A New Scent In Town.

[JohnnyPsycho]

[pssst... Ashton, it's your turn...]
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Johnny's Fanfics (including Sureshot! A Bon Bon Tale)

Johnny's backstory
Johnny, Mark II (Project Aten character)

[Ashton Gray]

(Thank you, Johnny, I know)

Ashton sat as casually as he could, trying to imply some sense of confidence. In truth, however, he was straining his ears trying to hear what was happening in the other room. Unfortunantly, he could hear nothing, apart from the pointless posturing of the young men before him. He began to drum his fingers on the table, more for something to do than out of nervous habit. The tension in the room was affecting him strongly. Finally, he stood up and walked over to one of the large windows, opened it and took a deep breath of fresh air. It helped. All he could was wait, and it was driving him mad.
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Silentium est aurum

[toonaxe]

Jess could tell the undertones of the meeting here.The Don was acting calm,civil,and polite;while demonstrating his power and trying for subtle intimidation.Jess knew this and knew she was i the right,and figured the best way to show this would be to not act timid in the least.To prove this point without being rude,Jess plucked a cigar from the box the Don had just got one from,though smaller (though smaller,afterall,Jess was a lady).She was even bold,yet in a semi-playful manner,plucked the cigar from the Don's mouth and used it to light her own.After putting the cigar in the Dons mouth,she sat down and let out a soft puff of smoke away from the Don. "Very fine cigars indeed sir,signore knows quality when he sees it".Jess said reclining softly and watching the smoke tendrils slowly rise off the cigar in her paw.Normally she did not smoke,for she did not care for the taste or the unpleasant after taste,but on occasion she did for the sake of a client or social situation.
Jess proceeded to unravel the story,starting with how she had just gone to have a night of Black Jack and socializing,since it was the first night in town.She went on to further explain the bold and unwarranted advances of the upstart Richard.She goes on to explain how Brandon had calmly diffused the heated situation,and had even left him some good advise.She further went on to tell how the gang of youths caught up with her,and how Crimson had held them off while she got away,and how she had returned when she smelled blood in the air.She further went on to explain how the gang,his son the leader of which,still holding the bloody knife and with blood on his paws,then advanced to do the same to her.She explained the accidental chainfire when she had meant to only scare the youths,and even produced not only the pepperbox derringer with its twisted metal cylinders,but she carefully unwrapped her broken and now horribly bruised paw.
After soliciting the help of the Don to re-wrap her paw,wincing every now and then from the pain,She sat back down again and casually tucked her paw under her other arm,for warmth to her now throbbing paw. "So thats the story in its entirety". Jess finished,waiting for the Don to say or do something,who was now just leaning back in his chair,studying Jess and drumming his fingers together just before his mouth,deep in thought.

[JohnnyPsycho]

After his long meditation upon Jessica's side of the story, Don Vittorio Visconti gave a long, heavy sigh, and replied, "I thank you for your understanding in this matter, Miss Belle, in telling your side of the story. Despite the slight touch of the 'dramatic', I feel you believe your version of the story to be honest, and I appreciate such frankness."

Rising from his seat, he turned to stare out of his window, looking out upon his lavish and well-manicured grounds. With his back turned to her, Jessica was unable to gauge his emotion as he said, rather flatly, "You may rejoin the others in the dining room while I deliberate on this matter. I will let you know my decision shortly."

---

Johnny's ears immediately perked up once he heard the latch to the door turn, and he couldn't hold back his smile at seeing Jessica re-emerge from being sequestered in the Don's private audience. He couldn't tell from her face whether her story had done the trick or not, but he didn't care at this point, just so long as she was safe...

As Jessica took her seat at the table, she would see a fresh cup of tea sitting for her. In fact, not a moment before she had returned, a wave of maids and servers came to set out tea for everyone at the table. To her surprise, however, was a small message written at the bottom of her tea cup. No one else, even those sitting next to her, noticed the strange message... it was obviously intended for her and her alone.

"Leave now, or you will die," it read.

Before she would have the chance to inquire as to who left her the message, however, a voice to her right spoke, surprising everybody in the room.

"You think you can do this to me, and get away with it?" came the shakey voice of Vicenzo Visconti. He raised his eyes, his jaw trembling as he seemed to come out of the fog of his earlier stupor.

"You think you can come into my house, drink my tea, and be forgiven for the offense you have given?" His voice rose and tremored as tears came to his eyes, and his jaw began to clench in anger. Rousseau, the young noble seated next to him, tried to place a hand on his friend's shoulder, only for the suddenly lively Vincenzo to shrug it off violently and continue to rage.

"I don't give a damn what my father will say, I will not forgive my mutilation at your hands!" he yelled, rising from his seat. He reached for his tea cup and threw its contents at Jessica, splashing her. A second later, both Boyle and Foyle were pulling the young son of the Don away from the room and to another part of the estate as he continued to rant and spew obsenities at Jessica. Without missing a moment, the ever silent Doyle appeared beside Miss Belle, offering her a towel. Snapping his fingers, one of the young maids of the estate came to her side and offered to escort Jessica to a washroom, apologizing profusely for her young master's outburst and offering her help to clean off the mess to the skunk's garments.

To all of this, Johnny simply stared, stunned and silent. He eventually glared at the young nobles at the other end of the table, expecting some sort of smarmy comment or sneers, but it seemed even they were completely taken off guard by Vincenzo's sudden outburst.
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Johnny's Fanfics (including Sureshot! A Bon Bon Tale)

Johnny's backstory
Johnny, Mark II (Project Aten character)

[JohnnyPsycho]

[bamf]
_________________
Johnny's Fanfics (including Sureshot! A Bon Bon Tale)

Johnny's backstory
Johnny, Mark II (Project Aten character)

[Ashton Gray]

(Front and center, Conner.)
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Silentium est aurum

[Bestile1]

(oops i keep forgetting when my turn is sorry guys)

Conner turned his head to watch the youngster go, he had been hoping that the stupor would last long enough for him to get Jess the hell out of there but it seemed that the young Visconti was going to cause trouble. Time to leave. And there was no way he was letting her out of his sight again.

Conner turned to Jess "If you are going to go clean up I'm afraid I must insist on accompanying you." seeing the strange look the maid sent him he quickly added "only to the room of course, it would be... unseemly for me to be in there with you."

separation from the others was not a good idea, there was strength in numbers but Conner also had no qualms about cutting and running until Jess was safe before returning to help the others. Her safety came first.

[MrWolf12]

Watching the youth being lead from the room, Brandon allowed his muscles to relax.

The wolverine still stood beside the large bookcase, one of its tomes still resting in his hands. He hadn’t felt a need to rush to Ms. Belles side. In his time, he had seen much violence, so much so that it felt as much a part of his life as breathing. He knew the look one got when their thoughts were bent on harming another, and, despite the rage and anger shown by the young pup, he didn’t have that look. In his eyes, Brandon only saw sadness, despair, not the cold glint of murder.

Not yet, anyway.

Still, after the tossing of the tea, heat had entered the wolverine’s limbs, ready fuel them to close the distance to the table, should his instincts be wrong.

The removal of the noble was a welcome relief. As was watching Ms. Belle being led from the room to clean up, especially to Brandon, seeing as how it was Yuliya that was leading the way. She shot a look over to him, the squirrel nodding slightly to him.

He returned it.

[Drofgod969]

Drodel just sat there during the uprore of the Don's son. While Doyle gave Jessica a towl a maid came to Drodel handind him his clothes. "Thank you." Drodel replied to her as he took his clothes. Drodel then stood up and walked to Conner. "If you don't mind, I would like to come with you. So i can change out of these and get into my clothes." Drodel said to Conner and the Miad. "Oh, and don't worry i will change in a diffrent room than she is in." Drodel said as they started walking.
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yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. that's why it is called the present.
quoted by master Oogway off kong fu panda
Some weep, some cry, some make couches fly. - Katmir
Let me stand behind you in times of peace, let me stand infront of you in times of war, let me stand beside you as a equall, as a friend.

[Ashton Gray]

Ashton walked over to where Jessica had been to make sure nothing was amiss when he saw the message written in her cup. He dipped a finger into it's contents and tasted it, then spat it back into the cup. It tasted fine, but he refused to leave it to chance. He tossed the tea, cup and contents, into the fireplace. A moment later, Don Visconti entered the room and looked at them all. "It seems some of our number are missing, including my son." he said casually. Ashton was sure he knew full well what had happened, but he stepped forward and explained the situation regardless. After, the Don heaved a heavy sigh. "I shall have to have a talk with that boy. I promise you, Mr. Gray, he'll be disciplined for this." "Make sure he is, Mr. Visconti." Ashton replied, allowing the proper amount of anger to be heard in his voice. After a moment's silence, in which they all took their previous seats, Ashton asked "Have you reached a decision, then?" "I have." replied the Don. "And I believe it is the right one. However, I shall wait until this evening's supper to announce it. That should give ample time for Ms. Belle to freshen up and for me to remind my son of his manners. You are all free to move about the house and grounds as you see fit." With that, Don Visconti rose and left the room, leaving the rest of them to their own devices.
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Silentium est aurum

[toonaxe]

(uh-ohs,ish it my post again?)

[Ashton Gray]

(Indeed it is, Ms. Belle)
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Silentium est aurum

[LabrnMystic]

( I think I'd have to take a whole day off just to fully read up and join this even if I wanted to . ^^; )
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The suspense is killing me. I hope it will last.

[Bestile1]

(It has been going awhile... in fact I think it was the first one started)

[toonaxe]

(forgive if this is a short and low quality post,fighting off a nasty chest cold)


Jess easily washed the tea from herself and her dress.She glanced over at a large frosted glass window the sunlight was pouring in through.She walked over to it and saw the latch turned easily enough to unlock it,and even opened it a crack to see if it was sealed shut. Should I follow the warning note and make my escape? No,I can't leave those that risked their lives for me. Jess thought to herself. She walked back over to the sink,looked long at herself in the mirror.Then with a long sigh she opened her ornate box and pulled out a small thin vial. The batch she had whipped up in her shop was a compound similar to nitro glycerin,only less sensitive,but 30 times more volatile when it went.Curiously when she added her own...nectar,to the batch;it neutralized it and made it into the most potent aphrodisiac she had ever heard of.This is why is the Don would strike a deal,his brothels would boom in business from Jess' concoction. But if he tried to harm her...Jess looked down at the bottle,that held enough to easily obliterate the mansion and part of the grounds to. She slipped the vial between her bounteous breasts,easily concealed. In the vial was a diluted version of the explosive,enough to blast about 3 people or so.This was her insurance should the young Visconti try anything.

[Ashton Gray]

(It's your turn, Johnny.)
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Silentium est aurum

[JohnnyPsycho]

[sorry this took so long, guys, but a flub with my internet provider left me offline for about a week and a half. I hope my entry will remedy this tardiness on my part]

Having been given pardon to wander the grounds by the lord of the estate, Johnny took it upon himself to try and figure out where they took the younger Visconti after his outburst. He made no attempt at sneaking around or hiding the clunking footsteps of his boots as he casually strolled the halls of the Visconti manor. Having not had much time to explore the vast mansion before, Johnny took in his surroundings with idle curiosity, wondering what, exactly, it was that the Visconti family did to earn such lavish surroundings. He ruminated on this thought while staring at a 16th century painting of what appeared to be some sort of noble ancestor of the Visconti family (wearing some ridiculously poofy Renaissance-era garb). It took him some time before he realized someone was standing behind him, and he turned quickly in surprise.

"That is a rendering of Valentino Visconti," Boyle said as he stared at the painting, almost as if in reverence. He continued, not taking his eyes off of it, "He is the noble forebearer of the Visconti family line in this region, and the ancestor to Don Vittorio Visconti. Valentino, himself, was an outcast member of the Visconti family branch that once ruled Milan as Dukes in the 15th century."

"I see," Johnny replied blandly, not very interested at all in the history of the Visconti family. Truth was, he was more interested in how the rather rotund orange cat was able to sneak up on him...

"Of course, Don Visconti's family aren't really considered nobility," Boyle continued to ramble on, his usual smile seeming a bit more chilling than usual, for some reason. "He is merely an excellent business man, a trait he seems to have inherited directly from Don Valentino."

"I've known lots of business men, and been involved in many business deals sort of like the one we're in now," Johnny replied with a frown.

"Then perhaps you understand Don Visconti's reasoning for delaying his decision until tonight," Boyle replied, taking his eyes off the painting for a moment to look Johnny in the eyes.

"I understand it, but that doesn't mean I like it," Johnny answered, uncertain where this conversation was going. He knew that the Don would likely wait for one or both sides to do something stupid, make some mistake to tip the scales in favor of the other side, or to offer up a better deal to sweeten their negotiations. Business men loved to make other people sweat it out in deals like this, Johnny had seen it before. Still, Boyle's uncharacteristic candor seemed highly suspcious to the gunslinger. He knew Boyle was up to something, but he couldn't be sure yet of just what it was...

Boyle, for his part, seemed uninterested in the coyote's suspicious glare, and stared back up at the painting of the Visconti family's noble ancestor. With a strangely uncharacteristic, almost wistful sigh, he muttered, "It will be a sad day indeed when the family's business holdings and fortune fall into the hands of that spoiled brat of a son. Mark my words, that boy would run the noble name of Visconti right into the ground."

Surprised, Johnny replied, "You certainly don't sound like a mercenary to me, Mr. Boyle. I thought your loyalties only went as far as you and your friends were well paid.

The orange furred butler merely glanced at Johnny, his grin broadening only slightly, as he replied, "Please be in the dinning room at the hour of six, Mr. Six-Killer. Don Visconti prefers his guests be punctual."

With that, the mercenary posing as a butler turned and walked away. As he left, Johnny noticed a pair of bullets sitting on a table right next to where both he and the butler were conversing with each other. He picked them up, examining them carefully, then looked back up at Boyle, only to find that he had inexplicably disappeared yet again.

"Boyle, what are you up to?" Johnny whispered to himself, staring at the cartridges in his hand. Having had his revolver confiscated since the previous night, Johnny could only guess that Boyle knew about the derringer pistol hidden in his boot-heels. But why hadn't he merely taken it away from him, then? And why was he giving Johnny more ammunition?

Johnny stared back up at the painting...
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Johnny's Fanfics (including Sureshot! A Bon Bon Tale)

Johnny's backstory
Johnny, Mark II (Project Aten character)

[Mystic]

*Bumps this thread for the participants* (I'm not going to be in it, but it looks like everyone else just sticks to the front page and never see the updates continued on page 2.)
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Oh, I'd tell myself
What good do you do
Convince myself

[Drofgod969]

(Conner your up.)
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yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. that's why it is called the present.
quoted by master Oogway off kong fu panda
Some weep, some cry, some make couches fly. - Katmir
Let me stand behind you in times of peace, let me stand infront of you in times of war, let me stand beside you as a equall, as a friend.

[JohnnyPsycho]

[BAMF again]
_________________
Johnny's Fanfics (including Sureshot! A Bon Bon Tale)

Johnny's backstory
Johnny, Mark II (Project Aten character)

[JohnnyPsycho]

[bamf!... seriously, guys, i don't wanna see this one peter-out...]
_________________
Johnny's Fanfics (including Sureshot! A Bon Bon Tale)

Johnny's backstory
Johnny, Mark II (Project Aten character)

[Ashton Gray]

(Agreed. I suggest, since Connor obviously is'nt going to take his turn right now, that we move on to the next person. If no one objects, you're up, Brandon.)
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Silentium est aurum

[MrWolf12]

(ok. will post soon.)

[JohnnyPsycho]

[bamf]
_________________
Johnny's Fanfics (including Sureshot! A Bon Bon Tale)

Johnny's backstory
Johnny, Mark II (Project Aten character)

[MrWolf12]

<sorry. just returned from helping a friend move over the weekend. will post soon. have not forgotten>

[MrWolf12]

As the orange tabby stepped away, the wolverine pulled back around the corner, out of sight.

Coming down an opposing hallway, Brandon had heard the two speaking. He kept his steps light, silent, as he came to the turn, and peeking around the corner to see the tabby talking to Johnny. What was said didn’t faze the wolverine as much as the looks the two exchanged.

Something was building on the horizon, like a great dust cloud kicked up by an approaching enemy.

The sound of steps at the other end of the hall in which Brandon stood caught his attention. He looked up to see Yuliya walking towards him, holding several folded cloths before her. He walked up to her as she approached, earning a wary smile from the squirrel. “How is Miss Belle?” he asked as she came to a stop.

“She is alright. I was just bringing her some more fresh towels.” as she answered, she avoided his eyes.

“What’s wrong?” the wolverine asked, his voice softening.

Yuliya sighed sadly, at last looking up at Brandon. She looked torn. “Im sorry. I cant help you.” She set the towels onto a nearby table, then, slipping her fingers into her cleavage, she plucked out of there a small tied pouch. In it, Brandon knew, where the herbs he had given her earlier. She reached down, lifting one of his large hands, and lightly placed the pouch in it. Looking back up, Brandon could see the growing shine in her eyes. “I’m sorry.” Yuliya repeated, as she reclaimed the towels and hurriedly walked past the bewildered wolverine, as the tears began to fall.


(apologize for short post, not been in the mood to write)

[Drofgod969]

Drodel quickly got changed back into his suit. Much better. Glad to be back into my own clothes. Drodel thought as he got changed, then walked out the door and saw Conner standing infront of the door that led to the room Ms.Jessica was changing in. "So..." Drodel started as they waited. "What brings you here?" Drodel asked.
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yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. that's why it is called the present.
quoted by master Oogway off kong fu panda
Some weep, some cry, some make couches fly. - Katmir
Let me stand behind you in times of peace, let me stand infront of you in times of war, let me stand beside you as a equall, as a friend.

[Bestile1]

(sorry about my absence the training work up for my upcoming deployment is in full swing so you can expect rather abrupt and long disappearances from me in the next few months. This said I will post as often as I can but if a goodly amount of time passes by I am likely somewhere far from a computer and it will be best if you skip me.)

"I am a mercenary that has been hired to protect the you lady in the room behind us" Conner replied with out sparing his newest companion so much as a glance, his concentration focused on the various doorways along the hall. "It has been an interesting couple of nights to say the least."

Conner was on edge, he knew something was going to happen and soon, but he couldn't figure our what. For someone like him, whose life sometimes depended on being a couple steps ahead of his opponents, it was a very disturbing situation and it was starting to get to him. He knew he must remain in complete control simply because he knew that at least on of those arrayed against him was probably going to try to tempt or trick him into reacting violently to something that wasn't a threat, this would be bad for all involved. So he waited, and as he did so he worked the puzzle over in his mind, finding where the pieces fit, trying to regain some control over what was happening.

[toonaxe]

(thats odd,I was not recieving emails of replies.whos turn is it?)

[Ashton Gray]

(actually, I do believe it's mine. I do apologize for the lapse, things have been, well, less than great in my house lately, let's say)

Ashton remained in the dining hall long after everyone else had left, staring into the fire, watching the cup he had thrown in start to glow and crack. It was as though he could see the path of this drama as though he were looking at a family tree, seeing one parent lead to the next, the bloodlines splitting and reforming, all of it in the cracks forming in the tea cup's frame. The night he had first set eyes on the beautiful skunkette he had extended his protection to, the first incident with Richard and his friends in the Delight Castle Casino, the hurried walk back to his appartment and the short fight that had taken young Visconti's pride and almost taken Jessica's hand and Crimson's life. The lodgings beneath his own he had arranged for Jessica, the alias, the story that she had fled town, the journey to Visconti Manor, the meeting with Don Visconti, breakfast and finally back to here; Ashton Gray, sole heir to the Gray estate, master violinist and world traveller, sitting in front of a fire in a lavish dining hall in a lavish manor home in the secluded mountain region of Bon Bon. And as the cracks spread, he saw the possibilities unfold in them. The possibility that the Don would be fair and spare Jessica with little to no punishment. The possibility that young Visconti would try to make true his threat. The possibility that this whole situation would explode into violence. And many, many more. And finally, he saw the crack that revealed the true path this fiasco would take. The Don's decision, the young nobles reaction, the breif chaos that would ensue, all of it. And as the last of the events unfolded before his eyes, the door opened, and Don Visconti himself stepped in. Their eyes met, the Don's with a look of surprise, the violinist's with a weary calm. "Still here, Master Gray? It's been just over an hour." "Only an hour..." Ashton said, mildly. Don Visconti stepped closer. "I spoke with my son."

"And?"

"And he refuses to listen to reason. To see his error and apologize for it."

"Just as well. Apologies without meaning are less than worthless."

"True enough. I've confined him to his room until such time as I deem it fit to release him."

"Thank you."

They stood in silence for a moment before the Don turned to leave. Just before he reached the door, Ashton asked "Do you play chess, Don Visconti?" The Don turned, a smile on his face. "As a matter of fact, I do. Would you care for a game?" "I would." Ashton said as he rose from his chair.
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Silentium est aurum