Chapter Text
Another morning rolled in where Arthur Morgan wasn't at camp. He rarely spent the night there lately.
No one really worried for the safety of Dutch's right hand. He could hunt and fish, ride a horse and protect himself just fine. One of the best gunslingers around. It wasn't uncommon for him to be gone days at a time.
Often, he'd come back for a day or so, help with chores or help Dutch with scores when they come around, before heading back out on his Thoroughbred, Indigo, and disappearing to god knows where for another few days.
Around 11 in the morning, camp was bustling as the many members of the Van Der Linde Gang busied themselves with chores. Well.. for the most part. Uncle was dead asleep by a tree at the edge of camp, hiding from any physical labor, no doubt.
Mary-Beth and Tilly were washing clothes, while Bill and Kieran chopped wood for the fires. A handful of others were scattered around the woods as guards to keep watch and protect.
And just about this time, Arthur Morgan himself came trotting into camp, saying a hello to Lenny as he passed.
He hitched his horse where the rest were, giving the Thoroughbred a pet and an apple before leaving him to mingle.
Arthur was a scruffy but handsome man. Sandy blonde hair almost down to his shoulders, while his beard stayed pretty well trimmed and shaped.
He lit a cigarette as he stepped into camp, getting some hellos and good mornings from passers-by, before spotting a young man sitting outside of camp.
Strawberry blonde hair under a tan gambler's hat, a green ribbon tied around it in a messy knot. Andrew Pines. An 18 year old who they picked up a few months back.
Dumbass would have frozen to death if Dutch didn't take him with them.
He was zoned out, sitting on a stump from a long since fallen tree, looking down at a notebook, holding a pencil and sketching away.
Arthur looked around before walking over, taking a drag of his cigarette as he did, blowing out the smoke as he spoke, "Hey, kid. Ya ain't got nothing better to do than zone out and stare atcha book all day?"
The young man jumped, not registering the larger and older man's presence until he spoke, scaring him easily, "Ah- Sorry, Sir.. I uh.. I'm just stuck on this piece.. it needs something more than I have.."
"Whatcha mean?" Arthur asked, simply.
He shrugged a bit, "I want to start working with color.. but I can't leave camp to get supplies for it.. Ms. Grimshaw says I'll be eaten alive if I try. That I should just stick to womanly chores since I'm as 'delicate as a woman'.. could you run to Valentine and get me something to help? I-I have some money- please? Can ya help me?" He quickly dug in his bag and grabbed a handful of coins and held it out for him to take.
[[ Accept (O) ]]
Decline (X)
Arthur looked around briefly before groaning and taking the young man's money, "Yea, I can run get you some colors, kid.." he said. The young man handed him about a dollar and 25 cents.
He nodded as he placed it in his bag, turning to check around camp for anything else he needed before heading out again.
"Thank you, Mr. Morgan." The young man called, smiling wide before going back to sketching with his pencil.
Of course, Arthur talked to Dutch briefly, donated a couple of rabbits to Mr. Pearson, grabbed some coffee and a couple cans of food before he was off again.
On his way to Valentine…
Once there, he hitched his horse in front of a general store, heading up the steps and inside, his spurs jingling with each step he took.
He looked around, a little lost. He never really went into stores to buy or look.. nor did he draw with anything but a pencil. There is a first time for everything.
"Need help, sir?" The store clerk spoke up. A middle aged woman, hair pinned back in a half bun and an apron around her waist.
"Yea, 'm lookin' for color. For like uh.. drawin's and such." He said, awkwardly swinging his arms a bit.
She hummed, looking under her counter, placing a pack of crayons on top of it, "We have these."
Arthur shrugged a bit, "Yea sure. How much?"
"2 dollars." She replied.
Arthur pulled the 1.25 from his satchel. The kid didn't have enough..
[[ Give 75¢ for crayons (O) ]]
Decline (X)
Arthur sighed and handed over the $2, putting the crayons in his bag after inspecting them for a moment. Interesting.
He nodded to her, a thank you, before leaving.
The older man hopped on his horse and hurried back out of town, towards camp once again.
……..
It was night time by the time Arthur returned, hitching his horse and striding back into camp, looking around for the ginger who sent him on that quest in the first place.
He spotted the young man in a tent, sitting on his cot. He went over and took out the crayons, "Here." He handed them over.
The red head smiled, taking the crayons, "Thank you, Mr. Morgan! I'll try these out in the sunshine tomorrow! I'm just glad I had enough."
[[ Keep it Secret (O) ]]
Tell Him (X)
"Yea.. Listen. You make some masterpieces, make sure ya mention me in yer speeches and such." Arthur smiled, giving a soft cough after, having gotten something in his throat.
The red head nodded, "Of course, Mr. Morgan."