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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: 2782761" data-attributes="member: 12815"><p>Kate looked to Chester and said, "Do you suddenly feel as if we had some horrible, communicable disease?" </p><p></p><p>He grins. "Sometimes I wonder." He pauses and says, "Everyone's worried about Ruby. On the train she told me I couldn't help her. It won't stop me, but she's feeling the strain. Are you going to see this guy?"</p><p></p><p>She sighed a bit. "I think I will take the man up on his offer, since you are willing to chaperone. Discreetly." She whispered, "I can't go to Ruby, so I might as well do something to keep my mind off it." </p><p></p><p>"Well, you've been absoutely charming," she said louder, "but you seem to have lost your friends. I think I'll go get another glass of wine while you look for them." She got up and went back to her circut of the room, stopping to watch a poker game going on.</p><p></p><p>Chester watches her leave, trying to see if anyone else is paying her special attention. He continues nursing his beer. <em>Can't be a chaperone if I'm half seas over.</em></p><p></p><p>Several men eye the transfigured Kate as she makes her way around the room. As she approaches the poker game the men seated in such a way that they were facing her all stop the game for a moment to take her in. Those with their backs turned all crane their necks to see the object of desire of their fellow players. Most of them go back to the game but a couple keep glancing over at her.</p><p></p><p>It took a great deal of control to keep herself from blushing. She reminded herself that these men would never have glanced at Katherine Kale, but Maddie was a different story. How much of her safety had been because she wasn't worth noticing was something Kate hadn't thought about before. She suddenly remembered Maggie's story about how people had come to believe she and Tom were married. </p><p></p><p>As casually as she could, Kate turned away from the game and found a quiet corner to sit in.</p><p></p><p>The time spent in the saloon passes fairly uneventfully. A few people come and go, but no one that sticks out. About an hour after Kate received the drink and the note from the bartender she finds him standing in front of her. </p><p></p><p>"Well, you stuck around so I am thinking that is a good sign. Give me a few minutes to get cleaned up and I can show you around town a bit?"</p><p></p><p>"I'd be glad to see some more of the town," she smiled brightly. "I won't be here long, I have to leave on the next stage. Is that tomorrow, or the next day? The one out toward Thomasville?"</p><p></p><p>"Umm... Thomasville? Oh Thomaswell you mean? Well there is a stage that passes that way tomorrow, usually leaves around noontime. Not sure why you'd want to head to that place though, not much there anymore. So, what's your fancy? Some dancing? Live music or cards perhaps? Oh, and the name's Joe, Joe Fisher." </p><p></p><p>Joe offers his arm to Maddie and escorts her out into the street as they talk.</p><p></p><p>When Chester sees the bartender leave, he walks out the door. He finds a building to hide next to and waits for the man and "Maddie" to exit the bar.</p><p></p><p>"My name is Madeline Anders, but you can call me Maddie. Oh, and music please!" She said brightly, "And with music usually comes dancing." She let the smile slip a bit in concern. "I'm supposed to have family to visit in Thomaswell, would they still be there? What happened to the town?"</p><p></p><p>"Well, I know a few places that have both live music and dancing, some nights it can get rather quiet so we should head over there now." </p><p></p><p>Mr. Fisher leads Maddie through the streets of Albuquerque for about a dozen blocks and into what looks like the less wholesome part of town. He walks close with her and answers any questions she asks with confidence. "Lived here all my life, interesting town when you get to know your way around. As far as your family in Thomaswell, if they told you they were still there then I imagine they would be, but Thomaswell has pretty much served it's purpose since the railroad heads further west now. The town used to be a stopover point for travelers and traders heading that way but now everyone pretty much uses the train. Folks down there must have some way to make a living but I am certain I don't know what it is." </p><p></p><p>Once Joe is finished speaking they find themselves outside a seedy looking building with the windows shuttered and dark. The sign hanging outside looks like the name has been changed a dozen times and now simply reads 'Dancin'. Maddie however can here the sounds of music being played and people enjoying themselves inside. "I know it don't look like much, but this place is a lot of fun. Let's go have a look and see if you're agreeable."</p><p></p><p>The establishment reminded her of the place Mr. Gonzales had taken them in New Orleans, and that place had turned out to be fine. Kate still wasn't sure she should even be here, but already she had learned something about Thomaswell. An odd place for someone like Turner to be; there couldn't have been much to, she shivered at the thought, to sustain him there. But perhaps a place that people had forgotten served to hide his activities. If it was a small enough place, they would have to assume some of the residents were his agents. </p><p></p><p>"Oh, I know you'll take care of me and keep anyone from giving me a hard time. It can't hurt to look, can it? And I do so love to dance," she finished, shooting a glance behind her to see if she could spot Chester.</p><p></p><p>Joe reaches into his pocket and takes out some coins. "Need to pay a cover fee to get in the door. Just stay close to me when we go in, at least until you get your bearings. I can be dark and busy in there." </p><p></p><p>He opens the door and hands a few coins to a large man standing just inside the door. "Hey Tommy, this is for me and the lady. Who's playing tonight?" </p><p></p><p>"Connie's singing, didn't recognize the band, but she always changes it up." </p><p></p><p>"Thanks Tommy." </p><p></p><p>Joe leads Maddie inside the crowded narrow building. As promised it was dark and packed. A makeshift bar was set up on a table in the corner where patrons bought drinks from unlabeled bottles. There was a stage against the wall opposite the door where they came in and a singer and a 5 piece band squeezed onto it. The music was lively and mostly improvisational and couples danced enthusiastically throughout the room in unconventional dance steps. </p><p></p><p>"Well it looks like were set up for some fun tonight? Care for a drink or should we just dance?" Joe asked Maddie with his voice raised to compete with the music.</p><p></p><p>"Let's just dance! Traveling with a hangover is never fun," she grinned. "And if I get too drunk I wouldn't remember the fun I had, and I did promise to remember you, didn't I?" </p><p></p><p>She grabbed unto his hand and pulled him out onto the dance floor, keeping her eye on the door hoping to see Chester come in. "How long have you lived here? You must get a lot of travelers in your saloon, being right next to the hotel and all," she shouted.</p><p></p><p>"Lived here my whole life, born and raised. Never traveled anywhere, guess this place is exciting enough for me." Joe moves around the dance floor surprisingly well considering his limp, he leads Maddie in an upbeat and lively dance the two moving spryly around the dance floor. Maddie notices most of the people here are good dancers and all seem to be quite loose and free in their dancing form. Several people seem to be in groups rather than couples as partners continuously change. </p><p></p><p>"Yeah, we get a lot of travelers, on account of the train and the hotel being so close. I think the boss would have preferred a more regular crowd for the card games and all but we do OK." </p><p></p><p>Joe continues to dance as long as Maddie wants to.</p><p></p><p>Maddie danced for the next hour, trying to learn as much as she could about the area without raising suspicions. They took a few breaks, when she chatted with other dancers. She took no other partners, and when the ladies realized she wasn't changing they were more willing to chat with her. She managed to lead a few conversations to a point where she could see if they remembered seeing Colin Turner, usually by saying she had met the most handsome man a couple towns back. </p><p></p><p>After that hour passed, Maddie asked to go back to the hotel, saying, "My trip took more out of me than I thought. I'm just exhausted, and I have another long trip tomorrow. Would you walk me back to the hotel please?"</p><p></p><p>Unfortunately Kate/Maddie gets very little in the way of information regarding Colin Turner. She hears that somebody matching his description used to pass through as a traveling salesman type a while back, but that he hasn't been through here in months as far as she knew. </p><p></p><p>Joe does offer to escort Maddie back to the hotel. "Well I am sorry to hear that you'll be moving on so soon, I certainly did have a nice time with you. Hope your family in Thomaswell is well. If you pass back through Albuquerque please stop by Kincaide's again."</p><p></p><p>"Oh, I'm sure I will. How could I resist when you've been so friendly? And such a gentleman." She got up on her toes and kissed his cheek. "Good night, Joe," she said, and with the same over the shoulder smile that she'd given him earlier she slipped into the hotel. </p><p></p><p>Back in her room Kate breathed a sigh of relief. She'd had a little taste of what it would be like to be Ruby for a night, and she was suddenly glad of her own modest figure that let her move mostly unnoticed. </p><p></p><p>* * *</p><p></p><p>Minerva smiles in remembrance "Last night was quite special." She pauses. “I think that a little relaxation and rest are a good idea. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow." Nanuet and Minerva find a quiet spot. They order a drink and Minerva shares her concerns. </p><p></p><p>"I am worried about Ruby. She is becoming more volatile and skittish every day. If she does not come to terms with her fear soon, she is going to get us all killed. Her behavior is becoming so erratic that even Senor Jake cannot tell whether it is her insecurities causing her actions or Colin Turner influencing her mind. He even managed to convince me to use my magic to find out if that monster was controlling her… aaand as if Senor Jake is not already confused enough…" Minerva says in exasperation, “she has chosen <em>this</em> moment to confront him about his feelings toward marriage. I don't know what is going on in that girls head, but this is <strong>not</strong> the time to distract him from the danger at hand." </p><p></p><p>Nanuet thinks upon her words for a moment. "Well, I can't say that if I had that monster in my head that I would be acting any differently. Even though you used your prayers to examine her, can you be so sure that Turner's powers are of the nature that you can see them?” </p><p></p><p>"Oh, I had not thought of that." she says in alarm. "I hope not! But I suppose it is possible." </p><p></p><p>Nanuet leans closer. "He might be planting thoughts in her head right this very moment. I agree, we can't trust Ruby to be herself until she proves that she is. The marriage talk is bad timing, but that is something that they have to sort out between them. Perhaps Aphrodite has influenced Ruby in that direction and that is why she brings it up now? Jake is not the only one of us in this group though. We are all here for the same reason and we will all have a role to play in this monster's demise." </p><p></p><p>"Yes, but I don't think that this is Aphrodite’s influence. I suspect this is just Ruby being Ruby… and as for Jake, I would not assume that he is here for the same reasons as we are. I suspect that his sole purpose is to save Ruby and that he will do that any way that he can, even if that means letting the monster go free or sacrificing one of us. As for Ruby I think that she will do the same for Jake. Even if that means sneaking off with this monster and giving him what he wants. Minerva looks at Nanuet with a troubled expression. “No I do not think that we can trust either one of them until they learn to trust one another, or at least until we know what is going on in their heads. Has Jake said anything to you?" </p><p></p><p>"We talked when I followed him outside on the train, but I told him I would keep the conversation private. Jake and Ruby have different motivations than us, that is for sure, but they have helped me in the past when I needed it and I don't think they would just throw any of us to the wolves." </p><p></p><p>"I am not suggesting that they would do so willingly but they are very confused and uncertain about one another right now. Their fear clouds their faith and I do not believe that they are capable of making sound judgments. Please, just keep a close eye on them, for all of our sakes." </p><p></p><p>Minerva sips her drink and stifles a yawn. She shakes her head as she thinks on her conversation with Ruby. "Why is it that people think that a piece of paper is needed as proof of their love? It does not change anything in the eyes of the gods. Does a birth registered in the family holy book make someone any more alive? Or a death certificate make them more dead? No, it is as it is because the gods have ordained it to be so. Life would be much simpler if Ruby and Jake could accept that one simple premise instead of worrying about what <em>men</em> have told them might happen if they dare to love too much. "She smiles sleepily and takes Nanuet's hands in hers. "I do not need a piece of paper as proof of our bonding. I feel it in my heart and know it to be true." </p><p></p><p>"I too feel our bond and know that it is strong. I do however see the use of formal ceremony to make the bond official and public. My people have a bonding ceremony to show that people are married and someday I would hope that we would do the same. If anything it is a celebration of our love for one another. I can see how Ruby would want vows from Jake, vows that would have some permanency and legs to stand on." </p><p></p><p>Minerva looks at him questioningly. "I agree that the ceremony is an important event meant to share ones happiness with the community and I look forward to the day when we share that moment with our friends and community, but I do not need words and ceremonies to prove my love for you or yours for me. I celebrate our bond each waking moment and in my dreams I celebrate it with the gods. Do you believe that our bond is any less eternal, because we have not yet shared our knowledge with the community?" </p><p></p><p>Nanuet takes Minerva's hands and looks deeply into her eyes. He smiles and then speaks. "Minerva Garcia Florencia, I love you. No ceremony or piece of paper will change that. We have a special bond, one that is even realized by the Gods. I am fully committed to you, and I hope you never doubt that." </p><p></p><p>Minerva squeezes his hand. “I do not, Mi Amor. My faith in our love is boundless and eternal... but I would like to take this opportunity to show you, once again, just <em>how much</em> I love you. Come let us go upstairs," she says teasingly and rising takes him by the hand to lead him up to their room where she give him a thorough demonstration of her love for him.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="orchid blossom, post: 2782761, member: 12815"] Kate looked to Chester and said, "Do you suddenly feel as if we had some horrible, communicable disease?" He grins. "Sometimes I wonder." He pauses and says, "Everyone's worried about Ruby. On the train she told me I couldn't help her. It won't stop me, but she's feeling the strain. Are you going to see this guy?" She sighed a bit. "I think I will take the man up on his offer, since you are willing to chaperone. Discreetly." She whispered, "I can't go to Ruby, so I might as well do something to keep my mind off it." "Well, you've been absoutely charming," she said louder, "but you seem to have lost your friends. I think I'll go get another glass of wine while you look for them." She got up and went back to her circut of the room, stopping to watch a poker game going on. Chester watches her leave, trying to see if anyone else is paying her special attention. He continues nursing his beer. [i]Can't be a chaperone if I'm half seas over.[/i] Several men eye the transfigured Kate as she makes her way around the room. As she approaches the poker game the men seated in such a way that they were facing her all stop the game for a moment to take her in. Those with their backs turned all crane their necks to see the object of desire of their fellow players. Most of them go back to the game but a couple keep glancing over at her. It took a great deal of control to keep herself from blushing. She reminded herself that these men would never have glanced at Katherine Kale, but Maddie was a different story. How much of her safety had been because she wasn't worth noticing was something Kate hadn't thought about before. She suddenly remembered Maggie's story about how people had come to believe she and Tom were married. As casually as she could, Kate turned away from the game and found a quiet corner to sit in. The time spent in the saloon passes fairly uneventfully. A few people come and go, but no one that sticks out. About an hour after Kate received the drink and the note from the bartender she finds him standing in front of her. "Well, you stuck around so I am thinking that is a good sign. Give me a few minutes to get cleaned up and I can show you around town a bit?" "I'd be glad to see some more of the town," she smiled brightly. "I won't be here long, I have to leave on the next stage. Is that tomorrow, or the next day? The one out toward Thomasville?" "Umm... Thomasville? Oh Thomaswell you mean? Well there is a stage that passes that way tomorrow, usually leaves around noontime. Not sure why you'd want to head to that place though, not much there anymore. So, what's your fancy? Some dancing? Live music or cards perhaps? Oh, and the name's Joe, Joe Fisher." Joe offers his arm to Maddie and escorts her out into the street as they talk. When Chester sees the bartender leave, he walks out the door. He finds a building to hide next to and waits for the man and "Maddie" to exit the bar. "My name is Madeline Anders, but you can call me Maddie. Oh, and music please!" She said brightly, "And with music usually comes dancing." She let the smile slip a bit in concern. "I'm supposed to have family to visit in Thomaswell, would they still be there? What happened to the town?" "Well, I know a few places that have both live music and dancing, some nights it can get rather quiet so we should head over there now." Mr. Fisher leads Maddie through the streets of Albuquerque for about a dozen blocks and into what looks like the less wholesome part of town. He walks close with her and answers any questions she asks with confidence. "Lived here all my life, interesting town when you get to know your way around. As far as your family in Thomaswell, if they told you they were still there then I imagine they would be, but Thomaswell has pretty much served it's purpose since the railroad heads further west now. The town used to be a stopover point for travelers and traders heading that way but now everyone pretty much uses the train. Folks down there must have some way to make a living but I am certain I don't know what it is." Once Joe is finished speaking they find themselves outside a seedy looking building with the windows shuttered and dark. The sign hanging outside looks like the name has been changed a dozen times and now simply reads 'Dancin'. Maddie however can here the sounds of music being played and people enjoying themselves inside. "I know it don't look like much, but this place is a lot of fun. Let's go have a look and see if you're agreeable." The establishment reminded her of the place Mr. Gonzales had taken them in New Orleans, and that place had turned out to be fine. Kate still wasn't sure she should even be here, but already she had learned something about Thomaswell. An odd place for someone like Turner to be; there couldn't have been much to, she shivered at the thought, to sustain him there. But perhaps a place that people had forgotten served to hide his activities. If it was a small enough place, they would have to assume some of the residents were his agents. "Oh, I know you'll take care of me and keep anyone from giving me a hard time. It can't hurt to look, can it? And I do so love to dance," she finished, shooting a glance behind her to see if she could spot Chester. Joe reaches into his pocket and takes out some coins. "Need to pay a cover fee to get in the door. Just stay close to me when we go in, at least until you get your bearings. I can be dark and busy in there." He opens the door and hands a few coins to a large man standing just inside the door. "Hey Tommy, this is for me and the lady. Who's playing tonight?" "Connie's singing, didn't recognize the band, but she always changes it up." "Thanks Tommy." Joe leads Maddie inside the crowded narrow building. As promised it was dark and packed. A makeshift bar was set up on a table in the corner where patrons bought drinks from unlabeled bottles. There was a stage against the wall opposite the door where they came in and a singer and a 5 piece band squeezed onto it. The music was lively and mostly improvisational and couples danced enthusiastically throughout the room in unconventional dance steps. "Well it looks like were set up for some fun tonight? Care for a drink or should we just dance?" Joe asked Maddie with his voice raised to compete with the music. "Let's just dance! Traveling with a hangover is never fun," she grinned. "And if I get too drunk I wouldn't remember the fun I had, and I did promise to remember you, didn't I?" She grabbed unto his hand and pulled him out onto the dance floor, keeping her eye on the door hoping to see Chester come in. "How long have you lived here? You must get a lot of travelers in your saloon, being right next to the hotel and all," she shouted. "Lived here my whole life, born and raised. Never traveled anywhere, guess this place is exciting enough for me." Joe moves around the dance floor surprisingly well considering his limp, he leads Maddie in an upbeat and lively dance the two moving spryly around the dance floor. Maddie notices most of the people here are good dancers and all seem to be quite loose and free in their dancing form. Several people seem to be in groups rather than couples as partners continuously change. "Yeah, we get a lot of travelers, on account of the train and the hotel being so close. I think the boss would have preferred a more regular crowd for the card games and all but we do OK." Joe continues to dance as long as Maddie wants to. Maddie danced for the next hour, trying to learn as much as she could about the area without raising suspicions. They took a few breaks, when she chatted with other dancers. She took no other partners, and when the ladies realized she wasn't changing they were more willing to chat with her. She managed to lead a few conversations to a point where she could see if they remembered seeing Colin Turner, usually by saying she had met the most handsome man a couple towns back. After that hour passed, Maddie asked to go back to the hotel, saying, "My trip took more out of me than I thought. I'm just exhausted, and I have another long trip tomorrow. Would you walk me back to the hotel please?" Unfortunately Kate/Maddie gets very little in the way of information regarding Colin Turner. She hears that somebody matching his description used to pass through as a traveling salesman type a while back, but that he hasn't been through here in months as far as she knew. Joe does offer to escort Maddie back to the hotel. "Well I am sorry to hear that you'll be moving on so soon, I certainly did have a nice time with you. Hope your family in Thomaswell is well. If you pass back through Albuquerque please stop by Kincaide's again." "Oh, I'm sure I will. How could I resist when you've been so friendly? And such a gentleman." She got up on her toes and kissed his cheek. "Good night, Joe," she said, and with the same over the shoulder smile that she'd given him earlier she slipped into the hotel. Back in her room Kate breathed a sigh of relief. She'd had a little taste of what it would be like to be Ruby for a night, and she was suddenly glad of her own modest figure that let her move mostly unnoticed. * * * Minerva smiles in remembrance "Last night was quite special." She pauses. “I think that a little relaxation and rest are a good idea. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow." Nanuet and Minerva find a quiet spot. They order a drink and Minerva shares her concerns. "I am worried about Ruby. She is becoming more volatile and skittish every day. If she does not come to terms with her fear soon, she is going to get us all killed. Her behavior is becoming so erratic that even Senor Jake cannot tell whether it is her insecurities causing her actions or Colin Turner influencing her mind. He even managed to convince me to use my magic to find out if that monster was controlling her… aaand as if Senor Jake is not already confused enough…" Minerva says in exasperation, “she has chosen [i]this[/i] moment to confront him about his feelings toward marriage. I don't know what is going on in that girls head, but this is [b]not[/b] the time to distract him from the danger at hand." Nanuet thinks upon her words for a moment. "Well, I can't say that if I had that monster in my head that I would be acting any differently. Even though you used your prayers to examine her, can you be so sure that Turner's powers are of the nature that you can see them?” "Oh, I had not thought of that." she says in alarm. "I hope not! But I suppose it is possible." Nanuet leans closer. "He might be planting thoughts in her head right this very moment. I agree, we can't trust Ruby to be herself until she proves that she is. The marriage talk is bad timing, but that is something that they have to sort out between them. Perhaps Aphrodite has influenced Ruby in that direction and that is why she brings it up now? Jake is not the only one of us in this group though. We are all here for the same reason and we will all have a role to play in this monster's demise." "Yes, but I don't think that this is Aphrodite’s influence. I suspect this is just Ruby being Ruby… and as for Jake, I would not assume that he is here for the same reasons as we are. I suspect that his sole purpose is to save Ruby and that he will do that any way that he can, even if that means letting the monster go free or sacrificing one of us. As for Ruby I think that she will do the same for Jake. Even if that means sneaking off with this monster and giving him what he wants. Minerva looks at Nanuet with a troubled expression. “No I do not think that we can trust either one of them until they learn to trust one another, or at least until we know what is going on in their heads. Has Jake said anything to you?" "We talked when I followed him outside on the train, but I told him I would keep the conversation private. Jake and Ruby have different motivations than us, that is for sure, but they have helped me in the past when I needed it and I don't think they would just throw any of us to the wolves." "I am not suggesting that they would do so willingly but they are very confused and uncertain about one another right now. Their fear clouds their faith and I do not believe that they are capable of making sound judgments. Please, just keep a close eye on them, for all of our sakes." Minerva sips her drink and stifles a yawn. She shakes her head as she thinks on her conversation with Ruby. "Why is it that people think that a piece of paper is needed as proof of their love? It does not change anything in the eyes of the gods. Does a birth registered in the family holy book make someone any more alive? Or a death certificate make them more dead? No, it is as it is because the gods have ordained it to be so. Life would be much simpler if Ruby and Jake could accept that one simple premise instead of worrying about what [i]men[/i] have told them might happen if they dare to love too much. "She smiles sleepily and takes Nanuet's hands in hers. "I do not need a piece of paper as proof of our bonding. I feel it in my heart and know it to be true." "I too feel our bond and know that it is strong. I do however see the use of formal ceremony to make the bond official and public. My people have a bonding ceremony to show that people are married and someday I would hope that we would do the same. If anything it is a celebration of our love for one another. I can see how Ruby would want vows from Jake, vows that would have some permanency and legs to stand on." Minerva looks at him questioningly. "I agree that the ceremony is an important event meant to share ones happiness with the community and I look forward to the day when we share that moment with our friends and community, but I do not need words and ceremonies to prove my love for you or yours for me. I celebrate our bond each waking moment and in my dreams I celebrate it with the gods. Do you believe that our bond is any less eternal, because we have not yet shared our knowledge with the community?" Nanuet takes Minerva's hands and looks deeply into her eyes. He smiles and then speaks. "Minerva Garcia Florencia, I love you. No ceremony or piece of paper will change that. We have a special bond, one that is even realized by the Gods. I am fully committed to you, and I hope you never doubt that." Minerva squeezes his hand. “I do not, Mi Amor. My faith in our love is boundless and eternal... but I would like to take this opportunity to show you, once again, just [i]how much[/i] I love you. Come let us go upstairs," she says teasingly and rising takes him by the hand to lead him up to their room where she give him a thorough demonstration of her love for him. [/QUOTE]
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Playing the Game
Story Hour
"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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