Advent Of A Gunslinger

Back in Klugetown…

With her newfound necromantic pirate crew, Zula was in complete control of the city. She had many of the deer-folk posted around the town, rounding up anyone that broke her rules and imprisoning them. Since they served as watchmen, they effectively kept anyone from getting in or out of the city without putting themselves at risk in some fashion.

“Perrrfect,” the tigress purred while looking at a few case report files on her desk, “Everything is in its place. Now we just gotta make sure they don’t disobey…”

Moments later, Typh came bursting through the doors with an annoyed squawk. “Awk! Is this what your plan was?! Turning my crew into sapient dictatorship-folk? You couldn’t come up with anything better than that?”

“Have some patience, would you?” Zula replied, “Everything needs time to build. I don’t wanna risk a hostile takeover of this location. It’s important that we keep a foothold here at least long enough for the mining operations to finish.”

The eagle woman groaned into her claw. “Ugh. The shit I get wrapped up in…fine. So what do you want me to do until then?”

“Stand by until I ask for your help. Your crew is serving their purpose, now I need you to serve yours.”

“That’s not gonna last very long,” Typh protested mentally, choosing not to respond verbally. Instead, she simply turned and walked away from the desk.

Just in time for a certain fiery canine to appear moments later. “...Is Zula here?”

“Who wants to know?” the tigress muttered with a suspicious glare at the diamond dog.

“I’m here…to offer my services as well,” Kolasi explained with a demonic grin, “You’re gonna need it if you hope to stand a chance against Remington and his little merry band of thieves.”

Typh stopped on a dime so that she could listen in.

Zula, now more open to the idea of gaining even more support, decided to hear what the hellhound had to say. “Go on then. Tell us what you have to offer.”

“He and his group killed every last one of my gangsters,” she went on, “Seems like this ranchero boy is a thorn in all of our sides, isn’t he, ladies?”

The eagle woman remained silent as she didn’t want to reveal her hand to this newcomer just yet.

The tigress meanwhile, was all too eager to have more power on her side. Even if she didn’t think through the implications or possible hidden agendas. All she wanted was an instantaneous leg up over her enemies.

“You know what? I think we’ll be getting along just fine…on the first order of business, I’d like to see if you could…intercept any possible messages outgoing from the Diamond Dog’s kingdom.”

Kolasi leaned upon the desk. “I’m listening.”

At the Milk Ranch Valley…

Axel left the imminent festivities outside so that he could check on Vido. The hippogriff traveled up to the room his friend had been staying in, but before he could knock, he found himself pacing the floor--back and forth as he tried to figure out what to say.

“...He’s probably not in a good spot right now. He needs help. Professional help. Ain’t no way am I gonna go down to a rodeo while of my compadres is feelin’ down. But just how am I gonna say this to him?”

After a few more minutes of dawdling, Axel took a deep breath and knocked upon the door. “Vido. You up, partner?”

The door would open moments later, and the tired face of the griffon peeked out from behind the door. “Hola, Axel. And…yeah, I’m up. I can see there’s a carnival outside. You should go have fun, enjoy yourself. Don’t worry about me,” he said as he started pushing the door closed…

Only to be shortstopped by Axel’s claw pushing to keep it open. “Hang on now. I can’t in good faith, leave one of my good friends behind while I go off frolickin’ at some rodeo,” he explained with a concerned frown on his face, “But at the same time…I ain’t exactly qualified’ta give you all the answers neither.”

Vido pushed the door open while chuckling at his friend’s insistence. “Ay, amigo. You’re a lot more…concerned for my well-being now than when we first met. What changed?”

Axel sighed and turned his head, breaking eye contact. “Lotsa things, friend. Seein’ you lose your innocence like that was one of ‘em…”

“...I won’t lie, it was scary as all hell. Maybe I shouldn’t have done it.” He put a claw on Axel’s shoulder and went on. “But brother, I knew you were there for me. That, plus the fact that your sister was held at gunpoint didn’t give me many other options. In the end, I see it as a necessary sacrifice.”

“...Even so…” Axel took a step back, “I still want ya to talk this out with someone. Someone who can help ya with mental issues so ya won’t feel the need’ta stay hidden up in this here room.”

Vido could tell his friend wasn’t exactly willing to back down. The sensation warmed his heart and even put his mind at ease as he dealt with his trauma. “...As messed up as this wild adventure has been, it still beats having madre as my only friend…” Ultimately, he came to a conclusion that would satisfy his friend’s desire to help. “Alright, alright. I’ll cut you a deal, amigo.”

“Say what now?”

“...If you manage to find a therapist you can send my way, I’d appreciate it,” the griffon explained, and quickly turned the tables with a sly grin on his face, “But right afterwards, I want you to enjoy yourself down there and take your mind off of things. At least for one day. Comprende?”

There was no arguing with a griffon who had made his point clear. If that’s what Vido wanted, then Axel was more than willing to oblige. “Alright…I got yer back, partner. Sit tight while I go find ya some help.”