Posted January 14, 2021 / Emeline Pike
:: in the bank ::
It was taking all her concentration to keep her breathing under control, but Emeline knew she had to keep her wits about her, especially when one of the men suggested they take her hostage. The last thing she wanted was to be dragged along with these men, especially since she knew that Barnabas would be in the thick of things, and if she was too involved it might distract him, and he could get hurt.
Maybe, just maybe, he'd ridden out on patrol and wasn't actually in town, but as much as Emeline hoped that to be the truth, she knew that was wishful thinking. Biting her lower lip, she scooted as tightly into a corner as she could, hoping the men would forget about her and praying for Barnabas' safety...for everyone's safety, even the idiots robbing the bank.
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Posted January 14, 2021 / Adelaide Chappel
:: at the school ::
More shots rang out along Main Street, distinct even over the shouts and cries of people trying to get to cover, and Addy was even more determined to get to the school. Trouble wasn't likely to get there, but there was never any telling what could happen, and besides, she would feel better knowing the children were looked after, and she as fairly certain that the teacher would feel the same.
Slowing her pace as she headed up the stairs, Addy took a breath and slung the shotgun casually over her arm -- likely everyone was riled up from all the fuss anyway, and there was no need to add to fear. She gave a gentle knock, then opened the door.
"Addy! I'm so glad you're here."
"Miss Katherine." Smiling, she nodded to the woman and the children, pleased to see that the situation was well in hand, not that she expected less from the teacher, who had a good head on her shoulders. "Thought I'd just come by an' stay fer a bit. Everyone here all right?"
Looking around and not seeing Weedy, she frowned, but maybe he was...somewhere...
Posted January 16, 2021 / Katherine Bowen
Kate saw the frown on Addy's face and she knew what it meant, "I'm afraid both Weedy and Wyatt Redmond have gone off to see what all the fuss is about."
She paused, "I was about to go and look for them but now that you're here...well what I mean to say is that I will stay here with the other children and make sure they are safe. If you remember, I know how to use a rifle if need be. Besides, I've gotten some lessons on how to handle a gun from Mr. Thornton, so we'll be fine."
Even if Addy didn't acknowledge it openly, most of the town knew how she felt about Weedy. "I don't think they've been gone that long so you should be able to find them before they get into any trouble."
Want... dolls!
Posted January 16, 2021 / Bridget Monahan / With: Jonah Danforth
"Come, dear." Gently, he took her by the elbow and started to steer her toward the boardwalk. "We need to be out of the way." His calm demeanor belied his racing heart, and it was little consolation to think that some of the Indian populations thought that addled people were blessed by the gods and couldn't be harmed, particularly in battle. Of course, that was absurd, but he at least hoped that they could get to cover before the streets got really crazy!
Bridget took one last look at the exciting bank robbery as she was led away by the gentleman whom she only now turned to regard properly. At first glance, he reminded her of Mr. Crabbe, her guardian. Same sort of age same sort of build and, like Lorenzo, neatly turned out in a suit and cravat. But closer scrutiny revealed a very different character indeed. As a beggar, she had gained a sort of sixth sense about how a person was going to act toward her, based on…, well, she didn’t know how she came up with the feelings. She just knew that if she had been begging, this man would have gone to great pains, not just to throw her a few coppers, but to talk to her, ask her questions, maybe too many questions, and actually try to help her.
People observing his actions would be impressed, they would admire him doing all the right things.
A successful, admirable, happy man. Maybe.
He was close to her, as he guided her to the side of the street. Close enough for her to whisper in his ear.
“Where can… where can we go?” she asked.
Yes, when she had been begging, the men who wanted to talk to her, the ones who wanted to help her, to rescue her, to save her, they were always the lonely ones. The sad ones. Sure, some had wanted bad things, but most had wanted just to talk to someone, just to be with someone, someone they didn’t need to impress or keep up appearances with. Maybe this nice man wanted that.
Storyteller / Shared NPC
Posted January 16, 2021 / NPCs written by Flip
Dade stood glaring at the window. Suddenly, he snatch the chair at the desk and threw it at the glass with instantly gave way with a loud crash. He grinned and went back out to the bank proper, snatching the bag from the teller who cowered from the man.
Before he could move , Cole Simpson shoved Dade hard, the man falling, the bag skittering across the floor, money going ever where as Cole bolted to the back room.
Seeing the window he hoisted himself up and out, hitting the ground hard and rolling to a stop. getting to his feet he pulled his pistol, looking about wildly, He saw what he believed to be his salvation, two boys! ''
"Don't you two move or by the Lord Harry I'll kill ya both!" He snarled. And, at that moment, Dade Marley come out of the window and looked askance at Simpson and the boys, then took off running, disappearing behind a building, as Cole reached for the nearest boy.
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Posted January 16, 2021 / Henry Guyer
The wreckage of the wagon, and those helping the driver and righting the wagon while gathering the mess, behind them, they started for the bank once again. Ahead they saw Quentin Cantrell ducking for cover. That did not slow them, there no further shots which could either be good or bad. There was no back door, a window, but no door.
They caught up to Cantrell the men with guns drawn as they looked to the bank. "Good to see you Quentin. Looks like we got 'em treed." Speed said.
Quentin smiled without taking his revolver off sighting in at the bank. "Happy to see you, too. I was worried that they might try and make a break for it. I don't know how many are in there..." Quentin nodded his head at the two bodies in the street. "That guy shot someone who ran out of the bank to warn everyone. Dropping him seemed like a good idea."
"I'm gonna step out there an' see if they wanna talk, then drive their ponies off." Pronto said. "Danged horses are still in easy reach even with the shot bein' fired."
"Careful they don't ventilate you. Never hear the end of it from Emeline! " he reply was a chuckle.
Quentin spoke up. "Hey, be careful. I saw movement over by the saloon. I think somebody is over there doing like me. Don't get shot by accident."
Posted January 16, 2021 / Ralph Flandry
Seeing the lawmen hustle over to another man, he looked vaguely familiar but couldn't place him with a name, Ralph now wondered if they were planning to storm the place from the front. Risky business. Right now the robbers, he wondered how many but then looked to the horses still held (barely) in the dead hand of the downed gunman. Seemed like no more than 3 or 4? Enough to put up a good fight. Still, every minute they stayed within the bank the less chance they had of getting away. And if they did try and go out the back or even out a window, they would still be on foot. No way they could get away for long when a posse went after them then. No, they needed horses or they were done for.
Just then he heard a shattering of glass but saw nothing out front. Had to be a window breaking in the back or in one of the alleys!
"HEY! GENTS! SOMETHINGS HAPPENING! " he yelled toward the trio. (Speed, Pronto, Quentin)
Quentin's head popped up and he peeked around the corner in the direction the voice came from. He glimpsed the form hunkered down and saw the barrels of a shotgun covering the direction of the bank.
"CHECK OUT BACK!" he quickly added before resuming covering that front door.
So far his worst fear had not materialized. Hostages!
Posted January 16, 2021 / Quentin Cantrell
Quentin glanced at Speed and Pronto. "What do you want to do?...This isn't my first gunfight, but I'll do what you say, Marshal..."
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Posted January 16, 2021 / Adelaide Chappel / With: Katherine Bowen
:: Schoolhouse ::
Kate saw the frown on Addy's face and she knew what it meant, "I'm afraid both Weedy and Wyatt Redmond have gone off to see what all the fuss is about."
"Well hellfire an' pickled turkey toes!" Addy grumbled, then quickly amended, "Sorry, drat!" Couldn't be using cussing around little kids! But then she shook her head and actually chuckled. "Wouldn't expect less'a Weedy, danged fool!" Of course, they were boys and the shooting would attract their attention. Gunshots in town weren't that unusual, so there was usually no danger, but this was bad...
"I was about to go and look for them but now that you're here...well what I mean to say is that I will stay here with the other children and make sure they are safe. If you remember, I know how to use a rifle if need be. Besides, I've gotten some lessons on how to handle a gun from Mr. Thornton, so we'll be fine."
Frowning, Addy thought that over. She did know that Katherine had moxie, and especially where the children were involved, she would put a mama bear to shame!
"I don't think they've been gone that long so you should be able to find them before they get into any trouble."
At that, Addy rolled her eyes then chuckled. "They're boys! They are trouble!" Holding the sawed-off shotgun to Katherine, she added, "Both barrels is loaded, but th' kick's gonna be more 'cause she's shorter'n normal. An' here's some extra rounds." She offered a handful of shells, then nodded and smiled at the kids. "Gonna be just fine, listen ta Miss Katherine, an' things'll be just fine."
At that, she nodded and bolted out the door, headed toward the bank, on the opposite side of the street.
Storyteller / Shared NPC
Posted January 16, 2021 / NPCs written by Flip
Dade Marley was no fool, they hadn't expected any fool to sacrifice himself by running out of the bank yelling his fool head off. Well he had, and that got the Kid killed. So that left Bill and Arty in the bank, with the woman and the teller. But there were men outside, and they would be out for blood!
There before him was a saddled horse behind some business, well, they'd hang him for sure whether he stole the horse or not, he was in the saddle and dusting out of there like his tail was on fire.
He wasn't sure just which way to go, but he was already pointed north, meaning that was the direction, as fast as the animal could run. The burgh faded in the distance. He was hoping there was no one after him, he dared no look back just yet. There were rocks and a steep rise ahead, he'd check his back trail then.