[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/WlVv0bd.jpeg[/img] [sup][img]https://i.imgur.com/9qIY4OK.jpeg[/img] [color=808080][color=d10019][b]#d10019[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [url=https://imgur.com/hM6WWv6][color=808080][b]outfit[/b][/color][/url] [color=2e2c2c].....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [b]gas station --> edge of town --> Boone's Garage[/b][/color] [img]https://i.imgur.com/9qIY4OK.jpeg[/img][/sup][/center] [indent][indent][indent][indent][justify][color=808080] [color=d6d6d6]"I like your jacket."[/color] It took a moment for Vinny to recognize the kid, maybe eight years old or so with freckles and a shock of red hair, was addressing him. The boy was wearing one of those stupid little cowboy outfits you could buy at the big box stores, cheaply made and laughably garish. He had that innocent, almost absent look kids had when they encountered something or someone completely alien to their way of life. The kid had probably only seen bikers in movies, where the smell of cigarettes and Irish Spring from a fresh gas station shower weren’t part of the experience. Vinny’s hair was still wet, slicked back from a fresh comb, and his eyes were transfixed on the little bastard. The jacket was old, older than Vinny had been riding. He had stolen the jacket off some bastard he near killed in Casper a few weeks after leaving Pine Ridge. Given the bullet hole at the bottom fringe when he had obtained it, it seemed the man had a lot of enemies. Most of the patches were custom jobs, clearly unaffiliated and just a middle-aged poser. In that regard, it seemed Vinny and the man had something in common. He’d gotten some flack at seedy establishments, but it was nothing a bit of aggressive readjustment couldn’t sort out. Most of his haunts knew well enough to just let him drink in peace. He had bled enough in that jacket that it felt like a second layer of skin. That was a bit hard to explain to a prepubescent pup. [color=d10019]"Keeps me warm,"[/color] he responded simply, his face as slack as it had been when he was glancing at the candy bars lined up on the rack near the front counter. He picked up an Almond Joy to add to his fist full of jerky and six pack of beer. As if on cue, a hand shot out and firmly grasped the boys hand to pull him a step forward. It seemed the parents waiting in line in front of Vinny finally noticed their kid talking to a stranger. The mother’s steel gaze was protective and standoffish, which he couldn’t exactly blame. It was natural instinct, to protect one’s own. Her husband, judging by the matching rings, seemed less bothered. He gave Vinny a small nod and smile. They were tourists from the looks of things, and given where they were, he had a suspicion on where they were going. [color=d10019]"Where you off to?"[/color] The question was as pleasant as Vinny could muster. [color=d6d6d6]"Oh… ummm… Pine Ridge."[/color] The husband was a little hesitant in answering, but Vinny’s awkward smile was disarming enough. The guy probably figured it was just better to play along than ignore the biker. [color=d6d6d6]"They’ve got a little Halloween festival that looked cute… and I’ve always wanted to see a ghost town."[/color] The man’s wife stepped up to the counter and began to check out with a few reasonable snacks and drinks. [color=d10019]"I grew up there. I always preferred the park."[/color] [color=d6d6d6]"Really? Are you… heading home then?"[/color] Vinny shrugged his shoulders, as if he hadn’t made up his mind. He was heading back to Pine Ridge, but he wasn’t sure if it would count as much of a home. He wasn’t expecting a warm reception, and still didn’t exactly know where he was going to sleep that night. [color=d10019]"We’ll see,"[/color] he answered coyly. [color=d10019]"Never was much of a festival guy."[/color] The man laughed nervously, as if Vinny was making a joke. The lack of a laugh back left the chuckle to die in the man’s throat. He glanced over to his family, taking a step closer to them. [color=d6d6d6]"Well… safe travels, friend."[/color] Vinny took a step to follow, filling their spot in the line. [color=d10019]"Yeah,"[/color] he replied, noticing the kid was looking at him again. Vinny’s smile sharpened as he caught the boy’s gaze. [color=d10019]"Be careful in Pine Ridge. I hear there’s monsters out tonight."[/color][hr] The roar of the bike engine dulled as Vinny pulled off the throttle, letting the wheels and momentum roll him down main street as it headed into town. They were really getting back into the swing of things, just like they had when he was a kid. Same festivities, same appeal for the yuppie tourists who wanted a taste of the good old days. He could see the decorations and the decor as the ranch’s fields looked a bit empty to his right. The bike drifted to a stop on the side of the road as he saw a cowboy and some of his ranch hands corralling some livestock down towards main street. Vinny settled on his handlebars, watching the old timer with his herd. [color=d10019][i]Weston’s still topside… interesting.[/i][/color] He stretched out his shoulders as he waited a while for the cattle to pass, watching as other cars began to pull off behind him to wait their turns. When things cleared up a bit, Vinny revved up the engine and rode the center line, weaving through the slowed down vans of tourists wanting to get a good view of town before they were redirected to a field to park. He rolled past the sheriff’s station, and eased the bike up towards an old garage he remembered quite well. He cut the engine, sneaking the bike up between two massive SUVs to park in a spot too small for most cars. He kicked out the stand, easing his weight down gently before swinging a leg over and hopping off. In a swift motion, he removed a cigarette from his pocket and lit it while walking towards a familiar old building. He sniffed the air, closing his eyes as he could already feel that familiar tingle in his nostrils. The cavalcade of scents flooded his senses in a way that he had oh so nearly forgotten. The world had been so muted outside of Pine Ridge in the last few years. He could still tell that his sense of smell was not nearly as strong as it once had been. It was like he was seeing color again for the first time, but the world was a smeared watercolor instead of a detailed still life. He should have come sooner… but even a dull world was one better than one stuck under the boot of the unworthy Boone boy. Speaking of… the scent was fading. He had just left. Vinny sighed, running a hand through his hair. Checking in was a formality, lest he get an unpleasant visit from the big bastard for sniffing around town again after their last talk. Of the two, Warren was the more reasonable one. So, Vinny rounded the side of the building and leaned against the brick wall. He took a long drag of his cigarette, certainly the first of several as he waited. He only hoped the Alpha showed up before he found something better to do. [/color][/justify][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent] [center][sup][img]https://i.imgur.com/9qIY4OK.jpeg[/img] [color=808080][b]interactions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] none [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]mentions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] Clint, Warren, Harlan [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]collabs[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] none[/color] [img]https://i.imgur.com/9qIY4OK.jpeg[/img][/sup][/center]