Tanuchan

"Want another rabbit?" Amanda hesitates, then nods with a sigh. "That would be nice, Catling... Nate did appreciate your help, as did I." She watches that wild and strangely wise girl leave, and goes back to the wagon with conflict in her face. She sits down on a stool, picking up some mending - tedious work always helped her to focus her mind on a problem. "She is so strangely wise, and girlish at the same time... and the things she say... I'm sure she has some Indian influence. Maybe even Indian blood? But then, why would she be abandoned in the middle of the plains... unless she was kidnapped, and now was being troublesome?" Amanda threads the needle carefully, getting the first of a pile of shirts and socks. "Nate... he's worried about me, dearest husband that he is. I must talk to him... sometimes I feel like a useless decorative piece. I have to admit I'm afraid of his temper. It's so hard to control my own, when he starts yelling at me... I thought it would be easier, before marrying him. And he got really shaken when I trusted Cat over his wisdom... and I shouldn't have, really. I got suspicious of a rather innocent man... innocent of that murder, at least... I must listen better to Nate. I must at least take his advice to my heart and think it over." The voices of children playing intrude in her thoughts, then Trudy's voice again calling for both Polly and Isaiah, insistent. She sees Isaiah running to his wagon, quick to answer his mother, and then with a smile looks around looking for Polly. "When will I have my children to look for? And Polly does remind me so much of Sarah..." The smile disappears, a shadow coming to her face when remenbering Sarah, that little minx who hurt dearest Rosalie so much. How could sisters be so different? Sarah was always after the men who appeared at the farm. And then she set so hard on getting Rosalie's fiancé... married him. Shaking her head, she looks again at the children. And makes a figure in black leaning quietly against his wagon, keeping an eye on the children. Amanda stands up suddenly, putting aside the mending and entering the wagon after Rosalie, who is quietly checking and organizing their supplies. Markus had always had a soft spot in his heart for children. He cared for them. He cared for all her sisters like a brother would... but he had abandoned her. "Rosalie? Do you need help?" The quiet sister shakes her head but looks at Amanda with a silent question in her eyes, knowing her too well to not notice she wants to talk. Amanda smiles, and soon they are both outside, to the side of the wagon where they can notice anyone approaching, Amanda whispering and Rosalie listening, holding her hands. ~~~~ Edit: spelling

Nathaniel shakes his head, holding Amanda lightly by the shoulders. "I'm not sure there was a killing at all, dearest wife. We should not speculate or accuse without proof. What Jake did, accusing Cat, was wrong. We won't do the same." Amanda blushes lightly, not answering. Nate sighs, trying hard to keep his temper. "I'm going out for a while, Nate. I do have to prepare this rabbit, and it's easier doing this out." She leaves quickly, before he has time to react. Outside, she manages to get to Cat and listens from her the same words she has said to the men. As the girl slips away once more, Amanda looks at Smith, thoughtful. "Nate does not believe in assassination here... but my heart says the contrary. Cat is a smart girl... and I think she does know a lot about nature, and so the nature of men. She may have some reason here. Smith could undoubtedly kill... although others could also ... " OOC A vote for Eric Smith/Eyremon

Amanda and Nate look at Cat, surprised, and Amanda opens her bright smile at once. "That's so thoughtful of you, Catling... we thank you very much." She mades a gesture to pick the rabbit when Jake's voice intrudes and Cat leaves in a run. "Catling? What do you mean? Who's bad?" Puzzled, Amanda turns to Nate, "Who's bad? Jake?" As he looks at the door, thoughtful, Amanda picks the rabbit and smiles again. "She is a nice girl, Nate. She knows we'll need more food with her here." She puts the rabbit away, so she can prepare and salt its meat later on. "You won't think so bad of me again, will you? You know I didn't mean to bring us trouble." While looking at her husband, Amanda's thoughts race in her mind. "He's bad"... who? Jake had called her. And he was a hardened man, if she still knew how to recognize one. But that didn't make him a killer. And again this thing of killing... how did she know there *was* a killing, anyway? Nate didn't quite believe in it. But she'd heard the whispering, also. Jake didn't like Cat. But then, he didn't seem to like any children. And she also remembered that Cat didn't seem to like that Eric Smith either. What was she doing? Following the lead of a quite wild, if smart girl, instead of her husband's? But then, she had always been quite independent. Her father had made her so. And that was one thing that made Nate love her so much. She smiles again. OOC Still not voting

Amanda sighs, not saying anything else. She knows Nate's temper very well by now, and knows also that showing her own temper right now won't help in anything. So, as he goes after Rosalie she just picks her own gun and loads it. "You care so much for me, Nate, that you forget father made sure I knew how to use weapons either to defend the farm or myself. It's just that Rosalie had more time and chance to practice than myself... " She smiles, remembering how her dearest sister made a mess of all "womanly tasks" so she was always sent away after some time. Rosalie couldn't thread a needle if her life depended on that! And while checking her weapon and Rosalie's, her mind wanders around the death of Widow Barnabus. She sighs, looking at the wagons and the people gathered in small groups. "An assassin among us? So hard to believe... Nate is right, why would one kill for jewels? And yet..." Amanda frowns, her heart telling her that there's something wrong. She remembers what her mother said, about trusting her instinct. She looks for Cat, but the girl has disappeared again, probably being curious somewhere. And Rosalie hasn't returned yet. Cat was a stranger, coming from nowhere. She sometimes said funny things about Indians. But she was just a girl. And the men... Men... a man she trusted, and abandoned her... she wanted to go to him, to talk and ask why. She wanted to know why he hadn't sent any news. And she wanted also to spit on his face for not having had the courage to come back for her after her father had forced them apart. Did she still love him? Or did she hate him? Reappearing so suddenly, in the middle of nowhere, when she was just settling as happily as she could in a new life... Nate... she trusted him, and he loved her as much as to die for her. Could she ask for more? Amanda slams her palm on the wagon's side, using the pain to focus her mind. "Are you doing like Rosalie, daydreaming and losing yourself, Amanda Bluett?" hisses to herself. "You're a happy married woman. Forget the past." OOC No voting yet

"Yes, I do know, Nate. I am sorry, too." Amanda gives a small smile, trying to bury her restlessness. She had a loving, caring husband. She didn't need to remember a painful past, and being abandoned. She sighs, being held by Nathaniel. "I don't really know if Cat is staying with us... she's been changing wagons frequently, you know that. But she's a lovely girl in her own way, and we could help her." Then, she shivers. "That woman... there's talk of murder, Nate. Is that possible? Is there anyone here who could have killed her?"

Amanda paces slowly, swallowing tears. She knew she should have talked to Nate first, but that had been the first time she had had chance to talk to Cat. She knew also that Cat would stay just if she wanted, as she had already stayed one night with Trudy, the next near Charlotte, and the other one who knows where. Nate shouldn't be so angry... he should trust her. She wipes some indiscreet tears away, keeping somewhat hidden in the shadows of the wagon, wishing Rosalie was somewhere near. But she was with other women, out gathering some herbs. While she keeps to herself, refusing to cry more, she sees again a flicker of back. But this time it's coming from behind a wagon... a man all in black suddenly looks at her. Amanda pales, her breath catching. "Markus? No! No, impossible!" However, it's impossible to mistake him for any other person. He turns away, and she enters again her wagon, shocked speechless. "So long ago... five years... he had abandoned her." Now tears run down her cheeks, unchecked, and she looks towards Nate. She loves him. She cares for him. Even with his temper, she loves him. Why did he have to shout at her just today? "Nate..." she whispers. As he turns, she just says, again in control, "I'm sorry. I erred. But you aren't absolutely right either."

Amanda follows the voices and finds the children behind one of the wagons. Smiling, she waves to Isaiah. "Hey Isaiah! Your mother's looking for you! I think you should check what she needs." The boy waves back and leaves in a run towards his wagon, while Amanda approaches the foundling keeping her gentle smile. She thinks to herself how that girl could have been left all alone on the plains, and sets to bring her to her wagon. Nat wouldn't mind a child with them for a while, she hopes. He was always talking about children... "Hi, Catling." "Hi. Name's Cat." Cat looks at that young woman, wondering if she should say something else. "Yes, I remember. But we say "catling" when we like a smart girl, like I'm sure you are. And you looks like a young cat, so I called you that. Do you mind it?" Cat shakes her head slowly, wanting to ask how that woman knew the name given to her by the tribe. But she remembers Red Bull's advice, and asks instead, "How call you?" "Amanda. Do you want to come with me, Catling? I have a place you can sleep, and some food if you're hungry." It was not the first offer, neither from her nor from other women in the wagon train. All of them seemed to take some interest on her, while the men were in general wary. But this Amanda was alone with her man, and another woman, and didn't have children near her all day long... she liked the other children but they weren't very smart most of times. Taking her time, Cat just follows Amanda when she goes back to her wagon. Amanda resists the urge to hug and take the girl by hand, sensing she's more independent than most children her age. So, she just uses the same tactics as with Susanne, the third and most stubborn and independent of her sisters. "She's quite wild inside, I guess... and has a terrible English," thinks Amanda, "Why do I think Rosalie will probably try to correct that?" She smiles again, amused at this last thought. A flicker of black in the limit of her visual field makes Amanda turn, but she can just make the brim of a hat before it disappears behind a wagon. She sighs, "Well, hope Nat won't get into one of his moods when he sees Cat..."

OOC I owe a posting here... will try to do something this weekend... =P And feel free to put crazy stuff on Rialla's path... I usually do work better when I have some challenge like going around heart-attack-stricken dragons ~Tanny

Glad you're in, Katz, and more yet that you're feeling better Do take care of yourself! *hugs* ~Tanny

Laranta sighs, relieved at the tugging in her soul, sure now of the mindlink created by her skill and Heinrich's power. "Who... don't know. A black mage. Craving for power. Opened a portal to the Abyss. There's danger." She gasps, and sends Heinrich a warning before silencing.

Amanda observes the curious girl who has just left, and smiles at seeing her mother quite ready to scold her for some naughtyness. Polly, that was her name, right? From what she said, her dad had died recently and Mrs. McAlister had decided to join the wagon train. She would like to know her better, she seemed to be a nice woman; and maybe she could help a bit with her children... She loved them and hoped to have a few of her own after they settled down. She turns to where the men are gathering, smiling at seeing her Nat there, listening quietly. Her friends hadn't understood at all when she and Nat started meeting and later married, but they'd always seen just his mercurial temper. Not the deep care and love he finally revealed to her after years being just the son of dad's best friend. Maybe it was just because of that, being Mr. Bluett's son and pride, that her father had at last relented and blessed them when they told him they would be joining the wagon train following the Oregon Trail. She was also glad Rosalie had chosen to come with them. Maybe it would help that dreaming sister of hers to focus a bit... And talking about that, where is she?

Gnarlitch, Wyv's show is on from 10 pm to midnight EST. Just to give you an idea, as Katz isn't in EST and if I remember well, you are in MST. And just in case you don't know about the show, check the Any.Give.Moment. thread ~Tanny PS: You will clarify if you're using the Hunter idea, and how it works, right? I'm supposing it's what Leif tried at K&C...

Amanda Bluett, née Tanisson Grew up in a farm, oldest of 5 girls. Her mother made sure she could lead a household, and her father taught her everything about farms (hey, he didn't have a son after all !! ). Very determined young woman, newly married to Nathaniel Bluett (Merelas). Both decided to go West because of better opportunity, in a way disappointing her father who wanted them to stay in the farm. Her sister Rosalie Tanisson (Elwen), the second oldest, is coming with them. Quoting from the poll thread:

The Western, Jamz!!!

Katz voted for the Mutiny, but will play Western, also. Although I'm not sure she'll be able to participate... =P How did Lady Celes, Vahk, and Eyremon vote? Maybe we can convince one of them also? And we could try convincing MeThinks that Westerns are as fun as pirates (Were is Nave, by the way?)

I still vote with Western (Westward Ho!) And I don't know if it's open for voting, but I'd rather go with the traditional Baneer... ~Tanny

Maybe Gnarly has to count the spoken votes then... It's a close count what we have, and if people are changing votes it can make a difference. Ghah... We haven't even started, and we're already talking about changing votes??? lol

Thanks Merelas I gladly accept. If we run the Western one, we can check our backstory by PM then pass it on to Gnarly.

Welcome, sis I liked the background... it seems fit, if Amanda was educated to take the farm ahead, that the other sisters would have less to do with it If you want, we can think of further background by PM That is, supposing we'll go to the West at all... (hope so!) We could be partnering also in the pirates... maybe as pair of thieves, who "worked" in the same gang? Maybe even siblings? (Heh... does anyone know if there were female crew in pirate's ships? I don't even know if Tan is a "he" or a "she"... )

Heh... well, an option also. I'll see how it develops, I think there are more people who were involved in last games that may sign up (Katz? Ozy? Nave? Solivagus? )

Well, if we go West I'm one of the settlers... let's see... Amanda Tanisson Grew up in a farm, oldest of 5 girls. Her mother made sure she could lead a household, and her father taught her everything about farms (hey, he didn't have a son after all !! ). Very determined young woman, decided to go West with her fiancé/young husband (don't know yet... anyone up to the role?) because of better opportunity. Maybe one or other of her sisters is coming along, or some other relative/friend? If we go with the Pirate's setting... Tan (just that). Young thief who became a pirate seeking adventure (and profit). And I will accept any suggestions about the role, no further clues at the moment... ~Tanny

Party? *her face lights up* Yeah, nice idea!!! *leaves and comes back soon afterwards with a big cake* Cake's here... I hope everybody likes chocolate!

Tanny enters the Recruiter's office in a run, happy to have found out that Jamz is finally applying. *hugs* Happy to see you here, Jamz I liked your alternate ending for the game, although your alien does seem terrible It would fit well in the setting, but of course everybody would have to stay dead... hehe... But let me make you company here, and maybe we can share good RP ideas? She sits besides Jamz, chatting about writing and RPing, enjoying the company of a terrific roleplayer while Wyvern is busy somewhere else.

A tanuki comes in, following the intriguing smell and curious about the themes for next Werewolf game. She waves her front paws and tail, jumping excitedly to call the dwarf's attention... er... hmm... well, jumping may not be such a good idea to call the attention of a stinky dwarf... I'm in, of course!!! I really like both themes, but I'll go with the Wild West one... good to remind me of my American story classes And I hope later you have chance to mod the Pirates' one! ~Tanny

OOC As I see it, you can RP another's character IF you don't go against their personality/mindset. The RP etiquette thread gives nice directions. And as Solivagus started this thread, I think he's the one to say more. If anyone wants/needs to take Laranta's ghost a bit ahead in posting, be sure that: (1) She's not evil (2) She's scared but she's very determined and strong-willed (3) She was the town's Seer and very respected (4) She won't hurt anyone/thing not evil; she's a gentle person (5) Her cat-shape seems to have been possessed after death; she will always fight the possession.