[We find our hero- er, our protagonists on the trail again! Kind of, since there isn't really a path, but whatever.] [After the Sakura's unfortunate death and Eri tugging Jinx to the side to properly instruct him in The Way and Care of The Naginata, which ultimately ended in one or more of you dragging him away and her yelling orders at him, you parted ways. D said see you around, and you know that's probably true. Assuming Eri doesn't get the three of them killed prematurely.] (We can only hope.) [And so, you continue your way out of the petrified forest. Just a little longer now! You hope. It's mid to late afternoon, and the air seems a little heavy; maybe rain in a day or two. No annoying black smoke.] [Session Start!] ( They'll be fine. They've got a ninja. ) * Jinx rides along, he's been relatively cheery, though he regular checks Eri's naginata to make sure it's in good condition. ... not to be morbid, or disrespect the dead, or anything, but that armor is doing nobody any good sitting in one of the horse pouches. * John is a-riding, and looking good doing it. Oooooh yeah. * Jinx thinks for a moment. "Don't really have any experience with armour, although protection against bullets would be nice." I'd claim it for myself, since I'm not too fond of being shot, except for two things. One, that'd just be plain greedy of me. * Mikoto also rides along... behind John, since he did the gentlemanly thing and lent Millie his horse. The slash writes itself. "It feels a little odd to be just the five of us." And two... s'true, Mikoto... I've been noticin' something odd ever since I picked up this pistol, but I'm just now puttin' it together. * Millie rides along on Nami, looking around. She'd probably make a smart comment about now or a matter of fact one, but she's too busy checking the forest out. * Jinx glances to Mikoto, he doesn't seem bothered in the slightest. "That reminds me. You feeling alright? Cause earlier you said that you hoped Sakura would forgive you for something." * Mikoto tilts his head at Jinx. "Yes. For trying to punch her in the jaw." * Mikoto smiles slightly. It might be a little unnerving if you're of the mind. "I suppose it's immaterial now." * Millie says, without her usual conviction because she's distant. "Don't think she can forgive ya now very well.." ... I'm pretty sure this gun's magic or somethin', 'cause ever since I got it, whenever I'm about to get shot... the bullet seems to slow down a bit before it hits me. * John snerks. "Funny thing that. When people die, it's kind of hard to converse with them." * Jinx looks back. "Which would take her out of a fight to the death, via an unhonorable means, I'm guessing." * Mikoto frowns. "I was trying to save her life in the process, but... it's like Tairan said. She was a mad dog. She brought her own end upon her." * Mikoto looks forward. "Not that I feel wonderful about healing Eri, either, but I did what needed to be done." ... and I think it's been whispering to me in my sleep, telling me to kill all of you. * Jinx nods at Mikoto's comment. "I doubt she'd have particularly been appeased by the saving her life thing." He then looks at Tairan. "Huh, well, don't listen to it and sell it to Crazyfeathers at the earliest opportunity." * Millie eyes Tairan out of the corner of her eyes. "Ya do that, you'll find a pick ax in yer skull. I think you'll feel it, magic gun or no." * Tairan grins. "Well, now that I have everyone's attention... magic gun. Slows bullets. So I don't need the armor. Yay." Raight. Who'd want that tacky stuff anywho? Interesting toy. * Mikoto laces his arms behind his head. Balance! "I don't really want it. Would only slow me down." * Millie goes back to staring at the forest. (Is this the same as Tairan's original gun?) Someone who doesn't want to get shot. *eyes Mikoto* I was actually going to suggest you take it, since if you go down, we've got no healer. ( This is Tairan's original gun. ) ( How heavy is the armor, GM-type people? ) * Mikoto smiles faintly. "Then perhaps what I need is not armor, but a rifle that will whisper how to shoot it properly in my ear. Believe me, Tairan, I am as practical about it as you would be, but in armor I won't be able to fight properly." * Millie grins and looks over at Mikoto. "I could whisper that in yer ear if ya'd laaaaaik, Micky." She smirks demurely. ( Say... chainmail-ish weight ) * John chuckles. ( Lighter than heavy armor, but it's not like you're wearing nothing ) * Mikoto looks at Millie as if she were insane. "...no, thank you." Okay. Fair enough. Just try not to get shot, then. (Ain't no martial artist fighting in chainmail.) Well, if no one wants it I might try it out. Not really my thing, but I don't like being shot. Any other takers? Or am I gonna become Tairan, He Who Shrugs Off Bullets Like Raindrops? [Millie's staring at the forest soon proves futile as it thins and you reach the end. Stretching before you are dry, yellow plains, the Teckian sun beating mercilessly on you.] * Millie grins and shrugs. "Ain't gonna lose sleep over it." * Mikoto grins faintly at Tairan. "I'll just make sure to be behind you when the shooting starts, then." Sounds good to me. Stay behind the man in armor. * Mikoto looks at John over his shoulder. "But, I've been meaning to ask you something..." * Jinx keeps angling for the free loot. "Well, I do tend to take point anyways..." ( Woo! Mikoto's finally making a move on John! ) Yes? (...) 2d6-5 ... hmm. * Dicesuke throws the bones for Millie (2d6-5) and gets 1. (Baw chicka wa wa.) Do you remember the black case with two glass orbs we found in Izu? (Back off! I never take ANYTHING. <.< >.>) I still have it. The fire one disippated, but the frosty one's still in one piece. * Mikoto nods. "May I see it?" * Tairan ponders for a minute. "On the one hand, a guy could get used to being known as 'Tairan The Invincible'. On the other hand... you did get shot in the head, Jinx." It's in the case on the side of Hazel. You can get it easier than me. (Tairan: "I am invincibl--" Samurai: *SWORDED!* Tairan: "...ow.") * Mikoto nods and makes for the case! * Millie looks around at the surroundings and sighs a little, disappointed. ... on the third hand, you got better, so do you really need the armor? Hmm. * Mikoto suggests, as he rummages, "Play a game of chance for it." * Jinx nods. "Think of it as one more bullet directed at me while I'm still up." But, on the fourth hand... second foot?... who wants to take the chance that you'll be able to pull that trick off twice? * Millie blinks as she looks around the area. "Hey, wait a minute...it couldn't be..." What'cha say, Millie? We're less than a day's ride 'way from Bloom's Canyon...Ah...I-I didn't even notice it. * Jinx grins. "And really, I think it's what Sakura would have wanted." [Mikoto finds the case! Go him!] (Skriin +1) * Mikoto triumphantly produces the black case, and tucks it under one arm, opening it. "Well, that's fortuitous." * Millie suddenly lets out a little screech. "Wait. Bloom's Canyon?!? Mah Pa'll kill me!" * John mutters something about Millie actually *having* a pa, but looks good doing it anyways. Go him. There's only one fair way to settle this, Jinx... do you have Rock, Parchment, Sword here in Te- huh? [In it are two depressions. One once held a swirling red orb perfectly, but like John said, it's gone now. The other still holds one, though: unblemished, slightly cloudy crystal.] * Mikoto removes the cloudy crystal idly, inspecting it. "Why's that?" he asks offhandedly. [Soul roll, Mikoto.] Uh...we don't hafta go raight..? * Millie looks from side to side, conspiratorily. * Jinx looks to Millie. "This your home turf?" 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Mikoto (2d6) and gets 6. * Millie then nods slowly to Jinx, looking at Mikoto. "He kinda...uh...I never told 'im I was leavin'..." * Jinx then glances at Tairan. "Something like it, parchment beats rock, sword beats marchment, rock beats swords?" Yup. *pauses* Always hated playing with Aki. He kept insisting Beauty beat everything. [The crystal shatters to the sound of tinkling glass, the pieces vanishing, almost absorbed into Mikoto's hand and body.] * Millie then just stares at Mikoto. There you go with the other one. Now we just have a case. * Mikoto tilts his head, but is still inspecting the orb. "You're *FROM* Bloom's CanEyaaah!" He blinks, waving his hand a little. "Chilly. Felt sort of nice in the sun, though." ... I'm glad I saw that on an emptyish stomach. Eech. * Jinx eyes the crystal shattering and then looks back to Millie. "If you'd really prefer to avoid him until you've earned yet more fame than we should be able to work with that." Or we could just avoid it alltogether. * Millie sighs and shakes her head. "It ain't quite that...I...well, I s'pose it wouldn't hurt ta visit for a little while..." * Mikoto looks at his hand. "Well, I'm not bleeding, so that's a good sign." He then hehs at John. "It's a nice case, though. I'm partial to black lacquer." Besides, it's the closest town we can reach 'fore nightfall.. * John smiles *ting!*. "Did you run away from home, Millie?" It'll be fun. We've already found out why John and I are so fucked up. Now it's your turn, Millie. *GRINS* No! I mean...uh...no.... * Millie eyes Tairan. "Who says I'm fucked up, lanky? 'specially compared ta you an' Johnny boy?" Denying it just makes it harder to prove your innocence. [The sun becomes large and gold in the sky, slowly setting ahead of you. Aww, isn't that pretty?] * Millie sighs. "Fine...let's jus' go an' get it over with." * Jinx nods. "Well, I think you're sane Millie, and hope the meeting goes well for you." He then looks back to Tairan. * Mikoto puts the case back in one of Hazel's saddlebags. "I'm sure he'll be proud to see what a fine young woman you've become," he manages to say with a straight face. (And if not, maybe he'll be proud to see what a fine young man you've become.) * John manages to keep from snerking as they ride onwards into... THE FUTURE! (...) * Tairan takes the hint! "Just teasin' ya, Millie. We'll all gush about what a fantastic shot you are." * Millie sighs. "Don't think that'll impress old dad...but whatever..." She hyahs and rides forward. Since she knows the area and all. * Tairan falls silent for a moment, then mutters. "I kept telling him that rock and sword could destroy beauty, but NOOOOO..." (...AHA!) (Man, am I dumb.) * Jinx grins. "You should have gone with a real life demonstration. Anyways, let's do it." He puts out a hand. * Jinx rides after Millie, he keeps the game up with Tairan, no problem, since they're on the same horse. Best two outta three when we get there, Jinx? Sure. And yeah. He stopped trying to pull that after I showed him that Wedgie beats Beauty. *chuckles* Ah, the good old days. * Jinx grins. "Good man. On three?" Jinx does the 1..2.. 3 thing with his fist. (Tairan, let me know what you're picking, so it's the same time.) ... no, no. When we get to to the town. * Jinx stops. "Why wait?" * John rides on. Riding riding riding. o/` * Mikoto pipes up, "He has a point. It's not like you're putting yourself in danger by doing it now." Because I want you making sure you don't walk Lightning into a sand gator for the moment. How would a game change that? * Mikoto snickers despite himself. ( Or an awning, for that matter. ) ( One two three... ...well I guess bullet beats rock...) John's got a point, let's get it over with. I'll be sure to keep my eyes on the trail. [Somewhere, a cactus lurks.] Okay. But if I end up taking a header off a cliff, I'm gonna haunt you. (That and we need to fill time while the Bloom's Canyon backdrop gets painted.) ( I misparsed that as Bloom County. ARGH ) * Jinx does the one two three thing with his fist, making sure to watch where he's going while he's at it. * Tairan does so as well! ( Mmm... Now I'm imagining Samurai Warriors, but with Jinx as Kenshin and a cactus as Shingen. ) * John watches where Jinx is going. AND where he's going. Man, John's talented. (PFFT.) (Cactus: "Why do you scowl?" Jinx: "...doubleyou tee EFF.") [One... two... three... PAPER! From both of them.] * Tairan eyes Jinx. * Mikoto snuggles into John's back and purrs. . . . * Mikoto actually just watches the scenery. (Keeping you on your toes.) * Tairan does the one-two-three thing... * Jinx does it again. [One... two... three... Tairan's rock beats Jinx's sword! It's a battle, folks!] (CHANCE BATTLE!) (*tosses John into the bonus bonus.) (Whoo! 10 points!) * Tairan quiark a small grin, the starts up again. One Two Three... * Jinx grins. "Nice technique." Once more. d3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (d3) and gets 1. [One... two... three... Jinx's paper beats Tairan's rock! Who does he think he is, Lazar?] (Don't give him ideas.) (Don't make me pull out Stick plus metal.) * Jinx grins and keeps scanning the terrain. d3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (d3) and gets 3. * Tairan does it again... * Jinx does as well. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6) and gets 6. (dr1) 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6) and gets 11. (dr2) 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6) and gets 9. (...you are a sad, sad man.) [One... two... three... Jinx's rock beats Tairan's sword, just in time for his horse to rear up! Jinx, riding roll.] 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6) and gets 6. [He manages to stay on as Lightning shies away from the cactus the poor thing was just about to walk into.] * Mikoto looks out from behind John's back. "...I don't believe it." [The cactus waves! Well, not really. HI JINX.] He actually avoided falling off. * Tairan grabs onto the saddle, and just barely avoids falling off. "... I don't think Lightning wants you to have it. But you won it fair and square." ( You are a formidable opponent, nemesis. ) (Oh, man. That image is going to haunt me forever, Brett. Thanks a BUNCH.) (Didn't you know? Jinx has Nemesis: Cactus.) ( ^^ ) (A cactus with that seven-branch sword and a little Xu Huang turban.) (HA.) * Jinx waves a pistol at the cactus. "Alright, I'll let this one go." He then comments back to Tairan. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, you had superior technique." ... there's technique to this game? There's strategy, sure, but technique? * Millie doesn't comment. Silly people. She's got a bad feeling about this. * Jinx shrugs. "Strategy, technique, whatever. Yours was better." * Mikoto watches the cactus fade into the distance, safe in the knowledge that John's nemesis is actually a little brat four cities away. "Was that even there before?" [The sun's low in the horizon, turning the land a nice, dark golden red. Ahead, you can see the village Millie's leading you to. Perception rolls, please!] 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6) and gets 5. 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Mikoto (2d6-2) and gets 9. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for John (2d6) and gets 3. ( Whoever doesn't make it follows Jinx into a cactus patch. Except Jinx somehow avoids the cacti. ) * Jinx pats Lightning as he rides forward. "Good girl." 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Millie (2d6) and gets 5. 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tairan (2d6-2) and gets 5. (Those of you who made it, feel free to give me animal training: horses rolls.) 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6) and gets 8. 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Millie (2d6-2) and gets 6. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for John (2d6) and gets 3. [Jinx, John, and Millie all look ahead at the village. Aside from the obvious, they notice horses being led indoors, to the stables, and people bustling into their houses.] * John raises an eyebrow. "Bit early to be doin' that. Normally ya wait a bit longer before taking them in." (Tairan and Mikoto, being Japanese, see Gojira.) (It's terrorizing Morriston. YOU MUST SAVE IT!) * Mikoto blinks, looking back from watching the cactus. "Huh?" * Millie blinks as she watches that. "...huh. Yeah, I'm not sure why..." * Jinx chuckles. "10 dollars says it's because something bad is about to happen." * Mikoto follows John's LOS. "Well, that's a sucker's bet, unless we're the something bad." * Millie looks over at Tairan and Mikoto. "...yeah...maybe..." Oh come on. Something bad *is* going to happen. It always works that way. ( Mimes attack! ) (I cast Silence, 10' Radius!) * Millie sighs. "Maybe you two should wait here..." She glances at Jinx. "...not so sure 'bout you either, but..." (They are immune to Silence!) (DAMN!) * Mikoto blinks at Millie like she's insane. "...we're in the middle of the scrubland. What should we do, set up a tea shop on a rug?" ... hmm? ... aww, don't tell me your town think all Shomurans are hear to kill them and eat their babies? (It works for Crazy Feathers!) * Jinx grins at Millie. "What, you don't want to take me home to your father?" (Hey!) (I'm a vegetarian.) * Millie glares at Jinx. * Millie responds to Tairan, still looking at Jinx. "Well, I don't know for sure...that's what I wanna find out..." * Jinx doesn't wilt. "If you want me to come, I'll come, stay, I'll stay. Doesn't matter to me." * John shrugs. * Mikoto hmms. "Normally I'd agree on sounding it out, but even if they're uncomfortable with Shomurans there isn't much we can *do*. There's nothing else for miles." I got a tent. If you think it'll keep the people from crappin' themselves, fine. [The sun continues to dip below the horizon. It's getting a little dark.] * Millie sighs. "Well, fine. Come on. But if it does happen, don't say I didn't warn ya..." She makes her way through the town. ... I was agreeing with you. I know. Mikky wasn't. We'll get about as warm a reception as we did in Shomura, I bet. * Mikoto nods once. "She was. And I consider myself warned." He breathes out. "The truth is after all that healing magic I'm a bit tired. I need something better than a bedroll for one night." Would you like to ride in a bit later Millie? Don't want to cause any trouble for you. * John rides along with Millie. Whee! Let's go down to the town and have ourselves a jolly good time! If Mikoto's goin', no sense in me not going. * Millie mutters under her breath. "As if I'm not 'nuff trouble already..." She calls out louder. "Nah, Millie'll deal. She always does." Guess I'll just have to try'n look friendly and non-threatening. (...we're doomed.) ( Exactly. ) (You sure are!) * Jinx snickers. "Then you'll just look dangerous and dishonest." [Millie heads towards the village as the twilight begins to wane. You can hear a door slam. It's hard to shake the feeling that those villagers might be watching you from the safety of inside their houses...] Think they don't like us? * John smiles. *ting!* * Mikoto hmmms. "Just like in Shomura. You were right." He blinks and puts a hand to the back of his head. "Maybe it's my hair?" [It's a quaint affair, typical of many smaller Teckian towns and villages. Ranches on the outskirts, which is where Millie's heading. The town feels deserted now, as the darkness fully settles.] (Get it styled, Mikoto. And guys, give me more perception rolls. -2 today.) * Millie eyes 'em. "Yeah...some reception..." 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Millie (2d6-2) and gets 2. 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for John (2d6-2) and gets 8. * Jinx rides forward. "We're mercenaries on a job, no point in hiding it. Hopefully the tavern keeper will want our money." 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6-2) and gets 1. (Wow, make by 4) 2d6-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Mikoto (2d6-4) and gets 4. 2d6-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tairan (2d6-4) and gets 3. (I am reflecting on the irony that the last percep roll, with no bonuses, the people with HA missed it.) You guys are free to go to the tavern if ya want. But I got some business ta take care of. [It's hard to see, but everyone but John notices a fairly strong smell of... garlic? Yeah, garlic.] * Mikoto blinks. "...that's odd." What is? * Millie pales as she smells that. "Oh no...hell no..." Not to question you in your hometown... but maybe, as a hometown girl, you should stay with us until we're sure the locals aren't gonna try and do the lynch mob thing? (They're getting ready to roast the Shomurans.) * Mikoto sniffs the air a little. "If I didn't know better, I'd say someone was roasting garlic." * Tairan sniffs, and wrinkles his nose. "Ugh. What the hell's that smell?" * Millie gallops towards the nearest ranch. Fast. Garlic? Why the heck would they do that? They don't think there's vampires or somethin' do they? * Mikoto eyes John exasperatedly. "Knowing our luck, NOW there will be. Good work." Bah, lynch mobs. They're overrated if you're not on your own against them. I feel your joy all about. * Millie hops off the horse as she nears the ranch, running towards the house. "Pa! Pa! What in the name of Teck's high hills's goin' on?" ... care to let us in on what's going on, Millie? [Millie gallops to the closest ranch, which also happens to be her father's! She sees a familiar SOLICITORS WILL BE SHOT sign hanging on the fence.] * John brings Hazel about and rides after Millie. "Dammit Millie, explain what's going on!" ... aaaaaaaaand that'd be a no. *shakes head; mutters* Crazy Teckian women. * Mikoto mutters and hangs on. "She's going to get my horse bloodsucked." Damn it, give her a minute. I don't know, dammit! But if fuckin' vampires are in this town...dammit... PA! Ya in there? PA! [In fact, you all get there! Or something. Garlic's also draped on the fence, but the gate is oddly open. More garlic at the front porch, a couple crosses, and *that* door is closed.] We're in a town, they don't like mercenaries, there's garlic roasting, and suddenly there's a crisis? * Mikoto points at the porch. "THAT is not just roasting garlic." ... wait. Vampires? Like, suck your blood, wear cheesy capes vampires? * Jinx looks at the porch. "Wow, the undead, never dealt with them before." [The windows were dark, but you can see someone light something from the other side of one, and it peers out at y'all.] Sure we did. The zombies, that giant skeleton thingee. * Mikoto tilts his head. "Wait a minute. This is Millie's hometown, right?" The other zombies. The other other zombies. We have something in the west called sarcasm. Yeah. Ah... right. * Millie runs towards the light, waving her hands wildly. "Pa! It's me!" * Mikoto ticks points off on his hands. "So..." He adds it up. "You think this has happened before?" Looks like [He - you're pretty sure it's a he - peers at Millie for a moment, then leaves the light of the window!] (Oh my god, I'm fucking Sailor Mercury now.) (Me: "Obvious!" Other people: "WELL, FUCKING DUH.") ... so this would be a bad time for a 'We need a steak! Someone go kill a cow!' joke, right? Yes. Right. Gotcha. * Mikoto winces at the light. "...probably." [The front door opens a crack, and a low voice barks out, "Milfriedia, get you and yer company's blasted hides in here right this minute!"] ... ... I told ya not ta call me that! * Jinx rides over to the house. He shows no reaction to the name. * Mikoto mumbles, "I can see why, too." ... And I thought Duck had it bad. * Millie slumps her shoulders and mumbles as she staggers towards the house..thump. ... not gonna comment. Millie will shoot me if I comment... * Tairan cracks a grin, regardless, as he hops off of Lightning and heads for the door. [He throws open the door. Framed by the light, he's pretty hard to see, but you know that he's pretty big, white skinned, red haired. And garlic's draped over his shoulders. "Y'all get yerselves in there. Close the door. I'll take care of yer horses. Move!" he orders as he grabs the horses by the reigns and starts leading them to the stables.] * Jinx doesn't show any real sense of crisis but complies without question or comment. * Mikoto walks in mutely. He looks shellshocked. (Inside is a statue of Thor doing macrame. In a cowboy hat.) * John dismounts and walks in. Oh, and he looks good. Duh. * Millie walks in, still thumping and plunks down heavily in a chair, crossing her arms. She looks miffed, yes she does. * Tairan heads in, as ordered. When in Bloom County, do as the Opus does. (Tairan's going to buy $80 Mall-Walkers and get his nose lipsuctioned?) * Millie 's also avoiding looking at everyone too. ( Yes. He'll be going to Crazyfeathers Rhinoplasty. ) (How. Can Crazy Feathers make you a new you?) [It's a reasonably well-to-do ranch home. Furniture's decently cared for, hardwood with rugs in the living room, which is right by the doorway and where Millie plunked herself.] * Jinx comments quietly to Millie while the horses are being dealt with. "Any guidance on how to behave?" * Mikoto has a seat. Like a smart little boy scout, he remembered his medical kit because it's small and unobtrusive and more importantly, universally welcome, like AmEx. * Millie mutters. "Don't piss 'im off..." * Jinx nods. "Anything more specific? * Millie doesn't respond to that. She looks too miffed to really be paying full attention. Don't tell him you and Millie got married while she was away. * John takes a seat and looks around, whistling. * Jinx gives Tairan a "you're not helping" look. * Mikoto drums his fingers on the bag's leather cover. *dadadumdadadumdadadumdadadum* "So..." * Tairan is chastened! He shuts up. So, we have somewhere safe to sleep courtesy Millie's father, which is a rather good thing considering. Come daylight we go about our business. * Millie crosses her legs and shakes her foot in the air impatiently. Half nervously, half agitated. Business being finding Jan, or business being doing something about whatever it is that's got this town so scared? * Mikoto knits his brow. "As keen as I am about moving on, it might be in our best interest to help these people, especially since they're Millie's family." [Right about now, the door's thrown open again, and the man steps in. As he shuts it behind him, it becomes painfully obvious that he's been carrying a shotgun this entire time... He's tall, with pale skin, freckles, and short, roguish red hair and a matching moustache, along with blue eyes. His duds are well-worn and plain: overalls, cotton shirt, and cowboy boots. Not to mention the garlic draped over his shoulders.] * Millie doesn't quite look at him. "So how's Blacky doin'?" * Jinx looks slightly surprised at Mikoto. He then looks to Millie's father and doesn't interrupt his conversation with her. Fine. She got sick a season ago but is recoverin' just fine. * Man turns to lock the darned thing, then whirls to look at you. Specifically, Millie. "What in tarnation are ya doin' here, girl? I thought ya were gone fer good. Ya got some explainin' ta do, Milfriedia Victoria Reinhart." * Millie leans forward concerned for a moment. "She got si--" She resumes her stubborn posture and hmmphs her head away. "I ain't got nothin' ta explain, old man. Ya know ya woulda worried more 'bout losin' one o' yer horses than losin' me..." * Mikoto winces. This cannot end well. * Man sets the shotgun almost carelessly aside, along with the garlic, then storms across the living room in his big boots, completely heedless of the rest of you. "Are ya daft, girl?" he yells at Millie. "Ya had me up fer days and nights on end! Disappearin' like that. I thought ya were dead!" * John fronws. * Jinx watches with a level expression. ( Built you a grave and everything. So you better die, dagnabit, or it's money down the river! ) (I paid too much on insurance ta just let it slip, Milfriedia!) * Millie blinks up at her father in shock, leaning back in the chair, but actually looking at him now. "But I--but...whatdya *you* care, Dad? It's my own life, ain't it? Can't I do what I want?" * Man leans forward, hands on the armrests, and glares at Millie. "An' ya took it an' ran away, stupid girl. Now ya come runnin' back after sunset almost like nothin' happened! Not even a good bye fer yer ol' father, huh?" He pushes himself off and looks around, eyes gazing angrily through each one of you. "An' what's the story behind this group, eh? Slot eyes and an Injun, ta boot." * Mikoto is all smiles. But his fingers grip the leather case just a TEENSY bit tighter. ( Except for John. He looks like a fine upstandin' citizen ) (Although who is this guy to rag on Injuns? he SLEPT with one, didn't he?) (Except I saw him in the wanted papers. Hmm.) * John IS a fine upstanding citizen. He's even got shiny teeth. * Mikoto is only half slot eye, thankyouverymuch. ( She didn't tell him she was Injun! ) ( He thought it was a bad tan ) (...) * Tairan narrows his eyes. * Jinx keeps the even expression, not so much a controlled one, just no real signs of caring. * Millie tsshes and turns her face off to the side at that. "They're the people I'm workin' with, Pa. 'Sides, thought you'd at *least* be grateful 'nuff ta see me ta shore us up for the night." But I guess that's too much ta ask for, eh? Tssh, an' ya wonder why I left... Workin' with on *what*, Milfriedia? Afraid the last time I heard hide nor hair of ya was four years ago! * Man settles his gaze on Millie again. (We're actually lab mice in robotic suits trying to take over the world.) (Duh.) (Oh, why didn't you say so? Stay as long as you like!) * Millie mumbles sorta low, but loud enough for at least her father, and perhaps a few other people nearby to hear. "Ain't no business o' *yours*" An' quit callin' me that name. I hate that name. You know it. * Mikoto decides now is good to make sure he resupplied correctly in Redrock. Mikoto Quinn, Medicine Sloteye. * Man practically roars, "If yer gonna stay in this house, it *is* business of mine, dangit! Ya think ya can come trompin' back an' pretend nothin' happened, like ya were just gone fer an afternoon stroll?!" Was hopin' so, yeah. (Well, at least she's honest.) * Jinx keeps watching the spat, he's got a faint look of amusement at Millie's comments. Session Time: Wed Jul 07 00:00:00 2004 * Man lets out an angry grunt and steps forward, giving Millie a sharp slap across the face. "It don't work that way!" * Millie gets her cheek turned with a sharp sting and half-glares up at her father, hand going up to her cheek, but it doesn't last long. She sighs and gets out of the chair, stomping up to her room. * John watches. * Mikoto winces at the noise but doesn't look up. He does, however, note a small jar of salve and some gauze. Just in case. * Man whirls as she storms off. "You come back when I'm talkin' to you!" * Jinx suddenly loses the ambivilent look for a more controlled poker face. He looks to Millie as she leaves but since she likely doesn't look back he doesn't act. * Tairan raises an eyebrow. * Millie turns around, halfway there. "Or what? You'll yell at me some more? What are ya goin' on 'bout Injuns in yer home anyhow, 'Pa'? Whatdya think *I* am anyways? Hell if I know anymore! Yer mother sure thought runnin' was the best course 'a action, didn't she! * Jinx keeps the controlled expression and keeps his eyes on Millie. * Millie growls and points to him. "You ain't sayin' *nothin'* 'bout Ma! Who do ya think I was tryin' ta find by leavin', huh? Ya never *did* wanna tell me what happened to her." * Mikoto runs a hand through his hair subconsciously without thinking about it, realizes he's doing it, and snaps the case shut with a dissastisfied expression. * Man roars, "Maybe I don't know what the hell happened to her! Maybe she just upped and left one day, an' yer grandpappy was right about her the entire damn time! Just like you!" ( All I knows is she was likely to be eaten by a grue! ) * Millie huffs and turns on her heels. "Well, screw this then. Ya don't hafta worry, 'Pa.' Ol' Millie'll be outta yer hair at sunup. An' ta think I was actually WORRIED when I smelt that garlic." * Millie stomps to her room and opens and slams the door. Now Millie, ya wait one- just- damnit. * Jinx frowns as Millie runs off. He then looks back to her father quickly regaining his controlled expression. * Man almost deflates, falling backwards and landing on the chair. * Mikoto sighs and slumps backwards in his seat a little. * Man then notices the curious looks and bristles. "And just what are you lookin' at?" * John isn't looking curiously, nosirree. * Jinx speaks in a nice even tone. "Thank you for taking us in for the night." * Tairan tips his hat. "We aren't lookin' to poke our noses into your personal business, sir. Apologize if it came off that way." * Mikoto nods. "We're simply passing through." * Man glares at Jinx for a moment, then deflates, and speaks as calmly as he ever has that night. "Yeah, well. Can't have people roamin' about out there with the bloodsuckers an' all, even if my good for nothin' daughter's in the group." He grunts as he gets to his feet. I'd point ya to the inn, but it closed down after this business got started. Ya make yerselves at home. Thank you, sir. * Mikoto nods again, setting the bag back in his lap. "If there's some way we can be of service, don't hesitate to ask." Thank you. * Jinx frowns slightly at his comment about Millie. However he keeps the even tone. "We appreciate it." * Man looks at Mikoto for a moment, then nods. "Doctor, huh? Maybe ya can look at some 'a the horses tomorrow." * Mikoto ehes. "Well, I can try, though I am no veterinarian." It'd be better than leaving them untended. * Man rubs at the back of his head, looking around at the odd group assembled. "Anyway, I'm Harold. Harold Reinhart. Guess I didn't introduce myself proper- like, an' y'all can't go around callin' me 'Pa'." His lips quirk at his own joke, but it's pretty obvious he's not into it. * Tairan nods. "Tairan... Hoshimoto, sir." * Mikoto also nods. "Mikoto. A pleasure." My name's Errant Hare. Where would you like us to sleep? * John nods. "John." ("Well, the barn's good for you furreners. The shiny teeth guy sleeps with me.") (No way. I'm looking to set him up with my daughter!) (...) (Bah. Heck no. Shiny tooth sleeps with his daughter so he can have strong youngins) Here's good. Got a couple 'a guest bedrooms if it suits ya. Don't get many visitors these days. ( "Ah've been lonely since mah wife left... Shiny Tooth sleeps with me!" ) ( *cues banjos* ) * Jinx nods. "Thank you." Yeah. (And then Harold ate everyone and gained their martial and spiritual essence.) * Mikoto sighs quietly, then stands up. "Please excuse my rudeness, but as I said before, all the spellcasting has made me slightly weary." * Harold almost looks dazed, then snaps out of it. "Yeah. I'll get 'em ready." And he tromps off, muttering about his good for nothing, ungrateful daughter. Go sleep then. ... vampires. Hmm. * Harold stops his muttering to call over his shoulder, "This way, slo- er, Mikoto." * Mikoto doesn't deck Harold! He's a good guest. "Thank you, sir." (You deck my father, I'll kill you.) * Harold leads Mikoto off! * Mikoto is now known as Todd * Tairan looks at the others. "Any of you ever fight vampires?" * Jinx nods. "Not quite. Tougher than even that giant skeleton, I've had a dealing or two, always tried to avoid direct confrontation." (Vampires...so that explains why Saki's here.) Can't say I have. ( :9 ) ... so are they like the stories? Suck blood, funny accents... Gaudy capes? * Tairan blinks. "Funny accents... like that guy with your brother?" * Jinx shrugs. "Garlic keep them away and they've got nice stuff. Don't know anything else from personal experience." He moved damn fast... could say 'inhumanly' fast... And it *was* night... * Tairan pauses. "Or maybe I'm just thinking too much." *blinks* "Which'd be a first." ( Except John saw him in the day time ^^; ) ( But I don't know that! ) (Who says all the rumors are accurate anyhow? o/~) ( See, this'd be a good time for John to, y'know, SPEAK! ) Might be, ::he quiets a little:: but I'd be rather cautious about making this our fight without good reason. * John nods. "If they're even half as strong as the stories say, we've got problems." Well, I don't got no stakes, but I can certainly do some head choppin'. * Harold returns, carrying folded quilts and pillows. "Which one of ya all are stayin' in here?" I can sleep anywhere. Let the others have any remaining beds. * Harold nods. And fixes up the one couch for snoozing. * Jinx stands up to take them, he has a nice even expression. "It's alright Tairan, I won the armout. I'll take here, thank you." He walks over to Harold.... * Harold stands, turns, and eyes Jinx with a bit of suspicion. ( We're not inviting you to the wedding, Dad. Sorry.) (If I punch Jinx in the face, will you kill me?) * Jinx keeps the perfectly even tone. "And no offense sir, but despite what you think, you've raised a skilled professional." He then walks over to claim the couch. ... okay then. Bed it is. * John shrugs. "I don't care where, really." (Awww. Love ya too, Jinxy!) ( "Oh yeah, guys, one of the beds is possessed. I thought I should tell you that. ) ("One of the beds already has a vampire sleeping in it. They asked for tea and I just couldn't say no.") * Harold grunts. "Yeah. An' as soon as she tells me what she's a professional of, maybe I'll believe that." He tosses the other two quilts and pillow on a rug; doesn't look like it'll be that uncomfortable, really. "Someone can stay there. Only got one other bed." ( "She's a lawyer." "... out of my house!" ) (Oh so true.) * Tairan eyes John. "Rock, Parchment, Sword?" Sure. Two outta three. * Jinx nods and apparently agrees that it's Millie's place to tell him or no. He makes himself comfortable. [It is the end!]