"You look like an angel
Walk like an angel
Talk like an angel
But I got wise

You're the devil in disguise
Oh yes you are
Devil in disguise..."

--Elvis Presley, "The Devil in Disguise"

Mid Afternoon, April 10th, 1879

Continue on from the last thread...
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:37, Thu 14 Oct 2010.

Robert looks at Even's, confused fora  moment, then comprehension dawns.  "It wasn't him, it was the judge.  Hizzoner Melvin Blume.  At least that's one thing we've figured out, what happened to him." He shakes his head and corrects himself.  "No, we know where he is, but we don't know what happened to him.  Him and the other fella, someone did it to them, right?"

[Private to GM: Do I have to start eating bugs?
I would totally have fun playing a renfield.
I'll assume that I utterly believe and trust her, and might even be an old fool thinking he's in love with a young women.  I think Robert, beind something of a gentleman and loyal to the memory of his wife, would only reluctantly dishoner her memory, but it has been a few years, and she pretty attractive, even without the Charm.

The only real question is, would I want to stay close all the time, or get twitch if she weren't in sight?  I could probalby play that as above, the old man making a fool of himself with a young women old enough to be his daughter, which he of course will protest is more a fatherly feeling of protectivness
]

"That's what I'm thinking, yes. I believe his Honor may have run afoul of the blonde gentleman in between the time he arrived and the time we encountered him, and then our Dust Adder friend was taken last night. Roland said he hadn't seen the man return to his room at the Grand Bull last night. We should probably make a check of the rest of the building, just to be sure, before staking out his room at the Saloon."

[[OOC: Does Wildcat have anything she wants to interject?]]

[Private to Robert Micklethwait: Not unless you want to. The whole bug thing was Renfield's particular crazy, not anything imposed by the Count.

That's what I was going for, yes. Utter belief and trust, possibly believing you're in love.

As for that, you aren't compelled to stay by her side, just follow her commands. However you want to RP it works for me.

Heh. "old enough to be her father..." That's funny, as in reality she's old enough to be his grandmother...]

OOC:  Nope, I'm quite happy with that, I just wanted Robert to answer the question before I said anything. 

Evans was running a useful bluff, and Wildcat let it go although she wasn't sure what he was referencing.  Regardless, the end effect was worth it.

Oh hell, who did I just stake?  she thought as Robert answered.  But she didn't show it, this was time to act routine.

"We have a lot more ground to cover.  We need to finish the sweep of the building and testimony from any witnesses."

"Sounds good to me." Evans nods. "Miss Hawkins and I can take the search of the upstairs, while Robert can question the girls further. Is that acceptable?"

He gives Wildcat a grim look, and superstitiously points to his Indicator thingamabob.

"Sounds like a plan Marshal."  Wildcat acquiesces.  "I need to take that chair the suspect broke with us though... evidence."

If there's no objection, she follows Evans upstairs with the demolished chair.  Once they reach a slightly more discrete spot, she stops him and wittles very crude stakes out of the three remaining legs, just in case.

These'll hafta do fer now.  She thinks, and then asks Evans discretely.

"Who or what the hell did I just kill?"

Robert says, "Ladies, if we could all be seated here..." leading them to a table.  "Now, let me summarize.  Miz Marina, that box he was in, it's one of the boxes you use for your, your props and the like?
Do you recall, do any of you recall the last time you saw the judge?
Which room was his?
Did he have any visitors, or did you see him talking with anyone"

OOC: I figure he'll pause in between questions, I just figured I'd put them all in one post.

"That is a complicated question. Robert mentioned him by name, and before becoming my deputy he served as a lawyer on the local judicial circuit. He also referred to the deceased as 'his honor.' This leads me to believe that we have had the misfortune of learning just what has befallen The Honorable Melvin K. Blume, judge for the 19th Texas Circuit." Evans replies. "However, Mr. Blume has also apparently been in the habit of skipping Blackthorn on his round of the circuit, as this would be the first time he's set foot, rotten or otherwise, in town since I was elected Marshal, and I'm mystified as to what prompted him to break that habit. And frankly, I do not believe the madam's story of the events of his arrival."

"I reckon some 'un wit' a vested interest in th' status quo made arrangements fer that, Marshal.  I'd nominate the 'ward boss' of yer local road agents."  Kat says with contempt.

She'd not gotten a proper chance to snap her cuffs on any Dust Adders' wrists today.  Ever since the rustler Deputy Hawkins dumped the outhouse on had gotten off due to her being in the wrong county, she'd taken their antics personally.  Ranger Hawkins didn't have any such problems however.  However Kat forgot about that once her brain realized what probably just happened.

Damn.  Was all Kat could think.  She'd killed the judge, she just knew it.  It was too big of a coincidence to be anything else.  Granted he was a horrible abomination, but she didn't want to take credit for it.  It was one thing to let the floozy attribute the kill to Mr. Mickle-fwate, that was just good damage control to not call attention to herself, but Austin would have to know it was her.

I found th' judge an' kilt him cuz he were a vampire.  It sounded like a face saving lie even to her.  Are they even going to believe a Non Commissioned Ranger?  Well, there was one man who would believe Buster Hawkins' little girl.  God, please let Mr. Armstrong be in Austin when I make that telegraph...

She should have gone to the undertaker and the telegraph office before coming here instead of after, but hindsight always wins out, unless maybe you're Idjit, who can't seem to see nothin' forward or backwards.  That would just have to wait, there could be more of those things holed up in here.

"Well come on, let's raise sand up here.  What's that... thing telling ya anyway?"

In reply to Robert Micklethwait (msg #7):

marina and her girls eagerly surround Robert, favoring him with slightly hungry smiles as he asks his questions.



"Indeed it is, sugar. I couldn't tell you which props off the top of my head...I'd have to see the box again." She frowns. "Though I'm not overly eager to go back downstairs, if you don't mind me saying so."



The girls take turns arguing for a few minutes.

"I think he had a 'private show' with Darla."

"Naw, I wasn't there long...he had kind of a short fuse, if you know what I mean."

"What about Lucy? He seemed to favor her."

"Yeah! And come to think of it, where is she, anyway? She hasn't come down all day!"



"You'd have to ask Horace, the clerk. He'd have that information."



"Well, there was Lucy. I think he may also have had words with Nickolas, the stagehand. Other than that, I can't recall seeing anyone else with him. You'd have to ask Horace the clerk about that."

In reply to Wildcat Hawkins (msg #9):

"The same thing it was telling me earlier...not a damn thing. I checked it after our encounter with his honor. Whatever is dampening the aetheric patterns, it's still in operation." Evans says, frowning. "Also, I wanted to talk about a...delicate matter."

[[OOC: How do you plan to proceed with your investigation? Give me an idea of what you're going to do, and I'll let you know what you need to roll.]]

It seems we've been following a cleaned up trail, I'm going to continue with the assumption I'm looking for that.  Even if I see no sign of it however, I want to know if there's anybody up here so I'm checking every room.  I suppose I'll take point and Evans can cover me.

"Delicate?"  Wildcat asks with slight incredulity.

The first two rooms Wildcat tries are empty. The third is locked.

"Er, yes. I...want to get your opinion on the possible existence of, erm...'feminine wiles.'" Evans replies.

[[OOC: Notice/Tracking to search through the rooms for clues, and lockpicking if you want to get through the locked door without a key/brute force.]]

OOC: hungry?  Robert is oddly reminded of social events long ago, when mothers would parade their daughters as wife material before the wealth young scions of family fortunes.



Robert nods.  "As long as we can get another lantern, I can go down.  There might be evidence down there as to what happened."


Robert perks up at this comment.  "Wait, one of you young ladies is missing?  Well, what go the judge might have gotten t'her as well?  Which way is her room?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:22, Thu 14 Oct 2010.

OOC: I'll go ask for a key momentarily.  I'm going to call out to whoever

17:06, Today: Wildcat Hawkins rolled 9,1 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+3)9,1. tracking roll.

Wildcat chuckles at Evans apparent awkwardness.  "I'm not sure I know what yer referring to exactly, Marshal, if'n it's what them, colorful, ladies down there are all about or somethin' else.  That subtle stuff works purty good fer you an' Mr. Mickle-fwate on account of yer privileged ed-you-cashuns, but I'm from Bastrop County where we just let it all hang on the fence."

In reply to Wildcat Hawkins (msg #15):

Evans grimaces. "I'm not sure I needed that mental image dancing around in my head right now..."

He clears his throat and starts again.

"I mean in the form of autohypnotic suggestion. You know, mesmerism? There's something about those ladies which, I think, is more...polished than the typical smile-and-wink of your average dove. It's...hard to explain, but when I was in their presence I felt...powerless. Like there was something telling me to relax, give in, and surrender myself. It was...disconcerting."

Wildcat seems impressed with Evans' speculation.

"It's a hell of an ideer Marshal.  But I thin' there's more to it than that, because they sure didn't impress me much.  Matter of fact if'n ya could mess with sum-un like that, why would ya hafta, you know, act like that?"  Kat thinks about it for a second and has a small epiphany.  "But by gum, I bet that one that was actin' queer sure tried to make it work on me.  But then why didn't it work on all of us?  Mr. Mickle-fwate didn't seem to get too hot and bothered neither, really.  You seem to be the only one who needed a time out."

In reply to Wildcat Hawkins (msg #17):

"Perhaps it's due to his age. Perhaps he's just a more reserved gentleman than I. Or perhaps he has been affected, but isn't showing all the effects of it. After all, he seemed quite quick to go off with the madam alone. Perhaps he did react, but we were too wrapped up in our own investigation to notice." Evans sighs. "There's too many variables, and perhaps I'm just grasping at straws because I'm embarrassed at my behavior. But it's something to keep a watch for."

The rooms are clean, but there doesn't seem to be any evidence of any recent thorough cleaning, at least in the two rooms Evans and Wildcat pick through.

In reply to Robert Micklethwait (msg #14):

[[OOC: You'd better hope they're just hungry for marriage... ;) ]]

Marina points upstairs. "She was staying in the fourth room." She looks at Robert through wild eyes. "You don't really think something...happened to her, do you? Oh, that would be terrible! Are you going to go check it out?"

In reply to The Amazing Evans (msg #18):

"I don't rightly know if'n we should be po-light and ask for th' key to this door, or just kick it in.  Normally I'd just bust it down, but given what else has happened a few moments ago mebbe that'd be too much even fer me.""  Wildcat speculates before she knocks on it.  "Texas Ranger, open up!"

In reply to Marina Vanderholt (msg #19):

Robert nods and get's up, checking his pistol.  With a grimace, he reloads.  "You all should stay here where it's safe, what's her room number?"

There's no reply to the Ranger's shout.

---

Wildcat's command is heard from downstairs.

"I...I think your friends may have already found it..." Marina says. "Don't worry, Robert. We'll abide down here for a spell."

Robert heads up, and explains to the other two. "One of the young ladies, a Miss Lucy, was seen with the judge, and hasn't been seen since.  So he might have killed her."

Without further adieu, the Ranger rams her shoulder into the door, which holds firm.  She winces slightly but resets for another charge.

18:57, Today: Wildcat Hawkins rolled 3,1 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,1. Strength roll - take THAT door!.

If it's okay, I'd like to keep rolling until I do break that door down, unless Evans or Robert want to try it, or try to stop me.

In reply to Wildcat Hawkins (msg #24):

[[OOC: Well, you could Chip it...]]

Waste of a chip.  Time's not that pressing at the moment and there's no reason Wildcat can't try it again.

Kat's expecting her third vampire inside, she's saving her mojo for that.

[[OOC: Darn, my cunning plan has failed. ;) Go ahead and roll, then...]]

She was sitting in the ruins of the Grand Bull just as everyone left her. Yet Katy was pouting over that, but what could she do. It was a bit hard listening to everything at once and most of her knowledge on the west came from her favorite novels.  Her feet swung a little bit under the bar, yet after a few moments, she stood up.

No. Forget sitting in a little saloon. She should go and start an adventure with everyone else. Yes! That's right, she should. Completely. The other people she came her with were doing so, she could too! She could.. Though her spirit dropped a little as she knew not how to go about that.

Sitting for a second, she soon jumped up. " I know!" She shout with triumph and grabbed her little suit case, running out excitedly. All she had to do was follow the Marshal and Robert. Since the moment she met them, they have done nothing but get into some wild trouble. Some boys should never change!

22:46, Today: Wildcat Hawkins rolled 5,3 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3. Take that door!  Again!.

It's so wet outside!

Her arms spread out to th sides childishly, feeling the rain and temperarily made her a little home sick. It would rain so often there, but the heat was somewhat pleasant if a little overbearing and opporessively disgusting when wearing silk. Through an alley way, she walked up to the back door and knocked upon it graciously, a smile perking to her lips in a ready and polite mannerism, waiting for hte door to be answered by that angry ol' man thay have as door watcher.

" Deputy Katy.." She paused for a moment to rethink thatbut then noticed she paused too long. " Yes, Open up, plese?" She chirped up with a bright and eager sound.

In reply to Wildcat Hawkins (msg #29):

The door gives without much more effort.

The room beyond is dark. The curtains have all been drawn across the windows. A figure lies in the bed, motionless. A heavy, sweetish, pungent scent floats through the air. There's a tray with a strange lamp and a long-stemmed pipe on the dresser table next to the bed.

The figure in the bed does not stir.

---

In reply to Katy Devon:

The rain is beginning to fall in earnest as her knocking waited to be answered.

When the slit on the door opened, it wasn't the obnoxious doorman from before, much to Katy's surprise, but a ravishing raven-haired woman with mint green eyes.

"Another deputy?" she breathes in a soft southern drawl. "Oh, my. Of course. Come on in...the others are looking into a situation right now."

The slit closes, and then the door itself swings wide, opening into darkness.

Kat raises her sharpened chair leg in both hands, trying to position it for a decisive downward thrust through a horror's chest, fully expecting the corpse to attack her.

She sees no point in moving slowly, if the thing is going to attack her, it knows she's here already.  She moves across the room quickly, but never releasing the stake or taking her eyes off the bed, to the windows and throws them open or just pulls the whole thing down curtain rod and all, whatever's quicker, to bring light into the room.

In reply to Wildcat Hawkins (msg #32):

[[OOC: I'm sorry, can you clarify which action you are taking first? Are you trying to stake the figure, or draw the curtains?]]

In reply to The Stray (msg #33):

Curtains.  Stake's just at the ready.

wildcat rips the curtain rod out of hooks, flooding the room with brightness. But it's a muted brightness, as rain beats against the window.

The figure in the bed stirs.

"Mommy, close the window..." comes a weak whimper from the girl. A languid hand moves to cover her face. "...the light hurts my eyes..."

Just like the man in the abandoned house...  she thinks.

"Dammit!  Lie still!"  Kat thinks quickly as she sticks the stake's blunt end in her duster pocket and retrieves her handcuffs for restraining the judge's victim.  Maybe there's a chance she'll be okay, maybe she's just sick or hung over, she tells herself, just knowing it's a damn lie.

If she can get her hands cuffed behind her back, Kat checks the woman for a bite wound.

"...mommy, don't play so rough..." the girl protests as Wildcat moves her for cuffing. "...I promise I'll be a good girl..."

There are a pair of small, discreet wounds in her pallid neck. Lines of blood have dried there.

"Marshal, c'mere!"  Wildcat calls to Evans.  Thinking back to what happened the first time, she resolves to try to save this one.  "I need another pair of arms!"

Robert holsters his pistol and moves up to the bed, checking her pulse.

OOC: I rolled both an untrained healing, and a common knowledge check
10:20, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 4,2,5,4 using d4-2,d6-2,d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (4+2)6,4,5,4. untrained healing, common knowledge
4, or 5, so either way I think I'm good. 

Evans also moves in, adding his hands to the restraining party. He takes a glance at the pipe and lamp on the bed, giving them a quizzical look.

Meanwhile, Robert feels for the girl's pulse. Not being a trained doctor, though, it's hard to interpret what he finds. There seems to be a pulse, he thinks, but it's sluggish and weak.

"...now, now...it'll be a dollar a dance..." the girl giggles as her examines her. "...this is a high-class joint, you know..."

Don't put the cart before the horse darlin' she hears her father say.

"She's... not like the other one, but she kind of is.  He sounded weak too, complained he was thirsty."  Dammit.

"I've got her Marshal, I need you to put the curtains back up.  I think if she was gonna burn, she'd-a-dunnit by now.  But may be the light's too weak through the clouds though.  We gotta get her out of here an' go some place until we can be sure."

"Well, it's possible she's not too damaged, just drugged." Evans says, nodding to the paraphernalia on the bed stand. "Unless I'm mistaken, that's an opium pipe there."

He moves over to the fallen curtains, picks them up, then hesitates. "You know, I think I'm more comfortable leaving these down. Just in case." he frowns. "And where exactly were you planning to take her? The jail was blown to flinders, and I really don't feel comfortable taking her back to the Grand Bull, where, if she does turn out to be dangerous, she might put a lot of innocent people at risk. Does your information on Vampires explain how long the transformation into one takes, and any methods by which it may be prevented?"

"No.  I need to skedaddle to Western Union, might l'arn more.  I have no idea if this junk and her possible condition might interact with each other.  An' I'm 'fraid if'n we done leave her here, she'll diss'ppear.  It seems people an' bodies important to investigations tend to vanish 'round here."

Kat sighs.

"Normally I'd suggest a deputy should watch her, but you ain't got the manpower fer that.  I got too many irons in the fire or I'd do it myself.  Speaking of which, I been meanin' to go over wit' you the nuts and bolts of this outfit, but this ain't the time.

"Anyway we either need a place or a person.  I got neither in my coat pocket."

Robert has a thought.  "It might boil down to, did the Judge get changed out there somewhere, and come here, bite this girl, and turn the Dust Adder?  Or did he arrive here to visit her, then they both got attacked by a vampire?  The Judge got turned, and she just got a little bit bitten.  If it's the first, well, we might be ok.  I could stay here and keep an eye on her with the help of the ladies.  And if it's other, if the the judge got turned after we arrived, well, he might come back to finish her off.  And maybe we should ought to check out the rest of the place."

"Deputy Mickle-fwate, yer jus' a raft of good ideers.  But given yer popularity 'round here, can we trust you not to take French leave?"  Wildcat teases.

"Well, how would we determine which is which? If I'm reading the situation right, we have the judge being bitten, the girl being bitten, and then the Dust Adder being bitten. Of those three, only the girl hasn't turned...as far as we determine. Unless she has turned, and there's some factor keeping her from being affected by the sunlight. Since the judge was destroyed by a different means, we don't have the data we need to make a determination yet." He frowns. "I really wish we had another deputy in town..."

"Marshal?" A voice floats up from downstairs. "Another of your depuies is here. Should I show her up?"

"..."

"...can some one scratch my nose? I can't seem to move my hands..." the girl mumbles.

"So apparently vampires grant wishes too."  Wildcat remarks, amused by Evans' reaction to the announcement.

Robert stats to retort an answer to Wildcat, but is cut off by Evans and the announcement from below.

Changing tactics, he explains, "What I mean is, we aren't done here yet.  If the Judge was bitten outside of town, then the problem is out there.  If he was bitten here, then we still have a problem.  We probably need to search around some more, make sure there's no other surprises ... didn't you say your gizmo stopped working for a while?  Is it still not working?  If not, then maybe we do still have a problem here."

"No I follow ya Deputy.  Yer right as rain."  When the machine is mentioned, Wildcat makes a suggestion.  "Kick it with the heel of yer boot a couple times, always made the laundry mangle work better."

"I don't think anyone suggested we were done here. But Miss Hawkins is right. We need more information before we can properly proceed. Luckily for us, it seems Providence has seen fit to provide us with an extra pair of hands. I'm hoping that this mystery deputy is Miss Devon, deciding to assist us, because I can't think of any other ladies who might call themselves deputies. I think she might need a stern talking-to about misrepresenting herself, but that can wait."

"With her joining us, one of us can wait with our friend here, while the other two can continue their search for any more devilry, and Miss Hawkins can send that telegram to her superiors that might give us the information we so desperately need. I don't know what's been blocking my readings, but it hasn't gone anywhere. It could be nothing--interference from the storm is likely--but I strongly doubt it."

"Why Marshal, that sounds like a plan."  Wildcat declares.

Good! someone believed her, though she didn't honestly know if she had been deputized or not, at least it wasn't coming up to question. The door became ajar and this lady with raven hair appeared. She smiled sweetly under the pour of rain, yet was invited in. Gladly to do so, and get out of the brisk chill outside.

" Oh, my word. Aren't you just the most darling lady? You look just like a living doll!" Cheerfully seeping back to her self, and in the process being informed of some kind of investigation. How interesting, though she didn't know what the had to do with her. She was just curious of what's going on... Wait. Perhaps it comes with the title? With a look of dawning realization brightening her eyes, she nodded. " Oh, yes. That's certaintly right. I am part of all that, and so forth. " Chipper, yet attempting to be agreeable and nonchalant in the little farce, Katy politely excused herself from the circle of ladies and practically pranced up the stairs toward the room.

There was Deputy Robert Nicktheweight, Marshal Armbose Evans, and the Ranger I-forgot-her-name... Something to do with a indian hatchet. In the door frame, she literally paused with a thoughtful wide eye look in attempts to remember what it was, but in truth, her countenance  almost made her look surprised or taken back by the hand cuffed girl, or the ripped down curtains, or maybe even the sickly sweet aroma..

" Well, I'm here!"  She finally broke her wistful expression with a quick smile and a click of her heels in straightening out. She had caught something about a telegram and readings getting scrambled. " So? Tell me? What happens next? What can I do?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:39, Tue 19 Oct 2010.

Wildcat is tempted to say something, but remembers that it won't do to undercut Evans' authority in front of his 'men', such as they are.  She looks to Evans as if to say Well, you're the Marshal and goes to remove the handcuffs, since it seems she's not attacking anybody at the moment.

PM
[Private to GM: I checked, and I did make one roll for vamp knowledge, post 82 I had this:

12:32, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 1,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2. kn:occult fire in sun.

But that was if I knew anything about vamps burning up, do I also get a roll so see if I know anything about the possibility that vampires can control their victims (or even those they haven't bitten yet...)

 ]

"Well," Evans says, after gathering his thoughts a bit, "First I want to express my gratitude that you've decided to lend your assistance. however, I must express my displeasure at using false pretenses to gain entry here. You have not yet been sworn in as a deputy...don't go around telling people you are one until we've taken care of that. I can overlook the infraction in this instance, but keep in mind that it is, in fact, a crime to impersonate an officer of the law."

"...oooh...if you wanted to do the kinky stuff, all you had to do was ask, Mommy..." the girl giggles as Wildcat removes the cuffs.

"Now that we've taken care of that, let's get down to brass tacks." Evans says. "We are currently searching the grounds of this theater for some very dangerous people. Miss Hawkins was about to leave for the telegraph office to send a message to her superiors. Mr. Micklethwait and I were about to continue our search of the upper floor, but we've come across a victim of our villain's ravishing. I'm afraid she has taken quite ill as a result of her ill-treatment and needs someone to watch over her while we continue our hunt. Would you be willing to protect and comfort this poor girl while we are away?"

[Private to Robert Micklethwait: I will let you try, but the roll is at -4 as you've already failed one Knowledge check about Vampires and don't have any research materials to reference. That would probably be something you'd really need an Investigation roll for. Might want to suggest that Wildcat find some back issues of the Tombstone Epitaph at the General Store or the Telegram Office for you to peruse.]

PM

[Private to The Stray: Does Katy even have a visible gun?]

PM

[Private to Wildcat Hawkins: She has a LeMat Pistol & Shotgun, which is not a small weapon.]

Robert addresses Wildcat.  "Miss, you used a piece of wood downstairs, I don't recall you saying anything about that before.   Is there any other tidbits of information you need to let us know?"

[Private to GM: hmm.  Or I could just go get them myself.  for that matter, I should update my boss at the Agency about the Vamp, and check and see if I've gotten an answer yet.  I think I'll do that after we search the place]

"To be honest, that and sunlight are the only two things I do know sir.  Sharp end through the heart."  Wildcat pulls out her improvised stakes.  "One for your Mr. Mickle-fwate, and one for you miss, if'n her gonna be handy."

Wildcat hands a chair leg to Katy Devon.  That's weird enough, but this one's been whittled on a bit.  The end has been cut at a sheer angle with a knife, and a couple of subsequent strokes have given it a crude but mostly sharp point like a tent peg.

"Ah do hope ya'll don't mind if'n I keep the last one fer good luck, considerin' mah luck so far today."

"As I'm abominable when it comes to hand-to-hand combat, I do not feel slighted in the least." Evans replies. "I'd more likely be a danger to the living than the ambulatory deceased with one of those in my hands."

"Yeah, we need ta jaw about that too... but another time.  I got a telegram to send."  If there's nothing else, Wildcat gestures goodbye with a tip of her Stetson and takes off down the street.

In entering the situation, she finds herself being  gingerly scolded by the eerie looking man whom should be a criminal in all regards, according to her dime novels. The moustache, the clothes, he looked like a slick snake, but she held her tongue in wanting to tel him that he doesn't look like a law man, but a boogie man. She sighed a little and looked down, fiddling fingers into her dress in a child like manner.

" Yes sir.." She murmured with a little sigh and then listened to the man speak that she was going to, if she wanted, watch over the little woman in hte sickly sweet room whom has been a ravished.

" You men there's a man violating women around? How revolting! What if he returns?" The maiden speaks with some discordant emotion behind it, her hands crossed over her chest until the Ranger handed her a stake. The pointy end first was something she mentioned.

" I. I don't think I can.. No, not after last night, I.. I nearly killed someone. Now someone again might come back and kill us both.." The wide eye devons came, and scooted over so her back was more toward a wall. " What. What's her name? Can't her friends downstairs watch over her, Sir?"

In reply to Wildcat Hawkins (msg #61):

It is exceedingly wet outside. Rain sloshes off roofs, collects in barrels, pools in ruts in the road. But despite this fact, there are still people out and about, and she does not go unnoticed.

As she walks down the street, A woman in a light blue cotton dress rushes up to her, a parasol vainly struggling under the onslaught of rain. "Help! help!" She calls. "Please, someone! Get the Marshal!"

In reply to Katy Devon (msg #62):

"Madam..." Evans says, taking Katy aside, "That possibility is quite remote. We believe he may have fled the premises, and we are going to do everything in our power to ensure that he cannot harm anyone else if we do find him. However, if, god forbid, we are in error, then that is what the stake is for. No one will think poorly of a lady who has shed blood to put such a vicious monster in his grave in self defense."

"However, if you wish not to be alone, you are certainly welcome to ask one of the ladies from downstairs to wait with you. But you asked what you can do to help. Waiting over this poor lady and seeing that she does not take a turn for the worse will help us find the horrible cad and bring him to justice that much faster."

He picks up the stake and holds it up. "So, I leave the choice to you. Will you help us?"

For a moment she went along with him, guiding her off to the side. He spoke and she was glued onto his words with concern and, soon, a new outlook on the situation. It inspired a bit more confidence and she eased a little more. Once again, he implores if she would like to help their cause.

" Oh, yes!" She took up her stake with a prim girlish giggle and leaned up with a careful placing of her hand against his chest, the other on his cheek to bright him down a bit to kiss his cheek. " You know, your not as scary as you dress, Mister Evans." The girl speaks mirthfully, then moving with her little case toward the other lady.

" Hello dear.. I am Katy Devons. Can you tell me your name?" She started, sitting down her bag on the table and moved to the girl whom was uncuffed and slumped there like someone drugged her. Her hands touched the girl's shoulder. " How about I get you something to drink, okay? You look a bit pale.."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:27, Wed 20 Oct 2010.

In reply to Jenny (msg #63):

Kat draws her Peacemaker and stops the fleeing woman.  "Texas Ranger!  What's wrong ma'am?"

In reply to Wildcat Hawkins (msg #66):

"It's the Dust Adders!" The woman gasps. "They're all over at the undertaker's place, kicking up some kind of ruckus! Please, you have to go and calm them down before things get out of hand again!"

Figures.  Damned Dust Adders.  Kat thinks to herself.  She remembers Underhill and his fear of the Dust Adders.  He's probably being shaken down for money or services, and everything she told him is for naught if she just lets this happen.  What timing these losers have...

"All right ma'am don't worry, I want you to get somewhere safe right now."  Wildcat thinks carefully.  She can't send this woman to the theater, that situation is already in a bad way.  But she's got to go somewhere Evans or a Deputy will eventually catch up to her.  "Head to the Grand Bull all right?"

She nods. "Please...be careful!" she says "There's an awful lot of them!"

"Don't worry ma'am, they won't do anything when a grown up is watching."  She snarks.  Once she's sure the woman is off to the Grand Bull,  Wildcat hurries to the undertaker's.  She stops about a block short however and approaches walking at calm pace, both to appear more nonchalant and to catch her breath.

One riot, one Ranger she reminds herself as she walks in with the Winchester's barrel leaning over her shoulder.

In reply to Wildcat Hawkins (msg #70):

"Vaya con Dios." Jenny says to herself once Wildcat is out of earshot. "Say 'hi' to Rum Tum Tugger for me while you're there."

She giggles and heads into the bar to get a drink.

[[OOC: Wildcat, continue posting on the "Comanche Moon" thread. I'll repost your last post there, to let the others react a bit.]]

In reply to Katy Devon (msg #65):''
OOC: I assume Katy has a gun?

Robert watches as Evan's calms the girl, nodding slightly in approval.  "If something happens, ma'am, give a good scream or fire off a shot.  The bullet might not work, but it'll bring us running."  He turns to Evans.  "I think we should go back to the basement, to where the Ju- the other one was, and see what we find."

" Oh yes sir, Mister Robert. I got a Lemat the other day. I think I'll call this one Jason. He's a good shot alright and... What do you mean 'the bullet might not work?'.  I.. I am a good shot.. Honest.." She murmurs a bit lowly now, seeming disapointed. She pulled out her gun from an unexpected place and examined the gun.. Thought she was wondering that she should get a vest holster.

" Fellows, you think after this is taken care of, you could help get me a vest holster? I think that gentlemen took a bit more of my money then some was worth.." She asked, and no matter the answer, she would give a pleasant nod and look to the sick ridden woman.

"Now, now, no need to scare the girl." Evans says, shooting a dirty look at Robert. "I'm sure Miss Devon is versed enough in gun maintenance that she can prevent any jams or misfires."

Evans turns back to Katy. "But yes. Stay with the girl, keep her in the sunlight--the vitamins in the sun's rays should do wonders for her. Oh, and if she remarks that she's thirsty, by all means fetch her some water, but don't move too closer to her to deliver it. She might be contagious. Just set it down within her reach, that should do fine."

He grabs Robert by the arm and gently pulls him from the room.

Once out the door, he glares at the man. "What happened to trying not to scare people for the public good?" He whispers harshly. "That was a horrible thing to say!"

He takes a deep breath, then continues at normal volume. "I think searching the basement again is a good idea, but there are half a dozen more rooms up on this floor that we should eliminate first."

"What happened was, I don't want to have to stake her, or bury her" Robert replies.

"Up or down is fine with me, although if our foe is averse to light, I don't see him up here near windows."

" He doesn't like light? Why? " The girl clued in curiously as the males were acting a little oddly. Then again it could be that they are cautious over the killer. She couldn't blame them about that, putting on a brave face. Men were so sweet.  Yet she was on her way to get the little lady Lucy some water and soup since the gril seemed to pass out asleep.

Evans looks at Robert, shrugs, and sighs. Let him field the sunlight question. "Better safe than sorry. Remember, we found the girl up here. Who knows what else me might find? There might be more victims in need of help."

"We think he has a sickness which affects the mind.  Amongst other things, the eyes become very sensitive to light.  This disease can make the victims act crazy, they will ingnore injury and pain.  That's why just shooting him might not work.  Unfortunatly, there is no cure."

OOC: do we hear gunfire?

Edit:
13:39, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled -1,0 using d6-4,d6-4, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4. notice
nope
This message was last edited by the player at 20:39, Thu 21 Oct 2010.

[[OOC: Make a notice check, -4 for the distance and the fact that you are inside.]]

" Oh dear.. I see. " She murmurs as Robert spoke, she nodded with a child like agreement, understanding what Evans had spoke of keeping her distance.

" I'll go fetch a pitcher of water before I return. The curtains open, so it should be fine for a bit. Poor dear passed out.." And down the stairs she quickly decends, asking the ring of lovelies ladies  to aid herand they caught her a pitcher and a cup at once. She parted their company and quickly returned to the room where Lucy was still in bed.

" Little Lucy? Wake up, you have to drink something. It's not healthy for your skin to sleep through the daylight hours. Not good for you at all." She poured a glass and placed it on the night stand, before she backed away to the chair and picked up her LeMat named; Jason. She sighed a little and looked to the door..

Yet soon her eyes drifted to the closet..
This message was last edited by the player at 01:58, Fri 22 Oct 2010.

Seeing that Katy is set, Robert turns to Evans.  "So, you want t'finish checking up here?"

The closet sat there, closed. Waiting...

---

Evans nods, and strides off down the corridor, testing doors.

The other rooms take about ten minutes to search, but there isn't anything exciting about them.

Evans sighs. "Well, at least we've got that covered. To the basement, then?"

---

Back in the room, the girl languidly picks up the glass.

"...could you please cover the window?" she asks in a weak voice. "...the light hurts my eyes..." she begins to drink.

Robert nods.  "Marina had a lantern, but when the Judge woke up she dropped it.  Let's see if there's another."  Robert leads the way down to the basement, striking a match if need be for light.

OOC: there might have been more than one lantern?  Or a candle or something?

In reply to Robert Micklethwait (msg #84):

The lantern Robert procures shines as the pair travels down into the darkness of the basement.

[[OOC: She brought one down...there's nothing stopping you from taking another lantern from the ground floor down with you.

What are you going to search for?]]

A bite of her lip, her eyes shift over the door and it seems undisturbed.. She wonders if  they only came into the room, is that what they call 'exploring'? They did not check under the bed for weapons or in the closet, the dresser for paper or bits of clues like wily Jack Hannon would. She took in a deep breathe as lucy spoke to her.

" I'm sorry, truly.. But you might have been infected by some mad man. You have to stay in the light, it might hurt, but it's truly good for you. I promise. " She tried to speak comfortingly, but her eyes would always pull back to the mocking, closed door. There could be a villian in there. Just waiting, holding one's breath. The room had smelt so awfully sweet like spilt perfume. " Perhaps you can drape a pillow or.. some fabric, or your wrist over your eyes."

A helpful suggestion, yet honestly, she was more worried about the closet like a little girl in her room. DUring a lightning storm. And a scary, imposing door at thhe foot of her bed.... Oh, that gave the case of heebie jeebies!  She stood, and held her LeMat, the gun ready to fire. She crossed the room slightly, her heels clicked slowly in the motion.. She grabbed the handle of the door and.. Jerked it open!

The door of the closet jerks open to reveal...

...a pile of neatly stacked sheets. The closet is more of a cubbyhole than a hiding spot.

Well, that was disappointing.

She turns back around to the girl...

...to find her suddenly standing right behind her, staring at her with a strange intensity.

"...thirsty..." she murmurs. "...so very thirsty..."

In reply to The Stray (msg #85):

OOC: Bascially, look around the room where the coffin was, see what else is there.

The basement still had the faint stench of death hanging in it as Robert and Evans got down into it. Evans picks up a fallen lantern and gets a light from the wick or Robert's own lamp.

"Lucky this didn't break when she dropped it." He mutters.

The pair took their time, carefully searching crates filled with frilly clothes, dull swords, and other miscellaneous stage props. Some of the boxes are labeled "Property of the Vanderholt Troupe," while others have "Property of the Oriental Theater" stenciled on them. None of them contain any more corpses, ambulatory or otherwise. The only thing of note is a large box filled with dirt, labeled "Potting Soil," and that's only notable because of how odd it is.

It takes them a good ten minutes of searching to go through everything.

"I do believe this is a bust." Evans says. "Either the Judge was the vampire, and we've done our job, or the theoretical other vampire lairs somewhere else during the day."

Or is upstairs, sashaying around in her petticoats. He thinks to himself, but he didn't really feel like voicing that theory at the moment. Not without more proof. He remembered his days of reading Penny Dreadfuls, and Varney had had some sort of hypnotic power over females. It stood to reason that female vampires might have the same sort of thrall over males. He didn't feel particularly comfortable trying to confront any of the girls upstairs without the Ranger and whatever information she could dig up from her superiors. Perhaps there would be something useful in those notes, and he could take the time to actually put his scientific skills to use creating a countermeasure.

He waited for Robert to respond.

Robert taps the box labeled "Potting Soil" "This is the box the judge was in" He searches it carefully, using his cane to stir through the dirt.  "I've heard of taking a dirt nap, but this is odd." He mutters half to himself.

"Looks like the Judge was made vamp on the way to town, then bit that poor girl upstairs.  So there might be one out there somewhere, but ... you know, you'd thing.. I mean, if I was a vampire, I could kill my victims.  I wouldn't make all kinds of other vampires.  Attracts attention.  So could be the judge killed the one that bit him, but still got turned in the end.  Or the vampire that bit the judge let him go to stir up trouble." Robert grimaces. "I guess the only thing to do is keep an eye out, and watch that girl up stairs.  I'm not sure if Miss Katy would be up to staking someone, I could go up and keep an eye on her, I'm sure you have other irons in the fire."



OOC: I've assumed the box labeled "Potting Soil" is the one the judge was in

"We are assuming there is some choice in the matter of who becomes a vampire and who doesn't." Evans says. "Is it a conscious process, or is there some kind of biological catalyst involved? Does the transformation occur before death, or afterward? We're working with a lot of unknowns here."

He sighs, and shakes his head. "Whoever our mystery vampire is, they were either careless in their feeding, or this was a deliberate attempt to sow trouble in town. Either possibility has disturbing implications. I think we've been lucky thus far...I've heard some pretty awful stories of unchecked outbreaks of plague wiping out entire towns, and while what we have here isn't a plague per se, the thought of an ever-expanding plague of vampires, feeding themselves and spreading their curse to others, who in turn spread their curse to others...frankly it sends shivers up the spine. We may have averted a major disaster here."

At his suggestion, Evans nods. "Yes, I think the girl bears watching. I think she's a local, not one of the traveling troupe...I think I saw her dance here before they came to town. However, I don't think we should keep her here. There's a few empty houses from the boom town days...perhaps we should commandeer one and move her there for observation. I'd rather keep her away from other people for the time being."

Robert nods.  "I have a few things to do, why don't you arrange for a house, and I'll go check on Katy, then explain to the ladies where we are moving here."

"Very well." Evans nods. "Take care. And be cautious...I don't entirely trust these ladies. Watch yourself."

He heads out of the theater, leaving Robert to his own devices.

Robert heads upstairs, leaving the lantern on a hook at the head of the stairs.  he goes into the main room and explains to the ladies.  "The marshal thinks your friend upstairs will recover better in a ... more quiet locale.  He is going to arrange for a small house for her to stay in.  She's a local, is she not?"

"Yes, I believe that's the case." Marina nods. "We were scouting her for a potential place in our troupe--we like reciting local talent in the places we visit." She gives him a concerned look. "Is the poor dear going to be alright?"

Robert nods.  "Fret not, m'dear.  We hope with some rest she'll be fine.  The marshal and I have checked, and it looks like there are no other surprises here, but if you'd like I can come back and keep an eye on things after we get Lucy settled?" Robert sounds quite willing, almost eager, to return.

[Private to GM: OOC: I just remembered that Lucy was Mina's friend in Dracula]

"Why, I think that's a wonderful Idea, sugar." She says, favoring him with a winsome smile. "I'm sure we'd all feel safer with such a courageous gentleman keeping watch over us, won't we?"

There's a chorus of eager assents from the flock of beauties around him.

[Private to Robert Micklethwait: ((OOC: Glad you caught the reference! :D Can you guess where I pulled the names from some of the other girls?))]

She made a low disappointing, but relieved sort of sound, her eyes dancing over the narrow place with nary a room for a person to crawl into. She turned and stopped dead. Her eyes wide a little at how quiet the girl moved. She smiled softly.

" Then lay down in bed and I'll get you some warm milk. You shouldn't be moving. You could hurt yourself.." Her finger  lightly traced the guard around the trigger, the way the woman stared at her was.. Well, nothing she had seen before. It was kind of.. Scary. " Go on, Lucy. Shoo, shoo."

"...you're pretty..." she says airily. She doesn't move back towards the bed...instead, she moves even closer, wrapping one arm around Katy's shoulders. "...so pretty...give me a kiss...

She leans in. Katy feels the girl's lips brush her neck...

And at that a questioning look follows, yet drops into a wide eye moment as the lady comes close and asks for a kiss. Her hand moves up and pushes at thhe girl's ribs, sliding off to the side away to pace from the girl.

" Lucy, your ill. You don't want to get me ill too, do you? Go back to bed where your safe or I'll leave you here.. I will not condone that kind of behavoir for any man, i'm certaintly not going to take it from another girl." She stomps her heeled foot and extends her finger in a sharp point to the matress. " To bed."

Some Mood Music

Lucy stumbles back a bit at the shove. She giggles a bit.

"Oh...Oh yes, I do." She says. "I want to share my sickness. I want to share...everything..."

She smiles widely at Katy, revealing that her front canines have grown exceptionally long.

"You're so lovely...you should join us in the darkness..."

[[OOC: Draw a card for initiative, please.]]

" Join who? What are you talking about?" She felt much like a wide eye doe, though thankfully she didn't have that timid nature. She raised the gun and shot off a round, hitting the mirror in the room before aiming it at the girl and backing up a few steps.

" Don't move or i'll shoot you."

[ Katy pulls a 7D ]
This message was last edited by the player at 04:19, Fri 29 Oct 2010.

Robert smiles and blushes ever so slightly.  "I just want to make sure, Miz Marina, and you two are Miz Camilla and Miz Darla, Miz Lucy upstairs, and I don't think we have been introduced?" he asks the last girl.

"Who else would be on the premises?"

OOC: the other four were Camilla, Darla, Selene, Mina, and Lucy upstairs, although I don't think Selene was ever introduced (her name is the the experince thread)

In reply to Robert Micklethwait (msg #103):

As the last girl is about to answer, there's a shot from upstairs...

[[OOC: Draw a card for me, please...]]

OOC:
14:14, Today: Robert Micklethwait drew the single card: KC using a deck of 54 cards. INIT !!!!!!.
booyah

Initiative:

Robert: KC
Katy: 7D
Lucy: 4D

Hearing the shot, Robert reacts with surprising speed.  He runs for the stairs, his hand dipping momentariy to his pistol before pausing.  Can't open the door if m'hands are full, and it might be a false alarm. Reaching the room with Lucy and Katy, he throws the door open, stepping inside.

OOC: run, open door, ready cane?
14:32, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 4 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4. run.
move up to 9" this turn
Can I see that her teeth are looking large?  I only got a 3 on my notice, but it might be obvious
14:36, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 3,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2. Notice vampishness.

[Private to GM: I really want to use that relic card.  A few thoughts to bouce off you, if I stick a vamp with the blade and get lucky enough to kill it, maybe the sword does full damage to supernatural critters?  Or if I end up wacking her with the cane/wooden sheath, it might get some bonus?  it'd be cool also to have a non-combat ability of some sort.  Don't know if you've thought of anything yet, those are just my thoughts.  ]

In reply to Robert Micklethwait (msg #107):

[[OOC: Well, you failed the notice check, so while her teeth might be visible, Robert can't see them because Lucy isn't looking his direction yet, though Katy is shaking and pointing a gun at her, so he has to suspect something is up, especially since that was the fear earlier.]]

[Private to Robert Micklethwait: As for the Relic Card...we shall see what happens. A bonus against ALL supernatural creatures is a bit broad, but a bonus against Vampires isn't out of the question. The Adventure Cards pdf has rules for the generation of the Relic, so you won't know what you got until you use it...It might also wind up cursed somehow. Just a fair warning.]

The door swings open and it makes Katy tense up.. " Get away!" She says sternly.


Rolled 3 times, spent 2 red chips. Total sum is a 6 intimidate.

Katy Devons: Two of Clubs
This message was last edited by the player at 22:18, Mon 01 Nov 2010.

The fangy girl pouts. "...you don't have to be so mean...I just want to taste you..." She says, and leaps at Katy. "...Please...just a sip...so thirsty..."

Her arms wrap around Katy. There's a sharp pinching as the girl kisses her neck...And a wave of dizziness and euphoria passes through Katy as at the girl begins drinking her blood...

[[OOC: Vampires! rolled 4 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4. resisting intimidate. That's a fail. Katy gets a +2 bonus to her next action against her.

Lucy decides to take a quick nip. This is a Touch attack. Vampires! rolled 5 using 1d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 3. Bite! That's a hit against Katy's Parry.

Katy, roll Vigor or gain one level of Fatigue as she sucks you blood.

Vampires! drew the single card: 3C for next round.]]

[Private to Robert Micklethwait: Robert, as you're a male and she's a female, her magic Seduction power works against you. You have a -2 penalty to attacks you make against her. Also, you need to draw your card for initiative]

Robert is taken aback momentariy by the scene he sees.

OOC:
in hindsight, I should have done a Test of Wills this round, I might have gotten lucky.
I assume the intimidate was against me/whoever came in?  If so, here's my spirit roll
15:29, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 2,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1. spirit if needed.
blech.  she's scary!
OH, just noticed the vamp rolled, she was yelling at the vamp

15:30, Today: Robert Micklethwait drew the single card: AH using a deck of 54 cards. init next round.

[Private to GM: whatever works.  I just kind of warted to remind you of it since I'm hoping it'll come up soon !

quick question, can I see that she biting her?  Except for the gunshot, this might just be, well, "the love that dare not speak it's name".  Can I see any blood trickeling down Katy, is she obviously fightnig etc?
If i'm not sure (and/or if my "renfield status" comes into play here), I might just pull her away (would that be a grapple, or maybe just flavor text..).  then see the blood and realize what's going on

]
This message was last edited by the player at 22:36, Mon 01 Nov 2010.

Initiative:

Robert: AH
Lucy: 3C
Katy: 2C

[Private to Robert Micklethwait: ((OOC: She's doing something. I think it might be more fun for the Renfield thing, so go ahead and make a Grapple check to pull her away.))]

Robert hesitated, wondering for a moment if he was seeing "the love that dare not speak it's name", but there was the shot, and the yell.  "Miss Lucy!! I don't think Miss Katy likes that sort of thing!" He says as he moves closer and tries to pull Lucy off Katy.

16:34, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 14,4,3 using d8,d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+6)14,4,3. white.
16:34, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1. blue.
16:33, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 2,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1. Grapple.
2 initally
1 from the blue
white to reroll all, and I got a 15 total
opposed fighting roll

As Robert pulls her away, he notices some blood on Katy's neck, dribbling down from two pinprick holes in the flesh.

"Oooo!" The girl says and she writhes and gyrates against him. "Wanna dance? I can make you feel all better..."

she slips out of his grip, then turns and bites him on the hand. Not a "love" nip, but hard, nearly breaking his skin.

[[OOC: That's enough to make her Shaken, so she drops a white chip to unshake. She attempts to break the grapple.

Vampires! rolled 7 using 1d10, rerolling max with rolls of 7. Escape attempt.

To keep the thread moving:

The Stray, on behalf of Robert Micklethwait, rolled 2,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2. Agility (keep her close).

That's a Raise on her escape roll, so she gets to act normally as well.

[Private to Robert Micklethwait: Robert, I would appreciate it if, in the future, you rolled Strength/Agility checks when you make Grapple checks, just so I know what anyone trying to beat them has to beat to escape.]

Vampires! rolled 5 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5. Bite! not enough to beat Robert's Parry.

Vampires! drew the single card: AS using the Deadlands system. Initiative.]]
This message was last edited by the player at 07:22, Tue 02 Nov 2010.

 She shifted with a scream as Lucy had gripped her and the bite to her neck was a brief prick of pain and then nothing, it was.. Strangely exhileratin, bizzare, and frightfully wrong! Robert pulled the woman off and Katy felt something running down her neck, her hand cupped her neck, thinkin it to be spittle and in pulling her hand bag she screamed.

" My god!" Her eyes went to Robert as Lucy broke free from his grasp, the woman  lunged at the fellow to bite him. That's when the big bang went off in the small room, shooting Lucy with the lemat.

" Get away, you monster!" she held the spike in the other hand and moved to the other side the rooom and toward the door.


vigor roll, 3 spent a red chip and got 11.
00:27, Today: Katy Devon rolled 7,4 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,4. shooting.
00:28, Today: Katy Devon rolled 5,3,4 using d6,d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3,4. the big bang. Total 12

6 of clubs
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:27, Tue 02 Nov 2010.

Lucy takes the bullet to her midriff...and barely flinches. "Ow..." she moans, more irritated than injured.

[[OOC: Lucy is Shaken. Her invulnerability, though, means that she doesn't take the wound.]]

---

Next Round:

Lucy: AS
Katy Devon: 6C
Robert: hasn't drawn yet

OOC: In message 111 above, I got AH, so Luch goes first.

In reply to Robert Micklethwait (msg #117):

[[OOC: You did get an AH...last round. But then you acted in message #113, and didn't draw a card for the next round. It's the next round now. Please draw a card.]]
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:38, Tue 02 Nov 2010.

sorry, you are right

11:03, Today: Robert Micklethwait drew the single card: QD using a deck of 54 cards. init.

Lucy grabs Robert's arm in a vice-like grip and bites down, hard. Blood gushes from the wound, and she begins lapping it up eagerly...

[[OOC: Lucy spends a chip to unshake, and tries to bite Robert again.

Vampires! rolled 15 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+6+3)15. Bite! That's a hit and Raise.

Vampires! rolled 9,5 using d10,2d6, rerolling max with rolls of 9,4,1. Damage with Raise. Total of 14 damage. That's a Shaken and 2 wounds for Robert.

Vampires! drew the single card: 7D.]]

Robert staggers back, the pain almost overwhelming.  Forgetting that this was a woman, forgetting even to take the blade from his cane, he swings his cane but the blood-crazed foe barely notices the hit.

OOC: burned every chip I have, and I still only soaked 1 wound
21:42, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 3,1,1 using d4,d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,1,1. last blue to reroll everything.
21:42, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 3 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3. blue to add.
21:41, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 1,2 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2. rc to soak.

21:43, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 10,3 using d8-1,d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of (8+3)11,4. Recover from Shaken.
 yeah, now I get the big roll.  at least I get an action
21:44, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 1,3 using d8-1,d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4. Fighting with cane.
3, which I assume misses
wait a sec, is she unarmed?  If so and her base parry is a 5, that's a hit

here's damage just in case
21:46, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 3,1 using d4,d4. damage?.
4, wow.  at least it's made of wood

21:45, Today: Robert Micklethwait drew the single card: 9C using a deck of 54 cards. card for next rund.

In reply to Robert Micklethwait (msg #121):

The girl fends off the blows with ease. She seems to be moving much faster now that she's gotten a taste of Robert's blood.

[[OOC: Creatures with natural weapons (which include vampires) never count as unarmed defenders. Besides which, you still have a -2 penalty to attacks against her from her Seduction ability.]]

[Private to Robert Micklethwait: Oh, and since you've suffered a wound from her, make a vigor roll for me. }:D]

PM
[Private to GM: Sorry that I forgot about the -2 from Charm
07:41, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 2,2 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2. vigor roll.
2, or 1 if the wound penelty counts
]

She was going to run away when she heard Robert, looking back to see the demon of a woman bitting into his arm and making her blood run cold. Before she knew it, the posh dainty looking girl darted the short distance between them and without ever knowingly meaning to, gave a ferice hard plunge of the stake in her hand into the back of the ribs, aiming for the monster woman's heart with grunt of effort.



Katy Devon rolled 3,7 using d6,d4, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(4+3)7. with a -6.

Gives me a 1.

Katy Devon rolled 2 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2. red chip
Katy Devon rolled 2 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2. 2nd red chip to help robert!

Gained 4. Now. Got 5 to hit. Robert, the evil die roller really didn't want me to help you.

12:43, Today: Katy Devon rolled 2,1 using d6,d4, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1. +8 damage, call shot to heart.

Well.. An 11 damage. Okay then.. That was still a piddle-assed roll. Roolsso much better for Gatsu. -is jealous-

Lucy shrieks as the stake pierces her heart...and she bursts into flames! She burns to ash in Robert's embrace.

[Private to Robert Micklethwait: Oh dear...:D so, interested in seeing how the other half lives? Robert Micklthwait...Vampire Lawyer! }:D]

Robert staggers backwards, brushing the flames from his clothing.  Gasping with pain and shock, and no little amount of embarrassment, he turns to Katy.  "My dear, I ran up here to save you, and you saved me.  That's twice now.  I should hire you as my legal secretary, I will never lose a case."

[Private to GM: what, one bite and I'm a vamp?  Holy cow, these suckers can spread fast.  I could see Robert being seduced (heh) by the lifestyle, he is an old dude.  And he could even justify it, saying he'd only prey on bad people etc, yeah, like that would last.  OTOH, he has seen how easy they are to slay.  But I'm sure Marina could convince him]

Lucy's shriek made Katy scream and jump away, flailing slightly like a little girl. The woman vanished into ashes and she almost couldn't believe her eyes. Robert spoke and she watched him wide eyed..

" Are.. A-are we sick now too? Are w-we going to be mo-monsters?" She crept a bit close to Robert and like a child needing a teddy Bear, she hugged his uninjured arm and looked to the ash. " I could have been killed, how come no one told me? Did you know that was going to happen, Mister Robert?" Her voice getting a bit higher in pitch and shakey like she was going to cry.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:15, Wed 03 Nov 2010.

Robert hugs her and tries to avoid bleeding on her.  "There there, Miz Katy.  I don't think one bite will do it.  I'm sure it's more than that, or the west would be overrun with these things.  For that matter, I'm pretty sure that was just an extreme case of ghost-rock fever, that can burn you know, and make you do crazy things."

yeah, I'm sure we are fine. Robert thinks to himself  Aloud, he says, "Why don'e we see about bandaging these wounds up, no need to concern others." Robert looks around for some bandages.

[Private to GM: combination of agent in training, should suppress supernatural stuff.  And wishful thinking, "I'll be fine".  and probably a bit of "dont attract to much trouble for my good friend Marina]

She sniffles a little at the hug, cudling up to him a bit as her eyes went about hte room a little. Scary things make people paranoid you know, and little Katy devons is on full alert.

" Perhaps we should find a doctor. A doctor would know about this 'fever', right?" She felt her neck as robert looked about the room. " Well.. It doesn't hurt, I think she only broken the skin a little before you pulled her off.  It's not bleeding anymore.." She moved over to the pitcher of water and poured some on a little rag she found to dab her neck a little.

" Oh! I know, My daddy would put alcohol on wounds whenever we got scratched. He said nothing cure you like like the hair of the dog. We should get some on your arm. Looks like she got you deep, Mister Robert.." Katy took his free arm gently and pointed to he door. " Also.. Lucy said something strange before you came up.. She said to .. Come join us in the darkness.  Us.. Do you think she met the manyou are chasing? And.. You think we should check the ladies down stairs for marks? What if they're protecting this? We should tell the Marsh about being bitten, if it turn you into monster at the drop of a hat, we have to warn them so they can be careful around us. I don't want to hurt anyone, Mister Roberts, I really can't take that."

Robert shakes his head.  "Ghost rock fever isn't contagious, you get it from breathing ghost rock fumes, so I don't think we have to worry.  There was another, ah, flamable man, but I think she was the last of them.  I know some have mentioned, well, Vampires, myself included, but the more I think about it, I think it's just a delusion brought on by Ghost Rock fever.  It's the only thing that makes sense.  For one thing, that ranger says they burn up in the sun, and Lucy didn't"

At Katy's suggestion of a doctor, Robert shakes his head.  "I've met the so-called doctors in this town, I'd trust some alcohol and a bandage before either of them.  We can get some alcohol downstairs, I am sure.  As for the ladies, well, ahem, I don't think they could be hiding any bites, they way they were dressed.  However, I will pay attention to, just to make sure."

Picking up his cane, Robert opens the door and ushers Katy out, so they can go down and wash and bandage their wounds.

" But Mister Evans said someone did that to her, that she might be contagious, that's what he said. " Katy mewled as Robert tried to fan down her little panic as one could tell her curiousity was making her talkitive and worrisome.


" Vampires? Like from the mystery stories?" She covered her mouth slightly, her eyes getting bigger. " But there was no sun out, just the storm and it gotten worse and darken the sky and she was complaining abotu hte light. But then it was gone cause of the coulds in the sky. " She was starting to freak out a bit more by repeating herself. " Evans said to keep her in the light, but there was no more light, the rain got hard outside. He knew didn't he? Oh! I'm going to give him a whallop when I see him again. The nerve! I could have died and been on the ground cause there's no light. No sunlight whatso ever. That jerk!" And now katy moves from being scared to angry without a flip of the thought, folding her arm over her chest for a moment. Before leaving the room, she got her bag with her clothes and weapons and headed down with Robert.


" Mister Robert, don't be silly. I could check the ladies, you doing that is just..." She paused realizing that's what he meant. " Oh, you dog." She giggled, her mood shifting once  as she shook her head. " Men really do have one thing on their mind right next to their guns."

"We heard screaming..." Says a voice from the stairwell. "Is...is everything alright up there? How's Lucy doing?"

" She's gone." Katy called back. Heading down the stair well before turning to glance at Robert. " Oops." She looked back down the Stairs and hurried down. " Mister Robert needs some alcohol and some... Bandage wraps, please.."

The madam looks at Katy, her bottom lip trembling. "G-gone? What do you mean, gone?"

She watched Marina for a moment, and her brow furrowed in remembering the events. and she didn't know to lie or the truth. Robert seemed a bit against the truth for now, hell it scared the crap out of her, what would it do to a troope of women!

" She... Burst into dust... She's just.. Gone... Before that, she really hurt mister Robert. Please, could you help me get some things? I'm sorry to ask this of you, but.." The girl started, rubbing her arm a bit at the thought.

"Oh no!" The woman moans. "What a horrible thing to happen! Was she one of those...things?" she breathes, taking a long, lingering look at Robert's bloody hands.

Upstairs, Robert shrugges.  "I don't know for sure.  Maybe Evan's is right, maybe not.  All we know, is that they don't seem to mind getting shot, and burst into flames if you stab them.  That could be Ghost Rock fever, which is an established illnes.  Vampires, well, shoot, what's next, Ghosts and Goblins?"

When Marina comes in, he explains, "I was just discussing this with Miss Katy, I'm starting to think we were crazy to thing of vampires, I think it's just Ghost Rock fever.  When I came into town I met a man, half crazy he was, with a lump of Ghost Rock.  I think there's some in these parts, and it's effecting folk."

Marina nods. "Of course. It would be silly to think of vampires...I just didn't know Rock Fever did that to a person. What a horrible disease." She says, and sashays off to collect some bandages and whiskey for Robert's hand.

When she returns, she helps Robert downstairs, muttering and cooing over his wound all the way. She rather ignores Katy.

Robert goes with her (duh!), but makes sure Katy is bandaged up as well.  He also pays attention to any minor injures she or the other girls may have.
When they are bandaged, Robert suggests, "Miss Katy, I think we should fill in Marshall Evans on the latest happenings."





16:23, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 1,9 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+3)9. notice bite marks on scantily clad babes.
9 isn't bad

Well, there's certainly a lot for Robert to view...

He doesn't notice and recent wounds on any of the ladies, but he does notice that most of the girls have tiny, discreet scars on their necks. The scars long healed over, and they're so tiny they're almost invisible, but now that he knows what he's looking for, they seem almost unavoidable to him. The only one of the girls that doesn't have scars on her neck is Carmilla, though, oddly, there are some similar scars on her breast.

She sighed, at least Robert was getting attention to his hand. She was so worried and blood makes her all kinds of edgey in having to deal with it. She waited with her bag as his hand got fixed up. She looked to the women with a fidget. As soon after Robert suggested they go along and look for Evans and she nodded.

Katy Devons rolled a notice check of 11 to look for markings.

" And then I want to get some tea. My nerves are starting to shake." She mewled childishly and got a head start of leaving. " Come on, mister Robert. Please hurry.."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:10, Fri 05 Nov 2010.

Robert nods.  "Yes ma'am, we need to fill in the Marshal." He rises and tips his hat at the ladies.  "If I ladies don't mind, I might be calling later, there might be a few more questions about recent events."


OOC: did that heal my wound?

[[OOC: No one made any Healing rolls, so no, it did not heal the wound, it just prevented bleeding and infection.]]

---

This chapter is over. Please resume posting on the Chapter 8.1 thread.