In reply to Jericho Cantrell (msg #190):

"Cantrell, you been honest injun so I'll return the favor.  I think yer a piece of bounty hunter scum.  Let's just put that right out there.  But you seem to be able to operate in the confines of the rules when there's money at stake.  I can't be everywhere, I can't arrest you for nothin'... yet, so let me put this out there.  And let's also be clear, Charging Bear will go to trial if that's what dispatch tells me to do with him.  If they've cleared him, the man walks, I can only keep him in protective custody fer so long."

Katy Devon?  Could that be...?  Wildcat can't be sure.  Could it?

"I don't mind if you look fer th' missing woman, but by God you don't lay a hand on her.  You don't follow her around, you don't try nothin'.  I admit I don't know what kind of bounty it is, but if you can confirm she's here that outta be worth somethin' to whoever posted it.  It ain't illegal to look fer a missing person using a private detective, but you touch her, threaten her, peep at her, or look at her funny, we're gonna have a problem.  A real problem.  But if ya happen to see her in public and opt to tell someone else about it, we're square."

It was all she could do.  She'd have to find Katy, warn her, tell her to stick to Evans or herself if he made her nervous, make it clear that she was free to run, but Wildcat would let her be kidnapped away over her dead body.  It was just outside of her power to tell him anything else.

"Ah think someone mentioned one of the men in the undertaker's parlor was named Frost... yeah, th' Marshall were after him, an' he's dead now I think, so that one's a bust.  The judge is a bust too, Deputy Mickle-fwate found him stone dead.  Already wired that one in myself when I told Austin Charging Bear was here."

Wildcat shrugged as if by way of apology, but she wasn't terribly sincere about it.

"As much as you insult the locals here, they've had their hands full and they have been workin' their asses off with somethin' to show fer it despite some purty bad odds.

"Th' others... don't know 'em, but I ain't been here too long.  Ya got a legit bounty, that's yer business, but if there's any more stunts like that mob, I'm huntin' you down first.

"However there's one more problem.  I'm lookin' fer two low down fools that thought a few bullets would put a stop to Wildcat Hawkins.  I know I need to find out some answers here, but I don't know who all I need to talk to.  Usually the kind of people with prices on their heads are the people with answers.  I can't have no one dissappearin' on me Cantrell.  Somebody around here's gotta know somethin'."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:22, Wed 17 Nov 2010.

In reply to Carl (msg #191):

Charging Bear nods, "Figured as much."

Carl raises an eyebrow, clearly wondering if that was a disagreement. He still seems highly amused by the idea of heroes who do things in this town, considering the marshal has just arrested the two men who've been most active in hunting down not only Frost but the random assassins. Hell, if he'd done anything heroic today it was standing up to the man who'd seen fit to bind them all in glue before making threats.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:04, Wed 17 Nov 2010.

Charging Bear shook his head, he agrees that Fuller would probably beat Evans if things came down to it. He leaned against the building, obviously tired of standing around but then again they'd both be doing very little for the next few hours he had a feeling.

The smaller man's already shivering quite badly. Since Evans is distracted, though, he half-sinks, half-falls to his knees and watches to see if Evans objects.

Noting Carl's shivering, Charging Bear glances to Evans who seems to have other things on his mind then back around trying to see if there's anything about to get Carl warmer.

OOC:
16:22, Today: Charging Bear rolled 4,4 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,4. Notice.

The ex-sergeant will notice Carl looking up at him, at first highly bemused, then with something else, a suspicion of innocence, perhaps.

He kneels there and shivers a bit, then when it's clear Evans is wrapped up in conversation makes the movement anyone who'd been in lockup overnight would expect - leaning back with an agile twist and roll of the shoulders to pull the cuffs below his hips and moving back to sit, then moving first one leg then the other to get the cuffs around to his front. Carl's paler for having pulled the metal hard against the bones of his wrists, but resumes kneeling with a roll of his shoulders and shows no pain. His look at Charging Bear now is openly curious.


[[Agility 5, willing to drop chips on't if there's a cuff penalty.]]

In reply to Wildcat Hawkins (msg #193):

"If this Mrs. Devon is here, and I send word off, the man will probably just send some other goons to collect her and cut me out of the loop. I don't see the percentage in that, so I'm afraid I won't be able to oblige your request. Unless you're willing to guarantee I get my money either way."

"Well, they aren't high on my list of priorities anyhow. If the Shaw boys show up, I might try to take 'em on, but only if I wind up going flat bust on any of my other leads."

"As for the Judge bein' dead...that's a problem, for sure, but someone here has to know why he wasn't coming here in the first place, and that's all I care about. If they're murderin' judges instead of payin' them off, then I figure you might want to know why, and I might be able to get that intel a little easier than you. Might be worth something to you later if I do. Where did the deputy find his body? Might be some clues to be had there."

He grins. "Oh, well, that I think I can help you out on. got a description of them? Perhaps maybe an alias you might have heard?" He pulls out his Bible. "That's what this thing is for, after all, assuming they're in here. Might give you a place to start with, if nothing else."

"And in the interest of being friendly, you might want to keep on the look out for a pack of bandits wearing Union Blue in the area. Apparently the governor invited a group of former Jayhawkers to Houston, for some grand ceremony meant to boost his chances of reelection by 'extending the olive branch.' The Jayhawkers arrived, smiled at the cameras, then skipped the BV train near Victoria. Rumor has it they've been spotted doing some cattle rustling and minor banditry, trying to pretend the war's still goin' on. I don't know if they're worth anything, but they could cause you more trouble than you've already got if they head this way. Keep an eye out for 'em."

Charging Bear looks around, but there isn't anything immediately apparent in the sodden surroundings that would make much of a difference in the chill

Evans notices the agile twisting and contortions Carl puts himself through to get his hands out in front of him. He sighs and shakes his head. "Well, I haven't heard any shooting. Let's move inside the door, at least, and get out of this infernal damp before someone catches their death of cold."

He pushes open the door cautiously and ushers the group inside. It's not actually that much warmer indoors, but at least it's drier here. Thunder rumbles in the distance.

Forgive me Mr. Mickle-fwate.

Wildcat had come to trust Robert in the short time she knew him.  He was living proof that old didn't mean useless and used up.  But he was more than that, he was a man who'd been in the saddle, so to speak, who she felt enough confidence in and camarederie with to trust sight unseen like this.  He had a quality in men that Wildcat had come to recognize: he was a man who'd seen the elephant.  Of course Cantrell was too, but that's why she could trust Robert to deal with him capably.  She might even get lucky and have Robert inadvertantly become aware of Cantrell's possible designs on Katy.

Why are all the good ones married, too old, or fancy bachelors...  she mused.  Her thoughts nearly strayed to Riley, but she snapped back into focus quickly.

But he had another gift too, a silver tongue.  Katrina could cajole things from people's lips with a little work, but she couldn't make people think night was day like Robert could.  She trusted him not to give Cantrell an inch, and to sell the ghost rock fever story better than she ever could.  She could tip him off later, maybe.  He seemed to favor Katy, he could warn her.  Wildcat would no doubt have Cantrell's attention.  If the ranger went to Katy, she'd lead him right to his mark.

"Truth be told ah spent so much time puttin' out fires I haven't visited with him on it since he led me to the initial discovery.  He's a sharp one that Deputy Mickle-fwate.  Much to my chagrin he's th' expert on it at this point.

"But th' book won't help.  Didn't get a good look at 'em.  Charging Bear tried to help me corner one, but he done got away from both of us, the snake.

"The warning's appreciated Cantrell, but I won't repeat what I just said because ah know you heard me.  Now, we got a Marshall and two inmates out there, let's quit jawin' an' make sure there ain't nothin' in here."

She'd heard something about undead yankees.  Cantrell probably just unwittingly gave her a key piece of the puzzle, trouble is, it was the others who had the rest of the pieces.

This was going to be a long night.  She couldn't warn Robert or Katy.

As she resumed checking each nook and cranny, Wildcat prayed silently to herself for the two wayward deputies.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul, he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me... by the by God, this one ain't fer me this time...

*whi-hu*

Evans'll get a rather glued-up pistol thrown lightly at him when he turns, and a wry almost-smile from Carl, whom he'd forgotten to disarm. The quiet man shakes water from his hair and looks about the abandoned building with detatched interest, then looks back at Charging Bear.

[Private to Charging Bear: His knife is in his back pocket - Carl won't surrender that in goodwill, but CB'll probably see it.]

In reply to Carl (msg #203):

With a slight shake of his head, Charging Bear watches the whole of things happen. Evans while not completely inept, does lose points for not checking himself or Carl for further weapons. As the group shifts, the native son strains against the cuffs, feeling that something bad will soon happen, but the metal is too strong for him.

OOC:
21:49, Today: Charging Bear rolled 4,6 using 1d8,1d6 with rolls of 4,6. Strength (to break cuffs) vs 12! .
21:49, Today: Charging Bear rolled 3 using 1d6 with rolls of 3. Blue Chip.
9 is nice but not enough... oh well.

"Well Marshal, I intend to observe and record.  Ask questions as the need arises," begins Elijah in response to the question, "If you have suggestions I'm all ears.  Like I said, not here to interfere.  Just here for the story."   He'll go along with being ushered in to the room, though he'll keep a safe distance twixt himself and Carl.  He's shifitng around and fiddling too much.  Makes a man nervous.  And when Carl produces a gluey pistol and tosses it Marshal-ways, Eli will reflexively raise his pistol.  His thumb draws back the hammer with a practiced move.  Realizing the gesture was just a snub, the reporter will maintain his aim for a moment, maybe waiting on the Marshal, "Damn fool.  Dust /Adder/'s about right.  Biblically speakin', a deaf dumb animal that just lashes out at everything.  Sound about right?"

The cold grey stare that follows Eli's comment suggests the Dust Adder can hear him perfectly well. Whilst he's still while covered by the gun he doesn't seem afraid of it; somehow the stillness, occasionally broken by shivers, seems more threatening than any fidget or shake of the fist. It's a coiled-snake stillness, or the stillness of the one wolf you've spotted in the grass which means the others are circling, somewhere.

Inwardly, Carl fights the unhinged urge to flicker his tongue at the reporter and make 'thpthpthpthp' noises. Behind him, it sounds like the injun is trying to break his cuffs. Carl readies himself and wonders if he's the savage's first target, watching Fuller all the while.

In reply to Wildcat Hawkins (msg #202):

Jericho nods, but doesn't say anything more.

The rest of the building is as empty as the first floor, though it does take a good half an hour to confirm it. By the time she gets done, Evans has already brought the prisoners inside...and the reporter, who has tagged along.

---

Evans catches the pistol Carl tosses his way.. If he's bothered by the fact Carl had it, he didn't show it. In fact, he seemed almost to have expected such a move.

"Your knife will be similarly as effective, sir." he says. "The paste may just be water, flour, and gelatin, but it's effective in that way. Don't think I won't be relieving you of it when I get you locked away, but even if you were to draw it I doubt you'd be able to cut butter with it until it's been cleaned."

He turns to Fuller and shrugs. "Maybe something will come to mind later. Right now, Let's get these gentleman to their rooms."

He loos at Wildcat as she returns. "Ah! good. What have you found?"

Some mood music

Katy shrieks as the men pick her up, and suddenly the situation gets to her. She was cold, wet, had gone toe to toe with a crazy lady, just watched someone almost lynched, and was now being groped by a pack of strange cowboys. Her eyes rolled back into her head and she fainted dead away, going limp in their arms.

[[OOC: Ghost-posting for Katy at the player's request]]

Little Tom lets out an "OUUF!" As Robert's cane finds his midsection, and he goes down on one knee. The blows of the poker players don't seem to phase him none, but that might just be because he's already stunned.

[[OOC: Yes, Robert's blow has made him Shaken]]

---

Initiative:
Robert and the Poker Players: 10H
The Dust Adders: 9S
Mighty Dave: 4S

Carl shrugs a little, setting his shoulders to the wall, and gives Evans a look that says if the marshal wants any more of his property he'll have to come and get it. Mostly he's aware of Charging Bear and Eli's startled hostility as he lounges, seemingly idle, calculating their means of attack.

He starts whistling Wolves A-Howlin at Wildcat's reappearance, since the shot-up ranger seems to call the tune to mind.

...can't you hear them wolves a-howlin', all around my poor li'l darlin'...

In reply to The Amazing Evans (msg #207):

11:49, Today: Wildcat Hawkins rolled 2,5 using 1d4,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,5. notice the cuffs?.

Don't be breakin' my handcuffs, that's not cool. D:

"A lot of nothin', Marshal.  Which is good, hell, it's great at this point."  And then she notices Carl's hands aren't how they're supposed to be.

"Excuse me Deputy, if you'll turn around please."  She turns Charging Bear slightly.  "Always behind the back, palms facing away from each other, if you can help it.  Damn near anybody can pick 'em if they can reach the lock and a piece of wire or somethin'."

As if to demonstrate, Kat actually reaches up, and hoping it's still there after all this mess, she pulls out a hair pin for Evan's benefit.  The brim of her hat couldn't be counted on to hold it back all the time after all.

"And if yer not extra careful, they'll just borrow a pick from you..."  It was an attempt at humor at her own expense, but there was probably no levity to be had here.  "Now let's get 'em situated..."

Okay Wildcat has a laundry list of other considerations, but for now she's trying to figure out somewhere, or some way, to put these two so they can at least sit down, preferably lay down and still be somehow secured, hopefully using the vault.  She ain't real interested in having to feed them because the only option was to hog tie them.

The two men on Tosser try to grab him, but he wiggles out of their grasp

Seeing Robert recovered, the two helping him go to help their friends, one kicks at his knee (agility trick) knocking him off balance, and right into the ifst of this friend !

Meanwhile, Robert, his blood boiling, swings his cane in a mighty hit which fells his foe.  "You are under arrest!"

OOC: I realized this morning that some of those poker player's should have gone to Katy's aid; I'm going to recon it by saying (if it's OK with the GM) that they were absorbed in their game until it was disrupted and didn't realize she was in the brawl as well

10:33, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 7,6 using d8+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 5,4. wild cane attack !.
10:33, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 4,6 using d4+2,d4, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(4+2)6. damage.
10 damage will drop him, I assume

10:35, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 4,2 using d4+1,d4+1, rerolling max with rolls of 3,1. grab tosser (grapple).

10:36, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 7,4 using d6,d4+3, rerolling max with rolls of (6+1)7,1. agility trick, punch.

13:32, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 3 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3. punch damage.


13:21, Today: Robert Micklethwait drew the single card: 3H using a deck of 54 cards. card.



This message was last edited by the player at 21:32, Thu 18 Nov 2010.

In reply to Robert Micklethwait (msg #211):

Some mood music

Kicker takes the shot, and seems to go down...only to pop up immediately with a half-filled bottle in his hand.

"Like fuck I am!" he shouts as he brings the bottle crashing into the lawyer's skull. Robert is showered with booze and bits of broken glass, and is seeing stars...

Meanwhile, Tosser yelps as he gets mobbed, and spits a tooth out from the first to his face. "Can I get some help here, Frank!?" he howls as he kicks for the crotch of the nearest poker player to both him and Dave. The townie lets out a yelp and goes down.

One of the men grabbing Katy drops her legs, leaving the other to bear her weight. He charges at the mob, stumbling a little as he does so. That makes the punch he was aiming go wide.

The other Dust Adder, now in sole custody of the girl, decides to take this opportunity to run towards the back.

Meanwhile the kid sits still, watching the proceedings in horror.

[[OOC: Here's how the rounds of the Dust Adders break down.

Tosser:

The Dust Adders rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1. Resist Agility Trick. That's a super uber fail, so he takes a -2 to Parry and is Shaken.

He doesn't take enough damage to be injured, but he's got four guys on him now. He spends a chip to Recover from Shaken.

He throws a punch at one of his assailants, the one closest to both him and Dave so he can get a Gang Up bonus. He also Wild Attacks, meaning his Parry is currently 3

The Dust Adders rolled 6 using 1d6+3, rerolling max with rolls of 3. Fighting with Gang Up bonus and Wild Atk. Hit.
The Dust Adders rolled 8 using 1d8+2, rerolling max with rolls of 6. Damage. Damage and a KO to one of Robert's Townsfolk.

Kicker:

Kicker is facing 10 damages, which is a Shaken and a wound (not quite 2) so he attempts to soak.

The Dust Adders rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1. soak roll. blowing another chip for a reroll.
The Dust Adders rolled 11 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+5)11. white chip. That soaks the wound.

He Quick Draws an improvised weapon (a bottle) and Wild Attacks Robert. He still has the Gang up bonus from both Dave and Tosser.

The Dust Adders rolled 9 using 1d6+4, rerolling max with rolls of 5. Fighting with Gang Up bonus and Wild Atk. That's a hit. Oh, and I just noticed it's also a Raise, because Robert Wild Attacked.

The Dust Adders rolled 14,4 using d8,d4+2, rerolling max with rolls of (8+6)14,2. Damage. 18 damage total. The Dust Adders rolled 1 using 1d6. Raise damage I just noticed. Changes nothing. Ouch. What is it with Robert and getting hit with really high damage totals? That's a hit and 3 wounds, which will knock the poor man out if he doesn't soak.

Groper:

One of the grapples drops Katy and goes after the dog pile around Tosser. He throws a punch, which gets a Gang-up bonus.

The Dust Adders rolled 2 using 1d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 1. Fighting with Gang Up bonus and Wild Atk. Flat miss.

Other Groper: He begins hauling Katy out the back.

Percy: He remains uninvolved in the fight.

Next Round: The Dust Adders drew the single card: 2D

I'll hold off on posting what Dave does until I get Robert's response on taking that massive blow to the head.]]

Roberts gamble failed, as his foe smashes a bottle over his head.  "Amelia..." he mutters as he slumps over

OOC: i have 1 wound alrady.  If I soak 1, I'll be at 3.  great
14:52, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 2 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2. blue.
14:51, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 1,1 using d4-1,d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2. soak attmpt RC as white.

blew both chips, and still went down. 

In reply to Robert Micklethwait (msg #213):

[[OOC: Roll vigor due to incapacitation. Let's see if he has a concussion.]]

frak.  I forgot my other adventure card.
I could've dropped that blue to heal all injuries from this fight.

15:22, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled -2,-2 using d4-3,d6-3, rerolling max with rolls of 1,1. vigor.

In reply to Robert Micklethwait (msg #215):

[[OOC: Ouch. Crit Fail. *plays Taps*

Looks like we have one dead character.]]

[Private to Robert Micklethwait: looks like the choice has been taken out of your hands...Robert will rise again at sunset, assuming no-one decides to stake him.]

In reply to Wildcat Hawkins (msg #210):

"Hrmph." Evans says. He frisks Carl and secures the knife, then leads the group further inside.

The vault is fairly spacious, for a bank vault. It can easily hold a dozen people (though they'd be squished in like sardines), let alone the two it has to hold. There are two doors on the single entrance--one a barred door that has a slot through it (so that workers inside can pass objects through but still be protected from a robbery) and a larger, heavy, air-tight vault door. It should be easy enough to slip a tray of food through the slot on the barred door, should that prove necessary.

The walls of the vault are lined with empty cubbyholes, most locked up, some hanging open. There isn't any furniture here.  Luckily, Evans has the key for the inner barred door, so as long as they don't close the heavy outer door, keeping the prisoners inside the vault shouldn't be a problem.