Robert searches the house, looking for either replacement clothing, or some way of cleaning the blood stains off his shirt.  He glances out a few times, to see if can see anyone he knows, but the sunlight was so bright, he soon stopped.

Well, I guess I just wait until night fall.

...

Leaning up against the wall, Robert was bored.  He couldn't get comfortable.  He drew his gun, checking again to make sure it was loaded, and realized his left hand was again rubbing his head where the bottle had struck him down.  Hell with this.  His possessions might still be in his room, all he had to do was get there.  He peeked out the windows again, trying to see what buildings were nearby, and if they were occupied.

OOC: would a person have a t-shirt under their dress shirt?  Would Robert had a handkerchief/bandanna with him?

In reply to Alouette (msg #21):


There is no reply to the knock, and the door itself is barred. There are no lights on, and peering in the window (if Alouette thinks to try this) reveals that the room is empty, and there are no coffins about.

---

In Reply to Robert:

The Map of Blackthorn for reference

Robert finds himself in the house just across from the Telegraph office. It's the same block where the Oriental Theater is, just at the opposite corner. If he keeps to the back alleys he should remain out of sight, though there is at least one major street he's going to have to cross to get to the Grand Bull.

((OOC: Robert is probably wearing long underwear beneath his clothes, which would serve about the same function as a tee shirt in our day. And as for the bandanna, I leave that up to you.))

Alouette stands there for a bit longer than the length of time it took Sal to come to the door the last time it tried this, then gives an annoyed little "hmmmm" and wanders around the building to see if there are any more doors, like in Ward's house and barn.

In reply to Wildcat Hawkins (msg #22):

Evans listens to Wildcat speak. He frowns.

"I suppose I don't really have a choice, do I? No, I can't leave town yet. Not without setting some things straight." He sighs, and picks the badge out of Wildcat's hands.

Just at that moment, a man heads up the stairs. "Marshal? There's a situation. That crazy clank is back!"

Evans lets out a sigh. "Damn. just what we didn't need right now...yet another complication..."

In reply to The Stray (msg #24):

Well, that's the telegraph office.  Which means that the lovely ladies are down thataway.

Decision made, Robert takes out his handkerchief and holds it up to his face, as if to an injury.  Sticking to the back alleys and shadows, he heads south towards the Oriental, pausing when he get's to the theater to listen intently for what is happening inside.

12:14, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 1,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4. notice to listen to the oriental.
probably not good enough, unless they are really loud, even if I don't have a light penalty

Hearing nothing (I assume), Robert ghosts his way inside, trying to get into one of the rooms off the main ballroom.

In reply to The Amazing Evans (msg #26):

"Is it serious?"  Wildcat asks, not sure what at all he's talking about, having put Robert's mention of a clank out of her mind.

In reply to The Stray (msg #20):

Jake smiles, Seems a bit of fortune for this tired soul. He stands up and puts a few dollars of confederate script on the table to cover the bill and a bit of tip. Picking up his hat from the table, Jake exits the saloon quietly and makes his way into the street to see if he can see this 'clank' the towns folks have been talking about.

In Reply to Wildcat:

"That depends." Evans says, grabbing his hat and overcoat. "The last time it was in town was right when all this other craziness started. It walked into the Grand Bull, claiming to have fallen from the sky. Then it went and battled one of our walkers, burying the body right in the middle of the crossroads in the middle of town. And THEN, from what I told, it got into a fight with the Dust Adders and nearly scared a man to death, all because of a cat. Then it wound up being picked up by Dr. Ward for God knows what reason. Now it's back in town, and I'm going to have to deal with it sooner or later. I don't think it's dangerous, but the Mayor has been on my case to have it removed from town as a 'disturbance to public order.'" He scoffs. "All the problems we have now, and he's focusing on this one...I don't know what he's thinking."

He heads downstairs and out the door.

---

In reply to Jake Lawrence:

Jake doesn't see the clank right away, but there's a small knot of onlookers near the undertaker's office who are busy pointing and gossiping.

"...Where is it now?"

"...went round back..."

"Lord, I thought Evans got rid of that thing..."

"...another corpse?"

"Didn't see one..."

"...doing here? Why us? Why now?..."

Unfortunately for Jake, Victor didn't tell him what to do if the automaton was active...the possibility probably didn't even occur to him. Or if it did, he came up with a plan...and then got distracted and forgot all about it. Victor was brilliant, but also terribly absent-minded. He once drank dry coffee grounds because he forgot to add water, and once went down to the general store without any pants on, much to thee dismay of the townsfolk. Jake's on his own at the moment.

---

In Reply to Alouette:

There does happen to be a door at the back of the Undertaker's shop. It is also closed and locked. There are several trails here...the wendigo, the faintly familiar one, and one that the contraption hasn't encountered yet. The Wendigo and this new trail go one direction, while the vaguely familiar one goes off in another.

In reply to Robert Micklethwait (msg #27):

A refresher on the Oriental's layout

The theater is quiet, and, when Robert enters, very dark. With his ability to walk through walls, getting inside isn't difficult, but no one seems to be about.

At least, no one in the rooms adjoining the ballroom on the ground floor. There's a possibility that people might be in the rooms upstairs, though to get to the stairs Robert will need to cross the ballroom first.

In reply to The Amazing Evans (msg #30):

Jake walks over to the crowd, Seems they've caught sight of the thing, finding it at least was easier than I thought. His eyes scanning the area for the object of his employer's desire.

Wildcat finds this account bizarre, but Evans didn't ask for her immediate help, and she's exhausted.  She can't help but smile a little bit as he leaves the hall with the tin star, and then she sees about entering her own space so generously provided by the proprietor.

And then she promptly falls into her cot and sleeps, in her bloody clothes, perhaps able to stay awake long enough to get the duster off, and maybe the boots,  but that's about all she has energy for.

OOC:  Wildcat's laundry list:

1.  Do something about this shirt if possible.
2.  Meet Pony Express rider.  Use portion of enclosed payment to send a message back. 
3.  Go back to get Charging Bear out of the clink.
4.  Give "jail" keys to Evans.
5.  Ride out.

Oblivious to its fan club on the other side of the building, Alouette stands a moment examining the new trails. "One wendigo, two wendigo...other thing..."

It follows the trail of Other Thing until it walks into a wall, then gives an annoyed little "hmmm" and starts cheerfully following the track of the people who eat people.

In reply to The Stray (msg #31):

Robert looks and listens to make sure noone is in the ballroom.  He starts to head upstairs, then on a hunch changes his mind and heads down to the basement first.

She got to exchange a little bit of words with Jake Lawerence before word of Alouette, that intriguing metallic bird thing came wandering up.  And then again, she was left alone and Katy was trying to think of what better a thing to do. She could follow Mister Jake, he seemed to be feeling better then the other day. A sigh, finding that she knew a bit, but there wasn't a single thing to do about it. Robert didn't want her to spill about the vampires, Mister Evans was no where to be seen, that nice Indian man Charging Bear was in the slammer with the Ranger Hawkins watching over him. SHe had no idea whatsoever what happen to that little asian lady and the Doctor with the cough that she entered the stage couch with, and mister Lawerence had his own ventures of affiar to keep in order.

What was a young lady to do?.. Honestly, all she did since she got up was sit on the bar stool, drink tea, and eat biscuits with honey... Yet there was a thought creeping into her mind.. Maybe the indian man would would know what to do about foul spirits. The thought took her a little by surprise, but.... Yes. He could be helpful.. That's all a vampire really is, a restless spirit. Yet what would she say? He might not believe her and just seem like a cross dressing young damsel gone mad.. Her jaw shifted at the thought.

" Eh. What the hell." She murmured merrily. " Thank you for your time, Mister Roland.. Is there anything I can do for you before I have to go my way? "

In reply to Robert Micklethwait (msg #35):

The place is eerily quiet. No one seems to be about at all. Not the gentleman with green teeth who answered the door, not the ladies, not Marina herself.

Robert creeps into the darkened basement. It's much the same as the last time he was here. Racks of costumes, boxes of props, and those long, low crates labeled "Loose Soil" greet him. The one where he'd found the judge is still there, closed up again.

In Reply to Jake and Alouette:

Jake easily spots the thing the crowd is muttering about. It's a beautiful brass construct, built in a humanoid form with a vaguely avian head. The chassis has been lovingly detailed, but it's been marred in several spots by some patch-ed up bullet-holes. It moves somewhat like a creature following a trail, though it stops short at a wall, looks about, then heads off in a new direction. It seems to be heading off into the alleyway behind the undertaker's. Who knows what it's doing?

---

In reply to Katy Devon:

As Katy speaks to Robert, she sees Evans appear, striding purposefully down the stairs and towards the door. He pauses. "Ah! Deputy Devon!" He says to her. "I'm very glad to see you still here after yesterday's unpleasantness. I feel we have some matters of import to discuss, though there is another matter I have to see to first. Would you like to accompany me, or wait here until I return?"

Jake took a few moments to watch the automaton. Seems smarter than the otherss I've encountered, but thats probably why the Doc wants it. He followed after the walking talking brass bird-man, but kept his distance.

Alouette is heading northward at a determined amble like a bloodhound who's eaten the "special" brownies.

In reply to The Stray (msg #37):

Robert takes a quick peek inside, just to make sure, then heads up to the ballroom, and from there, assuming it's empty, upstairs, looking for any of the girls.

In reply to Alouette (msg #40):

Having watched the automaton for a few minutes, Jake wasn't exactly sure what to think of it. Of course he'd dealt with such constructs before but this one was acting rather differently... as though it had more reasoning skills than dozen or so he'd encountered previously. He followed after this Alouette keeping his distance.

In reply to Robert Micklethwait (msg #41):

The box labeled "Loose Soil" opens...and there's another body inside it.

This body is of a young man, lean, with long features and the hint of a five-o-clock shadow. Robert is sure he's seen the man somewhere before, but can't place exactly where.

And suddenly, trying to remember where he'd seen the familiar face is not a strong concern, as the man opens his eyes and stares at Robert. "Penny for the Guy, Gov'nor?" he says, his canine teeth extending as he speaks.

In reply to Alouette, Jake Lawrence, Katy Devon:

As the automaton travels northward, pursued by the interested party, They are met by a dapper man in an overcoat and top hat, a marshal's star pinned to the outside. He gives the pair of them a look that's half amusement, half exasperation.

"Well, now." He says to Alouette. "I see you've returned. Dare I ask what it you are doing now?"

((OOC: Assume Katy Devon is somewhere nearby...unless she decided not to come along with Evans.))

Alouette halts and turns to face Evans properly. "Howdy, Ambrose! Self is attempting to locate Danny Albatross - Gus Shaw killed him again, so he is probably unhappy and a wendigo now." There's a slight pause. "Gus Shaw is a Bad Man," it informs Evans, in case he didn't know. "He wanted to throw Danny Albatross in the pit where the bodies are buried or set him on fire the first time he killed him, and shot self many times for telling him not to shoot Gangatsu, and he uses bad words."

"Setting Danny Albatross on fire would be very bad - sickness would spread into grazing, stock feed, water supply...high probability Danny Albatross will become aggressive and eat alive people if given bread or unkindness or killed again: self is going to find him and his differently-alive friend who is also turning wendigo, and tell them not to eat people. Eating people is wrong. Self will inform townsfolk to hang up fish for them on porches, then they will not hurt any men, women, children or pets."

"Then self will search for unknown other undead or differently alive entity also in Town, Texas," it informs the Marshal cheerfully. Then it notices the others nearby. "Howdy, Slender Man With Big Shirt!" it greets Katy, "Fear not, self is angel!"

Then it spots Jake. "Howdy Pale Man!" ...and the air behind him.
"Howdy Pale Man's crow friends!"

Glancing over his shoulder and seeing nothing, Jake looks back then with a lazy smile he greets the tin-can angel, "Howdy automaton." He fiddles absentmindedly with the rosary in his right hand as he approaches the group.

In reply to Vincent Kaje (msg #43):

Robert smiles back, flashing his own fangs.  "Are the ladies of the house about?"