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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: 2819642" data-attributes="member: 12815"><p>Ruby sleeps all through the night into the next day, as late as she can and still get ready for Tom's service.</p><p></p><p>When she finally gets out of bed she searches through her closet for something suitable. Even her black clothes were on the racy side, but she was sure Kate would understand. She uses a black velvet ribbon to pull her long hair back and tiredly sighs. She knew she needed more sleep and planned on going right back to bed after this was over.</p><p></p><p>Jake was already downstairs and ready so they both head over to the El Parador to pick up Kate.</p><p></p><p>Once at the El Parador they sit and wait, and it's only moments before Dorita shoves plates of food at them. Ruby pushes food around with her fork while she waits for Kate to come down.</p><p></p><p>Kate took her time dressing for the service. The black gown was simple but elegantly made; the richness of its fabrics making up for its lack of ornamentation. A ribbon of black velvet was entwined through the elaborately arranged tresses pinned up on the back of her head. Gloves followed, and Kate carefully buttoned the three buttons along the wrist of each one. Lastly a small hat with a black veil was pinned into her hair.</p><p></p><p>Ginnie had no black clothes, but she had never met Tom herself. Kate had the girl wear the green dress she'd worn for the Lucky Lady's opening, and tied black ribbons around the bottoms of her braids.</p><p></p><p>She took a deep breath and she and Ginnie went downstairs to the Cantina where Ruby was already waiting. "Dorita will be upset if you don't actually eat that," she said as she joined them.</p><p></p><p>Ruby gives a small smile. "That's ok then, she can be mad." She pushes the plate away then stands. "You look nice Kate, and you too Ginnie. Are you ready? Minerva, Nanuet, Chester and Thom are meeting us out there." Ruby doesn't mention why.</p><p></p><p>"We're ready, Tom's waited long enough. And of course, if I sit down Dorita will have a plate in front of me."</p><p></p><p>Kate took Ginnie's hand and walked out into the street. She let Jake help her into the carriage and was quiet on the short ride out to the ranch, thinking of what she might say.</p><p></p><p>Ruby glances at Jake after Kate leaves but says nothing.</p><p></p><p>Ruby also makes the trip in silence, not really knowing what to say. After they get off the carriage, she sticks close to Jake as they walk to the spot that Kate had designated. The hole was already dug and Minerva, Nanuet, Chester and Thom were all waiting for them.</p><p></p><p>Ruby sighs as they walk over. She nears Kate and squeezes her arm but then go back to standing quietly near Jake.</p><p></p><p>The procession of mourners makes their way to the tree where Thomas Kale is to be laid to rest. The men lead the procession while the women, led by Minerva, adorned in black robes, follows along behind the carriage that carries the body of Katherine’s husband.</p><p></p><p>Ruby sings a traditional Greek lament.</p><p></p><p><em>My love, I loved you well, I kept you well. I kept you as musk in the box and wire in the reed. I kept you as a silver lamp, which lit up the home. Now the wire has rusted, the musk has lost its fragrance, now the silver lamp has fallen and shattered.</em></p><p></p><p>The solemn group halts beside the tree that Katherine has chosen as Tom’s final resting place. Katherine’s soft breathing mingles with the sound of the leaves rustling in the gentle breeze.</p><p></p><p>Nanuet, Jake and Chester stand silently and on an unspoken command, gently lift the wooden casket from the carriage and place it beside the mound of freshly dug earth.</p><p></p><p>When all is in readiness, Minerva steps forward and sprinkles oil upon the lid and recites: "We are gathered here on this day to celebrate the life of Thomas Kale. Not only the wonderful life that he lived as husband and friend upon this earth, but also his new life.</p><p></p><p>At the moment of death, Thomas Kale obtained a higher level of consciousness. He has met Charon, crossed the lake and passed through the underworld to reside in Elysium, the wondrous realm located at the western end of the earth, which is inhabited by those who have lived an exemplary life in the favor of Zeus. Those who reach this heaven are shown sample lives and returned to the earth… born to a new life of their choosing. I say to you, do not mourn! For although we do not recognize him, Thomas Kale is alive and well, for he was a good man."</p><p></p><p>The priestess places a crown of celery on the head of the casket and stepping up to Katherine, silver dagger in hand, shears off a lock of the widow’s hair and places it on the casket alongside the crown. Once the ceremony is complete the entire group begins to sing and move around the casket in a pattern resembling a dance.</p><p></p><p>After Miss Florencia cut a lock of her hair, and before the round of the grave, Kate stepped forward and spoke.</p><p></p><p>“I’ve been blessed,” she began quietly. “I was blessed to spend the last five years with Tom. I am blessed to carry him within me for the rest of my days.</p><p></p><p>When I first stepped off the train in Tombstone and learned that Tom had died; that’s when I failed him, as I continued to do for the next several months by trying to die and follow him. I didn’t realize it then, not through the alcohol haze of my time in Tombstone, nor when I stopped eating. After Ruby told me how he’d really died I gave up all pretense and just stopped living altogether. I never would have taken a desperate action to follow him; I didn’t even have the strength to be honest with myself about what I was doing.</p><p></p><p>I say I failed him because he taught me the strength I needed to live beyond his passing. He was first ill early in our marriage. He caught a fever, but he fought it and recovered. We both knew he would never be as strong as he had been, but we hoped for the best and went on with our lives. Later when he was ill again and struggled so long, he taught me strength, courage, and determination.</p><p></p><p>As painful as it was to watch him suffer, I treasure those times together. We were lucky to be able to talk about what I would do if the worst happened. I know that he didn’t want me to stop living when he did. He didn’t want me to stay in black for long, nor to spend years waiting to move on. We mourned together over the children we’d never had, and he made sure I understood that I was not to give up my dream of a family if he had to leave me.</p><p></p><p>My life had always been nearly idyllic. Cared for and loved, there was not a thing that I could want done that couldn’t be arranged. Yet with his illness I had to learn more and more to depend on myself. I learned to nurse him and others. With him I’d learned to train horses, and watching him struggle I learned strength and perseverance, and passion for life.</p><p></p><p>Only in the last few weeks have I really begun to honor those things. He will continue to live as I carry on and live his lessons with the courage and passion he taught me.”</p><p></p><p>Kate knelt down and laid her hand on the casket. The tears that had only threatened through the rest of the morning now spilled over, but they were quiet tears. “I will live, Tom, and I will pass your spirit to your son.” She stayed kneeling there until the tears passed, with each tear burying her own guilt and shame until she felt only the peace of truly letting him move on.</p><p></p><p>Ruby watches the ceremony from next to Jake. Gripping his hand tightly she fidgets and can't seem to focus or stay still for too long. She keeps rubbing her neck, looking away, tugging on her hair, all her normal signals of discomfort.</p><p></p><p>After giving Kate her time alone Ruby steps forward and places a freshly picked red wildflower on the casket. She moves to Kate and hugs her tightly, the only thing she could do now for her friend. "Are you ready to leave?" Ruby asks quietly.</p><p></p><p>Kate returned the embrace warmly. She looked back at the casket. "I'm ready," she said quietly. "Really ready this time." Kate slipped her arm in Ruby's and started the short walk to her little house on the ranch. About halfway there she turned and looked back just in time to see the top of the casket disappear into the earth. With a final sigh she leaned a bit on Ruby and continued on to the house.</p><p></p><p>Knowing that Katherine is not ready to accept her comfort, Minerva heeds Nanuet's advice and leaves her be, instead staying behind to perform a final blessing before the casket is lowered into the ground.</p><p></p><p>Once the last shovel of dirt is poured over the grave, she makes her way back to the house with the men to partake in the final part of the burial ritual 'the feast'.</p><p></p><p>Inside the house the new stove was lit, and several dishes were already warming in the oven. Dorita was there too, tending some pots on the stove. Kate walked over and kissed her cheek. "Sonoma?" she asked, nodding to the oven.</p><p></p><p>"Yes, Sonoma make those for you, but had to go. Now you two help," she said, handing out aprons.</p><p></p><p>Ruby gulps as she takes the apron. "I'm not sure Kate wants me burning down her new house." Dorita gives her 'the look' so she hastily dons the apron and waits for instructions. Dorita orders them around and they do as instructed. Ruby keeps a close eye on Kate, who seems sad but not about to breakdown.</p><p></p><p>By the time the men return the table is set with steaming hot food. Ruby wanders over to Kate. "You doing alright?"</p><p></p><p>"I'm alright. I waited a long time for this and now that it's over it seems strange." Kate stopped and finished taking off her apron. "It seems like there was always just one more thing to do, but not anymore. Nothing more to do but get on with living my life."</p><p></p><p>"Getting on with living is a very big adventure Kate. It's time. I think we'd all like to get on with that grand adventure." Kate notices the tired smile that comes to Ruby's face when Jake walks in the room. "So, dinner? And then on with life."</p><p></p><p>"Which for you means back to bed. I know it must have been hard for you to get up to come out here today," Kate said and hugged her before they sat down.</p><p></p><p>When everyone had a glass of wine Kate lifted hers and said, "To the first gathering in this new home, built on the dream I had with Tom. To this meal in his memory, and the many to come which his spirit will bless.</p><p></p><p>My thanks to you all."</p><p></p><p>Nanuet stands and lifts her glass. "That is wonderful Kate, his dreams and his spirit certainly live on. I commend you for your perseverance and will to make this dream a reality. I for one am glad I could be part of today."</p><p></p><p>Ruby quickly pulls her glass from her lips with a guilty look as Kate begins her toast. She holds up her glass and smiles softly as she speaks. She says nothing, taking a sip when Kate is done with her speech. She keeps her head down and is quiet though most of dinner.</p><p></p><p>Minerva sits quietly throughout the meal, picking at her food and sipping her wine, content to listen and watch her friends chat amiably with one another and provide the comfort to Katherine that she could not.</p><p></p><p>The friends all raise their glasses to toast with Kate. After the meal is over the women help clean up and they make the trip back to Promise City quietly.</p><p></p><p>Ruby makes sure to hug Kate and double check that she is alright before leaving her at the Cantina.</p><p></p><p>After the service Ruby makes good on her promise and does return to her bed. Rather than completely sleep for three days she sleeps and rests, only coming out of her room occasionally, spending most of her time alone. She does venture out to make one stop at Pierre’s Gun Shop. But otherwise Jake notices she is distant, not just from everyone but from him also. She seems to be lost in her thoughts but Jake just guesses it's healing from the spider bite.</p><p></p><p>Kate only stayed at the Cantina long enough to change into her leathers and put her hair in one long braid. Ginnie changed into an everyday dress, and the two rode back out to the ranch on one horse.</p><p></p><p>Sonoma was waiting for them, and together they went out to the new grave. With her friend's help, Kate planted two wildflower seedlings in the mound of earth. Sonoma then cast a spell encouraging them to grow strong and healthy.</p><p></p><p>Ginnie went off to gather components with the help of one of the botanical magic books, and Kate spent a quiet hour sitting next to the grave and listening to the babble of the brook as it flowed by. It was a peaceful place. Tom would be able to rest there, and Kate could sit there and find the quiet that she often needed.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="orchid blossom, post: 2819642, member: 12815"] Ruby sleeps all through the night into the next day, as late as she can and still get ready for Tom's service. When she finally gets out of bed she searches through her closet for something suitable. Even her black clothes were on the racy side, but she was sure Kate would understand. She uses a black velvet ribbon to pull her long hair back and tiredly sighs. She knew she needed more sleep and planned on going right back to bed after this was over. Jake was already downstairs and ready so they both head over to the El Parador to pick up Kate. Once at the El Parador they sit and wait, and it's only moments before Dorita shoves plates of food at them. Ruby pushes food around with her fork while she waits for Kate to come down. Kate took her time dressing for the service. The black gown was simple but elegantly made; the richness of its fabrics making up for its lack of ornamentation. A ribbon of black velvet was entwined through the elaborately arranged tresses pinned up on the back of her head. Gloves followed, and Kate carefully buttoned the three buttons along the wrist of each one. Lastly a small hat with a black veil was pinned into her hair. Ginnie had no black clothes, but she had never met Tom herself. Kate had the girl wear the green dress she'd worn for the Lucky Lady's opening, and tied black ribbons around the bottoms of her braids. She took a deep breath and she and Ginnie went downstairs to the Cantina where Ruby was already waiting. "Dorita will be upset if you don't actually eat that," she said as she joined them. Ruby gives a small smile. "That's ok then, she can be mad." She pushes the plate away then stands. "You look nice Kate, and you too Ginnie. Are you ready? Minerva, Nanuet, Chester and Thom are meeting us out there." Ruby doesn't mention why. "We're ready, Tom's waited long enough. And of course, if I sit down Dorita will have a plate in front of me." Kate took Ginnie's hand and walked out into the street. She let Jake help her into the carriage and was quiet on the short ride out to the ranch, thinking of what she might say. Ruby glances at Jake after Kate leaves but says nothing. Ruby also makes the trip in silence, not really knowing what to say. After they get off the carriage, she sticks close to Jake as they walk to the spot that Kate had designated. The hole was already dug and Minerva, Nanuet, Chester and Thom were all waiting for them. Ruby sighs as they walk over. She nears Kate and squeezes her arm but then go back to standing quietly near Jake. The procession of mourners makes their way to the tree where Thomas Kale is to be laid to rest. The men lead the procession while the women, led by Minerva, adorned in black robes, follows along behind the carriage that carries the body of Katherine’s husband. Ruby sings a traditional Greek lament. [i]My love, I loved you well, I kept you well. I kept you as musk in the box and wire in the reed. I kept you as a silver lamp, which lit up the home. Now the wire has rusted, the musk has lost its fragrance, now the silver lamp has fallen and shattered.[/i] The solemn group halts beside the tree that Katherine has chosen as Tom’s final resting place. Katherine’s soft breathing mingles with the sound of the leaves rustling in the gentle breeze. Nanuet, Jake and Chester stand silently and on an unspoken command, gently lift the wooden casket from the carriage and place it beside the mound of freshly dug earth. When all is in readiness, Minerva steps forward and sprinkles oil upon the lid and recites: "We are gathered here on this day to celebrate the life of Thomas Kale. Not only the wonderful life that he lived as husband and friend upon this earth, but also his new life. At the moment of death, Thomas Kale obtained a higher level of consciousness. He has met Charon, crossed the lake and passed through the underworld to reside in Elysium, the wondrous realm located at the western end of the earth, which is inhabited by those who have lived an exemplary life in the favor of Zeus. Those who reach this heaven are shown sample lives and returned to the earth… born to a new life of their choosing. I say to you, do not mourn! For although we do not recognize him, Thomas Kale is alive and well, for he was a good man." The priestess places a crown of celery on the head of the casket and stepping up to Katherine, silver dagger in hand, shears off a lock of the widow’s hair and places it on the casket alongside the crown. Once the ceremony is complete the entire group begins to sing and move around the casket in a pattern resembling a dance. After Miss Florencia cut a lock of her hair, and before the round of the grave, Kate stepped forward and spoke. “I’ve been blessed,” she began quietly. “I was blessed to spend the last five years with Tom. I am blessed to carry him within me for the rest of my days. When I first stepped off the train in Tombstone and learned that Tom had died; that’s when I failed him, as I continued to do for the next several months by trying to die and follow him. I didn’t realize it then, not through the alcohol haze of my time in Tombstone, nor when I stopped eating. After Ruby told me how he’d really died I gave up all pretense and just stopped living altogether. I never would have taken a desperate action to follow him; I didn’t even have the strength to be honest with myself about what I was doing. I say I failed him because he taught me the strength I needed to live beyond his passing. He was first ill early in our marriage. He caught a fever, but he fought it and recovered. We both knew he would never be as strong as he had been, but we hoped for the best and went on with our lives. Later when he was ill again and struggled so long, he taught me strength, courage, and determination. As painful as it was to watch him suffer, I treasure those times together. We were lucky to be able to talk about what I would do if the worst happened. I know that he didn’t want me to stop living when he did. He didn’t want me to stay in black for long, nor to spend years waiting to move on. We mourned together over the children we’d never had, and he made sure I understood that I was not to give up my dream of a family if he had to leave me. My life had always been nearly idyllic. Cared for and loved, there was not a thing that I could want done that couldn’t be arranged. Yet with his illness I had to learn more and more to depend on myself. I learned to nurse him and others. With him I’d learned to train horses, and watching him struggle I learned strength and perseverance, and passion for life. Only in the last few weeks have I really begun to honor those things. He will continue to live as I carry on and live his lessons with the courage and passion he taught me.” Kate knelt down and laid her hand on the casket. The tears that had only threatened through the rest of the morning now spilled over, but they were quiet tears. “I will live, Tom, and I will pass your spirit to your son.” She stayed kneeling there until the tears passed, with each tear burying her own guilt and shame until she felt only the peace of truly letting him move on. Ruby watches the ceremony from next to Jake. Gripping his hand tightly she fidgets and can't seem to focus or stay still for too long. She keeps rubbing her neck, looking away, tugging on her hair, all her normal signals of discomfort. After giving Kate her time alone Ruby steps forward and places a freshly picked red wildflower on the casket. She moves to Kate and hugs her tightly, the only thing she could do now for her friend. "Are you ready to leave?" Ruby asks quietly. Kate returned the embrace warmly. She looked back at the casket. "I'm ready," she said quietly. "Really ready this time." Kate slipped her arm in Ruby's and started the short walk to her little house on the ranch. About halfway there she turned and looked back just in time to see the top of the casket disappear into the earth. With a final sigh she leaned a bit on Ruby and continued on to the house. Knowing that Katherine is not ready to accept her comfort, Minerva heeds Nanuet's advice and leaves her be, instead staying behind to perform a final blessing before the casket is lowered into the ground. Once the last shovel of dirt is poured over the grave, she makes her way back to the house with the men to partake in the final part of the burial ritual 'the feast'. Inside the house the new stove was lit, and several dishes were already warming in the oven. Dorita was there too, tending some pots on the stove. Kate walked over and kissed her cheek. "Sonoma?" she asked, nodding to the oven. "Yes, Sonoma make those for you, but had to go. Now you two help," she said, handing out aprons. Ruby gulps as she takes the apron. "I'm not sure Kate wants me burning down her new house." Dorita gives her 'the look' so she hastily dons the apron and waits for instructions. Dorita orders them around and they do as instructed. Ruby keeps a close eye on Kate, who seems sad but not about to breakdown. By the time the men return the table is set with steaming hot food. Ruby wanders over to Kate. "You doing alright?" "I'm alright. I waited a long time for this and now that it's over it seems strange." Kate stopped and finished taking off her apron. "It seems like there was always just one more thing to do, but not anymore. Nothing more to do but get on with living my life." "Getting on with living is a very big adventure Kate. It's time. I think we'd all like to get on with that grand adventure." Kate notices the tired smile that comes to Ruby's face when Jake walks in the room. "So, dinner? And then on with life." "Which for you means back to bed. I know it must have been hard for you to get up to come out here today," Kate said and hugged her before they sat down. When everyone had a glass of wine Kate lifted hers and said, "To the first gathering in this new home, built on the dream I had with Tom. To this meal in his memory, and the many to come which his spirit will bless. My thanks to you all." Nanuet stands and lifts her glass. "That is wonderful Kate, his dreams and his spirit certainly live on. I commend you for your perseverance and will to make this dream a reality. I for one am glad I could be part of today." Ruby quickly pulls her glass from her lips with a guilty look as Kate begins her toast. She holds up her glass and smiles softly as she speaks. She says nothing, taking a sip when Kate is done with her speech. She keeps her head down and is quiet though most of dinner. Minerva sits quietly throughout the meal, picking at her food and sipping her wine, content to listen and watch her friends chat amiably with one another and provide the comfort to Katherine that she could not. The friends all raise their glasses to toast with Kate. After the meal is over the women help clean up and they make the trip back to Promise City quietly. Ruby makes sure to hug Kate and double check that she is alright before leaving her at the Cantina. After the service Ruby makes good on her promise and does return to her bed. Rather than completely sleep for three days she sleeps and rests, only coming out of her room occasionally, spending most of her time alone. She does venture out to make one stop at Pierre’s Gun Shop. But otherwise Jake notices she is distant, not just from everyone but from him also. She seems to be lost in her thoughts but Jake just guesses it's healing from the spider bite. Kate only stayed at the Cantina long enough to change into her leathers and put her hair in one long braid. Ginnie changed into an everyday dress, and the two rode back out to the ranch on one horse. Sonoma was waiting for them, and together they went out to the new grave. With her friend's help, Kate planted two wildflower seedlings in the mound of earth. Sonoma then cast a spell encouraging them to grow strong and healthy. Ginnie went off to gather components with the help of one of the botanical magic books, and Kate spent a quiet hour sitting next to the grave and listening to the babble of the brook as it flowed by. It was a peaceful place. Tom would be able to rest there, and Kate could sit there and find the quiet that she often needed. [/QUOTE]
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