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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3523850" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter One-sixty-one, “Nana”, Thursday, June 15th, 12:30 P.M. The door opens and Ruby sees Nana's husband standing there. Looking beyond him she sees Nana standing in the next room, a smile on her face. Ruby longs to run to her grandmother but instead finds herself being held back by a mostly foreign feeling... nervousness. She stands in the door and smiles, "Hello Grandmother and James. I hope you don't mind we decided to take you up on your offer to say goodbye before we returned home." Nana smiles and replies, "Don't be silly Ruby, you and your friends are always welcome here." She holds out her hands for the hug that Ruby wishes to give. Ruby's smile widens as she rushes towards her grandmother. "Oh Nana..." She wraps her arms around her grandmother's waist and squeezes, but not too hard. She rests her head on the older woman's shoulder as the emotions roll over her like a wave crashing on the shore. "Finding you has been like a dream to me. A really good one." Nana replies, "I was always here Ruby, it was your parents who kept me away." James helps Richard with the luggage. Jane says, "Thank you so very much for having us back here. Ruby is indeed fortunate to have you in her life again." Ruby sighs, "I know. And I hate them for that. That was just one of the many injustices they did to me." She lifts her head and smiles at the red haired woman. She really did resemble Ruby, although she had a few silver stands of hair around her face and a few wrinkles and laugh lines. Otherwise the woman looked more like her mother than her grandmother. Ruby runs her hand along her smooth rosy cheek. "Nana, this time I hope to have some time for us to really talk and get to know each other better. We only have a day, I have one other errand to do before we return home. But I want to make the most of the time we have." She returns the embrace warmly and says, "Indeed we shall. James has a full night planned for us. We have planned a nice dinner tonight at one of the finest restaurants in town, Bella's Restaurant over on South Broadway followed by a performance downtown at the Tarrytown Music Hall." "Bella's restaurant, huh? That's a beautiful name. I will have to remember it for my next life when I might actually have a baby to name!" Ruby laughs. "Tonight sounds like a lot of fun for all of us. Maybe we should get our things settled and then you and I can go for a walk? My legs are itching to stretch. And you can show me around while we chat." James shows the three up to their rooms. Ruby is the first to return downstairs and Nana is sitting in the main room sipping a drink. Ruby notes an open bottle of wine in an ice bucket. Nana says, "Would you care for a drink darling, and we could maybe go for a walk out back in the garden. I want to hear about your week in the big city." "That sounds positively perfect," Ruby beams as she crosses the floor to the ice bucket. There are fine crystal glasses sitting on the table next to the bucket so Ruby uses those, pouring a generous glass of wine for each of them. She hands one to her grandmother and follows her out the back way to the gardens. Ruby sips at her wine as she talks animatedly about their time in New York City. The day is sunny and warm but not too hot as they walk through the little pathways that cut through the bright and fragrant flowers. She describes the shops, the restaurants, the shows, their hotel and most especially the nightlife that they experienced the past week. Her excitement over her experience cannot be held back as she even describes the people and architecture of the buildings. “Oh Nana, I’ve been away for the city for so long, and even when I was there I was not free to enjoy it. But coming back this time has been so amazing. Even though Promise City is my home now I am really a city girl at heart. It’s so exciting and fun, there is always something new to see and do. This trip has been quite an adventure.” Nana smiles and replies, "Oh Ruby, you've always been one for a life of adventure. Your parents never understand that aspect of your personality. But I do, you and I have always been very much alike. And I see that over time you have....changed. We are now more alike than different." Ruby takes more of a gulp than a sip of her wine. A sudden small flush comes to her cheeks and she pauses before she speaks again, trying to carefully choose the right words. "Since you mentioned being alike... there was something I wanted to ask you." Ruby fiddles with the glass in her hand as she stammers over her words. "Do you still... I mean, can you still... Oh darn it." She avoids looking at her grandmother instead looking to the ground where she kicks at the dirt with the toe of her shiny new boot. "Does stuff still... happen? I mean, can you make things happen? Mother and father never really told me exactly what went on with that." Nana replies, "They are afraid, they do not want this family to be known as using witchcraft. But New York City is a place of magic, it is one of the few places in the United State where the magical ley lines for sorcerer magic also intersect with the ley lines of the earth known for earth magics. London, Paris and Madrid are three other such places. There are only a few other places like that in the United States, and southeastern Arizona is one of them, so I am not surprised that you found yourself there." Ruby relaxes, but only a little. "So then you know that, I mean, about me. That I can... do things too." Her lips turn up slightly, "Maybe that is why I found myself in Promise City. I have a teacher now, someone who has helped me learned to harness the power we share. He is a powerful...," she lowers her voice for the next word, "Wizard. I also had a mentor for a while, a women who could sing so wonderfully, just like me. But she is gone now, not to return. To be honest, I think I have more power in that way than anyone else in Promise City, at least I don't know any other singers who can sing as well as I can. Then again, I don't use any magics for that. I guess I won't be able to get any better without a teacher with those skills, I'm not sure what I can do." Her grandmother smiles and says, "You need not concern yourself too much about that my dear, magical people tend to attract magical people, it will just be a matter of time until another bard finds his or her way into your life. In the meanwhile you are here today with me now and it is good to see that we share this...wonder. I can never understand the attitude that gifts such as ours are a bad thing. Magic is a tool, the good or bad is determined by the motives and objectives of the person using them, not the act of using magic unto itself." "Yes, you are right Nana, about all of it. I never understood why mother and father or my friends didn't accept me for who I was even if I did have some special things about me. I am just very grateful to have learned how to finally control it!" Ruby sighs, "This trip has been fun but in my alone time I have also been thinking. Thinking about a lot of things that have gone wrong in my life. I just want to be happy and I want my friends and loved ones to be happy too. I decided I need to make some changes. One of them being more honest about the things I've done and the things I can do. If people truly love me they'll understand, right? I don't want to hide things anymore." Nana replies, "Ah, but we must still be careful. The use of special magic is considered to be witchcraft by most and is illegal in the United States. It is safe to say that if your parents ever find out about what you can do they will blame me." Ruby quickly replies, "Oh, I know that. I meant being truthful about other things, like what I've been up to the past 4 years. Well, I guess that too, but I mean my friends... even some of them in Promise City don't know. I hate hiding stuff." "Besides, my parents should know, if they ever paid attention at all. They just didn't want to admit it." Ruby pauses. "Maybe they don't, who knows. I don't care about them anyway." Nana replies, "Yes my dear, but they could still cause difficulties. They may not love either one of us but we are still family, and as such if we were to be apprehended by the law for using witchcraft it could bring a blemish to their well-crafted reputations." Ruby answers, "Yes, you are right." Ruby leads her grandmother over to a bench that is surrounded by large colorful roses that are growing up a trestle. "I spent so many years running from them, afraid they would catch me and force me back into that hell they've created. Only recently I've become not so scared of them. Still, it's why Richard came with Jane and I. To protect me from them." Ruby sighs, "I don't think George would tell them I came to see them. But he never understood what went on or why I hated them so much. They put on such a good show for everyone, to hide the real them." Nana says, "Yes, and that risk is very real. It is now entering the summer months. Your parents may have already relocated to their summer home up in Rochester, which would further add risk to you visiting Mr. Eastman. I am not saying you shouldn't go, but you must be careful and make sure that he doesn't alert your parents that you are in the area." Ruby gazes at the flowers for long moments, her eyes going a bit hazy as she daydreams. When she snaps out of it she reaches into her pocket, retrieving a small black velvet box. She plays with it in her hands while she talks. "I thought about not going to see George. I know it's very risky. But Nana," she looks into the older woman's eyes, "I MUST go and see him." Ruby goes back to looking at the box. "Things have happened... I tried to see him... to explain... make sure he is okay…" Ruby pops the lid of the box open and extends her hand to her grandmother revealing the jewelry inside. The perfect diamond sparkles in the sunlight, even the band glints in the sun. “You see, I have to see him.” Nana says, "Ah, I see. Have you decided exactly what it is you are going to say to him?" "Well... I...I..." Ruby stutters then suddenly stops. She pulls the box back towards her and stares at the ring. "I don't know what I'm going to say. I mean, I wasn't going to see him to accept his marriage proposal, if that is what you're asking." She sighs deeply and runs a hand through her hair, unintentionally imitating someone close to her with the same habit. "We have a lot of history together Nana. Sometimes I wish things were different...," she shakes her head, "No, they are how they are. I am going to see him to make sure he's okay. Some things happened back in Promise City..." Ruby spends the afternoon telling her grandmother the story of how her marriage was arranged to George and how she ran away, what she did in between and ending with him showing up in Promise City, her proclaiming her love for Jake, George "murdering her" and her never getting to see him after that. "I haven't been entirely honest with Jake about George, about us being friends as children, the things we did together. But now.... Oh!" Ruby buries her face in her hands. "Oh Nana, I'm just so confused!" Nana replies, "Ruby, have you spoken to your friend Jane about this? I have never been one to depend upon the deities but she is a Priestess of Aphrodite, who better than she to give you advice regarding love?"" Ruby answers, "I haven't, not really. I mean, she knows all about George and all about Jake. She knows I have been rethinking things. She knows most of it. But Nana, she is Jake's best friends lover. I'm not sure she can be objective." Ruby again fiddles with the box in her hand. "I should lay it all before her, you are right. She is one of my best friends. She just believes so strongly in Aphrodite... and what if she is wrong? She's told me I am meant to be with Jake. But sometimes I am not certain. I wish I could be certain. At least more certain." A sparkle catches Ruby's eye. "It is beautiful, isn't it? He spared no expense. Perhaps I'll speak to her tonight, after the show." Nana says "Yes, that might be a good idea. We'll head out soon, maybe take a walk along the Hudson River before heading over for dinner." Ruby nods. "Let's just enjoy the garden then, shall we?" As they begin walking Ruby asks, "How should we dress tonight?" She says, "Semi-casual. No need for gowns and tails but we should be presentable for the theater." "Alright Nana. Sounds perfect." They walk a little more until Nana says it is time to go in. Ruby passes on the dress requirements to Jane and Richard then retires to her own room to get ready. She chooses to wear her grandmother's old dress, the one she sent to Ruby in Promise City. <a href="http://crawfordmanor.com/cecily.html" target="_blank">http://crawfordmanor.com/cecily.html</a> She carefully does her hair up into an up-do, although it is still rather wild. Before she leaves the safety of her room she takes one final glance in the mirror. She fingers the heart shaped earrings that have never left her ears. "What are you doing right now Jacob Cooke?" she says while staring at her reflection. She shakes her head and slips the black velvet box into her purse. Once she is ready she meets the others downstairs. Jane smiles and says, "I knew that would look good on you." Nana and James come into the room. Ruby's Grandmother does not comment on the dress but Ruby can tell from the expression on her face that she is pleased." Ruby spins around and smiles. "I love it and it fits me perfectly! We're such a handsome group, I'm sure we'll draw all the stares tonight. Is everyone ready? I'm starving." "Just waiting for Richard," Jane states. He emerges around ten minutes later dressed in a new tailor made suit purchased the previous week in the city. A surprised look crosses Ruby's face. "My, my Richard, don't you look handsome?" She loops her arm through his. "I like the new outfit, it suits you. You clean up nicely." She looks up at the tall man with a wide smile, "Jane and I might have to compete for your attentions tonight. As for me, I'll be trying to get some of those secrets out of you. I haven't given up yet." Nana smiles and says, "Now Ruby, leave your dear friend alone. I'm sure he will tell you his secrets when he feels the time is right." She looks towards him and says, "Er at ikke riktig god herr ?" For the first time since Ruby has known him Richard's cool demeanor is momentary startled and he says to Nana, "My, somebody is observant. At some point you'll have to tell me how you figured that one out." Ruby furrows her brows in her now well known confused look but doesn't let go of Richard's arm. "What does that mean? What language is that?" He replies, "My native tongue, Norwegian." Ruby looks back and forth between Richard and her grandmother. "Yes, Nana, how did you figure that out? I know you've done much traveling, and I'm jealous by the way, but just by looking at him you can tell? That's impressive." Ruby whines slightly as she pulls Richard to towards the door, "But can you tell us how you knew on the way? I am hungry, I mean famished. I've gotten my appetite back lately and I'm making up for lost time!" Nana says, "During your previous visit I noticed he used a few phrases that were distinctly not American. In my younger days I spent some time with a group of dwarves from Norway and found some phrases familiar." "See Richard, we'll figure you out yet. But I'm confused... you're not a dwarf. Aren't native Norwegians dwarves?" Richard says, "Not all Norwegians, they've let some humans immigrate over time. My grandfather moved there from Russia. Our family was being persecuted by the Czar and his army. So there Ruby, you now know my family history." "Why was your family being persecuted by the Czar Richard?" Ruby asks curiously while still pulling him towards the door. Richard says, "He was a terrible ruler, a total autocrat who ruled with an iron fist. He had thousands of people put to death by his militias." "Sounds just like my parents," Ruby says as she rolls her eyes. "Well I for one am glad you're here and not there then." James had arranged for a carriage to give the group a ride downtown. They spend the next hour driving through Tarrytown, looking at the various mansions and riding along the Hudson River.</blockquote>

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