Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="orchid blossom" data-source="post: 2819580" data-attributes="member: 12815">Chester catches the eye of a passing child. "Hey, kid. Here's a quarter. Go to the church and get the padre. Bring him back here pronto, OK?" He says to Weeks, "Are you ready to go once the priest takes the sheriff?""Yes, that makes sense.  Once the priest shows up and handles Sheriff's Wilson's body we can go look for Greely." Al Weeks replies. The young boy smiles widely as he gets the quarter from Chester and sprints off in the direction of the church.  He does not need to go far as the priest has heard of the sheriff's untimely demise and was headed in the direction of his office already.  Soon the body is taken away and funeral arrangements will be made for the following day."Here is your star mister, and here is the one for your friend." Weeks says handing Chester two metal star badges.  "I think your duties will be mostly to deal with the murdering monster situation first and foremost.  There is no general law and order while they still roam freely." Al Weeks says. "If we are going to look for Greely now you should pin yours on, just so it's official.  I guess we should go by his house first since the saloon is closed during the day."As Chester pins on the star, he says, "Thanks for this. You're going to need all the help you can get. I've seen what one of them can do. I can't imagine what three are capable of. Let's go to Greely's house, then. Sheriff Hunter took me there  yesterday, but we didn't find him. We even went inside. I hope we can catch him this time.  I hear you about the monsters. What do you know about them? I heard the three who came into Greely's come from a ranch nearby.""Yes, they live out at a ranch that Eugene Smith owns, about 2 miles east of town.  For the past 6 weeks or so every time they come to town they start trouble, now I know why... they're monster's too. We'll find Greely, one way or another."  Sheriff Weeks and Chester head to the saloon, which is closed up tight.  They knock on the front door, then head around to the back.  There is no answer and no sign of activity so they head back to Greely's house.Chester and Al arrive at Greely's house and find the same welcome there.  The house is locked up tight.  They check around the house and find it locked up tight, doors and windows.  The deputy is not surprised figuring he is sleeping and would lock the house during the day while he rested.  "Perhaps we just wait for him tonight and question him then?""I'm not surprised. Have you seen him in the daytime recently? From what I've heard, these monsters are killed by the light of day.""Well, I don't expect to see much of him during the daytime since his saloon is open overnight.  Man has to sleep sometimes right?  I am more concerned with the yokels out at the ranch.  We should hit them while the sun is up.  One of them was hurt by your friend right?  That should help even the odds a bit more in our favor."Chester nods. He doesn't fully agree about Greely, but says nothing about it. "Mr. Jacobs and some of the others are meeting with the monster hunter, I forget his name. We should go see them before looking for those yokels. There's strength in numbers."Sheriff Weeks nodded in agreement.  "Yes I agree, a posse's effectiveness grows with it's size.  I'll grab lunch and then meet you over at the hotel at 2:00."Minerva wakes up feeling rather fuzzy. She lies still for a moment trying to remember the events of the previous night. She groans in dismay as the memories of her behavior return. "Well, lets hope that my friends have a sense of humor." She rolls out of bed feeling a bit light headed and looks around for Nanuet who is sitting cross legged on the floor with his eyes closed.  When he hears Minerva stir he opens his eyes and smiles.  "How do you feel my love?  You had an interesting experience last night."Minerva rises naked from the bed and stretches unselfconsciously. She turns and gives Nanuet a sheepish grin before going to light her candles in preparation of her morning prayers. She glances back over her shoulder at him.  "Was I really that bad?   It was quite fun really, but  I think I may have revealed more than was prudent," she laughs.  "Do you think that Katherine will ever speak to me again?""Yes, I think she realizes your state of mind was influenced by the liquour and drugs.  Perhaps you do owe her an apology though.  Once you finish your prayers we can go see if we can find the others.  I imagine Jake stayed up all night watching over Ruby so he is most likely resting for now, but the others may be out and about."When Kate returned to the hotel she found the innkeeper, Mr. Bishop.  "I was wondering if there were any houses to let in town?  With so many people gone, it seems there must be quite a few houses open."Victor Bishop scratches his head a few times, scrunches his eyebrows and crumples his forehead.  "See the problem is that I don't think things have been cleaned up yet.  Wills, deeds to land, titles on property.  I am sure we can find you something.  Thinking about moving here?  I'll tell you what, I'll look into and get back to you by this afternoon.""I don't know about moving but I may be here some time.  Thank you for your help, I appreciate it."Chester would be busy with Deputy Weeks for a while, so Kate went back into the dining room to wait for Nanuet to come down so she could fill him in.Nanuet waits for Minerva to finish her morning prayers and get cleaned up and dressed.  The two head downstairs to see if the dining room would still serve them breakfast.  They turn the corner and head into the room.  Minerva pauses when she sees Kate is present but Nanuet urges her forward with a stern look and the couple greets Kate."Good morning Kate, where's everybody else?  Did we miss anything this morning?" Nanuet says, breaking the ice.Before Katherine can turn away from her. Minerva grabs her arm and  says contritely, "Senora Katherine,  I hope you are not too angry with me for my rude behavior last evening. I was not myself and would not have spoken out of turn had I been in control of my faculties. It would seem that the combination of alcohol and laudanum have a very strange affect on me," she chuckles sheepishly. "Please forgive me for being so bold. It was quite unladylike of me.""By the way, we met a woman on the coach. Her name is Maddie and she is traveling alone. Considering all that is going on in this town, I do not think it wise for any of us to be isolated.  Perhaps you would consider sharing her room instead of staying by yourself. I do believe that it would be safer for both of you to do so and if you are agreeable I will broach the subject with her on your behalf. ""Any drug is dangerous. Mixed with the alcohol your behavior is understandable," Kate said perfunctorily. She turned to Nanuet and said quietly, "Sheriff Wilson is dead. He was found hanging by his feet outside his office this morning. Chester is with the Deputy looking for Greely, and the Jacobs retired upstairs to get some rest.Mr. Jacobs spoke to Mr. Edwards this morning." Kate then filled them in on what Jake had told the others outside the office. "I asked Mr. Bishop to find out if there are any houses to let in town. Mr. Jacobs seems to feel renting a house would mean a private residence. I'm not quite so convinced, but we can ask Mr. Edwards this afternoon when he meets with Mr. Jacobs."She turned back to Miss Florencia and said, "If we stay in the hotel I will consider your suggestion, Priestess."Minerva looks at her friend "Priestess, hmmm," she says the sadness evident in her expression. "After everything that we have been through together I thought that I had come to mean more to you than that, Katherine. It is unfortunate that the bond we shared in the desert is naught but a distant memory. I pray that someday you will come to realize our friendship." Not wanting Katherine to see how hurt she is by the rebuff she turns and leaves the hotel."You'd best go with her Nanuet," Kate said.  "It's daylight, but I'm not sure how safe it is to go about alone.  I believe Mr. Jacobs expects us to look for those men that disappeared last night after he wakes.  The meeting is at two o'clock.  I'll see you then."Once Nanuet had followed his Lady out the door Kate sighed and went back upstairs to her room.  She pushed back the curtains and sat down by the window to stare out at the blue sky.It was not in her nature to enjoy hurting anyone, but she would not lie to the Priestess to save her feelings.  Whatever degree of intimacy the Priestess had thought they had achieved, it was far greater than any Kate had ever perceived.  They did not run to one another for comfort, did not tell one another their secrets.  Yet Miss Florencia always seemed to know her secrets.  The wizardry she had been forced to reveal before she was ready, the child the Priestess had guessed she carried, Conrad's offer of marriage in a moment when Kate had been confused and wishing for someone to tell her what to do.And the ceremony.....  Katherine shook her head.  She had felt no more bonded to the other women after than she had before.  She had felt more open, but that was Aphrodite's doing and Katherine had pushed that unwanted influence away from herself as soon as she knew what it was.  And then to learn that a small ceremony of her own design would have done just as well....  Why had the woman not told her that in the first place instead of taking her to stand cold and naked in the desert, worshipping goddesses she had no desire to honor?Miss Florencia already had Ruby and Nanuet, Jake and Chester; they were all delighted with her.  What did she want or need straight-laced, stick in the mud Katherine for anyway?  Kate rubbed her arms.  There was no one she could talk to.  Ruby could handle nothing more right now, and Jake needed everything he had for their current mission.  Nanuet was obviously out and while Chester would give the shirt off his back to help, he just wouldn't understand.  She felt as if she were fading away like an old photograph soon to be forgotten.Minerva quickly walks up the street, unaware of her surroundings. Nanuet calls out to her but instead of responding she lengthens her stride. He quickens his pace to catch up with her and taking hold of her arm turns her around to face him.Distraught, she attempts to pull away. “I need to be alone” She insists, the tears glistening in her eyes.“Where are you going?”“I don’t know. I just need to walk.” She turns from him and begins walking again. Nanuet matches her pace and silently accompanies her to the edge of town, where they find themselves approaching the well and statue of the towns Founder.Minerva sits on the bench kicking her booted toe into the dust and lets the tears come.  Nanuet sits beside her, patiently waiting her out.After some time she breaks the silence. “I am so tired of being the outsider!” she rants. “All of my life I have been ostracized for what others believe me to be. I thought that when I came to Promise City that I had left the loneliness behind me, that it would be different. I thought that I had found true friends, but I am still the same pariah that I have always been.”  She stands and walks over to the statue. “I have tried to show her what is in my heart but she is unable to see beyond her own fear. I am NOT the priests of her childhood and it hurts deeply when she insults me by referring to me as priestess.  I would lay my life down for Katherine… for all of them. What must I do for her to see me for who I am?”Sensing that she is running out of steam Nanuet comes up behind her and wraps his arms around her. “Do not be too hard on her, my love.  She may be cautious and slow to trust but someday she will overcome her past and see you as the same caring and loyal woman that I have come to admire and love so dearly.Minerva turns into his arms and embarrassed by her show of weakness attempts to excuse her outburst. “I am sorry Mi Amor. I do not mean to go on so. Perhaps it is the lingering effects of the laudanum."  She starts fiddling with the bricks on the statue. “Jake and Ruby said that there was a hidden door in here. I wonder what’s down there she says removing the loose bricks."I wouldn't go removing too many, you're liable to bring that whole thing down on top of you." Nanuet warns as he sneaks a bit closer looking over her shoulder.Minerva looks down into the hole. "Well as much as I'd like to find out, we really don't have time right now anyway. I think we should get back for the meeting, and I know that you want to eat before that time since I dragged you away before you had the chance." she says attempting to put a lightness into her tone.She places the bricks back into their proper places and the two, hand in hand,  make there way back to town and enter the hotel before the others arrive. They eat and wait for the monster slayer to arrive.Once he and Ruby are back inside their room, Jake closes the curtains and darkens the room as best he can.  Guns hung on the bed post, duster tossed into the corner, he sits on the bed breathing slowly while rubbing his eyes.Ruby sits on the bed next to Jake, letting her leg touch his as she lets her eyes adjust to the dark. She takes his hand in hers, "You must be so tired baby. You need to rest."Her voice seems to startle him a little and he sits upright.  "Help me with my clothes."Ruby silently obeys. She slowly pulls off Jake's boots and socks, then his shirt, letting her hands linger on him whenever she can.Finally she undoes his pants. "You need to lay down now baby." Jake complies and Ruby pulls off his pants as he does. "Do you want a drink before you fall asleep?" she asks softly."No, thank you princess.  There is only one thing I need."  Jake reaches out with one hand to her.  "Abandon that dress and come lay with me.  I have need of your warmth.  I need to feel your skin against mine.  I have great need of your strength and fire.  I know it is in there, come and share it with me."Ruby's lips curl up at the edges and sitting on the edge of the bed she starts slipping her dress off her shoulders, pulling the straps low. She stops suddenly and sighs. She turns her face over her shoulder, back to Jake, making sure her hair covers the bruised side, "Can you close your eyes? Maybe we can imagine we aren't here and none of the bad things are happening."Jake closes his eyes.  "Come to me, Ruby, help me forget the world for a time."Once Jake’s eyes are closed, Ruby quickly undresses and slides into the bed next to him. She closes her eyes too, then reaches out for Jake face. She runs her hands over his short but grown in beard, keeping a hand on each cheek. "I love you Jake Cook," Ruby says softly, "I don't know what I did to deserve you.""Punishment for some heinous crime I am certain," he says with mock seriousness, then his tone changes.  "Now that you are naked to me in the flesh, with nothing between our skin, let there be nothing between us in spirit as well my love.  Say what you will to me, unburden yourself for you do not have to fear me.  Say what you wish, let the words come and then your fears will fall to the floor like your dress, for we do not need them here in bed between us.  You will feel better.  My arms will still hold you and I will still love you.  Say what you will and let your fear of me pass away."  Jake strokes her hair and then runs his finger along her lips.  "I need you Ruby, I need your strength and your love.  Your fear withholds some of that strength from me, dearest one.  Name the fear if you can, name it and by doing so discard it.  If you cannot name it today, do not let that trouble you.  I will not love you a whit less.  Either way just love me, Ruby West, just lay here and love me."Ruby breathing gets heavy and quick as she considers telling all to Jake. She opens her eyes and stares at her lover, his eyes closed but his face relaxed and open to her. Ruby takes a deep breath in and starts rambling, “I’m… I’m sorry…I just… so afraid of them, the monsters, them taking me, taking me away from you…I dreamed Colin killed me and I… I liked it…it felt good… good that I could never be like this…bruised and ugly,” she starts sobbing as she rambles, “And them being able to make me not help you like I want to is HORRIBLE…and if they ever made me hurt you I just couldn’t bare it…it would be the worst thing that ever happened to me… because I love you and don’t want to do anything to ever hurt you…” She sobs a few more times, “And the dreams… I can’t take them anymore… if I’m not dreaming about them I’m dreaming about you, which would be good except I keep dreaming we’re getting married and I know it’s never going to happen and that hurts me too… and I LIKE being Mrs. Jacobs, I KNEW it would be a problem... because now I have a taste of what it would be like to really have you and how people would treat me...And something else… You...you…you didn’t want me…yesterday… I c-can’t… it really hurts… no one ever turned me down before… ever. Made me feel s-soo bad, like you really didn’t want me and maybe I’m just not worth all this trouble. And I’m just not like this and I don’t know how to not be like this now…,” More sobs come from Ruby and she grasps Jake’s face, “Open your eyes and look at me Jake.”Jake slowly opens his eyes.  Ruby stares deep into his caring brown eyes, “I-I’m l-lost and I don’t know how to fix it, how to get back to me... and to you.”  Jake takes her rose-thorn scarred hand and taps her palm.  He places his own scarred palm against it and smiles at her.  "See?  I am still here, my arms still hold you and I love and want you all the same.  Let your fears languish on the floor for a time, we need not pay them heed right now. Those that are hardy enough to survive we will address in time.  This is not their time, this is our time."  Jake kisses her palm and places her hand on his chest over his heart.Ruby presses her palm down tightly on Jake’s chest. Feeling his heart beating steadily the corners of her lips once again rise ever so slightly. She places her face next to her hand on his chest, letting the beat soothe her very weary and emotional soul. She stays like that, unmoving, for an unknown amount of time. Finally she lifts her head and starts covering Jake’s chest with warm, wet kisses, making her way up to his lips. “I will love you Jacob Cook,” she whispers, “And you will love me.” She finally lets her lips touch Jake’s, her kisses soft at first but they grow deeper as she gradually shifts more and more of her body onto Jake. The slow, deep and passionate kisses begin to regenerate Ruby and finally she lifts her head to look Jake in the eyes but she says nothing, letting her hands gently caress his face his while her warm body presses against him.She laces her fingers through his, then reaches their clasped hands up over Jake's head. She rolls them over, letting Jake cover her, the weight of him shielding and protecting her.  "Tell me again you will always want me and need me baby," Ruby says breathlessly, "That's still all I ever want."Jake places his lips near her ear and whispers, "You are the only one for me.  Always and forever I will want you and need you."  What starts as a long sigh of contentment from Ruby's lips ends as more a purr as she pulls his arms back down and around her.  Their lips find each other and their bodies become one.  Eventually, warm and satisfied, they both move from the solace of lovemaking to the sanctuary of sleep.At 2:00, Ruby wakes Jake who had not heard Katherine knock.  He manages to disentangle himself from Ruby with only a little cajoling.  "The sooner this is done the sooner I do NOT have to get out of bed."He dresses quickly and leaves the room dark.  "I will go check on the meeting, take your time getting dressed and I will fill you in when you come down.  I think that nice leather outfit is what you will need this afternoon."  Jake hurries down stairs while the thoughts swirl in his head.  If that Nevada guy is able to know what Ruby knows it will be better if we keep her from knowing what we are doing until we are there.  He peeks around the corner into the dining room and sees Chester with the newly promoted Sheriff.  "Mierda!" he exclaims quietly and steps back.  He rubs his beard a couple of times before he sprints back up the stairs.  I told that Martin not to trust Weeks.  I suppose there is no harm in having Ruby there then.  That boy is just too trusting.  Well I did not specifically tell him not to bring him to the meeting with Edwards.  Perhaps you are too distrustful Mr. Cook?  Jake laughs out loud and mutters to himself, "Not hardly."  He is still laughing when he knocks on their door and lets himself back in the room.  "They are ready down there, I guess you need to hurry."  Jake avoids looking at her directly while she gets dressed.  He keeps himself busy by packing up his gear, including six sticks of dynamite in his small travel bag with the items from last night.  He can almost hear Flint's voice, 'There is almost nay problem a little well placed dynamite cannot fix laddie, and them it cannot, well she be a might pretty sight anyway'.  Jake almost laughs out loud again.  All in all the thought of a little revenge on Nevada Dan for last night has him in a good mood.Ruby had taken her time getting ready, even after Jake had tried to rush her. She seemed happy and content, making herself as pretty as she could, but still leaving her long unruly hair loose and wild around her face. By the time Jake dragged her downstairs Ruby actually did feel hungry.When they are done, he slings his Spencer and her shotgun over his shoulder, grabs his bag and escorts Ruby down stairs and into the dining room.Ruby whispers to Jake, "I am starving baby, let's eat something please." As the rest of them talk Ruby picks at her food and glances from Jake to the room, back to Jake with a dreamy smile on her face, not paying attention to what is really being said. A few minutes prior to the 2:00 hour the spry man of more than 60 winters who was now being called "The Monster Hunter" around the small town of Thomaswell entered the dining hall of the Gordon Hotel.  He waited until all the others were gathered before he spoke."Well, I spent the morning looking around.  Noticed a few interesting things, I'll share what information I have and we can collaborate on the rest."Nolan Edwards goes on to discuss the house to the west of town, how it is certainly set up so that little or no sunlight can get it.  "Whitaker has that place buttoned up tight, has to be a little bit suspicious, plus he just happened to show up in town around the same time the trouble started."He also explains that the site of the stake and ashes from the previous morning do look authentic to him.  "The ashes look real enough based on my experience.  Not sure how they tied him in place before the sun came up, but it at least looks like the remains of a sun-baked vampire to me."He also discusses looking around the Smythe boarding house.  "That old man was a bit reluctant to let me in, but I convinced him.  A little money goes a long way, especially in a dying town like this one.  Anyways I poked around.  Didn't really find anything that you folks already hadn't figured out, but there is no sign that he has returned either.  Without a coffin I am leaning towards the idea that he is truly gone."Lastly he discusses his conversations with the townsfolk about those who died and when and also their general attitude.  "There are some tough folks here, willing to try and scratch a living out here where there is not much to scratch with.  As far as the deaths it is hard to formulate any patterns.  On one hand it seems there was definitely more than one monster at work here, one who preys on drifters or vagrants and lowlifes and one who enjoyed the company of young women.  Then there are the deaths like the mayor and his wife, or the sheriff.  They fit in neither category, or rather one of their own.  Not sure what to make of that or anything other than there was or is more than one vampire at work here."Chester says, "I checked out Boot Hill recently. It doesn't look like anything has disturbed the graves. Back in Promise City one of Turner's victims, a Gus Thomas, became one of them. We killed him after digging him up.""There is still more than one," Kate said.  "Last night, just before you arrived at the saloon they were there causing trouble.  Mr. Jacobs had a tussle with one of them and it turned to mist to escape, as did its two friends.""I think it is pretty clear that Nevada, Gloves and Smith are vampires." Jake looks directly at Edwards.  "Do you know how long it takes one of those monsters to heal?  I hurt Nevada pretty bad I would imagine but I keep hearing that they can regenerate if they get back to their coffins.  Also, are they dormant during the day or do they just hide from the light?  And lastly, when they take control of someone, are they able to know what that person knows or listen in to what is happening around them or something?""They do heal rather quickly.  It depends on whether you forced him into the mist by hurting him that badly or if he chose to go into a mist by himself.  If he changed to a mist by chance then he was not hurt enough that it wouldn't be healed by now.  As far as what they do during the day, they usually sleep most of the daylight hours away but they are not necessarily dormant as you say.  They must hide from the light though, they have no choice about that.  I have seen a few in my day that can tolerate sunlight for half a minute or so, but no longer than that.  Lastly, the domination, based on my experience they do not know what you are thinking, but rather they can give you a command and that is all you think about until it is completed.  Then you have your own will back until another command is issued.  They do not have to be present to issue commands either.  Do you have reason to believe that someone is dominated?  If so, you must be very careful, that person is as much a threat as one of them, they will not be able to control their actions!"Ruby looks up surprised, "Oh yes, that would be just horrible. Have to be very careful about that. Do we think that now?""I guess we do not know for sure..." Jake looks to the Sheriff. "Where do those three ruff-necks live? Is it far? Can we get there and back while the sun is up?""Mr. Jacobs? Me and the Sheriff were going to go out to the ranch to take care of those three while it's still daylight.""I'm glad you came back here first, then. Against those three you'll need as many people with you as possible," Kate said."That's what I told the sheriff. Oh, by the way, Mr. Jacobs, here's your badge." Chester hands Jake the tin star. He takes it, holding it by one point and turning it back and forth in his hand. Ruby looks at him curiously but Jake does not notice. Al Weeks gets a riled up look on his face. "Oh, I know exactly where they live. Yes, we can make it there and back while the sun is still up, only about 2 miles out of town. I would accept any help that you folks are willing to give, but I'm going out there either way, with or without you."Chester says, "I'm going. I just need to grab my rifle from my room."Weeks says, "Mr. Jacobs. You and Mr. Martin are hereby deputized in the service of Thomaswell. Your primary concern is the threat of these vampires. Do you accept?""Yes, sir." Might as well since my primary concern was these vampires anyway. Jake flips the star a couple of times in his hand before shrugging and pinning it to his shirt. Kate nodded and continued.  "Mr. Edwards, we know that fire and sunlight kill these things. We also read that a wooden stake through the heart would do it, and holy water hurts them. Are there any other ways to kill them? And is there some way to prevent them turning to mist?""I've never figured out a way to stop them from turning to mist. The best thing is to hit them where they live, that way they have nowhere else to go. While in mist form they must retreat to their coffin. Sunlight and a stake through the heart, submerging them in running water. Those are the ways I know of that will end them. I have proven each of them more than once, they work," Edwards finished."We hadn't heard of submerging them in running water. I'm very curious as to the whys of these methods, but I suppose that is for another day. Mr. Jacobs suggested we rent a house in town in order to have a private residence. Would a rented house serve the purpose, or would it be like a hotel in that while you are staying there it is owned by another?""A rented house will do fine, they should not be able to enter, unless the owner of the house invites them or you invite them to do so. They can enter public places that are open to everyone, stores, saloons, hotels, etc. without needing an invitation" Nolan Edwards answers.Just then there is a light knocking outside the room and the sound of someone clearing their throat. "Pardon the interruption folks, I have some information for the young lady," he says motioning towards Kate, "about what you asked me this morning."Victor Bishop explains to Kate that there are 3 properties that are suitable as rentals, two of them are now owned by Mr. Greely, and the other is owned by Bobby Whitaker. "Thom's former saloon and his home are both owned by Greely now, the former mayor's home is now owned by Bobby Whitaker. From what I gather both have been looking to either sell or rent those properties. I hope that helps.""It does help very much Mr. Bishop, thank you," she said with a smile. "It was very kind of you to inquire for me.""Not at all, Miss," Bishop answered before leaving them to their conversation."Very interesting," Kate continued. "It gives us an excuse to talk to Whittaker, but if he's a vampire we certainly wouldn't want a house he owns. And if I heard right, Greely didn't really take to any of you, and he's a bit of a suspicious character himself.""Oh, Mr. Greely doesn't have a problem with me, at least I don't think he does. As a matter of fact he feels bad about..." Ruby's voice trails off and she unconsciously touches her still tender arm. "Anyway, I could speak with him." Then she furrows her brows, "But are we moving here? I don't want to move here.""No, honey," Kate said gently, laying her hand on her friend's arm. "But Mr. Edwards says these monsters cannot enter a private residence. So if we rent a house in town for our stay, we can sleep at night in greater safety since they would have to be invited to enter.""Then how did Colin get in our room at the Lucky Lady?" Ruby asks curiously, trying to piece the information together."It's a saloon, which is open to the public. I'd guess as long as they can enter the building they can go into any room they want without impediment. So if you lived in a hotel like I do, even though your room is your private residence they could still come inside since the hotel is open to anyone."Ruby picks at her toast and scrunches her nose, "Then I guess we have to get a house. We can't live in the saloon anymore." She looks up at Kate with her cloudy eyes, "But I looovve our room at the Lucky Lady." She looks at Jake, "We can't stay there anymore but I don't want to leave."Kate wrapped her arms around Ruby and hugged her. "Of course you can stay at the Lady. When we go home these monsters will be gone and you'll have nothing to worry about."Ruby puts her head on Kate's shoulder as she hugs her. "That's nice," she whispers in her ear. Keeping her head in place she says, "We never know when there might be more of them and I don't want to have to go through this again. And Jake said when we got back we would decide. About the room that is." Ruby giggles, "Could you imagine me and Jake with a house?" More giggles erupt from Ruby. "How fun."         "It just might be. There's all sorts of freedoms to having your own house. I don't think there was a room in our house that Tom and I didn't," she stopped whispering and cleared her throat. "Well it's about as private as you can get.And think of all the fun you had putting together your room. A whole house is that much more fun.""Katherine!" Ruby squeals with giggles, "You're so silly." She adjusts her head for comfort, keeping it on Kate's shoulder but she gazes at Jake with an easy smile, "I want a house baby." She takes Kate hand in hers, "Kate says having a house is fun.""It is." Kate squeezed Ruby's hand and returned to the conversation with the monster hunter. "So this afternoon we go after the thugs from last night. Mr. Edwards, do you have any strategies you usually use? Things were should be aware of so we are not shocked or surprised at an inopportune moment?""Each fight is different, as the creatures still retain their minds and the ability to think. They are not mindless like ghouls or zombies." Nolan pauses to take a swallow from his flask. "I prefer to try and surprise them, hopefully the one that was shot last night was hurt enough that he will still be recovering. If we know where the coffins are and the light is out we have the advantage, we have many places to go where they can not follow. If we can sneak in and stake them where they lie that would be the easiest though.""So we'll want to try to find the coffins before the vampires if at all possible. I should go get changed and gather my own equipment. I'll be back in just a few minutes, Constance," Kate said as she gently disentangled herself from Ruby.She went upstairs and changed into her leathers which she had tucked into the very bottom of her bag. Her hair was quickly released from its pins and simply braided. She removed the sleep bullets from her derringer and replaced them with the magic bullets, and made sure her pistol was fully loaded. It was only for cover anyway, but she still needed the bang. Once she was ready she went downstairs to rejoin the others.Nanuet had been quiet lately, more so than usual, but he finally speaks up. "Well, we are all in this together. Minerva and I will be right back we have to gather our gear as well."Nanuet and Minerva head upstairs to gather gear and supplies and head back downstairs in a timely manner.Jake moves over to speak with the priestess. "Do you have any more of that holy water? I used mine up last night, it worked well getting him to release me. Oh, I meant to thank you for putting yourself between the doorway and Nevada, I did notice.""De nada, Senor. I thank the gods that you are safe." She places her hand on his shoulder and smiles sincerely "You can trust that so long as I have breath in me that I will not allow harm to come to any of my new friends.Holy water? Si, I have plenty and will make more. I have given vials to the others as well. I only hope that they make more use of the holy water than the garlic that I handed out on the coach. If you had been wearing yours perhaps the evil one would not have gotten his hands on you to begin with heh?" She gently reproaches him and hands him a vial that she has been keeping in her skirt."Oh, point made. De Nada," Jakes says accepting the vial and stowing it in his shirt pocket.Jake's attention is then drawn to Edwards who is answering Katherine's queries. 'Hmmmm,' he thinks. "Sheriff Weeks, can you arrange some transportation? A buggy and some horses perhaps? Several coils of rope as well if you have them. Let us get whatever else we need and gather outside in fifteen minutes. I for one am anxious to be about our business with those three and put and end to them at least."Weeks replies promptly. "I can get a carriage for us and a team of horses, not a problem. Might take me more than 15 minutes to get over to the livery hook up the team and get back, but I'll be back as quick as I can. I'll get plenty of rope as well."Ruby watches everyone but Jake leave. She looks at him, "I know you got all our stuff ready already. You're so prepared baby." Ruby continues to pick at some food. "I don't know what you want me to do today, I don't want to get too close to those things again." Ruby gently touches her cheek, but quickly covers her face with her hair. "Let's just get this over with so we can get out of this dirty little town."Time passes and all the friends meet up in the dining room with their gear. They all head outside and wait for Sheriff Weeks and the carriage to arrive. "Now that you mention it, I do want you to stay away from those creatures. You can keep an eye on Weeks though. He used language like you, Katherine and Colleen did when Turner made you do things. Maybe I am just too suspicious. Either way, keep an eye on him and if he tries to do anything to stop us you might give him a nap. Know what I mean?"Ruby nods, "Oh you think he's the one..." Ruby stops. "But what about Weeks and Edwards? You want me to do it in front of them? I mean, use my skills...""You are a clever girl, think of something. We did practice some tricks to hide it. Besides, if it comes done to life or death, use them."</blockquote>

Verification