Annie gave a smirk at his "gentleman"-ly offer to let the lady go first. That's a first to see from Jedediah tonight. She wasn't sure that if he made the same manuever towards other female pioneers in general, if he was only doing it because of her celebrity-status, or if he was amused/fond of her status as his second-in-command. Regardless, the cowgirl didn't mind this unexpected manuever when he took her 'functional' handgun.

Gesturing him to follow her to a clearing near his commanding cabin, Annie showed him the little used-food cans that were recently added to give his cabin a bit more 'character'. Setting them in a row, on top of the shack's front porch steps, Annie walked back to stand next to her leader, so they were standing a few feet away from their targets. Twirling the other gun in her fingers, Annie glanced at him before taking aim. "Guns. They can be your best friend, or your worst enemy", she reminded before the trigger was pulled, making one of the cans in the distance, disappear. Even from a few feet away, her abilities were not to be underestimated.

~ ~ ~

The messenger nodded, before he turned to lead the archer through the operating commanders and soldies, to the leading Commander's tent. Lifting the flap, he gestured for Markus to make his entrance.

Jedediah couldn’t bring himself to admit (aloud) any romantic feelings for his pretty looking second in command. It was true she was likely the only woman he knew who wasn’t a stay-at-home girl, and was excellent with her guns. Annie’s smirk told Jedediah she was likely seeing through his little act, which he knew she’d see through.

The reason he had an act was so that his men bought into it. Leaders had their secrets, and had their own little gig to upkeep. Jedediah the cow-boy was no exception toe this rule. He followed his friend to the spot where she had in mind for the little friendly competition shoot off. Upon hearing Annie’s advice, Jedediah grinned like the veteran gunman he was,
“Ain’t that the truth.” He thought about his own guns. It was so weird, he’d known them to work when he’d first ‘woken up’. It had been so annoying to discover everyone pretty much had duds. How the heck Annie had functional guns was beyond him. It must have been the cause of being shifted around to so many places before this museum.

Otherwise Jedediah would’ve gladly shown off his two beauts’ of pistols. Maybe he could somehow look into getting a deal on some customized little weapons. How someone his size would achieve this was beyond him. That was further up the road anyways.

“Fine shootin’ ya got there Annie. Now, if ya don’t mind-“ Jedediah straightened his arm, half shutting his left eye as he assumed his classic aiming position. One shot echoed down the wild west stand, as another can was whipped out of view. Jedediah grinned. After all these years, without guns, he still had it in him. He’d made sure to keep his face not doubtful in the least, although it was likely his aim was being brought into question in the first place. It didn’t matter now though, he’d just answered it with a ‘bang’.

--

Markus sucked in his breath upon approaching Octavious’s tent. He was going to his superior, the most powerful man in (display)Rome. Markus couldn’t help but feel a small chill zipping down his back like one of his arrows, a little thrill humming in his chest as well. Octavious wasn’t someone to be trifled with, but respected.

The roman dusted off his garments, giving himself a last second check up on the condition of his armor before marching into Octavious’s tent. He gave the messanger a nod, likely the man knew the feel of looking his most important superior dead in the eye. The second in which Markus ducked into Octavious’s tent passed like a year, but at last, Markus had come to hear the bidding of his leader.

The Athenian kept his back straight, sending a silent prayer to Athena for this to be nothing too negative.
“You called for me my liege?” Markus asked respectfully, directing his voice at his superior, giving a roman solute as an act of good will.

Annie had to admit that her leader had just proved to be a fine shooter like herself. Since this was technically her first night being "alive", and after a little fiasco with his nonfunctional weaponry, she gave Jed the respect he needed as a leader. "Well, you proved that skill with a 'bang' on the stand", the blonde lightly joked with a friendly smile, promptly to give Jedediah her respect for his skills. With a challenging look sparking in her green eyes, the cowgirl kept her gaze towards him, even as she lifted her right hand that held her pistol. With the trigger pulled, another steel can disappeared from view. She didn't even have to look at her target...

--------------------

That said-superior was looking at the miniaturized, paper-made map before him, which clearly doesn't mark any of the territory outside of the exhibition stand. "I imagine that you are aware of our failure to claim the land of our enemy?", he asked his best soldier, albeit in a very disappointed way. Those barbarians were to blame: that cowboy and that girl, with weaponry far above their own.

Jedediah stroked his chin whiskers at the joke. It was clever enough to pass cowboy standard,considering about half his crew didn't know the difference between a quip and a knock-knock joke. He gave a small grin at his partners aim.

"Well, well. You never fail to impress there Annie. Might fine shot you are." Jedediah said casually, "I might be humbled enough to say that you might be outta my league. Still-" he suddenly jerked his pistol in the direction of the target, firing in that same split second. After a ear-splitting sound, the can was out of sight. "I'd say with my quick-draw skills this competition's still wortha--'shot'." He gave a toothy grin, full of surprisingly white teeth. Courtesy of being made of wax, and not having to worry about brushing in the first place. He then took a step back, waiting for her next pun, and her next turn. Doubtless he'd lose to her, but he figured he'd humor her.

But if he was lucky, the boys wouldn't speak of it for too long.

-

"Quite aware my liege." Markus confirmed, nodding his head as he studied the map. Something about it made him wonder if there was much room for the lands beyond. He was about to bring it up, only he decided it wasn't worth it. Markus instead decided that'd he'd be more suited preparing for the briefing of his life on how Rome was the greatest nation around, that he'd be expected to do better, and that there was a new plan in the works. Go figure, but that was his life in a nut-shell. "What shall be done sir?" He asked, before a voice cam from behind.

"What shall be done," her voice was full of slight irritation, "Is an appropriate explanation as to why I wasn't permitted on the battlefield!" Markus turned around to see none other than Augustus's daughter. She was clad in her roman armor, which was graciously detailed, (mdespite her protests) and her gear still had a small remainder of the most genuine quality in the entire roman battalion. No doubt courtesy of her father. Nonetheless, Markus knew better than to take her for granted. Still, now that the jet-hair-colored amazon-like warrior had entered the area, there was about to be the grilling of four life times. The good news was it made things more interesting.

"I believe we didn't want the enemy too intimidated. After all, the army shouts twice as loud when you're in it." Markus shrugged, causing her to give him an eye glance.

"Not now Markus."