[@TheFox]


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTItEuJ3gAs

[quote][b]Miss McCullen came walking over to them, looking as radiant as ever. Ben ran his fingers through his, still a bit damp, hair. In her presence he always felt as if he was a boor and a mess. An ill mannered farm boy. In truth he was all of that. But he tried his best not to be when she was near.

“Mornin' Miss McCullen.” He said as he nodded to greet her. “Jus' dandy.” He put another spoonful into his mouth. “How about you?”
[/b][/quote]


	"As well as ever, I guess."  Claudia replied with a sigh, sitting down beside Ben.  It always amused her how every time she was in his presence, the dusty old cowboy felt he had to gussy himself up for her.  Naturally, she didn't think anything of his appearance, nor did she care much if he was some hick.  After all, before Eli found her, she was nothing but some dirty old saloon whore.  "I couldn't stop thinking about Mack and Roy, those poor boys... I wish there was something we could have done.  Eli said they knew what they were getting into, but still..."  Her bright red lips curled into a sullen frown as her dazzling emerald eyes gazed deep into the crackling flames of the campfire casting a warm vermillion glow across the ground.  The delectable aroma of breakfast simmering in the cast iron pot tantalized her senses.  She couldn't remember when last she ate.  Thankfully, if it wasn't for their cook Annabelle, she and this whole bunch would have likely starved long before.

[@LostDestiny]	

	"Smells wonderful, Miss Belle."  Claudia grinned to the woman.  "I sure am glad we found you, hon.  I don't know how long I could have gone just living on canned fruits."  Though Eli seemed not mind them, but he was of a different stock the outlaw.  It was understandable to Claudia she chose to go with him, to follow the life of a wanderer, a vagabond.  Still, even if that saloon back in El Paso was a horrible place, filled with horrible men who did horrible things to her...sometimes she missed at least having a warm bed and a warm meal.

	She decided then to fix her a small bowl of food and a cup of coffee, something to at least nourish her decadent figure and alleviate the gnawing hunger growling in her shapely stomach.  As she sat down again beside Ben and ate quietly, taking small bites, she noticed their other lady friend, the beautiful as ever Miss Blackthorne, already showing just after a few months.  Despite not knowing herself, Claudia would assume it was both a blessing and a curse to bear children, as she watched the woman struggle a little with the weight of her pregnant belly.  However, she couldn't help but smile to herself as Kira gently rubbed said belly, pondering if her new offspring was going to be a boy or a girl.

	[@Silentfeather]

	"I'm sure Mister Blackthorne would be happy either way, darling."  She chimed in on the woman's silent reflections with a sincere look of her own towards the pregnant lady.  "By the way, where is he?  I haven't seen him or the rest of the boys all morning."

	At that time, her man Elijah answered gruffly as he and the old man Mister Gus stepped into the scene, Elijah looking intimidating as always despite his shabby, unkempt appearance, "I sent him and the rest huntin' up near the mountains.  We need some more meat if Miss Lockhart's gonna keep feedin' us.  Mornin' all.  Darlin'."  He tipped his hat to everyone with a curt nod before fixing himself a hearty helping of breakfast, sitting in front of them on a tree stump and chowing down as he resumed addressing them and their....well at least Annabelle's....grievances.  "I know what y'all're thinkin'.  It's been hell these past few weeks.  Not a goddamn one of us can catch a break around here.  I miss Mack and Roy too, but them boys knew what they were gettin' into when they joined up.  Still, I can't keep thinkin' that job was a setup.  We were guaranteed to walk in and get that money without any trouble.  I ain't gonna point no fingers here, but somebody had to know."  His steely eyes were upon the gang, like those of a wolf, dangerous yet calm.

	Gus soon cut in, his mouth full as he spoke, "Now now, Eli.  We don't need to start this in the mornin'.  I'm sure not a damn one of us said anythin' to them damn gov'ment boys.  Besides, I believe Ma Belle here was needin' to go to town for some supplies and whatnot.  I can take her in later, as well as anybody else that feels like goin'.  Ladies?"  He turned to the women with a half cocked grin, yellow teeth and all beneath his scruffy beard.

	"I'll go, Gus."  Said Claudia setting her bowl aside and standing up to dust her dress off.  "Besides, it would be nice to get out of this dreary camp for once and see some civilization.  Would you like to come too, Miss Blackthorne?  I bet a little fresh air would do you and the little one some good."  She smiled at Kira.

	"Now listen."  Elijah interjected however, clattering his plate and his mug down beside him as he spoke with a stern tone of voice to the women, especially Claudia.  "This ain't gonna be no shoppin' trip.  Y'all're just gettin' supplies and that's it.  I don't want y'all runnin' all over the goddamn place, especially when we don't know a lick about where we are.  Annabelle,"  He looked over at the woman, their camp cook.  "Take what you need from the camp funds, within reason.  Ben."  He then turned to the man beside him with a firm glance. "You go with 'em and make sure they stay out of trouble.  While y'all're there, find out whatever you can about this state, New Hanlon, who the big players are, the rich and whatnot.  Find out about any banks, trains, or stagecoach routes.  If we're gonna stay here a bit, we might as well make use of our time here."

	"I reckon you're right, son."  Said Gus with a sigh.  "I'll hitch the wagons up and we'll get goin'  Closest town to here's McKinley, I believe."  He was about to amble off and do so before Elijah stopped him inquiring, "And just why the hell are you goin', Gus?"

	Gus turned around, nervously tittering as he scratched the back of his balding head, "Well uh....y-you know, Eli..."

	Eli's eyes narrowed sharply, "You're headin' to the saloon, ain't you, you old drunk?"

	"Just for a few drinks, boy!"  Gus guffawed.  "Don't you fret now.  I'll take good care of these ladies, me and ol' Ben.  Besides, I like havin' me a few pretty faces to look at 'round here.  Beats lookin' at y'all's ugly asses all day!  HA!"  Jovially, he slapped his knee, his wrinkled old face beaming with laughter as his enormous belly jiggled beneath sullied overalls and a union suit.

	"Whatever."  Elijah rolled his eyes with a glower.  "Y'all just remember what I said.  In the meantime, I'll wait for John and the others to get back.  They should be here soon, and hopefully with some deer."  He soon stood, briskly walking away from the group and disappearing behind the flap of his rather large tent.

	Claudia frowned slightly, watching her man leave like that.  Ever since Dodge City, Elijah had been in nothing but a bad mood.  It was starting to wear on her honestly.  That damn fool still suspected one of them ratted out the gang, and he just wouldn't let it go.  Claudia was worried, fearful the outlaw was gonna drive himself bat dab crazy with such notions.  Either way, she dismissed the thought, shaking her head with a brief sigh as she finished the last drop of her coffee and set her cup aside, turning to the women of their dastardly gang with a warm, cheerful expression, "Well girls, what do you say we hit the town?  Let ol' Eli have some peace and quiet for once?"  She joked, giggling to herself softly.  It would be nice for once, to be able to see the country at least, to not be cooped up at camp all day, bored out of her mind.