[Gift] I wanna be a cowboy baby (pt. 2)

Jojo was the first one to wake up, and decided to let the other two to sleep while she looked around town for people. On the streets there are many friendly townsfolk who nod and acknowledge her in greeting. One of them approached her directly, a bearish man with a scruffy voice. “Goodmornin’! You don't look like you’re from ‘round these parts, friend. How can I help you?” He inquires further, “what’re you doing in these humble parts? We don’t have many visitors, ya see.”

“Just passing through. Is there an inn here? My friends and I checked the tavern yesterday for a place to stay, but it was empty,” Jojo replies. She glances at the man once more, he had a weird air about him, something wasn’t quite right. She ignores it anyways, they need a place to stay and he is worth asking. 

“Why, yes, of course! I happen to be good friends with the owner, ya hear. I reckon I could get you folk a bargain. Follow me, ma’am,” he says before leading the way. He brings Jojo to the tavern, where she had checked last night. At first, she was confused, but he opened the door. To her surprise the space was bustling full of patrons and life. She couldn’t help but be off put, she thought it was an abandoned building last night. 

“Aye, new folk! My friend tells me you need a room, we have one available for ya upstairs! It’s a pleasure meeting you,” the host says. Jojo was sure they were kind folk, but something about their expressions and everyone’s seemingly perfect cheerfulness was disturbing. In fact, it felt almost predatory. But still, she brushes it aside, since they didn’t know the folk and she was probably just overthinking their simple kindness. Jojo returns to their campsite to let the two misfits know that she found a room for them to share. However, when she returns, only Carter can be found still sprawled out in his sleeping bag. 

Jojo is disappointed as she rouses Carter and begins her interrogation, “Carter, wake up. Where did that rascal get to? Did she wake you up before she left? Did she leave a note about where she went off too? She can’t have just disappeared,” she says with a sigh. She may as well have, it was hard to keep Macchi contained for a long time; the fact that they didn’t lose her on the horse ride was a miracle.

“I’m sure she’ll be back soon,” Carter comforts. “She does like to explore, but she’s like a feral cat. They’ll always come back as long as you feel ‘em,” he laughs but his stomach lets out a rather loud growl. “More importantly…” he says meekly, “where’s some food? Please, I'll eat anything other than beans pleaseiveeatentoomanybeans.”

“Ooooh lets open up our supply bag and see what we’ve got for breakfast… drum roll please!” Jojo declares when she opens the satchel, “it’s beans! Tasty! We would’ve had other food if you two didn’t want snacks every time we traveled.” 

Carter groans in distress. 

——

Macchi found herself wandering into the saloon as the day was beginning to come to an end. The usual ruckus and clamor was present still as a red shimmer of light was cast into the building from the setting sun on the sands. She finds herself at the bar, and asks for water. The bartender disappears into the back room to get some from the tap, and a strange man grips her arm the moment they disappear.

He warns her with a dark look in his eyes: “leave while you still can, or you’ll end up like the rest of us.”