Western RP: play thread

(((LY, Catori is asleep)))

Buddy found his curiosity drifting along with his steely stare, from Catori's sweet-scented skin toward the new dark-skinned stranger in their midst. Buddy was wary of strangers for the most part, and something about this guy didn't sit well with him from right off.

"A little young to be running cattle out here all alone, aren't ya, friend?" he wondered, reigning Chapa up along side Nat's apoloosa.

Lily reached out her hand to the wolf and let it lick her hand.

Chayton lapped twice but pulled back. He smelled tension.

"What's wrong?" she asked kindly. Something drifted on the wind that was. . .different.

"Careful there, Tiny dancer..." Buddy cast a concerned glance to Lily. "That ain'no puppy dog like Papa law got back home..."

"My mother was in a northern American village down from the town. I stayed there to and had a dog called Adrea. But I can no longer say where she is," said Lily concerned.

Catori stirred uncomfortable in the saddle. Chayton jumped up and lapped at her palm waking his master.

Catori wiped her eyes. "Chay."

"Hey Catori! Sleep well?" asked Lily as she took a drink from her bottle of water.

Chayton seemed happier now Catori was awake.

"have you heard of the wolf called Adrea?" she asked.

Catori nodded still half asleep. "Adrea sleeps at the foot of my father's bed."

Buddy seemed to suddenly be aware of something too, not a scent or a sense like the Indians or the animals, but another kind of sign.

"WR" carved into a large wooden placard, posted along a fenceline, along with a second sign, warning. "TRESPASSERS WILL BE SHOT"

"Willoughby-Rutherford ranch..." Buddy frowned and quaked in the saddle, suddenly quite somber. "We oughta skin outta here, quick... this will not go well for some of us..."

*This goes before his post.
"I used to have a wolf called that when I lived in Chamouch village. I was Sunia and that wolf always guarded me," she said with a yawn.

Catori sighed. "Let me guess your friends." she said. Chayton growled at the sign.

"Come on Daner," said Lily before she whistled. She wheeled her horse around waiting for Buddy to lead.

Just then, before Buddy could rally the group to a hasty trot from the area, the sharp rasp of a clacking -rattle- startled the horses, causing a stir. A snake near the fenceline prepared to strike!

Chapa, usually docile and calm since getting used to the weight and gait of 2 riders, suddenly reared up, in a start. Buddy, also as exhausted as the others, let slip the reins from his grasp as the horse rose up off its front legs. Buddy tumbled from the saddle, inadvertently pulling Catori from the saddle as well.

OOF! EEEK! AUGH! Buddy and Catori found them self on the ground, 2 feet from a frightened coiled rattlesnake about to strike!

"DON'T MOVE!" Buddy warned, though he could feel Catori tense up in his arms.

"Be still," said Lily as her horse reamined like a statue since they were five feet away.

Catori calmed her breathing ut remained tense. "Buddy?" she whispered. She knew they were in trouble.

Lily followed a mice that scurried by them.