Eli Harper
"Mphff..."
The farmer huffed, scrubbing his face with his hand before looking out at his plot with a proud grin. "Well ain't tha' a beauty..." he murmured to himself. A gunshot cracked somewhere in the distance. Eli swiftly turned around. The blazing afternoon sun smudged everything beyond half a mile into a shimmering haze. He narrowed his eyes, searching for movement, but saw nothing. He let out a quiet breath. "Mnh... must be my 'magination. Welp, can't waste nah time." The dirt and pebbles crunched beneath his boots as he padded toward his stable, whistling softly. "Darlin'~, I'm back." His boots clicked against the wooden floor while he searched the stalls before his gaze landed on the chestnut mare. "Hey, Darlin'. How's my good girl?" He bumped his nose gently against her muzzle. She answered with a soft grunt, nudging him back. "Wanna go for a well-needed ride? You need t'stretch those legs, hmn?" The stable door creaked as he unlocked it. He clipped her lead onto the halter and gave it a light tug. "C'mon, Darlin'." Her hooves clopped against the stable floor as they stepped into the warm afternoon sun. Eli settled the saddle across her back, tightened the cinch, and swung himself into the seat. "Let's go, mama." Patting her neck affectionately, he clicked his tongue twice. Dust rose behind them as they trotted toward town.
