capeandcowllogs | EARTH 24*(&A$%7HGKPOI

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EARTH 24*(&A$%7HGKPOI

WHO: All transdimensional imPorts.
WHERE: The town of Capers.
WHEN: October 29th, dawn until noon.
WARNINGS: Definitely violence, but alert me if something else evolves and I can update this.
SUMMARY: After spending a few days in the town of Capers, Metamen move to strike against all targeted imPorts in a big dusty showdown.
FORMAT: As you please!

It looked like pearls had scarred the sky, when dawn broke. The crisp air cut through the easing night before the sun had its chance to bake the earth again; another day in the bold, bright west. If you are [1] mulling about, between bars or inns, if you're finding your way home from a bitter experience from the south or if you're dancing out of a fiendishly fun hall, you'll be the first to encounter your metaman. You might make eye contact, they might be stalking your shadow -- however it plays out, flip a coin to determine who shoots first. If it's heads, it's you. If it's tails, then you're on the defense.

If you're [2] sleeping like a healthy individuals, you'll be roused by a sound in your room. Your metaman has hunted your down and snuck into your living quarters -- it's vital that you draw the battle outside, into the open. Flip a coin -- if it's heads, then you're bound to injure at least one NPC in your struggle. If it's tails, then you lure out the metaman without grievous commotion.

Once you've established the attack, that's when you plan your showdown. You can fight with others in duos or groups. As long as your metaman CAN fight, they WILL follow you, even into other characters's battles. You can finish your fight and help out other imPorts, too. You can kill your metaman, or you can capture them -- if the latter happens, you won't get much out of them aside from the knowledge that Vulcanus knew the imPorts would be here, and they had assigned metaman agents to eliminate troublesome imPorts.

You might question this. It isn't Vulcanus's style, to pull such blatant punches -- even if natives and Vulcanus agents eat up that kind of "us versus them" rhetoric. But the metamen won't know the bigger picture, they're only pawns upon a board.

The locals of Capers can die. But do you really want them to?

Feel free to choose from these adventure prompts, which can happen at the start of your showdown, or after the showdown has begun:

[A]
Your metaman has caught you in the westward district. They've lured you into an abandoned dance hall, and they're attacking you from the audience. Wood splinters, glass shatters -- and you've got an entire showroom to stage your battle. Dressing rooms house backstage, the rudimentary catwalk looms above. Careful about the curtain call!
[B]
Having drawn you out eastward, your metaman thinks it's a good idea to go about attacking Town Hall. THAT'S WHERE MAYOR EISNER IS! Your metaman probably thinks you'll run through these hallowed wooden halls trying to save innocents from a gruesome death. Then again, Eisner did dictate your entire life based on a color choice...
[C]
Welcome to the darkened stables and pens that the corrals hold -- grunting dinosaurs snarl and hiss in the bleary dawn. You know your metamen is lurking here, hiding, waiting for you to drop your guard. You saw them come this way. Maybe they're thinking of using the barricades dinosaurs against you? This is the southward district, and not all of the captive dinos are herbivores.
[D]
Hey! You're northward! This is like the easiest, safest district to work in, whatever was your metaman thinking? There's like no way to break your game down and out and-- OH MY GOD YOU'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A MINOR METEORITE SHOWER THAT SEEMS TO ONLY BE AFFECTING THIS ONE BRANCH OF TOWN! The medical center just EXPLODED in a million splinters. Now you have to fight as meteorites rain down upon you in an orangeglow of burnished, lethal glory.
[E]
Well shit. You just brought your battle into a velociraptor nest. There are about TWENTY of these ravenous jerks, ranging from juveniles to fully equipped adults.
[F]
Player's unique choice!

IF YOU REJECTED YOUR CAPERS ROLE THEN
You're going to have local Capers lawmen up in arms with your metaman. Chances are, the latter has convinced the good people of Capers that you're a menace to society! A menace! They came with metal shackles! And they're riding angry dinosaurs!

IF YOU HAD A SERVICE ROLE which includes saloon worker, dino express rider, bartender, cowherd, merchant, mineral miner, railroad engineer, dance hall performer THEN
You flip a coin. If heads, then a fleet of stegosaurus infants will stampede between you and your metaman. If tails, then those infants will lead an ADULT stegosaurus right at you! And she is PISSED OFF.

IF YOU HAD AN AUTHORITY ROLE which includes deputy sheriff, gaoler, us marshall, pinkerton agent, railroad baron/ess, army scout, schoolmarm, hanging judge, town doctor, town barber THEN
You flip a coin. If heads, then a group of compsognathus will mistake your face for a lizard lunch, and try to consume it. If tails, then you will magnificently leap upon the backs of that compsognathus groups and hilariously ride to victory against your nemesis metaman.

IF YOU HAD AN INDEPENDENT ROLE which includes gambler, cowboy/girl, farmer, prospector, hired gun/mercenary, pioneer, snakeoil salesman, homesteader, town drunk, bounty hunter, drifter THEN
Flips a coin. If heads, then that roar you hear in the distance? It's a hungry tyrannosaurus rex headed in your direction. If tails, then it's TWO hungry tyrannosaurs rex adults, and they're battling each other over who gets to eat you.

Take heed, imPort: this battle has the spinal cord outlined, but you're free to flesh out any conflicts more to your liking. Once the high noon sun burns onto the ground, you'll be ported back into the City -- along with any (sizable) dinosaur that might hitch a ride.

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( Sharon's own hair is whipped into an unspoken frenzy. Inside is not safe -- town is, unsurprisingly, not safe. Looks like everything's come out as more weathered imPorts had expected -- yet so loudly? )

Outside!

( Arriving at his side, she has no idea of exactly what's targeting the school building.

At least this time it probably wasn't trying to earn students time off from school! )

[ His ears ring and head spins, but when he's finally able to find solid ground again he scrambles out the way the Vulcanus agent had first arrived: through the large hole in the wall. As he sprints out into the open, he can sense the Meta from behind him and without wasting any time he whirls around, gun aimed for the head.

He fires, but DANGER ZONE tosses himself away from the line of fire, smashing into another wall of the building. He rises out from broken wooden pillars and dirt, unscathed.

He sees their assailant now: tall and muscular, quite powerful looking. His hair is tied back and he's dressed like any of the other locals. A manic grin spreads across his face as he stomps toward Gil. ]

He dodged the bullet so quickly...

[ He keeps his weapon steady. ]

Sharon?!

( Wasting no time of her own, she can't call back in this parody romance (it's where they always shout each other's names running through dramatic scenes, though she's more inclined to impolitely wrinkle her nose for a moment and huff than to want to run into Useless's arms, so it is a moot and sadly unexciting likeness) as she finds herself following them outside through the proper door, just to hear something ominous from above. Her own metaman was on scene, though not yet clearly visible. His laser vision has already taken a toll on the roof!

Looking up, the roof starts canting her way, as if some giant, invisible sword had cut clean through. She gathers her skirts in her hands and sprints out of the continuing to collapse building, ducking behind whatever stood between her and an angle of sight to the building, while trying to keep an eye on Gilbert.

Really, what a troublesome situation! )

Outside!

Sharon, run!

[ He fires straight ahead toward DANGER ZONE, but once again the agent avoids injury by accelerating toward Gil with great force. Gil manages to keep a firm grip on his gun, but he's flung back once more and he can feel, and hear, a bone crack in his ribs.

His eyes grow wide as the the roof slides off the building. That wasn't DANGER ZONE, was it? ]

What now?

( The large man in a shop keep's clothing had a cocky smile on his pudgy face, strolling down from where he'd been standing when he'd taken the corner of the roof down. )

Beg pardon, but I have a little old schoolmarm to cut down to size. You can run along and play with your friend, my boy, you certainly seem to be busy enough. My business remains with the lady -- or is it with the lady's remains?

( Sharon felt both her eyebrows rise even as she rushes to Gil, keeping low as she can. It's not DANGER ZONE, but it's certainly someone else up to no good. )

How bad is it? Come, let's get you up -- If I can get Eques in his shadow, can you take care of this wall crasher's nonsense?

( Is not usually the words of concern that tumble out of her mouth, but she knows they need to handle what's going on, and Gilbert doesn't call shots like Break will, doesn't offer the guidance that she or someone else might cleave to in a moment of heated decision.

But she can tell these fools will keep up their antics where-ever they go -- and they need them for information, once they can incapacitate. Eques could fight, but he was far more useful as the tool neither man was aware of.

Essentially shadow teleporting Gilbert in behind either one at an opportune moment would work to their advantage. )

Or shall we handle the one taking off roofs first?

Edited 2013-11-03 04:36 (UTC)

[ From nearby DANGER ZONE, quite offended, shouts: ] That's DANGER ZONE and don't y'forget it!

[ Gil gets up on one knee at first, pressing a hand to his rib cage. It's a sharp sensation that makes breathing difficult at first, but he has more important things to worry about. He finally gets to his feet, albeit shakily. ]

Can you? If I can get close enough to that... "DANGER ZONE" person, I can stop him.

They must be working for Vulcanus, but how did they know to find us here?

I will.

( Her heart echoes, "I can certainly try." There's no option to sit back and keep out of this fight -- but there is always the option of how to engage.

And Sharon knows very well she is not the one you elect as your frontline anything. But as support? )

Tommy, my dear friend! Danger Zone, did you take that off the mines?

( Tommy and DANGER ZONE. What delightful individuals. Sharon answers Gil's question as she directs Eques, frowning and ending up at Gil's far too tall side.

... Sigh. )

If we've been under observation... or one of them can track those of us from elsewhere. It doesn't take much, if your information net is cast wide enough. It makes sense that they're Vulcanus -- or they think they are. Is Vulcanus always this crude?

Let's go.

[ He thinks about Raven. It's a fleeting thought, but he gets the sense bullets may not be enough to stop Vulcanus' agents this time. Still, he won't invoke it until he absolutely needs to. Eques is enough for the time being.

He adjusts his grip on his gun and looks forward at DANGER ZONE and Tommy, steeling himself. ]

Can you get me behind him?

( Her response is to tap her foot on the ground, the familiar swirl of darkness and wind lifting the edges of her skirts. Sharon holds them down, hair whipping, and says; )

Behind Danger, yes. Eques and I will handle Mister Tommy afterward.

( When she moves to the side, away from Gilbert, he's left with that all too familiar portal to step through. Fall through? Move! )

What will it be, little lady? Should I take off your foot by one of it's dainty ankles first, see how well you can hobble away? Teach the schoolmarm a little lesson in how to acknowledge her betters?

( Tommy laughs, focusing his eyes on the dirt in front of Sharon just as she puts on a burst of speed and ducks behind the much abused building. She's ducking back around the length of it to circle to the far side, though she suspects Tommy wants her to be running away.

Perhaps she should have stressed how they need these men for questioning. Though they lacked the teams... and she's not sure at Gilbert's consistent usability on that particular front. )

[ He takes one last look at Sharon before he moves into the shadows. His heart pounds fast and hard in his chest, threatening to burst from his rib cage. Sharon's clever and like him, a Contractor; she can take care of herself, he hopes.

Leaving her side even for a minute or two doesn't feel right, but if he can stop one of these agents they can take on the other one together.

He slips into familiar darkness and when he springs back into the light he's behind DANGER ZONE, who seems astonished Gil was able to do that. He aims the gun —

But DANGER ZONE accelerates backwards and right into Gil. The bullet hits his shoulder before his gun is knocked away along with his entire body. He does what little he can do: slipping an arm around the enemy's neck and struggling to get his other gun.

DANGER ZONE continues to be displeased. ] I'm gonna grind your bones, boy!

( Meanwhile, Tommy strolls his ambling, rolling way toward the schoolhouse, toward the front side. )

Run away, run away, little lady. Hahaha! You can't hide for long.

( Sharon holds silent for the moment, stepping smartly back around the building. )

My eyes can cut through anything, you know! Hiding will only stop you from seeing which way your death arrives!

( He really talks too much for her tastes. But the moment she's waiting for comes as he passes the far corner at the front of the building. Tommy's shadow merges with the building's, and Eques is in place. Gilbert needs to hold out for a little longer, then she can help; right now, this pompous beast needs to be reminded of who he isn't.

That is, anyone worth troubling ones self over. )

A man of your age going on like this, Mr. Tommy, is really quite unbecoming. Do get ahold of yourself.

( She says, speaking through his shadow, and he whips around and cuts through the dirt and rock behind him, but no Sharon. She fists her hands in the material of her skirts, eyes glinting as Eques responds to her fairly simple command.

Tommy seems to sense the shadow rearing up behind him, but he learns a fraction too late that searing through shadow doesn't produce the same sort of results as anything of substance. With Eques's hooves giving him a firm knock to the too large noggin, Tommy goes down, eyes rolling up in the back of his head. Sharon comes around the far side of the building, brushing her fingers over Eques' nose. )

Thank you, Eques.

( Borrowed power and strength was still borrowed, and still powerful. The steady beat of a pulse at Tommy's throat is apparent; Sharon dusts her skirts off with a quick movement of her hands. To see where Gilbert's at, and to find something to tie this fool up with so he's not gone before they can take care of his little eye problem and expunge any useful information.

Which is, of course, when she first hears the far off sounds of the compy herd heading their way. )

Gilbert! We've company!

( Time to solve the problem of DANGER ZONE; Tommy they can figure out later. He shouldn't be waking anytime soon! )

[ He barely hears Sharon's warning, still struggling with DANGER ZONE. His head is repeatedly smacked into the ground until his vision is seeing double and he can't seem to find the gun tucked into his pocket. When he manages to get his hand on it, it's knocked far from his reach.

He thinks about Raven, but again, quickly puts aside the idea of summoning a large chain in a small town such as this.

The longer the two men struggle, the less time he realizes he has before DANGER ZONE manages to break free of Gil and he's practically lying in weight to be attacked.

As he manages to cling to the agent, all the movement and rocks and bits of wood poking into his body alerts him to a strange, but solid item resting in his pocket. He dives into it and extracts a blade he recognizes from the barbershop; he must have pocketed it without realizing.

His grip is growing looser. It's only a matter of seconds before DANGER ZONE dislocates his arm and goes after Sharon and the others. Everything is loud and dizzying and it's hard to think clearly.

Gun's too far. Not worth it. Need to save his energy.

He brings the blade down onto the other man's neck and with as much strength as he can muster he slices into the skin, his hand warm and wet suddenly and DANGER ZONE suddenly a lot quieter than a second ago. He gurgles and stops trying to bash Gil's head in, scrambling to the side with a hand to his neck. ]

( Which is what Sharon confronts a moment later -- a man stumbling away, bright red blood pulsing around a hand at his throat, and Gilbert, bloodstained on his hand. It's not the worst stage she's stumbled onto, and she starts forward at a run once she determines that the way DANGER ZONE is moving, he's not going to be a threat.

Which leaves her by Gilbert, crouching down to get an idea of the damage. They may not have all that much time. )

Can you see straight?

( Is totally the legitimate question here. If yes, she'll try to help him stand, ignoring the blood. Time to be dainty and picky about bodily fluids later. )

... I'm fine.

[ He lets the blade drop to the ground, staring at the blood on his hands for a moment while his insides twist and turn in the most uncomfortable ways. He allows Sharon to aid him to his feet until he's straightened himself as much as he can. His knees feel weak and his head still spins, but it's finally slowing to a halt. ]

Are you okay? Where is the other —

[ He can't make him out properly, but he sees Tommy's motionless body not too far from them.

DANGER ZONE has stropped trying to crawl away from them, no longer able to muster the energy. He lays there, the blood pooling around his head and the dirt beneath him.

He takes a deep breath, though his ribs whine with each breath. ]

The noise in the town... there's got to be more of them.

At least as many of them as there are of us, if I had to guess.

( The sound of the approaching compy herd grows louder. Sharon frowns, looking between Gilbert and Tommy. A frustrated twitch of her shoulders is the obvious sign that she's about to say something she'd rather not have to; DANGER ZONE wasn't going to be a source of much of anything anymore.

Eques is by them in that moment, the large, imposing figure of a unicorn made of shadow looming over Sharon, and large even at Gilbert's side. )

We can look, but we need to get out of here. Fast!

( And, injured as he is, she doesn't need him using his Chain and adding strain on top of stress. It's truly counterproductive.

So Gil -- get on her unicorn! Since she can't exactly out-walk the herd of Compy's with you! )

[ He grunts; the pain increases with each deep breath he takes. It'll pass. Pain is temporary.

Still, Gil cautiously touches his rib.

He jerks his head suddenly at the noise growing louder as it tears down the street toward them. ]

More of those things?!

[ He snaps out of it quickly enough to leap atop Eques, holding on with one arm as tightly as he can while extending the other for Sharon so he can pull her above. ]

Sharon!

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EARTH 24*(&A$%7HGKPOI

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