The Drive

[not_his_pa]

William hasn't been sleeping much and he's been going between Milliways and the door in the barn as he gets everything read. At this point, he's fairly sure they should be able to leave tomorrow but he knows his mother wants to meet Jack and Michael in case they're not good enough.

Mark's inside and Alice is on the porch as she calls out, "William, stop worrying at things in that barn and come in here and introduce me to the men you've hired."

He looks over at Jack and Michael, Jack doesn't seem too different but Michael is a bit odd in his cowboy clothes, "Ready?"

Comments

[luvs_yogurt]

Michael feels a bit different, but at least the shirt and jeans are familiar - worn but without holes. The boots, a brown cowhide vest and duster complete with a worn brown hat were all picked up from the bar... hopefully with William's approval because he honestly had no idea if it fit with the time enough or not.

After a deep breath, Michael shifts his duster forward to cover the pistol at his hip (another on loan, his were far too modern) and offers William a nod. "Ready."

[jack_f_twist]

Shit. Times ain't changed much, not for ranch stiffs, anyhow. Jack's standing a little off to one side, cigarette pinched between thumb and forefinger, blue eyes keen under the lowered brim of the Resistol. Hell, he didn't even have to change, not really; his old work clothes will work just fine out here, he bets, and ain't like anybody pays much attention to what a cowboy or a hired hand wears, not unless it's rodeo-fancy or brand-new, or both.

He's been kinda watching the other guy William brought along to help, and though he'd smiled and shook hands like he oughta, he's not sure what to think.

Well, nope. That's not it. He is sure what to think, but it ain't his herd and it ain't his call. William might be younger than him, but he's calling the shots, and Jack'll just have to put his head down and go with it, and hope to God or the devil this city boy don't get himself hurt, or worse.

Dropping the stub to the ground, he steps on it, spits, nods, hands easy on his hips.

"Lead the way, boss."

[not_his_pa]

He nods and leads the way into the house where Mark's getting dinner out and looks them over as does Alice, "This is Michael Westen and Jack Twist, Ma."

"Good to meet you. Now I'll be seeing that you're properly fed before you head out. You can bed down in the barn tonight and head off in the morning," She almost says something more but William is giving her a pleading look, she doesn't have to lecture the men he hired.

William and Alice sit down and there are two places for them, the food's simple just steak and vegetables with some bread.

[luvs_yogurt]

Michael had expected as much, he's dealt with many cultures where you don't refuse a meal or a roof over your head for the night, and you most certainly don't let your kid ride off with strangers. Still, it's a little unnerving to be introduced by his real name, he's gotten so used to jobs back home meaning that he's really somebody else - here, he's just himself pretending.

He watches the stranger, Jack, carefully - he's got a quiet strength to him that Michael can respect, but it doesn't leave room to get many impressions beyond the simple information he's put forth. Of course, he's been pretty damn quiet himself.

"Thank you, Ma'm." Michael nods, hanging his hat off the chair as he sits down - taking cue from William. "Much appreciated."

[jack_f_twist]

Jack reaches up, taps the brim of his hat with a smile that crooks, like he's been hit one too many times in the jaw and his smile's been permanently displaced. "Ma'am."

He follows the other two in, taking off his hat as he does, holding it up by his chest, and it's partly out of politeness, but partly because this guy Michael's been watching him, and it makes Jack about as antsy as a spooked colt.

Ever since it turned out Aguirre saw things he weren't never supposed to see, he's hated the idea of being watched, though he'd have to admit it's a little hypocritical of him, this time.

"Sure looks good, Missus Evans," he says, taking a chair and settling into it, wood creaking under his sturdy frame. "Appreciate it."

[not_his_pa]

Their politeness gets a firm nod from Alice as Mark does his best to seem like he's not staring then asks quickly, "Ma, couldn't one of them say Grace."

William looks over to Mark who gives him a quick smile. "I'd say one of them should, yes, Mark. Gentlemen, will one of you say Grace for us?"

Both the boys are small for their age, a little thin just like their mother. Mark's not sick anymore but he like William seems a bit serious for his age.

[luvs_yogurt]

He could do, he's said grace before - even as a child his mother required it. But here? It'd be cheating in front of William and he knows it. He finds himself hesitating and looks to Jack with a slightly tilted smile.

"I'll let you get this one, Mr. Twist."

His eyes give him away, he's sure of it, the blue shadowed with uncertainty.

[jack_f_twist]

He meets Michael's eyes for just a second, long enough to gauge that unsure look on his face, and it's not like he owes the guy a favor, or anything, but hell, he's said grace a thousand times in his life, ain't no skin off his back doing it again.

His grin flashes again, crooked and affable. "Ma'am, I'd be delighted."

...Course, he probably shoulda considered what an appropriate grace for the time period might be, and he's got no idea how William was raised. Ennis was Methodist, and Jack himself is, in theory, Protestant, though he ain't much of one.

Well, keeping it simple's always a good idea.

First, though, he bows his head, big, work-rough hands clasped together. "For what we are about to receive, may the Lord make us truly thankful," he says, sincere. "And we'd like to especially thank our gracious hostess, Missus Evans, and her family, for welcomin us into their home. Amen."

[not_his_pa]

They're Protestant because that's what the church in town is though Alice is more tied to it than they are.

William finds it harder to truly trust and believe in any god after Contention and the war but he and Mark both bow their heads to say amen.

Then they start eating as Alice smiles at them, "Now, William's told me a little about you. Mister Westen, apparently you're still pretty new to this Territory?"

[luvs_yogurt]

Michael swallows his first bite with a soft smile; "Yes ma'm."

He nods, drawing up the story he'd plotted back in Miami with Emma - unable to even keep his mind off work then.

"Been working on the rail - but originally from New York." He chuckles under his breath; "Been a long time since I been out that way."

[jack_f_twist]

Having said his piece, Jack keeps his head down and digs into the food, cutting at the steak and trying not to think about the fact that tomorrow he's gonna have to move a herd with the help of two boys and a guy so unused to riding he'll probably be unable to walk tomorrow night.

Well, it is what it is, and at least they're all three willing, and Michael seems quick and strong, if nothing else.

That story's a load of bullshit, though, and it don't sit right with Jack, though it's not like they can tell the truth. The guy can sure sell the Eastern city boy background, at least, considering that's what he is.

As long as they get the cattle moved, he'll consider it a success. Til then, no use in worrying about it.

[not_his_pa]

"Yes, Ma, I met him in town and helped him out. He's a good worker. Mr. Twist knows more about stock just ain't been in Arizona that much," This will work and William does his best to sound sure, he and Mark know what they're doing.

Michael's been practicing enough that he won't be holding them back. Mark grins and asks, "Do you know any detectives?"

"Mark, that's not a proper question for the table and rude to Mister Twist. What brought you our way?" He quiets under his mother's gaze but still smiles, he'll find out later. William reaches over to ruffle Mark's hair, which gets a laugh.

[luvs_yogurt]

Michael smiles at the younger brother and nods slightly, looking back to Jack with one eye as he slowly picks at his veggies.

The food is good, hearty and homey. Reminds him of the stuff his mom used to make - simple and decent (because when it gets more advanced things get a little hairy... and cigarettey).

Morning

[not_his_pa]

In the morning, William knocks at the door of the barn,

"There's coffee and some biscuits before we head out."

Re: Morning

[luvs_yogurt]

Michael wakes easily, a little bleary but still functional - offering Jack a near-smile before getting up and taking up his blanket.

"Coffee sounds perfect," he mutters - following William back to the house.

Re: Morning

[jack_f_twist]

Jack yawns, jaw-cracking, wide and windy, eyes squeezing closed before he runs a palm over his face, feeling the morning's scruff there.

"Shit," he mutters, levers himself up like he's trying to figure out how all his joints work.

Mornings. He's never cared for them.

Coffee's good, though, and so are biscuits, so he grabs his hat, glances over to check on the horses, then follows the others, the savory scent of breakfast floating in the air and pulling him along.

Re: Morning

[not_his_pa]

Inside there's a simple pretty and lots of coffee as the boys go over supplies.

William's eating a biscuit as he packs up some saddlebags.

Re: Morning

[luvs_yogurt]

Michael's had coffee on every continent and even another universe (and really, Tommy's coffee could strip an engine block) but very little can compare to the bitter bite of what's in the cup that's poured out for him. Not bad, just the sort that Sam would say puts hair on his chest.

"I'm ready to head out when you are, William." He murmurs after half the cup's gone with most of a biscuit. "Mind telling us a little about the terrain ahead, though?"

Re: Morning

[jack_f_twist]

Jack's set to with a cup of his own and a biscuit he sticks in his mouth as he takes up another bag and goes through the contents, checking and double-checking supplies. Rope, bullets for the rifle he's got strapped to his saddle, some strips of jerky, gloves, so on. He goes through it all, packs it back up carefully, including the battered harmonica that gets placed tenderly on top.

Re: Morning

[not_his_pa]

He nods before kissing his mother goodbye, she's fussing over Mark who sighs before they're with the horses.

Then everything's getting packed up as he says, "Ain't too different from what's around her, we'll be goin' around the railroad before we reach Contention but not through the tunnel they finally finished."

"That's where Doc Potter died?" Mark asks from where he's saddling his horse.

"Yeah, I told you that but we're not takin' that short cut cause we've never needed to. Mark, you take care of the string. Jack, you and I'll be on the sides and Michael, near, keep any strays from gettin' loose."

It's not a big herd, only about seventy at the most and both boys have rifles on their saddles.

Re: Morning

[luvs_yogurt]

Michael trusts the strange horse a good deal less than Duncan, but approaches it with the same openness he's taken with the horse he'd been training with. "Hey there, fella... what's your name?"

There's no sugar cubes or apples with him this time, he knows it's a crutch to get the animal to trust you, but he's hoping a few gentle strokes over his broad nose will help things along.

"I'll, uh, keep on eye out." He looks to William, eyes wide before tilting his head toward Mark - hopefully making it clear just where his primary focus will be. Watching Mark, William, and even Jack. He's there more for them than the cattle.

Re: Morning

[jack_f_twist]

"Don't got a name," Jack grunts from where he's saddling his own horse. "Bought these two off Missus Reynolds a while back. That one there belongs to a friend a mine, but he ain't never named him."

Ennis' unnamed gelding is well-trained and quiet, though, the kind of dependable cow pony that could probably move this herd mainly on its own. Jack's mare is a little more energetic, and he swears as she dances around beneath his hands, making him work to secure his rifle and saddlebags, tighten the cinch.

Everything tightened and in place, he swings up into the saddle with an easy motion, the mare turning beneath him until he clucks and urges her toward the mass of cattle.

Seventy steers; ain't a problem. Not after herding a thousand sheep up a mountainside.

Re: Morning

[not_his_pa]

Once William sees they're all set, he starts them going, the cattle low and moo but don't act up.

At least not yet, but for a good part of the drive, they're on fairly level ground and following the road.

Re: Morning

[luvs_yogurt]

The horse moves easily underneath him as Michael lets William set pace - keeping himself within sight of the brothers and occasionally checking back on Jack.

It's a nice out, cooler than he expected in Arizona and with more green. Scanning the area with his usual high awareness, he can't help but be a little edgy - as though waiting for something to happen even though he's told himself it's not Miami. There's nothing here that wants to hurt any of them.

Re: Morning

[jack_f_twist]

It ain't bad out, that's sure enough, and Jack reaches into his saddlebag, pulls out a bandana to tie around his neck for when it's bound to get dusty later on. For now, though, the sky's clear and the cattle are behaving. Beneath him, the mare heads easily along, making him sway in the saddle like he's sitting in one of the rocking chairs at Milliways.

He communicates with the mare by a string of chirps and whistles, making her ears prick up, swivel back, as he rides her along the outer edge of the herd.