Brie just waves her hand "If you go to certain parts of London, it is dangerous, I know, I have been there. You go to the bad parts of town and its as dangerous as the worst parts of Africa.

"No lady is ever really alone if'n she's got a friend with her," Felicity winks toward Catherine, moving her arm to expose the polished wooden grip of her revolver. Tight and snug at her waist, leather holding it secure.

"Anyways, is there a good part of London?" her tone shifts back to the normal, boisterous smirk she possessed in the dive. "I was there not last month and I swear not for a moment was it anything but a pain in the ass. I have been on cattle drives that smelled better and cowboys that drank less. Present company excluded, a'course, on both sides of the Atlantic." She nods both to Grimsby and to Joseph, awaiting her response.

At the American's words, Aubrey was a bit taken aback as he realized he'd done almost the same thing to Brie.

"My sincerest apologies as well, Miss O'Malley," he says to her. "I did not mean to slight you in the least. I fear I was so caught up in my own tale that I didn't realize that we hadn't been formally introduced yet."

"It is often one of the things that gets ignored first in the Empire's distant colonizes--proper manners. I daresay I've fallen into the pattern of the local patois."

"I am Aubrey St. Claire, now and forever more shall I be at your service."

"I must say, though, that you sound as if you have done some extensive traveling. Have you, indeed, done so?"

As they enter the Bristol, he addresses the others.

"It is not too late to change our minds, and venture forth to some other establishment for dinner. I assure you, however, that the food here is quite excellent, as is the service, and the wine list is superb."

In reply to Aubrey St. Claire (msg # 71):

"Mister St. Clair, I've just spent the last three months trudging through the western Sahara with a trio of Profesores from the Universidad Central de Madrid and a score of Moroccan laborers." Joseph responds with a weary grin, "When I wasn't eating paella made with greasy canned chicken - liberally seasoned with sand - I was eating beans and rice with chunks of tough goat meat - liberally seasoned with sand. So I can assure you, sir, I seek only a Chateaubriand - done very rare - and a fine Cabernet Sauvignon. Perhaps a nice French Graves Rouge or Margaux. Or, if my lucky stars should align, an aged Italian Barolo."

"No, good sir, I am quite looking forward to fine European cooking. And this looks to be just the place."

Brie looks at Aubrey "Oh, that's fine. I have traveled a lot and not done well in some of my choices I am afraid. I love meeting new people though and so I travel a lot, so you don't bother me, at least you are open and talkative."

Grimsby remarked, "It is not an insult to say parts of London are dangerous. It is simply a matter of fact, especially where respectable young ladies are concerned. I take no offense on behalf of the Empire I have the honor to represent.
I doubt, however, that it is quite as dangerous as East Africa at the moment, especially since the rise of the Mahdi whose success has provoked a vast deal of bloody chaos beyond the bounds of his own so-called caliphate.
But since we are presently enjoying the pleasures of a much more civilized enclave, I agree with Mr. Hunnisett that we should enjoy them to the fullest."
Turning to Catherine, "I hope you will order whatever you like, my dear. My responsibility as guardian will certainly extend to funding your dinner."
He added, with a touch of hesitation, "And Miss O'Malley, as you were to be my guest, I hope you will permit me to do the same for you."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:12, Tue 18 July 2017.

Catherine gives Joseph an odd look at his joke. "London always seemed a wonderful city to me" she says innocently. "Oh, no need to apologize. Exploring in Western Sahara, mister Hunnisett? That must have been awfully exciting."

She's clearly pretty shocked by Felicity's language and doesn't know what to say to her. "I, I suppose. But a revolver is not really what I meant." What a strange lady.
She shakes her head. "I can't believe the government hasn't done anything about the Mahdists. Especially after brave General Gordon was killed."
She smiles at her guardian after his offer. "Thank you for your kindness."

Brie looks at Grimsby "Thank you sir. I accept. I would be honored. and I suppose London in the bad parts are not as dangerous as Africa"

She looks at Catherine "Well, if you are going to wilder areas, you should probably learn to use a pistol just in case. You might not be a marksmen but it is better then being completely defenseless. I have a pistol with me"

In reply to Catherine Harston (msg # 75):

Grimsby responded, "True, my dear, Gladstone's failure to save or even avenge Gordon was deplorable, but now that Salisbury is in, we may hope for a stronger policy.
   As for learning to use a pistol, I hope you would never need one so long as you were under my protection, but if you were ever to travel on your own as these ladies are doing, you might well find it reassuring."

Her attempts at antagonism meeting with only the most momentary and marginal of success- Catherine was so obviously the soft touch- Felicity tilts her chair back. "Jesus H Christ," she grumbles as she goes far back onto her heels.

"I swear I have fully a royal pound for the the man who brings me something brewed by a Confederate!" she barks out into the dining room before letting her chair land back on all four legs. "Anyhow, you wouldn't want irons like this one. Probably break your wrist clear off. Little Derringer, though. Just enough to keep a gentleman honest."

"Though, if you wanted, I'd let you hold mine. Get a feel for it. I hear them Spaniards can be real troublemakers."

In reply to Felicity Van Horn (msg # 78):

Joseph frowns at Felicity's outburst - but by the time she's finished answering Catherine's question about firearms, he has reached into his jacket and produced a thin, chased silver flask of about ten ounces size.

"Ol' Buck Posh; distilled in Nueva Carolina." Joseph says, offering the flask to Felicity, "In Texas you might have heard it called Rebel Rum. And it is a kind of rum, just nothing like the Yanks make, or even the Carri-beaners. Looks like Moonshine, tastes like vanilla cake, kicks like a mule."

Joseph then addresses Catherine,

"Miss Catherine, you must understand that both Miss Felicity and myself have been handling firearms since we were very young - I started shooting at age six. And I was what you would call a 'City Dweller'. Miss Felicity grew up on a large Texas cattle ranch, and can handle that Peacemaker as well as any man - but I assure you, she likely did not start her shooting with as powerful a sidearm as that."

Joseph turns back to Felicity, "You know, Felicity, you probably would be the best instructor to teach Miss Catherine the skills of a shootist. You're a fine shot, yourself, and you wouldn't have the chip on your shoulder that a Man would, if he were teaching her."

The grin returned to his face, "You remember that blowhard from Durango - the one who only lasted one day with your Fathers outfit?  How he was all down but nine, first time he saw you well heeled? You remember what you did when he started laughing at the size of the hogleg you were wearing?"

Joseph chuckles, as he points towards the top of his head, in remembrance.

Brie looks at Felicity "You can carry your large pistol, I prefer to surprise my opponents with my smaller pistol which is larger then a derringer. she says as she looks for a waitress, she would like a drink at least.

While you were conversing, the maître d' escorts you all to a table that other waiters have prepared for the unusually large group.

"Welcome to the Bristol, ladies and gentlemen!" he says to them as he passes around menus.

"Cassidy will be your waiter. Might I recommend the Chateaubriand with the roasted asparagus in lemon butter? And the '87 Chateauneuf-du-Pape is an excellent vintage. It compliments the Chateaubriand splendidly."

In reply to Brie O'Malley (msg # 80):

Grimsby remarks, "I am never without my derringer, though I carry a larger pistol in the wilds."

Catherine nods in agreement with her guardian's opinions on the Sudan. "It's always best to do the righteous thing, even though it may be hard."

"I don't think it's likely I would be travelling alone, but I suppose knowing such things couldn't hurt." she begins, curious about the subject. She lowers her gaze and notes softly "But I don't think my mother would have considered it a proper pursuit for a young lady."

She winces and cradles her right wrist at Felicity's description of shooting the revolver. "I see, Derringer sounds better"

"Is that a usual education for a southern young lady in America?" Catherine asks Joseph curiously.

"Thank you for your hospitality" Catherine says to the maître d'. Her voice is soft, but she manages a slight smile.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:47, Fri 21 July 2017.

In reply to Catherine Harston (msg # 83):

Grimsby comments, "Your dear mother was a woman of great practical wisdom. She never needed a pistol in England, but I am sure that if she had ever chosen to venture abroad into dangerous places, she would have provided herself with one, and the training needed to use it."

Brie grins at Catherine "Yes, proper women in Britain would not need a pistol but woman who travel do at times, depending on where you are going. You would not need it in most of Europe but traveling around this great lake called the med, you might need it. I carry it just in case and I know how to use it. I could show you if you want"

With a flick of her thumb, Felicity opens the peace-strap on her holster. It only takes one hand, a brush of her fingers, and a flick of her wrist to open the revolver's chambers. Five bullets jingle onto the table. The chamber clicks back to place in the same stroke she flips it around. Grabbing hold of the barrel to offer the handle out to Catherine.

"Long story short, that sombitch won't be saying anything about little ladies anytime soon," she laughs to Joseph.

In reply to Felicity Van Horn (msg # 86):

Joseph gives his order to Cassidy, the waiter, and does, indeed, go with the recommended Chateaubriand with asparagus.

"And, as Mister Grimsby, here, has suggested, never discount the effectiveness of a Derringer." Joseph adds, to Catherine, "Despite Miss Felicity's attitude, a forty-one caliber slug from a Derringer hits just as hard as one from her beloved Peacemaker. Well...almost...when used up close, that is."

Joseph gives a classic 'naughty boy' grin, as he discretely pulls a two-barreled, blued steel Derringer from his left waistcoat pocket, "Still, that's why Mister Remington gives them two barrels."

Catherine does not order much food. With the way she has been feeling lately, she has little appetite. "I suppose she would have" she answers Grimsby.

She smiles at Bree. "Goodness, you are all so kind. Thank you very much for the offer, miss, I'll think about it."

She accepts the pistol from Felicity, switching quickly to gripping it with both hands. "It's really heavy" she says. She winces at Felicity's language.

Catherine looks at the derringer, trying not to show that she is rather curious. "I can see the usefulness. Did you ever use on in your adventures on Mars, cousin?"

In reply to Catherine Harston (msg # 88):

Grimsby responds to Joseph's display by a swift gesture which reveals a matching derringer in his own hand and then equally swiftly hides it again.
He then answers Catherine, "Oh, yes, I have had occasion to use my derringer, more often than I would like. As I was telling Miss O'Malley before you arrived, I found it useful against a Martian Worm Cult priest who wanted to gut me as a sacrifice. He thought his acolytes had already disarmed me before he began the ritual, but they had only found my visible pistol. Two pistols can be as helpful as two barrels. Sometimes more so."
Looking at the waiter, he says briefly, "English roast beef, please, well done,no sauce, and Yorkshire pudding if you have it."

She looks at the waiter "I will have the beef and sauce along with some wine, thanks"

She looks at Catherine "I carry a 32 pistol, small but it has 5 shots, so I have more then a derringer and being not the best shot, I might need more then a shot" she says with a laugh. She figures a restaurant is not a good place to pull out a pistol.

In reply to Brie O'Malley (msg # 90):

Realizing that he had forgotten to specify a drink, Grimsby tells the waiter, "Oh, yes, claret please."
Turning to Brie, he comments, "There are men who call a .32 a woman's weapon, compared to their big Colt .45's, but it will do what you need without so much noise and recoil."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:37, Tue 01 Aug 2017.

"I will have whatever the hell it is you people call a piece of a cow that's had the fewest things done to it since it was a cow. I'll have it cooked till just before you think its done, and next to it's gonna be a glass of whatever sort of whiskey you got, and next to that's a glass of milk," Felicity instructs the waiter, watching him intently while she does to ensure he's listening. So many assume someone else was going to order for her.

"My pa told me there are two types of men carry a hidden gun. Those that ain't never gonna pull it, and those who absolutely will. Just a matter of sortin' out the one from the other. You want a gun you might not have to use, get one people'll see." Felicity reaches back across the table to get her revolver back from Catherine. The bullets start to slot back into place, each one falling in place easily. "I carry this here .44, back in my back there's a rifle takes the same. Aside that, I've got a custom stock .60 game rifle with which I could rightly kill a building if I so chose. I have never once had to turn the barrel on a man because they sure know that I could should the opportunity arise."

"But what's the professor got under his coat? St. Claire's gotta have something in there, protecting all those inventions."

In reply to Felicity Van Horn (msg # 92):

Grimsby remarked, "I suppose I must fall into your father's second category regarding hidden weapons, Miss Van Horn.
But I agree that if one hopes to use a weapon as an instrument of persuasion, something larger and more visible may be useful."