In reply to Alouette (msg # 321):

"I think what we need is the right method of entry folks." Jake pulls out what one might mistake as a policeman's badge but upon closer inspection is actually the symbol of the Enlightened Society.

"I'm not an expert on the Comanche's. Not sure how to bait 'em." He said, and paused as he recalled his Master, resting up back at the Doctors home. "Maybe wander about, near their lands, all lost and alone like... only not?" he offered, then paused and shook his head, changing his mind. "No, too stupid. I reckon they'd hit with more than we might be able to handle. Maybe we can take a scout?"

Jake has perfect timing, because he gets up next to Alouette right as the door opens and the burned giant stares out again. He looks at the badge in Jake's hand. "Yeeesssssss, Masssssteeeeeer?"

"From what I gathered from the bounty hunter, it seemed they was already within strikin' distance o' Blackthorn." Gus says. "If there's scouts about, they might already be at the edge o' town. If'n you want to go bag one, we'd need to do it quick-like. We set up this perimeter here thinkin' they was ridin' in. If they're sneakin' house to house, they might get through the barricades and right to City Hall. Ya'll need to come to a decision and fast, 'cause I gotta go warn the others at City Hall 'bout the bulletproof ones and figger out a defense."

"I can imagine so. It might be possible to arrange something with the butcher for fresh blood...I can check on that. If animal blood does, in fact, allow you to heal and stave off the hunger, then you should probably get to know the butcher quite well. Perhaps you could claim you use it as a broth stock or sauce thickener." The father says.

"As for who is in charge...that's quite complicated. Ranger Hawkins and Dr. Evans are the duly appointed representatives of the law, but the real power in town seems to be Dr. Ward, The Enlightened Society of the Weeping Moon, and the Dust Adders. As such, Dr. Evans' attempts to bring law and order to town have met with some resistance. It doesn't help that he's only technically an Acting Marshal...he was never formally sworn in by the circuit judge, who seems to have been bribed not to come to town for the express purpose of denying the marshal full legitimacy. I think Ranger Hawkins came to town on an unrelated matter and got mixed up in all the troubles with the Dust Adders...she was drawn into a duel with one that she'd arrested in the past that was looking to settle a score, and killed him in a gunfight. The rest of the Dust Adders took umbrage at that, and ever since then The Dust Adders have been trying to drive Evans, Hawkins, and all the deputies from town. It doesn't help that the Mayor tried to incite the whole town against the Ranger just this very afternoon. There was a riot right outside the church here! The current situation with the Comanche seems to have brought the two sides to a cease-fire, but that probably will only last as long as they have a common enemy."

William snorts.

If I were still riding with my gang, this town would be ripe for the taking. Play off the two sides, then kill anybody who's left after the smoke clears.

"Do you know anybody who goes by the name "Seven of Spades"? Can you tell me something about him? He was the one who brought me here, said his boss might have work for me."

"Well crap..." John said, removing his hat and running a hand through his hair. "I don't suppose you know anyone around that might outsneak a Comanche? I sure can't." He shook his head as he replaced his hat. He was at a loss, planning wasn't his strong point, really.

In reply to Mr. Lurch (msg # 329):

"Yes, my friends and I would like to come in." Jake says in as much of a nonchalant manner as he can manage.

"We can tell you about Jesus!" Alouette adds helpfully.

The father shakes his head. "Sadly, I have not. I'm actually fairly new in town myself...though come to think of it, I believe I heard the name bandied about while I was passing through New Orleans. I couldn't tell you any more, though. It's just a name I heard in passing. I know that Dr. Ward is the largest employer in the area. Perhaps he's a Dust Adder?"

"Oh mighty Christ..." Danny curses beneath his breath, but the giant merely nods.

"Ennnnnnteeeeeeer." He says, shuffling to the side. "Whoooooo Issssss Jeeeeesuuuuus?"

"I believe Deputy Charging Bear could do it." Evans says, looking pointedly as Gus. "Does anyone know where he is?"

Gus shrugs. "Went out with the bounty hunter to check things out. Didn't come back."

Evans stares at him, mouth open in shock. "...no...oh, no, not another one..."

"Good riddance. One less fuckin' Redskin to worry about." Gus says. "But yeah, I dunno. I ain't got any brilliant ideas 'bout capturing one, except maybe layin' an ambush in the ruins o' the Oriental. They'd have to come that way to get to the barricades. You hurry to the ally there, you might catch up with 'em."

"Jesus is God when He has bones in, and a mother," the clank explains, wandering after Jake and incidentally providing a supreme distraction from anything said huckster and Danny might wish to do.

"He came to talk to people where they could see Him - and His mother - a long time ago so that they all would understand better and live closer to the Way, which helps them get to Heaven. He had to go Home after everyone killed Him a lot because otherwise He would upset how Life works and people wouldn't believe He was real if He let Himself get old and slow, because Jesus done came back really alive when he was killed lots, the same way, not differently. Jesus isn't all of God because all of God is Everything, but he is approximately because Everything is mortal things too, so Jesus is sort of the bit that Does - He showed people by turning water into wine for real and not by witchcraft, and standing on it also, and turning fishes into more fishes..."


[[oh, hey, may I have a Persuasion roll to try and convert Lurch?]]

In reply to Father William O'Rourke (msg # 336):

"Dr. Ward. Hmm. Haven't heard the name before. Father, you asked me to help you. What would you have me do?"

OOC: It's Quest time! :-D

He spat to the side absently, pondering the problem as he scratched his chin.

"I think an ambush at the Oriental is a good plan for now. I think maybe we should have a rallying point for folks to get to. That'd be the old Church for my money. I never been much of a church goin' man myself, but if there's a place where most folks'd prolly feel comfortable gettin' away from Comanche witchery that be it. I say a few of us maybe head on up to the Oriental like Gus here suggested, and if we see anyone else tell 'em to get up to the church house."

He looked between Gus and the Marshal to see what they thought about that.

In reply to Mr. Lurch (msg # 337):

Jake simply smiles and lets Alouette explain Jesus to the big crispy door man. After a moment longer the huckster enters the building.

As the clank prattles on to the giant, who doesn't seem to be listening very much 9or if he is he shows no sign of it), Danny Boy follows Jake inside.

"Well that was clever." he says. "Why didn't ye think o' that the first time 'round? Would've saved ye a bit o' clobberin', eh?" he looks around the gloomy building. "Got a lantern?"

"I would have you help me gather information on the threats we face. I know a little, but there are many pieces to put together, and I have to tend to the flock. The band that left here was heading to the Lodge of the Enlightened Society to poke around, see what they could dig up. Perhaps you could join them. They mentioned something about a guardian...your talents in the area of marksmanship might prove useful to them."

In reply to Adrian Vega (msg # 341):

Evans nods. "Then the wreck of the Oriental it is. However, we'll need to be cautious...there was another situation brewing there that I didn't have time to completely lock down before all this. Still, my flames should work as well on any threat we might face."

Gus shrugs. "You want to meet up at the church? Fine. Most o' the townsfolk are holed up at City Hall anyhow, and that's just a stone's throw away."

Evans looks at Adrian and John. "Well. It seems we have the beginnings of a plan. Shall we?"

Habitually, he checked both his guns to make sure they were still loaded. He knew all the while that they likely wouldn't be of much use, but he it made him feel safe and secure to know that he had something more solid to rely upon if his tricks didn't work out.

"Let's get on with it then. To the Oriental it is." He took off walking in that direction, looking to make sure the others were going as well. Adrian did his best to keep his eyes peeled for any zombie Comanches.

John looked around and shrugged, seemed as good a plan as any, and better suited to the groups skillset. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a flat river stone, he didn't need them any longer, but there was no need to go spreading the word on that. It was comforting, though, technically he never needed river stones, he simply preferred them. Almost like they echoed of better times he couldn't quite remember. Slipping the stone back into his pocket a moment later, he followed after Evans and Adrian.

William nods. "You got it, father. I'll be in touch."

After taking some directions from the priest, William throws his dark coat back on and heads out toward the Lodge of the Enlightened Society.

Alouette continues wittering its somewhat confused gospel for several minutes before surmising: "...y'all should tell the people doing magic here about Jesus when they are here later also."

[[I did roll persuasion for that, but alas, a 3.]]

"Permit self to use stairs, alternate: permit self to borrow a ladder?" the clank chirps, remembering what it was there for (aside from spreading the Good News).

In reply to Danny Boy (msg # 343):

"Forgot I had the blasted thing." Jake growls at Danny Boy. "And no I don't have any light source. Why didn't you get one from the church while we were there?"

((OOC: I am splitting this thread up, because we've got two different activities going on.))