[IC] NATM: The Newest Twist In History { Angel & Tajjus }

[AngelBites15]

One job. One simple job: watch the premises of the museum as a night guard. Everything was supposed to be still. Inanimate. Dead. Maybe it was a dream; maybe he was hallucinating. Whatever the case might be, they shouldn't be moving...or breathing.

Sitting on the bench, panting in exasperation within the diorama room, Larry Daley just needed to see something that was explainable, realistic. Heck, everything he was looking at, was alive. What kind of joke was it? Being chased upon by Huns, taunted by animals, and running away from a giant, frisky T-Rex skeleton. What was next? He already lost the "instructions", and his authority for control. After having darts being fired upon by the Mayan miniature exhibit, he laid his eyes upon the now-animated old Western diorama. What he didn't know, was a female face curiously looking back him. So small she was, Larry didn't know that he was being observed.

Annie Oakley has been to many museums before being transported here. Only this time, this was the first night she was even "alive". So, getting the feel of adapting was tough around here. Even though her fellow pioneer residents were already familiar with her, including their cowboy leader, Jedediah. He's obviously been here far longer than she was, and sadly, Annie could only get background info of her surroundings through him. Not that she wasn't happy doing so, but the cowboy had his own agenda: building the so-said "iron horse". Not to mention the other diorama right next to them. She liked Jed, yes; he was like an older brother to her. But there were some things where they begin to disagree over things, like there was no need for a war, or stopping progress with the railroad.

Walking near the edge of the exhibit, Annie was about to say something, but her fellow pioneers acted first: they had Larry being tripped over with their own lassos, landing right into the exhibit.

[Tajjus]

To suddenly awaken was something most definitely odd. Kytell could have sworn he’d always been this way, as he tried hard to remember the groggy past that belonged to him. For a weird reason, he felt like he had been asleep for a while. A long while. Kytell grunted as he stretched, checking his bow and his arrows. Everything was just as he recalled it had been.

Octavian, his commanding legionary had made hast to put him in the ranks of his soldiers, and to send him out ahead to ensure there was a clear space for the rest of the troops to assemble their ranks into. The objective was to ‘overtake the night guard’. Kytell didn’t know who the night guard was, or if it was some kind of army. Maybe a special name for some group of Huns or another barbarian. Kytell skipped along the weirdly colored floor towards a huge man in odd apparel.

‘You’ll know him when you see him soldier’.

Zues’s beard I recognize him. How in the name of the gods is he so— Kytell’s eyes locked onto the other men that were his size. They were tying up the man.

‘There’s also another enemy out there. They’re simply dressed, have strange head wear, and talk like fools.’
Kytell had been warned about the cowboys as well. The roman archer’s sharp eyes zoned in on one of them. They’d pinned down the large man to their own stand, where they were firing up something..Kytell cupped a hand around his ear. Something called an iron horse. Kytell couldn’t imagine what a horse made out of metal would do to the man unless it was as big or bigger, but then again, running on a checkered colored floor and seeing giants meant anything could happen. He made a loud whistle to the scouts behind him. The space was clear for the army to arrive. Kytell thus set his eyes on the small female figure in the distance—the only one who wasn’t screaming at ‘The night guard’~

[AngelBites15]

Not seeing the archer eyes peering at her from the floor, Annie strolled herself to the scene before her: a tied up, giant man, lying right on the floor of the exhibit...with Jedediah on his horse before it. Shaking her head in both disapproval and distaste, the cowgirl moved herself right next to the standing horse her leader rode on, just near its head. Adjusting the black hat upon her head, her pistols sat within the holsters of her waist, and a hunting gun strapped to her back.

"Jed, what's going on?", she asked the cowboy in slight curiosity, as she stroked his horse's mane.

"Every night!", she heard the mayor of the diorama announce to the tied up night guard before him. "Year after year, one of you guards locks us up in these boxes! Well, I hereby say, sir, enough!", he declared, with the western civilians agreeing after him.

Honestly, while watching the scene before her, Annie found this as ridicule. Sure, she may have seen the large beings every time when she was asleep in her constant wax-like position during the daytime, but this was surely ridiculous for a comeback. For her and the rest of the miniature people, they were only two inches tall. How could they handle such force?

[Tajjus]

“What’s goin’ on?” Jedediah repeated the newcomers question, looking down from his horse. He looked to her,
“This here man’s incharge of encasin’ us in this box. He’s stoppin’ our progress, and that won’t do. We need new land to expand the railroads, and to run our livestock!” He answered, “Partner, we’re revoltin’ ‘gainst this here tyranny! No sir, we ain’t gonna take this kinda stuff no more!” Jedediah ran a pinched finger briskly on the rim of his ten gallon hat, as he looked up to see the view of the Iron Horse bolting for the nightguard. The men were holding him down just fine…

--

Kytell darted closer across the smooth stone floor, towards the skirmish engraved in the wall of the room. It seemed so far, despite the fact that the Italy—or—Roman territory was right next to this foreign land, with a desert. Kytell had run up to the stand quickly enough to hear the loud noises. He looked up at the cliff that existed between him and a much better view of this whole thing. Normally, would have had to report back, but the other scouts were doing that. Which meant that his restrictions were nell.

Kytell found it easy to climb upward, as he just gripped the leg of the Nightguard, instnesly fixed on the floor. The man pulled out two arrows which he would use as climbing utensils. Kytell figured he’d have to climb hastily, however, being quick and lightly equipped gave him that exact advantage. Hence, the archer hastily climbed upward. He was going to explore this new land, while he still could. The thick cloth of the nightguards outfit would prevent him from niticing the small gashes Kytell was making in it, considering his focus would be on the train, Kytell knew he could make the climb.

[AngelBites15]

There was no stopping Jedediah from achieving his goals. That, Annie knew quite clearly. Whenever they both had to settled their differences, shooting competitions (like in the typical Western days) weren't the solution. When it came to winning over Annie, every miniaturized pioneer within the diorama knew well to not compete with her in a public duel. It was clearly declared by Jed that one night to never cross 'Little Miss Sure Shot' (even though he says so to avoid the embarrassment of his guns not being able to work).

He's kidding, right?
That was the only thought that came to Annie's mind when she noticed the incoming train coming down the tunnel in the distance.

"Hey, Blondie"

She heard a whisper coming from the giant man laying before her and Jed. Annie wasn't sure whom he was referring to, since both she and the cowboy had blonde hair, although hers was a bit darker in a light brown-blonde. However, she decided to acknowledge him, in order to prevent future hostility from Jedediah. "The name's Annie!", she responded back to him with a loud voice, so he could hear her.

"Look, Annie, stop the train, please!", he pleaded quickly to her, practically telling her to stop the nonsense. "I can't do that, sweet cheeks; I'm not the one in charge here! We only follow Jedediah", she told him before making a gesture towards Jed's direction.

"Okay, Jedediah, seriously, stop the train!", the giant man started to tell the cowboy next to her.

[Tajjus]

Annie and the nightguards plea made Jedediah sigh, rolling his eyes in a wide arch. “The names Jedediah.” He replied briskly back to the nightguard at the same moment that Annie replied back, causing him to furrow his brows for a second. After glancing at Annie, he looked back as her plea for the nightguard was said.
“Okay, stop the train.” Jedediah said flatly, speaking aloud, then lowering his head for a second in defeat.
“NOW FULL SPEED AHEAD! RAM ‘IM BOYS RAM ‘IM!” As soon as he’d ducked his hat it shot back up again, as he raised his arm in encouragement. He’d be skinned alive before he went back on his original purpose, besides, even Gigantor couldn’t stop progress. Not the progress of the mighty Iron horse, which roared for the night guard at full speed-

-

Markus had only just scaled the top of the giant when he heard a shout of ‘RAM IM BOYS RAM IM’ Markus wasn’t entirely sure he was able to decode that sort of dialect, but whatever was going on the giant was probably going to be struggling soon. The archer dislodged from the night guard’s clothing setting himself down upon the dry land of the cowboy stand.

He frankly had no idea what was going on, as he snuck from the sidelines, deciding being the center of attention wasn’t the best at the moment. He heard the sound of the Iron horse covered the sound of him casually climbing up to the top of the cave, for the best line of vision, and for the most ideal sniping position, just incase.

[AngelBites15]

The cowgirl did find herself in a predicament that was far beyond, even her own control. It was true; she wasn't the one in charge, although there have been times where she would do so behind Jed's back. If she was being honest with herself, half of the cowboy's brain was riddling with the word "crazy"; not that she will admit or tell him any time soon.

"Thank you"

She heard the giant say, and Annie felt relief in her chest, and made the gesture of a sigh quietly...for the moment. But just by hearing his outburst, Annie was, on the inside, getting anxious. Not that she was completely, but she was slightly curious on the verdict. The "Iron Horse" was going so fast on the track, Annie allowed her eyes to slightly widen as it came closer to its intended target.

However, for their world was miniaturized, that meant the train must be small too, explaining that it just bumped Larry's face, and fell over on its side, off the track. Just by seeing it, Annie made a wince at the impact.

[Tajjus]

Jedediah’s triumphant grin fell the instant the trainfell off the rails. So much for that idea. He snapped his fingers. If that hadn’t worked, then dynamite probably wouldn’t either. Dang! How the heck was he supposed to get rid of this Night Guard guy? Jedediah looked to his men for a second, as if to apologize the train hadn’t left a more clear ark in the larger man’s head.

“Well….so much for that.”
-

Markus had just scaled the tope of the cave, getting a good view of the whole thing as planned. The Iron hoarse was moving right toward’s the poor giant’s head, at full speed. Markus prepared to see the man die—when the trained slammed into him and then fell off the rails. Markus couldn’t help but flinch upon the impact of the train. That out to leave a mark, whether he’s huge or not.

Markus thought, shaking his head. Goodness though, the blow this Nightguard had just taken. He didn’t seemed stunned, just annoyed. Was this Nightguard some unholy giant that Giaia had sent from the earth? No. Giaia wouldn’t send any giant to wreck judgement upon anyone when the giant’s dressed like that.

[AngelBites15]

Annie didn't have to tell Jed what went wrong at the moment, and she most definitely didn't need to admit to him that it was "good". It turned the situation into a predicament that would put his leadership into question...in her point of view, at least. In truth, Annie didn't know how long he has been doing this, but she didn't want to assume that his leadership was terrible, but he was a leader who tries to do things that are best for his people. They were her people too; she was the SIC of the diorama, and the "so-said" surrogate little sister of the cowboy.

Wincing at the Jedediah's failure, the Annie turned her wavy, back-lengthed, blonde-haired head to look back at the cowboy on his horse in pity, to the point to place a comforting hand on his knee.

"Okay, that's enough"

The cowgirl heard the giant man say, before turning her attention to see it start to break the restraints holding him down to the exhibit floor.

"Jed!", Annie said to get the cowboy's attention on what to do now, as she watched the giant.

[Tajjus]

Aw Mother Mercy. Jedediah thought, as Larry broke free of his bonds. His men were helpless against the raw might of the Gigantor.
“HOLD YER GROUND BOYS!” Jedediah shouted, even though they wouldn’t succeed. Really, it was the least he could do as Gigantor broke free. Jedediah would have gotten off his horse, to help in holding the man down only to have the nightguard break free just as the thought crossed Jed’s mind. He grunted as Annie called his name behind him, he resisted the urge to turn his face. He didn’t need anyone’s look of ‘told you so’ or anything along the lines at the moment. So the cowboy remained on his horse, he muttered a ‘Dad gummit’. Jedediah returned his gaze to the giant, before he lightly kicked the belly of his horse with the backs of his boots so that he could step forward. He could hear something else stirring from beneath the stand, and if it was what he thought it was, his bad day was going to get worse.

-

Markus suppressed a small chuckle from where he was. This was an amusing sight. If these ‘cowboys’ were the Roman Empires enemies, than it would be more than easy to bring them under Octavian’s control. Then Markus realized something.

If this giant had no problem with the Iron Horse, and the ropes of these cowboys, then what precisely was going to bring him down? Markus thought of the realative size of their catapults and other war machines. Suddenly Markus didn’t feel like anything would be easy around here, with this Night-Guard on the watch. Boulders were only pebbles to this giant. Arrows were but small splinters.

Markus blinked twice, forgetting about where he was for a moment, looking down beyond the wildwest stand to the assembling Roman army. It was too late. This was going to be a humiliation to the Roman empire.

[AngelBites15]

This was one unfortunate (and an interesting) turn for her first night: the giant escapes from her fellow pioneers' binds. First, the "Iron Horse" fails to splice his head, then the binds break to fully secure the "beast".
Annie felt an almost feared sign creeping up on her, but she didn't willingly show it towards Jed. The cowboy's horse that she stood next to, began to whinny and kick up its legs wildly, as the giant man began to sit up from the floor of the exhibit. "Whoa!", she managed to exclaim as she grabbed the horse's reigns to calm it down, but it wasn't enough to cover up the sight. Seeing Jed eventually get off of it, she followed him, and his sight, to the floor below the stand.

Below were thousands and thousands of other tiny figures, who appear to be miniatures like herself and Jed. However, these "other miniatures" had a strange attire to them, looking like armor that was far beyond pioneer times.

"Prepare the catapults"

Annie heard what seems to be the leader of this strange pack before her sight. She remembered Jed telling and warning her about their feud with the Roman diorama right next to their own, and she took it seriously to not let one of them cross into the "Western" border. Although, there have been moments where she would reconsider on the feud; that it wasn't necessary.

[Tajjus]

Jedediah ignored Anne’s horse whinning as he trotted his beside the giant, hopping off of the four legged creature. He stomped up to the frame of the whole Cowboy display, looking upon the countless roman soldiers.

“Hey! This ain’t your fight!” Jedediah shouted to the man he knew as Octavias. That cocky-eyed good for nothing Italian was messin’ up Jed’s show. Jed had a few other things he would’ve liked to yell at the Mohawk-military-mongrel, but the words didn’t come out of his mouth as his eyes fixed on the catapults.

“Don’t you do it.” Jedediah warned. If you keep this up I’mma git you when yer dressed in those stupid bedsheets and wearin’ that wheat on your bald head. Jedediah wanted to threaten, but the Cowboy believed that with a glare like his, all that information was already evident. Of course there would be a difficulty in reaching Octavias but he’d cross that bridge when he got to it. For now, he’d just stare down this bloke.

--

Markus watched as the whole roman armada assembled, their silver and red coloring speckling the floor like hundreds of ants. From where Markus was, everything seemed so distant, save for the giant. The catapults were ready, proudly their cupped rims holding their flaming projectiles. It was an impressive sight; it made Markus wish he had joined the whole group. Only there was a giant man in the way, and the whole thing didn’t look like it was going to work out. Markus returned his gaze to the catapults. They could launch those giant stones pretty well last he checked.

Markus tried to do some math in his head as he thought about the approximate velocity of the rocks, and how quickly the catapuls could level walls. Then Markus’s mind replayed the Iron Horse smashing into the ground like a toy before the giant broke loose.

Markus’s comforts were once more dashed. He found himself sitting down ontop of the mouth of the cave. It wasn’t like there was anything else to do. He wasn’t about to anger something that huge. Not like his arrows would do much anyways. So he’d watch this whole thing see how it played out. Maybe some of the cowboys would receive some of the stray fire. Markus’s eyes trailed to the cow-boy right next to Jed. He blinked, it was the cowgirl, her figure had been less than easy to distinguish for a moment. Then his sharp eyes zoned in on her, he still couldn’t make out her features out precisely. Still. She seemed to be having difficulty with her horse. He leaned out a little to try to catch more of her features. He blinked. For a savage—she was surprisingly dazzling. He arched a brow, as he watched her with slight interest for a few seconds more~

[AngelBites15]

Even though Annie was having trouble with her horse, it didn't stop her from getting off of its back, and plant both feet on the ground. pulling the reigns, she passed it to another cowboy, who insisted on taking the animal. She didn't notice herself being watched from behind, but that was the least of her worries right now. Right now, there was an assault brewing.

"...This isn't your fight!"

She heard Jedediah say from the mouth of the diorama. As she approached to stand beside him, the cowgirl didn't have to point out anything about the sight before her: the whole Roman armada. This wasn't going to end well, if there was nothing to stop it.

"He's right, you know!", she butted into the conversation between the two opposing leaders. "Since this giant is on our land...", Annie pointed at the giant man beside her and Jed.

"Hey, hey, hey!", the nightguard interrupted her suddenly, and Annie's gaze went up towards him. "Cowgirl? Annie? Yeah, um...I'm sorry, but I'm not a giant, okay? I'm just an average-sized human being", Larry tried to explain.

[Tajjus]

This hombre was horrible. Jedediah gave Larry a long stare as he stuttered to Annie how he was normal sized. Yeah right. If Jedediah had been given enough time to talk to this guy about how he was so large that Jed’s gang could raise a whole herd of cattle on his backside, no space problems at all. Pressed as he was, Jedediah couldn’t venture into such obvious details, as he just pressed his lips together in a tight frown at the Romans who weren’t really getting the picture either.

Annie was good enough to try to do some explainin’ to them, but it wasn’t like they were gonna listen either. Then and their stickin’ roman shenanigans. Jedediah’s had found its way around his trusty (yet completely dysfunctional) pistol. It just wasn’t right his pistol didn’t work but their silly catapults did. It almost made Jedediah walk over to his horse and pull his bull-whip from the saddle. But again, time was of the essence~

--

Markus kept himself scarce in the meantime. No point in him engaging, though a part of him still yearned to join his roman brethren. Although, these cowboys didn’t seem to be posing too much for a threat. The giant actually didn’t too eager to fight. Which was fantastic. If he removed himself from the equation, the Romans had hope for glorious victory.

Markus grinned at that thought, taking an arrow from his quiver, pulling his bowstring backwards as he focused on Jedediah. The cowboy had his back to Markus. No one knew the roman was there. If Jedediah was removed from the equation, then the cowboys would be leaderless. Unless that fair female was second in command. He lowered his bow, reaching behind him for another arrow. His pointer and middle finger squeezed his first arrow between them. Meanwhile, his middle finger as well as the digit beside it pressed a secondary arrow’s thin body between them. He then resumed his previous position. A rapid fire form of firing arrows was about to be equipped~

Markus had yet to realize that he was made out of wax, or that everyone else save the giant was. He did know that if the giant only left—
C’mon…

[AngelBites15]

"Octavius, stand your men down, and we will stand our own!", Annie shouted to the Roman commander, hoping they would find peace before there was a massacre. "We will walk away quietly!", she added, directly wavering the last word to Jedediah, standing next to her. The cowgirl needed to get it through his thick skull to understand the word of 'peace', and she was sure that he would, although the fact remains that he will "forget" on such a vow. She was keening her green eyes at him, boring them at him, in order to provoke him to agree.

"Silence!", shouted back the Roman general on the floor, below the Western diorama. "The Roman Empire knows no boundaries", he grimly told them, not easily backing down.

Annie knew that there will be indeed Hell if this proceeds, but with the order being said, she stiffed on the spot, as though she was being watched under someone's eye -- and it came from behind them! Slowly, turning her head to the left halfway, she glanced at the corner of her sharp eye that there was someone aiming at them. Alarm struck the brown-haired blonde when she realized that she and Jed were targets to that said-person.

Down below, sheathing his sword, Octavious raised it triumphantly. "Unleash Hell!", he ordered his armada, with an agreeing shout coming right back into the air. That is when Annie quickly used her body weight, despite how small she was, and pushed herself and her leader out of harm's way from the propelled artillery. She did notice herself nearly landing on top of the cowboy, but she quickly removed herself from landing in such an embarrassing position with a groan.

"Sir, we're being watched. Someone's here", she told Jed while she was on the ground with him before taking out one of her guns from her waist, and beginning to shoot at the offender on top of the cave -- from her laying position next to the cowboy!

[Tajjus]

Jeddediah grunted with approval at his second in command’s words. He pressed his lips together, nodding his cow-boy hat as he stared down the massive army. She was as confident and as much of a reinforcement as ever. Yeah, you tell ‘em Anne. We ain’t gonna tolerate them-Romans---wait a sec. We’re walkin’ away quietly? Jed’s brow furrowed at Anne’s words, as he turned to her, narrowing his eyes in the way someone might if they wanted to say ‘what the heck’.
“Now Anne-“ Jed’s words were interrupted by Octavious’s booming voice, as he proclaimed his own terms. Apparently the Cowboys weren’t going to be having a say in this. As if!

“There’s a first time for everythin’! And from where I’m standin’, it sure looks like there’s a big ol’ fat boundary between you and this here land. It’s called—“ Jedediah paused dramatically, looking back to his men, to catch their eye as quickly as he could catch their moral. “—Freedo-“ The roman interrupted him once more, making him back up his horse as a hundred or so objects entered the air, spittering towards the wild west. “Duck for cover men!” He shouted, as Anne shoved him off his horse, inches away from one of the big lookin’ rocks. Anne, being the sharp lass she was, had her eyes elsewhere the instant she was done with him.

‘Sir, we’re being watched. Someone’s here.’

“Well butter my biscuit.” Jedediah muttered, pointing his twin guns at the roman intruder. He clicked his duel pistols once, twice, before remembering that they didn’t work at all. “Lord Mercy! My doggon weapons don’t work.” Jedediah cursed, remembering that they were made of the same material as he was: wax. He’d have to get the archer himself if he was gonna make a difference here.

--

The instant that heck began to rain down from the roman emprie, Markus knew that it was time he let an arrow loose directly at the two just as the large rocks were hurled. Only the female quickly ducked herself and her leader out of harms’ way, causing Markus’s arrow to fly straight for the ‘night guard’s’ rear end. Markus scoffed at the fortune he was receiving today as he instantly lined another arrow up with his bow string, firing a secondary arrow at the two, this one was aimed for the shoulder of the leader.

The female, whoever she was, was commendably quick, firing a few rounds his direction. Her aim was as true as his, his arrow hiss Jedediah right in the left shoulder, and her bullets planting themselves right in Markus’s stomach. Markus jolted upon impact, almost feeling like the wind was kicked out of him—before he stared down at his torso. He had two holes in him now. The prepared scream in his mouth died as he saw now blood come out, and found he actually was feeling not too bad. He blinked twice.

Wait a minute. He stroked his chin, before more bullets found their way into his chest, and made him smack down backwards upon the ground above the cave.
He too had his own curses to spout.

[AngelBites15]

Annie was just about a pacifist as ever, even after noticing her leader turn to her with an exasperated 'what the heck?' expression on his face. She wasn't kidding, and it was evident on her own feminine features; it was the 'you heard me' look, piercing her eyes at him, as if she was expecting him to submit defeat. Honestly, the cowgirl wasn't that cruel, and the obvious celebrity-love from their people was evident for her modesty. It was actually one of the reasons why Jedediah grew so amused, and/or fond of her: he respected her for a young woman of her status. Or, maybe it was because he needed a sharpshooter on their boundary? She didn't really want to ask him what the reason was. Not now, not yet.

With rock projectiles coming towards their foundation, the western people of their exhibit screamed, and they ran. The giant, on the other hand, was just acting like a pillar in the way of the rocks. He exclaimed and hissed here and there in pain as the fire-covered rocks hit his uniform, and it literally made him reconsider to not not remain there.

"Climb aboard, boy. Take the hand, son"

Came a sudden voice next to Larry, as he tried to get away from the shooting projectiles of the Roman army, a hand offered out to him. Wasting no time, he took the hand of Theodore Roosevelt, the twenty-sixth president of the United States, and perched himself upon his horse, Texas. Then, there they go, riding away from the Hall of Miniatures. Annie did glance at the night guard's getaway, but she turned herself back into the chaos ensuing, along with the cowboy next to her. Hearing him curse his guns, while taking the shots herself, the cowgirl literally stalled while she was adding more bullets, looking at him in disbelief. "Hold on, you mean all this time, your guns don't work?!", she shouted over the noises of crossfire and screaming. Scoffing in disbelief, she quickly handed him one of her own from her slim waist.

What Annie didn't prepare herself for, was an arrow striking Jedediah's left shoulder, while his back was turned to the archer within their hiding spot. Apparently, the coverage proved itself useless, and the cowgirl felt a shocking blankness within herself at the sight. Using what only her sharp eye could do, Annie stood up, exposing herself from her hiding spot, and hit true with her last bullet: into the intruder's stomach.

---------------------------------------

In the aftermath of battle, Annie, now panting from the mental and emotional experience, tended to the people around her. Knowing that she, Jed, and everyone around her was made of a material known as wax, tending to a wound was easy: just a few bandages here and there. She tended to her leader's shoulder, having to strip him from his shirt to make the treatment easier. "When were you going to tell me that you had poor weaponry?", the cowgirl asked him curiously, wanting to know why he kept quiet about his guns, and why he didn't tell her that he had obsolete firearms that were far beyond her own.

---------------------------------------

Octavius never felt such utter disappointment for their failure to take the barbarian territory of the Western exhibit. His best soldier was being tended to by the healers, and he had to come up with another plan as he stood within his tent, back in the exhibit of the Roman Empire. That was enough of those buffoons! That cowgirl and her barbarous leader...

[Tajjus]

--During the skirmish--
“Course I had bullets, I just didn’t wanna load ‘em!” Jedediah shouted back at Annie. The doggon girl was yelling at him in the midst of battle. Jed slapped a gun into it’s holster while he tried dislodging the arrow form his shoulder. Sweet baby Caroline, how the heck did this thing get so darn deep? Jedediah resisted grumbling, as he gave it one strong yank. The arrow tip shot out (so to speak) of his shoulder with the single tug. Jedediah released a manly grunt, only to find that he actually didn’t feel anything.

While he remained behind his makeshift cover, he couldn’t help but think about his clothes. They were the only darned pair he owned, and now someone had just up and shot a tear into it. Jedediah tried once more to release a volley of bullets to the stranger, again, his guns clicked, out of ammunition. A chorus of the same noises all around him told him his mean were probably suffering the same technical issue.

“God must be wantin’ to see something real entertaining because you’re gonna get darn shoved off that heaven-forsaken cave entrance!” Jedediah shouted at the roman archer, as another arrow whizzed past him.

-Markus (during the skirmish)

“Or maybe Zues simply wants to see how you barbarians hold up against functional weaponry!” Markus shouted back over the sound of clicking guns. As he realized their weapons didn’t work, his hiding spot became of less importance. If his attackers couldn’t defend themselves, then that was fine by him. The Night-Guard left, causing great chaos amongst the barbarians.

Markus almost laughed as he sent another arrow flying past the Barbarian leader, who seemed to have a very loose jaw-bone. Still. It caught Markus slightly offguard that Jedediah wasn’t bleeding to death. Markus almost paused after another arrow. Surely the blood would drip out in a second? Nope. The cowboy yanked the missile from his arm. Just as Markus drew his arm back to send another arrow, he never noticed the bullets passing through him, his focus was so on firing arrows.

But another bullet from the female barbarian’s gun sent him stumbling backwards, as it passed into his chest, planting itself where his lungs would be. The impact caused him to take a step backward, being slightly off balance. It was then he bumped into something large and fleshy(waxy?). Markus turned around to see an eight foot man (or the miniature equivalent) standing right infront of him. The man was bald, and was built like a solid stone fortress. His biceps would so large Markus knew his head could’ve fit comfortably inside.

“The name’s Joe Brass.” The man grunted, before picking Markus up like a rag doll. “Go back to your temples filled with them scotch-white naked folk.” Joe then sent Markus flying off about eight (real) feet into the air, off the western display shelf, and rocketing for the checkered floor.

-After the skirmish (Jedediah)

“I said it once, I’mma say it again.” Jedediah declared to Annie, “My guns work just fine. They just weren’t meant for firing. I didn’t tell ya because I knew you wouldn’t accept it at the time.” Jedediah said to his second in command.

“I’ve been uh thinkin’ you should tell her ‘bout us bein’ made ‘o’ wax Jed.” Joe Brass’s thick voice rumbled from across the partially restored cowboys laying on the ground. Jedediah sighed,
“Alright, we’re made of wax Annie.” Jedediah spun around to look at Joe Brass, “There. Now shut yer yapper and git them explosives ready for our progress drilling through that cursed mountain.” He instructed. Joe Brass released a grunt before the (miniature) giant thumped his way towards the huts full of the supplies to do so. Everyone knew they weren’t going to be making it through the mountain, but it was their gig. So they would keep making small smoke-bomb explosives, since that was all they could do until it was morning, and the whole cycle happened again.

- After the skirmish (Markus)

Markus awoke in the medical tent, finding a small bowl full of bullet-shaped pieces beside him…

[AngelBites15]

Annie moved some of her ombré blonde hair from her face, as her leader began to lecture about the case of her guns, and his own. The remarkable difference between the two miniatures was the function of their weaponry; hers could project, while his didn't even propel. From what she just witnessed tonight, only a few of their artillery laid impact upon the Giant, who obviously escaped the waging battle between the two factions. Not to mention that he was a pillar through it all. Noted memo: only use it for something that's of your own size; Gigantor being excluded. Adjusting her hat by the brim, the cowgirl took a minute-glance at his firearm. He must only use it for melee or up-close purposes, she guessed. Crossing her arms, his second thought about it for a moment, even after he said that they were made of wax. "Got it", she confirmed with a breath. Again, Annie was thinking to herself as she walked next to the cowboy, watching this other hefty man walk off.

Unraveling her arms, the cowgirl held one of her handguns, just resting it upon her shoulder, before twirling it, so the handle was facing Jedediah, gesturing him to take it. "Wanna shoot with a real gun?", she asked him. Perhaps they could practice their aim, maybe teach the cowboy some new feats of marksmanship. "Shoot some rounds?"

~ ~ ~

At the medical tent, as soon as Markus awoke, a messenger came to the flap of the tent. "Sir, the Commander requests your presence", he informed the archer. "When you're ready", he added as an afterthought, before taking his leave.

[Tajjus]

Jedekiah accepted the gun handed to him, secretly glad that he was being given something that actually functioned.
“I know that’s just yer way of sayin’ you wanna show off.” Jedediah answered, though it was obvious he was up for the activity. It would be good to keep his mind off of the new Nightguard. Something aside from making smokebombs, trying to drill through solid marble, failing and repeating the whole process was awfully dull. He knew with Annie he needn’t check the ammunition since it would definitely be a fair amount. He couldn’t help but notice how clean she kept her guns, noting that she put as much time and effort in maintaining her tools much like he did.

“Alright, Ladies first with this lil’ shoot off.” Jedediah said, gesturing to Annie. He really didn’t know the target anyways, so it was best that she shoot first. He subconsciously adjusted his ten gallon hat, one of the few possessions which he had. He played with the gun in his fingers as he waited for Annie to make the first move…

_

Markus rubbed his stomach where the bullets had passed through. He could feel though the fabric of his tunic his flesh. He could feel small ripples in his skin where those wax bullets had flown through. To his astonishment, he felt amazingly well. He had no broken limbs from the fall, no bandages anywhere, no scars, no anything. There wasn’t a stain of blood anywhere in sight on his mattress.

Had the Romans doctors been blessed with healing potions from Apollo? Had they unlocked some sacred ritual to immortality? Markus put a halt to the thoughts in his imagination, as he tried to regain his bearings. He needed to speak with Augustus.

“Thank you officer.” Markus scratched the back of his head, finding his armor stashed right across from his bedding. He exhaled. “Give me a moment.” Markus approached his armor, bending down as he nimbly put the metal breastplate on. The segments he placed over his shoulders with care; ensuring the plating linked properly for it to remain flexible. Only a few minutes passed, before Markus spoke once more,
“Alright. I am ready. Lead the way, officer.”