[REWRITTEN] Wanted for Protagonizin' [a West of Loathing fanfiction]

Chapter 8

... I asked everyone, but him ! she thought. I mean, he just entered the place. But maybe is it worth the try...? Totally, I should do it !

''Barkeep !'' the man called out. His voice sounded like a surge of fire at each of his words.

"H-Howdy there, feller," the bartender greeted, walking over to him, hesitatively. "What can I get'cha...?"

"Just a glass of whisky, please."

My goodness, whiskey at this hour ? Not even me would have dared drinking some ! For I don't have a good alcohol tolerance, anyway... but beverage or not, now's the time ! I could start off by engaging the conversation... and quick, before he leaves, she cleared her throat before addressing to him :

''Hey, like, howdy ! You... you new in town ?'' she asked him, despite all of the crowd trying to prevent her from talking. Turning around to see the short redhead beside him, the man paused for a second before answering :

"Guess ya' could say that. Came 'ere to get some peace."

"Oh yeah, I get you. It's so sunny inside, it becomes real problematic ! Eh..." she turned her eyes to the side then back to him. "Say, how come everyone looks at you like that ? You seem to scare them... I don't see you as threatening, though !'' the man rose an eyebrow at her.

''It comes naturally, I guess. Don't ever mean it, though,'' he answered, shrugging. He paused to notice the bartender walking to him with his glass, handing it to him shakingly. He glanced at him coming closer, and he soon yelped and went back to his other customers. The stranger rolled his eyes before taking his glass in hands and sipped on it.
''What 'bout ya, pardner ? You from round 'ere ?'' he asked her.

''Let's say, it took me a two hours stroll to come here. I can't really say I'm from here, though. I install myself, here and there...'' she giggled it out awkwardly before she turned around then back to him, stretching her hand. ''My name is Coraline Barcheor-Tretchy ! But it's best you keep the 'Coraline' bit in mind,'' she addressed him a soften smile.

''Heh. And I'm Rudy. Rudy Dieot. Nice ter meet ya,'' and they shook hands before he took another sip of his glass. ''So, whatcha doin' round' ere ?''

"Giving myself some time out of my deed,'' she sighed as she got into a better position. ''Looking here and there for some good'ol dynamite. I found a good shop, but let's be honnest, it coasts lotta Meat, and there aren't here much options to gain some. So, for now, I give my head a well-deserved rest before going back to adventuring."

"Hey. Did you say... adventuring ?''

''Yes. Is there something so special about it ?''

''Nah. I was just thinkin' that maybe I could help ya with yer dynamite problem. I know a good place 'round 'ere. I can bring ya here, if ya want.''

''You... you can ?!'' her eyes lit up. But then, she shook her head, going back to neutral. ''I mean, um- you can ?''

''The hell I can,'' he finished his glass before he stood up. ''Follow me.''

''Oh oh, alright ! Let me just...'' she walked closer to Pete. ''There, are you done playing now ?''

''Lass, 'm not winnin'-''

''Doesn't matter now ! I think we found a solution to our problem, and for that, we gotta follow,'' she dragged him by the wrist, now going back to Rudy : ''Him !''

''Hey, this youn' fellah reminds me of someone...'' Pete suddenly stopped, stroking his beard in musing. He then saw him addressing him a small smile.