Carlotta raises her eyebrows when she sees the guns. "Seems like a lot for just hunting."
She tosses her stuff in back and climbs in.
"What kind of game is in season this time of year?"
"Hunting season is a pretty big deal around these parts," he says climbing into his own vehicle and starting the ignition. "Lots of visitors. We make most of our living in two or three months of tourists. Gives us plenty of time to pan for gold and online shopping."
"As for what's in season, we manage to live in a little bit of the state where Caribou is always open game. Lots of Caribou around, but we don't get many of them anymore, they keep to the mountains a lot and we ahve to drive a good bit north to get one. Still most of us keep pretty well stocked in the meat. But there's plenty of bear to be had, enough of them come into town that it is always best to be armed. Real problem with... bears."
One gets the feeling that he isn't really thinking about bears. But a smile later and he has changed the subject.
"So what brings you lot into town? We don't get a lot of visitors before the game season really opens"
The airport dwindles behind as the vehicle drives along the dark road towards the lights of town. Overhead, the stars shine clearer and brighter than any of the four have seen in a long time.
"Oh well, y'know, we've just been in Arizona and thought something cooler might be nice. We weren't too hot on the idea of hordes of tourists so we're...beating the rush."
"Hm. Haven't been hunting in years. Might just have to try and see if I can still hit the broad side of a barn while I'm here." John says, peering out the window as if trying to spot something in the darkness. You get the feeling HE isn't looking for bears, either.
"Yeah, Arizona wasn't THAT bad, but it still reminded me way too much of Iraq. The thought of snow as far as the eye can see was sorta appealing, ya know?" He adds as an afterthought.
"I only own a pistol anymore. I'm sure that the tourists probably bring their own rifles, but does anyone in town rent firearms to hunters? Ya know, In case I get the urge?" He asks.
Miss narrows her eyes at the choice of conversation and shoots the gun a whithering look. "Whats all this talk of bears?" she says, trying to change the subject.
"Most of us guides don't mind loaning guns to paying customers," says Emmet to John and then he answers Edith, "Welcome to the wilderness Ma'am. We got wolves and bears and a horde o' caribou."
John looks at the driver, half expecting him to add another name to the list. When he doesn't, John nods affirmatively, and goes back to looking out the window at the dark and snowy landscape,...
After a few minutes, the group can make out the shapes of buildings passing by. Emmet makes a left turn and then goes straight for another mile before making a right turn. In the darkness, there is no sense of space or distance and all the world feels like it is drifting by unseen.
Finally, the vehicle pulls up in front of a large log building.
"Here we are folks, we'll get some rooms for each of you and you can crash for the night."
"Much Obliged Mr. Emmett." John says as he gets out of the truck, stretching his legs. He looks around, taking in the brisk cold night air and the rustic lodge. He gives a small smile of approval, or possibly reminiscence.
"So what other excitement can a tourist find around here? Any local characters who are worth buying a drink for just to hear them tell stories? If no, then how about card games?"
Carlotta smiles and thanks Emmett for his help.
She watches Kenny "Eager to gamble away all of your hard earned money already?" She asks with a grin.
Carlotta smiles and thanks Emmett for his help.
She watches Kenny "Eager to gamble away all of your hard earned money already?" She asks with a grin.
"No, I want to amble away with other folk's hard earned money" Kenny says laughingly.
"No, I want to amble away with other folk's hard earned money" Kenny says laughingly.
"Haha, Well you won't be gettin' any of mine..." Miss says, turning out her pockets. "Cause I don't have much to spare." She winks at Kenny. "Unless of course I keep it somewhere else..."
"Come in, come in," says a woman from the front door. Slim, with dark hair tinged with gray, she is dressed in a pink flannel gown and slippers. She looks tired but genuinely happy to see you.
"I've got beds made. I was told four so I made four beds. Get your bags and I'll show you up. My names Eddy (long ee sound)."
She gathers brief introductions and then bundles you up some stairs and shows you to comfortable looking rooms that would do any bed and breakfast proud.
"No, I want to amble away with other folk's hard earned money" Kenny says laughingly."Haha, Well you won't be gettin' any of mine..." Miss says, turning out her pockets. "Cause I don't have much to spare." She winks at Kenny. "Unless of course I keep it somewhere else..."
John starts to add his own quip, but is drawn up short at the unexpected innuendo. Before he can recover, they are ushered inside. John nods with a small smile on his face.
"Mighty nice place you all have here. Thank you kindly." He says with a small heartfelt smile. He seems to be in a brief, blissful reminiscence. Or maybe he's just tired,...
Carlotta thanks both Emmett and the woman before proceeding inside. Noting John's expression: "What're you smiling bout John?
"Come in, come in," says a woman from the front door. Slim, with dark hair tinged with gray, she is dressed in a pink flannel gown and slippers. She looks tired but genuinely happy to see you.
"I've got beds made. I was told four so I made four beds. Get your bags and I'll show you up. My names Eddy (long ee sound)."
She gathers brief introductions and then bundles you up some stairs and shows you to comfortable looking rooms that would do any bed and breakfast proud.
"Why, thank you, ma'am. I am sure we don't want to keep you up any longer. You must be used to quiet nights up here."
"They can be quite," she says cheerfully, and then adds, "Course we get some rowdy evenings as well. But all in all its pretty quite around here."
If there is nothing else then Kenny prepares for bed. He reads a bit of the book that he took from Arizona before sleeping.
Carlotta thanks both Emmett and the woman before proceeding inside. Noting John's expression: "What're you smiling bout John?
"Huh? Oh, Nuthin. Jest thinkin'. Mainly how nice that warm bed is gonna feel in about 30 seconds!" He replies, winking at Carlotta.
Unless another bogeyman shows up, John is going to bed! He is still nervous about his recent vision however, and makes an uncharacteristically thorough security sweep of his room before pulling the drapes tight, and crawling under the covers, with his back to the window and his knife and gun under his pillow!
The four rooms are comfortable. The beds are soft. The sheets are clean and have that nice crisp feel that fresh sheets have. Sleep comes easy.
For everyone except John.
He keeps flashing back to that thing he saw on the wings of the plane. His last thought before he finally does fall asleep is of a young William Shatner but he can't think why before he is out.
Dawn arrives and as the group individually awakens, it seems as if there is some sort of commotion going on downstairs. Doors banging. Heavy walking. Quick voices.
The four rooms are comfortable. The beds are soft. The sheets are clean and have that nice crisp feel that fresh sheets have. Sleep comes easy.
For everyone except John.
He keeps flashing back to that thing he saw on the wings of the plane. His last thought before he finally does fall asleep is of a young William Shatner but he can't think why before he is out.
:)
Dawn arrives and as the group individually awakens, it seems as if there is some sort of commotion going on downstairs. Doors banging. Heavy walking. Quick voices.
John snaps up, his pistol already in his hand, but still blinking blearily as he peers around the room. He exhales the breath he hadn't even realized he was holding when he sees that the commotion is not in his room. He considers going back to sleep. Briefly.
"Aw,... nuts!" He growls, slowly climbing out from under the covers. "As long as it took me the first time, it'll be midnight before I get to sleep again!" He grumbles. He listens, and decides that the building probably not on fire, so doesn't panic. He falls back into his old military habits and performs a swift ablutions, and is dressed and peeking out of his hotel room door in less than five minutes. His knife and his pistol are tucked into his waistband under his jacket.
The rooms upstairs open onto a landing, with stairs heading up to a third floor and down to the ground floor.
Kenny pokes he head out the door to see if anyone braver than himself is venturing out.
John grins lopsidedly at Kenny as he peeks his head out of his door.
"'Mornin'." John says with a lopsided smile, obviously relieved to see Kenny's semi-familiar face.
"Sounds like someone kicked over a hornet's nest. I hope it's just them trying to get the kitchen ready for unexpected guests. Wanna go see if their just fixin' breakfast?" He asks, patting his belly hopefully.
The two men can hear a soft, urgent conversation somewhere near the front door. It sounds like two men, one of whom is there host. Its hard to hear exactly what is being said
"...sherriff...bound to happen...talk...shut up in that house..."
;P
Curiosity overcomes John, and he slowly moves out of his room and towards the stairs, hoping to be able to hear better,...
Miss hearing the noise, gets up and walks out of her room. Not bothering to dress. She is wearing a pale pink nightgown that is slightly to large for her and is threatening to fall off one shoulder. "'Waz goin' on?" She mumbles sleepily to John. Her curly hair sticking up spectacularly in all directions.
;P
Curiosity overcomes John, and he slowly moves out of his room and towards the stairs, hoping to be able to hear better,...
1d20+5
Kenny nods and follows along but stays far enough back to allow John to back up without being obstructed.
One of the floor boards creak as John moves closer. "Well let me know if you hear anything else."
It is their host speaking.
"We'll get something made and take it over there. Perhaps this will allow Jake to finally get a chance to talk some sense into his brother."
The door closes.
"Yall awake up there? We've got breakfast started."
John turns around to look a question at Kenny, but is momentarily distracted by the sight of Miss Edith in the hall behind him,...
After putting his eyes back in his head, (and managing not to grin TOO much while doing it!) HE turns back to the stairwell.
"Ah don't know about everyone else, but I am!" John calls down the stairs. "Breakfast sounds great. I never did get anything last night,... I could eat a whole cow! Or would that be a pig, being breakfast and all?" HE asks, turning to look a question mark at Kenny, (and steal a final glance at Edith), he then makes his way down the stairs.
Breakfast is eggs, biscuits and sausage gravy and its on the table in the large dining room waiting.
"Good morning," says their hostess cheerfully as she sees John descending the stairs in the other room. She seems to be busy bustling around, putting htings in order.
John smiles in delight as he sees what awaits him for breakfast, and settles in to prove himself a trencherman of the first order.
While not overly verbose or effusive in his praise, he does tell the hostess that she sets a fine breakfast. But the noises of enjoyment, the smiles he gives the hostess, and the fact he refills his plate twice, should speak volumes of his praise for the food.
Kenny sneaks a sureptitious peek at Ms. Edith and then follows John downstairs. He gratiously thanks his hostess for breakfast and makes polite, banal conversation.
"I had a great night's sleep last night. Are folks always up this early around here? I thought us Corn Huskers were notable as early risers."
Carlotta wakes up to the sound but does not go immediately, stumbling down just as John and the others are sitting down to breakfast. She takes a long look at Edith, before sitting down and smiling in gratitude at their hostess.
"So then, what are we up to today?" She asks the others.
"There was a bit of excitement in town this morning. Young man killed himself. You all help yourself. Its a small community where everyone knows everyone's business but still something of a shock. You want jelly with that? Terrible shame."
"That's a terribel shame. What kind of guy was he?"
John looks shocked for a moment, but covers it up with another huge mouthful of food. After chewing and swallowing hastily he shakes his head sadly.
"That is a shame. I'm sorry. Why would he do such a thing? I'm sorry, I don't mean to pry, just naturally nosy. Mom says it runs in the family."
Miss sits down at the table too. She makes a feeble attempt to pat down her hair. Then gives up. "Oh, I'm so sorry! That is truly terrible, did you know him all that well?" she asks, ignoring the breakfast. She notices the falling sleeve and pulls it back up onto her shoulder.
"Well, to tell you the truth, he was always a little strange. Course, you have to be to live all isolated up here. As the Cat said, 'We're all a little crazed.' Of course Alice thought she was the exception, but she really wasn't, I don't think. We all think we're as normal as can be, I suppose. But don't let it bother you. We're going to be taking his father some food."
John nods, stuffing another heaping spoonful of breakfast into his mouth.
"That's nice. That's what good neighbors do." He says.
"I guess we're all crazy. In our own little ways." He adds slowly, thoughtfully. He gives a small smile, as if at a private joke.
"Alright, I haveta ask. What was so different about this guy that made him stand out as 'different' in a group of admittedly crazy people?" He asks, still smiling. "Cuz' he sounds like he was my kinda people!"
"I don't like to speak ill of the dead," says their hostess, "but he and his family have some strange notions about religion, at least some a' them. His Uncle Jake is normal enough, in fact he's one of our preachers here in town. He and Father Kilmon."
Carlotta looks up at the woman. "I've always had a passing interst in different religions. What did they believe? Did they have a name for it?"
"Behold, his noodley appendages..." Miss mutters quietly
John looks surprised, and interested in spite of himself.
"Aw, I wuz raised Catholic, this town is actually large enough to warrant two priests? Or is Uncle Jake a Baptist minister? Sorry, But in Louisiana we're under a serious shortage, and we don't get two priests to a parish unless you have a large enough congregation to warrant it." John explains.
"But yeah, that aside, what did they believe?" He adds curiously, throwing Edith an odd look.
;P
"Jake's unitarian. Father Kilmon's the only priest. But he ain't Roman. He has a real purty wife and two very handsome kids. About half the town's catholic of one sort or another - Father Kilmon takes care of us all. Half is Protestant and the other half don't really care. Just go wherever the wind takes us on a Sunday. I expect Jake'll be doing his nephew's funeral. But as to what they believed, well I don't rightly know - worshipped the snow or something like that."
Her conversation is interrupted by her husband's entrance intot he room.
"You want some food hon?" she asks.