip rubbed the dirt and blood of the animals from her brown leather gloves, Willow was at her side. "Heheh, you keep thinkin' that."

Arthur shot back. "I know your type."

"Cowpoke."

Tulip shook her head and sighed at their exchanging of quiet, murderously filled back talk. Karen, the other blonde greeted. "Mornin', Willow and Tulip." She was a lot better than back in the snow, when Karen had retorted about Davey's suffering on their way to Colter.