Jake, not being especially stealthy, hung back and watched, ready to provide backup if needed.

Bryan moved away from the window slightly with an economy of movement, keenly aware that too much motion on his part might give him away. It had been easy enough when the room had been empty, but with it now occupied sneaking about became a more difficult proposition.

He turned towards the others. Bryan held up a single finger, and then patted his holstered sidearm.

OOC: How big does this place look to be? How many rooms might it reasonably have given the size from what we've seen so far?

OOC: By your best estimate, based on its size, it’s a four room house. The common room, a kitchen, and likely a pair of bedrooms.

She leaned close to Bryan, whispering. "One man?  He doesn't look to be made of vines.  There's gotta be someone else in there besides los niños.  So do we knock?  Or knock?"    She tapped the butt of her rifle.

He leaned in close, so that he could hear her better, and also respond in kind. "If you can play the damsel in distress, knock. Then if we need to, we can knock," he said, forming two fists.

He leaned back a bit to study her features in the low moonlight, to see what she thought of his plan. Whatever they ended up doing, the others would need to keep a low profile for the approach to work.

He turned back to the others and put a finger over his lips to indicate quiet, and then made a motion gesturing lower to indicate that they should stay down. Hopefully they could both see him and would understand his gestures, but there was no guarantee.

Catching up with the others, Reverend Allgood stays well back from the house, stepping among some leafy shrubs for concealment.

After his distant visual inspection of the timbers in the field, Albert settled into the darkness and waited for things to develop at the house.

She gave Bryan a nod and stepped up fully onto the porch, giving him time to take cover.  Standing back a bit from the door, she rapped softly to get the man's attention.  Though she was still holding her rifle, she rested the butt on the ground and held it easily and non-threateningly.  Tilting slightly so she could view the man through the window (and be seen, in turn), she waited to see if he'd answer the door or go for his gun.

Inside, Castillo sees the man start at the sound of her knock. His free hand falls to his pistol, but sighting the scout through the broken window, he refrains from drawing the weapon. Moving cautiously to the door, he pulls it open, the hinges giving out a brief, rusty squeal.

Holding up his lantern, he peers at Castillo suspiciously. ”I’m afraid you wandered over to the wrong house, señorita,” he says, ”What’s your business here?”

23:21, Today: Manuel Segovia rolled 2 using 1d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 4.  Notice.

OOC: The gunman does not perceive Lee crouching nearby.

Jacinta offered a reassuring smile.  "A bit unfamiliar with the area.  I saw your light through the window and was hoping you could help point me in the right direction.  Is this your place?"

Has Tamsin heard or seen anything about a cross of this kind?
05:11, Today: Tamsin River rolled 3,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4.  Knowledge (Occult).

Tamsin also stays back from the house, hidden in the trees from whoever might be inside, gun at the ready. Her eyes sweep the fields, settling on the slanted cross for a moment.

She shifts her eyes to the house when she hears a knock on the door.

"Nah," the man replies, "Not mine. Just checking on it for the fella that owns the land. Making sure there aren't any squatters."

He remains squarely in the doorway, his broad stance clearly meant to block access to the house, as well as any curious glances from his unexpected visitor. Pointing to the south, he adds, "You follow that path back to the road, then head east. You'll get to Lincoln before too long. Closest town around these parts."

While Jacinta holds the occupant's attention, Earnest beings to circle the house clockwise, keeping a couple dozen or so yards away. He notes any windows or other access.

When he gets to where he can see the back side of the place, he moves in a bit closer, still looking for windows and such.

OOC: Reverend, kindly give me a Stealth roll.

Jacinta glanced back in the direction he pointed.  "Yea, I been there.  Was actually looking for the Blair place.  Thought this place might be it.  You heard of it?" 

In reply to Marshal (msg # 112):

Rev. Earnest Allgood rolled 1,4 using D4-2,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4.  Stealth

The man blinks at Castillo in surprise. ”Blair? How in the hell would you know that name?”

OOC: Jacinta and Bryan, each of you give me a Notice roll, please.

---

Keeping close to the trees bordering the now fallow field, Allgood makes his way around the side of the farmhouse to the rear. There, he sees that a pair of rickety steps lead up to a back door, which is closed. Two windows occupy the building’s back wall, one on the far left, the other just right of the door. The glass in both appears damaged and no light is visible behind either one.

For an instant, Allgood senses a scuttling motion among the tangled vines that fill the field behind the farmhouse. The movement is brief, halting a moment after the minister perceives it.

"Heard he died.  No relatives, no one jumpin' to take his land.  Thought maybe I'd have a look and see if it was worth settling.  Though, if you've already got claim to the property, then I guess I'm a bit too late."  She shrugged.


23:07, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 4,3 using d8+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1.  Notice.

For the duration of the conversation, Bryan had done his best to remain quiet, out of sight, and ready to spring like a coiled viper at the moment any threat came to Jacinta. At the tone of surprise in his voice, Bryan's attention was even more keen.

Notice: 10!

08:44, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 4,10 using d6,d6, rerolling max.  Notice.

Both Castillo and Lee notice the man’s hand move to tip his weapon from its holster.

OOC: Bryan and Jacinta, please give me an Initiative draw.

Jacinta's hand slid down her rifle and she lifted it to rest the butt against her hip.  she warned the man.


14:21, Today: Jacinta Castillo drew the single card: 6S using the Deadlands system.  In.

Bryan had been seconds away from making the first move, but started to feel events outpace him.

Initiative: A lowly 3H

Yesterday: Bryan Lee drew the single card: 3H using the Deadlands system.  Initiative.

Question: With a raise on the Notice roll and being out of sight from Segovia, would Bryan have had the chance to ready a spell in advance of the combat round?

08:09, Today: Marshal drew the single card: 2H using a deck of 54 cards.

OOC: Well, you did better than I did. :)

Jacinta, you can act (unless your previously posted action is all that you’re doing at this point), then Bryan.

Given the initiative order and the prior Notice roll, I don’t have any issue with Bryan having something prepped in advance.

OOC:  I'll hold Jacinta's action for now.

Allgood approaches the rear of the house, trying to see through one of the windows.

Rev. Earnest Allgood rolled 0,5 using d4-2,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,5.  Stealth.