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Wizards, Whiskey and Wonderful Things - Concluded
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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2357914" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 44, “Ruby’s Little Visitors”, Wednesday, March 15th, 1882:</strong></p><p></p><p>Ruby woke in the middle of the night, her mouth dry. She sleepily wandered downstairs to get a drink. She entered the kitchen and poured herself some water. As she was standing there drinking she heard a clanging noise out back. Not thinking, she headed right out the back door in just her shirt. It was very dark and she didn’t immediately see anything. Then she startled as she heard another clanging. She looked to the spot where the noise came from and there were two little puppies. </p><p></p><p>They were both fluffy little things. The bigger one, black, was digging through the trash. The smaller white one was curled up next to the bag. Ruby could tell they were both starving and young. She slowly approached them, and the black one started growling, although obviously too weak and small to really scare her. She kneeled on the ground and slowly reached out her hand. The black ball of fur slowly came towards her and sniffed at her hand. She sat still and let both of them sniff her until they were comfortable. Then she reached out and wrapped her arms around them both, carrying two little balls of fur back inside the kitchen. </p><p></p><p>She placed them gently on the floor and got a bowl with some water. The black one nudged the small white to the water first. Ruby kept one eye on them while she went into the pantry and pulled out some scraps. She put them in a bowl next to the water. They both hungrily ate up all the food, plus a second helping Ruby put out. </p><p></p><p>Ruby decided to let them stay. They were too small and cute to throw back out on the street. She started to head back to her room and they both followed nervously. “No, stay here,” Ruby said gently. She started walking again and the kept following her. Ruby sighed. She had always wanted a puppy after all. The white one was too small to climb the stairs so Ruby lifted her up while the black one scurried behind. </p><p></p><p>Once inside her room Ruby laid some old newspapers of Jake’s out for them to lie on and she climbed back into bed. Then the crying started. And continued. And continued until Ruby got up, picked them up and put them on the bed. They curled up together, next to Ruby. She smiled at the puppies, petting them. At least she wasn't alone anymore. "Lucky and Mischief, that will be your names. Two things I'm good at." She continued to pet them until she fell back asleep.</p><p></p><p>Sonoma and Gonzales were up reasonably early and headed over to the home the Druid/Mage named Mother Jaminez. She listened to what they had to say and then cast some spells of her own. She said that the absence of the Atlantic Ocean Earth Sprit did indeed appear to be the cause of the new Volcano. The Druid in her was content to just let it occur but the Mage in her realized the danger of the modern man discovering the lost secrets of Atlantis. </p><p></p><p>The three decide that they need to go to Los Angels to find their South American friends, as they would need the help of the North American Earth Spirit whose location was known to these men. Gonzales asked Jaminez to accompany him. She was afraid of that idea, which Sonoma knew to be due to the woman's phobia of being around people and new places. Sonoma told her "It will be fine. My Great Grandfather can be trusted and I will go with you. </p><p></p><p>Jaminez reluctantly packs what she will need and they head back to Gonzales's room. He does not show the old woman his mansion, leaving instead from his room at the El Parador. They teleport away. He has left behind a note on his bed reading: </p><p></p><p><em>"Katherine, Sonoma and I have gone to Los Angeles to deal with this crisis. I do not know when we will return, but it may not be for several days. Please don't worry." </em></p><p></p><p>Nanuet’s stomach starts to rumble so he heads to the El Parador for a change to get lunch. "Good day everybody. Hello Dorita." Nanuet says with a smile. "I am starving and couldn't think of a better place to come in order to change that. Can I get lunch please?</p><p></p><p>Kate woke a few hours after the sun broke the horizon. The late night of dancing had helped her sleep deeply. Ginnie's cot was empty; hopefully she was downstairs with Dorita. Katherine dressed in a pretty green dress and went over to Mr. Gonzales' room to ask about the dust he had given her the night before. She went inside and found a note on the bed. </p><p></p><p>She thought to herself Don't worry! If he hadn't wanted her to worry, he shouldn't have said it. Now she would worry for sure. There was nothing to be done. By the time she could get there on a train they would probably be on their way back. She might need to stay out at the ranch while Sonoma was gone, Flint would need the help. Kate wandered downstairs to look for Ginnie and found Nanuet digging into a plate. "Good morning," she said, walking over and sitting down.</p><p></p><p>Nanuet states, "Good day Miss Kate. How are you and the little one doing? Late for you to be getting up isn't it?" She replies, "Yes, it is a bit late, but we had a late night. Ginnie and I are both doing well. You haven't seen her down here have you?" </p><p></p><p>Nanuet replies "I am sure she is around here some.... oh, there she is." Nanuet smiles warmly at the young girl. Turning back to Kate, Nanuet says "Yes, me and the others had an interesting night ourselves. Let's just say I hope I don't have to go back to Galeyville anytime soon. And if you ever find yourself there don't mention the names Caine or O'Dell."</p><p></p><p>Ginnie comes out with two big plates piled high with food "Ma'am Kate Mrs. Dorita told me to give one of these to you and see that you ate it. If you’re not going to I'm not going to tell her. You tell her yourself. I've finished my reading for this morning and at some point I have some questions to ask Mr. Gonzalas about some umm... stuff that I'd like to try that I think he should see." With that she tucks into her second breakfast of the morning with gusto watching and listening to all that is going on around her.</p><p></p><p>"I've been eating!" Kate said indignantly. "Just because I can't finish off a plate like this doesn't mean I'm not eating." She resisted the perverse desire to refuse to eat out of sheer stubbornness. </p><p>"Mr. Gonzales has gone on a short trip, Ginnie. I'm afraid you'll have to wait a few days to speak to him." "Why in the world did you go to Galeyville, Nanuet? I've heard it's an awful place. And I wouldn't mention O'Dell anywhere. I get the feeling he leaves trouble behind him wherever he goes."</p><p></p><p>In the morning Ruby awakens to find her face getting licked by two little furballs. She smiled, even though it was early. They were too cute not to. She dragged herself out of bed and brought them downstairs to let them out. She fed them again and left them while they were eating. She went back upstairs, got dressed and came back down. She had some coffee and after that gave the puppies baths in the sink. By the light outside it had to be mid morning already. </p><p></p><p>Ruby hears Eddie Palmer's voice in the main room. "Mr. Hoover is Jake Cook available?" Hoover replies. "No, he's away on business." "Oh, is Miss West available then?" "Sure, I'll get her," Hoover responds but Ruby is already in the room. "Morning, Mr. Palmer, can I help you?" "Uh, yes, Miss West, there is a letter for Mr. Cook. He said I could deliver his mail to you." Ruby reaches for the letter. "Sure, Mr. Palmer and if I ever get any mail, which is doubtful, you can leave it with him if I'm not available." "Sure thing Miss West, have a good day!" </p><p></p><p>Ruby looks at the letter, return address is Chicago. Ruby recalls a conversation she had with Jake 5 weeks earlier..... </p><p></p><p>Jake is sitting at a poker table mid morning when Ruby comes down and sees him writing a letter. "You're up early, conscience bothering you and needed to write it down?" She quips and wipes some sleep from her eye. Jake laughs. "That would be headlines news; we'd have to tell Chumbley. No, I'm writing an acquaintance that can help me with a letter scam. I haven't quite figured out exactly what the scam will be, but I want a hand writing sample. Then we'll use it annoy Adair, or worse." </p><p></p><p>He gives her a rather evil looking grin. "It's too early for me to figure out what the heck you are talking about." She leans on his back and reads the note. </p><p>"That's fine. I don't have much more to say about it right now. I'm still thinking it over." He waits until she finishes reading. "You go get some coffee and I'll mail this. If Abby writes back, then we'll start something." Ruby yawns and nods and shambles off to find some coffee while Jake mails the letter. </p><p></p><p><em>Abagail Bowen </em></p><p><em>C/O Federal Boarding House </em></p><p><em>24 Federal Street </em></p><p><em>Chicago Illinois </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Greetings Abby, </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>How have you been? It has been way too long, but it's not likely I'll be in the city any time soon. Little Jake is doing well all things considered. To this day nobody throws a boarding house party like Big Abby. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>I have an Abby style business deal going, would you or one of the girls handle the long distance end for me? Enclosed is a money order for $10 to get your interest. Use it for a bottle of whiskey and get a PO box. I'll fill in the details later. Send me the PO box number as soon as you have it. If you don't want to play, then buy two bottles and toast me! Either way write back. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Jake Cook </em></p><p></p><p>Ruby then opens the letter that had just arrived. </p><p></p><p><em>Jake Cook </em></p><p><em>c/o Postmaster </em></p><p><em>Promise City, Arizona </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Hello there Little Jake! </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Never thought we'd hear from you again. I will say it is a pleasure and would be happy to have you visit, we sure as heck would throw an 'Abby' party for you. As long as somebody wasn't chasing you, if you know what I mean. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Sure we'll play, but on one condition; you have to tell us the whole story later on. Remember if the game is not kosher the fees are higher. Mattie took care of the post office box for you. She says to tell you she still remembers how to take care of other things for you if you decide to stop in. You own post office box 1187. Tell us what we need to know about the game. Looking forward to your postal orders. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Abby </em></p><p></p><p>“Hum… Chicago sounds like fun, minus the Mattie part…I'll have to ask him about that,” thinks Ruby. She brings the letter back upstairs and leaves it on the desk for Jake. Then she heads over to the El Parador to eat and find Kate, not noticing the puppies following her. Ruby wandered into the Cantina and over to the table with Kate, Nanuet and Ginnie. She hugged all of them and picked some food off Kate's plate before sitting. "Good morning. What are we talking about this fine day?"</p><p></p><p>"You remember my cousin Chopido and his friend Caine right? Alison Caine is his relation. They wanted to find her so myself, Chester, Luc and the two of them rode out there last night. As close to lawless as a place can get. Town is dying off though, not much left of it. It sounds like we all had eventful evenings last night." </p><p></p><p>Nanuet repeats the story in detail to Ruby about the journey to Galeyville. He leaves out the part about the shooting in the presence of Ginnie. "So, where did you go? I heard you stayed out late last night?" Ruby replies, "Well, I'm glad you are back safe and sound. I heard it's rough in Galeyville with lots of members of the Cowboy Gang hanging out there. We went dancing last night," Ruby says with a knowing smile, and she cradles her coffee. Dorita brings her a plate of food and she digs in, leaving Kate to say anymore.</p><p></p><p>Kate adds, "Mr. Gonzales took us to a couple places to hear some new music. We had a good time. I take it Alison has moved on.” He replies, "Yes, she headed out of town several weeks ago apparently." Kate asks, “What about your cousin and his friend?" "They headed east to keep looking for Alison. I wasn't prepared to move on with them, don't have reason to really. So first light we went our separate ways." </p><p></p><p>Dorita shrieks and yells "Out, out, out!" as she notices the pair of scruffy looking puppies that have followed Ruby in. "Those little rascals yours Miss Ruby?" Nanuet says with a quizzical look on his face. Ruby nods, "Found them out behind the Lucky Lady early this morning. Aren't they cute? I told Jake I wanted a puppy, but I didn't want to wait for him to get around to it." Ruby says with her trademark smile on her face. "Plus they were starving poor things!" </p><p></p><p>Nanuet says, "Well I was almost finished anyway, I'll take them outside for you and keep an eye on them." Nanuet scoops up the playful puppies and carries them outside, laughing as one of them licks his face. Kate asks, "Puppies Ruby?" "Why not?" Ruby shrugged. "I always wanted a puppy." Kate replies, "No reason why not, I'm just a bit surprised. More surprised that you took in two than that you took one in at all. Two puppies are a handful." </p><p></p><p>"There was two of them there, what can I say?" Ruby goes back to eating. "They can't be more trouble than anything else around here, especially my friends and all the trouble they get into." Ruby raises an eyebrow and tries not to laugh.</p><p></p><p>Dorita arrives at the table and wagging her finger at Ruby lets off a long string of Spanish intermixed with English that includes the words "No", "Dog" and "Piddle". She then says "You no bring animal in here again! Why you need dog? You have Jake follow you around." </p><p></p><p>Kate nearly choked on the last forkful of food. She swallowed carefully before she let the laughter out. "How very true," she finally managed to get out. "But Jake gets in more trouble than those puppies could." Ruby looks up at Dorita. "I'm going to have to learn what you are saying Dorita. I didn't bring them in, they followed me! And as for Jake, he's not always around..." Ruby finally breaks down and laughs.</p><p></p><p>Poor Jake," Ruby shakes her head but is still smiling, "It's true. He's the most trouble I've ever been in but I wouldn't change it for anything. Anyway, I'm sure Nanuet will help me train them into good loyal dogs to watch over all of us and the Lucky Lady." "That's a good idea, Ruby. It's been quiet so far, but that doesn't mean Adair still won't try something. So what are you up to today? I won't have any lessons for a few days," Kate said, handing Ruby Mr. Gonzales' note.</p><p></p><p>She says, "Oh, I hope Mr. Gonzales will be ok..." Ruby shakes the thought out of her head. "Um, no plans for today. I did want another pair of leather pants. Jake likes the pair I have." She gets a dreamy look in her eye for a moment then snaps out of it. "Maybe I should add to that list training puppies." Ruby scrunches her nose. "And avoiding Mr. Eastman. But Kate, you have to taste the chocolates he brought me..." </p><p></p><p>"Alright, let me go outside with Nanuet for a while. I'll meet you back here and we can do whatever you'd like, ok?" She squeezes Kate's hand and starts walking out. "Ginnie, you're welcome to join us if you're not busy. Up to you..." Nanuet is sitting on the ground playing with Lucky and Mischief when Ruby walks out. Ruby walks out and finds Nanuet. "Ok, how do we train puppies?"</p><p></p><p>He replies, "Well, they are a little young to start much formal training, but we can work on housebreaking and some simple things. Hope you have some patience and some free time!" Nanuet says chuckling. "These two will be a handful. We have to figure out where we are going to keep them for now. Maybe I can build them a pen of some sort if we can find a spot. Can't just leave them upstairs when the Lucky Lady is open for business and can't have them roaming around either."</p><p></p><p>She replies, "Why not? They've been living on the street, we can't cage them like birds now... Why does everyone always try to take away freedom? I mean, they don't have to stay here if they don't want to. But yes, whatever training they can do, let's start now. We don't want two wild and crazy puppies running around, now do we?" Ruby playfully scoops Lucky into her arms and starts walking to the druids grove while Mischief follows behind, nipping at her heels. </p><p></p><p>Ruby puts her down when they get to the grove and they watch the puppies bound around. "So, what do you think? I'd like them to be able to keep guard at the Lucky Lady when they are older. Think you can train them to do that?" He replies, "With a bit of time I believe I can. It is good that they are still pups, easier to train that way. Oww... although this one, Mischief I believe has been properly named." Nanuet winces and pulls his freshly nipped finger back from the playful pups maw. </p><p></p><p>He says, "I didn't mean take away their freedom, I was actually thinking more freedom, just some boundaries. I mean right now they are a little too small to be hanging out in the Lucky Lady during business hours, especially at night when it can get crowded. I figured a pen outside would be better than a room inside locked away somewhere. Believe me, with the way my people have been treated I value freedom as much as anyone else."</p><p></p><p>Ruby laughed at Nanuet's antics with the puppies. It was a softer side of him than she was used to. "If you'd like to build a boundary for them you can. And just let me know what I can do to help train them." Ruby leans closer to Nanuet and speaks softly, "It would be better if they were trained somewhat before Jake gets back..." He says, "Well I am an elf, and good with most animals at that, but a miracle worker I am not. I will work with them as much as I can. Hopefully we can keep the mess to a minimum. For now I would keep lots of newspapers around if I were you."</p><p></p><p>"Good and I really appreciate it. They didn't make any mess last night," Ruby shrugged. "Let's hope it stays that way." Ruby and Nanuet work with the puppies for a while. "I'm going to get Kate now, she wanted to do some shopping I think. You can come along or stay with the puppies, up to you." He says, "Geez, although shopping with two women sounds like oh so much fun, I think I'll stay here with them." he says pointing to the canines. "You and Kate can enjoy each others company without me to get between you." </p><p></p><p>Silly elf," Ruby says shaking her head. "It's not so bad, shopping that is." She stands up and stretches a bit. "I'll see you later then. And thanks, for everything." Ruby pats each puppy on the head and walks off. She goes back to the Cantina to get Kate.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 2357914, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 44, “Ruby’s Little Visitors”, Wednesday, March 15th, 1882:[/B] Ruby woke in the middle of the night, her mouth dry. She sleepily wandered downstairs to get a drink. She entered the kitchen and poured herself some water. As she was standing there drinking she heard a clanging noise out back. Not thinking, she headed right out the back door in just her shirt. It was very dark and she didn’t immediately see anything. Then she startled as she heard another clanging. She looked to the spot where the noise came from and there were two little puppies. They were both fluffy little things. The bigger one, black, was digging through the trash. The smaller white one was curled up next to the bag. Ruby could tell they were both starving and young. She slowly approached them, and the black one started growling, although obviously too weak and small to really scare her. She kneeled on the ground and slowly reached out her hand. The black ball of fur slowly came towards her and sniffed at her hand. She sat still and let both of them sniff her until they were comfortable. Then she reached out and wrapped her arms around them both, carrying two little balls of fur back inside the kitchen. She placed them gently on the floor and got a bowl with some water. The black one nudged the small white to the water first. Ruby kept one eye on them while she went into the pantry and pulled out some scraps. She put them in a bowl next to the water. They both hungrily ate up all the food, plus a second helping Ruby put out. Ruby decided to let them stay. They were too small and cute to throw back out on the street. She started to head back to her room and they both followed nervously. “No, stay here,” Ruby said gently. She started walking again and the kept following her. Ruby sighed. She had always wanted a puppy after all. The white one was too small to climb the stairs so Ruby lifted her up while the black one scurried behind. Once inside her room Ruby laid some old newspapers of Jake’s out for them to lie on and she climbed back into bed. Then the crying started. And continued. And continued until Ruby got up, picked them up and put them on the bed. They curled up together, next to Ruby. She smiled at the puppies, petting them. At least she wasn't alone anymore. "Lucky and Mischief, that will be your names. Two things I'm good at." She continued to pet them until she fell back asleep. Sonoma and Gonzales were up reasonably early and headed over to the home the Druid/Mage named Mother Jaminez. She listened to what they had to say and then cast some spells of her own. She said that the absence of the Atlantic Ocean Earth Sprit did indeed appear to be the cause of the new Volcano. The Druid in her was content to just let it occur but the Mage in her realized the danger of the modern man discovering the lost secrets of Atlantis. The three decide that they need to go to Los Angels to find their South American friends, as they would need the help of the North American Earth Spirit whose location was known to these men. Gonzales asked Jaminez to accompany him. She was afraid of that idea, which Sonoma knew to be due to the woman's phobia of being around people and new places. Sonoma told her "It will be fine. My Great Grandfather can be trusted and I will go with you. Jaminez reluctantly packs what she will need and they head back to Gonzales's room. He does not show the old woman his mansion, leaving instead from his room at the El Parador. They teleport away. He has left behind a note on his bed reading: [I]"Katherine, Sonoma and I have gone to Los Angeles to deal with this crisis. I do not know when we will return, but it may not be for several days. Please don't worry." [/I] Nanuet’s stomach starts to rumble so he heads to the El Parador for a change to get lunch. "Good day everybody. Hello Dorita." Nanuet says with a smile. "I am starving and couldn't think of a better place to come in order to change that. Can I get lunch please? Kate woke a few hours after the sun broke the horizon. The late night of dancing had helped her sleep deeply. Ginnie's cot was empty; hopefully she was downstairs with Dorita. Katherine dressed in a pretty green dress and went over to Mr. Gonzales' room to ask about the dust he had given her the night before. She went inside and found a note on the bed. She thought to herself Don't worry! If he hadn't wanted her to worry, he shouldn't have said it. Now she would worry for sure. There was nothing to be done. By the time she could get there on a train they would probably be on their way back. She might need to stay out at the ranch while Sonoma was gone, Flint would need the help. Kate wandered downstairs to look for Ginnie and found Nanuet digging into a plate. "Good morning," she said, walking over and sitting down. Nanuet states, "Good day Miss Kate. How are you and the little one doing? Late for you to be getting up isn't it?" She replies, "Yes, it is a bit late, but we had a late night. Ginnie and I are both doing well. You haven't seen her down here have you?" Nanuet replies "I am sure she is around here some.... oh, there she is." Nanuet smiles warmly at the young girl. Turning back to Kate, Nanuet says "Yes, me and the others had an interesting night ourselves. Let's just say I hope I don't have to go back to Galeyville anytime soon. And if you ever find yourself there don't mention the names Caine or O'Dell." Ginnie comes out with two big plates piled high with food "Ma'am Kate Mrs. Dorita told me to give one of these to you and see that you ate it. If you’re not going to I'm not going to tell her. You tell her yourself. I've finished my reading for this morning and at some point I have some questions to ask Mr. Gonzalas about some umm... stuff that I'd like to try that I think he should see." With that she tucks into her second breakfast of the morning with gusto watching and listening to all that is going on around her. "I've been eating!" Kate said indignantly. "Just because I can't finish off a plate like this doesn't mean I'm not eating." She resisted the perverse desire to refuse to eat out of sheer stubbornness. "Mr. Gonzales has gone on a short trip, Ginnie. I'm afraid you'll have to wait a few days to speak to him." "Why in the world did you go to Galeyville, Nanuet? I've heard it's an awful place. And I wouldn't mention O'Dell anywhere. I get the feeling he leaves trouble behind him wherever he goes." In the morning Ruby awakens to find her face getting licked by two little furballs. She smiled, even though it was early. They were too cute not to. She dragged herself out of bed and brought them downstairs to let them out. She fed them again and left them while they were eating. She went back upstairs, got dressed and came back down. She had some coffee and after that gave the puppies baths in the sink. By the light outside it had to be mid morning already. Ruby hears Eddie Palmer's voice in the main room. "Mr. Hoover is Jake Cook available?" Hoover replies. "No, he's away on business." "Oh, is Miss West available then?" "Sure, I'll get her," Hoover responds but Ruby is already in the room. "Morning, Mr. Palmer, can I help you?" "Uh, yes, Miss West, there is a letter for Mr. Cook. He said I could deliver his mail to you." Ruby reaches for the letter. "Sure, Mr. Palmer and if I ever get any mail, which is doubtful, you can leave it with him if I'm not available." "Sure thing Miss West, have a good day!" Ruby looks at the letter, return address is Chicago. Ruby recalls a conversation she had with Jake 5 weeks earlier..... Jake is sitting at a poker table mid morning when Ruby comes down and sees him writing a letter. "You're up early, conscience bothering you and needed to write it down?" She quips and wipes some sleep from her eye. Jake laughs. "That would be headlines news; we'd have to tell Chumbley. No, I'm writing an acquaintance that can help me with a letter scam. I haven't quite figured out exactly what the scam will be, but I want a hand writing sample. Then we'll use it annoy Adair, or worse." He gives her a rather evil looking grin. "It's too early for me to figure out what the heck you are talking about." She leans on his back and reads the note. "That's fine. I don't have much more to say about it right now. I'm still thinking it over." He waits until she finishes reading. "You go get some coffee and I'll mail this. If Abby writes back, then we'll start something." Ruby yawns and nods and shambles off to find some coffee while Jake mails the letter. [I]Abagail Bowen C/O Federal Boarding House 24 Federal Street Chicago Illinois Greetings Abby, How have you been? It has been way too long, but it's not likely I'll be in the city any time soon. Little Jake is doing well all things considered. To this day nobody throws a boarding house party like Big Abby. I have an Abby style business deal going, would you or one of the girls handle the long distance end for me? Enclosed is a money order for $10 to get your interest. Use it for a bottle of whiskey and get a PO box. I'll fill in the details later. Send me the PO box number as soon as you have it. If you don't want to play, then buy two bottles and toast me! Either way write back. Jake Cook [/I] Ruby then opens the letter that had just arrived. [I]Jake Cook c/o Postmaster Promise City, Arizona Hello there Little Jake! Never thought we'd hear from you again. I will say it is a pleasure and would be happy to have you visit, we sure as heck would throw an 'Abby' party for you. As long as somebody wasn't chasing you, if you know what I mean. Sure we'll play, but on one condition; you have to tell us the whole story later on. Remember if the game is not kosher the fees are higher. Mattie took care of the post office box for you. She says to tell you she still remembers how to take care of other things for you if you decide to stop in. You own post office box 1187. Tell us what we need to know about the game. Looking forward to your postal orders. Abby [/I] “Hum… Chicago sounds like fun, minus the Mattie part…I'll have to ask him about that,” thinks Ruby. She brings the letter back upstairs and leaves it on the desk for Jake. Then she heads over to the El Parador to eat and find Kate, not noticing the puppies following her. Ruby wandered into the Cantina and over to the table with Kate, Nanuet and Ginnie. She hugged all of them and picked some food off Kate's plate before sitting. "Good morning. What are we talking about this fine day?" "You remember my cousin Chopido and his friend Caine right? Alison Caine is his relation. They wanted to find her so myself, Chester, Luc and the two of them rode out there last night. As close to lawless as a place can get. Town is dying off though, not much left of it. It sounds like we all had eventful evenings last night." Nanuet repeats the story in detail to Ruby about the journey to Galeyville. He leaves out the part about the shooting in the presence of Ginnie. "So, where did you go? I heard you stayed out late last night?" Ruby replies, "Well, I'm glad you are back safe and sound. I heard it's rough in Galeyville with lots of members of the Cowboy Gang hanging out there. We went dancing last night," Ruby says with a knowing smile, and she cradles her coffee. Dorita brings her a plate of food and she digs in, leaving Kate to say anymore. Kate adds, "Mr. Gonzales took us to a couple places to hear some new music. We had a good time. I take it Alison has moved on.” He replies, "Yes, she headed out of town several weeks ago apparently." Kate asks, “What about your cousin and his friend?" "They headed east to keep looking for Alison. I wasn't prepared to move on with them, don't have reason to really. So first light we went our separate ways." Dorita shrieks and yells "Out, out, out!" as she notices the pair of scruffy looking puppies that have followed Ruby in. "Those little rascals yours Miss Ruby?" Nanuet says with a quizzical look on his face. Ruby nods, "Found them out behind the Lucky Lady early this morning. Aren't they cute? I told Jake I wanted a puppy, but I didn't want to wait for him to get around to it." Ruby says with her trademark smile on her face. "Plus they were starving poor things!" Nanuet says, "Well I was almost finished anyway, I'll take them outside for you and keep an eye on them." Nanuet scoops up the playful puppies and carries them outside, laughing as one of them licks his face. Kate asks, "Puppies Ruby?" "Why not?" Ruby shrugged. "I always wanted a puppy." Kate replies, "No reason why not, I'm just a bit surprised. More surprised that you took in two than that you took one in at all. Two puppies are a handful." "There was two of them there, what can I say?" Ruby goes back to eating. "They can't be more trouble than anything else around here, especially my friends and all the trouble they get into." Ruby raises an eyebrow and tries not to laugh. Dorita arrives at the table and wagging her finger at Ruby lets off a long string of Spanish intermixed with English that includes the words "No", "Dog" and "Piddle". She then says "You no bring animal in here again! Why you need dog? You have Jake follow you around." Kate nearly choked on the last forkful of food. She swallowed carefully before she let the laughter out. "How very true," she finally managed to get out. "But Jake gets in more trouble than those puppies could." Ruby looks up at Dorita. "I'm going to have to learn what you are saying Dorita. I didn't bring them in, they followed me! And as for Jake, he's not always around..." Ruby finally breaks down and laughs. Poor Jake," Ruby shakes her head but is still smiling, "It's true. He's the most trouble I've ever been in but I wouldn't change it for anything. Anyway, I'm sure Nanuet will help me train them into good loyal dogs to watch over all of us and the Lucky Lady." "That's a good idea, Ruby. It's been quiet so far, but that doesn't mean Adair still won't try something. So what are you up to today? I won't have any lessons for a few days," Kate said, handing Ruby Mr. Gonzales' note. She says, "Oh, I hope Mr. Gonzales will be ok..." Ruby shakes the thought out of her head. "Um, no plans for today. I did want another pair of leather pants. Jake likes the pair I have." She gets a dreamy look in her eye for a moment then snaps out of it. "Maybe I should add to that list training puppies." Ruby scrunches her nose. "And avoiding Mr. Eastman. But Kate, you have to taste the chocolates he brought me..." "Alright, let me go outside with Nanuet for a while. I'll meet you back here and we can do whatever you'd like, ok?" She squeezes Kate's hand and starts walking out. "Ginnie, you're welcome to join us if you're not busy. Up to you..." Nanuet is sitting on the ground playing with Lucky and Mischief when Ruby walks out. Ruby walks out and finds Nanuet. "Ok, how do we train puppies?" He replies, "Well, they are a little young to start much formal training, but we can work on housebreaking and some simple things. Hope you have some patience and some free time!" Nanuet says chuckling. "These two will be a handful. We have to figure out where we are going to keep them for now. Maybe I can build them a pen of some sort if we can find a spot. Can't just leave them upstairs when the Lucky Lady is open for business and can't have them roaming around either." She replies, "Why not? They've been living on the street, we can't cage them like birds now... Why does everyone always try to take away freedom? I mean, they don't have to stay here if they don't want to. But yes, whatever training they can do, let's start now. We don't want two wild and crazy puppies running around, now do we?" Ruby playfully scoops Lucky into her arms and starts walking to the druids grove while Mischief follows behind, nipping at her heels. Ruby puts her down when they get to the grove and they watch the puppies bound around. "So, what do you think? I'd like them to be able to keep guard at the Lucky Lady when they are older. Think you can train them to do that?" He replies, "With a bit of time I believe I can. It is good that they are still pups, easier to train that way. Oww... although this one, Mischief I believe has been properly named." Nanuet winces and pulls his freshly nipped finger back from the playful pups maw. He says, "I didn't mean take away their freedom, I was actually thinking more freedom, just some boundaries. I mean right now they are a little too small to be hanging out in the Lucky Lady during business hours, especially at night when it can get crowded. I figured a pen outside would be better than a room inside locked away somewhere. Believe me, with the way my people have been treated I value freedom as much as anyone else." Ruby laughed at Nanuet's antics with the puppies. It was a softer side of him than she was used to. "If you'd like to build a boundary for them you can. And just let me know what I can do to help train them." Ruby leans closer to Nanuet and speaks softly, "It would be better if they were trained somewhat before Jake gets back..." He says, "Well I am an elf, and good with most animals at that, but a miracle worker I am not. I will work with them as much as I can. Hopefully we can keep the mess to a minimum. For now I would keep lots of newspapers around if I were you." "Good and I really appreciate it. They didn't make any mess last night," Ruby shrugged. "Let's hope it stays that way." Ruby and Nanuet work with the puppies for a while. "I'm going to get Kate now, she wanted to do some shopping I think. You can come along or stay with the puppies, up to you." He says, "Geez, although shopping with two women sounds like oh so much fun, I think I'll stay here with them." he says pointing to the canines. "You and Kate can enjoy each others company without me to get between you." Silly elf," Ruby says shaking her head. "It's not so bad, shopping that is." She stands up and stretches a bit. "I'll see you later then. And thanks, for everything." Ruby pats each puppy on the head and walks off. She goes back to the Cantina to get Kate. [/QUOTE]
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