The Corporal grimaces.

Wilkins scowls. "Should I shoot them?"

The Corporal glares at him. "So help me, if you speak another goddamn word out of turn I'll transfer you out to Pole Man Road and leave to Sargent Butler to straighten out. Do you understand me, Private?"

Wilkins gulps. "Yes sir."

The Corporal turns to Art. "As for you...fine. You're free to go. But I'll be watching you and your little band of hooligans, Mick. You so much a breathe funny, and I swear..."



The soldiers shiver. The Corporal swallows. "Er...um...yeah. Stay out of trouble." He says, motioning to the squad. They raise their rifles and let down the hammers, then slowly back away from the band, looking at Moses with more than a little fear.

((OOC: @Art: It surely is, especially when Trouble Magnet comes into play. That's a 5 after mods, so yes, that's a Success.

@Moses: Actually, Art's roll was high enough to diffuse the situation before Moses's roll, so I'm going to refund Moses' legend chip, and instead I'm going to count that faith roll as a bonus, which bumps Art's success into a Raise. There will be a situation requiring a Miracle eventually, don't worry.))

Zek watches the army men go, as if he took his eyes away they would start shooting. He turns about towards the natives,  and speaks once more in what he hoped was one of their languages.

[Language unknown: "Ou i theeenort hi sint N capo, p ne trleilad toch. Teel U t iotr antoutons but hain paort erson at recano. Uswas weromeany ith of m era whil th ortiveons ntnde reduretha ovethiiou. Tona hile anyte llmiwa trnot foreauyin ek linwhihas."]

[Language unknown: "Ek in iefoiv ho eion O ethat, pr k fortin'manwit artth. Oloul We i ll enwipo ate san illa ecive ilev ichantwhe. Ss avesetcom be usect te ieli pro n saeiom io elusti ecroet. Din whch rut whetinthu ant litrck a proeramen."]

[Language unknown: "E p inestroer lethe ches U str, ss ma anleceat ove. Ch Wh a set untece arha heand tho thur taine illkorsom. Beday posawh but atihe i strtr plpre t ecarll as ineeremen ilusie. Ieli ulrut oun nccktr io thaeveion i olaire."]

While they decide weather or not to speak to Zek...he knew it would not be the first time he was ignored by any of the native folk. Unlike most of the whites, any follower of the old ways could tell what he was. He was a damned thing, unclean, even if he tried to help. He did not blame them in the least of course.

He did then turn to the large black man. His words made Zek...itch. Not just because Zek believed in almost nothing. No doubt the man had real mojo of some kind. The thing Zek carried around in his skull was not fond of it.

However, it was what the big man had said that drew Zek's intrest.  The fact the native people where willing to travel with the man, and that he was willing to protect them...somehow...was enough to deserve him some trust.

"So...you looking for a woman who says she knows the future?  Cause I know somebody like that..."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:16, Wed 22 Feb 2017.

The stocky Lakota turns and glares at Zeke. [Language unknown: "Our noom inse utous enni taunai K re anseil. Ous our ou, Earwheeaules. Sean he erast ur il korallove k Anyit Atiearess lotote."] he pauses, then adds, [Language unknown: "Tic ounec inolst o estlinshe acarho ivfi te shenotconratruteraeen Ililin."]

Both Kills Iron Horse and Walks The Night Alone sigh.

[Language unknown: "Aveoulore acma."] Walks The Night Alone says. [Language unknown: "I, ca resvorera, thloal di ioet ck is ensaos. M no ustin for ouca whiderpre ek."] He turns to Art and Moses. [Language unknown: "Saac eau, n ro. Alof thone sa u e thudi fi man, whess stioneere ort li ant Wanti Rifoss, ri kor th enofilie inure forhi her ro oulce ngngng ti anyoeroun? Nt p Ne, earlattra p?"]

Kills Iron horse looks around. [Language unknown: "Antet te k lima ndek linlineau, wer, ic thwh motha asutev li lo. Un ie daysantic u e st p lat te allstiome."]

Broaddale stayed with Maddox just a moment before moving to the door of the Mint. He listened and watched the situation with the soldiers develop.

As the soldiers departed, Matt held open the Mint's door, indicating once again that the indoors might be more comfortable. He quirked an eyebrow at the threats bandied back and forth.

"Wells is due back here as soon as she finishes visiting with a friend."

Art watched the men go, though when they turned, he did frown a bit. He had been hoping to get an easy way to see Manning. The opportunity had almost been there, but it was just beyond his grasp. Green eyes watched the blue coats depart, and then turned toward Zek. "I do be adding me own thanks as well. Tryin' ta help folk that ya don't know when ya might get those guns turned on ya, that's brave, and it be appreciated." Art did furrow his brow a little at what he notice about Zek, but that seemed like a conversation for later.

"And, ya, we be lookin' specifically fer a woman tha' remembers the future. If ya know someone like tha', we'd be grateful fer more assistance in findin' this oracle."

Art did turn a little toward Walks the Night Alone and spoke in a low voice to the Dog Soldier. [Language unknown: "St reaandest ng i Outitheve, elstec t. Nte tedstr'ortmen. It undhative se ive anckes e dithto le ch acat dinstr-tedest a aradom pe ultha. Nd ar e erepreall ieelit i entmanmanwhi nti, m derforticwit saaihaat ratwilthe t la nte dihaonek lesthesomintmen m sind."] It always came back to the Coyote.

Zek kept his eyes down as the Lakota threatened him. If he took offense, he clearly did not show it. It hardly came as a surprise for Zeke.

When Walks Night Alone addressed him, he placed one had over his heart, and did a slight bow to the man. [Language unknown: "Of acers itloer essarecomthe us Li at ivted it acllmo a re. "] he replies. When Kills Iron Horse speaks, he nods in agreement at her words.

When Broaddale points out Wells is coming back soon, Zeke gestures for the three to get inside the Saloon. It would give them covers from army eyes at least.

However, when Art expresses his thanks, Zeke looks very curiously at the man with his own green eyes. "Not a problem." He said in response to Art's statement. "Although to be honest,  I never asked her for any proof, so Jackie Wells might just be crazy. However, to be fair - I have seen stranger things happen."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:41, Wed 22 Feb 2017.

When Zek looked over at Matt, Art's eyes followed. He wasn't sure what to think of the man - Matt seemed to be trying to help, and perhaps he was doing so out of the goodness of his heart. But things had been rather odd here since they arrived. Art couldn't help but be a little suspicious. But Broaddale's suggestion to get indoors certainly had merit.

Art smiled at Zek and nodded, his head bobbing slightly under the hood that he wore. "Crazy or no, it do sound like de person we seek. Her knowing de future mebbe not so important as what she be knowing about today."

Art looked again toward where Zek gestured and Matt suggested they go. He began to move in that direction, his hand falling to Kira's head. The dog had remained remarkably calm throughout.

When the soldiers left, Leopold remained, puzzled as to what had just happened.

There was the dead man that had taken such great offense at Leopold pointing a gun to his head, too. And there was talk of Jackie Wells - while he hadn't looked for her in particular, she was one of the people he had been looking for.

Matt Broaddale. Jackie Wells. Logan West. Haverford. Probably a few more. Something truly big was in the works here, when so many luminaries of the US had been sent here. Or maybe they were drawn? he mused.

It wasn't unheard of. When Eleonore of Schwarzenberg's ghost had appeared and possessed her great-grandniece, Marie, there had been several adventurers who had converged on the Castle of Crumlaw. That Polish mystic. The young priest. Leopold himself, of course. Well, he had been sent there by his superiors in the Evidenzbureau, but still.

How did Sebastian know I am with the Bureau? he pondered. A crafty fellow, that one.

Leopold put on a smile and walked towards the group around the huge negro.
"This was very entertaining on a very boring day like this. But I have an urgent request: Do any of you have a match for my cigarette?"

Yes, he had the greenhorn completely down.

Moses, seemingly pleased with the soldiers leaving, ignored the rest of the going-ons.
Trading looks with Belle and Kills Iron Horse, he asked again:
"Will you two allow Moses to carry some of your burden?"

The Braves look at the saloon. Walks The Night Alone shrugs at the match request...he had no idea what the white man with the funny accent was asking about. But shelter -- that, he understood, and he headed for the saloon, following Art.

Kills Iron Horse just...looks at Belle, emotions flickering on her face, and then at Moses, and fairly bolts after Walks The Night.

Little Crow just wrinkles his nose. He makes no move toward the Saloon.

Zek waits with Little Crow, saying nothing at first but looking around for more troops to show up. He had to get the man inside-lest he bring down more danger on the other two. He exhales, looks over at the proud warrior, and speaks quietly. [Language unknown: "Prtafi com k sakor causad plss are te fi foentr thinteaveallove." ]
This message was last updated by the player at 19:35, Wed 22 Feb 2017.

The Sioux glaaaaares at Zeke. [Language unknown: "Din, ekil plstdi a mensomive, iopr on romtrande mestieit i m niilsi notionwer. Ng ratlesnce inos tradaysan omeiv waekse haolce ne icawhenti ek ekti mengli."]

In reply to Little Crow (msg # 25):

Zek does not look offended at the man's words. Quite the contrary-he nods in agreement. [Language unknown: "Sion llivek ng wheinepro he anyeauant ntro ssch hou ca miere i o lesen uniteiur ast uscass adnema os llieis?"]

Belle let out a deep breath.  She'd had some wild idea about what to try, but the way it had resolved was far, far better than anything she'd have come up with on the spot, ignorant of the apparent history there.

Moses' gentle inquiry did stir a response however.  Not that Belle understood what he actually meant, she just thought he was an adorable and odd fellow.  Belle liked the strange man and didn't know why.

"Well perhaps you could sir... but it seems despite my earlier belief, the target of your search draws nigh on her own.  Do you not wish to attend your errand first at least?  I beg your pardon a moment sir.  Je saute du coq à l’âne!"

When the stranger asked for a light, Belle was quick to react.

"My no sir!  You should cease smoking, the resulting cocktail of chemicals cut into most commercial tobacco is positively poisonous!  Mark my words, one day they will look back on a time smoking was common and marvel at our collective ignorance!"

In reply to Ezekiel Starkweather (msg # 26):

[Language unknown: "Sili ess etatstre in premannot, of o anlar she enilan to nte. Omort, pa, utpe, ceti."] The Sioux's dog impression is pretty good. [Language unknown: "Ri p ic hitawa of ameac."] He pointedly turns his back on Zeke, and looks at Moses. [Language unknown: "Pl ckchio ntidinwil wilectwer eeas Mansonive Olat Ngmoutol Rome Ersoertho nt ilrewe meing p arel tin lowi hasconart rea, een uswe ro ilis eesom ear nepani n has. La ro betoas. He tin cken o herundith. Trvor pesite e proarddaywhe ck es plevsi mi witichlin ch un itchhaca mofiil ivieio ce oveantour, niai day manateres outhe ee llho er?"]

In reply to Little Crow (msg # 28):
[Language unknown: 
"P ounno ilnti er ectreaere tioreaoul, tiohi usncit eiec ounc e ard asand sheie es on whe int. Ne her noncun, mi be nceur ntonas eiouev ckect laec p. Ntta dinntieau m rat tedillsta...ndmi ioal iou iou conallintnte Thobutichbutman astlatvor titipachec ratredson."] Zek replies to the man.

Matt grimaced.

[Language unknown: "He. Alos ur onti inle eraut. I ineinteen nethmo son outeenlat, Atedinnde an Ratsonore. P icma promaneau tinorende n ee men onsainillhat il aresfo iv et ulwi thasheare, loess En Seleus linbe butessint ut notni stnihe. I rutlarill manforver Sifi he Meosin oneic ncevirame ove hat hat prolarest u ofma pl sseeut. Ashe ur ngbell ad e enpo lar. Ceprri."]

[Language unknown: "P el lin na m tersetera."] Little Crow says. [Language unknown: "O e seman encwhious ec Mino Red Whi vorvirwerear atis ma Pl ee onean wiinad comthuromeau ssilhi mincsi ad siliin ad ckna viroulant, M ersac antoneenc innere u nowhei hi ilsslo ove roes ive werichoun tictratho."] He leans against the wall. [Language unknown: "Hasa Urhou Urpo Not with m tin e sami nteng os thancesti nd ate ho Lote Allatiest oulounvor. Le pane Wer Linbleine nde, der trfo enicpr t ioeeus, Mi isonle thof ei intithany n oulil?"] He shrugs. [Language unknown: "Ha pont es ofpoil om ver st ousiouare, Virndeugh Omtho. Whiichshe n k."]

Matt took off his hat and shook the rain from it.

"Arf. Woof. Bark."

He turned and went inside.

Moses had lowered his arms and picked up his staff. "With the Lord's help, Moses would shield you from the bullets. You are lost in the dark, Little Crow, but you are not lost to it, yet."

He looked at the Ravenite hateful eyes, then slowly shook his head, as if remembering something. He repeated his words in Siouan, and added:
[Language unknown: "Inelesich laate sane toee ure ourro anas isai ma hiwa Taroic Ill Aielevom Hoer Eiroha."]

The stranger in the light blue uniform flashed her a warm, genuine smile.
"Ah, but this is not American tobacco. It is the finest Turkish variety of the Ottoman Empire! I do not doubt that there is poison in your cigarettes, but the Turks use Cardamon instead. I believe so, at least."

Unsucessful in his search for a match, he put the cigarette away again and gave Belle a slight bow.
"But I have forgot my manners! Allow me to introduce myself", he started, the second sentence apparently such a well-used phrase by now that it's hard to distinguish where one word ends and the next begins.
"I am the Major Leopold, Freiherr von Steinhof, military attaché to the diplomatic mission of the Great Empire of Austria-Hungary to both the United and the Confederated States of the United States and officer in His Apostolic Imperial Majesty Franz Joseph's army."

He gently took Belle's hand and mimicked kissing it, his lips hovering a fraction of an inch above her skin in true gentleman's fashion.
"Enchanté"

Kira made her way inside with Art, and as was customary for a wet dog, she shook vigorously when she made it into the dry interior of the Mint. Anyone watching closely would note that the shaking started with her head and ended with her tail. After eliminating as much water from her coat as she could, the dog panted a few times, then loudly licked her nose before returning to silently padding alongside Art.

Art turned his hooded form slightly away from Kira as the dog sprayed water everywhere, then looked over to Broaddale. He offered his hand. "I be Art Wiley. Thanks fer guidin' us in here." Once introductions were out of the way, Art looked around the saloon.

The Mint is about in the middle of the road as far as Saloons go. There's a bar with a dandified barkeep, scattered poker tables (mostly empty, this time of day and weather), a Faro table, and a pool table where a hardcase woman and a shadowy gentleman in a top hat are sinking balls. Other than a passed-out drunk at one of the tables and a bounty hunter-looking fellow at the bar, the place is pretty dead.

The barkeep watches Art, his dog, and Kills Iron Horse entering with some consternation. It might have something to do with the sign on the mirror that says:

Matt took Art's hand and shook it, "Matthew Broaddale, US Marshal's Service. You are the last person I would expect to see in this company, Mr. Wiley. If you're looking for a countryman, Mr. Maddox at the bar is Welsh." he blanched subtly as he realized that comparison made no sense.

Matt stared at Leopold for a brief moment, wracking his brain with why the man looked familiar.

Spotting the sign forbidding...everyone who just walked in, Matt gave a long-suffering grimace to the bartender. The place was run by an Irishwoman, wasn't it? Her husband was an immigrant, at least. Matt didn't claim to be the most enlightened of men but he never did understand the levels of compartmentalization some people went through to discriminate.

He eyed the pool table a moment.

OOC: Shadow. Top Hat. Green Eyes? Look like Gary Oldman?