"HAHA! I think that we are missing the rules a little too much. I suggest we play something we are both familiar with. Do you know the game Liar's Dice? I play it often with my men." He looks to Quintus and waits for an answer.

     Disappointment clearly rises on Quintus face, "Please I have no reference, this is my first attempt at this game, I know little of it, the game just has more intricacies than I fully understood, I still wish to learn it if you would continue. I mean nothing to offend please, just trying to learn the game well. I like the concept, and it is captivating this bouncing style of skill." Quintus does scan the room quickly in an attempt to find a middle ground. Perhaps, Smythe had the answer. "Meriwether, are you familiar with the dice game he has mentioned?"

Gallus quickly steps in to amend his comment. "I meant no offense. I have only seen the game in passing at some of the bars on worlds I have visited. I too know little as our battle barge has not the table to play. I do know dice and cards however and was merely suggesting that we find a common ground."

     "There are many games involving wine and knuckle bones that I am familiar with in passing. Though the object of them is to get drunk fast, so you forget that you are up to your elbows in the insides of your enemies. Or in celebration of today's victories, when the only other thought in your head is the fact that tomorrow you will die. I am looking for a more mentally challenging type of game, where getting your chest wet is a disadvantage." Quintus sees that the pool game is over and repositions the balls so that he is now the one buried in the corner. Angling the cue, Quintus takes a few practice strokes, then hammers the cue ball almost straight down. The cue ball shoots out with a loud thump, cracks against the six ball and rebounds directly back at the Spaniard. With battlefield reflexes, Quintus rolls his hand off of the cue stick and catches the ball before it could strike him.
     "Seems this game may be safer studied when noone was around." Quintus sets the cue down, he had made the ball bounce off the table before striking the six. He just needed to find the right angle and power of the stroke.

Gallus made towards the bar room. "I have a hunger that has settled on me and I must see too it. Come let me buy you a drink. I am not unprepared this time." Not waiting he stepped out into the bar room.

//To Bar

Meriwether's gaze appeared somewhat cloudy as he looked straight ahead. As if from somewhere he heard a voice speak & ask him he he was well. There was more chatter about games of chance but was not life just such a game. Quint asked him about another game but he did not even hear the name. The machine man was off without speaking. He would have called him out for his bad manners if had really cared. Something else tugged at the edge of his mind. Mirrors...

"Quite... unwell... I think My Lady. However, worry not... I shall... "

Then he shouted at Quintus "I say! Ole chap... what do you know of... what did he call it? Ah yes! The Hall... the Hall of Mirrors... "
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:04, Thu 26 Mar 2009.

 She looks at  the Englishman and nods her head

 "I am glad you are well sir then. maybe you should sit down"

Meriwether glanced back at the beautiful woman who had spoken "Yes, sit... but of course. The wine is very good is it not? Quintus' is a most gracious host. Quintus?"

He then turned to call his friend "I say Quintus! There is something I must tell you. If only I could remember... "

     Turning to Meriwether, Quintus wonders at the man's reactions. He seems to be the only one who has left and returned without the intact memories of his previous experiences. "Master Smythe, are you well, please sit, I am sure what you have to say to me will wait a few moments. I have a wonderful tea coming, it will just take a moment," Nodding at the barmaid, and shaking his head towards the kitchen, Quintus sends the message.
     That figures, the moment he gets a bit of a hunger the big man has to go and pick another fight, it just sounds like this time, someone took him up on the offer. The sound seems to be coming from outside the front doors, which would probably carry it outside the protections of the inn. "My lady De Leon, would you entertain Meriwether here? I am sure he would enjoy your most attractive company." Turning his attentions back to Meriwether, "My greatest apologies Meriwether, but I do not know of this Hall of Mirrors. If you will excuse me, I can go see if there is news of it from Cookie, or Barkeep." Quintus takes a step towards the door of the game room, then turns back to assure himself that everything would be well here.

Meriwether reached back for a chair with a shaky hand. He gave Quintus a friendly nod & a weak smile "Very well ole chap. I shall await you here. I am quite alright! Head is a little fuzzy but I shan't be going anywhere. Remember cream & sugar ole friend."

As he sat he looked up a the Lady "Please forgive me Lady Con De Leon. Yet, I shall be perfectly alright. You need not play the nurse maid if you have aught else to do. However, if you wish to converse I would indeed welcome the company."

The Englishman brought his wine up to his mouth with a more steady hand now. His pale blue eyes watched the Roman's retreating back...

 She smiles at him and nods her head to him and sits down next to him and sips at her wine.
' I do not mine keeping  you company"

Meriwether's pale blue eyes glanced over to the noble Lady beside him. There is a twinkle in them now "Very well My Lady. Con De Leon... hmmmm Spanish what?"

He then gave her a weak smile as he sipped his wine anew "I thank you My Lady Con De Leon. Tis most generous of you to keep me company. I shan't bore you... well at least not on purpose you see. I just can not remember where I left Joseph & the others."

His eyes narrowed & he continued to sip his wine absently as he strained to remember "Aalyssa... yes she tagged along you see. The Hall of Mirrors... to the Devil with it! I shan't remember it it would seem!"

     Quintus bows out with a thankful smile cast towards Lady De Leon.




----------------->
to the Wolf's Head Tavern
----------------->

 Looks  at the man for a moment and sips at her  wine.

 " are sure you are ok si. Please just call me Lady Alexis. and you do not bore me"

He held up his goblet in a silent toast to the Lady beside him "My thanks Lady... Lady Alexis. I shall do my best to keep up with the conversation, yet my mind appears somewhat foggy as the Thames in early April. I know there is something I must do... must tell everyone though something has... is keeping me from it."

He shook his head as if to clear it "Until I remember, I shall of course enjoy your company. Have you enjoyed your stay thus far?"

     Returning to the game room, Quintus takes the last drought of the Spanish wine from his vineyards. "I am sorry Meriwether, it seems that Barkeep has no knowledge of the "Hall of Mirrors" you had mentioned. The only place I have seen mirrors are the rooms upstairs. Lady De Leon, I presume that Master Meriwether has been no burden while I was away? I would truly be aghast to find he had been anything but a gentleman." Pulling a chair over to the table, Quintus waits as the bar maid sets out a tea service complete with cucumber and watercress sandwiches and tea biscuits.

She smiles at the crasy man

" yes I have enjoyed my stay so far"


 She looks at Quintus

" oh he is no burden"

Meriwether stood ramrod straight as he rose quickly from his seat "By Jove! You are spot on Quint ole chap! Well a bit off... I would say yet I think it does not matter now. No! The Hall of Mirrors is not upstairs but down you see? Well perhaps you don't... I do not either really but at least I know that!"

He sat slowly down in his seat picking up the pot "Tea My Lady?"

He arched an eyebrow & awaited her reply, then made a side long glance at the Roman "Quint, ole chap?"

     "You have accepted my chosen libation, I would be the crudest of boors if I did not share in your offered refreshment. I most graciously accept." With that Quintus accepts the proffered cup, and saucer and mimics to the best he can Meriwether enjoying his tea. Though the emotion of the new flavor is quite clear as genuine.

" i would love some tea  good sir"

 She smiles at the both of them

Meriwether sipped his tea with his pinky extended. He then sat down his cup to examine the sandwiches.

"I say! The staff has out done themselves once more Quint ole chap. Astounding attention to detail I must say. The tea is excellent by the way. Just the way I like it... strong & slightly bitter upon the tongue."

Meriwether then looked at his old friend & said "You crude? Never I say!"

Then turning to Alexis "Quintus is a gentleman of the highest caliber My Lady. Quite! You will find no better in this establishment or I dare say... well anywhere in the many worlds & times if what I surmise is true about this place."

He then picked up his tea cup & sipped once more "Please forgive me... both of you. I have a lot upon my mind & yet have no idea how to bring it forth if you will. All is based upon this Hall of Mirrors you see? Quite irritating really but can not be helped."

     With an obvious and exaggerated styling, Quintus take the handle on the teacup in the pinched styling of Meriwether. Great care is taken to include the  extended pinky finger, though is obviously counter to the strong graspings of the norm for the Spaniard's hand. A twinge along the jugular and causing his left eye to wink involuntarily, marks the first strong, hot, and bitter flavoring of the tea as it strikes his tongue. "Quite the unique flavoring my friend," Quintus listens as Meriwether continues about his need to find information about the "Hall of Mirrors."

 She nods her head and listen to the two man speak and sips at her tea and relaxes in the chair she was in

The Englishman had arrived! However, where or how, he was again unsure. Again he was shaken... his mind swam with a multitude of thoughts and memories that did a most gallant battle within his mind. He knew this place... surely he had been here before! Had it been years or perchance only a heartbeat. How could one really tell? Time here seemed to flow and ebb under rules the Shootist could not comprehend. He parted the red velvet curtains that hid this room a bit from the tap room. Meri stumbled in to the room once more. He made his way to the table where one could play poker, as he had done in Wiskey Flats... or was it Madison? Again he could no longer be entirely sure... all that was real was the here and now.

The Englishman caught sight of an empty tea cup and a nearly empty bottle of wine.

Quintus? Quint ole chap, are you still about... or were you ever here at all.

The Englishman smelled the bottle and the bouquet seemed to bring back memories of the vintage and the Roman who's family had made it. There had been so many here... so many that had come and gone.

He settled himself into a chair and cradled his head within his gloved hands.

Who am I? Was I not a man of another name once?

At last a memory surfaced... seemly it came unbidden to his swimming mind...

*****   ***   *****
The sound of singing came from somewhere in the distance. Perhaps down the hall or downstairs. A hymn, which one, he could not say for he was not a overly religious man. The cruelty of the world had taken care of that. If God existed, mayhaps He was asleep... mayhaps He had just thrown his hands up & then wandered away from his creation. The Englishman would not have blamed him in the least. The hymn... the song was sad yet with a hint of hope. Why not? This was a place of death... where one came to die.

A cough brought him back to the present & the old man whom laid in bed before him. He had watched him grow feeble & shrink in both size & stature. Yet there was mischief in those hazel eyes. Meriwether leaned forward to wipe his lips & the bloody sputum there. The old man's grin grew & he coughed. Meriwether received a face full of saliva & whatnot for his trouble...

"Dam n' tar-nation but ye mak the ugliest nursemaid I'd e'er seen Meri! Dam... cough... if'n ain't true!"

The man was interrupted by another spasm of coughs. His hazel eyes, now somewhat sunken began to water anew. Meriwether put on a brave face. The man before him, one Nevada Smith, had been more than a mentor... he had been the father Meriwether had always longed for. The Major... well that was best left unsaid... there was no love for the man whom sired him.

Meriwether smiled his bravest & then said in a low even tone "Come now ole chap! You'll pull through. I shan't place bets against you! Too many have & have paid the price."

The old man tried to laugh, sending the few wisps of hair flying. His week old growth of stubble more than apparent, the old man smiled around it. Yet, even this sent him into another spasm of coughing.

Meriwether shook his head "No, do not speak overmuch. You need rest you see. You shall be up in no time. I have yet much to learn. I wish to... "

A liver spotted hand, near skeletal in appearance, held the Englishman up as the aged gunman spoke once more "Dam if'n ye... cough... don't speak pretty but we... cough... know what's up. I ain't ahfraid mind ya... cough... but I'm ready. No need'n ta live like this. Listen... cough... ta me Meri. I want ya ta member... cough... two things. Kay?"

The Englishman gave a solemn nod but remained silent. Post another coughing spell or two & the old man continued.

"Yer ah good man... cough... man Meri. No deni'n son. Jus remember... cough... act like ye don't like kill'n but... cough... but act like ye don't mind it much either. Ye'll... cough... be awright. Now take them guns n'... cough... n' git!"

Meriwether's pale blue eyes glanced at the guns lying at arms-length away. Their pearl handles polished to a high sheen. Was he... no he could not be? Meriwether hand practiced with them but wore his own side arm. A more modern gun. These were like the man who laid dying... antiquated.

Meriwether nearly rose & shook his head "I shan't take them Nevada. No they should go... go to whomever is your next of kin. Just name them & I shall deliver the guns I swear."

The age spotted hand moved with a speed that belied the old man's condition. As he took Meriwether's hand in his own, there was still strength there as well as a burning fire. With force, the old man placed Meri's hand over the pistols.

He coughed & said "Them there pistols is yers... cough... got no... cough... no one else! Take 'em n' git!"

There was dignity as well as tears in those hazel eyes now "Git!"

Meriwether stood slowly & took the pistols. He turned & took a step, then stopped.

"I shan't forget you ole man! I... I wish you Godspeed ole chap." Meri managed.

This brought on the wheezing that had become Nevada Smith's laughter "Dam ye! I don' told ye... cough... chaps is somesuch ye wear. Now git!"

   *******             ****           *******

Out in the hall Meriwether buckled on his new pistols in the fashion the old man had taught him. For what was known as a cross draw. His face was drawn... a tear trying to escape his left eye.

From behind him the nurse called "Are you leaving Mr. St John?"

Meriwether turned to face the woman who would... well see to his friend's final needs. He reached in his pocket & handed her a pouch of coins.

"See him off well will you? Never mind his cursing. He is a good man you see." the Englishman said.

The woman nodded gravely as she wiped a speckle of blood from the Shootist's cheek & said "You won't be back then Mr. St John?"


Meriwether shook his head, an elegantly gloved hand brushed the butt of one of the pistols "No... he wishes to... well I would allow him... "

Meriwether then looked into the woman's eyes "No. And the name is Smythe you see. Mr. St John was left in yon room."

*****   ***  *****

The Englishman peered at the butts of both pistols and brought the bottle to his mouth. After a long quaff the Shootist thought that he had finally arrived at Bedlam's door.

Meri threw his head back and laughed out loud though a tear gently fell from his eye...
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 16:03, Tue 23 Sept 2014.

Meri allowed the tear to fall gently down one cheek. The bottle found it's way to his lips once more. The taste was sweet... mayhaps bittersweet. His other hand eased a colt from it's leather holster and brought it before his pale blue eyes. Beautiful but deadly no doubt... how many had met their end from this lovely little thing? Meri could not be certain for none of this seemed real any longer to the Englishman. Nevada had been a deadly gun before he had bequeathed the pistols to Meri and Meri in turn had put them to good use. A man's face drifted from his wine-touched memories... a face that brought back memories from another time... perchance another age altogether...

Bloody Frank Wade is it? How cocksure you were Mr. Wade...

*****   ***   *****

Meri had called Frank Wade out. The Englishman wore a town Marshall's badge and that made this not only right but legal. Frank Wade was tall and wiry. His holstered colt tied to his right leg. His fingers faintly flexed and waved above the grip. Frank was known around Whiskey Flats as a fast and deadly pistolero. Nobody but Johnny Lancer, a fast gun in his own right, had kept Wade from running roughshod over the town. Frank Wade had indeed killed as many as fifteen men. One of them had been Lucky Ned Peppers, Meri's friend and road companion some years back.

"SO!" said Frank smiling confidently. "You found out huh? 'Bout Ned I mean. Well.. can't say I regret it none. Ned was a nuisance... just like you."

Wade spat and chuckled "I heard he done gone n' got himself ah china-woman... south in El Paso. Mail order bride... "

Wade laughed "... might jus have ta look her up ma-self. After we're through of course."

Meri slid his frock coat aside revealing Nevada's pistols.

"You may lay your firearms aside Mr. Wade. My last offer to you. Most likely you may hang but Mason Gamble's money may save you yet. Will you yield sir?" Meri asked without emotion.

Frank now laughed even louder "Naw! Not ta-day English. Not ta-day. Yer move."

Meri nodded and his hands moved first, but a heartbeat before the other gunman. Both men's hands were blurs and both came up and fired mere seconds from one another. Even as the sound gunfire echoed both men were down!

Frank struggled to his feet and attempted to raise his colt in a shaky hand while his other tried to stop the flow of blood from his gut. Meri felt the burning sensation in an area mere inches from his heart, his collarbone was broken. One of Nevada's Old Navies fell from the nerveless fingers of his left hand. He was barely aware of Wade stumbling toward him. The dust on the ground blew up in a cloud near his head as Frank cocked his pistol once more even as he grimaced. Wade's next shot tore through Meri's frock coat, a mere finger width from his chest. Meri groped for his own pistol as he fought through the pain and his thumb slipped off the hammer. Wade cocked his own colt and smiled, then fell to his knees and pitched over face down. It was done...

*****   ***   *****

Meri's bleary eyes studied the pistol for a couple of more breaths before he twirled around his index finger... first forward then backwards before reversing it and replacing it in the holster once more.

"Bloody nuisance what?" said the Shootist said in a harsh whisper. "Bloody nuisance indeed sir."

The bottle of Quint's wine found it's way to his lips once more. Bittersweet... yes that was it then. Bittersweet...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA54NBtPKdI
This message was last edited by the player at 16:13, Sun 29 July 2018.