[center][img] http://fontmeme.com/permalink/170611/08806e81a0203e453a2c58f159fc074c.png
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[center][u]Location:[/u][/center][center][b]2Fort- Waiting Room [RED building][/b][/center]
[center][u]Mentions:[/u][/center][center][@Megsychan] [@Eventua]  [@DracoLunaris] [@FrozenEcstasy] [@Crosswire] [/center]

As John started to make his way topside, he noticed the rest of the party had opted to travel together as well. It seemed like everyone had their own ideas on how this group was going to play out, evidenced no more strongly than by Kerrigan, who introduced her psionic ability to everyone under a trust whose betrayal was punishable by evisceration. Yet in spite of this threat disguised as an olive branch, John could at least understand the sentiment and motivation. 

[color=a0410d]"You sure got a peculiar way of showing trust" [/color]

He appreciated that there seemed to be some semblance of cohesiveness among the group. John learned a lot about people by talking and riding with them; this was as good a start as any.

His moment of peace was immediately pierced by an enthusiastic "¡Hola camaradas!" Oh lord. John turned towards the portly dictator, beholding a man that brought to mind the best and the worst (but mostly the latter) of the Mexican leaders and rebels that made names for themselves in the revolution of Nuevo Paraiso. One glance between him and Handsome Jack, and the cowboy was  aware of just what kind of trouble was rearing, and simultaneously resigned to just letting it play itself out. 

[color=a0410d]“Well, it’s good to have you so excited to be a part of this, but it seems we’re just about to roll out. So shall we head up, amigo?”
[/color]

The entrance of another man, refreshingly regular in appearance, caught John’s eye. The man seemed capable enough, and the pistol sitting in his holster suggested that he and John had similar approaches to solving problems. John was surprised to find Mr. Payne a lawman, as his slightly sunken expression and unkempt hair was something John had seen more often in drunks than marshalls. 

John was growing more and more disconcerted as the group discussed their backgrounds. He felt pity for Cedar’s undeserved and untimely end, as well as confusion at the mismatching timelines shared by Ms. Shen, Mr. Payne, and Quiet. 

[color=a0410d]“The last year I found myself in was 1911. I was at my farm in Beecher’s Hope in New Austin, just north of the Mexican border.”
[/color]

John paused, dredging his unpleasant ending before the Event. 

[color=a0410d]“ I had died, too. I watched my family ride away before I was gunned down by the Army. And one federal bastard.”
[/color]

John clenched his fists and his body tensed at the memory, but he made an effort to compose himself in the presence of his newfound accomplices. 

[color=a0410d]"Maybe you can make more sense of this than I can, Ms. Shen, but right now, all I can do is focus on trying to help our settlement here survive and finding my family."[/color]

[hr]

John assessed his pickings from the disused waiting room. John gladly put the styptic  and shotgun shells into his satchel bag. The styptic would certainly come in handy if hunting goes south, and the shotgun shells were a familiar, welcome addition, though the lack of a shotgun itself was lamentable. 

However, John was at a loss with the gift box of caramels. He certainly wasn’t one for sweets.

[color=a0410d]“Maybe I’ll save these for Abigail.”
[/color]

As he was about to leave, John took notice of the assorted items that found their way into the possessions of the others, but none caught his eye like the oversized and overdecorated revolver that found itself in the hands of the underwhelming girl. The piece, ridiculous in its proportions as it was, would definitely help John feel more prepared.

He approached Cedar.

[color=a0410d]“You know how to use that thing, Cedar? I reckon you should probably let me handle that thing before you hurt yourself.”
[/color]

John knew he was in the right here. He was the better gunslinger and was confident he could use the revolver better. In all likelihood, she would probably even hurt herself if she tried to use that thing without any experience. Yet somehow, he felt a slight twinge of guilt at essentially shaking down this girl for what might be the most valuable thing she had. He thought about the caramels.

[color=a0410d]“Hm. Would you be willing to make a trade?”
[/color]

He shook the idea of saving the gift box for Abigail from his mind. Right now, John needed that gun, and unlike the hundreds of smarmy, rich city-types, it didn’t sit right to take it by force from Cedar. At the very least, she needed something to brighten her life a little after her death. Plus, Abigail couldn’t afford the extra weight, pray she didn’t hear that.

[hr]

With his business done around 2Fort, John headed to the bridge by the pond and waited for the rest of the exploration group to appear to head out. John had thrown out the idea of heading north, and based on Quiet, Cedar, and the Batter, they seemed fine heading that direction, or at least weren't against it. The decision of the rest of the party remained, however, and maybe a better direction could come up. John leaned against the pole on the bridge. In the chaos, he had nearly forgotten about cigarettes until he reached for one that wasn't there.