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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3898391" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Two-hundred-thirty, “From Vampires to Angels“, Sunday, June 18th, 2:00 P.M. George Eastman returns the kiss and says with a voice of amusement, "You, Miss West, are a tease. Has anybody ever said that to you before." She laughs lightly. "I may have heard that before, Mr. Eastman. I believe it's one of my very special natural talents. But for future reference, what would I need to do to go from being a tease to being taken seriously? More kisses perhaps? More than that?" "Kisses are certainly a step in the right direction," he jokes. He grabs her and gives her a long passionate kiss that lasts for a couple of minutes. When they separate he says, "This was a wonderful suggestion, the swimming that is, the water is quite refreshing. I have not swum in quite some time." "You're welcome. For the swimming AND the kisses." Following her response he inhales a deep breath and dives down and swims a little deeper along the lake bottom, surfacing for another breath and then diving down again. Ruby marvels at how long George stays under the water and how quiet it gets when he's under. She slowly treads the water, putting her face to the sun. George was right, it was the most perfect day. He continues to swim for another ten minutes, mostly beneath the water. Ruby notes that he seems to be holding his breath longer with each successive dive, with him now staying under for over a minute each time. When he comes up for air Ruby comments, "George, you're making me nervous staying down there so long! You're not thinking of trying to swim off on me, are you? Or are you just investigating the wonders of the deep?" He replies, "No, just doing something I haven't done since I was in Santo Domingo. I often went diving for food with the locals who lived near the shoreline. I wanted to make sure that I still remembered how." He swims back closer to her and says, "Perhaps we should head in and dry off. I have no towels but the wool blanket could be substituted for one and shouldn't take too long to dry off in the sunlight." She states, “Yes, good idea. It's been a lovely swim. And it's a perfect day, we don't need towels." They swim towards the shore and when they get close Ruby says, "After you." He exits the water and walks up to shore towards the blanket which he picks up and begins to dry himself off on, keeping his back to ruby as he does so. Ruby watches George exit the water with interest, smiling over what she sees. Once he gets near the blanket she hurries out of the water and runs up behind him, squeezing into the blanket with him so he can't get a good look at her wet clinging underclothes. She smiles up at him, cheeks rosy, twinkling eyes, wet hair plastered to her face, "Thanks for swimming with me, it was really fun. I'm just having a great time with you George." "And I you," he says. Deciding that he is dry enough himself he drapes the blanket around Ruby and keeping his back to her grabs his pants and puts them on over his damp underclothes. Ruby was momentarily confused. A man who wasn't trying to get a show out of her? Then she smiled to herself, remembering just who that man was. She keeps the blanket wrapped around herself and sits in the grass. She would be dry soon enough, the sun was high and warm in the sky. But it reminded her of something... "George, there's something else I want to talk to you about. I don't want to ruin our perfect day but it's something that's been on my mind and if it's still true, well, it wouldn't be fair of me to not share it with you." He comes over and lies down on the grass near her, allowing the sun and light breeze to help dry his damp undershirt as well as his now damp pants. He states, "You've already unburdened yourself about your being able to do magic. As I said yesterday, I will look into that and draw my own conclusion. In fact, I have already initiated that research." "You have?" she says with surprise in her voice. "I mean, that's great. I'm so very happy that you're taking it seriously. But that's not what I need to talk to you about." Ruby takes a deep breath and as she exhales she says "Have you ever heard of vampires?" He replies, "Of course I have, I have read Irish author Bram Stoker novel 'Dracula' about a European count that preyed upon the people of his village. An interesting piece of creative fiction, which I recall there were some legal issues about as he used real people as some of his characters in the novel. If you enjoy that genre his latest novel Under the Sunset if much better written. Why?" She looks into his eyes, so he can see she is not making this up. She takes his hand in hers. "They're not fiction, they are very much real. And there is one who wants me to, well, to become one of his kind and be with him." He replies, "Oh, well I would suggest that you not do that. If he shows up around here tell him that I saw you first." "George, I'm not kidding. This is serious. I'll tell you just how serious it is." As they dry off in the beautiful sunny weather Ruby tells George about the highly unbelievable Colin Turner and associates. How he came into the Lucky Lady, then they went looking for him in Thomasville, how they thought he was dead. And finally, how she thought she may have seen him in New York City just a few days earlier. "I don't know if I'm seeing things, dreaming of it, or if it's real. I was so scared of him, it's what prompted me to get my own house in Promise City. I just can't be certain if he's dead or not. But I feel like he's not gone." She pauses and looks into the sun for a moment, then back to George. "I had to tell you, in case, well, in case he tries to show up again, tries to take me away. I don't even know what we would do if he did, before I had all my friends, they knew what to do. Knew how to fight them. Had special bullets, had holy water, even garlic," Ruby laughs nervously. "By myself, I don't what I would do." George exclaims, "My goodness, you're actually serious? Ruby, like wizardry, you've hit upon yet another subject that I know nothing about, but I'm willing to look into it. As for protection, I will keep you safe, as I have since you arrived. You have my promise of that." "I know you'll keep me safe." Ruby leans towards George and hugs him tightly. "I don't know how you don't think I'm a nut case after all these things crazy things I've told you. You must really love me." He states, "I think that you have led an interesting life. I suspect that my time with you will never be boring. And it's not like I'm a friendly neighborhood accountant-type myself, I have plans to revolutionize the world with new technology and change the way in general that businesses treat their employees. In my own way my life is as wild as yours." Ruby gives George a strange look. "You know, I never thought of it that way before but you're right. It must be an exciting and also nerve wracking feeling, not knowing if your idea will work but hoping it will." Ruby puts her hand over his. "If it means anything, I believe in you and have faith in you. I always knew you'd do something really special." He says, "Thank you, I try. I...I've never fit in with regular folk, even people who are considered my industrial contemporaries, Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison, I don't view things as they do. I am glad that you believe in me Ruby, that is what I need most from....from whatever our relationship now is." Ruby gazes at George for a moment, unsure of what to say. She finally says, "I've always believed in you, even if I didn't show it. And I'm not proud of any time I didn't when I should have." Ruby cheeks turn crimson and she looks away from the handsome man sitting next to her. "As for our relationship... I...uh...I didn't come here with any expectations or ideas about what would happen. But now that I'm here I find myself... well... swept away...by you... and I find I am not my normal confident and sure self." Her voice lowers to almost a whisper and she keeps her eyes averted from his. "As silly and as sudden as it sounds, I think I may be falling in love with you George Eastman." There is a very long pause that follows. When George finally speaks he says in a serious voice, "Well then, we should make sure that you extend your Rochester visit long enough for you know for certain." "Good idea," she says quietly before she smiles and looks back to him. "Course, you trying to sway me doesn't hurt either." Ruby slides the blanket off her and spreads it out, although it's sloppy. She lays down on the blanket on her side, facing George. She lets her head fall against her arm. "Let's take a nap," she says as she tries to stifle a yawn. He replies, "Not a bad suggestion Ruby, that swimming was rather invigorating but has also left me more tired than usual." "That's because it's the most beautiful and perfect day to nap, haven't you noticed that you get tired when it's nap time?" she sleepily smiles. The combination of the cool water and warm sun had made her suddenly and surprisingly very tired. She says, "I hope you won't feel funny napping next to me," as her eyes start to close. "I don't mind, I'd rather like it," are her last words before she falls asleep with him in her sights. Ruby awakens first, noticing his arm draped across her stomach. He has a contented smile on his face and is very lightly snoring. Based upon the position of the sun she estimates that it is somewhere between 4:00 and 5:00 PM. Ruby doesn't want to move just yet so she just snuggles closer to George, alternating between gazing at him and at the beautiful surroundings. She waits a good amount of time before she finally leans over George and kisses him gently. "Time to wake up sleepy head," she says softly. "Unfortunately it's getting late." He wakes with a start, temporarily unsure of his surroundings. He comments, Yes, you're right, the sun is just starting to set." He heads over to where he has set the camera and says, "If you would like I could take another picture of you, it would be a silhouette shot with the setting sun behind you." "Good idea, let's do that." Ruby positions herself in front of the sun and stands still, waiting for her photo to be taken. She knows she probably looks a mess, from swimming and from sleeping, but is floating on clouds happy and doesn't care. He positions the camera and says, "Oh, this is good, although slightly erotic in nature. The bright sun around you highlights the shaded outline of your body through those loose garments. This picture will definitely do justice to your....well, let's just say we will need to keep this photograph to ourselves." Ruby actually blushes at George's comments and the fact that he is really looking at her. You must be going crazy girl to be acting like this! she thinks but she just can't help herself. She tilts her head to the side and bites at her lip while he finishes setting up the shot. "I hope you like what you see then Mr. Eastman, since you'll have it for prosperity and all." She pauses, then adds, "And perhaps it makes you want to see more?" "Hold that pose, I'm opening the shutter," he says. He counts backwards from twenty and then says "Got it." He slides out the film packet into the black bag and walks over to the satchel to put it away saying, "Would you like me to take another one, perhaps with the light from the setting sun shining upon you?" "Sure," Ruby laughs, "I've been called an angel before, maybe this will be my photographic evidence!" She strikes a pose and waits for George to take the picture. He takes the shot and then removes the film package. He walks back to his satchel and asks, "I brought one more film cartridge with me. Is there anything in particular you would like for the last shot?" "Yes, actually." She walks over to George and looks over the machine. "Can you show me how to use this so I can take a picture of you?" He spends the next five minutes explaining it to her, despite her actually being able to figure most of it out without his explanation. She remains polite and doesn't interrupt. He insists on putting his shirt back on over the undershirt but leaves his jacket and hat off as he poses along with the lake behind him and setting sun off to the side in the shot. "Ready?" When she indicates he is, she pushes the button and counts from twenty, just like he did. "All done! I hope it comes out as good at it looked like it would. Can we develop them tomorrow? I mean, will you take me to work with you?" He replies, "I could, but I will be leaving early, around 8:00 A.M. You slept a lot longer than that this morning. I could develop them and bring them back to the house if you would prefer." She says, "I usually do like to sleep late, that's true, but I could make an exception... unless you don't want to bring me, which of course I would understand if you didn't. Want to bring me that is." He replies, "I can bring you to work, and spend time in the darkroom developing these, but it wouldn't be appropriate for me to bring you to the managers meeting that will probably last an hour or two." "I understand. I'll stay at home and out of your way, it'll be better that way." She heads over to the blanket and picks it up, folding it neatly. The basket with the food in it is already packed up but she leaves it for George. "You ready to end our perfect day?" He replies, "Why does it have to end Ruby? The sun is just starting to set, it will be a few more hours until bedtime." She says, Oh, I just assumed if we were leaving.. I don't know." There is hope in her voice, "Did you have something else planned?" He replies, “We're leaving here, that doesn't mean we can't go elsewhere. There are several theaters in Rochester, would you be up for a play?" Ruby perks up. "Oh that would be great, I could wear the gown you got me! Let's go!" She suddenly stops and blushes. "I guess I should get dressed first, huh?" She laughs then begins putting on her dress. "Or would I just wear this? I wore this to the last play I attended." With a smile he says, "Your present dress would be fine, it's not like you've had it on much of today. From here we'll go out to eat and then to a show." He finishes dressing as well and then the two of them make their way back to the carriage. They find William sitting inside the carriage reading his book, where he is almost to the end. William looks up and says, "Ah, your timing is good. I was afraid that I would be loosing the light." "I hope you weren't too bored out here alone William. We had a fantastic day, it's just perfect here and the weather was beautiful! Of course, your boss makes for good company too," she smiles. William says, "Yes, I have found that true. I have always enjoyed it out here. I trust that he showed you many of the hiking trails. I find the view from Eagle Peak is quite spectacular, on a clear day you can see details on the Canadian side of the lake." She replies, "Actually, no, he didn't show me the hiking trails. I suppose he saved some scenic views for another day," Ruby smiles. "We ate, went swimming and napped. It was glorious!" He says, “Very well then." He looks to George and says, "Where to now sir?" George says, "The Leland House on East Second Avenue." William closes the doors to the carriage and climbs atop the front to drive them to the destination. She says, "What kind of restaurant is that? Or are you leaving it for a surprise?" He replies, "It is a recently constructed Victorian-style building that serves as a hotel with a restaurant and gallery on the ground floor. I have heard that the food is quite good but haven't had somebody to go there with to find out for myself." She says, "Well now you do. It sounds like fun and a good choice." Ruby then watches the sights out the window, passing places here and there that bring back old memories. The ride passes quickly and soon they are back near town. She continues to look curiously out the window for the place they will be spending the next few hours. As they pull up to the Victorian Ruby immediately sees why George choose this place, as it is painted and decorated with a 'Wild West' motif. They enter and she sees that the interior is likewise styled with a western theme. She laughs. "Well, this should be interesting to say the least. We'll see how authentic they are!" She grasps George's arm and lets him lead the way. Ruby has to do her best to keep from laughing at the fake 'western' accent that the waiter who shows them to the table attempts, which is greatly overshadowed by his real accent indicating Brooklyn or the Bronx as his place of origin. They are shown to a table and given menus which list various western fare including chili, refried beans, corn on the cob, barbecue chicken, steak and corn muffins. She says, "Hmm.... BBQ chicken sounds good but we had chicken for lunch. I suppose I'll have the steak myself. Should we have some more wine with dinner Mr. Eastman or are you concerned you might overindulge and do something you regret?" She smiles devilishly, pausing to let the thought sink in before she continues, "Like be late for work?" He smiles and replies, “I won't be late for work, I have important pictures to develop. I think I will go light on the alcohol tonight, perhaps a beer with the meal as that appears to be the house specialty." The waiter comes and he orders a steak, medium rate, with steak cut fried potatoes and corn bread. "That sounds really good, I'll have the same please, all of it." After the waiter leaves Ruby says, "Are you excited about seeing the photos? I hope they turn out as good as you think they will." He states, “Well, my preference is to see the real person instead. Black and white photographs pale by comparison, but they will give me something to look at for times when we are apart. I'm not sure if you noticed, but I keep a picture of you that I took in Promise City on my desk at the office." She says, "I did notice, actually. It's very sweet. I wish I had one of you too." She forgets to add that she stole the picture off his wall and has it in her bag back at his house. She blushes, "Perhaps we don't have to spend too much time apart that we need photographs to keep us company." He says, "Yes, but another purpose of photographs is to preserve how we look in the prime of our lives. Father time is not always kind, although in your case I trust that you will be ravishing at all stages in your life." "Why thank you Mr. Eastman. I would venture to say that when you love someone you always remember them the best they ever looked and never see the flaws. One of the benefits of love I suppose," she laughs. "Of course, I do plan on following your suggestion through and always look ravishing." He replies with a smile, "It is the very least you can do as a benefit to all of mankind."</blockquote>

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