{open party post | who is the tall, dark stranger there?}

[tubemods]

The sun rises on another day in Devil's Creek, painting the night sky a burnt orange and the edges of clouds a pale yellow. Although not a large town by any stretch of the imagination, the early morning hours are the most quiet it will ever see. The night's chill still holds close to the dirt, keeping people inside, tucked away in their beds.

A perfect time for a return.

Three horses, three riders with one less rider than they left with come into town at quiet trots. Anyone awake this hour and foolish enough to look outside their window may recognize the silhouettes, but most are smart enough to leave it be. The riders don't linger long, going their separate ways in town. A long, low howl of wind whipping through the distant gorge signals the night's work is done.

In a few hours, the sleepy town awakens. It's a busy day today. Although the general goods store is always there and always open for business, shipments and other businesses from the city have arrived today for some trade and everyone could use a few supplies they won't get for another couple of months. By the time everyone has set up their carriages and stalls, the sun has climbed into the sky, warming the city's dusty town square as well as its streets and alleys.

There also seems to be the arrival of some more new faces this morning and to these outsiders, there seems to be something that's going without saying among the natives. It's the same thing they've thought of the other newcomers to their little town over the past couple of days.

Old Nibbles might just have a feast in its near future.

Comments

[instinct]

Neither does Derek, so they're even there. He swims a little closer to the bank, looking up at her. There's an easy topic-change, and it's the fact that he was swimming for pleasure earlier, but that time has passed, and now it's solely for modesty.

"Don't s'pose you'd be willing to turn your back so as I can dress?"

[callszombiebullshit]

"Oh." She lets out a laugh. "Sure, sure. Done teasing you."

Zoey turns away and focuses on checking the horse's saddle even though she checked it not long ago. It gives her something to do while she waits.

[instinct]

"Thank you kindly."

His voice is a little tight as he climbs up out of the water, shakes himself off, and uses his tshirt to dry of the worst of it before pulling on some damn pants. Though he keeps his back to her all through it, not wanting to know if she sneaks a peek, the back of his neck hot.

Once he's got a shirt over his shoulders, he says: "All right, I think my modesty's preserved," with a wry lilt to his tone, fingers buttoning the shirt up.

[callszombiebullshit]

She probably would have sneaked a peek, but she thought he was facing her and he'd catch her.

"Yes? Can't have my delicate sensibilities flustered." She turns around and tips up the brim of her hat a little. "I'd better get back to town. Enjoy turning your clean face up at God and whatnot."

[instinct]

"Good luck finding work," Derek replies grudgingly, giving her a nod, since he's not currently wearing a hat. "I'll see you 'round, Zoey." Which he means to be friendly, but it probably just sounds ominous with his stoic face.

[callszombiebullshit]

She squints a little, trying to work out whether he means it or if he's taking a jab, but despite his grumpy demeanor she thinks he's on the level. So she nods and moves to mount her horse.

"See you, Hale." And off she rides back to town.