Life's Tokens
DISCLAIMERS: This is fan fiction. No profit involved. It is based on the television series "The Magnificent Seven". No infringement upon the copyrights held by CBS, MGM, Trilogy Entertainment Group, the Mirisch Corp. or any others involved with that production is intended. The March 2004 Challenge (the Keepsake Challenge): offered by Celesta SunStar. One of the Seven has a new keepsake, (such as a keychain or a good luck charm they keep in their pocket.) What is the keepsake, and the story behind it. At least one of the remaining Seven needs to know/hear the story. Random Bonus Words (any/all): Green, Gold, Rabbit, George, Bagpipes, Scotland, Clover, Heritage. Alas here it is and I freely admit I watch too much Real TV. 3/16/04
*snap*The normally satisfying sound of his cards failed to keep Ezra Standish’s attention on his game instead his focus was drawn just inside the saloon doors, where Vin Tanner was quietly picking at meager sustenance that supposedly was meant to pass as the mid day meal. Pausing for a moment Ezra wondered just what Vin was doing outside the clinic less than a week after the incident.
Standish let out a soft snort as he mentally amended his thoughts because he knew all to well that incident nearly cost the tracker’s life. Four misinformed cretins had erroneously decided that the small dusty burg’s bank was ripe for the picking. The end result was two of the four outlaws lay dead in the middle of the main street and Tanner was downed by a stray shot. The gambler gazed at the scruffy Texan as the man bashfully tried to ward off the attentions of Miss Recillos as she fussed over him. Unsuccessfully suppressing a chuckle Ezra ignored the pair and turned his thoughts back to the game at hand.
The sound of metal clunking down on the wooden table caught Standish’s attention as he looked up from his solitaire game to watch the barely audible conversation between Nate Jackson and Vin Tanner. distracted he was only able to catch the tail end of the quiet discussion. “Thanks Nate!” The tracker’s words were quickly followed by the healer’s departure. After observing the pale Texan for a moment Standish swept up his cards quickly pocketing them as he strode across the saloon to the table where Vin was sitting.
“What do you have there?”
“This?” Tanner held up the object for Standish’s inspection.
“A lead slug?”
“Yup!
“Would you mind imparting as to why?” Ezra asked as he took the misshapen object from his friend.
“Nope!” A lopsided dreamy grin spread across Vin’s face as he answered.
The wistfulness of the tracker’s smile caught Ezra off guard.
“Well …would you be divulging this tidbit of information anytime soon?”
“Well Ez, this is the bullet Nate dug outta m’chest.”
The simple response bewildered Ezra. “Why ever would you want such a morbid reminder, that piece of lead almost caused your untimely demise?”
“That’d be the reason why… figure if this bullet was meant to kill me I best keep it… so that no one else can use it.”
Ezra grinned as he rolled the disfigured bit of metal in between his fingers.
“Mr. Tanner that sir is admirable logic I cannot agree with you more.”