Advent Of A Gunslinger

The boys would be given a full treatment to iron out all of the stress that they had gathered up over the last few days. Vido and Chang would even be taken into their own separate rooms to finish their procedures up.

Brandy meanwhile, would continue to treat Axel’s body.

“You’re extremely tense, and your muscles felt like they could lock up on you at any time,” she said while pressing into his back. “How have you managed to function for this long?”

“No idea,” he replied, “Guess it’s built up over time?”

The gray minotaur would slow down, and speak more quietly. “...Listen. You need to be careful collecting bounties around these parts. I’ve seen loads of skilled ladies and gents fall to the paws of the Felidae...”

Axel tilted his head. “The ‘Fell-uh-day’? What?”

“...The one who attacked our friends,” Brandy went on, “She had black fur and yellow eyes. They belong to a gang known as the Felidae. A ruthless gang that terrorizes the upper world of Klugetown and essentially runs it from underground. They don’t come after us because we minotaurs are too strong for them. But still, you need to be careful, okay mister?”

“...So that’s who I’m after. At least Martha and her gals ain’t at risk.” He thought about it for a second, and replied, “I getcha, big-missy. Don’t you worry.”

Relieved to hear his confidence, Brandy would sigh. “...Thank you. Anyway, would you like to continue your treatment? Martha has something planned for you.”

“Still?” he thought, “Guess I ain’t got no choice. Don’t wanna break no bones or nothin’...”

“Sure,” he replied aloud, “What’s on the agenda?”

Moments later, Martha entered the room, wearing a set of lacy lingerie--not unlike her black set from last night, but this one was purple.

As soon as Axel laid eyes upon her, he gasped. “...Ms. Martha?”

“Listen sonny,” she walked up to the massage table, “I know ya’ll are about’ta go out and do some dangerous work. Like I said, we ain’t about’ta letcha leave here in worse condition than when ya arrived. Just relax, and let us take care of you and your friends, okay?”

Axel was unable to refuse this. His body was in a state of disarray and he didn’t even realize it. Getting his joints and muscles reset into better positions before he headed out again would serve him well. After all, he already had a plan in place--why not execute it in the best condition possible?

The procedure would take about an hour or so, after which, Axel and the boys were clear to get themselves ready to head out once more.

Axel had gathered up his gear from the Madam’s room, back to donning his usual masked, hatted, and leather-clad getup that many Wanted posters depicted.

“...That was rather enjoyable, yes?” Chang asked his fellow gents as they approached the front foyer.

“Well it certainly helped clear my head,” Vido said, “I’m starting to have a better idea about what I want to do next.”

Even Axel had to agree. “I reckon we can start once we get to our ship up top. Just gotta wait for Kora and Rose to show.”

Thankfully, it wouldn’t be very long before the girls would return. Both Kora and Roseanne walked out to them looking well-rested with a pep in their step.

“Mrrrow,” Kora purred with the tome in her hands, “That was quite the enjoyable experience. I hope you guys enjoyed yourselves as much as we did.”

“That we did,” Axel replied, “And I’m glad yer both here. I got somethin’ I wanna mention to ya’ll..."

“Whassup, Remy?” Rose leaned forward and asked.

Axel would then explain his plans. The fact that he wanted to buy a new airship so that they could make their own way around the desert without having to rely so heavily upon Celaeno. But in order to accomplish that, they would have to collect at least one more high-risk bounty before they could do so.

“Ah. So you seek to find your own way,” said Chang, “I will admit--I already miss you three and you haven’t even left yet--ook!”

Rose would grasp the primate up in one of her arms for a tight hug--though it was more like a one-sided embrace against her body. “Aw, lighten up, lil’ partner! Ah’m sure they’ll come visit us whenever they can. Ain’t that right, ya’ll?”

“Si,” said Vido, “I’d be more than happy to return sometime. I’d still like to try get off on a better foot with Celaeno…”

“Don’t let it get to you,” Kora added, looking up at the griffon, “It was an honest mistake that could have happened to any of us.”

Chang had pried himself free of the minotaur gal’s grip, and cleared his throat. “Aha! Ahem--I concur. The Captain is not a lady of grudges. But regardless, I believe it is a splendid idea. We will inform her of your plans as soon as we return. She is sure to agree to them, yes?”

“Sounds mighty fine,” Axel said, “Make sure ya’ll got everything ya may need.”

But before they left, Martha would appear once more.

“Hold yer horses, kiddies,” she called out, causing everyone to stop on a dime and look in her direction. Clarabelle alongside her also. “I want ya’ll’ta know that yer all welcome back here if you ever need a place’ta relax.”

Kora turned her head left to look at the damage that was caused to the main theater area. “...Will everything be okay?”

“Oh we’ll take care of that no problem,” Clarabelle said, “We know you all have very busy lives, and we wouldn’t want to interfere with that.”

“Very well,” Chang said, “We appreciate your hospitality, Madam. Give my regards to the others, will you?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Martha grumbled while huffing her cigarette, “I will. Ya’ll have a nice time now, ya hear?”

“Si, señorita, Martha!” Vido chirped, “We will do our best.”

As everyone turned to leave, Martha stopped Axel before he left through the doors.

“...You gonna hunt down the folks that put me through the wringer, ain’tcha?”

Axel couldn’t lie to her. “...You know I ain’t gon’ let them dingoes run ragged.”

Martha gave a hoarse chuckle. “Hm! And here I thought you were only in it for yourself…” She sighed, and looked into his eyes. “Just promise me you won’t take any unnecessary risks, sonny. Take care’a yourself first. Understand?”

“Yes ma’am,” he replied, and continued towards the door. “Have a nice day. And I’ll be sure to return when I can.”

She let him leave, and turned back to Clarabelle. “That boy’s gonna go places, I’m tellin’ ya.”

“Let’s just hope those places aren’t too dangerous…” Clarabelle responded.

Meanwhile…

Axel, Kora, Vido, Chang, and Roseanne would all make their way out of the Milk Ranch Valley and back to Celaeno’s ship. With the heavy tome that only could read, that would serve as the proof of their bounty...or so they thought.

Vido had actually gone out of his way to retrieve the dead mage’s body, and bring it onto the ship with him--much to the surprise of the others.

“...You brought her body with you?!” Kora hissed, disgusted at the mere sight of the abyssinian’s corpse.

“I certainly wasn’t going to bring it into Martha’s manor! And hey, we need it to confirm that we destroyed the target,” Vido replied, “Don’t worry. I’m sure the bounty collectors will dispose of her.”

Chang inspected the corpse closely with an interested grin on his face. “...Allow me to take it to my office. It will be safe there.”

“No arguments there,” Vido allowed the monkey doctor to take the cat’s dead body. “Now let’s go report our situation.”

Along with Vido and Kora, Axel would make his way to Celaeno’s quarters. Just as they were about to enter, the black and white osprey would make his exit. The bird-man stoically walked away from the doors with an annoyed grimace upon his face.

Both Vido and Kora glanced at each other, but Axel didn’t pay it any mind as he entered the room.

Once he had given his explanation, Celaeno would respond.

“Ah. I see. You actually have perfect timing,” she said as she reached for a piece of paper on her desk nearby, “Monocrow just gave me this information on a bounty that happens to be in Klugetown. Once we collect the bounty for the mage, we’ll head that way.”

“Mind sharin’ who this next target is?” the gunslinger asked.

The bird lady had already prepared for that, and showed him a Wanted poster depicting a dragon with gold scales…

“His name is Rongu, apparently,” she explained, “Any idea who this is?”