[X] Intervene before someone dies.
-[X]First use North Star to see if Malcolm is actually in front of the house or if it is another illusion.
--[X] Have Shooting Star find and hit a weak spot on Malcolm that will incapacitate him. Do the same to Hester if he tries to take advantage. Then start lecturing Malcolm about why conning people is bad. Then start lecturing Hester about why starting fights in town is bad. Then start lecturing them both about why everyone should get along and be happy.
The red figure comes into focus, revealing a man clad in a red cloak, glaring at Hester with baleful yellow eyes. Malcolm looks more confident as he calls out to Hester.
"With my spirit helping me, you can't get past my defense! Why don't you quit while you're ahead, boy!"
Hester answers by firing, dozens of bullets going straight for Malcolm's vitals. The red man behind Malcolm sweeps a black arm in front of him, blocking the shots in a fit of stunning speed and precision. Hester clicks his tongue in irritation as Malcolm gives a sigh of relief.
"Shit, you brought that stupid thing out again? Well, not like I didn't come prepared…"
A bronze arm seems to reach out from Hester, several odd golden nuggets embedded throughout its length. Hester gives it a lazy smile.
"
Pop Korn, you know what to do."
One of the nuggets seems to vibrate intensely, shooting from the arm directly into its waiting palm. It clenches its fist for a second, and then loads the round into Hester's revolver. Malcolm watches in interest.
"So, that's your spirit…it'll take more than a bullet to get past my defenses, Hester!"
Hester gives him a confident smile. "Then it's a good thing this ain't
just a bullet."
He fires before Malcolm can respond, the golden bullet closing in on his heart. The red figure appears again, reaching out to intercept-
However, you've stopped paying attention to the fight at this point; everything you've observed is through Shooting Star's eyes, as you give her your request.
'Find the real Malcolm.'
Shooting Star gives a sharp nod to you, and disappears in a flash of light. You turn to see what you can do in the meanti-
A huge crashing sound reaches your ears, causing you to jump back in surprise. You whirl around to the source of the sound, and find a smoking crater and a massive bullet where Malcolm once stood. Hester gives a satisfied whistle, walking forward to continue the fight. You begin to call out to him, but a golden trail alerts you to Shooting Star's success.
Oh, that was fast. You begin to look through Shooting Star's eyes as Hester starts looking for Malcolm. Wherever she is, it's very dark….wait a second, is this the wagon? Shooting Star nods to confirm your thoughts, and a trail of light is drawn to point towards a figure crawling out of the wagon; it's Malcolm!
You run back towards the wagon, and spot him climbing into the driver's seat. You call out to Shooting Star in desperation!
"Shooting Star, stop Malcolm from getting away!"
Shooting Star appears in a flash of light in Malcolm's face, causing him to give a shout of surprise.
"The hell! You're that damned-"
Whatever he was about to say is cut short by Shooting Star jamming her foot into his eye.
"
Son of a-!"
You interrupt his cursing by hopping onto the wagon and leveling a stern glare at Malcolm.
"Scamming people is wrong! You should face the consequences of your actions, not run away!"
Malcolm gives you a bleary look.
"Wha-?"
You punch him as hard as you can, your strength boosted by the bad luck area around him!
Roll 1d100+15 at DC40. Success! (1d100+15=83)
You feel something give in Malcolm's jaw as your punch sends him crashing back off of the cart. Blood leaks from his mouth, and a few teeth are scattered around him.
…Oh dear. You even had a small speech ready to scold him…You scratch your head sheepishly, and turn as you hear footsteps behind you. Hester gives you an amused look as he keeps his gun trained on Malcolm.
"Damn, girl, you've got a hell of a right hook. Name's Hester, I appreciate the assist."
You give him the same stern look you gave Malcolm. "Mr.Hester, you shouldn't be so destructive! You used countless bullets, and could have hit someone! And you can't just kill someone because they irritated you! Starting a fight like that in the middle of a crowd is even worse than conning others!"
Hester scratches his head, and gives you a sheepish grin. "Uh, sorry 'bout that. Malcolm and I have a bit of a history, so I got a little carried away. I'm good enough a shot that I wasn't really worried I'd hit anyone though. Can I get your name, miss?"
You huff in disapproval. "Nia. I'm just glad no one was hur-….um, no one but Mr.Malcolm."
As you speak, Shooting Star settles on your shoulder, looking satisfied with how things turned out. Hester gives you an appraising glance.
"…So, you've got a spirit too. What are you doing in Wilpur, Miss Nia?"
"Just Nia." you correct him. "And I was only passing through. A man in town, Mr.Roland, was kind enough to help me while I was stuck out in the wasteland. I've gotten a job though, so I'll be moving on in the morning."
Hester speaks in a lazy drawl. "Oh? What kind of work did ya find? I can't quite recall anyone in town who's looking for a young girl to do some travelling."
You frown.
He's asking a lot of questions.
[X] Be vague about what you were hired to do.
[X] Be honest, you don't have anything to hide.
[X] You don't need this! Walk away in a huff.
[X] Write-in.
Pop Korn, Hester's Stand, is named for the song of the same name by the band "Soil&Pimpsessions".
