A/N: I've fallen in love with fanfics! this is just my second one and I'd appreciate any feedback! I'm realizing reviews really do feed creative moments and writing, and thank each person for reading as well as any reviews. I'm bursting with ideas for NATM, there's so many good fics out, yet not enough! I'd love to team up with someone and bust a few ideas out. =] PM me if interested! Kinda wanna write a story about just how brutal Cecil might've been to the exhibits before Larry =O...
The Absent Cowboy, NATM2
The night had begun like any other night, Oct had awoken at sunset to his men crowded around him where he stood in the diorama. He quickly shook off the lingering numbness in his limbs as he called out to his soldiers, ordering a sound off. He considered it his duty as their general to verify that they were well before they scattered off to do their own bidding for the day, some off to guard shifts while others were off duty. As annoying and unnecessary as they saw it, he would do so every time without fail.
After mentally checking off his men one by one by their exasperated voices and making sure everything was in order for the night, he would usually make his way over to the western diorama to greet his southern friend and discuss their plans for the evening.
This time however, he was delayed when a bull of all things escaped from the miniature Roman farm and began to terrorize the streets. It took him about half an hour, and about 15 soldiers, to capture and soothe the beast as well as the populous. Only once the event was over and people had meandered away, did Oct's mind turn back to his original destination. Jed.
Octavius made the over the ledge of the Roman town's exhibit, across the small rope bridge that was hung each night by his soldiers, and began his climb into the Western diorama.
As he neared the top he pulled himself up to the ledge.
Tanned arms met him and he accepted the offered forearms of some townsfolks who'd seen him and wandered over to help. As he thanked the men who assisted him to his feet, he was already puzzled by the fact that Jed was not only not amongst them, but also no where to be seen. He was usually the first to greet the Roman.
Once settled Octavius straighten his armor and the townsfolk took a quick look over the edge before they tipped their hats in acknowledgement and left. There was one who lingered, and Oct addressed the younger brunette man named Clay who was Jed's unofficial second in command.
"Greetings Clay, and many thanks for the assistance." Oct said as he glanced around. He was sure he hadn't missed seeing the blonde haired leader. "Have you seen Jedediah?"
Clay frowned suddenly and said "We thought he went ta see you! That's why we're all just standin' here. Said he had some 'big surprise' for us and was gonna git ya."
Clay motioned to the ledge. "Climbed down as soon as he woke up, spittin' somethin' about needin' ya ta get the 'surprise' ready, then just climbed right down, quick as ice'll melt on a warm day."
Octavius was now frowning hard as well, as he ran through the blonde Cowboy's last few conversations with him. 'A surprise that needed my assistance?' He couldn't recall anything that would have related to a 'surprise' and chalked it up to Jed's wildly spontaneous nature. It was so hard to keep up with the wide eyed man. When they had fought bitterly, Oct had still admired the man for his ingenious plans and his out of the box thinking. It had kept their wars both entertaining, as well as challenging through the 50 some odd years.
"I have not seen Jedediah as of yet this evening Clay… It concerns me that he made his way to see me, and never reached his destination..." Octavius thought out loud ah he began to get an odd sense of unease at the idea, looking for the blonde in earnest amongst the figurines scattered across the Diorama room.
Clay nodded solemnly beside him, "The boys an' I thought he was climbin' up with ya honestly, s'why they were lookin' over the edge, tryin' ta make sure he wasn't there." Clay explained while motioning to the ledge.
Octavius noted the western man's accent was becoming thicker as his anxiety rose. This was a trait that the Roman had seen in Jed on the rare occasion and it made his heart twinge in sympathy.
"When did he take his leave?" Octavius asked Clay.
"Ahhh….'bout an hour ago. I was just thinkin' bout goin' an lookin' for em." Clay took a moment to glance about, making sure no one was within ear shot.
"Can I shoot straight with ya?" Clay asked quietly, Oct nodded and motioned for him to continue..
"He's never jus' gone done left for any reason. He always comes back right away, or at least tells someone where he gone off ta' so no one gets ta worryin'." Clay took his hat off and started anxiously crumpling and uncrumpling it.
"And now I know he ain't with ya….I don' want no one to know hes gone, might start a-panicin'." Another look towards those closest to the two men. "But I'm gettin' real worried sir."
Oct nodded firmly in agreeance with the Western man, he found the behavior of the western leader both odd, and very concerning as well. To Jed, nothing came before his people and he wouldn't just leave without telling his men when he'd be back..
Octavius was getting more and more uncomfortable about the idea of Jedediah being missing and decided to take action.
He clamped a hand on the nervous man's shoulder and smiled assuringly.
"Do not fear Clay, Jedediah is as strong a man as any other great leader I've known." Clay brightened at the compliment aimed towards his leader. "I'm sure he's just gone about his plans for this 'surprise'. He most likely came to the Roman town, noted I was detained with duties and went about his tasks." Nodding once firmly he added "I will begin a search for him, privately, and we shall both soon return with this 'surprise' of his."
Clay let out a large breath he'd been holding in a loud puff and visibly relaxed as the weight of solving the situation was shifted to the Roman leader. Octavius sometimes forgot that while he led a large platoon of highly skilled, battle tested soldiers, Jed's group was much less stable. If left alone his Roman men would fall into ranks and default to predetermined plans in his absence. Jed's people were made up of young men Ahk's age, to the age of the older Night Guards. While they all looked towards Jed for leadership, and Clay with respect, it was at times like this that Octavius remembered they were just cattlemen, cowboys turned farmers, what Jed called 'rail riders' and outlaws turned good. Without their leader setting an example of behavior and laws, chaos and panic just might run rampant.
Shaking his head clear he patted Clay on the shoulder again firmly before approaching the ledge to begin his decent.