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Post by Josiah Larabee on Apr 26, 2009 16:04:19 GMT -8
LARABEE lonely 'slinger, lookin' for a job[/font][/size][/center] Josiah rode into town, his hat turned down and his scarf pulled up. It wasn't a particularily hot day, but Josiah knew that the gun belt around his hips would make him an enemy, or a friend the second he was spotted. It was just which that he had yet to determine. He bought out a night, and lodgings for his horse for the night and then headed to the local saloon, having ditched his travel clothes and tidied up slightly. His scarf now hung around his neck, and his hat tipped backwards to show the cautious face of Josiah.
His eyes travelled across the busy saloon, and he gauged how people received him while appearing to be oblivious. He approached the bar, and ordered a beer and sandwich. He didn't say anything to the bar tender, other than a thank you, and what was expected for manners. He wasn't being rude, though. No, he was just being Josiah, quiet, contemplative, inwardly consious of every movement around him.
His left hand rested on his lap, ready to draw his gun if push came to shove. It wasn't a 'come and get me' sort of stance, more or less one that just warned that he was ready. Josiah hunched over his food as he ate, and drank quietly. The bar was quiet, uncomfortabl so, and a few eyes were on him. He didn't mind it too much, but it was slightly unsettling to have people watch you while you ate. Josiah looked back at one in particular, he didn't seem to be mean, or judgemental. Rather, like Josiah, in his cautious gaze. Josiah gave him a friendly nod of acknowlegement and swallowed his food. "Sir." he greeted him simply.
Josiah was far from surprised when the man didn't return his greeting, but instead returned to his discussion with his friends about him. Josiah averted his gaze, and looked to his sandwich. Was he realy that forboding? |
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Post by Sojourner on Apr 26, 2009 16:35:54 GMT -8
News travelled like wildfire in a town like Cahone. Being so far out of the way of most travellers, there was always quite a stirring when a stranger came into town. Particularly one that was quite obviously armed. This was not a detail that was forgotten when one of the stable boys trotted into the jailhouse to find Jake and tell him of the newcomer who had just now left his horse off at the stables. "Boss says yeh might wanta know about him," the boy said, obviously excited by the prospect of something new and unfamiliar happening. Jake stood from where he had been sitting sifting through some of the old paperwork. "Yes, you've done right coming to find me," the sheriff agreed. There was nothing urgent in his tone or stride however as he went to fetch his hat from the hook on the wall and readjusted his gun belt. The fellow sounded as though he meant well enough, but until the sheriff proclaimed him so, most of the town would keep a wary distance.
The Crazy Wolf was a short walk away, and Jake had arrived in little time at all. It didn't take more than a cursory glance to find the man in question. Most of the patrons were watching him with a mixture of fascination and hostility. He made his way through the room, giving a nod in return when the stranger turned to look at him. He had already taken note of the newcomer's casually rested hand, ready to grasp one of his guns at a moment's notice. Jake's own hand was hooked into one of his pockets with the same readiness.
"Sheriff Colburn," he said by way of introduction, extending his opposite hand in an offer to shake. "You'll have to excuse us all if we're acting a little queer. We aren't much used to having strangers come through." Jake seated himself beside the man without ceremony. He was used to this sort of interaction, to a point. Only, he was accustomed to being the unknown rather than the sheriff. Six years of being a drifter himself had taken him through a number of places where the sheriffs would investigate him by means of 'friendly conversation'. At least, all of the good sheriffs had done this. There had been plenty that were too drunk or lazy to care much. "What brings you through this way?" Thus the thinly veiled interrogation began.
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Post by beth on Apr 26, 2009 16:55:09 GMT -8
Elle found her way to the local saloon during her down time away from the ranch. To be exact she had been chased from the ranch because she had been working too hard. It wasn't her fault that she found working around the ranch her duty. Maybe though she should get aways from the ranch from time to time. She felt guilty for not being back at the ranch though. The ranch was her home and her family.
She looked around and saw many of the same people that were usually there when she ended up there. Alright, she had been getting chased from the ranch more often lately and around the same time of day. In the back of her mind she wondered why it was always the same time of day, but then thought it silly. There was most likely no link what time of the day it happened.
After a little while though she noticed one guy that she hadn't seen before. He was new to town and new to the way things went around here. She decided to have some fun and walked over to near where he was seated at the bar. Besides she could always brush it off as her just being curious about the attractive guy at the bar. All was fine until she saw Sheriff Jake Colburn greet him. Then she thought twice about it.
Just the same she continued over, not as closely, but closely enough to hear their conversation. At least this way Elle could find out more about the man and see if he was really trouble or not. Sometimes the locals were just a little jumpy about armed strangers even if they didn't mean any harm.
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Post by Josiah Larabee on Apr 26, 2009 17:06:59 GMT -8
LARABEE lonely 'slinger, lookin' for a job[/font][/center] Josiah looked up at the greeting from the one and only Sherriff. Josiah nodded and swallowed his food, before returning the greeting " 'Llo, Sherrif." he said, in his usual light drawl. He removed his hand from his lap, and returned a firm, but not hard, shake. HE didn't want to find trouble where he wasn't looking for it. He returned his hand to his lap, and listened to what the Sherrif had to say, chewing lightly on his sandwich. Josiah swallowed once again before grinning. "I know how it is." he replied. Little towns, one big stranger and a set of guns? It was enough to host a party about, that or a lynching mob. Josiah shuddered inside at the thought of that, he wasn't one for hanging people, and normally beat out've town beforehe could stir up that much trouble.
Josiah could see the approaching lady from the corner of his eye, but didn't look over, as the Sherrif was doing his job, and questioning him and as far as Josiah had found it, they didn't take kindly to being ignored or sassed to. "Just passing through, had a long few days ride, and there hasn't been many town for me to stop at. Thought it'd be a good idea to stop here, and stock up on resources while I could." Josiah answered.
The Sherrif didn't seem to be looking for a power struggle, although Josiah noted his own 'quick to draw' pose. He almost commented on it, but thought better of it, and took a bite of his sandwich, thereby demolishing the first half of it. He could still feel the stares on his back, although the Sherrif sitting by him had seemed to deter several of the curious folks. It wasn't quite enough to send them all packing though, and he didn't expect it to for a while. |
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Post by Sojourner on Apr 26, 2009 17:45:56 GMT -8
"Fair enough," Jake responded once he'd heard the man's explanation. "You got a name?" He turned so that he was not so much facing the stranger as sitting parallel to him, looking at the shelves of liquor and eating utensils on the wall behind the bar. He leaned forward to rest both of his arms on the bar and called for a beer. The entire room seemed to release some of its tension as they witnessed the sheriff remove his hand from being so close to his guns and sit in a less confrontational fashion. The people of this town, of this time and place were all very attuned to the body language of one another, able to sense agression, defensiveness, even the fear that signified weakness.
Seeing Elle come in and settle herself nearby, Jake reached up to touch the brim of his hat in a breif welcome. They had more or less grown up together, and while his six years on the wandering trail had placed some distance and unfamiliarity between them, he still knew her quite well. She was certainly the curious type. He knew exactly what she was up to, positioning herself near enough to hear them speaking to one another. Some of the Iron Star riders had probably come with her... or they usually did, anyhow. A lady wasn't often permitted to travel alone if there was anyone who could go with her, and the Iron Star riders usually took it upon themselves to keep an eye out for their boss's beautiful daughter.
When his drink arrived, Jake took a long sip and set it down. "You make ends meet with those guns of yours?" he questioned casually, continuing his inquiries. It made sense for him to ask as much. There were two ways of using one's guns to get enough money to live on. The first and more honest method was to use them in favor of someone who would pay in return... and then there was the method of turning them on another and using their deadly threat to get what was desired. Jake somewhat doubted that the latter was the case, or that the man would tell him so if it were, but it wasn't a question that could harm anything.
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Post by beth on Apr 26, 2009 18:07:58 GMT -8
From her location Elle found out what she needed and experienced the sheriff relieving the tension in the saloon. That's when she figured she'd take an actual seat at the bar. Not many of the ladies did that, but she didn't feel a need to stay away from it. The bar after all was were you got to know what was going on behind all the gossip.
She sat down next to the two guys and ordered some quick "grub" and a drink. Elle then turned to the guys and decided to get a better look at the new guy. The least she could do was make sure that she knew what he looked like in case he showed up at the ranch.
"So how many of those do you have," Elle asked as she focused her attention on the gun that the new guy seemed to keep his hand rather steady around. "Rumor has it that the more guns a man has the more he's tempted to turn to the dark side. Do you think that's true?" She looked at him in curiosity and wonder. He was somewhat cute, but she didn't want to let onto her admiration of his looks.
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Post by Josiah Larabee on Apr 26, 2009 18:25:23 GMT -8
LARABEE lonely 'slinger, lookin' for a job[/font][/center] Josiah nodded a bit "Yah... it's Josiah. Josiah Larabee." he said, there was no point in lying or avoiding the answer. It wasn't like he had caused trouble, or was being hunted... yet. Josiah could feel the tension sink as the Sherrif took a seat, and he smiled a bit at the sudden ease of the folks around him. Was it really that easy to calm the unsuspecting locales? They were an accepting bunch, then. Which worked in Josiah's favour, it wasn't like he was going to demand that they hate him.
Josiah noted the small welcoming motion the Sherrif made towards the girl, Maybe he's sweet on her? he thought, taking a dreg of his beer. It soothed his dry throat and once again reminded him of his hunger. He decided to take it easy though, not wanting to seem like he was desperate for anything because desperation could lead to the thought that he was in a hurry to get out. Which, could lead to suspicion, and Josiah couldn't afford to be locked up for long in a jailcell.
Josiah nodded "Yes, sir. I do. Guns for hire." He said, again, there was no point in being dishonest. "I do whatever I'm paid to do. I'm looking for another job, just finished one down towards Texas way, and decided to make my way up towards the north." So far, that had been the most he'd said for the entire sit, and just as he finished his sentance, the woman placed herself beside him and pelted him with questions.
Josiah laughed and tilted his hat in a courteous greeting "Well m'am, I have owned other guns, and I do own other guns, but these ones are what I use the most." He smiled one of those rare, true smiles that only showed when he was drunk, or very amused. "I do not believe that, M'am. I believe it's the man's control of his self and his guns that really matter." he considered something for a moment "If a man's going to buy a gun, he's already got what he's gonna do with it in his head, and he's gonna do exactly that with it. It's not the gun that turns a man evil, M'am, it's everything else that makes him pull the trigger." he cleared his throat "Or, so I believe, M'am" he nodded once again |
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Post by Sojourner on Apr 26, 2009 18:45:01 GMT -8
Jake took another easy drink as he listened to the answers to his questions. They were clean cut and seemed honest enough, which was respectable. No reason for useless blather. He had been fixing to move on to less suspicious conversation, mundane things like how the roads had been getting here or even what the weather had been up to lately. Before he had the chance, though, Elle had seated herself on Josiah's opposite side and pelted him with playful questions.
"Miss Emerson." Jake's tone was low with warning, but he did not say anything further. The use of her formal title alone was enough to express his disapproval of her questions. He still hadn't figured Josiah out all the way, and until he did, he didn't have much of a taste for the town's girls getting too familiar with him. Besides this, whether or not she knew it, she had caused the room's underlying agression to spike again. There were plenty of young men here who didn't much like seeing this newcomer garner the attentions of a woman several of them had been trying to earn for some time now. It could mean trouble for Josiah later, when she wasn't around. And trouble in the town meant trouble for the sheriff.
All of this aside, Jake was somewhat intrigued by Josiah's answers. They opened a whole new part of the man's psyche to him, and he was quickly finding that there was a great deal in Josiah's way of thinking that could quite easily be respected and possibly admired by a like-minded man. He was quickly earning the sheriff's good regards, but half of the rest of the room wasn't too fond of him at the moment. And whether he liked the man or not, if there was too much unrest caused by his presence, Jake would be obliged to firmly request that he be on his way.
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Post by beth on Apr 26, 2009 19:05:25 GMT -8
Elle looked at the sheriff in displeasure as he called her by her formal title. "Right, all the single guys in the place just got all uppity," she replied in a semi loud tone so that enough of the single guys in the room could hear her. "I just don't see why I can't find out what the new guy and town is like just in case I have to do some sort of business with him. Are you really all that up tight? If you are than maybe you just shouldn't be with me."
She then focused her attention back on Josiah. "So I suppose I shouldn't be having any problems with you and my ranch sir. I may be interested in guns some, but I don't like them around my animals for any other reason than for their protection. Do you understand that?"
Elle then leaned in towards him a little. "If you don't then you won't get such nice conversation in the future. I'll also send this sheriff that's sitting next to you to arrest you for trespassing if I see anyone of your guns coming close to aiming at my animals."
She backed away from him and then started to eat her food. Elle would wait for his reply before continuing on. All in all she decided that no matter what his opinions about what she had said that he would understand how serious she was about her animals.
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Post by Josiah Larabee on Apr 26, 2009 19:32:37 GMT -8
LARABEE lonely 'slinger, lookin' for a job[/center][/font] Josiah heard the warning tone in the Sherrif's voice, and he assumed that the man was either watching out for this 'Elle' lady, or he had too felt the immediate spike of angry men ready to rip Josiah limb from limb. He chose to not answer the woman's loud statement, but stared at his sandwich like it was the most interesting thing he had ever seen, and to sip at his beer.
Josiah nodded slowly "M'am, I don't take kindly to shooting animals, unless they're in pain." he replied. Despite the fact that he also didn't take too kindly to being told, by a woman, to stay away from somwhere or being threatened by them either. He clenched his jaw a bit, and looked up to the woman, just to catch her leaning in to him.
Josiah visably leaned backwards a bit. He didn't like such close contact with a woman he wasn't familiar with, and he sure as hell didn't need an angry mob chasing him out've town "Look, M'am, I said before I wouldn't bother your ranch, don't worry about me. I didn't come t'make trouble, and I sure as heck didn't come to shoot no horses. I'm here t'get some rest, maybe earn a dollar and then move on!" Josiah let a bit of his irritation fly out, faster than he could restrain it. He waited for the woman to return to an appropriate distance from him, before leaning back into his sandwich.
He shifted about, he was agitated and embarrased by this woman, and he didn't like that at all. His hand movd from it's comfortable resting place on his lap to beside his plate. He didn't want anyone to think that he would pose a threat to this girl. What he really wanted to do was take his plate of food, and his beer and return to his room. He bit at the inside of his lip. This was not what he had bargined for when he rode into town. |
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Post by Sojourner on Apr 26, 2009 21:31:06 GMT -8
The situation worsened much more rapidly thank Jake would have cared for. Actually, he would have preferred for it to have dissipated rather than to intensify at all. Elizabeth was overstepping her bounds. Her defiant declaration sent a ripple of vehement mutters through those gathered in the saloon. A woman has no place speaking like that, they whispered. Her pa ought to rein her in before things get out of hand... he's got to teach her respect. A husband would do her good. Jake agreed with them to some extent. He didn't take well to being referenced like a dog that could be sicked on Josiah at a word from her, even if it had some element of truth. Nor did he appreciate her complete disregard for the warning he'd given.
At least Josiah wasn't feeding into it. He percieved the danger to himself and obviously didn't appreciate her brazen words any better than the rest of them, distancing himself from her. Jake stood and laid down a coin to pay for his drink, leaving it unfinished. Duty called. He needed to intervene before things progressed too much further. The sheriff stepped over to where Elizabeth sat and laid one calloused hand on her shoulder meaningfully. "Mr. Larabee has doubtlessly spent several days travelling and is likely weary. I think it best that we allow him to finish his meal and retire for the night. It would also be wise to consult your father before offering to hire another man." Old Tom might not be as physically fit as he had once been, but he was just as sharp as he'd ever been mentally. She had an obligation to gain his approval before taking such executive action regarding the ranch.
"I will escort you back to Iron Star shortly, Miss Emerson." It was not an offer, but a statement. He fully intended to accompany her back to the ranch, unless some of the Iron Star riders were here and were up to the duty. Jake turned to observe the rest of the room. "Josiah Larabee is best left to himself, gentlemen. Keep in mind that I will take it upon myself to find and jail any troublemakers, no matter how long they've been in Cahone."
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Post by beth on Apr 28, 2009 8:24:22 GMT -8
Elle wasn't going to take being talked down to some kind of slave or servant. "It's a real shame that all of you men need a woman that can't voice her mind. Heaven forbid we have our own opinions on stuff and are treated much like dogs and horses. All we are good for in your eyes is being some accessory of yours that produces you with children."
She then got up from her stool at the bar and paid her tab. Independence is what she had striven for and she was determined not to rely on men to the point that the other women did. "I can get on fine just on my own. I'm not as defenseless as everyone seems to think."
Elle turned and headed for the door. She wouldn't let the sheriff show her home. No, she would rather walk there and have some time to herself. At least that way she could mutter about how controlling and horrid men were. All she knew was that none of those men in that saloon could handle her even if they wanted to. She wasn't going to be tamed into the perfect wife the same way a horse was tamed.
She found her way out to the street and turned to start on her walk home. Soon she would find her way to the outskirts of town, where most of the people tended to live. Sure it was risky for a woman to walk alone in such wild lands, but she was willing to take that risk in order to be independent.
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Post by Josiah Larabee on Apr 28, 2009 18:12:20 GMT -8
LARABEE lonely 'slinger, lookin' for a job[/font][/center] Josiah welcomed the Sherrifs intervening, but couldn't help but feel bad for the woman. "Maybe it's not the voicing your mind that's the problem." he said. "Maye it's that you do it in a manner, much too brash for a lady such as yourself." He cleared hit throat, surprised that he had spoken. "M'am." he added with a nod.
He wondered vaguely if the warning was not only directed to the people of the town, but also to him no matter how long they've been in Cahone. He supposed it should have been expected, him a gun-toting vagabond. He shouldn't have bought out the room, but now that he had, he was sure that he wouldn't be able to refund. He'd go in, and check on Colonel, his horse, and mae sure he was being well tended to. Then retreat to his room for the night. Proove the citzens of this town that just because he was a wander, didn't mean he was bad.
Although, retiring to his room could also give the impression that he wasn't a sociable person, and therefore make him even more of a 'freak' and give them more reason to dislike him. Josiah's head spun with all of this logic. He liked it much better when it was just him and Colonel. Josih didn't have to worry about being social when it was just him and his horse.
He certainyl didn't have to worry about it when he was hired to kill someone, or protect a villiage or to get a prisoner from point A to point B. It was easy, didn't take interaction. Josiah didn't mind interaction, mind you, he just... preferred it to be simple and easy. "If they see fit to ask me questions, sir, it's fine by me." he spoke up suddenly. "I understand they might want to make sure I'm safe all on their own."
He could hardly believe those words had come from his mouth |
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Post by Sojourner on Apr 28, 2009 18:38:18 GMT -8
Brash indeed. There was no doubting that Elle happened to be in a particularly ornery mood tonight. She had long since abandoned all subtlety, and this chafed at Jake's patience. She complained about the unfairness of the differentiation between genders as though she were little more than a twelve year old who hadn't gotten her way. There was little that could be respected in her bearing, and therefore she would not be respected. She had perhaps undermined herself with such a show.
He watched Elle excuse herself in a tiff and returned his attention to Josiah briefly. "I wasn't tellin' them not to talk to you. I was tellin' them not to harass you. You're free to do what you like so long as it's within the bounds of law. It appears to me however that they've got much to empathize with you about now though... dealing with that minx." He glanced back toward the door Elizabeth had passed through moments ago. "If you'll excuse me, I ought to ensure that Miss Emerson returns home safely... regardless of whether she considers it necessary."
Jake left without further ceremony, heading out back to where his mare was stabled. Blaze was somewhat irritable as Jake quickly slipped the bit back into her mouth and led her out. As far as she was concerned, sunset usually meant that she was done for the day. The sheriff vaulted onto the stout mustang's bare back and set her off at a jog on down the road after Elizabeth. When he was able to make out her vague form a few yards ahead of him in the deepening darkness, he slowed Blaze to a steady walk. Elle could throw as much of a hissy fit as she liked, but there wasn't anything she could really do to get rid of him. He dreaded what her father would say if something were to happen to her far more than he dreaded anything she had to say to him now. For now however, he and his brilliant red bay mare remained a quiet shadow behind her.
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Post by beth on Apr 28, 2009 18:58:29 GMT -8
Elle heard a horse walking along behind her and grabbed grabbed for her waist where she had sewn a pocket in where the skirt of the dress started to puff out. To her dresses looked ridiculous and were impractical. Well that was until she started altering hers. Now she carried a small hand gun in the pocket she had made within her dress. It was was loaded with a couple of bullets and she knew how to use it.
She had taken the gun from the collection back at the house. They had many that they had gotten from various family members that her parents refused to get rid of. So Elle reached into her pocket and felt for the hand gun. It was the one thing that she knew how to protect herself with although she secretly hoped she never needed to use it.
Elle glanced over her shoulder as she walked just to notice the sheriff and his horse. She slipped her hand off of the gun and smiled at him. "Now you know I'm not going to marry you if you stalk me like that sheriff." Elle said in a calm matter in a sense to see if she could make Jake blush. After all if he was going to be following her home she would have some fun with him. "So why are you sneaking up on me like that, sir?" She then turned to face him. "You can never be certain of what one of us girls might be hiding in our dresses."
Slowly she turned back around with a smile on her face and continued to walk along back to the ranch. She was certain at least one guy there would be worried sick. Didn't they know her better by now? "You're just lucky you're the sheriff and not someone else."
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