The Forests Edge

[Mads]

Mashka sat on the back porch of her little home, using the daylight for her sewing. She was busy patching up a pair of trousers for an older man down the dirt road, just outside of the nearest town. She smiled to herself, the peace here was worth the danger of living by the forest.

[The Faceless One]

***Traxx***

The crying neigh of a horse was heard from outside as a large black mustang emerged from the woods and it's rider a man dressed in black and silver his clothes those of an American cowboy as it were dismounted.

"Don't worry I'll get you something" the man a handsome male with military styled dark brown hair, hazel green eyes promised the horse who whined and neighed as the owner knocked on the door.

"Anyone home?" he asked his voice gruff yet also somewhat commanding as he looked around keeping out of the sunlight while waiting

[Mads]

Mashka looked up, a little startled. She put down her sewing and stood up, she went into the house and to the front door. Smoothing out her dress first, she opened the door, "Yes?"

[The Faceless One]

***Traxx***

"I'm in need of some clothes, preferrably black and heavy with silver linings price is no option. Need a few bandoliers if you can some some and a few blankets one for a horse and one for a man" the man said removing four silver coins and three golden ones

[Mads]

She held out her hand for the coins, a little surprised, "Right, let me write all that down." She went over to her writing desk and grabbed a pad of paper. "So, clothes: black, heavy with silver lining; bandoliers, and two blankets; one for a horse and one for man. Where will you be staying, so I know where to find you... Mr.?"

[The Faceless One]

***Traxx***

"Outside" he replied calmly catching her scent "unless you don't mind me staying here for a little while"

He wondered what a vampire like her was doing here in the woods which teamed with werewolves among other things, and not in town or elsewhere where she could feed to her heart's content but decided not to bring it up.

"Can pay extra for room and board" he replied calmly "for a day and one night at the very least after that I'll be moving on again"

He had a Count to track down and eliminate and he intended to do just that once he had everything else taken care of

[Mads]

She nodded, opening the door a little more, "Yes, I have a spare room. Um, come in."

She went through her living room into the hallway, motioning she said, "The room right there is the kitchen, at the end of the hallway is my room, right next to it is the bathroom, and then here is the spare room." She was pointing to the door right in front of her.

[The Faceless One]

***Traxx***

He nodded handing her a forth golden coin "thank you kindly ma'am" he replied bowing a little before he grabbed his bedroll and other items then put them in the spare room.

Nightmare neighed from outside and as he looked at his horse he smiled a little "any apples?" he asked politely wondering why a ghostly horse would want apples, after all it wasn't like Nightmare could digest them then again perhaps it was habit after all he himself was the same way "by the way name's Traxx, Jason Traxx" he replied with a warm smile

[Mads]

"Nice to meet you, I'm Mashka Vasilievich," she said, giving him a small smile. "I have a couple apples, not really sure why, but I do," she laughed. "They're in the kitchen, if you want to go get them, and if you want anything to eat, you're welcome to find something in there. I'm just going to get started on your clothes."

She went back through the living room to another door, it lead to a room just off the house, where she kept all her sewing materials; fabric, thread, needles, etc.

She cut out black fabric, she had looked Jason over and guessed his measurements, she had a knack for that. Once cut, she took the fabric and her basket of thread out to the living room once again, and sat down in a rocking chair.

[The Faceless One]

***Traxx***

He smiled politely then headed for the kitchen returning with an apple for Nightmare which he tossed to his horse who neighed in appreciation while eating.

He rolled a cigarette then struck a match and lit it and took several breaths inhaling the smoke into his dead lungs deep in thought.

After he was done with Dracula he'd think about a slight vacation though where to go for one was beyond him, perhaps Rome? Had been awhile since he'd been there after all.

[Mads]

Mashka threaded her needle and began sewing a pair of pants. All black was not a usual request, most of the village boys asked for black or red with some accents, boys usually wanted something flashy that would be sure to call attention.

She wondered what this man was doing here. He obviously wasn't planning to settle here, so what was he here for?

[The Faceless One]

***Traxx***

He stood there in his room one hand on the holstered gun on his left thigh and with great ease began to practice his fast draw taking the time to draw and redraw his weapon in a fast and fluid motion his aim dead on target.

Places like this with not that many people were great places for those on the run from the law to hide out at and if anything that suited him just fine because truth be told he was in a way the law for the moment.

Delivering his own brand of justice suited him just fine as nobody could bribe him or get some fancy lawman to make him leave those who were guilty well and truly alone.

Those such as Dracula who killed with impunity or the werewolves who also did the same or common criminals who profitted off of the misfortune of others.

They were all the same to bounty hunters like Jason Traxx

[Mads]

She suddenly remembered that she needed to give him an extra blanket or two for the night, it was supposed to be cold. Going the hallway closet and got out two heavy quilts she'd made a long time ago.

Hefting them up, she went to Jason's room and opened the door to see him drawing and redrawing his gun. "Um, preparing for a fight?"

[The Faceless One]

***Traxx***

"Practicing" he replied watching her with hooded eyes before doing the same with the revolver on his right thigh "where I come from learning to fight is often what saves a person's life" he added with clarification "same with strength and intelligence"

He paused then stopped and put his weapons away sizing her up for several moments surprised that she'd offer him a blanket since vampires almost rarely if ever felt cold or heat.

He wondered if she knew he was a vampire

[Mads]

"Yes, well, I guess I should have known, living here," she mumbled, a little embarassed. Looking up from the floor she remembered what she'd come for, "I brought a couple blankets, in case you needed them, or your horse. It's supposed to be very cold tonight."