Westward Longhorns // reboot // closed

Silk nodded, liking this guy more and more with each word he said. Such authority, already, and such ambition to be part of something other people labeled as bad.
The Longhorns were always looked down upon, called ‘bandits’ and ‘thieves’ and ‘good-for-nothing criminals crazy enough to eat the devil with horns on.’ Silk had always remembered vaguely every insult shot his way, mostly because they made him laugh with their inaccuracy. There were people in the Longhorns that wouldn’t— couldn’t— hurt a fly, and would never steal anything. It was simply just a team of misfits, all roped together to a makeshift family. And Silkwick couldn’t love it more.
“Sounds good,” he replied, holding a hand over the flame as he tried his best to get the lighter working. He stepped forward, sort of disheveled as he lighted Jas’s cigar.
“God, need myself a new lighter,” he grumbled as he lit his own, then slipped the little trinket in his inner coat pocket. “And alright, all aboard. He won’t knock you off… probably.”
Silk grabbed hold of the saddle horn, hoisting himself up as Bear pranced impatiently. He steadied the horse with a few ‘woah’s, and offered Jas a hand up.

“Don’t be so tense, Lion,” Silk laughed, teetering his head. “Bear can smell fear.”
It was an obvious joke, but it was true the horse was tricky. Of course, Bear had only bucked Silk off a few times, and that was before Silk broke him. Now, it was sort of a thick-skulled, stubborn friendship between them. It mostly consisted of Bear nipping at Silk’s feet to watch him dance, or just being a challenge in general.
“And hold on tight, kid. There’re no easy thoroughfares ‘round here back to camp, and I gotta pick up a few more supplies on the way,” he continued, clicking to Bear as the horse began to trot forward. Since the horse was, well, massive, his trot was relatively comfortable. Of course, Silk also kept him slower than normal, so he didn’t overwork the poor animal. It had been a long day of travel, and while Silk knew Bear could handle whatever, he liked to be nice.
He turned Bear abruptly, the horse responding without a second thought— like he was already on autopilot back to the camp. The horse had a wonderful sense of direction, Silk had to admit.
It didn’t take long for them to reach a small alcove filled with just a few crates. Silk stopped Bear, grabbed the reigns so Jas would feel more comfortable, and began unpacking. It mainly consisted of blankets and cloths, along with a few smaller trinkets Silk could slip in the saddle packs. He handed the rest to Jas, making sure the man could hold it, and pulled himself back up onto Bear. With a few more jostles of his spurs, Bear was back on track.

“Sure is,” Silk replied after taking another drag of his cigar. “You’d be surprised. We use this kinda stuff for everything. From lean-to’s to fly masks.”
It wasn’t long before they made it back to the camp. Many people were inside their makeshift lean-tos already, leaving just a few men around the fire. They all looked grizzled and war-hardened, holding glasses of ale and breathing into their free hands to keep them warm. As Bear slowed to a stop, Silk dismounted, grabbing the supplies and bringing them to a nearby crate. He nodded a hello to the men before tying up Bear and shifting his gaze back over to Jas.
“Well, Lion, welcome to the camp,” he said, gesturing with his arms wide open. “But here’s the thing…”
He turned back around, taking a slight step closer to the man.
“It takes a lot to join this bee as a brother, you got it? We’re a family. Every single one of us, backing the other up through and through. These folks over here? Some of the most dangerous ones you can get. You’ll have to watch where you step until you prove penny for nickel, alright?”
Although his words may have sounded sinister, his tone sure wasn’t. If anything, that was about as hostile as an open invitation.
Silk turned back around again, stroking Bear’s muzzle once before beginning to walk away, gesturing for Jas to follow.
“Let’s get you acquainted, shall we?” he asked, glancing back over his shoulder with a mischievous smile.

Silk let out a chuckle. It was a dodgy one, but joyous nonetheless.
“Glad to know you’re smart,” he replied, trucking over to another crate. He drew out two bottles, then tossed one to Jas’s feet. He figured he’d start testing the kid tomorrow, considering Silk was already tired out of his mind. He’d never show it though, still keeping that charming smile plastered on his face.
With a flick of his head, he gestured for Jas to follow him, and took a stance around the fire with the rest of the men.
“‘ey, Silky,” the thinner one mumbled, clearly already intoxicated. “What scraps you brought back?”
“Lion,” Silk called back to Jas, putting a hand on the man’s shoulder and pointing out the members. “I want you to meet Dierks—“ he pointed to the one who had spoke, a scar tearing through the left side of his face— “Dodge and Micha—“ he gestured to two younger men, each looking oddly similar, short red hair and bright smiles— “And this ‘ere’s Butch—“ he slapped a hand atop the bigger man’s shoulder.
“Everyone,” he continued, “this is Jas. Welcome him with open arms, but don’t make it too easy, alright?”
“Rodger that, Silky,” Dierks replied, raising a glass. His black hair fell into his eyes, one of them stained a milky white from the scar. “Welcome, kid.”
With that, Silk sat down, gesturing beside him for Jas to do the same.

“Silkie, when you said you were gonna get the rest of the things, I didn’t think that meant you’d pick up a stray, too,” Butch grumbled, voice certainly suiting his gruff demeanor. But it had an odd fondness to it, like a parent ridiculing their kid for a mistake.
“Nah, I liked this one,” Silk replied smoothly, jutting out an elbow to nudge Jasper’s arm. “Plus, he’s not a stray if he’s lookin’ for something. And this fella was lookin’ for us.”
“You best be mad,” Dierks butted in with a hitched laugh. “You’re looking for a group of mal-mannered misfits?”
“Ey, we ain’t that bad,” Dodge piped. The drunker of the two brothers, Micha, just gave a satisfactory nod.
“Some of us, at least,” Butch responded, dark eyes looking down to Jas. “So, what did Silkie here tell you about himself?”
“Yeah?” Dodge snickered, a grin playing upon his lips. “They say he killed a man, once.”
“I’m sitting right here, Doggie,” Silk uttered. Despite the obvious jokes, Silk shot Dierks a slightly uneasy glance.
Dierks cleared his throat, shifting the attention back to Jas.
“But, my question still stands, kid,” he said, reclining back on his elbows. “Who are ya? Where ya from? Why’re ya lookin’ for a group of hard-headed criminals?”

Dierks smirked, and by Silk’s reaction to it, it was clear that that only happened on a rare occasion.
“Hell yeah, I like this kid, too,” Butch replied, a bright smile cracking through his stone demeanor. He clapped Jas on the shoulder. “You even talk like one of us. Silkie, can we keep ‘em?”
“That was my question to you lot,” Silk replied, leaning back with a snort. “And y’all, go ‘round the fire introducing yourselves. Only nice we gave him a proper greeting— he said it himself.”
“Alright, alright,” Butch replied, setting down his own bottle. “I’m, as you know, Butch. I’m the blacksmith ‘round here, and also the chef.”
“Best chef we have,” Dodge butted in.
“Only chef we have,” Dierks corrected. He then shifted his gaze back over to Jasper. “and I’m Dierks. I’ve known Silkie here the longest, and we’re the founders of the Longhorns. I take care of the routes, maps, and stuff. The team navigator, if you will.”
“And he does one hell of a job,” Silk whispered over to Jas. Dierks just waved off the compliment, taking another swig of his own bottle.
“I’m Micha,” one of the red-headed brothers slurred, and Dodge had to keep him from falling over.
“I’m Dodge. Joined the Longhorns ‘bout a few years ago. We keep track of supplies and the like,” Dodge continued.
Silk nodded in approval, then sat back upright, attention flitting back to Jas.
“And, I’m sure you know who I am. Silkwick Wolfheart, leader of the Longhorns, silver-tongued beauty, yadda yadda,” he said with a playful smile.

_{(oH? I’m so sorry I thought I replied!)}

“Yeah, there’s a few others,” Silk replied, leaning back on his elbows yet again. “They ain’t here though. They’re down the route a little ways. Figured splitting us off into two smaller groups would be better. Dierks’s idea, giving credit where it’s due.”
Dierks just nodded, eyes still stationary on the fire.
“Although, you better meet Lottie,” Butch said suddenly, grinning. “She’ll give ya a run for your money. They say she could even tie Silk down, which ain’t an easy task.”
“Oh, come on, Butch,” Dierks grumbled sarcastically. “Give the man a break.”
“Nah, Butch, keep it coming,” Silk prompted. “He’s right— if anyone can break me, it’s Lottie. That woman’s a steel rod of a gal. Best Jasper here knows to steer clear of ‘er.”
“She’s the only one here damn near responsible, that’s for sure,” Dierks replied. He then turned his gaze to Jasper. “Long as you don’t get on her bad side, you’ll… survive.”

“Can’t be that bad…,” Silk repeated, grinning. “Ignorance is bliss, Lion. But you’ll probably meet ‘er tomorrow. She’s in her tent now, and unless you want knuckles to the jaw, I’d stay out of it.”
There was a pause as Silk finished off his bottle, setting it off to the side.
“In all honesty, kid, don’t worry about her. She’s sweet when she wants to be. We just give her a bad rep ‘cuz she’s hard as bones.” Silk’s eyes flickered up to Butch, who had pushed himself to his feet.
“Yeah, yeah, Lottie’s a good one. Most of the time,” he replied, stretching out his arms. “Now I’m tuckered, so I’m heading off. Gotta big day tomorrow. It’s not my place to say, but Silkie, don’t stay up too late. Alright?”
“Alright alright,” the man muttered under his breath. “Now get outta here. Take Dog and Micha, too.”
There were a few muttered between Dodge and Butch as they helped Micha stand, taking the drunken man back around the side of the camp. It left just Silk and Dierks, both looking to Jasper.
“Silkie, are we doin’ inventory in the morning?” Dierks asked, tossing his own bottle aside.
“Yeah. Unfortunately,” Silk uttered. He then turned to Jasper, offering him a smile. “You wanna start workin’ tomorrow? Help Dierks and I with navigation and supplies?”

“You can take my tent. I can clear out the other side of it,” Silk replied.
“Ey, give him at least one night before you start romancing him, Chief.” Dierks grinned, raising his eyebrows. “Unless you’re thinking’ bout sleeping out in the snow.”
“Hell no, it’s hella cold out here, man,” Silk uttered, glaring over to the man with narrowed eyes. “If I’m sleeping anywhere else, it’s in your tent, Di.”
“Oh?” the other man answered, tone sultry as he smiled. “Aren’t you sowing oats.”
Silk sighed, looking back to Jasper. “Listen, I just wanna keep an eye on you, kid. And I’d rather not have a potential working man hook up with frostbite on his first day. Half of my tent is filled with important supplies, but we can clear ‘em out and move ‘em to Dierks’s, so you can take it up. Or— Dierks, you gotta empty space, huh?”
“I do. Rookie went with the other group yesterday morning, so I’m empty,” he replied, nodding.
Silk pushed himself back to sitting upright, stretching out his arms as he said, “Alright, well you can stay with Dierks or I until we get you your own tent and partner. Until we get further south, we’re sleeping in tents with pairs of two so it doesn’t get so cold. Nothing personal, either, so don’t think anything of it.”
“Yeah, you can stay with me or Silkie until you start working, and then you’ll probably house with whoever you work alongside,” Dierks continued. “And we won’t take it personally. Silk and I are used to sleeping alone, for the sake of keeping some supplies from frosting over, I guess.”