Alouette has a go at the waving thing, but has got round to Augustus' side of the vehicle by the time Charging Bear has made his far less socially inept goodbyes and caught up.

It's not trying to get in, however, just standing with its head at a very strange angle - coming closer it becomes clear there's a moth on one lens, probably attracted to the faint glow. The clank is presumably watching it with fascination.

[[OOC: it'll keep following Danny, but it won't think to get in...there's a spare seat now, if CB is bold, still wants to follow on and didn't come on horseback]]
This message was last edited by the player at 20:24, Mon 02 Aug 2010.

In reply to Dr. Dexter Ward (msg #134):

Augustus readily listens to the good doctors explanations.  His face betrays his mixed feelings regarding all this; curiosity certainly, scientific interest in most of it definitely, and unashamed disbelief in all nonsense regarding ghosts and faeries. After jotting a few notes, he returns, "I believe I follow you regarding the conduction of waves within the aether, even the energy it may contain.  It touches quite a bit on my own work with acoustics and I would be excited to compare notes and ideas on these things.  Very interesting."  Then he pauses, lifting a bemused brow, "But really... Ghosts?  Faeries?  You're trying to say that this automaton has some form of energetic "soul"?  I find that a touch hard to swallow I'm afraid."

In reply to Augustus Spotswood (msg #140), Alouette, and Charging Bear:

Ward nods at Charging Bear and Alouette as they return. "Have you completed your errand?" he asks.

"Oh, I understand your skepticism." He says in reply to Augustus. "It can seem quite fantastic at first to ascribe such qualities to a creature of metal and steam."

"But consider this -- we live in an era of advancements and miracles. Things long held impossible are commonplace. Imagine if, one hundred years ago, someone told you that messages could be transmitted across the country in the blink of an eye, that carriages could be drawn on their own power, that images could be captured and frozen on paper, and that man could fly through the air? What would you think of them then? And yet today the telegraph, the steam carriage, the locomotive, the camera, and the ornithopter do all these things. Dragons were thought fancy, until the bones of those terrible lizards were dug up and put on display as what we now call dinosaurs. Ten years ago, sea serpents were the stuff of legends until specimens were discovered in The Maze of California."

"With all that we have discovered and uncovered, is the idea of entities composed of air and energy, which may have been mistaken for ghosts, demons, or fairies by those who did not understand their true nature, really so farfetched? To paraphrase the Bard, there are more things in heaven and earth, Mr. Spotswood, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

"Of course, far be it for me to ask you to accept such a supposition on blind faith. We are both men of science, and science demands tests, observable results, and repeatable experiments. I would like, if I may, to ask your further indulgence and perform a demonstration for you of the existence of these aetheric entities, once I have finished my examination of you and this poor boy here." He looks at Alouette and Charging Bear. "The pair of you are also invited, if you wish to attend."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:49, Tue 03 Aug 2010.

In reply to Robert Micklethwait (msg #135):

PM

[Private to Robert Micklethwait: You catch, out of the corner of your eye, someone watching you while pretending to have an interest in the lady across from him. You catch him sneaking glimpses at you every so often as you talk.]

" Heh..." The woman snorted at that for a moment, though there was an uneasy feeling. Her eyes slid to the corner and without knowing what she'd see she slowly turned her head and surveryed the room, sweeping her gaze across  There were still a few people whom cast a glance their way, but one person stood out.. HE was right there next to Vincent, his face was just how she remembered and not a scratch on him. He smiled that half ass smile that nearly got  her mind off guard, pulling up a single digits, HE brought it to his lips then gunned it toward Vincent with a slight cocking motion. Damn, even in her memory he was funny. But more seriously.... Why was that man curious?


It made Gangatsu suspicious.

She turned back to the gentlemen, bowing her head slightly and moved to push her seat idly around before resitting.. " There's a guy on my six watchin.." She murmured lowly before starting in her regular monotone.. " He said, 'Billy', told them all to carry 'some', about five men in total i believe... And they fought their way, only for a lot of them to die against their captors.. One with a busted ankle, got out with that boy, but the blueboy died and Danny left him out in the desert somewhere. Now.. What was it they had to carry with them.." She pulled up a piece of blue material that looked like it was cut from a jacket pocket. " Ghost rock.. Forced to mine it here in Blackthorn.. And he describes the fellas a little, but it was too dark to really see them.. Pardon for being short on details, but that's summing this shit up. I really do fu'kin hate it when people stare."

In reply to Gangatsu (msg #143):

Evans glances in the direction Gangatsu indicates. "I see him." he whispers. "Just act normal."

"Miss Frost, I believe I'll have the sausage, myself, with the coleslaw and peas. And I believe the lady wished to have the gumbo and cornbread." he says at a more normal volume. The girl nods, smiles, jots down the orders and heads off.

Evans leans in and lowers his voice. "Well, Miss Gangatsu, I believe I can trust you with this. Last night, several travelers to town encountered the corpses of Union soldiers on the road. One of them had a broken ankle, and it was a bit of a puzzle to us as to how he'd managed to get so far from anywhere in that state. Another one was mistaken for dead and brought to the undertaker, but recovered and took to the streets, delirious and ranting, before succumbing to exposure. My deputy here tells me a fourth body was discovered near the creek by an excitable fellow who made the wild claim that it rose from the dead and attacked him. We've been trying to uncover where these soldiers came from, and why they were in town in the first place. I believe you've given us a vital clue in our efforts, ma'am."

[Private to Gangatsu: Actually, Danny said there were six total...}:D]

In reply to Vincent Kaje (msg #129):

Katy's a bit startled by Vincent's reaction to the outburst; she hadn't taken him to be that jumpy.

"You mentioned your employer."

Before he can reply, she knocks back her whiskey as she's seen others do. With a Herculean effort, she manages not to cough as the fiery liquid burns down her throat, but she's silenced and changes color a couple of times as she struggles to breathe.

PM
[Private to GM: is it the some guy gangatsu is talking about?]

In reply to Robert Micklethwait (msg #146):

PM

[Private to Robert Micklethwait: Yes]

In reply to Katy Devon (msg #145):

"Yes, Miss Marina Vanderholt, of the Vanderholt Burlesque Troupe. I don't know if a well-bred lady such as yourself would have heard of us. We travel the roads, bringing entertainment to the locals. Of course, some areas as less civilized than others, which is where I come in. I'm...a troubleshooter, you might say."

He seems to be amused at her expression as she downs the whiskey. "You might consider taking your drink slower in the future...you're going to feel that shot in a few minutes."

[[OOC: Make a Vigor roll or suffer a level of fatigue from the buzz, since Katy isn't quite used to such hard alcohol.]]

"I'm OK, it was just a bit stronger than I was expecting."

Which was kind of true, in a way.

"Burlesque?"

Katy's parents had used the term, always with a sense of disapproval. Which naturally only intrigued Katy, and made her want to know more.

[Private to GM: 07:57, Today: Katy Devon rolled 2,1 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1. Vigor roll.
Don't think she made it somehow :)]

" Mighty fine, I reckon." She looked at Evans for a moment, the tavern girl was finally sent away. " Yer deputy mentioned dead men walkin' and that wound on the headless man was fresh even given he's been dead a little while.... Now.. I aim to bet a five spot that each one of them bodies done have Ghost Rock on them.. That stuff stains an awful blackish hue, can't pocket it without leaving traces behind." She paused for a moment, her green eyes  peered a bit hard for a moment before switching to Robert.

" It's fine, y'may not trust me and all.. But it's better I know then you leave me to guess. Cause I can think o some wicked things boot ya real quick when left to guess... Now.. Y'all ever heard about some bandit sort of fellows in the mine.. Maybe a bruiser with big hands and a cold temper as if his name was Sue."

In reply to Katy Devon (msg #149):

Kaje smiles. "Indeed."

"A form of musical theater and variety show. You know, we're having an engagement this evening. I might be able to persuade my employer to let me allow you backstage, if you're very interested in watching the show."

[Private to Katy Devon: OOC: Yup. You are now Fatigued, and have a -1 penalty to all Trait tests until you've had time to sleep it off.]

In reply to Gangatsu (msg #150):

Evans shoots a glare at Robert. "Did he, now? Isn't that interesting?"

Sensing he may have lost the battle to keep a lid on things, though, he sighs, and relents. "Very well. I would greatly appreciate it if you didn't spread any such rumors around. There's no need to start a panic. Yes. The travelers mentioned that the men appeared to be dead, only to watch them rise and attack. As for the Ghost Rock, that's a new detail, as only Mr. Micklethwait here mentioned finding any, and the other corpses have been buried or stolen, so it is currently impossible for us to check on them for signs of any Ghost Rock handling."

"As for bandits, there are The Dust Adders, who are a gang of ruffians and ne'er-do-wells who work for Dr. Ward, a local cattle rancher, and the only mine I'm aware of is on Ward's property. And Mr. Micklethwait tells me that Ward himself came and carted off the last two bodies personally. That is a great many signs pointing his direction. Too many for coincidence."

He takes another long pull from his flask.

"All of this, however, is academic. I cannot simply accuse Dr. Ward of any wrongdoing without proof to back it up, and were I to try with such proof firmly in hand, I would swiftly find myself out of a job, and likely tarred and feathered and tossed out of town for attempting to impugn the reputation of the most powerful man in the county and the only reason Blackthorn hasn't dried up and died. So you see, I am in a rather precarious position. Do you see why I might wish to be cautious?"

Katy put her hand to her head for a moment. That whiskey had been powerful stuff!

"Oh, that sounds fun! I'd love to come and watch!"

In reply to Dr. Dexter Ward (msg #141):

"It is," Charging Bear says returning the doctor's nod.


With a slightly furrowed brow, it is obvious that Charging Bear doesn't quite get all that Dr Ward is talking about but is trying. "This Aether you speak of... is the spirit realm of my people, at least in part... yes?"

"I never heard of Ghostrock in these here parts, but it's worth a lot of money, and a lot of trouble.  The man I encountered had a lump on him, and he was real sick, I s'pose it might have been ghostrock fever.  That could explain all the crazy things they've been saying.  We need to back track these men, find out where they came from.  It was raining the night I came in, but perhaps we can backtrack the fella you met."  Robert takes a drink.  "He didn't mention a mine, or anyone in it.  Ma'am, what are your plans in town?  You seem handy with that sword..." he arches an eyebrow at Evans.

In reply to Charging Bear (msg #154):

"It might be considered, such, yes." Ward replies. "I do not intend to be disrespectful to any entity I call. I simply intend to make one manifest for the benefit of our friend here."

In reply to Katy Devon (msg #153):

"Well, then! Join me at the Oriental Theater after you've finished your meal. The show begins at 8 pm, but I can give you a private tour before then." He says, then stands. "But for now, Miss Brown, I'm afraid I must leave. I have duties to attend to before then."

He doesn't look back towards the marshal's table. He'd learned all he needed to know.

PM

[Private to Robert Micklethwait: Here's a refresher of what the man did say, shortly before his death.

quote:

"...won't go back, no...damned herd...the Devil's own beeves...the whispers, I heard 'em...the plague! Paint a cross in blood over the door, spare the firstborn children...God's wrath...mine eyes have seen the fury of the coming of the Lord...trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored...He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword...His truth goes marching on..."

]

"Self will follow albatross: protect," Alouette puts in, straightening as the moth flits off. "Dr.Ward talks to other angels?"

In reply to Alouette (msg #159):

"Creatures from the aether, yes. I wouldn't characterize them as angels. They take many forms, these beings. Some may be angelic, most are less so, instead appearing as conglomerations of various types of beasts. Some few are humanoid in shape, but very alien in speech, manner, and outlook."

In reply to Vincent Kaje (msg #157):

"I'll be looking forward to it! Goodbye, then. Until 8."

Katy felt excited by her own daring. Going to visit a theater with a man, without a chaperone!

In reply to Dr. Dexter Ward (msg #160):

Augustus seems to remain skeptical, letting go any particular comments at that moment to allow the Machine and its Indian to climb back aboard.  Adjusting to make comfortable room, he jots a few more notes down in his notebook.  Absent-mindedly adding his assent, "As to the experiments, I would be happy to view your work.  The Science should settle things and it would be very interesting to see just what you mean with all this talk of angels and ghosts."  As he mentions angels, he does give the amazing automaton a sidelong look; almost pitying.  Poor machine...thinks its sent from heaven. Tsk.

Continue Posting in either Chapter 5.1: A Seance at the Circle W Ranch (Augustus, Charging Bear, Alouette), or in Chapter 5.2: The Dust Adders Ride (Robert Micklethwait, Gangatsu, Katy Devon, John Smith).
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:36, Wed 04 Aug 2010.