Sign of the Times (Arthur Morgan x Reader)

Chapter Eleven

I sipped my coffee as I sat reading my book the next morning. The stuff was bitter and disgusting, but it helped with the slight hangover I had obtained from the night before. I glanced around and noticed that everyone seemed to be fairly energetic as though something were going on.

"(F/N), you got a minute?" I heard John call for me. I marked a place in my book and stood, dusting the skirt of the dress off before walking over to where he was standing.

"So, are you ready to for your initiation?" He asked, and I lifted a brow at his question.

"Initiation for what... you mean into the gang?" I asked, and he tilted his head slightly to the side.

"Eh, sorta. We've got a hit lined up for tonight. It's gonna take as many able bodies as we can manage." He said, and I nodded.

"And you're wantin' me to join ya I take it?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"Arthur says you're pretty handy with a gun. What do ya say?" He asked, and I thought about it briefly.

"What's the plan?" I asked as we began walking towards the horses together.

"There's a train that'll be headed down through Scarlet Meadows just south of the border. Full of rich folk, not heavily guarded, and it's at night. Should be a fairly easy score." He explained.

"Yeah, seems like it. Who else is involved?" I asked.

"It'll just be you, me, Arthur and Charles." He said, and I nodded.

"Alright then. Let's go rob a train." I said, suddenly full of energy.

"Whoa now, little miss." He said, pulling me back gently by the shoulder. I gave him a quizzical look, and he smiled in a peculiar way.

"Dutch has told me to take you into town. Get you some new clothes." He said, and I glanced down at the dress I had borrowed from Abigail.

"Right... I don't think your wife would appreciate me getting blood on her dress." I said, and he chuckled lightly as we mounted up.

"True... Also, it won't be very easy for ya to move around in that." He added, and I nodded in agreement.

"Alright, fair enough." I said, laughing lightly. After riding for a short distance we arrived back in Valentine and dismounted our horses.

"Here ya go... run in and buy ya a new outfit. I'll wait out here for ya." He said, and I nodded, pushing the door open, and walking inside.

"Evenin' ma'am. Good to see ya again." He greeted, and I nodded at him.

"What can I do for ya?" He asked as I approached the catalog that was sitting on the counter.

"I need a new outfit." I said, and his face lit up.

"Ah, yes! We have many lovely dresses and skirts to-"

"Actually, I was thinking of something more along the lines of uh... high waist pants, and suspenders. I'll also need a blouse, jacket, boots, and hat." I explained, and he stared at me for a moment, contemplating my request. I gave him a slightly annoyed look, and he jerked his head up in surprise.

"Y-yes, of course! Another woman came in about a week ago, requesting the... very same articles of clothing- let me see what we've got in stock." He said, hurrying to the back area after mumbling something about 'strange times we're livin' in', and how it was 'absurd, the idea of a woman wearing pants'. I let it slide and smiled to myself somewhat. I knew he was talking about Sadie. Honestly, I'd come to really respect her since I came to be with the gang. She was like a big sister to me, and I really admired her strength.