Realistic or Modern Marathon: A Modern Western RP (IC Thread)

[ReverseTex]

MARATHON: A MODERN WESTERN

This RP will be set in the rural outskirts of Texas in the small town of Marathon. The last of true cowpoke country, Marathon, is always overlooked. During the cattle drive days, it was a mere stopping point in the long haul of desert travel. Now, it's merely another overlooked town on the way to your true destination. Except for the mountains, cacti, and the Mcbride family. The Mcbride ranch spans 424,000 acres and 57 miles in West Texas, making it one of the biggest ranches in Texas. Not only is it enormous, but the acreage is contiguous, which is rare for a property of this size. It’s been assembled from 22 historic ranch properties, many dating back to the settlement of the frontier in the late 1800s. Passed down through generations, the ranch has always operated as a haven for wildlife, livestock paradise, and revenue source for Marathon. Despite generations of success, the ranch is on the brink of financial ruin due to a combination of rising land prices, a bad drought, and an influx of developers eyeing the property for luxury housing and urban development.

Chapter Index:

Chapter 1: The Dog Days

Active Cast:

Misty Gray @neverbackdown @fawnsite Pagemaster @BeyondDandy @Sistros @RXN3-

coded by Mister Glass​

 

[ReverseTex]

MARATHON: A MODERN WESTERN

Chapter 1: The Dog Days
Monday, August 10th, 2022
Early Morning: Dry, Warm Breeze, Clear Skies
Chapter Theme
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The McBride Ranch
-Marathon, Texas-
Misty Gray , Pagemaster

Vicky Hildago
​

When Vicky was rustled awake from her bunk this morning by her bunkmate, she

hadn’t expected to be asked to go on a trail ride before her morning rounds. Not that she minded, considering the morning’s air was a break from the radiating heat in the day. But she was surprised to hear the McBride’s had guests so early. Dean or Jack didn’t tell her to expect anyone, let alone lead a trail ride. Had it been a normal situation, she’d at least have a day to sort out which trails she’d take them on. Regardless of timing, nothing but the best was her expectation. So as she readied Bosa, her darling black stallion, she sorted through the trails in her mind.

By the time she was ready and out of the stables, she trotted over to the usual meeting point between the McBride house and stables. Guests were usually allowed to borrow one of the family’s horses, considering they were more tempered, depending on who their rider was. Had they been given Parker or Maggie’s horse, well, it wouldn’t be much of a morning stroll. While the pair waited, Vicky ran a gentle hand through Bosa’s mane. “Where do you want to go today?” She inquired playfully. Considering the herd was in a manageable spot for the next few days, she suspected a worthy hike was in order.

The sounds of footsteps and chatter caught her and her horse’s attention, drawing her eyes up towards the house. Her expression, one of pasted excitement, shifted into legible confusion. Jack and his uncle were in approach, and with no guests with them. Once they were close, coming to a stop, she investigated. “Is anyone else joining us? I thought I was giving a tour." She asked.

Edward was quick to reply, explaining they simply needed a morning ride and chat before breakfast. An extra pair of eyes was always an asset on rougher trails, so they figured she’d be good company. Vicky knew her place, and it certainly wasn’t asking questions about her place. “I’ll wait at the south trail for y’all and take point then?” She suggested. “I think the horses might enjoy breaking in the Dogtooth trail. Noone has ridden in since May, so it could be good to get the soil patted before it cools down again.” Once the plan was squared away, she nodded, then headed off towards the trailhead.

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The McBride House
-Marathon, Texas-
@fawnsite

Parker McBride
​

The roar of applause was thunderous, akin to the methodical patterning of a helicopter’s rotor. Oddly enough, both sounds helped keep his thoughts narrowed. It heightened his focus on whatever he was doing, whether it be flying or, in this case, strapping himself to a bull. The rodeo attendants worked quickly, like a pit crew, to secure and check his padding. The steer he sat atop wiggled anxiously, preterebed by the pressure of the shoot and an unknown object on it’s back. Suddenly, without consent, the bull shot free from the shoot. Eight seconds. The scene shifted, mirroring the familiar flight path he took over the island of Oahu. Long gone was the sandy Boseman Arena ring. His view was tailspinning down, as if he were in a crash. There was no stopping this. Before he could make a move to save himself, a violent stabbing sensation erupted in his back. He couldn’t hold back a blood-curling cry of pain, shocking his senses awake…

Parker snapped awake, the sudden jerk upward only intensifying the rising pain in his back. It took him a few moments to register his location. Not Boseman. Not Hawaii. Marathon. He was home… Gus sauntered from his spot on the floor, awoken by the scream, and jumped lazily on the bed. “I’m alright, bud,” he huffed, running a gentle hand through his dog’s greying mane. Content that no action was necessary, the retriever opted to sprawl at the foot of the bed, returning to sleep. Before long, the sound of a shrill cry echoed in the house. Baby Rowan was awake due to his damn nightmare.

Painfully, he sunk back into bed, a light groan following. He’d have to apologize to Jessica at breakfast. Right now he needed his medicine. Fumbling loosely with what light began to crack through his window, he found the orange pill bottle on his nightstand. Without a second thought, he unscrewed the cap, removed two pills, and popped them down the hatch dry. It would take a few moments for the pain to subside and the numbness to fully settle in his skin. Till then, rather annoying thoughts and pain.

Today was the breakfast meeting. Parker had to be somewhat present for that, at least as much as his pills permitted. Dad requested the entire family, plus Dean, to be present. Considering the tone of the ranch the last few weeks he’d been home, it certainly wasn’t going to be a good chat. He was left out of the loop on most internal affairs, leaving that to Jack and Uncle Ed. But now that he was home, his father requested more effort. More focus on the things that mattered... The pills took their effect, and Parker’s new definition of normal began. He managed to push himself out of bed and laxly get ready for the day.

After popping out the shower and getting dressed, opting for a simple jean, work boot, and shirt, he tossed his damp hair in a towel. Unexpectedly, he heard a substantial thud from the room next to his. Magdalene’s room. He chuckled lightly to himself, fully aware of what he was about to walk into. With the towel still loosely draped on his neck, he headed down the hall to let himself in her room.

“Stick the landing next time, Mags.” Parker smiled, leaning against his sister’s doorframe. Mags was a mess on the floor, returning from whatever adventure she managed to find the night before. The cracked window she managed to shimmy herself through let in the morning breeze. hot on the lungs. Unfortunately, it seemed like another hellishly hot day. He shut the door behind him after Gus entered, careful not to alert anyone else who may be awake now that his niece was roaring. “If you had shown up thirty minutes ago, I could’ve pawned off the fact I just woke Rowan up on you. So for that, fuck you.” He teased, a smile erupting from his face as Gus went to greet her. “Any good stories to tell?” He inquired playfully, curious to know what led to his sister’s outing.

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The Williams House
-Marathon, Texas-
Misty Gray

Sheriff Tyler Williams
​

Once again, another mind-numbing night of driving up and down I-90 and

Highway 385. Sure, having the title of Sheriff gave him the luxury of not having to work the night shift. But he didn’t know anything else. Something was always so peaceful about being nocturnal. Not that it made life easier by any means, but he saw beauty in it from time to time. Outside a few speeding stops for passerbys, there wasn’t much action from his shift. So, as the dawn’s light made it’s first peak over the Dove Mountains, he decided to call it an early night. Tyler made it home nearly half past five, according to the stovelight. He barely made it to the worn sofa, loosening his blue tie and managing to pop off his boots. The rest of his uniform, other than his hat, failed to make it off. Before he knew it, his body gave out of pure exhaustion, and he was well asleep.

The sound of the coffee pot clattering to life snapped him awake. A stifled moan, rubbing a hand over his face to wake himself up. Amber was up and moving about earlier than he expected. “If you weren’t already, fix me a cup, please.” Tyler sighed, pushing himself to a seated position. “Nothing out of the ordinary last night. I almost drove by Whiskey Road to kill some time. But I figured I'd try and bank on the fact I was tired.” He explained a typical routine of their’s after a shift. However, he omitted the fact that he hadn’t slept the night before. Sure, Amber was a perceptive young woman, but that didn’t mean he wanted to admit his sore spots.

“Any word on work yet?” Tyler inquired. He knew there wasn’t much to go around employment-wise in Marathon. But he was aware his daughter needed something to keep her busy.

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Scene Starters: Pagemaster , @BeyondDandy
Active Cast: @RXN3- , @Sistros

 

[Pagemaster]

The McBride Ranch
-Marathon, Texas-
ReverseTex Misty Gray

Jack McBride​

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