Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="orchid blossom" data-source="post: 2753681" data-attributes="member: 12815"><p>Jake has just returned with Nanuet and hadn't even sat back down with Ruby when she bolts right by him. He is momentarily stunned. </p><p></p><p>Chester follows the advice given to him in the army, get sleep whenever you can. As he drifts off with his hat covering his face, Ruby screams. Chester's eyes open wide. "Are we under attack?" He looks out the window, but sees nothing there. Finally he realizes Ruby has bolted. <em>Blast it. She might hurt herself.</em> Chester follows the panicked woman to the rear of the train. "Ruby, what is it? Is it Turner?"</p><p></p><p>Nanuet was also startled by the scream as was everyone in the car which was about 2/3 full. He saw Chester get up to follow her and his eyes went to Jake. "Is she OK? Should someone else be following her?"</p><p></p><p> "She is not OK." Jake steps out into the aisle. "But I don't know what in hades to do about it. If she is going to jump neither one of us could catch her anyway." He moves quickly through the cars and around the disarray she must have created on her way.</p><p></p><p>Ruby doesn't turn to face Chester. "Leave me a-alone Chester, p-pleasse," she sobs, her head leaning up against the railing. "I j-just want to be alone."</p><p></p><p>Chester stands in the doorway. "And I don't think you should be alone now. You're scared and you probably feel like no one can help you. But, please, let us help. It kills us seeing you like this."</p><p></p><p>Ruby stands and faces Chester. With fire in her eyes she says forcefully, "You <em>can’t</em> help me, no one can. I want to be alone right now." She pulls the wind whipped hair off her face as the tears continue to stream, "I won't jump, if that's what you're thinking. I know you don't understand but I just need to be alone."</p><p></p><p>As Ruby and Chester talk the door opens again and a man wearing a dark blue uniform sticks his head out. He yells in order to be heard over the sound of the train and the wind. </p><p></p><p>"Everything OK back here folks? I don't want to be causing any problems but we ain't supposed to let you stay back here, not exactly the safest spot on the train."</p><p></p><p>As Jake arrives he sees the man in a dark blue uniform speaking to Ruby and Chester. Ruby is facing towards him and Jake can clearly see the tears on her face. Jake taps the man in the uniform on the shoulder and whispers, "That man is a deputy marshall, I'm sure he can handle this."</p><p></p><p>"Oh, uh sorry, I didn't know" the man says sheepishly.</p><p></p><p>Ruby narrows her eyes at the man, "Go away! We wouldn't be out here if we didn't need to be."</p><p></p><p>The man jumps and stammers as he speaks. "Oh, uh... well... sorry, just erm... trying to do my job." He then turns around and squeezes past Jake and quickly makes his way back towards the front of the train.</p><p></p><p>As the man leaves Ruby spots Jake. Her mind runs as she tries to decide to also send him away or try to explain... try to fix things... </p><p></p><p>She wipes a couple tears off her face then looks at Chester. Speaking softly she says, "I need to talk to Jake now. Thank you for being a good friend." Ruby gives him a quick but heartfelt hug then pushes him on his way while making eye coontact with Jake through her tears.</p><p></p><p>Chester says, "You're welcome, Ruby. We're all here if you need us. OK? I don't understand why you want to be alone right now, but that's your choice." Chester moves past Jake on his way back to their railcar. "Hey, Jake. Ruby had a nightmare or something. She wants to talk to you."</p><p></p><p>After Chester squeezes through Jake moves outside with Ruby. "My eyes were bothering me because of the cinders from the engine. I'd wager that's not what's bothering you."</p><p></p><p>* * * * *</p><p></p><p>Kate stared at Ruby like everyone else in the car. A buzz of conversation started as she tore down the aisle. Kate was halfway out of her seat before she remembered she was not herself. She turned the movement into an incredulous stare and forced herself to stay in her place. A moment later Chester took off after Ruby and Kate breathed a sigh of relief.</p><p></p><p>A minute or so later Chester sits down next Nanuet and Minerva. "Whew. Ruby should be OK for now. Something must have really spooked her. Do you know what it might be?"</p><p></p><p>"No idea Chet,” Nanuet answers. “She was sleeping and then woke up with a start. Perhaps a bad dream?"</p><p></p><p>Madeline stood up and approached the seat where Miss Florencia, Chester, and Nanuet were sitting. </p><p></p><p>"Pardon me," she said with only the slightest twang in her voice. "Is your friend alright? I have some laudanum if it would help her."</p><p></p><p>“Gracias, Senorita. Your kindness is appreciated. I do believe that the young lady's escort will be able to calm her down. She is just a bit high strung. Perhaps your laudanum will be of benefit to her when she returns. Please do join us." she says for the benefit of anyone who may be listening as she moves over to make room for Kate.</p><p></p><p>Nanuet adds, "Thanks for the offer ma'am, but I think she'll be alright. Probably just needed some fresh air, maybe a bad dream or something not agreeing with her stomach. I imagine she'll be back shortly."</p><p></p><p>"I'm glad to hear it's nothing serious," Madeline said with a charming smile.</p><p></p><p>Chester looks up at "Madeline." "Good afternoon, miss. She should be OK now. Her friend is seeing to her. She just needs some air. have a seat. I'm Chester Martin and these are my friends Nanuet and Minerva Florencia. And you are?"</p><p></p><p>"Well, aren't you just the sweetest thing?" she said and took the offered seat. "I'm Madeline Anders, but you can call me Maddie if you like. I just love trains, don't you? Where are you headed?"</p><p></p><p>At this point a man walks through the car announcing that lunch will be served in the two dining cars, one which can be located several cars to the front the other two cars behind them. He also announces that they are right on schedule.</p><p></p><p>"Well, that's good news, isn't it? I have a little basket for my lunch but I think I just might treat myself and buy my meal." Kate chatted lightly away for a few minutes until the other passengers went back to ignoring the group. She kept the light tone of voice but spoke much quieter. "Is she really alright?"</p><p></p><p>Chester whispers back, "Not really. She's still shaken up about her dream. Jake's back there, though. She wanted to be alone for a bit."</p><p></p><p>"It must be terrible for her. It's not like the other troubles, we could see how they started, and no matter what else was happening, they were only men. This thing wants her, and she did nothing to bring it about. We have to finish this quickly." Kate had been learning forward, but when she finished talking she sat back with a big grin and looked around the car.</p><p></p><p>Nanuet listens to the conversation but doesn't have anything to add. When "Maddie" sits back he fidgets in his seat a bit and then says. "Well if any of you are hungry just go along, I think I'll stay here till they come back, you know just to make sure they are OK."</p><p></p><p>"Well, you let your friend know that she's welcome to my Laudanum if she wants it. I think I'll go and get some lunch," Kate said with a sunny smile. "It was just charming of all of you to let me sit with you for a while. I love meeting new friends."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="orchid blossom, post: 2753681, member: 12815"] Jake has just returned with Nanuet and hadn't even sat back down with Ruby when she bolts right by him. He is momentarily stunned. Chester follows the advice given to him in the army, get sleep whenever you can. As he drifts off with his hat covering his face, Ruby screams. Chester's eyes open wide. "Are we under attack?" He looks out the window, but sees nothing there. Finally he realizes Ruby has bolted. [i]Blast it. She might hurt herself.[/i] Chester follows the panicked woman to the rear of the train. "Ruby, what is it? Is it Turner?" Nanuet was also startled by the scream as was everyone in the car which was about 2/3 full. He saw Chester get up to follow her and his eyes went to Jake. "Is she OK? Should someone else be following her?" "She is not OK." Jake steps out into the aisle. "But I don't know what in hades to do about it. If she is going to jump neither one of us could catch her anyway." He moves quickly through the cars and around the disarray she must have created on her way. Ruby doesn't turn to face Chester. "Leave me a-alone Chester, p-pleasse," she sobs, her head leaning up against the railing. "I j-just want to be alone." Chester stands in the doorway. "And I don't think you should be alone now. You're scared and you probably feel like no one can help you. But, please, let us help. It kills us seeing you like this." Ruby stands and faces Chester. With fire in her eyes she says forcefully, "You [i]can’t[/i] help me, no one can. I want to be alone right now." She pulls the wind whipped hair off her face as the tears continue to stream, "I won't jump, if that's what you're thinking. I know you don't understand but I just need to be alone." As Ruby and Chester talk the door opens again and a man wearing a dark blue uniform sticks his head out. He yells in order to be heard over the sound of the train and the wind. "Everything OK back here folks? I don't want to be causing any problems but we ain't supposed to let you stay back here, not exactly the safest spot on the train." As Jake arrives he sees the man in a dark blue uniform speaking to Ruby and Chester. Ruby is facing towards him and Jake can clearly see the tears on her face. Jake taps the man in the uniform on the shoulder and whispers, "That man is a deputy marshall, I'm sure he can handle this." "Oh, uh sorry, I didn't know" the man says sheepishly. Ruby narrows her eyes at the man, "Go away! We wouldn't be out here if we didn't need to be." The man jumps and stammers as he speaks. "Oh, uh... well... sorry, just erm... trying to do my job." He then turns around and squeezes past Jake and quickly makes his way back towards the front of the train. As the man leaves Ruby spots Jake. Her mind runs as she tries to decide to also send him away or try to explain... try to fix things... She wipes a couple tears off her face then looks at Chester. Speaking softly she says, "I need to talk to Jake now. Thank you for being a good friend." Ruby gives him a quick but heartfelt hug then pushes him on his way while making eye coontact with Jake through her tears. Chester says, "You're welcome, Ruby. We're all here if you need us. OK? I don't understand why you want to be alone right now, but that's your choice." Chester moves past Jake on his way back to their railcar. "Hey, Jake. Ruby had a nightmare or something. She wants to talk to you." After Chester squeezes through Jake moves outside with Ruby. "My eyes were bothering me because of the cinders from the engine. I'd wager that's not what's bothering you." * * * * * Kate stared at Ruby like everyone else in the car. A buzz of conversation started as she tore down the aisle. Kate was halfway out of her seat before she remembered she was not herself. She turned the movement into an incredulous stare and forced herself to stay in her place. A moment later Chester took off after Ruby and Kate breathed a sigh of relief. A minute or so later Chester sits down next Nanuet and Minerva. "Whew. Ruby should be OK for now. Something must have really spooked her. Do you know what it might be?" "No idea Chet,” Nanuet answers. “She was sleeping and then woke up with a start. Perhaps a bad dream?" Madeline stood up and approached the seat where Miss Florencia, Chester, and Nanuet were sitting. "Pardon me," she said with only the slightest twang in her voice. "Is your friend alright? I have some laudanum if it would help her." “Gracias, Senorita. Your kindness is appreciated. I do believe that the young lady's escort will be able to calm her down. She is just a bit high strung. Perhaps your laudanum will be of benefit to her when she returns. Please do join us." she says for the benefit of anyone who may be listening as she moves over to make room for Kate. Nanuet adds, "Thanks for the offer ma'am, but I think she'll be alright. Probably just needed some fresh air, maybe a bad dream or something not agreeing with her stomach. I imagine she'll be back shortly." "I'm glad to hear it's nothing serious," Madeline said with a charming smile. Chester looks up at "Madeline." "Good afternoon, miss. She should be OK now. Her friend is seeing to her. She just needs some air. have a seat. I'm Chester Martin and these are my friends Nanuet and Minerva Florencia. And you are?" "Well, aren't you just the sweetest thing?" she said and took the offered seat. "I'm Madeline Anders, but you can call me Maddie if you like. I just love trains, don't you? Where are you headed?" At this point a man walks through the car announcing that lunch will be served in the two dining cars, one which can be located several cars to the front the other two cars behind them. He also announces that they are right on schedule. "Well, that's good news, isn't it? I have a little basket for my lunch but I think I just might treat myself and buy my meal." Kate chatted lightly away for a few minutes until the other passengers went back to ignoring the group. She kept the light tone of voice but spoke much quieter. "Is she really alright?" Chester whispers back, "Not really. She's still shaken up about her dream. Jake's back there, though. She wanted to be alone for a bit." "It must be terrible for her. It's not like the other troubles, we could see how they started, and no matter what else was happening, they were only men. This thing wants her, and she did nothing to bring it about. We have to finish this quickly." Kate had been learning forward, but when she finished talking she sat back with a big grin and looked around the car. Nanuet listens to the conversation but doesn't have anything to add. When "Maddie" sits back he fidgets in his seat a bit and then says. "Well if any of you are hungry just go along, I think I'll stay here till they come back, you know just to make sure they are OK." "Well, you let your friend know that she's welcome to my Laudanum if she wants it. I think I'll go and get some lunch," Kate said with a sunny smile. "It was just charming of all of you to let me sit with you for a while. I love meeting new friends." [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
Top