Jake made his way over to Pete Haverty. "Reckon I'm still kinda sittin' on the fence, concernin' which fork in the road to choose, Pete," he remarked to the liveryman.

"If'n I was inclined to take Rambunkshuss, here," he continued, apparently giving the high-strung Mustang stallion a new name based upon his personality, "an' ride with the group takin' Cole out to 'Frisco, what arrangements could I make with you concernin' gettin' Ghost to The Flat?"

"I s'pose that I oughtta consider sellin' him to you, 'though the idea don't sit too well with me, considerin' that I may never it back to The Flat to pick him up from you."

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 934):

The Old Man shrugged and nodded toward the Texas Rifleman.

"Like I said Mister, I can take yer horse to Fort Griffin. once she's in gud shape I can bring her ta ya. If that's alright vith ya that is. I could do the the same fer Mr. Sunday."

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 934) and Theodore Winters (msg # 935):

The liveryman listens to Richardson and Winters.

"Either way, Richardson, I am certain we could come to an accord. I would take Ghost into my care iffin you asked, or I would make you a reasonable offer," says Haverty. Nodding to the old man, he adds, "or I could help Winters make arrangements to get the kid to San Francisco iffin those were your druthers."

In reply to Sheriff Cruger (msg # 933):

ENS shakes his head when Cruger replies, then looks down for a moment before continuing.

Well then, I suppose my choice is forced upon me... I shall have to return with Mr. Winter's party. I'm sorry Cole, Randy.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 937):

Travis holds up his hand to Randy as he overhears Ringennberg.

Hey! Professor Bangtail!  This is the west.  No witnesses are required; no arrests will be made; no charges filed.  You are free to ride in any direction you want.  The sheriff is all that is necessary to report this incident to the government and even reporting the incident is optional.

Travis turns his head back to Randy.

You were saying...

Jake fell silent for a moment, clearly considering what Winters and Haverty had just said. After a moment he nodded to the both of them.

"'Preciate it, gents. I'm partial to stickin' with the group that's goin' with Cole, so here's what I'd like to do -- I'll turn Ghost over to your care, Pete. Take him back to The Flat with you, an' git him healthy again. That'll most likely take a little while."

"Then, Mister Winters, if'n you've got a way to git him out to 'Frisco -- assumin' that I make it out thaere myself -- I'll take you up on yer offer."

"I'll send a wire from 'Frisco, to let y'all know that I made it."

"So, then . . . I reckon that I need to settle up with you, Pete, for Ghost's care an' feedin'."

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 937):

Nodding in the professor's direction, the wrangler speaks in a low, but clear voice.

You have to do what you think is right, professor. I'm right grateful for all you have done.

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 940):

ENS shakes his head after Travis speaks, then turns to respond to Cole.

I'm not sure what I've done to earn his ire... how can I possibly go with you men if Rasmin won't respect the pace of my transport? And what is this 'bangtail' they keep calling me? I assume it is something like 'greenhorn', but I'm getting a little tired of being called names when I'm trying to help!

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 941):

Garrett Rasmin laughs, although it is not a mocking laugh. It is brief and he stops himself.

Earnestly, he continues. "I apologize for my unkind words, Ringgenberg. The west is a hard place. People have to leave things behind sometimes. Your pard Richardson, there, he seems to understand that." The bounty hunter seems to be referencing the fact that Jake is making arrangements with Haverty to care for the stallion named Ghost. He also nods towards the graves of the Trautman party, freshly made, as a reminder of the losses settlers face on the frontier.

-------------

OOC: Saving a message here for Haverty & Richardson making arrangements. That can be done directly in PM by player/Judge.

In reply to Garrett Rasmin (msg # 942):

ENS looks to Rasmin.

Mr. Rasmin, you seem a practical man... Are you really in such a hurry that you can't stand my wagon's pace? Aren't we heading to a train at some point anyway? I understand I am something of a greenhorn here in the West, but consider the skills I do bring. I can treat any injuries, as you well know; I even have means of making medicines if needed... I have tools and skills for repairs and I even have cooking gear, again as you have seen.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 943):

The bounty hunter listens to the professor. He rubs his left hand against his stubbly left cheek.

"I am a practical man, Ringgenberg."

Rasmin ends with that statement, thinking on something, it appears, for several seconds.

"The difficulty is that some of your pards would like to see me a dead man." Rasmin shrugs. "No use in beating the devil 'round the stump. My senses have always been keen on that subject. I must play every advantage I possess to ensure Trayne is delivered to Frisco."

He breathes, deliberately.

"Seeing as you have presented this opportunity, professor, I offer this: if you and Richardson and Rojas give your word to keep our journey civil and lawful even if others amongst us have a mind otherwise, I will agree to keep your wagon's pace."

In reply to Garrett Rasmin (msg # 944):

Jake grunted upon hearing the bounty hunter's proposal. Hunh. That's a smart play on Rasmin's part.

The rifleman scratched his chin-whiskers thoughtfully. "All right, Rasmin," he said after a moment, "I'll 'fess up to bein' right partial to havin' the Perfesser -- meanin' him an' his wagon, too -- comin' along with us. Notwithstandin' that he's an easterner an' a Yankee to boot, I'll admit to havin' dee-veloped a likin' to him." The Texan glanced over at ENS an nodded amiably to the man.

Turning back to face Garrett Rasmin, Jake continued. "Plus, I'm athinkin' that some o' these folks are more set on lookin' after Cole's well-bein' than in doin' you dirty. So . . . I agree not to go agin' you, 'long as you're in line with gittin' Cole to 'Frisco, all safe an' sound."

"But by your sayin' 'keep the journey civil an' lawful' -- mind you, that don't mean that I'll support you 'gainst none o' my pards in a throw-down."

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 945):

ENS nods as Jake speaks.

I am in complete agreement with Jake, and I give my pledge in the same stead as he.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 945) and ENS Ringgenberg (msg #946):

The bounty hunter shakes his head. "Am I correct in hearing that you two men would stand by and do nothing if Travis Sunday threw down with his Starr, unprovoked, and tried to kill an innocent man? No deal. You can do your best to keep up, professor, without my cooperation, in that case."

In reply to Garrett Rasmin (msg # 947):

Jake scowled at the bounty hunter. "An' am I coe-rect in hearin' that you would expect me to fire on Travis, protectin' the likes of you?"

"You're damn right it's no deal."

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 948):

Jake and ENS notice that Rojas has remained silent. It is unclear whether he ever intended to respond to Rasmin's proposal, or if the turn in the conversation made the Mexican think it better to remain closed-mouthed.

Rasmin shrugs at the rifleman's reply.

"Mount up, Trayne. Time to depart."

In reply to Garrett Rasmin (msg # 949):

Hold on Rasmin.  I'm sure the Professor didn't mean he wouldn't help you.  He's a man of science and literalness. I assume when he said he wouldn't help you he said that because if I decide to kill neither he nor anyone else would be able to help you.  So let 'em ride along you gutless piece of shit.

From his vantage point, off to the side of the group, Cole speaks in a low tone of voice, Spencer in hand, but not threatening

i reckon I have a problem on my hands. Rasmin, you have dealt as fair a hand as I could expect from someone who I don't call a friend. I'm going to respect that, in my own way, and time.


The wrangler takes a moment to glance at Rojas and Randy, a subtle expression of regret appears on his face. Subsequently, his gaze returns to the bounty hunter.

There is one thing that is at least, if not more so, as important. than my personal honor. That would be my obligation to my friends.

Cole takes a moment to momentarily glance in Travis' direction.

I don't intend on going any where until Travis' situation is settled.

After that. I'll return as agreed.

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 951):

"You have no rightful say in the matter, Trayne," says the bounty hunter, moving closer to the wrangler.

-------------

OOC: PCs, roll initiative. You have 24 hours from now; the Judge will roll for anyone who hasn't rolled by 08:15 EDT tomorrow.

OOC: 10:39, Today: Jake Richardson rolled 28 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 20. Initiative Roll.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 953):

Initiative = 25

In reply to Garrett Rasmin (msg # 952):

Travis Sunday rolled 30 using 1d20+11. Initiative.

In reply to Garrett Rasmin (msg # 952):

OOC: Seeing as no other PC can roll higher than the three PCs who have made their initiative rolls, the Judge is giving the others additional time to make their own rolls. The Judge made a secret roll for Rasmin and so the beginning of the Fast Draw round is clear. In this case, the Judge is going to conduct the Fast Draw round in the traditional table-top initiative order, post-by-post, with PM prompting for each player. If needed, the Judge will make rolls for other PCS who haven't yet done so themselves whenever the initiative order reaches their maximum score. Those of you who made your rolls already can see the pecking order so far. Please log in daily if to keep this moving, if possible. Of course, the Judge understands RL challenges; (things beyond our control), but I ask you to keep up as much as possible with this incident or it could drag out.

-----------------------

While the bounty hunter spoke to Trayne a moment ago, he had closed within 10 feet of the wrangler. He seems intent to come much closer.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 12:52, Fri 10 Apr 2015.

In reply to Garrett Rasmin (msg # 956):

Reckon you have a point. Still...

With a look of grim determination on his face, Cole points his weapon at Rasmin's feet.

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 957):

11:44, Today: E.N.S. Ringgenberg rolled 20 using 1d20+3. Initiative.