Steam and Steel Options

[Rohirrim]

Jonah stepped into the morning sun from the darkness of the tailor shop. He carefully situated his goggles on his face, hitched up the rifle strap on his shoulder, and went to find some lunch. This was the slaughterhouse district, so a broiled beefsteak or kidney and some drink wouldn't be too hard to find. Spotting the double doors of a saloon, he stepped in and grabbed a seat at the bar. He held up his flask and dropped a penny on the bar. "Refill, please. Whiskey." The bartender silently obliged him, and Jonah took a swig. He winced. Rye, always rye, he thought, what I wouldn't do for some good old bourbon. He let the whiskey coat his mouth then put down a nickel. "Two kidney chops, my good man." The barkeep went into the kitchen to place Jonah's order. Satisfied it was being taken care of, Jonah looked around. The synth-piano played a gay tune, and some women of questionable virtue, as well as several other patrons, were around. He hiked up his bowler hat, letting his bangs fall down, and removed his goggles, putting them on his forehead. He cast a glance at the bounty board hanging at the end of the bar. Maybe, he thought, maybe.

This post has been edited by Rohirrim: Oct 26 2013, 05:33 PM

[Elisabeth Hollow]

Betty strolled through the midday sun casually, glancing at passer-bys with little interest. She was off the clock, so to speak, and her charms were to be bought. No flirtatious glances were shot, and her face was kept smooth and uninterested as she bought her groceries. Red apples, a small jar of honey and preserves as well as mints and a bit of candy. She idly bit into one of the apples as she stopped in front of a dress shop, looking into the window. She watched the people in the reflection as she pretended to window shop.

A few men dressed in dark clothing, faded black jeans and dark denim shirts with dark hats or handkerchiefs on their heads, strolled by. Betty had counted eight before she saw one of them draw a gun and aim it her way. She ducked and rolled, screaming as she did so, the glass shattering into hundreds of small pieces. It clattered onto the stone ground, and she heard a cackle.

"You missed a whore! How did you-"

Another shot rang out, and Betty didn't look to see where it had come from. The square erupted into chaos, shots ringing out freely and screams of women and men alike were heard. A bullet ricocheted off the pavement near her feet, and Betty ran. She dove behind a building and leaned against the brick wall, panting heavily. She shrieked when someone grabbed her arm roughly. She swiveled her head to see a man in a similar dress as the bandits, grinning behind a black handkerchief over his mouth.

"Well well, lookie what we got here. You sure are perty." His hands roamed as he kept her pinned by her throat against the wall. Anger flashed in Betty's eyes.

"You could never afford me." She spat in his face, and received a slap in return. She gasped and held her face.

"I'll teach you some respect for your betters, bitch!" He slapped her again, this time knocking her to the ground. Betty cried out and held her face.

"I like it when they're on they're hands and knees." The bandit said before kicking Betty in the stomach. She grunted and rolled over, coughing. In a flash he was on top of her, pinning her down, trying to strip her. Betty fought, reaching for her purse. He suddenly reached beneath her skirt and tried to rip her underwear off, and Betty saw a flash of metal strapped to her thigh. She leaned up and grabbed it and sunk it between the bones in his ribcage, letting out a screech of rage. The bandit yelled in pain and punched her, hitting her left cheek. He pulled out the knife, panting.

"You cu...you cu..." He fell over with a groan, and Betty grabbed her knife from his hands and wiped it on his shirt. Shots continued to ring out and she smelled something burning. She held her stomah and walked cautiously along the back alleys, hoping to remain unseen.