Chapter Text
"Psst. Hey, you!"
The cyborg cowboy stopped in his tracks, peering into the dark corner of the alley. He tenaciously placed a hand over the gun on his hip and took slow strides towards the voice. His long, white hair and his cape followed behind him, drifting quietly in the wind. His eyes were trained on the corner, focusing on that particular spot like a hawk.
"Who's there?" he asked, stopping when he was a good distance away.
"You're the one.. With that big bounty over your head, correct?" A girl's voice came from the corner. The man squinted his eyes.
"Why, that could be anyone, miss. I ain't the only sinner 'round here, " he replied lowly.
"Well, do you or do you not? I've got a deal to make with you," she huffed. "It involves money,"
"'Suppose I do. What's it to you? I'm not a cheap prostitute or willing to give up my life if that's what you're asking," He nearly spat. Then he paused to think. "..But I'll hear you out." He crossed his arms over his chest and relaxed his expression.
"Excellent!" Her smile was evident in her tone. "I'll pay you $10,000 if you keep someone very dear to me company. An additional $30,000 to befriend him," she said it all so quickly that the cyborg's head nearly spun. He looked like his eyes were going to bust out of his head.
"Wh- Wha- HUH?" He blinked rapidly. "Who in the world are you? $30,000?"
"Fine. $60,000 if you become his friend,"
This time, his eyes really were going to nearly pop out of his head with how wide open they were. He waved his hands frantically and shook his head.
"See, I have no clue who you are or what any of this is- but I really don't want your money, ma'am,"
She abruptly stepped out of the dark and looked him dead in the eye. Her eyes were real pretty- Well every thing about her was. But those things were like two glowing gemstones. Whatever those looked like. Her hair was nice and fluffy looking under her hood and her skin was smooth and clear. He couldn't really tell the color of anything because of the bad lighting, but it was probably pretty too. Tinted a little bit by red hues, her lips were glossy and full. The man would have flushed in the face if he had a functioning bloodstream. He let out a tiny "woah". Before he had known it, he had let his guard down at the girl's strange, captivating beauty.
"It doesn't interest you? Not at all? You could be freed from your bounty, you know," She pressed, stepping closer to him until he walked backwards. "Is it that you don't believe me? I can show you the money if you need proof,"
"As much as it is tempting, I don't care much about wealth. Heck, I'll do it for free if I'm bored enough.." He said, then mulled it over in his head once she frowned. "Well- A safe, warm place to return to each night would be nice, I ain't gon lie, miss," he coughed into a closed fist, giving into pressure.
"Alright! Consider that done," She seemed happy as she clasped her hands together. "Tonight, you'll get a special room with electricity. Completely free of charge on your end. And tomorrow your mission will begin. Just sign this contract. Not that I don't trust you, it's just to make sure you don't get away with anything bad," She pulled out a rolled up paper from her hood's pocket and quickly unrolled it. "Later this week you'll get greeted by a messenger who will let you know all the details,"
His eyebrows raised as he took the contract out her hands. A contract! He laughed. How silly. Yet he didn't stop as he picked up the pen from her other extended hand. He couldn't read anything on the page, nor did he know how to sign, but he'd seen plenty of folk write before. Next to the very prominent "x", he scribbled something he thought looked pretty darn good as a signature (it was just a squiggly line) in the empty space. Then, once everything was sealed in ink and the nice lady took back the paper did he question his own decisions. However, he quickly forgot all about it again.
The pretty hooded girl's whole face lit up as she stared at the paper. She looked at him again and beamed. Softly, she said to him, "Thank you,"
He tipped his cowboy hat and didn't say a word.
She started to leave before him. The girl paused a few steps ahead of him before she turned around, looking serious and grim.
"Whatever you do, don't give up on this. I'll make sure you get rewarded well. I'll be counting on you to remain determined and faithful,"
"Of course, Miss.. Uh. Miss...."
"Don't worry about my name for now. You'll find out eventually." she sighed a breath of relief and smiled again. "May the Lord be with you. Goodbye, Boothill. Oh, and, remember to keep him safe,"
He dumbly waved goodbye as she left.
"Did... Did I just get tricked into this?" Boothill furrowed his brows. He shrugged after a few seconds and continued on his merry way with both of his hands behind his head. "Now.. To find out how I'm gunna get that sweet place she promised,"