milliways_bar | (no subject)

The change in the weather and the trees should have been the first thing he noticed, but it wasn't. Half-asleep in the saddle, it's not until Cortez picks up the pace at the sight of the barn that Doc realizes that he's no longer riding through Washington Territory.

"Well, I'll be a son of a bitch," he mutters. "About damn time."

He shakes a layer of snow from his hat and coat after dismounting from the horse; once he's made certain that Cortez is situated with fresh water and feed in a dry stall, Doc shoulders his bags and heads for the bar. He's not bathed in some time, his hair is shaggy and his beard hasn't been tended to lately either.

Lighting up a cigarette as he drops into a booth near the fireplace, he motions for a waitrat.

"I want dinner," he tells the rat. "Real dinner, none of that shit I've been eatin' the last six months. And a pot of coffee -- good coffee, if you please."

Doc drops a worn banknote on the rat's tray as it scurries off. He figures it won't hurt to tip from the get-go, after how long it's been since he's haunted these parts.

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"So she's like you, then," Doc says. "That could be good."

Or bad, he does not say. Will doesn't need that.

"I'm happy for you," he adds, honest.

"Aye, I think it could be, we're still figurin' it out. What are ye doin'? Found any new sort o'trouble?"

"Not lately," Doc says, and he's glad to be able to say that. "I'm headed up North at the moment, got another few weeks of travel ahead of me by horse, 'til I get to the coast."

"'eadin' anywhere in particular or just goin'?"

"Yukon territory," he says. "They say there's gold up there, that ain't been mined out yet, and I'm lookin' for honest work."

"Miners always need aid. I 'ope ye can find somethin'."

"Either stake a claim of my own or maybe open up a store..." Doc shrugs. "Tunstall had a store back in Lincoln that I'd work at sometimes, I figure it'd be simple enough t'git going once I got the capital."

"Oh aye, my parents run a stall in the market, its simple an ye're in the midst o'it all."

"Have you been able to ensure they're taken care of a bit better, now that the King is back?"

"Aye, an tryin' to do the same for e'eryone in Nottingham."

"Doin' it fair is the only way t'ensure less trouble down the road," Doc agrees. "Nobody will accuse you of playin' favorites."

'Nay, that's why we're goin' through all the old charters an whate'er we can find. Its all in a mess."

"I doubt the Sheriff bothered to keep good books."

"Nay, 'e didna, but we're startin' to make sense o'it all."

Nodding, Doc looks back to his dinner.

"I don't reckon I could be of much help, but if you do need any, let me know."

"I will, fightin' was simpler but this is what needs to be done."