Smokin Guns

[poohlive]

Well, Nick had been right about one thing, Dirk had indeed been practicing this for a while. As the explanation ran on though, Nick found he knew why the man had took so long to get this up together. He had a lot more riding than just a badge. Some people wanted the honor of wearing this tiny piece of metal.
Others wanted justice.
Some craved revenge.
Nick could understand that, but he also knew that such a strong emotion would blind Dirk. Any man wanting revenge will do almost anything to get it. Nick didn't like that one bit.
Still, it was either this guy or no one at all. His eyes went over to the bounty hunter. Too bad she was a woman. With her reputation, he wouldn't give too much cause to throw this badge her way. Let her clean up the town while she vacationed.
He saw the itch already. After months of running and tracking, bounty hunters didn't have vacation. They were like sailors on land, staring longing out to sea, wishing upon wishes to be out there again, no matter what.
Too bad she was a woman.
"Well, my dear. Seems as if you have against stumbled into the middle of things. Please, I am easily swayed by professional opinions. You have some input into the new sheriff of this town, let it be heard here. This badge is going to someone today, and for personal reasons I'd rather it not be me."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

"I thought I recognized you Dirk." I nodded my head once in recognition. A slippery little eel indeed. No one could catch him and he had a nice bounty on his head.. but not in this state.

"Indeed I have Mayor, seems trouble likes to follow me, or I'm following it." I seen Nick eye me and that badge and stepped back quickly. "What he's said is pretty much true. His brother was well known, sorry Dirk." I truely felt condolences were due, Dale was a good man.

"With or without that badge.. he'd get his revenge Nick." I eyed both Dirk and Nick. This choice wasn't an easy one to make but the smartest. Moving towards the table I sat down in a vacated chair and motioned for some coffee.

"I vote him in Nick.." For my own personal reasons, I didn't want to do this nor did I want the responcibility of the town. "If he needs help of a gun, you know where to find me Dirk. And if a criminal can uphold the law at all, it would be this one who knows it inside and out. He sweet talked his way out of a hangman's noose in Dakota awhile back.. Some thing to see there. Not to mention some of the fastest hands I've seen in a mighty long time.." I smirked a little, thanked whomever delivered the coffee and fell silent.

 

[LongWalkHome]

Dirk

It was difficult not to smile at the innuendos spoken by the bounty hunter, difficult until I reminded myself she was as deadly as she was beautiful and how she looked for weaknesses in her "prey". Still...

"Thank You for the words, Ma'am, I appreciate them as much as I do you in that dress"

Now that was a mouthful, I told myself, still wondering how strange lifes twists were.

"And she's right, Nick" I agreed with my sudden and unthought of allies words. "One way or another...I'm going to deliver justice to that new leader of the wild bunch, but with the badge I'll make sure the rest of them go behind bars as well, when the time comes I'll take this lovely ladies offer of her gun hand and welcome yours as well"


The tension had lessened, not completely gone but enough for me to look to the womans face sitting between us and nod again in thanks, then wink to the second woman leaning over the bar.

So there it lay...at least in my mind, one minute an outlaw...the next?

"What'll it be, Nick?

 

[poohlive]

Nick sighed at the responce of the woman. Nothing of what he had expected. Perhaps he had looked too much of her. She was just a woman, after all. He thought the reputation preceeded her, perhaps it had done too wel. Reputations have a way of outgrowing their realities. She seemed steady and blunt about her choice, although it might be for the wrong reasons.
"Revenge was never an issue in this decision. I had no doubt in my mind you are the kind of man to make whatever deal you must to get the job done..."
Nick let the badge roll in his hand, eyeing it one way, and then the other. Morning sunshine twinkled off its glinting edges, making the dull gold plate look brand new. He slid it across the table.
It circled twice, before stopping just next to the new stranger.
"Don't pick it up," He warned, "Unless you mean to follow what it means to be a sheriff. I know these men are outlaws, and you have deep roots to persecute them, but being a sheriff means not only to right wrongs, but to protect the people of this town. It means upholding all of the laws, not just this personal vendetta of yours. If you can accept those terms, the job is yours for as long as you want it."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

Smirking a little, I rose from the table and shook his hand, "Congrats there Dirk.. you get the responcibility and I get to chase after those criminals." I chuckled a little, stretching my back some what before turning to Nick.

"Now I was told to see you for the current wanted posters, can you be so kind as to show me where they are when you are done here?" I smiled sweetly. I had no rules to follow other than my own, I liked it that way too.

Sherrif's weren't really permitted "dead or alive" when they wore that badge. The tension in the room was so thick you could cut it with a knife, on the other hand, I felt relieved. I had no one to answer to, and I liked it very much at the moment. Smiling like a contented house cat, I waited.

 

[LongWalkHome]

Dirk

The badge slowly spiraled to the scarred surface of the table as Nick's words rang out.

"Don't pick it up...Unless you mean to follow what it means to be a sheriff."

Collecting the peice of tin I rolled it over in my fingers and listened to the bounty hunters words and the innuendos as well.

"Nick, You never asked me if I cared about my brother" I reminded him softly, the knowledge he and I needed a common ground in this endeavor to suceed. "Even though we were on different sides it didn't diminish the respect I felt for him, or his convictions"

Looking to the sweet smile on the bounty hunters profile I returned it, knowing her convictions weren't the same as mine...or even the Mayor's...

"A bullet would be too fast for this man, watching him slowly choke at the end of a rope after I've kicked his mount out from under him would be fitting, watching his eyes as he realized the man who brought him to justice was the brother of the man he killed."

I sighed, then took my own cup and raised it to my lips, draining the cup of it's dark and nearly rancid contents and grimacing.

"If there should ever be a law made...it should be made against coffee this bad" I joked and turned my head towards John and the well curved figure beside him, smiling to let him know it was in jest. "When I promised Dale it was to see his killer hang, and coming to you I knew it would be the harder and longer of the two trails to keep that promise"

It was true...I could have simply waited for Dale's killer to ride in and call him out on the street, with no law in town it would have been a simple matter to kill him and ride out of town afterwards...

"To a point this will be played by your rules" I consented to Nick and extended my right hand for his own. "Cross it and we'll play by mine, agreed?"

It was quite a change, one I didn't doubt would give me it's own headaches....and rewards if I chose to find them, and I couldn't do it alone.

"Of course as Sherrif I have the right to press anyone I chose worthy into service of the office as well, correct?" I questioned and grinned, nodding towards the dress clad beauty as she sat with her own smug look on her face.

So there we sat. An outlaw about to turn lawman, a bounty hunter dressed to kill, and a Mayor who played cards and spent his time in a saloon...

"Do we ride this one out...together?"

 

[kamalw1]

I stood there watching the exchange with Mona by my side. I smiled a bit as I saw the manuver Joe had pulled. It was funny watching her outsmart that Dirk character. I nodded at Dirk when he made the joke about the coffee, and watched as he extended his hand towards Nick. I walked across the room to Joe and stood beside her. "If you don't mind, I would like it if you could join me for lunch later today. It's not every day I get to meet a woman as cunning as you who can outsmart a fella like that. Whaddya say?" I stood there, awaiting her answer and to see if Nick shook Dirk's hand.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

"Whoa there Mr. lawman." I chuckled, holding up both hands and backing away.

"I am a mere woman..." I tried to think of all the sexist remarks I had heard over the previous years but failed to think of one.
"And although it is flattering you think me fit for the job, I must decline at this time." I smiled brightly, "I have things to do."

Unexpectedly hearing the owner approach, I turned and flashed him a sweet smile, "I would be honored to have lunch with you... Once I am done with this side winder.." I motioned with my thumb towards Dirk. Trying to play a fast one on me, that sneaky underhanded .... damn he had brains!

Chuckling, I again felt there was more reasons to object than to give in. Truth was, he would need help cleaning up this town..

"Besides, no one has discussed pay." My eyes twinkled a little with a saucy little grin. Bounty Hunters made more hunting than service work.. There wasn't much that could convince me to help out this town without being told a good reason... Course all reasons were good reasons, but dammit! I did not want to be tied down. Looking at Nick I paused.. Maybe it was the trick of the light or perhaps his face but he honestly didn't want the job and I knew it needed to be done.

Sighing, I brushed my hand through my hair at my temple and tried to think of a valid reason, a reason I could live with, out of this mess?

"Alright! Damn, someone has to watch the criminal.." I muttered and stood back up. I flashed Dirk a glare, not really meant in a mean way, but definately wanting to slap him around a little.. perhaps shoot his pinky toe off..
"BUT! I want to know what the pay will be.. And no contracts." I folded my arms and gave a withering look at Dirk.

 

[Funloving62]

Mona

Mona lifted a big ole smile over the painted red lips and sauntered on over to the table right between both now, law men , Dirk and Nick .Her arms slipped out around the two wiggling her way between those chairs to stand right in the middle.

"Well look at me John, mama always said I'd never be on the right side of the law and look at me. I'm smack dab in the middle of them both." She beamed as she looked to the two men laughing .A hand ran down slowly over Nicks cheek as she winked back to him in turn.

"Well, Nick looks like your not going to be so busy now and I expect to see you a bit more now. I 'm sure we can find something to keep ya busy now," she looked over to Dirk and leaned down pressing those painted lips to his cheek leaving a mark there , almost like his new badge so to say. And you will need some encouragement to get out there and find them bad guys ... after all us girl like the bad boys. Right Sheriff?"

She felt his hand slid on down behind her and grab her ass with a squeeze as she saw Joe watching her and then john starred to the new lady lawman. His eyes seemed to be glued to her as Mona knew she would be able to get away with this one, and bring John back to earth.

"Drinks and lunch on the house to all in here! We got us a new Sheriff in town ... well you all do ...I had him last night."

 

[La Mirage]

Patience Cathcart

Patience groaned, trying to untangle her legs from a fellow passenger's while pulling her duster closer around her body. She'd been jounced, jostled, elbowed, shoved and rammed for the past six months. Sleep had been nearly impossible to attain, most nights she truly believed that she'd passed out from the sheer weariness of it all.

The stage, drawn by a team of six horses, held eight passengers besides herself on this last leg of her journey and she counted her blessings that there wasn't excess mail under her feet to add more insult to her already battered and bruised body. Patience gagged as the stench of vomit filled the coach yet again. It was no wonder, the way it rocked and swayed on the less than travelable roads. At least this time it hadn't been the person next to her.

Suddenly a wild "Yi yi yi yi yi!" and the blaring of a horn signalled their arrival in Pervatory -- and not a moment too soon, she thought to herself. If not for the reason she had endured this trip, suicide was beginning to look like a viable option.

Now if only she could steady her legs enough to get to the nearest hotel, the first thing on her mind was a bath and a real[/b] bed. Anything else, including food could wait.

Having been seated in the far corner, Patience waited for the others to step out of the stage before she made the attempt herself. She smiled and gladly accepted when the driver offered her a hand down, only to find her knees buckling as she crumpled to the ground.

 

[poohlive]

Nick shook the man's hand, agreeing to that. A vigilante was the last thing this town needed, but a vigilante sheriff? If Nick could only channel some of that pent up outlaw for the good of this town, maybe things would be all right after all. Up until this attack, and then afterwards.
It didn't seem to take Joe much convincing to change her mind. A woman's mind, full of change and always speaking. He smiled when he thought of all the horror those two would give each other. A pure tragedy to miss.
"When you need me, I'll be there for you. I've never been one to back down from anything, except maybe a stacked deck."
Nick rose from his chair, walking outside, to pointng at a building to the far right, one of the last in Pervatory.
"That would be your new home Dirk. The Sheriff's office. Complete with a few jail cells in the back, and a wide array of weapons and ammunition. Our last sheriff was very careful about keeping enough supplies on hand."
With a smile at Mona's subtle hints of the future, Nick knew that Dirk would have a bit of celebrating to do before this day was over. Better luck to him.
"Hey, sweet cheecks," He nodded over to Joe, "Come on, you've got some work to do as acting deputy, and we might as well discuss pay, since it's more important to you than anything else."
He began to walk towards his office.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

"Sweet cheeks? Hey Dirk?" I turned and looked at the new sherrif. "How much time would I get for shooting the Mayor in his ass?" I taunted loudly enough for the retreating back to hear it.

Stepping outside, not even interested in hearing Dirk's answer, I moved to the railing and paused. "I didn't take the job Nick, I asked how much was the pay. If it isn't in my best interest, or pocket wise, I won't be no acting deputy." I called out after him. The infernal male was walking away and apparently ignoring me.

I itched to reach for my gun and halt his foot steps, but dammit I left them at the Inn. "Figures!" Stepping down I followed Nick towards his office, almost tempted to walk right on by and go to my new rental.

Grumbling each step over there, I managed to make it inside his office without detering anywhere nor going to get my guns...

"Well Nick? Or is it Mayor in here?" I asked as I leaned against the door frame.

 

[LongWalkHome]

Dirk

Grinning myself as the two left I wondered at how far the grating relationship would go between them, then knowing it wasn't someting I'd likely be around long enough to find out I turned towards the only one left at the table with me.

"I'll take you up on that lunch but later, Mona" I promised and rose, admiring the clothed figure of the woman I had seen with so much less on earlier. "I need to find that office the Mayor mentioned and check on a few things"

The few things being what kind of armament the last sherriff that actually made it to office stocked.

"Stop by if you get a hankering for a badman wearing a star."

Nodding to the owner of the bar I tossed a coin on his polished bar surface for the coffee and walked out, wondering at the flash in his eyes as I walked out. Was it dislike I saw in his eyes...or distrust? Shrugging I knew there wasn't a thing I could do to change it, or would do...I had given my word and for what it was worth...I'd keep it to two people now, it was fast adding up to who I answered to.

The office was where Nick had said it would be, the door a minor thing to shoulder open and I reminded myself to get that cured immediately, then went inside to inspect the place. Dirt, dust, left over papers and trails of small animals reassured me there hadn't any human occupants and I had a day of hard work ahead of me. Stepping over the clutter I went to the locked closets, then moved to the desk and dug around until I found what I needed. The key moved smoothly in the lock and I swung the doors open, nodding at the row of rifles, pistols and...shotguns.

"This will do" I told myself as I lifted the greener from the rack and checked for shells to go with it, adding another stop to my growing list. "Gunsmith...it was said he had a store on mainstreet and knew what he was doing"

Remembering the man from the night before I believed it...the way he carried himself was proof enough...no military man worth his weight wouldn't know how to care for his guns...and one that ran his own shop would be damn good.

Relocking the gun racks I leaned the empty shotgun in the corner and searched the desk for shells, shaking my head at the pile of wanted posters and wondering how many had my description on them from other states, it would feel odd to look thru them and not have to look over my shoulder for once.

Grinning I hefted the heavy shotgun and moved to the door, closing it behind me with the intentions of finding the gunsmith first..then the general store...and finally a blacksmith. My second day in town and I was already acting like an old maid...the next thing I knew I'd be sitting in a rocking chair and watching the stages come in.

 

[poohlive]

"That's exactly what we're here to discuss, Joseph."
Nick picked up a box from the desk, leafing through papers both old and new. Past dozens of telegrams and still unopened letters, towards the bottom, where the wanted posters stood.
He grabbed them all up, letting her see.
"When I'm eating breakfast, I don't like being ordered around, especially with something that isn't my job in the first place. This is the mayor's office, when I'm in here, I'm the mayor. When I'm outside of this, I'm just Nick, and if you treat me any differently..."
He let the thought purposely trail, as if to let her come up with her own answer.
Then again, he realized just what her own answer might be. She didn't seem to him like a very intuitive woman. Smart, yes, in her own way, but not intuitive. It didn't surprise him too much. That was a woman's trait, to know without knowing. She had a man's trait. She could stare down a man and know in a second exactly what he was about.
Given up her womanly doublet for a man's gunbelt.
"If you don't treat me with any respect Joe, I won't treat you with any either. You'll hear sweet cheeks, and cutie pie, maybe even a slap on the ass or two every time you disrespect me out there. It's a promise, one I make full well knowing your skills with the gun."
He took a step towards her, the posters still outstretched, not far enough for her to get them, but enough so she could see them. Dangling the cheese in front of the mouse, so to speak.
"You are the new acting deputy. I am not taking no for an answer. If you want to say no, then pack up your things. You are getting out of my town. You say you're on vacation, but the only thing you've been itching towards," the wanted posters again waved between them, "Is work. I'm going to treat you just like Dirk over there. You will use your skills on this side of the law, not the other way around. I can scoop up some extra savings to make it worth your while, and still let you collect the bounties on whomever you catch. It's a tiny twist of the law, but I won't tell if you don't."
He put the posters back in the box, picking the entire thing up and walking over to her.
"The sheriff would appreciate it, if you gave this to him. It will help him catch up on just about everything that's gone on in the last few months... including, "He handed it to her,and used his now free hands to dig through the contents to search for a large keyring. On it was nearly every key for every lock in town. He dangled them and laid them atop the rest.
"We'll consider this your first active assignment."

 

[Scuttle Buttin']

Aiken

OOC: Posted a character bio here.


IC: His shoes, nothing more than soft leather, were hot and dirty as he finally arrived in the town, his throat the only competition for the dry feel of his shoes. Walking down the main street of the down, a small leather pack resting against his right hip as he walked, the strap looped over his left shoulder and across his chest and back, he paused in front of the Saloon and studied it silently for a moment, a soft, warm breeze floating past him. Glancing down the dusty street in each direction, he shrugged slightly to himself and made his way towards the batwing Saloon doors, his steps almost supernaturally silent.

Pausing just outside the doors, he fingered the hand-crafted bow that was also resting across his chest, the weight of the quiver of arrows on his back all but a part of him now. Perhaps he should remove his bow, and the hunting knife in his leather belt, before going insi-

His thoughts were inturrepted by someone exiting the Saloon, and he was nearly bowled over by the larger man that smelled thickly of alcohol. Wrinkling his nose a bit, he muttered something in Cheorkee and stepped more fully out of the man's way, ignoring the angry slur thrown his way. All thoughts of leaving his weapons outside the door tossed aside now, he put a hand out and pushed the door open, stepping out of the harsh light and into the noisy environment of the Saloon.

This should be interesting...

 

[LongWalkHome]

Dirk

The blacksmith was the easiest to find, like most working on the side of a barn used as the towns livery he peered out from the relative cool inside the leanto at me and nodded. Explaining what I wanted took a few minutes and when I began to explain who I was he interrupted.

"The newest Sherrif, I know, I'll be over right away to fix the doors and windows and will expect cash, most of you don't live long enough to charge ta"

Nodding I asked a second favor, one he studied me closely before nodding in assent and I left, knowing the minute a dappled grey mare came into town I would find out.


At the towns general mercantile it was the same story, the news of my job had already arrived ahead of me and as I gave my list to the pretty lady behind the counter I could have sworn she was flirting with me before she hustled off with a blush assuring me everything would be to the offices before noon. It was enough...I needed to get to work, I figured I had a week at the most and the outlaw bunch would begin to filter in...and I had to have things straight here so I could watch each of them before the one I wanted the most arrived.

The third stop was the most important, one I saved deliberately for last and wanted to give the most attention, it would be a matter of keeping me alive I reflected as I knocked at the door underneath the simple sign...."GUNS"

"Anybody home?" I called out, hearing the sounds of claws on a wood floor and waiting.

 

[Gray Lord]

Marcus Oliver

Marcus heard the stage before he saw it, and started toward the hotel. Hell ran up the dirt street to meet the stage as it entered town, biting at the spoked wheels as it rumbled down the street. Marcus stopped a couple of doors down and leaned against a post, watching the passengers get off the stage. He always liked to see who would come to Pervatory, and wondering why? “Hell,” he called to the dog, which came over and sat at his feet. He watched as they stepped off, some a little green in the face, five, six, seven, he counted, as he assessed each. He turned to walk back to his shop, when he heard a “gasp”. He looked back around to see a woman, the eighth passenger, had fallen to the ground. He watched as others ran to her rescue.

“Shows over,” he said to Hell, “Time to get back to work.” He spent the next couple of hours cleaning the shop, sweeping the floor and wiping the glass display case.

He was standing at the display case rubbing saddle soap into the new tooled, black leather double holsters, when he saw Hells’ head quickly rise. He knew somebody was approaching the door. Hell rose and crossed to the door, waiting.

“Anybody home,” he heard at the same time as the knock on the door.

“Come in,” Marcus yelled across the room.

The door opened and Dirk Langtree entered.

“Ah, our new Sheriff,” Marcus said, laying the holster down and crossing the room. Extending his hand to the new Sheriff. “The names Marcus Oliver,” he said, taking the mans hand. “But my friends call me ‘Cap’. It’s a pleasure Sheriff….Langtree, is it? News travels fast in Pervatory. Don’t worry about him,” Marcus said, indicating the dog. “He only bites outlaws and chickens.” He watched the Sheriffs face for a reaction. “Come in, look around, what can I do for you today?”

 

[LongWalkHome]

Dirk

"Lane, Dirk Lane..." I corrected and eyed the dog, then caught the humor in Marcus's eyes as I felt the power in his hand.

"My brother kept the family name and went on to be a hell of a man, I'm sure you haven't heard any good deeds done by me..."

A hell of an opening statement...I stood there calmly still looking at the dog....hell? Then coughed as I realised Marcus was looking at me curiously...politely.

"Cap...it may sound ridiculous coming from a man like me" I began and offered the Greener to him, cracking it open to show it was indeed, unloaded..."I want you to help me create a gun that won't kill people"

"Hell" had returned to a corner and lowered his great head to his paws, eyes on me as he lapped a huge tongue over larger teeth...eyes that looked at me like I was crazy...

"I need a sawed off with a reinforced stock" I continued seriously "One that will scare the hell out of the majority of people I have to point it at, and will knock sense into the ones too stupid to be scared."

Outlaw I might be but killer I wasn't, only when pressed did I take a life...the dreams simply weren't worth it...

"Can you help me?"

 

[kamalw1]

I was behind the counter, enjoying the morning talk and gossip about news from around the area. The sounds from the stage coming into town could be heard, and some of the people left the saloon to meet it. As I continued talking and serving drinks, the outline of a man appeared in front of the doors. As he came in, all talk stopped as we looked toward him. One of the customers closer to me muttered something about "Dirty Injuns" and I gave him a glare. I then called out to the man, "Come on in stranger and have yourself a drink."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

"That's exactly what we're here to discuss, Joseph." He purposely mis-said my name, trying to irritate me even further. I wasn't biting his bait. Cocking a brow, I just watched him move around his 'office'.

He gave me the speech and I nodded my head, half listening and trying to figure out when and where I ordered him around? My mind was occupied with other things currently.

"Look Nick, I am not interested in working, nor bounty hunting at the moment.." he ignored me and went on. Blowing out a deep breath, I tried hard not to walk out the room. I wanted to snort at the comment, I hadn't broken any laws to be tossed out. Nice ... really nice... I felt my temper bubble a moment and then ignored that urge. Nothing good ever happened when I lost my temper, Red taught me alot in that area. So I sucked it up and did my best to not irritate him further.

It wasn't working too well from what I could see.

"If you don't treat me with any respect Joe, I won't treat you with any either. You'll hear sweet cheeks, and cutie pie, maybe even a slap on the ass or two every time you disrespect me out there. It's a promise, one I make full well knowing your skills with the gun." My brow cocked yet again at that threat, the sassy side almost told him I'd like that but didn't for fear of him blowing a cork.

Moving into the office further, I tried yet again to explain, "I only want some peace and quiet Nick." He was looking for something and I wasn't sure if he was really listening to me or not?
"I am merely here to research my next Bounty, not take on cleaning up... " My words trailed off.

"You are the new acting deputy. I am not taking no for an answer. If you want to say no, then pack up your things. You are getting out of my town. The rest of what he said zoned out as my hands fisted tightly.

"Now you wait just a damned minute! I have done nothing to warrant being tossed out of town and You do not own me!" I growled at him with that evil temper problem rising.

".....I'm going to treat you just like Dirk over there. You will use your skills on this side of the law, not the other way around. I can scoop up some extra savings to make it worth your while, and still let you collect the bounties on whomever you catch. It's a tiny twist of the law, but I won't tell if you don't."

"I only mentioned pay .. because.." Dammit he was just not helping matters at all. My mind was working in two different angles and neither were helping my tongue get untied. "I dont need your damned savings Nick!" I barked out at him as he shoved a box into my hands.

"The sheriff would appreciate it, if you gave this to him. It will help him catch up on just about everything that's gone on in the last few months... including, " He handed it to her,and used his now free hands to dig through the contents to search for a large keyring. On it was nearly every key for every lock in town. He dangled them and laid them atop the rest. "We'll consider this your first active assignment. He smiled in almost an innocent way as he stood there nearly nose to nose with me. Damn, he was taller than I was too!

"I am not.... dammit!" I cursed, setting the box down on his desk and placing my hands on my hips a moment as I stared right back at him. "You can not place a Bounty Hunter under some criminal in charge, to clean up some one-horse-town, hunt down bad guy's and NOT shoot each other." I spoke carefully and evenly.

I sighed, my hands tensing again, Damn me for forgetting my guns! Course I could just kick him for good measure but I didn't really want to do that either. Chewing on my lip I eyed him then slowly spoke up, "I can have the bounties from captures?" It would mean settling down for an undetermined amount of time...

"Alright Nick, you got your deputy for a short while, but only because I'm not ready to move on." My eyes narrowed a little. "I have a lunch appointment and I have a new rental home I need to move into today and fix up a little before i can be your active deputy. So give me a little time.. And I am not a messenger.. boy.. girl whatever. I treat you with respect and you treat me the same.. Anymore sweet cheeks..." I let it trail off with a little smile.

"Still don't think a criminal and I can get along but if you think so.." I chuckled, picking up the box and heading towards the door, which had shut on me. "Could you? Please?" I motioned towards the door with the box.

 

[Gray Lord]

Marcus Oliver

“Of course Sheriff Lane,” Marcus said smiling at the man. “You know how gossip travels.” Releasing the mans’ hand, Marcus took the Greener from him. “I can’t create a gun that won’t kill people, people kill people, not guns. But what I can do is make some rounds that don’t kill. There called blanks. You take the lead out and replace it with wax, or wading. It still fires the same, it just has not projectile that leaves the muzzle. The only way to make a gun that doesn’t kill is to fill the bore with lead, then the gun is totally useless. What are you looking for, a gun that will shoot blanks and projectiles or one that is useless?” He handed the Greener back to the man.

Walking over to the gun case on the wall, he took down a 12-gauge double barrel, handing it to Dirk. “I had a Sergeant, Sergeant York, was his name, in the 7th Cavalry that used one of these. Replaced the stock with one of his own design. Could hold it like a pistol or place it against his hip. Had one hell of a kick. Cut the barrel off to about here,” he said, indicating with his finger, the length he meant. “Wasn’t much good at over thirty paces, anything under twenty and it was pretty devastating, especially using double aught buck. Could take out two, maybe three red skins at a time. I’m not much of a Wood Wright, but I’m sure there’s one in town.” He paused to give the man time to think.

“Dirk,” Marcus said after a few second of assessing the man. “If ya need help, let me know.”

 

[poohlive]

Nick nodded hish ead, satisfied with the answer she gave him. She didn't seem all too pleased about it, but there wasn't much he could do about it.
He needed her, he needed her a lot more than he let on.
"I don't expect you to get along with him. In fact, that's the biggest reason I want you to be deputy, to keep him in line, and make sure that the law is upheld, over all. You know more about it than he does, and you sure as hell are a better candidate. If it weren't that you..."
Sexism in the old west. He squinted as a piece of sun caught his eye, opening the door for her so she could go about her business.
"It doesn't matter. I'm just glad you're here to help."
He walked outside after her, sighing as the brush of hot air caught in his lungs. He wanted to go home and get drunk, but it was hardly even noon. He supposed he had to pretend to be the mayor for at least a few more hours here.
Best to go and check a few of the businesses, see how things were going today. He walked over to the corral.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

Smiling a little, shaking my head as I watched him start to walk away.

"HEY! Nick!" I called out, He had a sexy little strut. "How about having dinner with me tomorrow night?" I called out cheerfully, I liked him. Even if he was sassy and sneaky, he was fun... Amoung other things..

Setting down the box, I walked over to where he stood at the corals, "Just a little dinner? Between friends? I rented the house just past the school house for awhile.. Whaddya say?" I stood facing his profile, wondering what was on his mind?

"Don't have to answer right away, I will stop in at the saloon later.. Perhaps you can answer me then?" I asked softly, I was openly flirting with him and I didn't think he knew it?

"Well I best get that box to the new sherrif and on to the rest of my day.. Thanks for.. well tricking me and bribing me and making me stay.." I chuckled as I walked back towards the post sitting on his office steps.

Hefting it back up, I marched down to the sherrif's office and inside. Depositing it on the desk, I took the town keys out and pocketed them then headed to the saloon to have lunch with the owner. I wasn't trusting a criminal with the bank keys and what not til I had some proof he would uphold the laws.

I could still see Nick at the coral's, not paying me the slightest big of attention, but I knew he would have to answer eventually.. I could be persistant when I wanted to.

Stepping into the saloon, I spotted the owner and moved towards the bar. Seating myself I grinned, "Got a cup of coffee for the newest deputy to this town?" I seen him react in his eyes, Nick had won yet again.. I was betting he had been betting on Nick as well. "And you did offer me lunch.. Mr.?" I paused waiting for his name.

 

[LongWalkHome]

Dirk

The offer of help rang true and I knew it went deeper than just with the care of our weapons.

"Shorten the barrels on the double barrel" I agreed, his description fitting my needs exactly. "I have an idea the blacksmith can help me with after you're done that will do just what I want hopefully"

If looking down two barrels at short range didn't put the fear in them, nothing would and the results would be up to them.

"And would you have a couple of boxes of salt peter to go with it?" An after thought that perhaps...

"The first barrel loaded with that, the second with your double aught?"

The idea of dealing with people...real people and not my own crowd would take some getting used to, but people like Marcus...they made up for it.

Hand on the door I heard his assurance it would be ready pronto and he would deliver it and I thanked him, then...

"It's free lunch at the Saloon in my honor..." I suggested "I wouldn't mind buying you the first poison of your choice if you'd come over...after you feed that dog?"

A different time and we might be good friends...but there was no harm in trying for the time I'd be here...Grinning I stepped into the street still carrying the greener, realizing I'd have to return it to the offices and lock it before returning to the Saloon.

 

[kamalw1]

The news that Joe was the new deputy didn't surprise me. "The name is Logan, John Logan. You can just call me John, everyone else in town does," I said to her, a smile on my face. "Ad don't feel bad, I've seen Nick sucker a lot of people into doing things they didn't really want to do. Must be a needed skill for a mayor." I saw her smile a little at that comment. "Now as for lunch, would you like that here, or perhaps upstairs in my personal dining room?"