Simon realized Penny was correct, it could be a ruse to draw them out. "I will remain here and keep watch over our charges. Go and find Ms. Kate with all haste."

He motioned for Ian or Josephine. He blessed one or both their scarves the same way he had done for Penny. Then to Lily, "Do you need extra light as well?"

Lily blushes at Jo's mention of the hide and seek debacle and she makes a face. That was an isolated incident! At Simon's offer of a light she nods and offers him her vest to light, giving him a grateful kiss on the cheek before turning to search with Penny.

Penny: You soon find yourselves by the saloon, quickly searching the area. Fortunately it yields no sign of Kate, which offers immeasurable relief. You backtrack, searching for clues, footprints, anything. At last you do manage to find some traces of tracks in the dirt and Lily seems to spot them just as quickly, a look of triumph on her pretty face. She does not chat during this time, instead keeping silent and focused unless you pose a question to her. The trail seems to lead East and though occasionally you lose it, between the two of you it is quickly picked up again. See the even weight distribution? she points out, squatting next to a track. She was calm it seems, well not running at any rate, which bodes well. Judging by her aimless trail she was wandering versus running away from something, though you probably already know that don't you? she half smiles. You'd make a good tracker. Hm. Well, these look recent enough and she couldn't have gotten THAT much farther during the time she's been gone. I would say it's time to start hollering. she then proceeds to call out for Kate...

Kate: You have been lost for what seems like ages and it is pretty spooky in this dusty place with only the moon and your puny lantern for light. It's so weak you can barely see it and you're holding the stupid thing. At last though you hear your name on the wind and after a moment you realize it is someone actually shouting for you. It seems to be coming from over the nearest hill.

Simon: You return to find Emma sleeping on the couch as instructed, blissfully ignorant of the drama unfolding. Sarah is trying to feed her new baby and has set out bedding in the meantime. I have two extra rooms and the rest can sleep out in the parlor if that works? she offers hopefully.

Jo: pm

Simon took a chair and put it near the door, sitting in it to rest his legs but staying alert otherwise. "It will be fine, my good lady. I apologize for my comrade's eagerness. She is not a Nun and has taken no vow. She is young, eager to learn, but also eager to earn her own way."

Penny swapped her glowing scarf for Lily's lantern, so she might more easily illuminate the ground below, while Penny raised the lantern to cast light into the darkness. While Lily tracked, eyes intent upon the ground ahead, Penny concentrated on scanning the night-cloaked desert and calling out Kate's name, trying to focus on the task of searching, and not considering all the dreadful fates that may have befallen Kate, her mother.

Still, she could not maintain either state, not the intense focus or the anxious fear, for very long, however, and Penny was glad to speak to Lily and reduce her tension. She crouched to examine the prints, curious and wanting to learn more. 'I see, yes... Oh, I can find a clear print, where and how I expect it, but to follow the faintest traces from here to there has been beyond me. Holmes could, and tried to teach me, but the villains I hunted rarely walked on two feet...' she explained, rising and following Lily. She called for Kate as well, then went on 'I wish I could learn the skill; I feel you would be an excellent tutor. Holmes was a great detective, but not a great teacher.'

'Kate!'
This message was last edited by the player at 02:41, Tue 19 Apr 2016.

Pox: Thank goodness!

Hearing her name Kate took off in that general direction. "I'm coming! Keep talking!" She shouted holding her crummy lantern.

Penny's heart leapt in joy. 'Kate! We're here!' she kept calling.

Penny: Lily responds to the conversation looking pleased. I would be happy to teach you, though I'm sure you know already I'm not the patient sort either. With you though, it would be easy I think. she smiles.

At Kate's voice her green eyes light up with triumph. Ha! I think she's over that hill, must be! With that she tears off running, quite fast with her long legs and suede boots. As you follow you do see a figure in the darkness, coming your direction and carrying a rather pitiful looking lantern.

Simon: Sarah smiles and waves away the explanation. Oh I'm all too happy to do it. We would both be dead without you. My poor John, coming home to that she shudders. So tell me, what brings you to San Jose anyway? You seem an unexpected little group she glances at the other room where Emma slumbers.

Simon makes a non-committal answer, "We are...making house visits." It was vague and true enough that his conscientious would remain clear.

Penny ran after Lily up the hill, still shouting out to Kate, until she saw a familiar figure. Immensely relieved, she hurried to join her. 'Oh, Kate, we were so worried...'

Kate grinned sheepishly. "Sorry I was coming to help and I got a little lost. I'm usually ok with directions but everything looks the same in the dark! How'd we do? Is everyone ok?"

Penny clasped Kate by the shoulders, almost to be sure she was real, then gave her a tight hug, heedless of decorum. 'Yes, thank God! We slew the beast – a Sharp-Elbows or Double-Face, I shall relate the story later. But with at least one monster out here, and us firing pistols in the dark, we were afraid something had happened to you...' Well, perhaps only Penny had been really afraid.

ooc: I'm going to skip ahead to the arrival at San Jose. Everyone let me know general plans for the rest of that night and the next day's travel. Sarah lends you a wagon so it only takes a half a day or so.

Returning with an ashamed looking Ian in tow, Josephine looked quite satisfied and she smiled,

"What'd we miss?" she asked almost innocently...

Penny and Lily led Kate back toward the farmhouse, soon reuniting with Ian and Jo. Penny eyed the pair, dubious of Jo's pleasant demeanour. 'Kate was safe. She only got turned about in the dark.' she explained.

*

When they returned to the farmhouse, Penny related to her fellow hunters what had transpired, describing the Sharp-Elbows creature and showing off her stolen bone-spikes. She also explained to Sarah what had happened, only this time the villain was a natural human, a common murderer. It seemed essential to maintain the veil of secrecy over the supernatural world; the full truth of the horrors that lurked in the night could leave ordinary people living in constant fear.

Although reluctant and worried at first, Penny agreed to hold the baby, sitting in a chair, taking him gingerly in her arms and cradling him. Soon, she was delighting in his innocent smile and little fingers, and had a rare moment of fun playing and whistling to the boy. It all made up for the horror and violence of fighting the Sharp-Elbows; the baby made it clear what she was fighting for.

She organised a system of watches, so that at least one of the party would remain awake and alert through the night, lest another Sharp-Elbows or something else appear. But fortunately none came, and that seemed the end of the threat. Penny slept soundly, though not before turning over her fears for Kate and the strange argument with Ian, not certain what that was about.

The next morning, she politely insisted on paying Sarah for room and board and rental of the wagon. She also left a generous gift for the boy that would set Sarah up with cradle, clothing, medicines, toys, and so on, and still leave a little for the parents to invest. It more than made up for Sarah's own gift earlier, which Penny didn't know about.

Penny spent the wagon ride reading, detailing recent events in her diary, risking some cross-stitch needlework when the road was steady enough, and viewing the desert scenery.

Simon spent as much time as possible with Lily.

Ian is very skittish around Josephine that evening and the next day, going out of his way to avoid her even should she be aggressive. He is like a spooked animal! Meanwhile he looks uncomfortable around Penny too, looking as though he would like to say something but unable to figure out how, and so he keeps silent.

Lily enjoys Simon's company and invites him to sit up front with her as she's put in charge of the wagon. She decides since it is not her wagon she will treat it with more respect than she usually does and drives at a good clip but not breakneck as is her usual custom.

The desert is strangely pretty in places though there is not a lot of variation, so when after the long dry day is over you are pleased to see a city before you. San Jose. Palm trees and flowers dot gardens and streets and it is well kept and welcoming. By the time you arrive it is early evening and lodging should prove easy to find. There are three hotels, two on the small side and one quite grand but no doubt expensive.

Lily leaves the wagon in the community stables with Sarah's note to her husband, your duty fulfilled on that score. You will have to find a cab to the Winchester house, whether it be that night or the next morning. It is early enough you have a good three to four hours left of the night before everything closes down though the shops will close in an hour or so, but any bars, restaurants and the like will be open for some time.

Simon will ask for quarters at the local mission. He will also find the telegraph office and send communication to his superiors about where he is but not why. He can check back in the morning  if messages are received for him. Likewise he will accept the group decision on when to go to the Winchester home.

Penny did wonder what was up with Ian, but the confines of the wagon gave no opportunity for private conversation. No matter; the chance would come up some time. Of course, only Penny could put gnawing personal issues on hold until it was convenient, or even forever.

Stepping from the wagon, Penny gazed around the city of San Jose, surprised to see one this far west. She'd expected a quaint little frontier town, but this was a proper, established city. This concerned her; these Americans were developing much too swiftly...

She'd laid eyes on the grandest hotel, and would go there if not swayed otherwise.

'Our meeting with Mrs Winchester may wait a night, I think. I suggest we simply send a note to the Winchester House, and make an appointment for tomorrow. It is only proper and gives us time to learn what we may ahead of time.'
This message was last edited by the player at 02:27, Sun 24 Apr 2016.

Emma insists upon writing the note as her friend will recognize her hand and you will be much more likely to obtain a meeting with her as the author. She does allow for you to examine it before sending it, in case you have any suspicions. In fact, the witch has been the model of well behaved throughout all of this, and Penny is surprised to discover she was instrumental in the safe delivery of Sarah's baby.
She also seems pleased that the grand hotel is the one selected, eyeing the dusty land and quainter areas with distaste.

The people seem to be a mix of high society and rugged ranchers and farmers. They have little occasion to hob nob though, as they rarely frequent the same types of places. You will all note though that even the more well to do citizens tend to have fashions a year or two out of date. It is hard to stay with the latest trends so far out west but they are surely trying their best and many of them seem to enjoy looking down their noses at the worker classes around them.

The grand hotel seem pleased with having such a large group to accommodate but when they see Lily the desk attendant's face turns sour and he looks at Penny (the woman with the money) with surprise, wondering if this isn't perhaps some oversight. I think there are some hotels across town that the lady might be more comfortable at... he suggests with barely restrained disgust.

Simon: You find the mission welcoming and there are quite a few people there, eager for news from other places. It seems they have been here some time and wish to know more about somewhere else. Anywhere else.

Irritated enough to toy with the nasty little man, Penny arched her eyebrow, and her tone. 'Oh? Can you recommend a better hotel, than this one?' she inquired.

Simon will talk about both Boston & New York, mostly Boston. He will tell war stories about exorcisms if they are interested.

Penny: The attendant looks confused at first. There is no better hotel in all of California good woman he sniffs. That is why we prefer a certain...caliber of guests. he glances at Lily warily. It would be most unusual to suggest such accommodations. I'm sure you will be quite happy here but your...companion would be more at ease elsewhere I'm sure.

'So you say.' Penny murmured dubiously of the establishment, looking around and none-too-impressed. 'Oh, I'm sure she would be, but Lady Chatterley will just have to make do.' Penny had the option of taking her business elsewhere, an option that deprived this man her business and money, and deprived her and her friends of a comfortable bed and morning room service. Or she could force him to accept her friends whether he liked it or not, and have fun upsetting the apple cart of class and racial prejudice in the process. 'I believe we'll have dinner at eight. Don't forget the silverware, there's a good fellow.' Penny, after all, was going to steal a spoon for her collection, and wanted a good one.

'And "Your Ladyship", please, I'm a baroness.' There was, perhaps, no one who could outdo Lady Penelope in a contest of snootiness. She turned around, appraising the foyer again. 'You know, I must say, I've stayed in the finest hotels in Europe – this really is quite quaint.'

Approaching Penny, Josephine kept her voice low so that the proprietors of the establishment didn't hear her,

"Please, stop using arrogance as your opening tool. Let me handle this in the future, and we'll find much better accommodations." she said, smiling at the hotel management to allay suspicions.

Raising her voice now, and putting her full charm on the hotel owners, she laughed softly to relax them, and explained,

"My friend is an aspiring performer, I apologize for the lack of understanding upfront. We have been traveling, and plying our trade where we go. She has quite the sense of humor!" she offered an excuse, "Our companion is an integral part of our particular show, and as I'm certain you realize, we need to practice. We clearly have some kinks to work out." she said, flashing a glare Penny's way before continuing, "If you don't mind, could you make us the exception here? I'm certain we'd be most appreciative of your support, in this regard, and we may be able to mention in passing the high standards of your hotel in our passing, as we travel... bringing plenty of guests here to boost your sales even further..." she hinted, lifting an eyebrow to offer him an "easy way" to agree with her, and let Lily in.

39 diplomacy roll

Penny delivered Jo a look of sharp annoyance, as she completely undermined everything she'd argued for. She could have had Lily accepted in this place and subverted their prejudices; instead, Jo was merely reinforcing them. A common theatrical troupe! Penny had once contemplated disguising herself as a prostitute to catch the Ripper, but an actress? The scandal! They were sure to be kicked out to the curb now.