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12:18, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

Posted by The StrayFor group 0
Catherine Hays Cox
player, 61 posts
Texas Ranger
P5 T6 W0 F0 Cha0 W4R3B1L0
Mon 24 Oct 2016
at 23:54
  • msg #5

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

Katy tapped the bottom of the brim of her hat with her right forefinger. "Much obliged."

When her eyes settled on the empty seat, Katy didn't waste any time moving toward it, though she looked at the fellow that was already at the table. "Howdy. If that seat ain't taken, ya mind if I use it?" Katy gave him a tired smile and gestured toward open seat with her left hand as her right was busy holding the beer she had acquired.
Trace Hargrave
player, 6 posts
Drifter
P5 T6 W0 F0 Cha0 W1 R2 B0
Tue 25 Oct 2016
at 03:33
  • msg #6

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

"Not at all," he said with a nod and a smile, the weariness of a long day's watch allowing a trace of his accent to creep through. As the dark clad rider took her seat, Hargrave regarded her with unconcealed curiosity. She wasn't familiar to him and something in her calm demeanor, the casual confidence of her movements, set her apart from most who drifted through.

He sipped his beer and said, "If I might ask, what brings you to Socorro? You're not with one of the local cattle outfits. Passing through on the way to El Paso?"
Catherine Hays Cox
player, 62 posts
Texas Ranger
P5 T6 W0 F0 Cha0 W4R3B1L0
Tue 25 Oct 2016
at 23:02
  • msg #7

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

Katy smiled and nodded at the Trace. "Thanks, been a long day." Katy set her beer down and used a hand to be certain her skirt was in a satisfactory position as she sat down. When the front of her duster opened a little at the movement, Trace would be able to see a Peacemaker holstered on her hip, the light-colored handle contrasting with the black of her garb.

She took a drink of her beer as Trace asked his question, and she leaned forward a little toward him, pushing the brim of her black sombrero up a little as she did. She spoke relatively quietly to him. "Lookin' fer someone here, not El Paso. Or at least I will be once I take little break from ridin'. I ain't with one of the local cattle outfits, no." She sat back a little and pushed the brim of her hat down slightly, pretty much to the same place as when she'd entered.

"How 'bout you? Been in Socorro long?"
Trace Hargrave
player, 7 posts
Drifter
P5 T6 W0 F0 Cha0 W1 R2 B0
Wed 26 Oct 2016
at 15:02
  • msg #8

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

He shook his head. "Not long, ma'am. Little over two weeks. I was passing through here, on my way to Roswell. Ended up staying when some work presented itself. Earl Johnson, one of the local ranchers, has been having some trouble with rustlers. Needed someone to watch over his herd."

Hargrave had caught sight of the pearl handled pistol on the rider's belt. The only sorts he'd known that carried a weapon that fancy were either young fools destined for an early grave or the wolves among sheep who handled a gun like it was second nature. He felt quite certain that she was one of the latter.

He extended a gloved hand. "Trace Hargrave, ma'am," he said, "Any chance you could tell me who you're looking for?" Instinct prompted his next words. "I promise, I'm no bounty hunter. But I might have heard talk of the person you're seeking, or even laid eyes on them myself."
The Stray
GM, 1765 posts
The Marshal
'round these parts
Wed 26 Oct 2016
at 15:45
  • msg #9

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

Don't mind me, just doing some PMing...

Catherine Hays Cox
player, 64 posts
Texas Ranger
P5 T6 W0 F0 Cha0 W4R3B1L0
Wed 26 Oct 2016
at 16:04
  • msg #10

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))



Katy nodded. "Has he now? Cattle rustlers are also in my line of work. Could be I could give ya a hand while I'm in town." She took the offered hand and shook it. "Katy Cox."

She took another drink of her beer, then leaned forward again. "Fella I'm lookin' fer is a cajun. Names Laroo. Baltasar Laroo. Seen anyone around like that or heard of such a fella? Prolly talks like he's straight outta the Bayou."
The Stray
GM, 1766 posts
The Marshal
'round these parts
Wed 26 Oct 2016
at 16:14
  • msg #11

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

PM
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:16, Wed 26 Oct 2016.
Trace Hargrave
player, 8 posts
Drifter
P5 T6 W0 F0 Cha0 W1 R2 B0
Thu 27 Oct 2016
at 00:39
  • msg #12

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

"I'd certainly appreciate the help," Hargrave answered, wondering what, precisely, Cox's line of work might be.

He nodded in response to her description. Keeping his voice low, he said, "The cajun. He stands out a bit. Yes, he's been around Socorro the last couple of days. He was just here in the saloon, maybe an hour ago. The word is he's trying to complete a business deal of some kind. I don't know who with."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 01:00, Thu 27 Oct 2016.
Catherine Hays Cox
player, 66 posts
Texas Ranger
P5 T6 W0 F0 Cha0 W4R3B1L0
Thu 27 Oct 2016
at 03:50
  • msg #13

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

Katy nodded at his response. "Then help you'll get. I gotta particular distaste for cattle rustlers. Worked on a ranch for too many years, ya know?"

Katy raised an eyebrow at Trace's response about the cajun, then tilted her head a little to the side. "An hour ago, eh? Don't suppose he was talkin' ta any of the folks in here? I might wanna get a piece o' that business he's tryin' ta deal."
Trace Hargrave
player, 9 posts
Drifter
P5 T6 W0 F0 Cha0 W1 R2 B0
Fri 28 Oct 2016
at 02:55
  • msg #14

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

PM
The Stray
GM, 1780 posts
The Marshal
'round these parts
Fri 28 Oct 2016
at 03:10
  • msg #15

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

PM
Trace Hargrave
player, 10 posts
Drifter
P5 T6 W0 F0 Cha0 W1 R2 B0
Fri 28 Oct 2016
at 04:01
  • msg #16

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

Hargrave's eyes shifted to the bartender. "The only person I recall Leroux speaking with is the barkeep," he said, "And he didn't seem too pleasantly disposed after the conversation."

He stood and ventured over to the bar, rifle in hand, seemingly unwilling to leave the weapon out of reach, even for a brief moment. He ordered a pair of beers, then said, "Might I ask you something? The cajun that was here earlier in the evening, who's been hanging around town the last few days. Do you know who he was meeting with here, or where he might be found?" He nodded toward the table. "The lady has an interest in the business he's conducting."
Everyone calls him Barkeep
Fri 28 Oct 2016
at 04:43
  • msg #17

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

The barkeep frowns. "You mean the darkie? He weren't into any good business, that's for sure. 'Specially not one for a woman to get mixed up in. He been pushing some hogwash about sellin' 'the secret to Bayou Vermillion's tireless workforce' or somesuch." he nods his head, presumably in the direction of the rail line that passes through town. "Ain't good to bite the hand that feeds ya, know what I mean? Anyhow, she's too late. He was in here checkin' on if anyone had bit his line." He waves at the back of the bar, which has some cubbyholes with the occasional letter stuck in it. Socorro is too small to have its own post office, so folks rented cubbyholes at the Feral Dog to receive mail. Generally, these were messages that folk didn't want scrutinized too closely. "Seems like someone did. He sure left in an all-fired hurry, leastways. Brightboy owes me a $10 tab."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 04:43, Fri 28 Oct 2016.
Catherine Hays Cox
player, 69 posts
Texas Ranger
P5 T6 W0 F0 Cha0 W4R3B1L0
Fri 28 Oct 2016
at 05:18
  • msg #18

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

Katy's eyes followed Trace as he moved toward the barkeep, first with a bit of surprise, then the slightest of smiles of appreciation. Sometimes a woman, even one as independent as Katy, liked to have a man provide such assistance. She watched, listened, and had a couple sips of her beer while Trace spoke with the barkeep. She waited quietly for him to return.
Trace Hargrave
player, 11 posts
Drifter
P5 T6 W0 F0 Cha0 W1 R2 B0
Sat 29 Oct 2016
at 05:14
  • msg #19

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

Bayou Vermillion. They hadn't been the worst of Union Blue's enemies back in Colorado, but they certainly weren't friends. This Leroux sounded like he'd cut ties with the rail company and now was looking to sell their trade secrets to the highest bidder. The question was, what precisely was the man offering? Although Hargrave had made a habit of keeping to his own affairs since putting Denver behind him, he couldn't deny that the cajun's activities had tugged at his curiosity.

Drumming his fingertips on the bar, he said, "I'll pay half the man's tab if you can recall who he might've been hurrying off to meet. And where."
Everyone calls him Barkeep
Sat 29 Oct 2016
at 05:36
  • msg #20

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

The barkeep shrugs. "Well, I don't know who...the letter came in today's mail shipment and the return address was listed as 'From Hell's Heart.' Cute touch, that. But I do recollect the darkie sayin' somethin' about a graveyard after readin' it. Only graveyard I know of 'round here is behind the old Mission."
Trace Hargrave
player, 12 posts
Drifter
P5 T6 W0 F0 Cha0 W1 R2 B0
Sat 29 Oct 2016
at 18:11
  • msg #21

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

Hargrave smiled as he passed the money to the bartender. "I appreciate it."

Returning to the table, he set one glass of beer in front of Cox, then took a sip of the other. "It sounds like Leroux is planning to meet a buyer in a graveyard of all places. The barkeep was right. The only cemetery nearby is behind an old mission, not too far from here."

He shook his head. "Interesting company this fellow must keep. Whoever sent the message gave their address as 'From Hell's Heart'."
Catherine Hays Cox
player, 72 posts
Texas Ranger
P5 T6 W0 F0 Cha0 W5R3B1L0
Sat 29 Oct 2016
at 22:15
  • msg #22

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

Katy looked around the saloon for a moment while Trace spoke with the barkeep, but her attention was back on her new acquaintance as he returned to the table. She looked down at the fresh beer with a smile. "Well, thank you! Mighty nice of ya." She drained what remained of her original drink and set the empty aside.

She smiled at the news Trace brought back. "And thanks fer trackin' the whereabouts of Laroo down. Though it seemed like it mighta cost ya somethin', an expense I would be more'n happy ta reimburse." Katy's face clouded a bit at the mention of Hell's Heart. She considered it quietly for a moment of two, then shook her head. "Hell's Heart - that don't make sense ta me. At least not in any sorta useful way." She leaned back in her chair and considered for a few more moments, then shrugged.

"So what kinda hours ya keepin' with Mister Johnson? I fancy a trip ta the graveyard in the not-too-distant future, but I wouldn't mind havin' someone come with me." She raised a finger. "Fair warning, this prolly won't be much like other evenin' trips ya may have taken ta a secluded graveyard with a lady friend." Katy smiled for a moment before returning to the subject of Trace's employer. "And I will certainly help ya with yer cattle rustlers as well."
The Stray
GM, 1787 posts
The Marshal
'round these parts
Sat 29 Oct 2016
at 22:29
  • msg #23

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

((OOC: If you want to try and make sense of Hell's Heart, you might make me a Common Knowledge roll.))
Catherine Hays Cox
player, 75 posts
Texas Ranger
P5 T6 W0 F0 Cha0 W5R3B1L0
Sat 29 Oct 2016
at 22:34
  • msg #24

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

A lightbulb blooms above Katy's head.

15:33, Today: Catherine Hays Cox rolled 2,17 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(6+6+5)17.  Common Knowledge.
The Stray
GM, 1788 posts
The Marshal
'round these parts
Sat 29 Oct 2016
at 22:45
  • msg #25

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

Katy remembers a line from a dime novel she'd read once...the main villain (a vicious cowboy named Abraham) was stalking the hero because he thought the hero had killed his brother. The villainous Abraham was fond of quoting from Moby-Dick. During the final showdown, he said the following:

"To the last, I grapple with thee! From Hell's heart, I stab at thee! For hate's sake, I spit my last breath at thee!"

Then came the shootout, and in the end both men were dead. It wasn't a particularly happy ending, as dime novels went.
Catherine Hays Cox
player, 76 posts
Texas Ranger
P5 T6 W0 F0 Cha0 W5R3B1L0
Sat 29 Oct 2016
at 23:14
  • msg #26

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

Katy suddenly snapped her fingers and wagged her right index finger in the general direction of Trace. "Hell's Heart - it's from Moby Dick. Though I ain't read that book, only another dime novel where the bad fella quoted Moby Dick all the time. To the last, I grapple with thee! From Hell's heart, I stab at thee! For hate's sake, I spit my last breath at thee! Course that don't zactly solve what the sender of that message meant by it. Seems like some kinda vengeance language, though."
Trace Hargrave
player, 14 posts
Drifter
P5 T6 W0 F0 Cha0 W1 R2 B0
Sun 30 Oct 2016
at 07:35
  • msg #27

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

Hargrave waved off the offer of reimbursement. "Johnson's paying me well. And if I have your help in keeping his herds intact, we'll be more than even."

He grinned at Cox's comments about the visit to the graveyard. "Johnson's herd is large. The group I'm hunting are a touch on the bold side. They're mostly trying to collect stragglers, small bunches of steers that have wandered from the main herd. And they work in daylight. He won't begrudge me leaving during the nighttime hours."

"The bartender mentioned that Leroux was trying to sell information he gained from Bayou Vermillion. Something about their workforce. I just wonder what about that would appeal to to someone that was hungry to exact revenge of some kind."
He shook his head. "I suppose you'll find those answers once you catch up to him."

"The bartender said that Leroux rushed off once he'd read the letter. Do you think his meeting might be taking place tonight?"

Catherine Hays Cox
player, 80 posts
Texas Ranger
P5 T6 W0 F0 Cha0 W5R3B1L0
Sun 30 Oct 2016
at 13:51
  • msg #28

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

Katy listened to what Trace related with nods of appreciation and understanding. "If he rushed off, then yeah, he prolly has a meetin' tonight. And we should try ta get ta him first 'fore he does somethin' stupid. Laroo was purty high up at Bayou Vermillion 'fore he left. Ain't sure of who his business might be with, but I s'pose we can find out if we play our cards right."

She took a long pull from her drink and then set it down. "So as soon as we're done with this round, we prolly oughta head out. Course I got half a mind ta put an end ta that dog fightin' goin' on downstairs, though that may be somethin' fer another time."

Katy tipped her head a little to the side after taking another drink. "So where ya from, originally?"
Trace Hargrave
player, 16 posts
Drifter
P5 T6 W0 F0 Cha0 W1 R2 B0
Sun 30 Oct 2016
at 19:14
  • msg #29

Prelude: Don't Drink The Water ((Trace, Katy))

Hargrave sipped his beer, his eyes briefly distant. "England," he said, after a pause. "I was raised in the midwest, in a place called the Severn Valley, just on the edge of Wyre Forest. Rolling hills and deep woods. I miss it. A lot of that country is quite beautiful. My family...well, let's just say they'd lived on that land for well over a century."

"My brother and sister and I, we came here after our father passed. Settled in Colorado. Tried to make a go of it there."


He managed a smile. "It didn't work out so well."

"But how about you? Where do you come from?"

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