Advent Of A Gunslinger

Axel turned around to see Madame Martha herself, standing there and smoking her usual pipe. “Ah. Martha. Glad’ta see ya again. Oh and I should introduce ya…” He put a claw around Fleche’s neck. “This here’s my sister, Flechette.”

“Charmed, Lady Martha, I tell ya,” she broke free of her brother and walked up to the faun woman. “Hope my wee brother hasn’t caused too much trouble for ye.”

“Oh not at all,” Martha replied as she leaned up on her toes just to reach Fleche’s cheek and give her a welcoming kiss. “In fact, I’m glad I have you both here. Seems like you’ve been making progress with finding your family, eh?”

The gunslinger nodded as he scratched the back of his head. “Yeah, but uh…listen, it’s been a long last couple days for us. My friends and I need’ta rest.”

“Oh yes, you do,” Martha replied as she took a hit from her pipe, “I knew that the very next time you returned that you would need some good ol’ southern hospitality, young’uns. And that’s just what yer gonna get. Head on upstairs, ya’ll. I have a little surprise for ya.”

Vido nearly flapped his wings from excitement. “Ooh--una sorpresa? Gracias, Señorita Martha. Let’s all go get some rest, everyone.”

Kora put her paws together and bowed out of respect. “Thank you. Truly.”

“What she said. Thank ye, Madame.” Flechette expanded her wings and hooves and yawned. “Ahhh…aye. I’m right knackered I am. See you in the mornin’ everyone.”

As the others made their way upstairs in order to get some rest for the night, Axel stayed with Martha for the time being. “So I’m guessin’ everyone’s asleep right about now?”

“Bingo, dearie,” Martha replied, “They all kinda tired from…workin’ some busy shifts lately.” She let out a soft chuckle to herself and started to push him towards the staircase with her free hand. “Now go on, shoo. Get some rest. We’ll talk more in the mornin’.”

“Yes ma’am, though uh…” he started skidding across the carpet since he wasn’t moving voluntarily, “Wouldja mind sendin’ a letter’ta Mrs. Magpie lettin’ her know her boy’s safe for me? He’s…been through a lot.”

“I will, I will--now git on, boy,” she insisted as she delivered a light smack to his rear.

“Wheegh!” he whinnied uncontrollably and cleared his throat. “Ahem. Right, right. I’m goin’...thanks again.”

“You’re welcome, hun. Just don’t take forever,” Martha crabbily remarked in return. She then stood by the steps with the sole intent of making sure he got to his room safely and shut the door. Once she heard it close, she whispered down the hall.

“Alright everyone--come on out.”

At her command, dozens of minotaur women would emerge from the various brothel rooms carrying boxes of supplies. They all carefully walked out of the front door so as to not alert the gunslinger or his friends of their presence.

Meanwhile, one particular minotaur stayed behind to speak with the madam of the building.

“Ms. Martha, how did he look? Was he alright?”

Martha turned and glanced up at the large bovine woman. “Looks worse for wear, Clarabelle. I could see it in his eyes. He’s been through some shit, I tell you what.”

Clarabelle stepped out to her wearing a modest pink nightgown that covered most of her body. “Poor man…and what about his friends?”

“They all look equally frazzled,” Martha went on as she started walking upstairs until she reached her living quarters. “The griffon boy in particular looked like his pelvis was shattered from them there bandages he had on.”

“Oh no…does that mean he was…?”

Martha didn’t even need Clara to finish that statement. She already knew what it was. “...Yeah. I’m gonna work on that letter to his ma. The poor gal must be worried sick about him.” Once she got to her apartment room, she sat down upon the couch and looked at the coffee table with a sigh. “Agh…do ya think I should go through with it, hun?”

Clarabelle shut the door and sat down next to the tiny elder goat. “Go through with…?” Her eyes then shifted towards the coffee table and the documents upon it. “Oh-moowow…!” she gasped upon seeing the papers with one of her ears twitching. “I think that’s a great idea. It’ll bring you all far closer, Ms. Martha.”

“Yeah that’s the plan,” she replied longingly while taking another blow from her pipe, “Still. Now that his sister’s here, I’mma make sure I ask her now. This is gonna apply to both of ‘em ya know?”

“Oh how sweet of you!” Clara moo’d while putting her hands together, “You’re going to make them feel like they’re in a family again, Ms. Martha.”

The faun lady sighed once more. “I suppose…I’m just…nervous is all. Yeah, hard to believe, ain’t it?”

“Not at all, darlin’,” Clara replied while petting the elder goat on the head, “You’re more than welcome’ta feel the junebugs in yer throat. This here’s a mighty huge step for ya’ll, but I know you can handle it.”

“Maybe…even so, it’s up to them in the end. They are grown folks after all.” She got off of the couch, and started walking towards her bedroom. “Anyhow, I’m off to bed. Make sure everyone’s settin’ everything up properly, alright?”

“That I will,” Clara replied, “Axie and his friends are in for a big surprise tomorrow!”