To Dr. Ward, Robert replies, "According to the note on his door, he is investigating an incident.  I have not idea when he will return."

To Alouette, he asks "Ambrose?"

Alouette points to itself. "Alouette."

It then turns its attention to the somewhat shot 'albatross', having heard there's one about, and gives his pale hand a tentative poke.
"Not dead...not mortal minus 18 hours present time..." It addresses Robert, trusting the lawyer with proceedings in the absence of a priest "Advise immediate taking to church."

"Albatross is half turned wendigo: must not feed him raw meat or excess of bread and unkindness; must feed him fish...without anger."

It's about to greet Dr.Ward and his driver when it suddenly straightens, tilts its head...and clanks rapidly over to Dr.Ward, exclaiming: "Remove upper garments hastily! Not safe!"

Robert frowns.  "Who is albatross?"

12:47, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 6,5 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (4+2)6,5. KN:occult - windigo.

[Private to Robert Micklethwait: According to Robert's studies, a Wendigo is a folklore tale found among the natives of the northwestern states -- whenever someone commits cannibalism during the harsh winters, there is a chance they turn into ravenous monsters that hunt the flesh of men. This particular legend was something you saw in an Agency file, though none of the Agents you asked for details would confirm or deny their existence.]

Dr. Ward looks alarmed at the sudden approach of the lcank, takes a step backwards and produces a small nickel-plated and finely etched derringer from his waistcoat, leveling at Alouette.

"Halt there, friend machine. I do not wish to use this on you, but I will not have you lay a hand on my person."

"Hold on there, Doctor Ward.  Alouette is harmless, unless attacked.  Put it away."

13:13, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 11,6 using d8+4,d6+4, rerolling max with rolls of 7,2. persuation.

The automaton is thoroughly confused by the mass of rapid-fire input. "Yes! No! Albatross!" - It points at Danny - then "No!" at the gun being put away, despite this being in its best interest.

It tries to take the piece away before it can be replaced near Ward's body, though its mild pulling doesn't effect much. "Dangerous, Dr.Ward! Will not lay on hands but gun must be taken far away from mortals, unsained corpse, albatross."

It tries to explain to Robert: "Object is witched - may become effective vampire. Plus plus dangerous."

After a little tug-of-war with Alouette, Ward returns the pistol into his waistcoat.

"Friend Alouette, this pistol is of my own custom design. It is quite dangerous, all guns are, but a man of my station must take certain precautions to protect his person. And it is only dangerous to those who would be my enemies. You are not my enemy, are you? If not, then you have nothing to fear."

"How do you know he's an albatross" Robert asks Alouette?

When one suffers from, whatever it is Augustus seems to be suffering from,it is probably best not to run quite so much down a dusty hot Texas street.  By the time he catches up to the large group gathered with the automaton, the gentleman is forced to drop his bags.  A handkerchief is pressed to his lips as wet, hacking coughs spasm through his body.  After a few moments, he straightens up, shaking ever so slightly and manages a breathless, "Pardon me..."

"Self sees what is, Robert Mickelthwait," the automaton explains, looking from its empty hands to the lawyer. "More than mortals."

It looks towards Danny to check. "The storm-bird has a Christian soul..." Then back to Robert: "Help save it, Robert Mickelthwait." If it knew how to plead, it would probably be pleading.

The machine is mostly confused by Dr.Ward, who can't seem to decide if he's its friend or not, and tilts its head at him.
"Precautions against...angels? Do not fear, Dr. Ward...but primary command: protect. Someone has witched it; it is not safe near flesh of mortals, not safe near flesh of Dr.Ward."

It looks up at Augustus' coughing, attention apparently caught.

"Dr. Ward?  I think you have another customer." Robert indicated Augustus.  "Shall I have these two bodies taken to your office?"

In reply to The Stray (msg #13):

"Hullo! I'm looking for some clothes. Not as... fancy."

She indicates her current outfit.

"And, um, do you have any guns?"

"Precautions against dangers, no matter what form they may take." Ward says in reply. he gets a wry, playful look on his face. "A 'witching', you say?" he says, as one might address a small child, "Fear not, Friend Alouette! I know a charm to chase away evil spirits and other dark magics!" He theatrically waves his arms in the air, like a stage magician before an audience. "Ut quod eram ostendo , iam occultus est! Sim sim, salabim!" he says with a flourish.

[Private to Alouette: And, indeed, it seems to work, as the aura around the pistol vanishes.]

[Private to Robert Micklethwait: Robert recognizes the latin as "What was shown, now is hidden," though the rest is gibberish. Make a Notice check at -2, please.]

After this display of dramatics, he smooths his vest down, and nods at Robert. "Yes, though you need not go to the trouble of taking them all the way there. Simply place the other body in the carriage, and my driver will see to the rest."

He turns his attention to Augustus. "Well now. What seems to be ailing you, good sir?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:54, Tue 27 July 2010.

In reply to Katy Devon (msg #25):

The shopkeep looks faintly shocked "Not fancy? My dear, you are lovely enough to model the latest fashions from Europe! It would be a shame, no, a crime to put you in anything that didn't bring your radiance shining forth!"

And at the mention of a gun, he gives her a quizzical look. "And whatever would you want with such a vile and violent thing, miss?"

In reply to Dr. Dexter Ward (msg #26):

With a grimace of distace, Robert grabs the shot, half drowed and cutup former prisoner and puts him in the carriage.  He then takes the mule with the decapitated yankee on it and ties the reins to the carriage as well

15:29, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled -1,3 using d6-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5. notice.

Wiping his lips again, leaving dark stains on the white cloth, Augustus waves off any sort of attentions, "No no, I'm fine.  Really.  Just not feeling the best today..."  He tries to straighten up, tugging down his waistcoat and looking around and those gathered, pausing for a long moment on the machine, "In fact, the only thing troubling me currently is the desire to study that marvelous machine...  Does it belong to any of you?"

Alouette watches the waving hands, like a dog, but seems convinced with the result.
"Plus plus good."

It speaks again when Ward's turned his back on it, though, in equal child-trusting earnestness: "Do it to your liver also."

The automaton seems agitated by goings-on, building a fair bit of static (the shot to the head clearly has something loose in the static control systems) as it trails Mickelthwait putting the headless corpse back on the horse.
"Take albatross to church?" it queries hopefully, then steps back over to Charging Bear as though for refuge from all the unsorted information.

"Self belongs to God, AUG-US-TUS," it informs the sickly fellow.

John turns to the Amazing Evans and shrugs his shoulders. "Nothing like that Hoyle business, least not so far as I reckon." he said and tilted his head toward the side as though trying to think of what he might be detecting with his strange machine. "I mined ghostrock with a chinaman for a time. He taught me a few things about how they fight. Taught me how to use my energy and whatnot. Chi he calls it, could your machine be detectin' that?" It wasn't exactly a secret though he rather too many people didn't know. The Amazing Evans seemed like a good enough man though.

In reply to Sam the Shopkeep (msg #27):

Katy cocked an eyebrow.

"You have the latest fashions from Europe?"

She shrugged.

"I need more ordinary clothes. As for a gun, a lady needs to protect herself. Someone tried to hold up the stagecoach on the way."

In reply to John Smith (msg #31):

Evans considers this. "I suppose it's possible...I got a somewhat similar read from the Toe Jingle character I chased out of town last week, after he threatened to 'make my barbarian head explode from his unknowable power.' It was pure folderol, of course -- one look at my Gyromounted gun and he showed himself for the yellow coward he was. But it pays to be cautious, especially when we're dealing with issues beyond the pale like this." His hand moves away from his gun, though.

He sighs. "Well, I think we've gotten as much information as we can, unless you think we missed something. Do you want to give the area another once-over, or return to town and see what the others may have learned from our talkative town drunk?"

In reply to Katy Devon (msg #32):

"Well, perhaps not the very latest fashions, times being what they are. But you won't find a better selection in the county, I can assure you of that!" He smiles.

"Good heavens! Robbery!? Such a shame what our roads are coming to these days. In that case, come here and check out my selection of fine firearms. I have a Model 37 Derringer pocket pistol here...petite and easily concealed, it's the perfect firearm for the well-bred lady! And cheap, too, at only twelve dollars!"

In reply to Alouette (msg #30):

"After the doctor looks at it.  Since we already have seen people who seemed to be dead get up, I can tag along and make sure nothing ... unnatural happens."

"I beg to differ, sir. That sounds like quite a serious cough, and I've already seen a pair of cases of consumption today. I would like to check you over, if only to rule out anything serious." The doctor seems quite earnest in this.



Ward opens his mouth to reply, shocked, apparently thinks better of it, then simply nods his head.



"Why yes, because I'm sure this gentleman would be thrilled to spend his last remaining hours of his life in the company of the man who ended it." Ward says, retrieving his hat and coat. "Please, sir. As I have demonstrated, I am well protected against 'unnaturalness' that may result from this man's passing. Allow him to go with some dignity remaining. However, if the gentleman here," he indicates Augustus Spotswood, "and our friend Alouette," and indicates the clank, "are amenable to the idea, then they should be sufficient escort to my residence. Agreed?"

In reply to Alouette (msg #30):

The machine's response draws a curious expression from Augustus.  Then he smiles a bit, almost laughing, "Ah...yes...  god.  Ah'm sure."  Clearing his throat a bit, he tries a different tack with the obtuse machine, "Who is your creator then? Your god?"  He seems to feel quite proud of figuring out this mental puzzle.  Of course, once more he gets distracted by something else...

His attention shifts to Robert, "I'm sorry...  What was that about the dead?"
Once more his attention is diverted, probably for the best, to Dr. Ward, "A medical man then?  Well... it may be for the best.  An ounce of prevention and all."  Though he isn't much of an escort, he has agreed to be checked out and would of course like to spend more time around the machine.  Thus, not understanding what he's agreeing to, Augustus simply nods.  Happy to be along.

In reply to Sam the Shopkeep (msg #34):

Katy smiled back.

"These are dangerous times. I have a derringer but... I'd rather have more than two shots. I'm looking for a better gun, either single action or double action."

Katy hoped Sam would realize she knew what she was talking about. But, despite her experience with guns, Katy had never killed a man, and was in no hurry to start - she wasn't even sure she could. In the books, it always took six bullets to kill an enemy; the derringers two might offer some discouragement at best.

It didn't occur to Katy that it took six bullets to kill because the writers were paid by the word.

Katy's eyes strayed to the clothing, giving it a quick look. She'd want a blouse, a skirt, a pair of dungarees for riding... with the shop's small selection, she'd have to take what she could get.

Oh, and boots. Anything would be better than the impractical shoes she had on.