pullmeoutalive | Ramey

[ He steps away from their things on the bed for a moment to gather her into his arms, a small, sad smile on his face. This isn’t easy for her, he knows, but she bears it with the same quiet grace she bears everything. He would never have known that it hurt her to stay in Rose Creek had she never said anything. ]

Ojalá pudiera ser tan valiente como tú.

[ He breathes it out into her hair, holding her there for just a moment. He presses a kiss to the top of her head before he pulls away. ]

Come on. We’re wasting daylight.

[ she isn't expecting the way vasquez draws her close, but she settles into his arms, resting her forehead against his shoulder with a small, quiet sigh. she doesn't catch what he says, can't pick out the words, but it's the tone of his voice, the comfort of his touch, and it helps to ease some of the tension that's been thrumming through her since she saw those men in the saloon.

she straightens up when he steps away, nodding immediately in agreement. ]

Where should we go?

[ it doesn't especially matter she realizes, as long as the direction they pick is away. ]

Never really had a “where” in mind, but out of the valley is a good place to start, yes?

[ He flashes her a grin, something teasing, as he begins to gather up their bags. ]

You have any place in particular you want to go?

[ emma's laugh is quiet in response, but she's still smiling as she goes to help him with the bags. ]

Maybe outside of California would be a start. Haven't left the state in a good long while.

[ and most probably expect vasquez to still be in california, so the further they get, likely the better. ]

East, then. It’s a good start.

[ Emma is going to quickly learn that Vasquez just sort of did what he wanted. Flying by the seat of his pants made him difficult to track. ]

You’re sure you have everything?

[ it's absolutely going to be an adjustment for emma, traveling at random, with so little in mind of a destination. she'd moved around plenty with matthew before they settled in rose creek, come along with others to build the town up from nothing, but those days had long since passed.

and now here she is again, setting out for an unknown destination (or series of destinations, more like), with no real aim in mind.

odd. daunting.

but what an adventure. ]

I think that's all I'll need.

[ she looks back around at the house, considering what still stands (a lot, she realizes, but she can't haul it all with her). her eyes are drawn to the pegs by her door, and after a flicker of hesitation, she goes to take down matthew's hat.

she'll bring this with her instead of her own. ]

[ It’s going to be an adjustment for Vasquez as well, having Emma with him. He’s only ever had to worry about himself, and for all that Emma has proven herself time and time again, he knows he’ll still worry about her. He wants to keep her safe, well away from the ugly side of the life he leads, but he knows there’s no way that can happen.

He tracks her across the room with his eyes as she moves to the hat on the peg. He’s never asked whose hat that is, never had to. It was obvious enough. A small smile tugs at the corners of his mouth as she picks it up, exchanging it for her own.

She may be leaving this place behind, but it’s nice to know she’ll be taking some of that old happiness with her.

He picks her bags up from the bed, offering them to her. ]

I think I might be traveling better with you than I have in my whole life.

[ emma reaches for the packs without complaint, an amused little smile tugging at her lips. ]

Well, then that oughta make this more bearable for you.

[ they're well-supplied, well-prepared, and properly settled up for the next while. she's brought everything she had as far as money goes, too, which should help them along until it runs out, so there's that, too.

it won't be easy, she knows that, but it won't be as miserable as it could be. ]

I think just having you along will make it much more bearable.

[ He hands off her bags, leaning in to claim a quick kiss before he turns to gather his own things. Packs in hand, he makes for the door, and the horses. ]

[ as always, the kiss makes emma smile, but she follows him out of the house to where the horses wait. she didn't expect to be saddling up today, but now, it's a matter of getting things together, getting the horses ready to leave, before they can head out on their own.

she pauses as she secures the packs to her mare's saddle, looking out across her land towards rose creek.

a beautiful little place, she thinks. somewhere that's offered her so much and let her make something of her life with matthew. but it's also taken a great deal from her, and now, months and months after the ordeal with bogue, now that it's rebuilt and seen itself back to its former, humble glory, she thinks she's ready to leave it behind.

it's a chapter of her life that's drawn to a close, and as bittersweet as that may be, she's ready for it all the same. ]

Vasquez?

[ she tips matthew's hat up a touch, looking over her horse at the outlaw. ]

You think we might visit again someday?

[ His expression gentles at her question, something soft and fond that he reserves just for her.

It would be risky to come back here, months or even a year later. His trail has already lead back here twice, there are bounty hunters who now know the name Rose Creek, and if it were anyone else, he would deny such a request.

But this is Emma. As if he could deny her anything. She could ask him for the moon and he would find a way to claim it for her. ]

Of course, mi cielito. Someday.

Ramey > open rp

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject