(no subject)

[jack_f_twist]

Hell, it's been a day.

Seems like all the cattle (alright, three) just felt like calving at near the same time--whether in solidarity or for some other reason Jack's got no clue, but between four-in-the-morning fights with creatures three times his size and a hell of a lot stronger, feeding the newborns and making sure they get checked out all proper with the vet from town, and listening to the low bellows of the mothers worried that their young might try to get too far too soon makes for some days he won't be all that depressed to see pass.


At least it ain't the season for sheep (not that Shadow's got 'em, anyhow). Goddamn but he hates sheep.

It's times like these he really enjoys an evening cigarette, fence railings cold against his jeans and the biting smoke drawing hot into his mouth and lungs.

'S a pretty night, anyhow. A real nice orange-colored sky.

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[true_desire]

Almost gold, actually, and from this angle the clouds look almost red -- Funny thing, really. Makes the whole place seem a little unworldly.

There's the sound of boots on the ground behind him, the smell of burning tobacco and peaches, and then Desire's hanging a heel on the fancing's lowest rung. "Evening, Jack. Long time."

[jack_f_twist]

"Howdy," says Jack from around his cigarette, nodding a little to the gent by his side. He ain't exactly startled by the fella's appearance--ain't like Desire's ever dropped by for what you might call a surprise visit.

Hell, he's getting to feel downright comfortable with the golden-eyed gent, though there's an air of wistfulness (and that's just as usual) about his greeting. "A while, sure."

He don't ask what brings Desire to Shadow. Hell, what brings any of the Endless anywhere? It's too far above Jack's head to know, that's for damn sure.

[true_desire]

Desire offers Jack a sideways smile: He's rather missed Jack himself, what with the infrequent in-person visits to this corner of the 'Verse.

There's a moment that seems almost awkward, Desire's hands fidgeting with his cigarette, his pockets, his lighter. He takes to flipping it open and shut pale fingers dancing through the flame as it appears and vanishes.

"How've you been, Jack?"

[jack_f_twist]

The click and snap of Desire's golden lighter's kinda comforting, in a way. "Can't say as I've been hard off." He tips his hat back to scratch at sweat-dried hair, twisting his mouth into a so far, so good kind of look. "Good work, good company, plenty of food and plenty a space. Shadow ain't such a bad place to be."

(Of course, then there's the way he stares off into the gathering dusk, blue eyes wide and jaw set in that stubborn way he's got.)

"Didn't think I'd be getting a visit from you anytime soon, though." He tosses it off, but truth is, he's a little surprised he ain't heard from the golden-eyed sonuvvabitch...considering last few times he'd been in the bar. Months ago, but he still gets a little wistful thinking about that drink he owes Hero.

[true_desire]

The lighter stops mid-play, the fire a bright little beacon in the falling dark. "Imagine not. Duìbùqĭ, Jack -- I've really owed you a visit in person for some time. Still..."

Desire scuffs his foot against the rail, as if knocking away loose clumps of imaginary mud. It's a stalling tactic, plain as the snap shut of the lighter. "Got something to tell you that can't wait 'til we're next in Milliways."

Beat.
Casting a wry grin at the skyline, Desire even looks away from Jack and down, as if sheepish.
Does Desire get sheepish?

"Imagine you won't want to talk to me if I don't tell you. That important."

[jack_f_twist]

The look Jack gives him back is quick--there and gone again in a glimpse of blue that then slides away under the brim of his beat up black hat. "Y'don't say."

It ain't much of a lead, maybe; but then again, when's Desire ever asked for an invitation? And hell...they're sorta friends, in a way, ain't they? Talking about their kids and smoking cigarettes right down to the filter--though it ain't happened in a while, Jack remembers. Desire could say--and will say, and has said--damn near anything he wants to Jack.

So how come the hesitation now?

"Lay it on me, podner, I got no place to go but back to my bunk."

[true_desire]

Desire still isn't quite looking at Jack, just staring out at something that might not even be there, out past the bounds of the ranch.

"It's about Ennis."

[jack_f_twist]

Just like that, all the loss rushes back.

His cigarette twitches in suddenly nerveless fingers, but then Jack's all blazing blue eyes and set jaw and pale face when he turns to Desire, one hand fisting on the top railing, regardless of splintering wood against knuckles.

"What the fuck about Ennis?" Accusatory, and a little jealous: "It you been makin' Sallie see things lately?"

[true_desire]

Yep. That's about what Desire expected.

"Well." Desire's voice is calm as anything, though perhaps pointedly still not looking at Jack. "He wanted to come back. -- So he did."

[jack_f_twist]

"He ain't back." Short, and to the point, because there's two things Desire could mean by sayin' that and the first...well...

It just ain't so. So Jack's figurin' (now that he's used to disappoinments) that the Endless means the second one. "Not like that. He ain't...hauntin' this place. Ennis wouldn'ta wanted to come back like that."

[true_desire]

Desire looks at Jack now, something akin to a wry smirk pulling up the corner of his mouth. "He's not here Jack -- Any fool with eyes can see that. And why would I mess with old wounds, especially yours?"

"I mean he's in Milliways." He coughs once, eyes the ember on the end of his cigarette.

"He's Bound."

[jack_f_twist]

So he drops the cigarette.

Throws, more like--or at least the burning stub is sent flying when Jack catapults himself away from the fence, hat tipping back on his head and breath coming fast and hard.

It takes him about twenty seconds to get into the dark house (and where the hell is Sallie so damn late? but that don't hardly even register at all), slamming the front door and the pantry one behind him.

Didn't even say "goodbye" to Desire, neither.

Some people got no manners.

[true_desire]

Desire just laughs as Jack takes off like his ass is on fire, quiet at first but practically falling over with a belly-laugh as Jack's vanished into the house.

"Shit, Jack," Desire says, wiping hisherits golden eyes and slipping between the rails to stomp out the lit cigarette smoldering away.

"Good luck, m'friend."

And as quickly as Desire was there, Desire's gone.