Originally posted by Crimson
Entering in she starred in awe, completely taken back by its beauty till suddenly a man had grasped her shoulder. The grip not friendly at all but firm and almost painful. A yelp escaped her lips as she turned only to have her hood flung back."A red skin, it figures! You wrench, really think you could get away walking around with some sort of wolf! Get it out of this place, that mutt is a danger to our livestock! How dare you you lame Indian!," his voice cold enough to make her shudder.
She had never been confronted by another white in all her times her and struggled desperately for a response.
"He's tame...I promise you this. Anubis doesn't..."
The well-meaning but mean rancher was not alone at the hotel, come with his handlers to discuss livestock trade in town. A few of the farm hands were up in arms at the side of the rancher who held Crimson, threatening her.
"Tame or not, he don't belong here.. neither do you, savage..." the rancher's palm was resting on his pistol belt, his fingers twitching as he shoved the girl toward the door. "Things are going to be different now, since that good-for-nothing do-gooder Sheriff Buddy Reno has been taken out of town and killed.."
"Speaking of killin'.. Let's get rid of the both of them!" the ranch hands cheered. "New Hope aint no place for savage squaws or rabid wolves!"
"EXCUSE ME!?" the voice was loud and strong, the stairs up to the rooms creaking as a man stomped down them. "What is the meaning of this? Unhand that woman, Sir, or I will have you arrested!"
"You can't.." the rancher started, then noticed the silver star on the interloper's chest. "Uhh, sorry Sheriff Reno.. I didn't know you were back in town.."
"Not only am I back, but I AM due to be married to a 'savage squaw' myself, and her pet wolf will be by her side for the whole town to see! They will be welcomed here, as will this fine young Indian girl! Now, unhand her, or I will bloody that fine silk crevatte and vest of yours, before I haul you all to jail!"
The rancher relented, releasing the girl and motioning for his men to follow him into the street. Buddy stepped up to the shaken Indian girl and looked her over. "Everything's going to be alright, miss.. you are welcomed to stay the night here... but, the rancher may be right, your pet might be better off spending the night over to the sheriff's office and jail, my office... he will be safe there, and will keep the peace at the jail, along with my wife's wolf.. Catori is my wife, she is upstairs, she will welcome you too! Go now, go on up.."
Buddy motioned and pointed up the stairs toward the rooms, then stepped outside, making sure the girl's pet was unmolested by the ranch hands, before stepping back inside and declaring.
"We're having a party! I'm getting married!"
Her eyes fell on the man that had helped her, seeing the bitterly minded men leaving she sighed in contentment, but no matter how well the whiteman's comment came across, it was none the less not for her. She didn't belong in a place like this, and she would be sure not to cause any more trouble then what she had already done. Besides, Anubis, she couldn't just leave him in some unknown place, left alone in the dark shadows awaiting maybe another friend. What if things didn't go so well. Quickly she bowed, showing her outmost respect as her hand rose to brace herself.
Entangled through the fabrics just above her heart. Her voice calm and soothing as it was released from her lips. She spoke, a tint of fear washing over her. It was fair enough to say it was all her fault for being to willing, too careless.
"I beg of your pardon, please, the best of wishes to your bride. May God bless you too with the sweetest of days," that was all she could manage before heading for the door as quickly as possible.
Stumbling out into the light of day, for some reason, being discovered made her feel as if there was no need to hide anymore, or at least, no reason for it. Her hair slipping free of its locks and cascading around her she darted toward Anubis. Falling to her knees at the dusty trail while her companion came to her willingly. Nudging himself into her chest and laying amongest her warmth as she pulled him closer. Her lips grazing the tip of his nose.
"Forgive me my friend, we will go home now," she stared once more upward, dumbfrounded as she watched the patrons from within.
A pit of envy filling her stomach as she began to stand. Urging her wolf forward with her. A brief tale wag was her only reply.
Catori groaned. The ruckus had woken her up. She slipped out from underneath the comforters and walked out of the safe haven. She stood just out of the rancher's periphereal vision. She then watches as the other indian woman retreats. Shaking her head, Catori descended the stairs quickly, and efore Buddy could stop her, Catori was outside stopping the other woamn. She smiled. "Please, you should stay with us. Your wold can be left inside to. That's where chayton is. Come inside." She said looping her arm around the other girls and gently pulling her back inside.
Chayton stood at the bottom of the steps. Her eyes followed Catori and the stranger. She then looked at the other wolf.
Buddy looked at Matt, and grinned.
"Well, if this be my last day in this world, if they come to lynch me tonight, then they can have me, because I plan on celebrating my good fortune and survival to this day, and celebrating HARD and HEAVY all day and all night long!!"
Then he noticed Catori and Chayton introducing themselves to the new girl, and Buddy frowned, but only for a moment.
"Flower? What are you doing out of bed?!" then he smiled, stepping up and scratching Chayton behind the ears, nodding to the new girl.
"This is Catori, my beautiful bride to be... this is.. I'm sorry, I don't believe I ever got your name, miss? She was being rousted by some ranchers so I had to do my 'duty' and keep the peace..."
Buddy noticed a look of concern cross Catori's brow just then, so he did his husbandly duty and comforted her. "Don't worry, Catori.. I promise to be on best behavior! No more holes in this body before the wedding..
Speaking of the wedding, we need to plan a date... and, there's so much more to think about.. do you want to follow any of your people's customs, or should it be simple and sweet, just a preacher man and a few friends? Lots to plan, but I leave that to the ladies..."
he turned back tothe newcomer, still with a hearty smile. "Please, please stay, join us for Dinner at least.. it's such a beautiful and happy day, don't let a few hard-nosed ranchers cause you any distress. I want you to stay, and feel welcome in my town, as welcome here as I have become... please, miss??"
She had helped when she was driven up to stand, dragged into the small hotel. At first Anubis took it as an attacker, but slowly released his friends calmness as she was guided inside. A soft growl at first, it subsided as quickly as it came. Padding his way inside and slipping in just before the door had time to shut. As quickly as it had all happened he very much refrained from leaving her side as he nudged his muzzle forward into the base of her hand.
A bit shocked at what was going on, she stood there in awe for but a moment. Taking in what everyone had to say. She gazed at the woman whose arm slung in hers, envy washing through her at the strike of her beauty. Her head slowly falling as she bit her lower lip in ponder, suggesting she was very unsure. Her tribe might need her back, being their healer and priestess, but this was her moment to discover so much more.
Heaving in a deep breath with the rise and fall with her chest. She had looked up at the man that was so kind as to help her before. Offering a warm smile to those in the room. Her raven hair falling over her eyes.
"I'd like that, Sir. Thank you for the invite, please though, I wish of it not to become a burden," her voice becoming softer as she felt her heart sink further and further with longing.
There was so much she didn't have, and so much she couldn't. Slowly Anubis laid his chin upon her toe, sensing her distress and hoping to set it at ease.
Leo walked through to the toilet, disobaying the doctors orders but the doctor wasn't around, was he? He coughed some blood into the toilet before taking a leak and walking back to his bed. He wasn't sure how much longer he'ld have to stay in the same place, nor for that matter how long he could last in the same place.
Catori smiled at the stranger(Crimson) and smiled warmly at her. "You are no burden." she gently heads towards the stairs that lead to the warm rooms. "Please, stay. I would very much like your company."
Catori's brown eyes stare softly into Crimson's. Her gentle but firm grip was what she hoped to be consoling. She didn't want to frighten the other girl. her dainty fingers encircled around the other girl's hand. "Please?" she begged almost semmingly pouting. Her full lips pursed to show how much she needed a fellow indian there to be her friend.
Chayton walked up slowly to Anubis. She tried to be gently and careful.
(Yes, it did. ^.^)
She listened to the woman's plea, and took in judgement. Feeling defeated she let her head fall, bowing as she nodded in comply. Why they would want her here, much less consider it, was beyond her reasoning, but she left it at that. Smiling softly all together while lifting a hand to pull back her hair. Curling it around the length of her neck as she bit intently upon her lower lip.
Having Anubis look at the fellow wolf before him, his first reaction was unsure, but slowly he tilted his nose against her. Taking a whiff of her scent as his nose traveled along her neck like a brush on a canvas. Slowly pulling up her found little need to become protective, and noticed a hand flowing in their direction. He bared his fangs at first, but found no fear to back up his intentions from his friend. Slowly letting it subside as he bowed his head before the hand.
Buddy excused himself, leaving the new Indian girl in the company of Catori and Matt. Buddy stepped back up the stairs to the hotel rooms, to check on his deputies, including Leo, who was probably worst wounded of the group.
He stepped into Leo's room and watched the injured gun-slinger moan and wriggle painfully in the bed, all the while staring at the ceiling or out the window, his thoughts distant and lost.
"Funny thing about revenge..." Buddy smiled as he stepped to Leo's bedside. "Even when it's over, it's not Over.. it never ends..."
"Did you get him at least?"
Leo sort of shook his head, but didn't speak of it, and Buddy could only assume he was too full of stubborn pride to admit he'd missed another opportunity.
"Welp.. I can't offer you much in the way of closure, but there is continuance and even a bit of hope, if not so much prosperity, to be had in this little town... with all that's gone on around here lately, there's A LOT of room for improvements to be made, jobs to be had, work to be done...
I'm sure there's a place for you here in New Hope... and, just so you know, if those ghosts from your past ever come haunting you again, I got your back, friend, as long as you watch mine.."
Buddy smiled and nodded to the gun-slinger then stepped bac from the bed. "Rest now, and when you feel up to it, find us over to the saloon, we'll be celebrating my impending nuptuals... talk about terror..."
he laughed some, nodded and stepped to the door, to make his exit.