Eli relaxed as the situation seemed to calm itself, removing his hand from his revolver with a relieved sigh. Looked like he wouldn't have to go making a fuss, which was alright in his book.<br/><br/>The bartender delivered an ale and a plate of beans, and Eli nodded his thanks.  The simple meal tasted heavenly, after being on the road for so long.<br/><br/>A figure stumbled down the stairs and Eli kept a wary eye on the man as he ate. The man slumped on the stairs, crying, shouting something incoherently. With his accent, it had been hard to pick up what he'd yelled up the stairs. Hell, Eli wasn't sure it was even English, and no one else seemed to be paying him much mind now that the drama was over. Since no one else seemed to mind, Eli figured he shouldn't make it his business. Someone would kick the man out sooner or later. Still, something weird was going on in Onyx Landing, Eli was sure of it. Years spent traveling alone on the trail had given him a good sense of when to skeedadle. A good night sleep and he'd best head back to the Pony Express outpost in Salt Lake.<br/><br/>Movement and a raised voice caught his attention, and Eli glanced over, a 'who, me?' look on his face, noticing a table of card players and a tall woman with blonde hair asking him if he wanted to join the game. A handsome, lean cowboy who looked like he would have fit right in on the ranch Eli grew up on was sprawled in one of the chairs, holding his cards close to his chest. A pretty Oriental lady sat next to them, dressed as though she likely was employed by the house.  For a moment, he considered refusing, the lure of a bath and a bed hard to pass up after so long on the trail. But if something was going on here, best to find out about it.<br/><br/>Eli nodded, gathering his bowl of beans and his drink before walking over bow-legged to sit with them. Twenty hours on a horse, and his muscles had stiffened something awful sitting at the bar. Maybe just a short game, he thought to himself. Then a bath and bed.<br/><br/>He set his meal down on the table, tipping his hat to the Chinawoman. "Ma'am."  He nodded to the cowboy and to the blonde who had invited him over, taking in her attire, and the easy way she held herself, not afraid to show her femininity.  "Thanks for the invite.  Name's Eli.  Always appreciate good company, though I ain't much of a gambler."  He smiled ruefully. "Ain't got the face for it. But I got a little coin to burn.  What're we playing?"