Happy Trails

It had been a bit of a lark, honestly he'd almost skipped it or just gone to spectate but Ambrose had sort of talked himself into competing. The sport was notably more popular in the southwest but there were a surprising number of competitors at the cowboy action shooting/mounted shooting event. Having registered late and realizing that vampire senses and reflexes would take a lot of the fun and competition out of things, Ambrose hadn't entered many of the classes. Bit he had entered into the spirit of things and had dresses the part including duster hat and boots. He might have gotten a bit irritable when some punk questioned some of his historical accuracy. Considering he'd bought the item in question in Tombstone not too long before he'd been turned that was a joke. He hadn't felt bad about out shooting the son of a bitcb.

While the regular shooting had been interesting, the mounted shooting.. he'd really enjoyed that. That was as much horsemanship as marksmanship and he'd felt good about winning there. He still had to admit that Midnight was possibly the best horse he'd ever owned. Belle had outdone herself when she'd found the mare and they'd only gotten better together over the years and it showed tonight.

He and Midnight were now riding back through the preserve, Ysabel and one of her gentlemen were going to meet them. It was a nice night out, warm well maybe really warm but not exactly hot and he was happy with a nice easy trot especially as he was more anxious to see Ysabel than to get home.

Ysabel 4 years ago
"Were jails so sturdily built in the old West?" Ysabel was a little surprised Ambrose hadn't simply broken himself out of prison, but she came from a position of being able to simply waft through cracks and never actually tried to break herself out of anything, really.

She gave a little smirk when it was apparent that Reginald had lost on multiple levels, although it wasn't really polite to do so. He'd rubbed her the wrong way right out of the gate, though.


"So one interaction soured your entire relationship from there on out? It seems rather a long time to hold a grudge."

Ysabel peered over at Ambrose curiously, then reached out and poked him gently in the ribs.
"Come on now, let's have the rest of it," she said, certain that there must be more to the tale.
Ambrose 4 years ago
Ambrose nodded quietly.

"They were, not like the movies or TV. No windows, no bars. Strong thick walls and a door. I'd lost track of night and day pretty quick so even if I'd gotten through the door I might have needed to stay in the damned cell or fry. Not to mention not being able to actually make a run for it."

It really had been a perfect storm and he was still a little bitter about the leg. He'd been using a crutch back in those days, the prosthetic had come later, and vampire speed and strength or not running on one leg and a crutch wasn't the best. He also hadn't been turned that long and had still been figuring things out. All in all he'd needed a hand.

Belle startled a half laugh out of him. If they hadn't been riding he would have pulled her into a kiss. She knew him far too well.


"I might have gotten him chased out of town for cheating in a poker game... "

He frowned as he tried to remember. Finally he gave up but had to grin as he recalled the rest of that memory.

"I'm not sure that's exactly how I returned the favor of getting me locked up but I'm pretty sure he got shot a few times on his way out."

Ambrose had a feeling that Belle would pull that answer apart a few different ways and realize that he and Reg had a tendency to go back and forth. They didn't run into each other a lot but there were always sparks when they did

That drew Ambrose up short and he brought Midnight to a halt.


"If he tries anything at all with you..."

Sure Ysabel could take care of her but Ambrose would kill Reginald no one fucked with Belle, not even in play and he'd never been convinced anything Reggie did was ever fully in play.
Ysabel 4 years ago
Ysabel hummed softly to herself in confirmation when Ambrose continued to tell her about his tempestuous relationship with his relative. It sounded like they'd gotten off to a bad start and just continued to make it worse as they went. She could understand that. She also knew that the Ambrose she had now wasn't exactly the Ambrose who had just been turned. They all went through their own growing pains as the years passed. Ambrose was stubborn, prickly, sometimes taciturn, and easily offended. Reginald didn't seem the type, from what she had seen in their thankfully brief meeting, to mesh well with those traits.

"So this is what happens? You see each other every few years and each do your best to get the other incarcerated? Exciting."

Ysabel shook her head, but s mile flitted against her lips once more, because this is exactly how she pictured many of Ambrose's relationships working over the decades. Maybe he and Reginald secretly adored each other.

Her eyebrows went back up when Ambrose brought the attention to her.
"Do let him try," she said sincerely.

Ysabel was hardly the oldest vampire at Heolfor, and obviously she was no Huntswoman, but despite her porcelain doll appearance she was no weaker or less talented than any other vampire, and if Reginald was Ambrose's contemporary, he might discover she had a few more tricks down her bodice than he had up his sleeve.
Ambrose 4 years ago
"I don't know about incarcerated but he likes to... prove a point or something."

Ambrose would probably be content to leave well enough alone once he considered them even, but Reggie like to remind him who was best. Always had to put him in "his place" and even though Ambrose knew he should just ignore the bastard and let it slide off his back it wasn't his best skill. Well maybe this time they could just ignore each other. He wasn't going to start anything.

"Exciting is one word for it. Does a well breed lady bail people out of jail herself or does she send someone?"

Ambrose teased her. Reg hadn't used human law enforcement against him in years, left too much of a trail. Besides, Ambrose hadn't had a wanted poster or even a warrant against him in decades. Was sort of entertaining to think about her coming down to the police station in one of her gowns looking like a meek little teenager and insisting he be released.

Did Belle have any idea how hot that was? It had taken him a while to understand the game but he'd grown to love it. He loved it when she was all lady like and polite and demure and all that but when she got all assertive... yeah..

He cleared his throat and shelved those thoughts for until they got home.


"That's my girl."

He flashed her a wolfish slightly fangy smile utterly sure if her words. Yeah he could and would get protective as hell of her but he knew Ysabel had her tricks

"Maybe he'll be a gentleman with you about... it could happen. But I've never been sure how much of his game and how much he'd mind leaving me in a bad spot."

And that was it. That was his only warning, just that he didn't have a good reason his cousin.

"Now... about this incarceration thing... "

It ways his best flirt or come in ever but Ambrose really would rather play with Belle than think about his snob of a cousin.
Ysabel 4 years ago
Ysabel laughed softly. "It sounds like you both might have traits in common." Ambrose had been known to make a point or two, as well.

When he said the Reginald might be a gentleman with Ysabel around, she shook her head.
"I think he's already proven that that won't be the case. If he couldn't find some manners upon meeting a lady for the first time, I doubt he'll be inclined to refine them as we go."

She could be wrong, she supposed. He could apologize for their initial meeting and politely request they begin anew. She would probably decline, but he could try.

She was about to suggest they stop talking about Reginald when Ambrose brought up incarceration in a much more suggestive tone of voice. Ysabel laughed again and looked him up and down appraisingly.


"Oh. Have you been bad?" She lowered her voice. "Do you need to make a confession? I'll be happy to take your statement at home."

She grinned at her husband and clucked at Adagio, spurring him into a gentle canter toward home. She didn't think Ambrose would be too far behind.


(ooc: ok to out if this is a good place))
Ambrose 4 years ago
"You take that back."

Ambrose growled when compared to Reggie. Because it was Belle though the growl was more playful than anything, not entirely, he didn't care for Reg at all, but mostly 98% by his figuring.

That, however, was the last thought he gave the prick. Belle had picked up on his flirting and was doing a much better job of it than he was. Ambrose growled again but it was a -much- more interested and satisfied sound.


"We could talk about some kind of work release program if you wanted."

He let Ysabel have a bit of a head start while he decided how much of a gentleman he was going to be.

Once Belle had a good lead Ambrose decided there was no point in starting to be a gentleman now and sent Midnight after them.


((OCC... yup out))