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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3234968" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter 205, “A Date to the Ball and a Wager”,  Thursday, March 30th, 1882, 5:00 PM At around 5:00 PM on Thursday evening the O'Hara's twin-thirteen year old girls, Colleen and Cathleen, see Katherine Kale on South Street near the El Parador Hotel.  Colleen asks "Mrs. Kale, could we see Ginnie for a little while?"   "Of course you can, if she'd back from Mrs. Kelley's. Come inside with me." Kate led the girls into the Cantina and sat them down at a table near the window. "I'll just run upstairs and check." She hurried upstairs and checked first in their room, and then went into Mr. Gonzales' rooms where she found Ginnie. "Ginnie, can you come downstairs please? Colleen and Cathleen O'Hara are downstairs looking for you." Ginnie didn't speak, just nodded and went quietly out the door. Kate followed down to the Cantina, but let the girls alone, instead going into the kitchen to discuss dinner with Dorita.A few blocks away, even though the rest of the men had long ago called it quits Nanuet was still hard at work on the stage. "I just want it to be perfect" he thinks to himself. The ends of these planks should be even, let me see if I can fix that." He continued to work, his rough hands battered after a long day of working with wood and tools, his clothes were soiled but not torn, a testament to the work that he put into making them. He wiped the sweat from his brow for what seemed the millionth time and tossed the long braid of dark hair over his shoulder so that it would be out of the way and he could concentrate. He quietly hummed a native song to himself as he worked, oblivious to his surroundings.Minerva leaves the Lucky Lady and follows the sounds of nails being pounded into board. As she nears the sound stops and she can hear Nanuet talking. She is taken unawares by the sight that greets her as she rounds the corner. He is standing with his back to her, stripped to the waist and glistening with sweat in the sunlight. Her breath catches in her throat and then quickens as the familiar tangle of nerves takes over. Unconsciously placing her hand on her belly, she steps back into the shadow of a building to compose her self and admire his sleek, work hardened body. His physique is lean and compact, the strong muscles of his back and arms are taut, sinewy tendons standing out from a day of hard labor. As she watches him wipe the sweat from his brow her mind wanders to her plan for Festival night and a rosy flush of heat creeps up her skin to her face. She shakes her head and laughs at herself as she steps out of the shadow and smiling radiantly she calls to him.  “Buenos Tardes, Mi Amor!”Nanuet is startled momentarily by the female voice. It is only a moment before he realizes who it is, but that lapse is all it takes for him to smack his thumb rather than the nail he was holding. "Meirda!" he exclaims as he drops the hammer which then lands on his foot. He hops up and down for a moment before sitting down on the edge of the stage, his throbbing thumb being held in his other hand. "Buenos Tardes Minerva" he says in a weak voice. "Whatever that means." He then gets to his feet and makes his way over to her shaking out his injured hand. "What do you think of your stage my love? It is not done quite yet, but it is coming along nicely I think." His eyes are drawn to the cleavage that is exposed by her white peasant blouse, he then realizes what he is doing but chooses to allow his eyes to continue to wander taking in her curvy form.Minerva is assailed by the strong masculine scent of him. she hurries over and picks up his injured hand and puts it to her lips. " 'Buenos Tardes' It is a well wish. it would translate to 'good late day' in English.. but it does not look like your having one." she says as she kisses his thumb and then then turns his hand over to kiss his palm.  Nanuet allows Minerva to tend to his wounded hand and winches slightly from the kiss. "Buenos Tardes means good day, I will have to remember that. In my language good day would be eseeva epeva'e." She glances up at him. "The stage looks muey excelente! so straight and even. Is all you do of such high quality?   Would you have dinner with me this evening mi amor?" she says disregarding his sweaty chest and wrapping her arms around his neck. "I have not seen you at all this day."  Nanuet chuckles, "I am just learning, but thank you for the compliment. I have watched the men and between working on this and the addition to the Lucky Lady I am learning." "I would love to have dinner with you, but I should get washed up first. Where should we go?" "Kate was cooking fried chicken over at the El Parador today and that smelled delicious, let's eat there tonight." Nanuet grabs his tools and his vest, and escorts Minerva to the El Parador. He tells her to head inside while he gets washed up. A few moments later he meets her inside for dinner.Minerva sits at the table waiting for Nanuet. She bites her lip and taps her foot as she ponders why he has not invited her to the Ball yet. "He seems quite happy with me. I can not imagine that he would invite another in my stead. Perhaps he doesn't want to go? Oh but I do so want to attend. It will be such a grand party." Nanuet re-enters the room and notices, Minerva lost in thought.Nanuet makes his way across the El Parador greeting those that he knows and apologizing for not visiting more frequently.  Dorita comes out of the kitchen and sees Nanuet. Immediately she begins berating him.  "Who are you? Where you come from? You are stranger here, you never come by! My food no good for you? You no like my food?" she swats at him with the towel in her hand. "You had a room here, you sleep in my stables, I see you across the street in the grove, but you no come and see me." Nanuet’s face turns red as he dodges the playful swats by Dorita. "Sorry Dorita, I promise I will come around more often if you promise to stop yelling. Dorita I heard you were giving lessons in cooking fried chicken today, any chance of getting some of that, we're starving? All this work on the festival makes a man hungry!" Dorita laughs, "You came to right place if you hungry. I fix you big plate, be right back."  Nanuet sits down across from Minerva as she stifles a giggle. "She is a great cook, I am sure the food will be wonderful. She trained Maria, the girl who cooks at the Lucky Lady. So, is everything coming together for the festival? Only one day left!""I believe so. Everyone seems to be quite industrious. I tried to keep my hand out of it so that others would be forced to work together. It became rather heated for a while they worked out the kinks but everyone seems to be working together rather nicely now... Although, I must admit, they are all a bit irritated with me for stepping aside. Still, the festival will be a success, they can all take the credit for it and it will have been a good lesson for them all in how to work out their differences." She smirks and shrugs her shoulders.  "It is difficult to believe that it is only one day away. Will you be attending any of the events?" she says hopefully."Well I heard someone mention a horse race and also cattle roping. If I am not too busy helping you or the others then I suppose I would try my hand in those sporting events. I would like to take in some of the entertainment as well. What about you, did you have certain events you had your heart set on attending?" The food arrives, a heaping plate of chicken and biscuits. Nanuet eagerly digs in, forgetting his manners.Minerva watches him devour his chicken for a moment before carefully sampling her own fare. "I am not busy at all during the festival except for a prayer to kick it off and possibly a sermon on Sunday. I was considering participating in the fencing matches, I have had no one to practice with since my arrival, but I do not have any equipment and I sincerely doubt they will allow me to brandish my rapier!" she chuckles. "Perhaps I can find someone willing to loan me their garb and foil for the event. Otherwise I will be content to watch. I am definitely going to make time for the children's games though. I've convinced Katherine to include Mutton Busting as an event. I always had great fun with that one as a child. I was quite good at it... and they may need someone to do a little light healing of sore little bottoms when it is over." she smirks as she raises her fork. Was there any special evening festivities that you wanted to attend?" she says hoping that he will get the hint."Evening festivities? Aren't we all going to the ball then? Ruby said we needed costumes. I think I finally decided on what I am going to wear. What? Is something wrong? You were going to go the ball right?" He puts the food down trying to read Minerva's face. "Did I do something wrong?"  Minerva laughs with relief and puts her hand over his. "Nanuet, it is customary to ask the girl to attend with you. "She shakes her head "I think that we have much to learn about each other's customs. Would you like to attend the ball together then?""My apologies Minerva, I did not realize. Forgive my ignorance. Let's do this properly then and let me ask you."  Nanuet pushes the food aside and takes Minerva's hand in his own. He looks into her eyes and says "I would by honored if you would accompany me to the upcoming costume ball."  She states, "And I would be honored to attend with you. Tell me, what are you going to wear?"He says, “Well, I figured a sense of irony would suit me best, so I am going to go as a cowboy. Spurs and all. How about you?"  "Minerva laughs loudly. "Yes, that is quite ironic. Me, well, I would rather not say what I am wearing. I thought that it would be rather fun to see if you could find me in the crowd. Do you think that you are up to the challenge?" she says with a mischievous twinkle in her. "Perhaps we should make a wager to make it more interesting?""A wager? You mean like in a poker game." Nanuet replies  "Well, yes, like that but I was thinking something other than money, something a bit more creative." Minerva says, batting her eyelashes "Something romantic." Nanuet scratches his head and nibbles at a biscuit. Something romantic she said, what is romantic? "How about the loser of the wager must act as servant to the other for a day, a full 24 hours? That could be romantic depending on the whims of the master." he replies with a smirk and a wink.Minerva quickly hides her surprise at such a bold proposal and replaces it with a feline smile. "24 hours? With you as my slave?" she purrs "Si, I will wager that, since I am certain to win." she beams and holds out her hand to shake on it. She goes on to talk about the festival including the information that Samuel Clemens will be among the invited guests. On a more serious not she says "We must talk to the others and find out what we can do to protect the festival from Johnny Ringo. Do you know what distance that powder that Kajika gave you will cover? If we could dispel the magic in the area we could save this town from both Him and the Aphrodite priestess. I am going to have to find out who she is and have a word with her. She is distracting everyone from a very dangerous situation""Yes, a meeting with everyone is a good idea, I am certainly nervous about Ringo's potential influence on the festival, although it does not seem to be slowing anything down! I am sure Chester will have the other lawmen on high alert. I just hope we can recognize any trouble before it starts. They appear to have mastered invisibility, turning both themselves and objects invisible. As far as the powder goes, there is not that much and the ground has to be kept wet... I don't think it would cover a very large area."  "And certain to win you say? Confidence is a good trait to have, but I have spent my entire life tracking my prey, will this be any different?""Do you consider me prey, then?" she chuckles. "And overconfidence will be your doom," she smirks " as I will not be so easily outmaneuvered."  The couple finishes their dinner with some more idle chit chat and jests at one another. The food of course is excellent and soon they are full. Nanuet asks for a basket for leftovers and is soon accommodated. "So my beautiful Spanish rose, what are your plans for this evening. I must admit I am physically weary but not wiped out yet."She states, "I am yours for the evening. Mi amor. "  Well, I should check in at the Lucky Lady and see about having the rest of the night off... then we can spend some time together. All of this festival work has kept us both quite busy. Perhaps I will show you my costume so you can help make sure it looks right before I make a fool of myself in front of the entire town. Nanuet pays for the food and then escorts Minerva to the Lucky Lady. They sit and have a few drinks and see if Nanuet is needed for the night. Niles approaches Nanuet "Ruby and Jake are out for the night, having a late dinner I suppose, I think Clarisse is supposed to sing and Jakes table is covered. Jeff is here, why don't you take a break, I know you have been working hard. You know what they say about all work and no play." "Thanks Niles, I think I take a bottle of..." he turns to Minerva waiting for a cue. "Whiskey" she replies. "This bottle of whiskey. See you tomorrow Niles." Nanuet takes the bottle and escorts Minerva out the front door of the Lucky Lady. "So where too now my love?"Why don't you show me your costume." she says, figuring that it will give her an advantage to win the bet if she knows what he will be wearing to the Ball.  "Then maybe we can take this bottle and go somewhere and relax. You have had a long day, mi amor.I will rub your shoulders if you wish.""That I might like. Well since I already told you what I would be wearing I guess there is no harm in showing you. C'mon lets go take a look." Nanuet leads Minerva to his room where the costume is stored. A pair of denim jeans, cowboy boots, leather chaps with fringe, a belt with a large buckle, a red button down shirt with white trim and red kerchief along with a large wide brimmed hat are all arranged on the bed. "There it is" he says pointing to the outfit. "Figured I would keep it nice there and since I don't usually use the bed that seemed like the best place. Still not sure what to do with my hair though. Never met too many cowboys with long hair."  She replies, "Do you always sleep in the grove? You will be the most handsome cowboy in Promise City. "she says holding up the shirt. You could wear your hair tucked in the hat, or perhaps comb it out. Some cowboys have long hair and I would love to see all that beautiful hair loose about your shoulders.""Well if I can please you that easily then consider it down, down and loose it is. To answer your other question, no, I don't always sleep in the grove. I don't sleep.”  She replies, "What do you mean you don't sleep. Everybody sleeps, Nanuet."   He says, "It is a gift of our people, we do not sleep. Humans sleep, the ogres sleep, animals sleep; but elves, we do not require sleep. We spend a few hours a day in meditation reliving our day and other important events of our lives. Chester tried a few times, not sure if he met with much success. More of our culture to share I guess." He says, “I meditate every day, for about four hours." Nanuet points to a woven mat that is rolled up and placed under the bed. "I usually sit on there and make myself comfortable. Beds just end up giving me a sore back.  So you've seen the costume, where to now? Our picnic spot, back where you first told me your story?"  "Si, There are many stars out tonight. I would like that." Nanuet picks up a blanket and the bottle of whiskey and they walk, hand in hand, to their favorite spot.Minerva and Nanuet make their way out to their nighttime picnic spot. Nanuet lays a blanket out and sits with his legs folded beneath him. Minerva kneels behind Nanuet and kneads his knotted shoulders and back, while rambling softly of how beautiful the night is and how she especially loves warm spring evenings like this one where she can gaze up into the heavens with her sweet Amor. He leans back into her competent hands and feels the tension of the day drain away as he listens to the soothing melody of her Spanish accent. "Why don’t you open the whiskey, mi amor? It will help you to relax.” she says as she continues to work her magic. “I would not want to drink alone.” he says and grabbing her wrists, pulls her around and sits her on his lap.  She giggles as she falls into his arms and brushes her hand over his cheek. “I suppose that I could have a sip or two to keep you company. I do love whiskey. When I was younger, back in Spain, My friend Talia and I used to play this silly game, We would ask one another questions and if the answer was yes, we would have to take a swig from the bottle. It was a fun way to discover one another’s secrets and a good excuse to drink Papa's whiskey.” she smiles in remembrance, "we knew all of one another's secrets. I miss her terribly sometimes" she sighs. She turns in his lap. "What do you say would you like to share your secrets with me? I will let you go first” Nanuet laughs heartily. "You and this Talia were quite a pair. Sounds like you got into a lot of trouble together, riding naked through the town and stealing all your Papa's liquor, I wonder what other trouble you got into. OK, I will begin. First question. Do you love me?"  "That's not fair! You know that answer already." she kisses him gently on the lips then grabs the bottle and takes a healthy gulp. "Si, I love you Nanuet."  "Ok, first real question. Do you miss home? Spain I mean, do you miss it?" "You already had a question silly." It is my turn to ask one, but I will answer anyway. No, I do not miss Spain. I was not free there, and you know what they did to my father. I do miss the ocean though and my friend, Talia. I do miss her so very much."  "My turn. Do you love me?" she teases. "Alright, I will ask a real question. Remember you must always tell the truth. Have you ever been in love before?" "Well I will answer the first question. Yes, I do love you. The ocean, I have never seen it, it must be magnificent. No, I thought I was in love before, but now I realize it was not love. I have never felt like this before, this has to be what love feels like. Hmm, another question for you."  "Nanuet it is not your turn yet. You answered two yes's that is 2 swallows for you." Nanuet does as instructed and then asks "Did you always want to be a priestess or do you feel it was forced upon you?" "You are cheating Nanuet. That is two questions! "she says punching him playfully in the chest. "Being a Priestess is not something that I do, it is what I am. I can not change that anymore than I can change from a woman to a man. The gods called to me long before I can remember.. So, was it forced upon me? Si, I suppose so, but I never considered any other possibility so I must answer yes to both questions." she says and takes two swigs from the bottle. She coughs as the warm liquid burns its way down her throat. "This is very good whiskey! Very smooth" she croaks. "My turn again. Do you like being with humans better than elves?" "That is a tough question, it depends on the humans I guess. Overall I would have to say yes, since I have friends who care about me and a woman who loves me for who I really am." he says holding her tighter. "I had a different role among my people and spent much time alone. I do miss some of the culture though, the ceremony and the slower more deliberate way of life. Maska and Kajika help to fill that void though. Since I said yes I guess I owe you a swig." Nanuet takes a few small gulps from the bottle not wanting to fall behind. "Let me think... are you... ticklish?" Nanuet begins gently clawing at Minerva's ribs waiting to see her response. "No! No! She shrieks and laughs as she squirms in his lap trying to get away. Si, Si, now stop. You, Senor are not playing fair! And I have had more of this than you have" she says and takes another swig. "Have you ever been with another woman? NO, no wait. Let me ask another question. Have you ever not been with a woman?" she says and she tries to focus on his face. "You mean have I been with a man or something worse? No! I have been with other women yes, but not many. I did not love any of them like I said, but us elves tend to, well be frisky when we are younger." Nanuet takes a drink from the bottle to appease the fickle priestess while he thinks of another question. "You must have a drink for each one! It is only fair." she smirks and begins to giggle as she hands him the bottle. "How many women?" she says narrowing her eyes in mock anger, but she cannot hold the stern expression and starts giggling again. "You are going to have to carry me back, I hope you are up to the task." Nanuet turns his head to shield his actions and takes several swallows, before turning back around. "There, done." "Nanuet You do not play fair."  "All is fair in love and war and this is love." he grins as he tries to dodge her playful slaps. "I have another question, will you teach me about your Gods? About Minerva and Dionysius, and all the others? I want to learn." Her eyes widen with pleasure. "Si, Do you mean it? I was hoping that you would ask. I will teach you how to pray to them also if you wish. Will you teach me of yours also? Oh, Nanuet , together we will hold the favor of all the gods!" "You forgot to drink, but to answer your question" taking another swig and then handing the bottle to Minerva "yes, I will teach you how I pray. My people mostly worship the Sun as I have said, and our ancestors and the other powers of Nature." By now, Minerva notices that Nanuet's voice is beginning to slur. "Enough questions for now, I want a kiss. My last question is will you give me a kiss?" he says, mixing the words together. "Her eyes are bright with happiness and too much whiskey as she clumsily throws herself on him, knocking him over with the force of her body. "Si, I like that question very much!" she lowers her mouth to his in a passionate kiss. The bottle is empty and the two, holding one another up, make their way back to town. "Let us see what is happening at the Lucky Lady." Maybe Jake and Ruby are back. You steer" she says as she tries to focus. Nanuet puts his arms around Minerva’s waist and they stumble into the saloon.</blockquote>

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