03-12-2021, 06:27 PM
[align=center][div style="width: 430px; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; font-size: 6pt; letter-spacing: 2.5px; word-spacing: 0px; line-height: 12px; color: #000"]Following the fight between Bluestem Prairie in which Flintlock Lodge succeeded in debilitating them, and prior to the vulnerable and caretakers returning to Flintlock Lodge once more, Eddie wanted to be certain that he did everything in his power to ensure that, once his children returned, they’d be safe. After all, little Charlotte and Thomas were nearing their third birthdays, far too young to defend themselves from the harsh reality of their situation. Thrust between political tensions, Eddie had no way of assuring that this would be the last of their troubles with Bluestem Prairie. But, for now the Lodge had managed to exhaust the Ranchers to the point of rendering them weak. They’d not be bothering Flintlock Lodge any time soon.
But, Eddie liked to prepare far in advance for the inevitable. After all, a lack of preparation had always been what let Eddie down. Little did he know, it was impossible to predict all of life’s miseries.
Upon the group’s return to Flintlock Lodge, the atmosphere was grave and depressing. Many people had lost their lives, and the Lodge grieved for each and every person whose life had come to an end during these last several months. Many thanked Eddie for his deeply pragmatic ways of commanding the group, whilst others despised him for the collateral damage involved in such a high risk battle. But, Eddie knew that he had done the very best he could in protecting the lodge and, one day, the people would be safer for it.
With a stricter and more rigid schedule of patrols set out by Frederick, weapons upgraded and boundaries reinforced by Tommy, and Eddie as quietly observant as ever as he recalled each and every pattern within the treeline of the surrounding forest, everything was finally coming together again in preparation for the return from Northstar. Cleaning up Charlotte and Tommy’s bedroom, lips twitching at the anticipation of having them return home again, Eddie stood in the doorway before he'd add one last touch. Stepping to the corner of the room, Eddie dropped a dog bed onto the floor before he left, shutting the door with a soft click.
Wandering back to the living room, Eddie stood in the doorway with his hands in his pockets as he quietly watched Tommy leaning down, fussing a giant brown dog. Breath heavy and jowls dragging his face down, the dog’s mass alone was intimidating enough, especially for a first-time pet owner. But, Tom would guide Eddie through it all; after all, this dog was not a pet for Eddie, it was in order to protect his family. Stepping further into the living room, Eddie nodded his head slowly as he watched the dog, brows bunching slightly at the higher-than-usual pitch of Tommy’s ❛ dog talk ❜ before his older brother lifted his head to look at Eddie. ❝ He’s a good one. ❞ Tom explained, scratching the dog behind the ear.
Eddie was quiet for a moment before he pointed out, ❝ He looks happy for a neglected dog. ❞ Tommy pursed his lips, pointer finger wagging Ed’s way before he said, ❝ Well that’s because he ain’t no neglected dog no more, is he? He’s got a new home here. A second chance at life. ❞ The dog lumbered over towards Eddie, claws tapping against the floorboards as he panted contently. Eddie would not move from his position, gazing down at the dog awkwardly before slowly removing his hand from his pocket to pet the dog on the head. ❝ A second chance, ‘ey? ❞ Eddie huffed softly beneath his breath, looking down as the dog wagged his tail.
Eddie supposed that everyone here had a second chance at life now, hadn’t they? If it weren't for second chances, then they'd all be dead or worse, alone. And, Eddie wasn't alone yet.
But, Eddie liked to prepare far in advance for the inevitable. After all, a lack of preparation had always been what let Eddie down. Little did he know, it was impossible to predict all of life’s miseries.
Upon the group’s return to Flintlock Lodge, the atmosphere was grave and depressing. Many people had lost their lives, and the Lodge grieved for each and every person whose life had come to an end during these last several months. Many thanked Eddie for his deeply pragmatic ways of commanding the group, whilst others despised him for the collateral damage involved in such a high risk battle. But, Eddie knew that he had done the very best he could in protecting the lodge and, one day, the people would be safer for it.
With a stricter and more rigid schedule of patrols set out by Frederick, weapons upgraded and boundaries reinforced by Tommy, and Eddie as quietly observant as ever as he recalled each and every pattern within the treeline of the surrounding forest, everything was finally coming together again in preparation for the return from Northstar. Cleaning up Charlotte and Tommy’s bedroom, lips twitching at the anticipation of having them return home again, Eddie stood in the doorway before he'd add one last touch. Stepping to the corner of the room, Eddie dropped a dog bed onto the floor before he left, shutting the door with a soft click.
Wandering back to the living room, Eddie stood in the doorway with his hands in his pockets as he quietly watched Tommy leaning down, fussing a giant brown dog. Breath heavy and jowls dragging his face down, the dog’s mass alone was intimidating enough, especially for a first-time pet owner. But, Tom would guide Eddie through it all; after all, this dog was not a pet for Eddie, it was in order to protect his family. Stepping further into the living room, Eddie nodded his head slowly as he watched the dog, brows bunching slightly at the higher-than-usual pitch of Tommy’s ❛ dog talk ❜ before his older brother lifted his head to look at Eddie. ❝ He’s a good one. ❞ Tom explained, scratching the dog behind the ear.
Eddie was quiet for a moment before he pointed out, ❝ He looks happy for a neglected dog. ❞ Tommy pursed his lips, pointer finger wagging Ed’s way before he said, ❝ Well that’s because he ain’t no neglected dog no more, is he? He’s got a new home here. A second chance at life. ❞ The dog lumbered over towards Eddie, claws tapping against the floorboards as he panted contently. Eddie would not move from his position, gazing down at the dog awkwardly before slowly removing his hand from his pocket to pet the dog on the head. ❝ A second chance, ‘ey? ❞ Eddie huffed softly beneath his breath, looking down as the dog wagged his tail.
Eddie supposed that everyone here had a second chance at life now, hadn’t they? If it weren't for second chances, then they'd all be dead or worse, alone. And, Eddie wasn't alone yet.
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I'M OUT OF MY MIND, REPLAYING THE SCENE