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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: 2787983" data-attributes="member: 12815"><p>Jake steers Ruby towards the next lit and open door that seems like it would sell them some prepared food. He hands her some money and takes the bottle. "Get whatever you like. I'll wait for you here and keep this safe for you." </p><p></p><p>He positions himself so he can see inside but remains somewhat in the shadows. He takes the opportunity to quickly swap the bullets around in his guns. He loads normal rounds in his fast draw Colt and swaps the four of the five incendiary rounds in his long barreled Colt for Pierre's enchanted ones. Once finished he comes to the doorway to wait for Ruby and the food.</p><p></p><p>Jake starts getting antsy when Ruby comes bouncing out after about 10 minutes with a grin on her face. "I got lots of stuff for us. I wasn't hungry before and I haven't eaten to much today but now I'm hungry and couldn't decide. So I made the guy give me lots of food. I got some for you too. Let's go find a good spot." </p><p></p><p>They walk around for quite a bit, looking for something suitable. Finally on the outskirts of town Ruby finds a patch of grass surrounded by flowers next to a church. She plops down on the ground and starts digging through the bag pulling out cheese, bread and cookies. She pats the ground next to her to make sure Jake sits close. </p><p></p><p>She pulls her shoes and stockings off to get more comfortable. As she picks at the bread she stretches out her long legs. "It's going to start getting hot soon. Then we'll be hot and sweaty all the time." </p><p></p><p>Jake takes a hearty drink of the bourbon and sits close to her. Handing the bottle to her he asks, "Why do you say that?" </p><p></p><p>Ruby takes the bottle then throws her bare leg over Jake's. She scrunches her nose at him, "Because summer is almost here and it gets very warm in the summer around here. I mean, around where we live. I forgot we're not there. Not now anyway." The thought runs through Ruby's brain that she might never get back home but she quickly pushes it away and doesn't mention it. Instead she takes another sip of bourbon. "Thank goodness we found a bottle. Tonight was just not a whiskey night." </p><p></p><p>Jake starts mulling over how he is going to engage Ruby's personal demons. He's met them before, but never really wrestled with them. Up until now he's only held them at bay. "I enjoy sitting under the stars, watching them watching us." <em>You have got to find that fiery Ruby West in there Jacob Cooke,</em> a little voice inside his head says to him, <em>both your lives depend on it.</em> In his mind he nods in agreement. Jake the convincer, Jake the diplomat, Jake Cook with the silver tongue starts to work on helping the woman he loves fight her personal demons and whatever that fiend Colin Turner has done to her. "Not that I don't enjoy the warm sunshine, they both enrich my life in their own way. I would hate to have to choose one over the other, I like deciding from day to day which I will enjoy." </p><p></p><p>She smiles goofily at Jake. "Yes, I agree darling. I like the sun feeling warm on my skin. I think we're more night kind of people though. The cool air and the stars after one of those hot days. Of course, I used to get to sleep all day and stay up all night much more regular." She giggles. "But being with you is more fun no matter what time of day it is." </p><p></p><p>"I thank my luck every day that you choose to spend those days and nights with me. Even if you tan and I burn," he adds in a teasing tone. He times a pause and continues speaking, "I was thinking about what you shared with me on the train. I know you have worried about your future. It must be incredibly tempting for someone as beautiful as Ruby West to be offered the chance to defy old age." </p><p></p><p>"Yes, you should be thanking Tyche I choose to spend my time with you Silver Jake Cook," Ruby teases back by pinching his arm. Her giggles die off and her face becomes more serious as she takes another sip of bourbon. "Yes, I worry about my future now, that is true. Because I don't like what most of my past was like." A hiccup escapes her lips but she ignores it. "Also true that the thought of never getting old and ugly is appealing. I mean, it only took three months for me to be covered in scars and now I will probably get wrinkles from all the stress and worry. And when I get old and wrinkly who will want me then?" She picks at a blade of grass, eventually pulling it from the ground. </p><p></p><p>"It is true that at first I was attracted to you because... well because you are beautiful. I made no secret that I was partial to curves. I was and still am enthralled by your singing." Jake takes the bottle back from her and has a small drink. "Do you think that is all there is?" He lays back on the grass looking straight up at the stars. "There is so much more." </p><p></p><p>Ruby watches Jake lie back in the grass and stare up at the stars. Even now at a time like this he seemed relaxed and Ruby was jealous. She leans over him, her dress strap of her traveling dress falling off her shoulder. She looks at his face curiously, "What do you mean there is so much more? More to what?" </p><p></p><p>His lips curl every so slightly in a smile. "More to you Ruby West, more to you. Do you remember how I answered when you asked me what I liked best about you? You thought I would say something like the way you wiggle your hips when you walk, the shape of your bosom, or how you touch me in just the best ways in our private time. All of which I do enjoy immensely. Do you remember what I told you?" </p><p></p><p>Ruby looks up to the sky and squints her eyes as she wracks her brain trying to recall. Finally she looks back to Jake and shakes her head. "No, I don't remember. Can you remind me?" </p><p></p><p>“Gladly. You are more alive than anyone I have ever met." </p><p></p><p>Ruby is silent for a long while. She reaches and picks a white flower out of the nearby bed. She spins it around in her hand then finally looks back to Jake with furrowed brows. "I don't know what that means. I mean, I'm not dead yet so that means I'm still alive. How can you be more alive?" Intrigued, she puts the flower up to her nose and tickles herself with it, eliciting giggles while she waits for the answer. </p><p></p><p>"The little bounce in your walk when you are happy, even when you talk it is like you are singing, the way you flip your hair and twirl your finger in it, how you bite your lip when you are uncertain," Jake's smile grows a little larger, "the way you pout when you are disappointed, how your bright soul lights up the world around you. Colors are brighter when you hold them." Jake runs his finger down the stem of the flower. "There is something about you that makes everyone feel more alive. How you light up my world." </p><p></p><p>Ruby places a hand on either side of Jake and lowers herself over him until her lips are very close to his and her hair covers him. "I like that baby; I hope I always can light up your world because it's my world too." She finishes the distance and kisses her lover, a soft full kiss on the lips. She only pulls back slightly from him. "You're a smooth talker Mr. Cook and you could win any girl's heart. But I'm glad you chose mine." </p><p></p><p>"You know its not just talk, you can see it in my eyes can't you?" Jake unbuttons several buttons on his shirt. He takes her hand and places it on his chest. "You can feel my heart, what does it make you think?" </p><p></p><p>Ruby stares deeply into Jake's eyes as she lets her hand wander over his chest. She says solemnly, "Yes Jake, I can see it in your beautiful sparkling eyes that you're telling me the truth." Her hand stops wandering directly over Jake's pounding heart. "It makes me think you want me." She leans down again and kisses him, harder than before. </p><p></p><p>He enjoys the moment, the respite from his careful responses. Even though they come from his heart, he is careful, very careful because so much is at stake. His next thought is, <em>I am sorry to put you through this Ruby ..</em> He waits for Ruby to again look skyward before he speaks. "It must be a horrible thing to feel differently about a beating heart. I cannot even imagine it making me lick my lips in hunger. The taste of warm blood satisfying a craving, becoming your sustenance, what keeps you alive. Looking at every living creature as food. How could you not look at your friends or even your lover as a source of your next meal? Necessary like breathing air..." He pauses ever so slightly, just enough to make the next statement more poignant. "I never imagined I would need anyone like I need air. Ruby, what I take from you doesn't make you any less does it? It would surely rend my heart and leave me to die if it did." </p><p></p><p>Ruby pulls back, sits up and away from Jake and presses her hand on her stomach. "That's sick Jacob Cook. What are you talking about?" Ruby is visibly upset at Jake's jarring words. </p><p></p><p>She breathes in deeply and tries to calm herself down. She reaches for the bottle of bourbon and takes a huge swig. Finally she looks back at him. "No, why would it make me less? You take much much less than you give." </p><p></p><p>"I feel like I get so much more from you than I give you, I do not say this to debate with you. I will admit that encountering Turner has me shaken, has me questioning a good many things. It has only made my feelings about you stronger though." He turns his head and looks at her. "I felt it Ruby. The man that was once Turner was cold, his body, his blood... his soul." He turns his eyes back towards the sky. "There is no life in him. He is a consumer of life. How many lives has he ended, how many bright souls has he turned into empty shells of their former selves?" Jake sighs outwardly; inwardly he winces at the emotional trauma he is dragging her through. "It is regrettable that he is cursed. Life can be so unfair. Life was unfair to you, but you did something to change it. You didn't intentionally destroy others because life gave you an unfair burden. You have to wonder if he has tried to break that curse or if he just revels in the power it gives him to control others, to suck the life from them. It is a crime against humanity to pass that curse on." </p><p></p><p>Ruby shivers and wraps her arms around herself. "What are you saying Jake? He's trying to curse me and make me like that?" Tears begin to well up in her eyes again but she wipes at them before they can escape. "I HATE feeling weak around you," she says stubbornly. She looks down and is quiet for a moment before she says, "I didn't do anything to change my unfair circumstances. You did." </p><p></p><p>"No, Ruby West, you had everything to do with changing your life." Jake sits up and looks deep into her eyes. "You didn't give up, you kept trying no matter how hopeless it seemed. You draw things from me that I didn't think possible. You see things in me that no one else sees. If I changed your life it is only because you helped find those things in me, things I could not find on my own." He holds out a hand with his palm open, reaching towards her hand but not taking it, leaving an open invitation. "I am frightened too. Maybe we all see parts of ourselves in this monster. It is a horrible and terrifying moment to identify with such evil." Jake's face looks grim. "Perhaps there is one thing I have in common with that monster. We both desire you. The difference is that no matter how desperately I want you, I will never take from you anything you are unwilling to give. I want you warm and alive, bringing color and life to the world. To me. There is no averting it, that fiend is my enemy. That abomination that would steal the color from my eyes and air from my lungs. My choice is clear and made; there is no other path I can travel." </p><p></p><p>"Jake, you're so sweet, you're so...strong. You're very strong." Ruby glances down at Jake's outstretched hand. In his upturned palm a small scar, a scar which she shares. She reaches out and gently traces the scar with the tip of her finger. "I told you, I want what you want. I don't want to die. I said I would help you. I don't know what more I can do. I've just been very confused, especially since Thursday..." her voice trails off. She takes Jake's hand in hers. "I will do everything I can to help you, I will do anything to make sure he doesn't hurt you. I will ALWAYS do anything I can to help you. I only hope that it is enough." </p><p></p><p>She grasps his hand tighter. "I wish that you and I could fly away, away from here and never have to talk about anyone wanting me again. It would always be you and me." She smiles softly. "Maybe a foolish dream but I like it none the less." She blinks a couple of times. "But that is never to be. There will always be someone else." </p><p></p><p>"Your goddess has given you the gift and the burden of being desirable. If that means I must suffer chasing away others it seems a small price to pay for the treasure of having your love and the joy of giving mine in return." He gives her hand a squeeze. "You asked me what you need to do and I asked for some time to think. Well I have....." </p><p></p><p>He adjusts himself so he is facing her fully. He offers his other hand to her. "You pointed out that no one knows me better. No one knows my strengths and weaknesses like you do. It is all true. Having you working against me would be devastating. You also suggested that you were doubtful that I can destroy Turner, that he is too powerful. I need someone at my side, someone who knows my strengths and weakness, who knows what I am thinking, who knows what I am going to do before I even do." Jake remembers something Nanuet said to him. "Someone who can shore up my weaknesses with their strengths. Yes, listen to me Ruby, with your strengths." </p><p></p><p>"Who has more to gain than you? Who else can make me more than I am? I need you to be strong with me, like you have been in the past, like I know you can now." </p><p></p><p>"Here is what I need you to do." Jake speaks slowly and clearly. "Let go of any guilt over what he has done to you, it is like a sickness not a flaw or a crime. You only endured a sickness we can cure. No more bolting terrified, use your head and manage your fear. Stay with me unless we agree to part. When we get to Thomaswell control your drinking. When we find him, don't look at his eyes, don't let him see yours. If I falter and he controls me use your powers to stop me, do anything to stop me. I could be the most dangerous out of all of us if he controlled me. Most of all Ruby, make certain deep down in your heart that you have decided to live, decided to fight, decided that you are going to do everything possible to make sure you and I, that all of us come out of this alive. Having decided it, all we need is to help our luck along and we will persevere. No heroes, no sacrificing yourself for me, because all you will do is take away the very air that I breathe." </p><p></p><p>Ruby silently listens to Jake speak for a long while, his words full of passion and determination. <em>He IS strong,</em> she thinks, <em>So strong, and confident. He is always here to pick me up when I’m down, which is quite often. And brave, in the face of such evil and desperation… </em></p><p></p><p>Ruby sighs. “Baby, you and I are just meant to be together. We fit in every way. At least I feel that way.” She grips his hands tighter, “I like that, our weakness and our strengths work together. Most of the time I feel we can do anything. But I was so scared on Thursday when you had so many reasons we don’t work, reasons we shouldn’t always be together, you frightened me …” She stops mid thought and shrugs. </p><p></p><p>Ruby is silent again, considering the rest of Jake’s words. “I can’t sleep or relax without the drink. I’m afraid to have more dreams.” She looks down at the ¾ empty bottle lying on the blanket. “I can’t bare them and I don’t know if the next one might be real.” She realizes the serious conversation has taken part of her happy giddy feelings away and longs to take another drink but doesn’t want to let go of Jake. </p><p></p><p>“I told you I will fight. I don’t want to be one of him, whatever he is. But there is one thing I can’t promise. And that is that I will do what I must to keep you safe. If that means something happens to me, I accept that. And don’t argue with me, you would do the same, you would do anything you could to keep me safe.” </p><p></p><p>Jake's eyelids close part way as he looks at her, obvious that his is mulling something over. "I will accept that, but do not forget my words of tonight." He brings both of Ruby's hands to his lips and kisses them. "I am sorry about Thursday, I did not mean those words the way you understood them. You told me that you don't know how to be my girl, what in Hades do I know about being your man? I am doing the best I know how. What we have is precious. The first thing you learn when you decide to be a professional poker player is not to gamble with anything you are not willing to lose. There is no rush. Give us time, let us find the way to the future together." Jake releases one of her hands and reaches for the bottle. After he takes a goodly drink from it, he offers it to Ruby. </p><p></p><p>"Enjoy it. It will be the last good falling down drunk we are going to have until our business in Thomaswell is done." Jake's eyes take on a twinkle and a smirk springs to his face. "Another good reason to be done quickly. I am going to get so drunk when this is over that we will need to hire a man with a wheel barrow to cart me around." He starts laughing and sprawls backwards onto the grass. </p><p></p><p>Ruby laughs freely as Jake falls into the thick grass. “Yes, I’d say a good celebrate is in order when we are finished. We’ll have a grand time trying to top ourselves and find out just how much we can forget. Maybe in Tucson, maybe somewhere else, maybe home.” She smiles and a few more giggles come from Ruby before she is quiet. The thought still swims in her mind that she needs some time alone to sort things out but realizes this is not a good time to continue that conversation with Jake. </p><p></p><p>She remains sitting, looking at the stars for a long while as she drinks from the bottle. She looks back over her bare shoulder at Jake, “Baby, as for us, you don’t have to worry about the future. As long as I am alive and breathing I’m yours. You and I, we do our best for each other and it's good enough, it's never been better, right? No more getting married nonsense, one more thing off your always moving mind. Even if you asked me now I wouldn’t say yes because I know you would only be doing it for me and not yourself. And that's not fair. So you see, you don’t have to ever think on it again.” She smiles at him before turning her face back to the stars and drinking from the now quickly diminishing bottle. </p><p></p><p>After she looks skyward he eyes her suspiciously, shrugs and grins. "Pass me that bottle before you find the bottom, I have need of it. Oh, and cut some cheese up. You'll have to use your knife as mine hasn't been properly cleaned since... the last time I used it." </p><p></p><p>“Do you have to bring that up?” Ruby says while passing Jake the bottle. “It’s hard enough to not think about it.” She crawls across the blanket and rifles through the bag pulling out a little brown package. “Besides, I already had it cut up.” She crawls back towards Jake, opens the twine and thrusts it towards him. Taking another gulp like she’s not getting it back, she then passes the bottle to Jake too. </p><p></p><p>“You know, there are many reasons I can’t wait for this to be over. There is so much to think about, so many things I never thought of before, so much has changed. I guess it’s time for me to figure out my life for real.” A thoughtful look crosses Ruby’s face before she again looks over her shoulder at Jake. “Take a trip, maybe a couple of trips, get back to some singing and some gambling,” She bites her lip, “And of course to be able to relax and look into your twinkling eyes and see you want me, find that you desire me and discover your other parts agree too,” her eyes twinkle and she giggles, “And get lost in the soft blankets on our bed…when it’s ours again,” Ruby sighs. “So much to look forward to.” </p><p></p><p>He starts to say something when she drinks hard from the bottle but decides against it. "So much to look forward to, starry nights and certain love." Jake drinks long on the bottle as well and hands it back to her. He grabs some of the cheese and lays flat again with his head resting against her body. He is content to watch the stars and feel her close by. </p><p></p><p>Ruby plays with Jake’s hair as she hiccups, twisting it around and around her fingers. She lets the disturbing thoughts flee from her mind and the liquor do its job. Everything starts getting happily blurry and a smile comes to her face that doesn’t leave. “So babbeee,” she slurs, “Do you think we’ll always live in Promise City? Do you think one day we’ll have a house of our own?” </p><p></p><p>"No, I don't think we'll always live in Promise City. We'll get bored and the silver mines will play out. Question is which one happens first. It's a big world out there, plenty to see. Might be nice to just have a home, but then if we are traveling all over creation we might never see it after we build it." Jake chuckles. </p><p></p><p>Ruby giggles again and tussles Jake’s hair. “I’d like to have a house with you Jacob Alistair Cookie. I don’t care where it is.” Hiccup. “Have you ever been to New York City? You’d like it there. Although there is the pesky problem of my parents being there.” </p><p></p><p>"I've never been. Father never took the family far from home, he was too busy trying to move up to even look around. As long as your parents are no more than pesky, we can visit New York. After all we have been through, meddling parents just don't compare. I know you don't think so, but Ruby West has grown in many ways. I'm sure they would be expecting the child Constance Grace, and not prepared for the woman my Ruby West has become. No worries, you'll know when it is time to visit New York again." </p><p></p><p>Ruby ponders but only for a moment. “Alright, take me home baby, I mean wherever home is tonight, I’m getting tired finally. I would like to stay out under the stars but we don’t even know where we are.” Ruby ends her statement with a barrage of hiccups. “Plus I want you to tell me you love me and romance me.” </p><p></p><p>Ruby stumbles as she tries to get up, over and over. She giggles at herself, unable to get off the ground. “Help me up silly!” she says loudly. </p><p></p><p>Jake helps her up, and picks up around them. They stagger back to the hotel, asking directions several times and only making a few wrong turns before finally arriving. </p><p></p><p>Clinging to a dresser, Ruby scrunches her nose at the modest but clean room. “This ihsn’t very romantic or even very nice. This was the besht you could do?” </p><p></p><p>Jake raises an eyebrow, "I didn't pick out the rooms, Nanuet did and I was busy cha-" Jake drops his duster on the floor and walks over to Ruby. He escorts her to the bed and with a crooked smile pushes her onto it. "Did I ever tell you how alluring you are when you are being fussy?" He puts his hands on her legs and runs them up to her thighs, hoping to find her enchanted dagger or a gun with some magic bullets on the left side. "You'll just have to accept my meager apologies and instead listen to me drone on and on about how much I love you." </p><p></p><p>“Fhussy!” Ruby exclaims. “Just because I insist on a chertain level of comfort …” She is quickly distracted by Jake’s wandering hands. His hands hit her gun on her right thigh and her enchanted dagger strapped to her left. Ruby pulls herself up on her elbows and watches Jake. She smiles mischievously at him and pulls her skirt up, stopping just short of revealing herself. She raises an eyebrow, “Did you find shomething you were looking for?” </p><p></p><p>"There is just something dangerously enticing about disarming a woman’s thighs...." Jake mutters and removes the sheath and then holster. The last little bit of concern dissipates allowing him to focus on the task at hand. "No, haven't found it yet so I'll just keep searching.... you know how thorough I can be." Good to his word, Jake was very thorough in his attempts to keep Ruby's thoughts on more pleasant matters.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="orchid blossom, post: 2787983, member: 12815"] Jake steers Ruby towards the next lit and open door that seems like it would sell them some prepared food. He hands her some money and takes the bottle. "Get whatever you like. I'll wait for you here and keep this safe for you." He positions himself so he can see inside but remains somewhat in the shadows. He takes the opportunity to quickly swap the bullets around in his guns. He loads normal rounds in his fast draw Colt and swaps the four of the five incendiary rounds in his long barreled Colt for Pierre's enchanted ones. Once finished he comes to the doorway to wait for Ruby and the food. Jake starts getting antsy when Ruby comes bouncing out after about 10 minutes with a grin on her face. "I got lots of stuff for us. I wasn't hungry before and I haven't eaten to much today but now I'm hungry and couldn't decide. So I made the guy give me lots of food. I got some for you too. Let's go find a good spot." They walk around for quite a bit, looking for something suitable. Finally on the outskirts of town Ruby finds a patch of grass surrounded by flowers next to a church. She plops down on the ground and starts digging through the bag pulling out cheese, bread and cookies. She pats the ground next to her to make sure Jake sits close. She pulls her shoes and stockings off to get more comfortable. As she picks at the bread she stretches out her long legs. "It's going to start getting hot soon. Then we'll be hot and sweaty all the time." Jake takes a hearty drink of the bourbon and sits close to her. Handing the bottle to her he asks, "Why do you say that?" Ruby takes the bottle then throws her bare leg over Jake's. She scrunches her nose at him, "Because summer is almost here and it gets very warm in the summer around here. I mean, around where we live. I forgot we're not there. Not now anyway." The thought runs through Ruby's brain that she might never get back home but she quickly pushes it away and doesn't mention it. Instead she takes another sip of bourbon. "Thank goodness we found a bottle. Tonight was just not a whiskey night." Jake starts mulling over how he is going to engage Ruby's personal demons. He's met them before, but never really wrestled with them. Up until now he's only held them at bay. "I enjoy sitting under the stars, watching them watching us." [i]You have got to find that fiery Ruby West in there Jacob Cooke,[/i] a little voice inside his head says to him, [i]both your lives depend on it.[/i] In his mind he nods in agreement. Jake the convincer, Jake the diplomat, Jake Cook with the silver tongue starts to work on helping the woman he loves fight her personal demons and whatever that fiend Colin Turner has done to her. "Not that I don't enjoy the warm sunshine, they both enrich my life in their own way. I would hate to have to choose one over the other, I like deciding from day to day which I will enjoy." She smiles goofily at Jake. "Yes, I agree darling. I like the sun feeling warm on my skin. I think we're more night kind of people though. The cool air and the stars after one of those hot days. Of course, I used to get to sleep all day and stay up all night much more regular." She giggles. "But being with you is more fun no matter what time of day it is." "I thank my luck every day that you choose to spend those days and nights with me. Even if you tan and I burn," he adds in a teasing tone. He times a pause and continues speaking, "I was thinking about what you shared with me on the train. I know you have worried about your future. It must be incredibly tempting for someone as beautiful as Ruby West to be offered the chance to defy old age." "Yes, you should be thanking Tyche I choose to spend my time with you Silver Jake Cook," Ruby teases back by pinching his arm. Her giggles die off and her face becomes more serious as she takes another sip of bourbon. "Yes, I worry about my future now, that is true. Because I don't like what most of my past was like." A hiccup escapes her lips but she ignores it. "Also true that the thought of never getting old and ugly is appealing. I mean, it only took three months for me to be covered in scars and now I will probably get wrinkles from all the stress and worry. And when I get old and wrinkly who will want me then?" She picks at a blade of grass, eventually pulling it from the ground. "It is true that at first I was attracted to you because... well because you are beautiful. I made no secret that I was partial to curves. I was and still am enthralled by your singing." Jake takes the bottle back from her and has a small drink. "Do you think that is all there is?" He lays back on the grass looking straight up at the stars. "There is so much more." Ruby watches Jake lie back in the grass and stare up at the stars. Even now at a time like this he seemed relaxed and Ruby was jealous. She leans over him, her dress strap of her traveling dress falling off her shoulder. She looks at his face curiously, "What do you mean there is so much more? More to what?" His lips curl every so slightly in a smile. "More to you Ruby West, more to you. Do you remember how I answered when you asked me what I liked best about you? You thought I would say something like the way you wiggle your hips when you walk, the shape of your bosom, or how you touch me in just the best ways in our private time. All of which I do enjoy immensely. Do you remember what I told you?" Ruby looks up to the sky and squints her eyes as she wracks her brain trying to recall. Finally she looks back to Jake and shakes her head. "No, I don't remember. Can you remind me?" “Gladly. You are more alive than anyone I have ever met." Ruby is silent for a long while. She reaches and picks a white flower out of the nearby bed. She spins it around in her hand then finally looks back to Jake with furrowed brows. "I don't know what that means. I mean, I'm not dead yet so that means I'm still alive. How can you be more alive?" Intrigued, she puts the flower up to her nose and tickles herself with it, eliciting giggles while she waits for the answer. "The little bounce in your walk when you are happy, even when you talk it is like you are singing, the way you flip your hair and twirl your finger in it, how you bite your lip when you are uncertain," Jake's smile grows a little larger, "the way you pout when you are disappointed, how your bright soul lights up the world around you. Colors are brighter when you hold them." Jake runs his finger down the stem of the flower. "There is something about you that makes everyone feel more alive. How you light up my world." Ruby places a hand on either side of Jake and lowers herself over him until her lips are very close to his and her hair covers him. "I like that baby; I hope I always can light up your world because it's my world too." She finishes the distance and kisses her lover, a soft full kiss on the lips. She only pulls back slightly from him. "You're a smooth talker Mr. Cook and you could win any girl's heart. But I'm glad you chose mine." "You know its not just talk, you can see it in my eyes can't you?" Jake unbuttons several buttons on his shirt. He takes her hand and places it on his chest. "You can feel my heart, what does it make you think?" Ruby stares deeply into Jake's eyes as she lets her hand wander over his chest. She says solemnly, "Yes Jake, I can see it in your beautiful sparkling eyes that you're telling me the truth." Her hand stops wandering directly over Jake's pounding heart. "It makes me think you want me." She leans down again and kisses him, harder than before. He enjoys the moment, the respite from his careful responses. Even though they come from his heart, he is careful, very careful because so much is at stake. His next thought is, [i]I am sorry to put you through this Ruby ..[/i] He waits for Ruby to again look skyward before he speaks. "It must be a horrible thing to feel differently about a beating heart. I cannot even imagine it making me lick my lips in hunger. The taste of warm blood satisfying a craving, becoming your sustenance, what keeps you alive. Looking at every living creature as food. How could you not look at your friends or even your lover as a source of your next meal? Necessary like breathing air..." He pauses ever so slightly, just enough to make the next statement more poignant. "I never imagined I would need anyone like I need air. Ruby, what I take from you doesn't make you any less does it? It would surely rend my heart and leave me to die if it did." Ruby pulls back, sits up and away from Jake and presses her hand on her stomach. "That's sick Jacob Cook. What are you talking about?" Ruby is visibly upset at Jake's jarring words. She breathes in deeply and tries to calm herself down. She reaches for the bottle of bourbon and takes a huge swig. Finally she looks back at him. "No, why would it make me less? You take much much less than you give." "I feel like I get so much more from you than I give you, I do not say this to debate with you. I will admit that encountering Turner has me shaken, has me questioning a good many things. It has only made my feelings about you stronger though." He turns his head and looks at her. "I felt it Ruby. The man that was once Turner was cold, his body, his blood... his soul." He turns his eyes back towards the sky. "There is no life in him. He is a consumer of life. How many lives has he ended, how many bright souls has he turned into empty shells of their former selves?" Jake sighs outwardly; inwardly he winces at the emotional trauma he is dragging her through. "It is regrettable that he is cursed. Life can be so unfair. Life was unfair to you, but you did something to change it. You didn't intentionally destroy others because life gave you an unfair burden. You have to wonder if he has tried to break that curse or if he just revels in the power it gives him to control others, to suck the life from them. It is a crime against humanity to pass that curse on." Ruby shivers and wraps her arms around herself. "What are you saying Jake? He's trying to curse me and make me like that?" Tears begin to well up in her eyes again but she wipes at them before they can escape. "I HATE feeling weak around you," she says stubbornly. She looks down and is quiet for a moment before she says, "I didn't do anything to change my unfair circumstances. You did." "No, Ruby West, you had everything to do with changing your life." Jake sits up and looks deep into her eyes. "You didn't give up, you kept trying no matter how hopeless it seemed. You draw things from me that I didn't think possible. You see things in me that no one else sees. If I changed your life it is only because you helped find those things in me, things I could not find on my own." He holds out a hand with his palm open, reaching towards her hand but not taking it, leaving an open invitation. "I am frightened too. Maybe we all see parts of ourselves in this monster. It is a horrible and terrifying moment to identify with such evil." Jake's face looks grim. "Perhaps there is one thing I have in common with that monster. We both desire you. The difference is that no matter how desperately I want you, I will never take from you anything you are unwilling to give. I want you warm and alive, bringing color and life to the world. To me. There is no averting it, that fiend is my enemy. That abomination that would steal the color from my eyes and air from my lungs. My choice is clear and made; there is no other path I can travel." "Jake, you're so sweet, you're so...strong. You're very strong." Ruby glances down at Jake's outstretched hand. In his upturned palm a small scar, a scar which she shares. She reaches out and gently traces the scar with the tip of her finger. "I told you, I want what you want. I don't want to die. I said I would help you. I don't know what more I can do. I've just been very confused, especially since Thursday..." her voice trails off. She takes Jake's hand in hers. "I will do everything I can to help you, I will do anything to make sure he doesn't hurt you. I will ALWAYS do anything I can to help you. I only hope that it is enough." She grasps his hand tighter. "I wish that you and I could fly away, away from here and never have to talk about anyone wanting me again. It would always be you and me." She smiles softly. "Maybe a foolish dream but I like it none the less." She blinks a couple of times. "But that is never to be. There will always be someone else." "Your goddess has given you the gift and the burden of being desirable. If that means I must suffer chasing away others it seems a small price to pay for the treasure of having your love and the joy of giving mine in return." He gives her hand a squeeze. "You asked me what you need to do and I asked for some time to think. Well I have....." He adjusts himself so he is facing her fully. He offers his other hand to her. "You pointed out that no one knows me better. No one knows my strengths and weaknesses like you do. It is all true. Having you working against me would be devastating. You also suggested that you were doubtful that I can destroy Turner, that he is too powerful. I need someone at my side, someone who knows my strengths and weakness, who knows what I am thinking, who knows what I am going to do before I even do." Jake remembers something Nanuet said to him. "Someone who can shore up my weaknesses with their strengths. Yes, listen to me Ruby, with your strengths." "Who has more to gain than you? Who else can make me more than I am? I need you to be strong with me, like you have been in the past, like I know you can now." "Here is what I need you to do." Jake speaks slowly and clearly. "Let go of any guilt over what he has done to you, it is like a sickness not a flaw or a crime. You only endured a sickness we can cure. No more bolting terrified, use your head and manage your fear. Stay with me unless we agree to part. When we get to Thomaswell control your drinking. When we find him, don't look at his eyes, don't let him see yours. If I falter and he controls me use your powers to stop me, do anything to stop me. I could be the most dangerous out of all of us if he controlled me. Most of all Ruby, make certain deep down in your heart that you have decided to live, decided to fight, decided that you are going to do everything possible to make sure you and I, that all of us come out of this alive. Having decided it, all we need is to help our luck along and we will persevere. No heroes, no sacrificing yourself for me, because all you will do is take away the very air that I breathe." Ruby silently listens to Jake speak for a long while, his words full of passion and determination. [i]He IS strong,[/i] she thinks, [i]So strong, and confident. He is always here to pick me up when I’m down, which is quite often. And brave, in the face of such evil and desperation… [/i] Ruby sighs. “Baby, you and I are just meant to be together. We fit in every way. At least I feel that way.” She grips his hands tighter, “I like that, our weakness and our strengths work together. Most of the time I feel we can do anything. But I was so scared on Thursday when you had so many reasons we don’t work, reasons we shouldn’t always be together, you frightened me …” She stops mid thought and shrugs. Ruby is silent again, considering the rest of Jake’s words. “I can’t sleep or relax without the drink. I’m afraid to have more dreams.” She looks down at the ¾ empty bottle lying on the blanket. “I can’t bare them and I don’t know if the next one might be real.” She realizes the serious conversation has taken part of her happy giddy feelings away and longs to take another drink but doesn’t want to let go of Jake. “I told you I will fight. I don’t want to be one of him, whatever he is. But there is one thing I can’t promise. And that is that I will do what I must to keep you safe. If that means something happens to me, I accept that. And don’t argue with me, you would do the same, you would do anything you could to keep me safe.” Jake's eyelids close part way as he looks at her, obvious that his is mulling something over. "I will accept that, but do not forget my words of tonight." He brings both of Ruby's hands to his lips and kisses them. "I am sorry about Thursday, I did not mean those words the way you understood them. You told me that you don't know how to be my girl, what in Hades do I know about being your man? I am doing the best I know how. What we have is precious. The first thing you learn when you decide to be a professional poker player is not to gamble with anything you are not willing to lose. There is no rush. Give us time, let us find the way to the future together." Jake releases one of her hands and reaches for the bottle. After he takes a goodly drink from it, he offers it to Ruby. "Enjoy it. It will be the last good falling down drunk we are going to have until our business in Thomaswell is done." Jake's eyes take on a twinkle and a smirk springs to his face. "Another good reason to be done quickly. I am going to get so drunk when this is over that we will need to hire a man with a wheel barrow to cart me around." He starts laughing and sprawls backwards onto the grass. Ruby laughs freely as Jake falls into the thick grass. “Yes, I’d say a good celebrate is in order when we are finished. We’ll have a grand time trying to top ourselves and find out just how much we can forget. Maybe in Tucson, maybe somewhere else, maybe home.” She smiles and a few more giggles come from Ruby before she is quiet. The thought still swims in her mind that she needs some time alone to sort things out but realizes this is not a good time to continue that conversation with Jake. She remains sitting, looking at the stars for a long while as she drinks from the bottle. She looks back over her bare shoulder at Jake, “Baby, as for us, you don’t have to worry about the future. As long as I am alive and breathing I’m yours. You and I, we do our best for each other and it's good enough, it's never been better, right? No more getting married nonsense, one more thing off your always moving mind. Even if you asked me now I wouldn’t say yes because I know you would only be doing it for me and not yourself. And that's not fair. So you see, you don’t have to ever think on it again.” She smiles at him before turning her face back to the stars and drinking from the now quickly diminishing bottle. After she looks skyward he eyes her suspiciously, shrugs and grins. "Pass me that bottle before you find the bottom, I have need of it. Oh, and cut some cheese up. You'll have to use your knife as mine hasn't been properly cleaned since... the last time I used it." “Do you have to bring that up?” Ruby says while passing Jake the bottle. “It’s hard enough to not think about it.” She crawls across the blanket and rifles through the bag pulling out a little brown package. “Besides, I already had it cut up.” She crawls back towards Jake, opens the twine and thrusts it towards him. Taking another gulp like she’s not getting it back, she then passes the bottle to Jake too. “You know, there are many reasons I can’t wait for this to be over. There is so much to think about, so many things I never thought of before, so much has changed. I guess it’s time for me to figure out my life for real.” A thoughtful look crosses Ruby’s face before she again looks over her shoulder at Jake. “Take a trip, maybe a couple of trips, get back to some singing and some gambling,” She bites her lip, “And of course to be able to relax and look into your twinkling eyes and see you want me, find that you desire me and discover your other parts agree too,” her eyes twinkle and she giggles, “And get lost in the soft blankets on our bed…when it’s ours again,” Ruby sighs. “So much to look forward to.” He starts to say something when she drinks hard from the bottle but decides against it. "So much to look forward to, starry nights and certain love." Jake drinks long on the bottle as well and hands it back to her. He grabs some of the cheese and lays flat again with his head resting against her body. He is content to watch the stars and feel her close by. Ruby plays with Jake’s hair as she hiccups, twisting it around and around her fingers. She lets the disturbing thoughts flee from her mind and the liquor do its job. Everything starts getting happily blurry and a smile comes to her face that doesn’t leave. “So babbeee,” she slurs, “Do you think we’ll always live in Promise City? Do you think one day we’ll have a house of our own?” "No, I don't think we'll always live in Promise City. We'll get bored and the silver mines will play out. Question is which one happens first. It's a big world out there, plenty to see. Might be nice to just have a home, but then if we are traveling all over creation we might never see it after we build it." Jake chuckles. Ruby giggles again and tussles Jake’s hair. “I’d like to have a house with you Jacob Alistair Cookie. I don’t care where it is.” Hiccup. “Have you ever been to New York City? You’d like it there. Although there is the pesky problem of my parents being there.” "I've never been. Father never took the family far from home, he was too busy trying to move up to even look around. As long as your parents are no more than pesky, we can visit New York. After all we have been through, meddling parents just don't compare. I know you don't think so, but Ruby West has grown in many ways. I'm sure they would be expecting the child Constance Grace, and not prepared for the woman my Ruby West has become. No worries, you'll know when it is time to visit New York again." Ruby ponders but only for a moment. “Alright, take me home baby, I mean wherever home is tonight, I’m getting tired finally. I would like to stay out under the stars but we don’t even know where we are.” Ruby ends her statement with a barrage of hiccups. “Plus I want you to tell me you love me and romance me.” Ruby stumbles as she tries to get up, over and over. She giggles at herself, unable to get off the ground. “Help me up silly!” she says loudly. Jake helps her up, and picks up around them. They stagger back to the hotel, asking directions several times and only making a few wrong turns before finally arriving. Clinging to a dresser, Ruby scrunches her nose at the modest but clean room. “This ihsn’t very romantic or even very nice. This was the besht you could do?” Jake raises an eyebrow, "I didn't pick out the rooms, Nanuet did and I was busy cha-" Jake drops his duster on the floor and walks over to Ruby. He escorts her to the bed and with a crooked smile pushes her onto it. "Did I ever tell you how alluring you are when you are being fussy?" He puts his hands on her legs and runs them up to her thighs, hoping to find her enchanted dagger or a gun with some magic bullets on the left side. "You'll just have to accept my meager apologies and instead listen to me drone on and on about how much I love you." “Fhussy!” Ruby exclaims. “Just because I insist on a chertain level of comfort …” She is quickly distracted by Jake’s wandering hands. His hands hit her gun on her right thigh and her enchanted dagger strapped to her left. Ruby pulls herself up on her elbows and watches Jake. She smiles mischievously at him and pulls her skirt up, stopping just short of revealing herself. She raises an eyebrow, “Did you find shomething you were looking for?” "There is just something dangerously enticing about disarming a woman’s thighs...." Jake mutters and removes the sheath and then holster. The last little bit of concern dissipates allowing him to focus on the task at hand. "No, haven't found it yet so I'll just keep searching.... you know how thorough I can be." Good to his word, Jake was very thorough in his attempts to keep Ruby's thoughts on more pleasant matters. [/QUOTE]
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"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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