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Vigilante Temperance
Tokala

"Hey listen, I'm sorry about that.. I'm Tokala, I'm afraid I didn't actually catch your name.." "Cute enough for me! But no swoopin' in and snatching up all the girlies in town, that's not on, not on at all.." He waggles a finger admonishingly. "Sweetest girl in town, that's who.. Not that she can hear me, c'mon, I'll introduce you." "Be a man and help the lady out Bren- uh, you're not gonna set him on fire or anything, are you Lexa?" "Its good to have goals though, even if they're just dreams right now. I don't really know what I'm gonna do, I like it here fine but I'm just not really sure of my place.." "Yeah, okay, awesome for you.. but if Mora here can KO you by lickin you're cheek I don't think you've got a chance against Brennen. I'm just trying to look out for you is all.. Brennen ain' gotten a good whoopin' in on any of us lately and I think he's itchin for one.. I just don't want to see you gettin busted up or worse.. not against Brennen.." "Blood can run lots of ways.." Mora might have tainted blood, but Walter's got a tainted spirit.. I don't think either of them made the other, but I don't mess with Walter and Mora's done mostly right by me.. Seems like every time I find myself alone with a girl I'm getting into trouble.. and not the kind I'd like. "Doc Coal's a good guy, prolly just look you over and pass you back tot he land of the living.. But I'd feel better knowin' he has in case you decide to tussle with Walter again.." Life hurts.. you don't take a switch to a bear because you stubbed your toe. I know Mora's got some rough edges, and Walter's no prize, but you still don't insult folk to their face, even if its true.. Not unless you mean to pick a fight, because sure as the sun shines that's what you're gonna get. "You called her a thief to her face, is that a compliment where you come from?" "Its an insult. Even if it IS your job.. its still an insult. Folk who do dark work get shady looks from others, don't mean they like it being pointed out to them.." "Yeah, you should.. I can take Mora the sweeties if you like, but I think you should do it, means more." "I know everyone says we're 'outsiders' but I grew up here too.. just because they lived in the middle and not on the edge.. that doesn't mean anything.." "I know witchmama.. But I don't want to just hide in the woods anymore.. I'm big, I'm strong, I might not know fighting, but I know a lot of other things, I can help people.." Tokala gives Adeline a funny look. "Please don't pretend to feel sorry for me.. I knew what I was getting into." "You tellin' me we don't see nightmares every day you an' me?" "Because Brennen isn't a halfbreed.. Because Francis isn't.. because Walter isn't.. And look at the shit they do because they think they're Better.. You fight back and you're the bad seed, you're bitter about your lot in life and you're the dissident.. Its like with Lexa too, I bet she would have been a normal girl if not for what she got growin up.. Now she's as broken as the rest of us, and then these fat bastards have the nerve to come in and say they're better because they look the same as everyone else? "Just look at me, I'm so mad I can't even keep my face straight.. Fuck, just look at what they do to Bren and he's not even a half breed! He's just a poor kid who's dad was never around and lost an ear when he was little, but that's good enough for them!" "Mora. Never. I ain' Walter an I ain' never gonna be.. You get that clear. I know you know better, but I'm sayin it so you know." "Okay, Fine! Then Maybe you shouldn't knock the Fuck out of the people who DO Care! And don't worry, we do suffer.. there's Plenty of suffering to go around here in Ashton.." "Think Tokala.. Think. Its just like a jig puzzle.. the pieces fit together.. She ain' never been like this with Bren an' I.. Walter was bad, but it was bad she knew.. Hadda been Brennen then, fucker went too far.. Its bad enough to beat a woman, but to-" His mouth works distastefully. "..Fuck. What the Fuck is wrong with folk?" "Much good I'd be.. one look at my damn face and I'd be everyone's new favorite witch an' we'd have a burnin' insteada the Brawl this year.. Focus! Annie sees you like this an'- Lady knows she can forgive a lot, but.." He props one elbow on the table, holding his forehead in his hand. "..this is different." "You don't want to Hurt us? What do you think you're doing? Every time you open your fat mouth that's exactly what you do.. They can believe you if they want, but I know the truth.." "I'm Sorry! I couldn't very well do it, could I? I stood up to Brennen and he put me out in half a breath.." I stop cold. "You best get him home then, I'd hate for you to lose another love. Cameron, keep an eye on them for me please." "Hey Earnest! You want to keep that twisted fuck you call a son you'd better patch that shit up.. He's bleedin out." Tokala's face contorts with a mixture of rage and revulsion, clenching an unclenching a fist. "What is Wrong with people!? What? Why can't they just leave well enough alone? What did she ever do to him??" "Well its a good goddamn thing he's dead." Doc coughs. "If he wasnt...?" "I guess we'll never know." He regards you dryly. "You don't know shit about us Lexa.. Mora's a fighter, you give her a sliver of a chance and she takes it." He shakes his head and rises, crossing to a cupboard and starts digging out differently sized parcels. "Not if she's gone to ground.. They want her for murder, an now she's busted out of jail.. if I ever see her again it won't be soon, and if you ever do I'll prolly die of shock." "Wish all you want, you find any way to make 'em come true you send me a letter or something.." He sighs. "I know a few people who could use a couple.." "Pretty blonde hates my guts, so you can shut it." "I can't, you're not real.. you're part of some terrible.." He glances around the room nervously. "..dream." "I'm.. not a fighter Mora.. but I would have killed him for you if I could. I swear I woulda. I swear.." "Its okay! Everyone just stop yelling!" I drop my blade, hugging her tightly, whispering. "Its real.. I'm sorry, but it is.. they're bad dreams come to life.. They aren't themselves, not no more, we just gotta do what we can.." "No, that's not it at all.. Man punishes Himself Cameron.. some of these were good people.. honest, Devout.. I mean Really devout.. Evil people, evil spirits, they don't care who they hurt, so long as someone's hurting.. here." I slip the dagger off my belt and hand it to him. "You find Annie, keep her safe.. I hope like hell she's still with Gregor.. but I have to find Mora, she's all alone out there and she's still shackled.." I slip quickly up against the wall beside the door, pulling a small dark vial from my satchel, gripping it tightly to still the trembling. "Fast, it has to be fast.. faster than I've ever been.. its distracted so I get one shot. I have to make it count.. I have to." I swallow and nod, getting slowly to my feet. "Uh yeah.. yeah I think so.. Thank you. Really.. thanks a whole lot.." Tokala swallows, licking his lips as he scans the carnage helplessly. "Gregor.. what happened? How did this happen?" "You're not sorry and you don't know Shit about me.." "There's always a choice.. there were good people here.. Good people, and I'm one of them!" "Let's move up to the part where she and I found that group of rangers you slaughtered.. or thought you did." "Mamma!! No!" The color drains from his face as he watches, whispering. "No.. no no no.." I choke down a sob and bolt in whatever direction Mora's tugging me. "I wish like hell today had never happened Mora.. My fault or not, those people are all still dead.. Yesterday they were alive an' they might not have been happy, but they were livin' out their lives.." He swallows. "Yesterday witchmamma was still walkin' around tellin' me I should know better an' I thought like hell I did.." He gives a little shrug. "Don't be sorry, you didn't deserve any of what you got.. I might've had me a pretty bad day, but you've had a lot more than that.." I swallow, resuming careful ministrations, voice low and fervent. "They'd better all be dead.. because if I ever see them again I will cease to be the kind of person I have always tried to be."