Tumbleweed, USA: The Wild West RPG IC Thread

The 'Froggy Dog' was just about exactly what Captain Riley expected it to be--a sad excuse of a rat-trap that the citizens passed off for a 'hotel.' Nothing like the establishments he had gotten to stay in while in Kansas City. Still, it beat camping out in a tent, so he was more than happy to coerce the owner to allow his troops some complimentary lodging--for the good of the country, of course.

About half of his troops went to hear the preacher talk, but the Captain didn't much care for it. If God had anything to say to him about the work he was doing, He could say it Himself.

With that out of the way, he and his men could get to business, and begin the hunt for gray-coats in the town. The first and most obvious place that any yellow-bellied rebel would go after running from the might of the Union army would be to patch himself up, and so that was where Captain Riley was headed now. He knew that most doctors held their patient confidentiality in high esteem, but he was usually able to get most to cooperate after a time.

He knocked on the door to the doctor's office, waiting patiently for an answer.

 

Doc Rose sat in his office, taking a sip of whiskey from his decanter. He'd managed to give the new nurse the slip when he explained that perhaps she should find a hotel room before they ran out. He really didn't care for rounds; people had learnt that they need to come to him, and he only liked to leave the safety of his office when he was really needed. So he stood up, muttering something under his breath as he went to answer the door.

"For the love of the good Lord, Catherine, I am telling you it is not the cl-" he started, but paused when he saw the Union officer standing in front of the door. He raised an eyebrow. He looked at the uniform of a Union cavalry officer.

"Can I help you Captain?"

 

"I believe you can, doctor," Captain Riley said, inviting himself in. "You see, we're here in Tumbleweed on official business, the kind of business that will keep our beloved Union presered. My men and I are on the lookout for any Confederate fighters that may have fled the battlefield and sought aid from unwitting townsfolk.

"So tell me, have you had any...unusual patients come into your office lately?"

 

The good doctor raised his eyebrows even more as the man started to talk. Unwitting townsfolk? Interesting...

"Believe me Captain, our Sheriff wouldn't let any fightin' go on - even if a Confederate did turn up, would there really be a need to find him?" he asked, his hands fidgeting behind his back.

He knew how obvious it looked that he was hiding something, but his mind kept flitting back to the stranger who had rode into town, dressed all in black under the glaring sun and then died all alone from something that no one understood. He hadn't cared about him when he was cutting up the body, but now that he was dead and buried, Doctor Rose felt an urge not to betray him. To let him lay in peace.

"There've been no strangers in these parts. Well, cept the nurse that County have sent down, but I'd bet my surgery that she wasn't a Confederate,"

 

The sun was high in the blue sky, schorching anything dumb enough to get caught under it. There was no wind to speak of, so Artemis did what he could to cool himself down. Wafting his hat back and forward, the sheriff of Tumbleweed took immense pleasure in each gust of slightly cooler-than-was wind that hit his face.

The meeting with the Union Captain and his men earlier that morning had left a bad taste in Artemis' mouth. Artemis had met his share of people over the years and he'd become somewhat a good judge of character. And whatever test he had in his head to see if people were decent? The captain had failed.

Aside from this, Artemis knew damn well all hell would break loose if Captain Riley found out about the stranger that had died within Tumbleweed's borders a few hours ago. Were he to find out Artemis, Doc Rose and the Pastor had actually treated and buried him, no doubt a tidal wave of Confederate hunters would come down on Tumbleweed.

Sheriff Ellsworth had had a talk with Pastor Stephens, making sure the good man understood that it was best for all the town if he kept his knowledge of the strange man to himself. The Pastor had understood, and begrudgingly complied to lie if Captain Riley approached him. Of course, Artemis had called it bending the truth to protect the people of Tumbleweed, but he had asked a man of God to lie.

Next thing was to talk to the good doctor and make sure everyone was on the same page. Relief washed over Artemis as he stepped into the shaded offices of Doctor Rose, but it was quick to fade. In it's stead came worry.

"Captain Riley.." Artemis did well to hide his worry, masking it with anger. As the Captain turned to face him, a mixed look of annoyance and disdain on his face, Artemis made a whisper of eye contact with the Doctor. "..I recall tellin' you something to the effect of not botherin' my people."

 

"And I recall asking you if we had your cooperation in our investigation of the area. Now, how exactly do you suggest I go about investigating if I can't ask a man a simple question?"

Captain Riley stared holes right into the Sheriff, making absolutely clear what was being left unsaid. Watch your step, Lawman, the look said.

"At any rate, the good doctor here assures me that no persons of ill repute have passed through his office lately," he said, his stare belying the fact that he had learned of the mysterious stranger. "With that in mind, I was just about to advise him to keep his eyes and ears open, and be on my way."

With that, the Captain tipped his hat to the doctor, and turned back to the Sheriff, giving him an unsettlingly pleasant smile.

"The both of you, have yourselves a fine afternoon. And do be sure to keep me informed if anything...unexpected...should crop up."

Riley turned on his heel, and walked away before letting the law-man get another word in. As he made his way down the street, he signalled for one of his soldiers across the street. The man came over to him, rifle slung over his shoulder.

"Keep an eye on the saw-bones," he said under his breath. "He and that tin-star Sheriff know something that they don't want us to."

"Yes sir," the soldier said, before continuing his patrol up the street. Captain Riley strolled casually along in the other direction, in search of anyone else who may be of interest.

 

Patrick stumble out of the Froggy Dog's doors with a half empty bottle of whiskey in his hand.

"I see yo all tomarra, or later tonight, whatever comes first."

He made his way down the street to his mule, taking a heavy swig every three steps. He saw with double vision a blue clad soldier patrolling the street. He walked beside the man, and intentionall or not, his hooked his ankle around his boot and tripped up the young soldier.

"HA! You army don't know how ta walk, they train you do that?! Kinda necessary you gonna kill a man ain't it?"

Patrick didn't wait for an answer, just kept walking on like the drunk ass he was.

 

Doctor Rose watched until the Captain had walked out of sight, then visibly shrunk and leant back against the door to his office.

"Thanks for the save Sheriff, I'm notoriously bad at...well lying for more than a minute and a half," he said, taking a hankercheif out of one of his various pockets and mopping his brow.

 

I smile and point at the man who made the outburst.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I believe someone has just been saved by the potion! Your name, sir?"

 

OOC:Previously...

Family
TWO

The sound of the engine echoed, steam slowly blew towards the station. The train pulled up. Some people who were waiting at the station, pulled open the doors and gradually got off. Surprisingly, not many people got off. But a familiar face scuttled off the train and walked over to Jean.
"Jeanette Rachel Anatalie O'Hara. I haven't darn seen you in years!" She held two suitcases and had a big shocked look on her face. She had a long beige coat on and red flat shoes. Her hair was tied back into a neat bun and a rose placed on top of it. Her bold scarlet lips drew the attention away from her dull brown eyes. She had chestnut brown hair, which was perfectly straight.
"Ya know. I was gonna come and find you. But, what a coincidence! I ain't gonna bother asking you what you were doing here, I'm too tired. Now come on, help me unpack and make me feel at home."
Jean rolled her eyes, she swayed from side to side, biting her lip.

"Hello Mercy. Or should I rather call you, Mercy Anne Laura O'Hara" Jean finally said. She grinned, maybe her sister could come in handy.
"To think I'm your twin sister. Not one visit or mail, Jean. None" Mercy shook her head in dismay, she walked forward. Mercy twisted round, she observed Jean's coat and saw a few sparkles glitter from underneath it. She then noticed she didn't cover her legs, instead shone her legs to the world, with thin fishnet stockings on.
"I thought I told Louis to pass on the message. I went to Tumbleweed to get away from you lot. My life here is luxury, good money, good room. Good job, good people. I don't need you to visi--Why are you here anyway? Money?" Jean arched one eyebrow, she tried to hide her smug smile.

"Yeah he did pass it on! Me, Mama, Tessa, Louis, Harry all miss you deeply. You see, let's go back to the hotel and we'll discuss why i'm here" Mercy muttered. Jean stomped over to Mercy.
"Susan don't miss me?" Jean murmured. It wasn't like she cared.
Mercy looked down, she turned around and walked away. Jean guessed she might as well follow, so she did.

The two of them were soon chatting at Jean's room. They clutched their small cups of tea.
"Why didn't you tell me before!? Just 'cos I went away don't mean that I don't love you all! I-I-I feel so betrayed. How could Mama do this." Jean got up, she glared at the clock. Time was flying by.
[COLOR=SeaGreen]"She thought you wouldn't care. I mean after she found out what you did to Scarlet. I mean that poor, poor girl" [/COLOR][COLOR=Black]Mercy blurted out.
[B][COLOR=Red]"Ooo. Don't you dare say that! That crazy carrot top head just tried to kill me! And now [I]i'm[/I] the bad one!? Mercy. It's time to leave! NOW!"
[/COLOR][/B][COLOR=Red][COLOR=Black][IMG]http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm29/charika20/PH2008012701520.jpg[/IMG][/COLOR][/COLOR][B][COLOR=Red]
[/COLOR][/B][/COLOR]

​

 

I point at the man while the crowd keeps on handing over money.

"Yessir, speak up and let the crowd hear your testimony, Mr. Green!"

 

Artemis and Doctor Rose both breathe heavily, the scorching heat boiling their skin. With each step, their body brushed up against their clothes, and it felt like touching the insides of an oven.

"So we agree." Artemis said after their discussion. "It' best you, me and the Pastor keep this to ourselves 'till we know more about it." he said, referencing the dead stranger and Captain Riley's investigation.

If it turned out the stranger HAD been a Confederate and Tumbleweed had both given him shelter and a burial, the town would be wiped off the map by men like Riley. And Artemis had met men like Riley before, and they all p-

"What in the HELL.." Artemis muttered as the two men's walk through town brought them to the town square. A large gathering of townspeople surrounded a single man, a man Artemis had seen before and not recognized as a citizen, who brandished a bottle of strange liquid. "Not in my town, you don't. Goddamn snakeoil peddlin' son of a....JUST WHAT IN THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOIN'?" Artemis shouted out across the mob, making a straight line towards the salesman.

 

​

DAY 1: SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Jack Daniels watched passively as the mob closed in around ‘Doctor’ Kipling. He had come up from the train station and was walking down main street just as Perry Green revealed the salesman’s duplicity. Daniels smiled a little as he saw Kipling attempt to talk his way out of it. The Confederate had met a large number of Kipling’s kind over the years.

Annoying, but rarely dangerous.

Daniels moved on just as the sheriff entered the scene, hollering. Definitely a man to avoid, the former carpenter thought to himself. Turning away from the frenzy, he slowly walked to the Froggy Dog, staying in the shadows where he could. He was sweating and he gritted his teeth. His wound ached and his head was throbbing.

Just across from him, set up on the town square, were the gallows.

 

"Why, my good man. You are indeed mistaken. What you percieve to be 'whiskey and peppermint' is the taste of life. What is it that ales you, my dear friend?"

The man's face starts to flush and turn red.

"Ahh. There is a catch with this life potion. It will only cure problems that are not gained by sinful means. And, pardon me for saying this. It doesn't help people who go out and get the clap heal so they can go out and get it again. The lord does heal sinners."

I peer at the lawman through my spectacles. I flash a crooked smile.

"Why, my dear sheriff....I am trying to cure people, to help change this world....all I ask is a slight, ahh, donation."

 

Doc Rose trotted up next the sheriff, an amused smirk on his face.

"So, you're a doctor? Where did you practice?"

 

"Why, my good man. This wagon I sit perched upon is my practice. I am not satisfied with setting up shop in a town and staying there forever. No, there are people all over who need my help. I travel from town to town in an effort to-"

I smile and take a dollar from another sap. I hand him a bottle of potion and turn my attention back to the doctor and sheriff.

"Ahh, in an effort to help those less fortunate than myself."

 

"I see," Rose said "what a fine you man you are. Being one so devoted to helping the good folk of the land, surely you could find it in yourself to give the recipe to such an...amazing concotion,"

 

"I would love to. BUT! As I explained to this crowd here today, this potion was passed down to me by a dying African shaman. With his dying breath, he told me the secret to this life potion, it is a secret the African people have horded since the time of Christ. A secret that, if divulged, would allow the good christian folks along with the sinners to run free and unchecked upon this world. See, my dear man. There is a reason we have death and disease, and you must allow some people to die."

I give the man a hard look, noticing the blood stain on his pants and the medicine bag in his hand.

"But I'm sure you know all about that, being a fellow brother in the healing arts, Doctor?"

 

The Doctor's good humour and slight smrik vanished in an instant.

"Leaving people to die because of their race, religion or what they may've done in the past? No, I'm afraid I'm not aquainted with that part of healing. I'm fairly sure that all I do is help people," he said with a deadpan, almost dangerous tone.

 

I stop my horse at the sheriff's office and swing my leg over to dismount. I wrap the reins loosely around the hitching post as he starts drinking from the trough. A young man who I can only assume is the deputy steps out of the building.

"Afternoon, stranger."

"Afternoon," I say. "Sheriff 'round?"

"There a problem, Mister?"

I smile and take off my hat, slapping it against my leg. Dirt and dust goes flying. "Nope."

The young man, boy more like it, just looks at me for a couple of ticks. Probably waiting for me to add some more. "Well, um...the sheriff's probably around near the church. They'd have let out not too long ago."

"Much obliged," I say, giving the boy a brief parting way. I start walking down the street, leaving him behind in confusion.

I turn the corner and see that the crowd is still gathered around the swindler selling his cure all. I shake my head and keep walking. Not my business what people do with their money.

As I walk, I take stock of the little town. Saloon conveniently across from the hotel. Gallows conveniently across from the Town Hall. Ranch house, post office, train station. And at the end of the road, the church. Sort of fitting, I guess.

I walk to the edge of the crowd, and over their gossiping voices, I hear three louder than the rest right in the middle of it all. I keep back. Figure I'll wait until things settle down a bit.

 

"Alright, alright." Artemis threw one hand up and put another on Doc Rose's shoulder. "How's about we not let this get outta hand."

In Artemis' experience, a crowd this size didn't need much more than a mousefart to break out in violence. He gently made his way past a few of the salesman's would-be customers and approached the man.

"I'd like you to come with me, have ourselves a little talk." Artemis said in a hushed tone to the salesman.

 

The eye the sheriff for a moment before nodding. A situation like this, it would be best to follow him than to run.

"Why of course, my good man." I start to wave people off from my wagon as the sheriff and I walk down the dirt street.