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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2863919" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 129, “The Question Game”, Tuesday, March 21st, 1882, 11:30 A.M.</strong></p><p></p><p>Jake climbs into the saddle and says to the animal, "Are you going to let her make you look stupid and slow?" Jake kicks the horse forward and brings it up to speed. Instead of following the path that Ruby takes he makes slight variations so it easier for his horse to catch up. Ruby has a good lead but Jake is content to make steady progress. He watches her bounce a bit coming down from the jumps and guesses she is not a better rider than he. As he drives his horse to jump some sage brush he curses, "If I fall off this blasted horse and get full of cactus needles I'm going to tan her behind." </p><p></p><p>Ruby rides her horse hard and fast, jumping over any obstacles in their way. Her underclothes billow around her body, daring the wind to try to snatch them away. Her long hair flies freely behind her, dancing in flight. She stops the horse at the top of a steep hill where a cocky grin comes to her face. She urges the horse forward with confidence. </p><p></p><p>When he sees her stop to look back he kicks the horse hard and leans forward, "It sure would be nice if one of us knew how to race. Yah, yah!" Laughter escapes Ruby’s lips unbidden, the freedom of this ride overcoming her with delight. She pushes her horse forward, down to the bottom of the rolling hill and into the stream that passes by. Water flies up around them and she abruptly stops her horse in the middle of the stream, waiting for Jake to catch up. When he does he can see her chest rising and falling with heavy breathing and her face beams like a ray of sunshine. </p><p></p><p>"You look hot," he says and suddenly charges his horse into the stream spraying up water around him and onto Ruby and her horse. "Hungry yet?" Ruby lets out a playful scream as she gets sprayed with the cool water, dripping off her in spots. “Very,” she replies pushing her horse up against Jake’s. She hands him her horse’s reigns then deftly moves from her horse to his, facing him. Her bare legs rest over his and she wraps her arms around his neck. “How about you?” </p><p></p><p>He looks into her green eyes and says, "What were we talking about?" “We were talking about lunch…,” she kisses him softly, “And being hungry…,” she kisses him again, wiggling closer, “And maybe we should go back now,” she says only inches from his face. “What do you think?” </p><p>"I really like looking into your eyes." He presses his body against hers, "I like some other things too. We should get back though." </p><p></p><p>Ruby gasps softly at the warmth of Jake’s body on hers. She fights the fiery feeling growing inside her and instead of giving in she bites her lip, then sighs. “I suppose we should,” she says dramatically. “You know how to ride, take us back.” Jake chuckles slightly and starts taking them back. </p><p></p><p>Ruby rests her head against Jake’s chest and holds him tight as he rides them back to their grove. Every bump pushes their bodies together and they both enjoy the pleasurable sensations. Once back they tie up their horses and lie back down on the blanket. They eat and drink their lunch in comfortable silence. After lunch Ruby lays her head in Jake’s lap. “I want to ask you some questions. I don’t want some silly answer that isn’t really an answer answers either,” she reaches up and pinches his arm. "And I figure for every question I get to ask you can ask one too. What do you think?” "Seems fair." He says hesitantly, "Ladies go first." </p><p></p><p>“Alright,” she says smiling up at Jake, “Why did you keep that $100 bill I signed in your wallet when I first gave it to you?” "Ooh, no easy warm up questions for Silver Jake Cook. She goes right to the serious stuff." His eyebrows come together as he rubs one cheek for a moment. His face relaxes and he says, "It was the only memento I had from you at the time if you ran away. Back then, I was sure you were going to. I'll give you a bonus answer; I still carry it." It is only a second before he continues, "What did your family do to become wealthy?" </p><p></p><p>Ruby’s face immediately drops. “Wouldn’t you rather have a different question?” "I figured that was easy, what in Hades do I know?" Jake shrugs and says, "At the dawn of time the rules to the question game were set down in stone. If a question isn't answered, the game is over." </p><p></p><p>Ruby wants to smile at Jake’s comment but can’t with the question hanging over her. “Ok no easy questions for me either…” She breathes in very deeply, “It’s old money, very old money. My family is in politics.” She sees Jake’s face pushing her for more information. “Damn it!,” she mutters. “My grandfather on my father’s side is Lord Arthur West; he sits on the House of Lords.” Without looking at Jake’s reaction she continues, “My Uncle will inherit the title. He has no children. My father came here to make his own success. He was jealous of not getting the title. My father still works in politics as far as I know but he brought his very large share of inheritance with him here to America.” Ruby finally looks to Jake, “I’m their only heir.” </p><p></p><p>"Impressive." Jake affects a comic English accent. "Would you like some tea with your scone Lady West?" “Very funny,” she says with no humor in her voice. Ruby adjusts her head back and forth on Jake’s lap, trying to get comfortable before asking her next question. “If I hadn’t read your letters would you have ever told me about your sister?” </p><p></p><p>"Hmmm.... good question. I wonder," Jake looks down at her and seems thoughtful. "I'll take the question to mean not that I have a sister, but the circumstances of my leaving home. It is not something I enjoy reliving. At the risk of giving you an answer that isn't an answer I'll say I trust you enough to have told you the truth about it. If it seemed important for you to know or you had asked I would have told you." He gives her a little smirk and pulls a strand of hair off her face. "Where did the heiress West grow up?" </p><p></p><p>"Mostly New York City. Our main home is in Washington Square Park. We have, or I should say they have, an estate on Long Island and a house in Rochester. That's how I met..." Ruby pauses then continues slowly, "You know who." She pauses again pondering her next question. "Have you ever had a real girlfriend before?" "What makes a real girlfriend? No, no, that is not my question." He smiles a rather enigmatic smile and answers, "Yes. Do I have one now?" </p><p></p><p>"Yes you have one now, silly, even if she isn't very good at it. But what was she like?" Jake taps his finger on his lips and looks across the stream wondering why Ruby assumed there was only one. In the shadow of a boulder a long legged bird spears a lizard with its sharp beak reminding him of Rachael. "What was she like? She was a pretty girl, all curvy with blonde hair. A tad manipulative." He ends with a chuckle and looks back down at Ruby. "Did you ever take wedding vows?" </p><p></p><p>Ruby remains silent for a long time before answering simply, "Yes." She looks away from Jake and is quiet for another moment before asking her next question. "Pretty huh? Did you love her?" </p><p>"No." Jake says without hesitation. "No." He looks unwaveringly at her face for his next question. "Did you love him?" "No." Ruby stares back up at Jake, "Did YOU ever take marriage vows?" </p><p></p><p>Jake's face relaxes and a slight and gentle smile returns to it. "No. Never." He takes his time and reaches over and takes one of her hands in his, stroking her palm. "What happened to your grandmother?" She says, “I told you already, once the other members of my family found out she could do things they made her leave. They were scared, kind of like you are, but not tolerant. My mother is the one who told on her. Not acceptable for a family like ours, they said. After that Mother was raised by my grandfather. My grandmother left and as far as I know started traveling around the world. I wish I knew where she was.” Ruby reaches up and runs her fingers through Jake’s hair. “Did you come CLOSE to taking marriage vows?” </p><p></p><p>He laughs, "Marriage, marriage, marriage, it's all about marriage. No, not even engaged, at least from my view. How old where you when you learned you could do things?" "Oh I am just checking that there isn't any reason for me to be jealous about this... pretty, curvy blond girl. And you say not from your view, huh? In Jake speak that means from her view YES." Ruby lightly squeezes Jake's hand in hers. "I always knew I could do things, although they were always simple. When I was really young stuff would just happen when I got mad, a glass would fall off the table or the shade would fly up or something." Ruby shrugs. “Always had it in me, I just learned to control it.” </p><p></p><p>Ruby looks at Jake’s hand in hers, running her fingers over it. Then she furrows her brows, “What happened to your hand? You have a scar here I never noticed before.” She runs a finger delicately over the tiny white circular scar residing on the palm of his right hand. Jake frowns slightly and looks at his hand that Ruby is holding open...</p><p></p><p>Jake reflects back to his childhood. Edna Cooke always told young Jacob that the gods worked their wills through humans great or small. He believed that, much like he believed in fairy god mothers, enchanted swords and dragons. Jacob was a curious boy and always had a constant barrage of questions. As the years passed the unsatisfactory answers accumulated to a pile as high as the legendary dragon's treasure, his childhood beliefs were shredded and slain by the sharp sword of logic, glittering dreams were returned back to their common components as if by a wave of a magic wand. The gods voices remained silent. Such was the state of young Jacob Cooke's beliefs when he entered his teenage years. </p><p></p><p>Then the dreams started. Simple dreams picturing him performing some simple act or speaking to someone. The dreams always ended the same way, images of dire consequences if Jacob did not comply. Morning came and the dreams were still vivid in his mind, so vivid he almost believed he was actually there. It took some time to understand, but with experience he learned that his sleep would be increasingly troubled to the point of sleepless terror if he didn't comply. Jacob chose to comply. The dreams were infrequent and harmless so he kept them his secret. </p><p></p><p>Some time after Jacob Cooke's fourteenth birthday something changed. Although the dreams did not become more frequent, what they asked of him became more challenging and sometimes even dangerous. Ever rebellious, Jacob was troubled by this change and tried hard to comprehend it. When he finally gathered together his memories and mulled it over several things became apparent. The tasks set before him always used his innate talents of a quick hand, quick wit or silver tongue. The were a small number of people who were the repeated benefactors from his tasks. His dreams always contained fleeting images of a man with winged sandals, a broad-brimmed hat and a staff. Determined to understand the dreams fully he left pen, ink and paper by his bed side to make detailed notes of his next dream. </p><p></p><p>Weeks went by before, unheralded, Jake received another dream. He was to steal a wallet from a teacher and hide it in another student's jacket. Jacob wrote detailed notes of his dream before going to school. Even at this young age, Jacob had already learned how to deftly use his hands to remove items from people without their knowledge, and had used this talent for his own greedy ends. At school he was able to complete the transfer easily and unnoticed. The victim of the prank was a class bully. This bully frequently threatened a promising student who was a mousy young man and never stood up to his intimidator. Jake had on several previous occasions rescued the mousy boy with dream instructed action. The wallet was discovered missing, the class room searched and the bully was soon expelled. The teacher did not believe the bully's plea of innocence. </p><p></p><p>Back home from school Jacob read his notes eagerly looking for clues to his mysterious dreams. Two snakes wrapped four times around a staff, he read his own handwriting from the night before and it called to mind words he had heard in church. The fleeting man in the dream with the winged sandals and broad brimmed hat carried the Kerykeion! "You are mad, an idiot or both Jacob Cooke," he said to himself out loud, "Hermes in my dreams?" </p><p></p><p>Late that night Jacob hesitantly shared his story with his sister, Virginia. She was alternately incredulous, excited and afraid. She insisted that he tell their mother, but Jacob would have none of that and swore her to secrecy. She eventually convinced him to visit the church and see the priest. Much later that same night, young Jacob once again snuck out of the house as he was want to do but this time he was headed to church. The irony of sneaking out of the house to go to church was not lost on the youngest Cooke. On the way, he lost his nerve to speak to the priest, and rationalized that the priest would be sleeping at this late hour anyway. Once again, like in years before Jacob Cooke found himself standing in the alcove that housed the familiar statue of Hermes, the messenger of the gods. </p><p></p><p>He had a thousand questions buy couldn't articulate any of them. After standing there for a long time in the dark and echo prone church Jacob finally muttered in a voice both quiet and afraid, "Why me?" An indeterminable amount of time passes and there was no answer. Apprehensive and ashamed, he went home not the least bit wiser. He never spoke again to his sister of his dreams though she asked him many times. </p><p></p><p>As time went on he began to feel infantile and foolish for giving in to strange dreams, and his teenage rebellion soon overwhelmed his fear of the dreams and he resolved to deny the next dream. The Jacob Cooke most people knew was lazy and avoided work. He could be stubborn and tenacious on those rare times he chose to be, and this was one of those times. For a score of evenings he denied the dreams, suffered the increasing terrors each night after sleepless night. Eventually the dreams ended; he had persevered and triumphed! The day after the first blissfully pleasant nights sleep he was ecstatic. Whatever caused the dream could be denied, no one could control Jacob Alistair Cooke. That sunny afternoon during a trip to the outdoor market for his mother, feeling confident, arrogant and impervious he decided to pick up some pocket money for his own entertainment. As he had done a dozen times before, he selected a mark and performed his routine. He waited until he had to squeeze by the man in the crowd, quickly and deftly he bumped the man and grabbed the contents of a pocket. </p><p></p><p>A sharp pain stung his hand as he pulled away. He hid his pain and concealed his hand until he could duck down a nearby alleyway. There he opened his fingers to see blood dripping from his hand, his prize an ornate pin which had stuck deeply into his palm. He quickly removed the pin and bound his hand with his handkerchief. Alone in that alleyway cursing himself and his luck, he finally noticed the emblem that adorned the pin. It was the familiar Kerykeion! Shaken, he went home and hid the pin deep in a dresser drawer. </p><p></p><p>Over the next two weeks Jacob suffered as his hand became infected and it took several unpleasant medical treatments to cure. Some days after his hand was well he gained the courage and the pent up rage to sneak out of the house during the night and visit the church again. Standing in the alcove he stared at his open hand, the pin resting next to the white scar in his palm. Finally he spoke in a sarcastic tone, "So you made your point." Jacob gazed up at the face of the statue a moment before continuing. "Even if I can't gain from any of this at least tell me why." The church was quiet and the young man's heart beat fast in his ears. </p><p></p><p>"Each must contribute back the gifts the gods have given them," a deep and resonating voice sounded in young Cooke's ears. His eyes bulged, his pulse raced and he slowly backed away from the statue. He looked hard at the shadow hidden face of the statue, were the lips moving? He turned to flee and ran smack into a mountain of a man garbed in long loose robes. Jacob lost his balance and fell to the ground hard, his hand closing instinctively around the pin. "You may not see how you gain," the large man continued, "for the gods plans are more complicated that our mere mortal minds can comprehend. If the messenger of the gods calls to you, then you have his gifts and need to repay him with your service. You may never understand how it benefits you. Serve him well and you will walk in his grace." </p><p></p><p>The fright receding to be replaced by embarrassment, Jacob Cooke stood up and brushed off his clothes. He forced a bravado to his voice and replied, "Heh. That's horse crap." Saying no more the young man stomped out of the church. When he got home he hid the pin back in his dresser drawer. The next time a dream came to him, Jacob followed the instructions. </p><p></p><p>A year goes by and as do several dreams. Jacob follows the instructions each time but for days after is surly and quick to anger. Shortly after his fifteenth birthday, fights begin between his sister Virginia and their father. At first Jacob is unaware of them, having worn down his parents resolve he is spending more and more time away from the house on his own. One night during dinner Hiram Cooke and his daughter exchange harsh words and the girl flees the table in tears. Thus Jacob learns of his sister's dilemma of an arranged marriage and is distraught over it. Not knowing where to turn for help he does something he has never down before, Jacob Alistair Cooke gets down on his knees and prays to Hermes for guidance. </p><p></p><p>The youngest Cooke was not above stealing what he desired, but he was too proud to beg. Praying for guidance he reasoned, was not the same as praying for deliverance. Besides, had he not done the god's bidding for several years? This was merely his reward for services rendered. So he prayed and went to sleep waiting for the dream. The dream did not come that night, nor did it come the next twelve nights no matter how hard or long he prayed. In five days the engagement would be announced, Hiram Cooke's only daughter was to be traded off to the miserable son of a wealthy Grosvenor in exchange for connections to improve the family name. Virginia was in tears every day and night. Jacob felt helpless. His worry for his sister gnawed at his heart and darkened his soul with anger. That night he went back to the church and knelt down in the familiar alcove. </p><p></p><p>"I have never asked anything of you, except to tell me why. You chose not to grant that." He prayed aloud and two thin lines of tears rolled down his cheeks. "Ask what you want of me, anything at all. In return I just ask that you give me guidance, like you have before. I will follow your guidance, please wise Hermes, show me how to save Virginia from this unjust marriage." </p><p></p><p>Jacob woke the next morning from a fitful night of sleep, a night of sleep that was free of dreams. </p><p>He did not even pretend to attend school this day, using none of his tricks or falsehoods to cover his absence. Instead he went to the church again, back to the familiar alcove. </p><p></p><p>"You heartless bastard!" He pointed at the statue and screamed. The few weekday church goers and lowly acolytes turned their heads towards him. "You take, and you take, and you take, and you give nothing in return! You care nothing for justice! You care nothing for those you use! What has she ever done to deserve this?" Jacob stops his tirade and composes himself. His eyes go cold, his face becomes hard, but there is a white hot anger in his chest. "Fine then, have it your way. Not like I have any choice in the matter." He turns to leave and says without looking back, "I am done with hope. I can't wait for your guidance. I am done being used." Outside he pats the hidden hunting knife in his jacket and says to himself, "Perhaps that Grosvener fellow will have some sense when I show him the knife, because if we have to meet a second time it won't be to show it to him." </p><p></p><p>That night the pending engagement was called off. That night Hiram Cooke turned his son Jacob away from home while the whole family watched, while Virginia cried. That night Jacob met his sister Virginia secretly to say goodbye. He refused her entreaties to stay, and though her tears rent his heart he knew he must leave. "Marry who you choose, he will not dare arrange a marriage for you again. Just tell him I am watching." </p><p></p><p>He decided not to spend another night in the city of his childhood. He chose to flee Philadelphia that very night leaving behind the only person he cared about. The last building Jacob Cooke entered before leaving the city was his familiar local church. His feet knew the way to the alcove but no words were spoken. He didn't even glace up at the statue when he unceremoniously dropped the pin, silver and gold with the twined snakes around a staff, into the offering plate. His fear and frustration, his hate and anger, all his emotions were spent. He left the church empty. He left Philadelphia heading west, leaving his dreams and childhood behind.</p><p></p><p>Although it has only been a few seconds Jake realizes he was day dreaming and quickly responds, "Um, I was about fourteen and feeling cocky over some teenage exploit and decided I could do anything. Well anything that day was to pick some guy's pocket in broad day light at the market. I was pretty good, and got away with it. Unfortunately it was an ornate piece of jewelry with a long sharp pin and it embedded in my tender palm when I grabbed it. To make a long story shorter, it got infected, I suffered and got better, earned a scar and learned a hard lesson." He flexes his hand a couple of times and says, "Do you hate your parents?" </p><p></p><p>Ruby is quiet as she kisses Jake's scar gently. "Hate is a strong word." Ruby is then silent again and Jake is about to speak but suddenly Ruby starts talking, "Yes, I hate them. There is nothing nice or kind about them. They never loved me, they always wished I was someone different. And they ALWAYS find a way to get their way. You know how your parents wanted to get into society? Well, my parents ARE society. Back stabbing, fake, manipulative, greedy people. I learned some things from them, how to get things I want. That's about it." Silence again. "And if they find me and want me to come home, they will find a way to make me, Jake." Jake can feel Ruby's body tense and shiver at the thought.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 2863919, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 129, “The Question Game”, Tuesday, March 21st, 1882, 11:30 A.M.[/B] Jake climbs into the saddle and says to the animal, "Are you going to let her make you look stupid and slow?" Jake kicks the horse forward and brings it up to speed. Instead of following the path that Ruby takes he makes slight variations so it easier for his horse to catch up. Ruby has a good lead but Jake is content to make steady progress. He watches her bounce a bit coming down from the jumps and guesses she is not a better rider than he. As he drives his horse to jump some sage brush he curses, "If I fall off this blasted horse and get full of cactus needles I'm going to tan her behind." Ruby rides her horse hard and fast, jumping over any obstacles in their way. Her underclothes billow around her body, daring the wind to try to snatch them away. Her long hair flies freely behind her, dancing in flight. She stops the horse at the top of a steep hill where a cocky grin comes to her face. She urges the horse forward with confidence. When he sees her stop to look back he kicks the horse hard and leans forward, "It sure would be nice if one of us knew how to race. Yah, yah!" Laughter escapes Ruby’s lips unbidden, the freedom of this ride overcoming her with delight. She pushes her horse forward, down to the bottom of the rolling hill and into the stream that passes by. Water flies up around them and she abruptly stops her horse in the middle of the stream, waiting for Jake to catch up. When he does he can see her chest rising and falling with heavy breathing and her face beams like a ray of sunshine. "You look hot," he says and suddenly charges his horse into the stream spraying up water around him and onto Ruby and her horse. "Hungry yet?" Ruby lets out a playful scream as she gets sprayed with the cool water, dripping off her in spots. “Very,” she replies pushing her horse up against Jake’s. She hands him her horse’s reigns then deftly moves from her horse to his, facing him. Her bare legs rest over his and she wraps her arms around his neck. “How about you?” He looks into her green eyes and says, "What were we talking about?" “We were talking about lunch…,” she kisses him softly, “And being hungry…,” she kisses him again, wiggling closer, “And maybe we should go back now,” she says only inches from his face. “What do you think?” "I really like looking into your eyes." He presses his body against hers, "I like some other things too. We should get back though." Ruby gasps softly at the warmth of Jake’s body on hers. She fights the fiery feeling growing inside her and instead of giving in she bites her lip, then sighs. “I suppose we should,” she says dramatically. “You know how to ride, take us back.” Jake chuckles slightly and starts taking them back. Ruby rests her head against Jake’s chest and holds him tight as he rides them back to their grove. Every bump pushes their bodies together and they both enjoy the pleasurable sensations. Once back they tie up their horses and lie back down on the blanket. They eat and drink their lunch in comfortable silence. After lunch Ruby lays her head in Jake’s lap. “I want to ask you some questions. I don’t want some silly answer that isn’t really an answer answers either,” she reaches up and pinches his arm. "And I figure for every question I get to ask you can ask one too. What do you think?” "Seems fair." He says hesitantly, "Ladies go first." “Alright,” she says smiling up at Jake, “Why did you keep that $100 bill I signed in your wallet when I first gave it to you?” "Ooh, no easy warm up questions for Silver Jake Cook. She goes right to the serious stuff." His eyebrows come together as he rubs one cheek for a moment. His face relaxes and he says, "It was the only memento I had from you at the time if you ran away. Back then, I was sure you were going to. I'll give you a bonus answer; I still carry it." It is only a second before he continues, "What did your family do to become wealthy?" Ruby’s face immediately drops. “Wouldn’t you rather have a different question?” "I figured that was easy, what in Hades do I know?" Jake shrugs and says, "At the dawn of time the rules to the question game were set down in stone. If a question isn't answered, the game is over." Ruby wants to smile at Jake’s comment but can’t with the question hanging over her. “Ok no easy questions for me either…” She breathes in very deeply, “It’s old money, very old money. My family is in politics.” She sees Jake’s face pushing her for more information. “Damn it!,” she mutters. “My grandfather on my father’s side is Lord Arthur West; he sits on the House of Lords.” Without looking at Jake’s reaction she continues, “My Uncle will inherit the title. He has no children. My father came here to make his own success. He was jealous of not getting the title. My father still works in politics as far as I know but he brought his very large share of inheritance with him here to America.” Ruby finally looks to Jake, “I’m their only heir.” "Impressive." Jake affects a comic English accent. "Would you like some tea with your scone Lady West?" “Very funny,” she says with no humor in her voice. Ruby adjusts her head back and forth on Jake’s lap, trying to get comfortable before asking her next question. “If I hadn’t read your letters would you have ever told me about your sister?” "Hmmm.... good question. I wonder," Jake looks down at her and seems thoughtful. "I'll take the question to mean not that I have a sister, but the circumstances of my leaving home. It is not something I enjoy reliving. At the risk of giving you an answer that isn't an answer I'll say I trust you enough to have told you the truth about it. If it seemed important for you to know or you had asked I would have told you." He gives her a little smirk and pulls a strand of hair off her face. "Where did the heiress West grow up?" "Mostly New York City. Our main home is in Washington Square Park. We have, or I should say they have, an estate on Long Island and a house in Rochester. That's how I met..." Ruby pauses then continues slowly, "You know who." She pauses again pondering her next question. "Have you ever had a real girlfriend before?" "What makes a real girlfriend? No, no, that is not my question." He smiles a rather enigmatic smile and answers, "Yes. Do I have one now?" "Yes you have one now, silly, even if she isn't very good at it. But what was she like?" Jake taps his finger on his lips and looks across the stream wondering why Ruby assumed there was only one. In the shadow of a boulder a long legged bird spears a lizard with its sharp beak reminding him of Rachael. "What was she like? She was a pretty girl, all curvy with blonde hair. A tad manipulative." He ends with a chuckle and looks back down at Ruby. "Did you ever take wedding vows?" Ruby remains silent for a long time before answering simply, "Yes." She looks away from Jake and is quiet for another moment before asking her next question. "Pretty huh? Did you love her?" "No." Jake says without hesitation. "No." He looks unwaveringly at her face for his next question. "Did you love him?" "No." Ruby stares back up at Jake, "Did YOU ever take marriage vows?" Jake's face relaxes and a slight and gentle smile returns to it. "No. Never." He takes his time and reaches over and takes one of her hands in his, stroking her palm. "What happened to your grandmother?" She says, “I told you already, once the other members of my family found out she could do things they made her leave. They were scared, kind of like you are, but not tolerant. My mother is the one who told on her. Not acceptable for a family like ours, they said. After that Mother was raised by my grandfather. My grandmother left and as far as I know started traveling around the world. I wish I knew where she was.” Ruby reaches up and runs her fingers through Jake’s hair. “Did you come CLOSE to taking marriage vows?” He laughs, "Marriage, marriage, marriage, it's all about marriage. No, not even engaged, at least from my view. How old where you when you learned you could do things?" "Oh I am just checking that there isn't any reason for me to be jealous about this... pretty, curvy blond girl. And you say not from your view, huh? In Jake speak that means from her view YES." Ruby lightly squeezes Jake's hand in hers. "I always knew I could do things, although they were always simple. When I was really young stuff would just happen when I got mad, a glass would fall off the table or the shade would fly up or something." Ruby shrugs. “Always had it in me, I just learned to control it.” Ruby looks at Jake’s hand in hers, running her fingers over it. Then she furrows her brows, “What happened to your hand? You have a scar here I never noticed before.” She runs a finger delicately over the tiny white circular scar residing on the palm of his right hand. Jake frowns slightly and looks at his hand that Ruby is holding open... Jake reflects back to his childhood. Edna Cooke always told young Jacob that the gods worked their wills through humans great or small. He believed that, much like he believed in fairy god mothers, enchanted swords and dragons. Jacob was a curious boy and always had a constant barrage of questions. As the years passed the unsatisfactory answers accumulated to a pile as high as the legendary dragon's treasure, his childhood beliefs were shredded and slain by the sharp sword of logic, glittering dreams were returned back to their common components as if by a wave of a magic wand. The gods voices remained silent. Such was the state of young Jacob Cooke's beliefs when he entered his teenage years. Then the dreams started. Simple dreams picturing him performing some simple act or speaking to someone. The dreams always ended the same way, images of dire consequences if Jacob did not comply. Morning came and the dreams were still vivid in his mind, so vivid he almost believed he was actually there. It took some time to understand, but with experience he learned that his sleep would be increasingly troubled to the point of sleepless terror if he didn't comply. Jacob chose to comply. The dreams were infrequent and harmless so he kept them his secret. Some time after Jacob Cooke's fourteenth birthday something changed. Although the dreams did not become more frequent, what they asked of him became more challenging and sometimes even dangerous. Ever rebellious, Jacob was troubled by this change and tried hard to comprehend it. When he finally gathered together his memories and mulled it over several things became apparent. The tasks set before him always used his innate talents of a quick hand, quick wit or silver tongue. The were a small number of people who were the repeated benefactors from his tasks. His dreams always contained fleeting images of a man with winged sandals, a broad-brimmed hat and a staff. Determined to understand the dreams fully he left pen, ink and paper by his bed side to make detailed notes of his next dream. Weeks went by before, unheralded, Jake received another dream. He was to steal a wallet from a teacher and hide it in another student's jacket. Jacob wrote detailed notes of his dream before going to school. Even at this young age, Jacob had already learned how to deftly use his hands to remove items from people without their knowledge, and had used this talent for his own greedy ends. At school he was able to complete the transfer easily and unnoticed. The victim of the prank was a class bully. This bully frequently threatened a promising student who was a mousy young man and never stood up to his intimidator. Jake had on several previous occasions rescued the mousy boy with dream instructed action. The wallet was discovered missing, the class room searched and the bully was soon expelled. The teacher did not believe the bully's plea of innocence. Back home from school Jacob read his notes eagerly looking for clues to his mysterious dreams. Two snakes wrapped four times around a staff, he read his own handwriting from the night before and it called to mind words he had heard in church. The fleeting man in the dream with the winged sandals and broad brimmed hat carried the Kerykeion! "You are mad, an idiot or both Jacob Cooke," he said to himself out loud, "Hermes in my dreams?" Late that night Jacob hesitantly shared his story with his sister, Virginia. She was alternately incredulous, excited and afraid. She insisted that he tell their mother, but Jacob would have none of that and swore her to secrecy. She eventually convinced him to visit the church and see the priest. Much later that same night, young Jacob once again snuck out of the house as he was want to do but this time he was headed to church. The irony of sneaking out of the house to go to church was not lost on the youngest Cooke. On the way, he lost his nerve to speak to the priest, and rationalized that the priest would be sleeping at this late hour anyway. Once again, like in years before Jacob Cooke found himself standing in the alcove that housed the familiar statue of Hermes, the messenger of the gods. He had a thousand questions buy couldn't articulate any of them. After standing there for a long time in the dark and echo prone church Jacob finally muttered in a voice both quiet and afraid, "Why me?" An indeterminable amount of time passes and there was no answer. Apprehensive and ashamed, he went home not the least bit wiser. He never spoke again to his sister of his dreams though she asked him many times. As time went on he began to feel infantile and foolish for giving in to strange dreams, and his teenage rebellion soon overwhelmed his fear of the dreams and he resolved to deny the next dream. The Jacob Cooke most people knew was lazy and avoided work. He could be stubborn and tenacious on those rare times he chose to be, and this was one of those times. For a score of evenings he denied the dreams, suffered the increasing terrors each night after sleepless night. Eventually the dreams ended; he had persevered and triumphed! The day after the first blissfully pleasant nights sleep he was ecstatic. Whatever caused the dream could be denied, no one could control Jacob Alistair Cooke. That sunny afternoon during a trip to the outdoor market for his mother, feeling confident, arrogant and impervious he decided to pick up some pocket money for his own entertainment. As he had done a dozen times before, he selected a mark and performed his routine. He waited until he had to squeeze by the man in the crowd, quickly and deftly he bumped the man and grabbed the contents of a pocket. A sharp pain stung his hand as he pulled away. He hid his pain and concealed his hand until he could duck down a nearby alleyway. There he opened his fingers to see blood dripping from his hand, his prize an ornate pin which had stuck deeply into his palm. He quickly removed the pin and bound his hand with his handkerchief. Alone in that alleyway cursing himself and his luck, he finally noticed the emblem that adorned the pin. It was the familiar Kerykeion! Shaken, he went home and hid the pin deep in a dresser drawer. Over the next two weeks Jacob suffered as his hand became infected and it took several unpleasant medical treatments to cure. Some days after his hand was well he gained the courage and the pent up rage to sneak out of the house during the night and visit the church again. Standing in the alcove he stared at his open hand, the pin resting next to the white scar in his palm. Finally he spoke in a sarcastic tone, "So you made your point." Jacob gazed up at the face of the statue a moment before continuing. "Even if I can't gain from any of this at least tell me why." The church was quiet and the young man's heart beat fast in his ears. "Each must contribute back the gifts the gods have given them," a deep and resonating voice sounded in young Cooke's ears. His eyes bulged, his pulse raced and he slowly backed away from the statue. He looked hard at the shadow hidden face of the statue, were the lips moving? He turned to flee and ran smack into a mountain of a man garbed in long loose robes. Jacob lost his balance and fell to the ground hard, his hand closing instinctively around the pin. "You may not see how you gain," the large man continued, "for the gods plans are more complicated that our mere mortal minds can comprehend. If the messenger of the gods calls to you, then you have his gifts and need to repay him with your service. You may never understand how it benefits you. Serve him well and you will walk in his grace." The fright receding to be replaced by embarrassment, Jacob Cooke stood up and brushed off his clothes. He forced a bravado to his voice and replied, "Heh. That's horse crap." Saying no more the young man stomped out of the church. When he got home he hid the pin back in his dresser drawer. The next time a dream came to him, Jacob followed the instructions. A year goes by and as do several dreams. Jacob follows the instructions each time but for days after is surly and quick to anger. Shortly after his fifteenth birthday, fights begin between his sister Virginia and their father. At first Jacob is unaware of them, having worn down his parents resolve he is spending more and more time away from the house on his own. One night during dinner Hiram Cooke and his daughter exchange harsh words and the girl flees the table in tears. Thus Jacob learns of his sister's dilemma of an arranged marriage and is distraught over it. Not knowing where to turn for help he does something he has never down before, Jacob Alistair Cooke gets down on his knees and prays to Hermes for guidance. The youngest Cooke was not above stealing what he desired, but he was too proud to beg. Praying for guidance he reasoned, was not the same as praying for deliverance. Besides, had he not done the god's bidding for several years? This was merely his reward for services rendered. So he prayed and went to sleep waiting for the dream. The dream did not come that night, nor did it come the next twelve nights no matter how hard or long he prayed. In five days the engagement would be announced, Hiram Cooke's only daughter was to be traded off to the miserable son of a wealthy Grosvenor in exchange for connections to improve the family name. Virginia was in tears every day and night. Jacob felt helpless. His worry for his sister gnawed at his heart and darkened his soul with anger. That night he went back to the church and knelt down in the familiar alcove. "I have never asked anything of you, except to tell me why. You chose not to grant that." He prayed aloud and two thin lines of tears rolled down his cheeks. "Ask what you want of me, anything at all. In return I just ask that you give me guidance, like you have before. I will follow your guidance, please wise Hermes, show me how to save Virginia from this unjust marriage." Jacob woke the next morning from a fitful night of sleep, a night of sleep that was free of dreams. He did not even pretend to attend school this day, using none of his tricks or falsehoods to cover his absence. Instead he went to the church again, back to the familiar alcove. "You heartless bastard!" He pointed at the statue and screamed. The few weekday church goers and lowly acolytes turned their heads towards him. "You take, and you take, and you take, and you give nothing in return! You care nothing for justice! You care nothing for those you use! What has she ever done to deserve this?" Jacob stops his tirade and composes himself. His eyes go cold, his face becomes hard, but there is a white hot anger in his chest. "Fine then, have it your way. Not like I have any choice in the matter." He turns to leave and says without looking back, "I am done with hope. I can't wait for your guidance. I am done being used." Outside he pats the hidden hunting knife in his jacket and says to himself, "Perhaps that Grosvener fellow will have some sense when I show him the knife, because if we have to meet a second time it won't be to show it to him." That night the pending engagement was called off. That night Hiram Cooke turned his son Jacob away from home while the whole family watched, while Virginia cried. That night Jacob met his sister Virginia secretly to say goodbye. He refused her entreaties to stay, and though her tears rent his heart he knew he must leave. "Marry who you choose, he will not dare arrange a marriage for you again. Just tell him I am watching." He decided not to spend another night in the city of his childhood. He chose to flee Philadelphia that very night leaving behind the only person he cared about. The last building Jacob Cooke entered before leaving the city was his familiar local church. His feet knew the way to the alcove but no words were spoken. He didn't even glace up at the statue when he unceremoniously dropped the pin, silver and gold with the twined snakes around a staff, into the offering plate. His fear and frustration, his hate and anger, all his emotions were spent. He left the church empty. He left Philadelphia heading west, leaving his dreams and childhood behind. Although it has only been a few seconds Jake realizes he was day dreaming and quickly responds, "Um, I was about fourteen and feeling cocky over some teenage exploit and decided I could do anything. Well anything that day was to pick some guy's pocket in broad day light at the market. I was pretty good, and got away with it. Unfortunately it was an ornate piece of jewelry with a long sharp pin and it embedded in my tender palm when I grabbed it. To make a long story shorter, it got infected, I suffered and got better, earned a scar and learned a hard lesson." He flexes his hand a couple of times and says, "Do you hate your parents?" Ruby is quiet as she kisses Jake's scar gently. "Hate is a strong word." Ruby is then silent again and Jake is about to speak but suddenly Ruby starts talking, "Yes, I hate them. There is nothing nice or kind about them. They never loved me, they always wished I was someone different. And they ALWAYS find a way to get their way. You know how your parents wanted to get into society? Well, my parents ARE society. Back stabbing, fake, manipulative, greedy people. I learned some things from them, how to get things I want. That's about it." Silence again. "And if they find me and want me to come home, they will find a way to make me, Jake." Jake can feel Ruby's body tense and shiver at the thought. [/QUOTE]
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