I groan as I cover my eyes from the sun. Sure, the sun is just rising but it's still a decent enough light to make you stir from your sleep. I stretch a bit as I begin to get up as dust my pants off. I look over to the little birdy that i took and see him sleeping soundly against Nina. Seems like Nina kinda likes him as she's snuggled up to him too.

After putting out the fire and setting everything up, I look over Dove and squat down. Looking closer, I can see why Calvin James probably took a fancy to him. From his pale skin and pure white hair, I do really see how a pretty little thing he. I nudge Dove awake.

"Rise and shine, Birdy. We gotta git," i say as he groans. "Got some ridin' ta do so up, up, up."

He covers his head with his blanket, groaning a bit. I roll my eyes a bit. I know how to handle someone like this.

I roll my sleeves up and pick him up as if he were some little bride. And then as quick as I picked him up, I dropped him. He lets out a yelp and untangles himself from the blanket, looking up at me with eyes that could kill.

"Oh good, ya up. Com'on now. We gots some ridin' ta do."

As he gets up, he says, "I'd appreciate it if you didnt drop me like that. I would have gotten up."

"You ain't get up fast enough." I dust off my hat and place it on my head. If Dove gets up fast enough, we should be in the next town long before sunset. I look down at him as he begins packing his things. If dainty and slow was a person, this birdy would be it. I sigh as we get Nina prepared to ride.

We finally arrive in town right before sunset. I feel the bird's grip loosen around my stomach as we pull in front of a Saloon. 

Blankbellow was more of a bustling town than Bayberry was, where everyone's always going somewhere. Toward the entrance of the town is your usual store of general goods and right next to it is even a bank. Many large buildings even housed many families, considering the amount of children running around right now. A priest stands in front of the Church, chatting away with the Sheriff of Blankbellow as if they were old buddies. 

"Gon' 'head and jump down first. I'mma follow after ya."

"And fall? No way."

"Well, i could push you off."

After a bit of silence, the arms around my waist vanish as the little birdy climbs down from the horse. I jump down not too long after. I straighten my duster as pull out a poster of my next bounty. I pull Dove just a little closer to me so we can speak in hushed voices.

"Alright. Since ya gonna be travelin' with me, we're gonna have to get you familiar with how to track a bounty. The first place is the Saloon. If there's anything bastards like this one likes to do, they normally visit saloons. Not all of them do though. Why ya gotta ask and investigate," I whisper. "I'll tells ya what to do next once we gets the information we need."

The birdy nods as we head inside. The saloon inside is much more lively than the one in Bayberry as one son of a bitch is thrown into a wall beside me as I walk in. He gets up and march back to a table and begins to fight with one of the men. There's atleast two piano players on the southern most wall and many of the girls are young things with bosoms that look like they're about to pop from their dresses.

I head to the bar with the little dove as the bartender looks at us and raises an eyebrow.

"Two beers," I say, tapping the counter with my finger.

The bartender makes a face. "I don't--" he begins.

I throw down a decent amount of money for him. "Ya do now."

The bartender's eyes widen slightly before taking the money and filling two mugs with beer. He slides them to me and the birdy. I hold up my mug to Dove. "To partnas."

Dove looks at me, looks at my mug, and looks at me before just tapping his mug with mine. He doesn't respond but it's impressive seeing him chug down the damn thing. I give a soft chuckle as I start drinking my own. This little bird is something else.

"Hey, i gotta ask: Have ya seen a particla person 'round here?" I ask, lowering my voice for the bartender.

"Depends on who ya lookin' for," he responds.

"This man." I show the poster. The bartender looks at it before handing it back. 

"Yea, i seened him. But he barely visits this saloon. You're better off goin' to the saloon four buildings down. And while you're at that one, I got a favors to ask you." The bartender leans down toward me. "I need ya to take this bottle and give it to the owner."

I look at the bottle he hands me. I look over the amber bottle and know something is off. I look back up to him.

"What will ya give me in return for this favor?"

"Money and a good amount of beer for your entire stay. Or if ya don't want it, I can ask your friend here if he's willin'." 

The bartender and i look at Dove, who looks lost in thought. Considering the little birdy is just trying to fly, I won't mind it.

"Alright. I'll do it," I say, taking the bottle and tucking it in my coat pocket. "So, there any places for me and my buddy to sleep?"

"I'm not your buddy," Dove pipes up.

"The next building over has rooms for ya to sleep. Also got baths," the bartender says.

I nod and take Dove with me. As we walk, I give him a playful shove. "Ya know, you hurt my feelin's real bad back there," i chuckle as we go into the next building.

"i'm telling the truth. We aren't buddies or friends. We're just partners in a situation we need each other in," he responds coldly. I give a shiver.

"ooh, chilly," I say as i head up to our room. I open the door and notice there's only one bed. I'm a bit annoyed as i wanted a bed for myself but it's fine. "I'mma take a bath and then roll out my bedroll. You gon' 'head and take the bed. I figure birds need a nest."

"Shut up," Dove says, shaking his head.