The Cowboy's a conundrum

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After Callahan's interaction with the strange feller, he had decided to head north, following the exact same path he had once before. Except this time, there were no wagons to carry his family or scouts running ahead to make sure the area was safe. Instead, he went on his lonesome, hoping to find a place to call home.

What the outlaw didn't expect to find was a place that was eerily reminiscent of the past. The valley was cut down the center by a winding river, with small cascades following the lay of the land. The vast forest of conifers loom along the edge, protecting the meadow from the outside. Now this would be perfect, if there were no strangers already here. With that thought in mind, Callahan got to explorin' the forest closest to him.

Callahan prowled through the brush, large body pushing aside low-hanging branches and thick mushes as he crept along. He kept himself low, his movements precise and predatory in case of an attack. His old ways warned him of bears that called these places home and the rare buck that would attempt to gore him if it had the chance. “You from 'round 'ere?” He asked, olive eyes narrowing as he looked over the canid. Was it a dog? It looked like one, but these days, he learned not to assume. But it looked just like some of the strays he'd seen on the off chance he was in town. Callahan kept his distance from the stranger, muscles taut beneath his thick coat, prepared for an attack. He may have become a beast, but those instincts never do leave a man.

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Callahan couldn't make heads or tails of the man, but he no longer thought him a threat. If anything, he was the threat. Callahan felt bad comin' at the man the way he did. “Alright.” He nodded, his eyes trailin' to the right to avoid starin'. “You travelin' these parts alone?” He spoke softer, gentler, than he had in months. He almost took on the tone he used with the girls, though it felt as if he were pullin' teeth.

Callahan didn't want to seem too eager in his recruitment, but he was simply curious. He may be a ruthless killer, but his heart bled for those who did not have a family to call their own. The man before him seemed lost, just as he did when they took him out of that orphanage. Just as he had taken Reed out of that cabin after his parents were murdered by that good for nothing gang. Cal could still remember having to pick the kid up from the floor and putting him on Tex before taking him to camp.

His vision focused on the way the man refused to move, just like Reed had, almost afraid to. “Ain't safe loungin' out here like that.” Cal muttered, talkin' to him as he would a cornered animal.

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Cal could really only look down at the odd looking canine, but he did wonder why he were out here alone. “If you're sure.” Callahan wasn't quite in agreement but who was he to continue pressin'? At the small words of gratitude, Cal's brows rose. “Uhm, sure.” He was always a man of few words, just a muscle for Levi, never a talker. Just a presence that was brought along when Levi wanted something and couldn't talk them into it.

Callahan's features softened as he thought on the man's question. How would he tell him that the danger was sittin' right in front of him? Cal hasn't had to unearth his old ways, thankfully. But he knew if he needed to, he'd handle the issue at hand. “I wouldn't say dangerous, but I do plan on settlin' here soon and I was scouting the area when I found ya.” Cal did wonder if he were possibly uncomfortable around him, especially with the cowboy loomin' over him.

With a twitch of the ears, Cal lowered himself to a seated position, pale eyes curiously looking over the stranger. He had another scent clingin' to him like a coat, and that had answered the question brewin' in Cal's mind. He weren't alone, and the idea put Callahan on edge. He'd left Miss Bunny alone, and now he knew another feller were prowlin' about the valley. What a damn day.

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misc skill ; outrider

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cal allowed his gaze to trail along the brush, noting the various berries scattered along the earth. either the man before him was scarfin’ down berries or a bear was in the area. from what he remembered seein’ out here, there were plenty of places for a bear the call home.

“ain’t a problem. we just got here a few days ago, so our scent ain’t that strong. you ain’t a trespasser, partner.” he tried to calm the man’s worries, mainly cause he wouldn’t know what to do if he began to panic. cal could still remember reed’s first attack, and just how powerless he was to help.

cal’s eyes turned back to the man at his question. “no, brought a woman along.” callahan allowed a shadow of a smile to appear at the mention of the lady who was waiting back at camp. “you're both welcome to come to our camp. not a lot of friendly folk down south.” cal thought back to one of his first encounters here and felt it his responsibility to warn the man. “if y’all need a place to rest, i don’t think miss bunny would mind havin’ ya’ll. just so long as you’re not lookin’ for trouble.” cal may be too trustin’ but the man didn’t strike him as dangerous. and whoever ran with him couldn’t be either, so where’s the harm in invitin’ them to their camp?

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“not a problem.” cal allowed a smile to appear in return to the man's smile and small wag of his tail. he were a good kid, shy but good. a lot like miss kate back home—kind, shy, and a bit timid. it warmed his heart a bit and reluctantly, made him want to help the man. “we're happy to offer a place in camp, just holler when you're close.”

“not a problem, partner. just remember to be safe 'round here, never know what's out there.” he smiled before walkin' off into the brush.

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yes and yes <3 can try to shoot something this weekend !
also cal is gonna call Boone kid cause man is older than he actually is LOL

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