When they were a good bit away from the now abandoned and destroyed train car, they dismounted their horses, and began to set up camp for the night. "I'll count the money, seeing how I'm better with numbers than either of you two." Patrick said with a smirk, and he received a backhand to the back of the head, chuckling as he got a response to his minor insult. Brian leaned down close, also smiling "Yeah, and I'll whoop yer arse any day of the week, boyo! I'll go rustle up some food, saw some rabbits back the way we came." He said, pulling a pouch of tobacco from his pocket. He bit off a huge chunk from the plug before drawing his pistol. Ruarc watched the stout middle brother leave, before walking back to his horse, pulling the tents from a pack. He set up the tents inbetween bushes, so sneaking around the tent at night would be hard. Pistol reports could be heard, and Brian came back with three rabbits. "Hey look, it's our cousins in New York!" he said, chuckling at his lame Dead Rabbits joke, and Ruarc rolled his eyes, pulling his knife to skin said rabbits.

By the time the rabbits were done cooking, Patrick was done counting. He sat, staring at the neat piles of money before him, a look of awe and sheer excitement on his face. "How much?" Ruarc asked, pulling a leg off his rabbit, he waited to hear his little brother's response before eating. Patrick let out a single "HAH!" Before wiping his mouth in disbelief. He waved a hand in the direction of the money before crossing his arms, and mumbled something. Brian once again smacked him on the back of the head "Speak up, ya gobshite!" Knocking his hat off, but Patrick didn't care, he spoke right up.

"Three-hundred, seventy-five THOUUUUSSSSAND DOOOLLLLAARS. $375,000! We're filthy fookin' rich!" He stood up and laughed, and the other brothers looked to each other in shock, before letting out hoots and hugging each other. A bottle of whiskey was cracked open, and they drank to everything under the sun and moon.

The next day, Ruarc awoke to the sound of a horse scrambling frantically away. He quickly crawled out from under his tent, and watched as a man quickly retreated towards somewhere. He looked around, and his face first went pale, then flooded red with anger. That man just stole their money. He calmly walked over to his horse, and reached for a long holster on the side. He pulled out a long-barreled, falling block Sharp's rifle, chambered in a very brutal, very angry .50-90 caliber, made for killing buffalo at long distances.

He pulled on the trigger guard, opening the breach, Brian hearing the gun being opened. He scrambled out from under his tent, shotgun at the ready. "Whatwho....what...what's going on?" He asked, confused. Ruarc walked up a rock and pointed with the barrel of the gun in the direction of the fleeing man. [I]"That dead sack of shit stole our money."[/i] He said, flipping up the long range rail sight. He moved it up a couple clicks, to the 500 yard range, and went prone. He lined up the shot, when Patrick bent down. "You're going to let him think he got away before you kill him, aren't you?" And Ruarc nodded.

Moments later, the man whipped off his hat and waved it around in excitement, thinking he just got away clean, and Ruarc smiled. The Sharps rifle boomed like God himself had thrown a lightning bolt at the man. Another moment later, and the man's chest exploded upwards. You see, Ruarc's cruelty knew no bounds to those that got on his bad side, and the man was hit with a bullet that had an X cut on the top of all his bullets, which caused the bullet to expand much more than usual, and act in an unpredictable fashion. The man was hit low, but the bullet went upward instead of straight through. Although it was a quick death, and the man most likely didn't feel it, it was gruesome and gory, Ruarc's favorite.

The man flew off his mount and to the ground below without so much as a kick or a twitch. Ruarc looked to Brian. "You get the money. YOU were supposed to be on watch." He said coldly, And Brian's face paled. He knew to not argue with his brother when he was like this, and quickly climbed on his horse and rode to get the money. Ruarc shook his head. "We need to be more careful, can't go losing all our money within the first days of having it."

OoC// Still waiting on and newcomer -viola !

OOC: Thank you for letting me join! I've had my eyes on this one for a little while. :) I have my character skellys in the spoiler below so it doesn't take up a lot of room. I'm going to try to RP two this time around since I'm really back into doing this. :) I'll introduce my characters once the train arrives to town! Once again, thank you so much for letting me join you guys.

[spoiler=Annabel and Joseph Simmons]Name: Annabel (Anna/Annie) Simmons

Age: 18

Appearance: Annabel stands at 4’11 with curly and long black hair that either pinned up in her sun hat or pulled into a half-up style. She has freckles on her pale, rosy cheeks. Her blue eyes sparkles and her button nose scrunches up as her plump lips form a smile that can be as bright as the sun (or so she was told by several gents). Her face is round and has a dimple on her right cheek. She often wears dresses (which makes her curves more noticeable) that ranges from formal to simple ones. She owns several sun hats, bonnets, ribbons, and a parasol.

Personality: Annabel is reserved yet always welcoming a new face to the town. She has a very warm personality that makes people like her a tad bit more. She looks out for the citizens the town from young to old, meaning she gets easily attached to everyone. She has always been a great listener since she doesn’t interrupt very often. She knows her place as a lady, but she will over-step her boundaries if she feels like someone will get hurt. When she is with people she knows well, she loosens up and smiles a lot. She is a happy person and can come across as slightly flirtatious to the men in town around her age.

History: Growing up in the town, she has gotten to know everyone. Her family owns a bar that her and her brother Joseph helps out at the best they could. Eventually, Joseph learned the piano and she started to sing with him on certain nights of the week. When the twins were 10, they were playing with the town kids in the trees. Nearby, some horses were grazing and something scared them, causing them to bolt. This scared the kids, causing a couple of them to lose their balance and fall out of the tree. Annabel was one of them and she broke her left arm. There were several broken bones among the kids her fell. Luckily, her arm healed but she still tends to favor it since she can occasionally feel pain in it. Since then, she and Joseph grew distant, something that always baffled the young girl.

Other: Joseph is her twin brother. She had started voice lessons when she was 9 and received them until she was 17.

Name: Joseph Simmons

Age: 18
Appearance: Joseph stands at 6’0 (a full foot taller than his sister) and has short black hair that has a slight wave to it if he lets it grow out too much. His eyes matches that of milk chocolate and melts into the slight tan of his skin. His jaw bone is strong, firm, and often clenched. His lips forms a tight frown most of the time. His sister often teased him about him getting worry lines on his forehead with him furrowing his brows so often. The only time his face is relaxed is when he’s playing the piano and he actually smiles when Annabel joins him with her voice. His shoulders are broad and the muscles on his arms can be seen since he helps out in the barns and such in his free time. He can be seen wearing clothes that made him look quite mature looking and his working clothes.

Personality: Joseph is protective of his sister, even if they don’t talk as much as they used to, mainly because of her carefree and flirtatious attitude. He can come off as cold and distant, the complete opposite of Annabel. He assesses a situation before approaching. Even though he is guarded and watchful of everything, he does loosen up some with a few of his close friends.

History: When he was younger, he used to be carefree and would often be seen running around town with the boys his age laughing. On occasion, the girls would join them and the fun just grew. The incident that happened when he was 10 made him lock his feelings up. He blamed himself for what happened to Annabel since he couldn’t do anything to catch her. At the time, distancing himself from her, the best idea for the time being. Years later, he regrets his choice but feels like it is too late to change their relationship even though his sister always tries to make it better.

Other: Annabel is his twin sister. He started piano lessons at the same time as his sister but stopped at the age 15 since he was helping out more around town.[/spoiler]

Des was pleased to see the three short glasses placed in front of him, each with three fingers of a nameless whiskey in them. He took up his glass and threw back the contents as if it was a shot. He grimaced slightly, but it was a good grimace as he let out a satisfied sigh and set the glass down.

"Not at all, miss. S'long as you describe me as handsome 'n charming, that is." He joked with a smirk.

He looked to the young man. He looked sturdy enough. He was clearly a few years younger than Des, but seemed to have his wits about him. That shot was one of passion and excitement by the look of the man's disappointment, however. Such an opportunity should have been grasped with calm and care. This observation, simple as it may have been, lead Des to sense youthful desperation. This could be useful, should the need arise.

"The name is Desmond Lloyd," he introduced himself, "y'all can call me Des 'till ya cross me." He tilted his head forward with a politely serious air, "which I do not recommend."

He relaxed in his seat and awaited response.

[-viola]

OoC// We are now jumping ahead a week!

The brothers stood on a hilltop over looking Hargrave and it's surrounding settlement, grinning ear to ear. Ruarc turned to his brothers, formulating plans already. "I think, before we start looking for houses and the respective businesses we will all buy out, a drink is in order. We shall talk about business, get a feel for the town before we do anything. Let's go." They all mounted their horses, and rode down off the hill.

They had all altered their appearances . Brian let his beard grow fully, and Ruarc cut off his long hair, leaving some length on top, and Patrick grew a soul patch, the little facial hair he could grow. As they neared the town, they spoke "We need to come up with new names, to match our new lives. I like O'Connell as a surname, like that pretty lass back at the Five Points. I'll be Benjamin O'Connell." He ducked as an apple-core came flying towards his head, thrown by Brian, who laughed at the reasoning behind the last name. "O'Connell? The cross-eyed bar wench? The rest of her looked alright, I couldn't tell to whom she spoke to half the time! But fine. I'll be Craig O'Connell. I think that is a fine name for a pub owner!" He spat out the plug of tobacco he had been chewing on, and Ruarc nodded. "William O'Connell for me, then. The Gunsmith." He mused over how it sounded for a second, then cracked a small smile "I can get used to that. Will for short."

They looked around the town center as they rode through, noting the bustling life around them. Aside from New York and Baton Rouge, this was the biggest town they had been through in a long time, and it fit them perfectly. Their horses panicked slightly as a model T bounced down the road beside them, not used to the machinery or its sounds. Ruarc nodded towards the train station down the street, where a train, headed in the direction they just came from, sat ready to leave, puffing small orbs of smoke from the stack. "Maybe we should have done some better planning on what train we robbed. Number 806. That's the one we were on." He said, shaking his head slightly at their potential foul-up. The other two brothers cast a glance over towards the station, then looked away. 

They continued on for a minute, before turning down a side road towards a saloon. Brian stopped and looked up, smelling the air. [B]"Mmmmmmm, this is the place to be! Maybe I'll own this one, Call it 'The Debauchery den!' Let's drink and eat here!"[/b] The all hopped out of their saddles, and tied the horses to the post, before proceeding in.

Inside the place was alive for 11:00 in the morning. The piano player was lively playing, and people were laughing loudly. The brothers posted up near the bar, each one scanning the crowd. Patrick mumbled as the shots were delivered "There's a lot of Injuns in here, and they all have red bandanas tied somewhere on their bodies. Think it's a gang?" He said lowly, grabbing the shot and downing it. Brian nodded slightly. "It's expected out here. This IS the west, there's outlaws all over. Hopefully we won't have to resort back to our old ways." Ruarc just stood silent. His hand already ached for the draw, but he made a promise to (try and not) kill anymore. They would see how that went for them. 

[-viola] [I will wait for the others, since my post asked for reply.]

A young fellow sat in the corner of the bar, clutching a drink and looking lost in nervous thought. He was shorter than most the men in the room, enough so that it was apparent even while he was sitting. His golden-brown hair was dirty and reached jaggedly past his chin, like someone had cut it with a knife. It framed a fair, delicate face just as thick, dark eyelashes framed green eyes, which expressed the majority of his nervousness staring down at his drink. A mud smear streaked across his cheek, down past his rather full lips. He wore the outfit of a rancher, although he didn't seem to be as fit as most ranchers, clothing pooching slightly from a padded body shape from chest to belly. "If I run, I'll lose all my cattle," he was murmuring, "But there's no way to sneak that many head out...damn. I should have just stayed in Salt Lake with all those damn Mormons. There's no way their damn Mormon bible could be as bad as this."

Shortly after their arrival, Alice came striding into the bar, heeled boots heavy on the wooden floor. She had her rucksack slung over her shoulder; her hair was pulled back, and her hands looked like she'd been handling animals all morning. "Mornin', fella," she greeted the barkeep. Quickly, she swept the room with her eyes, searching out a place to sit. "Usual pint... ehh, and add that bigass breakfast, too. Been a rough mornin' already." She flashed a smile and plopped herself at a table near the three gentleman; it didn't even cross her mind that they might be the bandits she'd seen just a week ago.

Once more she fished a book out of her rucksack, but it wasn't one for reading or for doodling in. Rather, it was what seemed to be a detailed list of names coupled with abbreviations and a few numbers here and there. Her breakfast was brought out to her before long - it was definitely more food than a woman of her size should've been able to eat. Eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, fruit, the works, and based on the timing the cook had been expecting her. She hunkered down, shoveling food into her mouth with one hand as she carefully wrote in the book with the other.

((Woo, finally forward momentum!))

ooc/ I will jump in later, going camping this week, glad the rp has started though!

OOC: Is it safe to assume it's the same saloon Rousjester? If not, I can edit my post. :) I'm really looking forward to see where this will go.

BIC:

Annabel stepped into the saloon after her morning stroll and removed her sun hat. She allowed her hair to fall curly black hair as she scanned the room with slight nod. She walked towards the small piano in the back of the saloon. Her twin brother, Joseph, glanced up at her and nodded at her. "Mornin' Joseph!" she greeted with a smile across her pale face. "Anything happen since I left for my walk?" "Not a whole lot. Seems that Alice returned from her trip." he replied taking a quick glance around the room. The girl nodded quietly and fixed her forest green dress briefly before setting her hat on the piano. "I'm going to leave this here for the time being. I trust you won't damage it." Joseph hummed at her as he paid more attention to the music he was producing. "Don't forget to a take a break too! Enjoy yourself sometimes," she said over her shoulder as she walked towards the bar. She waved at Alice when she reached the bar, even though she wasn't sure the girl saw her. She sat down at the bar to scan the crowd, seeing the normal group of people before her eyes fell on the young gent who came the week before who seems to be talking quietly to himself and the three new men who came in moments before her.

OOC: I'll try to include Joseph more in the next post too. :)

Sigh

OoC// Was waiting for to get back and post before I pushed the plot further

[i know, I'm just being impatient lol. Can't wait for it to start up again!]

ooc/ Sorry, didn't realize I was holding up the line.

bic/ Nora walked into the saloon, her body eager for a rest from the saddle and a drink to clear away the travel dust. Her horse was tied to the hitching post outside, it probably wouldn't move if a stampede came running at it, the poor horse was so tired. The nearly flat chested woman wore men's clothes including boots, gun belt, and a hat. Her red hair was cut close to her head and kept neat. The woman preferred this to the skirts that the other women were wearing. They wouldn't judge her and coddle her like other women. She wanted to be judged on her work and strength before she was judged by her skirts.

"Sarsaparilla." she croaked, nodding to the bar tender, as she straddle a bar stool. Beer or any other alcohol wouldn't be a good idea, she'd made enemies in the past and she'd rather be sober and sore than drunk and knocked out. Surveying the saloon she relaxed a little. None of the others in this place looked familiar, she was pretty sure that was a good thing. Nora also did her best to not be noticed, she didn't feel like getting into trouble this early in the day.

[U]"This place doesn't seem too bad, we need to look around oh HELLO."[/U] Patrick muttered under his breath to his brothers as the young girl walked in. He looked at his brothers and wiggled his eyebrows, before turning towards her, his smile on full display."HI there, my brothers and I are new to town, where's the property office? I'm Benjamin O'Connell. Ben for short." He said, extending a hand to shake.

The other two just scoffed and rolled their eyes, as Brian turned to Ruarc. [B]I wonder how much the owner will sell for, HEY, BARTENDER! Where'she the owner of this place? I wish to speak to him about business matters. I'd like to buy this place!"[/b]

Ruarc tossed his hands in the air, took a shot, and hopped off his stool."I'm going to look around, see about myself a business as well. See you fools in a few."

-viola

OOC: I will be replying either this weekend or Monday at the latest. We're having wifi issues (just not connecting at all) at my place and I'm currently on my phone typing this up. Sorry about this.

Cameron's hands shook over his drink. There was nothing to do for it but to hire mercenaries...but he didn't have the money for that. That was kind of the point. And then some idiots started yelling about "business" and "buying things". They were new. They said that. Maybe if Cameron just let them go, his problems would re-focus on these newbies...but no. There was no end to their greed. Cameron ground his teeth and rose, abandoning his drink, to pursue after Ruarc.

"Hey," he said in a low voice, touching the man's elbow to get his attention, "are your brothers lookin' t' get robbed? Because there's more gangs in this place 'n a thief's hideout. Talkin' big about buyin' businesses is sure t' get you robbed, 'specially if you actually have th'money fer that sorta thing. You jus' got here, so...maybe roll on t' th'next town 'n start again 'fer you actually get hurt. Take it from me - this ain't no place fer a business."

[im going to go ahead. It seems I won't be getting a reply soon. If they decide to reply, we'll write in the details. For now, Des eventually took a nap and entered the town.]

The sun was too bright in Des's eyes. He squinted and raised the hand that wasn't carrying his coat over his shoulder to block the light. He would need a hat if he was going to be in this place. He strode through town and across a street just as a nicely dressed young lady stepped into a tavern of sorts. Intrigued as to what such a woman was doing there, he decided to investigate.

He managed to get inside relatively unnoticed. He saw the girl from before, but not the Chinese man. There were select others of note, but mostly a normal crowd. Most noteworthy were three men, hooting and hollering about buying things. They looked awfully familiar. He cracked a smirk as he tapped the bar with two fingers, announcing his presence and placing an order at the same time, "Whisy, if you please." He said without looking away from them. He could've sworn his gun had fidgeted in anticipation. Not yet, it was too hot and too bright.

After a moment's consideration, he turned to the beautiful young lady, "Hello, miss, any place a business man could find a room to stay in for a week or two?" He asked.

[-viola]

Ruarc eyed the signs as he walked, taking in the amount of people that were actually in the town. He was sure that a gunsmith would rake in good money here, given the population, question now was if he should buy the shop from someone outright, or have one built?

He recoiled slightly as someone touched his arm, he turned and eyed the man cool as he spoke, warning him of the tough folks in town. He smiled slightly.

[I]"I feel sorry for the son-of-a-whore who tries to rob us, mate. But, do tell me more about these gangs."[/i] He extended a hand to shake. [I]"William O'Connell. Gunsmith."[/i]

Back at the saloon, the owner appeared, putting his hands on the bar. "What'she this I hear about someone wantin' ta buy my saloon? Better have some ridiculous amount of money for-"

He was cut off by Brian setting down a stack of bills. [B]"How does 15 thousand dollars grab ya? Cash."[/b] He said with a grin, his teeth barely shinning through his thick beard. The man looked at it, looked at Brian, looked around, and snagged up the stack of money. "Congratulations! Have fun with this place! Let me clear out the office in the back of my things."

Brian laughed, and turned to the crowd of people in the saloon. [B]"Attention everyone! This place is now under new management! I am Craig O'Connell, and this is now the 'Debauchery den'! First round for everyone is on the house!"[/b]

Everyone let out a whoop as they began to crowd the bar for their free shots of whiskey. Brian reached over the counter and pulled a glass, pouring the whiskey for the big man next to him. He recognized him from the train, but he hoped he looked different enough to not be noticed.

[B]"Yer whiskey, sir!"[/b]

Alice muscled her way through the crowd of people to snag her shot; absorbed as she'd been in her writing (and food) she hadn't noticed the man from the train, but even now chose not to say anything to him. Suddenly, she wasn't particularly eager to stay in the newly-renamed tavern. She kept a smile on nonetheless. "Congrats, fellas," she said with a smile, "Though I dunno why you'd bother with buyin' this place if you've got that kinda money. In any case, cheers!"

She tossed back her shot, sighed, and then headed back to her table to start collecting her things (and finish up her meal of course). After a moment or two she glanced back up at the new owners, curious where they got that kind of money. They didn't really look like business men, if she was honest... Oh well. She finished collecting her items and flipped a note onto the table to cover her food.

After another moment, she shook her head and made her way back to the bar to get a double shot for the road. After all, she lived a little ways out of town, and horses didn't make such good conversation partners. Usually she just read her book and let her horse walk himself home; he knew the way from just about everywhere in town.

Brian laughed at the statement the woman made, pouring more whiskey as more folks piled in, the news of the free shot already bringing more business in.

[B]"Hard work and lots of investing is how I got this money."[/b] He lied as he handed out the liquor "I bought it because I've always wanted to own a pub of my own, and I need somethin' ta do. Or I'll get bored!"

Patrick nodded, bored indeed. He was soon to start school to become a lawyer, his dream as well. Although interning at the firm in town would be his first step, his money would help him through.

Patrick handed the double shot she ordered next. [U]"Be careful out there, lass! No drunk riding!"[/u]

As he spoke, a group of men lead by a stout, balding man entered. All with gleaming stars on their chests.

"Well well, it'seems true! This place HAS BEEN bought out." The sheriff said, leaning against the bar as his deputies dispersed, taking up a few tables. "I'm Daniel Bohannon, the sheriff of this town. I don't recognize you two, so welcome! Who might you be?" He asked Brian, as Brian poured them shots as well.

[B]"I'mean Craig O'Connell, and that is my brother Benjamin O'Connell. Currently missing is the eldest of us, William, who is out exploring, probably looking for the housing office to get us some land."[/b] He extended a hand to shake, and the sheriff just stared at it for a second, before turning his blue eyes to Brian, a sly smile on his bold face.

"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. O'Connell. Safe to assume you won't be bringing trouble our way? I know how you Irishman like your alcohol."

Brian's smile began to fade. [B]"No, we will not be any problem, as long as problems aren't made..."[/b]

The sheriff eyeballed him, and grabbed the shot, downing it. "Good! I'll be seeing you around. There are things to discuss as a new citizen of Hargrave!"