Thread: Saloon! The Western RPG

Yes folks, here it is! Just a little intro to our town- allow us a little bit of context, can't wait to see your intros. If you wanna check up on the rules they are in the Profiles and Affairs thread: Just another reminder about the 100 word minimum (or thereabouts) limit. Remember, this is the day before the night of the attacks!


Character List:

Short Tooth- Little Ned Buchett- Deputy Sheriff
Kyrie- Wenz J. Clancy- Stable Hand/ Ranch Worker
Foxee- Morgan 'Pretty Boy' Gaines- Horse Handler/ Freelance guard for mail and coaches
Renos Babe- Charlotte 'Lollie' Lee- Town School Teacher
Blossom- Edward Frayn- Doctor
Tom- Askook ‘Snake’ Lenno- Horse Trainer
Seawings- Frank “Pancho” Stockhove- Rancher
Kagechaos- Arthur "Ace" Wills- Discharged soldier of the 3rd U.S. infantry
Lyonidus- "Joker" Jack James- Soldier of the 1st U.S. Cavalry
Slayerofangels- Emil Alexander Emmanuel DuPoint- BountyHunter




Enjoy my friends. And welcome to the Wild West pardnah!

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For those who were awake on that Monday morning and looking Eastwards out of their windows in the town of Cottonwood Springs, the sight of the sun-rising was a marvel to be remembered. As it slowly rose into the sky it shed it's light across the fields of red and yellows that surrounded the town, enveloping the area in a harmonious placid mystque. The warmth of the giant ball heating the town, brought out the first of the morning people. Traders off to the larger towns, shop-keepers getting an early start on their competitive friends, ranchers taking cattle to be either sold or slaughtered- children playing outside in the dirt before their parents awoke. All accompanied by the sounds of bustle- and movement. Carts began to take off- coaches were arranged by the handlers for a days work, and horses were just beginning to rise from their own slumber. Just another morning in Cottonwood Springs- but also the last that there would ever be like it for a long time.

The town was quaint, beautiful, but above all- personal. Everyone was fairly well acquainted with each citizen- but even those who were not so well- known were recognised. New faces were hard to miss, and certainly would have no place to hide in a small town like Cottonwood Springs. Comprising of many small establishments, the town had its fair share of business- but there were also ranches on the outskirts, homes in the middle of the town, a hotel, the local Saloon, the Jail House, the School House and suchlike. As the morning began reaching it's crescendo and enough dust had been kicked up, all the townsfolk knew it was time to get up. The day had begun, and fresh challenges with it.

The smell of burning wood and rose blossoms drifted in the air. The contrast truly awaking the senses, and showcasing the real contrast of characters and feelings in the town. Despite the recent attempts to shake the foundations of their little paradise- the town had stood strong, and fought off the efforts. In the face of money, persuasion and black-mail- decency had prevailed, and they had kept their grasp on that which they called home. But like the calm before the storm- a strange mood remained within the town- and the recent absence of Eli Wallach and his men had led to some nervous assumptions, and to some- a sense of dread. But let the day bring what it may. Morning had broken, and it was time to make their way in life. Time to greet the residents- of Cottonwood Springs.

Charlotte shook her head lightly as she finished pulling on her boots, she sighed lightly standing and turning slowly making sure that everything was in place and that she looked respectable, all the while quietly muttering
"Those boys are going to be the death of me". Her two younger brothers hadn’t come home last night for the third time this week, and she knew exactly where they would be. Sighing again she headed for the door grabbing her books and purse, worrying whether she could afford the bail. She smiled as the cool morning air hit her, closing the door she walked out onto the streets and looked around, as she caught sight of the jail house her smile disappeared and she began heading towards it.

Little Ned awoke after a restless night of sleep. He'd been dreaming of that night again- so much so that it got to the point where insomnia seemed a better course of action for the midnight hours. Scratching his head as his eyes adjusted to the sunlight streaming in through the window, he banged his free hand against the wall. He heard the movement on the otherside, as his mothers frail voice called through the thin walls;

"Up already! Christine's getting something to eat."

Ned nodded his head drowsily in response and slipped out of the bed. It had been a rough day before- the Sheriff "Big Bob Johnson"- had been working over a no-good thief he had caught passing through the town. Apparently he'd been trying to break into Mason's Dry Goods when Big Bob had come across him. That was all the Sheriff needed to 'lay down the law' so to speak. Ned had had to face the brunt of his superiors anger at times when the thief was in too much pain to respond. But Ned was used to that by now.

Ned pulled on his snug-fitting buckskin trousers, slipped on his boots and spurs, an adjusted his blue button up shirt. This uniform had come to define him in recent years. After his daughter, it was the only thing that made him stand out as 'Ned Buchett'- the man. Not that it got that much respect from the locals, they looked at him as a soft touch. They knew he would never dare arrest them- he was too nice. Or so they thought. Ned reflected on this somewhat angrily as he reached into his cubbyhole, retrieved his 5-star badge and pinned it over his left breast. He turned for the mirror and studied himself, his hair messy, his face unshaven- 'So this is what a lawman looks like'. Quite frankly, in this town there wasn't much call for one. Big Bob bagged all the real excitement for himself anyway. Reaching into the drawer of his dresser he strapped his gun belt on, and headed for the kitchen....
----

Having ate with his daughter and mother swiftly he had moved right out of the door for the jailhouse. The previous night's last call of duty was to make the obligatory call into the Saloon for the Lee brothers. Robert and Tyler were an annoyance to say the least, and he knew there sister would be on her way to collect them before she headed to the school. Looking around he smiled for the first time since seeing his daughter that morning. The heartbeat of this town was in sync with his own. It kept him going, preserving this land, the land that his parents had grown him on, the land he had loved on, the land he had conceived on, and the land he would soon leave. Though it pained him to admit it, there was not much future there anymore. Big cities beckoned, and it would be best for his mother and Christine to leave. But not just yet... He turned the corner, passed the town hall and the Jail House came into view as he pulled his stetson tighter over his head to protect his eyes from the rising sun. The light gleamed off his 1873 Peacemaker pistol. The gun he had only had to use to kill someone once. Regretably...

Charlotte sighed as she saw Ned approaching the Jail house, deep down she had been hopeing that they had jsut stayed somewhere the night. Putting on her usual fake smile she hurred to greet ned, and apologise again

"Morning Ned, hows little Christine?" Charlotte looked him over, and smiled of all the town he was most likely the one person she associtated with most, not that it was always for the right things, she shook her head sadly as Roberts voice called out in protest. She knew he was the trouble maker and Tyler just followed along not wanting to be throught less of by his twin.

Frank or Pancho as he had been called since his boyhood (Pancho is Frank in Spanish and the ranch hands had been Mexican “vaqueros’” or cowboys…and had fondly nicknamed the young blond German boy “Pancho”…and it had stuck to this day) woke before the sunrise.

The early morning blue grey sky that precedes the sun began to cast a soft glow across the bedroom.

Lying on his back he allowed sleep to drift away and his eyes to open by themselves. Every morning Pancho thanked the Lord for his many blessings as he lay there…his personal time of prayer. His family had been faithful German Lutherans and prayer and hard work had always been part of his ethos.

Life had always been difficult, ranching this land was never easy, years went by with little rain then there would be years that the winter rains had been abundant and the spring flowers, grass and streams were in their glory…this had been one of those years.

Today Pancho and Eula would ride into town for their monthly shopping trip and visit with their children. Pancho had inherited his father’s ranch foreman, a Mexican called Carlos. Carlos was in his sixties, however, could still put in a days’ work that exhausted the younger vaqueros and always could be counted on the run the ranch when he was away.

As the light in the room brightened Pancho rolled over to look at Eula, marveling at her beauty. She had always pitched in with all the most difficult ranch work, yet her beauty hadn’t diminished. Her eyes were still brilliantly blue and she had a penetrating stare that unsettled many. Her skin was lightly browned by the hot Texas sun, yet maintained its youthful softness…he marvel at how this wonderful woman could be so many things and how lucky he was to have her.

Eula stretched and rolled over to meet Pancho’s stare. “Your doing it again” she laughingly said. “How many times have I awakened to find you staring at me?”

“Just counting my blessing” Pancho said. “You ready for our big trip to town?”

“Always” she said, instantly energized. “Maria and Carlos are going to take care of everything around here and we haven’t seen the kids in almost a month…and you ask me if I am ready.”

Laughing, Pancho threw the cover back and said…”Well let’s get going woman”

Outside, the cows were starting to 'moo' to announce their awakening. Wenz sat on the fence chewing a straw and watching the cattle, just like every morning. A few yards away the horses whinnied and batted their tails, their heads lowered trying to eat the little grass that grew there. He glanced at the gathered horses, spotting his own buck. He smiled and jumped off the fence, walking to his house were he could smell breakfast brewing.

"Wenz Jacob Clancy! Spit that out and sit down! Your eggs are getting cold."
Wenz chuckled as he obeyed his mother, a classy woman who firmly believed in education and good manners. His father was already digging into his eggs and bacon, while Julia, his sister, played around with the food on her plate.
"Mom, can I miss school today?"
"Surely not young lady."
"But mom, it's so boring! And the boys there are so lame!"
"My answer is final. You know what, I'm sending your brother with you to make sure you don't skip."
"What? No! I hate riding without a saddle and Wenz never uses a saddle!"
"Wenz, you're taking your sister to school, alright?"
"...uuhmmm..." Wenz had been busy clearing the plate from the eggs and bacon. "Where's Askook?"
"Asleep or outside," his father answered, "make sure to take your sister to school."
"Ok"
"And after that I want you to herd the cattle and take 'em out."
"Yes sir."
Wenz stood, taking his plate and placing it in the dishwasher. He leaned down to kiss his mother in the cheek and walked to the door, pausing to put on his hat.
"I'll get the horse ready"
"And put a saddle on that animal!!"
He chuckled again, hearing the demand of his sister, it wasn't his fault he liked to ride saddle-less, he only did it occasionally anyway.

Walking to the horse corral, Wenz whistled to call his horse who came rushing towards him, whinnying in greeting.
"Hey, Lucky Star. How are ya boy?"
The horse had been a gift from his father when he turned seventeen. The dapple stallion showed a grey star-like mark on the rump, which is why Wenz named him 'Lucky Star'.

Guiding him to the stable, Wenz groomed the animal and placed the well-used bridle on it's head, Lucky Star complaining with the bit. Finally the blanket and the saddle, which Wenz had considered to remove as a joke to his sister. Leading the horse outside, Wenz got on to the saddle and trotted back to the entrance of his house, Julia already waiting there.

"Can we take it slow?"
"You know Lucky Star doesn't like slow." Wenz answered, patting the horse's neck.
"Can we take a detour then?"
"Well, I could take you for a ride."
Wenz smiled at her sister and she smiled back. Getting on the saddle behind Wenz, Julia wrapped her arms around him. The older brother kicked the horse just a bit and Lucky Star started on his quickest gallop, eager to stretch his legs.

(Got on earlier than I thought. Yay!)

Edward Frayn was already awake and dressed as the sun started rising. As the town doctor he had to be up early, ready for any eventuality. By the same reasoning he was prepared to be woken up during the night if there was an emergency. Luckily he’d managed to get a full night’s sleep this particular day.

As the sunlight crept around the curtain edges into his minimally furnished bedroom, Ed was giving his hair a quick comb through to neaten it up. Putting the comb down he crossed the room and pulled back the curtains, smiling at the fiery rays dying the sky red, orange and yellow.

It was with a smile still on his face that he left his room, ready to start the day. Rebecca, his four year old niece, came rushing out of her room as Ed entered the hall, a ribbon in her hand and distress on her face.

“Uncle Edward! Uncle Edward!” she cried in her sweet, high pitched voice, “I can’t tie the ribbon!” Her pretty face puckered and her big brown eyes looked like they were about to fill with tears.

“Don’t cry, honey,” Ed said soothingly, kneeling down so he was at Rebecca’s height, “C’mere, I’ll tie it for you.”

Gently, he took the pale blue ribbon from her hand and turned her round. With nimble fingers he pulled her dark curls back from her face and secured them with the ribbon, which he twisted into a bow.

“There,” he smiled, “All done.”

Rebecca put her hands up to her hair to feel, then swung round beaming. She flung her thin arms around Ed’s neck in a tight hug and cried, “Thank you Uncle Edward!”

“No problem sweetheart.” Gently, Edward extracted himself from his niece’s embrace and smiled down at her, “Now, c’mon down and I’ll get breakfast.”

Askook, or Snake as he called himself was out by the barn. It had only been a few minutes since he had seen all his cousins riding there way to school. School, luckily for him, that was over and he could spend more time at the ranch.

The sun was shining bright, nearly stinging Snakes eyes. The sun wasnt His favourite weather, he loved te feeling of rain as it hit his skin softly, reliefing him from the problems in his life. He sighed, and picked up the brush from the table beside him. It was time to brush Browntail, his horse. She was a beauty, he loved her just as mcuh as he did his family, many of them he'd never seen.

As the minutes went, Snake began to regret missing breakfast, his auntie really did make a grand breakfast, and it was fun just to be around the family and his uncle, who had taken him in after what happened so many years ago. As he heard his stomach rumbling, he stopped brushing and gulped loudly.

'Time to eat' He chuckled.

"Morning Ned, hows little Christine?"

Ned tipped his hat and smiled warmly at Charlotte. He regretted her approach as much as she did, there was only one reason for this visit so early this morning.

“Well she’s just fine Miss Lee, just fine. Still spouting nothing but positive words about you. But I’d assume that’s not why you’re here?”

She nodded as he gestured for her to follow him. Although her brothers hadn’t done anything too serious, they were a burden on their sister. Accumulated delinquencies must have placed great stress on her over the years, and for the offences the Sheriff considered more severe, the bail was a harsh penalty for her. As the real breadwinner for the family the responsibility lay completely on her, and out of pity Ned would use his influence when he could.

As he entered through the jailhouse door, holding it open for Miss Lee he noticed the marshall behind the desk was half-asleep. The perfect chance to bend a little procedure. Swiftly moving to the wall beside the marshall he retrieved the large ring of keys and headed down to the cells.

The Lee brothers were both asleep. Banging loudly on the bars they awoke with a start and he turned the key in the lock. ‘They’ll be back in here before the week is out’ he thought to himself. Stepping aside he allowed them to step outside, and face the wrath of their sister.

“There’ll be no charge today Miss Lee- now you boys know the rules. Once more before dawn and the Sheriff wont be so lenient.”

NOTE: Yes, Morgan is a female but the other characters will think she is a young man to begin with. Please don’t have your character ‘discover’ her unless the gender cues I give are wrong or there is some overt reason for her to be found out…let the story unfold naturally. I’d appreciate a PM before someone discovers/reveals her gender, please.
******

On the Road to Cottonwood Springs...

Scuffling hooves, creaking wheels, rhythmic snorting of the coach horses all seemed loud as they plodded uphill. The sounds bounced off of the surrounding tree trunks.

Morgan ignored them.

Foliage lining the beaten track was innocent of movement and clear of danger signs. No broken branches no trampled grasses other than the occasional deer trail, no sounds but the carriage and the busy hum of cicadas.

Still, she kept her rifle in hand as she rode.

The road was a little smoother now, but Morgan still preferred horseback to any coach jolting over the limestone bones of Texas. Her buckskin gelding was hill country born and bred, sure-footed over the rocks breaking the surface of the hard-packed earth.

At the top of the hill, from under the tall pecan and cottonwood trees, the world fell away like a rumpled green quilt, the sky unfurled brilliant blue above it. A curlew called, winging overhead.

The air smelled like dust and sun, leaves and freedom. Morgan inhaled a greedy lungful and swore once again to never go back. Even if she had to keep living a lie.


((Morgan and the coach will be in Cottonwood sometime late morning.))

Charlotte just shook her head as the boys steped out she just motioned for them to go outside before following them she turned to Ned
"Thank you Ned. If theres anythin i can do to make this up to you just ask" she smiled sweetly before heading outside to deal with her brothers.

Robert and Tyler looked at Charlotte as she walked out of the Jail house,
"We're sorry Lollie I swear it was an..." Robert began before he was cut off by a look from his sister,
"I don't need to hear your excuses boys, I'll deal with you both when schools out, til then i want you to go home and stay there, maybe clean something for once in your life" Boys nodded and quickly turned tail back home. Charlotte quickly nodded a farewell to Ned before heading for the school house.

as she pushed open the door she smiled, everything was set up and ready for the school day, walking over to teh black bored she quickly began writing some sentances for the children to read as well as a couple of words for them to learn how to spell, although in the back of her mind she was hopeing this only took a couple of minutes then they could spend the rest of the day on music and some art stuff.

Arthur lay in his bed even as the sun rose. He'd always been a bit of a late sleeper before he went in the military, where he'd been trained to wake up quite a bit earlier, and now that he'd been discharged, he was falling back into his old habits.

He usually waited until Doc (Edward Frayn) woke him up to watch Rebecca, or until he woke up on his own to play poker in the tavern.

(Sorry for such a short intro, but I'm quite tired. Plus, I don't believe much else needs to be said. )

Pancho gave Carlos a few last instructions before they headed for town. Carlos had prepared the wagon, a standard Birdsell ranch wagon, with a six foot bed, and a two horse hitch. The wagon was old and well used and had been made in Hannibal Missouri in 1887, but Pancho was a practical man and not prone to new fangled buggies and their fancy leather seats, canopy and fringe.

The ranch house had been built on a hill, under a grove of pecan trees, for the breeze, and as an observation point. From there you could see for miles and anyone coming your way. This had been particularly important when the Tonkawa Indians still roamed the area. While the Tonkawa’s were basically friendly, the early pioneers were never sure.

Winding down the hill on the caliche road that Pancho had built for the rainy days, caliche drained well and was excellent for construction, they descended to cross the river that ran through the ranch. The river, like all streams and rivers in this area, ran crystal clear, fed by artesian springs, and ice cold.

Crossing the river they joined the road to town. Like most roads in this area, they were old Indian trails that were well thought out for the ease of travel. The early settlers had tried to improve on the routing but soon realized that time and experience had made these trails the best way to travel.

The Stockhove Ranch was about twelve miles out of town and took about ,keeping the horses at a comfortable pace, eight hours to reach town, this included a stop at Nueces Springs for lunch and to rest and water the horses. Often Pancho and Eula would bath in the springs and change into their “town cloths”. They had many special memories about the springs, havinh stopped there often as the children grew.

They had often spent the night there, around a roaring campfire, Pancho would tell the children of the days when the Indians would ride through the ranch at night…silently, like ghosts, they would glide silently through the ranch buildings, his voice dropping and leaning toward the fire he would say…”and then they would stop, looking for small children to capture and take away into the night”. Just as he was getting to this part he would throw a log on the fire and say…”and there they are” pointing into the darkness.

Squealing they would run to Eula and hide in her skirt. Years later the children, now grown, would still greet their father with a…”Seen any Indians lately?” and everyone would get a good laugh.

“Are you workin’ again t’day, Uncle Edward?” Rebecca asked between mouthfuls of scrambled egg and toast, her eyes watching Ed trustfully as he moved about the kitchen clearing up.

“Yes, I am sweetheart.” He glanced over his shoulder and smiled at her, regretfully wishing he could spend more with his late sister’s daughter. Rebecca reminded him so much of dear Annabelle; in her looks, speech and sheer adorableness. However she had her father’s strong constitution to couple her mother’s energy, for which Edward was eternally grateful. Watching both his sickly mother and sister had been painful, and he wouldn’t have been able to cope with seeing that frailness in Rebecca as well.

“All day?” Rebecca pouted.

“Probably,” Ed sighed, turning to face his niece, “I’m sorry honey. But --”

“-- you gotta work ‘cos you help sick people,” Rebecca finished for him, “I know. I know.”

“You like playing with Arthur, don’t you?”

“Yeah. Arthur’s fun,” Rebecca nodded, “But I wanna play with you too Uncle Edward.”

“Tell you what,” Ed bent down and stroked Rebecca’s dark curls, “You be a good girl for me this week and on Saturday I’ll spend the whole day with you. Whatever you want to do.”

“Promise?” Rebecca held out a fist, her little finger sticking out. Ed smiled and hooked his own pinky around hers.

“Promise.”

Deciding it was time for Julia to get to school, Wenz turned Lucky Star around and galloped towards the town, slowing down as he entered, not wanting to spook the people into thinking some horse had gone rampant.
Julia unwllingly hopped behind her brother, not used to the harsh trot.
"I thought Lucky Star didn't like slow"
"I thought you didn't want to get to school quickly"
Julia got the message and kept quiet, her arms still snugly around Wenz.

Arriving at the school, Wenz' stopped the horse right at the entrance.
"We're here Julia."
His sister buried her head into his back, her arms tightening around him.
"No" she whined.
"Come on kid. Get."
"But I don't like it..."
"Hey, Miss Charlotte ain't that bad"
"That's because you don't have to deal with her!"
"Hey! I wish I had gone to school instead of being home schooled. Now stop being ungrateful and get."
Begrudgingly, Julia got down and walked to school. Before entering she turned around and looked at Wenz.
"Thanks brother, you're the best."
"It's because I'm so dashingly handsome and smart!"
Julia ran up to him, her face red in embarrassment, and hit him in the leg almost hitting Lucky Star as well.
"Hey hey!! Watch the ride!!"

Wenz patted Lucky in a soothing way, checking that Julia had indeed entered the school and was not coming out any soon. Once sure, he turned and rode back to the ranch, ready for a day's worth of work.