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"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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<blockquote data-quote="orchid blossom" data-source="post: 2746782" data-attributes="member: 12815"><p><strong>Nightmare</strong></p><p></p><p>After the train has been traveling for a while Ruby's head starts to bob and her eyes close.</p><p></p><p>As the fog in her mind lifts the scene before her becomes clearer. Men and women dressed in their finest dance gracefully around a large fancy dance floor. Swirling, twirling fabric from colorful dresses swings around her; light laughing voices fill the room like music. Ruby tries to focus on a voice, a face but she can’t seem to pin any one down as familiar.</p><p></p><p>She wanders though the crowd, unafraid and curious. Awed at the beautiful costumes and people, she studies the room. Gilded mirrors and paintings, huge crystal chandeliers, blood red velvet curtains adorn the huge ballroom, with gold brocade velvet furniture lining the edges. She stops in front of one of the mirrors and looks at herself with a cocked head. She is wearing the same off the shoulder cream dress with the golden embroidery she wore in the dream that she and Jake got married. The huge billowy skirt moves around her like it’s blowing in a breeze Ruby can not feel. Her hair is pinned into large bouncy curls that fall over her shoulders, a jeweled clip precariously holding the large red mass in place.</p><p></p><p>Ruby continues to walk though the crowd trying to figure out where she is when suddenly the dancers part. Standing at the other end is Colin Turner. Dressed in formal evening wear he fits in perfectly with the surroundings. Ruby can feel her heart start racing as the handsome man begins walking purposefully towards her. They lock eyes and everyone else in the crowd disappears.</p><p></p><p>He stops in front of Ruby before she notices one arm is behind his back. He bows low before her and as he does stretches out his hand to her. In it is a single white rose. Ruby reaches for the rose, then puts it to her nose. The soft petals tickle her and she smiles.</p><p></p><p>“Miss West, I am so pleased that you decided to join me.” Ruby is confused; she doesn’t remember making any kind of decision to join Colin. But she isn’t scared or hesitant. “Mr. Turner, thank you for the rose, it’s beautiful.” She carefully places the rose up into her hair.</p><p></p><p>“Oh,” he says, taking a step closer to her, “Its beauty does not compare to yours, but I am glad that you like it. I also have something else for you. Such a magnificent beauty as yourself should be adorned as you deserve.” He takes Ruby by the shoulders and turns her back to him. She is now standing in front of a huge wall covered in mirrors. Again curious, as she was sure they were stranding in the middle of the dance floor, she glances around the room but can not get her bearings. She glances back to the mirror and watches curiously as Colin takes something out of his jacket.</p><p></p><p>In the mirror Ruby watches a huge sparkling diamond and ruby covered choker being held in front of her. Colin moves her hanging curls to one side and strokes her neck as he reaches the necklace around in front of her holding it for a moment so that she can gaze on it. He gracefully lays the necklace on her torso and fastens the delicate clasp. It hugs her neck tightly but hangs over her collar bone and parts rest on her breasts. Ruby is amazed and mesmerized at the sparkling jewels, only having seen something similar in paintings or photographs of royalty from Europe. She reaches up and touches it tenderly in awe.</p><p></p><p>Before she can speak he whisks her away to the dance floor. He pulls her close and grasps her waist tightly, and begins to lead her in a dance. Ruby feels like her feet don’t even touch the floor as she stares into his blue eyes. There was something calming there and she felt comfortable.</p><p></p><p>“Darling Ruby, are you ready to give me forever?” Colin asks confidently.</p><p></p><p>Ruby answers with a smile, “Forever is a very long time. And besides, I’ve already promised it to another. So if I can give it at all, it’s his.”</p><p></p><p>Colin snorts, “You mean that boy you spend your time with? He’s not even a man yet.”</p><p></p><p>Ruby doesn’t get mad or defensive. Rather she answers matter of factly, “He is the love of my life. And there is nothing you can do to change that.”</p><p></p><p>“Perhaps not.” Colin spins Ruby away from him but never lets go of her hand. He pulls her back to him a bit roughly. “But he can not give you immortality like I can. I would wager he would not even give you the rest of his life. If he planned on it he would have done so already. He does not think you are worth it. But I,” he dips her low to the ground and puts his face close to hers, “I can give you eternity.” He pulls her back up close to him, so close that the only thing between the two of them is Ruby’s arms, thrown between them at the last moment. “Eternity to sing, to grace this world with your everlasting beauty and poise, eternity for you and I to spend together. I know you are worth it. You’ll be my lover and companion for all time.”</p><p></p><p>He continues to hold her tight against him. “You and I Ruby West are meant to be together. Time will hold no power over us as it does to these pitiful weak people you call friends.”</p><p></p><p>For the first time this night Ruby tenses up and she tries to wiggle away but Colin is holding her tightly. “I love my friends and Jake. I don’t want to leave them.”</p><p></p><p>“It is but a small price to pay My Love.” Colin straightens Ruby up to him again. “It is a rare and powerful gift I am going to give you darling. It is worth everything. And those who would try to kill us are indeed foolish and unkind. For they do not try to see us for what we really are, instead letting their fear rule their weak minds. But no more of that talk. I know you already feel for us and understand.” Ruby nods her head slightly, reluctantly agreeing to the truth.</p><p></p><p>He runs a finger across her chest, pretending to be caressing the jeweled necklace. He looks deep into her eyes before leaning in and planting a passionate kiss on her. She resists at first, but only briefly before giving into to the passion and desire overwhelming her against her will. Sparks practically fly between them as they kiss and he holds her tight. Ruby loses her breath and gasps for air when Colin finally frees her.</p><p></p><p>He only gives her a brief moment before devouring her with another consuming kiss. His lips wander down her neck as she gasps again, his hands still holding her tight. Ruby's knees buckle slightly and she wilts in Colin's strong arms. A sigh escapes her lips as she can feel his touch on her slender neck, a sigh that turns into a muffled scream as his sharp fangs pierce her neck. </p><p></p><p>Ruby can feel the warmth of her leave as the blood flows from her, her heart starts slowing as does her breathing. Her panic fades into ecstasy as Colin continues his assault on her. Her body writhes against his as unknown and overwhelming feelings course though her. Even as she grows weak and cold the emotions in her grow stronger.</p><p></p><p>Finally he sets her down on the middle of the dance floor, her gown spread out around her. The crowd has gathered around them and Ruby can see they all have glowing eyes and fangs, all happily watching her die. She tries to move but finds she can’t, she is too weak. Colin looks over her adoringly as he pushes some hair off her face. “My Love, you must die to have life, a life that will never end. Do not be afraid, for it will not be long before I return for you.” He leans over and kisses her, and Ruby feels the matching coldness of both of their lips, a coldness that shoots straight to her heart.</p><p></p><p>Suddenly he was gone, they were all gone and she was alone. The only sound was the slowing beat of her heart. Ruby closes her eyes, about all she had strength left to do. Now she was frightened of what was to come. Choices she had made in her life flash before her, her regrets come to mind. Her dark thoughts start to fade when she hears a noise.</p><p></p><p>Someone lifts her head off the ground and strokes her hair off her face. She fights to open her eyes and finds all her friends standing over her. Minerva and Nanuet both have tears streaming down their faces while Katherine stares blankly, a void in her eyes. Chester is praying fervently. Finally she focuses her eyes upwards. It was Jake, her Jake, holding her head off the ground. He stares at her but no emotion could be seen in his ever present poker face.</p><p></p><p>He leans forward slightly and Ruby can feel his fingers gently parting her lips. She tries to smile at him thinking he is caressing her but her gaze is met with something in Jake’s eyes, a pathetic and determined look at the same time. Confused as she look at him she hears Minerva gasp and say, “By the Gods, she is one of them, she is growing…” Her voice trails off. Growing what? Ruby thinks but can’t get the words out.</p><p></p><p>The faces start to grow fuzzy as Ruby’s vision blurs and she gasps for air. Her head is placed down on the floor and all she can see is Jake. He kneels over her and kisses her cold lips. She looks into his eyes, trying to convey the love she feels for him. As her very last breath is inhaled she sees Jake raise his arms over his head and only at the last second does she realize what he is doing. The stake pierces her heart and she lets out one final agonizing cry as her lover ends her life.</p><p></p><p>Ruby bolts upright in her seat, her panicked cry startling everyone in their car. Drenched in sweat, her hair sticking to her forehead she immediately jumps to her feet and frantically gets into the aisle. She trips and falls, landing on her hands and knees as tears stream down her face. She quickly picks herself up and runs through the train cars, car after car, ignoring warnings and proclamations of areas being off limits.</p><p></p><p>She continues to run until she can’t run anymore, making it to the final car and the small little porch on the back of the train. She grasps the railings as the wind whips around her and she slides onto her knees, her back to the door, her tears flying off the train and into the dirt between the tracks. She sobs and sobs and finally cries out, “What have you done to me, you bastard!”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="orchid blossom, post: 2746782, member: 12815"] [b]Nightmare[/b] After the train has been traveling for a while Ruby's head starts to bob and her eyes close. As the fog in her mind lifts the scene before her becomes clearer. Men and women dressed in their finest dance gracefully around a large fancy dance floor. Swirling, twirling fabric from colorful dresses swings around her; light laughing voices fill the room like music. Ruby tries to focus on a voice, a face but she can’t seem to pin any one down as familiar. She wanders though the crowd, unafraid and curious. Awed at the beautiful costumes and people, she studies the room. Gilded mirrors and paintings, huge crystal chandeliers, blood red velvet curtains adorn the huge ballroom, with gold brocade velvet furniture lining the edges. She stops in front of one of the mirrors and looks at herself with a cocked head. She is wearing the same off the shoulder cream dress with the golden embroidery she wore in the dream that she and Jake got married. The huge billowy skirt moves around her like it’s blowing in a breeze Ruby can not feel. Her hair is pinned into large bouncy curls that fall over her shoulders, a jeweled clip precariously holding the large red mass in place. Ruby continues to walk though the crowd trying to figure out where she is when suddenly the dancers part. Standing at the other end is Colin Turner. Dressed in formal evening wear he fits in perfectly with the surroundings. Ruby can feel her heart start racing as the handsome man begins walking purposefully towards her. They lock eyes and everyone else in the crowd disappears. He stops in front of Ruby before she notices one arm is behind his back. He bows low before her and as he does stretches out his hand to her. In it is a single white rose. Ruby reaches for the rose, then puts it to her nose. The soft petals tickle her and she smiles. “Miss West, I am so pleased that you decided to join me.” Ruby is confused; she doesn’t remember making any kind of decision to join Colin. But she isn’t scared or hesitant. “Mr. Turner, thank you for the rose, it’s beautiful.” She carefully places the rose up into her hair. “Oh,” he says, taking a step closer to her, “Its beauty does not compare to yours, but I am glad that you like it. I also have something else for you. Such a magnificent beauty as yourself should be adorned as you deserve.” He takes Ruby by the shoulders and turns her back to him. She is now standing in front of a huge wall covered in mirrors. Again curious, as she was sure they were stranding in the middle of the dance floor, she glances around the room but can not get her bearings. She glances back to the mirror and watches curiously as Colin takes something out of his jacket. In the mirror Ruby watches a huge sparkling diamond and ruby covered choker being held in front of her. Colin moves her hanging curls to one side and strokes her neck as he reaches the necklace around in front of her holding it for a moment so that she can gaze on it. He gracefully lays the necklace on her torso and fastens the delicate clasp. It hugs her neck tightly but hangs over her collar bone and parts rest on her breasts. Ruby is amazed and mesmerized at the sparkling jewels, only having seen something similar in paintings or photographs of royalty from Europe. She reaches up and touches it tenderly in awe. Before she can speak he whisks her away to the dance floor. He pulls her close and grasps her waist tightly, and begins to lead her in a dance. Ruby feels like her feet don’t even touch the floor as she stares into his blue eyes. There was something calming there and she felt comfortable. “Darling Ruby, are you ready to give me forever?” Colin asks confidently. Ruby answers with a smile, “Forever is a very long time. And besides, I’ve already promised it to another. So if I can give it at all, it’s his.” Colin snorts, “You mean that boy you spend your time with? He’s not even a man yet.” Ruby doesn’t get mad or defensive. Rather she answers matter of factly, “He is the love of my life. And there is nothing you can do to change that.” “Perhaps not.” Colin spins Ruby away from him but never lets go of her hand. He pulls her back to him a bit roughly. “But he can not give you immortality like I can. I would wager he would not even give you the rest of his life. If he planned on it he would have done so already. He does not think you are worth it. But I,” he dips her low to the ground and puts his face close to hers, “I can give you eternity.” He pulls her back up close to him, so close that the only thing between the two of them is Ruby’s arms, thrown between them at the last moment. “Eternity to sing, to grace this world with your everlasting beauty and poise, eternity for you and I to spend together. I know you are worth it. You’ll be my lover and companion for all time.” He continues to hold her tight against him. “You and I Ruby West are meant to be together. Time will hold no power over us as it does to these pitiful weak people you call friends.” For the first time this night Ruby tenses up and she tries to wiggle away but Colin is holding her tightly. “I love my friends and Jake. I don’t want to leave them.” “It is but a small price to pay My Love.” Colin straightens Ruby up to him again. “It is a rare and powerful gift I am going to give you darling. It is worth everything. And those who would try to kill us are indeed foolish and unkind. For they do not try to see us for what we really are, instead letting their fear rule their weak minds. But no more of that talk. I know you already feel for us and understand.” Ruby nods her head slightly, reluctantly agreeing to the truth. He runs a finger across her chest, pretending to be caressing the jeweled necklace. He looks deep into her eyes before leaning in and planting a passionate kiss on her. She resists at first, but only briefly before giving into to the passion and desire overwhelming her against her will. Sparks practically fly between them as they kiss and he holds her tight. Ruby loses her breath and gasps for air when Colin finally frees her. He only gives her a brief moment before devouring her with another consuming kiss. His lips wander down her neck as she gasps again, his hands still holding her tight. Ruby's knees buckle slightly and she wilts in Colin's strong arms. A sigh escapes her lips as she can feel his touch on her slender neck, a sigh that turns into a muffled scream as his sharp fangs pierce her neck. Ruby can feel the warmth of her leave as the blood flows from her, her heart starts slowing as does her breathing. Her panic fades into ecstasy as Colin continues his assault on her. Her body writhes against his as unknown and overwhelming feelings course though her. Even as she grows weak and cold the emotions in her grow stronger. Finally he sets her down on the middle of the dance floor, her gown spread out around her. The crowd has gathered around them and Ruby can see they all have glowing eyes and fangs, all happily watching her die. She tries to move but finds she can’t, she is too weak. Colin looks over her adoringly as he pushes some hair off her face. “My Love, you must die to have life, a life that will never end. Do not be afraid, for it will not be long before I return for you.” He leans over and kisses her, and Ruby feels the matching coldness of both of their lips, a coldness that shoots straight to her heart. Suddenly he was gone, they were all gone and she was alone. The only sound was the slowing beat of her heart. Ruby closes her eyes, about all she had strength left to do. Now she was frightened of what was to come. Choices she had made in her life flash before her, her regrets come to mind. Her dark thoughts start to fade when she hears a noise. Someone lifts her head off the ground and strokes her hair off her face. She fights to open her eyes and finds all her friends standing over her. Minerva and Nanuet both have tears streaming down their faces while Katherine stares blankly, a void in her eyes. Chester is praying fervently. Finally she focuses her eyes upwards. It was Jake, her Jake, holding her head off the ground. He stares at her but no emotion could be seen in his ever present poker face. He leans forward slightly and Ruby can feel his fingers gently parting her lips. She tries to smile at him thinking he is caressing her but her gaze is met with something in Jake’s eyes, a pathetic and determined look at the same time. Confused as she look at him she hears Minerva gasp and say, “By the Gods, she is one of them, she is growing…” Her voice trails off. Growing what? Ruby thinks but can’t get the words out. The faces start to grow fuzzy as Ruby’s vision blurs and she gasps for air. Her head is placed down on the floor and all she can see is Jake. He kneels over her and kisses her cold lips. She looks into his eyes, trying to convey the love she feels for him. As her very last breath is inhaled she sees Jake raise his arms over his head and only at the last second does she realize what he is doing. The stake pierces her heart and she lets out one final agonizing cry as her lover ends her life. Ruby bolts upright in her seat, her panicked cry startling everyone in their car. Drenched in sweat, her hair sticking to her forehead she immediately jumps to her feet and frantically gets into the aisle. She trips and falls, landing on her hands and knees as tears stream down her face. She quickly picks herself up and runs through the train cars, car after car, ignoring warnings and proclamations of areas being off limits. She continues to run until she can’t run anymore, making it to the final car and the small little porch on the back of the train. She grasps the railings as the wind whips around her and she slides onto her knees, her back to the door, her tears flying off the train and into the dirt between the tracks. She sobs and sobs and finally cries out, “What have you done to me, you bastard!” [/QUOTE]
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