Daniel was never one to oversleep, but they had an awfully late night. Still, he rolled out of bed feeling reasonably chipper this morning. There could be any number of reasons for that, though exercise was often the culprit and he had plenty of that the prior evening.

He quickly got ready, donning his usual attire before wandering downstairs to the smell of appetizing cuisine. Among the smells were bacon, and that made him nearly giddy. He looked about for his traveling companions, wondering if any preceded him to the dining room. He could have woken Uncle Gabby, but felt it best to let his elders get their rest lest they be cranky all day.

Seeing no one he recognized around, Daniel looked for a table large enough for the rest to join him when they awoke and made it down to the dining room.

From behind Daniel, somebody messed up his hair before sitting down right in front of him with a plate full of eggs, sausage links, bacon, potatoes and some toast.

"Hey there barber boy!" he said with a chuckle, digging into his potatoes. Swallowing, he continued. "Say, how's about you gimme a haircut? Just don't use that big ol' sword you got. You still carry that thing around, wavin' it here and there and all?" He guffawed for a moment as if he had just made a great joke and went back to eating.

The morning was not kind to Gabby. He wasn't a young man anymore, and no other time reminded him of that more than mornings. The years he'd spent running various mining claims gave him an internal clock that got him up at dawn, whether he wanted to be or not, but the aches and pains needed to be worked out of his joints before he could really be in any shape to move.

Today the aches were especially bad--the long night of adventure had caused him to miss his normal bed time and had been stressful enough in their own right to add a layer of stiffness to his already-complaining joints.

After a few minutes working at the kinks in his knees and elbows he was mobile enough to stagger to the chamberpot for his necessaries. Clementine, fresh-faced and full of energy, leaped up happily and began running and barking all over the room. Gabby allowed himself the indulgence of a tiny bit of black-hearted jealousy for her youth and energy before yelling at her to shush for a moment. She ignored him, like she always did when he was cranky in the morning.

Once he finished his necessary, he washed his face and hands in the basin, ran a comb through his hair and beard, shook his head at the few strands that stuck in the comb (he had few enough hairs on the top of his head at it was) and then dressed for the day. Then he staggered downstairs to scare up a meal and some badly-needed COFFEE.

He found Danial there quickly, talking to someone he wasn't sure he recognized. He sat down, and though he was happy with the meal provided, he also ordered a side of ham for Clementine and that she bring him a whole pot of the coffee rather than just the smallish mug provided.

"Mornin'," he croaked at Danial and the other fella.

Daniel rolled his eyes while Oscar couldn't see him and stifled the urge to sigh. "Howdy, Oscar." He turned his face toward Oscar and faked a smile as best he could. "Sure can give ya a haircut. Always got muh kit with me, ya know that."

Oscar had always been one of those guys that gave Daniel trouble. Not real trouble, but he was always the sort to stick his finger in your ribs for fun. Oscar was slightly older and more well off than Daniel, and never let him forget those facts. "Still carry it 'round, Oscar, even sleep wit' it nexta me."

Daniel took a bite to eat, then tried to engage the slightly older man in conversation, "So what brings ya ta Dodge? Just passin' through, or ya relocatin' here?"

He nodded at the older man, and returned to alternating his attention between Daniel and his food, sometimes not fully having made the decision and talking with his mouth half full.

"Just down here for cattle. There's money in cattle, and they come through Dodge. Thought I might do some buffalo huntin' too while I'm down here. Money in that too. More money in cattle, still. What about you? You here to trim the wigs of the fine folk' o' Dodge? From what I can see you got yer work cut out for ya. I ain't seen a worse mess o' hair in my whole damn life." He chuckled at that again, very pleased with himself, as he tended to be.

"Especially that crazy Chinaman I saw outside. He's got a cart and a mule and is sellin' all kinda shit. I don't think I ever seen a Chinaman snake oil salesman but I think this guy is it."
This message was last updated by the player at 22:03, Fri 04 Jan 2013.

Daniel nodded at the explanation, "Not plannin' ta stay here too long, naw. Me an' me Uncle Gabby are headin' west ta Californy. But I'ma head downta the local barber shop, see if the fella in charge needs a hand fer an hour or two. Mebbe see what's up in the town."

Daniel laughed at the description Oscar gave of the Chinaman. He was always worth a laugh or two, even if it was too often at Daniel's expense. "Now that I gotsta see. Once I'm a-done eatin', o' course. Actually, mebbe you can help out with gettin' me acclimated ta Dodge. Anythin' interestin' goin on 'round here? Or do ya know of any good card games?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:24, Sat 05 Jan 2013.

Having slept reasonably well despite the late night, Coraline arrived at breakfast neatly dressed in one of her best traveling dresses.  The deep green complimented the blush in her cheeks nicely.  Spotting Daniel and his uncle with a man she'd never seen, she joined them at their table and smiled pleasantly.

"Good morning," she said cheerfully as she took a seat.  Taking one of the plates, she began to help herself to the platters of food on the table.  Though her figure was quite slim, she wasn't shy about piling on the food.  She didn't believe that women should eat like little birds.

Oscar whistled at the sight of Coraline, but didn't otherwise conduct himself too disrespectfully other than occasionally passing an only sometimes improper glance at her as he spoke to Daniel.

"If you want a good card game, you wanna go to one o' tha saloons down by the tracks where the trains come in. Sometimes they run all night long. It's gonna be real busy what with the big celebration for the Fourth o' July comin' up. I never known you for a card player, Danny Boy, but if you got some skills at that you can clean up good prolly. Prolly be a lotta tinhorns from Back East you can part with their money."

Despite the luxury of sleeping in a bed, true rest had eluded Morgan for most of the night. He'd found it hard to settle down from the events of the day and even harder to keep his mind off of the recent events in Hays. He was restless to get out of town, to begin hunting those responsible for the slaughter. The war was years gone, but Quantrill still cast a long shadow across the land.

Even so, he had promised Earp his help. That came first.

Morgan sauntered downstairs. The breakfast on offer was generous, though he didn't have much appetite. Finding a cup of coffee, his chief priority, he gathered a bisuit and some bacon onto a plate.

"Mornin' everyone," he said, taking a seat. Sipping his coffee, he listened to Daniel converse with a young man he didn't recognize.

Daniel was glad Coraline had made it down just in time to hear Oscar's answer concerning card games in the area. Saved him having to try to explain it to her.

He had a warm look and nod for those that sat down with him while Oscar was speaking with him. Given that Oscar didn't know anyone, introductions were probably in order. "Mornin', ever'one. I'd like ya ta meet a fella I knew from back in Topeka. His name's Oscar White an' he's here ta see ta some business intersts, an mebbe do some huntin'."

He then went around the table introducing the posse in turn. He gestured toward each as he introduced them, "Muh uncle Gabby, I suspect ya recognize from back in Topeka.  Th' graceful and allurin' lady is Miss Coraline Hawthorne. An' this gentlemen is Mister Caleb Morgan." He didn't offer any more details on the others since he didn't feel it was his place, choosing not to mention that it was Coraline that was interested in a card game.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:23, Sat 05 Jan 2013.

"Good morning to you, Marshal," she said to Caleb as he joined them.


Oscar's mention of the card games got her immediate attention.  She completely ignored the whistle.  Nodding at the introduction, she smiled and leaned a bit closer to the newcomer.  "These tinhorns with the plentiful cash, do you think they'd be opposed to sitting down to a game of cards with a dashing young woman?"  Her smile broadened at the thought of raking a few over the coals.  "My fingers have been itching for a rowdy game of poker since I left New York."

PM
This message was last edited by the player at 16:49, Sat 05 Jan 2013.

Gaby nods at Oscar. "I think I done seen you about, come ta think on it." he says, sipping his coffee. Clementine goes up to the stranger and starts sniffing.

"Prolly did," Oscar said between mouthfuls. The White family was a big name in ranching in Kansas, especially so further to the eastern part of the state. Oscar was always doing something or the other for them around town, and when he wasn't he was a frequent layabout at saloons and such.

Daniel thought it best to add a little to help Gabby along. "His folks owned a big  ol' ranch jus' outside Topeka. Our paths crossed more'n a few times." Sometimes it was enjoyable, sometimes regrettable. Always memorable, though.

"So ya got anythin' planned fer yerself durin' the centennial festivities?"

"Just business. Gonna make a couple deals, hopefully. Get out soon as I can. Not everyone's jazzed up about it, if you know what I mean. I'd rather as soon steer clear of the whole thing. Got no time fer politics." Oscar, like the rest of his kin, didn't really care much about the war between the states in terms of having a favorite. They'd take advantage of it at times, maybe imply a preference to sweeten a deal, but had little in the way of true convictions.

"As to the card game, I don't think anybody's have a problem with playin' a hand with a lady like you, ma'am. But there's some good hands at a game down here, don't take 'em too light. Wouldn't want a pretty young thing like you taken for her money."

Looking at his empty plate and cup, he stood up and dusted off his hands. "Well, that's it for me. I gotta go meet some folks. Try not to cut anybody's head off with yer pig sticker Danny Boy!"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:46, Mon 07 Jan 2013.

"Oh, yeah!" Gabby says. "I remember ya now. Well, hope your business dealin's go smooth." He watches White depart, then tuns to Danial. "He seems nice enough, though I seem recall a spot o' trouble with a drunk...somethin' about wantin' to stick him on account o' his sunny disposition gettin' on the drunk's nerves.  Didn't you step in there?"

Daniel nodded at the response from Oscar. "Sure do know whatcher talkin' bout." Daniel smiled and offered his hand as Oscar made ready to depart. "Good luck with yer cattle and the buffalo. Mebbe we'll be sein' ya 'round."

Daniel looked to his uncle as the elder man spoke and crinkled his brow, "Oscar's never been the sort to cause too much real trouble, and he can get out of most of it with his wit and gunplay. I did have'ta smooth things over fer him once or twice. There was the time with the drunk. And then there was a girl he was a'gettin' inappropriate with. Her husband weren't none too happy."

He looked around at those at the table. "So wha's on the 'genda fer today, folks? Miss Hawthorne, I think ya know where ta play cards. I may stop by the local barber fer a chat. Radcliffe seems ta be safely in th' clink. I ain't seen Missus Linkus or Mr. Darlin' yet."
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:59, Mon 07 Jan 2013.

"Well, actually, the Deputy Marshal o' town was real impressed with how we done caught Radcliffe." Gabby says over a sip of coffee. "He asked me to pass on a request, as he's short-handed for the Fourth o' July and is looking' fer a few extra hands. He said he was payin' $10 a day fer deputy work, and I was thinkin' o' signin' on."

Daniel's eyebrows inched upwards at Gabby's revelation. "I'll prolly join ya, uncle. What about that widow an her kids from Hays? Mebbe as part o' bein' a deputy we can find her an' ask some questions?"

"That's what I was thinkin'." Gabby says, nodding. "Havin' a badge might get her more inclined to share the details, as opposed to some random folk stoppin' by and pokin' their noses in sensitive places."

"Miss Hawthorne," Morgan replied to Corlaine's greeting. As he sipped his coffee he listened in amusement as White cautioned Hawthorne about gambling in Dodge. He imagined that some gamblers in Dodge would be in for a rude awakening, especially if they underestimated the young woman's abilities.

Morgan nodded mutely when Gabby spoke up about Earp. A few extra hands to keep the peace. On the surface, that seemed simple enough, but knowing of the Deputy Marshal's instincts, it made Morgan think there could be real trouble involved. Not that trouble was a hard commodity to come by in Dodge City. They would all need to be ready and watchful.

"I intend to do some shopping, if there is any to be had in this town.  And perhaps go sit with the dregs in a game or two."  Money was her motivation and any mention of an easy score that didn't involve her taking off her clothes was of immediate interest to her.  She smiled after taking another bite of bacon.  "The Wyatt Earp?  The famous lawman?  I think everybody has heard of him.  Is he really short on deputies?"  Coraline wasn't really the sort that seasoned lawmen would hire on as a deputy.  She was pretty, well-dressed, and didn't carry any obvious weaponry.  However was quite observant and could often suss out trouble before it started.

"The very same." Gabby says with a grin. "He indicated that the Forth o' July got rowdy 'round these parts, and was impressed with how we took down Radcliffe. He asked after all o' us, Miss Hawthorne included, so I reckon his hands may be short indeed. Anyhow, I told him I'd pass his offer on."

Daniel arched an eyebrow at the mention of Wyatt Earp. He'd heard a few things about the man, though probably didn't know as much as the others. Still, they all seemed impressed. "Wyatt Earp, ya say? Not many folk I'd rather be deputized by. Present comp'ny excepted, o' course."

Having been first to the table, Daniel finished the last of the food that had been placed before him. He then started looking around to see if others weren't going to finish. They had gotten a lot of exercise the day before, but sometimes Gabby didn't eat all his bacon. And Daniel had a bacon weakness.