milliways_bar | (no subject)

(no subject)

Apparently, there was a late winter blizzard. Charlie, once from the Midwest, has seen that before. It beats tornadoes.

But a little snow - or a lot - tends not to deter him from jogging for long. Besides, it's already starting to melt in the spring sun. Which doesn't mean Charlie isn't wearing heavier sweats and a hoodie today. You have to be smart.

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William's surprised to see anyone else out as its cold and wet, but he's working on figuring out how bad the stables are and where all the animals went to. When he sees Charlie jog by, he waves a hand in greeting.

"Good morning. Cold enough for you?" Charlie likes to say things like that.

"Yeah, but its kept the fire from doing anything more."

"Fire? I heard something about that." Probably not as much as he should have.

"It only happened yesterday, someone set a fire in the stables. I'm looking at how bad the damage is as I keep track of the horses and other animals."

"Set? Like in arson?

"Who would that do?" And here? It's not like you can get insurance money.

"Somethin' went bang, it was done on purpose. I don't know."

"Something going bang would be a bomb." That sends a chill up Charlie's spine. "And that implies something really nasty."

"It was nasty, the fire was mainly in two stalls but horses bein' scared is awful."

"Why would anyone do that," he asks again.

"Are the horses accounted for?"

"I don't know. To prove they could, to be cruel. They all got out safe along with the other creatures but they're not all back to the stables yet."

Charlie keeps shaking his head. "The other stalls are still usable? No lingering smell of fire?"

"They're all in the paddock. The stables are full of ash and then puttin' the fire out made it all wet. Its a mess and not ready for 'em,"

His list of what to do keeps getting longer.

"You need any help with the cleanup? I'm not a great painter, but I don't image the horses will care." And the smell of smoke never bothered him much. Hub City always smelled of smoke and ash.

"I know I will. I don't know what I'll start with first, but soon. I want the stables usable soon in case there's another late snow."

"Just say the word."

"I will. I'll probably end up puttin' a notice up as the more hands helpin' the better."

"Sounds like a good idea.

"Anything I can do for now?" Charlie figures he should let the cowboy get back to his difficult task.

"While you're out runnin', could you keep an eye out for loose animals?"

"And if I spot some?" He isn't exactly trained in this sort of thing.

"If you can head 'em up back towards the stable, that'd be good. If not then leave a note for me."

"My experience with horses is...limited." And unsuccessful. Ask Sallie about that.

"If you shout at 'em, they'll go away from you. Sendin' 'em towards the stables will help."

"I'll give it a try." Not like he can make it worse.

Right?

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