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[majorum_pride]

[Public message and Open Spam]

[About midday Mr. Gaheris Montgomery Rhade comes riding in to town for the first time in two years on his dapple gray stallion, Perseus, a full month before he's due. He's written to some of his friends and sent his ranchhands money to take care of the horses, but he's been away with the war as a Union soldier. He'

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[takencareofyou]

[Vegas has been busy attending to some chores, but he's got time for his employer. He's been working for the family for quite some time now. Returning to work however, he responds with a friendly wave.]

Welcome back Mr. Rhade!

[majorum_pride]

[There's Vegas! He guides his horse over by the reigns but as soon as he's within hugging distance that's what Vegas gets.] I believe you've sprouted some gray hairs in my absence, Vegas. I do hope a member of the farer sex is the cause and not the list of responsibilities I hefted upon your shoulders. [He thumps his shoulder with a pat.]

Gonna just guess at the sex of the horse...

[takencareofyou]

[Vegas grins] No sir, sadly. Can't say I haven't tried however. [He thumps him back] For someone out of the war sir, you're looking well.

[he's pleased by that.] And so is she.

Is a boy, but we can pretend it's a new one. I messed up the sex of Elle's dog for two days.

[majorum_pride]

I'm lucky to have returned with all my limbs intact. Much of our unit weren't quite so fortunate. [He shakes his head and hands off the horse.] What's happened since I've been gone?

[knowsthepeople]

Welcome back, Sergeant.

[Patrick's still from Boston, served in a regiment from Massachusetts and has been stationed here since the end of the war.]

[majorum_pride]

Good to be back, Corporal. Though I'm a bit relieved to be in a position where formalities aren't necessary. When did you arrive? [Rhade was held up with war wrap up.]

[knowsthepeople]

'Bout a year ago. Seems they don't have much use for soldiers back in Boston and I'm not sure what else to do with myself after the war.

[majorum_pride]

Boston would have been preferable to the front. [Someone is still a little shell-shocked, but he's going to do his best to act as if he's not.]

[Private]

What's this about prospectors for the railroad?

[Spam]

[majorum_pride]

[And as soon as he sees Braxton, a smile lights up Rhade's face.] Mr. Irving, I hope time has treated you as well as it appears. [You look good and I don't see a bit of gray. He stalls Perseus so he can enjoy his sugar cube.] It's good to see you again.

[Spam]

[majorum_pride]

[With the mention of the letters and the smile, he reddens a touch but pretends that he didn't. If he doesn't mention it, it's not happening, right?] I ought to see to supper with Vegas before I make any contradictory promises. But after I have a drink with him at the saloon, I'd gladly slip away to join you for a game of cards. [Saloon girls? Or Braxton? Not a tough choice from him. Fortunately he can pull off the shy, bashful grin well enough that the girls probably think they're just intimidating.] I hope I don't disappoint you, I've gone quite a while without a suitable opponent.

[majorum_pride]

Mr. Foreman! [He sounds pleasantly surprised to see him, and trots the horse over to his side.] You're looking quite well, sir.

[majorum_pride]

I know what you mean. [A pleasant smile.] The war is over, and that's the most important part. For the best, too. The Spanish have no intention of paying any mind to the Monroe Doctrine and it's best for the Union to be solid to face them when the time comes. [Yeah, he'll be regretting that bit later when he's himself again. He wanders his horse on over, which means Mr. Foreman gets nosed at by the big stallion.] It took me all of ten seconds to hear rumors about villains and renegades when I came in.