Halloween on Edan

By Donna and ABs

The morning of the big Halloween parties that were to be held in Esperanza, those that were going to attend from Edan gathered at the dock to wait for the Fort's riverboats to show up and take them there. It was an interesting mix of people. All the gamblers were there, as well as some of the pony express riders. Wy, upon hearing about the party, had insisted on going. She really wanted to check on how the cougar cubs were doing! 

Lupe wanted to go, but of course Faia was going, and she needed to be able to nurse the three babies she had taken responsibility for.  Finally, one of the fae said that Shannon, the River fae, had recently given birth and could nurse the twins. Katherine also was staying in town, and agreed to wet nurse Thoth. 

Sarah Jo had said she wanted to see the friends she had made while she had been there at the clinic, recovering from her miscarriage. And to tell them that she was now four months pregnant! She was accompanied by both her men. They weren't about to let her travel without them!  

All were excited to get there.  Esperanza was a fun place, and they were sure they would be putting on a great Halloween party.  "Just look at who lives there!" one of the soldiers said. 

Standing near Sarah Jo, Hope MacDonald shivered at those words. She had wanted desperately to attend the party, but had thought she should forgo it, but Father Ralph had surprised her greatly by offering to escort her there.  

She was dressed like a Southern Belle, and he as a Southern Gentleman - something out of Gone With the Wind.  And she was absolutely thrilled with the dress she had just *found* in her home! 

Sarah Jo had her outfit on underneath a long woolen cape. No way was she going to travel openly in the short, frilly country girl dress and cowboy boots. It was a most daring outfit for her, but somehow, it suited her. Doc wouldn't tell her what he was going as, and as far as she knew, Duncan had not decided on what to wear, although she thought he would look rather dashing in the uniform of the RCMP.  When the two men showed up, Doc was wearing a lab coat and his regular clothes underneath, and Duncan was wearing what appeared to be a Scoutmaster's Uniform! 

Sarah Jo laughed at him, and as they climbed into one of the riverboats, she made him tell her what each and every merit badge he had on was for!  

And he told her, too!! 

The trip upriver was pleasant and uneventful. The fact that the soldiers were well armed might have had something to do with that! It was very late in the afternoon by the time they reached the ford and the sun was already starting to lower over the horizon. The vampires would be starting to wake soon!  

When they arrived, they noticed that the coach had already gotten to the town, and people were alighting at the ford bridge.  The sun was setting, but they could see Crystal, dressed as some goddess, Phoenix, in her usual Egyptian garments, and Methos, in a toga. The people of Esperanza had provided transportation for them from the bridge to the town. Everyone as so excited!  It was going to be quite a party.

There were several parties going on, actually. One was at the House of Many Pleasures, and one was going on at the Fuzzy Penguin.  Since Wy wanted to see the cougar cubs, she and Tom headed there.  Methos and his party were also heading that way.  The others decided to follow along as well. After all, it didn't really seem that good of an idea for a priest to go to the House! 

Once they got to the Fuzzy Penguin, they all were surprised at what was asked of them. Emilia was at the door, asking if anyone was wearing a blessed cross.  "I need to hold it while you are inside," she said politely. 

Ralph, Sarah Jo and Hope were all wearing one. "But why?" Hope asked. "I haven't taken my necklace off since it was given to me!"  

Just then a tall, very handsome man with red-gold hair and a full beard came up behind them.  He shied away from the cross that Hope was showing Emilia, as if it was causing him great physical pain. "That's why," said the new Immortal. 

Hope looked at Ralph who just shrugged. He had been assured by Phoenix that the residents of Esperanza were not evil ones, otherwise he would never have brought Hope to this place. With a resigned sigh, he reached under his shirt and took his cross off, and the two ladies followed his example, even though everyone watching could see none of them were happy about it.  

As soon as the crosses were away, the vampire straightened with a relieved sigh. "I do hope you forgive us," he said.  "But it is for your benefit, as well." 

"Of course," Ralph said, squeezing Hope’s shoulder a bit and smiling at her. "It will be alright. Don't worry."  

"No one will harm you here," said Julius. "We are so pleased to have you!" 

"Thank you were inviting us," Father Ralph said pleasantly. "Hope wanted very much to come to this. But after her experience with Lovelace, I could not let her come by herself."  

"We have heard much of that man. We do not force women in this town, or sell them into bondage.  Though, our ways are odd to you, no doubt." 

The priest nodded. "Yes. They are," he said honestly. Seeing Wyoming standing nearby, trying not to fidget as she waited to talk to Julius, he smiled again and excused himself.  

The Roman nodded to the pretty woman he had previously met, and said, "My dear Wyoming.  How lovely to see you here!" 

"Glad to be here," she said, reaching out her hand without hesitation to shake his. Not one to beat around the bush, she asked the question that was on her heart. "How are they doing?" Behind her, Tom rolled his eyes.  

"Growing more and more each day," he smiled at her. "Quite a challenge, too, I might say.  It is much easier to call adult animals than young ones. They have the ability to, well, totally ignore, even me!"  

Taking her by the hand, he led her to the little enclosed garden area where the cubs were chasing each other around. Wyoming watched them for a few minutes, her eyes misty. "They are doing well here with you," she said with a happy sigh. "I'm glad."  

"No one knows cats like Julius," said a voice, and they turned to see a handsome Hispanic man with a pretty blonde.  Neither were in costume. 

"That is why we brought them to him," Tom Kirby spoke up. "For as far as we know, they are the only cougars on this world! I'm Tom Kirby by the way, the vet down at Edan. And this is Wyoming Davis. She is a wildlife biologist."  

"Rafael is the Rat King," smiled Julius. 

Wyoming raised an eyebrow but said nothing. The vet and his lady friend looked like they were straight off the beach. Tom was wearing an outlandish Hawaiian shirt and bermudas, and Wy a floral sarong. Both were wearing straw hats that she had woven herself.  

"You look like you're ready to have some fun!" said the blonde, who said her name was Nora.  "We won't be able to stay long - the moon is rising.  But I hope you enjoy the party!" 

"Thank you!" they both said, though Tom frowned at the comment about the costume. He was sure that being a beach bum was only for those too lazy to work. And work he had been doing! Even with Jonathon's help, he was still putting 12-14 hour days in, seven days a week. These trips to Esperanza had been the only break he had really had since coming to Edan. 

Julius smiled and said, "It is time to go back in. The kittens are asleep now, so you should forget about them, Wyoming, and let your hair down, I believe is the phrase?” 

She laughed. "Sure. How about a dance later?"  

"I will be honored!"  And the small group went back to the Penguin to enjoy the festivities!