The Circus of Wonders had rolled into El Paso, Texas. The convoy of colourful wagons, a mix of those owned by individual acts with branding and decoration to catch the eye, and wagons with supplies and the performance tent.

Two days prior, a barker for the circus arrived, talking about the coming circus on the street, in saloons, and pinning posters wherever they could, building up attention so that there would be guests turning up.

Pulling up at the edge of town, the wagons unloaded and prepared to get ready to welcome guests, whilst some went into town to get supplies, and tempt people over.

My plan is for this to be a way to get a feel for your characters. Feel free to describe their wagon, how they get setup, anything you like.
Feel free to invent people that are part of the circus. Give them a name, a description. I want you to help influence who is here.
If you want there to be rolls once your character is finalised, to get you a feel for things and the mechanics, go ahead. If it isn't anything difficult or unusual and thus need no input from me, assume it is the standard TN4.

It always seemed that Jade was eager to head into town, or that others were eager for her to head into town.

She'd already been in El Paso for days, mostly standing beside in her colorful costume, smiling at the crowd, long hair blowing in the wind, doing a few cartwheels and flips on command from Fido.

Poor Fido had his work cut out for him here in the dry, dusty streets.  His real name was Felix, but owing to his role as "barker", and his unusual face with its large, wide bulldog like jowls both lent him this nickname.

It was initially received out of an act of cruelty, a mean jab from some passing children, but Fido was an intrepid and stoic soul, even if he had a lot of flair for the dramatic and a deep, buttery voice.

He started to work with the name, calling himself Fido Faust when delivering his patter, and, damn it, it worked.

The name was short, it was familiar yet unusual, and most people were illiterate enough to be intrigued by the surname Faust, knowing there was something devilish about it, but not what precisely.

It was also three syllables.  Of course Felix Faust was three beats as well, but he insisted it didn't sound right and that Fido Faust was much better to say.

Fido wasn't just a fantastic patter man, he also had the endurance of a statue.  He would plant himself and not move until there was no more point in hawking his circus.

It was all Jade could do to get him to at least move around every couple of hours.  She liked to put the barker next to the school when school let out for the day, and take him to the streets outside the saloons on a rotation at different times of day so that different people heard the spiel.

She also was constantly fetching him pails of water.  Fido would drink it if it were brought to him, but he wouldn't stop and go get it when he needed it.  Stubborn man.

They were quite the pair, Fido in his red and white striped jacket, white pants, slender black walking stick and carefully neutral straw hat with its blue brim and red crown, so it could work for most crowds without actually declaring an allegiance.

He wasn't a conventionally handsome man, but he was a powerful speaker and performer, and his face was so rubbery and expressive it captivated onlookers.

Jade was there to give them something to look at, Fido was there to give them something to listen to.

"Come one come all to the greatest collection of miracles and wonders ever collected in one mortal instuition!  See acts of derring-do, mind blowing illusions, and individuals with mystic powers of the Orient which defy the finest scientific minds of Europe!  See exotic beasts collected from the darkest regions of Arabia, Asia, Persia and the Sahara!  When world traveler Fido Faust tells you it's the best in the world, you can believe it!"

His patter wasn't entirely... truthful.  But it was patter, not a university lecture.

Fido was also careful to tease the crowd without actually giving away any of the acts.  He believed whatever people imagined was impossible to live up to, but it drew interest, and if you could genuinely surprise them, they'd forget the things they'd dream up.

"See the world's most astonishing performers from India, China, Egypt, the Carribean and even Ohio!  Masters of buffoonery and pantomime to entertain all ages, trained in the finest colleges of France and China in the ancient tradition!  Daring death defying stunts outlawed in Deseret, including the Infamous Bottle Shot, which killed nineteen young women before it was banned!  Fido Faust was there when Emily Bronte herself was killed, yessir!  And let us not forget a modern phenomenon, acrobats who will defy gravity!"

That man had once been a combat engineer in the Union Army, and had been building bridges and trestles and weaponized train cars for Union Blue until it had gotten too exciting.  It beggared belief.

That was Jade's cue to flip up to a handstand, do a split, then balance on one hand before flipping back onto her feet, hands on hips and smiling.

"Come see the Circus of Wonders, coming soon to this very fine city!"

He had another six permutations of this speech.  In truth, he never did it exactly the same way twice, but it did get very repetitive.  So Jade didn't feel too bad about poking Fido in the rib at that juncture.

"What'd you do that for my dear?"  Fido called literally every female person his dear, and managed to seem to get away with it.

"Fido, they're here!"  She pointed.   The wagon train was too big and long and colorful and familiar to be anything else.

"Oh... we have to go tell them my dear, tell them right away!"

"Yes we do."

The pair scurried off, pausing only to mount their own horses to ride to intercept.  They looked particularly strange to the people wandering El Paso, especially Jade, whose skin tight costume made an older woman of a certain distinction gasp in lamentation.

They had to intercept the procession.  Fido had some critical news to relay about local water supplies, and the intended site of the big top.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:07, Wed 07 Apr 2021.

Orlan had spent the better part of the trip up at the front car of the train with old Leonard, an old hand who had long proved himself able for little but driving the wagons and setting up.

(In a previous life, Leonard had performed with the circus in acts dangerous and brave, as had many old hands of the circus. Now, he found it hard to bend over and fix his shoes. His act, of course, had been an unusual acrobatic strong-man act, which over the years had done much damage to Leonard's back and hips.)

Orlan's father, Cillian, was toward the back of the train, and Orlan would have to drop by Cillian later to help with setting up and unloading.

Seeing Jade and Fido approach by horseback, Orlan clapped his hands together and turned to Leonard, telling him this: "Well, Leonard, I hope you've enjoyed my presence these past days-"

"Don't worry, Orlan, I haven't." There was a grin almost visible behind that remark, but Orlan knew better than to mention it.

"-but I really must be off, I trust you'll draw the coach in."

He stood up, show hat over his head, but otherwise adorned in the simple clothes he preferred when he was off the stage. And then, as he had always done, he tipped the hat as the train passed by Jade and Fido--and, leaning off the side of the wagon from one hand, he tossed the hat for either Fido, or anyone with him on a particular occasion, to catch.

He thought this was probably annoying to Fido, but Orlan was alright with that.

OOC: "01:29, Today: Orlan Haig rolled 22,2 using 1d6,1d8, rerolling max with rolls of (6+6+6+4)22,2.  Athletics (Throwing)." Hm. I think that's a good result, I don't know. This is good luck for the campaign, right?

This day, Orlan aimed for Jade, stepping off the wagon to meet them with their approaching horses. "Jade, Fido! I trust El Paso is looking forward to our arrival?"

The throw was so uncannily accurate, not only did Jade catch it, but it in fact ringed her head.  Clearly Orlan meant to do that.  Stunned by the maneuver, Jade didn't answer fast enough.  Fido was annoyed, though it came from a bigger source than this silly trick.  But first he had to puff his chest out a bit.

"Primed sir, positively primed.  But we may have a bit of logistical difficulty."

Jade quickly spoke up, because if she let Fido explain, he'd go into a harangue with lots of made up tales of his nonexistent travels in it.  He wasn't like this all the time, but when he was warmed up and in the mood to do his patter, he liked to talk.  And talk.  And talk some more.

Jade took the hat off and offered it back.  "It's the water Mr. Haig.  The spot where the mayor told us to set up doesn't have anywhere nearby.  Which we've dealt with before I admit, but we aren't supposed to take any from the public wells either.  We just found out yesterday about that part.  I debated trying to find another source but-"  She just gestured at Fido, who was infamous for talking himself hoarse right at the worst possible times, like in the days before a showing, and costing the circus money.  He took it as a point of pride he worked so hard, everyone else disagreed.   The man did have other talents; he was a natural for repairing equipment and leveling the tents perfectly, but what made money was that loud, rich buttery smooth voice of his.

It wasn't always Jade who went with him, but she often did, and if she didn't for whatever reason, somebody had to to keep him from straining himself.

Fido looked resentful of the gesture like he was about to say something.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:00, Thu 08 Apr 2021.

Aria was in the midst of tending to the animals. Keeping them happy and getting them to trust you was what made training them easier. If you were seen as a source of food, comfort and interest, they could pick up new tricks so much quicker than if you tried to terrify them. She had already finished up with the pack animals and was now focused on their bird performers. The parrots were talkative as usual, and she kept them very separated from the falcon.

"Hiya guys! How ya doin'? Rrawk?"

"Rawk! Hello goodday!" Squawked Reginald.

"Seed and grapes!" Replied Scooter.

"Dontcha worry, we got food for ya. Rawk!" she said as she produced two little bowls filled with assorted seeds and vegetables.

While they fed, she brought out the doves and set up the routine where the birds would perform miniature versions of the performances like riding the dogs as though they were horses, do balancing stunts with every shifting rings, and even a miniature tightrope where the birds held a balancing pole in their mouths. She would reward them with small fruits whenever they did a stunt correctly and gently correct and encourage them when they didn't.

Ochi gallops up the length of the train, trailing a tall plume of dust, Renko guiding the gelding as much by posture and knees as with the reins. He loves the pony's lithe quickness, despite its small stature, the term quarterhorse still amusing him. Only one-fourth a horse in size perhaps, but heart like stallion, he thinks. The little pinto has the strength of a stallion, too.

He waves as he passes the wagon driven by Old Haig on which his tent and gear was transported. Like any Cossack, Renko was uneasy under a roof, even of a hut on wheels. Canvas was sufficient overhead, though the night sky and stars above the steppe were preferable.

He waves again, adding a whoop as he passes the light wagon expertly driven by twelve-years-old Francie Faust, outfitted with little cages for the birds and small animals in Aria's act. He still was unclear of Francie's relationship with Fido --granddaughter, stepdaughter, niece. Whatever their connection, the barker dotes on the child, so Renko makes an effort at friendship, the barker being a man of importance with the circus.

He pulls up the pinto where Fido and the lovely Jade sit talking with Orlan Haig, catching part of the discussion concerning water.

"What is this?!" he explodes, "But must have water! Is necessary for animals in such heat! April and feels like high summer in this desert. Pah!" His hand finds the handle of the twelve-foot whip coiled over his shoulder like a sash of honor. "Where is this stinking kulak? Renko will make him see."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:18, Tue 13 Apr 2021.

Once the wagons had pulled up, the ringmaster, Cornelius Abernathy (though it wasn't sure if that was his real name), came out the back of his wagon. The inside was his office and bedroom, and he made it a point of pride that it was always neat.

Walking out, he made sure he was already dressed for the day. Whereas many ringmasters liked to wear a striking red tailed jacket, Cornelius preferred a mix of light blue and gold. To him, it was a more warming, welcoming colour.

Strolling around the wagons he called out to the various members of the circus, pointing out what needed doing, his voice amplified by his brass megaphone.

He walked past Aria, watching the animals. "Are the animals all ready for tonight?" He asked, stroking his beard.

(Allowing for a response, and to interact with everyone, he then continues on)

Then seeing Jade, Orlan, Renko and Fido, he calls out through his megaphone. "Fido!" He waves them towards him as he approaches, wanting to meet in the middle.
"Fido, Jade, how goes the locals? Has you silver tongue got them whipped up into a frenzy of excitement? Should we be prepared for multiple showings?" He asks, a sense of excitement in his voice.
Then when he learns about the lack of water, his demeanour changes. "No water? What does he expect us to do, make it appear by magic? No. No no no no. This will not do at all. He begins to pace back and forth, mumbling to himself as he talks through ideas, and until he suddenly stops and clicks his fingers on his spare hand, before turning back to the group.
"We will invite the mayor here, to my wagon. If he is amenable, we will try to work this out. If not, then we will need to resort to other measures. Someone go get this mayor and encourage him to come and talk."

"I get him, Abernathy boss. I drag him here!" Renko wheels Ochi about, prepared to ride to town, then wheels back with a quizzical look: "Where I find this kulak?" He practically spits the last word.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:00, Wed 14 Apr 2021.

"Uh, I should... go with you.  And maybe a few other people should too..."  Jade interjected, looking around and at the Ringmaster especially for some help.  Dragging the mayor here might be warranted, but it wouldn't be helpful.

Clair Rose, was not that early of a riser. She tended to stay up a bit into the small hours of the night working on her holster drawing. While not really a gunfighter, she did need to be able to quick draw her pistol for some of her shots. She wanted to impress the crowds after all, and a slow draw wasn’t going to do that. Once Clair was finally up and dressed in a light colored blouse and riding skirt since she knew she’d be on Hobo today. She went to the back of the wagon where Hobo was tied and saddled him up before untying him and mounting him for the ride to the job site.

Clair only had a small wagon, almost a carriage really, that she kept bottles, playing cards, and other paraphernalia in that was necessary for her act. Of course her most crucial piece of equipment was her single action colt .45 peacemaker revolver that she always wore on her right hip whenever she was awake and dressed properly. On the side of her wagon was a painting of that very revolver firing a single bullet toward the ace of spades. There were speed lines surrounding the bullet to make it look like it was going fast from the revolver. The paint was starting to chip and fade a bit, she needed to redo it here one of these first days.

Clair rode up on Hobo just as the talk about there being no water and for them to get the mayor here to handle the situation. ”I’ll go along as well. I wouldn’t mind meeting this mayor who would let the well run dry. Hopefully we can convince him to come out here and do something about it.”
This message was last edited by the player at 14:29, Wed 14 Apr 2021.

"I think I'll come along, too. We don't need to smash or toss around every kulak, Renko. We can just invite him, friendly-like." He came up alongside Renko and his horse on foot, clearly suggesting that he intended to keep a leisurely pace walking into town.

OOC: At this time, Orlan has only a single set of bolas on hand--in case we wind up in a scuffle at any point.

"Pah! Drag is more better," Renko sulks, "Shows you are not to be taken lightly. In Cossack lands, when pompous boyar tramples free cossack rights, we rise in rebellion! Believe me, Cossacks are all the times revolting."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:44, Sat 17 Apr 2021.

"Well we can only aspire to the advanced ways of the Cossacks."  Jade did her best to mollify him, typical of her.  "Come on I at least know where city hall is, it's over by the railroad building."

Aria had finished with the training and put the birds to rest, then she saw some of the other performers congregating and slowly approached with Hunter and Scout following her. She was a bit distracted with them but did manage to hear a couple of words that caught her attention.

"We don't have water? That's terrible! We need to have a lot for the animals, like the horses and birds and everyone!"

Renko leans in his saddle to extend his hand to Aria,

"Come, little one, we go see this man and teach him lesson, yah?"

If she accepts, he pulls her up to sit before him in the saddle.

Aria takes Renko's hand and gets brought up on his saddle, "Scout, Ranger, follow us, woof woof!"

You all head towards the mayor's office, with Jade leading the way.

As the posse makes their way there, you see people looking at you. Some with mistrust of outsiders. Some with curiosity of circus folk and a different set of entertainers.

Shops, saloons, and houses fill the street, with the railway building adjacent, allowing goods and people to make their way into the city.

The middle of town housed the City Council offices, with the mayor's office inside, as well as other administrative offices, and even an office for a territorial ranger, though everyone still refers to them as Texas Rangers, no matter what they say back east.

Jade instantly regretted still wearing her colorful performing costume, but, well, it was what it was.  She waved to the onlookers, hoping they'd come to the circus.

She had an idea immediately, getting sidelong of the Cossack.  "Hey, uh, Renko, ol' buddy, ol' pal, I think you might want to help me keep an eye out for, uh, how do you say it in the ol'd Balachka speak, Hessians I think is the closest word.  Though that's pretty American actually...  I think this mayor might not be on the up an' up."  She inflected the indicators of doubt with a little bit of a squeak.

Although they are proceeding at a trot, Renko is used to going everywhere at a gallop and he's impatient to find this kulak, this boyar who has cheated his sitch. His right hand absently taps at the handle of his whip.

Aria is a negligible weight to Ochi. She rides easily before him, barely needing to keep a hold on the saddle horn. She smells faintly of the animals she tends, not unpleasant to Renko's nostrils.

At Jade's words he glances sidelong at her and nods, his right eye narrowing. He understands that this mayor, this shakhray will need close watching.

Clair didn't even bother to dismount from Hobo, since they were riding into the town anyway. It was quiet at the moment, sure a few of the others were chattering back and forth to each other. But Clair didn't feel the need to fill the travel time with unimportant noise and chatter and she just kept to herself about most things. Not feeling compelled to talk just for the sake of it made for a quiet ride for her, but that's how she liked it.

Orlan knew better than to open his loud mouth first, and let Jade do the talking. He kept himself to keeping an eye on his friend Renko.

"Well, let's see how this goes then."  Jade, still in her colorful acrobat's costume, walked into the building like she owned it, smile beaming without her meaning to do so.

It was practically a reflex for her, she'd been told to smile for the crowd for so long it just sort of became a resting expression despite the effort.

Renko leaps from the saddle and lifts Aria down to the dusty street. He loops Kariochi's reins over a hitching rail and strides after Jade, countering her dazzling smile with a fierce scowl at all they encounter.

Aria gets down and thanks Renko before tending to the horse. She also playfully teases Scout and Ranger when they catch up.

Heading inside the City Council offices, you find a woman sat at a desk near the entrance, with a set of stairs to one side of her, and doors to another. In her 40's, she was dressed plainly, yet professionally. She has dark hair, and a tanned complexion.

"Welcome to the El Paso City council. How may we help you today?" The woman asked in English, but a strong Mexican accent. Then, perhaps needing a moment to take in the attire of the motley crew before her, she asks. "You must be from the circus I have been hearing about. Oh, I have been looking forward to taking the children to see you."

"Wonderful!  We just, uh, need to talk to somebody about the local water restrictions."  Jade smiled again, was it reflexive or was she trying to be more effective?   She probably didn't know herself.

She was also hoping maybe they could talk to someone reasonable.  She had to laugh at herself internally for that one.

Renko takes a position a step behind Jade and two steps to her right, feet set, arms crossed over his brawny chest, brows set in a scowl.

"Mayor," he growls, "We must to see Mayor. We have buns to pick on him." Although he doubtless means bones, his accent renders the word as buns.

Aria asks Scout and Ranger to keep an eye on the horses before following the others to the mayor. She stands quietly behind Renko and Jade, letting the more outspoken and less tongue-tied people handle this.

Orlan keeps himself to the back of the group with Aria, making sure he's never too far from Renko in case things get dicey and he needs to stop the man from cracking a skull or two. He looks to Aria, briefly trying to gauge what her reaction would be to a sudden outburst of violence.

When Jade asks about the water, the woman gives a polite smile. "You need to speak with councilman Anders, he takes care of the water."

But once Renko asks for the mayor, in his abrupt manner, she starts to grab some paperwork and gets twitchy. "Do-do you have an appointment? He is a busy man?"

OOC:
How do you want to handle this?
Sweet talk her with Persuasion?
Lie to her with Persuasion?
A menacing stare and tone with Intimidate?
Taunt her in some way?

Discuss it in OOC, and then have one person make the roll, but others can back them up with a Support roll.

Depending on the action you want to take, there may be situational modifiers, on top of any you have from edges/hindrances.

"Well, I would love to make an appointment, but we're part of a traveling circus, and we just found out about this."  Jade tried to be reasonable.

"We won't be long, it's just a water permit after all.  I'm sure we can clear this up in five minutes, tops.  After all we've got a big top to set up.  Hey, how many children were you wanting to bring?  We always give away a few free tickets for the kids."

Because of course they did.  Kids made people spend all kinds of money.  And this was as close as you could get to a bribe without, well, a bribe.  Jade smiled again, this time on purpose.

21:01, Today: Jade Archer rolled 10,6 using d6+1,d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of (6+3)9,5.  Persuasion.

The woman looked over her shoulder to see who was around, before leaning forward in her chair towards Jade. Speaking with a hushed tone, she said "Councilman Anders can give you the permit you need. The mayor is useless, and spends more time in the saloons then he does in his office. Up the stairs, first door on the left. And it's five children."

Renko nods approvingly at Jade's successful strategem, though the scowl doesn't leave his face. He follows her upstairs.

Aria followed the others, but while she does, she says, "Renko... I... I... don't think... I..." before switching her mindset to something more familiar, "Bad Renko! Don't scare the locals!" she says while shaking her finger at him like she was disciplining one of her animals.

"Thanks!  We'll have someone run by when we do promotions."

And that would probably have to be Jade herself after she cajoled the tickets.  But she could get away with that, she was sure.

She didn't waste any time.  She looked at everyone else as if to say "come on" and hustled up the stairs.

Renko turns to Aria. He gives her a sly smile and a slow wink before resuming his scowl and following Jade up the stairs.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:10, Mon 03 May 2021.

Hardly suppressing a chuckle at Bad Renko, Orlan trailed behind the others. He directed an appreciative nod of his head to the woman who had helped them.

Heading up the stairs, you see the door mentioned by the receptionist, along with others. The name ANDERS is carved onto a small wooden plank, but is held onto the door by a hook. Maybe people don't last long enough to have their names carved into the doors?

Opening the door, you see a white man in his thirties sat at the desk.

Seeing Jade go through the door, he responds "Why hell.." But then quickly changes as Renko and the others follow through "oh?"

Brushing down his shirt and pulling on it to look tidy and respectable, he continues. "This is unexpected. Did you mean to see someone else, or...?" and he doesn't continue, obviously expecting someone to explain where there are several people in his office, some of which are obviously dressed as circus performers.

"Why we expected the Honorable Councilman Anders!"  Jade borrowed a couple of lines from Fido.  "And fresh off our oriental tour from Amsterdam through Zanzibar, we are the mysterious Circus of Wonders, bound to astonish and delight the good people of El Paso!"

She didn't have quite the flair Fido did, nor his voice, so it didn't really work for her as well as it did him, but a dramatic gesture and the spectacle of so many visitors made it work.  Or so Jade thought.

Renko steps into the room. He is not tall enough to loom per se, but he takes a posture, leaning against the door jamb which -- given the breadth of him and his continued scowl -- establishes his presence as Jade's support.

Stepping in aside the two of them, Orlan stood by the door-frame as Jade spoke, nodding his head to the councilman. He added in gently: "Yes, we're here to see about a water permit."

"We have a lot of animals that need water!" Aria pipes in helpfully. She let the others do most of the talking.

Renko reaches out to place a comradely hand on Aria's shoulder in silent support of her statement. His raised chin and eyebrows seem to say to the man: What are you going to do about this?

Anders nods along as each of you explain why you are here in his office.

Once he can tell you have all expressed yourselves and spoken up, he makes an uncomfortable cough. "Yes, well, I can understand why you are in my office. We wouldn't want the animals to die of thirst, would we?" He says, looking right at Aria.

Pushing his chair back, he gets up and begins looking through various draws. "I know it is in here somewhere." He says aloud, not directed at anyone, as he pulls out sheets of paper, checks to see what it is, and puts it back.

"Aha! Here we go, one water permit." he holds up the piece of paper, as if he needs to prove he actually found it. Perhaps before Renko gets impatient and needs to do something to help 'motivate him'.

"I can complete this for you, all I need is a name to reference this against. I imagine that would be the owner of your circus, rather than one of you? Oh, and the fifty dollar surcharge." He looks at each of you. "You did know there is a fee for this permit, right?"

"50 dollars? That's a lot of money!" Aria said. My real dad got shot for a lot less than that. she thinks to herself.

"Do we... do we need to pay right now, or, or, or do we head back and get Corncob to sign off on it?" she asked, referring to Cornelius' nickname.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 14:31, Mon 10 May 2021.

Jade checked herself, her colorful costume lacking any pockets.  "I don't exactly carry money in this thing.  If anyone can cover it and make this simple, I'm pretty sure Corncob will reimburse you.  If not, I'll have a talk with him."

Casually, almost, Orlan started thumbing out fifty dollars for the permit, handing the bills over with a shrewd look. He added: "Now, you meant to say fifty dollar surcharge, right? Be a funny thing to get mixed up. But if you were mistaken, that wouldn't be a problem, right?" He didn't speak with an aggressive tone, but merely wanted to give the impression that if this fellow were pulling something on them because they were with a carnival, they would discover it and expect matters to be set right.

Renko puts out a hand to stop Orlan from giving up the money. His scowl deepens.

"Wait. We pay fifty dollar for what? Kind permission to haul water from river for animals and peoples? We talk to mayor about this."

His voice turns to a growl: "Where we find this mayor?"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:24, Wed 12 May 2021.

"No no noooo no, let's not bother the mayor Renko.  In fact let's never see the mayor at all.  Unless he buys a ticket."  Jade did her best to head that disaster waiting to happen off at the pass.

Renko holds Jade in a sharp look for a long moment. Why doesn't she want him to deal with the head rat around here? At length, he blows out a long breath and gives her a curt nod, turning his scowl back to this lackey, Anders.

"Well, what we buy for our money?"

Anders opened up his palm as Orlan was about to hand over the money, only to look frustrated at Renko stopping him. However, before he could speak, Jade spoke first and managed to calm the situation down before it got heated.

"What this permit will give you, is access to the pumping station we have, connected to the Rio Grande. Some of those new science fellas made something that was better than drawing water out of wells, which would dry up, or get tainted and risk spreading cholera. That station wasn't cheap to build, and it isn't cheap to run. The locals pay taxes to the city, which gives them water. But as y'all ain't from round here, this is why we have the permit."

He then looks down at his hand, then to Orlan, and finishing at Renko.

"Now, have I answered your question satisfactorily? If so, then the money, and a name, and I can complete this permit for you."

Renko doesn't look totally satisfied at this.

"Pah!" he exclaims and gestures to indicate that Orlan can complete the transaction, but the consequences are on his head and Jade's; Renko takes no responsibility.

His scowl relaxes somewhat into a generalized glower, as he steps back a bit but remains in the doorway.

Aria gives a little curtsy. "Thanks mister! The animals will be very happy to drink your town's clean water." She then moved over to Renko so all the embedded animal stink is further away from the man.

Without further discussion, Orlan passed over the fifty dollars and nodded to the politician. "Well, I believe that's all we had to discuss. Thank you."

Jade just smiled.  She just wanted to get out of here before something went horribly wrong.

It is now evening, and a low sun is over El Paso.

All the tents and wagons are setup, so people can go to the main tent for the big attractions, and the smaller tent or wagons for performances that don't manage to get into the main tent, or just simply wouldn't work.

Near the entrance is a ticket booth, with a sign:
TICKETS
10c each
6 for 50c

The smell of freshly popped corn wafts through the air, enticing anyone who came close to get some, and lure them to the acts.

Jugglers stood outside throwing their clubs to entertain people as they waited to go in, whilst Fido continued to show his skill as a barker, so that anyone in earshot could not help but be tempted by the tales he pitched.

Aria's first performance was an acceptable level for her. She would bring out the different animals and have them perform and do silly things while rewarding them for their efforts. She did things like have birds riding dogs riding horses, have the falcon catch prey in midair, had the animals do flips and tricks and generally had them energized.

17:29, Today: Aria Fox rolled 4,2 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max, unique dice with rolls of 4,2.  Performance.

Leading up to the first performance, Orlan suggested that since she was familiar to the townspeople, Jade Archer should play a significant role in the performance, perhaps even overshadowing his own contribution. He even gently suggested that he could play the heel, get the crowd riled up and ready to see him bested.

OOC: Should I roll Athletics (Throwing) or Performance for this performance?

OOC: Go with Athletics for how well you do the knife throwing, and if you want any bravado before/after to excite the audience, go for Performance as well.

Jade waved and smiled, waved and smiled.  Got knives thrown at her, had the head of a rose chopped off while she held it in her mouth, and still smiled.

Okay I am going to roll Performance (Lovely Assistant) to Support.

17:55, Today: Jade Archer rolled 3,5 using 1d6+1,1d6+1, rerolling max, unique dice with rolls of 2,4.  Support Orlan.

That should give Orlan a +1 to his roll I do believe.  Unless I have forgotten something.

Orlan wasn't at his absolute best...but damn, he was close, wasn't he? He ended up going with the villain routine, ending the routine by motioning for a swift kick to the jaw from Jade, which he sold fairly well.

OOC: "00:47, Today: Orlan Haig rolled 5,7 using d6,d6, rerolling max, unique dice with rolls of 5,(6+1)7.  Performance (Heeling it up).

00:45, Today: Orlan Haig rolled 8,10 using d8+1,d6+1, rerolling max, unique dice with rolls of 7,(6+3)9.  Athletics (Throwing)."

Nice!

In reply to Orlan Haig (msg # 61):

Harold sighed as the wagon rolled to a stop.  He'd been delayed at Fort Wapner, but at least had managed to catch up with the rest of the troupe.  Climbing down wearily from the board, he stretched, and then rubbed his temples.  He could feel a headache coming on.  Better to set up shop now, rather than later.

He unhitched the mule from the front of the wagon, and leading her around, tied her off at the back with a feedbag.  Walking over to the side, he loosened the catch on the drop-board, and his sign opened:

"Harold Autrey, seer and prognosticator.  Come!  And let the unknown, be known."

The Flying Mancinis (none of whom were named Mancini, and their name changed regularly, a foreign nationality that would not offend the locals always being chosen) delivered a competent trapeze exhibition.

Jade managed a few angel returns, a pirhouette, a corkscrew, a planche, a double layout, a double somersault, but not a triple.  Their act tended to rotate through the flyers and catchers, both to give the acrobats a moment to recover and to keep the crowd from being bored by technical considerations.  Fido's calls, accentuating the danger and adding stories about how many people had been killed in some country or another in the past year attempting each maneuver, or claims that only six people in the world could do it, amped the crowd.

It was a good show but nothing revolutionary.  At least nobody got dropped and none of the equipment failed.

Okay, time to learn new mechanics.

So rerolls never make results worse.  That's neat.  That means every time I roll an Athletics test that make sense for the Acrobat Edge I get to test twice and take the best of the four dice.  That's handy.

20:19, Today: Jade Archer rolled 4,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max, unique dice with rolls of 4,1.  Acrobat Edge Reroll.

20:18, Today: Jade Archer rolled 6,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max, unique dice with rolls of 6,3.  Athletics.

So a 6, success, but no Raise, so well done but not a barnburner.

The audience in the tent applauded Aria and her trained animals. Children pointed at the various animals, making sure their parents could see the animals doing more than the local animals they had seen.

The applause continued as Orlan and Jade performed together, with some of a more mild-mannered nature having to cover their eyes at times, though would then peek between their fingers to make sure everything was ok, and that Jade wasn't hurt.

When Harold opened up his wagon, a couple of people looked at it from afar, but initial interest was low.

When Jade returned for her acrobatics routine, again the crowd applauded the assorted techniques demonstrated, but as she knew, it wasn't a bad night, but nor was it an outstanding one either.

"Great job guys!" Aria said as she lavished praise and food on her animal performers. She checked them for any health issues in case one of them strained themselves or stepped badly. She was careful not to push the animals too hard (which led to a drop in animal attacks on the trainers) but she would be remiss not to make sure they were all right.

"We should have done the triple corkscrew dismount."  Jade could be her own worst critic.  We she said 'we' she meant herself.  "It would have popped better."  As she spoke she was washing the chalk off of herself.  She applied it to her hands, naturally, but it got everywhere.

Orlan felt just fine about his own performance. Of course, some performances were better than others, but the trick, at least in his own opinion, was not to mind some performances being worse than others. He watched along with the other performances contentedly that night.

"So, um..." Aria kicked the ground a bit, "with the animals fed or otherwise being tended to... do we... want to... go to the bathhouse? Like a normal one?" Aria asked, in a somewhat embarrassed tone. Aside from the fact that they have a reputation for being fronts for brothels, Aria's sense of smell had become numb to the various kinds of animal stench that she was frequently covered in. She was asking in a roundabout way if she smelled bad.

Once the evening's performance had concluded, and all the guests had left, Cornelius rounded up everyone within the main tent.

"That was a good performance from everyone. No fights, outbursts, or demands of refunds. We will have a couple more nights here, and then move on. As ever, the mornings are you own, so tomorrow if you want to explore the city, go to any shops, make the most of it. I know life is tough out on the trails, but we have one another. We're family!"

Renko's late performance post.

Renko gallops around the ring, doing a standard repertoire of tricks--standing, hopping from side to side, swinging under Kariochi's neck to the other side, leaping dismount and sprint across the ring to remount on the run, swiveling around from front-facing to rear-facing and back again, standing on the saddle to crack his whip in swinging arcs. No mishaps, though the day of travel and unresolved tension over the water keeps him from being outstanding.

Renko Tenmo rolled 5,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max, unique dice with rolls of 5,4 for Riding.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:42, Wed 09 June 2021.

In reply to Aria Fox (msg # 68):

"Well I could certainly use a turn at the washtub, I always stink after a show, and I need to wipe down this costume and air it out overnight.  You just might as well wash up too, if you're pulling it out for one you might as well scrub everyone."

Jade had a diplomatic way of offering "outs" sometimes.

In reply to Aria Fox (msg # 68):
"Renko will go with to baths, keep you safe," he says to the girl.

"Hey, boss, we do shooting match on afternoon or maybe wrestling?" Renko competes with locals who put up a $2 entry fee for a chance at a purse of $25. He usually wins at the shooting, often at the wrestling (three falls). If he loses, some local gets bragging rights; if he wins, the outfit pockets all the takings. There's usually a fair amount of side wagers involved, especially if the local competition has a reputation.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:53, Wed 09 June 2021.

"Thank you Jade, Renko." Aria says. She had her protective gear also prepared for a cleaning. It was too expensive to not try to keep in good condition.

She also looked forward to Renko's challenges to the locals. However gruff he can be, he was an impressive wrestler and marksman.

"I'll be along for the baths as well, I could never pass up a few gallons of hot water. Plus, I'm sore anyways." He stretched his arms out a bit, for the effect. "Renko, if you're wrestling, I'll drum up some interest with Jade for you." He put down his show hat as he said this.

Harold joined the group, waving a hesitant greeting.  "Hello everyone, sorry to have missed the first show.  I was . . . delayed along the way."

He smiles hopefully.  "A bath sounds lovely.  It's been a long journey, and I would love to wash off the dust."

"Sounds like a good idea Renko, just don't beat them so badly they get angry!" He replies, before waving you all off to enjoy your own time.

The posse make their way into town, searching for a bath house.

The various saloons are busy with the sound of drunken patrons, gamblers, and music playing. The smell of whiskey and cigar smoke wafts through the air.

You find Bettie's Bathouse, with a sign outside:

Fresh Water $1
Used Water 50c
Soap & Towel 25c
Shave 25c

A heavy set woman stands by the entrance. "I dun't hav' sharin' baths, an' ya might'n need ta take turns." She says, checking you over, before looking at Aria and taking a big sniff. "An' afters ya finished, ya might want ta check the pharm'cist, got sum tonics that'll help ya smell all purty too."

Jade, in her town clothes, was among the first to pay up.  If she was getting a bath, well she was getting a bath!

"Oh that sound nice."

Orlan shelled out for fresh water, and for shaving tools to be brought to him so he could trim his face quite precisely.

Aria's face flushed at being singled out. Deciding that she probably needed the full scrub, she quietly paid for the fresh bathwater and the soap. It probably won't help much, the stench has likely gotten under her skin like a tattoo.

Renko forks over a dollar fifty.

The baths are made, with you having private rooms for your bathing.

Fresh, hot water is added to the bath, with a towel and bar of soap on a small stool beside it.

Whilst a nice bath may seem like such a simple thing, it isn't that common whilst travelling, and some of the smaller towns may have extremely rudimentary facilities, where it is a dinged up copper tub, cold water, that isn't always as clean as you would like, and that is when it is first put into the bath!

Jade is certainly not optimized for combat, but I spend some "points" making sure in a fight she actually has something to do.

In reply to Jade Archer (msg # 83):

Once the rush is over, Harold advances hesitantly. He pays for fresh, hot water, soap, and the means for a shave, but waits until he can bath in privacy.

When he finally is able to lower his frail body into the water, he gives an unabashed sigh of pleasure, and relief.  The heat from the water soothes the knotted muscles of his chest and back, and for a moment, he can almost forget the pain he carries with him.

Singing an old Cossack song at the top of his voice, Renko soaks in the steaming tub until it begins to grow tepid, then soaps himself all over before plunging in to rinse away all the scum.

Aria quietly slipped into her bath, scrubbing herself as hard as she could and trying to get the smell off of her, but it's hard for her to tell since her nose is so habituated to animal musk that she honestly wasn't able notice.

She considered what the lady said, and thought maybe she should try it. It couldn't hurt right? Okay, the snake oil didn't work last time, but maybe these people might have something.

Orlan got himself spick and span, and while he was there inquired about any good launderers nearby in addition to where he might find some tonics. The grime of the road had been collecting on him and his things for quite some time, after all.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:15, Tue 22 June 2021.

Reckon strode out of the bathhouse seeming very much the same as when he entered. Being clean, even if he hadn’t sweated out all the grime of days on the road as he would with a proper Cossack bath. Still, the hot water and coarse soap had invigorated his tingling skin.

He sits on the bench in front of the establishment, watching what traffic passed, and waits for his companions.

Aria finishes up and dries herself. She then gets into her clothes (which she should probably wash too, but her nose fails to notice).

"Hello miss? You said something about a tonic?" She asked, face red and blushing.