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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2165819" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter 108, “A Public Spectacle”, January 11th, 1882:Ruby sits on Jake’s lap and drapes her arms around his neck. “You are a very naughty boy,” she whispers. “I like that,” she says as she leans in and gives him a long passionate kiss. “But you are going to have to wait a little longer for that. We are going to have some fun tonight at the El Parador celebrating Kate, Nanuet and Sonoma’s recent land purchase. After that we can take off the dress.” She gives him a devilish little smile. “So I’ve thinking about you all night and I’ve been wondering, earlier you told Chester I was your girl. Is that really true?” she asks. "Did I say that? Hmmm, I guess I did now that you bring it up." Jake plays with her hair a bit. "I do kinda like the sound of it. Is it true? Heh, you let me say it and didn't tear my head off, I take that as a good sign. I'd like it to be true."Ruby pushes back Jake’s hat to look at his face. She smiles as she runs her fingers across Jake’s lips, “I’ll be your girl Mr. Cook. Now we have a reason to celebrate tonight too. And maybe,” she continues mischievously, “I’ll even dance for you later tonight…if you want me to that is...” Ruby snuggles with Jake and continues kissing him.   "Ahhhem" Tom Whipple exclaims, as though clearing his voice in Jake and Ruby's direction. They look towards him and he tips his head slightly, gesturing toward his father, who is standing over by the bar and giving their public display of affection a disapproving look."Those Whipples sure know how to spoil a good time." Whispers Jake. "You're right about that. Well, we can stay here and continue to cause trouble, which is always a fun option, or we could just go back to the El Parador and not worry about the Whipples for the rest of the night. I say we do that. It's much more fun to worry about the state of your green dress anyway," Ruby says with a naughty smile. She stands up, takes Jake's hands and pulls him up. She looks around the room. "Everyone ready to go? We'll be waiting outside..." Ruby glances at Tom, who doesn't look very happy, but goes outside with Jake anyway.  "No one can tell us we can't kiss out here," Ruby laughs to Jake while they wait for the friends to catch up.Out in the kitchen, Chester asks, "Ah, Nanuet. Want a smoke? No? OK. It's been pretty boring, like most sentry duty." Chester pauses. He thinks, Well if he doesn't know I'm ex-Army, he will now. "Ahem. I did notice Mr. Lacey hanging around out back. He said something about not wanting to come inside, then he went home. Do you know anything about that?" Nanuet replies, "Well, I know he likes Miss Ruby's singing. Not sure why he wouldn't come inside though. Maybe he just has a problems with saloons but wants to hear Ruby singing.   Hmph. That's odd. As long as he isn't causing trouble, I guess it's not really important.”  Ruby's voice penetrates the conversation between Chester and Nanuet stating, ."Everyone ready to go? We'll be waiting outside...".   Nanuet says, "Speaking of Miss Ruby... Chester have you seen Louise? I think it is time to call it a day and head back to the El Parador.   Chester says, "Last I saw her, she was in the common room. Did you know she could change her appearance? It seems like magic."  Nanuet replies, "Not sure if it is her or someone else, but they have done the same for me when I have needed it.”Between hugs and swinging Ruby around but before the others come out, Jake says to her "That grumpy old Tom asked me if we were still interested in buying into the Lone Star. I guess Maggie talked to him. I don't know how you feel about it, but I'm not sure it's a good idea. If someone I trusted to make us money were running it I could be convinced to go along at least with a share. Otherwise I'm out. I don't know if Katherine's still interested, I think she spent her money on being a land baron." Jake laughs. "Anyway, grumpy wants to know tomorrow." He throws Ruby up a little ways and mostly catches her. "It is so much easier not having to worry about other folks." He laughs again.“I agree, it is easier not to worry about other people,” Ruby says while trying not to let Jake drop her. “I don’t know anything about running a saloon. Although I must admit that I am getting a bit jealous of everyone getting involved in business stuff and I only have a crappy paying job. But you know, I am a bit, um,” Ruby pauses to bite on her finger, “well, nervous about putting my money into anything that I can’t get to quick, you know? And I’m not sure that Maggie could properly run this place either, and Maggie and I are two very different kinds of people.” Ruby pauses, furrowing her brow, “Who could we get to run this place? Maybe Sonoma? She’s good at coming in and running things.” Ruby moves closer to Jake, “I’m not any good at this business stuff, I’m much better at this…” as she kisses his neck “and this…” as she kisses his cheek, “And this…” and she kisses his lips…Inside, Tom Whipple approaches Kate and Sonoma and says "Things are winding down but both poker games are still running so I'll need at least one of you to stick around until closing but the other can leave. Same for the two guards out in the kitchen, one of them should suffice."  Kate nodded. "Louise, why don't you go on? Nanuet is in the back, and I'm sure he wouldn't mind escorting you back. I don't mind staying, and I can come back with Mr. Martin." She leaned over and whispered to Sonoma, "We're going to have a little celebration of our purchase. I think you'll need a little more time to get ready than I will. Besides, I think your Mother would have words for me if I left you here and went back myself."   She straightened her apron and headed over to begin refreshing drinks. She slipped past Mr. Gonzales' table and whispered. "Sonoma and Nanuet will be leaving in a moment. I thought you might like to know."He says "Thank you, I should probably be going as well. Let me reemphasize that your piano playing is wonderful." He gets up and departs, leaving behind the stack of coins which is more than sufficient to cover the cost of his single glass of wine. Kate shook her head and tucked the coins into her apron pocket. As Kate took care of Tony and Job's tables, she tried to pick up on what was happening in the games. She still planned on going to the Long Branch on Sunday, and with Ruby's lessons and a bit of attention during the week, she might be able to at least follow the game and not embarrass Mr. Booth.Ruby drags herself away from Jake for a moment and sticks her head back inside the Lone Star.  "Are you all ready yet??" Kate tells her she is staying and will walk home with Chester, while Sonoma and Nanuet walk come out. Kate enters the kitchen to tell Chester that they'll be staying a while longer. "Uh, sure, Mrs. Kale. Why?"   Kate laughs. "So Nanuet can take 'Louise' back to the El Parador. We're all meeting there after work to celebrate a purchase Sonoma, Nanuet, and I made today."  He replies, "That's great news. What did you buy?"  She says, "Some land outside of town. I guess I'm setting down some roots here."  He answers,   "Well, congratulations, Mrs. Kale. Good luck."  "Thank you. We'll just be here until the poker games finish up. It's quiet otherwise. Jake and Ruby have gone on ahead as well. Shout if you need anything, Mr. Martin. Thank you for staying." Mr. Gonzales also walks out but chooses to walk ahead of them.   When they get back to the El Parador Sonoma runs upstairs to "change" while the rest of them get a table.  Jake takes a chair puts his feet up and says, "I don't have to run and be anywhere else tonight. Nobody is expecting me to be anywhere else. I have nothing better to do than sit here and get drunk. Can you believe it?"  Ruby gives him that look.   "OK, maybe one better thing." He says laughing.  Ruby laughs back while she gets up. "You are so cute," as she gives him a kiss on the cheek. She walks over to the bar and asks for a bottle of whiskey and some glasses. She gets back to their table and pours herself, Jake and Nanuet a drink. "I hope Kate and Chester show up soon. Although nothing is stopping us from starting without them," she says with a grin and she drinks her whiskey down.Nanuet grabs his glass and says, "I'd make a toast but were not all here so now I'll drink for the sake of drinking" and downs his whiskey. He slaps Jake on the back and winks at Ruby and laughs. "Thanks Miss Ruby for planning our little celebration. Besides being shot at on a fairly regular basis things seem to be going well. Like I told Jake earlier tonight, I am starting to like it here."  Ruby says, "Well, that is good because we wouldn't want anyone running off, now would we?"   She smiles and gives Jake a knowing glance. Jake winces, and tries not to spill his drink, recovers and toasts, "Here's to ducking!" and drains his glass.  Ruby refills their drinks and laughs, "Jake, you aren't very good at ducking, but I'll drink to that anyway!" as she has her next drink. Jake fills the glasses again. "Perseverance!" and returns Rubies smile. Ruby giggles, "We're going to be drunk before Kate and Chester show up!" Nanuet takes another drink as Jake and Ruby's cheerful mood is contagious. As he does he looks up and see Sonoma, looking as beautiful as ever, coming down the stairs and heading towards them. When she gets to the table, Nanuet comments, "My Sonoma, you were beautiful as Louise, but it is no comparison to the true Sonoma," he finishes with a blush.The rest of the regular customers leave and Pedro puts the sign of the door reading "Closed" in English, Spanish and Dwarven. He heads off into the kitchen and a few minutes later returns with Dorita and Maggie. Dorita is carrying a large platter filled with samplings of over a dozen freshly cooked Mexican appetizers, "Did somebody say there was to be a celebration?" Dorita exclaims. Ruby jumps out of her chair and hugs Dorita. "You are the best!" Then she looks around the now empty place. "Oh but we wanted to dance too and if no one else is here..."Back at the Lone Star, Kate went back out and approached Tom Whipple. "Does this happen often, the games running late?" Tom softly says "I asked them not to hurry if they're doing well. I can use my share of the winnings and if Job can earn enough between now and Sunday he'll also buy part of the business."  Tony's game breaks up shortly thereafter and the players leave. Tony hands Tom $ 73. The only people left are at Job's table, so Tom tells Katherine "I can handle it from here if you want to go." He then tells Jeff Mills "Why don't you take over in the kitchen and let soldier-boy escort Mrs. Kale home." "His name is Chester Martin," Kate laughed. "Well, I hope Job does well, then. He'd be an excellent partner for Maggie." She took off her apron and emptied the tip cups, putting the money into her purse. As she was putting on her hat Chester came out of the kitchen.  They said their good-nights, and Chester politely offered his arm to escort Katherine back to the El Parador. "Nice night for a walk. Right, Mrs. Kale?" "Yes, quite clear. Although it never seems to rain here." They walk out into the cool night.  He says, "It looks like Adair is holding off on his revenge for last night. I hope we can stop him so no one gets hurt. But moving onto sunnier topics, what are you three going to do with your land? Mine it like Mr. Cook? If you don't mind my saying--with my vast experience in the industry--none of you look much like miners." She replies, "And you would be right. No, we're going to ranch it. It's what my husband and I had planned to do once we got settled here, and I see no reason not to go on with that plan. We seem to have collected a few loose horses and even cattle, but we're going to start small with sheep. There seems to be a land rush on, and we anticipate Promise City will grow and there should be a market for the meat."  He replies, "Wise thinking. It seems all of you are very business-minded. That's very admirable." They arrived at the El Parador in only a few minutes to the sounds of laughter. "Looks like the party is started. And you're to celebrate with us. I just need to run upstairs, and I'll be right back down," she said as they stepped inside.  Chester looks surprised. "Thank you for the invitation. You folks barely know me. That's dreadfully nice."   She says, "Mr. Martin. You have protected us, been shot at with us, and spent a very long night in the Lone Star's kitchen. I think you should celebrate with us as well."Kate!" Ruby exclaimed as she entered the building. Ruby runs over to Kate and gives her a big hug. "I am SO glad you are here now can we really start the party. I hope you don't mind we had a few drinks while we were waiting..." "Of course I don't mind. Give me just a minute to run upstairs and put away my purse. I don't want to lose it." She kissed Ruby's cheek and hurried up the stairs.   In her room she tucked away her purse and hat, then ran over to Mr. Gonzales room to ask him if he would please put her hair back up the way he had earlier. "It wasn't appropriate for the saloon. But it was so lovely, I'd like it up for our party here."Chester stands in the doorway, with a hurt look on his face. "Ahem. Don't I get a welcome, too?"  "Oh!" Ruby says blushing, "You are so right! I am sorry Chet," As she comes over to him and gives him and big hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Does that make up for my thoughtlessness?"  Once Kate and Chester have entered Pedro locks the front door. Sonoma takes a seat at the piano and says "I can play you some dance music." She begins with some Tango-style music. Pedro tells Jake "Follow our lead" and he pulls Dorita out onto the dance floor and demonstrates that a pair of four-century old wood elves* are still young at heart. Jake does as he is told and pulls Ruby out onto the dance floor. They try to copy the graceful movements of the wood elves but even with their dexterity they can not come close. Later they would blame their failure on all the drinks. Still, they dance around laughing and enjoying themselves.He tells her "watch my hand" he then makes a gesture holding up his right hand with the thumb and first two fingers extended and then turns the hand in a semi-circle motion. He has her repeat it. He then tells her "Do that again, saying the worlds 'Mai poina'. That's the Hawaiian phrase meaning 'Don't Forget'. " She does as instructed and feels her hair moving back into place as he had made it earlier even though he is standing on the other side of the room. He tells her "The magic is in the hair clip itself. It is the same magic that Sonoma and I both used earlier to make ourselves appear human. Currently all your clip does is the hair style and color change. We can later modify it to change any other physical feature or clothing that you'd like.""Thank you. And thank you for coming to the Lone Star tonight. It was nice to have you there, even if you weren't quite yourself." She reached up and touched the clip. "Hopefully I won't have need to disguise myself often and be able to use this only for beauty’s sake. I hope you'll come downstairs for a while, it wouldn't seem right without you. It seems to be only our little circle in the Cantina. I must hurry back down now, Ruby was impatient for me to join them." She hurried back out of Mr. Gonzales room, then slowed to walk down the stairs. Ruby and Jake were dancing in a poor but lively imitation of Dorita and Pedro. Katherine smiled and took a seat at the table where Dorita and Maggie had set out some food. She hadn't really eaten since lunch, and suddenly she was famished.Manuel Gonzales arrives just as Sonoma is finishing up the song. He laughs and exclaims "Well done my little bird, but I don't think the youngsters could keep up. Here let me take a hand at that, I think you have someone waiting for you as well."  The older man takes a seat at the piano and begins to play a well-known waltz by Johann Strauss. Dorita and Pedro return to the dance floor. Nanuet waits for Manuel and Sonoma's conversation to finish and then makes his way over to the shapely wood elf. "I have missed you since dinner." he says, "I seem to be missing you whenever we aren't together." He leads Sonoma out to the dance floor and watching Pedro and Dorita attempts to dance with Sonoma. The alcohol has taken affect but he seems to at least keep from stepping on Sonoma's toes. "This land purchase may be a big step for us. It is our chance at a future. I wanted to say thanks again for handling things at the office. Anyway, enough talk about business..." He pulls Sonoma closer and lifts her off her feet while twirling around. He manages to spin a few times while Sonoma smiles and then his feet get tangled and the two collapse to the ground both howling with laughter. They embrace and kiss deeply.Kate continues to eat and looks over to her mentor, having not realized that he could play the piano. She then notices that he isn't, he is just moving his hands back and forth in the air above the keys.  Kate picked up one of Dorita's appetizers and wandered over to the piano while she nibbled. "You can do almost anything, can't you?" she smiled as she watched the others whirl slowly around the dance floor. "This is one of my favorite pieces." He replies "I know, you played it here a short while ago." He laughs and says "Actually, you're really the one playing it right now. My spell is just duplicating your previous performance. I have no idea how to play a piano."</blockquote>

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