EXCOLO

John nods at my question, Not as I can remember, anyhow. Jarmyn says he's never sung in public either, so that's another shot I have to take on my own. My collection of empty shot glasses is getting a bit big. Soon we'll need more.

Oh, that was low, sweetheart, Jarmyn says when I hit him with the statement about never having someone's name tattooed on me.Makes it sound like I got drunk and woke up with ‘Tiffany’ inked on my arm and no idea who she was. He says. Think maybe I hurt his feelings some with that but I can't take it back now. It's already been said. I've never had anything pierced but my ears. He says back. Oh so it's gonna be like THAT is it? I glare at him as I take my shot and only just manage not to slam the empty on the table.

It's just as well John interrupts, Wait,I ain't had anythin' pierced, so what do I do? I ain't got my ears pierced neither.

Then he starts his turn, but has to pause after the first bit to come up with sometbin'. I ain't ever...I ain't ever had a kid,

I blink in surprise. Looks like John might be tryin' to be nice an give us somethin' easy. Though I bet he doesn't have a clue how close it came to me havin' one.

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“If you’ve never had anything pierced, you don’t have to drink,” I answer John, realizing I should have thought better about how I phrased that. Well, should have thought better about the other people at the table with me. God, I can feel that vodka now. Room feels a little warm, but that’s better than the wind I can hear outside.

I’m listening to that when John hits us with his turn, and it’s not at all what I expected. Sit back in my chair, cross my legs and laugh. That’s easy enough. “There aren’t any Aeresteade bastards running around out there as far as I know,” I tell them, just as easily, and it’s true in many different ways, that statement, but terribly misleading.

Verite looks a little surprised that he’d say that, and she’s not quick to take her turn. “What have you got for us, sweetheart?” I ask, leaning forward, and then, to John: “We’re gonna need some more shots soon. You want to come help me pick them out?”

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The smack 'a 'Ri's glass bangin' down on the table startles me some, though I was half expectin' it, and she dint really bang it down like she would 'f she was real angry.

“If you’ve never had anything pierced, you don’t have to drink,” Jarmyn says t'me, which is a bit 'v a relief, and he laughs at my thing. “There aren’t any Aeresteade bastards running around out there as far as I know,” he jokes, which ain't what I asked but whatever.

'Ri ain't comin' up with anythin', but I shake my head t'his question. "No, I dunt drink hard liquor much. I wouldn't know what t'ask for."

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Jarmyn laughs at John's statement an' lets him off the hook for the previous one.
There aren’t any Aeresteade bastards running around out there as far as I know.

I realize I haven't taken my turn when J Man leans towards me to ask, What have you got for us, sweetheart? I'm scrambling to find something to ask when he turns to John, We’re gonna need some more shots soon. You want to come help me pick them out? Does he really want a second opinion or is it just an excuse to talk to John without me around?

John shakes his head an says no, he wouldn't know what to ask for. I give up tryin' to find something clever to say and settle for the obvious one. "I've never been married."

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Should have figured John wouldn’t have much experience with liquor, and it’s on the tip of my tongue to say that you can do shots of beer and do we maybe want to try that when Verite says she’s never been married.

I’m trying to remember why exactly I thought it was a good idea to start playing this game, but it’s just not coming to me. I’m tempted to ask her what she means by ‘married,’ because it’s not like anyone ever said any words over us in a church, but there’s more than one way of getting married. I guess it’s mostly to do with how you think about the other person and what you do, the promises you make to each other.

I don’t want to make this any more complicated than it already is, in case someone asks me to explain, because I’m sure as hell not doing that in present company. So I just reach for a shot, not looking at either one of them. Would be my luck that one of the few remaining is that firewhiskey, and yeah, I can see why they call it that now. I manage not to choke, though, and as I’m wiping my mouth I realize it’s my turn again.

And God, I want to get Verite back for that, even though she probably didn’t mean anything by it. But she’s my friend, one of the few people I know well in this town, and for all the sauce and the stupid nicknames, I do like her. “I’ve never worn anything pink,” I finally settle on. She’s probably have to drink for that, but it wasn’t mean.

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"I've never been married."

Well heck, that one ain't hard, 'n I dunt take a drink. Jarmyn knocks one back though, chokin' a bit on it, and I have t'bite back a laugh. And here he's tryin' t'knock how I hold my liquor.

He wipes his mouth and pauses t'think. “I’ve never worn anything pink,” he says. Well, heck. I take a shot, hopin' no one asks.

"I've never danced naked," I tell 'em. Not for a decently literal meanin' 'a that, anyways.

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I watch with interest as Jarmyn chokes down a shot of firewhisky. Wonder if the name on his chest is that of the person he married and how long did it last? Assuming he ain't still married. Maybe I should ask him bout that. Probably not tonight though. Way we were actin' earlier it'd maybe set off an argument. I don't wanna have one with him.

I’ve never worn anything pink, He says and I gotta laugh at that. And even more when I see Johnny reaching for a drink. "We could probbly change that, 'f you wanted." I offer as I reach for my own shot.

I've never danced naked, Johnny states. "Neither have I." I say firmly. Lean back in my chair, digging into my coat pocket for my cloves, pull one an offer the pack to Jarmyn. "Never been in jail."

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They both drink at mine, and I resist the urge to poke at John about it. “Not going to happen, sweetheart,” I tell Verite when she pokes at me about maybe wearing pink.

And then John works up the guts to say he’s never danced naked, and I’m surprised that I feel like laughing at that. Loosened up is a good way to describe how I’m feeling right now, and it’s easy enough to put people in the past out of my thoughts for the moment. I’m not a maudlin drunk. Verite’s thinking, though, and I’m pretty sure I know what about. Well, if she asks me things I’d rather not talk about, I know how to say no well enough, and I’m not afraid to say it to her.

What she ends up saying, though, is that she’s never been in jail, and John and I both reach for shots. I know mine is another lime and vodka, don’t remember what his was. I clink my glass against his as we take them, thinking at least twice as much of him as I did when I first sat down. Jail tends to teach you a couple things you can’t really learn anywhere else, mostly things about the inside of your own head.

“What was it for, if you don’t mind me asking?” We down our drinks together, and I realize Verite’s offering me a smoke and that it’s my turn as well. I take one and offer her my lighter, then say, “I’ve never been farther south than here.” The best I can map out, I’ve worked my way south and a little west from home, moving east sometimes if that was where the road was going.

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I glare at 'Ri 'afore I reach for my shot, and I'm surprised when Jarmyn gives my glass a touch with his. "It was just for a couple 'a days," I say, downin' it. I should be feelin' this soon, and I ain't sure I'm lookin' forwards t'it.

"I got in a fight," I tell Jarmyn. I dunt want t'say more, 'really. It ain't his business, and what with Damien 'n all I dunt want it t'be 'Ri's either.

“I’ve never been farther south than here.” I groan and reach for another shot. "I've bin all the way down t'Salthaven, though not so far as Dry Run," I tell him.

When 'Ri's done taking her shot I lean back and sigh. This game takes a lot out, with all the booze I'm havin' t'knock back. "I've never gone up t'the tower," I say quietly.

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I just grin when Jarmyn refuses my offer about changing that lack of pink. Didn't really expect anything else from him on that.

John glares at me for the jail thing and I shrug. Wasn't doing it to get at him, not really. Notice how Jarmyn clinks his glass 'gainst john's 'n asks what he was in for. I kinda expected Johnny to not wanna say even the basic version but he does. I got in a fight. Probbly for the best if we all leave it there.

I’ve never been farther south than here. Jarmyn says. We're fast running out of shots here, an I wonder how much longer we're gonna keep playin' I see the look on John's face as he reaches for a shot. Yeah maybe we should stop when there's no more shots,I think as I down mine.

"'F it weren't for Management, be down south long ago."

I have to lean forwards to hear John when he take his turn, I've never gone up t'the tower,

"Not me either." Wonder if Jarmyn's heard bout the Tower yet?

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Fighting is a perfectly respectable reason to get thrown in jail. It's landed me there a couple times, mostly when whatever passed for the law was too busy trying to get everyone calmed down that they weren't bothering to separate the people who'd started the bar fight from the people trying to stop them. John doesn't look like he wants to talk about it, though, so I just nod.

Verite doesn't take her turn after she drinks, and then John says he's never gone up to the Tower. Verite says she hasn't either, and they sort of stop for a minute. You can see the water tower from town, of course, but I hadn't thought anything of it except to be grateful for a place with clean running water. "Haven't been up there. Should I make a point of going while I'm here?"

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'Ri shrugs, but she dunt say anythin' and neither does Jarmyn, 'n I'm glad for it. "'F it weren't for Management, be down south long ago," 'Ri says as she tips her drink back t'mine, and I look at her in surprise. I dint think she'd mention the Carnival's management. It's not somethin' they seem eager t'bring up much.

At least she's had sense 'nough t'steer clear 'a the tower, though I guess most folk learn pretty quick. Not Jarmyn, though.

"Haven't been up there. Should I make a point of going while I'm here?"

I cough in shock and shake my head. "No!" I say a bit too loud. "No. Dint no one warn you off 'v it yet? You've bin in town long 'nough I'd 'a thought. The tower's a bad place."

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Haven't been up there. Should I make a point of going while I'm here? Jarmyn asks and the curiosity tells me along with John's shocked expression and protest, that no noone's told him about the tower.

No! No. Dint no one warn you off 'v it yet? You've bin in town long 'nough I'd 'a thought. The tower's a bad place.

"Guess everyone musta thought that someone else'd already told ya." I add giving Johnny a sidelong glance as I take a drag off my clove. "You wanta tell him 'bout it or should I?"

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The way they’re both going on warning me away from the tower startles me as much I can be startled when I’m feeling as warm and relaxed as I am now. I concentrate on lighting my cigarette while they decide who’s going to tell me. The smoking reminds me of—oh, that tower. “Lucien did mention something on Valentine’s,” I admit slowly. “Well, ‘keep away from the damn water tower’ was what he said.’”

But why these two should have cause to be afraid of Miss Wanda’s husband, I don’t know. Lucien having a grudge against him, even thinking he’s the devil himself, that I can see. But what Mr. Whitman has to do with the water tower, I don’t know. It’s not like you can live in a water tower, not without really messing up the waterworks. “Well, someone tell me about it.” Guess we’ve finished with the game for now, since they’ve both turned so serious. I guess it’s just as well.

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"Guess everyone musta thought that someone else'd already told ya," 'Ri says, shootin' me a look. “Lucien did mention something on Valentine’s,” Jarmyn replies. “Well, ‘keep away from the damn water tower’ was what he said.’” Which ain't too helpful I guess, but it ain't like my visit t'the doc was real useful either.

"You wanta tell him 'bout it or should I?" Jarmyn looks from me t'Ri and back again. “Well, someone tell me about it.”

I look at 'Ri, then t'Jarmyn, 'n nod. "The devil lives there," I tell him. "He comes into town sometimes - hell, he's married" I say, 'cause hell 'f I'm hidin' that, "but he lives there."

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Well, someone tell me about it. Jarmyn demands, not unreasonably. Johnny gives a look which only fair since I gave him one, then nods to Jarmyn.

The devil lives there,He comes into town sometimes - hell, he's married! But he lives there. John says. Guess he's gving Jarmyn the basic version c'ept for the married bit. I ain't heard that bit before. Wonder what the devil's wife is s'posed to be like? Mean like him? Or super nice so's to be a complete opposite?

I take another drag off my clove and try to blow a smoke ring. Fail miserably. "Y'gonna tell him bout how some people go up there to try to make deals for stuff?" I ask.

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Verite I hadn’t figured for superstitious. John, I don’t know about, but they’re both telling me this. Makes me wonder who started this gossip, and how they managed to get at least three people in town picking up on it. “When you say ‘the devil,’ do you mean Lucifer-Satan-Beelzebub, I guess? The one from the Bible? Because that’s going to take some convincing for me to believe. Or are we talking about someone who kicks dogs and is generally mean to everyone?” The liquor’s making my tongue loose, but it’s not making me any more gullible.

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'Ri blows a cloud 'a smoke out at us. "Y'gonna tell him bout how some people go up there to try to make deals for stuff?"

I shrug, hard and jerky, and Jarmyn asks “When you say ‘the devil,’ do you mean Lucifer-Satan-Beelzebub, I guess? The one from the Bible? Because that’s going to take some convincing for me to believe. Or are we talking about someone who kicks dogs and is generally mean to everyone?”

Was he listenin'? "I said the devil," I tell him, and I look at 'Ri. "I dint figure I had t'mention the deals, 'cause it's the devil," I tell her. Of course he makes deals. "Ask 'round, there's folks as know it. And everyone knows there's somethin' there, only not everyone knows it's the devil."

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John is obviously uncomfortable the way he jerks his shoulders. Might even be a bit pissed off at what I said.

Jarmyn doesn't believe it and maybe thinks we shouldn't either the way he asks, When you say ‘the devil,’ do you mean Lucifer-Satan-Beelzebub, I guess? The one from the Bible? Because that’s going to take some convincing for me to believe. Or are we talking about someone who kicks dogs and is generally mean to everyone? It's not that I believe the stories exactly, but I've seen stuff growing in the Carnival and the fact that the stories bout the tower are more recent than the usual spooky stuff in most small towns says there's somethin' goin on. And then there crap like the Carnival bein' trapped here. And Luke's reaction to me.

John may've been pissed by what I said but he's definitely pissed at what Jarmyn said. I said the devil, Oh the look he gives me...I dint figure I had t'mention the deals, 'cause it's the devil,Ask 'round, there's folks as know it. And everyone knows there's somethin' there, only not everyone knows it's the devil.

"Not everyone has heard of the devil, John." I say, tryin' to sound reasonable. "But yeah, there's somethin' up there and there wouldn't be all these stories for nothing. And you need to know that it's not good to go there. and that if you do an' anyone finds out they'll tell stories bout you. They don;t trust the tower or anyone connected to it even distantly." I try not to be bitter at the thought Luke an' his reaction to hearing bout Management.

Edited Date: 2010-12-19 05:48 am (UTC)

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Either John is feeling the liquor, or he’s just pretty plain and simple, to think that the devil is the devil, and if lots of people say he is then it must be true, because everyone knows it is. I’m just not going to buy it. Don’t know who this fellow might be, but I’m pretty sure he’s not the devil I heard a hell of a lot about growing up, going around like a roaring lion seeking who he may devour and all that. If he was, why would he be living in a water tower outside a little town like this?

“I’ve heard of the devil,” I answer Verite. “Way too much, actually. Got a lot of fire and brimstone and preaching growing up. And if that’s the devil, the real devil, which I’m not saying there is any such creature, then what’s he doing here? Have either of you met him? Or is it just people saying things?” Because all right, this might be a strange town, but that doesn’t mean the devil is making it that way. People get up to all kinds of devilry all by themselves, and saying that the devil himself did it is just so they don’t have to take the blame.

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"Not everyone has heard of the devil, John," 'Ri says all calm, like that's any kind 'v excuse. "But yeah, there's somethin' up there and there wouldn't be all these stories for nothing. And you need to know that it's not good to go ther, and that if you do an' anyone finds out they'll tell stories bout you. They don't trust the tower or anyone connected to it even distantly." I nod along t'emphasize.

Jarmyn still looks doubtful. “I’ve heard of the devil,” he says, and 'a course he has. “Way too much, actually. Got a lot of fire and brimstone and preaching growing up. And if that’s the devil, the real devil, which I’m not saying there is any such creature, then what’s he doing here? Have either of you met him? Or is it just people saying things?”

I nod. "I can't say what he's doin' here, though I and a bunch 'v others 'd dearly like t'know." I bet it's got somethin' t'do with all the strangeness come walkin', but that ain't sayin' much 'v use. "And I have met him," I add. I realized it a while ago, when I saw Miss Wanda's new husband. "Here in the Tavern. He was drinkin' with a bunch 'a strange folks as I ain't seen 'round much."

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Guess if I was hearing all this just now, I might be having as much trouble taking things seriously as Jarmyn. And if that’s the devil, the real devil, which I’m not saying there is any such creature, then what’s he doing here? Have either of you met him? Or is it just people saying things?

I haven't got any answers for him an really he don't have to believe so long as he never visits the tower. John though tries again,I can't say what he's doin' here, though I and a bunch 'v others 'd dearly like t'know. And I have met him,Here in the Tavern. He was drinkin' with a bunch 'a strange folks as I ain't seen 'round much.

I stare at John in shock he's met the devil? All I have are stories, well gossip really. Though a few of those say that the devil is shapechanger so people can meet him without knowing it. I shake my head to clear it a bit and then ask, "So what'd he look like? And just how strange were his companions?"

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I am actually listening to Johnny. Just because I don’t believe a word he’s telling me doesn’t mean I’m not interested. When he mentions that he met this person, whoever he is, here, I look around, and then catch myself, feeling five kinds of stupid. Verite looks taken aback to hear that, too, and she asks what it was on the tip of my tongue to, about what he looked like and who he was with.

I don’t know John very well, but I think Verite does, and so I need to ask her privately how much he makes a habit of drinking when he's at the Tavern, to be able to say he’s seen the devil himself here. And if this bad blood between him and her might not be because he’s a little crazy some ways. For now, though, I’m just going to humor him. “I’d like to know that, too,” I add. “Also wouldn’t mind knowing how exactly you knew he was the devil, since I’m guessing he probably didn’t have horns or anything.”

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"So what'd he look like?" 'Ri demands, her eyes wide. "And just how strange were his companions?" Jarmyn still looks amused. “I’d like to know that, too. Also wouldn’t mind knowing how exactly you knew he was the devil, since I’m guessing he probably didn’t have horns or anything.”

I shake my head. "Nothin' like that. The devil dunt need all that. He was sittin' with some carnies and some folks who I've hardly seen at all, real spooky types who dint sm - move proper at all." Not that I noticed that the time, but lookin' back...

"I only know it was him now, 'cause someone pointed out Miss Wanda's husband t'me, and it was the same man. And Miss Wanda married the devil. So it was him I saw, drinkin' in here."

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Jarmyn adds Also wouldn’t mind knowing how exactly you knew he was the devil, since I’m guessing he probably didn’t have horns or anything. And for all he sounds amused it is a good question.

Nothin' like that. The devil dunt need all that. He was sittin' with some carnies and some folks who I've hardly seen at all, real spooky types who dint sm - move proper at all. John says like it should make it all make sense now.

I frown at this and he keeps going, I only know it was him now, 'cause someone pointed out Miss Wanda's husband t'me, and it was the same man. And Miss Wanda married the devil. So it was him I saw, drinkin' in here.

That still doesn't explain it, not really. It's one of those circular things that go round an' round but never really prove anything. I give John a look. "That don't prove he's the devil, just that he's got odd taste in friends." I met the guy at his wedding and he seemed normal enough. More normal than Lucien with his self lighting cigarettes and fire-eyes.

"Really, John, if he's the devil there should be more proof than a couple of weird stories and a circle argument."

Edited Date: 2010-12-21 04:42 am (UTC)

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Can’t decide to be sure if this idea that Wanda’s married to the devil is all Lucien’s doing or not, because I liked Lucien. Then again, I’ve never met this Whitman fellow, and now I don’t much want to. But John isn’t making a whole lot of sense and Verite really is, for all she’s had a hell of a lot to drink. Don’t think anybody’s proving anything to anyone about who is or isn’t the devil right about now. “I haven’t had enough to drink to be talking like this,” I tell both of them “So either we need more to drink, or we should all call it a night. I’ll walk you home if you want me to, sweetheart.” And what might happen when we get there I’ll let her decide, but I hope it doesn’t mean a long cold walk back to the Inn for me directly after.

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"That don't prove he's the devil," 'Ri argues, "just that he's got odd taste in friends. Really, John, if he's the devil there should be more proof than a couple of weird stories and a circle argument."

I sigh 'n roll my eyes. "It ain't that alone I tell her. There's a bunch 'a folks as know he's the devil - I only know who it was 'cause I thought back t'meetin' him. You ask Miss O'Hara, 'r my sister Tess, Glass Beddau, Mr. Klavec... lots 'a folks know, but there ain't much you can do at the moment."

Jarmyn dunt seem t'want t'hear none 'v it. “I haven’t had enough to drink to be talking like this,” he says, still with that undertone 'v amusement. “So either we need more to drink, or we should all call it a night. I’ll walk you home if you want me to, sweetheart.”

I wish he'd stop callin' her that. "I ain't tellin' you for my health," I say, "but 'v you dunt care it ain't on my head. I told you, and you can make 'v it what you will," I add with a shrug. "I should head off home then." And he can go talk t'the devil 'f he wants t'know 'f I'm right.

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