[It's early afternoon, and we find our protagonists in an Injun village. Tairan was just bitten by a rattlesnake and was lucky enough to have friends willing to drop insane amounts of cash into getting him cured, courtesy of one crazy Crazy Feathers-brand antidote. Afterwards, Jinx mentioned that not only did he pay for a lunch of bison, but the cook knew where the bandit gang's heading...] [... across the Salamanders. When they got there, there was an extremely pretty Injun woman, who apparently knows a shortcut and, on top of it all, recognized John. She just said something nice and interesting, too.] [Session Start.] * RunningCloud smirks. "It's not nice to run out on an engagement, John." * Millie leans forward in her seat, her wrist tipped and her chin resting on it as she leans forward. Her eyes glint with mischief as she breaks into a slow grin, looking over towards Cloud, then to John. "Well now, ain't this INTERestin'...?" * Jinx eats, he watches Running Cloud and John with interest as he wolfs down the meal. * Suzunosuke eyes John with open admiration. * MaryAnne puts one hand up to her mouth "Oh dear oh me oh my." What engagement? What are you talking about? * Mikoto stops with a forkful of bison halfway to his mouth, blinking at John. "This... is a bit of a surprise." *chewchewchewswallow* Never pictured ya ta be a marriage dodger, Johnny boy. [The cook looks surprised, but bustles about, making sure everyone has plenty to eat.] * Tairan blinkblinks. "Woah. Head must still be swimming. Thought I heard her say she was engaged to Shinyteeth." * RunningCloud folds her arms. "You know damn well what you're talking about. Running off like that... honestly." ( ... Note to Self: John's Injun name is Shinyteeth. ) (o/~) Hey, I never agreed to anything. * MaryAnne sits politely trying not to 'listen in' as that would be bad manners. * MaryAnne tastes of the barbarcue. * Jinx chuckles as he eats. ... apparently I wasn't hallucinating. Good... ooh, pretty lights... * Tairan stares off into space between bites. Oh no, you did. The ceremony was ready and everything. It's not my fault your memory's faulty. * John sits down. "It's not my fault you thought I'd marry you without asking me." Really! As if I'd do something like that. * Millie smirks at John. "Well ya sure gots your way with wimmin." She flicks her wrist absently back and forth as she settles back into her chair, tipping her hat slightly to shade her eyes. * RunningCloud whirls on the cook. "Would I do something like that? In all the time you've known me, would I do something like *that*?" [The cook blinks. "Well... uh..." He freezes for a moment, then, "No! Of course not!"] * RunningCloud nods, turning back to John. "There, see?" She looks at Millie. "See? He's not trying to trick you too, is he?" * MaryAnne eats politely and quitely. Better to have never met you / In your dream / Than to wake to hands / Reaching for something not there. * Millie blinks. Twice. Then points to herself. "Who me? Whatcha talkin' 'bout?" Make you think he's going to marry you just so you'll break him out of a cell and then running off like he never knew you! What the hell? I've only known her for a matter of days! * Millie looks up a bit, and stammers. "Na...now hold on a moment here! Who says I want ta marry ol' Twinkly there??" * Tairan raises an eyebrow at John, then apparently gets distracted by something. "Ooh, pink dancing snakes... heh heh..." *munches* You do? This is news. * Millie jumps up from her seat, looking at RunningCloud with an expression of horror. * Jinx cracks up a bit. He then coughs on a piece of meat and takes a few moments to clear his wind pipe. * MaryAnne politely dabbles her napkin at her mouth as if she hasn't heard anything. * Mikoto smiles distractedly, then takes another bite of bison, deciding the chef is the safest conversation partner at the moment. "It's really quite good. A little heavier than I'm used to." * Suzunosuke nods agreement with Mikoto. "Such a fine meal as this is almost too much after days on the road. My stomach can hardly bear its weight." So you don't? Good. * Millie shakes her head, then stares at RunningCloud, blinking, then slowly turning to John. "Did you jus' say...break him outta a cell...?" * RunningCloud frowns. "Yeah. It was easy enough." She glares at John. * Mikoto blinks at Suz, then rubs the back of his neck. "That's an interesting way to compliment it, I guess." Jailbreak! Heh heh... *zones out* * Millie fixates her gaze on John. "Would figure our mystery man would have a reason ta hide 'is name, eh...?" * John puts his right hand in his face, his left hand clenching in anger. "Yeah, what's it to you?" * Millie smiles brightly at John, but her eyes definitely look a lot different than her smile would let on. "Ya takin' Millie for a fool then?" * Jinx looks at John with some admiration. He keeps his mouth shut. * Mikoto takes a bite of bison. "Everyone has things they don't immediately share, Miss Reinhardt. Even you have some, I'm certain." * John regains his composure. "No." What's the charge? Ya blind someone from your smile an' they fell offa their horse? * MaryAnne continues to eat and drink politely. * Millie 's slowly taking steps towards John, ignoring Mikoto's side-commentary. * John glares at Millie. "It's, None, Of, Your, Business." ( Getting a very strong Han/Leia vibe, oddly. It's deeply amusing. ) We all wear masks. With feathers. Shinies too. Heh heh... *munches* (Yes.) It IS my business. An' Miss Mary's too. She said she wanted "utmost moral standards" didn't she? * Jinx looks at John. "Just so long as it wasn't killing a loyal Injun side kick, I rather object to that sort of thing." * Mikoto blinks at Mary in mock surprise. "Really, Miss Pippin?" * Millie looks John straight in the eye, getting up all close-like. * MaryAnne turns her head "But of course." * John sighs. "You really don't want to hear it." * Mikoto appears to digest that thought for a moment, then shrugs and stretches his arms behind him. "It suits a lady of breeding like yourself to say something like that." * Millie smiles slightly. It has daggers in it. "Well, maybe I should ask your pretty little Injun gal, eh? I'm sure she'd be more than willin' ta spill what she knows." ... If you're really desperate to find out, I'll tell you. But be sure to hear me out. Isn't polite to look around in someone's closet... private skeletons and such... dancing skeletons. Lookit 'em dance... "Oh, I do hope it's nothing deplorable." Nothing *I* did. * Millie lets out a slight hmmph sound, losing her smile and folding her arms over her chest, turning a bit away from John. "Alright. I'll listen. But only because ya helped get us this far." * Jinx waits and watches John. * RunningCloud snorts. "Skeletons. What a very morbid image, Mister Tairan." * John looks at Running Cloud. "Do you have anything to add?" [The cook goes about cooking more bison. He's probably listening in.] An' don't expect ME ta make any marriage deals with ya, Johnny-boy. Just that I'm your key through the Salamanders, John dear. Tell them what you want. "Oh, dear. I believe he has had too much to drink and become overwelmed." * Millie smiles at RunningCloud. "Don'tcha worry. If he misbehaves, Millie'll be here ta help ya set 'im straight." She grins wickedly. * Tairan opens his eyes. "Nope. Poison's messin' with my head. And when did you grow horns and wings?" *conks out again* * RunningCloud grins. "Probably not necessary, but help is appreciated." "I say, what an unusual dibilitation." * Millie settles back in her chair and plops right down, bringing her legs up high and crossing them with a bit of a flourish. ( He was bit by a rattler. He didn't lick a toad. c.c; ) * John nods. "Well, let's see... how far back was it? Two to three years I believe." ( It's a neurotoxin. =P ) ( I'm kidding. ^_^ ) "Oh my, that's not very lady-like, Miss Miss Reinhart." ( ^_^ ) Pah. If I was wearin' a dress, maybe. But who cares? If the boys get excited, well jus' a sign of their "lack of moral character" ain't it? * Millie grins but still adjusts herself to be a bit more lady-like...or tries at least. * Jinx grins a bit at the legs, "Now, let's let John tell his story." * Suzunosuke is starting to look a little offended. * Millie leans her elbow over the edge of her seat, giving Jinx a bright smile and waving over to him casually. * Mikoto raises an eyebrow. "I have no idea how to respond to that." Well, three years ago I was living with my parents, planning on continuing the family business. We weren't much, but it was a good life. * Jinx smiles back, not offended at all. * MaryAnne finishes her eatting and drinking. I woke up one night from a pair of gunshots that came from my parent's bedroom. Turns out they were murdered in their sleep. * John takes a drink. * Suzunosuke pulls out a pad of yellowed paper from his rucksack and starts making a few notes. ( There'll be a quiz next session. ) "Oh that is quite terrible." * Jinx frowns and focuses his attention on the story. * Millie raises an eyebrow. "They honestly thought ya killed your own family?" * Mikoto blinks, then sighs, avid curiosity turned to a bit of embarrassed shame. "I'm sorry to hear that, John." ( Wait. Can there be non-embarrassed shame? ) ( Yes! Guilty shame. Okay. Sorry. ) * Suzunosuke looks up at Millie. "Let the man finish his story." * John continues. "My brother, Will" He spits as he says his brother's name. "Apparently did it, and blamed it on me. Will had me arrested, inhereted the family's property, and had me sent to prison to await a 'fair' trial." * Millie frowns a bit at Suz. "I'm jus' tryin' ta figure out where this is goin'...but.." She sighs and raises her head slowly to look at John. "I'm sorry still." Ah, siblings. "What a deplorable thing to do to one's family." (...you did not seriously name your brother Will Rogers... :P) (Oh, but of course.) () (It really wasn't intentional.) * Suzunosuke looks mildly nauseated and stops eating. That's horrible, I'm sorry I joked earlier. ( Oh, the Follies of Will Rogers. ) ( ...God will punish you. ) * Millie takes a deep breath, losing the glimmer a bit in her eyes, standing up slowly and walking over to John. "Hey..." * John takes another drink. "Running Cloud noticed me, and after pleading my case to her, helped me bust out of the prison. After that it's more of a blur, but she thinks that I agreed to marry her. I ran off, and avoided or-" He gulps again "injured anyone Will sent after me." * John looks to the side, a tear almost forming in his right eye. "There, ya happy?" * Mikoto breathes out, taking a sip of water from a cup. "That's terrible." He glances into the desert. "Sometimes 'upright morals' and 'justice' aren't brothers at the same table." * Millie puts a hand on John's shoulder. "Look...I'm sorry, John. I really am." * Suzunosuke finishes writing something with an emphatic flourish. Family always hurts the worst... *snore* "That is most terrible, Mister Rogers. How can you prove to the law officers that your brother and not you are responsible for the taking of your parents life? It seems like something that would be very difficult to prove." It... It's okay. I should have known it would come to this sooner or later. But it's better that ya told us. It's hard ta trust someone who's got a dark mysterious past an' all..it tends ta come blowin' up in your face. I'd say it rather has. * Jinx looks at a loss for words. "There's no shame in what you did. It's a terrible situation, but I'm sure I wouldn't have handled it any better." It could have been worse... He could have met the authorities chasin' after him...if they said he were a wanted man, would'ja have fought 'em? * John slams his fist on the table. "If I ever see Will again... Ever." * RunningCloud shrugs, an odd look on her face, considering she was glaring a moment ago. She coughs. * MaryAnne is startled by John's fist striking the table and jerks. At least not in dire way, though. John, while I can't say I have your degree of problem, I know how it feels to be betrayed by one's brother... * John looks at Running Cloud. "Do you have something to say?" He says in a harsh tone. * Jinx stays quiet and pokes at his food. * Millie looks down at John for a second, then goes over back to her food, again pretty much the same although with less of a flourish and with more of a slump. (Yes, darling **WIGGLE WIGGLE** I'm so excited to be near you again **WIGGLE WIGGLE**) Yeah. * Mikoto finishes his bison, then smiles at the chef. "That was wonderful. Thank you for letting us try it." * RunningCloud looks at John. "You're only out of jail because I got you out." [The chef smiles. "Glad you liked it. Tell your friends, eh? Don't get many Easterners here."] "Yes, it was very tasteful. Thank you." While it is true that I'm in your debt, why do you want me to marry you? * Millie looks up at the chef, not wanting to intrude on John and Running's lovely conversation. "Ya seem fairly tolerant. It's a good sign..ta be honest, I was a little worried comin' here.. * RunningCloud says, almost flippantly, "Why not?" ( Rnning Cloud: "Man who defeat Amazon must marry her!" ) (Bah. I'd win. ^_^_v) ( "I have a bad habit of breaking mirrors, so your teeth come in handy!" ) * Suzunosuke nods agreement with Mikoto. "I must apologize for not finishing my portion. Be assured that it is not for any lack of excellence in your culinary skill." Because you didn't ask me? Because you should get to know someone more than a couple days before proposing? Do you want me to continue? * Jinx takes a moment to finish his food. "Worth every dollar." * Millie notices food, and then proceeds to eat food. Trying to be lady-like. She's making a really good attempt at it from the looks of things. * Tairan sits up suddenly, shakes his head, adjusts his hat, and goes back to eating. I *did* ask you, and who the hell are you to decide if I should wait or not? Besides, it wasn't even a marriage ceremony! Men are such idiots! * John hasn't touched a bite of his food. * Millie nods in agreement to RunningCloud and proceeds to wipe her mouth before taking another bite. Then what the heck was it? I asked just about everyone there and they finally told me what was going on. Why were you running stuff behind my back? * Mikoto struggles not to get involved, and makes small talk with the chef. "I fear most Easterner palattes won't be receptive to something so heavy easily, but I'll certainly spread the word." * RunningCloud grins suddenly. "If I told you, your pride would be shot." * Millie stares over at Mikoto, then points at her food with a fork, looking oddly. "THIS is heavy?" Yes, I rather think my father would like this, this... bison, was it? (*forces Mikoto to eat Eli's cheesecake*) * Jinx looks at Mikoto. "So what sort of meals are available over there?" [The cook nods. "Bison."] * John eyes Running Cloud, then starts eating his food. ( GMs: I'm guessing mostly Japanese type stuff, yes? Seafood and all? ) ( Yeah ) * Mikoto stretches his arms behind his head. "Mostly rice and fish. Very light foods by comparison." It's a different style, even more than differeing food. Small portions. So-called delicate flavorings. * Millie blinks at Mikoto, raising an eyebrow, then tipping her head to the side curiously. "What's rice?" I'm sure you know what rice is. * Jinx scratches his head. "I suppose that may be alright, guess I'll find out soon enough." "It is a grain, like wheat, but with a different taste." * Mikoto blinks back at Millie, then coughs, not expecting to have to answer this. "It's a grain, the same type of plant as wheat or corn, but it grows in wetlands instead of tall grass." * RunningCloud smirks and has a seat next to John. She doesn't seem interested in eating. "So, who's your friends?" * Millie shakes her head slightly. "Wetlands. Pah. No wetlands where I'm from. No sense in gettin' your boots all soggy." "Oh, do partden my ill manners." she stands and bows politely "My name is Miss Mary Anne Pippins of the Redrock Society of Explorers and Scientists." * Suzunosuke scratches his head. "But everyone eats rice!" * RunningCloud nods at the lady. * John sits up. "She's the one who organized the party." Is that so? * Millie grins and thumps herself in the middle of her chest proudly as she looks over RunningCloud. "Millie Victoria Reinhart at your service, ma'am!" * Mikoto glances at Suz. "In the west, they eat slightly differently, because of the terrain." He turns to Running Cloud and smiles. "My name is Mikoto. A pleasure, milady." "Yes. We are seaching to retrieve an item of archeological interests that was taken in route from a train travelling to Redrock." * Jinx glances over at Running Cloud and waves. "Errant Hare, commonly known as Jinx. Glad to meet you." Artifacts? Interesting. Please call me Suzunosuke. * RunningCloud nods at each person. * Millie 's eyes twinkle a bit as she leans forward towards RunningCloud. "Yeah! Ain't it excitin'?!" "Apparently, the individuals resposible passed through this way recently." Yeah, and we're going after them. * Tairan looks up. "Tairan." *tips his cap* * Millie smirks, waving her hand in an expression of dismissal. "Eh...ol' Calamity won't know what hit 'er when Millie V. comes ridin' up. Or walkin' in my current state." Sneaking, hopefully. * Millie grins at Tairan. "Ya worried?" "It is my hope that we will soon reach them and retrieve the item so that we can return back to Redrock." * RunningCloud nods at Millie. "Yeah, it is. I'd like to do something like that." She sounds almost wistful for a moment, then continues, "But I have other obligations." * Mikoto blinks at Millie, then signs and gives RC a wry smile. "Among the people we're trailing is Calamity Jan. It's become quite an adventure keeping up." Yeah..though I still say ya didn't need ta hurt those poor forest sprites. * Tairan shrugs. "Always better to sneak up on an opponent than to face 'em head on. Only a fool seeks a confrontation where the risk of casualties is higher than it needs to be." Calamity Jan? You serious? You're going to need all the help you can get. * Jinx looks over at Millie. "They eat people." * Millie shakes her head slightly irritatedly at Tairan. "Either you're still drugged on that snake venom, or ya don't trust me. I'd hope ya'd know me better than that." Yeah but they weren't tryin' ta eat us. Ya judge people simply on their dietary preference? * Mikoto laughs and nods at RC. "Probably as much as we can get. I hope you'll lend us your skills for a while. If we come back with Calamity Jan in tow, you might become a very rich woman afterward." * Tairan grins. "Little bit from column one, little bit from column two. I don't trust easy." If they're eating me? Yes. * Jinx nods in agreement with John. "Pretty much." * Millie shakes her head irritatedly again and looks at RunningCloud. "Ya sure ya couldn't come? It'd be a refreshin' change of pace from these guys." * Jinx chuckles. "Are we really so bad?" * RunningCloud shakes her head. "Nope. I can get you in the tunnel, though, which'll help you catch them." She frowns. "If that's what you want." I think it is the other way around. * Millie smirks slightly at Jinx. "Maybe ya are, maybe you're not." We can't be that horrible. Heck, I'm downright delightful company, myself. *snerks, then busts out laughing* * Jinx smirks back. "That's a little vague, could you give me odds on which sort I am?" * Millie eyes Tairan. "Ahyeah...a regular laugh riot." She smirks at Jinx. "Oh I dunno...16 to 1?" * Mikoto glances at John. "Are you okay with us asking Miss Running Cloud for help?" * Millie glances at Mikoto. "I don't think we've much of a choice either way ta be honest." * Jinx chuckles. "16 to one against being worthwhile I suppose, well, I've bet on worse. I'll take that." * Millie winks at Jinx but doesn't respond this time. * John looks over at Running Cloud, then back to Mikoto. "I'll deal. Anyways, I doubt we have a choice." "Anything that you could offer that would speed us on our way would greatly be appreciated, Miss Running Cloud." We still do not know how far we trail our prey, even. * Mikoto sighs. "I'm sorry, we really don't." He glances at Cloud and smiles sheepishly. "Sorry, this must sound sort of offensive to you." Few days at least, by the tracks. Oh, no offense at all. * Millie hmms a bit, rubbing her chin. "They sure went through a lot of trouble..I'm surprised we got this much of a trail on 'em..." * RunningCloud grins. "After all, it won't be for free." * Mikoto smiles. "It's best to be honest about what you want. It's a quality I appreciate." I'm sure you can guess. * Millie looks at RunningCloud confused, then grins slightly. "Sorry...if it's Johnny you're after, we need him for right now..." * Tairan shrugs. "In my experience, skilled bandits often get lazy about little details. Get to enamored with their reputations." * MaryAnne looks confused "Hmmm?" Don't try to figure it out Mary. Maybe we can make sure he comes back to a pretty little lady such as yourself though.. * RunningCloud tips John's hat onto his eyes; it's a surprisingly affectionate gesture, given how she was treating him not long before. "If Johnny here lives through it all, next time he's back in Teck he's going to go through the ceremony. That's all." * Mikoto grins at John conspiratorily. "Shomuran is a vast realm. You could spend years seeing it all." * Millie looks over at John, giving the matter some thought. * Jinx chuckles. ( Why are we calling it "Shomuran"? I thought it was Shomura. ) * MaryAnne blushes "Oh. OH!" * John smiles back to Mikoto, then sighs. "I still have some business to take care of in Teck, unfortunately." "Oh my." she pulls out her hand fan and fans herself. I don't think she's takin' no for an answer though... Is it a real wedding? Or something less? I'm... not quite sure anymore. I just *said* it's not a marriage ceremony. ( It might be? I don't know. I seem to be the only person who ever refers to it by name. ;) So what is it then? Well, we'll do our best to keep John alive so he can come back for the not-marraige ceremony. ( Most of the citizens of Shomura refer to Teck as "The West". Most citizens of Teck refer to Shomura as "The East". ) * RunningCloud smiles mischievously. "Now, I can't just tell you. That'll ruin the surprise." ( The terms aren't considered deragatory, though; some Shomurans call themselves Easterners, some Teckians call themselves Westerners. ) * Millie looks at RunningCloud for a moment, blinking, then slowly grinning. "Oh, a mystery. Millie just LOVES mysteries." I may understand his reluctance. * Millie grins over to Suz, her eyes twinkling a bit. "Gee, ya think?" * Mikoto scratches the side of his head. "I hate to say it, but we're already losing ground. The sooner we can leave, the better." Yep. * John nods. * RunningCloud smiles the smile of someone who's already won. * Jinx grins as well, then looks over at Mikoto. "I'm afraid you're right." * John smirks. "I guess there's no getting out of it." Not this time. * RunningCloud turns to Millie. "Do me a favor?" * Millie jabs the rest of her bison with her fork and stands up from her chair, brushing her thighs and patting them, tipping her hat to the chef. "It's the best bison I've tasted in a while. I definitely'll tell all my friends 'bout it. * Millie turns slowly towards RunningCloud, hmming and eyes wide with curiousity. "Yeah?" [The cook laughs. "My pleasure, pretty lady."] If he tries to back out of this one? Shoot him. ( So c'mon down to Injun Bison House! Just turn left at the living cactus that's trying to beat you to death! ) * John finishes his meal. He puts his eating utensils down on his plate, and pauses... * Millie looks over slowly at John, raising an eyebrow, then back to RunningCloud, grinning and tipping her hat up. "Sure thing. Jus' the legs ta slow 'im down though." * RunningCloud winks. "Of course. I wouldn't want him permanently damaged." * John stares straight ahead. "Great, they're conspiring against me." * Jinx grins. "Good to know you're merciful Millie. Hope you'lll extend the same courtesy to me if it ever comes to that." * Millie stretches her arms high overhead, letting out a slight mmm of pleasure. "I might. I might think you're too dangerous ta afford the luxury too. Or maybe I think you're too cute ta shoot." * MaryAnne fans herself * Tairan stands and stretches. * RunningCloud claps her hands once. "So! When do you want to leave?" * Jinx cracks up. * Millie slowly lowers her arms and opens her eyes, chuckling and going over to RunningCloud, wrapping her arm around her shoulder. "I think we'll get along jus' fine! Let's get goin'!" * Suzunosuke waits for the banter to subside. * John hands the cook the plate, which is now devoid of bison. "Here, it'was very nice..." He still stairs straight ahead. Why me? ;_; "As soon as possible, if you please." * Mikoto glances at Suzunosuke, then at RC and John. "Somehow, the eastern tradition of arranged marriage doesn't seem quite so bad as some people suggest." * RunningCloud oofs as Millie does that, but grins just the same. Especially at John's reaction. Indeed. Hear hear. * Millie releases her grip and starts casually walking down the village path towards where they're going, hmming a bit. The knowledge that my father will select a bride for me has always rankled, but it does reduce the frustration in the negotiation phase. You just think this is funny, don't you? * Jinx stands up and walks along looking over at Millie. "Impressive how you can make both shooting someone and sparing someone a compliment." Why, John. I'd *never* laugh at you. * Suzunosuke looks John in the eyes. "No." * Mikoto laughs. "Someone of your stature can't marry carelessly, though, can he, Suzunosuke?" * MaryAnne travels along as Running Cloud leads the way. * RunningCloud grins and lightly thwaps John upside the head, then gets to her feet. "If we're leaving, I'll prepare. I'll be back shortly." As I said, I will have no choice. It is the way of things, that is all. * RunningCloud gets moving, making her way into one of the buildings. * John chuckles and smiles at Running Cloud. "Sure you wouldn't. Guess we can't get going without you?" He heads out. Always a choice, Suzunosuke. Just sometimes not a nice one. * MaryAnne is ready to leave and waits for wveryone to gather and depart. [The cook chuckles and shakes his head, then goes about cleaning the tables.] * Millie winks at Jinx. "I'm talented like that." If I were running away, I might have a choice. ...I prefer to think that I am running forward. And ahead of me, the only choice is what I make of myself, not what my family makes of me. * John nods. "Very true Suzunosuke. Maybe a bit optimistic, but true." * Jinx looks over at Suzunosuke. "That's an admirable response to outside forces controling your life." * Mikoto sighs and gets up to do some stretching. "So we're heading to the east. I wish I could find some sort of clear goal in their movements." * John chuckles. "They're trying to get away from us." They're scared. Rightfully so. We're not close enough to scare them. Hmm..I wonder if it's just that though...ya sure ya can't tell us anything more 'bout this tablet, Miss Mary? Says you. Yeah...Suz's got a point. I think right now they may jus' generally be tryin' ta lose anyone who's followin' them though.. They probably figure SOMEONE'S gonna come after. * Mikoto shakes his head. "I don't think they're scared *of us*, but they may be scared. It's not like a lot of people hired in the west will follow them into the Empire." Mmm. Then they will be mistaken. "Well, it's a small stone tablet that has writing both the ancient language as well as some of the modern used language and with it we should be able to understand how the ancient language is translated." Why would they? They travelled through some nasty terrain... plus, it's not like they stole a chest fulla gold. It'd be a first time for me steppin' into there, that's for sure.. Once we cross we'll probably get their attention. Those that cross over the border tend to be the more dangerous short. * Millie raises an eyebrow. "It's a translation?" I doubt they're expecting pursuit, frankly. Ya mean...they actually found somethin' ta translate the old scripts? "In simple terms, yes, it should allow us to unlock the structure of the ancient language - one of ancheologies key mysteries." ( Ked bites Suzunosuke's toungue. "Gah! It's hard playing a not- smart character." ) * John nods. "Knowledge is power." * Millie blinks. Then blinks again. Then looks Mary straight in the eyes. "You're...serious..." * Tairan furrows his brow. "Like I said before... good bandit is an arrogant bandit, and an arrogant bandit is a sloppy bandit." That is a treasure, indeed! "Well, in all honesty, I am unsure how it could really benefit anyone other than those of an academic nature." * Mikoto thinks about that. "It would certainly be valuable to scholars. Very valuable. Sadly, that just opens the field of potential thieves to practically anybody for any reason." * Millie clasps her hands togethher and her eyes twinkle again. "Then...this is really it..." No more mullin' 'round with fake maps an' forgeries...this is really it! I wonder if there is any poetry surviving in the ancient script? * Jinx looks at Millie. "You a treasure hunter?" "Um..of course, Miss Reinhart. For what reason would I want to trick you?" Nah, she just wants fame. * Millie laughs at Jinx and grins slightly. "Well, you're closer than anyone else has been before! Nah, I'm a ruin hunter actually. Though treasure works just as well." Ruins? This'll be interesting. Assuming one of us decides to explore these ruins once we get our reward. The world is gonna remember the name Millie Reinhart, ya hear!? I'm goin' down in the history books! The greatest ever! * Millie thrusts her fist into the air. "Well, once the language is unlocked, I would expect that our understanding of the ruins would be greatly enhanced." * Suzunosuke steps unobtrusively away. * Mikoto sits down and smiles. "Such interesting ambitions. I feel very glad to have met all of you." * Jinx grins. "I don't doubt it. I've met a fair number of ruins in my day, that's an admirable enough pursuit. Exciting even." * Tairan shrugs. "I aspire to a long life for myself and a short life for those who oppose me. Nothing much beyond that." * Millie glances at Jinx. "No ya haven't. No one's uncovered the real ruins." * John chuckles. "I'm hearing you loud and clear Tairan." * MaryAnne smiles "Our travels have been interesting thus far and I am sure they will only be more so as we continue onward. I always did enjoy going on expeditions with my Grandfather." There's been a bunch of stuff circulatin' 'bout it..rumors an' such, but nothin' concrete. Ta think I wasted all that on swindlers.. * Jinx looks back at Millie. "Real ruins? What are you talking about?" "It's rather exciting. The discovery of the unknown. That's one of the main reasons that I became a scholar." * Mikoto puts his chin in his hands. "The future... heh, I've barely given any thought to what I want to do. But in a way, I like it that way." * Tairan grins back at John. "I like to keep my hopes simple. If anything great happens, I'll be pleasantly surprised. At worst, I'll get what I expected." "You are a pessimest, Mister Tairan." she smiles "I prefer to be an optimist." * Millie shrugs vaguely. "You'll see." * John looks at Tairan. "I'm sure he has his reasons, Mary." * Mikoto gets a sort of faraway look. "Still, to have something you want so badly... it must be nice." "Have you no dreams, Mister Mikoto? Nothing to aspire to?" Mmm. * John shakes his head. "It isn't as pleasent as you may think, Mikoto." * Mikoto laughs and shakes his head. "Not... really. I do what comes to me, and don't aspire to much beyond that." * Jinx gets a wry grin and glances over at Millie. "Guess I will." "Some say a simple life is an honest life. I prefer to seek out the unknown and understand it. It is quite exciting, although I would not say it is a simple life." * Tairan grins at Mary. "Nah. I'm just a realist." "I feel that an honest life is being honest with yourself and pursuing your dreams, whatever thay may be and however complicated or far- reaching they may be. Even better still if your dreams are for the betterment of humankind." * Mikoto looks at John and nods. "Maybe... I think it's easiest to appreciate what you don't have, and hardest to appreciate what you do. The truth is, it takes all kinds." "I am not the least interested in fame or fortune." Well spoken. * Jinx looks over to the main conversation, intrigued. "As has been my experience, people are dissatisfied with whatever they have - whatever came to them easy. Instead, they desire what they don't have or what is hard to obtain." I've always found the trick is to take full advantage of whatever your situation is. As one never knows what the future will bring. And what about people who have nothing? "Of course, there are always those that seek the path of least resistance - such as those that steal from others, but they are but a small percentage of humankind, fortunately." * Suzunosuke twitches. "My family has never trusted altruism. The man who says he has no aspirations for himself is most often the man will lead you over a cliff." * Millie shakes her head at them, and blows out a breath, putting her hands on her hip. "You're all thinkin' 'bout this too much." * Millie taps her foot. "Where's John's fiance so we can get goin'?" "If you are of sound mind and body, then you have that at the least and that is more than some have." * John looks at Millie. "I am not engaged to her." * Millie smirks slightly at John. "Why not? She's a cutie." * Millie leans forward, hands still on her hips, grinning. Because I know about... * Tairan tilts his head at MaryAnne. "Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." * Suzunosuke puts a hand on John's shoulder. "I gather you are not a fan of philosophy, Miss Reinhart" If you need a rescue, let me help. * Millie waves her hand idly. "It's interestin' an' all, but the matter of point is that there's always people who don't believe in it. Like Calamity Jan there.." * John coutns on his fingers. "A lot of other people who would kill me if I did. Anyways, I don't want anyone to be put in danger because of me... I've seen some pretty stupid stunts pulled to try and catch me." Or the Mugh's back there. What's the point of philosophy when ya jus' need ta look for where your next meal's comin' from? "Of course, one's basic needs come first." An' I know what I want, so why do I need ta rationalize it? So that others can understand why you want it. * MaryAnne smiles "That isn't a requirement to seek out one's dreams." Well John, if anyone comes after you while you're with us, you can count on my gun. * Millie snorts slightly. "Yeah? An' why is that so important anyhow?" ( AND MY AXE! ) It's more fun when people don't understand ya anyhow. Makes life more intriguin' * Mikoto glances at Millie. "Because nobody can go through life completely alone." * John looks out the door. "You follow your goals and dreams, your aspirations and ideals. But there is no true judge for what you do, other than yourself. Why should others be concerned with what you do, and why you do it?" ( ^_^ I suppose he could also offer his Tomahawk, but that doesn't have quite the same ring. ) "There are those that seek out their dreams and other people think them touched in the head, yet they still sought out their dreams and some succeeded to prove the doubters wrong." I think you make this much too complex, Mary. Life is. Live it. "Follow your dreams, follow your heart, and let the uninspired be damned..." she coughs "or something to that effect." Live fast, live long, don't be a fuckup. s'all there is, really. * John pats Jinx on the back. "Thanks. I doubt anyone'll come soon though. It's been a while, and most have forgotten about the bounty." ( Tairan = new age philosopher ) * MaryAnne fans herself * Jinx nods at John. "Welcome, I'll always try to stand by those whose parents are taken by violence. Although, I'm happy to hear it wouldn't be all that dangerous to do so." He grins as he finishes speaking. Always take the better odds, eh? * Jinx shakes his head. "Nope, there are more important things out there. But all else equal...." * RunningCloud walks up to you all, leading a lovely white mare. She smiles prettily. "How about 'have fun'. Ready to go?" Let's hurry up. ( Ooh... I knew John was handsome, but 'a lovely white mare'? =P ) ( Ha! ) ( * John shoots Tairan twice in the head.) (**BANG BANG**) * Tairan adjusts his holster and his sword sheath, tips his cap, and nods. "Ready." ( x_x ) * Millie looks over at RunningCloud. "'bout time." She shifts her strap and nods to RunningCloud. * John nods. "Let's get going." "Yes, I am quite ready." * Mikoto nods, stretching his fingers and standing up. "I'm at your disposal." * RunningCloud mounts her horse easily and waves at the chef, who waves back. She grins, then leads you out of the village and towards the mountains. [Session End.]