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Wizards, Whiskey and Wonderful Things - Concluded
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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2813715" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 99, “Whiskey before Breakfast“, Sunday, March 19th , 1882, 10:30 A.M. </strong> </p><p></p><p>As Jake and Trisha enter the nearly empty saloon Jake finally speaks again, "Make yourself at home, not much going on here today. Sunday tends to be slow. When are you headed back to the ranch?" Trisha stops dead in her tracks and raises her chin defiantly to look directly at Jake. "I'm not, Mr. Cook. I'm not going home." </p><p></p><p>"Oh." Jake takes off his hat and scratches his head. "Oh." He drops his hat back on his head. "I guess there is something going on here and as usual I am probably the last to know. Look, if you and your father are having some trouble please don't make me look like the bad guy to him. Now I see he was trying to tell me something yesterday, and I was a bit preoccupied and didn't get the message." </p><p></p><p>Jake indicates towards some chairs at a table and they sit down. "You're a bit old to be running away from home don't you think?" "I don't intend to make you out to be the bad guy," says Trisha frankly, "nor do I intend to stay here longer than a couple days. And I'm not running, Mr. Cook just making a life for myself." </p><p></p><p>Ruby arrives at the Lucky Lady and finds Jake and Tricia sitting at a table together. Ruby walks up behind Jake and wraps her arms around his neck, although more gently than usual. She kisses his neck then then sits next to him. "Morning Tricia," Ruby says while adjusting her still wet hair. "How is, what was his name, Simon? He seemed a bit uncomfortable at my choice of wardrobe last night." She looks at Jake, "I'm starving! Did you eat?" Jake notices Ruby seems energized a bit and the familiar fire he knows well is burning in her eyes. </p><p></p><p>Trisha shrugs, one-shouldered. "He, uh..." She takes a breath. "He took off in the night. Not rightly sure where he is just now." As Tricia answers his question Ruby sweeps into the Lucky Lady like a spring wind. "Simon?" Emery Shaw's conversation flashes back into memory. "You had a Simon here last night? Mierda. You just make sure your father doesn't find out and take it out on me." Jake shakes his head. "I don't care if you choose to sleep with every Simon in the territories, just tell your father you are not coming home first before he finds out would you? Hermes Tricia , I'd be willing to help you but be smart about. I have enough people angry at me, I don't need your help adding to the list I seem to be doing fine on my own." </p><p></p><p>"No Ruby, I didn't eat and I'm starving too. I'll get enough for company, I have a feeling we'll have more visitors soon." Jake sees Henry and asks him to send a boy or someone over to the Promise City Hotel and ask Mrs. Smith to send enough breakfast over for about dozen folks and gives Henry enough money for the food and something for the delivery boy. </p><p></p><p>He turns to Ruby, "Besides Tricia's little dalliance, Morgan's dead, Miverva's whacked the hornet's nest, who knows where Ringo is, Gifford's sure to be trouble still, and you have that look in your eyes." Jake rests his hat on the table and chuckles darkly. "Looks like it's whiskey for breakfast again." He retrieves a full bottle from the bar and as many glasses as he can carry. </p><p></p><p>Trisha takes a deep breath. "I sure don't want to cause you any trouble, Mr. Cook," she says. "I need to find me a job and a new place to stay. Wouldn't happen to know of a ranch nearby looking for hands, would you?" He asks, "Why would you Simon take off in the middle of the night?" </p><p></p><p>She eyes the whiskey as Jake comes back from the bar. "I could sure do with a drop of that this morning," she says, smiling, as he sits down. She watches him pour the whiskey, passes a glass to Ruby, and takes one herself. "I don't know," she says in answer to his question, "I..." She sighs. "Any time I'd been with him before, it was always me that had to run back to the ranch at four in the morning. I don't know what happened last night." Trisha takes a hefty swig of her whiskey and slams the glass down on the table. "Maybe he just decided he don't want me, after all." </p><p></p><p>"Well," Ruby starts while helping Jake with the glasses, "Does Simon live in Promise City? Maybe he just went home. I have to say I'm not the type to stick around the next morning either, well, I wasn't anyway," she gives Jake a sideways glance as she smiles and pours the whiskey. "His father's a prospector here," says Trisha. "Simon does his books, so he lives here but his father still spends some time back East. So, he probably just went home then. No reason to get worried yet. Besides, frowning gives you wrinkles and you don't want that!" Ruby gives Tricia an easy smile. </p><p></p><p>Jake interjects, "Not wanting to cause me trouble, my good Miss Shaw is quite different than NOT causing me trouble. Cheers." Jake says before sipping his whiskey. "The only other ranchers besides your family that I know well is Katherine Kale, Nanuet and Sonoma. I don't know if they need any help yet, they are just getting started." </p><p></p><p>Trisha finishes her whiskey. "Mrs. Kale owns a ranch?" she says. "With Nanuet? I guess I'll speak to the two of them today." She pushes her glass away and shakes her head a little as she's getting up. "That's good stuff." She goes to the stairs, then turns back to Jake and Ruby. "You won't get in any trouble because of me, Mr. Cook," she says carefully. "Just say I took off and you don't know where I went." She smiles. "I'll get my things." And with that, she turns to head up the stairs. </p><p></p><p>Ruby breaks her gaze from Jake and looks at Tricia, "We'll get in MORE trouble if you run off and we have to answer to your father that we don't know where you are...Why are you getting your stuff anyway? Where are you going to go?" </p><p></p><p>"I don't know," says Trisha, sagging a little. "But I don't want to impose on you guys any longer than I have to." She leans against the wall. "I'm going write to Pa," she says. "But I don't want to do that till I have work, or he'll just up and fetch me home - I don't want that." Trisha folds her arms across her stomach and rests her head against the wall. "Ugh," she says, "maybe drinking that whiskey wasn't such a good idea." </p><p></p><p>Jake says, "Sit down and have breakfast, you'll feel better. Don't make me shoot you for trying to leave." Jake keeps his poker face on. "Get your head straight woman, write your father a letter indeed. He'll be here right after he gets it anyway, why not tell him to his face?" Jake just shakes his head again. "Not used to whiskey for breakfast I guess." </p><p></p><p>Trisha comes back to the table and sits again, playing with her glass with one hand, but keeping the other on her stomach. "Thanks," she says in a small voice. There's a long pause, as Trisha stares at the table. Then she says softly, "He is going to be so mad." “They're always mad," Ruby says rolling her eyes. "Listen, you are a woman now and old enough you don't need to be listening to your father. I happen to know something about this topic. Just figure out what you have to do and do it. You'll be much better off in the end." </p><p></p><p>Trisha smiles weakly. "I know," she says. "It's just - " She swallows, and gets up. "'Excuse me, I need a glass of water," she says, and heads for the kitchen at a fast walk. Half a minute later, Jake and Ruby hear the outside door bang shut. Ruby looks at Jake, "You were right about her and the whiskey." Ruby nods to the kitchen. "Some people shouldn't drink before noon. I, luckily, am not one of them," She smiles and holds up her glass for a refill. </p><p></p><p>Ruby pulls her feet up on her chair as she drinks the whiskey. "I heard Minerva's talk, at least some of it. It certainly will be trouble." She furrows her brow, "Morgan who is dead?" Then Ruby leans in closer to Jake, "And what look exactly do I have in my eyes, Mr. Cook?" At that very moment both her straps of her dress slide off her shoulders and she grins. </p><p></p><p>Jake isn't looking at her eyes as he slowly and gently places her straps back on her shoulders. "You have that mischievous look," he finally replies looking back at her face. "Minerva asked the congregation to pray for the recently departed soul of Morgan Earp. Apparently someone killed him last night in Tombstone." Jake has on his poker face for this little bit of news. </p><p></p><p>“Morgan Earp is dead, huh? That should make Kate happy." Ruby stops to ponder for a moment, "I guess Mr. Ringo started his war then. Let's hope it stays in Tombstone." She raises her glass to her own last comment and drinks down the whiskey quickly. "Speaking of Tombstone, I need to get there. I've decided I really don't like Helen Barker." Ruby's eyes twinkle as she speaks. "And you did promise you would take me to the theater..." He does not immediately respond. </p><p></p><p>"Now about Tombstone, when can we go Jake?" The fur balls come bounding in the front archway and immediately start jumping on Jake and Ruby. Ruby leans over and scratches Lucky behind the ear while Mischief starts jumping on Jake's boot. </p><p></p><p>Jake teases the dog with his boot, letting it bite at him a bit before answering Ruby. "I guess you are all better, Nanuet's medicine is sure strong. Either that or you're thinking I was right about there being more real pleasure to be gotten out of a malicious act. I hope you know what you are getting into, seeing the play is fine but Eastman has been nothing but trouble..." </p><p></p><p>Trisha makes it to the outhouse before she throws up. She comes back to the kitchen, draws herself a glass of water, and splashes some more water on her face before coming back to sit with Ruby and Jake. When she returns, she looks slightly pale, but perks up as soon as she sees the puppies. She puts her water glass on the table and reaches down to pet Mischief. </p><p></p><p>Jake stops speaking when Tricia comes back into the room. She rescues Jake from the dog. Trisha lifts Mischief onto her lap and pets him as she listens to Jake and Ruby talk. Then she gently sets him back on the floor and gets up. "I'm going upstairs," she says. "I have to write to my father." In her room, Trisha digs in her trunk for pen and paper, then sits on the bed. She starts: Dear Pa, then she stops, her pen hovering over the paper. She stares out of the window at the street below, thinking. </p><p></p><p>Jake says, "Ruby if you think the road is safe, we could go Monday or Tuesday. Probably better to take the stage. I'd like to be back Wednesday if we are going." He looks around the room, "I wonder what's keeping breakfast." </p><p></p><p>"This isn't about George, it's about Helen. What, you still worried I'll run off and marry another man?" Ruby teases. She reaches up and touches her shoulder softly. "I might not feel better now, but it I will before we go. And if you don't want to go you don't have to, I can go by myself and I'd be fine, Jake." She nods to Trisha when she sits back at the table. </p><p></p><p>Ruby glances over her shoulder at the door, "Yeah what is keeping breakfast? I'm starving and if I don't start eating soon I'll start getting drunk!" She says while taking another small sip of her whiskey. "What's Wednesday?" </p><p></p><p>Nanuet, Minerva and Kate head over to the Lucky Lady hoping to find the rest of their companions. They opened the door to see Jake and Ruby along with the pups seated at a familiar table sipping whiskey. "A little early for that isn't it?" Nanuet scoffed. </p><p></p><p>"Hey, I almost died yesterday, you're supposed to be nice to me today and that means all the whiskey I want!" Ruby replies with her trademark smile before hopping out of her chair and giving Nanuet a big hug. "I need to speak with you later," she whispers in his ear, almost falling into him as a lightheaded feeling comes over her. Nanuet helps steady her and she finally stops wobbling. </p><p></p><p>Ruby nods and smiles at Kate and Minerva before wavering a bit again, then sits. "Heh, must have gotten up too fast." Chester walks in right after the ladies. "Wow, everyone is here, this is a rare event. I guess that's what happens when you get up early," Ruby says rolling her eyes. </p><p></p><p>Chester wags his finger at Ruby. "Imagine that. See what you get for clean living." Ruby sticks her tongue out at him. "Morning everyone. Everyone sleep OK? That thunderclap last night woke me up and I wasn't able to get back to sleep.” At the mention of that thunderclap a rosy blush crept up Kate's neck. She kept her eyes demurely down, looking at the plate she couldn't touch. Dorita had taken full advantage of her willingness to eat this morning. </p><p></p><p>"What you need is food Ruby. You'll get your strength back faster from breakfast than you will from whiskey, as much fun as whiskey is," Kate said, kissing Ruby's cheek. "I think I'd like a little something less robust for the morning. Perhaps some tea. I have some news to share once we're all settled." Kate set her hat down on the bar and walked into the kitchen to start some water heating, then returned at took a seat at the table. Chester says, “I'll make some coffee. So, what news do you have, Kate?" </p><p></p><p>Ruby says, "I slept great, well, I think I passed out, until someone had to get up so early to go to church anyway. Imagine that," Ruby rolls her eyes again. "No offense Senorita," Ruby smiles at Minerva. </p><p></p><p>Nanuet nods in acknowledgement to Ruby's request to talk at a later moment. "Tea sounds like a great idea Kate, if you don't mind could you put some on for me as well?" Turning to Ruby and Jake "Well I am glad to see everyone is feeling a bit better after yesterday. Someday we will have to sit down and talk about all that actually went on while we were separated and see if we can put anything together. I heard Morgan Earp has passed, of violent means I have little doubt. Wonder if that means this little war has begun." </p><p></p><p>"I would have some food if it was here! I think we'd better ask Maria to leave us something for the mornings." Ruby looks up like she is making a mental note to herself. "I DO think Ringo started his war, I'm glad it's in Tombstone and not here, yet anyway. I don't think anyone at this table will miss Morgan Earp. Did I ever tell you he tried to take me behind the rocks for some, uh, fun, the day we got attacked?" She makes sure to look away from Jake when she says this. </p><p></p><p>Trisha writes, Dear Pa, I am not coming home. It is time for me to leave the ranch. I have moved to Promise City, and you can leave a message for me at the Lucky Lady until I find a permanent address. Please do not worry about me. I am fine. Your loving daughter, Trisha </p><p></p><p>She folds the letter and puts it into an envelope, and walks downstairs. She stops on the bottom step, just for a moment, then starts walking towards the table where the six of them are seated. </p><p></p><p>"Good morning everybody," she says with a small smile. Nanuet states, "Good morning Miss Shaw. I trust that you are well this morning?" "I'm fine, thank you," Trisha lies - she still has a queasy stomach from the whiskey, which is unusual for her. "And yourself? Would you happen to know where I can put this in the mail?" she asks, gesturing vaguely with the letter. Kate states, "Good morning, Miss Shaw." </p><p></p><p>Breakfast arrives in a stack of trays and plates, which Jake has the boy leave on the table. "There you go, breakfast is served. Ah, whiskey and eggs, almost as good as bourbon and rib-eye." Jake hauls out a stack of plates, knives and forks from the kitchen. "You'll forgive me if I don't serve. Now you can talk and eat." After he puts on the pot of coffee, Chester sits down and helps himself to the steak and eggs. "This is good. Where's it from?" "Promise City Hotel," Ruby says with a mouth full of egg, "The food is from the Promise City Hotel." </p><p></p><p>When the food arrives, instinct kicks in and Trisha begins to serve the food onto plates and hand it around - first to Mrs. Kale, then Minerva, then Ruby, then Nanuet, then Chester, then Jake. Finally she serves herself a small portion and sits down at the table, picking at it but not really eating. </p><p></p><p>Ruby takes another sip of whiskey, despite glances from Kate and Nanuet. "So, what's your news Kate? Maybe Mr. Gonzales is back? He's been gone awfully long. Kate says, "Mr. Gonzales is back, and that is one piece of news. He was very tired last night, so we didn't get to talk. There were some strangers in the Cantina last night that I can only assume were his other friends, so I assume all went well. </p><p></p><p>"Oh good, " Ruby says, "I was getting worried about Mr. Gonzales and I'd like to talk to him about some things." Ruby scoops some eggs and toast on a plate and eats heartily as she looks at the faces of her friends surrounding the table. </p><p></p><p>Kate continues, “The next piece of news is that Johnny Ringo did come to the Cantina yesterday morning. He spoke with Ginnie at length. She said he began to leave a message, but he realized she was able to read his Latin and threw it out. She got it back. It basically said he had expected an answer from you, Jake, and to see me. And now he was going to... That's where he stopped writing. I can only assume that he was going to Tombstone. Considering what happened to Morgan Earp last night, it makes sense. </p><p></p><p>And I had a visit from Storm last night. Nanuet, she had a specific message for you, if you would like to hear it in private, you can come help me with the tea, otherwise, I can tell you now." "No, you can tell me now," Nanuet replies, "I don't keep any secrets from my friends." </p><p></p><p>Kate nodded and smiled. "She said to tell you that she is very proud of you. You have come farther in a short time than she could have imagined. You no longer need her, she said. That between Maska, Kajika, and now Miss Florencia you have all you need to continue on your path. That your strengths and weaknesses compliment Miss Florencia's, and you can help one another. </p><p></p><p>Also, the former Apache ambassador has returned, you no longer must shoulder that responsibility, although the Apache will always remain friends to you. She also asked me to say goodbye to all of you. She is moving on now, we will not see her again." </p><p></p><p>A smile creeps onto Nanuet's face as he listens to the praise that Storm had for him. It was bittersweet though as he felt a connection to her, someone willing to die for a cause she didn't believe in only to foster a new friendship, and now she was truly gone. In the end it was her sacrifice that brought Ruby, Nanuet and Kate closer together. </p><p></p><p>He says, "Thanks for the message, I appreciate it. Although I wish I could have seen her myself one last time. I hope she finds peaceful rest." A long uncomfortable pause settles on the room before Nanuet continues, his gaze shifting to Minerva. "And I look forward to continuing to strengthen our friendship Minerva, I think we can work well together as Storm has said." </p><p></p><p>Ruby says, “Well that is news I suppose, no more Storm. I guess she'll be better off where ever she is going than hanging around here haunting people." She looks at Nanuet's stern face, "Uh, yeah, but you know I was just kidding, she was a big help to us." The teakettle began to whistle in the kitchen. Kate got up to fetch it, but stopped to whisper in Ruby's ear on the way past, "I did ask if he wanted to hear it privately." She give Ruby a sweet smile and disappeared into the kitchen. </p><p></p><p>Jake says, "She talked to the storm last night? I thought she toned down that drinking of hers... oof." Jake finishes as Ruby elbows him in ribs. "So this centaur ghost creature that I've managed to never be around when she appears to you guys came to see Katherine last night and say goodbye? Go figure." Jake stuffs more food in his mouth. </p><p></p><p>"That's what she said. But maybe she was just tired or something. Anyway, you can relax, Kate said she is gone now. Don't worry Jake, I'll be the only one haunting you, luckily I survived yesterday," Ruby jokes. "Nanuet you should be proud of yourself, look how far you've come in the past three months and how much good you've done." Ruby gives him a special glance when she looks up from her plate of food. "You know, I need one of Dorita's muffins, I'm soooo hungry! I'm going to have to stop there later." </p><p></p><p>Ruby shrugs. "Hey, so you two get to work together now, huh?" She tries to change the subject by looking at Minerva and Nanuet. "That should be fun..." Minerva had listened to Katherine's story. "Visited by spirits. She thinks. Well that would account for her new congenial attitude toward church but by the look of her, something else is up here" </p><p></p><p>She says, "Si, Senor Nanuet and I do feel an unusually strong connection but as yet do not know what it means. Pass the eggs Por Favor." She eats a bite then continues, " The Goddess has seen fit to lead Luna and I to Promise City. We shall trust in her judgment. It does seems that we are forging an unusually strong bond with all of you" she says filling her plate with a hearty helping of everything on the table. "I have always been alone and not much liked by most. I am usually quite untrusting. It is such an odd feeling to have friends. But I shall not question such a gift!"</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 2813715, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 99, “Whiskey before Breakfast“, Sunday, March 19th , 1882, 10:30 A.M. [/B] As Jake and Trisha enter the nearly empty saloon Jake finally speaks again, "Make yourself at home, not much going on here today. Sunday tends to be slow. When are you headed back to the ranch?" Trisha stops dead in her tracks and raises her chin defiantly to look directly at Jake. "I'm not, Mr. Cook. I'm not going home." "Oh." Jake takes off his hat and scratches his head. "Oh." He drops his hat back on his head. "I guess there is something going on here and as usual I am probably the last to know. Look, if you and your father are having some trouble please don't make me look like the bad guy to him. Now I see he was trying to tell me something yesterday, and I was a bit preoccupied and didn't get the message." Jake indicates towards some chairs at a table and they sit down. "You're a bit old to be running away from home don't you think?" "I don't intend to make you out to be the bad guy," says Trisha frankly, "nor do I intend to stay here longer than a couple days. And I'm not running, Mr. Cook just making a life for myself." Ruby arrives at the Lucky Lady and finds Jake and Tricia sitting at a table together. Ruby walks up behind Jake and wraps her arms around his neck, although more gently than usual. She kisses his neck then then sits next to him. "Morning Tricia," Ruby says while adjusting her still wet hair. "How is, what was his name, Simon? He seemed a bit uncomfortable at my choice of wardrobe last night." She looks at Jake, "I'm starving! Did you eat?" Jake notices Ruby seems energized a bit and the familiar fire he knows well is burning in her eyes. Trisha shrugs, one-shouldered. "He, uh..." She takes a breath. "He took off in the night. Not rightly sure where he is just now." As Tricia answers his question Ruby sweeps into the Lucky Lady like a spring wind. "Simon?" Emery Shaw's conversation flashes back into memory. "You had a Simon here last night? Mierda. You just make sure your father doesn't find out and take it out on me." Jake shakes his head. "I don't care if you choose to sleep with every Simon in the territories, just tell your father you are not coming home first before he finds out would you? Hermes Tricia , I'd be willing to help you but be smart about. I have enough people angry at me, I don't need your help adding to the list I seem to be doing fine on my own." "No Ruby, I didn't eat and I'm starving too. I'll get enough for company, I have a feeling we'll have more visitors soon." Jake sees Henry and asks him to send a boy or someone over to the Promise City Hotel and ask Mrs. Smith to send enough breakfast over for about dozen folks and gives Henry enough money for the food and something for the delivery boy. He turns to Ruby, "Besides Tricia's little dalliance, Morgan's dead, Miverva's whacked the hornet's nest, who knows where Ringo is, Gifford's sure to be trouble still, and you have that look in your eyes." Jake rests his hat on the table and chuckles darkly. "Looks like it's whiskey for breakfast again." He retrieves a full bottle from the bar and as many glasses as he can carry. Trisha takes a deep breath. "I sure don't want to cause you any trouble, Mr. Cook," she says. "I need to find me a job and a new place to stay. Wouldn't happen to know of a ranch nearby looking for hands, would you?" He asks, "Why would you Simon take off in the middle of the night?" She eyes the whiskey as Jake comes back from the bar. "I could sure do with a drop of that this morning," she says, smiling, as he sits down. She watches him pour the whiskey, passes a glass to Ruby, and takes one herself. "I don't know," she says in answer to his question, "I..." She sighs. "Any time I'd been with him before, it was always me that had to run back to the ranch at four in the morning. I don't know what happened last night." Trisha takes a hefty swig of her whiskey and slams the glass down on the table. "Maybe he just decided he don't want me, after all." "Well," Ruby starts while helping Jake with the glasses, "Does Simon live in Promise City? Maybe he just went home. I have to say I'm not the type to stick around the next morning either, well, I wasn't anyway," she gives Jake a sideways glance as she smiles and pours the whiskey. "His father's a prospector here," says Trisha. "Simon does his books, so he lives here but his father still spends some time back East. So, he probably just went home then. No reason to get worried yet. Besides, frowning gives you wrinkles and you don't want that!" Ruby gives Tricia an easy smile. Jake interjects, "Not wanting to cause me trouble, my good Miss Shaw is quite different than NOT causing me trouble. Cheers." Jake says before sipping his whiskey. "The only other ranchers besides your family that I know well is Katherine Kale, Nanuet and Sonoma. I don't know if they need any help yet, they are just getting started." Trisha finishes her whiskey. "Mrs. Kale owns a ranch?" she says. "With Nanuet? I guess I'll speak to the two of them today." She pushes her glass away and shakes her head a little as she's getting up. "That's good stuff." She goes to the stairs, then turns back to Jake and Ruby. "You won't get in any trouble because of me, Mr. Cook," she says carefully. "Just say I took off and you don't know where I went." She smiles. "I'll get my things." And with that, she turns to head up the stairs. Ruby breaks her gaze from Jake and looks at Tricia, "We'll get in MORE trouble if you run off and we have to answer to your father that we don't know where you are...Why are you getting your stuff anyway? Where are you going to go?" "I don't know," says Trisha, sagging a little. "But I don't want to impose on you guys any longer than I have to." She leans against the wall. "I'm going write to Pa," she says. "But I don't want to do that till I have work, or he'll just up and fetch me home - I don't want that." Trisha folds her arms across her stomach and rests her head against the wall. "Ugh," she says, "maybe drinking that whiskey wasn't such a good idea." Jake says, "Sit down and have breakfast, you'll feel better. Don't make me shoot you for trying to leave." Jake keeps his poker face on. "Get your head straight woman, write your father a letter indeed. He'll be here right after he gets it anyway, why not tell him to his face?" Jake just shakes his head again. "Not used to whiskey for breakfast I guess." Trisha comes back to the table and sits again, playing with her glass with one hand, but keeping the other on her stomach. "Thanks," she says in a small voice. There's a long pause, as Trisha stares at the table. Then she says softly, "He is going to be so mad." “They're always mad," Ruby says rolling her eyes. "Listen, you are a woman now and old enough you don't need to be listening to your father. I happen to know something about this topic. Just figure out what you have to do and do it. You'll be much better off in the end." Trisha smiles weakly. "I know," she says. "It's just - " She swallows, and gets up. "'Excuse me, I need a glass of water," she says, and heads for the kitchen at a fast walk. Half a minute later, Jake and Ruby hear the outside door bang shut. Ruby looks at Jake, "You were right about her and the whiskey." Ruby nods to the kitchen. "Some people shouldn't drink before noon. I, luckily, am not one of them," She smiles and holds up her glass for a refill. Ruby pulls her feet up on her chair as she drinks the whiskey. "I heard Minerva's talk, at least some of it. It certainly will be trouble." She furrows her brow, "Morgan who is dead?" Then Ruby leans in closer to Jake, "And what look exactly do I have in my eyes, Mr. Cook?" At that very moment both her straps of her dress slide off her shoulders and she grins. Jake isn't looking at her eyes as he slowly and gently places her straps back on her shoulders. "You have that mischievous look," he finally replies looking back at her face. "Minerva asked the congregation to pray for the recently departed soul of Morgan Earp. Apparently someone killed him last night in Tombstone." Jake has on his poker face for this little bit of news. “Morgan Earp is dead, huh? That should make Kate happy." Ruby stops to ponder for a moment, "I guess Mr. Ringo started his war then. Let's hope it stays in Tombstone." She raises her glass to her own last comment and drinks down the whiskey quickly. "Speaking of Tombstone, I need to get there. I've decided I really don't like Helen Barker." Ruby's eyes twinkle as she speaks. "And you did promise you would take me to the theater..." He does not immediately respond. "Now about Tombstone, when can we go Jake?" The fur balls come bounding in the front archway and immediately start jumping on Jake and Ruby. Ruby leans over and scratches Lucky behind the ear while Mischief starts jumping on Jake's boot. Jake teases the dog with his boot, letting it bite at him a bit before answering Ruby. "I guess you are all better, Nanuet's medicine is sure strong. Either that or you're thinking I was right about there being more real pleasure to be gotten out of a malicious act. I hope you know what you are getting into, seeing the play is fine but Eastman has been nothing but trouble..." Trisha makes it to the outhouse before she throws up. She comes back to the kitchen, draws herself a glass of water, and splashes some more water on her face before coming back to sit with Ruby and Jake. When she returns, she looks slightly pale, but perks up as soon as she sees the puppies. She puts her water glass on the table and reaches down to pet Mischief. Jake stops speaking when Tricia comes back into the room. She rescues Jake from the dog. Trisha lifts Mischief onto her lap and pets him as she listens to Jake and Ruby talk. Then she gently sets him back on the floor and gets up. "I'm going upstairs," she says. "I have to write to my father." In her room, Trisha digs in her trunk for pen and paper, then sits on the bed. She starts: Dear Pa, then she stops, her pen hovering over the paper. She stares out of the window at the street below, thinking. Jake says, "Ruby if you think the road is safe, we could go Monday or Tuesday. Probably better to take the stage. I'd like to be back Wednesday if we are going." He looks around the room, "I wonder what's keeping breakfast." "This isn't about George, it's about Helen. What, you still worried I'll run off and marry another man?" Ruby teases. She reaches up and touches her shoulder softly. "I might not feel better now, but it I will before we go. And if you don't want to go you don't have to, I can go by myself and I'd be fine, Jake." She nods to Trisha when she sits back at the table. Ruby glances over her shoulder at the door, "Yeah what is keeping breakfast? I'm starving and if I don't start eating soon I'll start getting drunk!" She says while taking another small sip of her whiskey. "What's Wednesday?" Nanuet, Minerva and Kate head over to the Lucky Lady hoping to find the rest of their companions. They opened the door to see Jake and Ruby along with the pups seated at a familiar table sipping whiskey. "A little early for that isn't it?" Nanuet scoffed. "Hey, I almost died yesterday, you're supposed to be nice to me today and that means all the whiskey I want!" Ruby replies with her trademark smile before hopping out of her chair and giving Nanuet a big hug. "I need to speak with you later," she whispers in his ear, almost falling into him as a lightheaded feeling comes over her. Nanuet helps steady her and she finally stops wobbling. Ruby nods and smiles at Kate and Minerva before wavering a bit again, then sits. "Heh, must have gotten up too fast." Chester walks in right after the ladies. "Wow, everyone is here, this is a rare event. I guess that's what happens when you get up early," Ruby says rolling her eyes. Chester wags his finger at Ruby. "Imagine that. See what you get for clean living." Ruby sticks her tongue out at him. "Morning everyone. Everyone sleep OK? That thunderclap last night woke me up and I wasn't able to get back to sleep.” At the mention of that thunderclap a rosy blush crept up Kate's neck. She kept her eyes demurely down, looking at the plate she couldn't touch. Dorita had taken full advantage of her willingness to eat this morning. "What you need is food Ruby. You'll get your strength back faster from breakfast than you will from whiskey, as much fun as whiskey is," Kate said, kissing Ruby's cheek. "I think I'd like a little something less robust for the morning. Perhaps some tea. I have some news to share once we're all settled." Kate set her hat down on the bar and walked into the kitchen to start some water heating, then returned at took a seat at the table. Chester says, “I'll make some coffee. So, what news do you have, Kate?" Ruby says, "I slept great, well, I think I passed out, until someone had to get up so early to go to church anyway. Imagine that," Ruby rolls her eyes again. "No offense Senorita," Ruby smiles at Minerva. Nanuet nods in acknowledgement to Ruby's request to talk at a later moment. "Tea sounds like a great idea Kate, if you don't mind could you put some on for me as well?" Turning to Ruby and Jake "Well I am glad to see everyone is feeling a bit better after yesterday. Someday we will have to sit down and talk about all that actually went on while we were separated and see if we can put anything together. I heard Morgan Earp has passed, of violent means I have little doubt. Wonder if that means this little war has begun." "I would have some food if it was here! I think we'd better ask Maria to leave us something for the mornings." Ruby looks up like she is making a mental note to herself. "I DO think Ringo started his war, I'm glad it's in Tombstone and not here, yet anyway. I don't think anyone at this table will miss Morgan Earp. Did I ever tell you he tried to take me behind the rocks for some, uh, fun, the day we got attacked?" She makes sure to look away from Jake when she says this. Trisha writes, Dear Pa, I am not coming home. It is time for me to leave the ranch. I have moved to Promise City, and you can leave a message for me at the Lucky Lady until I find a permanent address. Please do not worry about me. I am fine. Your loving daughter, Trisha She folds the letter and puts it into an envelope, and walks downstairs. She stops on the bottom step, just for a moment, then starts walking towards the table where the six of them are seated. "Good morning everybody," she says with a small smile. Nanuet states, "Good morning Miss Shaw. I trust that you are well this morning?" "I'm fine, thank you," Trisha lies - she still has a queasy stomach from the whiskey, which is unusual for her. "And yourself? Would you happen to know where I can put this in the mail?" she asks, gesturing vaguely with the letter. Kate states, "Good morning, Miss Shaw." Breakfast arrives in a stack of trays and plates, which Jake has the boy leave on the table. "There you go, breakfast is served. Ah, whiskey and eggs, almost as good as bourbon and rib-eye." Jake hauls out a stack of plates, knives and forks from the kitchen. "You'll forgive me if I don't serve. Now you can talk and eat." After he puts on the pot of coffee, Chester sits down and helps himself to the steak and eggs. "This is good. Where's it from?" "Promise City Hotel," Ruby says with a mouth full of egg, "The food is from the Promise City Hotel." When the food arrives, instinct kicks in and Trisha begins to serve the food onto plates and hand it around - first to Mrs. Kale, then Minerva, then Ruby, then Nanuet, then Chester, then Jake. Finally she serves herself a small portion and sits down at the table, picking at it but not really eating. Ruby takes another sip of whiskey, despite glances from Kate and Nanuet. "So, what's your news Kate? Maybe Mr. Gonzales is back? He's been gone awfully long. Kate says, "Mr. Gonzales is back, and that is one piece of news. He was very tired last night, so we didn't get to talk. There were some strangers in the Cantina last night that I can only assume were his other friends, so I assume all went well. "Oh good, " Ruby says, "I was getting worried about Mr. Gonzales and I'd like to talk to him about some things." Ruby scoops some eggs and toast on a plate and eats heartily as she looks at the faces of her friends surrounding the table. Kate continues, “The next piece of news is that Johnny Ringo did come to the Cantina yesterday morning. He spoke with Ginnie at length. She said he began to leave a message, but he realized she was able to read his Latin and threw it out. She got it back. It basically said he had expected an answer from you, Jake, and to see me. And now he was going to... That's where he stopped writing. I can only assume that he was going to Tombstone. Considering what happened to Morgan Earp last night, it makes sense. And I had a visit from Storm last night. Nanuet, she had a specific message for you, if you would like to hear it in private, you can come help me with the tea, otherwise, I can tell you now." "No, you can tell me now," Nanuet replies, "I don't keep any secrets from my friends." Kate nodded and smiled. "She said to tell you that she is very proud of you. You have come farther in a short time than she could have imagined. You no longer need her, she said. That between Maska, Kajika, and now Miss Florencia you have all you need to continue on your path. That your strengths and weaknesses compliment Miss Florencia's, and you can help one another. Also, the former Apache ambassador has returned, you no longer must shoulder that responsibility, although the Apache will always remain friends to you. She also asked me to say goodbye to all of you. She is moving on now, we will not see her again." A smile creeps onto Nanuet's face as he listens to the praise that Storm had for him. It was bittersweet though as he felt a connection to her, someone willing to die for a cause she didn't believe in only to foster a new friendship, and now she was truly gone. In the end it was her sacrifice that brought Ruby, Nanuet and Kate closer together. He says, "Thanks for the message, I appreciate it. Although I wish I could have seen her myself one last time. I hope she finds peaceful rest." A long uncomfortable pause settles on the room before Nanuet continues, his gaze shifting to Minerva. "And I look forward to continuing to strengthen our friendship Minerva, I think we can work well together as Storm has said." Ruby says, “Well that is news I suppose, no more Storm. I guess she'll be better off where ever she is going than hanging around here haunting people." She looks at Nanuet's stern face, "Uh, yeah, but you know I was just kidding, she was a big help to us." The teakettle began to whistle in the kitchen. Kate got up to fetch it, but stopped to whisper in Ruby's ear on the way past, "I did ask if he wanted to hear it privately." She give Ruby a sweet smile and disappeared into the kitchen. Jake says, "She talked to the storm last night? I thought she toned down that drinking of hers... oof." Jake finishes as Ruby elbows him in ribs. "So this centaur ghost creature that I've managed to never be around when she appears to you guys came to see Katherine last night and say goodbye? Go figure." Jake stuffs more food in his mouth. "That's what she said. But maybe she was just tired or something. Anyway, you can relax, Kate said she is gone now. Don't worry Jake, I'll be the only one haunting you, luckily I survived yesterday," Ruby jokes. "Nanuet you should be proud of yourself, look how far you've come in the past three months and how much good you've done." Ruby gives him a special glance when she looks up from her plate of food. "You know, I need one of Dorita's muffins, I'm soooo hungry! I'm going to have to stop there later." Ruby shrugs. "Hey, so you two get to work together now, huh?" She tries to change the subject by looking at Minerva and Nanuet. "That should be fun..." Minerva had listened to Katherine's story. "Visited by spirits. She thinks. Well that would account for her new congenial attitude toward church but by the look of her, something else is up here" She says, "Si, Senor Nanuet and I do feel an unusually strong connection but as yet do not know what it means. Pass the eggs Por Favor." She eats a bite then continues, " The Goddess has seen fit to lead Luna and I to Promise City. We shall trust in her judgment. It does seems that we are forging an unusually strong bond with all of you" she says filling her plate with a hearty helping of everything on the table. "I have always been alone and not much liked by most. I am usually quite untrusting. It is such an odd feeling to have friends. But I shall not question such a gift!" [/QUOTE]
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