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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: 2584896" data-attributes="member: 12815"><p><strong>First Plans</strong></p><p></p><p>Nanuet holds Minerva for a few moments listening to what she says. "I'm just glad you are OK. Next time I will stay by your side." </p><p></p><p>Jake stops and has a few words with Nanuet. </p><p></p><p>"Sure thing Jake, we will be up in a few." </p><p></p><p>Once Nanuet feels Minerva is calm he asks her to check on Katherine out back and if she needs anything to holler. </p><p></p><p>"After that Jake wants us to meet him upstairs."</p><p></p><p>Minerva walks to the back and hears Katherine retching outside the door. She grabs a cold wet cloth and steps out to aid her. She places her hand on Katherine’s back in sympathy and wordlessly hands her the towel. <em>Poor woman she has endured so much and now to be visited by such evil. I do not blame her for reacting so. His presence caused the bile to rise in my throat also.</em> The young priestess patiently waits some minutes for Katherine to compose herself before she quietly speaks. "Come Katherine, we are needed upstairs." </p><p></p><p>Kate swallowed. "I helped it. I felt as if it was the only thing I could do, as if the world would end if I didn't." </p><p></p><p>Minerva narrows her eyes and takes a step back. "What do you mean you <em>helped</em> it. How did you help it?" </p><p></p><p>"You were there. I was almost ready to use violence to make Jeff get out of the way so that thing could take Ruby away from us. And earlier today, I had a talk with Ruby. I tried to convince her she should go with him. You don't know what it's like when he touches your mind. You can't think of doing anything but what he wants. You're desperate to do it." </p><p></p><p>Minerva puts her arm around her friend. "Although he did not try to control my mind, I felt his touch also. He is a vile creature. It is no wonder you are out here retching your guts out, if he has touched your mind. Come let us go and find the others. We will not let him harm you or your child Katherine," she says with vehamence "We will find him and destroy him, whatever it takes to do so." </p><p></p><p>"He doesn't want me, I'm just a tool to him. A means of getting what he wants. As long as I'm a good little puppet I'm perfectly safe," she said bitterly. </p><p></p><p>"You are wrong Katherine. As long as he can control you, you are in danger. He would not hesitate to kill you to get what he wants. We must find a way to shield you from his influence.” </p><p></p><p>"I can agree with the shielding part at least." Kate stopped and took a deep breath. "We'd best go, although I don't know how I can face them."</p><p></p><p>* * *</p><p></p><p>Chester knocks and when Jake opens the door, he asks, "What's going on? Harry found me at the Double Eagle and said there was some trouble here. I heard the crowd downstairs talking about a Ruby going away with a stranger."</p><p></p><p>Ruby startles with the knock on the door but lets out a nervous laugh when she realizes it's Chester. She sits on the bed and finds herself staring at the window while Jake tells Chester the story of Colin Turner and the attempted abduction.</p><p></p><p>As Jake relates the story, Chester gets a growing sense of horror. "So what you're saying is that Turner isn't a person, but some sort of walking dead? How do you kill a man who's already dead? Are you sure about this? I can't believe Hades would allow the dead to come back from his realm."</p><p></p><p>"You heard what we saw, and what that fiend said. I don't quite know what to believe about it all. As soon as the other three get up here the first order of business is to get more information and then to make sure he is not still influencing anyone of us. You say his name is Turner? I wonder if that is important. The only other Turner around here that I have heard about is the widow woman that Job Kane has been seeing. She is from Wilcox, right?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby pulls her stare from the window. "Yes, his name is Turner, Colin Turner. He's a businessman, at least he was. Very successful one at that." She tugs on her hair. "I don't think he is related to Job's girlfriend."</p><p></p><p>Katherine and Miss Florencia made their way upstairs to Jake and Ruby's room. Kate’s stomach was still queasy and she felt clammy and cold. "I'm sorry," she said quietly and sat down.</p><p></p><p>As Kate sits next to Ruby she wraps an arm around her friend. "Sorry about what? There is nothing for you to be sorry about." She hugs Kate then lets her gaze fall back on the window.</p><p></p><p>"Colin Turner?" Jake says to himself and taps his lips. He then walks over to the largest bouquet of flowers still in the room, one of the last since most of the others had long since wilted and been thrown out. He removes the note and reads it again. </p><p></p><p><strong>Miss West~ I was overcome to hear that you were injured last night. I hope these flowers can help cheer your mood while you recover. Your dance last evening was absolutely inspiring and quite enjoyable. I also look forward to hearing your angelic voice once you feel better. Do not forget my offer, I long to take you away from here and can give you what no other man can. ~C.T.</strong></p><p></p><p>Jake scowls and carries the flowers to the window. He opens the window, tosses the flowers out, and closes it again. "C.T. is Colin Turner," he says holding the note out in front of Ruby and Katherine. </p><p></p><p>"Minvera, tell us what you know or are guessing about this monster, and how we may remove the taint of his control on any of us."</p><p></p><p>Ruby takes the notes and reads it. She doesn't move her head but looks up with her eyes, and relaxes when Jake opens the window, but tenses up as he closes it again. </p><p></p><p>"The day on the porch... he offered to take me away. I didn't know then..." her voice trails off.</p><p></p><p>Nanuet speaks softly and appears almost as if in a daze. "Ma'e no'oheo'o ma'hahkeso. The Blood Monster, that is what my people call them. I had heard legend of them but did not believe they existed. I do not know much about the stories, but I do remember that it was said they have the ability to change shape into animals, like wolves or bats; that they live off the blood of the living but that they are not alive themselves. They fear the sun, the exact entity which my people worship. Could he really be a creature such as that of the legends of my people?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby says quietly, "I have never seen him in the daytime." </p><p></p><p>As soon as Jake walks away from the window and the path is clear Ruby unconsciously goes to the window and opens it, again breathing a sigh of relief at the cool air.</p><p></p><p>Minerva holds herself as though she is cold and cannot find warmth. "If there is such a thing I do not doubt that he is one or something equally hiddeous. I have never felt such evil before." She moves to close the window unable to tolerate the damp night air.</p><p></p><p>Ruby reacts quickly, keeping the window open and screams, "Leave the window open!!" She is breathing hard and looks sad that she yelled but does not offer to close the window.</p><p></p><p>Minerva jumps away from the window at Rubys violent response. She can see that Ruby is paniced and breathing heavily. She tries to calmly reason with her. "It is cold in here and I do not like the thought of evil eyes watching us, Ruby. I would feel better if we could shut the window and draw the curtains.”</p><p></p><p>"Curtains aren't going to stop anything. I need the air," Ruby responds stubbornly. "Put my wrap on if you're cold."</p><p></p><p>Chester says, "How can we defend ourselves against something that can cloud our minds like that? What's to stop him from coming back later to take Ruby away? Kate, maybe she can stay with you at your new house. Turner probably doesn't know about it."</p><p></p><p>Kate shook her head. "There's been a lot of activity around the house the last few days, it's possible he could know. And he has been inside my mind as well. To leave Ruby and I alone together...." She looked up at the others. "Did you really think I would try to get Jeff to let them leave in my right mind?"</p><p></p><p>"Do you think he is inside your mind now?” Chester asked. “If Turner can read your mind whenever he wants, it'll be hard to make plans. Do you know if you can block your mind to him? Or is he too strong?"</p><p></p><p>"I don't know. I wish I understood what he does, how he subverts your will, but I don't. I can go to the library and do some research later tonight. Perhaps my teacher may have some knowledge."</p><p></p><p>"Nobody is staying alone tonight, propriety be damned!" Everyone turns suddenly to face Jake who up until now had been composed. "Everyone has heard what is going on, unless there is more to add we go looking for help right now. We need to know what we are fighting, how to fight it, and how to rid someone of its influence. So, we all go together until someone has a better idea." Jake says in a tone the hints that he does not really care if someone has a better idea. "Who do we go see first? Gonzalez, Jiminez, or are there any priests or yours still in town Minerva?"</p><p></p><p>"I'll need to ask Mr. Gonzales to keep Ginnie with him after dark. It won't be so bad for her as the problem with Ringo, at least she'll be able to go about in the day," Kate said quietly.</p><p></p><p>"We should get out of town after we see Mr. Gonzales." Ruby turns to face Jake and steps towards him, "Let's go where we went Sunday night, please baby, that was so nice...nice and fresh..." </p><p></p><p>"Perhaps that is the right thing to do. I hope you don't mind company there." Jake winks at her. "I'm bringing everyone where ever we go."</p><p></p><p>"Nooo Jake..." Ruby starts to protest with a whine.</p><p></p><p>"Jakes right, nobody should be alone tonight, especially those who have been under his influences." Nanuet adds, "Maybe we should try to find out where this Colin Turner has been staying? If he's staying in town there might be some clues."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, you are right. We need to ask about him,” Jake says.</p><p></p><p>"Maybe somewhere else would be better? Somewhere not suggested by Ruby,” Kate said.</p><p></p><p>"What does that mean?" Ruby asks, crossing her arms.</p><p></p><p>"It means you and I have both had this man in our minds. I know what the compultion to do what he wants feels like. It doesn't go away until you either do what he wants or it becomes impossible. And we don't know anymore about it than that. Everyone should be careful of suggestions from myself as well. I don't feel him in my mind now, but I don't know how he does it or when..... When I might betray you all again."</p><p></p><p>"We will listen to Ruby, and decide later. She could be right," Jake says crypticly. </p><p></p><p>"Since no one has a better suggestion we start with Gonzalez. Gather your equipment if it is here, we don't know when we will be back. Minerva," Jake takes the dagger he stabbed the monster with off the table, finishes wiping the blade with the hankerchief that is already soiled with the fiends blood and folds it so the stain is not visible through the cloth. "Take this for now please. Somebody might need to see this in our travels." He hands her the crumpled cloth.</p><p></p><p>Nanuet tries to comfort Minerva sensing that she is still troubled by the situation, specifically the corrupting touch of the creature upon her. </p><p></p><p>"Well, Jake seemed able to hurt it, his knife had some affect. Bring your weapons and anything you need for sleeping. I can stay up most of the night and keep an eye on things wherever we go."</p><p></p><p>"You heard Nanuet." Jake says smiling. "Here Chet, take this Bowie knife. It's too big for Ruby to be lugging around. She's got the nice one the Cowboys donated. We can stop by the boarding house and get your guns, Minerva, on the way to Gonzalez place."</p><p></p><p>Minerva gingerly takes the cloth being careful not to touch the part that was in contact with the monster. "I feel so helpless, I wish I knew who we could turn to for help and I am not powerful enough to confront such evil. I don't think that Bishop Papandraus is still in town but I will ask Senor Lacey if he knows where I might find him he is the Deputy Administrator of the Church in the Arizona,Territory. I will look through my books also and see what I can find out about such an abomination."</p><p></p><p>"Just let me grab my things before we go," Nanuet says.</p><p></p><p>Nanuet brings Minerva to his room so that he can pack his things. He leaves the bow behind but takes the new Peacemaker with him along with half of his magical ammunition. He also brings his rifle and bola with him. He gets a blanket and wraps it around Minerva. "This should help keep you warm. You were brave tonight, I am sure the others appreciate it. Hopefully Jake scared this guy away."</p><p></p><p>Back in their room, Jake comes up close to Ruby and whispers in her ear, "You just bring your will to be with me, alive and warm."</p><p></p><p>"I've got that in spades baby," Ruby smiles. "I'll go downstairs and tell Maria to make us some food. "I'll be right back." </p><p></p><p><em>Finally I have a good idea.. It won't be so bad out in the fresh air, it's so cramped and stale in here. But the cool wind blowing in my hair, that will feel nice and to be out of this town where he is...</em></p><p></p><p>"Hold on girl, do I look like a pack mule? Give me a hand with some of this stuff going down stairs." <em>No way you are getting out of my sight.</em></p><p></p><p>Ruby turns her face back to Jake and innocently says, "Since when do I help you carry stuff?"</p><p></p><p>"Since I don't want to have your beauty out of my sight. Since when do you question everything thing I say?" Jake says with a smile while handing her the shotgun and the Spencer rifle.</p><p></p><p>Ruby laughs, "I guess since today." She grins back and takes the guns as Jake hands them to her. "You'd better bring the tent too, in case someone wants some privacy." She continues to grin, the thought of being out of the town lightning her spirit. "Let's hurry and get going."</p><p></p><p>Jake follows Ruby down to the main floor and lets her speak with Maria. He goes over to speak to Jeff. "You are pretty close to Job Kane. Do you know if a Colin Turner was related to the widow woman that Kane is seeing up in Wilcox?"</p><p></p><p>"Can't say that I recall either one saying anything about a Colin Turner. I thought Turner was a travelling business man, one of those slick salesmen types. I remember him coming in here a while back.”</p><p></p><p>"You remember anything else? What he sold or anything?"</p><p></p><p>"Sorry boss, can't say that I do. I don't really care for folk like that and their slippery tongues."</p><p></p><p>Jake laughs, "Ok, I know what you mean." Pretty ironic there Mr. Mills. "We'll be gone for I don't know how long. Keep things under control. You don't know where we went."</p><p></p><p>Ruby heads into the kitchen with Maria. "Now, we need a big basket, well, a pack full of food, in case we get hungry tonight." </p><p></p><p>Maria furrows her brows, "You go out after that man come here? Don't be loco, you stay here." </p><p></p><p>Ruby reassures her, "It's alright Maria, we're all going to stay together. I'm even going to take my puppies. See, we're just having a little party really. Now put together something fantastic please." Ruby gives her a dazzling smile and realizes that she isn't the slightest bit hungry, even though she hasn't eaten most of the day.</p><p></p><p>Ruby stays in the kitchen with Maria and while she packs up cheese, bread, Stanley's cookies and other various items. Ruby heads into the pantry. She knows that Niles keeps a small stash of liquor in the closet in case they need it quickly. She searches through a few bottles, trying to decide which to choose and in the end throws all three into the bag with the food.</p><p></p><p>Ruby steps out the back door and calls to the pups. They don't come and after a couple of minutes of calling Ruby starts to get nervous. Finally they come bounding around the corner and run up to her. She breathes a sigh of relief, squats down and kisses both of them before heading back inside to finish waiting for Maria.</p><p></p><p>As Chester packs in his room he hears a light knock on the door and a soft swet voice, "Chet.. Chester are you here?"</p><p></p><p>He stops what he's doing and opens the door. "Clarisse, how are you?"</p><p></p><p>"Hello darling." She stands on her toes and waits for Chester to kiss her. After he does she smiles, "I'm good. But I heard there was some commotion here earlier. Is everything alright?"</p><p></p><p>Chester holds her hand. "Have you met a Mr. Colin Turner? It appears that he has his eye on Ruby."</p><p></p><p>"I don't think I've been introduced to him. Is he a customer at the Lucky Lady?" </p><p></p><p>Clariesse shrugs. "And so what? Many men have their eye on Ruby. What does that have to do with you? I want you to spend some time with me. You're always running off with your friends."</p><p></p><p>"He's been here a couple times. Be careful around him. He's very dangerous. Some sort of mesmerizing power over people." Chester looks at the wrapped bundle on his bed. "You know, you're right. I haven't been spending time with you. Where do you want to go?"</p><p></p><p>"Well, where were you going? Why can't I go with you? You always leave me behind when you go with your friends."</p><p></p><p>He kisses her. "I'm really sorry about that. We find ourselves in dangerous places a lot. As far as where, we don't know yet. Everyone else should be downstairs talking about it. Let's go.". </p><p></p><p>Kate watched as the others hurried to prepare to leave. She felt useless, untrustworthy, burdensome. And tired. And sick. She sighed and stood waiting by the door to leave.</p><p></p><p>Nanuet and Minerva meet the others on the ground floor. Nanuet helps pack and carry any of the food. </p><p></p><p>Chester comes downstairs with Clairesse. "Clarisse is coming with us. Where are we going?"</p><p></p><p>"Oh, I'm not worried," she smiles, "I have YOU to protect me. My very own Deputy Marshall." Clariesse looks excited, "This is going to be fun!"</p><p></p><p>Chester takes her by the shoulders. "This isn't a game. People could die. Each of us has come really close. Thanks to the gods that any of us is still here. OK?"</p><p></p><p>Clarisse looks up at Chester with large, hurt eyes. "What do you mean people could die? I thought we were doing something fun..."</p><p></p><p>Chester sighs. "Promise City can be a dangerous place, even with the Cowboys laying low. Turner is an example.”</p><p></p><p>Kate kept her mouth closed. This was a very bad idea. Clariesse had no idea what some of their talents were, and her upbringing could have herself or Ruby dangling from the end of a rope if it was necessary to use them. </p><p></p><p>"So, we swing by the Comstock house so Minerva can get her stuff and then go speak with Gonzalez? Is that the plan?" Nanuet asked.</p><p></p><p>"Yes. I'll ask him to come down to speak with us. We can make the table private," Kate said.</p><p></p><p>Jake notices that Katherine is looking forelorn. He stands next to her, "We can't afford to have you feeling defeated or useless. I need you thinking. You have skills and ways of looking at things we don't. I'm not giving up, and neither is anyone else." He puts his finger under her chin and makes her stand straight. "That is no way of a woman of your stature to look. Figure out how to get Gonzalez to remember the right bit of knowledge." Jake gives her a disarming smile and a wink and starts loading weapons over his shoulder.</p><p></p><p>"My stature is short Jake," she said, making a poor attempt at humor. "I will do what I can, but you absolutely must be aware. If I start acting out of character, do whatever you have to do to stop me. I was almost ready to use my skills in front of the entire saloon to make Jeff move."</p><p></p><p>Nanuet and Minerva lead the group over to the Comstock house where Minerva can get what she needs. Minerva grabs Nanuets hand and they run up stairs to her room.She quickly changes into riding clothes and tells Nanuet to rifle through her chest in search of a book on legends. "I know there are stories of monsters in one or two of them" He finds 2 books and throws them in her pack. She picks up her icons and prays to her gods as she packs them along with her vials of holy water and ceremonial oils.</p><p></p><p>After Minerva finishes packing they all head over to the El Parador. Ruby seems momentarily obvilious to the early drama. They take a seat and wait for Kate to return with Mr. Gonzales.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="orchid blossom, post: 2584896, member: 12815"] [b]First Plans[/b] Nanuet holds Minerva for a few moments listening to what she says. "I'm just glad you are OK. Next time I will stay by your side." Jake stops and has a few words with Nanuet. "Sure thing Jake, we will be up in a few." Once Nanuet feels Minerva is calm he asks her to check on Katherine out back and if she needs anything to holler. "After that Jake wants us to meet him upstairs." Minerva walks to the back and hears Katherine retching outside the door. She grabs a cold wet cloth and steps out to aid her. She places her hand on Katherine’s back in sympathy and wordlessly hands her the towel. [I]Poor woman she has endured so much and now to be visited by such evil. I do not blame her for reacting so. His presence caused the bile to rise in my throat also.[/I] The young priestess patiently waits some minutes for Katherine to compose herself before she quietly speaks. "Come Katherine, we are needed upstairs." Kate swallowed. "I helped it. I felt as if it was the only thing I could do, as if the world would end if I didn't." Minerva narrows her eyes and takes a step back. "What do you mean you [I]helped[/I] it. How did you help it?" "You were there. I was almost ready to use violence to make Jeff get out of the way so that thing could take Ruby away from us. And earlier today, I had a talk with Ruby. I tried to convince her she should go with him. You don't know what it's like when he touches your mind. You can't think of doing anything but what he wants. You're desperate to do it." Minerva puts her arm around her friend. "Although he did not try to control my mind, I felt his touch also. He is a vile creature. It is no wonder you are out here retching your guts out, if he has touched your mind. Come let us go and find the others. We will not let him harm you or your child Katherine," she says with vehamence "We will find him and destroy him, whatever it takes to do so." "He doesn't want me, I'm just a tool to him. A means of getting what he wants. As long as I'm a good little puppet I'm perfectly safe," she said bitterly. "You are wrong Katherine. As long as he can control you, you are in danger. He would not hesitate to kill you to get what he wants. We must find a way to shield you from his influence.” "I can agree with the shielding part at least." Kate stopped and took a deep breath. "We'd best go, although I don't know how I can face them." * * * Chester knocks and when Jake opens the door, he asks, "What's going on? Harry found me at the Double Eagle and said there was some trouble here. I heard the crowd downstairs talking about a Ruby going away with a stranger." Ruby startles with the knock on the door but lets out a nervous laugh when she realizes it's Chester. She sits on the bed and finds herself staring at the window while Jake tells Chester the story of Colin Turner and the attempted abduction. As Jake relates the story, Chester gets a growing sense of horror. "So what you're saying is that Turner isn't a person, but some sort of walking dead? How do you kill a man who's already dead? Are you sure about this? I can't believe Hades would allow the dead to come back from his realm." "You heard what we saw, and what that fiend said. I don't quite know what to believe about it all. As soon as the other three get up here the first order of business is to get more information and then to make sure he is not still influencing anyone of us. You say his name is Turner? I wonder if that is important. The only other Turner around here that I have heard about is the widow woman that Job Kane has been seeing. She is from Wilcox, right?" Ruby pulls her stare from the window. "Yes, his name is Turner, Colin Turner. He's a businessman, at least he was. Very successful one at that." She tugs on her hair. "I don't think he is related to Job's girlfriend." Katherine and Miss Florencia made their way upstairs to Jake and Ruby's room. Kate’s stomach was still queasy and she felt clammy and cold. "I'm sorry," she said quietly and sat down. As Kate sits next to Ruby she wraps an arm around her friend. "Sorry about what? There is nothing for you to be sorry about." She hugs Kate then lets her gaze fall back on the window. "Colin Turner?" Jake says to himself and taps his lips. He then walks over to the largest bouquet of flowers still in the room, one of the last since most of the others had long since wilted and been thrown out. He removes the note and reads it again. [b]Miss West~ I was overcome to hear that you were injured last night. I hope these flowers can help cheer your mood while you recover. Your dance last evening was absolutely inspiring and quite enjoyable. I also look forward to hearing your angelic voice once you feel better. Do not forget my offer, I long to take you away from here and can give you what no other man can. ~C.T.[/b] Jake scowls and carries the flowers to the window. He opens the window, tosses the flowers out, and closes it again. "C.T. is Colin Turner," he says holding the note out in front of Ruby and Katherine. "Minvera, tell us what you know or are guessing about this monster, and how we may remove the taint of his control on any of us." Ruby takes the notes and reads it. She doesn't move her head but looks up with her eyes, and relaxes when Jake opens the window, but tenses up as he closes it again. "The day on the porch... he offered to take me away. I didn't know then..." her voice trails off. Nanuet speaks softly and appears almost as if in a daze. "Ma'e no'oheo'o ma'hahkeso. The Blood Monster, that is what my people call them. I had heard legend of them but did not believe they existed. I do not know much about the stories, but I do remember that it was said they have the ability to change shape into animals, like wolves or bats; that they live off the blood of the living but that they are not alive themselves. They fear the sun, the exact entity which my people worship. Could he really be a creature such as that of the legends of my people?" Ruby says quietly, "I have never seen him in the daytime." As soon as Jake walks away from the window and the path is clear Ruby unconsciously goes to the window and opens it, again breathing a sigh of relief at the cool air. Minerva holds herself as though she is cold and cannot find warmth. "If there is such a thing I do not doubt that he is one or something equally hiddeous. I have never felt such evil before." She moves to close the window unable to tolerate the damp night air. Ruby reacts quickly, keeping the window open and screams, "Leave the window open!!" She is breathing hard and looks sad that she yelled but does not offer to close the window. Minerva jumps away from the window at Rubys violent response. She can see that Ruby is paniced and breathing heavily. She tries to calmly reason with her. "It is cold in here and I do not like the thought of evil eyes watching us, Ruby. I would feel better if we could shut the window and draw the curtains.” "Curtains aren't going to stop anything. I need the air," Ruby responds stubbornly. "Put my wrap on if you're cold." Chester says, "How can we defend ourselves against something that can cloud our minds like that? What's to stop him from coming back later to take Ruby away? Kate, maybe she can stay with you at your new house. Turner probably doesn't know about it." Kate shook her head. "There's been a lot of activity around the house the last few days, it's possible he could know. And he has been inside my mind as well. To leave Ruby and I alone together...." She looked up at the others. "Did you really think I would try to get Jeff to let them leave in my right mind?" "Do you think he is inside your mind now?” Chester asked. “If Turner can read your mind whenever he wants, it'll be hard to make plans. Do you know if you can block your mind to him? Or is he too strong?" "I don't know. I wish I understood what he does, how he subverts your will, but I don't. I can go to the library and do some research later tonight. Perhaps my teacher may have some knowledge." "Nobody is staying alone tonight, propriety be damned!" Everyone turns suddenly to face Jake who up until now had been composed. "Everyone has heard what is going on, unless there is more to add we go looking for help right now. We need to know what we are fighting, how to fight it, and how to rid someone of its influence. So, we all go together until someone has a better idea." Jake says in a tone the hints that he does not really care if someone has a better idea. "Who do we go see first? Gonzalez, Jiminez, or are there any priests or yours still in town Minerva?" "I'll need to ask Mr. Gonzales to keep Ginnie with him after dark. It won't be so bad for her as the problem with Ringo, at least she'll be able to go about in the day," Kate said quietly. "We should get out of town after we see Mr. Gonzales." Ruby turns to face Jake and steps towards him, "Let's go where we went Sunday night, please baby, that was so nice...nice and fresh..." "Perhaps that is the right thing to do. I hope you don't mind company there." Jake winks at her. "I'm bringing everyone where ever we go." "Nooo Jake..." Ruby starts to protest with a whine. "Jakes right, nobody should be alone tonight, especially those who have been under his influences." Nanuet adds, "Maybe we should try to find out where this Colin Turner has been staying? If he's staying in town there might be some clues." "Yes, you are right. We need to ask about him,” Jake says. "Maybe somewhere else would be better? Somewhere not suggested by Ruby,” Kate said. "What does that mean?" Ruby asks, crossing her arms. "It means you and I have both had this man in our minds. I know what the compultion to do what he wants feels like. It doesn't go away until you either do what he wants or it becomes impossible. And we don't know anymore about it than that. Everyone should be careful of suggestions from myself as well. I don't feel him in my mind now, but I don't know how he does it or when..... When I might betray you all again." "We will listen to Ruby, and decide later. She could be right," Jake says crypticly. "Since no one has a better suggestion we start with Gonzalez. Gather your equipment if it is here, we don't know when we will be back. Minerva," Jake takes the dagger he stabbed the monster with off the table, finishes wiping the blade with the hankerchief that is already soiled with the fiends blood and folds it so the stain is not visible through the cloth. "Take this for now please. Somebody might need to see this in our travels." He hands her the crumpled cloth. Nanuet tries to comfort Minerva sensing that she is still troubled by the situation, specifically the corrupting touch of the creature upon her. "Well, Jake seemed able to hurt it, his knife had some affect. Bring your weapons and anything you need for sleeping. I can stay up most of the night and keep an eye on things wherever we go." "You heard Nanuet." Jake says smiling. "Here Chet, take this Bowie knife. It's too big for Ruby to be lugging around. She's got the nice one the Cowboys donated. We can stop by the boarding house and get your guns, Minerva, on the way to Gonzalez place." Minerva gingerly takes the cloth being careful not to touch the part that was in contact with the monster. "I feel so helpless, I wish I knew who we could turn to for help and I am not powerful enough to confront such evil. I don't think that Bishop Papandraus is still in town but I will ask Senor Lacey if he knows where I might find him he is the Deputy Administrator of the Church in the Arizona,Territory. I will look through my books also and see what I can find out about such an abomination." "Just let me grab my things before we go," Nanuet says. Nanuet brings Minerva to his room so that he can pack his things. He leaves the bow behind but takes the new Peacemaker with him along with half of his magical ammunition. He also brings his rifle and bola with him. He gets a blanket and wraps it around Minerva. "This should help keep you warm. You were brave tonight, I am sure the others appreciate it. Hopefully Jake scared this guy away." Back in their room, Jake comes up close to Ruby and whispers in her ear, "You just bring your will to be with me, alive and warm." "I've got that in spades baby," Ruby smiles. "I'll go downstairs and tell Maria to make us some food. "I'll be right back." [I]Finally I have a good idea.. It won't be so bad out in the fresh air, it's so cramped and stale in here. But the cool wind blowing in my hair, that will feel nice and to be out of this town where he is...[/I] "Hold on girl, do I look like a pack mule? Give me a hand with some of this stuff going down stairs." [I]No way you are getting out of my sight.[/I] Ruby turns her face back to Jake and innocently says, "Since when do I help you carry stuff?" "Since I don't want to have your beauty out of my sight. Since when do you question everything thing I say?" Jake says with a smile while handing her the shotgun and the Spencer rifle. Ruby laughs, "I guess since today." She grins back and takes the guns as Jake hands them to her. "You'd better bring the tent too, in case someone wants some privacy." She continues to grin, the thought of being out of the town lightning her spirit. "Let's hurry and get going." Jake follows Ruby down to the main floor and lets her speak with Maria. He goes over to speak to Jeff. "You are pretty close to Job Kane. Do you know if a Colin Turner was related to the widow woman that Kane is seeing up in Wilcox?" "Can't say that I recall either one saying anything about a Colin Turner. I thought Turner was a travelling business man, one of those slick salesmen types. I remember him coming in here a while back.” "You remember anything else? What he sold or anything?" "Sorry boss, can't say that I do. I don't really care for folk like that and their slippery tongues." Jake laughs, "Ok, I know what you mean." Pretty ironic there Mr. Mills. "We'll be gone for I don't know how long. Keep things under control. You don't know where we went." Ruby heads into the kitchen with Maria. "Now, we need a big basket, well, a pack full of food, in case we get hungry tonight." Maria furrows her brows, "You go out after that man come here? Don't be loco, you stay here." Ruby reassures her, "It's alright Maria, we're all going to stay together. I'm even going to take my puppies. See, we're just having a little party really. Now put together something fantastic please." Ruby gives her a dazzling smile and realizes that she isn't the slightest bit hungry, even though she hasn't eaten most of the day. Ruby stays in the kitchen with Maria and while she packs up cheese, bread, Stanley's cookies and other various items. Ruby heads into the pantry. She knows that Niles keeps a small stash of liquor in the closet in case they need it quickly. She searches through a few bottles, trying to decide which to choose and in the end throws all three into the bag with the food. Ruby steps out the back door and calls to the pups. They don't come and after a couple of minutes of calling Ruby starts to get nervous. Finally they come bounding around the corner and run up to her. She breathes a sigh of relief, squats down and kisses both of them before heading back inside to finish waiting for Maria. As Chester packs in his room he hears a light knock on the door and a soft swet voice, "Chet.. Chester are you here?" He stops what he's doing and opens the door. "Clarisse, how are you?" "Hello darling." She stands on her toes and waits for Chester to kiss her. After he does she smiles, "I'm good. But I heard there was some commotion here earlier. Is everything alright?" Chester holds her hand. "Have you met a Mr. Colin Turner? It appears that he has his eye on Ruby." "I don't think I've been introduced to him. Is he a customer at the Lucky Lady?" Clariesse shrugs. "And so what? Many men have their eye on Ruby. What does that have to do with you? I want you to spend some time with me. You're always running off with your friends." "He's been here a couple times. Be careful around him. He's very dangerous. Some sort of mesmerizing power over people." Chester looks at the wrapped bundle on his bed. "You know, you're right. I haven't been spending time with you. Where do you want to go?" "Well, where were you going? Why can't I go with you? You always leave me behind when you go with your friends." He kisses her. "I'm really sorry about that. We find ourselves in dangerous places a lot. As far as where, we don't know yet. Everyone else should be downstairs talking about it. Let's go.". Kate watched as the others hurried to prepare to leave. She felt useless, untrustworthy, burdensome. And tired. And sick. She sighed and stood waiting by the door to leave. Nanuet and Minerva meet the others on the ground floor. Nanuet helps pack and carry any of the food. Chester comes downstairs with Clairesse. "Clarisse is coming with us. Where are we going?" "Oh, I'm not worried," she smiles, "I have YOU to protect me. My very own Deputy Marshall." Clariesse looks excited, "This is going to be fun!" Chester takes her by the shoulders. "This isn't a game. People could die. Each of us has come really close. Thanks to the gods that any of us is still here. OK?" Clarisse looks up at Chester with large, hurt eyes. "What do you mean people could die? I thought we were doing something fun..." Chester sighs. "Promise City can be a dangerous place, even with the Cowboys laying low. Turner is an example.” Kate kept her mouth closed. This was a very bad idea. Clariesse had no idea what some of their talents were, and her upbringing could have herself or Ruby dangling from the end of a rope if it was necessary to use them. "So, we swing by the Comstock house so Minerva can get her stuff and then go speak with Gonzalez? Is that the plan?" Nanuet asked. "Yes. I'll ask him to come down to speak with us. We can make the table private," Kate said. Jake notices that Katherine is looking forelorn. He stands next to her, "We can't afford to have you feeling defeated or useless. I need you thinking. You have skills and ways of looking at things we don't. I'm not giving up, and neither is anyone else." He puts his finger under her chin and makes her stand straight. "That is no way of a woman of your stature to look. Figure out how to get Gonzalez to remember the right bit of knowledge." Jake gives her a disarming smile and a wink and starts loading weapons over his shoulder. "My stature is short Jake," she said, making a poor attempt at humor. "I will do what I can, but you absolutely must be aware. If I start acting out of character, do whatever you have to do to stop me. I was almost ready to use my skills in front of the entire saloon to make Jeff move." Nanuet and Minerva lead the group over to the Comstock house where Minerva can get what she needs. Minerva grabs Nanuets hand and they run up stairs to her room.She quickly changes into riding clothes and tells Nanuet to rifle through her chest in search of a book on legends. "I know there are stories of monsters in one or two of them" He finds 2 books and throws them in her pack. She picks up her icons and prays to her gods as she packs them along with her vials of holy water and ceremonial oils. After Minerva finishes packing they all head over to the El Parador. Ruby seems momentarily obvilious to the early drama. They take a seat and wait for Kate to return with Mr. Gonzales. [/QUOTE]
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"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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