Thread #109443

Last time:
the team trekked across the wyoming wasteland and killed a bunch of bandits in a fairly brutal fashion after sicily killed one of them for basically no reason and a firefight started
after killing a bunch of bandits and escaping the bandit town, they found a poisonous snake in their wagon which they managed to get rid of

now they have arrived at an arapahoe town which will be described shortly

The wagon pulls into the Arapahoe town. It's fairly small, consisting of maybe 40-50 scattered wooden hovels spread across the slightly hilly terrain. The town appears to be surrounded by larger hills, save for in the path the team entered the area in. Arapahoe families walk about, eying the wagon with caution as children hide behind their parents. Only two buildings stand out: a large wooden, but clearly non-native in design, church; and a large wooden building which is fairly nondescript but obviously important judging by the size alone.

George reaches the center of town and jumps down from the wagon.
"We're here."

"That we are." Thomas carefully lowers himself out of the wagon.

"Did the two men you previously escorted here say anything of where they were planning to go?" I ask George as I leave the wagon.

George tilts his head slightly, "There must be a misunderstanding. I did not escort your friends here. They came on their own."

"There was a library here, was there not?"

"That's a church."

George nods, pointing to the church. "There is reading material in the church. I understand the white man there has a collection of books."

>>109460
I pinch the bridge of my nose. "As there would be. You wouldn't have, any notion of where they would have gone, would you?"

George points to the large wooden building.
"If someone came here, they would likely visit that building first. It is where the medicine man and chief are."

"So books or clues about Archie; which should we shoot for first?"

Sicily appears to have vanished from the wagon. She must have gone off on her own again.

"I don't know about the two of you, but I will go have a look at the books."

"Books are good."

"I'm a little more comfortable dealing with people. I'll see if there's anyone to talk to, then meet up with you two at the church.

With that, I head towards the fairly nondescript, large, wooden building.

There does not appear to be a door, but there is a clear doorway. There do not appear to be any people around it, though you cannot yet see inside.

VV heads off the to church.

As VV approaches the church, the front door opens and out steps a man wrapped in humble black robes. His skin is white, but the natives do not look at him with the same eyes that they see the team with.
He gestures to VV and Thomas with a smile.

Thomas follows along

"Hello. Is this where you keep the books? Do you mind if I take a look?"

>>109493
I look through the clear doorway, rapping lightly at the doorframe.

Thomas waves

>>109497
>>109499
The man waves back to Thomas. "You must have traveled far to come here, young lady." He smiles gently. Seeing him more closely, you can see that he is quite old. He must be in his 70s or 80s. "Did you come here solely to see what books I have?"

>>109498
The inside of the building is illuminated by a large fire in the center of the building. A man with a painted face notices you and nods at you, his face stoic.
George follows silently behind Felicity.

>>109500
"That's most of why I'm here, yes."

>>109500
"Evening, sir. We have traveled here on account of our benefactor, an elderly man who should have come through here with a manservant not too many days ago. Would any of this be familiar to you?"

>>109504
He gestures to the church behind him, "You are welcome to take a look around. Is there a specific book you are looking for? I am afraid many of the books here are outdated... You may have already read them."

>>109505
He gestures Felicity to come closer as he exhales what seems to be a pillar of smoke.
"Archibald and Samuel, yes? You have come for them?"

Thomas realizes that he also has absolutely no idea what kind of book this pair is trying to find in this library.

VV walks into the library and starts to look around to see what she can find.

>>109510
I enter the building and close the distance to the man, though avoiding the cloud of smoke.
"That's correct sir. We're enlisted as assistance to Archibald, but he left ahead of us for Wyoming. He has not left us any indication of where he was planning to go however, so we're at a slight loss as to where to head.

Thomas folows VV. "What exactly are you looking for? I can do my best to help out."

VV finds a moderate number of books with authors ranging from F. Scott Fitzgerald, to L. Frank Baum, and even Agatha Christie. Most of the books - aside from the Bibles - appear to be those which were popular over the last decade.
VV also finds Sicily, sitting at a small table and sipping on a cup of what smells like tea. She raises a hand towards VV in greeting.

>>109513
The man leans to the side, looking past Felicity at George, then returns to his normal posture. "They came in search of something very important. They set out to find it with a guide but have not returned. You and your friends must be the ones here to find them." He nonchalantly reveals that he knows Felicity came with company despite not seeing them anywhere.

Thomas is confused.

"Yes, hello."
VV turns to the old man. "Are there any books about the history of the area in here?"

Thomas looks at VV perplexed that she isn't surprised at all to see that Sicily managed to get into this building that we saw as soon as we exited the wagon with no indication that she went here at all.

>>109518
>>109519
Sicily takes a sip of tea. "Didn't take you for a churchgoin' type, Tommy."

The old man enters the church. "I am afraid there would not be any such books. Not here, at least. I have been here for fifty years, though. Is there something you want to know? I may know it."

Thomas looks at Sicily and says "I'd say I didn't take you for someone who could teleport but I'm honestly not sure what to think anymore. What kind of tea is that?"

>>109515
"That you understand the situation already, certainly helps simplify matters. That is, if you can direct us in the way they have gone in the time since we have last seen them."

VV looks dejected.
"I was hoping to find some history books or something like that."

He clears his throat. "Unfortunately not. The people here know their history well and only /// and don't need history books. They have strong oral history. As far as I can remember, there have not been any books on the history of these people, though a man by the name of Alfred Kroeber published a book on the culture of the Arapahoe many years ago... I do not have a copy of that, unfortunately. Is there something you wish to know about the history of this place?
>>109521
"Dunno. It's good, though. Want some? The good Reverend over yonder has a kettle on."

>>109522
>>109525
"We should be able to put you in the right direction. The two you seek are alive at the moment. But you may find it difficult to save them as you are now."
The inside of the building is sparsely furnished. There are animal skins hanging on the walls, various chairs scattered about, and a large wooden table in the corner of the building.

While conversing with the painted man, I also give the interior of the building a closer examination.

>>109524
"That sounds wonderful." Thomas pours himself a cup and takes a seat in the same general area, assuming there is one.
"VV, come here and fulfill your stereotype."

"Well, let's go find Felicity then."

The old man looks puzzled.
Sicily takes another sip of her tea. "Isn't it good?" she asks Thomas.

>>109524
"Difficult? 'Save them'? Be clear with me, sir. What is happening here."

>>109529
"It's pretty great."

"We can go see what Felicity is up to. We'll bring her back here if there's history to hear about."

Thomas presses the buzzer within his collar and Felicity hears the alarm signalling her to assemble.

Upon realizing that there is no buzzer, Thomas lightly places his cup back down onto the table.
He then takes off in a sprint to go and pick up Felicity.
#d6 (3)

Thomas trips and faceplants. Luckily, the soil is soft and he does not get hurt.

"Nailed it."
Thomas picks himself up as if nothing happened.

As the duo leave, the old man sits down across from Sicily and pours himself a cup of tea.

>>109530
The man smiles. "They went in pursuit of a dangerous man to retrieve the book they sought and have not returned."

Heaving a heavy sigh, I take a step closer. "That much we could have, or have already, discerned ourselves. But we have also already crossed paths with Curtis and managed ourselves...well enough.
"If there's something you believe we lack, then out with it. I intend to see Hamlin back safe and sound as early as possible."

VV heads to the building that Felicity entered and pokes her head in.

The man stands to his /// The man stands. "We meet again," the man says with a smile, speaking past Felicity to VV. The man is Strikes-the-Blood.

I look between Miss Vane and the man. "You two have met?"

"Oh it's you! Oh hi!"

He nods to Thomas. "It has been some time."

"It sure has. Though, the circumstances of our last meeting were a little odd."

"Oh yes, I do remember you."

"It is my first time meeting this one," he says gesturing towards Felicity. "You seem quite sane for what you have been through, Felicity." He glances at VV and then Thomas before returning his gaze to Felicity. "These two seem to have had trouble handling it."

"i'M quite sane, thank you!"

"I'm busy lining my brain with eyes."

I shrink back slightly, looking to the side. "Just been lucky, is all."

"So now that you all are happily reunited again, can we hear of where we need to go to find Archibald?"

"Oh yeah I guess that is kind of important. So, my good friend, like, do you know where we should go to find our two friendos? "

He nods to George, who leaves the building.
StB sits back down and motions for the group to sit down.

Thomas takes a sit down.

VV shrugs and takes a seat.

"I'm going to start charging you for using my shrugging gimmick."

I crouch down and sit where I was once standing.

He points to Thomas and VV while his eyes fixate on Felicity. "These two have been touched by the spirits. You have not been as of yet. This is not a problem, but it is important that you understand there is a difference between you. VV has been touched, but not as much as Thomas. "
>>109596
"That depends on you, my friend."
He returns to his speech.
"Archibald and Samuel, too, have been touched. Far more than any of you. However, the book they seek is in the hands of the man called Singing Bear. He is a dangerous man who seems himself as the savior of our people. He wishes to destroy your people and is quite powerful. Though I do not know who it is, a man is controlling Singing Bear like a puppet from the background. You may have already met this puppet master. Archibald and Samuel went in search of this man, ignoring my warnings, and have not returned. They are alive and you will save them - I have seen this."

"Yeah, speaking of that, how bad is this tentacle business going to mess me up if I keep shooting for it?"

Thomas nods sagely.

"If ending up like Thomas is the overall result of, erm, getting 'touched', then forgive me if I'm more than hesitant about getting involved with it."

"I'd like to avoid that, yes."

"Don't worry I've always been a little messed up, I'm sure you'll be fine."

>>109594
"Hearing you say that bolsters the confidence a bit, that's for sure. Controlling-fellow is probably Curtis? Maybe? What do you guys think? Sounds like that guy. Which isn't great. He's really good at things."

I mindlessly scratch the back of my jaw. "That sounds probable. Fits with the pattern we've been seeing so far, at least."
"Singing Bear, hm. Wouldn't happen to be a bear of a man, would he."

"It's really impressive that you can talk while scratching the inside of your mouth like that."

"He is not bearlike. You need not worry about that."

"Well, if it comes to it, which it probably will, explosions will probably help."

"In that case, is sucking dry the blood of men and vanishing into shadows within his ability?"

"He is just a man. He has obtained power for himself, but the creature you speak of is Singing Bear's minion."

"Well then." I begin, taking out a notepad and pen. "So we are to save Archibald and Samuel, from an eventual confrontation with this Singing Bear man, who controls a creature that can vanish into shadows and suck the blood dry of even the most bloated of people. All the while, ensuring we collect another one of these books. So, sir," I look pointedly at Strikes-the-Blood, "where do we begin?"

"Would you rank these blood-sucker types as a higher or lower threat level than those Stinky owl things from Florida?"

Last time
oh
"Last time we encountered that man, we nearly died. I am averse to nearly dying, is there an easier way to deal with them?"

>>109617
He laughs and leans forward, placing a hand on his left knee for support. "Should you take the tome from him, the beast will come after you. Should you destroy the tome, the beast will disappear. Should you kill Singing Bear, the beast will be free unless vanquished. You could also destroy the beast, though not through means available to you as of now. If you ask me, I would recommend vanquishing it with magic of your own."

"Oh? Magic you say."

"I believe we're somewhat shorthanded when it comes to magic, sir."

"Perhaps it is time you learn."

Thomas kind of rubs his hands together excitedly but is also kind of starting to sweat nervously.

"Magic?"

"Have you never heard of magic? Or is the English word not magic?" He looks perplexed.

"No it's totally magic. They're just probably confused."

"No, the word isn't the source of my confusion. I'm not aware of magic being a thing that exists."

StB looks completely dumbfounded. "You have witnessed magic with your own eyes on many occasions."

"Yeah VV, what did you think was happening with Curtis and all that? The tomes and stuff."

"And so far all our interactions with the paranormal have been less than pleasant. I can't say I'm excited to experience more of it."

"Is that magic? I think of wizards when you say magic. So far all I've witnessed is madness."

"I believe the line between magic and madness can be pretty thin."

"Whatever you may call it," he explains, "it is what you must learn if you wish to vanquish the beast."
He turns to Felicity. "You may solve the problem however you like. You may not have an easy time, however. This is only my recommendation. As I explained, there are many options available to you."

"Well, if it helps us deal with those things it seems like it would be worth our time."

"I am perfectly content with getting down with the magic."

"The night comes soon. Perhaps you would like to take the evening to consider your options. I will have a space prepared for you if you like."

"I'm fine with it about anytime, but a place to rest for the night sounds like a great idea."

"Resting for the night never goes well for us lately though," I say, sighing. "I don't suppose this reservation has voodoo or whatever keeping blood-sucking creatures of the shadows away."

"Better"," he laughs. "Red people. The beast will not come here."

I relax slightly, my shoulders slumping in relief. "Then I will take up the offer of a night's rest, sir."

He stands up, steps outside, and disappears. You hear him conversing with someone outside, but cannot make out who he is talking to.

"Oh Felicity, I was supposed to tell you about the tea."

or what he is saying*

>>109684
I give him a look of irate confusion. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"There was some good tea back at the church-brary. Sicily was helping herself to some. Also that's where Sicily went. And I mean, Tea is relaxing right? Might help you out a bit."

"Oh, Sicily stopped by the church. If she's still there we should see if she wants to stay the night with us."

StB steps back in, followed by a young lady with paint on her face. She appears to be in her late teens. "She will lead you to your dwellings. One for the man and one for the women, as your people generally like."

I nod. "Have you seen to the young woman who came with us? She may want a place to stay. With us would be fine."

"She has already been directed to your quarters."

"Wonderful." I say as I rise to my feet. "Well then, sir, we will hopefully see you in the morning."
I leave the building, pausing in the cool desert night air.

"Old Strikes-the-Blood knows his way around tassling with the toughies I'm sure, so we'll definitely see him in the morning."

StB nods as Felicity leaves. "Yes, hopefully."

The young lady leads the group to a small hovel, much like the others in the village. She motions to the front doorway which is covered by an animal skin. She does not speak, but looks at the girls expectantly.

I look at the rest of the group. "Did we want to discuss this whole 'magic' proposition tonight, or in the morning?"

"Whatever floats your boat. Regardless of whether or not you two are down with learning yourselves, I'm pretty keen on it."

VV shrugs.
"He didn't really tell us any of the downsides. Are there downsides?"

The young lady stands outside, waiting patiently.

"Well think back to all the people we've met who have dabbled in this before us. Archibald, Samuel, Popper, Curtis..."
"Is becoming like them even remotely an upside?"

"If one can keep their head about them when they become that kind of strong, then in a way yes."

"Well what about you, Sicily. Does become some sort of sorceress or witch appeal to you?"

Sicily looks at Felicity like she's crazy, "You fucks are gonna get yourself killed. I plan on staying nice and safe...ish."

VV scratches her head.
"I don't know. That blood sucking thing seems dangerous, though..."

I'm content to stay clear of anything paranormal or supernatural." I say.
"If you two want to jump in though, don't let me stop you. I'll

>>109716
stick to mundane and natural ways of handling things."
With that, I duck under the animal skins and enter the hovel.

"You want to be mundanely disemboweled by a monster?"

"I want to be mundanely asleep right now." Thomas says, looking towards the young patient girl.

The young lady nods and points to the church.

Thomas goes to the church

The old man is nowhre to be found but the tea is still on.

Thomas drinks some tea.

It tastes good.

"This tastes good" Thomas utters into the void
x

>>109718
"Beats being supernaturally disemboweled by a monster. Either way, considering the mental state of everyone who's spent too long reading these insane books, I would rather continue to distance myself from them as much as possible.

"It seems only rational to listen to his offer, at least.