Western RP: play thread

Buddy heaved a sigh of relief and settled himself back down to the floor.
"OUCH!" he yelped, then rolled to his side and fumbled about, clawing at the desk and struggling to stand.

Greg did the natural thing most folk do when told not to follow, he waited a moment then stuck his head out the door, trying to follow the Stranger, at least with his eyes.

"Don't bother with that..." Buddy sighed, righting himself against the desk. "I didn't see his face, but I recognize the look of a bounty hunter, the flowing long-coat, the over-sized hat... it's a simple clever disguise, used in 'killing times'... you won't spot him out on the streets like that, and, if you ever DO spot him out on the streets looking like that, best hope he don't see you!"

Buddy couldn't know for certain, but could only guess that they hadn't seen the last of the Stranger. First things first, he and Greg had to take care of poor Sheriff Sanders' body, and get the word out that the people of New Hope won't stand by while the Scorpion posse destroys all manner of law in the town... justice would be done!

Little Ben Sisco was dragged back into the mercantile by the scruff of his neck. He had made it to the stables and was saddling up for the trip to Bucksville when the Scorpion banditos arrived and laid siege to the town. He made every effort to charge past the men as they rode into town, but he was followed and tackled and dragged back into town.

"We don' wanna hurt you little man..." the greasy bandit snarled in a strange accent. "We just need to hole up here a few days, do some business and den we be on our way..." he smiled, rotting, brown, broken teeth showing through chapped and cracked, brown busted lips.

The bandits scoured the shelves of the store, mumbling and talking to each other in Spanish a mile-a-minute, which Ben didn't understand. Dammit! If only there was a greasy wetback Mexican vaquero good guy in town who could translate... like that guy over to the business man's office the other day, Luis... he was greasy and Mexican enough to understand this language, for sure!!

Only then, Ben's Mother appeared and screamed at the men to get out of her home and store. But, they weren't leaving... in fact, the sight of the slight, youngish healthy-looking white woman gave the bandits all the more reason to hang around the place even longer!! They grabbed her and she fought them off, but there were too many of them.

"Leave her alone!" Benny cried, but the men shoved him away and locked him from his mother's bedroom...

Ben ran from the store in tears, wondering where to go, what to do next...

Catori woke up to a huge headache. She held her head and groaned rolling onto her side. She tried to sit up and get her bearings. what hit her? All she could remember was the village burned to the ground, then a voice, the guy, Buddy had called him Jericho!

Catori started to panick inwardly. What was going to happen? there's no way she could escape. The fever still kept her somewhat weak and now the migrane. . . .She wouldn't be anle to fight.

"Look who's awake."

Catori stiffened. that wasn't Jericho's voice. She turned to see who had spoken. To her horror it was one of the soldiers. She could see he was drunk and the look in his eyes scared her more.

"Mmmmm... purdy li'l savage gulrie, aintchya..." the drunk solder slobbered over himself as he crawled into the supply wagon where Catori lay. She was tied, her wrists and ankles, with a noose around her neck, so if she moved too much or struggled with the bindings, she would only choke herself.

"Careful, sweety..." the drunken soldier drooled, licking her sweet round cheek as he climbed over her. "Don't want you to get hurt... much..." he moved his hands up her quivering body, enjoying her smooth curves and soft skin... enjoying himself too much, until he wanted even MORE!

"This won't hurt a bit, savage... kinda like a good scalping, I reckon... quick sharp pain, then just eternal bliss..." he spread her legs forcefully, not caring that the noose tightened around her neck while he tugged at his belt and unfastened his breeches.

Catori whimpered as she felt his touch. Her eyes squeezed shut. This couldn't be happening. Before she knew what was happening she felt the noose around her neck tighten. Her eyes shot opened and she started to cough slightly. Looking at the soldier, she wondered if she would live long enough to see Buddy again.

Luis was out... riding the range... with Cavendish... or something...

(DR...what's up with that?)

((I don't know where I should get involved in the plot again))

(Okay, you could...accidently bump into lil ben sisco and help him or you could have seen catori sneak out of the hotel and followed her and rescue her, and so much more)

"Yup, Luis..." Cavendish was rambling, "I imagine a world where all races live and work with each other, as equals, and it's going to start with me, and with my company, a co-operative organizational venture, that will span the country, and, maybe even the world..."

They rode out to the diamond mine and examined the area.

"Damnable savages, looted and murdered my last scouting party up in here... between the untamed tribes and their wars with the white man's Army, it's not going to be an easy task setting things right... but that's where fine folk like you and your dark-skinned friend, Nat play a part. If I get you a crew of hard-working dedicated men, could you put them to work gutting this mine for all its worth, slicing off a fair share of the profits for yourself and your family? I need good men, strong men, saavy in the ways of the wilderness, and good with a blade or a peacemaker...

Folks to clean up the scum like those blue bandanna bandits... I have put a call out for other likely bounty hunters, and have a few appointments in New Hope later, in fact, before I get all y'all together for a more official, and proper contract signing..."

Cavendish cursed as he gazed across the horizon, noting the approach of a few wagons. He found his viewing scope and cursed again, his suspicions confirmed. "Speaking of the cursed Army, here they come again, on one of their wreckless raids, no doubt... we shall return to town, for a proper lunch before the signing..."

he said, so they did, as the Army drew near...

((welcome back DR... I think..??))

Matt walked into the saloon, noticing without interest the number of blue bandannas in the room. Ordering a straight whiskey at the bar he took his drink to a card table. Sitting down at a table where a group of the blue bandannas were playing with a nervous looking dealer, they gave him much more interested looks than he returned.
"Poker, gentlemen?" he asked, downing his whiskey and calling for another. The bandannas looked confused, and one asked in surprise,
"Not from around here, stranger?" with more than a little menace in his voice.
Matt looked up from the cards he was being dealt, "No, I'm not. Is there a problem with that?"
"Well, we run things around here. The sheriff gone and got hissel' shot, so we're the new law in New Hope." Several of the other bandannas smiled evilly at the prospect of violence.
"And there I was thinking you fellas were just common banditos, cheating at cards and all." Matt knocked one of the players' card out of his hands, "And as you can see, you're not that good at it. This idiot here gone and managed to get himself dealt two ace of spades." He turned to the cheater, "And how does that work?"

One of the other bandits turned to his friend, "You were cheating? I knew it! You damn dirty motherless son of a mexican b-" His words were cut off by the cheaters fist, punching him in the mouth, and soon the two bandits were on the floor, grappling with each other, while the others placed bets. Matt stood up, heading for the door and rested on a pole outside.

((yep I'm back 😄))

"I see... I am intrigued by your offer, Mr. Cavendish," Luis said cooly. The two rode back into town, to the hotel. A bellhop took them to a dining room, where a table was already set with china and silver. Within a few minutes, a maid began bringing their food out.

One of the men ran into the street, looking round. Matt was walking over to the hotel, hoping to get a meal before sating work. The man ran after him, yelling, "Hey! You! Stop!"

Matt paused, turning round in the street and giving the man a dangerous look that the bandit was either too stupid or too drunk to ignore.

"I didn't say you could leave the game! We need some fresh money to win." the bandit threatened, putting a hand on Matt's shoulder. In one swift move the gunslinger placed his stepped forward and pushed the man backward so he tripped over his boot. Pulling one of his two guns the bandit fired a wild shot before Matt's boot connected with his hand, knocking it to the floor.

Matt turned and walked away but again the bandit yelled after him, "Okay, Stranger, we'll settle this like men. No interference from my friends, no matter which of us wins."
Matt turned, a grim smile on his face, "I'm not here to kill scum like you. I'm only looking for one man. He goes by the name of -"
The bandit cut across him, yelling, "That may be what your plan was, but now you're gunna take back what you did to me and what you said inside, or I'll shoot you dead."

Matt laughed, a harsh sound in the quiet street, which was emptying as people took to the boardwalks and shook his head. The two men squared off and the entire street became deadly quiet. From the hotel several of the maids came out, as did the clerk. Not a small amount of blue bandannas were in the crowd. The man who had chalenged Matt spat and pulled off his bandanna.
"No inteference," he stated, his hand drifting to his holster.

(Sorry for the dramatics, just getting a way for the others to get to know him. And for Reno to assert his position as sheriff.)

'Sheriff' Buddy Reno was down the street from the hotel, at the sheriff's office, discussing arrangements for proper burial of late Sheriff Sanders, when the commotion started up the street.

With Greg at his side, Buddy hobbled along up the street as fast as he could, to get a gander at the ruckus. The townsfolk gaped and gasped, noticing the silver star on Buddy's chest, and the gossip spread like wildfire... there was a new sheriff in town!

Not having much first-hand knowledge of legalities and the law-way of doing things, Buddy was a bit set aback by the stand-off as it occurred.

"It's a fair and just fight, Sheriff..." a group of unaffiliated patrons from the saloon chattered. "The Stranger there, he caught the Scorpion acheatin' at cards! Caught him quick and dead to rights, started a brawl amongst the bandits right there at the table, then just walked away, cool as can be... it was the bandit who drew down first, see... the Stranger aint hankerin' to do no killin' just yet..."

"Uhh..." Buddy cleared his throat and stepped into the street, near the stand-off, but not too close. "This true, Stranger? This a fair and just fight? And do you wish to settle it like gentlemen, amongst yourselves? Or does proper law have to render a judgment? I leave it to you men to decide..."

Even though he was hobbled, Buddy stood tall, his weight on his strong leg, his palms resting on the heels of his pistols. He glanced from the Stranger to the Scorpion and waited for a response... he would have just as soon skinned his peacekeeper and dropped the Scorpion where he stood himself, for all the trouble they had caused of late, but he had to play it cool now himself, Johnny Law... Buddy Law... he couldn't believe it himself! Buddy Reno, Sheriff!!

"You the sheriff here?" asks Matt, his eyes on the Scorpion, "What happened to your ass?"

Pulling his gun he aimed straight at the Scorpion, "I'll let my friend here decide on which way he wants the day to swing."

Greg smiled broadly. He had won his fair share of these fights, usually he had been doing the cheating too. Greg carefully eyed the pair. He wasn't sure what would happen, but he was sure he was the fastest gun here, and he would be ready.

Buddy chose that moment to make his announcement.

"That's right! Sheriff Sanders has been murdered, folks, in cold blood, in the most cowardly way imaginable, shot in the back in his own office down to the jailhouse!"

gasps and whispers up and down the street, as the gossip mill churned on..

"Now, I'm certain there had to be some witness to this crime, and just as certain that those responsible will be brought to justice for the murder!" Buddy didn't make any righteous claim for the seat of Sheriff, but at the same time, didn't deny the claim outright either. Instead, he drew out his pistols in each hand, and aimed cautiously at the two men involved in the stand-off.

"First things first though: You have been charged with crimes against townsfolk! For the crimes of cheatin' at cards, public display of drunkedness, and attempted murder of a citizen-traveler to our fair town, you shall be judged! Witnesses have had a say, and your victim has declared himself within his rights to settle this matter in quick-fashion, for all eyes to see...

You have but 2 choices, Criminal: Drop your weapons and surrender yourself to the Law, or accept the Gentlemen's Challenge and holster your sidearms, to be drawn again only on-command in a fair and just contest of skill... I give you 'til the count of 3 to make your move, and live or die by the decision you make...

One...

Two...

...

The man's hand darted for his gun and two gunshots rang out. The bandito fell forward, his gun arm snapping backward. Matt walked over to the man, using his foot yo flip him over. His first shot had gone through the mans shin, the second punched a hole in his wrist. Walking over to the sheriff he said, "I think you may want to get a doctor if you don;t want to have yourself a corpse. I apologise for the mess."

Buddy raised his hands to quiet the murmuring onlookers after the amazing display of reflexes and pistol-prowess.

"You were all witness, it was a fair duel... the better man, and the side of justice, has prevailed... go on about your business now!"

he hobbled toward the Stranger and his victim, nodding at the man's suggestion of medical attention for his foe. "Easier said than done, Stranger... bein' that our only local medical professional has been called to Bucksville, up the creek a day or so travel.. Now, I hear tell that Miss Sisco over to the mercantile is fairly skilled with bandages and medicinal applications, and we can keep your murderer together long enough for ta put a call in up there to Bucksville...

I'd be in your debt if you would make that call, Sir... as I seem to be in a bit of a need myself, along side a great many folks around town lately... I wouldn't ask you to travel alone, of course, and I would owe you for your time and trouble, if you accept.. Greg here is a crackshot, as long as he makes damn sure what he's shootin' at to begin with! And if you don't mind riding with colored folk or Mexicans, I can muster a decent crew to accompany you in your travels...

What do you say, Friend?" he holstered his pistola and extended his hand toward the man, in a friendly gesture of welcome.

Matt shook his hand, "The name's Matt DeClave. And I'd be happy to take the fool up to Bucksville. Can I ask you to look after him, just while I go find this Miss Sisco?" he turned to Greg, offering his hand, "You comin'?"