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 stop 'tween me an' m' holster.

She winks, making one of those... pointing motions with her hand. A gun made out of two fingers.

TY   Pch-eeew.

TY   Shot dead ‘fore you could even blink.

It's a harmless gesture, though it never fails to make you flinch.

TY   Haw haw!

TY   How d'ya still get so stiff? Ain't they got guns over there?

AR   i'd rather not get used to them.

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

TY   Or else, you'll find yerself on th' wrong end'a one.

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.

It's smart, when you think about it. By standing in the spotlight, you lure people out of th eshadows.

AR   right.

AR   i'll remember that.

She peers behind you, as if expecting to see you with company.

TY   Anywho, what’re you doin’ ‘ere?

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

AR   no. they're fine.

AR   aside from the usual clamor and gossip.

AR   it's definitely busier here than it is here.

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.

AR   how about your people?

AR   are they doing alright?

TY   Huh. What's got yer lasso twisted?

TY   Don't tell me y'came all th' way here jus' t' check in.

AR   ...

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.

TY   Anywho, when it comes to th' town...

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

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

TY   Hoo, we could really use it!

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   you're here.

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

AR   ...

AR   no.

Now it's her turn to shake her head.

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 'check-in'.

TY   Y'know th' good people can spy yer face by now, right?

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

AR   that's good.

TY   Don't look too pleased, y'hermit.

AR   i mean for their safety.

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

TY   I'd believe you if yer whole 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.

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.

AR   they don't have to be familiar with me.

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.

AR   ...

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. No need get too close to anything with your eyes.

TY   Huh. Didn't consider it that way.

TY   Different strokes, I reckon.

TY   But I still don't get it.

TY   They got these new-fangled what-nots these days. Called letters.

TY   Maybe a telegram if yer feelin' fancy.

TY   If yer a watcher, then why'd'ya come all th' way out t' th' fields?

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, Appleseed,

TY   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. at pineford.

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

TY   Well...

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

TY   I got lots'ta 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.

TY   In our own ways, I reckon.