Red Dead Raiders (RDR3)

The New Year

"I should have never surrendered. I should have fought until I was the last man alive."

—Geronimo's last words, Feb. 17, 1909

"Had I foreseen these results of subjugation, I would have preferred to die at Appomattox with my brave men, my sword in my right hand."

—General Lee 1870's (supposedly)

***
Cole Tyler

December 31st, 1865
New Years Eve of 1866

Tonight's the night...

I'm gonna kiss me some Yankees. I don't care if their married, and I don't care if I'm their first. If their pretty enough I. Am. Kissin' 'em.

And if their pro-Union fathers have anything to say about it?

I send them straight to a devil's hell.

Let's not forget, I heard that Sherman was on this train. The worthless piece of cud was going to celebrate with all his fellow murderers. I sat in the poorer part of the train, the basic travel car while Sherman was in a lavish car near the front.

I glanced at the lone passenger in the wooden bucket seat a few rows behind me. A pretty, dirty-blonde woman in a green dress with spectacles was minding her own business, reading the paper. I huffed in thought through my nose, what was a woman like her doing with looking glasses? I peered at the passengers in front of me who looked like old, poor farmers who were forced from their homes.

After resisting the urge to smoke, I went back to dirty blonde woman. My spurs clicked as I my leather work boots walked and the woman didn't even notice until the wooden bucket seat in front of her creaked. She looked up at me with a sweet innocence in her hazel eyes.

"Sorry to disturb you ma'am, but could you tell me where the outhouse is?"

The shy rabbit of a woman didn't hear me even though I had spoken quite clearly.

"The what?"

"The outhouse?" I gestured with my hand, "You know, that place everyone goes to once nature calls? I don't know what they call it on this silly steam engine."

"Oh, are you learned?" She turned flush red, "I'm sorry. It's in the back with a sign."

"No offense taken madam," I smirked friendly-like, "but I'll have you know I can read." I focused my brown eyes confidently into hers, "In more ways than one."

She cleared her throat and composed herself like some fluffy pigeon on her nest. "I'm sorry, sir. My mother had taught me not to judge but your sudden approach startled me. Are you from around here? You have a nice accent."

My smirk grew into a grin, "You flatter me, I'm actually from Atlanta." I heard the wood creak from behind me as the older couple cast a glance at me.

"Atlanta..." the woman rolled it unfamiliarly off her tongue.

"Georgia, Atlanta Georgia." I lied, "Say, I've been to many a German New Year parties, are you seeing anyone this New Years?"