Wranglerkit x reader … pls
The Outlaw At the Flame's Edge
Internet Findings: The Wrangler of thy kit has been written for, actually kinda fun for a more desert setting. Hope this is good anon! [END SEARCH]
At the edge of the flames there sat a small building, a refreshment shop that catered to the parched souls of The Lost Temple.
The one who ran the place? Well, all you had to do was look in the mirror to know the answer to that. The Scorch was harsh, you knew as much from just taking a few steps outside of you quaint little shop, so to combat against the weary eyes and the rough-and-tumble attitudes, you fixed up a place for people to actually get away from that. Drinks of all kinds, well almost all kinds. You had to have the supplies for what you wanted to make, and sometimes if you're lucky you found just the creature to give you that.
With each passerby, bux was practically thrown your way to give a rest from the blazing heat and things that crawled in the sand. Of course, you've also heard stories that could make the toughest Inphernal shudder, but you try not to dwell on those unsavory tales unless you pack up shop and head to Crossroads for a bigger break. You didn't particularly wish to trek across the desert to find out if the neon lights and crowded walkways of Crossroads were actually real for your business, so you just stood at the same dusty shop, watching the people pass you by each day.
It wasn't all terrible, the hoarse laughter you could hear travel in even the darkest hours of the night made it all worth something.
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The doors to your place swung open, a few Inphernals that looked worse for wear poured in with a few words exchanged between them all.
Well, showtime you supposed.
You waved them in, boots stomping against the hardwood flooring in heavy exhaustion. A dispersing that reminded you of oil and water, the more energetic wranglers going off to a corner away from the ones who hunched over the table. Drinks were served, fizzy and refreshing in ways that let souls calm and guards to be let down, almost unnatural to see in contrast to the attitudes that were brought in only moments before, but you're just damn good at your job like that.
Glasses slid towards your spot at the bar, others chose to just leave them there and walk out when done, bux being handed quickly to complete the transaction fully. You often wondered if the ones you served were able to make it farther into the stifling flame of the Lost Temple, if they were able to see the sun rise once more and hit weathered faces. Another person left, you snapped out of your thoughts right after with a curt wave, eyes picking up the bux left at the table before you even went to grab it.
You almost didn't recognize the moment all of your customers fled, the shoddy windows of your restaurant shining sunset hue light through the cracked glass. Amber light hit the floorboards, spilling onto whatever could be reflected and illuminated in soft waves. As much as thought of closing up for the time being and soaking up some of the early evening sun, the business part of you still wanted to see if there was anyone else that needed a break from the outside. The sun did get pretty relentless around this time, maybe awhile longer wouldn't hurt.
Several minutes passed by, the sun going lower and lower through the blanket of evening before dusk arrived. You did some cleaning, of tables, taking stock of supplies and such before a low rattle of the door opened. Someone new always came at the time you thought no one would dare appear unless something could happen, your eyes looking up from the glass you were wiping with a smile that was slightly too forced at the ends.
The hat this person wore seemed to obscure their eyes, or well- eye in this case, you saw the flicker of an eye patch from the glance they gave you. Not to mention the scarf that was covering their mouth in a further effort to conceal as much as possible. They sat right in front of you at the bar, hand tapping the wood grain in contemplation of what to order you presumed.
"Bold, but not enough to where it'd get me killed." The voice, way more deadpan than what you expected from the like of him spoke out as you got right away to mixing. Something not too bold huh? Rich tastes, you could respect that from a patron as you got the flavor allotment down just right enough to where it should satisfy. You weren't gonna touch on the dry attempt to joke, just sliding the drink over to him with an enjoy. Should be good.
The mysterious person eyed the glass, hand wrapping around it just enough to lift up a bit. His opposite hand tugged the scarf down so he could act taste your little concoction, breathing in tense enough to wonder if maybe this was all some sort of scheme for him to get you stolen from, or worse... You didn't really wish to think about the other possibility, trying to let him stare at you a bit before he spoke up.
"You're… Not affiliated with anyone, correct?" The voice was tense, shoulders scrunched together to appear less welcoming. The solitary eye from beneath the hat peered up at you, hand still gripping the drink you gave him as if he was contemplating throwing it in case things got rocky. You couldn't really blame the traveler, things got dicey out in the desert far too often for your liking. You shook your head, saying you didn't really see yourself with the likes of "The Eye" if that's what he wanted to know.
Almost instantly did he slump over, a sigh escaping his lips that sounded as if he's been waiting to let it out for way too long. "I see." You supposed that was a good enough reaction, although his way of being less tense looked like that a corpse would use. The crystal above his hat pulsed faintly, orange-ish red glow snapping you out of any concern you had and being settled more into intrigue. Just what has this guy been up to if he had one of those? You didn't even need to wonder if it was from The Lost Temple, the mystery Inphernal shooting you a glance that seemed to be boiled in faint pride.
"Blackrock made, I used to be affiliated with them." He says it with a reverence that makes it seem obvious to what's been done. You think he's a rogue from the place, but the way his attention shifts elsewhere from your insisting gaze makes you question otherwise. Could he have just been a worker instead? You pursed your lips, offering him another drink that might help quench his thirst, or at the very least make him just slightly more relaxed about everything.
A wordless yes, his glass already sliding to you with a barely there smile.
Teeth being given in return, a grin that felt too familiar, even for you. Nonalcoholic of course, you gave him the same fizz he asked for previously without any changes. What kinda of host would you be if you didn't respect the wishes of your patrons? Not a very good one I'll tell you that, the glass sliding back over to the stranger with a soft clink. He raised it your way in appreciation, his hand now taking a less death grip instead of his previous posture.
Good! Maybe you could actually bond a bit with this one, he seemed a bit more interesting than the rest you've served.
It felt almost too quick when he drank his fill, a bit of an idle chatter fluttering between you both. He talked offhand about how the desert has been treating him, about how the flames seemed to be more tolerable the later it got, he said he could deal with the critters of the night as long as the passage was relatively safe. You couldn't necessarily argue with him, but granted every hour was always somewhat dangerous here you thought.
"Name's Medkit, hope I'll be seein' you around again." He told you once his glass was finished, your face heart soaring just a bit from the tilt of his hat towards your way. Swords above, not now, you gave a curt wave in response, lips now put into a smile you hoped didn't look too dumb on you.
You never said it when he left, but you would be able to find Medkit a seat if he ever traveled back to you.