Wilde West 17

[7/27/2013 8:31:17 PM] Khiro: So, where will Kate not Josie head next? [7/27/2013 8:33:30 PM] Josie: Josie heads for the telegraph office to send a wire about the skeleton! [7/27/2013 8:34:45 PM] Khiro: Okay! Back to her office? [7/27/2013 8:35:56 PM] Josie: ((Yep!)) [7/27/2013 8:36:14 PM] Khiro: All righty. PHoebe is there! [7/27/2013 8:36:24 PM] Josie: Josie waves. [7/27/2013 8:36:53 PM] Khiro: Phoebe:  Marshal? [7/27/2013 8:37:14 PM] Josie: Hey, Miz Crafter. [7/27/2013 8:37:20 PM] Josie: Josie tips her hat. [7/27/2013 8:37:40 PM] Khiro: Phoebe:  What can I do for you, marshal? [7/27/2013 8:40:07 PM] Josie: Got to send a telegram to headquarters. [7/27/2013 8:40:24 PM] Khiro: She takes out her pen and paper. "All righty." [7/27/2013 8:43:39 PM] Josie: Josie advises the marshal's office of the situation with the skeleton, and also adds the note that a marshal stationed out here on a more permanent basis might be a good idea, given the unusual nature of the town which could lead to it being victimized. She also notes she'd be willing to do that. [7/27/2013 8:46:36 PM] Khiro: Phoebe nods. "Okay, easy enough." [7/27/2013 8:50:29 PM] Josie: Thanks, Miz Crafter. [7/27/2013 8:52:07 PM] Josie: How's your machine goin'? [7/27/2013 8:52:27 PM] Khiro: Phoebe:  Well, it's become less of a 'bicycle'. And more of a 'tank'. [7/27/2013 8:53:39 PM] Josie: ... like a container for holdin' water? [7/27/2013 8:54:44 PM] Khiro: Phoebe:  A motorized contraption with lots of wheels that can drive over everything. Da Vinci sketched out something similar. [7/27/2013 8:57:31 PM] Josie: Oh. ... would that be useful in the desert? [7/27/2013 8:57:45 PM] Khiro: Phoebe:  I dunno. [7/27/2013 8:58:16 PM] Josie: ... make sure to put in plenty o' space for water. [7/27/2013 8:58:37 PM] Khiro: Phoebe:  I haven't even built it yet. [7/27/2013 8:59:33 PM] Josie: But you will. [7/27/2013 9:00:04 PM] Khiro: Phoebe:  If I can get the bits together. [7/27/2013 9:01:17 PM] Josie: Safety first. [7/27/2013 9:01:41 PM] Khiro: Phoebe:  Money first. I can't afford a lot. [7/27/2013 9:03:32 PM] Josie: Do your inventions sell t'all? [7/27/2013 9:04:57 PM] Khiro: Phoebe:  Nope! [7/27/2013 9:06:07 PM] Josie: Wonder how come. [7/27/2013 9:07:28 PM] Khiro: Phoebe:  Probably because I've never tried to sell 'em. [7/27/2013 9:08:29 PM] Josie: ... oh. Could be, yeah. [7/27/2013 9:09:17 PM] Khiro: Phoebe:  Though if you ever want me to build you something, we could work something out! [7/27/2013 9:14:03 PM] Josie: ... I'll see what I can think of. [7/27/2013 9:15:48 PM] Khiro: Phoebe grins manically. "Okay!  I'll get this sent out to your office." [7/27/2013 9:16:31 PM] Josie: ... thanks. [7/27/2013 9:17:03 PM] Josie: Josie 's impulse is to back away slowly! But she doesn't! She goes to eat lunch instead, suddenly *very* hungry. ... and stops at the taxidermy shop first to see if he's et lunch yet. [7/27/2013 9:17:30 PM] Josie: Josie thinks lunch. Unless it's supper; she did go all the way out for a horse *and* then all the way out to the Rivers place. [7/27/2013 9:21:14 PM] Khiro: It's about twoish! I figure Kate is an early riser. [7/27/2013 9:23:07 PM] Josie: Josie still goes to inquire, and yes, she is. [7/27/2013 9:24:40 PM] Khiro: He's at his shop, still working on translation. "Sure, I could eat.  What were you thinking?" [7/27/2013 9:25:00 PM] Josie: ... haven't been anywhere in town, maybe you know a place? [7/27/2013 9:25:40 PM] Khiro: He shrugs. "I usually just eat at the Imperial." [7/27/2013 9:28:16 PM] Josie: We can do that, if you want. [7/27/2013 9:29:29 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  But there's a few others I know of. I know there's this place that does tea, but I never had the heart to check it out. [7/27/2013 9:31:14 PM] Josie: Americans don't do it right? [7/27/2013 9:32:04 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Generally not. [7/27/2013 9:32:46 PM] Josie: How's it supposed to be? [7/27/2013 9:34:46 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Well, low tea is more of a snack, really. High tea is more of a fancy meal. [7/27/2013 9:35:47 PM] Josie: ... I just figured one was fancier'n'the other. [7/27/2013 9:36:44 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Then there's a bloke down to the south of town that does some pretty good ribs. [7/27/2013 9:38:02 PM] Josie: Let's go there, then. [7/27/2013 9:38:29 PM] Khiro: He smiles and nods, putting a jacket on, and grabbing his hat. [7/27/2013 9:40:56 PM] Josie: Josie smiles too. [7/27/2013 9:41:19 PM] Josie: ... f'I start to get too much for you, let me know. Don't want to be a pest. [7/27/2013 9:42:19 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Never. My shop is pretty boring most days. [7/27/2013 9:42:28 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer locks up his door! [7/27/2013 9:43:56 PM] Josie: Surprised you make enough to get on. I suppose expenses ain't too much. Hey, you should come meet my horse later. [7/27/2013 9:45:08 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  I make enough money to get by. There's enough hunters in town. And like you say, don't have a lot of expenses. [7/27/2013 9:46:06 PM] Josie: Well, your whole buildin' is nice. [7/27/2013 9:46:40 PM | Edited 9:46:47 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer smiles. "What's your horses name?" [7/27/2013 9:46:56 PM] Josie: Delphine. [7/27/2013 9:47:42 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  That's a pretty name. [7/27/2013 9:49:49 PM] Josie: Thanks, she came with it. [7/27/2013 9:50:08 PM] Josie: The man called five horses over, an' she was the only one who'd have me. [7/27/2013 9:50:18 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Huh, really? [7/27/2013 9:53:35 PM] Josie: Yeah. [7/27/2013 9:53:46 PM] Josie: Two of 'em said I smelled too good, he wouldn't say what the others said. [7/27/2013 9:54:09 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Well, you *do* smell awfully good. [7/27/2013 9:54:40 PM] Josie: Josie turns bright red. [7/27/2013 9:55:10 PM] Josie: Ain't normally considered a bad thing. Maybe they were thinkin' I ain't reliable. [7/27/2013 9:56:41 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Could be. Maybe they thought people would notice you before them. Maybe they were vain horses. [7/27/2013 9:59:09 PM] Josie: Not too sure I want anybody noticin' that. 'cept you, I guess. [7/27/2013 10:00:02 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Well, the old centaur has made a career out of setting up horses with their riders. [7/27/2013 10:01:32 PM] Josie: Seemed like he was good at it. Hard o' hearin', mind. [7/27/2013 10:10:48 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Well, he's an old-timer. [7/27/2013 10:11:14 PM] Khiro: You find the stand where the guy is serving ribs! [7/27/2013 10:12:17 PM] Josie: Josie smiles at him, and tips her hat. [7/27/2013 10:12:45 PM] Khiro: He hands you a tin plate with food on it! There's a few tables set up to eat at. [7/27/2013 10:15:16 PM] Josie: Josie looks for a shady spot, 'cause it's hot, and sits there! [7/27/2013 10:16:23 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer joins you with his plate. "So... I decided to work on decoding the last entry in the journal.  It's the most complicated code, so if I can crack it, the rest will be all downhill." [7/27/2013 10:19:02 PM] Josie: Good idea. Made any progress on it? [7/27/2013 10:19:07 PM] Josie: ((Got a sammich!)) [7/27/2013 10:25:57 PM] Khiro: ((You read my mind!)) [7/27/2013 10:26:08 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Just a date. Last entry was two days before he died. [7/27/2013 10:26:36 PM] Josie: Josie nods. [7/27/2013 10:26:44 PM] Josie: ... I hope it helps. [7/27/2013 10:33:07 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Should give us an idea why he was coming to Wilde in the first place. [7/27/2013 10:35:09 PM] Josie: Which might help us work out why he got shot. [7/27/2013 10:36:49 PM] Khiro: EBenezer:  And who did it. [7/27/2013 10:37:30 PM] Josie: That'd be the next question, yeah. [7/27/2013 10:37:35 PM] Josie: Josie starts eatin' her ribs! [7/27/2013 10:39:48 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer eats his! His rib-eating manners are impeccable. [7/27/2013 10:40:14 PM] Josie: Josie has good manners, but very middle/lower-class American. [7/27/2013 10:40:15 PM] Khiro: EBenezer:  I'm glad you wanted to come here. This makes me a lousy englishman, but I don't like tea. [7/27/2013 10:42:04 PM] Josie: ...tastes like water to me. [7/27/2013 10:42:23 PM] Josie: I drink 'bout as much coffee as I can every mornin', though. [7/27/2013 10:43:08 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  It tastes like leaves drowned in water to me. [7/27/2013 10:44:48 PM] Josie: Josie smiles. [7/27/2013 10:45:27 PM] Josie: What about coffee? [7/27/2013 10:46:12 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Coffee isn't so much something I enjoy as much as it's something that I find incredibly necessary. [7/27/2013 10:50:02 PM] Josie: Sounds like we're a better match'n'most folks would think. [7/27/2013 10:50:22 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Who wouldn't think we're a good match? [7/27/2013 10:51:07 PM] Josie: Oh, well, just bein' so different'n'all. [7/27/2013 10:51:33 PM] Josie: ((You being an incredibly well-educated rich person and me being kind of a hick who likes to shoot people.)) [7/27/2013 10:52:38 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer shrugs. "People are more than the sums of their upbringings." [7/27/2013 10:54:57 PM] Josie: Yeah, some of us need coffee t'live, too. [7/27/2013 10:55:38 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Exactly! [7/27/2013 10:56:51 PM] Josie: Hopin' Delphine takes to you all right. Do horses normally like you? [7/27/2013 10:57:29 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Animals in general like me. Figure they see me more as part of their world than mine. [7/27/2013 10:59:33 PM] Josie: Oh, good. [7/27/2013 11:00:34 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Probably because I was born this way. Afflicted werewolves, apparently they cause herbivorous animals to get very nervous. [7/27/2013 11:00:56 PM] Josie: ... almost like it's a whole different thing. You oughtta write a book. [7/27/2013 11:01:21 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  There are quite a few out there already. [7/27/2013 11:03:23 PM] Josie: Really? You got one? [7/27/2013 11:04:01 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Sure. You want to read it? It's not quite the same as an 'Ebenezer Manual', but it couldn't hurt. [7/27/2013 11:04:21 PM] Josie: Josie reddens a bit. [7/27/2013 11:04:40 PM] Josie: Rather have the manual if you got one. [7/27/2013 11:04:51 PM] Josie: Josie smiles *slightly.* [7/27/2013 11:05:04 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Never wrote that one. [7/27/2013 11:08:01 PM] Josie: Well, what kinda things would it have in it? [7/27/2013 11:09:35 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  I really don't know. What things would be in your manual? [7/27/2013 11:11:11 PM] Josie: Coffee an' gun  maintenance. Bringin' lemon drops everywhere. [7/27/2013 11:11:31 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  You like lemon drops? [7/27/2013 11:12:27 PM] Josie: Josie nods. [7/27/2013 11:12:36 PM] Josie: Usually keep a bag of 'em in my pocket. [7/27/2013 11:13:45 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  good to know. Hmmm. I like riding and target shooting. Back before it started killing me, I would like to turn into a wolf and just bound off. [7/27/2013 11:15:11 PM] Josie: How long's it been? [7/27/2013 11:15:30 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  About a year. [7/27/2013 11:15:39 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  I really like taffy. [7/27/2013 11:16:39 PM] Josie: For the full moon, will you be a wolf the whole time or only at night? If changin' back an' forth is bad... [7/27/2013 11:17:07 PM] Khiro: Only when the moon is out. [7/27/2013 11:17:41 PM] Josie: Would it be better if you stayed? Or don't it work that way? [7/27/2013 11:19:36 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  It probably would, be that long in a wolf shape would be a bit much. [7/27/2013 11:20:50 PM] Josie: ... how long you think you got? [7/27/2013 11:23:06 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  The poison works faster the longer I'm in my wolf shape. As long as I only change on the full moon, I figure I have six months, give or take. [7/27/2013 11:23:49 PM] Josie: .... we better go find them Indians, right after the next full moon. [7/27/2013 11:25:13 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer nods. [7/27/2013 11:27:20 PM] Josie: Think how good it'll be to be able to change again without worryin'. [7/27/2013 11:28:20 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  ... that would be nice. [7/27/2013 11:28:31 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  It hurts, too, when I change, with this poison in me. [7/27/2013 11:32:03 PM] Josie: ... I'm sorry. [7/27/2013 11:32:21 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  It's okay. Pain fades. [7/27/2013 11:34:13 PM] Josie: Well, I'll be there next time with you, anyhow. [7/27/2013 11:34:25 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer smiles. "That will help." [7/27/2013 11:35:37 PM] Josie: Sometimes it does, just havin' somebody there. [7/27/2013 11:43:28 PM] Khiro: ((Sorry, bathroom.)) [7/27/2013 11:43:37 PM] Khiro: He smiles, and reaches across the table to take her hand! [7/27/2013 11:44:46 PM] Josie: Josie squeezes his hand! [7/27/2013 11:45:01 PM] Josie: Sent a telegram back east. [7/27/2013 11:45:27 PM] Josie: Told 'em Wilde might benefit havin' a marshal here for permanent, given its... interestin' features. [7/27/2013 11:46:05 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  I assume you mean the quality of the beef. [7/27/2013 11:51:13 PM] Josie: I mean all the strange folk here. [7/27/2013 11:51:54 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  We are an odd bunch, yes. [7/27/2013 11:51:58 PM] Josie: ... makes 'em vulnerable to people like Viskav an' Fennick. [7/27/2013 11:55:55 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Suppose so. [7/27/2013 11:56:44 PM] Josie: Already got somethin' like three crimes to investigate here. [7/27/2013 11:57:13 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Which? I mean, I know the gentleman with the gun. What are the others? [7/27/2013 11:58:16 PM] Josie: Fennick thought Viskav was comin' back. [7/27/2013 11:58:22 PM] Josie: Gentleman that got shot. [7/27/2013 11:58:26 PM] Josie: An' the faked werewolf skeleton. [7/27/2013 11:58:48 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  How did that all go, anyway? [7/28/2013 12:00:09 AM] Josie: Tryin' to track down where the skeleton was comin' from. [7/28/2013 12:00:31 AM] Josie: Turns out it was in New York; sent a message to headquarters about it so they'll be trackin' it out there. [7/28/2013 12:06:04 AM] Khiro: Ebenezer nods. "Good." [7/28/2013 12:06:28 AM] Josie: ... that's under our jurisdiction; skeleton crossed state lines. [7/28/2013 12:09:06 AM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Why'd he buy it, anyway? [7/28/2013 12:12:15 AM] Josie: Didn't ask. [7/28/2013 12:12:27 AM] Josie: I'm assumin' he felt it was part of the collection he's got. [7/28/2013 12:12:40 AM] Josie: ... gave 'im the ectoplasm too. [7/28/2013 12:13:14 AM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Wel, he probably appreciated that. [7/28/2013 12:14:19 AM] Josie: Reckon he's used to problematic items. [7/28/2013 12:14:37 AM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  And he probably has wards against it. [7/28/2013 12:16:12 AM] Josie: Might, sure. [7/28/2013 12:19:37 AM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  I figure that house might be the best artifact he has. [7/28/2013 12:19:42 AM] Khiro: ((Sorry, had to feed the cat.)) [7/28/2013 12:22:55 AM] Josie: ... really, you think so? [7/28/2013 12:22:59 AM] Josie: ((I think I have to go sleep.)) [7/28/2013 12:23:16 AM | Edited 12:23:27 AM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Kept us lost for a good long while, if you'll recall.

Josie has hit a dead end without information from back East for the nonwolf skeleton, and she's hit a dead end without more information from Eben about the Excalibur shooting. And she still hasn't seen hide nor hair of Viskav. [8/2/2013 9:08:16 PM] Khiro: True! And she's waiting on an information packet from the marshal office. [8/2/2013 9:10:07 PM] Josie: Josie is. [8/2/2013 9:11:04 PM] Khiro: The telegraph said that they would send it by courier. Could be any time now. [8/2/2013 9:12:32 PM] Josie: Josie hopes so! [8/2/2013 9:12:44 PM] Josie: Josie sticks with her warwilf until that point, sipping coffee. [8/2/2013 9:18:14 PM] Khiro: Okay! Eventually, he heads back to his shop to continue his decoding. And also to, you know work as a taxidermist. [8/2/2013 9:20:22 PM] Josie: Josie goes and takes her horse out for a run! [8/2/2013 9:21:19 PM] Khiro: Easy enough! [8/2/2013 9:23:31 PM] Josie: Josie actually lets her run if she wants or walk if she wants, or whatever; it's just important to get her some nice exercise. [8/2/2013 9:23:47 PM] Khiro: She's pretty happy to run! [8/2/2013 9:24:47 PM] Josie: Josie has her run, then! And gives her a bit of fruit and brushes her mane before she stables her up. [8/2/2013 9:26:49 PM] Khiro: Well, later that evening, Ebenezer has managed to get most of the last entry deciphered. [8/2/2013 9:28:38 PM] Josie: What's it say? [8/2/2013 9:30:12 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  He was fully on the run at this point. Running from some holy-rollers who call themselves the Order of St. George. Modern day witch-hunters. [8/2/2013 9:30:35 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Except by 'witch', they mostly mean 'things we don't like'. [8/2/2013 9:31:10 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  they had been dogging his trail since he came to America from France. [8/2/2013 9:32:46 PM] Josie: ... Order of St. George, huh? [8/2/2013 9:34:39 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Yes. He had the gun at this point, obviously. He was supposed to meet someone here, someone called L. [8/2/2013 9:35:03 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  He seemed to think that this L could help him out somehow. [8/2/2013 9:35:53 PM] Josie: ... can you think of anybody who that'd be? [8/2/2013 9:36:34 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  From what I can tell, I don't think he's a local. I'll have to go back a bit to figure out who L was, though. [8/2/2013 9:37:06 PM] Josie: Josie nods. [8/2/2013 9:37:09 PM] Josie: Sure do appreciate it. [8/2/2013 9:38:29 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer smiles. "all part of the service." [8/2/2013 9:40:12 PM] Josie: Josie smiles too, and kisses him. [8/2/2013 9:40:49 PM] Khiro: He kisses her back! [8/2/2013 9:44:02 PM] Josie: ... L. Wonder who it is,. [8/2/2013 9:45:20 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Hopefully I'll be able to find out. And get some more information on this Order of St. George. [8/2/2013 9:46:12 PM] Josie: Somethin' tells me they wouldn't love Wilde much. [8/2/2013 9:47:12 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  I agree there. [8/2/2013 9:51:15 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  St. George killed a dragon, they say. [8/2/2013 9:51:47 PM] Josie: What do you think? [8/2/2013 9:53:15 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Did he kill the dragon? Well, I think the dragon symbolized Satan. [8/2/2013 9:59:41 PM] Josie: So he mighta done, but not permanent. [8/2/2013 10:01:35 PM] Khiro: Possibly. [8/2/2013 10:02:09 PM] Josie: Order of St. George. [8/2/2013 10:04:53 PM] Josie: That'd mean somebody normal. [8/2/2013 10:06:05 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Or hypocrites. Sadly not uncommon in the church. [8/2/2013 10:08:28 PM] Josie: An' everywhere else, too. [8/2/2013 10:08:47 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Right. [8/2/2013 10:08:50 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Hmm. [8/2/2013 10:11:36 PM] Josie: Hmm? [8/2/2013 10:11:47 PM] Josie: I can't even think of anybody whose name starts with an L. [8/2/2013 10:12:31 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:   Wonder if these are the same blokes that stabbed me. [8/2/2013 10:12:58 PM] Josie: If they are, we can get 'em to tell us what they used. [8/2/2013 10:13:15 PM] Josie: ... let's see, you're British, that'd be Anglican, right? [8/2/2013 10:14:03 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  There are Catholics in Britain. [8/2/2013 10:14:43 PM] Josie: I know. Priests' holes an' the like. [8/2/2013 10:18:50 PM] Josie: Point is, I'm sure you could tell 'em the Lord's Prayer with your hand on a Bible if'n they want. [8/2/2013 10:19:29 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Well, the man who attacked me wasn't interested in that sort of thing. [8/2/2013 10:20:43 PM] Josie: Yeah, an' I wasn't there then, neither. [8/2/2013 10:23:25 PM] Josie: Don't know that I coulda helped, but I woulda tried. Don't hold with vigilante justice. ... which reminds me, I oughtta check up on Rupert some time. [8/2/2013 10:25:47 PM] Josie: *Some* of 'em might stop for a badge. Some of 'em. [8/2/2013 10:26:21 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Depens on if they're zealots. [8/2/2013 10:28:02 PM] Josie: An' if the badge comes with a gun. [8/2/2013 10:29:11 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  That too. [8/2/2013 10:39:59 PM] Josie: Josie smiles. [8/2/2013 10:40:10 PM] Josie: Well. If they want a war, reckon Wilde's the right town to defend itself. [8/2/2013 10:41:21 PM] Josie: ((I need to stop arguing with people about religion.)) [8/2/2013 10:42:01 PM] Josie: ((For what it's worth: To me, there is precisely *no* difference between a hateful, arrogant prick atheist zealot and a hateful, arrogant prick Christian zealot, and I believe both should be fired out of cannons whenever possible.)) [8/2/2013 10:42:57 PM] Khiro: ((Agree!)) [8/2/2013 10:44:07 PM] Josie: ((It's very annoying when people who aren't religious or have not even bothered to do the research make pronouncements about various religions, like "most Christians are evangelicals," when you can easily *easily* find stats that don't back that up.)) [8/2/2013 10:49:42 PM] Josie: Josie shakes her head. [8/2/2013 10:49:46 PM] Josie: But I hope they don't. [8/2/2013 10:50:56 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  Well, if those were the guys we saw out at the edge of town, they know where we ar. [8/2/2013 10:51:36 PM] Josie: Think they saw us in particular? They were a pretty good ways out. [8/2/2013 10:52:39 PM] Khiro: Ebenezer:  I doubt it. It was pretty dark. [8/2/2013 10:53:35 PM] Josie: ... good. [8/2/2013 10:58:34 PM] Josie: ((Dunnoooooo what else to dooooooo.)) [8/2/2013 10:59:19 PM] Khiro: ((sorry, was on the phone there. You could ask around about the Order of St. George, or L, or go check the post.)) [8/2/2013 11:01:08 PM] Josie: Josie sighs. [8/2/2013 11:01:23 PM] Josie: You keep workin' on that thing, I'm gonna check the mail, an' maybe ask some folks 'bout the Order. All right? [8/2/2013 11:02:25 PM] Khiro: Khiro nods. "I will, Kate." [8/2/2013 11:03:56 PM] Josie: Josie hugs him, briefly, if no one is looking, and heads to the post office! [8/2/2013 11:04:29 PM] Khiro: Okay! The guy there looks at you. "Can I help you?" He seems concerned about something. [8/2/2013 11:06:02 PM] Josie: ... somethin' wrong? [8/2/2013 11:08:03 PM] Khiro: Postman:  No. Well, wait, you're that marshal, aren't you? [8/2/2013 11:08:58 PM] Josie: ... yeah. f'I can help, let me know. [8/2/2013 11:10:37 PM] Khiro: Postman:  ...one of our riders is two days late. And Chuck is *never* late. Thought he might have gotten waylaid or worse. [8/2/2013 11:12:39 PM] Josie: ... hell. Where was he comin' from? [8/2/2013 11:13:45 PM] Khiro: Carlin city, about a day's ride to the north. [8/2/2013 11:16:46 PM] Josie: ... a whole day. Hell. [8/2/2013 11:17:46 PM] Khiro: Postman:  should have been here yesterday. [8/2/2013 11:18:52 PM] Josie: North. On the road, right? [8/2/2013 11:19:00 PM] Josie: Hey, did anything come for me? [8/2/2013 11:19:45 PM] Khiro: Postman:  I'll check. [8/2/2013 11:19:54 PM] Khiro: The Postman checks! [8/2/2013 11:19:59 PM] Khiro: ((I'll brb. biobreak.)) [8/2/2013 11:20:57 PM] Josie: Josie frowns. [8/2/2013 11:23:00 PM] Khiro: Postman:  Nothing, sorry. Where was it coming from? [8/2/2013 11:23:59 PM] Josie: ... ain't important. [8/2/2013 11:24:10 PM] Josie: Can you deliver a note here in town for me? [8/2/2013 11:24:52 PM | Edited 11:25:08 PM] Khiro: Postman:  I mean, if it was coming from the east, Chuck might have it. [8/2/2013 11:25:14 PM] Khiro: Postman:  Well, sure. [8/2/2013 11:25:23 PM] Josie: Got paper an' a pen? [8/2/2013 11:25:41 PM] Khiro: He hands you paper and pen and ink! [8/2/2013 11:26:50 PM] Josie: Josie writes a note to Eben explaining what happened and where she's going, buys a stamp for it, and goes to grab Delphine and head north! [8/2/2013 11:31:58 PM] Khiro: Okay! Off you go. Postman says to keep to the road. [8/2/2013 11:32:24 PM] Josie: Josie hurries, but doesn't push Delphine too hard--she might get mad or be tired! [8/2/2013 11:35:04 PM] Khiro: Delphine seems pretty dedicated to her job! She tends to give you what you need and not an ounce more to save her strength. Like the horse version of you in respect to her job. [8/2/2013 11:35:26 PM] Khiro: Smart, logical, loyal! [8/2/2013 11:36:38 PM] Josie: Josie adores her horse. [8/2/2013 11:37:24 PM] Khiro: You ride! And ride and ride. After a couple hours, you find a dead horse. [8/2/2013 11:38:27 PM] Josie: Josie curses, and looks for a person, dead or otherwise. [8/2/2013 11:38:48 PM] Khiro: Nope! How good is Kate at reading tracks? [8/2/2013 11:41:01 PM] Josie: Josie isn't, really. If they're super, super obvious she can probably follow 'em. [8/2/2013 11:45:37 PM] Khiro: The horse is a bit of a mess, but you think it was shot first, and the rest of the damage was done by wildlife after. No sign of the rider, or any of the sachels, or even the saddle. [8/2/2013 11:46:45 PM] Josie: ... the hell kinda thing is goin' on out here. [8/2/2013 11:46:51 PM] Josie: Somebody robbed the mail. [8/2/2013 11:49:25 PM] Khiro: ((Roll a die for me!)) [8/2/2013 11:50:24 PM] Josie: ((9/10!)) [8/2/2013 11:52:31 PM] Khiro: You see tracks in the dust that indicate that something heavy, probably man-sized, was dragged off the road to the hills to the west. [8/2/2013 11:52:40 PM] Josie: Shit. [8/2/2013 11:52:43 PM] Josie: Josie follows the tracks! [8/2/2013 11:55:08 PM] Khiro: It's a short jaunt, not even half a mile, but you find a camp. [8/2/2013 11:58:03 PM] Josie: Josie looks for the camper. [8/3/2013 12:01:06 AM] Khiro: There are two guys, shot dead, and a third, who is breathing and tied up. The other two guys are not. [8/3/2013 12:02:26 AM] Josie: .... what the hell happened? [8/3/2013 12:03:51 AM] Khiro: The living one looks pretty beat up. He's unconscious. It seems like the camp was hastily set up, it hasn't been here this long. [8/3/2013 12:06:14 AM] Josie: Josie looks for the perpetrator! [8/3/2013 12:06:21 AM] Josie: Josie does draw her gun. [8/3/2013 12:06:47 AM] Khiro: One of the dead guys is slumped over the mail satchels, it looks like. [8/3/2013 12:11:50 AM] Josie: Josie grabs the satchels. [8/3/2013 12:12:29 AM] Khiro: It's full of mail! Mostly stuff that's urgent or speedy deliveries. [8/3/2013 12:14:32 AM] Josie: Josie takes it all and tries to wake up the unconscious guy. [8/3/2013 12:15:56 AM] Khiro: He comes around with a little coaxing. ".... the purple?" [8/3/2013 12:17:24 AM] Josie: What? [8/3/2013 12:17:33 AM] Josie: What the hell happened here, mister. [8/3/2013 12:19:03 AM] Khiro: He groans. "Got jumped by these boys.  They beat on me awhile.  That's all I know." [8/3/2013 12:19:38 AM] Josie: ... the dead ones? [8/3/2013 12:19:43 AM] Josie: So who killed 'em? [8/3/2013 12:19:55 AM] Josie: What's your name? [8/3/2013 12:22:10 AM] Khiro: He coughs. "Can't say who killed 'em.  Wasn't awake for that, don't think.  I'm Chuck Olson." [8/3/2013 12:23:28 AM] Josie: ... you're the one supposed t'be bringin' the mail. [8/3/2013 12:23:33 AM] Josie: Josie cuts him loose and helps him up. [8/3/2013 12:30:08 AM] Khiro: He's pretty unsteady. [8/3/2013 12:30:41 AM] Josie: Josie helps him onto Delphine. [8/3/2013 12:30:48 AM] Josie: Anythin' here you need to keep? [8/3/2013 12:30:49 AM] Khiro: It's worth noting that both of the bandits were killed with a single shot. Probably a rifle. [8/3/2013 12:31:21 AM] Khiro: Chuck:  Besides the mail? I'd like to keep the saddle, if we can. [8/3/2013 12:33:08 AM] Josie: ... right. [8/3/2013 12:33:17 AM] Josie: Josie pulls it off and throws it over her shoulder. [8/3/2013 12:34:49 AM] Josie: Let's get on back to Wilde. [8/3/2013 12:34:59 AM] Josie: Did you see anythin' at all? [8/3/2013 12:36:21 AM] Khiro: Chuck:  Heard a gunshot, horse falls over, I'm layin' there dazed, get dragged off the dead horse, kicked and punched until I was out. [8/3/2013 12:36:49 AM] Khiro: Chuck:  ... wait. Remember hearin' a gunshot? And a bunch of coughing? Maybe? [8/3/2013 12:38:26 AM] Josie: ... coughin'? [8/3/2013 12:38:40 AM] Josie: Josie checks the dead guys for identification! [8/3/2013 12:50:14 AM] Khiro: None! They just looked like a couple of down on their luck bandits. One gun between them, an old revolver, and only one bullet between them. Stealing the mail might have been desperation. ((You know, in dedication to their life of crime instead of finding an honest job.)) [8/3/2013 12:50:25 AM] Josie: ((Idiots!)) [8/3/2013 12:50:38 AM] Khiro: ((Stupid bandits are stupid!)) [8/3/2013 12:51:15 AM] Josie: Josie takes all their stuff, too, then, and skedaddles, walking beside Delphine, who's carrying Chuck.