Frontier! The Saga of Bulls Landing

[Aedilred]

Josephine hurried back down the stairs and paused, looking around the bar, seemingly not wanting to interrupt the entertainment with an announcement, then went over to the bar to speak to Belle.

"The doctor's asked someone to ride out to San Nicola to fetch Father Pedro," she said, loudly enough that anyone nearby could hear. Then she turned to walk over to Sister Nancy's table. The black-eyed gaze of the nun held her at bay for a moment: she had managed to avoid the sister's lectures for some time but could nevertheless feel her disapproval at a distance, but she soon recovered her pride and addressed Nancy directly.

"Sister, the doc also asked for you in case Father Pedro can't come in time."

[TheDarkDM]

As the Benton woman intruded on their conversation, Eugene's demeanor shifted from pious curiosity to jovial camaraderie, even as he fantasized about shoving the busybody's face into the horse trough outside.

"There's no call to trouble yourself, Mrs. Benton. It's many a town I've seen in my travels, and I'm set on giving Bulls Landing the same chance I give every burgh on the frontier. You fine people have yet to disappoint."

Flashing her a smile, he reached across the table absently to place a hand atop Sister Nancy's.

"Why, just take the Sister's invitation to join you all on the sabbath. I can think of no better use of my time than to come together with you fine people as we open ourselves to the holy spirit."

Stopping to let the moment settle, Eugene seemed ready to go on before they were interrupted by Josephine's arrival.

"Oh my, this sounds serious. Might I escort you upstairs, Sister Nancy?"

[mystic1110]

"The doctor's asked someone to ride out to San Nicola to fetch Father Pedro," she said, loudly enough that anyone nearby could hear. Then she turned to walk over to Sister Nancy's table. The black-eyed gaze of the nun held her at bay for a moment: she had managed to avoid the sister's lectures for some time but could nevertheless feel her disapproval at a distance, but she soon recovered her pride and addressed Nancy directly.

"Sister, the doc also asked for you in case Father Pedro can't come in time."

Sister Nancy saw Josephine heading towards her and was split between two of the Good Book's teachings, on one hand that the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread and on the other whom was she to accuse her? To condemn her when the Lord would not. She could only show the path towards salvation, each must follow in their own way. She made a mental note to herself to find Josephine later for an important talk about immorality.

She inclined her head and was about to get up - only the Father would be able to give the man his Last Rights, but the presence of one such as she, clad in white. Like an angle watching over you and leading you towards St. Peter's gates.

Flashing her a smile, he reached across the table absently to place a hand atop Sister Nancy's.

"Why, just take the Sister's invitation to join you all on the sabbath. I can think of no better use of my time than to come together with you fine people as we open ourselves to the holy spirit."

"Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste." In the Reformatory and in the Nunnery, they had been taught to beware the Song of Songs. Lying in wait between the Old and the New it was as sweet as honey and as dangerous as fire. It could inflame you.

Sister Nancy quickly withdrew her hand from beneath Eugene's and placing it within the cold embrace of her other hand. She felt marked as she looked into Eugene's eyes.

"The Holy Spirit is always Open"

Stopping to let the moment settle, Eugene seemed ready to go on before they were interrupted by Josephine's arrival.

"Oh my, this sounds serious. Might I escort you upstairs, Sister Nancy?"

As Sister Nancy got up, her hands now hidden in the outermost layer of her habit she looked back at Eugene. Eugene. "Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out." Sand and sweat is how most people smelled in Arizona. She sniffed and thought she could smell lavender.

"Of course Mr. Clark, I would feel safer with a man of Virtue in my journey into this upstairs Gomorrah."

[PepperP.]

Belle sighed in a failed effort to stifle her displeasure.

"It's gonna have to be Clive, there's no helping it." She tossed her polishing rag down carelessly onto the already gleaming bar, a testament to her annoyance.

"Clive, take Saguaro and ride out to San Nicola would ya? And bring back Father Pedro. Our guest is doing frightful poorly." She patted her faithful piano man and errand boy on the shoulder. The music stopped and the big man hurried out the door to the stable where Belle kept the big black horse, named for the common desert flora.

"Josephine, where's Sadie Mae at? I need you girls down here for a spell. Without Clive's music to distract them, I'm afraid they'll turn to violence for entertainment." She turned to face her patrons.

"Can anyone here play the piano? Clive had some evening business to attend to. I'm giving a free drink for every three songs you can play.. well." She added, implying she would be the judge of that.

[Lleban]

Spoiler: Willie

Show

Pre Trouble




Willie fought down a smile at Robert's comment, placing a hand on the hilt of the "woodchopper."

"Kennedy, you know full well this thing's good for more'n chopping wood. Or at least you would if you weren't too busy laughing that rotten tail of yours off every time I reach for it!"

Trouble
As he opened his mouth for some other commentary, though, Willie was interrupted by Belle's concern. He tossed an apologetic half smile toward Chipper and hustled up the stairs. When he saw that the trouble was outside his realm of expertise, though, he quickly shuffled to the side of the hall where he could keep an eye on things without being in the way. Experience had shown that dying men sometimes grew violent - sometimes accidentally, sometimes in a blind panic - and he wanted to be on hand just in case. His heavy brow jumped up when the man mentioned being shot, though, and he leaned in the door a bit.

"Shot? Doc, am I gonna bother you if I talk to him while you're working?" Willie's tone was polite, but his face showed keen, almost impatient interest.

Robert stifled a chuckle as the stranger's condition grew noticeably worse. He looked at Aj in apparent concern. Coughs like that could wipe out a hole camp unchecked, he'd seen it a fair few times himself. Robert worried that Willie would be caught unawares, either by plague or the thrashing of a man in death's jaws.

"Check up on our old gentle and spill the beans, who know Aj, might have use for the wood chopper yet."

[Aedilred]

An initial examination quickly revealed to AJ that Mirano's condition was mortal: the combination of the disease and the bullet wound would likely have been deadly even if the wound had been treated immediately, but the subsequent neglect had hastened his demise, and it could be expected imminently.

Nevertheless, AJ set to work, with some success. After his ministrations, Mirano might still be doomed, but he appeared to be having less difficulty breathing at least.

---

One of the cavalry troopers stood up. "I'll give the piano a go!" he exclaimed.

An execrable rendition of Campdown Races ensued. Two verses in and even his comrades were booing.

[Elemental]

Just because things were hopeless didn't mean AJ wasn't going to try, miracles happened after all and if he could do his part in facilitating one then he would. He gave Mirano a shot of morphine in the arm and immediately got to work, his hands moving with speed and precision. There was a clink as the extracted bullet was dropped into a small glass dish and shortly thereafter the wound was cleaned and wrapped in sterile bandages. His work done he washed his hands and took the piece of rawhide from between the unfortunate man's teeth.

"Alright, you can question him now Marshal, but if you agitate him I'll have you thrown down the stairs."

[Lleban]

Spoiler

Show

An initial examination quickly revealed to AJ that Mirano's condition was mortal: the combination of the disease and the bullet wound would likely have been deadly even if the wound had been treated immediately, but the subsequent neglect had hastened his demise, and it could be expected imminently.

Nevertheless, AJ set to work, with some success. After his ministrations, Mirano might still be doomed, but he appeared to be having less difficulty breathing at least.

---

One of the cavalry troopers stood up. "I'll give the piano a go!" he exclaimed.

An execrable rendition of Campdown Races ensued. Two verses in and even his comrades were booing.

Robert looked to Chipper in the midst of this...rendition, no rendition was too kind a term of Campdown Races. He lightly prodded chipper with his shot glass before saying.

"Don't those undertaking fingers of yours know a little bit about the piano."

[JBarca]

Spoiler: Doc

Show

Just because things were hopeless didn't mean AJ wasn't going to try, miracles happened after all and if he could do his part in facilitating one then he would. He gave Mirano a shot of morphine in the arm and immediately got to work, his hands moving with speed and precision. There was a clink as the extracted bullet was dropped into a small glass dish and shortly thereafter the wound was cleaned and wrapped in sterile bandages. His work done he washed his hands and took the piece of rawhide from between the unfortunate man's teeth.

"Alright, you can question him now Marshal, but if you agitate him I'll have you thrown down the stairs."

Willie nodded and leaned past the door, one eye on the hallway - people seemed to be coming and going and quite the pace for a sickroom, and he had no interest in being trampled. His focused expression turned briefly into a frown as he noticed the morphine. Nothing dulls a man's wit or memory quite like the drug, especially when alcohol was involved already.

"Right then, fella. I reckon my first question's the most apparent: who did it? This something I need to look into or did you draw on someone you shouldn't've?"

Willie held up a quick hand and offered a slight apologetic smile to AJ, hoping to forestall the man following through on his threat. "You know I have to ask, Doc." He turned back to the dying man after his response, hoping to get a follow up question or two in while he was yet conscious.

"And whereabouts did this go down? Nowhere near here or we'd've heard the shots. You ride in from out of town for a drink or were you looking for something?"

[Aedilred]

Spoiler

Show

Willie nodded and leaned past the door, one eye on the hallway - people seemed to be coming and going and quite the pace for a sickroom, and he had no interest in being trampled. His focused expression turned briefly into a frown as he noticed the morphine. Nothing dulls a man's wit or memory quite like the drug, especially when alcohol was involved already.

"Right then, fella. I reckon my first question's the most apparent: who did it? This something I need to look into or did you draw on someone you shouldn't've?"

Willie held up a quick hand and offered a slight apologetic smile to AJ, hoping to forestall the man following through on his threat. "You know I have to ask, Doc." He turned back to the dying man after his response, hoping to get a follow up question or two in while he was yet conscious.

"And whereabouts did this go down? Nowhere near here or we'd've heard the shots. You ride in from out of town for a drink or were you looking for something?"

Mirano smiled at the marshal's first question. "Well, a lot of people who know who we are, they don't like us much. We're not bandidos, but that's what they call us. So who shot us, maybe they were looking for a reward, maybe they were comancheros or bandidos themselves, I don't know. They shot from ambush, I didn't get a good look at them. They shot Antoinio, they shot me. I rode out of there, but I guess they hit my horse too.

"This was south. It took me two days to get here. But for most of that time I wasn't walking very fast. I figured I'd get a warmer welcome this side of the border. This just seemed like a good place to stop."

[TheDarkDM]

Standing with a flourish, Eugene gave a bow to Mrs. Benton.

"I hope you'll excuse me, ma'am, but the Lord's work calls."

Offering his hand to Sister Nancy, Eugene led the way up the stairs, a slight limp becoming apparent as care replaced his usual energetic speed. As they reached the second floor, their destination was evident by the gaggle of onlookers already gathered. Catching sight of the stranger's wound, air hissed over his teeth as he suppressed a curse.

"You'd best hurry, sister, that man's not long for the world."

[mystic1110]

Walking into the room, Nancy lets go of Mr. Clark and assumes the imperious bearing that her virtue affords her. Grimacing she looks at the crowded room.

"Enough, you are not vultures to squawk at the dying - everyone but the Good Doctor and I will leave now."

As the others would make room for her or begin to leave the room, Nancy walked closer to the dying man and noticing that the Marshall was still there.

"Marshall you too - this man will either live and you can ask your questions then or his soul will be saved and he will answer to God alone."

Coming now to where the Doctor was performing his futile ministrations she placed a hand on AJ's back, less gentle and more consolidatory, expressing through touch that his work was close to over.

Now talking to Mirano she places her hand on the man's forehead, his feverish perspirations coating it with a film of moist lamentation as she offers her apologies

"The Father is coming as fast as they can find him to perform your Last Rights, but I am here to offer solace and grieve for you. I shall pray for you. "

She starts to sing softly a hymn to the dying man.

"One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock."

[Elemental]

AJ let out a sigh of relief when Sister Nancy entered the room. He wasn't Catholic, but her stern, no-nonsense yet compassionate manner was comforting and he hoped it was just as comforting for his patient.

"You all heard the Sister," he said as he looked up disapprovingly at the crowd, "This isn't a circus so kindly take your leave or I'll have Marshal Hurling read you the riot act."

He pulled out his watch and looked at it in frustration. He knew that San Nicola was some distance away, but it always seemed that distance would double when one of his ailing patients called for a priest. If only Martin Luther hadn't found any nails that day so long ago.

He waited until the Sister had finished singing before leaning in to whisper to her, "Is there any chance you might be willing to do the Last Rites yourself? It'll be between us and the Lord."

[JBarca]

Willie grimaced as Mirano responded. A case of mistaken identities would be an unfortunate situation that might take some resolving, assuming the man told the truth. If he was hiding something, though... a small war between competing factions this close to Bulls Landing could spell trouble.

"Now, why might..." The marshal is cut off as Sister Nancy makes her presence known. The woman was more than capable of wielding her mere presence like a bullwhip, but Willie was intent on pressing on.

"Before I..." The Sister's rebuke saw Willie undercut twice in less time than it'd take a man to tip his hat, and the direct attention was enough for the lawman to make his departure. He cast one last worried glance at the dying man before nodding politely to the two left in the room with him and making his way to the top of the stairs. He leaned on the railing where he could keep an eye on both the common room and the hall. He did, after all, have a job to do.

He was lost in thought when he again caught sight of the small group of cavalrymen. He quickly straightened up and adjusted his coat. It wouldn't do for them to forget under whose protection this town lived.

[mystic1110]

He waited until the Sister had finished singing before leaning in to whisper to her, "Is there any chance you might be willing to do the Last Rites yourself? It'll be between us and the Lord."

Sister Nancy looks at the Doctor harshly.

And you think God allows for such leniency? No. Only a priest can perform the Extreme Unction or the Sacraments of Penance.

She paused, and sighed and spoke to Mirano.

I can grant you the Viaticum. Your provisions for your journey to the Lord; the last communion.

Turning back to the Doctor

Your work is done Physician. Quickly now! Find me a wafer or bread that I may give the sacrament to this man!

As soon as the Doctor leaves, if he does - alone with the dying man - the sister speaks:

I may not grant forgiveness like an Ordained Man, but I may listen such that you may forgive yourself in your last hour on Earth. And, truth is, this is not your last hour of life. As the Good Book says: "Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."

[Elemental]

Sister Nancy looks at the Doctor harshly.

And you think God allows for such leniency? No. Only a priest can give the perform the Extreme Unction or the Sacraments of Penance.

She paused, and sighed and spoke to Mirano.

I can grant you the Viaticum. Your provisions for your journey to the Lord; the last communion.

Turning back to the Doctor

Your work is done Physician. Quickly now! Find me a wafer or bread that I may give the sacrament to this man!

AJ didn't allow Sister Nancy's harsh gaze to affect him. She clung to an archaic rule while a man lay dying, but he knew better than to challenge her.

"Very well Sister, I will get the bread you request," he said as he stood up to leave the room.

He hurried down the stairs, not bothering to grab his jacket or his hat and approached the bar.

"Mrs. Reeve, we need some bread upstairs. Any type, but the nicer the better and put it on my tab," he said softly so that gossips wouldn't overhear.

[PepperP.]

Belle's forehead creased as she spied AJ coming down the stairs.

"That dire a situation, is it?" Her eyes flicked to the saloon door, but Clive and the Father failed to manifest. Guessing what it was for, Belle cut a thin slice off of a square piece of cornbread and solemnly handed it over to the doctor.

"Don't worry about putting it on your tab, Doc. I ain't one to deny a dying man a place to pass comfortably, even if I have to burn the sheets." She grumbled in a resigned voice and shook her head ruefully.

[Elemental]

AJ solemnly accepted the bread.

"Thank you Belle," he replied softly, temporarily abandoning formality, "I'll let you know when the time comes."

He took the stairs back up two at a time and wordlessly handed the bread to Sister Nancy, "I'll be right outside Sister, call me if his condition worsens."

[mystic1110]

Sister Nancy keeps her eyes on the dying man, watching his labored breathing, ready to bear witness to his last words and breath. As AJ walks into the room, she turns only her neck, not quite like an owl, but her black eyes and her still body most certainty offer that impression. Just as quickly as that thought might flick across AJ's mind just as quickly it could fly away on swift wings as the Sister smiles thankfully and says.

"Thank you Dr. Shepard"

As the Doctor leaves the room, taking the cornbread, she turns her attention once more at the man at the death's door, thinking to herself and herself alone that the bread was worthless. The thing about growing up in a Reformatory was that one had to be perfect. More so for being the sole Sister of Native birth in Cambridge. The rules and laws were stifling and barbed like roses, but they were protection and in the hands of the trained - in the hands of the pure - they were weapons. Per the Code of Canon law the Eucharist must be only wheat and recently made so that there is no danger of spoiling. Corn, that germ sprung from the native land, much like herself, was unwelcome. She too was unwelcome at first. Her lips were pursed like a beak as she considered. Perhaps the Maize shall make itself welcome too - it could not be of the sacrament, but the thought that it might provide the Lord's reprieve to one who might be soon gone was itself a blessing.

She fed Mirano the bread, unconsecrated, letting him think that he had found salvation and reciting the psalm:

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

[TheDarkDM]

Leaning against the doorframe outside Sister Nancy's vigil, Eugene endeavored to return his pipe to some semblance of life. Exhaling a serpentine column of smoke, he split his attention between an attentive ear at the door and the Marshall posturing against the railing.

"A hard morning, eh Marshal?"

[JBarca]

Spoiler: Eugene

Show

Leaning against the doorframe outside Sister Nancy's vigil, Eugene endeavored to return his pipe to some semblance of life. Exhaling a serpentine column of smoke, he split his attention between an attentive ear at the door and the Marshall posturing against the railing.

"A hard morning, eh Marshal?"

Willie shakes his head, somewhat ruefully. "I suppose you could say that. Nothing gives a man a fright quite like a stranger stumbling into his town, dying of a gunshot wound. Whatever it is he claims..." Willie seems to catch himself, then smiles a bit. "I'm sure it'll come to nothing in the end, Mr. Clark. But just to be on the safe side, I might not stray to far out of town alone for a while, were I you."

Willie quickly finds himself leaning forward, elbows resting atop the railing of the stairs. He throws a quick grimace to Robert while nodding in the direction of the wounded man's room, a simple update for the man.

"And you? You have anything in store for the afternoon? Or am I getting a companion here into the evening again?" Willie offers the question with polite curiosity tinged with the slightest touch of humor.

[Lleban]

Spoiler: Willie

Show

Spoiler: Eugene

Show

Willie shakes his head, somewhat ruefully. "I suppose you could say that. Nothing gives a man a fright quite like a stranger stumbling into his town, dying of a gunshot wound. Whatever it is he claims..." Willie seems to catch himself, then smiles a bit. "I'm sure it'll come to nothing in the end, Mr. Clark. But just to be on the safe side, I might not stray to far out of town alone for a while, were I you."

Willie quickly finds himself leaning forward, elbows resting atop the railing of the stairs. He throws a quick grimace to Robert while nodding in the direction of the wounded man's room, a simple update for the man.

"And you? You have anything in store for the afternoon? Or am I getting a companion here into the evening again?" Willie offers the question with polite curiosity tinged with the slightest touch of humor.

Robert saw Willie's rueful expression and grimaced maybe today had more in store than expected. Robert made sure he had eye contact with Willie before walking upstairs, travelling through a serpentine waft of tobacco, nodding at Eugene before addressing the sheriff.

"I suppose you don't have good news do ya. Think we'll need a posse, to do some investigating mountainside."

[Aedilred]

Mirano took the bread gratefully, the finer points of the differing substantiations of cereal flour apparently lost on him, as Nancy had suspected.

"Bless you, Sister. I must make confession, in case the padre does not get here in time. I must tell you-"

Spoiler

Show

Robert saw Willie's rueful expression and grimaced maybe today had more in store than expected. Robert made sure he had eye contact with Willie before walking upstairs, travelling through a serpentine waft of tobacco, nodding at Eugene before addressing the sheriff.

"I suppose you don't have good news do ya. Think we'll need a posse, to do some investigating mountainside."

"Did I hear you mention a posse?" said a man, emerging into the bar from the doorway. Not someone who would normally show his face in the Bellamere, since he owned the Pink Lady around the corner, Davey Lynch was a big fellow dressed like an east coast gent, aside perhaps from the gold waistcoat and prominent jewellery that might have struck the Boston well-to-do as a bit over-the-top. Whether Lynch was really the richest man in town was a matter of debate, but he certainly dressed like it. His face, on close inspection, was a little at odds with his clothing: a nose and brow that looked like they might have been chiselled from stone - and repeatedly broken - although much of his lower face was covered by a huge handlebar moustache.

"Quite the commotion here, I see. First Josephine and now Clive running around like scalded cats. I'm sure there's a story I'd love to here, there, but it's the Marshal I came to see. Whatever ruckus there might be in here, Gumbo's just told me there's been no sign of the stage from Devil's Junction and it was due in over two hours ago by my watch."

[mystic1110]

Mirano took the bread gratefully, the finer points of the differing substantiations of cereal flour apparently lost on him, as Nancy had suspected.

"Bless you, Sister. I must make confession, in case the padre does not get here in time. I must tell you-"

Mirano tells Nancy his confession. Hearing the words, Nancy makes the sign of the cross and prays:

"For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."

And yet, while she prays she turns over the words that Mirano uttered, examining them, wondering if they were a gift or a curse or one dressed in the package of another. She slowly decides what to do, but first she sits by the man's side until he dies.

[PepperP.]

The snide remark Belle was about to welcome Lynch with died on her lips as he mentioned the delayed coach.

"It's a story alright, not that I have the time to tell it. The Marshal's upstairs. I don't know if our commotion is connected to the missing coach or not, but it's likely to be a posse either way." She began to dole out dishes of beans and cornbread as her patrons came up to the bar to get their meals. Her eyes caught Davey's again.

"If you want a decent meal when you're finished talking to the Marshal, you're welcome to sit a spell." The corner of Belle's mouth twitched as if considering breaking into a smile but refrained.

[Aedilred]

Unburdening himself to Nancy seemed to have a pacifying effect on Mirano, as if he had been hanging on for this long for a purpose, that was now concluded. The knowledge of Father Pedro's arrival at some point was apparently insufficient incentive for him to remain of this earth, and he lapsed into a sleep from which he would not wake little more than an hour after he finished talking to Nancy.

Spoiler

Show

The snide remark Belle was about to welcome Lynch with died on her lips as he mentioned the delayed coach.

"It's a story alright, not that I have the time to tell it. The Marshal's upstairs. I don't know if our commotion is connected to the missing coach or not, but it's likely to be a posse either way." She began to dole out dishes of beans and cornbread as her patrons came up to the bar to get their meals. Her eyes caught Davey's again.

"If you want a decent meal when you're finished talking to the Marshal, you're welcome to sit a spell." The corner of Belle's mouth twitched as if considering breaking into a smile but refrained.

"I'll have a drink in the meantime, if it ain't too much trouble. Whiskey, if you please." His eyes kept moving around the room, as if pricing it up. "You seem to be doing reasonable business for this time of day."

[mystic1110]

Nancy stayed with Mirano until he left the mortal coil and began his journey to the Lord. Although, knowing what she knew, she privately doubted that he would reach the summit and instead may fall into perdition. Standing now, she exits the room eyeing Mr. Clark and the Marshall.

"The gentleman has passed. Please have Mr. Pine collect him and bury him. Let me know when he is being lowered into the soil, I shall like to be present."

She paused, as if still deciding on a course of action, but in reality it was already decided.

"I'll be seeing you Sunday at my Mission then - both of you."

The statement said with the Nun's usual assurance of command, but the two men would hear the unspoken request. With that, and perhaps a longer glance at Mr. Clark than what she had intended, she walked downstairs. Descending like a bird of prey, her white habit brought a soft hush in the Salon's proceedings as if Nancy was the specter of death itself - for coming down alone she might as well announce the passage of another of God's children. Walking down she looked over at Belle, tilted her head as if in consolation at the corpse in her abode. She approached the other woman and spoke:

"Mr. Pine will be busy this afternoon I am afraid. To have death so close is hard, and if you or any of your girls need a place of rest, you know my doors are always open. I hope to see you Sunday."

Then, seemingly speaking to the entire assembly, she recites the proverb:

"Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few".

And with that she glided out of the Saloon, her light footsteps providing an auditory ellipses.

[Elemental]

Once the Sister left AJ re-entered the room, he had to retrieve his coat and hat after all, and grabbed a blank death certificate from his medical bag. He sat down and started filling it out.
"Colonel Diego Mirano... Cause of death, murdered by gunshot, time..." he looked up at the clock and jotted the time down. He hated losing a patient, but such was the life of a physician. He could only hope that the good Sister had managed to soothe his soul before his passing. Once he was done with the paperwork he stood up, grabbed his hat and coat and headed down the stairs.
"He's all yours Mr. Pine," he said as he passed the undertaker on the way out, "If you need me I'll be at home after a quick visit to the town clerk."

[JBarca]

Spoiler: Robert

Show

Spoiler: Willie

Show

Robert saw Willie's rueful expression and grimaced maybe today had more in store than expected. Robert made sure he had eye contact with Willie before walking upstairs, travelling through a serpentine waft of tobacco, nodding at Eugene before addressing the sheriff.

"I suppose you don't have good news do ya. Think we'll need a posse, to do some investigating mountainside."

Willie sighed and nodded. "Seems likely. A man ambushed near town is cause for concern, without a doubt. I'll want to talk to Charlie first. Make sure he's apprised of the goings on. That said..." Willie paused in thought for a moment, unintentionally giving Mr. Lynch the opportunity to enter the conversation.

Spoiler: Mr Lynch

Show

"Did I hear you mention a posse?" said a man, emerging into the bar from the doorway. Not someone who would normally show his face in the Bellamere, since he owned the Pink Lady around the corner, Davey Lynch was a big fellow dressed like an east coast gent, aside perhaps from the gold waistcoat and prominent jewellery that might have struck the Boston well-to-do as a bit over-the-top. Whether Lynch was really the richest man in town was a matter of debate, but he certainly dressed like it. His face, on close inspection, was a little at odds with his clothing: a nose and brow that looked like they might have been chiselled from stone - and repeatedly broken - although much of his lower face was covered by a huge handlebar moustache.

"Quite the commotion here, I see. First Josephine and now Clive running around like scalded cats. I'm sure there's a story I'd love to here, there, but it's the Marshal I came to see. Whatever ruckus there might be in here, Gumbo's just told me there's been no sign of the stage from Devil's Junction and it was due in over two hours ago by my watch."

Willie offered Davey a smile and a tip of the hat. "Afternoon to you, too, Mr. Lynch. That's assuredly not something I'm wanting to be hearing right now, but it's going to command my attention. It seems we'll be a busy posse, Robert. Assuming you're not busy, that is." Willie said this last with a tone indicating exactly how likely he thought that was. Ambush and a missing coach... For a quiet morning this has turned into some kind of afternoon.

"Mr. Lynch, I don't suppose you know who was manning the coach, or who it was supposed to be carrying?"

Spoiler: Nancy

Show

Nancy stayed with Mirano until he left the mortal coil and began his journey to the Lord. Although, knowing what she knew, she privately doubted that he would reach the summit and instead may fall into perdition. Standing now, she exits the room eyeing Mr. Clark and the Marshall.

"The gentleman has passed. Please have Mr. Pine collect him and bury him. Let me know when he is being lowered into the soil, I shall like to be present."

She paused, as if still deciding on a course of action, but in reality it was already decided.

"I'll be seeing you Sunday at my Mission then - both of you."

The statement said with the Nun's usual assurance of command, but the two men would hear the unspoken request. With that, and perhaps a longer glance at Mr. Clark than what she had intended, she walked downstairs. Descending like a bird of prey, her white habit brought a soft hush in the Salon's proceedings as if Nancy was the specter of death itself - for coming down alone she might as well announce the passage of another of God's children. Walking down she looked over at Belle, tilted her head as if in consolation at the corpse in her abode. She approached the other woman and spoke:

"Mr. Pine will be busy this afternoon I am afraid. To have death so close is hard, and if you or any of your girls need a place of rest, you know my doors are always open. I hope to see you Sunday."

Then, seemingly speaking to the entire assembly, she recites the proverb:

"Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few".

And with that she glided out of the Saloon, her light footsteps providing an auditory ellipses.

The Marshal narrowed his eyes a bit and glanced back at the room with the deceased briefly before nodding to Nancy. "I'll see you there, Sister. Thank you."

[Lleban]

Spoiler: Willie and Lynch

Show

[QUOTE=JBarca;25293818]

Willie sighed and nodded. "Seems likely. A man ambushed near town is cause for concern, without a doubt. I'll want to talk to Charlie first. Make sure he's apprised of the goings-on. That said..." Willie paused in thought for a moment, unintentionally giving Mr. Lynch the opportunity to enter the conversation.



Willie offered Davey a smile and a tip of the hat. "Afternoon to you, too, Mr. Lynch. That's assuredly not something I'm wanting to be hearing right now, but it's going to command my attention. It seems we'll be a busy posse, Robert. Assuming you're not busy, that is." Willie said this last with a tone indicating exactly how likely he thought that was. Ambush and a missing coach... For a quiet morning this has turned into some kind of afternoon.

"Mr. Lynch, I don't suppose you know who was manning the coach, or who it was supposed to be carrying?"

Robert made a show of rotating his arm, his joints letting out a light crack in protest.
"Well look here, my busy schedule has just a space open. We should keep Charlie abreast of this. Are you considering anyone else Will, don't know how many bandits are prowling around here."