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AGELESS Campaign Episode 2 - Temple of the Cat-Goddess
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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 4721792" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter Twelve, “The Delroy-Kingsley Family” September 1st, 1882, 5:30 P.M.</strong></p><p></p><p>Looking down towards the north they see Luiz returning to the house along with two of the three men, the human and the ogre, who had been busy painting the building down by the docks. Up on the roof, Sol suggests that they head downstairs for the others to meet the men who Luiz has brought up to the house. "Oh, who are they?" Ruby asks. </p><p></p><p>Sol replies, "The Delroy-Kingsley family. They've lived on this land since shortly after the war but didn't own it. When we bought the place they assumed that we'd kick them off, but James told them they were welcome to stay. They were a big help with the construction of this house and the outbuildings so James decided to build them a new house at the same time. Jemima is also the best cook you'll find around these parts, they provide us with one big meal a day." She replies, "Excellent! Let's go meet them." </p><p></p><p>Fish intends to be the first in the party on the ground to meet the groundskeepers. He takes a running leap off the telescope perch, tucks and tumbles to grab hold of the third-floor ledge, tucks and leaps to the second floor porch railing, runs along its top edge to the side of the house facing their approach, then slides down a rainspout to land nimbly upon the ground. You'd have to have been looking closely to see him just catch his balance as he plants his feet. He throws up his arm triumphantly, "Ta da!"</p><p></p><p>Thomas, unpacking his carpetbag in his room, hears a "thump" followed by another "thump", sees a blur in the corner of his eye that may or may not have been Fish run past his window, followed by silence, and a rather loud "TA-DA!" from below. He looks up, an eyebrow raised quizzically, ponders for a second, smiles and shakes his head, and continues to unpack his things. </p><p></p><p>As Fish jumped Abby rushed to the edge of the perch to watch him nimbly tumble to the ground. From far above her can hear her applaud him and she calls down, "I'd have cracked my head open trying something like that, but it sure gets you to the ground fast!" She turned to the others still on the perch and grinned, "Who wants to bet her first learned that to sneak into places she ought not to be?" </p><p></p><p>"Indeed, Ms. Abby...I think I will rely on the stairs for my transportation down."Hardin looks down at Fish and shakes his head. "What would your mother think if she saw you do that?" Ruby laughed as Ben did his stunt off the roof, amazed at either his bravery or foolishness. Ruby took George's hand as they walked downstairs. </p><p></p><p>Seeing Mr. Trout’s landing Nanuet says to his elvan companion, "Ahh, I think we're wanted back in the house." Nanuet offers his arm to Alsoomse. "Shall we?" </p><p></p><p>Luiz introduces the human in his mid-forties as Jasper Delroy. While from a distance the other man had appeared to be an ogre in his twenties but up close he appears to also have some human blood as well, although the ogre side is clearly the more dominant aspect of his heritage. Luiz introduces him as Obadiah Kingsley, “You can call me Obie”, is says in a low gutteral voice. Luiz says, “The rest of Jasper’s family will be along in around a half-hour with supper for us all. In the meanwhile, these two have come to help carry your luggage upstairs to your rooms.” </p><p></p><p>James and Wilamina return, riding their bicyles along the stone path. Wilamina calls over to Fish, "Most impressive Benjamin, I was not aware that our ride back was also going to include entertainment." They store the bicycles in the storage building and head up to the house. Luiz says, “Dinner will be in less than an hour if you wish to freshen up first.” James says, “I don’t see any carriages so I gather that our guests haven’t arrived.” Luiz says, “Well, you did tell Sheriff Holtzburn that it was at 6:00 P.M. From what I’ve seen is always exactly on time.” Sol interjects, “Yes, but I’ve also heard that his wife Gerta is habitually early. So they could arrive at any time now.” </p><p></p><p>"Lady Wilamina?" asks Fish quietly, stepping alongside her as they head up the front steps to the porch, "I have two questions: may I leave your package in my room?" he asks, patting his duffle, and then adds somewhat sheepishly, "and what if a fella has no duds appropriate to a formal dinner?" She tells him, "You can put it in my room or yours and tonight's dinner is informal. As for the ball Monday, we can purchase you something in Jacksonville that day." </p><p></p><p>Once she was downstairs Ruby bounced over to her grandmother. "Nana, I picked out a room kinda near yours, one floor up. They're pretty big rooms and I can't wait to decorate it. How was your bike ride?" Mina replies, "It was wonderful, after all of the sitting on trains and coaches it was nice to get some exercise for a change. It was nice to have some alone time too. James says that the students have set out these stone bicycle paths throughout the entire estate, so there will lots of future opportunities for riding." </p><p></p><p>Ruby replies, "Well, I will certainly take advantage of that, I love to explore. How should we dress for dinner? Do I need an evening gown?" James laughs and says, "No, it will be informal. Save the gown for Monday night when we go into the city for the ball." Ruby clapped her hands together, "Oh I had forgotten about that already!” </p><p></p><p>"What's this about a ball? Shame I have nothing appropriate to wear." Nanuet says as he walks up the group, feigning disappointment. James replies, "The ball is being thrown by a fraternal order of Jacksonville's society and business leaders. The have been anxious to get msyelf and Doctor Chernoitz to join them. We can discuss it in more detail as we get closer to Monday." </p><p></p><p>"Ha Nanuet, think you would get out of the dance that easily? I am certain someone would have something for you to wear." Ruby leaned in closer and with a grin on her face whispered to Nanuet. "Besides, who will take that nice, pretty elven woman if you do not?" Nanuet's face turns crimson as Ruby whispers in his ear. His eyes look down before looking back at Alsoomse and then back at Ruby. "She uh... well I... I am sure... I mean I guess I can find something to wear if I have to. I bet there is a lot to do between now and then though, we shouldn't worry about that right now." "Who's worried?" Ruby laughed, and kissed her friend on the cheek. "It will be a fabulous time, I am certain." </p><p></p><p>Ruby says, Alright, I'm going to go freshen up for dinner now that our bags are upstairs.” As she walked to the stairs she stopped at Mr. Trout. "Your little acrobatics show was quite impressive Fish." She gave him a wink then headed up the stairs. </p><p></p><p>Three individuals head up the road from the house down by the river. One is a male half-ogre who is the human equivalent of early-to-mid-thirties. He is leading a mule that is pulling a small cart. Walking alongside the cart is a female half-ogre the human equivalent of around fifty. Beside her is the tall carmel-skinned statuesque beauty that they saw earlier when they arrived. Both women are wearing colorful floral-print sundresses. The man has on polished shoes, dark cotton pants, a white cotton shirt and a necktie.</p><p></p><p>When they arrive Luiz introduces the man as Enoch Kingsley, the older woman as Jemima Kingsley and the younger woman as Antoinette Delroy. The three of them remove several metal and ceramic containers with handles from the cart. "Nice to meet you all," Ruby commented, "We've heard so much about you...r cooking! I hope James wasn't exaggerating, I'm starving!" </p><p></p><p>The meal consists of the barbecue chicken, salad greens in an oil sauce, corn on the cob, honey-baked yams, and fresh wheat bread. "I'm going to grab a quick drink before dinner then." She headed to the bar. </p><p></p><p>Lawrence unpacks his suitcases into the dresser of his room. He absently whistles while he does so. Next he unlocks his satchel and places the contents on the desk. He checks through the various pens, inks and papers to make sure they survived the trip. Satisfied, he repacks the case and locks it. He dresses for dinner in a suit a couple years out of style before heading downstairs for supper. </p><p></p><p>Hardin quickly and efficiently unpacks his larger bag, taking out the crisp new suit he purchased in Tallahassee before getting on the train. He turns the suitcoat inside out and then opens the smaller valise and pulls out some soft calfskin, a small pair of shears, several large sewing needles and some sturdy thread. With practiced ease, he sets to work.</p><p></p><p>Five minutes prior to the start of dinner, he stands before the mirror in his room, new coat on and stares intently at his own reflection. His knees flex slightly and his hands blur. A split second later, both Colts are aimed at an imaginary foe's midsection. Hardin grins and holsters the brace in their newly-sewn homes. The left hammer catches a bit and he frowns."Guess that one will have to wait until after dinner..." He picks up the new matching bowler-style derby and places it with a jaunty angle before heading out the door. </p><p>Fish slides into his room and tucks the duffle under his bed, after pulling out the ascot (a gift from Lydia, his paramour from the circus). He takes a moment to rig a simple "trap" along the duffle's fastenings: if triggered, it will let him know that someone fussed with the bag.</p><p></p><p>He steps up to the washbowl on the bureau and splashes some water on his face, drags his fingers through his hair, and then inspects himself in the mirror as he ties on the ascot with a rakish flair. He frowns, to look at his road clothes: a little threadbare and far from nifty clean. Then he shrugs, thinking to himself, "I am who I am!" He gives himself a wink, fills his flask with the remainder of the fine bourbon he shared with Roy while in the coach, and heads downstairs.</p><p></p><p>Thomas dresses for dinner: a charcoal-grey double-breasted linen suit, with a crimson red cravat. Folding his spectacles into his pocket, and tucking a white silk handkerchief into the left breast pocket, he goes downstairs to the dining room, effusively greeting all who are there. Despite his reserve, he can't help but be struck by the beauty and grace of the woman introduced to him as Antoinette Delroy. He takes her hand into his, and in an unusual (for Thomas) gesture, he kisses her hand, saying "I am most pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Delroy." "As I am to meet you Doctor Crane. James and Solomon have both spoken very highly of you," she states in a well articulated Southern accent. </p><p></p><p>Since no one was manning the bar, Ruby felt right at home slipping behind the counter and making her own drink. She pondered taking some more of Alsoomse's special tea but opted for lemonade instead. She poured one for George too and returned to the dining room.</p><p></p><p>It is almost 6:00 and the Sheriff and his wife still have not arrived. James announces that he and Mina will be sharing a table with their nearly tardy guests and asks that Solomon, John and Lawrence take the three remaining seats at that table. Of the Delroy-Kingsley family, Jasper, Jemima and Obadiah sit at one table and are joined by Alsoomse, leaving three more chairs there unoccupied. Antoinette and Enoch sit at the third table and are joined by Luiz, leaving four more chairs unoccupied. Thomas sits at the table with Antoinette, Enoch, and Luiz. Fish wants to sit next to Roy.</p><p></p><p>Ruby and George took a seat with the Delroy-Kingsley family, leaving the seat next to Alsoomse open. When Nanuet entered the dining room she waved to him. "Over here Nanuet!" Nanuet responds immediately to Ruby's voice and heads in that direction without thinking before he sees what she has planned. He pauses for a moment, shaking his head slightly before finishing the trip across the room and seating himself in the remaining empty seat next to Alsoomse. He listens carefully to the conversation taking place regarding the possible deputizations. </p><p></p><p>Hardin stops at the door momentarily, eyes sweeping the room and lingering on each person he doesn't know for a heartbeat or two. He is looking for a seat with a solid wall to his back. Once he spots one, he will angle toward it...pausing only to tip his hat toward the ladies. Once at the target chair, he pulls it out a bit, puts his bowler on the cushion, smoothes back his hair and returns to the mainstream for proper introductions... </p><p></p><p>Ruby turned back to her table mates. "This food smells fabulous, I can't wait to dig in! I've been wondering, where did you two ladies get your dresses? They look so pretty and so cool for this hot and humid weather." The older half-ogre Jemima replies "Why I made them for myself and Antoionette. The Mill Cove store has bolts of this material, I would be happy to make some for you as well. Ruby responds, "That would be so generous of you, thank you. I think stuffy hot corsets won't do down here, it's too warm, so a bit of new clothing would be in order. I think George should get some lighter weight suits too. So James mentioned you've lived here a while?" </p><p></p><p>Obadiah Kingsley says, "Yes, our Grandpa was a slave sold to the Kingsley Plantation. My mother and my Aunt Jemima were both born there." Alsoomse says, "The Kingsley Plantation is the oldest one in the county, established in 1814. It occupies all of Fort George Island just north of the mouth of the Saint James River. It has a fastinating racial history, as Zaphaniah Kingsley's wife Anna was an African ogress who he had purchased in Cuba and then fell in love with and married. They treated their slaves far better than most slave owners. </p><p></p><p>Problems arose in 1821 when Florida changed hands from Spanish rule to becoming part of the United States. Spain had no laws against human and ogre marriages but the United States did. So Zephaniah and Anna sold the Plantation to his nephew and moved to Haiti, where they established a new plantation. After he died in 1843 Anna and her daughters moved back here." Jemima says, "We were always well treated so when the slaves were freed we all took on the name Kingsley as our last name. I met Jasper there." As she says that she gently pats his cheek.</p><p></p><p>He smiles and says, "In the war I was wounded and discharged at First Mannassas, lost my right leg. Limped around with just a wooden one for nearly two decades until this summer when Luiz...Doctor Chernovz built me this newfangled semi-mechanical one. Bends just like a real one and also locks in place when I need it to. Those guys are something else." Jemima says, "Dear, you're rambling." He says, "Sorry, so I was overseer at the Plantation but got discharged for being too friendly with the workers." "Resulting in cousin Antoinette," Obadiah says. "You hush Boy," Jasper exclaims. </p><p></p><p>Slightly embarrassed, Jemima says, "Jasper and I were married in an African ceremony at the Kingsley Plantation in Haiti. That satisfies us but is not recognized by the United States, so we're not in violation of the law. That's why I still use the name Kingsley instead of Delroy." He adds, "After I lost my job at the Plantation we moved a few miles up river to here. Never thought that anybody would actually buy this place." </p><p></p><p>Ruby ate her food as she listened to the story. "Why is that? That you thought no one would buy this place?" He replies, "'Cause of the plague that killed them Indians who lived here. Bad omens and such." Ruby says, "Plague? I think James mentioned that but wasn't it a while ago?" Jasper says, "Sure, almost three hundred years ago. But ghosts are ghosts, they don't care how long it's been!"</p><p></p><p>Alsoomse says, "Yes, and if you'll stick around after dinner Jasper you'll hear my theories about how there wasn't a plague at all, so there are no ghosts." He replies to Alsoomse, "I've heard what you said before Mrs. de Rosa, and you're probably right. Don't matter none, it's not what actually happened but what people think happened that will form the opinions. As long as folks think this here hill is haunted they'll stay away." Ruby says, "I'm quite interested to hear all about your ghosts Alsoomse, I enjoy a good tale." </p><p></p><p>Having left her jacket upstairs in her new room, Abigail sat down to dinner in a plain white blouse and freshened up from the long day's travel. "Quite an ecclectic group of people the Parker's have assembled here," she said. "It must have been quite a summer for you with students all over and now us here. Are you looking forward to things settling down a bit?" she asked, looking toward the three who already lived on the land.” Enoch Kingsley replies, "The kids were fun to have around." </p><p></p><p>Antoinette says, "I don't mind them being gone, some of those boys were so immature. You'd have thought that they had never seen a woman before." Luiz interjects, "Well, the Bradford Academy is a college preparation school for boys, with the exception of a rather ancient staff nurse they have no female students or faculty." She says, "Yes, but three of them had their teenage sisters along, the boys left them alone." Luiz said, "They had to, they risked expulsion otherwise, those girl's fathers sit on the Academy's Board of Directors." Antoinette says, "As does Mr. Parker." Luiz replies, "True, also keep in mind that they were just girls whereas you are a woman, there was no comparison." </p><p></p><p>Thomas thinks to himself "Oh my word, yes, yes she is indeed." He only hoped that he'd be able to keep his composure seated at the same table with Abigail, who has always created a turmoil of feelings within him, and this new vision of beauty, Antoinette. Someday, he resolved, he'd have to get to the bottom of why women ... incredibly beautiful and intelligent women ... always discomfited him and gelded his normally robust powers of speech. Smiling to himself, Thomas began to realize that he wasn't missing his gardens back in Bermuda quite as much as he thought he might. </p><p></p><p>Abigail says, "I attended an all women's college, so in some ways I can sympathize with those boys. Generally it was good not to have the distraction of all the flirting that would have been inevitable, but absence makes the heart grow fonder, as they say. Or in our cases, perhaps they should say forbidden fruit always tastes sweeter. My friends there and I got into more trouble than was good for us in town looking for a little companionship." </p><p></p><p>Luiz said, "That happened here too, two of the boys sneaked out of their tent one night and walked all the way to Mill Cove to meet up with a pair of girls they saw there. They ran into a pair of alligators instead and high tailed it back here as fast as their feet would carry them." </p><p></p><p>Laughing Abby said, "Can't say I ever had to run from an alligator. Wells is in Aurora, New York, on the shore of Cayuga Lake. It's a small village, but there were always plenty of boys from Ledyard to be found in town. One particulary brave one once challenged me to swim in the lake with him late at night. So there I was soaking wet in my drawers in that lake. It was late spring but that water was still cold. Lucky for me he was too cold to try anything after he climbed out of that water." </p><p></p><p>Visibly distracted, Fish stammers, "I've wrestled alligators! The Everglades show was always one of our most popular." He glances at Abigail across the table, "Of course, I'd raised Bessie and Lychee since they were about this big..." holding up his thumb and forefinger. "Even so, a well-fed gator can grow mighty thick!" Ben draws his open hands apart from one another, as though he's cradling an abdomen. Abby says, "I wouldn't think you could ever raise a truly tame alligator, they are what they are. It still must have been dangerous. Carnival life probably seems quite everyday to you, but I admit I'm rather fascinated."</p><p></p><p>Enoch says, "You're not likely to see many alligators, the population in and around Jacksonville has doubled in the last two years, so most of them gators have been hunted down. There's maybe just a couple hundred of them left in the swamps north of the river. Too much river traffic during the day so they stay in the swamps. But they will venture down from the swamps at night, usually after livestock from the farms. Those boys were after a farmer's daughters, well them alligators were after that same farmer's chickens." Turning to Enoch she said, "I'm glad there shouldn't be any alligators around here, although I do feel a bit bad for the poor things. They only do what comes naturally. Can't say I feel bad for those boys."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 4721792, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter Twelve, “The Delroy-Kingsley Family” September 1st, 1882, 5:30 P.M.[/B] Looking down towards the north they see Luiz returning to the house along with two of the three men, the human and the ogre, who had been busy painting the building down by the docks. Up on the roof, Sol suggests that they head downstairs for the others to meet the men who Luiz has brought up to the house. "Oh, who are they?" Ruby asks. Sol replies, "The Delroy-Kingsley family. They've lived on this land since shortly after the war but didn't own it. When we bought the place they assumed that we'd kick them off, but James told them they were welcome to stay. They were a big help with the construction of this house and the outbuildings so James decided to build them a new house at the same time. Jemima is also the best cook you'll find around these parts, they provide us with one big meal a day." She replies, "Excellent! Let's go meet them." Fish intends to be the first in the party on the ground to meet the groundskeepers. He takes a running leap off the telescope perch, tucks and tumbles to grab hold of the third-floor ledge, tucks and leaps to the second floor porch railing, runs along its top edge to the side of the house facing their approach, then slides down a rainspout to land nimbly upon the ground. You'd have to have been looking closely to see him just catch his balance as he plants his feet. He throws up his arm triumphantly, "Ta da!" Thomas, unpacking his carpetbag in his room, hears a "thump" followed by another "thump", sees a blur in the corner of his eye that may or may not have been Fish run past his window, followed by silence, and a rather loud "TA-DA!" from below. He looks up, an eyebrow raised quizzically, ponders for a second, smiles and shakes his head, and continues to unpack his things. As Fish jumped Abby rushed to the edge of the perch to watch him nimbly tumble to the ground. From far above her can hear her applaud him and she calls down, "I'd have cracked my head open trying something like that, but it sure gets you to the ground fast!" She turned to the others still on the perch and grinned, "Who wants to bet her first learned that to sneak into places she ought not to be?" "Indeed, Ms. Abby...I think I will rely on the stairs for my transportation down."Hardin looks down at Fish and shakes his head. "What would your mother think if she saw you do that?" Ruby laughed as Ben did his stunt off the roof, amazed at either his bravery or foolishness. Ruby took George's hand as they walked downstairs. Seeing Mr. Trout’s landing Nanuet says to his elvan companion, "Ahh, I think we're wanted back in the house." Nanuet offers his arm to Alsoomse. "Shall we?" Luiz introduces the human in his mid-forties as Jasper Delroy. While from a distance the other man had appeared to be an ogre in his twenties but up close he appears to also have some human blood as well, although the ogre side is clearly the more dominant aspect of his heritage. Luiz introduces him as Obadiah Kingsley, “You can call me Obie”, is says in a low gutteral voice. Luiz says, “The rest of Jasper’s family will be along in around a half-hour with supper for us all. In the meanwhile, these two have come to help carry your luggage upstairs to your rooms.” James and Wilamina return, riding their bicyles along the stone path. Wilamina calls over to Fish, "Most impressive Benjamin, I was not aware that our ride back was also going to include entertainment." They store the bicycles in the storage building and head up to the house. Luiz says, “Dinner will be in less than an hour if you wish to freshen up first.” James says, “I don’t see any carriages so I gather that our guests haven’t arrived.” Luiz says, “Well, you did tell Sheriff Holtzburn that it was at 6:00 P.M. From what I’ve seen is always exactly on time.” Sol interjects, “Yes, but I’ve also heard that his wife Gerta is habitually early. So they could arrive at any time now.” "Lady Wilamina?" asks Fish quietly, stepping alongside her as they head up the front steps to the porch, "I have two questions: may I leave your package in my room?" he asks, patting his duffle, and then adds somewhat sheepishly, "and what if a fella has no duds appropriate to a formal dinner?" She tells him, "You can put it in my room or yours and tonight's dinner is informal. As for the ball Monday, we can purchase you something in Jacksonville that day." Once she was downstairs Ruby bounced over to her grandmother. "Nana, I picked out a room kinda near yours, one floor up. They're pretty big rooms and I can't wait to decorate it. How was your bike ride?" Mina replies, "It was wonderful, after all of the sitting on trains and coaches it was nice to get some exercise for a change. It was nice to have some alone time too. James says that the students have set out these stone bicycle paths throughout the entire estate, so there will lots of future opportunities for riding." Ruby replies, "Well, I will certainly take advantage of that, I love to explore. How should we dress for dinner? Do I need an evening gown?" James laughs and says, "No, it will be informal. Save the gown for Monday night when we go into the city for the ball." Ruby clapped her hands together, "Oh I had forgotten about that already!” "What's this about a ball? Shame I have nothing appropriate to wear." Nanuet says as he walks up the group, feigning disappointment. James replies, "The ball is being thrown by a fraternal order of Jacksonville's society and business leaders. The have been anxious to get msyelf and Doctor Chernoitz to join them. We can discuss it in more detail as we get closer to Monday." "Ha Nanuet, think you would get out of the dance that easily? I am certain someone would have something for you to wear." Ruby leaned in closer and with a grin on her face whispered to Nanuet. "Besides, who will take that nice, pretty elven woman if you do not?" Nanuet's face turns crimson as Ruby whispers in his ear. His eyes look down before looking back at Alsoomse and then back at Ruby. "She uh... well I... I am sure... I mean I guess I can find something to wear if I have to. I bet there is a lot to do between now and then though, we shouldn't worry about that right now." "Who's worried?" Ruby laughed, and kissed her friend on the cheek. "It will be a fabulous time, I am certain." Ruby says, Alright, I'm going to go freshen up for dinner now that our bags are upstairs.” As she walked to the stairs she stopped at Mr. Trout. "Your little acrobatics show was quite impressive Fish." She gave him a wink then headed up the stairs. Three individuals head up the road from the house down by the river. One is a male half-ogre who is the human equivalent of early-to-mid-thirties. He is leading a mule that is pulling a small cart. Walking alongside the cart is a female half-ogre the human equivalent of around fifty. Beside her is the tall carmel-skinned statuesque beauty that they saw earlier when they arrived. Both women are wearing colorful floral-print sundresses. The man has on polished shoes, dark cotton pants, a white cotton shirt and a necktie. When they arrive Luiz introduces the man as Enoch Kingsley, the older woman as Jemima Kingsley and the younger woman as Antoinette Delroy. The three of them remove several metal and ceramic containers with handles from the cart. "Nice to meet you all," Ruby commented, "We've heard so much about you...r cooking! I hope James wasn't exaggerating, I'm starving!" The meal consists of the barbecue chicken, salad greens in an oil sauce, corn on the cob, honey-baked yams, and fresh wheat bread. "I'm going to grab a quick drink before dinner then." She headed to the bar. Lawrence unpacks his suitcases into the dresser of his room. He absently whistles while he does so. Next he unlocks his satchel and places the contents on the desk. He checks through the various pens, inks and papers to make sure they survived the trip. Satisfied, he repacks the case and locks it. He dresses for dinner in a suit a couple years out of style before heading downstairs for supper. Hardin quickly and efficiently unpacks his larger bag, taking out the crisp new suit he purchased in Tallahassee before getting on the train. He turns the suitcoat inside out and then opens the smaller valise and pulls out some soft calfskin, a small pair of shears, several large sewing needles and some sturdy thread. With practiced ease, he sets to work. Five minutes prior to the start of dinner, he stands before the mirror in his room, new coat on and stares intently at his own reflection. His knees flex slightly and his hands blur. A split second later, both Colts are aimed at an imaginary foe's midsection. Hardin grins and holsters the brace in their newly-sewn homes. The left hammer catches a bit and he frowns."Guess that one will have to wait until after dinner..." He picks up the new matching bowler-style derby and places it with a jaunty angle before heading out the door. Fish slides into his room and tucks the duffle under his bed, after pulling out the ascot (a gift from Lydia, his paramour from the circus). He takes a moment to rig a simple "trap" along the duffle's fastenings: if triggered, it will let him know that someone fussed with the bag. He steps up to the washbowl on the bureau and splashes some water on his face, drags his fingers through his hair, and then inspects himself in the mirror as he ties on the ascot with a rakish flair. He frowns, to look at his road clothes: a little threadbare and far from nifty clean. Then he shrugs, thinking to himself, "I am who I am!" He gives himself a wink, fills his flask with the remainder of the fine bourbon he shared with Roy while in the coach, and heads downstairs. Thomas dresses for dinner: a charcoal-grey double-breasted linen suit, with a crimson red cravat. Folding his spectacles into his pocket, and tucking a white silk handkerchief into the left breast pocket, he goes downstairs to the dining room, effusively greeting all who are there. Despite his reserve, he can't help but be struck by the beauty and grace of the woman introduced to him as Antoinette Delroy. He takes her hand into his, and in an unusual (for Thomas) gesture, he kisses her hand, saying "I am most pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Delroy." "As I am to meet you Doctor Crane. James and Solomon have both spoken very highly of you," she states in a well articulated Southern accent. Since no one was manning the bar, Ruby felt right at home slipping behind the counter and making her own drink. She pondered taking some more of Alsoomse's special tea but opted for lemonade instead. She poured one for George too and returned to the dining room. It is almost 6:00 and the Sheriff and his wife still have not arrived. James announces that he and Mina will be sharing a table with their nearly tardy guests and asks that Solomon, John and Lawrence take the three remaining seats at that table. Of the Delroy-Kingsley family, Jasper, Jemima and Obadiah sit at one table and are joined by Alsoomse, leaving three more chairs there unoccupied. Antoinette and Enoch sit at the third table and are joined by Luiz, leaving four more chairs unoccupied. Thomas sits at the table with Antoinette, Enoch, and Luiz. Fish wants to sit next to Roy. Ruby and George took a seat with the Delroy-Kingsley family, leaving the seat next to Alsoomse open. When Nanuet entered the dining room she waved to him. "Over here Nanuet!" Nanuet responds immediately to Ruby's voice and heads in that direction without thinking before he sees what she has planned. He pauses for a moment, shaking his head slightly before finishing the trip across the room and seating himself in the remaining empty seat next to Alsoomse. He listens carefully to the conversation taking place regarding the possible deputizations. Hardin stops at the door momentarily, eyes sweeping the room and lingering on each person he doesn't know for a heartbeat or two. He is looking for a seat with a solid wall to his back. Once he spots one, he will angle toward it...pausing only to tip his hat toward the ladies. Once at the target chair, he pulls it out a bit, puts his bowler on the cushion, smoothes back his hair and returns to the mainstream for proper introductions... Ruby turned back to her table mates. "This food smells fabulous, I can't wait to dig in! I've been wondering, where did you two ladies get your dresses? They look so pretty and so cool for this hot and humid weather." The older half-ogre Jemima replies "Why I made them for myself and Antoionette. The Mill Cove store has bolts of this material, I would be happy to make some for you as well. Ruby responds, "That would be so generous of you, thank you. I think stuffy hot corsets won't do down here, it's too warm, so a bit of new clothing would be in order. I think George should get some lighter weight suits too. So James mentioned you've lived here a while?" Obadiah Kingsley says, "Yes, our Grandpa was a slave sold to the Kingsley Plantation. My mother and my Aunt Jemima were both born there." Alsoomse says, "The Kingsley Plantation is the oldest one in the county, established in 1814. It occupies all of Fort George Island just north of the mouth of the Saint James River. It has a fastinating racial history, as Zaphaniah Kingsley's wife Anna was an African ogress who he had purchased in Cuba and then fell in love with and married. They treated their slaves far better than most slave owners. Problems arose in 1821 when Florida changed hands from Spanish rule to becoming part of the United States. Spain had no laws against human and ogre marriages but the United States did. So Zephaniah and Anna sold the Plantation to his nephew and moved to Haiti, where they established a new plantation. After he died in 1843 Anna and her daughters moved back here." Jemima says, "We were always well treated so when the slaves were freed we all took on the name Kingsley as our last name. I met Jasper there." As she says that she gently pats his cheek. He smiles and says, "In the war I was wounded and discharged at First Mannassas, lost my right leg. Limped around with just a wooden one for nearly two decades until this summer when Luiz...Doctor Chernovz built me this newfangled semi-mechanical one. Bends just like a real one and also locks in place when I need it to. Those guys are something else." Jemima says, "Dear, you're rambling." He says, "Sorry, so I was overseer at the Plantation but got discharged for being too friendly with the workers." "Resulting in cousin Antoinette," Obadiah says. "You hush Boy," Jasper exclaims. Slightly embarrassed, Jemima says, "Jasper and I were married in an African ceremony at the Kingsley Plantation in Haiti. That satisfies us but is not recognized by the United States, so we're not in violation of the law. That's why I still use the name Kingsley instead of Delroy." He adds, "After I lost my job at the Plantation we moved a few miles up river to here. Never thought that anybody would actually buy this place." Ruby ate her food as she listened to the story. "Why is that? That you thought no one would buy this place?" He replies, "'Cause of the plague that killed them Indians who lived here. Bad omens and such." Ruby says, "Plague? I think James mentioned that but wasn't it a while ago?" Jasper says, "Sure, almost three hundred years ago. But ghosts are ghosts, they don't care how long it's been!" Alsoomse says, "Yes, and if you'll stick around after dinner Jasper you'll hear my theories about how there wasn't a plague at all, so there are no ghosts." He replies to Alsoomse, "I've heard what you said before Mrs. de Rosa, and you're probably right. Don't matter none, it's not what actually happened but what people think happened that will form the opinions. As long as folks think this here hill is haunted they'll stay away." Ruby says, "I'm quite interested to hear all about your ghosts Alsoomse, I enjoy a good tale." Having left her jacket upstairs in her new room, Abigail sat down to dinner in a plain white blouse and freshened up from the long day's travel. "Quite an ecclectic group of people the Parker's have assembled here," she said. "It must have been quite a summer for you with students all over and now us here. Are you looking forward to things settling down a bit?" she asked, looking toward the three who already lived on the land.” Enoch Kingsley replies, "The kids were fun to have around." Antoinette says, "I don't mind them being gone, some of those boys were so immature. You'd have thought that they had never seen a woman before." Luiz interjects, "Well, the Bradford Academy is a college preparation school for boys, with the exception of a rather ancient staff nurse they have no female students or faculty." She says, "Yes, but three of them had their teenage sisters along, the boys left them alone." Luiz said, "They had to, they risked expulsion otherwise, those girl's fathers sit on the Academy's Board of Directors." Antoinette says, "As does Mr. Parker." Luiz replies, "True, also keep in mind that they were just girls whereas you are a woman, there was no comparison." Thomas thinks to himself "Oh my word, yes, yes she is indeed." He only hoped that he'd be able to keep his composure seated at the same table with Abigail, who has always created a turmoil of feelings within him, and this new vision of beauty, Antoinette. Someday, he resolved, he'd have to get to the bottom of why women ... incredibly beautiful and intelligent women ... always discomfited him and gelded his normally robust powers of speech. Smiling to himself, Thomas began to realize that he wasn't missing his gardens back in Bermuda quite as much as he thought he might. Abigail says, "I attended an all women's college, so in some ways I can sympathize with those boys. Generally it was good not to have the distraction of all the flirting that would have been inevitable, but absence makes the heart grow fonder, as they say. Or in our cases, perhaps they should say forbidden fruit always tastes sweeter. My friends there and I got into more trouble than was good for us in town looking for a little companionship." Luiz said, "That happened here too, two of the boys sneaked out of their tent one night and walked all the way to Mill Cove to meet up with a pair of girls they saw there. They ran into a pair of alligators instead and high tailed it back here as fast as their feet would carry them." Laughing Abby said, "Can't say I ever had to run from an alligator. Wells is in Aurora, New York, on the shore of Cayuga Lake. It's a small village, but there were always plenty of boys from Ledyard to be found in town. One particulary brave one once challenged me to swim in the lake with him late at night. So there I was soaking wet in my drawers in that lake. It was late spring but that water was still cold. Lucky for me he was too cold to try anything after he climbed out of that water." Visibly distracted, Fish stammers, "I've wrestled alligators! The Everglades show was always one of our most popular." He glances at Abigail across the table, "Of course, I'd raised Bessie and Lychee since they were about this big..." holding up his thumb and forefinger. "Even so, a well-fed gator can grow mighty thick!" Ben draws his open hands apart from one another, as though he's cradling an abdomen. Abby says, "I wouldn't think you could ever raise a truly tame alligator, they are what they are. It still must have been dangerous. Carnival life probably seems quite everyday to you, but I admit I'm rather fascinated." Enoch says, "You're not likely to see many alligators, the population in and around Jacksonville has doubled in the last two years, so most of them gators have been hunted down. There's maybe just a couple hundred of them left in the swamps north of the river. Too much river traffic during the day so they stay in the swamps. But they will venture down from the swamps at night, usually after livestock from the farms. Those boys were after a farmer's daughters, well them alligators were after that same farmer's chickens." Turning to Enoch she said, "I'm glad there shouldn't be any alligators around here, although I do feel a bit bad for the poor things. They only do what comes naturally. Can't say I feel bad for those boys." [/QUOTE]
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