RDR2 Drabbles and Other Sorts

Morning Ride

Arthur let out a deep breath as he woke himself up a bit before actually getting off his cot, blinking before sitting up. It was brightening up enough so that he could see a bit but it was clearly before 6 AM, when everyone in the gang started to wake up and get their days started.

He lit his lantern next to his cot and closed the small sliding panel on the front halfway to dim the light, and took to drawing and writing until the sun peeked over the hills and into camp.

He'd sat for not very long, maybe half an hour and then the sun greeted the camp eagerly, taking a bit of the bite off of the air. They'd been staying at Horseshoe Overlook, it'd get chilly at night and warm up during the day. He remembered the days where it was him, Hosea, and Dutch when they'd come out this way, it was always his favorite because it was never too hot or cold.

He got up, pulling his boots on and went to do some chores, easily hauling some hay bales to the horses feeding points before walking over to his own horse.

His little mare was the best thing that'd happened to him as of late if he was being honest. She was a stocky, shorter Grulla Mustang that he'd broken in on his own, and she'd proved her worth easily to him, and they both bonded extremely quick. He hadn't named her for a while, but settled for Stormbreak because he in all honesty, thought it was a cool name for her.

His saddle was draped over the hitching post with it's cloth cover over it to prevent it getting wet, his brush on top. He'd brushed the mare down quietly, and gave her an apple and pet her for a moment. "You're a good girl, Storm." He praised her with the apple he'd provided as she munched on it.

"You take better care of that horse than you do yourself some days, Arthur." Charles' voice commented, causing Arthur to jump slightly. He hadn't even heard Charles coming over, or seen him. Which was surprising because he was no small man.

Arthur eyed him for a moment, unsure of what to say. "...She's a good horse...?" He responded, earning a small smile from his friend.

"You did good with her," Charles stated, patting the mares gray shoulder, "I don't think I can picture you with a different horse now." He added.

"Mustangs are good. Once you gentle 'em and do it right, they're really loyal. Dutch had an old Mustang he'd gentled, he acted a lot like The Count, actually. Followed Dutch around, and would toss anyone that wasn't him." Arthur said, smiling slightly at a memory with that horse.

Hosea had decided for whatever strange reason that he was taking Dutch's horse into town. He'd mounted him fine, but the moment he urged him forward the horse tossed him off into a bush. Once they were positive Hosea was fine, he and Dutch both couldn't help but laugh.

"Wanna head out for a ride? It's pretty early but we could probably hunt along the way, or just talk." Charles offered, moving to go through a similar routine with Taima, brushing her and feeding her a carrot.

Arthur thought for a moment, and nodded. "Why not," He said, "Haven't done much of riding just to ride as of late, Grimshaw had me running all over the place doing her shopping these past few days."

They both tacked up their horses quickly and hopped on, walking out of camp. Seeing as they weren't in any rush, they kept their walking down the trail headed towards the Dakota River. They figured they'd just see where the trails took them too.

"This country is real nice." Charles said, leaning back a bit and taking a look around them and at the river. There were already ripples on the water where fish were feeding, and ducks were sitting on the bank.

"Definitely better than the mountains," Arthur concluded, earning an honest nod from Charles.

"No kidding. That was not fun."