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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3244456" data-attributes="member: 8530">DM's note: I was going to have to miss our weekly online night so instead of canceling the game I assigned an NPC to each of the players for that night. Based on the following chapter I'd say they did fine. Chapter 207, “Challenges”,  Thursday, March 30th, 1882, 8:00 PM Grant Keebler walked Kate over to the Lucky Lady. Inside she had expected to see her friends; instead she found they were all elsewhere for the evening. She sighed and greeted Job and Jeff before making a round of the room to take and fill orders. "Mr. Tomlinson, how nice to see you," she smiled as she approached the table closest to the stage. "Those are lovely," she said pointing to a small bouquet of flowers in front of him. "You think so, Mrs. Kale? I don't know much about flowers myself." "You don't need to know much to recognize beauty, Mr. Tomlinson. Can I get you another drink?" He shook his head. "I'm all set. Is Miss Townsend singing tonight?" "Miss West seems to be out for the evening, so I imagine she will be. Soon, considering the time. You'll excuse me, I hope? Just let us know if you get hungry and Maria will take good care of you," Kate smiled and walked away. Chester better put in an appearance tonight. His competition seems to be serious.Chester comes into the Lucky Lady from Gilson's bathhouse, his gunbelt over his shoulder. "Evening Kate. That stage is coming together really well. Nanuet is putting in some long hours out there. I guess he wants to impress out local priestess." She says, "Speaking of impressing women, it appears that Judge Isby's assistant has brought flowers for Clarisse." "What? Let me change. Then I'll set Mr. Tomlinson straight. Don't worry, I'm just going to talk to him." He rushes back to his room and changes into a fresh set of clothes. Chester heads for Kevin's table. "Mr. Tomlinson, can I sit here? I'd like to be close to the stage." Kevin replies, "Be my guest, Deputy. I heard Miss Townsend is singing tonight. I brought these flowers for her." Chester takes off his hat and scratches his head. "About that. I don't know if you know, but Miss Townsend and I are seeing each other."  "Yes, Miss West informed me," Kevin responds. "And what a lucky man you are. You can just consider me a fan," he smiles cockily.Chester hears the challenge in the other man's tone. "You have good taste there, Mr. Tomlinson. And I do consider myself a lucky man, indeed. I hear you're a fencer."  He replies, "I am. Quite good as a matter of fact."   Chester says, "Never had the chance. I know my way around a cavalry saber, though. But that was a practical matter. Life and death."  "It's not much different really. Perhaps you and I could spar one of these days," Kevin replies, "Maybe at the festival? Of course, we'll make sure not to schedule it while Miss Townsend is singing."Kate kept her eye on the table where Chester and Kevin Tomlinson were talking. She was too far away to hear anything, but at least there didn't seem to be any imminent danger.  Once everyone in the room seemed settled Kate traded her apron for a seat at the piano, she had only played one song before she heard a light step behind her and Clarisse's voice saying, "Good evening, Chester. Mr. Tomlinson."Kevin immediately stands. "Good evening Miss Townsend. These are for you." He hands the flowers to her as she blushes. "I look forward to hearing you sing tonight. Deputy Marshal Martin and I were just talking about sparring during the festival."    "Oh but that would be dangerous, wouldn't it? I heard about the fencing matches, I suppose they wouldn't include it in the festival if it wasn't safe. I'm sure it would be very interesting to watch," Clarisse said."That's settled, then. I challenge you to a duel, Mr. Tomlinson. Do you have extra foils, I think you call them? My old saber would be too dangerous in a sporting arena. That's a new song, isn't it, Clarisse? It's very nice."  "Yes, I have extra foils." He reaches out his hand to Chester, "I accept your challenge Mr. Martin and look forward to the sport." He gives Chester a wide grin.Chester shakes Kevin's hand. "May the best man win. Will regular duds be fine or are there uniforms? I'm looking forward to this." Chester gives a smile to match Kevin's."We can use regular clothes if you prefer. But there might be fencing uniforms available, I will leave the choice up to you." He motions to Katherine. "I am also looking for to this. A worthy opponent, indeed. Now," he says glancing to the stage, "Will you sit with me and listen to the lovely Clarisse sing tonight?"   "I guess I will. What are your intentions toward her, if I might ask?""Intentions? I am a fan, just like you are Mr. Martin." He smiles casually as he watches Clarisse on the stage.    Chester raises an eyebrow, but doesn't reply. "What are you drinking? Next one's on me. I insist. After all, if you're working with Judge Isby, I'll be seeing a lot of you."  Tomlinson says, "How kind of you Mr. Martin. A beer is fine, thank you.  Yes, I suppose we will be working together. You're new to law enforcement, no? How do you like the job so far?"Chester gets a couple of beers from Harry. "Yes, I am. It's nice to help keep law and order here in town. The recent trouble with the Cowboy Gang has just brought that into focus. No need to be formal, I'm not on duty. You can call me Chester. Can I call you Kevin?"   "Absolutely," he replies casually. "I haven't been here long but already there has been a good amount of trouble. Of course, that is why Judge Isby hired me on. Keeps things interesting to say the least. I have to say, I like it here so far."  Chester takes a long pull from his mug. "That's good. From what I've seen, Promise City certainly isn't boring. But there's something to be said for boring every once in a while."  A tall man with dark hair and light blue eyes enters the Lucky Lady. Kate thinks she may recognize him but can't place the face. Jeff checks him at the door and he has no weapons. He sits at a small table in the corner.  Since Clarisse seemed to be distracted by the men, Kate got up and approached the not so strange stranger at the corner table. "Good evening. Can I get you something?"  He replies, "Yes, please. I'd like a red wine, preferably a decent one.""I'll see what I can do," Kate said with a smile and went behind the bar. With the festival this weekend Mr. Hoover had gotten in quite a bit of wine. Only a couple bottles were at the bar, but they were good if not excellent. She went back to the table and said, "We don't have much call for wine, but we have better than usual with the festival coming up. If you're still here on Saturday night you should be able to get some very good wine." She started to step away and then turned back. "I hope you'll forgive me, but you seem terribly familiar and I can't seem to place you. Have we met?""I'll be here Saturday," he smiles as he stands. "We may have met." He reaches out his hand, "Colin Turner. I've been here in Promise City before, on business. Although the last time I was here the saloon was called the Lone Star."  Kate smiled and shook the man's hand. "Katherine Kale. Well, now I'm surprised I remember. Those were busy days when it was still the Lone Star. The new owners decided to give it a new name, the Lone Star was kind of a family name for the old owners.  I'm sure you'll enjoy the festival. Is that what brings you this trip?""Business as usual," he sighs. "And last time I was here in the Lon... I mean Lucky Lady, I heard the heavenly singing of Miss West so I decided to come back and hear her sing."   As he talks he looks at Kate with his piercing eyes and doesn't break his stare. "Well, ah, if business is what keeps you coming back, then it's a good thing," Kate said, finally looking down to break his intense stare. "I'm afraid Miss West has the evening off." She looked over toward the stage. "Miss Townsend will be on stage tonight. But Miss West will be back tomorrow night, and I believe she is performing at the festival, so you will have several more chances."   "Oh," he responds, obviously disappointed. "Well, I shall see her tomorrow evening then. But perhaps you might make some time tonight to share some of this wine with me. I am often on the road and don't get to spend time with too many beautiful women.""I'd think you'd want to find a beautiful woman to share your wine with then," Kate said blushing. "Perhaps after the first set I might have a glass."    "Why Mrs. Katherine Kale, do not put yourself down, for you are a beautiful woman. And I shall look forward to you sharing that glass with me." He continues his intense stare.   "Yes, of course," Kate said, resisting the urge to rub her arms as if she had the chills. "Ah, is there anything you'd like to hear?""Whatever you desire to play my dear. I am a lover of all music." His smile is disarming and he nods to Kate. "Play your favorite, that way I will experience what it is you love."    "As you like," Kate said and smiled despite herself. She went to the piano, seeing Mr. Tomlinson wave her over. She sat down at the piano and played a set for Clarisse, followed by the waltz by Strauss she had often played at the El Parador.After the waltz, Kate again donned her apron and made a round of the room refilling drinks and taking new orders. Once that was finished she picked up another wine glass and the wine bottle and went back to the corner table. "I hope you found Miss Townsend's singing pleasant. She is very different from Miss West, but lovely in her own way."He stands when Kate approaches and pulls out the chair for her, gesturing for her to sit. "Yes, Miss Townsend's singing was pleasant as was your superior playing. You must have been well trained for I have an ear for such things." He waits for Kate to sit before he joins her. He takes the wine from her and pours her a generous glass, handing it to her. "I find that variety is the spice of life, don't you?"Kate took a small sip. "I find that more true now since I moved west. In Boston it seemed everyone valued everything staying exactly the same. Well, everything below the surface anyway."  "Yes, I quite understand what you mean. Some parts of society value things remaining the same. I find that absolutely dull." He takes a sip of his wine, "And where is Miss West tonight, If I may be so bold?"  "Ah, and Miss West is not dull," Kate said, now feeling she understood why she was sitting here talking to this handsome man. "I honestly don't know where she is tonight. I had expected her here. I imagine she and Mr. Cook are taking some private time together."He replies, "You are not dull either my dear, I hope you are not offended by my questions. Who is this Mr. Cook you speak of?"  He takes another sip of his drink and adds, “As for you, why don't you tell me about yourself? As I said earlier, I am so often alone and sharing some time with a young lady such as yourself is very pleasing to me. How did you come to Promise City?"Kate replies, "I'm not offended, just well aware that Miss West is... shall we say, unusual. Mr. Cook and she both own part of this saloon. Mr. Cook also runs a table most nights. Myself, there is nothing very interesting to tell. I," Katherine took a deep breath, as she always did before answering this question, "I arrived in Tombstone in October to meet my husband. He had been ill back east and moved out here to make a place for us. He passed away while I was making the journey." She stopped and swallowed, but she had promised Tom no more tears. "I stayed there until January when I moved here. Since then I've bought part of a ranch with friends, and will be opening a school soon. I'll be living above stairs in the school building with my ward."  "That is a sad story indeed. And yet you have prevailed and made a life for yourself. That is to be admired Mrs. Kale."  She says, "Unusual in that she is a very young woman with a great deal of experience in the world. She knows her mind and lives her life as she chooses. She is not afraid of shedding societies expectations, and that is unusual." Colin gives her a warm smile. "It sounds like an interesting story to me. Why do you put yourself down so?"   "Put myself down? I would not say I had. I only..." she looked down for a moment, those icy blue eyes had been piercing through her again. "Perhaps because it is the life I live everyday it seems ordinary."  He answers, "I would say your life is quite unordinary, Mrs. Kale. And I would like to hear more about it at some point. But I think I am taking up much of your time, and while I like speaking with you I also like hearing you play. Maybe we can talk again later?" He takes another sip of his wine but does not take his eyes off her.A few miles away, Jake hears a sound outside when he is telling Ruby ".... and swear to you that I'll love you forever, and..."   He rolls out of the carriage on the side of the noise and comes up with the pistol cocked and aimed at the source of the sound, " promise to kill any bastard that tries to harm you."Jake's exit of the carriage is greeted by a bright flash of light that temporarily blinds him. Jake rolls again so he is a more difficult target. The sounds of someone running can be heard but it takes a moment before Jake's vision clears. Once he can see again the man has made it to the trees and had heavy cover.   "Jake!" Ruby calls out and takes a shot with Jake's derringer before he gets too far away.Ruby, having been inside the carriage when the initial flash went off was not blinded but still had a tough time seeing clearly at first. Her vision soon adjusted and she squeezed off a shot. The small weapon however is designed for short range and the shot misses, although not by the margin the target would have liked.   "Damn it," Ruby swears as her shot misses. "Are you ok baby?" she calls out as she jumps off the carriage.Jake, still partially blinded, moves to tree cover and takes aim, making sure the man continues to flee.  The man does continue to flee and soon mounts a horse hidden nearby. He rides away hard, not looking back."Yes, I'm fine." Jake kicks the tree and turns to Ruby. "All I have is those damn flaming rounds in this thing. I didn't want to waste them or I would have unloaded on whoever it was." He walks over and hugs her with his left hand, his right still holding the Colt. "It probably wouldn't have been the smartest thing to do, but I am sick of Cowboy Gang trouble.  What was that flash? Did he use magic on me?""Why can't those %$%^$ just leave us alone!" Ruby yells out. Visibly upset, she rolls into Jake's hug and smushes her face against Jake's chest. Her voice muffled she responds, "I don't think it was magic he used on you. Just some sort of gunpowder contraption."   Jake releases the hammer on the pistol and rolls the cylinder back so the gun won't accidentally fire. Jake starts to chuckle and then to laugh, "I wonder if that coyote tracking us knows how lucky he was that we went to Mrs. Smiths for dinner." Ruby looks up at him and says, "What does that have to do with anything?"  "We can't get liquored up there," he puts the pistol in his belt and sweeps her off her feet, "because if I had a few drinks in me I probably wouldn't have thought about saving the rounds and he'd be blown to Hades."Wrapping her arms around Jake's neck Ruby lets the pout fall off her face and she giggles as he lifts her off the ground. "But I was having such a nice time and he ruined it!   Did you see who it was? I think I might have. I mean, I got a little bit of a glimpse. I don't know who it was but I thought I might have seen him before. I'm not sure. I wish I was drunk so I didn't care so much.""Naught but a passing cloud on our starry night." Jake swings her around several times, his boots crunching on the desert sand. "I have the most desirable woman all to myself under a perfect night of stars. Nothing is ruined." He carries her to the carriage and puts her in it. "I'll be right back." He walks to the edge of the clearing, removing his reddish brown scarf. He ties it to a tree that would be visible from the trail. Coming back he says, "We can ask Nanuet to come out and see if he can learn anything from the tracks in the morning." Jake mounts the carriage and frowns. "Bastard made me spill the bourbon." He finds the stopper and places it in the empty flask before returning it to his waist coat. "Let's enjoy the stars for a little while longer." He sits and puts his arm around her. "Then we can go back and dance the last songs at the Lucky Lady so I can show you off in that wonderful new dress."   Ruby smiles at Jake as she gets comfortable in his arms and looks back up to the sky. She knew Jake would be watching the trees. Only a brief amount of time goes by before she asks, without looking away from the starry sky, "Did you mean what you said?""That you look wonderful in that dress?" Jake sees her expression and judges that was not it. "Oh, the long time question." Jake chuckles, "You can thank our coyote friend again for that because I was about to just say yes." He pulls her a little closer, "I get some of my best words under pressure. I did mean it.""That you will love me forever... it means so much to me for you to say that...and mean it." Ruby lightly runs her fingers across Jake's cheek then applies slight pressure to turn his head towards hers. She kisses him softly while looking him in the eyes. "I love you baby. Let's go back soon so you can take me to bed."  "You don't need to ask me twice..." He returns the kiss and then climbs back into the front to drive the carriage, only taking a moment to tuck the revolver into the back of this trousers. On the way back he makes the horses go faster than he did coming out. They leave the rig at Drovers and walk hand in hand to the Lucky Lady.  They walk casually back into the Lucky Lady, which is still packed with people. Ruby unconsciously squeezes Jake's hand and smiles as they enter their saloon. Chester is sitting with Kevin Tomlinson and Clarisse and Katherine is talking with a handsome man that Ruby recognizes as someone who has been in the Lucky Lady but not for a while. It looks like the two of them are deep in conversation as they laugh and seem very interested in what the other is saying. "Let's make up for our losing our bourbon, shall we?" Ruby doesn't bother to go behind the bar, instead leaning over it, leaving Jake with a good view of her rear. She grabs a bottle and two glasses then slides off the bar. She pours two extremely generous glasses for them and passes one to Jake. "Here's to forever Mr. Cook...""Forever, starry nights and certain love." He sips the bourbon twice and then quaffs half the glass. "Why isn't there music playing in my saloon? I still want that dance."  Ruby raises her glass to Jake's toast and takes a sip of her bourbon. "I don't know...maybe because Mrs. Kale is involved in an engaging conversation, as is Miss Townsend. Let's ask them to play, shall we? I want to dance too." Ruby takes a large gulp of her bourbon then takes Jake by the hand leading him over to Kate. "Excuse me Mrs. Kale, would you mind playing us a song?" Ruby says interrupting her conversation with Turner. As soon as she speaks a smile comes to Colin's face and he slowly turns to look at Ruby but doesn't say anything. Ruby doesn't even look at him.   "Something lively, Mrs. Kale if you would be so kind." Jake adds.  Ruby says to Jake, "Lively... But I want something slow. Can you play lively then slow?"  Jake answers, "Perfect, two songs then!""Why is everyone calling me Mrs. Kale all of the sudden, have you all forgotten my name? I was just getting up to play, Ruby. Lively then slow. You'll excuse me, I hope?" Kate said to Mr. Turner, noting his attention had already shifted. She headed back toward the piano, ignoring the leer she got from Tony Lucky as she passed by. Clarisse got up from where she was sitting with Chester and Mr. Tomlinson, and Kate launched into a lively tune which Clarisse's voice soon joined.Jake notices the look that the man is giving Ruby. Jake takes Ruby by the hand, puts an arm around her waist and launches into a lively dance step around the room. They dodge chairs, tables and people prancing and dancing around the room. Ruby's dress twirls about as Jake spins her and her legs show frequently through the prominent slit in the side of the dress. The lively song finishes and Jake crushes her close to him for the slow ballad.Ruby puts her arms around her man's neck and sighs contentedly as he holds her as tight as he can by her waist. The feeling of Jake's hands gripping her back make her feel protected but at the same time her knees feel weak and her stomach churns with knots. Even after all the time they were together he could still make her melt, like no man before. Ruby closes her eyes and lets Jake guide her around the floor. She breathes in his musky scent and pushes her nose against his neck. Before long she can't help herself, she starts nuzzling his neck as if they were alone and no one else existed. She let her hand wander to his shirt and she unbuttons the top two buttons revealing more neck to kiss. Finally her lips find their way to his and she kisses him passionately, her feelings of love and lust overwhelming her.His pulse quickening, he guides Ruby towards the stairs, "Thank you for the song, Katherine, it was most enjoyable." Arm firmly around her waist he leads Ruby up the stairs.  "Yes, thank you Kate!" Ruby calls over her shoulder as Jake pushes her. Ruby grabs Jake and kisses him all the way back into their room, laughing and giggling loudly. Jake slams the door behind them and comes for Ruby, grabbing her again around the waist. "Oh," she says breathlessly as Jake kisses her neck, "The dress worked so well I'm not sure I should take it off!" "Heh," Jake responds before pulling at the ribbons in the back to loosen it. "I guess that means you really like it, huh?" She smiles as he tugs.  "The dress looks wonderful on you, and now I shall enjoy taking it off of you as well." Jake continues loosening the back. "I am quite done just looking." He tries for a little while to be patient and remove it in a slow and tantalizing way. With a sharp intake of breath he abandons that course and haphazardly pulls off the remainder her clothes while she tears at his. They don't really notice but the bed still squeaks.</blockquote>

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