DM

Vito nods at The Portly Goblin as he hands him his money. Vito looks up over at the Conductor, "Greg is it? How much farther till we get to Jamestown?"

After Greg answers Vito turns to Eugene and Heck and says, "I guess we better get settled in like the gentlemen suggested. But first," Vito turns to Greg the Conductor again, "not to tell you how to do your job, but we should let the other passengers know what's what and maybe get some of those Goblin ready to pull security duty." Vito reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out an unlit cigar. He bites down on the butt end and spits it out. Taking a match from one of his vest pockets, he strikes it, and lights his cigar, a blue plume of smoke billowing from the tip of his cigar. He starts to walk back to their Caboose, but stops, turns, and squinting through the smoke he asks Greg the Conductor, "how often you boys have to deal with Blue Dragons?"

"About 25 Miles," Greg replies pointing at the Whiterock Mountain, "We needed around 15 more Miles to pass Whiterock, and then it was 10 Miles past that point." He waits for Vito's reply before speaking again, "To be fair, I think the large majority of the passengers either saw the Dragon, asked about what happened to the Hostesses, or Gossiped about it. They probably already know, but yeah, legally I'll be required to inform them before we take off again." He turns to the Portly Goblin as Vito begins to walk away, "Pierce, I hope your men can hit the broadside of barn next time." "Greg," Pierce replies, "I hope you avoid raiding the petty cash fund for strippers next time." The Conductor's mouth drops open and it seems he's about to start yelling again when Vito's question comes out. All three turn to Vito. "Never," replies Greg. "Never," agrees the Dwarf. "This is the first time out of the entire time the Transcontinental Railroad's been active, that a Dragon's been seen," Pierce clarifies, "much less attacked."

Heck

Vito nods at Greg's first answer, following along as Greg points at the Whiterock Mountain.

When Vito hears their answer concerning the Blue Dragon his ears prick up. He take another drag from his cigar and eyes all three of them as he tries to distinguish between their truths and lies.

Insight: 15

"Well now this is a head scratcher," Dobbs says, tugging on the ends of his mustache. "Far before either o' y'all's time but my Grandpappy saw a few dragons back in his day, back when they were still around. Even met one once," the preacher gives a chuckle, the skin around the corners of his eyes crinkling. "Said he did anyhow, course that old magnificent whoreson'd lie like a mountain dwarf carpet. It was a brass dragon too, come ter think of it," he finishes thoughtfully. "Fellers there's a lot ter mull over righ' now and y'all are the only two worth their salt I've come across in a fair while. Falk, what d'yeh say ter sharing one o' yer cigars with an old man while we talk?"

Vito

DM

 Heck thumbs through his cash and whistles through his teeth. Alright, alright. Hey Greg, you got any supplies for purchase on board? I just came into some money and wouldn't mind a bit of tobacco and some good hooch.

Heck looks at Vito and Dobbs. Slick, Preach, looks like we just pulled security detail in this here outfit. Not a bad way to pass the time till we get to Jamestown and have that drink. Between us three and the tumbleweeds, we may be able to renegotiate the terms when we get to town, get a little more money outta that tightass if we gotta take care of any other problems.

Vito nods at Greg, the Potbelly Goblin and the dwarf and then turns around, a streak of cigar smoke following. He walks over to Heck and Eugene and looks at both men. Out of earshot from everyone but Heck and Eugene, Vito says "they're tellin' the truth about that blue dragon. Funny thing, Remi and Harold brought up a blue dragon from before. I used to work with the tribes back east and they used the same word for dragon, haval." Vito steps onto the caboose's first step and turns to both Heck and Eugene, the smoke from the cigar hovering at his face. "And since we just shared the spilling of blood I should be honest with both you gents. The name is Vito. Falk was a friend of mine."

It's a pleasure to really meet ya, Vito. Like I said, my names Heck, but most people call me... Heck.

"Yeh say funny thing, and that it is, but I overhead that bloke Remi mentioning dragon sightings. I 'ssumed it was jus' typical corfy* theatrics but obviously not." He peers sagely at Vito. "Friend, I appreciate the honesty, delayed and withheld as it was, but yer kiddin' yerself if yeh think fer one minute yeh had me hoodwinked like the rest. Yeh might be a silver-tongued city slicker, but it takes more'n that ter trick a wise old fool." Dobbs shoots any icy dagger of a glare at Greg's bag. "Typical gummer, gits his skin saved and assumes hisself deserving o' the salvation. Always askin' fer divine favor, ne'er askin' the divine what favor they can what provide, lo just another los' soul in the valley of shadows," he finishes in a mutter. "Fellers I could use that drink..."

*((slang for Corfauxis))

"By the by, not in an eon o' Hell would I insist being called "preacher," not anymore and 'specially not by folk such as yerself, but it's been maybe longer'n y'all been on this land what people called me Eugene," Dobbs says with a tip of his hat.

If you don't much care for Preacher, how about Father? Padre? Nah, you remind me of my Uncle Ulis, yeah, I'd say Unc suits you... Ahh I'm just hackin on yah, Eugene. Heck pats Eugene on the shoulder good naturedly Why don't we go get that drink? I'm buyin.

"Oh I used to be called by Preacher, I jus' wouldn't demand it of yeh. I go by Dobbs s'what I'm tryna say, my Pappy called me Eugene."

((To Vito: Havala, and it doesn't mean "Dragon", it means "Guardian Spirit", this distinction may become important in the future, though if it's easier for you to go with Haval, I won't mind))

Replying to Heck, Greg points to the Dwarf, "You'll have to talk to Coan about concessions, though I don't think we carry smokes." Coan nods and smiles, "No smokes, but I got drinks if ye want them. What are ye thinking of? Scotch, Bourbon, Whiskey?"

Heck

Vito smiles at Eugene. "I had an uncle named Eugene myself. We used to call him Geno for short, so no offense if I do the same to ya. Think of it as a term of endearment. And I'll also remember that this city boy can't a quick one over this man o' god," Vito says with a laugh snd slaps Eugene on the back. He turns to Heck, "And Heck, I think you're right about that drink and I can help out with those smokes if ya don't mind a cigar." He then takes a cigar out from inside his jacket pocket and offers it to Heck.

((from my count Vito has smoked two cigars and is giving one to Heck, so he should have 6 left. I imagine these are medium size and Vito tends to savor one, letting it go out and relighting it throughout the day))

((also, thanks for the heads up about havala!))

((I was just about to ask about the number you smoked, wasn't sure if it was 2 or 3. A box of Cigars has 6 in it, I considered them to be fine, but not high grade Cigars. I don't smoke so I'm afraid I don't know much about the topic to get into specifics. You started with 1 box, by giving one to Heck you now have 3 Cigars remaining))

((cool sounds good))

Dobbs scowls slightly at Vito's use of such familiar language but makes no comment. Following Heck and Vito to the outpost not far from the train, Eugene pulls a steel flask from his pocket, draining what little liquor he has left before passing the remainder to his companions. "Ter wet yer tongues," he says with a wink. "I reckon we have a mighty lot ter talk about while we rest. By my Holy fire I've not been this shaken in years, lo may we walk our way out of the valley of darkness." He peers around the outpost, inspecting what it has to offer, keeping an eye out for a saloon or something similar.

"So what brings y'all out west in the first place?" the leather-coated preacher asks his two new companions. "We chatted on the train what briefly, but I've a feelin' y'all might be a little more forthcoming about yer pasts now that we've shared the tribulation of righteous battle."