[Last time, on Rising Sun Pioneers! You went to Garson with three of the ex-slaves (the ones Jinx claims knows how to fight). And you stalked a teenager who might be Will! Pity he has this really big guy with a funny accent walking with him, or you could've jumped, bound, and questioned him right then and there. Well, that and random guards patrolling the streets.] [So instead, you sent Fanfan ("The Stealthy One") to follow him, but she must not be *that* stealthy, since once they got a good distance away, they asked her to come out of the shrubbery. Shrubbery because, you see, they're standing in an open garden.] [It's early nightfall. Very pretty night. Full moon - romantic. You probably don't care.] [Let's see what she does. Session Start!] (You're right. We don't.) * Jinx stays at a reasonable distance. * Fanfan bites her lip, takes out her fan, and walks out nervously, looking very much the timid little girl. "I...I'm sorry..." (I'm really really sorry. .. * Atom is now known as Sakura * Fanfan opens her fan and flutters it before her face in traditional timid- Shomuran style. * Millie looks at the full moon. Because she's a hopeless romantic, you know. But then she watches from what she can, scowling under her breath. * Teenager grins. "It's okay. I get people following me every day, after all." He pauses. "Though usually it's for a return on their taxes and before dark. I was honestly afraid you were going to mug me." (Perception checks, all of you guys following at a distance.) 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6) and gets 5. * Tairan just eyes the two men quietly, hands on his weapons. * ThatTallGuy stands there calmly. 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tairan (2d6-2) and gets 4. * Fanfan laughs helplessly, sounding shy, and takes a tentative step forward. "I didn't mean to frighten you. You see, I think I'm rather lost, and, well, you seemed like...well, like someone I could trust to help me." (Whose facade will crack first, I wonder.) 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Sakura (2d6) and gets 8. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Millie (2d6) and gets 5. * Teenager blinks. "Really? Is that how you ask for directions in Shomura?" * ThatTallGuy stands there and tries to look normal. ( Mine. Curses! ) Well, no, I just...this place, I am not familiar with it, and I haven't seen anyone before you that looked like they would be able or even willing to help me. You see...I have nowhere to go. ( As Fanfan talks out of her cute little Shomuran ass. ) [Sakura can't make out much of anything at all; all she sees is Fanfan going over to talk to those figures they followed out. Millie, Jinx, and Tairan can make out snippets of conversation, though not the entire thing, and they don't look like they're about to start fighting.] * Millie whispers to the distance hiders. "They haven't shot her yet. That's a good sign...raight?" * Tairan puts up a hand to indicate not to advance at the moment. No. * Jinx drops to a runners crouch, with his shotgun out, ready to rush in if he sees any changes. He whispers make. "Millie, line up a headshot on that goon. He should be well within your range." * Teenager frowns. "What's the trouble? Maybe I can help." He holds his hand out to her. "I'm William Rogers. You are?" (Would we actually here "william rogers?" as one of the snippets? Makes a big difference) (Roll it again. ;P) * Millie nods and slips off her rifle, taking steady aim at the goon. She puts her cheek up against the stock. 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tairan (2d6-2) and gets 2. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Millie (2d6) and gets 9. * Will blinks at Fanfan's hesitation. "You take my hand and shake it. That's how it works out west." 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6) and gets 7. (I'll note that any action from this distance gets a penalty from low light.) Oh... (Already figured that) [Tairan hears "William Rogers!" Millie and Jinx hear something that's probably his name, but y'know.] * Fanfan takes his hand with both of hers and jiggles it gently, looking confused. ( Yes, Fanfan is channeling Demetreia. Next up: "What do William Rogerses eat?" ) * Will smiles. "Now. What's the problem, exactly?" (Haha!) * Tairan turns back to the others, and whispers. "s'Will." My name is Keiko. * Jinx watches Fanfan and whispers. "It is? Good. Hope that's not a spell or a trick..." I...was stranded here by a caravan. I ran out of money...I wanted to find my sister. * Millie whispers back. "What reason would he have ta trick though?" Your sister? You think she's in Garson? * Tairan whispers. "... if things go bad, it's gonna take us time to get to Fanfan. I can get close now." No...I believe the name of the town was...Red Stones? But I did not have enough money to travel the entire way, so the people I was travelling with left me here. Redrock! I'm familiar with the place. * Millie whispers back. "I can try ta take 'im out from here if things go sour. Jus' give me a signal." She frowns. "It's awfully dark though. Might be a little problem." * Jinx whispers back. "I'm being paranoid. But the way people talk about him, I wonder if he knows a spell or two or is just convincing." * Fanfan looks pathetically grateful. "Oh, you are? I knew you looked like you were the one who could help me! You have this...feel about you. As if I can trust you." * Tairan dismounts from Lightning. "I'm gonna sneak around, get close to flank 'em. Shoot whenever you got a shot, but wait a minute." * Millie quirks her mouth and whispers out of the corner of it. "Why's he so...young?" * Tairan adjusts his hat, and gets to the sneaky flanking. * Will looks a little taken aback by that, then ahehs. "Tell you what. I'll see about getting you lodging and a train ticket there. It's only about a day's ride." A...train ticket? * Jinx nods at Tairan's comment. You saw one when you entered Garson... no, you probably didn't. It doesn't matter. It's very fast and you can go on it, and it'll take you to Redrock. (How close can I get before I run outta cover?) (About thirty feet. And you're going to need to give me a move silently roll if you want to pull this off.) 2d6-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tairan (2d6-3) and gets 4. You must be vrom the far east of Shomura, yes? * Sakura watches quietly. And stab-ready. (Anyone have an alias for parenthesis I can borrow? Lost mine in the comp swich...) [Tairan sneaks over! Sneak sneak sneak.] * Tairan puts his extensive training to use for once, and gets pretty close to Fanfan and the two men without being seen, managing to position himself a bit behind them at an angle. And you're sure people out there don't always ask for directions by sneaking up on them, right? ..what? * Will spins, pointing a finger directly at Tairan's position. The move makes his coat flare a bit, and Fanfan spots a holster beneath it. "Because I think a friend of yours is hiding right there." * Jinx whispes. "I'm not sure what he's saying, but that can't be good." * Fanfan gasps. "I didn't bring any...I..." * ThatTallGuy blinks and turns suddenly, moving in front of Will. "Come out!" * Fanfan backs up towards Will. "Oh, no. I *thought* I felt like someone was following me..." * Tairan stands up. "My Lady... it is time to come home." * Millie scowls and hisses out softly. "He's gonna get himself killed." * Fanfan gasps again. * Will blinks at that, then sighs. "I've just stepped into a Shomuran play." (HAH!) ( Oh, crap. ) (And speaking of plays, it's the thing! Performing arts roll, Tairan. Lying- er, any kind of acting.) * Fanfan just backs up, shaking her head. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tairan (2d6) and gets 10. * Jinx whispers back. "I guess the plans still on, take the shot when you can get it." (And he lies like a, well,... pyramid?) ( Well, Fanfan's backing up, Tairan's not there yet...) A rather bad play. ... eh, screw it. *draws weapons* Will Rogers, you're under arrest. * Will looks at Tairan incredulously. I don't recall you being the sheriff of this particular city. Slavery doesn't know city limits. * Jinx whispers. "Going now, unless you tell me not to." Besides, there's an old friend of yours in Redrock just dying to see you. * Will blinks. "Slavery? What are you talking about?" Obfiously, they are quite confused. * Millie raises the rifle up. "I knew it. She rises up a little. "I'm movin' out...less there's any objections." The slave workers being held outside town. By you. They're free now, by the way. * Fanfan just looks lost and stunned. * Fanfan looks from Tairan to Will, her fan in her hand. "I...I don't understand..." She edges closer to Will. * Jinx whispers back. "You might be better back here, ace in the hole." Oh. Good for them, but I still don't know what you're talking about. * Jinx then rushes over to the group, shotgun out but not firing yet. Right. Just like you don't know about framing your brother for murder. ( Oh god. There are two Will Rogerses and John's brother slaver is somewhere else. ) * Will glances at Fanfan. "Look, miss, you'd best get out of here. We're in the middle of a big misunderstanding, and I don't want you to get hurt." * Millie mutters under her breath. "'Stay back here' he says. Yeesh, why do I hafta be the patient one?" * Fanfan gulps. "I, I, I..." She ducks behind Will, still fluttering her fan anxiously. ( Cause you've got range? ^_~) ( Butcha underestimate the intimidation factor of a BIG FREAKIN' RIFLE! ;_;) Only misunderstanding is my not understanding how a good guy like John Rogers is in jail, while a slave trader like you is living comfortably. I'm a *treasurer*. Not a slave trader. Two very, very, very different things. I deal with taxes, for crying out loud! Which, yeah, might make me an agent of the devil, but it's a different kind. * Jinx stands so that he couldn't easily be caught in the same spread as Tairan. Keeping his gun on the goon. * John walks up behind Will from behind some convenient cover. "Rumors of my jailing have been greatly exaggerated. But..." He eyes Will. "I believe we have a score to settle." * Millie hisses under her breath again and mutters. "Idiot. Yer givin' away too much info!" * Millie then blinks and looks dumbfounded. * Tairan blinks, but, thanks to the laws of drama, doesn't miss a beat. "Oh, you're screwed now..." * ThatTallGuy looks over to John. "Vas is it now?" * Jinx blinks. "Huh, that's the seventh least likely thing I've ever seen. No, eighth..." * Will spins to see both John *and* Fanfan. "Hell, it's a day all around, isn't it. Hi John." ( I'm curious, Jinx. What are the other seven? ) Hello Will. You been comfortable enough at my expense? ( /me holds up his char sheet. "Read that extra backstory I wrote up like a year ago, and then in the next chapter I'll give you, you'll find out!" ^_~ ) It's had nothing to do with your expense. * Tairan tips his hat at John, then, deciding to let him do the talking for now, calmly points his pistol at the big guy. * Fanfan sighs and dashes in close to Will, putting the blade part of her tessen at his throat. "And here I was so hoping it was a case of mistaken identity. You did seem like rather a nice sort of boy." * Millie regains her composure and steps out from the shrubs, her aim still level on the goons head. "I'd say yer a bit outnumbered now. Give it up." ( No, you fool! As an attractive female, you're never to get into melee range with the villian at a dramatic moment! =P ) * John smiles. *ting!* "Oh? Who's expense was it then?" * ThatTallGuy faces Tairan and smiles, almost daring him. * Will stares at Fanfan as she does that. "And you seemed like a nice girl, but I never believed your story for a second." Nobody's. I'm giving the city something it needs - namely, someone competent enough to handle its money. * Tairan grins back at the tall guy. "Don't start nothin', and there won't be nothin'." * Fanfan shrugs, not moving the tessen. "I have always been more of a dancer than an actress." Who is starting? Great. Can you put that thing down? You truly do have me outnumbered, and it's hard to talk to my brother with a knife at my throat. I'm afraid of swallowing. * John whistles. "This place yours? Nice. You've been busy, haven't you." No one's startin'. Now if we settle this all quiet-laik, there won't be a problem. I saw the slave camp. You are lucky I am stopping here. ( Ummm... We're outside @_@ ) I don't know what you're talking about. If you don't believe me, we'll just go in circles. (Er, yeah.) (Will didn't even make it home.) (The outdoors belongs to Will!) (I OWN EVERYTHING!) ( I think he was referring to the town. I hope. ) * Jinx stands around with dangerous goon look #11: ('This talking stuff better lead somewhere, or I'm going to kill stuff to make up for my boredom') [The slaves step out, too. They're looking pretty pissed. Wonder why.] * Jinx calls back to the slaves. "You recognize either of these guys?" * Fanfan has switched from "Innocent Girl" mode to "Competent Professional, Don't Fuck With Me," of course. * Millie 's always in CPDFWM mode Slave camp, near town. Person that told us about it had you fingered for the leader. Open and shut. [They shake their heads, but one says, "I figured Will Rogers would be bigger." To which another says, "Let's kill him already."] I've been going in circles for the past three years thanks to you. You think I'm going to let you talk your way out of this? What talking's there to do, John? You've got me outnumbered and outgunned in the worst way. There's this fan girl holding a blade to my throat! * John eyes Will. "I want to know why you did it." * Will doesn't look back. He's too busy paying attention to Fanfan. "Did what?" ( I'm a fangirl! ) (You sure are. >.>) You know what I'm talking about. I didn't do it, that's what. Call her off already. Then who? And I'm not with her for this. She hates you for another reason. ( Wait, I do? ) * Millie frowns over at John. "He's probably stallin' for time. Make it quick if yer not gonna shoot 'im." ( The slaves. :P) Oh, I see. You are aware that the moment a shot is fired, guards will come running. And it'll be a big mess all around. ( Oh, right, them. Yeah. ) Oh, completly aware. What makes you think I care if you're dead? Yeah. But the thing is, The bad thing is. You'll go down first. * Fanfan grins. "Ahh, but I promise you...*I* won't make a sound." * Jinx chuckles at Fanfan's comment. I vould vonder about that. But yer fate is up ta him. Not me. I'm just hoping all those taxpayers' money was put to good use. I did try to make that happen, you see. I jus' wanna know whatcha did with Runnin' Cloud. Don't know who you're talking about. * Millie smirks and cocks her rifle carefully. "Sure ya don't." * Will casts a glance at Millie. He's looking fairly pale, but he doesn't say anything more. We'll try this again. Where is the injun girl? What, do you want me to make something up? I don't fucking know! * Millie raises an eyebrow. "That the truth?" So tell us why the name of Will Rogers is so...infamous? * John smirks. "Well, if you plan on lying until you die, I'm not going to stop you." He reaches down near his pistol. * Millie lowers the hammer, but smirks a little at the thought of frazzling him. I'm a freaking treasurer! A treasurer, all right? How threatening is that? You seem to not know a lotta stuff. Who killed your parents, why John was blamed for it, who's holding the slaves right outside your town... * Will is pretty shrill at this point. ( He's one of those guys who goes into dungeons to put treasure in boxes so adventurers can find it ) * Jinx looks over to Will. "Bodyguard or no, if this starts, you die, maybe some of us die, but you definately die. If you're innocent, come with us quietly to figure out whose defamed you." (I also set up the mimics!) (STUPID BLUE MIMICS!) * Will laughs on the edge of hysteria. "Oh, yeah. Sure. Very reasonable." *I* certainly think so. ... he always been like this, John? You're planning on sticking a knife into me! You would! * Jinx looks straight at Will. "Not reasonable at all actually, but you play the hand your dealt. If what you say is true, this is your chance to get out alive. Are you going to come quietly?" He's gotten better at it over the years. * Millie grins. "Come on, Fanny. Ease up a little on the boy before he wets his pants. It might be a little too late though, but it's hard for him ta talk like that, I agree." * Fanfan looks down at her tessen. "Now, now. And here I thought you were educated. This is a bladed fan, not a knife." Sharp metal bit, then. * Fanfan looks at Millie. "I might consider it. So, Will...how do you feel about Jinx's plan now?" Acceptable definition. I vould not trust them. ( ThatTallGuy's the one behind it all. I just know it. ) * John isn't letting his eyes off Will. "You trust my brother. What's that say about you?" I'm sorry? * Fanfan eyes That Tall Guy. "Who are you, anyway? You seem to be just a bit more than a simple bodyguard..." * Jinx waits for now, as it's what Will says that matters. You are the wanted criminal here. Vill is a fine, upstanding citizen. Put the fan down. Then maybe we can talk. As it is, I think I'm going to wet my pants. Thanks. Is that before or after you draw the gun you have under your coat, Mr. Treasurer? ["Why bother taking him back at all?" one of the slaves scowls. "Should shoot him and be done with it." Another moves to do just that.] * Fanfan shrugs, fwips the fan shut, then steps back, in the direction that the Tall Guy's not. Ain't no one shootin' till we find out for sure where the last of the slaves are. You'd understand that, wouldcha fellas? * Millie nods her head to John, her rifle still aimed. "'sides, this guy's got a score ta settle." * Will rubs at his neck. "Thank you." He turns to regard Tairan. "You seem to have been in Teck for some time. How many people do you see walking around truly unarmed?" As much as I hate ta say it, Pimply's got a point. And I don't have pimples. Fair enough. Now... sharp thing gone from your neck area. You've got some explaining to do. ["So? We can find her later." The Injun keeps lining up his shot.] ( Someone else be the peacemaker. I suck at it! ) (Me? Peacemaker? HAH! I wanna gut the guy.) * Millie scowls. "Look. Kill him out in the open like this an' you'll be in jail. That's not much of a step up from slavery is it?" (No you don't! I'm nice! Have some cookies - they're not poisoned!) (Uh-huh...) * Jinx steps forward, conveintly putting himself between the Injun and Will. "Alright, the blades down, now I'm going to take your gun, and then you can proceed nice and quiet like to the rest of witnesses." * Millie gestures her rifle to the tall guy. "Search him for weapons too." * ThatTallGuy looks down at Will. "Don't do it." ["At least I'll get the guy who did this to me." Another slave nods.] You had better not. I von't hesitate to harm you if you do. An here I thought you were upstandin'. Ya ain't got much choice. * Fanfan draws a sword. "Do it. I have plenty more of, as you call them, sharp pointy bits." * Will takes a breath. "I'm outnumbered. And outgunned. And you want to take away the one piece of weaponry I *do* have." She does, y'know. An' we've got another with sharp pointy bits as well. Of course. You see? They are common outlaws. The vill take our veapons and kill us. Meanwhile, Will... about your parents. You say you didn't kill them? So why did you help frame John? Come now, if we were to kill you, we would have done it already. I certainly hope you don't doubt that. Yeah. I had at least five shots lined up before I came out. * Millie smirks. "Millie Reinhart don't kill no one unless they show themselves off as bleedin' morons." I guess in light of the past few years, it shouldn't surprise me that my brother's become one. You vould haf then been arrested. * Will rubs at his neck some more. "Ugh." * Fanfan rolls her eyes. "You are not impressing anyone, and neither is your accent." * Jinx nods and steps forward again towards Will. "They're right you know." He reaches out towards Will's gun. ( Hearing checks! ) 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tairan (2d6-2) and gets 8. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6) and gets 10. 2d6-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Fanfan (2d6-4) and gets 4. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for John (2d6) and gets 6. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Millie (2d6) and gets 6. * Will takes a step back. "No. I will not let myself be murdered like this." [You hear voices in the distance and, also in the distance, see some lights headed your way.] Fine, Will. I challenge you to a duel. ( Mind roll, cultural arts, -3 for Teck and –2 for Shomura. ) * Fanfan gives a long-suffering sigh at that. 2d6-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6-4) and gets 4. 2d6-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for John (2d6-3) and gets 4. 2d6-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Fanfan (2d6-3) and gets 1. 2d6-5 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Millie (2d6-5) and gets 5. 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tairan (2d6-2) and gets 5. I've got a better suggestion. How about we take a stroll over to Will's house, talk there, see if we can't find anything or anyone interesting? Sounds like a plan. ( But...I didn't order a pizza... ) I'm not letting you into my place. You come here, throw around wild accusations, and put weapons in my face! [Whoever made it figures it's probably a night patrol headed your way. They have them in both Teckian and Shomuran towns, so the Shomurans could probably guess that's what they are.] Yeah, well, that's what happens when you murder your parents. Then looks like we're at a stalemate ain't we? Afraid of what we'll find? Actually, we put them just in front of your face. If you like we can still put them in. Now *move*. * Tairan cocks his pistol for emphasis. * Will perks, slightly, his eyes darting to the distance. "I don't think I will." * ThatTallGuy smiles. "Out of time." * Millie tsshes and raises her rifle slightly, reslinging it. "Damn." Not to kill you. * Tairan raises an eyebrow, and eyes John. "Your call." We may be imprisoned, but...you'll be dead. That, to me, feels like losing. * Jinx relevels his shotgun at the both of them, taking a step back no longer blocking the Injun's shot. "Whenever you're ready John." Do you think you could kill us both before you were caught? * John shrugs. "Well, it's been an interesting chat. I don't want you guys to get arrested too, let's get out of here. I'll settle this on my time." Well, let's see. Two of us are in range to slice you, and the rest have guns trained on you. I'd say so. * Millie sighs and shakes her head. "Guys, remember what happened in Hoshimoto?" * Will waves. "Bye, Johnny. Tell you what. Next time, we can discuss this ugly business over tea and cookies." * Jinx readies to shoot once the helpful assistants fire. * Tairan shrugs, and circles a bit, keeping his gun trained on the tall guy. "If you say so. We should be makin' sure all the freed slaves get home safely, I suppose." [And suddenly, a shot rings out, from one of the slaves! It hits the ground some distance away from the bunch.] * John smiles somewhat nastily at Will *ting!*. "Quite. Until next time... Ah fuck." * Jinx takes his readied shot. * Millie hisses harshly under her breath. "Stupid sonuva.." [The lanterns begin bouncing and rapidly approaching, and the talking becomes louder.] * Fanfan winces. "Oh, dear." That, I believe, is our cue to go. 2d6-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6-4) and gets 1. * ThatTallGuy grabs Will and quickly pulls him to the ground, avoiding the buckshot as it fires overhead. Really. I thought the laterns... Jinx! What the hell ya...? * ThatTallGuy rolls and gets to his feet. "I think you have just made a big mistake. People! Move! ( Annnnd... If you're not running, roll init ) * Tairan curses. * Will scrambles to his feet, yelling. "Guards! Guards!" * Fanfan dashes off. * Jinx dashes for the moment. As he's the most likely subject for retaliation. * Millie dashes down a nearby alleyway and hides. She's still a ways away, note. * John tips his hat at Will. "Until next time." He pulls his scarf up and strides away from the scene at a leisurly pace. (Millie's only hiding to find out if something happens to people who are stupid enough to stay behind. If no one's sticking around, she's hightailing it.) * Tairan grabs Lightning, whom he assumes Jinx brought along, and mounts up, galloping alongside Jinx to let him get on. Quite. Farevell, outlaws. * Jinx jumps up on Lightning. (Uh. If we were trying to stay hidden, we probably wouldn't have brought a horse, don't you think? ^^; Clopping hooves doesn't make for silent tailing) * Fanfan finds an alleyway and ducks into it. Ccould be Millie's, who knows? ( s'why we were a reasonable distance back, remember? =P ) ( And why I dismounted before getting all sneaky. ) * Jinx and Tairan ride off. "When I was a boy, the revenge game was a lot simpler." d3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Ardweden (d3) and gets 1. This entire thing has been one gigantic clusterfuck from the getgo. [Two of the Injuns flee, too. The third stays and fires again.] * Millie curses as she spots Fanfan, her breath heaving. "What were they thinkin', stickin' around that long?" * Millie eyes the remaining slave. "Fuckin' idiots." She waves Fanfan on. "Let's move it." * Jinx looks back. "Damn... well his life." * Fanfan shrugs, biting off a curse of her own. * ThatTallGuy walks up to the Injun. * Fanfan nods at Millie and follows. [He fires more! But his hands are shaking, and he barely knows how to use a gun, and... Well, you're not watching anyhow, so we'll just say there's a very loud scream in a sec.] (Heh.) ( Wow, you sure can pick 'em, Jinx! ) (It's Will's! You got lucky!) (Well, he was better than the rest.) * Fanfan winces. * Jinx sighs and shakes his head. "Damn waste." [End here!]