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Jesse's smile only widened at her statement, a soft chuckle escaping him and he tightened the hold around her as he'd reply.

"I'd like to see you throw a punch, darlin'. Ever even done that before?" he teased her, squeezing her arm. She sure didn't seem like the type to throw hands, but one could never be too sure. "and don't you go climbing any cliffs for a while. I'd like to keep seein' your pretty face around."

eleanoriviesjournal

Eleanor felt warmed by his statement, his arms wrapped tightly around her, helping her feel some measure of safety. Her hand was placed on his knee, slightly stroking him.

“I know I may not look it but I have thrown a punch once or twice, my father taught me how to protect myself in a brawl.” She paused for a moment, thinking of her father brought memories that made her sad. But she didn’t reveal that sadness to Jesse, not for now anyways.

“And I promise on my heart that I won’t climb cliffs any time soon.” She made the motion of an x over her heart.

jesse-rivers

Jesse watched her speak and raised his eyebrow slightly at the mention of her father. “Mighty progressive daddy you got yourself there, darlin’. Ain’t everyday a father will actually teach their daughters how to defend themselves.” His usual smile had begun showing itself on his lips again and he squeezed her arm, the teasing tone of voice that often accompanied his words back on his tongue. “Maybe you ain’t in need of a man to protect you, then.” He teased her.

eleanoriviesjournal

Eleanor laughed, pulling her legs closer to her for warmth. “My father was a different man.” She mused softly before shaking her head.

“I’ve been on my own since I was eighteen, I know I can handle myself but I don’t mind the company.” She presses against him a little in a teasing manner.

“Plus having an extra gun and pair of hands is nice, gets the job done quicker.”

jesse-rivers

Jesse smirked at that comment, pushing lightly against her shoulder in retaliation. "I'd be a damn idiot to say no to be extra hands, sweetheart. Especially for someone like you." he offered her a playful wink, his troubles momentarily forgotten in the wonderful distraction that she was.

"You should go to sleep though, hun. Kept you awake long enough." he shifted slightly to face her properly, his hands finding the spot where her collarbone met her shoulders to push her downward.

eleanoriviesjournal

With a reluctant sigh, she allowed herself to be pushed down onto the bedroll. She looked at him with concern but she knew it was useless to argue with him.

“Okay Jesse..” she said with yawn, not bothering to fight back her own urge to sleep. “Wake me if you need me.”

With that, her body quickly succumbed to sleep, she was curled up on her side, the blanket covered half her face. Her breathing was gentle and she barely moved, except for the slight hum or heavy sigh.

~~~~~

Morning did come, illuminating these sky in bright colors as the sun rose. The area was covered in a thick mist, sun rays peeled through the tent flaps. The light had quickly woken up Eleanor as she blearily looked around. Recalling everything from last night, her body ached.. especially in a certain area.

She lifted her head, looking around to find Jesse, only to see that she was alone in the tent.

Taking a moment for her privacy, she quickly dressed. New shirt waist and fitted blue pants, she strapped on her suspenders and quickly brushed her hair and pulled it back quickly into a braided crown style with the shorter pieces framing her face. Once she was done, she packed up her items and bedroll before stepping out of the tent, tired eyes squinting as they adjusted to the sun.

eleanoriviesjournal

Eleanor practically beamed at the sight of him, her heart fluttering at his greeting. She approached him, setting herself down next to him, her stuff at her feet and accepted his offer of coffee. While she didn’t particularly care for coffee, she didn’t want to refuse something from a man like Jesse.

“Good morning to you too, how can I resist such an offer from a handsome gentleman.” Her voice chipper and she sipped at her coffee, despite the taste she relished in its warmth.

“I know this is rather unexpected but if you still want to work with me, I must head out soon, a friend of mine will be waiting for me by the Valentine train station. He likes to help me find treasure sometimes, when he isn’t doing his.. other work.” She sounded very vague on her last words.

“His name is Cain.” She continued, giving him a humored smile. “He’s an odd fellow but has a nose for treasure.” She tapped her nose in emphasis. Taking a rather big gulp of her coffee.

“I’ll help pack up your camp.” She offered.

jesse-rivers

Jesse smiled as she accepted the offer of coffee but raised his eyebrow in slight confusion. "Friend of yours, huh?" he raised his own glass to his lips and downed the last drops of coffee before setting the cup by the fire.

"You know I'll go with you, sweetheart, but he better be nice." his voice held it's usual tone of tease but just a touch of genuine seriousness gave him away. "Do I dare ask what other work he does? Sounds like a serious feller." he'd snicker as he stomped out the bonfire and went to pack his modest tent away.

eleanoriviesjournal

Eleanor giggled, this man was an enigma to her. He was playful and teasing but he genuinely wanted to know if Cain was nice to her, he was nice enough to most people, if they didn’t pry too much.

“You’ll see for yourself,” she said, she had learned quickly that Cain spoke for himself. She didn’t want to outright say to this man she was still getting to know that her friend had a colorful history.

“And I am glad you are coming along, I promise that this will be a better pay out than on that cliff there.”

After packing everything up, Eleanor make sure to scour the csmpnquicky for missing items before guiding Jesse back to Valentine, the sleepy livestock town.

Fortunately, the train station was on the edge of town. No train was pulled in during this time, slowing her horse down, she looked for any sign of her friend. She checked her pocket watch, she was on time, a little early in fact. But there was no sight of Cain, she began to wonder if he forgot, which wasn’t like him... he had the memory of an elephant.

“Cain should be here by now..” she spoke out loud mainly to herself but she looked back at Jesse, shrugging a little.

A sudden chili went up her spine as some people over by the station talked in hushed words. They were looking past her as something.. or someone.

Turning around, from the west side entrance on an impressive black horse, A man also dressed in black. He wore a stalker cape a dusty looking shotgun coat, a leather bandolier with silver bullets gleaming in the sun along with an arsenal of weapons.

When he stopped his horse just in front of Eleanor, he lifted his head to her. His silver beard was clipped short and he wore an eyepatch over his right eye. Broad of shoulders and by the height of his horse, one would assume he was tall and strong.

“Eleanor.” He greeted, his voice was gravely and deep with age. He did not look at Jesse yet, only to her.

“Hello Cain.” Eleanor greeted warmly, “Good to see you again.”

He didn’t respond, instead his good eye looked over to Jesse. Studying him for a long moment before looking to Eleanor once more.

“New friend?”

“Why yes!” Eleanor said with a bloom of color in her cheek, Cain didn’t need to know the details. She gestured to Jesse.

“Jesse Rivers, meet Cain Everhart.”

Cain tipped his hat to Jesse in wordless salutations. Eleanor felt nervous, most people didn’t like Cain at first. So she wondered how Jesse would feel about him.

jesse-rivers

Jesse's eyebrows were raised in cold assessment, his eyes briefly wandering over the older man before a cocky half smile would appear on his lips. "Mr. Everhart." he nodded very briefly in return. Eleanor moght very well be acquainted with this man, but Jesse sure as hell wasn't.

"Older than I reckond you'd be." he commented, eyebrows still raised and his arms crossing as he'd lean his weight on one foot. This man seemed to be the exact opposite of Eleanor. Stoic, brooding, im contrast to her sweet friendliness.

eleanoriviesjournal

Cain hadn’t bothered with getting off his horse, he stared at Jesse, a slight smirk on his lip before turning his attention to Eleanor. Completely unfazed by his comment.

“You ready?” He asked.

Eleanor nodded “of course,” she mounted her horse, turning her around to head out of town.

“It’ll be a bit of a ride but I predict we shall reach the spot by midday. Follow me gentleman!”

She kicked her horse into walk, her eyes turned away from them. Cain’s attention then turned back to Jesse, he gestured for him to get on his horse.

“After you son.” there was a slyness to his eye as he put emphasis on his last word.

jesse-rivers

"No need for cute nicknames, sir." he stressed the last word as he put his foot in the stirrup of his snow-white Kladruber, swinging his leg over its back and positioning himself correctly in his saddle. The spurs of his shoes dug into the steed, pushing it forward to match Eleanor's trot.

"You some kinda big fancy deal, then?" He watched Cain with clear distaste as they rode. The man carried himself like he was silently aware that the world was his for the taking, and Jesse knew this was going to be a damned interesting ride if nothing else.

eleanoriviesjournal

Eleanor heard the banter between Jesse and Cain, she halted her horse to allow them to catch up to her. Her brow is raised but there is a smile on her lips.

“Cain, why don’t you take up the front. I’ll guide you.”

Cain followed her order, spurring his horse and he passed by Jesse, casting a smirk to Jesse.

“I am a big deal.” He said only loud enough for Jesse to hear, he looked away and forward as he took the front. Eleanor in between the two men.

“Ride next to me Jesse?” She asked sweetly.

jesse-rivers

Jesse held back an eyeroll with all his damned might, managing a smile at Eleanor's request. Her acquaintance sure was something else..

"Nothing I'd rather do, darlin'." his sours6dove into the sides od his horse, motioning her forward until Eleanor and himself rode side by side. "Now, I ain't tryin' to be rude, but who in the hell is your daddio up there, hun? Got an attitude, don't he?"

eleanoriviesjournal

She looked towards the man who rode silently in front of her before looking back to Jesse. She should’ve guessed that they wouldn’t get a long, most people didn’t like Cain.

“He’s a rough sort of fellow,” Eleanor smiled tiredly “but he’s a good man deep down, he saved my life and a friendship happened after that. But even I wonder why he still tolerates.”

She sighed, she knew that she had to tell Jesse about Cain if he hadn’t figured it out already.

“He’s an outlaw, practically Legendary.” She then lowered her voice “he’s the leader of the gang ‘The Everharts’.”

jesse-rivers

Jesse blew a low whistle, his eyes briefly finding the man in front of them before returning to Eleanor. “Shit.. The Everharts?” The brief unhindered awe that occupied his expression was replaces with his eyebrows raising and a slight smirk finding his lips. “Had no idea you ran with big-time gangs like that, princess. You’re really tougher than you seem, ain’t you?” He snickered. “Gotta say I never expected to run into the leader of that gang just like that.”

eleanoriviesjournal

“Oh no, I am not apart of his gang!” Eleanor clarifies, her hands raised a little. “I have never met the rest of his gang... he travels solo a lot.”

Eleanor sighed, her eyes downcasted to her hands as she lowered them. “I am grateful for his friendship regardless of his origins.”

She then looked to Jesse, he reminded her of Cain in a lot of ways. A tough man with guarded secrets, she smiled at him warmly.

“As I am grateful of your friendship.” If she would call it that, her cheeks flushed again in remeberance of last night. She wasn’t sure what would become between them but she was happy to know him.

jesse-rivers

Jesse smirked at the blush creeping up on her cheeks, understanding the images that likely came to her mind. "Oh, we're real good friends, ain't we sweetheart?"

He was well aware that blatantly flirting with her like this in front of Everhart might land him in some hot water. And honestly? He hoped it would. "We know each other real well by now." His voice was laced with smug tease as he barely watched the road in favor of looking at her.

eleanoriviesjournal

She swallowed nervously at his teasing tone, she smiled but her eyes averted him and looked down towards her hands for a moment before looking forward.

Cain hadn’t bothered to stop or make any sort of comment, she continued to ride his fine steed in silence. But as if sensing her stare, he looked over his shoulder at them with a deep frown.

“Ya’ll done with the flirtin?” He asked, “it’ll be dark by the time your done yappin.”

jesse-rivers

A smug smile crept onto Jesse's lips at the reprimand. "I could go on a lot longer, mr. Everhart. Ain't ever been known to stop while there's still shit to do."

His teasing of Eleanor at this point was honestly as much for his and Eleanor's own fun as it was for the opportunity to probably rile the older man up. The two damned best ways to have fun in this world.

eleanoriviesjournal

Cain roller his eyes and mumbled something about kids before spurring his horse into a canter, Eleanor looked to Jesse, shaking her head at his antics towards Cain. She just hoped they wouldn’t kill each other.

“Come on Jesse!” Eleanor laughed “let’s keep pace.”

She rode a head of Cain and Jesse, guiding the way to where the possible treasure was.

———

Cain eyes the young man that joined them, it wasn’t unusual for Eleanor to make a new friend and he trusted her judgement. But right away, this young man reminded him too much of himself.

He slowed his horse down, stopping in front of Jesse and giving him a mean eye. Eleanor was family to him, he had to let this youngster know that.

“I don’t know who you are kid,” he said roughly, “but one wrong move to her, and I won’t hesitate to make you disappear.”

jesse-rivers

Jesse's horse came to a halt with an unsatisfied neigh as Cain blocked her path. His eyebrows would rise and his head would cock to the side in a gesture that signalled he did not fear the older man before him.

"See that you do, old man," he began, his voice slightly lowered in hopes of Eleanor not hearing too much of it. "'cause if I ever go crazy enough to hurt a sweetheart like her, I deserve to go six feet under."

eleanoriviesjournal

Cain looked ar Jesse for a long time, and unreadable expression on his face before a slight smirk touched his lips. Shaking his head, he turned his horse to allow Jesse to pass.

“You got that right.” He promised.

Eleanor from up ahead had stopped her horse and called to them.

“Come one gentleman, we haven’t a moment loose!”

Eleanor lead them through the valley of the hinterlands and into the mountain trails of the East grizzlies, using the map as a guide. It was amicable with some good conversation, Cain kept his attention mostly on Eleanor with slight glances with his good eye to Jesse.

The young man that reminded too much of himself. Even shared a likeness when he was his age, Cain in fact didn’t get a bad feeling from the kid but he did notice that Jesse had a problem with him. Humored by it, he couldn’t help the urge to pester the young man a little.

At the halfway point towards the maps destination, Cain looked at Jesse once more who rode close to Eleanor. A wicked smirk flickered across this lips as he he eyed the young man.

“You skilled a gun there boy?” He gestured to Jesse with his hand towards his pistol.

jesse-rivers

Jesse’s eyebrows would raise for a split second but confusion would swiftly be replaced with a smirk. “’Course I am, sir. Ain’t doin’ much else with my life but use it.” He tapped the cold handle of his gun by his side with two fingers, nodding towards Cain as he’d speak up again.

“I’m guessing I ain’t really gotta ask if you are, right? Bein’ the big nasty leader of a gang that you are.” His smirk was still firmly planted on his lips and he exhaled a brief laugh though his nose. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t trying to prod the older man just a bit. He carried himself with such knowledge and confidence, but he’d love to see that tested in an actual damn fight.

#oc interactions #Eleanoriviesjournal #👀#long post

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