Deer. Deer have always been a recurring item in Arthur's life. From the moment he joined the gang, the moment he met Hosea and Dutch, his life has been permanently tainted by the animals. The irony of the fact has never been lost on the outlaw. A man who has had life coated in death wince before he can remember seeing an animal so symbolic of innocence so often feels almost laughable.

It's been a while since Arthur has seen any of the animals though, mostly due to the gang's time in the mountains, but even before then. Something inside of him almost misses the occasional sight of the creatures lurking around him.

This time, though, it feels different. He hasn't seen the deer, but the evidence has been there for weeks. The dents in the grass that don't quite look like they belong to an animal but he assumes they do anyway. The rations of his food are going missing whenever he leaves his makeshift camp for anything.

Arthur saddles up his horse, planning on going into the closest town to sell a few things and buy what few supplies he needs and stock up on more rations since his have been disappearing faster than he's been eating them when he catches a glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye.

The sight of small antlers perched on top of a head of matted hair peeking out of the trees isn't quite what he expected to see. "Hello there, little one. What are you doing all the way out here?" He asks, clearly expecting no answer from the small form looking out from between two bushes. A quiet curse escapes him as the child tucks tail and bolts further into the wooded area.

The outlaw is quick to follow, his steps light and quiet as he follows the hybrid through the woods. "Hold on, darlin'. It's alright. I ain't gonna hurt you, I just wanna look at you." Arthur mutters softly, assuring the child with a hand raised out in front of himself in an attempt to show that he means no harm.