"I'll go back with you, but I ain't facing no music." Jenny says. "Look, I don't know what's so important about this tiny speck of nothing, but it can't be that important. Why do you need to be here, anyway? Let's just run away together. I don't need to be afraid if I've got someone by my side."

"I did some bad things, Jenny. Up North. The Union doesn't want me no more. And now the war's done, people like Cantrell will come looking for me. I'm done running. I need some place to lay low for a while, some place in the middle of nowhere. I've been told Blackthorn is that place."

Jenny giggles at that. It's mildly unsettling, given the situation. "Well, I'd say you've come to the wrong place if you were looking to lay low...Blackthorn used to be a good town for that, but not recently. But if you want to face down Cantrell and the Ranger holding his leash, I'm in. We could probably hide at the Oriental Theater. Nothing there but whores, who probably wouldn't mind some company."

OOC: In what timezone are you? Glad we managed to get a little flow going for William this time! ;-)

"I've got no place else to go. B'sides, I'd like to get out of this rain, someplace dry, and I need someone to show me the town, too. Come on, let's go."

He re-mounts and holds out a hand to help Jenny up.

It will also be nice to get a second opinion... Monocle ain't telling me everything, after all.

He smiles at Jenny, keeping his thoughts to himself, then nods once to a shadowy figure only he can see.
Happy now?

He clicks his tongue and his horse starts trotting towards Blackthorn.

She sighs, nods, and accepts William's hand up.

"Well, I suppose I can do that much. Let's head to the Oriental. It's probably the place least affected by the crazy going on in the rest of town."

The shadow doesn't respond to William's mental question. It just stares, watching him as he rides into the town of Blackthorn.

The town is dark and silent. Very much too quiet. While the rain may explain why the streets are empty, it doesn't explain the total lack of lights from the windows, nor the forbidding silence that dogs the horse and the pair of riders.

"I heard the church bell ringing a little while ago." Jenny says, looking around. "I didn't realize everyone was going to Mass on a Friday. Should make finding a hiding spot easier."

She points at an impressive theater on the left. "There's the Oriental. Should be a good place to hole up."

There's a wagon in front of the building that's laden down with boxes. A pair of feminine forms wearing shawls and heavy cloaks are loading another box into the back.

((OOC: I'm on Arizona time, which is (currently) the Mountain Time Zone in the USA (this isn't always the case...Arizona doesn't use Daylight Savings Time, so half the year we're in Mountain and the other half we're in Pacific). However, I got a chance to post lots today because I didn't have to work...I had class instead. Usually I post either before or after I get off work. I tend to post the most on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays, as those are my days off so I can get synched up with most of the people in this game. I'm up right now because I'm a night owl.))

Pierce directs the horse toward the wagon, his eyes scanning the street, windows, roofs - mostly out of habit, not that he expects anyone to lay an ambush for him.
Still, there are careless gunmen and old gunmen - but no careless gunmen that are old.

OOC: 09:46, Today: William Pierce rolled 3,7 using d6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5. Notice, Alertness.


He stops the horse a few paces from the wagon and turns it a little, so that Jenny is more visible.

"Howdy."

There's an oddness about the air, a chill that has nothing to do with the rain and storm. Out of the corner of his eye, William spots the flutter of wings as a crow takes flight. Out of the other corner, he spies the tail of a rattlesnake slithering under a boardwalk.

No people other than the girls loading the wagon, though. No people anywhere.

One of the girls looks up at William. She's heavily covered in a shawl and cloak, with a scarf across her face, her eyes covered with dark glasses, her hands covered in lacy gloves. The stagecoach has the legend "Vanderholt Traveling Troupe!" emblazoned on the side.

"Well, howdy, stranger!" She says, her voice muffled by the lacy scarf. Then she turns back to her work. Another pair of girls, dressed equally as heavily, come out of the theater with another couple of crates and stack them by the stagecoach.

OOC: What time is it?

Pierce feels an uneasyness wash over him.
Something's not right...

"Where is everybody? Town's awfully quiet."
His right hand strokes the handle of his Colt Frontier that he has strung in a cross draw holster in his left lip - easier to draw while mounted.
Pierce wasn't a Missouri guerilla, but he did see them fight from their horses. Damn, they could shoot...

"Are you leaving town?"

((OOC: It's about 4 in the afternoon.))

The dance hall girl shrugs. "Yup. Very quiet." She agrees.

"I think everyone's at the church." Another of the girls pipes up. "I heard the bell ringing not long ago. We didn't go, 'cause they don't like our kind there."

"Yeah, they'll share a dance or a bed with us, but not the grace of god." A third says.

"Not that we'd go anyhow." the fourth says.

"No," replies the first, "but it would've been nice if they'd asked."

At William's other question, the girls burst out in fits of giggling.

"Why? Were you hoping for a dance?" One says, striking a lusty pose that doesn't quite work with all the stuff she's wearing.

"Hoping for a place to hole up, more like. You want to stay here?" The latter, of course, said to Jenny.
"You have any idea if Jericho Cantrell's still in town?"

"Looks like as good a place as any...especially if it's empty." Jenny says. "It's a sure bet he's still in town...might be on our trail already, for all I know."

"If you want to work somethin' out, sugar, you ought to talk to Miss Vanderholt." One of the girls says. "She's inside there, gettin' things ready."

"Hey, girl!" Another says. "You're pretty enough. If you're in trouble, why not come with us? We can show you a great time and hide you from whoever it is you're runnin' from..."

"Um..." Jenny blushes. "N-no thanks. I-I'm not much for the sporting life..."

The girls giggle again. "Suit yourself."

Pierce waits for Jenny to dismount then gets off the horse himself. He tethers Jumper to the fence.
"You can stay here with the horse, if you want... but you're welcome to come inside."

"No, I'll come with you." Jenny says. She shivers as the lady offering her "a position" blows her a mock kiss through her scarf. "It's just...there's something about them I don't like."

She follows him into the theater.

"Something to remember, Jenny: Always trust your instincts. I'm not sure we should stay here. But let's talk to this Vanderholt woman first.", Pierce says quietly.

Inside, Pierce first notes doors and windows. Then, more boxes. He clears his throat and calls into the lobby: "Hello? I'm looking for Ms. Vanderholt."

The theater lobby is dark. Heavy curtains have been placed on all the windows, so the only light aside from the door is a weak lantern.

"Don't patronize me." Jenny says, and looks like she might say more, but at William's call for Miss Vanderholt, a vision of loveliness appears, sashaying her way into view.

Her raven-colored tresses fall beguilingly across a heart-shaped face, a surprised, innocent expression crossing over her full, pouting lips. She has a small, shapely nose, and almond-shaped brown eyes. Her well-endowed figure strains her blue silk dress.

"I'm Marina Vanderholt." She purrs in a dulcet Southern drawl. "What can I do for you, sir and madam?"

"Oh, shit!" Jenny whispers.

Pierce has toclear his throat again.
"We...we were looking for a room to rent. But it looks like you're leaving town."
He pauses, not sure how to continue.

The winsome woman smiles at him. "Very perceptive of you. Yes, we're in the middle of departure preparations, but until some of our associates return, we have time to entertain a few customers."

As she's talking, the girls from outside enter behind the pair.

"You know that thing you said about trusting your instincts?" Jenny whispers at William. "Mine are screaming at me. We have to get the hell out of here. Now."

The door behind them closes with a disheartening click as the last of the girls enters. They haven't made any aggressive moves, but it's hard to miss the fact that William and Jenny are now surrounded.

"Come on in. Let's have a drink, shall we?" Miss Vanderholt says. In the lantern light, her teeth shine. Her canines seem overly sharp.

"We're not thirsty and don't want to to keep you."

William takes a few half-steps toward the wall, nudging Jenny along. This wasn't the first time someone tried to surround him.

"Besides, I've rode in with an unpatient man wearing a monocle and he want me to meet his boss. Guess we'll seek accomodations elsewhere."

"Such a rush!" Marina says. She glides over to William and lays a gloved hand on his cheek. Her perfume is intoxicating. "Whatever is the matter? We've plenty of room here. Come. Stay a while. Share a meal with us."

She looks deeply into his eyes.

"I insist."

((OOC: Roll Spirit, please. You have to beat 5.))

OOC: 17:21, Today: William Pierce rolled 9,7 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+1)9,(6+1)7. Spirit roll.

The gunman grinds his teeth, trying to clear his head. Then William uses his left hand to take the hand of his cheek.

"Maybe some other time, ma'am."

He squeezes the hand, a bit harder then necessary.

"We don't wanna keep you from more... pressing matters."


OOC: 17:28, Today: William Pierce rolled 3,6 using d6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4. Intimidation.

The madam's hand is much, much more resilient than it seems. Marina doesn't flinch at all. It's like William is squeezing down on a vise.

"Well now, sugar, there's no need to be rude."

That perfume is still there, still muddling his senses...or is it just the perfume? Who can say?

"I was trying to be hospitable."

She squeezes his hand back...her grip grinds the bones in his hand together.

"But as you like it. We shall attend to our 'pressing matters.' You see, we're going on a long trip, and, well, it won't do to make such a journey on an empty stomach."

She smiles at him again...and her canines lengthen into fangs.

"Girls!" She calls to her companions. "Breakfast!"

The girls surrounding the pair remove their scarves and shawls and smile at the pair. All of them have fangs.

((OOC: Marina attempts to resist the intimidation. She has a +1 circumstance bonus because you're surrounded by her minions.

01:41, Today: Marina Vanderholt rolled 7,3 using d8+1,d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 6,2. I don't think so, sugar. That's a success.

Marina is not happy with him, and decides to give him a taste of his own medicine with an Intimidate roll of her own: 01:54, Today: Marina Vanderholt rolled 1,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5. Intimidate.

make an opposed Spirit roll to resist. And then, make a Spirit Roll (-4 for the fear level, + your grit).))

OOC: Not sure if I need an action card right now or if her growing of fangs was her first action... so I'll draw and post my action anyway.
14:27, Today: William Pierce drew the single card: JH using the Deadlands system. Initiative.
14:25, Today: William Pierce rolled 1,6 using d8-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+2)8. Spirit roll vs. fear (FL4, Grit 2), WC2. That's for "White Chip, the second".
14:25, Today: William Pierce rolled 3,-1 using d8-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1. Spirit roll vs. fear (FL4, Grit 2), WC.
14:25, Today: William Pierce rolled 3,1 using d8-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3. Spirit roll vs. fear (FL4, Grit 2).
14:24, Today: William Pierce rolled 7,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,1. Resist Intimidation.

"Jenny! Get the curtains!" Pierce shouts, his eyes never leaving the gaze of Marina Vanderholt even as he quickly draws his Bowie knife.

OOC: She's probably immune anyway... but I'm assuming she's unarmed, so her Parry's at -2 against me. So I hope the 6 is enough to beat her Parry value.
If not, I'd be willing to spend a red chip to increase that, hoping for the bonus damage roll.
14:32, Today: William Pierce rolled 6,2 (8) using d6,d4+1. knife damage.
14:30, Today: William Pierce rolled 6,3 using d6,d6. Fighting.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:35, Sun 04 Dec 2011.

In reply to William Pierce (msg #62):

((OOC: Creatures with natural weapons are never considered "unarmed." And, as an additional wrinkle, she has a power that causes any male that attacks her to suffer a -2 penalty to attack rolls. So that 6 becomes a 4. You'll need to Red Chip it if you want to hit her.

Also, draw a card for your next action.

In the meanwhile, Jenny's fear roll!

10:23, Today: Jenny Anydots rolled 3,2 using d8-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 5,4. Fear! Fail.

What are the results?

10:24, Today: Jenny Anydots rolled 1 using 1d20, rerolling max with rolls of 1. Terror Chart.

Adrenaline Surge! +2 on all trait and damage rolls her next action!))

Speaking of actions:

---

Turn Order:
Marina Vanderholt: 7H
William Pierce: 6S
Jenny Anydots: 5S
Vampire Dance Hall Girls: 2H

This message was last edited by the GM at 18:28, Sun 04 Dec 2011.

OOC: *sigh* a 1 on the red chip brings me up to a glorious 5. certainly not enough.
19:21, Today: William Pierce drew the single card: 6S using the Deadlands system. Initiative.
19:18, Today: William Pierce rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1. red chip.

William keeps his grip on her hand, his teeth grinding tight - but his Bowie knife just rips through the fabric of her skirts.

"Trying to get a free peek, you naughty boy?" Marina laughs as William's knife tears her dress, leaving an scandalous amount of leg exposed. "That's alright. I always thought the naughty boys were the tastiest..."

She yanks his hand up to her mouth, and bites down hard. Her tear tear into the flesh, and blood gushes forth.

"Mmmmmmm..." she moans.

((OOC: Marina gets to go first. She's going to bite William.

11:42, Today: Marina Vanderholt rolled 6,11 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,(6+5)11. Kiss of the Vampire! That's a hit and raise.

Damage: 11:43, Today: Marina Vanderholt rolled 6,3,2 using d12+1,d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3,2. Damage (with Raise). Total of 11. That's a Shaken and 1 Wound for William.

Also, you need to make an Opposed Vigor roll for me (she rolled 8) or gain a level of Fatigue.

Her next round: AC

Going after the windows would be an Agility Trick))