dyin' with your boots on

and yet, that still did not absolve him of his guilt, nor his sin.

❝ Not official, huh? ❞ hearing these words said so casually, there is an irony to the man saying this to a prison warden, of all people, let alone offering to split the prize money were he to help. and while he wasn't adverse to turning a blind eye to some things, there was certainly a limit, especially when he has no gauge of how this guy operated quite yet. ❝ Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not really in the market for that kind of a side job at the moment, ❞ he replies, assessing the last to fall atop the pile moments before, making sure he was only knocked out than, well, dead.

'Cause, of course, nobody was gonna be coming down that alleyway for a minute.

"But I ain't," he drawls, "Not 'til I finish. Now,"

Admittedly the guy's got quite a look to him! He looks... kinda bare? It could be an armor though? That or he's mechanical in some manner. He's trying not to stare too much but.... Honestly so many at the island do and Klein wasnt much different on that either. If anything that quite fits the theme of the store in appearance.

He finds himself smiling at the way the guy's speaking though.

" You seem genuine to me so isn't that fine? Can't judge a book by the cover right? "

" And if you ask me you look kinda cool! "

He offers a hand for a shake.

"Well fork me and pay me fer it," he grabs the guy - Eiden's - hand, giving it a firm shake. The revolver cylinder in his arm spins with the gesture, sharp teeth forming a grin. "Sounds good to me, partner."

He's pretty forkin' genuine, if he does say so himself, even if his body isn't the genuine article. Which means he has the realization as they're heading to the staffroom to add:

"Partner, all that readin' an' writin' ain't fer me. An' by 'ain't for me', I mean I can't forkin' do it."

The interesting 'curse' turns Eiden's head towards the apparent cowboy glancing at his goods. A cheeky smile spreads on his face over the comment.

" We do! I do try to maintain a quality to match though! "

With his suggestion Eiden perks up even more.

" But oh!! We are actually!!! Can never be enough security around here, you're right about that!! "

There has in fact been trouble in the past, luckily he had the security back then but with War gone he could seriously another one... This guy's right about that - the location's a pain in the ass but also optimal for his clientele.

"Okay, well, the crop top an' chaps might make that make some kinda sense." He shrugs, "Look, yer way too nice t' be in this part'uh town. Can't just go recruitin' any ol' gunslinger off the street. 'Specially one that looks like me, 'sides the whole leather chaps thing."

metal clinks down onto his arm as he equips his gauntlets, a precaution given what it is he hears, knowing in his gut deep down that he'd likely need them. and no sooner than he does, someone appears from the obscured corridor, his arm winding back to launch a restrained blow to his stomach before he has the chance to do anything to what seems a cornered individual.

❝ Don't mind if I cut in, do you? ❞ probably not, given he seems outnumbered, but it never hurts to offer a little cheek. so he thinks, anyway. ❝ Looks like they got you backed into a corner here. Not sure what you did, but this isn't exactly a fair trial in my opinion with all of them ganging up on you. ❞

Putting the BB gun back in his holster, he tips his hat to the newcomer. "Mighty kind of ya to help out a stranger, 'specially one that's out here lookin' like a suspicious son of a nice lady."

"Ain't an official bounty, but I been asked t' take out these here forkers for a friend o' mine. Seems like I could use a hand, if yer willin' t' split-" he hears footsteps coming to check on the guy this guy had just taken out, and he turns the corner and brings his spurred heel down hard on the fella, knocking him into the pile.