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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3114923" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter 179, “Practice makes perfect”, Sunday, March 26th, 1882, 3:00 PM Clarisse Townsend drops by the Marshall's Office mid-afternoon while Chester is on duty. With apprehension in her voice she asks "Well? Did you talk to the Priestess? Is she angry with me?"   Chester puts his hand on her arm. "I did talk to her. She isn't mad at you, dear. She just wants the ball to be fun for everyone. Limiting drinks will just anger most of the townsfolk. I know you disapprove of drunkenness. But, it's only this one day. And it's to honor the gods. Think of the people who will deepen their relationship with the gods as a result of the festival."She says, "The Priestess told me things about Dionysus that were different than I had learned before. But Chet, I'm concerned about the other women in my sewing circle. Mrs. King decided to support this festival primarily due to the limitations on drinking. If this turns into a drunken free-for-all she will feel angry and betrayed, as will the others."  He replies, "Something tells me that my being there won't soothe them. Maybe a higher drink limit would work as a compromise? I don't know, five? How about telling them that some will regret drinking and come seek the church?"Over at the Lucky Lady, Ruby sings Jake a song and heals the scratches on his face. She laughs at the his red cheek and tells him, "That one you keep."   Ruby and Jake redress, this time in riding clothes. Jake gathers up all the weapons and ammo and they head downstairs.   On the way out of their room Jake notices a note on the floor and snatches it up. "Mr. Hoover, we're going riding. And tonight we will be going to bed early and wish not to be disturbed. Is there any business we need to take care of before we leave?"Niles replies, "No, Job left this morning to Wilcox, said he'd be back on Wednesday. Clarisse said she'd be by to sing a set or two and Harry will play for her. Expecting it to be a pretty quiet night."  Ruby states, "Jake and I will be back for dinner, Jake will take Job's table and I will even sing. I'm feeling very... inspired today," she smiles and glances at Jake. "But we will retire early. Jake and I have some things to talk over."   He replies, "Ruby, it's Sunday. Job doesn't have a table, Tony's the only one who deals on Sunday night. It's tomorrow and Tuesday that Job deals. But we'd be happy to have you sing, we could even give Clarisse the night off if you'd like."  Ruby giggles, "THAT is why you are our business manager and not me. I don't remember what nights I work half the time! Yes, give Clarisse the night off and I'll sing." Ruby says, "Oh and one more thing. I never told Mr. Chumbley to not run an ad in the paper. We can't not have any advertising. Also, any ideas for the saloon you may come up with for the festival are welcome. Maybe we can do some sort of pay one price type thing, that could really bring people in. And also think about setting up something outside to sell your wares. I'll be performing and perhaps some fans might follow me back here afterwards. But I do plan on attending the ball outside.  At any rate, you should get an ad in the paper."Niles replies, "Thanks, Chumbley wasn't sure and I didn't want to upset you. Should work though, I got in a case of twelve-year-old scotch that I've advertised and managed to sell for $ 1.50 more per bottle than usual. Paid for the ad and then some."   She says, "Upset me? Normally it takes more that that to upset me. Seems to be something going around, everyone is acting crazy lately.”  He says, "Well, you have been rather emotional as of late. I figured it was on account of that cousin of Mrs. Barker."   She says, "No, it wasn't on account of him, well, I guess partially it was but... let's leave that story for another day, ok?" she glances at Jake again. "Let's just say it should be taken care of now.” She says, “Good for you with that sale. Who bought it?”  He replies, “"Several different customers. Lumley bought two bottles. Bob Scull bought three. Sold five more each to individual customers. Still have two more but I imagine they'll go soon."   She states, “At any rate, an ad will be helpful for us. And again, try to come up with some ideas for the festival."  He replies, “"Oh, all of the saloon owners got together for a while with the Priestess right after her service to hash out ideas. We'll meet again in a few days to finalize things." While Ruby speaks with Hoover, Jake reads the note from Minerva  Ruby motions for Jake to come over to her. She says, “Have a good day Niles!" She holds Jake’s  hand then kisses him. "Ready?"    He hands Ruby the note. "At least she won't be smacking me anymore today."  "I need to leave a message for Katherine at the El Parador when we get our horses. Conrad wants to see her tomorrow." "Maybe you shouldn't be seeing Katherine right now." Ruby says more order like than suggestion like.Jake replies, What ever you want Ruby dear." On the walk over Jake tells her the message Conrad gave him. You can tell her, or leave her a note, or whatever you feel comfortable with. I'm outta fresh cheeks. I'll go get the horses ready." He gives her a wink.  Ruby enters the El Parador and glances around. Not wanting to see Katherine herself she scrawls a quick note at the bar and leaves it with Pedro for her.  It reads: “Katherine~ Conrad will pick you up for a picnic tomorrow at 11am. ~RW.”  Ruby enters the kitchen and finds it curiously empty. She shrugs, and gathers some cheese, bread and muffins for a snack and gets a bottle of whiskey from Pedro on her way to the stable.  Walking out, munching on some cheese, Ruby finds Jake with the ready horses. She pats her black stallion. "I guess I ought to give you a name, huh? Maybe you'll tell me what it is today," she smiles. She puts the food in the saddlebag and looks to Jake. "I'm ready when you are."They ride out of town to the general area where they usually practice, out of sight and sound of the town. Jake is careful to look around and check the distance to make sure they aren't being followed or watched on the way there. On the ride Jake shares what Conrad Booth told him about the Cowboy gang. "Not too much new, but maybe when he is back moving around town he'll find out more." "Look," he finally says after a few minutes of silence, "the whole kissing Katherine thing, that really didn't mean anything. It was just a mean joke I played on her and at the time I thought it was funny." He grins. "Ok, I'll admit, I still think it was funny but I won't do it again. I'm sorry it hurt your feelings. I'm a changed man, that won't happen again." Ruby shoots him a look. "OK, I'm not really a changed man, but it still won't happen again." He tries to look serious but can't help smirking. "Really, it won't. But you should have seen the look on Katherine's face." He takes a deep breath and is able to control his near laughing. "Only Ruby West's lips for Jake Cook and no more ill considered jokes either. Well one's involving women’s lips or other body parts anyway."Ruby gives Jake a sideways glance. "I hope so. Because I love you but this girl won't stand for her man cheating on her." Ruby turns her eyes forward again. "I'm going to have some words with Mrs. Kale." She finally cracks a smile. "I'm sure her face WAS quite funny to see, I doubt she's ever had a kiss like that before." She puts her fingers to her own lips, "I hope Mr. Cassidy won't hold his kiss against me.""After a kiss from Ruby West? I'm more worried he'll be trying to hold you against him." Jake grins and points. "Over there, that's a good spot."  They ride over and tie the horses in the shade of a mesquite tree in a small clearing surrounded by cactus.  Ruby giggles. "You're so funny, Mr. Cook. See then you'd better watch out, I have them lined up already if you get out of line..." After tying up their horses Jake prepares all the weapons. Ruby watches him intently with a smile and he catches her a few times. Once Jake is finished they begin their practicing.  Jake removes the enchanted rounds from his second pistol and pockets them. He loads six normal shells in their place, and puts a sixth round under the hammer of his fast draw pistol that he usually leaves empty for safety. Expressionless, he stands opposite a saguaro cactus. His face gives away nothing as his hand yanks Colt Peacemaker out of its holster. Just like he showed Ruby that morning in the bedroom, just like he had many times before, he pulls back the hammer with his thumb and as the barrel comes level there is a click. This time Jake is confident he is ready and is practicing with live fire. This time the sound that follows is the distinct report of a Colt Peacemaker. His left hand is already slapping back the hammer followed by another click and the accompanying sound and flame. Without pause he continues to unload the six rounds into the hapless cactus until the cylinder is empty. "Better." He says without turning around to his companion. "Not good enough yet." He could do the next part in his sleep. The hammer comes back half way, the barrel points up, push down on the casing release and rotate the cylinder. Again and again. He loads six shots in the pistol, positions himself opposite the cactus and starts again. In seconds it is time to reload. This continues for several minutes, each time a little faster and a little more accurate before he draws the second pistol and rapidly unloads it into the target cactus. An acrid cloud of gunsmoke hangs around him in the still desert air. He stops for some water and makes eye contact with Ruby. "You never answered me about Ringo. How did you know he was 'favored' of Ares if not from Minerva's dream or from what Jimenez said?" He wipes the gunpowder residue from his hands with a rag. "It was not a dream was it?"She replies, "No, not a dream," Ruby comments as she shoots at a cactus not already shot up by Jake. She looks from the target to Jake. "The priestess of Aphrodite told me."  He replies, "Of course, how silly of me. We should have asked the priestess of Aphrodite right from the beginning." Jake takes out a hand full of rounds from his pocket and begins reloading his pistols. "When exactly did we get a priestess of Aphrodite and where do we hide her?"Ruby shrugs. "I didn't ask her how long she's been here. Longer than me. By the way, how long were you in Promise City before we met?" Ruby looks at Jake curiously, surprised she never thought to ask him before.  Jake replies, "I don't know, maybe a week or so." Jake puts the loaded pistols back in the holsters. "We were talking about this priestess of Aphrodite. Is there a reason you don't want me to know?"She answers, "No, I just thought of that question and figured I should ask you before I forgot." She shoots off the remaining ammunition on her gun then reloads and puts it away, sitting in the grass. “The priestess lives at the Palace. Minerva was complaining that I wasn’t including enough of the other saloons in the entertainment. Yes, I know that pretty much the others only offer girls but I guess she didn’t realize that. Anyway, I didn’t tell you I was going there earlier because, well, you didn't ask and I knew you wouldn’t let me go if you did.” “So it turns out that there was nothing to worry about. The priestess has turned the Palace Saloon into a temple to Aphrodite,” Ruby says as if the revelation was no big deal. “When I walked in she called me her sister and said she knew I was favored by the goddess. Then she kicked everyone out so we could talk. She said she won’t let Adair try to kill me again. And that I wasn’t being influenced by her because the goddess talks to me herself, which she did, that dream I had.” “She wants me to come to services next Sunday. But see, the good thing is she says they aren’t boring like regular services, its singing and dancing.” Ruby continues, talking to herself with furrowed brows, “Oh, I forgot to tell her I can dance too.”  She snaps out of it. “Anyway, she is the one who said that Ringo was a chosen of Ares and he is our enemy, which he is. And the Vigilance Committee too. So the way I see it, we have a lot of common goals. But we thought he was a wizard because of those spell books. Priests don't use spell books, wizards do."Jake notices that his mouth is hanging open and closes it. "I was in the Palace last night looking for Foote, like you suggested. It didn't look much like a temple to Aphrodite with all those boxers beating each other senseless." Jake stands there thinking and blinking. "Influenced by her? She could influence you?" He starts talking faster. "Who else is influenced and how would we know? You just met her and you trust her? She can control Adair? What does she mean influenced? Are you sure she didn't influence you?" He stops suddenly and sits on a rock. After staring at Ruby for a moment he wipes the sweat from his brow with a sleeve and replaces his hat. "I don't mean to be so suspicious, and we certainly need allies against Ringo, but I just can't help myself. I've been suspicious way too long to just suddenly stop."Ruby moves over to Jake, stopping when she is kneeling in front of him. She wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him until his body relaxes. "It's OK, baby, try to stay calm," she smiles, keeping her arms around his neck. "Now let's see. Chester told me he went in as the boxing was finishing. He saw the Dance of the Veils, and she told me today that is the opening of the service. She said Adair was under her control. I didn't see if for myself. What I did see was her telling everyone to get out and they did." "Yes, I trust her. I can't explain it but as soon as we met I felt like I was close to her, warm and trusting. My feelings are my own, I know they are."  "Look, Aphrodite wants this town to be a beacon of love and beauty. And what's wrong with that? Wouldn't it be better to be led by a goddess of love and beauty then by war? I think would you be in heaven, Mr. Cook." "As for being influenced, you yourself told me about a dream you had that asked you to do things right? Isn't that a way of influencing people? Besides, they can't make anyone do anything they don't want to do, right? It's our choice. They can ask but whether we listen or not is up to us. But look, I listened and look at what we got? Each other. You're everything I wanted, even if I didn't know it," she laughs. "Did I answer your questions?""I will take the goddess of love over the god of war if I get the choice. I am just not done being suspicious yet. So, you do what you believe is right and I get to be suspicious and protect you." He rubs his hands on her arms. "I need to think about it some more. Let's finish target practice and have something to eat."In the evening, Eduardo stops in the Marshal’s office. "Good evening, Marshal Martin, Miss Townsend. I can take over things from here. Have a good night." Chester says, "Thanks, Marshall Rodriguez. It's been quiet. have a good night yourself." Clarisse adds, "Good night, Marshall."   They go to the Lucky Lady, Clarisse hanging on Chester's arm. The sound of piano playing wafts from the saloon.   "Evening, Jake, Ruby. How are you?" Chester recognizes the man with the crew cut, but keeps the smile on his face."I'll never turn down your protection," she kisses him again. "But you think I'm crazy, right? I can take you to meet her if you'd like. Jane, that's her name. Then you can ask your own questions." Ruby stands, "Now, let's finish. I told Niles I would sing tonight." She reaches down and grabs Jake by the wrists, pulling him to his feet. Ruby and Jake have a quick snack then continue their practice. Ruby is amazed at Jake's quickness and ability with his guns. "You've really improved with them since we met!" After they finish they get on their horses and head back to town. Back the El Parador Ruby speaks to her horse, "Soon, I'll take you out again and maybe then you'll tell me your name." She gives him a little peck then Jake and Ruby go back to the Lucky Lady.  They change out of their riding clothes and into their night time outfits before having dinner. Ruby gets some plates from Maria and they sit to enjoy dinner at their usual table.After dinner Ruby takes to stage with a flourish. She begins her set with Harry accompanying her, occasionally singing acapella to give him a break. Even though there aren't many customers, Sunday being their slowest night of the week, Ruby sings with all the passion she has been experiencing lately. Even Harry's playing sounds better with the emotion she is singing with this night. Jake watches her intently from their table, but still keeps one eye on who is coming and going.Neil Cassidy enters and walks over towards the stage, taking a seat at the closest table to Ruby and looking up at her with a look of desire on his face.  After her set is over Ruby thanks Harry and walks off the stage. She had noticed Neil come in watch her sing, but his glances weren't much different from other looks she received every day. She decides to apologize for earlier so she stops quickly at the bar and gets two whiskeys. She nods at Jake then walks to Cassidy's table. "Nice to see you Mr. Cassidy. How are you this evening?""Ruby, please call me Neil" he states as he gestures for her to take a seat beside him.  Ruby smiles. "Alright, Neil." She lifts a whiskey and offers it to him, "Thirsty?"   He slides his chair closer to her and says, "I believe that we have some unfinished business from earlier..."  She states, "Now, Neil, it's Sunday night and I am sure you're not really in the mood to discuss business. If you insist I hope you'll be agreeable to giving us a good price on that lumber." Ruby places the whiskey in front of Neil and drinks her own down quickly.  Neil begins to stand up and then immediately bends over, grabbing Ruby by the shoulders and giving her a full kiss on the lips. He then lets her go and exclaims "There, I feel much better."  "Neil!" Ruby is caught off guard and actually blushes. "Well... that was a surprise." She continues quickly, "A nice one, of course. I guess I still owe you an apology from earlier. I hope you're not too angry with me?" She bites her lip, waiting for a response. She doesn't dare look in Jake's direction.Neil smiles and says, "No apology necessary." He then laughs out loud and says "I figured if you and Jake can use me as a pawn in your fights I owed you back one. No hard feelings?" He then looks towards Jake and says, "Her kisses are nice Jake, but if you don't mind I think I'll take you up on that drink coupon offer instead."Ruby feigns shock. "A drink coupon over my kisses! I'm insulted!" Then she laughs. "No hard feelings. It was a good kiss, no a great kiss. And now I got two to his one," she giggles. "So thanks!"   "If you don't want that whiskey, feel free to ask Niles to get you what you want. He knows you're a good friend."   Neil picks up the whiskey and says "That's fine, come join us Jake." He downs the drink and says, "Now, you were talking about lumber...."</blockquote>

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