Sister Abigail is ready to BITCH. Sister Hannah says "howdy!" Brand says "Okay, so our splitting up plan of last time needs some modification, as Sister Clem got all sick on the trip and is upstairs puking her brains out." Sister Hannah says "Poor Clem!" Sister Hannah says "the lemonade must have disagreed with the sandwich she had earlier" Sister Abigail says "Can we say she's sleeping after having been sick? 'Cause otherwise one or more of us might want to stay with her and that's non-ideal." Sister Chase thinks it was Sister Hannah's cooking. Sister Hannah says "hey!" Sister Abigail KNOWS it was Sister Chase's cooking. Or what passes for her cooking, anyhow ... Sister Chase says, "So are we all going together or break up?" Sister Abigail says, "Let's just stick together" Sister Chase says, "K" Brand says, "Okay, so where to? Brother Snow? Sister Snow? The Brooksbridges?" Sister Abigail says, "Why don't we stop off for the blessing on our way to Brother Snow's?" Sister Hannah says, "sounds good" Sister Abigail says, "Before we go, Abigail will make sure that Clem is resting easily, with a pitcher of cool water and a crisp, clean extra pillow near to hand. Then I'm ready." Just on the near side of one of the town's many little covered bridges, all sturdily built in the old New England style, stands the home of the Brooksbridges. It's a small house, just on the banks of the green Pierce River, with a line of laundry out front that looks like its been sitting out a few days to many. The clothes have gone past dry to stiff, and past stiff to bird dungy. Out back you can see a little dock with a fishing boat tied too, the ropes looking so dried and corded that you know its been at least a month since the boat's been out. Sister Chase has been pretty quiet and mulling on her thoughts the whole way here, catching a glimpse of Abby now and again. She's pouring over the argument she had with Abby back at the Steward's house, chewing on strawgrass, and wondering if maybe Clem got sick because of all the tension. She walks with an easy, loose-kneed gait, low hips and a comfortable cant to her shoulders. By the time they get to the Brooksbridges, she's almost surprised to find herself having got anywhere. Sister Abigail looks at the laundry and has to physically restrain herself from marching over there, pulling it off the line, and giving it a good cleaning. Instead, she turns to Hannah. "Isn't there anyone in town looking out for these folks? This just doesn't seem right." Sister Abigail sighs, shakes her head, and squares her shoulders. "I suppose it's our job, then." Sister Hannah shrugs. "I think there's more going on than the Steward wanted to say. Shall we go see how they are doing and offer our blessing? Sister Chase follows Abby's comment to look down the line, a furrow wrinkling up on her brow at the sight. "That's a sin, that. I hope they's OK." Sister Abigail nods, frowning slightly. "Well, Sister Hannah here gives a lovely blessing. And between us I hope we can put things to rights." And with that, Abby marches toward the door. Sister Hannah follows on Sister Abigail's heels. Just as you're coming up to the house the front door opens, and out onto the porch comes a woman in her mid 30's, looking hen-pecked and tired. She's got the tight bunned hair of a life-long single, the kind who has given up on ever attracting a man, and the tighter drawn lips of a woman who has long since given up on smiling. She starts when she sees the three of you, then flushes a high color up her pale cheeks when she sees the coats. "Sisters! Welcome!" Sister Chase flashes an easy smile. "G'day Sister. The Brooksbridges in?" The woman nods and then stops and shakes her head, then stops and lets out a long slow sigh. "Yes, I mean... I'm Hester Brooksbridge. My parents are here, but they're quite ill." Her hands flutter at the edge of her apron, not quite knowing where to go. She looks at Abby's perfect attire, then at the laundry out on the line and quickly looks at Chase. "Are you here about my parents?" Sister Hannah says "Yes, the Steward mentioned they wanted a blessing" Sister Abigail approaches the woman and puts a comforting hand on Hester's shoulder. "You must have quite a time of it, trying to care for them. If it won't harm you none, come on in and have a cup of tea, and let us set things to rights around here for a bit. You look like you could use a few minutes off your feet." Abby finishes up with her warmest smile. Sister Chase nods reassuringly. "We sure is, Steward Felkerk siad they were mighty under the weather. We couldn't rightly pass by without stopping in for a spell." Hester nods once, "Yes sister, I'm sure they are wanting that. I mean, the Stewarad he's blessed em twice this winter past, but it isn't the same as a Dog's blessing, no indeed." She smiles at Abigail when the younger woman touches her, some of her shame falling off her like a sack full of wet rice. "Well then, won't you come in?" With that she turns back in and opens the door, then pauses there a long moment. Finally she turns around, her color high in her cheeks, "Um, they're sleeping at the moment, actually. Could you sisters come back in a few hours? They usually wake.. um... around dinner time." Sister Abigail says, "Are you sensing doom? I'm sensing doom. :)" Sister Hannah says, "Dun dun duuuuuuuuun" Sister Chase looks at the door, the woman, then at Abby, and senses, that she understands what's going on. "Sister Abigail.... maybe you and Sister Hannah could help with the washing? Looks like Sister Hester here could use a hand." Sister Abigail looks at Chase in astonishment, then her face breaks into a genuine if somewhat stunned smile. "What a good idea, Chase! Why don't you go collect the washing from the line? Sister Hester, just have a seat right here in this porch chair. I'll tiptoe in and collect the tea things and you can have yourself a rest without needing to wake your parents while they're resting." Sister Hannah nods and looks to Sister Hester "we would enjoy helping you out Hester's hands tighten down on her apron and she stands solidly in the door. "No. I... that is... they really shouldn't be woken. It's very bad for them." She flushes higher, looks on the verge of tears. "Yes, I know you want to help, so please, sisters, please come back in a few hours. Around sundown." Brand says, "She ain't moving without a conflict." Sister Abigail says, "Well, ladies? Conflict time?" Sister Chase nods. Sister Chase says, "who has the best conflict?" Sister Hannah says, "I'd say yes, except she hasn't really done anything she shouldn't. I'm tempted to just come back later" Sister Abigail says, "I'm worried about her as much as her parents; I want to convince her to sit down, relax, and let us handle things." Brand says, "Then you can stay out Hannah, you don't have to be in all conflicts together." Sister Abigail says, "Chase, you got a better conflict?" Sister Hannah says, "if you guys want to go ahead, do, but Hannah's going to sit out" Sister Chase hmms. Sister Abigail says, "Actually, better ... I want her to confide her troubles in me." Sister Chase wants to get in and clean up before Abby goes in. Sister Chase says, "can we oppose different people?" Sister Abigail says, "I can do that - if she's confiding in me on the porch, you can do what you like inside." Sister Abigail says, "Abby really doesn't carea bout being the first one in" Brand says, "She isn't letting you in if she can help it, period. So why don't we start with a conflict about that?" Sister Chase okays. Sister Abigail says, "Fine with me" Brand says, "And from there you can followup with a conflict to get her to confide." Dogs: Brand resets the current conflict. Dogs: Brand sets the stakes to "Get Sister Hester to let one or more of the Dogs inside to help her out". Sister Abigail says, "I'm startin' with talking" Dogs: Sister Abigail rolls 9d6 for "Acuity + Heart" and gets 1, 2, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, and 6. Brand says, "She's going to start at talking." Dogs: Brand rolls 8d6 for "Acuity+Heart+Blood (Parents inside)" and gets 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 4, and 6. Sister Chase will start with physical. Dogs: Sister Chase rolls 7d6 for "Body+Heart" and gets 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 5, and 6. Dogs: Sister Chase rolls 1d10 for "Preoccupied_with_Abby" and gets 7. Brand says, "Chase, you've got first raise." Sister Chase gnaws on her lip a mite, and as Abby looks like she might be moving in to do that wiz of a talking thing she does, Chase rolls up her sleeve, shifting her rifle to strap over her shoulder and behind her back. She starts to take the laundry down from the line, getting her hands mucky and soiled, but folding the clothes carefully, as if she didn't notice the dirt that piles up on people's lives at all. Sister Abigail says, "WOW. Laundry folding as a conflict action. I love it." Dogs: Sister Chase spends 5 4 for a total of 9. Brand says, "Okay, how does this get you into the house?" Sister Abigail says, "I'm guessing she's going for the back door :)" Sister Chase wants her to trust me. Chase thinks that Hester's afraid we'll judge her because the state of the house and her parents, and wants her to feel comfortable with Chase, and know her parents are in good hands. Brand huhs. Brand says, "Maybe I set the stakes wrong. Would you two like to change the stakes to "get her to trust us?" Sister Chase says "Sure." Sister Abigail says, "Fine with me, I'm happy with that or with getting us into the house" Brand says, "Okay, that works better. Because, for the record, Chase is wrong about why she doesn't want you in the house." Sister Chase hehs, "That just makes the shooting better later." As Chase gathers the laundry Sister Hester fidgets in the doorway, but shows no sign of moving. "Thank you Sister," she says, voice coming too fast, "Why don't you just leave that down on the step I have to wash it again can't bring it in like that oh no I need to get the smell out and next time I'll remember and thank you but just leave it down there that's nice and thank you so much." She's nearly in tears now, her voice getting more jittery by the second Dogs: Brand rolls 1d10 for "Panicky Explanations (trait)" and gets 7. Dogs: Brand spends 4 2 2 1 for a total of 9 and gains 4 Fallout dice. Dogs: Brand takes 4d4 Fallout dice. Brand says, "Okay, Abby, you're up" Sister Abigail says, "So I just raise and you have to match it, I don't have to see you?" Brand says, "It's your raise, not your see, Abby. So you're raising, then I see, then I finally get my raise." Sister Hannah says, "wait, it's d4 fallout dice even though it's in response to a physical action?" Brand eghs, "Debatable Hannah -- Chase was being physical. But she never actually touched or did anything like that to Hester. So I thought d4s. Do you think it should be d6's? It could go either way, so group consensus takes it." Sister Hannah says, "I think you had the right idea, Brand, I'm just confused about rules, as per usual" Sister Abigail takes a step forward, putting her hand on Sister Hester's shoulder and looking the other woman right in the eyes. "Sister, I can see that something's wrong here. I know you want to take care of things here yourself, and I can see you have the strength to do it, if you have to. But you don't have to, Sister. Whatever's wrong here, we're here to help. I'M here to help." She smiles at Hester, not letting the other woman avert her gaze. "Any kind of trouble is easier to bear when you don't have to do it alone." Brand grins, "No, you've got a good instinct. I was doing something odd, so being confused about it makes sense. You normally take fallout based on the blow you took." Sister Chase sorry, my bad. Dogs: Sister Abigail spends 6 6 for a total of 12. Sister Abigail says, "go for it, Brand" Brand hrms. Sister Abigail says, "Not good?" Brand says, "Excellent pose, I'm thinking about how to respond." Sister Hannah looks, for just an instant, as if someone hit her in the gut Dogs: Brand rolls 2d4 for "Proud as a Hen" and gets 2 and 4. Dogs: Brand spends 6 4 2 for a total of 12 and gains 3 Fallout dice. At Abigail's touch Hester just about jumps out of her skin. She starts back and looks between Chase holding the laundry and Abigail standing there with sincerity and a smile, and looks like she's going to start sobbing. Her shoulders fall and she looks down at her feet, "Sister, I don't doubt you. I know you are wanting to help, and I know you're good people. I trust you." Brand says, "That's my take, then for my raise I give. I'm keeping my 7 for cutting my losses." Dogs: Brand rolls his Fallout of 7d4: 1 1 1 1 2 4 4, totalling 8. He gains an item of Long Term Fallout. He gains an item of Fallout Experience. Brand says, "I'm upping her Proud to 3d4, and taking "Crying makes people be nice to you 1d6"" Sister Abigail takes Hester's elbow, ushering her to the rickety porch rocker with a respectful gesture, almost that of a daughter for a mother. "You just sit down for a bit and tell me what's wrong, and I'll do what I can to set it right. Chase, why don't you go find a place to set that laundry?" And Abby sits down next to her, looking sympathetic. Sister Chase comes up the stairs with the basket on her hip. "Don't you worry 'bout a thing, Sister, why don't you let me just go on in and make up some lemonade?" Hester looks back over her shoulder into the house, then back at Abigail. "I promise, Sister, I'll let you help, I won't try to do it alone anymore. But I need a few hours please. Just a few hours, and then I'll do whatever you want." She gets lead to the rocker and then jumps up as Chase walks to the door, and quickly slams it closed. "Just a few hours sister, please." Sister Abigail looks at Hester, puzzled, Sister Chase blinks, and her hips square at the sound of the door. She looks from the woman to Abby, cocking up a brow. Sister Abigail says "Sister, you know that this must sound a bit strange to us. If you don't want us in the house now, can't you at least tell us why?" It's obvious the woman means what she says. You can all see that she trusts you, wants and needs your help. And yet she's standing there trembling with her hand on the door and a slightly hysterical look in her eyes. Sister Abigail says, "'Cause I think we might have a conflict here :)" Brand says, "I'm going to start a conflict with the stakes, "Get the Dogs away from my house" -- unless you want to start your own conflict." Brand says, "Or unless Hannah wants to make the other two back off...." Sister Chase is willing to start one Sister Abigail says, "Abby will start "Get her to tell us what's wrong" more to keep Chase from shooting her than anythign else" Sister Hannah says, "no, Hannah's staying out of this" Sister Chase would start "Let me in the damn house, Lady!" Sister Hannah says, "she knows there's something wrong, but she has an ingrained habit of avoiding trouble, so she's doing nothing :P" Brand says, "How about a compromise, "Find out what is wrong." Sister Abigail says, "So that we can each go about it in our own ways? Works for me" Brand says, "And because getting into the house will show at least part of what is wrong" Sister Chase says, "Sure." Dogs: Brand sets the stakes to "= Find out what is wrong with the crazy lady". Sister Abigail says, "Me starty talky" Dogs: Sister Abigail rolls 9d6 for "Acuity + Heart" and gets 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 5, 6, and 6. Dogs: Sister Abigail rolls 2d6 for "The Dogs" and gets 2 and 6. Brand says, "She's starting out physical this time" Dogs: Brand rolls 9d6 for "Body+Heart+Blood Relationship" and gets 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6, and 6. He also has a 7 from the previous challenge. Sister Chase will physical. Dogs: Sister Chase rolls 7d6 for "Body+Heart" and gets 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, and 6. Dogs: Sister Chase rolls 1d10 for "Preoccupied_with_Abby" and gets 5. Dogs: Sister Chase rolls 1d4 for "If it wern't for sister Abigail, I'd never have become a dog." and gets 2. Dogs: Sister Chase rolls 1d8 for "The Dogs" and gets 8. Sister Chase says "Sister Hester, you're worrying me, you surely are." She faces off in front of Sister Hester, and uses her height to the advantage, looking her narrowed eyes down her nose at the woman. She drops the basket of laundry at the woman's feet and says evenly: "Stewart Felkirk sent us on to do God's business, and I aim to get it done." Dogs: Sister Chase spends 5 6 for a total of 11. Brand says, "I've got to see, then my raise, then whoever's see, then Abby's raise" When Chase comes in close like that, Hester reaches back and grabs onto that door handle like she isn't sure if she is holding it closed, or if it is holding her to the spot. Worn and tired as she is, she still has a farmer's daughter's hands, all sinewy and strong as the Word of the King. She says, voice shakey, "I... I... I just... it isn't good for you to go in right yet, sister. I know what I'm talking about, I've been taking care of my sick folks for like a year now and I know what is best for them and you know I want your help but sometimes help has to come at the right time and oh.... Please. I know you want to help, so just let it alone." Dogs: Brand rolls 3d10 for "Panicky Explanations + Milkmaid's grip" and gets 7, 7, and 9. Sister Chase whistles Sister Hannah says, "ooh! nice!" Brand says, "and my raise... in the "please just leave me along, you've got bad timing is all" will be..." Dogs: Brand spends 7 and 4 for a total of 11. Dogs: Brand spends 2 and 7(cutting losses) for a total of 9. Brand says, "Anyone who wants to keep pushing her has to see" Brand says, "And then it is Abby's raise." Dogs: Sister Abigail spends 6 3 for a total of 9. Sister Chase scowls into a moment of doubt and looks sidelong at Abby. Just like that, just looking at her, everything's all right, and she's fortified again. She squares her shoulders and stands her ground. Dogs: Sister Chase rolls 3d4 for "Girls make me feel funny" and gets 3, 3, and 4. Dogs: Sister Chase spends 1 8 for a total of 9. Sister Abigail says, "We have to run into some other cute girls to justify the "Girls make me .." as opposed to "A girl makes me .." phrasing :)" Sister Chase is always game for more cute girls. Sister Abigail says, "I bet Abby will be the weirdly jealous type. She doesn't want Chase, but she doesn't want Chase to be chasing any other girls either. Chasing boys would be fine. :)" Sister Abigail sighs, shaking her head. "Sister Hester, I know how hard you've worked. It's plain for anyone to see that you've done all you can taking care of your parents, and I can tell how difficult that's been for you." She bends down and picks up a handful of dirty laundry, meditatively turning over the soiled shirt before looking back up at Hester with a surprisingly determined gaze. "But you aren't in any fit state to judge right now. And that's that." Dogs: Sister Abigail rolls 1d8 for "I am the perfect woman" and gets 5. Sister Chase oohs! Brand says, "OOHHH burn!" Dogs: Sister Abigail rolls 1d6 for "I have pretty white soft hands especially compared to soiled laundry" and gets 4. Dogs: Sister Abigail spends 6 5 for a total of 11. Brand says, "Okay, my see then Chase's raise" Dogs: Brand rolls 1d6 for "Crying makes people be nice to you" and gets 2. Dogs: Brand spends 6 5 for a total of 11. Hester just stays there, hanging onto the door. Only now she starts to cry, tears slowly leaking down her face. She just shakes her head at Abby, mutely resistant. Brand says, "Chase." Nobody says no to Abby. Chase steps in and takes the woman firmly by the arm. She takes a breath and pulls at her to clear the doorway. "Step aside, Sister. We're Dogs, and we've come in the name of the King of Life. Let no door be barred to us." Sister Abigail says, "Nobody puts Abby in the corner!!! :)" Brand snorts. Dogs: Sister Chase rolls 2d6 for "I'm a Dog and that's all I have." and gets 2 and 6. Dogs: Sister Chase spends 6 4 for a total of 10. Brand says, "Okay, now my see and then raise, which I think I'll do as one pose" Dogs: Brand rolls 5d6 for "Will" and gets 2, 2, 3, 3, and 6. Dogs: Brand rolls 1d10 for "A woman has to learn to fight when she grows up alone" and gets 1. Dogs: Brand spends 6 4 for a total of 10. (See) Sister Chase is a strong woman, but Hester's grip ain't coming easy. So when Chase pulls harder it nearly yanks them both off their feet, and still Hester's hands don't move. Then, when Chase comes to yank harder, Hester makes a sound that you've all heard before -- the sound of a woman in fear for her bodily safety, and she round abouts with her elbow and smashes it right into Chase's face. Dogs: Brand spends 6 7 for a total of 13. (Raise) Brand says, "Only Chase has to see, fallout is d8's" Dogs: Sister Chase rolls 4d6 for "Will" and gets 2, 2, 6, and 6. Dogs: Sister Chase rolls 1d10 for "I can bare fist like a brawlin' backwoods boy." and gets 10. Brand says, "Chase's see, then Abby's raise" Sister Abigail says, "Mwahahaha" Sister Chase is faster than a rattlesnake as her hand whips up to catch the woman's elbow and buffet her bodily back against the door, nearly growling. That's a danger sign right there. The girls have seen Chase worked up, they've seen her angry, they've seen her rash, but they've never seen her coiled and ready to spring as she is right this moment. Dogs: Sister Chase spends 10 3 for a total of 13. Sister Abigail looks horrified for a moment and stands stock-still for a moment, paralyzed. Then she's moving, stepping between Chase and Hester, pushing them apart. Her voice snaps out in the same tone your mother used when telling you to take your hand off the stove. "Both of you. THAT'S ENOUGH." Dogs: Sister Abigail rolls 8d6 for "Body + Will" and gets 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 5, and 6. Dogs: Sister Abigail rolls 1d8 for "I once scared off five bandits with fast talk and an unloaded rifle" and gets 2. Dogs: Sister Abigail rolls 1d6 for "No matter how chaotic things get, I can stay focused and calm" and gets 4. Dogs: Sister Abigail rolls 1d4 for "I beat Brother Kishkumen in a contest of wills" and gets 2. Sister Chase says, "Who are you aiming that at?" Sister Abigail says, "Uh ... both of you?" Brand says, "Is that a fighting pose, Abby?" Sister Abigail says, "Oh yeah, escalating to fightin'. I'm not hurting anyone, but I am definitely pushing them apart physically." Dogs: Sister Abigail spends 6 4 for a total of 10. Sister Abigail says, "Annd ... that's my raise" Brand says, "Who has to see? Me, or me and Mo?" Sister Abigail says, "Um, both of you? I'm trying to stop the fight. Sorry, Mo. :)" Brand says, "Ya know, that might be a separate challenge -- it doesn't directly go to finding out what is wrong with the crazy lady." Sister Abigail says, "So, change the pose slightly then?" Sister Abigail adds to her previous pose: Sister Abigail's voice cracks sharp as a whip. "Whatever's wrong in that house, is it worth lifting a hand against God's Watchdogs?" Sister Abigail says, "Better?" Brand nods, "Though in that case Chase doesn't have to see. Breaking up the fight isn't something you can really do while still being part of the current conflict." Sister Abigail says, "Yup, that's fine. But I'll point out that my pose puts me physically between them :)" When Abigail steps in and shoves, Hester was already starting to recoil in horror at what she had done. That, combined with the sudden shove, sends her off balance and she reels back into the door, her head slamming into the frame so hard that it rips a long chip out of the old wood. Blood smears all the way down as Hester sinks to her knees, still holding onto the door handle. Dogs: Brand spends 1 2 2 2 3 for a total of 10 and gains 5 Fallout dice. Dogs: Brand takes 5d8 Fallout dice. Sister Chase says, "Heh. That's going to leave a scar on Abby." Sister Abigail says, "Abby's relatively tough about some things ... particularly when it's Hester who threw the first punch :)" Sister Abigail says, "But we'll have to see how it goes" Brand says, "Abby isn't falled out yet, so we'll see." Brand says, "Poor Hannah, otoh....." Sister Hannah says, "eep?" Brand says, "Your friends are beating people bloody." Brand says, "Bad friends." Sister Hannah says, "Yeah, I'm considering having her either run off or fire her gun, neither of which would be good" Brand says, "Chase's raise." Sister Chase blinks and gasps and drops down to her knees in front of the woman, ripping off the sleeve of her shirt and pressing it against the woman's head. "Abby, you near cracked her skull open. We don't need to get in the house that way. The woman's tired and frightened, and obviously a little spent. We might try and push through the door, but we shouldn't be breaking it down." Sister Abigail says, "Well, if you want to make it WORSE :)" Dogs: Sister Chase rolls 4d6 for "Adding Accuity" and gets 1, 4, 4, and 4. Dogs: Sister Chase spends 6 6 for a total of 12. Sister Chase says, "That's a raise against Abby" Brand says, "So, you're changing sides?" Sister Chase nods. "For the moment, at least." Brand hrms, "Okay... one sec." Sister Chase says, "it was an escalate to talking, too." Brand does a head teetery thing, "Okay, I think that's germaine to the stakes -- you're still on target, your just switching sides. Let me see if the book says anything." Brand says, "Okay, I think that's kosher. Abby, your see, then my raise." Sister Abigail pales and tries to go down on one knee to help Hester, then takes a single step back at Chase's words. "I - I - I was trying to stop you from shooting her, you unspeakable savage," she says with cold, precise fury. "Now get out of the way and let me see to Sister Hester. Whatever's wrong here must be bad wrong if it's led to this." Dogs: Sister Abigail spends 4 3 3 2 for a total of 12 and gains 4 Fallout dice. Sister Hannah says, "HARDCORE!" Sister Chase says, "Very hardcore" Sister Abigail says, "I've been saving "unspeakable savage" for a bit :)" Sister Hester mewls weakly, pulling at Chase's hand, "Don't... please don't let her. Please... I don't..." she starts to sob, blood and tears running down her too pale face. Hester then looks at Abigail and says, "Why did you have to hurt me? Is it so urgent? Now my parents are sick and I'm bleeding, and how is this helping?" Dogs: Brand spends 7 9 for a total of 16. Sister Hannah whistles. Sister Chase says, "Who has to respond?" Brand mutters, "Now I have to figure out who that is against." Brand says, "figure out." Brand hrms, "I think its actually against Abby alone -- it looks like it's against Chase too, but really its to get Abby to back off by using Chase as a tool." Brand says, "That's the character's intent, anyway." Sister Abigail says, "16, huh? Ok, here's my see:" Sister Chase says, "then wouldn't it be against both, because it's trying to get Chase to act against Abby... on her side of the conflict?" Brand hrms, "Maybe. But she doesn't want you to give, see, she wants you to stay on her side. So she isn't raising against you." Brand says, "Oh, Abby, it's your see -- then your raise immediately after" Sister Abigail looks down at the blood on the doorpost, then at Chase kneeling over the fallen woman. She feels the sweat on her palms, the pounding of her heart, smells the thick scent of spilt blood. "How *is* this helping?" she says softly, almost as if musing to herself. "How is this helping," again, this time stronger. "How is this helping?" This time it's like a trumpet call, Abby raising her head and looking down at the bloodied woman on the floor. In her red coat it seems almost as if she herself is clad in blood. "Sister, it's not for you to tell me what's helping. You're a Sister of mine, and you're in need, and I'll do my duty by you whether you like it or not. You can tell me what's wrong, and I'll stand by you - or you can keep your silence, and you can watch me go through that door, because I don't see any other help for what's making you so frightened that you'd act as you have. Now what's it going to be?" Dogs: Sister Abigail spends 5 5 2 2 2 for a total of 16 and gains 5 Fallout dice. Dogs: Sister Abigail spends 5 6 for a total of 11. Brand says, "Hardcore!" Brand says, "Now that both Mo and I have to see." Sister Abigail says, "Oh yeah!" Dogs: Sister Abigail rolls 2d6 for "Coat" and gets 2 and 5. Dogs: Sister Abigail takes 9d4 Fallout dice. Sister Abigail says, "Chase can still kick my butt if she wants to :)" Brand says, "I think we have to see seperatly too. We can help on a raise, but see alone for that one. That sound right?" Before the fury of Abigail, Sister Hester can do nothing but cower. She has no words left. She just holds onto that door handle and closes her eyes and holds on some more. Dogs: Brand spends 3 3 6 for a total of 12 and gains 3 Fallout dice. Dogs: Brand takes 3d4 Fallout dice. Never really recovered from "unspeakable savage", her eyes are still damp and fierce and confused. She never knows what's the right thing, or what's the wrong thing, and to think of it now, she really never has. But here it is, Abby's come to the rescue again. She's come to lead the way. The bloody handkerchief is wrung between her hands in frustration, and the red stain smears over her hand as leans back on her heels from the woman and the door. Dogs: Sister Chase spends 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 for a total of 14 and gains 7 Fallout dice. Dogs: Sister Chase takes 7d4 Fallout dice. Sister Abigail says, "Ow :)" Sister Abigail says, "So ... uh ... now what?" Sister Chase says, "My raise." Brand says, "Will ya look at the fallout in this conflict? That's some serious dice" Sister Chase looks up at Abby after a long moment, and realizes that she's right, and that in many ways it takes a savage to do parts of this job. She realizes that it can be her who gets dirty, or that it can be Abby, and nothing should every stain Abby's perfect, white hands. She tries desperately not to think of the fact that the dirtier she gets the more distance will be staked between her and Sister Abigailas she turns to the woman on the porch. She punches her swift and hard, upside the temple in an unspeakably savage blow meant to knock the woman clear unconcious. Dogs: Sister Chase spends 4 4 for a total of 8. Sister Abigail says, "DEAR GOD" Brand says, "So, you're switching back?" Sister Chase nods. Brand says, "Okay, I give." Sister Hannah, upon seeing this, turns and flees the scene at a proper walk, but a fast one. She heads back to the house where they are staying and sits beside Sister Clementine, keeping her hands busy with knitting she had brought along, alternately praying, fuming, and crying at the loss of the image of what Dogs should be. Hester's head bounces off the door so hard she doesn't even have a chance to scream. And as her hands fall off the door and she falls to the floor, the door opens and you see right into her house. It takes only a second to realize what she was hiding -- the sixteen smoked hams hanging in a row, the two turkeys, the new oven, and all the other things far to wealthy for this house. Sister Chase can't stand to look at Abby after the blow. Before the head even stops rocking, she reels to her feet and off the porch heading around the side of the house. Sister Abigail looks down at the bloody, unconscious body at her feet, stunned - then looks around to realize she's alone. Sister Chase lands on her hands and knees around the side of the woodshed and retches, deep from the bottom of her gut. She vomits, hard, and fast and painfully, tears streaming from her eyes. Sister Abigail goes down on her knees besides Hester's body and uses the corner of her skirt to stanch the bleeding. Without looking up, she calls for Hannah's help - but when it doesn't come, she goes on with the dirty work the others have left her to clean up. Dogs: Brand rolls his Fallout of 5d8 3d4: 1 1 1 4 4 4 5 8, totalling 13. He gains two items from Long Term Fallout, and is badly injured! He gains an item of Fallout Experience. Brand says, "Oh, no death for me. I was hoping for some death after that head punch." Brand says, "I'm taking "Slurred Speach and Wobbly Walk from permanent damage 2d4, and "I love and hate the Dogs all at once 1d10"" Dogs: Sister Chase rolls her Fallout of 7d4: 1 2 3 3 4 4 4, totalling 8. She gains an item of Long Term Fallout. She gains an item of Fallout Experience. Sister Chase takes "Sometimes you've got to be dirty so others can stay clean, 1d4." Sister Chase changes the die size of "I'm a Dog and that's all I have" to d10's. Sister Abigail says, "love it" Sister Hannah smiles. Dogs: Sister Abigail rolls its Fallout of 9d4: 1 1 3 3 4 4 4 4 4, totalling 8. She gains an item of Long Term Fallout. She gains an item of Fallout Experience. Sister Abigail takes "I know what's best for other people" at 1d4 Sister Abigail says, "Hmm, do you like "I know what's best for others?"" Brand does!"Abby is a bitch!" Sister Hannah says, "it totally fits the character. In fact, my first reaction was "don't you have that already?" :P" Sister Abigail says, "In the meantime, Abby is giving immediate medical attention to Hester" Brand says, "Hey, Hannah, would you like to have a scene with the Steward where he tries to get you to go back and do you Dog duty?" Sister Hannah says, "hmmm....." Sister Hannah says, "I don't know, that could be dangerous at this point, because she's considering abandoning her duties and running away" Brand hrms. "Well then it could be a powerful scene. And it'd be one on one, so probably quick enough to finish tonight before we go. Though if you want to wait and let her have some time to breathe that's cool." Sister Hannah says, "I actually really want her to take fallout from watching that, but she wasn't involved :P" Sister Chase would like to see some Hannah face time, if Nancy's up to it. Sister Abigail says, "Me too!!!" Brand nods, "Which is why I was thinking of this one -- it'd be easy to take fallout from the next conflict and say it was from trauma from what you just saw." Sister Hannah says, "of course, the flip side of all this is that I won't be around for a few weeks, so it would be nice to do something" Sister Hannah says, "All right, let's do it" Brand says, "Okay, why don't you pose your scene with Clem beside the bed, and then we'll go from there." Sister Chase cheers! Sister Abigail says, "For my other fallout trait, I'm going to create a Relationship with Sister Chase" Sister Abigail says, "Yeah!!!" Brand says, "Sister Chase is my Bitch 1d8" Sister Chase says, "What are you going to call it, Abby?" Sister Abigail says, "Sister Chase must be controlled" Sister Abigail says, "Sister Chase can't be trusted?" Sister Abigail says, "Abby is really hurt by what she said and TOTALLY horrified by that punch" Sister Abigail takes "I have to civilize Sister Chase before she kills someone" Sister Hannah is sitting in a chair near Sister Clementine, knitting, keeping an eye on her and ready to help her should she need it. Occasionally she pulls her handkerchief out and dabs at her eyes, sighs deeply, and shoves it back up her sleeve. Even though she's keeping an eye on Sister Clementine, it's clear her mind is somewhere else. Brand says, "Then tie it in with the fallout" Brand says, "Okay, Hannah up." Sister Abigail says, "Go Hannah, go Hannah, go!!" There is a rap at the door, followed a moment later by the presence of Steward Felkirk, carrying a big bowl full of steamed rice and some plain toast. "Hello Sister, I heard your fellow Dog was ill. The wife sent me with this." He sets the platter down on the bedside table and looks at the sleeping Clem for a moment, then from her up to Hannah. "But unless I miss my guess she's a might less in trouble than you. Pains of the body pass, those of the soul don't." Sister Hannah says "thank you for your trouble, and please thank your wife, too, for her kindness and thoughtfullness" Brand says, "I want to call a conflict with the stakes Hannah gives being a dog one more chance or something like that. Or just, "Hannah comes to trust the Steward" -- less bad if she wins/loses that way." Brand says, "Wadd'ya think, Hannah?" Sister Hannah says, "well, her not giving it another chance doesn't mean she gives up, probably that she just doesn't believe in what the dogs stand for any more, and just goes through the motions." Brand hrms, "True. You're good at finding those angles. Which do you like more? I mean, it's your scene, so its up to you how Hardcore we go." Sister Hannah says, "so maybe it should be, Hannah regains confidence in the mission of Dogs" Brand nods, "Done!" Dogs: Brand resets the current conflict. Dogs: Brand sets the stakes to "Hannah regains confidence in the mission of Dogs". Brand grins, "It's good, we'll see how it works in when we get our dice rolled." Dogs: Brand rolls 15d6 for "Heart+Acuity+Used to be a Dog relationship" and gets 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, and 6. Dogs: Sister Hannah rolls 8d6 for "Heart+Acuity" and gets 1, 1, 1, 3, 3, 3, 3, and 4. Dogs: Sister Hannah rolls 1d10 for "dogs" and gets 2. Brand says, "Okay, roll it when you pose it. I get first pose, and I'll start after your last statement." Sister Hannah says, "ok" Felkirk smiles and nods to Hannah, "I'll pass those thanks on to my wife, don't you fear. She loves to take care of the Dogs, says it pays back all those folks who used to take care of me when I was a Dog." He gets a chair from the corner of the room and puts it down at the foot of the bed, straddling it and looking at Clem's sleeping face. "Is this your first town sister?" Dogs: Brand spends 2 4 for a total of 6. Brand says, "Your see and raise." Brand says, "Oh, and you're fighting to give up, right? The steward is fighting to give you faith again." Sister Hannah says, "yes" Brand nods. Cool, just being clear "Yes, it is." Sister Hannah is too polite to refuse a direct question, but she quickly changes the topic: "You used to be a Dog?" Sister Hannah says, "For my see:" Dogs: Sister Hannah spends 1 2 3 for a total of 6 and gains 3 Fallout dice. Dogs: Sister Hannah takes 3d4 Fallout dice. Felkirk nods, "Yep, for three years." Sister Hannah says, "and my raise:" Sister Hannah says "that's a long time; it must have been hard." She sits down and begins knitting again, having stood when he came in the room. She's trying to direct conversation away from herself." Brand says, "Oh, good raise Hannah." Dogs: Sister Hannah spends 3 3 for a total of 6. Sister Abigail says, "Heh. Go Hannah! Kick his believy butt!" Sister Hannah says, "I sadly just have really shit dice in comparison!" Dogs: Brand rolls 1d8 for "Counseled the sheep for ten long years" and gets 2. Brand breathes in the nose, out the mouth. Brand will reverse the blow. Brand will do see and raise in one pose, and do one spend for reverse and raise as well. Sister Hannah says, "OK, thank you for the explanation :)" Putting his big rancher's hands on his knees, Felkirk nods his head slowly, eyes going back up to Hannah. "Hardest years of my life. But not half so hard, I think, as they are being on you. See, I went to be a Dog because I believed I had to. Why'd you go to be a dog? Running to, or running from?" Dogs: Brand spends 6 5 for a total of 11. Sister Hannah says, "blaaaaaahhhh!" Sister Hannah says, "What does taking the blow involve? I have to roll more dice or lose automatically or something" Brand says, "You spend more than 2 dice. However, you still need to roll in more traits, or escalate, cause you don't have enough dice to even take right now." Dogs: Sister Hannah rolls 3d6 for "appearing confident even though I'm not" and gets 5, 5, and 5. Sister Hannah says, "Woo hoo!" Brand says, "Oh, good roll." Sister Hannah says "neither" and refuses to say more." Sister Abigail says, "he's still ahead, but not by as much :)" Dogs: Sister Hannah spends 5 5 1 for a total of 11 and gains 3 Fallout dice. Dogs: Sister Hannah takes 3d4 Fallout dice. Brand says, "Now, for your raise you can extend time -- you can say hours pass, or something, or that he gets called away, or things like that. Not everything has to be boom, boom, boom right after each other." Brand says, "Not saying you have to, or should, just saying it's a thing you can do if you like it." Sister Hannah sits there knitting, feeling the Steward's gaze on her, but she steadfastly refuses to say nothing and he eventually gets up and leaves. However, he was waiting when she returned the dishes to his house.... Dogs: Sister Hannah spends 4 3 for a total of 7. Brand says, "Good pose!" Sister Hannah says, "Thanks. it's a lot more subtle, though, than what Chase and Abby were up to...." Sister Chase says, "That's probably a good thing ;)" Sister Abigail says, "And a very nice and refreshing change of pace as well :)" Sister Hannah smiles. Dogs: Brand rolls 2d6 for "Improvised Object, Wife!" and gets 4 and 5. It isn't just Felkirk that is waiting when she drops the dishes by either. It's his wife as well. And while Felkirk goes to get water from the well, it's Sister Felkirk that does the talking. "So dear," she says, "my old goat says that you're having a rough time of it, and that you won't talk to him. Can you talk to me, maybe? Woman to woman?" She lowers her eyes slightly, "Even if I'm a woman without children?" Sister Hannah says, "that's kind of weird, that I can have control over time and therefore what another character does...." Sister Chase says, "Yeah Hannah, lots of good freedom, eh?" Brand nods, "Yep. And if I'd blocked it I could have said he didn't leave -- but I liked your pose so I rolled with it another way. You have just as much power as the GM in a conflict, in almost every way. It's cool." Dogs: Brand rolls 2d8 for "Love my wife even if she can't have kids" and gets 5 and 8. Sister Chase cackles! Sister Hannah goes bug eyed at that low, but super-effective trick Brand says, "I'll reverse with the 8, and make that pose a see and a raise in one, with my final spend being...." Dogs: Brand spends 8 5 for a total of 13. Sister Chase says, "Hannah, you have the opportunity to make a relationship with her." Sister Hannah says, "Oh!" Sister Hannah says, "I was trying to figure out how to swing that" Brand nods, "Her fallout would be a good thing to use for that. Or, she could spend her free dice" Sister Hannah says, "so I *can* just spontaneously create this relationship" Brand says, "Like, you have some unspent dice left from relationships -- you can just plunk one of those down" Sister Hannah says, "yay!" Brand nods, "Yep." Sister Hannah says, "ok, new relationship: Sister Felkirk 2d10" Brand says, "Jebus." Sister Hannah says, "Big, but she's never met anyone with the same problem" Brand says, "And because she just came in, you can roll those in." Sister Chase says, "Get him!" Sister Abigail says, "hoo boy!" Dogs: Sister Hannah rolls 2d10 for "sister felkirk" and gets 6 and 7. Sister Hannah says, "yay!" Sister Chase whoots! Dogs: Sister Hannah spends 7 5 1 for a total of 13 and gains 3 Fallout dice. Dogs: Sister Hannah takes 3d4 Fallout dice. Brand says, "Your pose and your raise, too." Sister Chase says, "Go! Hardcore!" Brand says, "As Nancy rakes up the fallout. Look at that 9d4" Sister Hannah looks at her for a second, then slumps down at the table and starts pouring out her story, from beginning to end, then her time at the Dogs Temple, then what she just witnessed, and the fact that the world holds nothing good in it anymore, even those who are supposed to fight for it. At some point, Brother Felkirk walks in, and stays in the doorway, listening quietly. Sister Felkirk, hands her a mug of tea and sits down with her. "...And what kind of God lets this sort of thing happen? What kind of people serve him that they would do such things? I thought they were nice! I didn't want to become a Dog, but it's all that was left, and now, now...." She shakes her head, unbelieving. Sister Hannah says, "and, um, I'm not sure I can roll anything else in..." Brand says, "Then your raise is one 6" Sister Chase says, "Great pose, Hannah!" Sister Abigail says, "And oh dear, hannah, one town in and we're already SO falling apart :)" Brand says, "Hardcore Hannah. Hardcore." Dogs: Sister Hannah spends 6 for a total of 6. Sister Hannah says, "I was waiting for it :P" Sister Hannah says, "Betcha we all make up somehow, 'cause women are crazy that way" Sister Chase says, "I'm sure we'll find a way." Sister Abigail says, "It's the finding the way that will be fun :)" Sister Hannah grins at her fellow bitches Sister Felkirk reaches over and wraps an arm around Hannah, pulling the girl in near her. The women look remarkably alike, not so much in the face, but they have the same body type, the same hands, the same hair, and the same way of looking out at the world from behind their eyes. The steward's wife looks up at her husband and says, "Tell her, Jeremiah, tell her about us." The Steward nods and sits down, "I was in love with my wife before I went to be a Dog. I lied to you before -- I went to get away from her, because I wanted to have kids more than anything in my life, wanted to hold a baby in my arms. So I ran." He swallows and looks away, out the window where the sun is starting to go down. "And then I was a Dog three years. In those years I killed six men and two women and one little boy no more than 7 who was possessed by three demons. And I learned one thing, Hannah, that I can never forget. When you are lost and alone and hurting, when your faith is dying, you have to get on your knees and pray. I did, at the end of three years of misery and terror. And the King told me to come home and stop running and do what I should and marry my Christabelle. Because the world is full of terror only when we don't listen, and full of love when we do." He reaches out and touches Hannah on the shoulder, "Pray with us Hannah, and the King will let you know what to do." Dogs: Brand spends 6 5 for a total of 11. Brand says, "Reverse the blow, then raise" Brand says, "And unless you can come up with 11 points worth of new traits, you're gonna have to give." Sister Chase says, "Wow." Sister Abigail says, "That's beautiful" Sister Hannah says, "I guess I give!" Sister Chase nodsnodsnods. Sister Hannah says, "so beautiful, I'm crying!" Brand says, "Do you want closing pose?" Sister Hannah says, "I think so, please" Brand says, "Do it." Sister Hannah takes hands with the Steward and his wife and they pray together for a time. After, she stays and helps make dinner and takes some back to Sister Clementine, feeling somehow better, thinking that there may be hope, yet, if she only keeps faith in God and in those who do God's work. Brand says, "Dogs Fallout!" Sister Hannah says, "oh god!" Dogs: Sister Hannah rolls its Fallout of 9d4: 1 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 4, totalling 7. It gains an item of Short Term Fallout. It gains an item of Fallout Experience. Sister Chase says, "hehs." Brand says, "OMG!" Sister Hannah laughs! Brand says, "NO LONG TERM FALLOUT!" Brand says, "That is statistically improbable." Sister Hannah says, "dude, how the hell did that happen!" Brand shakes his head, "I guess the game wanted you to not be scarred." Sister Hannah takes: "I Must be As Good as the Dogs of the Past 2d10"