⠀
used to be a soldier —— now he collects souls for the 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒍, until he remembers his name ; name he forgot in the battlefield.
he's a drifter now, passing through towns. a nameless and quiet man with his dog Abbie & his horse, Lady.
⠀
He spoke quietly, in a rough tone. Raising his head to look at her, he shook his head.
“No one should go. It's —”
He quieted down, shaking his head once.
“Just don't say that, please.”
He looked at himself and then at Abbie, registering her words, yet not understanding what she meant. It was too awkward of a moment for him.
“I . . . I'm sorry.”
He spoke quietly, averting his gaze. Men wouldn't usually disappear in wars, not like him . . .
“Don't say that.” —
She was so unbothered by anything that she rested her body against the wall, listening to the man as if there wasn't anything better in the world for her to do - and, well, in fact, there wasn't. Not in that forgotten corner of the USA.
"Oh, that? I'm alright,
+
He smirked playfully, following her in slow steps, listening to Abbie's nails ticking against the wood board floor.
Calmly, he put the plates in the sink and stepped back, looking at her. Still, he wouldn't walk away, ready to help her.
For a moment, everything felt familiar.
He wasn't used to those words. Was it a pity he was going ? So he was . . . Wanted there ? What a strange feeling he had so suddenly.
Turning to look at her in a half smile, the man shrugged softly. He wouldn't forget her so easily, that was a fact.
“Secret base, eh ?” —
Her smile faded a bit upon hearing the man saying Abbie and him would be going away tomorrow. So soon, already. . .
But, maybe, he had more important things to do. No one in their right mind would stay on that terrible city. . . Even she wanted out.
"What a pity. . ."
+
He barely registered her words, blinking softly.
“Thanks.”
He repeated, still awkward about it, looking briefly around before staring at her again.
“I, uh . . . You sure you wanna stay here ? I mean . . .”
He was relaxed— so relaxed that her sudden presence startled him, making the man grasp the sides of the tub he was in, a little nervous. She shouldn't be there and see him . . . Like that. The man swallowed and blinked awkwardly.
“Uh . . . Thanks.” —
She was by the room on the side, making a comfy bed for him. Near it was a basket covered with a pillow and a clean piece of cloth - a plate of water was close, too. The linens smelled nice - she had just taken them all from the sun.
Satisfied by how the room was
+
“On that we agree . . .”
He smiled briefly, looking at Abbie and smiled widely at Mary-Anne, just admiring her. She was suddenly getting too close to him and that was scary . . . Yet good.
“Yeah, well, too bad we're going tomorrow . . . I'd love to stay and eat more of your —
"She's smart. She'll learn new ones. . . Abbie deserves all the spoiling."
Admiring the dog wagging her tail, Mary looked at the man and felt her face slightly warmer upon hearing his positive comments.
"You're too kind, sir. Missed having people to cook for here-
+
food. Best food I ate in years.”
The man let out a throaty chuckle, adjusting himself on his chair.
“No, I'm good . . . I'll help you with these.”
Suddenly, he felt like doing something, anything to keep his mind busy and not thinking too much. —
He spoke playfully, watching them both in a hint of a smile. Abbie ate happily, wagging her tail and he finished his meal, offering a small nod at her.
“You cook very well, ma'am. Thanks for the food.”
He cleared his throat briefly, trying to not stare at her too much.
“Mhm.”
Another grunt in response came as he ate slowly, doing his best to look presentable for her. After all, she was a lady and he may not know how to talk anymore, but he knew how to behave, at least.
“Gonna spoil that girl. She'll forget her only trick.” —
"He does. Too much."
Mary softly mused, her eyes seemingly too much interested on Abbie.
It was a lovely dog, indeed.
The young lady tried to not think about Gilly pissing everyone off or acting like he owned the town - how could Ellen marry such a dumbass?
+
“Yeah, I don't really like trouble. He does seem too used to play around too, though.”
He mused, eating slowly. Nodding once at her, the man admired her beaming that way—— she was so full of life . . . So kind in a rotten world. The thought made him grunt.
“Mutch obliged.” —
"He played around and found out. That's well deserved. . . For all he did here, also."
Mary mumbled, watching gleefully how they both ate - and a bit of pride took her heart upon seeing so.
"That's a honor, sir."
She beamed, adjusting her apron.
"You both
+
He watched her peeking and beaming at them and that made him feel something strange-- but not bad inside him.
"Thank you, ma'am."
He nodded once, walking up the stairs with the dog in front of him. Funny enough, Abbie jumped to her bath, which made him shake his head. +
While getting a tube and a tin ready for both guests, Mary-Ann happily sang something. It was the first time in a while that the hotel received guests; and they were so interesting. . .
She put the hotel's best soap bars for them - along with a drop of
+
"Hey, you'll make it all wet and give the lady more work, behave."
The man spoke softly at the dog and took off his clothes to enter the tub, happy for a bath in . . . God knows how long. It smelled nice, too, a smell he never felt before and almost instantly associated to +