As a Vixen I must say it was very hard for me to even CONSIDER pulling a prank on Vin but since I had no choice....here it is.
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Marianne looked over at her partner, apprehension in her hazel eyes. "I don't know about this."
Nutmeg grinned. "Feeling a little apprehensive pard?" At Marianne's innocent look Nutmeg chuckled. "And don't give me that look. You know full well how long it took for you to get around to pulling this prank!"
Marianne nodded reluctantly."Yes...well, I'm a Vixen. It's my nature to want to protect Vin."
"Well, its not like it'll hurt him." Nutmeg assured. "Now git! We've got a prank to pull." She passed an object to her partner."You're sure you can get close enough to pull the switch?"
Marianne, in full prankster mode, grinned. "Why pard," She scolded gently. "Have faith."
Vin walked out of the saloon and looked for Marianne.
She'd agreed to ride out into the countryside with him, on patrol. They'd had reports of people, usually alone or in small groups, getting waylaid by thieves.
"Hey Vin!" Marianne called." You ready?" She was walking across the street leading Black.
She was almost there when a dog ran behind her, nearly bowling her over.
She pitched forward, her arms windmilling as she tried to keep her balance. Vin lunged down the steps and just managed to catch her.
She rested against him (HA! Now aren't you jealous?) for a moment trying to catch her breath.
"You all right?" He inquired.
"Yep, And right now I'm actually enjoying myself." Marianne admitted shamelessly, looking up at him.
Vin laughed as she stepped back. "You're incorrigable."
"And you know it." She reponded mounting up.
As they rode out of town Marianne slipped something into her pocket.
Their patrol took them in a wide loop around Four Corners. It allowed them to check both roads and the many hiding places in between.
They paused on a hill top and Vin reached into his pocket and pulled out his spyglass and scanned the countryside.
"Anything?" Marianne asked following his gaze.
"Nope." Vin looked down at the spyglass. Frowning he wiped at the lense.
"Somethin' wrong?"
"It's a little blury."
"Lemme see." Marianne accepted it and, as Vin looked over the countryside, reached into her pocket.
When Vin looked back at her, she was cleaning the lense with a hanky. Marianne looked up and saw him watching her. With a smile she handed it to him." Try it now."
Vin lifted the glass to his eye. A second later he smiled. "Much better. Thank you."
"There was something smudged on the lense." Marianne reported then noticed the suspicious look Vin was giving her." What? I didn't touch it. 'Sides I'm the unofficial guardian of the spyglass I wouldn't mess with it. And neither would Nutmeg....she's much more devious than that."
Vin saw the genuine offense in her eyes and relented. "Sorry pard,"
"No prob."
Together they headed back to town.
As Marianne tied up their horses Vin walked into the saloon to secure them some drinks.
At the bar he met Buck.
"Dang Vin! You get in a fight?"
Vin looked at him puzzled but, thinking the scoundrel had had to much to drink, ignored the comment.
"Why, Mr.Tanner! What on earth happened to your eye?" Ezra asked in surprise before tossing back some kind of orangy drink, one of the list members had once likened it to Tang.
Nutmeg looked up from her sasparilla as Marianne walked in. They nodded at each other and walked over to lean against the bar on either side of Vin.
"Say, Pard," Nutmeg called to Marianne in a conversational tone. "Did you and Vin get a little rough?"
Marianne looked over at Nutmeg. "Why? And what makes you think we were doing anything that involved rough?....Vin's a perfect gentleman."
Vin's gaze swivelled from one to the other then moved to the rest of the seven who were sitting nearby.
The men were either laughing, smiling or chuckling. Some all three.
Vin had a sinking feeling. (NO NOT TITANIC KIND OF SINKING!!!!!!!! :-) )
Slowly he eased over to the mirror.
"MARIANNE!!" He said in shock.
"Yes Vin darlin'...?" She responded brightly.
"What the hell did you do?"
"Switched your spyglass with a fake that had black make up on it." Nutmeg supplied cheerfully.
"Sorry Vin," Marianne said sadly. "But you knew it had to happen." Her face was the picture of contriteness.
Vin sighed as the men at the table roared with laughter.
"Well Vin!" Buck slapped him on the back. "Can't say I didn't warn ya!"
Vin glared at him.
"Oh Bucky!" Marianne said sweetly. "You realize that just because you turn has passed doesn't mean I can't play another prank at any time? If the inspiration strikes....." She trailed off meaningfully.
Nutmeg looked over at Vin. He appeared calm but she knew how unpredictable he could be and had no urge to land in a shallow grave. "Ah, Pard!" She called. "I think now's a good time for our getaway."
"I agree." Marianne said as they headed for the door.
"A little soap and water'll clean things up nicely." Nutmeg leaned said to Nathan. "Tell him in about 2 hours."
And so the two pranksters sauntered out leaving Vin to stare into the mirror...to stare at the perfectly round...fake...Shiner.
And Chris Larabee to worry if he was next....
Page links
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My main prank page
