Introductions [Justus]

[vee3]

Her head was pounding from the sweltering heat of the overhead sun. Beneath her, her sweat-soaked buckskin companion just sighed and kept plodding along. Chewing thoughtfully on her lower lip, she found a hitching post and swung out of the saddle, choosing to just ground tying him. She set to work, unsaddling him and when she was done, she pulled out a canteen of water and a rag that looked as if it had once belonged to a shirt. Pouring some of the cool water onto the horse's back, she began to give him a good rub down. "It's hot out, ain't it, boy?" She murmured, cupping her hand and pouring a small amount of water into her palm.

She held her hand beneath the horse's mouth and allowed him to drink. With her free hand, she ran her fingers through whatever parts of his scraggly mane she could reach. "You need a bath, you're filthy. Once I get you home, you'll look good as new." She promised, moving so she could at least brush out some of the dirt and debris from his mane. "Shoot, I remember when pa took me to the barn and pointed to ya." She murmured, a hint of sadness in her soft voice.

She felt tears begin to sting her eyes but quickly blinked them away. "As you were tryin' to stand while your mama fretted over ya, pa told me you'd be my horse. That was three years ago. I've had others, but you are the most special." Even then, it was because it was the only thing she really had to remember her father by. She still didn't know if he was dead or alive, and it had been months since she had seen him last. She didn't even know where her uncle was or if he was alive.

She probably could have gone to her aunt, but she hadn't wanted to risk having the outlaws follow her and besides, her father had instructed her specifically to come here. She knew better than to go against what he asked her to do. She had been raised better than that. "You rest up. We'll head out soon." She watched the buckskin's ears swivel to try and catch the words that tumbled past her lips. It was in those moments that she wondered just how much the horse understood her and whether or not the steed had a human soul tucked away within that chest of his.

[Justus Gibbs]

Mule didn't like the heat any more than Justus did, and the pinto horse wasn't about to go any faster than the languid shuffle that didn't really require him to lift his hooves completely. His neck was stretched out as if he didn't have the energy to raise it and his head bobbed from side to side with each step as a 'huff' of air timed the cadence. The animal's eyes were closed, although he managed to navigate the wide street with ease.

Atop the lanky horse, the rider, just as lanky, was slouched in the saddle, his hat pulled low over his eyes against the bright sun. it was only when the horse ambled of its own accord to a water trough and refused to move further that Justus swung out of the saddle and stepped into the dust, letting out a long breath as he did.

"That it fer ya, then, fleabag," Justus muttered, taking off his hat and wiping his forehead as he looked around, only then noticing the buckskin, and the woman nearby. Smiling, he nodded. "Miss. Danged hot, ain't it?" Well, he wasn't much of one for making conversation.

As he spoke, Mule took a drink from the trough, then seemed to notice the other horse and raised his head, dribbling water over Justus' hair.

"Tarnation! Danged cayuse!" He elbowed the beast in the chest, enough to make the animal grunt, but not enough to even make him budge...

[vee3]

When she heard the man's words, she turned toward him and nodded briefly. What she saw, the interaction between human and horse, made her heart lurch in her chest. She didn't show it, however. Her father had raised her better than to show emotion in a situation that didn't call for it. Trusting her horse not to wander, which he wouldn't, she dared to move closer to the horse and his owner. "Here, wait a moment." She began softly then returned to her little encampment, if you could even begin to call it that.

She retrieved her rag and the canteen before returning to the odd pair. "You should try to be a bit nicer, mister. A horse responds better when you treat them as if they're people. They have feelings as well, you know." Her horse snorted and bobbed his head as if in agreement. "Allow me to..." She trailed off and got to work, unsaddling the overheated horse.

Setting the equipment down, she gestured toward the horse's spine. "Y'see, in this heat, it's real easy for them to develop sores then on top of your horse being overheated, he's also injured." She explained, pouring some of the water onto the steed's spine like she had done with her own horse. "The saddle can rub the horse the wrong way, especially when he's sweaty, which is what causes the sores." She elaborated, starting to rub the horse down with the rag then she turned toward him and offered it to him. "It's also a bonding experience, you should probably do this an' by the way, my name's Cora, Cora Samuels." She introduced herself with a flourishing curtsy, seemingly oblivious to the fact that she was in her work clothes.

What could she say? She had her manners. "I don't mean any harm, just thought I'd help ya before ya set out again. I work on on the Campbell Ranch as one of their hired hands." She didn't seem to have much trouble introducing herself. "An' that's my horse, Tobie." She chirped, sounding somewhat proud as she gestured toward the buckskin.

[Justus Gibbs]

"Here, wait a moment." She began softly then returned to her little encampment, if you could even begin to call it that.

"Yes, Miss..." Justus frowned, not sure what she was up to, but willing to wait...it was too hot to move anyway. In the mean time, his thirst sated for now, Mule started to nibble on Justus' hat until the young man wrenched it from his reach.

She retrieved her rag and the canteen before returning to the odd pair. "You should try to be a bit nicer, mister. A horse responds better when you treat them as if they're people. They have feelings as well, you know." Her horse snorted and bobbed his head as if in agreement. "Allow me to..." She trailed off and got to work, unsaddling the overheated horse.

"Feelin's? But Miss..." His frown deepened but before he could say more she had moved in in a flurry of activity, undoing the cinch and breast. "Miss, ya don't gotta..." He could certainly see to his own horse, and there was no need to unsaddle him just yet, until he got to the livery, but she wasn't giving him a chance.

Setting the equipment down, she gestured toward the horse's spine. "Y'see, in this heat, it's real easy for them to develop sores then on top of your horse being overheated, he's also injured." She explained, pouring some of the water onto the steed's spine like she had done with her own horse.

"He ain't..." Mule's back swayed down as she poured the cool water over his back and he swore the animal rolled its eyes in pleasure. "That's a first-rate wool blanket..."

"The saddle can rub the horse the wrong way, especially when he's sweaty, which is what causes the sores." She elaborated, starting to rub the horse down with the rag then she turned toward him and offered it to him. "It's also a bonding experience, you should probably do this an' by the way, my name's Cora, Cora Samuels." She introduced herself with a flourishing curtsy, seemingly oblivious to the fact that she was in her work clothes.

"I..." Justus accepted the rag, a little stunned by the whole thing. "Thank ya, Miss Cora," he murmured quietly. She sure was a strange one...

What could she say? She had her manners. "I don't mean any harm, just thought I'd help ya before ya set out again. I work on on the Campbell Ranch as one of their hired hands." She didn't seem to have much trouble introducing herself. "An' that's my horse, Tobie." She chirped, sounding somewhat proud as she gestured toward the buckskin.

"Tobie...right nice name fer a fine lookin' horse." Justus was still frowning, trying to figure out what had just happened. "Uh...this here's Mule an' I'm Justus...thank ya fer th' help..."

As he was talking, Mule grabbed the rag from his hand and tossed it up and down in his teeth for a moment before dropping it in the dirt, then turning his attention to Cora, or, more specifically, her hair. The animal's lips smacked a few times, then his teeth latched onto a chunk of the young woman's blonde mane.

"Quit!" Exasperated, Justus smacked the horse on the shoulder, distracting him and causing him to let go. "Dang! Don't gotta eat everythin' in sight. Sorry, miss..." Mule snorted then let his head drop down, his eyes closed, and Justus reached to rest his hand on the horse's head, idly scratching between his ears. "He's a lazy good-fer-nothin' nag but he ain't as sorry as he looks." There was a fondness in his tone. He and Mule had been together for some time and had an understanding...Justus would never abuse the critter, and besides, the horse would never allow it!

[vee3]

She turned toward him and gave him the smallest of smiles. "I don't mean to be a bother, mister. It's just, my pa..." There was a brief hesitation and a flicker of sadness in her pale gaze before she brought herself to continue. "He taught me that if you're not careful, a horse can have a heatstroke, just as easily as we can. The chance of that is usually increased when we put our riding gear on 'em and do a lot o' travelin'." Again, she found herself tamping down whatever emotion had risen within her.

Nearby, Tobie snorted and shuffled his weight, flicking his tail against his flank. "I normally don't do that sorta thing, but I saw the way you an' your horse were movin' and figured he could use a bit of a rubdown. It always perks Tobie right up." She explained, suddenly feeling grateful that she wasn't far from him because for some reason, she just wasn't feeling in the mood to be projecting herself very well. Everything, in that moment, almost came as a relief to her. Usually, she was trying so hard not to let people see her inner turmoils that she forgot to just kick back and socialize. The only time she really spoke was when she felt awkward and/or when she was around Tobie.

The buckskin's presence seemed to help her with all of her issues, especially the issue of self-confidence. She had always been more comfortable around animals. Though she missed her father and aunt greatly, she poured all of that into her work and did everything she could to help where it was needed. It kept her mind off of things long enough for her to get by so she couldn't complain much. "My pa tried to get me to use physical means to get Tobie into line when he was a colt, but I couldn't hit much harder than a speck o' dirt so I settled for a gentler approach. It works a bit." Each time there was mention of her father, there was that same lost look that made her look like a sad puppy.

She blinked, listening to the rest of his words. "I'm..uhm..sorry for the misunderstandin', mister. An' he ain't so bad. I used to have a horse that would attack the poor dog that papa kept 'round the farm for sentimental reasons." Her soft features brightened momentarily. "You shoulda seen the way that horse herded the dog, instead o' the other way around." She giggled softly and gestured toward the tack.

An apologetic smile flitted across her lips. "Sorry 'bout all that. I tend to be a bit impulsive. Pa said I should be better safe than sorry and since I...uhm..lost touch with him, I guess I take it a bit too serious." She didn't know how else to explain her odd behavior or even if she could. Her tanned cheeks grew two or three shades darker as she realized what a damned fool of herself she as making. "Ya must think tha' worst o' me." Though there were subtle traces of humor in her soft words, it was obvious she was embarrassed and perhaps a tad ashamed of her lack of knowledge in anything considered sociable.

[Justus Gibbs]

Justus shrugged. She sure talked a lot, but he really didn't mind, she had a pretty voice and the more she talked, the less he had to!

"Nah, that's all right." He shrugged, nudging Mule, who had started to nibble on Tobie's mane, then offering the beast a lemon drop that he pulled from his vest pocket. "Fine lookin' horse ya go there...don't need Mule here playin' barber on 'er. Do ya happen ta know where th' livery is. Better get this beast bedded down an' fed."

Mule's head was hanging down as he rolled the candy over his tongue, his eyes closed and sugary drool dribbling from his mouth. The horse took a big breath, then sighed dramatically. "Sounds like yer pa was a good man. He taught ya good."

[vee3]

Was? No, no, no...why did people always use past tense when referring to her father? He was alive, he had to be. She knew that deep down, it wasn't very likely, but she still had to believe with every fiber of her being that he still had a breath in his body. "Is a good man. He is a good man." She stressed quietly, a low whimper bubbling in her throat as she looked down, becoming lost in thought.

With everything running rampant in her head, she hadn't really heard much else. "I-I...uhm, yeah." She nodded briefly then unashamedly took hold of his hand, tugging him toward the middle of the street as she gestured down the road. "Down yonder, past the inn and the bath house. If you reach the church, you done gone too far." She explained, returning to her horse's side.

She felt like the biggest idiot on two legs in that moment. Her solution was to hide her face behind a curtain of curly, golden hair. "'ave a good trip, mister. I wish you the best." She said softly, beginning to pack her things. She couldn't cry in front of him, not like this. If this day got any worse or any more embarrassing, she'd crawl into her bunk and never come out again.

[Justus Gibbs]

"Is a good man. He is a good man." She stressed quietly, a low whimper bubbling in her throat as she looked down, becoming lost in thought.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Miss, I just thought..." Justus shrugged, not really sure why he'd assumed that. "Well, he taught ya good, he oughta be proud." It was unusual to see a lady in britches, although not unheard of...just wasn't something you came across every day.

With everything running rampant in her head, she hadn't really heard much else. "I-I...uhm, yeah." She nodded briefly then unashamedly took hold of his hand, tugging him toward the middle of the street as she gestured down the road. "Down yonder, past the inn and the bath house. If you reach the church, you done gone too far." She explained, returning to her horse's side.

"Thank ya, I appreciate it." He frowned, noticing the strained expression and not sure what to do with it. Women were a mystery to him, and he'd face a stampede any day over a crying female, but he couldn't ignore the way she looked. "Um...miss..?" Of course, what to say...

She felt like the biggest idiot on two legs in that moment. Her solution was to hide her face behind a curtain of curly, golden hair. "'ave a good trip, mister. I wish you the best." She said softly, beginning to pack her things. She couldn't cry in front of him, not like this. If this day got any worse or any more embarrassing, she'd crawl into her bunk and never come out again.

"Yes, Miss..." Justus returned his hat to his head and was reaching for his saddle when he hesitated. "Um, miss...can I buy ya supper or somethin'? Maybe just a cool drink an' some pie?" He shrugged awkwardly. "After all, ain't just anybody'd care so much 'bout a ol' cuss like Mule here. Ain't no bother, miss."

[vee3]

Briefly, she felt her breath catch. Had he just offered to buy her a meal? Why would he do such a thing? She was practically a stranger, not counting the vast amount of her history she had blurted out during a nervous blunder. The only reason she had helped with Mule was because it was something that came natural to her. She wanted to say something, anything. She opened her mouth but no sound came out then after a moment, she snapped it closed and fiddled with her hat, glancing toward Tobie.

The buckskin snorted and butted her playfully. Grateful for the distraction, she collected herself before turning toward the man and nodding slowly. The words came a little slower than she had hoped but oh well. "That sounds lovely, mister, thank you." She said softly, deciding simple was definitely the best option for the time being. She had already embarrassed herself enough, hadn't she? Butterflies flitted in her stomach and for a brief moment, she wondered if she was going to be sick but soon came to realize something entirely different.

She was nervous. He hadn't been mean or looked down upon her because of her odd nature like many others had. It was just, she wasn't used to socialization, as she and her father had kept to themselves for the most part. Without her father to nudge her in the right direction with subtle social cues and filling in where she fell short, she tended to babble about things that were entirely unrelated to the topic being discussed. Maybe if she ordered the cheapest thing available, she wouldn't feel as guilty. "If ya ever want company or help with Mule, you could always stop by my work or be on the lookout for me in town 'cause I usually come to town to stock up on things for Tobie an' me." It was an offer that paled in comparison to his but still, it was an offer nonetheless.

[Justus Gibbs]

"Well, um, good." Justus smiled and nodded, reaching to scratch Mule's neck. "Um we can go now..." Well, that was stupid, of course now! He took a breath then fed his horse a peppermint. He had no idea why he'd asked her that, but now he was committed, and he'd have to, well, do something!

"Thank ya for th' offer, miss Cora," he finally said, "if ya know of any of th' ranches 'round these parts that's hirin'..." He shrugged. "Uh, th' cafe's this way..."

[vee3]

She blinked, watching the man a moment. "Ya don't have to do this, mister. I mean, shoot...I won't get offended or nothin' if ya don't feel comfortable with it." She said softly, shrugging briefly. Really, she wouldn't. "What I did fer Mule was how I'd want people to treat my Tobie, an' I'm sorry if I made ya uncomfortable." She murmured, scratching Tobie's neck as she leaned quietly against the buckskin.

She was quiet as she thought about how to respond. "Well, I can put a good word in for ya with Mister Campbell. He's my boss, and he runs a fairly large ranch. Other than that, there's Mister Harte. I think he might run a large ranch as well, but I ain't sure 'cause the fellow that's been runnin' Campbell's ranch hired me on the spot, and Campbell's ranch was closer to where my uncle had his farm." She said softly, shrugging limply as she ran her fingers through the buckskin's mane, trying to untangle some of the larger knots with her bare fingers. She wondered if the man was down on his luck like she had been, it might explain some things but at the same time, she didn't want to rob him of his pride or come off as trying to take advantage of him.

[Justus Gibbs]

She blinked, watching the man a moment. "Ya don't have to do this, mister. I mean, shoot...I won't get offended or nothin' if ya don't feel comfortable with it." She said softly, shrugging briefly. Really, she wouldn't. "What I did fer Mule was how I'd want people to treat my Tobie, an' I'm sorry if I made ya uncomfortable." She murmured, scratching Tobie's neck as she leaned quietly against the buckskin.

"Oh, no, miss, ain't that..." Justus shrugged. "I don't mind, really. Guess I just ain't so used ta lady company...but pie makes up fer a lot, don't it." He grinned and winked.

She was quiet as she thought about how to respond. "Well, I can put a good word in for ya with Mister Campbell. He's my boss, and he runs a fairly large ranch. Other than that, there's Mister Harte. I think he might run a large ranch as well, but I ain't sure 'cause the fellow that's been runnin' Campbell's ranch hired me on the spot, and Campbell's ranch was closer to where my uncle had his farm."

"Thanks." Justus nodded as they headed for the cafe. For now, Mule would be fine where he was...there was water and shade and if anyone tried to steal him, they'd be sadly disappointed at trying to get away at an ambling walk!

"Anyway, don't gotta say nothin' for me, ya don't know me that good." He smiled at her. "Was a kind offer, I'll check both places. Heck, right now I'd settle fer mendin' porches or paintin' houses." He chuckled. "Seems like a good place ta settle fer a bit, though, least 'till th' roundups'er over."

[vee3]

She nodded and bit her lip briefly. "Shoot, I wouldn't mind helpin' ya to find work, mister. It wouldn't be much trouble at all." She assured him, resisting the urge to reach out and give him a hug. Hadn't she embarrassed herself enough for one day? "It's the least I can do to help get ya settled." She chirped, beaming at him.

Things were less awkward but still, she felt as if she needed to keep her guard up. She didn't know what he was capable of and didn't much feel like finding out. "Where'd ya come from, if ya don't mind me asking?" She queried, wanting to get to know him a tad. It wasn't a crime, was it? She didn't think so but then again, social norms oftentimes escaped her purview. It was almost laughable, the more you stopped to think about it.

She found herself hesitating. "If yer tight on cash, I can loan ya some money til you find work. It ain't no trouble, and I never use much of it, anyways." It was true, considering she only really bought treats when she came to town. Both she and Tobie could go without the extras if they hoped to stay in shape. "Just don't be too prideful to ask for help, okay?" As the offer tumbled from her lips, she found herself wondering what he thought of her once more.

[Justus Gibbs]

She nodded and bit her lip briefly. "Shoot, I wouldn't mind helpin' ya to find work, mister. It wouldn't be much trouble at all." She assured him, resisting the urge to reach out and give him a hug. Hadn't she embarrassed herself enough for one day? "It's the least I can do to help get ya settled." She chirped, beaming at him.

A slow, easy smile crossed Justus' lips as he fiddled with he brim of his hat. "I'd be right grateful, Miss Cora," he declared. Wasn't his norm to ask ladies for help, but she was offering and he needed it.

Things were less awkward but still, she felt as if she needed to keep her guard up. She didn't know what he was capable of and didn't much feel like finding out. "Where'd ya come from, if ya don't mind me asking?" She queried, wanting to get to know him a tad. It wasn't a crime, was it? She didn't think so but then again, social norms oftentimes escaped her purview. It was almost laughable, the more you stopped to think about it.

"Montana," he answered without hesitation, "Great Falls, but most recent Cody." He chuckled. "Was lookin' fer someplace warmer...seems I got it!"

She found herself hesitating. "If yer tight on cash, I can loan ya some money til you find work. It ain't no trouble, and I never use much of it, anyways." It was true, considering she only really bought treats when she came to town. Both she and Tobie could go without the extras if they hoped to stay in shape. "Just don't be too prideful to ask for help, okay?" As the offer tumbled from her lips, she found herself wondering what he thought of her once more.

"Oh, no, miss...thank ya..." He felt his cheeks start to burn as he shook his head. "I mean, I was taught not ta be beholdin' ta anyone. I appreciate it, but I can sleep in th' livery an' I got enough fer...well, ta take care'a Mule, anyway." His smile widened. "A few oats an' he's happy."

Stopping at the cafe, he opened the door for her. She was pretty beneath the grime, and he really didn't mind that she wasn't all prissied up...he understood that this was a hard place and women had to do what they had to do to survive. Besides, despite her clothes, she was all female. To that end, he held a chair for her, hoping he was doing it right. It had been a long time since he'd taken a lady anywhere, and although this wasn't like a date or anything, he wanted to do it right.

"So, ya know how th' food is here? What they got that's good?"

[vee3]

She chuckled softly and bit her lip, easing down gracefully into the chair that he held out for her. "Thank you for your kindness, sir, though my papa taught me that you shouldn't ever be too prideful to accept help, and it's more of a loan, really. You can pay me back once ya find work." She paused, picking up a cloth up from the table and setting it within her lap. "It ain't much of a hassle, I promise. I got plenty to keep me afloat, and my boss pays me kindly." Her eyes twinkled softly with mirth.

It was almost enjoyable for her, this small meeting of two people with no pressure to impress the other. "Mule doesn't need his rider keelin' over 'cause he was hungry or had improper shelter. I'm still renting a room at the hotel, and I never use it unless I'm in town on an extended trip so you'd be more than welcome to use that." She offered with a broad, beaming smile. She couldn't help herself around him, especially now that she was more at ease. "Um, I'd definitely recommend the apple pie but then again, I'll shamelessly admit that I have a mighty sweet tooth." Ducking behind a curtain of curly blonde hair, she giggled quietly, lifting her hand in a vain attempt to stifle said giggle.