Morning, April 11th, 1879. Ward's Ranch. Good Friday.

((Augustus Spotswood, John Smith, Gangatsu, Alouette))

The night was cold and uncomfortable. The day dawning seems to offer more the same. The sunrise is gray and muted beneath clouds that leech color from the surroundings, and there's a chill in the air. And it smells of storms again.

The group is discovered by some Dust Adders doing a morning ride, and ferried back to the Ranch House. There's no breakfast waiting...the food still needs to be replaced from last night. Ward offers the use of his home for thee group to refresh themselves and get warm, but he seems to be preoccupied with thoughts.

Please post something to give me a heads-up to what your character is doing and planning to do for the day, now that you've gotten back to civilization.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:39, Mon 27 Dec 2010.

Alouette, repaired and chirpy again, tries its best to make sure everyone is all right, even finding a "snake friend!" for Abraham, since he's the only one of Ward's household that doesn't have one. Abraham should probably be careful about where he tells the clank to drop it/put it down.

Tokens of care and mercy delivered, the automaton will attempt to set off looking for its errant man-eating albatross unless told to do otherwise.

She was resting soundly through the night, undisturbed and silent as death. A good bed was not wasted on her, there was nothing more that she wanted then to merely go to sleep and stay that way forever, yet it would not be so. Not until there was purpose completed from her life, a redeeming quality in this exsistance..

Shifting, slowly, she rosed from her slumber with a mild sigh at being here in Ward's house. Getting up and fashioning on her clothing, the woman's mind raced over the things the Shaman had said. Ward was up to something, yet this was the unclear part. He would have a serpent in his chest as well the demon invoker, perhaps. For all she knew, he could have caused the destruction of the miner's cave and moved in on it when the former owners bailed on this piss poor town. Kept him in favor with all the ignorant folk and no one would question their life blood. That would fit. Truly, it would.

 She surveyed her room, picking up her sword with a slightly satisfied smirk tinging her lips for a moment longer.

Upon returning to Dr. Wards home John nervously checks on Zhangs condition repeatedly, likely to the point of annoying whomever is taking care of the old man. Though one 'shoo' and John will find a quiet space to practice his various forms, exercise and meditate taking whatever breakfast, lunch or dinner that might be offered. Otherwise he plans on waiting until Zhang recovers.

John watches as Dr. Ward tends to his mentor. Zhang seems to be recovering, but he remains unconscious.

"He is in remarkable health, considering his injuries." Ward tells him. "I believe he will make a full recovery in time, but he will need to rest. You are welcome to say for a few days as he recovers if you wish."

Once Ward has seen to Zhang, he moves on to his servant, Abraham. The man protests that he's fine, but the doctor insists that he rest for a day or two, just in case.

Then he heads downstairs to prepare a breakfast for everyone, as best he can. The breakfast he provides is frugal, simply oatmeal and water.

John eats breakfast not realizing how hungry he is until it was put in front of him. The fact that it is a fairly bare bones meal escapes him as he eats every last bite. He's had better and worse and when food is bad he always found it was best to treat it like fuel for the fire to be shoveled in rather than something palatable.

Gangatsu ventured out from the room with a serious expression, listening the stirs in the house. she ceased in watching Ward pass by and toward the kitchen.. She does not immiedately follow, yet a dark thought had popped into her mind to kill the bastard here and now.

No. That's too damn easy and unjust in her cause. The doctor might be useful in repairing the stone though he couldn't be trusted to do so.. Her brow furrowed a little in watching the man make some oatmeal and water for everyone, at least he offered. Eyes momentarily moved over to John whom was eating like he hadn't for days and the sight made her own stomache rumble. A light sneer crossed her features at the need for nourishment, but it fled into a mere disapproving frown in entering the kitchen and taking a seat near John.

" Feel like talkin Doc.."

Dr. Ward looks up at Gangatsu. He sighs and nods.

"Very well. I am willing to start fresh and forgive your previous incivility if you wish to start discourse anew. It is quite apparent to me that we have larger problems facing us than our previous quarrel." He takes a sip of his water. "However, the last time we spoke, you said several vile and slanderous things about my character. If you do so again, be warned that I am not in a mood to tolerate such outbursts. Choose your words with care, madam."

Before Gangatsu can answer Ward, the quiet of the grounds is interrupted by an echoing gunshot.

Ward looks up at John and Gangatsu. "Pardon me." He says. "I should probably handle this..."

Then there's a door slam from the kitchen area, followed by another slam, and the sounds of a struggle. Pots clatter and utensils skitter.

"Help!" comes a shout. "Oh dear, please someone! Help me!"

OOC: Apologies. Misread the post.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:32, Fri 18 Feb 2011.