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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: 2819636" data-attributes="member: 12815"><p>Ruby runs her hand over her wild hair, again trying to flatten it down. She attempts to stand tall then slowly drags herself to the hotel by herself, holding her belly with her hand flat as she walks.</p><p></p><p>She enters the lobby and walks to the desk, hoping to find Jake or someone with a room key so she can get a bath and a bed.</p><p></p><p>Jake has just finished arranging rooms when a dejected looking Ruby painfully mounts the step into the hotel. "Thom, bring the bags up stairs, will you big fella? We will be right up after you."</p><p></p><p>When Ruby arrives at the desk, Jake move close on one side so she can lean on him if she wants. He whispers, "Need an arm to get upstairs?"</p><p></p><p>She doesn't look at Jake. "Need it? No." She pauses. "But I'll take it." She takes his arm and waits for Jake to be ready. "Can you get me a bath?"</p><p></p><p>Jake waves the desk clerk over and arranges a bath and then assists Ruby to their room. "If you would rather be alone for a little bit and rest, I could take the big guy and keep him busy for a bit. I did not realize you had... um, been taking it that long and... well I would have, you know..." Jake looks down at his feet for a moment before, "Is there anything else you need?"</p><p></p><p>"It's the stupid spider bite! No one believes me," she says stubbornly. Ruby plops down on the bed, defeated. "I know you don't want to be around me right now, so go ahead and look after Thom. I'm fine." She throws herself back on the bed, turning away from Jake as she does.</p><p></p><p>Jake pulls the curtains closed and walks to the door. Quietly he says, "I figured you might be feeling self-conscious. I just was trying to keep the others away from you, to give you a little time and peace. I will make sure the bath is delivered." Faintly, she hears the door click shut.</p><p></p><p>Jake settles Thom into his room while keeping an eye out for the bath. When Chet comes by Jake grins, "Hey pardner, I have a great idea. You could share a room with Thom tonight. We could save a couple of dollars and Thom would feel much better in a strange hotel. What do you say?"</p><p></p><p>When they finally come to deliver the tub, Jake helps them and insists they are quiet about it. Once all the hot water is delivered, he chases them out and leaves Ruby in the dimly lit room.</p><p></p><p>Afterwards, Jake takes Thom with him to find the undertaker. On the way Jake explains, as best he can to Thom, that they are going to move Katherine's deceased husband to a new place. "You can help if you like, but you must be very quiet and respectful when you do it." Jake makes arrangements with the undertaker, again being very specific about workers who will show the proper respect. He also makes arrangements for a wagon sturdy enough for the marker and the casket, some somber covering for them on the journey and a carriage suitable to convey the seven of them and their luggage back to Promise City so they can ride along with the slow moving wagon.</p><p></p><p>Once back at the hotel, Jake finds Katherine and tells her about the arrangements he has made. "If you want to change any of them, I will not be offended. I am certain I have left something off."</p><p></p><p>"No Jake it all sounds fine, thank you for taking care of this. It will be a relief to finally have Tom home." Kate reached into her bag and pulled out a packet of powder. "I've been to the apothecary. Brew these for Ruby, just like tea. It won't taste good, but it will take the edge off her symptoms. It's not much, but it's the best we can do."</p><p></p><p>"If it does not taste good, that just increases the chances of me wearing it after she drinks it." Jake smirks and takes the packet. He flips it in his hand, "Good night Katherine." </p><p></p><p>When they are finished with Katherine, Jake locates Chester again attempting to take advantage of his good nature and leave Thom with Chester so Jake can check on Ruby.</p><p></p><p>Ruby takes her time in the hot bath, soaking away her cares. When she is done she rifles though Jake's bag and finds as clean a shirt as she has in there, slipping it on.</p><p></p><p>She crawls under the covers of the bed and snuggles with the pillows. It wasn't Jake but it would have to do. Ruby didn't even waste a thought on her problems before she falls asleep.</p><p></p><p>Jake quietly enters their room and finds Ruby sleeping. Putting the packet on the night stand he watches her for a while before his eyes start to close and his head begins to bob. He strips out of his traveling clothes and gingerly crawls into bed.</p><p></p><p>Nanuet and Minerva follow the others to the hotel but keep a respectful distance. Nanuet pays a porter to bring their bags so he can walk hand in hand with Minerva, feeling that she needs to feel his touch. He pays for a room and asks for privacy then leads Minerva up to the room where he pays and tips the porter and begins getting things settled.</p><p></p><p>It is only moments before Minerva, who is still unsettled begins to speak.</p><p></p><p>"Nanuet, I know that she’s a friend of yours and I am really trying hard to befriend her… But that woman!" she sputters, "is about as warm and fuzzy as a rattler! Every time I try to offer my support she gets all stiff and hissy with me.” She disengages her self from Nanuet and throws her arms up. She begins to pace as her anger mounts. “ She really gets my back up. After all that we have been through she has the audacity to treat me like I am not worthy to wipe the dung from her slippers. I was just trying to give comfort! It’s what I do! and she acts as though she is from the manner born, all cold and businesslike... I won’t tolerate it!</p><p></p><p>She is no different than the bigoted, narrow-minded wizards who ostracized me my entire life and murdered my father." In her rage her eyes flash and her accent gets thicker as she begins to talk faster. “I thought it would be different here, I really did. Most of you have been so nice to me. So accepting. When I walked into the saloon that day and Ruby was so nice… And then I met you... and Chester and Jake. None of you have a problem with me. I thought that the gods had led Luna and me to the ‘promised city’ that I had found a place where I would finally be accepted, but between her and the narrow minded folk like Senora King… well I don’t know who’s worse.” She says visibly bristling. “At least I know where I stand with Senora King.” She stops her raging but her eyes are still blazing.</p><p></p><p>Nanuet tries to get words in a few times, but is unable so eventually he just listens and watches Minerva's animated tirade. "But... I think... eh..."</p><p></p><p>Once she calms down he puts his arms on her shoulders. "Minerva, you must relax. Not everyone will accept your help so readily. Perhaps you have to offer little bits of comfort to her until she accepts it more readily. She is still trying to settle herself into a new world, one vastly different than she knew. She recently lost the man she loved, the one she thought she would spend the rest of her life with. If she is not accepting of new friends so easily I cannot fault her much. She does not put her faith in the gods, that is her choice. You cannot force her. Perhaps you should give her some distance, wait for her to come to you. Just ideas, that's all."</p><p></p><p>Minerva looks at him at though he has not heard anything she has said. "I have offered 'little bits' of comfort. It is not like I have been fawning all over her and begging her to allow me help her.. and I am not asking her to put her faith in the gods. I can hardly blame her for not doing so after what she has been through. All I wish is that she could look past her prejudices and see me for who I am! I am hurt and angry that she has persisted in treating me so coldly. And you are wrong when you say that she is not accepting of others. Did she ever treat you this way? Was she ever so cold to you or Jake or Chester as she is to me?</p><p></p><p>No, I think that she is prejudiced against what I am, just as the wizards of Spain were, and you know where that led. I do not think that she will ever open her heart to me." Minerva plops down on the bed looking glum.</p><p></p><p>Nanuet sits next to her on the bed. "She may never, you are right. There are many people in this world who will not open their hearts to you. You ask a lot of someone to do such a thing. I know you are proud of what you are, and that should never change, but not everyone will love you for what you are, and that is OK as well.</p><p></p><p>Minerva looks at him incredulously. "I ask a lot of someone to accept me for myself?" her voice rising. "I cannot believe that you really feel that way, Nanuet. I do not think that it is too much to ask of anyone to accept their neighbor for who he or she is. And it is NOT O.K. with me that she judge me without the benefit of knowing who I am as a person. I refuse to accept such blind prejudice, regardless of its source."</p><p></p><p>"What exactly happened that made you think this way about Kate?" Nanuet asked. "Perhaps that will help me to understand better."</p><p></p><p>"She is very cold and condescending to me. You have seen it, and today when she approached me about her husband's service, she was all business as she usually is when she is around me. She seemed upset so I took her hand in a gesture of comfort. Well! She pulled her hand away so fast that you would have thought that I had placed a hot poker on her palm. I just wish I know why she despises me so. I just want to be her friend."</p><p></p><p>"First of all, do not take anger with me. I am only trying to help. I do not know why Kate acted the way she did. If you truly wish to know, perhaps you should ask her straight out. I understand you were being respectful because of the sensitive subject matter, but if it bothers you this much then you must talk with her."</p><p></p><p>"You are right. I am sorry to take my anger out on you. I will speak to her about it when we get back home. If I say anything to her now, I am sure that I will handle it poorly, just as I have with you. Will you forgive me?" she says rising off the bed and putting her arms around him.</p><p></p><p>"I think something can be arranged." Nanuet says with a sly grin. "He pulls her closer to him "This is a good start," and kisses her slowly and longingly.</p><p></p><p>Minerva laughs in delight at his response and her anger soon turns to a more pleasant emotion. She and Nanuet spend the remainder of the evening practice the art of forgiveness.</p><p></p><p>Kate spent a quiet night in her room at Big Nose Kate's. Ruby would be resting, Jake would be watching over her, Nanuet and Miss Florencia would be together, and she had no idea what Chester or Thom would be doing.</p><p></p><p>She sighed as she wrapped her dressing gown around her. Once again she had managed to offend the Priestess. That was getting to be a habit. She suspected Miss Florencia, not having grown up in the world Kate had, didn't understand that to take someone's hand implied great intimacy. Something Kate didn't feel, and the liberty taken made her uncomfortable. Even with the others, she still walked formally with the men. Only with Ruby did she take the liberties of an intimate friendship.</p><p></p><p>She picked up her book, wondering if she would ever understand that her formality was just that. The formality between people thrown together who did not know one another well.</p><p></p><p>Chester takes Thom to Big Nose Kate's. "Here's where I went when I came to Tombstone for the first time. You must be thirsty after the train ride."</p><p></p><p>Thom nods his head eagerly. "That's real nice of you, Mister Chester. Who's Big Nose Kate? Is that Miss Kate?"</p><p></p><p>Chester bursts out laughing. He takes a breath. "No, no. She's another Kate. Don't tell our Kate you said that."</p><p></p><p>"OK, Mister Chester."</p><p></p><p>Chester says, "You don't have to call me Mister Chester. Chester is just fine, Thom."</p><p></p><p>They enter the saloon and sidle up to the bar. Thom says, "Mister Greeley didn't want me to drink. He said it makes me angry. I don't want to be angry, Mister Chester."</p><p></p><p>"Well let's get some sasparilla, then. I promise it won't make you angry. Barkeep! A couple sasparillas, please." The bartender gives the drinks to Chester, who pays.</p><p></p><p>Thom is not used to being treated so nicely and makes sure to say thank you to the bartender when he brings the drink and a very enthusiastic thank you to Chester when he pays. "You are all so nice to Thom. I like being friends with you very much" He takes a big gulp of the sasparilla and smiles. "And this stuff is really yummy. I might need another one in a few minutes."</p><p></p><p>Chester smiles back and holds his glass up. "Cheers. Here's to a new start for you."</p><p></p><p>Thom looks back at Chester with a puzzled look on his face. Chester says, "It's a toast. Take your glass and tap it against mine."</p><p></p><p>"No, Mister Chester it's a glass. I know, I've cleaned a lot of them for Mister Greeley." He taps his glass against Chester's, though with a clunk.</p><p></p><p>"We'll work on that. Let's just drink."</p><p></p><p>Ruby is restless through the night, kicking and turning violently. At some point in the middle of the night she gets out of bed and throws up again into the small garbarge can. Moaning she rests her head on her arm on the can, unable to get off the floor. </p><p></p><p>Jake gets up and sits on the floor next to her. "Katherine gave me a packet to make some tea, she said it would help you. It would taste foul but help you. Want me to brew it up?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby nods her head and moans again. She takes a deep breath in and tries to sit up. "Yes, that would be nice," she says tiredly.</p><p></p><p>He nods and looks around the room. Realizing he has nothing to heat water with, he makes his way down to the kitchen. There he heats some water in a rather unorthodox manner involving an oil lamp and a metal creamer. He steeps in the powder and makes his way upstairs. Back in the room, he gives her the pungent smelling brew. While she sits on the floor contemplating it, he moistens a towel and places it on the back of her neck.</p><p></p><p>"This smells very bad," Ruby comments. Hesitantly she continues, "I don't know if I should drink it..." Her voice trails off as she looks into the cup. "But seeing how you and Kate went through the trouble..."</p><p></p><p>She holds her nose and drinks the tea down as if it was a sharp beverage. She coughs and gags a couple of times but it stays down. She wipes her forehead and mouth with her hand as her eyes grow droopy. After a couple of tentative minutes she rests her head in Jake's lap and eventually falls back to sleep, this time seemingly more peaceful than the last.</p><p></p><p>Morning light comes and Ruby finds herself covered with a sheet and her head resting on Jake's thigh. He is laying on his back with a pillow from the bed under his head.</p><p></p><p>Ruby smiles softly. Her neck hurt from lying on Jake all night but the sweetness of him made her heart light. She sits up, putting her weight on her hands, and notices right away that she feels better. Still weak, but much better.</p><p></p><p>She leans down over Jake. "Morning baby."</p><p></p><p>Jake opens his eyes but does not move. "Yes. Morning it is. Feeling better?" He slowly flexes his back and winces. "Damn hard floors that Big Nose Kate has at her hotel."</p><p></p><p>"I do feel better." She glances around at their surroundings. "But I feel badly that I made you sleep on the floor last night," she says very sincerely.</p><p></p><p>"Heh," Jake says rising and wincing again, "do not worry yourself about that. Glad to be of service." He stands and stretches before offering her a hand up. "I am going to get cleaned up, eat and then off to see about finishing this business with Katherine's husband. Do you feel up to coming out, if not just rest some more. We have another long ride ahead of us today."</p><p></p><p>"I'm hungry, I want to eat. I think it will help with my strength. Maybe I should ask Nanuet to look at the spider bite. I will do that." Ruby takes Jake's offered hand. "Thanks baby, I really mean it. I would kiss you but ah... I need to brush my teeth," she says with an embarrassed little smile.</p><p></p><p>They get dressed and head down to breakfast. On the way Ruby says, "I can't wait to get home. I hope today goes by quickly."</p><p></p><p>Nanuet and Minerva fall into an exhausted sleep at some point late in the night. Nanuet nudges Minerva awake so that they will not sleep in too late and gather's their things. "Home, we will finally get back home today."</p><p></p><p>Minerva turns over lazily and stretches before rising. "Buenas Dias, Mi Amore. Have I made adequate amends for my outburst last night?" she teases. " Si, I will be happy to be home. I am anxious to see what progress has been made on the church while we have been away."</p><p></p><p>She rises and takes the 12 white candles and the statues from her bag and places them on the dresser. She recites a short prayer causing the candles to light and she gives her morning thanks, adding a special prayer to Minerva to give her the gift of patience when dealing with Katherine on what is sure to be a long slow ride.</p><p></p><p>They dress for the journey and the smiling couple make their way downstairs in search of breakfast.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="orchid blossom, post: 2819636, member: 12815"] Ruby runs her hand over her wild hair, again trying to flatten it down. She attempts to stand tall then slowly drags herself to the hotel by herself, holding her belly with her hand flat as she walks. She enters the lobby and walks to the desk, hoping to find Jake or someone with a room key so she can get a bath and a bed. Jake has just finished arranging rooms when a dejected looking Ruby painfully mounts the step into the hotel. "Thom, bring the bags up stairs, will you big fella? We will be right up after you." When Ruby arrives at the desk, Jake move close on one side so she can lean on him if she wants. He whispers, "Need an arm to get upstairs?" She doesn't look at Jake. "Need it? No." She pauses. "But I'll take it." She takes his arm and waits for Jake to be ready. "Can you get me a bath?" Jake waves the desk clerk over and arranges a bath and then assists Ruby to their room. "If you would rather be alone for a little bit and rest, I could take the big guy and keep him busy for a bit. I did not realize you had... um, been taking it that long and... well I would have, you know..." Jake looks down at his feet for a moment before, "Is there anything else you need?" "It's the stupid spider bite! No one believes me," she says stubbornly. Ruby plops down on the bed, defeated. "I know you don't want to be around me right now, so go ahead and look after Thom. I'm fine." She throws herself back on the bed, turning away from Jake as she does. Jake pulls the curtains closed and walks to the door. Quietly he says, "I figured you might be feeling self-conscious. I just was trying to keep the others away from you, to give you a little time and peace. I will make sure the bath is delivered." Faintly, she hears the door click shut. Jake settles Thom into his room while keeping an eye out for the bath. When Chet comes by Jake grins, "Hey pardner, I have a great idea. You could share a room with Thom tonight. We could save a couple of dollars and Thom would feel much better in a strange hotel. What do you say?" When they finally come to deliver the tub, Jake helps them and insists they are quiet about it. Once all the hot water is delivered, he chases them out and leaves Ruby in the dimly lit room. Afterwards, Jake takes Thom with him to find the undertaker. On the way Jake explains, as best he can to Thom, that they are going to move Katherine's deceased husband to a new place. "You can help if you like, but you must be very quiet and respectful when you do it." Jake makes arrangements with the undertaker, again being very specific about workers who will show the proper respect. He also makes arrangements for a wagon sturdy enough for the marker and the casket, some somber covering for them on the journey and a carriage suitable to convey the seven of them and their luggage back to Promise City so they can ride along with the slow moving wagon. Once back at the hotel, Jake finds Katherine and tells her about the arrangements he has made. "If you want to change any of them, I will not be offended. I am certain I have left something off." "No Jake it all sounds fine, thank you for taking care of this. It will be a relief to finally have Tom home." Kate reached into her bag and pulled out a packet of powder. "I've been to the apothecary. Brew these for Ruby, just like tea. It won't taste good, but it will take the edge off her symptoms. It's not much, but it's the best we can do." "If it does not taste good, that just increases the chances of me wearing it after she drinks it." Jake smirks and takes the packet. He flips it in his hand, "Good night Katherine." When they are finished with Katherine, Jake locates Chester again attempting to take advantage of his good nature and leave Thom with Chester so Jake can check on Ruby. Ruby takes her time in the hot bath, soaking away her cares. When she is done she rifles though Jake's bag and finds as clean a shirt as she has in there, slipping it on. She crawls under the covers of the bed and snuggles with the pillows. It wasn't Jake but it would have to do. Ruby didn't even waste a thought on her problems before she falls asleep. Jake quietly enters their room and finds Ruby sleeping. Putting the packet on the night stand he watches her for a while before his eyes start to close and his head begins to bob. He strips out of his traveling clothes and gingerly crawls into bed. Nanuet and Minerva follow the others to the hotel but keep a respectful distance. Nanuet pays a porter to bring their bags so he can walk hand in hand with Minerva, feeling that she needs to feel his touch. He pays for a room and asks for privacy then leads Minerva up to the room where he pays and tips the porter and begins getting things settled. It is only moments before Minerva, who is still unsettled begins to speak. "Nanuet, I know that she’s a friend of yours and I am really trying hard to befriend her… But that woman!" she sputters, "is about as warm and fuzzy as a rattler! Every time I try to offer my support she gets all stiff and hissy with me.” She disengages her self from Nanuet and throws her arms up. She begins to pace as her anger mounts. “ She really gets my back up. After all that we have been through she has the audacity to treat me like I am not worthy to wipe the dung from her slippers. I was just trying to give comfort! It’s what I do! and she acts as though she is from the manner born, all cold and businesslike... I won’t tolerate it! She is no different than the bigoted, narrow-minded wizards who ostracized me my entire life and murdered my father." In her rage her eyes flash and her accent gets thicker as she begins to talk faster. “I thought it would be different here, I really did. Most of you have been so nice to me. So accepting. When I walked into the saloon that day and Ruby was so nice… And then I met you... and Chester and Jake. None of you have a problem with me. I thought that the gods had led Luna and me to the ‘promised city’ that I had found a place where I would finally be accepted, but between her and the narrow minded folk like Senora King… well I don’t know who’s worse.” She says visibly bristling. “At least I know where I stand with Senora King.” She stops her raging but her eyes are still blazing. Nanuet tries to get words in a few times, but is unable so eventually he just listens and watches Minerva's animated tirade. "But... I think... eh..." Once she calms down he puts his arms on her shoulders. "Minerva, you must relax. Not everyone will accept your help so readily. Perhaps you have to offer little bits of comfort to her until she accepts it more readily. She is still trying to settle herself into a new world, one vastly different than she knew. She recently lost the man she loved, the one she thought she would spend the rest of her life with. If she is not accepting of new friends so easily I cannot fault her much. She does not put her faith in the gods, that is her choice. You cannot force her. Perhaps you should give her some distance, wait for her to come to you. Just ideas, that's all." Minerva looks at him at though he has not heard anything she has said. "I have offered 'little bits' of comfort. It is not like I have been fawning all over her and begging her to allow me help her.. and I am not asking her to put her faith in the gods. I can hardly blame her for not doing so after what she has been through. All I wish is that she could look past her prejudices and see me for who I am! I am hurt and angry that she has persisted in treating me so coldly. And you are wrong when you say that she is not accepting of others. Did she ever treat you this way? Was she ever so cold to you or Jake or Chester as she is to me? No, I think that she is prejudiced against what I am, just as the wizards of Spain were, and you know where that led. I do not think that she will ever open her heart to me." Minerva plops down on the bed looking glum. Nanuet sits next to her on the bed. "She may never, you are right. There are many people in this world who will not open their hearts to you. You ask a lot of someone to do such a thing. I know you are proud of what you are, and that should never change, but not everyone will love you for what you are, and that is OK as well. Minerva looks at him incredulously. "I ask a lot of someone to accept me for myself?" her voice rising. "I cannot believe that you really feel that way, Nanuet. I do not think that it is too much to ask of anyone to accept their neighbor for who he or she is. And it is NOT O.K. with me that she judge me without the benefit of knowing who I am as a person. I refuse to accept such blind prejudice, regardless of its source." "What exactly happened that made you think this way about Kate?" Nanuet asked. "Perhaps that will help me to understand better." "She is very cold and condescending to me. You have seen it, and today when she approached me about her husband's service, she was all business as she usually is when she is around me. She seemed upset so I took her hand in a gesture of comfort. Well! She pulled her hand away so fast that you would have thought that I had placed a hot poker on her palm. I just wish I know why she despises me so. I just want to be her friend." "First of all, do not take anger with me. I am only trying to help. I do not know why Kate acted the way she did. If you truly wish to know, perhaps you should ask her straight out. I understand you were being respectful because of the sensitive subject matter, but if it bothers you this much then you must talk with her." "You are right. I am sorry to take my anger out on you. I will speak to her about it when we get back home. If I say anything to her now, I am sure that I will handle it poorly, just as I have with you. Will you forgive me?" she says rising off the bed and putting her arms around him. "I think something can be arranged." Nanuet says with a sly grin. "He pulls her closer to him "This is a good start," and kisses her slowly and longingly. Minerva laughs in delight at his response and her anger soon turns to a more pleasant emotion. She and Nanuet spend the remainder of the evening practice the art of forgiveness. Kate spent a quiet night in her room at Big Nose Kate's. Ruby would be resting, Jake would be watching over her, Nanuet and Miss Florencia would be together, and she had no idea what Chester or Thom would be doing. She sighed as she wrapped her dressing gown around her. Once again she had managed to offend the Priestess. That was getting to be a habit. She suspected Miss Florencia, not having grown up in the world Kate had, didn't understand that to take someone's hand implied great intimacy. Something Kate didn't feel, and the liberty taken made her uncomfortable. Even with the others, she still walked formally with the men. Only with Ruby did she take the liberties of an intimate friendship. She picked up her book, wondering if she would ever understand that her formality was just that. The formality between people thrown together who did not know one another well. Chester takes Thom to Big Nose Kate's. "Here's where I went when I came to Tombstone for the first time. You must be thirsty after the train ride." Thom nods his head eagerly. "That's real nice of you, Mister Chester. Who's Big Nose Kate? Is that Miss Kate?" Chester bursts out laughing. He takes a breath. "No, no. She's another Kate. Don't tell our Kate you said that." "OK, Mister Chester." Chester says, "You don't have to call me Mister Chester. Chester is just fine, Thom." They enter the saloon and sidle up to the bar. Thom says, "Mister Greeley didn't want me to drink. He said it makes me angry. I don't want to be angry, Mister Chester." "Well let's get some sasparilla, then. I promise it won't make you angry. Barkeep! A couple sasparillas, please." The bartender gives the drinks to Chester, who pays. Thom is not used to being treated so nicely and makes sure to say thank you to the bartender when he brings the drink and a very enthusiastic thank you to Chester when he pays. "You are all so nice to Thom. I like being friends with you very much" He takes a big gulp of the sasparilla and smiles. "And this stuff is really yummy. I might need another one in a few minutes." Chester smiles back and holds his glass up. "Cheers. Here's to a new start for you." Thom looks back at Chester with a puzzled look on his face. Chester says, "It's a toast. Take your glass and tap it against mine." "No, Mister Chester it's a glass. I know, I've cleaned a lot of them for Mister Greeley." He taps his glass against Chester's, though with a clunk. "We'll work on that. Let's just drink." Ruby is restless through the night, kicking and turning violently. At some point in the middle of the night she gets out of bed and throws up again into the small garbarge can. Moaning she rests her head on her arm on the can, unable to get off the floor. Jake gets up and sits on the floor next to her. "Katherine gave me a packet to make some tea, she said it would help you. It would taste foul but help you. Want me to brew it up?" Ruby nods her head and moans again. She takes a deep breath in and tries to sit up. "Yes, that would be nice," she says tiredly. He nods and looks around the room. Realizing he has nothing to heat water with, he makes his way down to the kitchen. There he heats some water in a rather unorthodox manner involving an oil lamp and a metal creamer. He steeps in the powder and makes his way upstairs. Back in the room, he gives her the pungent smelling brew. While she sits on the floor contemplating it, he moistens a towel and places it on the back of her neck. "This smells very bad," Ruby comments. Hesitantly she continues, "I don't know if I should drink it..." Her voice trails off as she looks into the cup. "But seeing how you and Kate went through the trouble..." She holds her nose and drinks the tea down as if it was a sharp beverage. She coughs and gags a couple of times but it stays down. She wipes her forehead and mouth with her hand as her eyes grow droopy. After a couple of tentative minutes she rests her head in Jake's lap and eventually falls back to sleep, this time seemingly more peaceful than the last. Morning light comes and Ruby finds herself covered with a sheet and her head resting on Jake's thigh. He is laying on his back with a pillow from the bed under his head. Ruby smiles softly. Her neck hurt from lying on Jake all night but the sweetness of him made her heart light. She sits up, putting her weight on her hands, and notices right away that she feels better. Still weak, but much better. She leans down over Jake. "Morning baby." Jake opens his eyes but does not move. "Yes. Morning it is. Feeling better?" He slowly flexes his back and winces. "Damn hard floors that Big Nose Kate has at her hotel." "I do feel better." She glances around at their surroundings. "But I feel badly that I made you sleep on the floor last night," she says very sincerely. "Heh," Jake says rising and wincing again, "do not worry yourself about that. Glad to be of service." He stands and stretches before offering her a hand up. "I am going to get cleaned up, eat and then off to see about finishing this business with Katherine's husband. Do you feel up to coming out, if not just rest some more. We have another long ride ahead of us today." "I'm hungry, I want to eat. I think it will help with my strength. Maybe I should ask Nanuet to look at the spider bite. I will do that." Ruby takes Jake's offered hand. "Thanks baby, I really mean it. I would kiss you but ah... I need to brush my teeth," she says with an embarrassed little smile. They get dressed and head down to breakfast. On the way Ruby says, "I can't wait to get home. I hope today goes by quickly." Nanuet and Minerva fall into an exhausted sleep at some point late in the night. Nanuet nudges Minerva awake so that they will not sleep in too late and gather's their things. "Home, we will finally get back home today." Minerva turns over lazily and stretches before rising. "Buenas Dias, Mi Amore. Have I made adequate amends for my outburst last night?" she teases. " Si, I will be happy to be home. I am anxious to see what progress has been made on the church while we have been away." She rises and takes the 12 white candles and the statues from her bag and places them on the dresser. She recites a short prayer causing the candles to light and she gives her morning thanks, adding a special prayer to Minerva to give her the gift of patience when dealing with Katherine on what is sure to be a long slow ride. They dress for the journey and the smiling couple make their way downstairs in search of breakfast. [/QUOTE]
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"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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