kingdomdressing | Mommas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys

C'mon darlin', we're almost there.

[is that an Axel? it sounds a little like one, but with a twang in his voice that sounds as warm and smooth as it does completely out of place. there's also the tell-tale clop-clop-clop of hooves.

a door in one of the many hallways is shoved open and a tall, lanky man in blue denim, heavy leather chaps, a beaten leather jacket over a plaid flannel button-down, and a dark brown ten-gallon hat shoved down on his messy red hair. the brim is so low that he can't see too much when he enters the hallway and he's a little busy knocking the piles of snow and ice off his shoulders, hat, and horse.

yes. his horse. he turns back around, tipping his hat back while he wipes the snow off its back, and the saddle and pack that's strapped to it.]

See there, Caroline? All your fussin' was for nothin'. We made it just fine and now we can tuck in for some good...

[he trails off right there, because he just got a look at his surroundings]

What in the hell...?

This one of those practical jokes? Don't look practical to me...

[ooc: ....uh, yeah. I don't really have a good excuse for this! But have a COWBOY AXEL. He hails from the American Southwest, circa December 31st, 1870, and will act accordingly.]

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......

[Axel chews on that a while.

a pretty long while, in fact. his expression goes from country bumpkin terror to a very flat blankness, then slow caution, and finally...

yeah, that's a smile. an Axel smile] Don't think I ever seen a devil get hurt feelins as quick as you just did.

Never seen one enjoy a cup of coffee, either. Guess that makes ya somethin' less than devilish, right?

........... [SIP.

And with a flare of annoyance, Roxas remembers it's a stupid idea to ever underestimate an Axel. he tries to sound irritated, but just sounds kinda grouchy and pouty instead.]

My feelings are not hurt. I'm just not fond of baseless accusations. [sip.

... sip. looks up at him over the rim of his cup, raising his eyebrows in question. portal, then, sirrah?]

[also: cutest devil he ever did see. but best to keep that to himself for the time bein'] Whatever ya say.

[he takes a couple steps toward him, speaking softly to his girl as he does so] That thing you were doin', it won't hurt her, will it? I don't care much 'bout m'self, but she's my sweetheart. I won't see her harmed.

[watches him, slowly lowering his coffee cup. with a great big sigh, the tension goes out of his shoulders and he smiles a faint, crooked smile, speaking once again in that low murmur of his.]

No, it won't hurt her. You might want to keep your hat over her nose, so the smell of it doesn't scare her, but otherwise she should be fine.

[opens the portal again, with a little less flash and to do this time.] You ready?

I'll be holdin' you t'your word. Don't forget that. [he snags his hat off his saddle, putting it over her nose and stepping up to the portal] Yeah, I'm ready.

[just gives one single, very quiet laugh, then heads through the portal. once Axel follows, he'll see Roxas was true to his word -- they end up in a grassy, meadow-like area in the large garden room. And Roxas'll just be standing there, knocking back the last of his coffee.]

[the trip through that portal...well, let's just say it's not fun.

at all.

Axel has his hands full trying to keep the horse from going wild, so he doesn't have time to acknowledge his own fear. but they make it, even if he comes out the other side a lot paler than when he went in.

he has to just breathe for a while, letting his hat drop and the poor mare take in the scents of what looks like a very real meadow]

[Is just chillin' out and waiting. He notices that Axel looks a lot paler, but bites his tongue and just lets the other have a bit of silence for a time.]

If you want, you can tie her up here or let her graze for a bit while you and I go get some coffee. It's up to you.

[he nods and gets busy doing just that, putting his hat back on his head and unwrapping her eyes. she's calm, for the most part, breathing in the new air and turning her head this way and that. eventually she drops down, nibbling experimentally at the grass.

Axel lets out a long sigh and digs a checkered handkerchief out of his pocket to wipe at his forehead with.]

That was some trip.

[shrug.] It must be weird for someone who's never been in the darkness before. I've spent my whole life with it, so it never seemed weird.

Think you can handle doing it again?

[shoves his hands into his pockets, jaw working] Can't imagine that kinda life. Be like livin' in a tomb.

Is it really necessary?

... you can get used to pretty much anything if you live with it for a while.

[smiles a little] Too much for you? Fine, we can walk, but it'll take about ten minutes.

Mommas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys

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