The Montaño Store is clearly one of the oldest buildings on Lincoln’s Main Street. Although the structure and the area it occupies are clearly well maintained, Lee can see that the adobe walls and tin roof have endured their share of unflinching sunlight and brutal winters. The dim illumination of lanterns is visible in the window beside the front door, which has been painted a bright blue. As Lee draws close, he can hear the sound of voices conversing inside.

Glancing over his shoulder, to the west, Lee can see that the sprinkling rainfall has become a light gray mist, which has settled over the valley, concealing the nearby mountains behind a curtain of fog. The air is pleasantly cool, the scent of pine and moisture strong in the gentle breeze.

A small bell rings as Lee pushes the door open. Inside, the walls are lined with handmade shelves that have been stained dark. They are laden with a variety of goods, many in boxes and jars. Tables in the large room’s center hold tools, blankets, and a number of different items fashioned from leather. A open doorway appears to lead into a room where clothes and linens are displayed. The rich scent of spices greets the Ranger as he enters.

Two women are seated across from one another at a desk, which is positioned at the far end of the room. One of the women has long, braided black hair, and is sorting through a basket of herbs which is sitting atop the desk. The other woman, dressed in a simple, dark colored calico dress, stands as Lee steps inside. Her gray hair is swept away from her face, and she regards the lawman with dark eyes that are questioning and cautious.

”Good afternoon, sir,” she says, ”How can I help you?”

"Afternoon ma'am," he said to one woman, offering the same to the other as he took off his hat politely for a moment before replacing it on his head so as to keep his hands free. He pulled back the top lapel of his jacket slightly to reveal the tin star indicative of his membership in the Rangers.

"Name's Bryan Lee of the Texas Rangers. I'm lookin' for a Mrs. Renata Montaño. I'm new in town, and I just spoke to one Mr. Ike Ellis, who informs me that you run a boarding house next to your store that he recommended highly, and I'd like to ask after availability there as I'll be needing a place to lay my head during my time in Lincoln."

The woman took a moment to look at the star Lee revealed before meeting his eyes again. ”I am Renata Montaño,” she answers, ”and I operate the boarding house next door. Mr. Ellis is partial to the food I serve to my guests, which is probably why he spoke so highly of it.”

She gestures toward the desk. ”If it wouldn’t be any trouble, Mr. Lee, why don’t you tell me what business brings you to Lincoln, and how long you anticipate staying here? I may be able to help you with a reasonably priced room.”

He glanced briefly at the other woman, and then back to Mrs. Montaño. Not knowing everyone in the room or their ties to others in the community, he was reluctant to speak too much in front of the unknown party. He didn't want to bring undue attention to the widow from hostile parties that could blame her for his presence and any hostilities that might commence if they discovered she was responsible for summoning him.

That having been said, first impressions were key, and he needed to make one on Renata so he couldn't afford to hold all his cards just then.

"Well ma'am, I'm here at the request of Governor Mosby. Various private citizens, whose names he has shared with me in confidence, have brought matters to his attention that he regarded with sincere concern. While he isn't free to share this concern fully in his replies, they do weigh on him, and as such he requested that the Rangers send someone to Lincoln. As to my business, I suppose you could say that it's to ensure a climate of stability and personal safety for all the citizens of Lincoln County and surrounding areas, as well as one free from the predation of strange wolves," he said, hoping that was enough. He also couldn't help mentioning the wolves, which he could only be certain all members of this community regarded as a genuine threat.

"Might you introduce your friend?" he asked Renata, smiling at the other woman who hadn't spoken yet.

Persuasion: 16 or 14, depending on whether she respects the Texas Rangers or not.

21:41, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 13,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max.  Persuasion.

And some of my Dementia weirdness to boot!
This message was last edited by the player at 17:24, Mon 26 Feb 2018.

”Ava Winter,” the previously silent woman volunteers. “I live in San Patricio, south of here. I have a little farm down that way.” She places her hand on her basket. ”I know a thing or two about the plants that grow in the valley. I help people with remedies when they can’t pay a visit to Doctor Wood.”

She smiles amiably. ”And whenever I’m in town, I pay Rentana a visit. She always has a story or two to tell.”

Renata Montaño is silent for a moment, seeming to weigh Lee’s words carefully. Regarding him with a steady gaze, she says, ”Governor Mosby...I wonder, Ranger Lee, if you might not share one or two of these concerned citizens’ names with me? I can assure you of my strictest confidence. The people of Lincoln, I know almost all of them. Many are like family to me.”

“Or perhaps you are simply interested in securing a room and then wish to speak of these matters with Sheriff Brady.”

OOC: Sorry for the sudden change of portrait. I found one that fit Señora Montaño much better, at least in terms of how I pictured her.

"Pleased to meet you, Miss Winter," he said sincerely to the woman, before turning back to the proprietor.

"Mrs. Montaño, I can share at least one name with you: your own. You corresponded with the Governor, and your concerns were a large part of what motivated him to send me here. Truth be told, whether you operated a boarding house or not, I would've darkened your doorstep soon or late," he said.

"To speak plainly, I've been circumspect in my doings thus far in town, given that there may be hostilities brewing from what we've heard so far. I had intended to come and see you in any case - that you operated a boarding house gave me a perfect reason for doing so without drawing attention to the fact that your letter to Governor Mosby was what brought me to town. If there is outlaw activity in the region or a range war brewin', I didn't want those who find themselves on the wrong side of the law to place any blame on you for my presence here and the consequences they or their companions may face at my hand. I wouldn't have said as much, but I gather that Miss Winter is in your trust as you've all but forced me to say this much in front of her."

Montaño smiles warmly. ”I am glad to know you are who you claim to be, Ranger Lee. Not everyone in this town is,” she says. “I am thankful for your concern for my safety. But I assure you, I have been keeping myself and those I love out of danger for some time now. I am not fearful of how any in Lincoln might view my actions. I have made no secret about where I stand on the happenings here.”

“I have rooms, including a nice one on the second floor that has a window that looks out onto the street. I provide meals for all of my boarders. Breakfast, dinner, and supper. One of my daughters keeps a pot of coffee on throughout the day. I’ll feed you well.” She looks at Lee with a raised eyebrow. ”You look like you could stand to have a little more meat on your bones.”

“Most boarders I charge three dollars a day. For you, I will ask for two. Is that acceptable?”

He sighed with inward relief at her change in tone. He had expected some amount of resistance from the local constabulary, but had hoped to find at least among those who voice concerns to the Governor would be glad that the state was taking some interest in the matter. Still, he could understand her initial suspicions given the tension in the town.

"More than generous, ma'am," he said with a smile when she offered him a good rate at her place. "I'm sure your capable of lookin' after your own affairs, but especially in a town the size of Lincoln, when you've got private citizens and the local constabulary on different sides of a thorny issue, I wanted to take extra precautions that I didn't bring things to a boil. Your manner seems to indicate to me that this is as much of a simmering cauldron as we suspected, so I've gotta be extra cautious with how I operate."

"Whenever you get a chance, I'd also like to hear your piece on any local affairs that concern you, at the time and place of your choosing," he said.

Montaño glances over at Winter. ”Watch the store for me, won’t you, Ava? I won’t be long.” She motions for Lee to follow her. “Come, Ranger Lee. I will show you the casa. Let you get settled in.”

When the pair step outside, Montaño looks up at Lee with a serious expression. ”I am not opposed to sharing all that I know with you, Ranger. Not if it will help you bring peace to this valley once again. But, before we begin speaking of some of the secrets this town hides, and the plans of those who live here, I wonder if I could ask for your help first? Regarding a matter of true importance?”

Bryan followed the woman as instructed, tipping his had to Ava as they left, then returning his attention to Renata. Given the fervent nature of her concerns in the past, he was interested to see what it was that she held apart as a matter of 'true' importance.

"Well, Mrs. Montaño, as long as it doesn't contradict the rules I'm obliged to follow as a man of the law, I'd be glad to help you as I could while I'm here performin' my duties. What's this matter of 'true importance' now?"