Full Moons and Smoking Barrels

[Eiselmann]

Duane looked at his Pa , the sheriff, Dirk and the girl ...it was just a totally messed up situation and he was right dang smack in the middle of it.

He gently let to girl off his horse undoing the ropes from her hands , his brother had overstepped his-self a fair bit even if Duane had silently agreed with him there was no call to say things about the family.

He eyed the sheriff now , Duane was quick, quicker than this sheriff he would bet but he ain't faster than a man with his guns already drawn "Easy now Sheriff we weren't but getting her back to her home, dang miners started a fight, ain't no place for a lady to be"

OOC I to shall not be around for the next 10 hours ...working, yippee oops late

 

[schmoe_128]

Sheriff Paton

"Then why's she tied up? Ain't no reason to tie a girl up to take her home. Now I reckon now'd be a good time fer ya'll to ride on home 'fore someone gets hurt." he said without moving his guns or his eyes.

"Victoria, you git on back inside there where it's safe, find the new girl Sam and stay by her. Miners or not, they're sure better than these." he said.

 

[Mephistophelily]

"Ma'am? Hope ya don't mind, I found an apron off in the back room 'n' figured I'd throw it on so they-" Sam paused as she came back out to the main room, looking around. What in the hell had happened out here?! All she had done was go out to the far back room, and now this place was a complete mess!

"Ma'am?"
Sam looked around, taking a light breath and catching the smell of gunpowder. Someone had fired? In here? How the hell hadn't she heard it?
She ran to the doors, yanking the apron back off as she looked around. "Hey!" She took a revolver from the back of her skirt- She may have been trying to be ladylike, but she'd be damned to be unarmed- and aimed it squarely at one of the boys' foreheads. No better way to keep attention off from her than to help out the law...
"Sheriff... These boys causin' trouble?," she growled out.

 

[schmoe_128]

Sheriff Paton

"Ma'am? Hope ya don't mind, I found an apron off in the back room 'n' figured I'd throw it on so they-" Sam paused as she came back out to the main room, looking around. What in the hell had happened out here?! All she had done was go out to the far back room, and now this place was a complete mess!

"Ma'am?"
Sam looked around, taking a light breath and catching the smell of gunpowder. Someone had fired? In here? How the hell hadn't she heard it?
She ran to the doors, yanking the apron back off as she looked around. "Hey!" She took a revolver from the back of her skirt- She may have been trying to be ladylike, but she'd be damned to be unarmed- and aimed it squarely at one of the boys' foreheads. No better way to keep attention off from her than to help out the law...
"Sheriff... These boys causin' trouble?," she growled out.

"Howdy Sam. I think I got these three covered. Would take Victoria back in the saloon and keep yer eye on her fer me? If ayone makes a move to her, shoot 'em. Except for Miss Darlene of course." Victoria let out a whimper with the mention of Darlene's name. "What'd you do to Darlene?" he asked Spencer.

To the sheriff's surpirse, Dirk Young filled him in on what had happened. "Sam, will you and Victoria go check on her? I ain't takin' my eyes or guns off these fella's until they leave town - hopefully fer good."

 

[Claret_Dreams]

Spencer

Scowling then, he head the murmur from all sides of him; the girl, the Sheriff, and his two sons, it all disgusted him. “Seems the gangs all here, hmm?” Then he turned his gaze to Duane, “Boy what the hell do you think you’re doing, ain’t you got any guts?” There was also the problem of Dirk, and then he simply shook the hand holding the revolver; thankful for his own bait. “Sheriff, I recommend that you and your lady friend just put away your guns else I can’t be responsible for my actions here.”

He didn’t dare to move, though he reach his revolver, “All my sons ‘cept for one have disgraced me, now where can he be?” As if prompting for it to occur, the piercing sound of a shot was fired, and a split second later the agonized whine of a horse was heard, the shot had been fired at the horses calf, sending it into a frenzy. The shot fired had injured the horse, causing it’s legs to buck in it’s frightened state, bucking the Sheriff and then falling flat to it’s side. Then another shot was heard, hitting the ground near the woman gunslinger, followed by a voice, “Pa! Get out!” He did just that, upholstering his gun and dashing by Duane to sweep Victoria by her stomach, making his steps falter at first. Skillfully he leapt onto the house and soon lifted Victoria over to let her rest in the saddle in front of him, her body slumped over.

It was him who fired this time, the bullets aimed at the girl this time, but unlike the luck of his sharpshooter son, he missed, merely causing the two shots to pitter around her feet. Acknowledging his sons, he furrowed his brows, “I expect you to two to get home somehow; and if anything happens to you, I swear I will kill you Sheriff!” Then dust was sent into the air, the house quickly being guided to turn the nearest corner. When he passed the corner he was met by another horsed rider, a rifle strapped to his back.

Turning the next corner they rode fast, slipping from the town out into the expansive desert, seeming to go no where.

 

[Claret_Dreams]

Brendon

Brendon had been in town, he just hated being around where his brothers, who showed less of a wild side as he did - seems he shared his father’s amount of spunk. At the trading post, he had bought a new rifle, one which he’d been saving up for, which was odd if any thing for him to BUY something. It was pristine and well, he knew how to use it well. A sharpshooter, he was there when his Pa had killed Darlene’s husband, shooting cans and later the authorities that tried to go after them. At that time though, Dirk seemed to be his hero, until he hesitated to shoot once.

Grown up, he was much different. Short hair, combed to the side, clothing of the most expensive tastes, he was a high roller and very much desired by women. Suddenly he head gunshots coming from Darlene’s place, and putting two and two together, he knew what it was. Head strong he rushed towards the bar, until he stopped himself near the corner, peeking around to notice miners and then the Sheriff show up, “Damn it, I’ll help you Pa.” He knew they’d come out sooner or later, and the only thing he wanted to do was help. Climbing the back of a coffin makers home, he crawled onto the roof, the sun beating down on him, the only shade created by his hat. When he was in position, he saw his father come out with a girl, a mighty fine one indeed, and then he took his chance!

Aiming true, he let the notch aim towards the side of the horse, finger on the trigger before he fired, straight into the side of the Sheriff’s horse. The bullet sailed and when it began to act up, he knew he needed to disable the other shooter, turning the barrel towards the girl, then he fired at her, making sure it thrust into the dirt in front of her.

“Pa! Get out!” He shouted, letting a volley of two more bullets while he saw him get onto the horse and ride away, so far it worked, and then he himself stopped, wondering if he should help his brothers. He would miss his father if he didn’t go of course. Slipping from the house, he cambered to the side and jumped, pulling himself to his horse and dashing towards the way his pa left.

Shouting after, “Hey, wait up pa!” When he caught up though, past the town, he caught his breath and asked, “What about Dirk and Duane?” No response came, tonight’s dinner would be silent....

 

[Mephistophelily]

"Godammit...," Sam growled, kicking up a cloud of dirt as Victoria was taken away. She glared at the two boys left behind, running over to the younger and grabbing him by the throat, her arm locked about it.

"Lissen. I ain't some sweet 'n' gentle thing like that gal your pa just took off with. I don't give a shit what yer daddy said, either. You either tell me where he's goin' with her, or you can find out just what color my bullet is by it goin' through your eyes." Her voice was sharp and dark as she hissed into his ear, the sound of her gun clicking in the other.

"I've done things you boys have only seen in your nightmares. Test me.. and you'll get a nice up close 'n' personal view of how nasty I can be..."
She actually had no intentions on shooting either of these boys. In fact, she wanted to find to more about them- At least, their daddy and whoever had taken those test shots at her boots. But for right now, put on a nice lil show for Sheriff, and get yourself all cozied in... Once the heat died down a bit, hunt the little rats back to where they came from and make her case. That was gonna take one helluva show there, too.

 

[Eiselmann]

Duane watched his Pa retreat anger rising , his Pa had not oughta say them things about he was no disgrace he simply wasn't gonna risk dying for no reason...in a straight out fight he had no problem taking on any man but the sheriff had the drop on them...and then there was Dirk with his lili-livered speech....Duane felt in the middle all he'd wanted was to get himself a woman and all he'd found was trouble.


Then the new lady attacked him, she was tough stronger then he expected
" You ain't gonna shoot me not with the law and all these witnesses "he said
" and you lucky I'm a gentleman I don't hold to hitting womenfolk but ya can let me go if you want me to say anything about my Pa"

 

[impish_pixie]

Victoria

Victoria, unbound by Duane, had regained consciousness and struggled to her feet. A little lightheaded still and very confused, she tried to make sense of the situation, but everyone was talking at once, making the difficult to understand what people were saying. Clearly, there were more people involved now but Victoria has no idea who they were. Finally, her uncle made it clear what she was to do.

"Victoria, you git on back inside there where it's safe, find the new girl Sam and stay by her. Miners or not, they're sure better than these." he said.

“Yes, Uncle Charles”, she replied and eager to be out of the confusion, she turned and headed back into the saloon.

Spencer Young nearly ran her down as he came out of the saloon, Victoria backed away from him as fear widened her eyes.

Gunshots were heard and Victoria had ducked and was looking for cover when she was caught in Spencer’s arms. She struggled but her efforts were only enough to make him falter, they barely slowed him down. The air was forced out of her lungs, as he threw her over his horse and followed up behind her. Wildly, he rode out of town while a dazed Victoria held on as tightly as she could.

 

[showdolly]

DAMMIT! Darlene had underestimated the bunch, especially that pa of theirs. The youngest one seemed... well more sensible, and the oldest - well he'd been the one that started the fight, so even though he'd tried to end it, as far as Darlene was concerned this was his fault. The pa had escalated it, and Darlene knew she'd done what she could to protect young Victoria. Dammit! What was going on now??
She could hear shots fired outside; it seemed that the saloon above was now empty. Great, and on a Thursday evening, one of her most profitable both in the saloon and above it. Just wonderful. Mad as hell, but bound at the wrists and ankles as well as blindfolded and gagged, Darlene could only wriggle into a doorway and begin thrusting her heels into it as she hoped to be making enough noise that SOMEONE would hear her and come to her rescue.

Besides, she now had business to tend. That Spencer Young had practically admitted that he'd killed Darlene's loving husband, and Darlene was set to right that matter. No telling who she'd side with nor what she'd do to justify the death of the only man she'd ever loved, ever really loved. She'd have to fetch her weaponry, see if this Sam character was as trustworthy as she'd seemed. Maybe this one would team up with Darlene to bring these Youngs to justice, even if justice wasn't quite her thing.... GIve those boys long enough and surely they'd give even this stranger something to hate them for, and hopefully that'd be sooner rather than later. Darlene hated to admit it, but she hoped those boys riled up Sam quick, just so'd she herself would have a chance at gaining a teammate. Whores are whores, and few of 'em can fight. Where were all those girls anyway?

Darlene kicked, and hollered around her gag, and kicked, and kicked, and kicked....

 

[Snow-Guy]

God damn it. The whole world has gone loco. Dirk Young thought as someone, and dollars to horseturds it was Brendan, opened fire into an already tense situation. He stood there, knowing that if whoever had the rifle wanted him dead, he'd be dead already.

Pa escaped, which was just like him, the fatherly ideals of sticking by your sons never seemed to count much with the patriarch of the Young clan. That was fine by Dirk, maybe without the crazy bastard around things would calm down. Then the new girl in town decided to grab his brother.

"God DAMN it" Dirk yelled, his frustration finally boiling over. He pulled out his gun again and pointed it square at her head, or at least where he knew it to be, the bitch was sensible enough to hide behind his brother.

"You do that, and you'll be dead before your cartridge case hits the ground. Then the sheriff or someone will shoot me, and then Pa or Brendan will shoot him and so on" Dirk sighed, people were so stupid sometimes.

"Now, how about everyone listen to some sense for once today?" He really wasn't hoping for anything out of this pack of crazies, but he had to try. Mentally, Dirk had already resigned himself to die on the front steps of the saloon. He'd read when he was a child that Viking berserkers used to start each day by saying it was a good way to die. Several close calls in his life had taught him that this was the best way to stay alive.

"Well miss? Sherrif? Do ya'll want to be civilized about this, or shall we just start shooting?" His voice gave away that he honestly didn't care which they chose. "You let my brother go, and I'll put my gun down and the Sherrif can arrest me for brawling. Now that'll be a hell of a thing for you Sherrif, locking one of the Young boys up for a few days, really show you're getting this town under control."

Still seemingly staring a thousand yards into the distance, he spoke quietly in a varient of gaelic. Thier mother had taught him the language out of a misguided sense that Scotland was home and someday they'd return to Loch Hovel and some ancestral handkerchief of land that some laird had pushed their grandfather out of. Dirk had taught his brothers because it was aways useful to have a secret language.

"Shut up and behave. Go home. Tell Father to send the girl back or the posse will kill all of us. Then fornicating well stay there for a few days. I will be fine. "

"Well Sherrif? The sun is going to get in my eyes soon and I might just have to start shooting so ya'll don't get the jump on me." It wasn't said with any bravado, that wasn't Dirk Young's way. He was as cold, and as single-purposed, as the short Scottish sword he was named after. People tended to be less afraid of Dirk Young than the rest of the family until they saw him in a dying mood. He didn't have the raw charisma of his father, the mindless brutality of Brendan, or the youthful wildness of Duane, but most folks were smart enough to know that there was no sense in threatening a man who'd made up his mind to die.

 

[schmoe_128]

Sheriff Paton

The shot had either hit or spooked his horse and the sheriff landed hard on the ground. The fall had breifly knocked him out and as he came to, his horse was obviously a goner with the gun shot to his leg. He staggered to his feet and put the animal out of his misery.

Turning he realized that Spencer was gone and he didn't se Victoria anywhere. He noticed the "Mexican Standoff" between the two Young boys and Sam. He staggered up and put his gun to Dirk's head. "Now, I reccomend you put the gun down son, today ain't a good day to die." He turned to Sam "Don't take yer eye off that boy Sam, he's quick as a whip and mean as hell, I got this'n covered. I can tell ya where Spencer went, but ain't no sense goin' off half cocked after him, it'll only git ya killed. I think these two boys need some time in our jail to cool off some."

Dirk slowly lowered his gun as he realized thy weren't getting away. The sheriff and Sam led the two to the jail and locked one in each of the two cells there. "Well, that oughta' hold'em for a bit. at least until their pa hears their here." he said to Sam. "Let's go make sure ain't noone dead in the saloon and find Darlene. We're goin' after Victoria."

 

[Eiselmann]

Duane sat in the cell feeling less than impressed, all he'd wanted was a woman ....but nooo first his brother had to spill the whiskey then his dad had fire his gun then get so fixated on that girl then his Pa insulted him then Dirk lectured him and then he got attacked by a woman and ended up here....this was not fair.

Outwardly he was calm relaxed even he ain't done nothing wrong, well nothing that his Pa couldn't be blamed for, on the inside he was angry , angry with everyone and as horny as hell.

Would his Pa get him out? and if so when , as for looking for Pa , Duane had kept that laugh to himself ain't no way they would be able to track his Pa, not less they had themselves an in'jin tracker.

So he sat on a buck his hat over his head , eyes closed ears alert waiting...waiting for the next play and as soon as he could he was outta here maybe even head off on his a bit.....after he got himself a woman.

 

[Snow-Guy]

OOC - let me get this straight, you're claiming that the sherrif has time to wake up, shoot his horse, "stagger" over to Dirk and put a gun to his head without Dirk noticing or doing anything about it? Even though Dirk has been talking to the Sherrif (which I would assume means he's looked at the Sherrif at some point)? You then decide Dirk's just going to put his gun down after I think I made pretty clear he wasn't going to do that until Sam let his brother go? You then decide he and Duane are going to come along quietly alll the way to jail, and not even try to escape?

Jesus H Christ.

If you want Dirk to be your character you should have claimed him. I don't mind stepping down if you do want to play him, otherwise do the other players in this game a favour and let them write their own damn characters.

The shot had either hit or spooked his horse and the sheriff landed hard on the ground. The fall had breifly knocked him out and as he came to, his horse was obviously a goner with the gun shot to his leg. He staggered to his feet and put the animal out of his misery.

Turning he realized that Spencer was gone and he didn't se Victoria anywhere. He noticed the "Mexican Standoff" between the two Young boys and Sam. He staggered up and put his gun to Dirk's head. "Now, I reccomend you put the gun down son, today ain't a good day to die." He turned to Sam "Don't take yer eye off that boy Sam, he's quick as a whip and mean as hell, I got this'n covered. I can tell ya where Spencer went, but ain't no sense goin' off half cocked after him, it'll only git ya killed. I think these two boys need some time in our jail to cool off some."

Dirk slowly lowered his gun as he realized thy weren't getting away. The sheriff and Sam led the two to the jail and locked one in each of the two cells there. "Well, that oughta' hold'em for a bit. at least until their pa hears their here." he said to Sam. "Let's go make sure ain't noone dead in the saloon and find Darlene. We're goin' after Victoria."

 

[Snow-Guy]

OOC - let me get this straight, you're claiming that the sherrif has time to wake up, shoot his horse, "stagger" over to Dirk and put a gun to his head without Dirk noticing or doing anything about it? Even though Dirk has been talking to the Sherrif (which I would assume means he's looked at the Sherrif at some point)? You then decide Dirk's just going to put his gun down after I think I made pretty clear he wasn't going to do that until Sam let his brother go? You then decide he and Duane are going to come along quietly alll the way to jail, and not even try to escape?

Jesus H Christ.

If you want Dirk to be your character you should have claimed him. I don't mind stepping down if you do want to play him, otherwise do the other players in this game a favour and let them write their own damn characters.

The shot had either hit or spooked his horse and the sheriff landed hard on the ground. The fall had breifly knocked him out and as he came to, his horse was obviously a goner with the gun shot to his leg. He staggered to his feet and put the animal out of his misery.

Turning he realized that Spencer was gone and he didn't se Victoria anywhere. He noticed the "Mexican Standoff" between the two Young boys and Sam. He staggered up and put his gun to Dirk's head. "Now, I reccomend you put the gun down son, today ain't a good day to die." He turned to Sam "Don't take yer eye off that boy Sam, he's quick as a whip and mean as hell, I got this'n covered. I can tell ya where Spencer went, but ain't no sense goin' off half cocked after him, it'll only git ya killed. I think these two boys need some time in our jail to cool off some."

Dirk slowly lowered his gun as he realized thy weren't getting away. The sheriff and Sam led the two to the jail and locked one in each of the two cells there. "Well, that oughta' hold'em for a bit. at least until their pa hears their here." he said to Sam. "Let's go make sure ain't noone dead in the saloon and find Darlene. We're goin' after Victoria."

 

[schmoe_128]

Sheriff Paton

When the sheriff and Sam gt back to the saloon, there was a hell of a mess. After the Youngs left, the miners that had decided to stay also decided to help themselves to the whiskey. "Gentlemen, I'm givin' y'all three choices. One, you can pay for all the whiskey you've stole from Miss Darlene and leave. Two, you can all join up with me and Miss Sam here to go after them other two Youngs as payment for the whiskey. Or Three, you can all get thrown in a cell with them Young boys."

"Sam, make sure these boys don't leave with out either payin' or joinin'." Some paid and left, and some said they'd help find the girl. While Sam was sorting them out, he found the cellar Darlene had been thrown into and got here out. When he had her untied he told her everything even that they were going after Spencer Young and she was welcome to come along.

"There's just one other thing we need to discuss Darlene, and that's Victoria. But that can wait until we all get back with her."

 

[Claret_Dreams]

OOC: I shall post tonight.

 

[Claret_Dreams]

The home that they stayed wasn’t really a home as much as it was a cabin built some years back for settlers on their way through; but he had since inhabited and done many things with it, including put new furniture in. The ride there was long and rigorous; and by the time they arrived, the moon rose over the edge of the world in it’s full glory. Brendon had rode ahead to make sure everything was in order, giving him time to speak with Victoria who would just about now be waking up.

Night riding was a good way to get yourself killed: coyotes, Indians, and bandits were all possible threats. A bandit himself, he simply shrugged it off and let the horse he rode on begin to walk instead of run. Spencer had been travel weary, and thoughts of home were his only refuge, then he heard a murmur from Victoria. Humming a short ditty, he shook the girl lightly, hand against her shoulder as he placed a soft kiss to her cheek, whispering, “Come on lovely, wake up, we’re almost home.” She would be greeted with a welcoming smile, framed by his thin mustache.

 

[impish_pixie]

Victoria

Victoria felt his hands shaking her, and a warm kiss on cheek, but before she opened her eyes, she heard the softly spoken, “Come on lovely, wake up, we’re almost home.” She stirred in his arms, pushing him away, unwilling to leave her peaceful dreams and face her confusing reality.

Her eyes, still closed, her dark-lashes still resting on pale cheeks, "Where are we going?" Slowly, her eyes open and she looks up at him, biting her lip before she speaks again, "Please, take me home."

 

[schmoe_128]

Sheriff Paton

OOC: I tell you what snow_guy, I'm not going to get into a pissing match about the characters. PM me and tell me what you think the sheriff should have done. I thought I followed the line failry well and set it up for future action. Besides, I don't see anyone else complaining.

 

[showdolly]

(OOC note: I don't own this thread, but I'll say this. You're both right, so shut up and roll with it. No, what he posted about the sheriff wsn't terribly realistic, but this isn't real. It's fantasy. It rolls with the story, and effectively moves it along without things like 'i stumbled, he shot at me, i dodged it, he movd around the tree and shot again, i ducked under the porch and shot back' when all we really needed was to move forward. Sometimes one has to take liberties like that if one wants to get to the sexual aspect of the role plays. yes, plot is great. No, it doesn't have to be perfect, if for nothing else than to save on posts. I've been in threads before where we were 6 pages down before the sexual things started, and sometimes it's great that way and sometimes it just sucks. He moved the plot, and that's all I really care about. It's not like he suddenly decided that he was a magician and picked us all up in a whirlwind. I think what he said is fine, and it's easy enough to roll with, so roll with it.
Now both of you hush. You're ruining the story. LOL I like ya both and hope to play with each of you soon, so no one make each other mad so I can play. Blah. And now back to your regularly scheduled western....)

When the sheriff and Sam gt back to the saloon, there was a hell of a mess. After the Youngs left, the miners that had decided to stay also decided to help themselves to the whiskey. "Gentlemen, I'm givin' y'all three choices. One, you can pay for all the whiskey you've stole from Miss Darlene and leave. Two, you can all join up with me and Miss Sam here to go after them other two Youngs as payment for the whiskey. Or Three, you can all get thrown in a cell with them Young boys."

"Sam, make sure these boys don't leave with out either payin' or joinin'." Some paid and left, and some said they'd help find the girl. While Sam was sorting them out, he found the cellar Darlene had been thrown into and got here out. When he had her untied he told her everything even that they were going after Spencer Young and she was welcome to come along.

"There's just one other thing we need to discuss Darlene, and that's Victoria. But that can wait until we all get back with her."

 

[schmoe_128]

Sherif Paton

OOC: Thank -you showdolly, I was worrid our little exchange had killed the thread. I want to appologize for my outburst. And snow-guy, please lets let by-gones be by-gones and continue on with the story. I'm not an expert writer, but please in the future PM me with any problems you have with my writing.

 

[showdolly]

Darlene listened to everything the sheriff said, taking it in stride and nodding her agreement, understanding to his plans and motives. Yes, she'd definately help, what she could anyway. Someone had to stay and run the saloon though, so she'd participate as much as she could within the confines of the town itself. Glad she had the sheriff to protect her, and feeling a sense of electricity about her ankles, wrists, and face as he unbound her, she soon found it difficult to concentrate on what the man was saying....

That is, until he mentioned Victoria. Her face reddened with heat and she avoided direct eye contact with the man. She nodded, wondering what had happened to the girl, and already began forumulating a story.... She didn't want to endanger the younger lady by lying to the sheriff, but still, Darlene preferred to protect the privacy of her newest employee. The girl was quickly becoming a friend, Darlene's favorite. Who knew... but Darlene couldnt think on that just now. When the image of the sheriff and his niece both in the bed with Darlene tried to shove its way into her brain, she quickly shoved it back out again. Maybe, but not today.
She rose and followed the sheriff, hoping he had no clue of her thoughts that moment and listening closely to any instruction from him... or there was Sam. Where the hell had that girl been? Darlene spied the apron on the table, and groaned. Damn cellar and its well-insulated doors, and she understood. She'd have to be shown what to do, and hoped one of them had a weapon she could use. Spencer had taken hers, and though she had a few at the house, she wasn't sure any were in working order. Besides, it was the gun he'd taken thta she planned on using against him... but she wondered how to work that exactly. Darlene sighed again, and listened closely.