R U B Y

Ava grinned, liking the idea of doing something fun with Ruby more and more. She ran a hand through her hair, and she had to admit that she was getting a little excited about the prospect. 

“Mountain climbing, sleeping outside type,” she laughed. “Definitely not a vegan. I mean, to each their own, but that wouldn’t really work for me. Werewolf,” she murmured, grinning.

“Mountain climbing really?” Ruby arched her brow as she listened. “I am not really a mountain climber but I do enjoy an occasional hike every now and then.” She offered as she reached down to began to work on another item to tie dye. “Maybe sometime you, me, and my dog could hike around somewhere?” She offered as she tucked a strand of stray red hair behind her ear. 

Samaea rose a brow at the bumbling woman walking past. She had not noticed her earlier but she would be a fool not to interpret the obvious signs correctly. Something was not quite right. “Hold on”, she spoke firmly, turning around to face the other. Her expression remained sharp, though that came almost naturally to her. Cocking her head then, Samaea broke the silence once more. “Are you alright?”

It was beyond her abilities to read minds, too see things outside the realm of her senses. In that regard, she was like a human. And like a human should, she would give her the benefit of the doubt, that at the very least she did not do anything to sabotage her. “What’s your name?”

Ruby blinked at the woman as she watched her turn and then approach Ruby. It was surprising to her as she looked down at the other female. The siren wasn’t used to people approaching her. Generally Ruby had a stand offish sort of nature so it seemed to her that people would avoid her especially as she pressed her lips together. “Yeah,” she said in a low tone as she rolled her shoulders back. 

“Ruby,” she said as she folded her arms across her chest. She was keeping her steady hazel eyes on the others face, attempting to filter out any malicious intent. “What about you?” She questioned cautiously. 

“That makes complete sense,” he told her honestly. “Trust me, I’ve been there. You do one thing, or you’re capable of doing something, and people just see that. They let it define you,” he told her. “But, being someone who’s been in that position, I can assure you, I do my best not to think that way.”

He shrugged his shoulders a little bit, watching her carefully. “I’m not perfect. I can be judgmental, sometimes. But, I try and not make it my mindset all the time,” he assured her.

Ruby smiled as she looked over at him. “Well that makes me feel better.” She admitted with a nervous laugh. “Do you feel that way?” She asked as her brows knitted together a bit. “I try too, I’m not always successful but I do try.” The ginger haired woman nodded as she looked down at her hands. 

“Well I mean, I think everyone does that sometimes. But I guess....” She paused thinking for a moment as her lips pressed together. “I guess what is really important is giving yourself the space to be surprised by people...and things. You know what I mean?” 

“Oh my god” The words left her lips almost naturally. Samaea was usually composed, emotionally detached if need be, but this girl really had it. The woman knew she meant well; She knew that she was truly apologetic for her actions but her indecisiveness had her patience run short. “Go on then. You said you have to be somewhere. No-“ Interrupted once again. Samaea pursed her lips. “I don’t care, Ashleigh. You don’t need to justify yourself to me. Just go”

Uncertain still, the girl eventually took her leave. Samaea was alone at the bar now, leaning against the railings as she skimmed her environment briefly. It didn’t matter, really. She didn’t like to socialize much and today’s incident just reminded her how that came to be. “Well. I better head home then…”, she muttered to herself.

Ruby was headed back to her suite after spending the day in class. She tucked some of her red hair behind her ear as she glanced down at her phone. That was until she spotted two girls a few paces in front of her. The siren hated that there was a part of herself that was kind of....nosy. She blamed her sisters, they were constant ease drops and gossips. Ruby fought it but it still lingered. 

Layla saw the stranger turn to look at Winter and saw her jump as well. She must have been startled to see a copy of Layla standing just behind her. 

“It’s… it’s the woman who possessed me but….” she answered the woman’s question, assuming she was asking what Winter was as she stood before them. The second part she addressed to Winter herself, “…how do you still have my face?”

Winter gave a cold chuckle and answered, “Magic.” She stepped around the mistress towards Layla.

The rage in her eyes as she moved to circle Layla was clear and dangerous. She was going to suffer and she knew it. Tears fell, rolling down her cheeks as she looked helplessly towards the stranger. 

“Run, please,” she begged, not wanting anyone else to get hurt for her sake.

Ruby looked over at the woman, she was confused by what was going on and why in the world she was so scared, or better yet what she could possibly be so afraid of. It made very little sense of her. 

“The woman who...possessed you?” Ruby spoke as her brows knitted together. She looked around and jumped as she saw her sister Sapphire standing besider her. “Jesus fucking...” she muttered under her breath. Sapphire giggled pinching her cheek as she pulled Ruby in. “Hi squishy, how have you been.” Sapphire always had a terrible way of speaking in a baby voice, even to Ruby. 

Ruby ignored her sister trying to shrug her off although it just made her grip the girl tighter almost like a boa constrictor. Ruby watched the woman, wrestling with a demon of her own. Crying as she spoke to the absent are. 

“Awwwww, looks like she is scared. You know you could make it all better?” Sapphire leaned in and pressed her lips softly against Ruby’s ear. “I taught you our song....you know it.”  

“Probably,” she chuckled, nodding. “See, now I think we need to do a project together,” she said. “I think we could come up with something absolutely adorable, if you ask me. We’re both creative women, I think.”

She laughed a little. “Well, I would be happy to try and teach you technology, but I don’t use it a lot myself. I’m more of an out in nature type of girl, myself.”

Ruby looked over at Ava as she spoke. “You think so? Well then,” she shrugged, but in all honesty the idea of working on a project with someone sounded nice. “I think that would be nice too,” she couldn’t help how wide her smile got, and she turned her eyes down so that the woman might not see them. 

“A natural type girl? Meaning what? Mountain climbing and sleeping in tents? Or worse,” Ruby gasped playfully as she placed her hand to her lips. “Are you a vegan?” She whispered softly. 

Milo chuckled a little bit. “Let’s call a brief truce,” he said. “I’ll be happy to show you what I can do as long as you don’t try your siren mojo on me again. I promise to listen and not cross any lines,” he told her. “What do you say?”

He stepped closer to her, if a bit cautiously. He wasn’t too keen on being taken control of all over again.

Ruby again looked him over, her hazel green eyes narrowing as she listened. Her jaw was set in a firm line. Her arms crossed one over the other as she considered his offer, and what bothered her most was that she was even considering it. 

“Fine,” she huffed as she relaxed a little and leaned back. “But if you step out of line,” she held up a finger and smirked. She moved to shrug as she waited for what was next.