The Gunslinger(1) - 10 "So I've 'eard of this guy before, offhand talks in saloons 'round here, odd word of mouth out during a hunt, you know, classic folk tales . . ." The man ordered a glass, readjusted his respirator and goggles, shrugged off a bit of dust from his tunic. ". . . Anyways, I never really believed any of it. Well, I mean I sure as hell thought he was out there, but there was no way he could've done half the shit they saying he does . . ." The bartender filled the glass with a cheap brandy, nothing special. ". . . But hell I was wrong. He struts up to me, most confident stride I've ever seen. I don't know how to explain, takes seeing with your own eyes to get the same feel, you know? Anyways, I see his piece holstered at his side, real gunslinger look to him . . ." The man downs the glass in a second, and gestures for another. ". . . If he'd been anyone else you'd think he was compensating for something, but anyways, weird thing is he has these two other revolvers, looking like 8-shooters each, strapped to his thighs. But hell, these certainly weren't like any gun I'd ever seen . . ." "[b]They look liked they were forged in a fire fueled by human organs, dried blood drenched the barrel down to the grip. Made with a sterling silver, shiniest metal you'll ever see, and the darkest one too. I can promise you mate, if any other man had been holding those pieces, they'd also have been the last metals you'd ever see.[/b]" "And who the hell are you supposed to be?" "[b]A man interested in tracking down the guy who tracked down you.[/b]" "The hell are you, some kind 'a bounty hunter?" "[b]No. I'm the guy who's going to buy your next drink, but more urgently, I'm the guy who tipped the waiter, and with the suggestion to point a boomstick at you while you were too busy watching my own peacekeepers here.[/b]" The shotgun pumped behind the man's back "[b]Now then, continue your story. I'm just [i]dying[/i] to hear where it ends.[/b]" [spoiler]Merry Christmas to any of you who bother to read this whole thing! :D[/spoiler]