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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3100006" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter 175, “Aphrodite’s Priestess”, Sunday, March 26th, 1882, 2:00 PM Jake tells Ruby, "Yes, everyone is acting strange." He decides it is not the right time to tell her that Katherine was attracted to him. "If you are feeling strange, just come back to the saloon. I'll be back soon."   She replies, "So will I."  Ruby decides now is the time to try to visit the Palace Saloon, to get her mind off of Minerva's crazy behavior. She fixes her hair, adjusts her bosom and heads over. She walks right up to the door and waits to be greeted. Thankfully the three faces she hopes to avoid seeing - Evan Adair, Kitty Trent and Deacon McCoy are not there. The place is almost deserted, with bartender Dave Carleen being behind the bar and one working girl on duty. There are only two customers sitting at a table talking to each other in slurred speech.  Ruby wanders in casually and walks up to the bar. "A whiskey please." While she waits she makes sure to lean forward on the bar just a little bit. "So, is there anyone around here I can speak to about getting some entertainment?" He replies, "Evan and Kitty aren't around at the moment. Hold on." He yells to the woman in the room "Hey Fannie, head upstairs and see if Little Britches is up yet!" The woman does as instructed.   Five minutes pass and a young woman comes walking down the stairs. Ruby had seen her around town and in the Palace two months earlier but there is something different about her now. Ruby sees a glow around the woman and a sense of warmth and passion that she has only felt once before, in the ceremony with Minerva and Kate a few nights earlier. She then sees that the woman has in her hand a red rose almost identical to that of Ruby's, including the special coating that it received in the ceremony.  Ruby approaches her, and with a slight bit of awe in her voice she speaks. “Good afternoon, I’m Ruby, Ruby West.” She extends her hand to the woman.  The woman gives Ruby a deep hug and says "Sister!" Ruby feels warmth and happiness in response despite the sense of confusion by the woman's actions. Ruby hugs her back, although reluctantly. “Have we met before? And if I might ask, where did you get that rose?”   "We are sisters...followers of Aphrodite. One minute please." She stops and turns to the two men at the table and says, "Out, be gone from my sight." The two men stand and stagger out the door. She then turns to the bartender and says "You were not invited to witness this private moment either. Please leave and lock the door behind you." He does as instructed, leaving them alone in the Palace's main room. Ruby stares at the woman in wonder. “How did you do that?”  She replies, "The Gods can have a strong influence on a weak mind"   Ruby looks at her with wide eyes. “I should warn you, I’m not supposed to be in here. Mr. Adair doesn’t like me.”  The woman replies, "I am not overly fond of him myself. But he can serve Aphrodite just as any other man in this town can. His saloon is now my Temple, and a worthy Temple it is. All followers of Aphrodite are welcome here. Please feel free to come and join us for our worship service next Sunday." Ruby asks, “What is it that you do to serve Aphrodite? She asked me to honor her and I have been trying to think of something appropriate. She has given me what she knew I wanted and I need to thank her in return. I’m not sure I want to wait until next Sunday. Besides, he won’t let me in. He’s actually tried to kill me.”  The woman replies,  "He will not any longer, I will not allow it. You can help me honor her by making this community one of Love, dedicated to the Love of our Goddess! The time is near! The festival next weekend will bring great praises to Aphrodite and make this place a beacon of worship to her!” Ruby stands blinking at the woman. “Well...I have been trying to bring some couples together. And I have taught my boyfriend what love is about. What is it you do during services? The services of the priestess Minerva are rather boring. I’m not really the church going type.”  The woman replies, "At services we sing and dance and tell the men how to honor the Goddess! My acolytes and I use the time to plan against those who would oppose the Goddess of Love and her church, the closed-minded prudes on the Vigilance Committee, and our enemy, Ares the God of War and his hand-picked priest of this region Johnny Ringo." Ruby smiles, “I can do all of those things. It seems our goals are the same.” Ruby pauses in thought. “But Johnny Ringo is a priest of Ares? I thought he was a wizard. He has been my enemy for some time and I would like nothing more than to destroy him.”   She says, "I am not aware that he knows any wizardry? Only that he is a follower and priest of the War God. Our goals are the same, I am glad that we found one another sister. I sense that you could be the strongest of all of my acolytes! Your singing will honor the Goddess!" “Maybe he’s been a priest all along and we’ve been wrong?” Ruby thinks out loud. “But no, he has spell books…” She shakes her head. “What is it you want me to do...Miss… I don’t even know your name!”   She replies, “"It is not what I want but what the Goddess Aphrodite wants. You need to ask her that yourself, although I can help you to do that. But first, I wish to know more of you. Come, help yourself to anything over at the bar and join me."  The woman heads to the bar and opens up a new bottle of red wine, pouring it into a long thin glass. She then heads over towards a long red-velvet couch with silk pillows and reclines on it.Ruby leans over the bar and helps herself to the Kentucky Bourbon. She joins the woman, sitting on the edge of the couch. She pours herself a generous glass. "What do you want to know?"  She says, "I am curious how long you have worshipped the Goddess and what brought you here to this community."Ruby says, "I don't think you could say I worship the goddess. I had this dream, only recently. When I woke I had this," she holds up her hand with the small heart shaped fresh scar, "And a perfect red rose, just like yours. Aphrodite was in my dream, as was Cupid. And she said I was her favored one and she wanted to give me the things I have been missing all these years. She only wanted me to love her in return. So, I am new to this worshipping thing." "As for here? I drifted here," she shrugs. "I was in Tombstone. And before that... all over. Never happy. Until here," she smiles.    The woman replies, "I believe that the Goddess brought us both here. This is our destiny."   "By this you mean this town? I'm not so sure”, Ruby smiles.  "My destiny is with a man and if he leaves I leave too. The goddess approves of him and us." Ruby looks around the saloon, "You didn't answer my question, what do you want me to do? At least tell me what your name is."She replies, “My name is Jane Boag, although most folks have called me by the unflattering nickname of "Little Britches".   "Nice to meet you Jane," Ruby extends her hand and the two woman touch each other's hands gently. "I probably shouldn't linger here too much longer. How will I know what you want me to do?”  She says, “Ruby, sister, I do not want you to do anything. You are the only person in this town who I do not need to give direction to, Aphrodite already speaks to you as she does to me.”   Ruby states, "Then I am right to listen to what she tells me in my heart. That is a relief to me to hear.  The festival is next weekend." Suddenly Ruby smiles again, "Oh the reason I stopped by. Entertainment for the festival. I'm in charge, if you can believe that," she says flipping her hair. "Would anyone from the Palace like to participate?" Jane finally lets Ruby's hand go.Jane states, "That is a great task, as the festival is to honor the Greek Pantheon. Thankfully you have found a priestess of that pantheon to assist. I will be happy to help you coordinate the entertainment. The worship service earlier today has left me drained but I will seek you tomorrow and we can work on this together."  Ruby says, "Oh, I have heard someone here did the Dance of the Veils. Was that you?"  Jane replies, The Dance honors Aphrodite, it is the ritual that begins the service of worship.   "I certainly know that dance can set a man's heart on fire," she smiles mischievously. "Rest and I will try to stop by tomorrow then." Ruby stands slowly, hesitant to leave as she doesn't want the passionate and accepting feelings that are surrounding her to disappear.  Jane stands and walks her to the door. From the moment Ruby saw the woman standing on the stairs she had such a commanding presence that it is surprising to find that she stands a mere five-foot-two, a half-foot shorter than Ruby. Jane unlocks the door and says, "Until tomorrow." She then leans forward and gives Ruby a short kiss on the lips.Ruby returns the kiss almost as if not under her own control. She doesn't answer the priestess, just gracefully exits the Palace. Once outside she touches her fingers to her lips, the passionate and warm feelings inside her growing stronger.   The air still felt heavy and now almost exotic to Ruby as she meandered her way back to the Lucky Lady.Jake walked over to Conrad Booth's home and knocked on the door.  He hears somebody stumbling around inside. Conrad Booth opens the door. This is the only time that Jake has seen him without a suit and tie on, although he is still wearing dress pants and a dress shirt with only the top button not fastened. "Oh, I was expecting Mother Jimenez" he states.   Jake says, "Do you have a few minutes for me? I have some questions you may be able to help me with and a favor to ask."He replies, "Oh, why yes. Please come in."  Jake enters, noting a sweet honey smell in the room and potted plants in the four corners. As soon as the door is shut he feels very different, as though a great weight has just been lifted from him. His emotions are no longer jumbled up and while he still longs to be with Ruby those feelings reside only in his mind and not elsewhere on his anatomy."Hmmm..." Jake says and then shakes his head. "Thanks for seeing me. Let's try the favor first, it is the easiest. Do you still have your costumes from the stage days? I need something for the ball. I was hoping for something like an English gentlemen, cape and all. I'd take whatever you would loan me though, I'm stuck and costumes are not something you find readily in a mining town."He replies, "We think alike in that regard. I do not presently have any but when I heard that there would be a costume ball I took the liberty of sending a telegram off to San Francisco. Based upon the reply I can expect a container with costumes to arrive probably mid-week, so will let you know when they are here.""Thank you very much." Jake takes a seat. "You are one of the best set of eyes and ears in this town. I needs some information if you are willing. I bet you already know why I want to know. If you don't feel safe telling me, I'd understand."  Jakes asks him if he knows if John Bell, Lester Olivier, George Otis Grosvenor, Rudolph Foote, Sherwin Allen or Riff 'Alabama' McNally are in town or anything about them. "We do know that Foote is in town."   Conrad replies, "I'm afraid that I've been in here for the last few days so don't know what is going on in town at the moment. I've met Grosvenor and Allen before, they've played at Fisk's table at the Long Branch. They don't live in town, I think they live in Galeyville, or at least they used to. I may have also met some of the others but don't recognize the names." Jake then asks if he knows where Ike Sherman from the Papago took off to a few days ago. Also, does he hear much about the Indian Head or any of the older places Ringo's friends used to hang out at.  Conrad says, "Ringo himself doesn't come around here, I think the incidents in the past few weeks were the first time he's set foot in Promise City. That's actually rather odd given that he's seen regularly in both Tombstone and Galeyville. You'd think that with this town as the only community in between he'd stop here. I heard that Ike was just on a supply run buying goods for his store. I heard that he'll be back tonight or tomorrow. That Merchant's Association meeting the other day was called on rather short notice since they didn't know when you guys would be back from Tombstone. I'm not surprised more folks didn't miss it.""Are you really sick? You don't look it." Jake scratches his beard. "That was rather rude, wasn't it. Again, I won't be offended if you tell me it's none of my business. Do you need anything, since you don't seem to be going out?"   Conrad replies, "I've been feeling poorly these past few days Mr. Cook. Mother Jimenez has brought me some herbal soups which have been very beneficial, they have helped to clear my head so that I can now think clearly.  Mr. Cook, could you please do me a favor?"Jake answers, "Ask away, you have been very kind to me."  Conrad replies, "I anticipate that I will be back to my former self by tomorrow. Could you please ask your employee, Mrs. Kale, if she might be willing to join me for a picnic lunch? Our previous time together went poorly, but I was to blame for that and owe her an apology. I will plan on picking her up at the El Parador tomorrow at around 11:00 AM unless I hear otherwise."He replies, "Certainly, Conrad. It is true that Katherine works for us, but she is more a friend than an employee. You know that. I'll tell her." Jake bids him good day and thanks him again.  After leaving Booth's house Jake just about stumbles when a wave of feeling hits him. "Damn," he mumbles, "got to do something about that one way or another." He makes his way to the Lucky Lady.Minerva slowly opens her eyes and sees the look of concern on Nanuet's face. "Where am I?" she says as she sits up.  Nanuet replies, “You're upstairs in my room in the Lucky Lady. How do you feel? Ruby had to cast a sleep spell on you, you were acting crazy. Remind me to watch out for your kick next time you are scrapping OK?"She replies, “I was not the one acting crazy. Senor Jake came in to the saloon grabbed me and dragged me all the way to the back, where he then pushed me up against the wall and began taking his shirt off. When I tried to walk away he pushed me against the wall again and said that I should make up my mind whether I wanted to hit him or kiss him. So I hit him! Didn't you hear me yelling for help? He has gone Loco and then you find it necessary to restrain me? You are all loco!"Nanuet replies, "He was just trying to show you the pendant and wanted to ask you questions about it. Not sure why he had to bring you out back to do that, and yes, everyone seems to be acting crazy lately. I'm not sure why, but you seem to have the worst of it at the moment. Besides, I wasn't trying to restrain you, I was trying to hold you lovingly in my arms." Nanuet winks, trying to lighten the mood for a moment.She replies, “I certainly feel like I'm surrounded by all this craziness but I am Not the one who is acting crazy! I merely tried to explain to Ruby that there was something terribly wrong with her. I could sense it. It's because she gave Jake her pendant. Each time she touched me I was overcome with this terrible repulsive feeling. I wasn't trying to insult her, I was trying to tell her! Oh, I'm not making sense. And if Jake was just trying to show me the pendant, why didn't he just say so? I thought that he was overcome with it's power... telling me to kiss him and removing his shirt. He is muey loco also! He deserved what he got for scaring me that way. I won't apologize for it. However, I am sorry for kicking you. And tell me again.. why are we in your room? she says and puts her arms around his neck."Chester finds himself alone in the common room. "I still need to talk to Minerva." He goes up to her room and knocks. "Minerva, Nanuet? Can I come in? I need to talk to Minerva."   Nanuet replies, "Geez Chester give us a minute to sort things out. Didn't you see what just happened down there? And she took it easy on Jake and me!"   Nanuet returns her embrace and tells her "Ruby cast a spell on you before you mauled her man any more. It put you to sleep and I figured it was best if they weren't around when you woke up, so I brought you up here. Do you still want to go today or do you want to stay and try and get to the bottom of what is going on around here? You have so much work to do with the festival too." Chester knocks on the door again, "I really need to talk with her." "C'mon in Chet, but if she starts swinging you are on your own." Nanuet releases Minerva and then pulls her to her feet.  Chester says, "Sorry to bother you, Minerva. Clarisse was upset at something you said to her about the festival. What was it?"Minerva raises her eyebrows in surprise. "I am not sure what you mean, Senor, she was a bit upset earlier in our visit but I had thought that we had straightened everything out. Perhaps you should ask her what is bothering her. I would not feel right discussing her private matters without her permission."  Chester replies, "I guess I will. Are the gods coming closer to the town? It seems like people are acting strangely around here recently."Minerva replies, “I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful Senor Chester, I hope you understand my position. People are indeed acting quite strange. I was sure that you had come to accuse me of something. You are the only one I have met today who hasn't. And everyone seems to be having dreams. I think that it is important for you to know of my visitation last night and the previous night also. Minerva once again describes her dreams, including the possible danger to Flint, Nanuet and herself. She tells her that she doesn't think that Sonoma is in danger since she was standing with Ringo which in itself was very disturbing. Minerva tells him of the warning that Mars and Ringo have joined forces. She states, "There seems to be an extraordinary amount of attention being paid to Promise City, that combined with the way people are behaving and the strange reaction to these pendants really has me worried." I believed that the pendants were a gift from the three goddesses but now I am not so sure, Minerva is not a chaotic goddess and neither is Diana. I am becoming quite worried for the safety of the town Chester, especially with the festival so close at hand. I hope that you have a sufficient amount of law enforcers on hand for it.Chester finishes his conversation with Minerva and leaves the couple alone in Nanuet's room. Nanuet is surprised by the look of hunger in her eyes as she crosses the room and wraps her arms around him, but he gently unwinds her arms and says "We have to decide what we are going to do." Minerva works on keeping herself from touching him. "You asked me what I want to do," she says trying to control the pout that she feels coming on. "I'm not sure that I can make a logical decision. What I want," she says running her hand up his arm, "And what we should do does not seem to be the same thing. I feel a little more in control now but I do not trust my emotions. I think that they may be clouding my judgment." She says as she once again tries to worm her way into his arms. "That is not to say that I am crazy, Nanuet, other's are acting quite out of character also don’t you think?" Are says and works on nibbling his ear. Nanuet feels himself getting wrapped up in the moment, wanting to take Minerva and have his way with her right then and there. The warmth of her breath causes the hair on his neck to stand on end and chills to run up and down his spine. I do not trust my emotions. I think that they may be clouding my judgment. Minerva's voice echoes in his head. "Look, this whole town has gone crazy, I don't trust anyone here," he says summoning his will and again forcing Minerva to separate from him. "I think Kajika can help. You have to tell me though that you can focus. I am not sure what dangers await us on the journey and I need to know that you are aware of what is going on."   "Oh , I am very aware of what is going on," she says in a husky voice. "It feels rather nice." Nanuet says, "Minerva, we don't have time for this right now. Snap out of it! Look, I am leaving now, are you coming with me or not?"  Minerva shakes her head to clear it." Si, I am coming with you. I am already packed. We should go now. Are you ready?"  Nanuet nods "That's better. Let me grab a few things and we can go. Can you write a note to let the others know we left. I don't want to make this a long goodbye, I just want to get out of here. There should be some paper over there." he says pointing to a table in the corner. Nanuet packs his meager belongings, making sure to include his rifle, bow, arrows, and knives. The rifle, unstrung bow and quiver are wrapped in a bed roll. He grabs a water skin and a few other belongings while Minerva pens the note. Dear Friends, Nanuet and I have gone to Kajika to seek guidance. Something is terribly wrong in Promise City. Emotions are much to high Try to stay focused on gathering information while we are gone. p.s. Dear Ruby I am quite sorry for my yelling at you. Dear Jake I am also sorry for beating you up, I know that you were unable to control yourself. Please forgive me Minerva Nanuet takes the note from Minerva and places it under Jake and Ruby's door. "Are you Ready?" He says "Let's get out of here!"  Nanuet and Minerva sneak over to the Comstock house. Minerva sneaks up the stairs grabs her gear and explains to Luna, who follows her back out. Nanuet is waiting with the horses. The two, mount and quickly gallop out of town.</blockquote>

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