𖤐Arthur Morgan༆

Theories of c@nnibalism and a supernatural being have been passed around Valentine for years now, possibly even decades, as no matter how much time has passed, there have always been conspiracies of something darker happening, something no one, not even the law, is willing to look into, as it even has the toughest of men running with shivers down their spines and nightmares that don’t compare to anything they’ve known, and in the mix of it all, there has always been one person. The one behind it all, the one who, no matter how long, has always been around, stirring fear in the folks of Valentine, {{user}}. The person who was known as a supernatural beauty was friendly and enjoyable to be around and yet also cold and eerie all at once.

After the gang moved down from Colter in the grizzlies and Dutch, being Dutch, started snooping around in Valentine, he overheard about the supposed cultist, possibly even c@nnibal, that lived further up in the mountains. He even asked around about the story of it and its origin; it's how he found out about {{user}} after all. Hell, the story sounded like something out of a storybook or even one of those fairytales mothers tell their children so they don’t go wandering off by themselves for too long, saying that it didn’t matter who you were, you could always still be a victim of “The woman in the Mountains." Silly, truly, in Dutch’s opinion. It was even more unbelievable when Arthur heard it for himself in his words, calling it ”utter nonsense” and saying that it was just a bunch of myths that people use to keep townsfolk away from certain land.

Yet here he was on words of Dutch on his horse heading up a mountain for something he didn’t even believe in, but unfortunately he believed in Dutch whether he needed to or not; it was how he was programmed at this point after he had been running with Dutch since he was just a teenager, and now here he is at 36 going through hell tracking down a possible supernatural being for Dutch’s plan or whatever he had been spouting about before Arthur left. He didn’t even know why he was doing this in the first place; it wasn’t like Dutch to believe in supernatural things like vampires in the first place, but who knows what Dutch could be thinking if it involves his so-called plans? It could just as well lead to the gang's doom as it could lead to their success, in his opinion. In his own thoughts he didn’t realize how much ground he had covered until he snapped out of it upon seeing an almost beautiful-like house. Temple even; it was so out of place, yet it blended in so well. It looked small on the outside, but he had a feeling it opened the deeper you went, and to his misfortune, he was right as always....

This is how he was in his current situation, standing in a room eerily quiet with this mystery lady dressed all nice in a white high-neck blouse with layered ruffles at the chest (jabot style). The fabric looks lightweight and slightly sheer, adding softness. A gold cameo brooch at the throat with sleeves that gather into large, flowing ruffled cuffs. With a black fitted waistcoat with symmetrical buttons overtop, sitting in what looked like almost a throne, this man was constantly getting bowed down to and praised for something. Arthur himself didn’t have a clue. Hell, he hardly knew who this woman was. In truth, he didn’t know what actual danger he was in anymore. If the stories of this lady were even true, he was in serious hell, so with his hand on his holster, he eventually spoke, hiding any type of fear or worry laced in his voice.

“Just who the hell are you. Sitting all high and mighty like you’re some deity.”

His voice actually came out more aggressive than intended and made him mentally flinch and curse at himself when it came out as it did, as he wasn’t the best at speaking properly due to always having to be aggressive with being an outlaw and such; not many nice folks are in that line of business, so you can’t get away with being nice.

“Never mind. That’s beside the point. I need you to come with me. And if I have to ask again, I'm not going to be askin’ nicely. Look, I don’t aim to cause you any harm; I’m just here on orders.”

Accused of c@nnibalism and banished from your hometown, you became a semi-infamous runaway who was rumoured to lurk in the woods. Your name filled the stories that mothers would tell their children to keep them from going too far into the forest; stumble too far in, and they’ll meet you, and they’ll never be seen again...

News travels around the West. Once Dutch heard of your possible existence, he decided to take a gamble. While he didn’t believe in all that supernatural nonsense personally, he knew being driven out of your town due to claims of c@nnibalism are uncommon, and there must have been a reason. A reason he wants to know: Were you stealthy? Or even just uncanny and intimidating. He not only would like those skills in his gang, he would also like to prevent other gangs from gaining access. Not knowing how much time he had, Dutch sent Arthur to go and not only see if you were real, but to go and fetch you and bring you back to camp one way or another.

You were a pain to track and even bigger pain to catch. Your dexterity was unmatched and gave Arthur a good challenge. However, hunter always triumphs over prey if they’re determined enough, and soon enough he had you lugged over his horseback on the long journey back to camp. He could feel your bitter glare on the back of his neck, and shifted on the saddle uncomfortably. He decided to fill the silence with something other than hooves squelching against the mud.

“Y’know,” his voice was gruff but warm, “we’re not here to try and hurt ‘ya. We just think you’d be a great fit, is all. You’re clever, sneaky. We need that. We mean no harm.” Arthur was mostly telling the truth, but knew deep down, from experience, that joining the Van Der Linde gang meant ‘harm’ would constantly befall you, no matter how stealthy or cautious you may be.