sl_carmichael (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} sl_carmichael) wrote,@ 2007-09-10 13:05:00 |
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The Second Time Around
Originally Tombstone started because Myc mentioned writing a Western. In our usual mode of discussion, I tossed in the possibility of a Western vampire.
After we stopped laughing, Tombstone was born. I’m not sure why I took the idea and ran, but I did.
"What's wrong?"
He heard Jake's question but didn't turn around to look at him. "Just
thinking. That's all."
"You've been really quiet since yesterday, Les. Something bothering
you?" Jake stood near him, staring up the bright stars in the sky.
"Yeah, I think there is." Finally he half turned to face Jake, studying
his face for a silent moment. If anything, Les could see nothing in Jake's
features that made him look any different than a normal human. Instead
of being pale, he looked healthily suntanned, and his eyes didn't glow
with an unearthly light.
Settling on the edge of the rail, Jake folded his arms against his
chest, eyeing Les quizzically. "Are you going to tell me or am I supposed
to guess?"
"What are you?" Les couldn't think of any other way to put it. When
he saw a faintly wary look in Jake's eyes, Les looked back out toward the
mountains. "I saw you and Avery in the barn. You drank his blood."
"You're still here after seeing that."
"Yeah. I don't know why, though." Meeting the gaze pinned on him,
Les' tone stayed as carefully neutral as Jake's was.
"I don't know what the hell to say, Les. Most are here a lot longer
before they find out."
The words reassured Les that Jake didn't go around killing
everybody who figured out what he was. "Everybody knows?"
"A few of the older hands do. They've been here long enough to
realize I don't age." Jake shrugged slightly. "Look, if it makes you
uncomfortable, you're free to leave. I just ask you don't tell anyone about
me."
"I'm not sure how I feel, comfortable or otherwise." The
conversation felt distinctly painful, especially after the closeness they'd
shared.
"That's something you have to decide for yourself, Les. Let me
know if you want to stay on at the ranch or not." Not by one word did
Jake even allude to their prior relationship. But Les could see a depthless
sadness in his eyes before Jake turned away from him and walked back
in the house. In that moment the nickname Old Jake fit him very well.
Originally Tombstone started because Myc mentioned writing a Western. In our usual mode of discussion, I tossed in the possibility of a Western vampire.
After we stopped laughing, Tombstone was born. I’m not sure why I took the idea and ran, but I did.
"What's wrong?"
He heard Jake's question but didn't turn around to look at him. "Just
thinking. That's all."
"You've been really quiet since yesterday, Les. Something bothering
you?" Jake stood near him, staring up the bright stars in the sky.
"Yeah, I think there is." Finally he half turned to face Jake, studying
his face for a silent moment. If anything, Les could see nothing in Jake's
features that made him look any different than a normal human. Instead
of being pale, he looked healthily suntanned, and his eyes didn't glow
with an unearthly light.
Settling on the edge of the rail, Jake folded his arms against his
chest, eyeing Les quizzically. "Are you going to tell me or am I supposed
to guess?"
"What are you?" Les couldn't think of any other way to put it. When
he saw a faintly wary look in Jake's eyes, Les looked back out toward the
mountains. "I saw you and Avery in the barn. You drank his blood."
"You're still here after seeing that."
"Yeah. I don't know why, though." Meeting the gaze pinned on him,
Les' tone stayed as carefully neutral as Jake's was.
"I don't know what the hell to say, Les. Most are here a lot longer
before they find out."
The words reassured Les that Jake didn't go around killing
everybody who figured out what he was. "Everybody knows?"
"A few of the older hands do. They've been here long enough to
realize I don't age." Jake shrugged slightly. "Look, if it makes you
uncomfortable, you're free to leave. I just ask you don't tell anyone about
me."
"I'm not sure how I feel, comfortable or otherwise." The
conversation felt distinctly painful, especially after the closeness they'd
shared.
"That's something you have to decide for yourself, Les. Let me
know if you want to stay on at the ranch or not." Not by one word did
Jake even allude to their prior relationship. But Les could see a depthless
sadness in his eyes before Jake turned away from him and walked back
in the house. In that moment the nickname Old Jake fit him very well.
