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"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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<blockquote data-quote="orchid blossom" data-source="post: 2575712" data-attributes="member: 12815"><p><strong>Aftermath</strong></p><p></p><p>After seeing Ruby come stumbling out the door Nanuet, who had gone around back and come to the porch rushes in. He sees Jake lying on the floor and Jeff protecting Ruby from an unseen foe. </p><p></p><p>"Is everyone OK? What happened in here? Minerva, where did you go, I thought you were coming around the building with me?" Nanuet says in an exasperated tone.</p><p></p><p>Minerva turns to Nanuet with a dazed expression. She tries to comprehend his tone of voice as she slowly raises her hand to her face and feels the spot on her cheek, bruised and still burning cold into her flesh from the touch of evil. She turns to him intending to respond angrily as she delicately dabs at the blood on her lip. "Where were you?" She attempts to keep the anger in her voice as she responds to his exasperation but her facade crumbles and she begins to tremble as she realizes what has just occurred.</p><p></p><p>Nanuet sees Minerva bring her hand to her face and then notices the wound. He makes his way over to her and his tone of voice changes to one of concern. "I went out the back, like I said. I thought we were going around the building to get in the front. What happened to your face?" he says reaching out his hand near the wound. "Let me help you with that." He cast a healing prayer.</p><p></p><p>Minerva buries her face in his chest and as he holds her, her trembling subsides and she is able to tell him what occurred. "He was an abomination.. an undead. I tried to stab him but Ruby pulled me back... And his eyes," she shudders. "They glowed red and eminated such evil as I have never felt before. I tried to turn him away but he is much too powerful." </p><p></p><p>She grabs Nanuet's arms "Nanuet, He says that he is coming back for Ruby! I think he plans to take her for his bride. We must find a way to protect her.”</p><p></p><p>The crowd in the Lucky Lady explodes into conversation. Most people have no understanding of what just happened but everyone seems to be excited about the goings on of the last minute.</p><p></p><p>Suddenly released from her compulsion Ruby starts to cry while she falls to her knees next to Jake on the floor. She puts her hand on his back and sobs, "A-a-re you a-alright?"</p><p></p><p>Jake turns over and sits up. "Yah." He is still holding the dagger which he examines and then plunges into the porch. "Mierda."</p><p></p><p>Jeff Mills walks over to Jake to help him off the ground. "Hey boss, you OK? What in hades was that thing anyways? Do you think he will really be back?"</p><p></p><p>Jake takes his hand and stands. "Yes, I think I am OK." Jake reaches down and pulls Ruby up. </p><p></p><p>"What in Hades may be the correct question, Jeff." Jake pulls Ruby in close to him and he says quietly to the two of them, "He was cold. There was no warmth to him, even when I stabbed him." Pointedly, Jake doesn't answer Jeff's last question. "Keep your eyes open. Thanks for standing by me again, Mr. Mills." </p><p></p><p>Jake takes a hankerchief out of his pocket and wipes his hand before using the hanky to pickup the dagger from the porch. He wraps the dagger in the cloth. </p><p></p><p>"It's OK now Ruby, let's go inside." He whispers in her ear, "Are YOU alright?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby shakes her head no and buries her face in Jake's shoulder. He feels her still trembling and his shirt starts to soak through with her tears. Muffled she continues to sob, "I don't know what he was... I couldn't s-stop myself and I said all those horrible things to you... I don't w-want to die..." She grips Jake tighter, "H-he tried to take me and he said he was going to c-come back..."</p><p></p><p>Jake lets her cry, he simply holds onto her. He notices that Minerva and Nanuet and doing the same thing but does not see Katherine. "Yes, that is what he said. I didn't let him take you this time, and I won't ever." </p><p></p><p>"Nanuet, where is Katherine?"</p><p></p><p>Nanuet responds, "I think I saw her run out the back way." </p><p></p><p>After a few more moments Ruby's sobs subside. She turns her face up to Jake, "You're right, you didn't let him take me." She breathes in deeply, that fact comforting her, the remaining tears falling off her face. "What WAS he, what happened to him? And I don't understand why he wants me." She rubs the tears off her face and lets go of Jake. "We have to find out before he comes back," she says softly. "Maybe Mr. Gonzales can help. Or that druid lady..."</p><p></p><p>"You are right, we need to know what we are fighting. Those are good suggestions. Minerva seemed to understand some of what he was saying. Perhaps she knows more or one of her bishop friends." Jake looks out the back door. "Let's make sure Katherine is alright."</p><p></p><p>Ruby only nods before following Jake inside the saloon. </p><p></p><p>She was in no mood to be looking after anyone else at the moment, still scared, more like terrified, but trying not to show it. To her, this was scarier than Johnny Ringo, after all, he was just a man. Colin, who knew what he was or what he had planned. </p><p></p><p>Pale and still shivering she is too overwhelemed to even get herself a drink. She stands quietly and waits for the others to find out how Kate was.</p><p></p><p>Jake looks out the side door and sees Katherine dimly in the light from the doorway. Just as he starts to step outside, he realizes what she is doing and pauses. <em>I think I'll let her be for a few more moments.</em> </p><p></p><p>He walks back across to Jeff Mills, "I'm going to take Ruby upstairs, I think she is done singing for the evening. Give my table another round of drinks and send them home. If you see Chet, send him upstairs." He then walks over to the indian, "Nanuet can you two please meet us upstairs? I think it would be a fine idea if the priestess checked in on Katherine in a moment or two and bring her too. She is indisposed." </p><p></p><p>Jake slides an arm around Ruby and guides her up the stairs.</p><p></p><p>Ruby lets Jake guide her. Once inside their room she heads right to the window and opens it before sitting in the chair right next to it. She sits quietly staring at the floor. </p><p></p><p>Suddenly she looks up at Jake, still pale. "I remember my dream, from yesterday. He killed me, in the dream. He came into our room. And he bit me and I died right here in your arms."</p><p></p><p>"That is a quite distressing dream. I can understand why you would be upset." Jake closes the window. "How did you know he had, those teeth, fangs of his? How in your dream did you know that?"</p><p></p><p>"I saw them. Before he bit me, right before he bit me they came out." Ruby unconsciously rubs her neck. She stands and starts pacing back and forth. Furrowing her brows together, "But I forgot, the dream that is. I forget what it was until before, when I saw him change into...." She shivers. "He was floating over me and he... he..." Ruby voice trails off as she starts getting more agitated. </p><p></p><p>She strides over to the window and opens it, breathing in deeply and sighing with the cool night air. She turns back to face Jake. "He's going to come back, I know it."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, right through that blasted window!" Jake says closing it firmly. "Nanuet said he saw a cloud or mist out there. When I was wrestling with him, he became insubstantial. He just turned into air, or a cloud or something. What if that was him outside our window?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby looks at Jake with big eyes, obviously hurt as her lip starts trembling again at his outburst. She looks to the window then down to her feet. "I just...just..." She squeezes her eyes shut tight to keep more tears from spilling out. She continues in a voice soft as a whisper, "Just feel like the window should be open, I can't help it."</p><p></p><p>"Does it seem at all strange to you? If I tell you I am going to have Jeff Mills nail them shut, do you start thinking of ways to sneak it open?" Jake asks gently without any sarcasm.</p><p></p><p>Ruby gulps. "I just want it open." She looks over Jake's shoulder to the window. "Yes, it seems strange and I guess I would try to get it open." Quiet in thought again for a few moments she starts biting her lip, "Oh what is wrong with me?"</p><p></p><p>"I guess he is still influencing you." Jake continues to stand between Ruby and the window.</p><p></p><p>Ruby turns her back to Jake and tries as hard as she can to not think about the window. She closes her eyes again but immediately those burning red eyes are staring back at her. Her eyes fly open and she turns on her heel to face Jake, "If he's coming back the window isn't going to stop him. Open the window."</p><p></p><p>Jake gets a sad look on his face and sighs. "Yes of course. I see that I must do that." He pauses. "I have an idea though," he reaches around behind and takes an ordinary .45 caliber round from his belt, "this is a special bullet that Red gave me long ago. At the time I didn't know what he was talking about, he told me Laddie, some day you might encounter the greatest of all horrors. The monster in the shape of a man, with fangs and strange powers to control people. This bullet, me boy, shoot him in the heart and it will destroy the monster utterly." Jake holds the bullet up between two fingers. </p><p></p><p>"I will do as you say. Open the window, and when he comes through, I will destroy him utterly."</p><p></p><p>Ruby raises her hand and touches the bullet in Jake's hand delicately. She starts breathing hard but stands still facing Jake, looking back and forth from him to the window. She takes a step forward, then stops, then starts towards the window again. Standing in front of the window, her red hair framing her face as she looks over her shoulder at him, "If you could have killed him downstairs, why didn't you?"</p><p></p><p>"You are trying to protect him aren't you?" Jake's tone is not accusing, just neutral. "At least his taint does not make you stupid." </p><p></p><p>Jake walks over to the night stand and straps on his long barrel Colt. He drops two shells out of it, and replaces then with two others. He then pours himself a generous whiskey and take a sip. He does this all calmly and without hurrying. Finally he says, "Ruby my Love, I will destroy him utterly. First we must remove his taint from you. It would be a crime if my love, partner and best friend was not on my side."</p><p></p><p>"Protect... him?" It feels like a bullet pierces her own heart with Jake's words, driven in deeper with the realization he might be right. She summons her strength and turns her back on the window, running into Jake's arms. "I am SO sorry for all of this... I really am... Even if it doesn't seem like it... I'm always on your side baby...And I always will be... You have to trust in that..." </p><p></p><p>She puts her face up against Jake's neck, the spot that always comforts her. She is quiet for a long moment, feeling Jake's heart beating against hers and it calms her. </p><p></p><p>She pulls back slightly and looks him in the eyes, "I believe you can destroy him. But if something happens... I won't let him hurt you. I would rather go with him then let that happen..." Her voice trails off but she keeps her grip on Jake.</p><p></p><p>"I don't blame you, if that is what you mean." He lets her stay in the comfort of his arms. "No, you said forever. I am going to hold you to that. Running away to him saves me from what awful fate? Instead I wake every morning without you, thinking that I failed you again? Every day I could reach into my darkest imagination and see you subjugated by a monster like that? No, Ruby, it shall not come to pass." </p><p></p><p>He strokes her hair and speaks in a soothing tone. "Wait and see what Nanuet and Minerva have to say, we must first purge the taint of that monster from your being." He remembers the words Ruby spoke when clinging to the arm of that fiend. Below the surface, his hate and anger burns white hot. He strokes Ruby's hair while reliving every detail of what has transpired. <em>Everything has weakness and that thing thinks it knows mine. Without moving his head his eyes glance down at the red hair under his hand, It does not understand that she is also my strength.</em></p><p></p><p>An unknown amount of time passes with Ruby safe in Jake's arms. Finally she summons a small smile before lifting her head. She gently places her hands on Jake's face and she feels his smooth cheeks under her fingertips. She lets her fingers wander to the stubble of his newly shaved off goatee then to his soft lips. She closes her eyes cherishing every second. Leaning in slowly she pushes her lips against Jake's and in a flash she seems to return to herself.</p><p></p><p>"I said forever and I meant it." She kisses him again. "But baby you've never failed me, not once, not ever. It may sound foolish of me, or naive, or stupid... but you've saved me in every way possible. You may not think so but Jacob Cook IS my knight in shining armor, whether he thinks he is capable of it or not."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="orchid blossom, post: 2575712, member: 12815"] [b]Aftermath[/b] After seeing Ruby come stumbling out the door Nanuet, who had gone around back and come to the porch rushes in. He sees Jake lying on the floor and Jeff protecting Ruby from an unseen foe. "Is everyone OK? What happened in here? Minerva, where did you go, I thought you were coming around the building with me?" Nanuet says in an exasperated tone. Minerva turns to Nanuet with a dazed expression. She tries to comprehend his tone of voice as she slowly raises her hand to her face and feels the spot on her cheek, bruised and still burning cold into her flesh from the touch of evil. She turns to him intending to respond angrily as she delicately dabs at the blood on her lip. "Where were you?" She attempts to keep the anger in her voice as she responds to his exasperation but her facade crumbles and she begins to tremble as she realizes what has just occurred. Nanuet sees Minerva bring her hand to her face and then notices the wound. He makes his way over to her and his tone of voice changes to one of concern. "I went out the back, like I said. I thought we were going around the building to get in the front. What happened to your face?" he says reaching out his hand near the wound. "Let me help you with that." He cast a healing prayer. Minerva buries her face in his chest and as he holds her, her trembling subsides and she is able to tell him what occurred. "He was an abomination.. an undead. I tried to stab him but Ruby pulled me back... And his eyes," she shudders. "They glowed red and eminated such evil as I have never felt before. I tried to turn him away but he is much too powerful." She grabs Nanuet's arms "Nanuet, He says that he is coming back for Ruby! I think he plans to take her for his bride. We must find a way to protect her.” The crowd in the Lucky Lady explodes into conversation. Most people have no understanding of what just happened but everyone seems to be excited about the goings on of the last minute. Suddenly released from her compulsion Ruby starts to cry while she falls to her knees next to Jake on the floor. She puts her hand on his back and sobs, "A-a-re you a-alright?" Jake turns over and sits up. "Yah." He is still holding the dagger which he examines and then plunges into the porch. "Mierda." Jeff Mills walks over to Jake to help him off the ground. "Hey boss, you OK? What in hades was that thing anyways? Do you think he will really be back?" Jake takes his hand and stands. "Yes, I think I am OK." Jake reaches down and pulls Ruby up. "What in Hades may be the correct question, Jeff." Jake pulls Ruby in close to him and he says quietly to the two of them, "He was cold. There was no warmth to him, even when I stabbed him." Pointedly, Jake doesn't answer Jeff's last question. "Keep your eyes open. Thanks for standing by me again, Mr. Mills." Jake takes a hankerchief out of his pocket and wipes his hand before using the hanky to pickup the dagger from the porch. He wraps the dagger in the cloth. "It's OK now Ruby, let's go inside." He whispers in her ear, "Are YOU alright?" Ruby shakes her head no and buries her face in Jake's shoulder. He feels her still trembling and his shirt starts to soak through with her tears. Muffled she continues to sob, "I don't know what he was... I couldn't s-stop myself and I said all those horrible things to you... I don't w-want to die..." She grips Jake tighter, "H-he tried to take me and he said he was going to c-come back..." Jake lets her cry, he simply holds onto her. He notices that Minerva and Nanuet and doing the same thing but does not see Katherine. "Yes, that is what he said. I didn't let him take you this time, and I won't ever." "Nanuet, where is Katherine?" Nanuet responds, "I think I saw her run out the back way." After a few more moments Ruby's sobs subside. She turns her face up to Jake, "You're right, you didn't let him take me." She breathes in deeply, that fact comforting her, the remaining tears falling off her face. "What WAS he, what happened to him? And I don't understand why he wants me." She rubs the tears off her face and lets go of Jake. "We have to find out before he comes back," she says softly. "Maybe Mr. Gonzales can help. Or that druid lady..." "You are right, we need to know what we are fighting. Those are good suggestions. Minerva seemed to understand some of what he was saying. Perhaps she knows more or one of her bishop friends." Jake looks out the back door. "Let's make sure Katherine is alright." Ruby only nods before following Jake inside the saloon. She was in no mood to be looking after anyone else at the moment, still scared, more like terrified, but trying not to show it. To her, this was scarier than Johnny Ringo, after all, he was just a man. Colin, who knew what he was or what he had planned. Pale and still shivering she is too overwhelemed to even get herself a drink. She stands quietly and waits for the others to find out how Kate was. Jake looks out the side door and sees Katherine dimly in the light from the doorway. Just as he starts to step outside, he realizes what she is doing and pauses. [I]I think I'll let her be for a few more moments.[/I] He walks back across to Jeff Mills, "I'm going to take Ruby upstairs, I think she is done singing for the evening. Give my table another round of drinks and send them home. If you see Chet, send him upstairs." He then walks over to the indian, "Nanuet can you two please meet us upstairs? I think it would be a fine idea if the priestess checked in on Katherine in a moment or two and bring her too. She is indisposed." Jake slides an arm around Ruby and guides her up the stairs. Ruby lets Jake guide her. Once inside their room she heads right to the window and opens it before sitting in the chair right next to it. She sits quietly staring at the floor. Suddenly she looks up at Jake, still pale. "I remember my dream, from yesterday. He killed me, in the dream. He came into our room. And he bit me and I died right here in your arms." "That is a quite distressing dream. I can understand why you would be upset." Jake closes the window. "How did you know he had, those teeth, fangs of his? How in your dream did you know that?" "I saw them. Before he bit me, right before he bit me they came out." Ruby unconsciously rubs her neck. She stands and starts pacing back and forth. Furrowing her brows together, "But I forgot, the dream that is. I forget what it was until before, when I saw him change into...." She shivers. "He was floating over me and he... he..." Ruby voice trails off as she starts getting more agitated. She strides over to the window and opens it, breathing in deeply and sighing with the cool night air. She turns back to face Jake. "He's going to come back, I know it." "Yes, right through that blasted window!" Jake says closing it firmly. "Nanuet said he saw a cloud or mist out there. When I was wrestling with him, he became insubstantial. He just turned into air, or a cloud or something. What if that was him outside our window?" Ruby looks at Jake with big eyes, obviously hurt as her lip starts trembling again at his outburst. She looks to the window then down to her feet. "I just...just..." She squeezes her eyes shut tight to keep more tears from spilling out. She continues in a voice soft as a whisper, "Just feel like the window should be open, I can't help it." "Does it seem at all strange to you? If I tell you I am going to have Jeff Mills nail them shut, do you start thinking of ways to sneak it open?" Jake asks gently without any sarcasm. Ruby gulps. "I just want it open." She looks over Jake's shoulder to the window. "Yes, it seems strange and I guess I would try to get it open." Quiet in thought again for a few moments she starts biting her lip, "Oh what is wrong with me?" "I guess he is still influencing you." Jake continues to stand between Ruby and the window. Ruby turns her back to Jake and tries as hard as she can to not think about the window. She closes her eyes again but immediately those burning red eyes are staring back at her. Her eyes fly open and she turns on her heel to face Jake, "If he's coming back the window isn't going to stop him. Open the window." Jake gets a sad look on his face and sighs. "Yes of course. I see that I must do that." He pauses. "I have an idea though," he reaches around behind and takes an ordinary .45 caliber round from his belt, "this is a special bullet that Red gave me long ago. At the time I didn't know what he was talking about, he told me Laddie, some day you might encounter the greatest of all horrors. The monster in the shape of a man, with fangs and strange powers to control people. This bullet, me boy, shoot him in the heart and it will destroy the monster utterly." Jake holds the bullet up between two fingers. "I will do as you say. Open the window, and when he comes through, I will destroy him utterly." Ruby raises her hand and touches the bullet in Jake's hand delicately. She starts breathing hard but stands still facing Jake, looking back and forth from him to the window. She takes a step forward, then stops, then starts towards the window again. Standing in front of the window, her red hair framing her face as she looks over her shoulder at him, "If you could have killed him downstairs, why didn't you?" "You are trying to protect him aren't you?" Jake's tone is not accusing, just neutral. "At least his taint does not make you stupid." Jake walks over to the night stand and straps on his long barrel Colt. He drops two shells out of it, and replaces then with two others. He then pours himself a generous whiskey and take a sip. He does this all calmly and without hurrying. Finally he says, "Ruby my Love, I will destroy him utterly. First we must remove his taint from you. It would be a crime if my love, partner and best friend was not on my side." "Protect... him?" It feels like a bullet pierces her own heart with Jake's words, driven in deeper with the realization he might be right. She summons her strength and turns her back on the window, running into Jake's arms. "I am SO sorry for all of this... I really am... Even if it doesn't seem like it... I'm always on your side baby...And I always will be... You have to trust in that..." She puts her face up against Jake's neck, the spot that always comforts her. She is quiet for a long moment, feeling Jake's heart beating against hers and it calms her. She pulls back slightly and looks him in the eyes, "I believe you can destroy him. But if something happens... I won't let him hurt you. I would rather go with him then let that happen..." Her voice trails off but she keeps her grip on Jake. "I don't blame you, if that is what you mean." He lets her stay in the comfort of his arms. "No, you said forever. I am going to hold you to that. Running away to him saves me from what awful fate? Instead I wake every morning without you, thinking that I failed you again? Every day I could reach into my darkest imagination and see you subjugated by a monster like that? No, Ruby, it shall not come to pass." He strokes her hair and speaks in a soothing tone. "Wait and see what Nanuet and Minerva have to say, we must first purge the taint of that monster from your being." He remembers the words Ruby spoke when clinging to the arm of that fiend. Below the surface, his hate and anger burns white hot. He strokes Ruby's hair while reliving every detail of what has transpired. [i]Everything has weakness and that thing thinks it knows mine. Without moving his head his eyes glance down at the red hair under his hand, It does not understand that she is also my strength.[/i] An unknown amount of time passes with Ruby safe in Jake's arms. Finally she summons a small smile before lifting her head. She gently places her hands on Jake's face and she feels his smooth cheeks under her fingertips. She lets her fingers wander to the stubble of his newly shaved off goatee then to his soft lips. She closes her eyes cherishing every second. Leaning in slowly she pushes her lips against Jake's and in a flash she seems to return to herself. "I said forever and I meant it." She kisses him again. "But baby you've never failed me, not once, not ever. It may sound foolish of me, or naive, or stupid... but you've saved me in every way possible. You may not think so but Jacob Cook IS my knight in shining armor, whether he thinks he is capable of it or not." [/QUOTE]
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