In reply to Sheriff Andersen (msg # 791):

"Howdy," Jake said, nodding amiably to the fellow whom the sheriff had said was named Mister Pearce. "I'm Jake Richardsen," the Texican added, offering his right hand to the newcomer for a handshake.

"So, you rid over in Monshure Pwa-reh-eh's bah-loon con-trap-shunn?" Jacob drawled.

"What'd you think?"

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 792):

I think I was lucky t'arrive in one piece...can we agree that Monsieur Poirier has not yet perfected the art of the descent. Tommy smiles toward the men... still I'll give em full marks for gettin it off the ground in the first place with that orrendous trunk onboard.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:33, Sun 02 Feb 2020.

In reply to Sheriff Andersen (msg # 791):

Tracy reckoned that the “something” they had in common with Mister Pearce was the balloon flight. Windham wondered how much more challenging the experience must have been with only two men total on board.

~Perhaps some other adventurers traveled here with Mister Pearce,~ Tracy thought. He potentially recalled Taylor mentioning other adventurers arriving with Poirier, but he wasn’t sure.

“I’m Tracy Windham. Nice to meet you, sir.” He followed his address with a polite nod.

At the comment about the trunk, Tracy grinned. He turned to the Professor, awaiting his response.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 794):

Earnest nods to the newcomer when it comes to him and also extends his hand for a handshake.

Nice to meet you Mr. Pearce, I am Professor Earnest Ringgenberg.

The formalities done, he turns to the sheriff.

Indeed I am Sheriff, I'm rather surprised that Monsieur Poirier actually delivered it... and so soon! Did he give any reason why?

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 793):

Jacob chuckled at the newcomer's response, and responded, "Waal, I reckon I'm glad that I done it. I ain't never soared like a bird afore."

"But lieke you saey, the comin' down part warn't so smooth -- 'twas kinda sudden-lieke, as I re-call."

 The Texican scowled at Earnest's trunk. "I reckon the Perfesser's right pleased to git ahold uhv that again. Though I cain't honestly saey that I missed the heavy bastard none."

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 795):

"Nope. Although, I cannot say that I asked him." As an afterthought, while turning around and starting to enter his office, he adds, "Does it matter?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 19:18, Sat 01 Feb 2020.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 796):

Tracy grins again at the Texan’s last comment on the trunk. “At least you and I can take turns carrying it now.”

Getting the Sheriff’s attention before he turned back towards his office, the investigator posed a question. “Sir, do you happen to know anything about one I.N. Holbrook? I found a note connecting him or her to the bandits:”

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 798):

The Sheriff responds. "Cannot say I know that name, but I will add it to the list, Mr. Windham."

Andersen, with Ringgenberg's help drags the trunk from inside the small office to the front porch.

Jake and Tracy cannot help but glance at each other, now that Earnest will need help to move the trunk from here to the Larsen's boarding house.

In reply to Sheriff Andersen (msg # 799):

"Waal, hell," the Texan muttered under his breath as he balefully eyed the steamer trunk. He stretched his left arm straight up into the air, with the intent of getting himself balanced up before undertaking the task that awaited him.

Turning to Mister Windham, he said "If'n you're up for it, let's you an' me tote that heavy rascal over yonder to Missus Larsen's -- leastways, to her front porch."

"Might need to catch our breath afore taekin' on them stairs, howsomever."

In reply to Sheriff Andersen (msg # 797):

No Sheriff, just curious is all... I didn't think he'd be back so soon.

Once they wrestle the trunk to the porch, Earnest grins sheepishly after Jake's comment.

Thank you gentlemen, hopefully we won't have to move it again for a while.

He then turns to Pearce.

If you're in need of lodging Mr. Pearce, I believe Mrs. Larsen still has rooms available.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 800):

“Thank you, sir,” the investigator replies to the Sheriff.

Tracy nods to the Texan and steps towards one end of the trunk.

“Ready when you are.”

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 801):

Tommy watches them heave the chest to the porch, he is amused and a bit curious about what exactly the professor has in there..though he knows it can't truly be too valuable if it was left behind like that with Mr Poirier

Thank you professor actually I am already checked in at Miss Larsen's. I did have some time earlier for a nice leisurely walk around town and was able to reserve myself a room. All I need now is a good supper..and of course some of that lovely blackberry pie. If any of you are of the same mind please do join me, I'd love to chat some more.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:48, Tue 04 Feb 2020.

The investigator and the rifleman lug the professor's trunk over to the Larsen's boarding house. The sun has now disappeared behind the hills to the west and townsfolk in Grafton begin lighting lanterns and candles.

As if in response to Mr. Pearce's mention of pie, Mrs. Larsen steps out onto the boarding house porch and rings the dinner bell. She sees the heroes approaching.

"Take that up to your room and join us at the table," she commands. "Hearty stew and mulberry pie," she adds, with a hint of pride.

There are two other diners at the meal, in addition to the Larsens. The heroes don't recognize the two men, who introduce themselves as Young and Belanger.

OOC: Nice ad-lib by Mr. Pearce, especially as a novice player; however, in Nouveau Zion, it would likely be a mulberry pie (there is backstory, some revealed in previous game posts, about the mulberry and silkworm business in this area). Suffice it to say that Tommy smelled the pie baking earlier in the day and assumed it was blackberry. The heroes should resuming RP at the table, chatting with Pearce. Feel free to engage the Larsens or the two other boarders, but that isn't necessary -- they are simply extras in the story right now and there is no need to involve them in RP ... unless the players want to do so.

Room and board includes a daily evening meal and coffee in the morning.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 804):

Tracy returns to the dining table after helping lift the trunk up to the Professor’s room. He takes a spot a few seats away from Young and Belanger, making room for his compatriots and their new acquaintance, Mister Pearce.

Once they all were set at the table, Windham posed a question to Mister Pearce.

“So, Mister Pearce, how’d you meet Monsieur Poirier? I imagine your story might be similar to ours, but I’m still a mite curious to hear it.”

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 805):

Earnest helps lug the trunk up to the room, thanking them once they get there.

I appreciate the help gentlemen... this thing has become something of an albatross ever since I had to sell my wagon!

He joins the group at the dinner table and looks to Mr. Pearce when Tracy poses his question.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 805):

Tommy fills a glass with water, takes a drink and then replies to Mr Windham

Well I worked for several years on building the Union Pacific, my team was one of those who famously laid 10 miles in 12 hours on the run-in to Promintory Point. After the Golden spike nonsense was over I stuck around. I first met Mr.Poirier in the hotel bar. We had a drink once or twice, played some poker with him too. Eventually he asked me to fix some machinery on his dirigible. I did that several times. He later purchased a couple of cases of Bordeaux which I had picked up along the way. So we’ve done some business together over the years and I guess you would say we share a friendly relationship. When I needed to move on he suggested New Zion would have opportunities for a man like me and as he was leaving immediately I didn’t hesitate 

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 807):

Tommy pauses, looks at the group

"..and how about you gents? Are you friends of Mr. Poirier or just paying customers?
This message was last edited by the player at 04:36, Fri 07 Feb 2020.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 808):

"We met Monshure Pwa-reh-eh in the dinin' room of a hoe-tell whaere we were stayin', back in Sacry-mento," Jacob replied to Mister Pearce's question.

"You know how windy he is, so 'twarn't long afore he was flannel-mouthin' up a storm about his bah-loon an' silk-wormin' in Noo-voe Zy-uhn an' such-lieke."

"Waal, it seems lieke he needed somebody to haelp him handle his bah-loon flyin' on a trip to this plaece, an' we was more or less at loose ends, so here we are."

The Texican grinned as he thought back on those events. "You know that old saeyin' 'bout curie-ositie killin' the cat? Lucky for me it din't, leastwaeys not this tieme."

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 809):

Earnest listens to the men speak.

So you've known Poirier for a while, but this was your first trip on his balloon? Did he ever ask you before?

Earnest rubs his chin.

Also, did he say why he was delivering my trunk? I was under the impression that he was going to just store it for a while... Eh, maybe the opportunity just came up.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 810):

Listening to Mister Pearce speak, Tracy recalls his brief stay in Promontory Point. It made sense to the investigator that Pearce was ready to move on; it seemed like opportunities wore thin as the years passed after the Golden Spike.

Windham smirks slightly at the Texan’s mention of his curiosity. The investigator knew the feeling well; his curiosity had pulled him into his profession, not to mention all around the west.

To the Professor’s query, Tracy adds a thought. “I find that interesting as well, Mister Pearce. Poirier was so forthright about us joining him that I’m surprised you knew him so long before you ended up here.”

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 811):

Well, Mr Ringgenberg he did convince me once to take a quick test flight after I'd finished some work on the stabilizer controls. After landing in Mr. Poirier's normal fashion I swore it was my very first and very last flight...but twasn't the fault of them stabilizers, they worked bang on!, perfect!.

Turning slightly to address Tracy Tommy continues

He was talking up the opportunities in New Zion from the day I met him. To be honest I was always a bit suspicious due t'his o'er the top enthusiasm. New Zion seemed even more remote than Promintory Point and as things were going pretty dead on for me at the time I was never too hot on the idea. It was really out of pure necessity that I took him up on his offer this time

Turning back to Mr Ringgenberg Tommy says

As for the trunk I cannot say for sure, knowing Mr. Poirier I'd say he must have had some motivation, perhaps it's a simple as needing extra ballast or taking up too much space in his office or he really thought you would need it right now for some reason.

This message was last edited by the player at 00:07, Sun 09 Feb 2020.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 812):

Earnest nods.

Ah well, no matter... I'm glad to have it back!

OOC: It is up to the PCs to continue conversation if they so desire. BTW, it doesn't have to be dialogue. As always, PCs can provide narration to help get the new hero further acquainted with the existing heroes. Another idea is for one of the PCs to suggest continuing the conversation over at the Prickly Pear. That is, after enjoying Mrs. Larsen's mulberry pie.

At whatever point the RP runs its course, we can fade to black and re-start whenever the play testing and character redesign / new design is far enough along for beginning the upcoming adventure. The Judge is looking to the players to establish and agree when ready for that.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 814):

OOC: I am ready to fade to black, unless we need to keep this thread/scene active as a means of introducing the new PC to whom the Judge has alluded elsewhere.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 815):

OOC: I'm good to FTB as well unless Tommy wants to ask more questions?

A couple admin items:
 - what is the date now (I've lost track, but I'm guessing 5/1/1877)?
 - what is the daily rate at Mrs. Larsen's boarding house (based on ch 20, I assume we're all sharing a room)?
 - I'm thinking we should all get horses? Given the likely upcoming adventures...
 - Earnest will check the mail with Mr. Taylor to see if they got any forwarded messages from the telegraph operator in Promontory Point (ref Ch 21, msgs 349-350).