TY   Hm?

TY   Oh! ‘s jus’ you.

Before you muster the words to speak, she's facing you, far closer than she was previously. You jolt backwards, behind the wall of the building you were standing intently behind. Not much use in it now, since she's seen you. But it offers some protection, regardless.

AR   ...

AR   sheriff.

You cough and right yourself.

AR   you have a good eye.

TY   Haw!

TY   And you must’a also forgot who you’re sneakin’ up on.

TY   Don'tcha know I've got the sharpest eyes south'a th' Rockies?

TY   Y'better thank th' heavens I didn't think of'ya as a threat!

TY   A short distance 'tween me an' m' holster.

She winks, making one of those... pointing motions with her hand. A gun made out of two fingers. It never fails to make your shoulders stiffen.

TY   Pch-eeew.

TY   Shot dead ‘fore you could even blink.

TY   Haw haw!

TY   Got’sta be quicker on th’ draw, partner. ~*

Your clamp your mouth shut. You would never let yourself be victim to such things, and you only put yourself in such a position because... well, there is no other way to speak with her. She's never lurking in the periphery, where interaction would be made much simpler.

AR   right.

AR   i'll remember that.

She peers behind you, as if expecting to see you with company. Or a gift, perhaps.

TY   Anywho, what’re you doin’ ‘ere?

TY   ‘s somethin’ wrong? Your people doin’ alright?

AR   no. they're fine.

You find yourself glancing around as well. This late in the evening, just on the cusp of night, the streets here are littered with company. But no eyes linger on you, none but hers. And even that can be too intense, sometimes.

AR   i wanted... to check in.

TY   Huh. Y'did?

TY   Doesn't seem much like'ya, t'be frank.

TY   But I can't claim t' know you from yer ways either.

TY   I wouldn't know yer gullet from yer concho.

AR   my what?

TY   's a figure'a speech!

TY   One I made up jus' now.

TY   But real ones know what I mean. ~*

She offers you a crooked smile. The stalk of wheat she's chewing on dangles playfully.

AR   back on the subject.

AR   how is the town?

TY   Well, we're all right as can be, I ‘spose. ~*

TY   Hope t' get some good rain this comin' week.

TY   An' th' town's ace high, as always.

TY   All thanks t' m'folks. Can't take all th' credit.

TY   Y' caught us on a busy night, y'know.

TY   Y'coulda sauntered up t' any'a them, not just me. Y'tried that?

You shake your head. She purses her lips.

TY   Why not?

AR   i know you.

TY   All th' more reason t' chat up some new faces!

AR   ...

AR   no.

TY   Shucks. What'sa matter w' you?

TY   Y'can't scuttle 'round in mystery f'rever!

TY   'Specially when you're tryin' t' do a good 'check-in'.

TY   Y'know these people recognize you by now, right?

TY   An' only through my good will they don't scurry off like a stray bull came through town.

AR   that's good for their safety.

AR   but they don't have to get any more familiar than that.

TY   I'd believe you if yer applejack self weren't th' one comin' here!

TY   I may know the goin's-on, but people like a face t' a name, y'know.

AR   ...

AR   they have you.

You barely get the words out with a half-hearted mumble. She groans.

TY   I mean your name, y'lockjaw.

As if in emphasis, she leans in and knocks your chin. You startle a little, taking a step or so back. You always forget how you have to protect your personal space around this one.

TY   Give yourself some credit, Woody!

TY   I've seen th' way your folks go on 'bout you.

AR   my folks?

TY   Pineford's a way's 'way, but yer not the only thing that travels.

TY   I've even heard stories'a your lil' public appearances!

TY   They love ya.

TY   So, what's wi' all th' coffee boilin'? Why shirk all that?

You exhale.

AR   it's too much. usually.

TY   Like, how?

TY   Like a horse that's buckin' too hard?

AR   like too many horses around you. talking to you.

AR   tugging at your clothes and taking you places.

AR   it's a lot. and...

AR   i'd rather just watch.

That's your specialty, after all.

TY   Huh. I didn' consider it that way.

TY   Different strokes, I reckon.

TY   But I still don't get it.

TY   They got these new-fangled things called letters.

TY   Maybe a telly-gram if yer feelin' fancy.

TY   If you're a watcher, then why'd'ya come all th' way out here?

TY   Jus' t' talk t' this here sheriff?

AR   ...

TY   ...

TY   Haw.

She snorts and elbows you rather roughly.

TY   Don't need t' say a thing. I got'cha.

TY   Y'may not be the sweetest lil' treat, but y'got a nice tart.

TY   An' I 'ppreciate y' swingin' by. ~*

You adjust your cloak and clear your throat.

AR   i should be going.

AR   is there anything you need me to deliver?

AR   to them.

TY   Shoot. The folks all th' way over there?

TY   Well.

TY   Haw! Y' really put me on the spot, now.

TY   I got’sa lot’sta say, really. And yet, so li’l, now that I’m thinkin’ ‘bout it.

TY   How ‘bout I figure it out once I take a trip o’er there myself?

TY   Then it’ll mean somethin’. ~*

AR   that'd be great.

AR   they'll love to see you.

TY   'Course. Not like I'm confined t' this lil' joint, now, aren't I?

Even as dim twilight makes its way into the air, that award-winning smile glows. She can't see all the little movement you can, especially in the dark. But she doesn't have to. She feels it, innately. A sheriff in touch with her land.

TY   We all gotta do our part. In our own ways, I reckon.