#ruby slater

"Does this mean they like and accept me now?" "Wait, on the other hand, the smile seemed a bit forced. Maybe they're just being passive-aggressive?" "Oh Pippa, I think they still hate me. What do I do?"

And of course her favourite, "So the makeover was clearly a miss. Perhaps another makeover next week? To re-launch my new persona?" to which Pippa couldn't hold back the giggle as she imagined Tobias cutting even more hair off and going completely bald. That would be an alright impression to make on someone you desperately want to impress.

Pippa knew what was going on there, with like, the 99.9% of precision. She wouldn't be at all surprised if Tobias had a secret diary with a glittery cover, like her little sister Arabella did, and duplicated all his woes about Lennon on its pages. But it wasn't really her place... ah, but who was she kidding, a part of her was indeed taking some twisted pleasure in watching how long it would take Tobias himself to realise.

Just when she was approaching her house, she heard a voice from afar.

"Philippa, dear! Is that you?"

Not the full government name. This could only mean one thing...

Dana, the next door neighbor, was in a very chatty mood, and usually she'd choose her dad as a victim, but today the choice fell on her. It felt like the universe was plotting against her today. 

"Hiiii, Dana!" she flashed a smile. For the record, even though she'd just told Tobias off for being a people pleaser a few days ago, Dana was her own weak spot, as she could never effectively escape her.

"Oh my, you're so grown now!" Dana said this exact thing every month. "I need to take a selfie with you so I could post it on Facebook!"

This old lady's whole thing was taking selfies with people with dubious consent, as they were often too taken by surprise - just like Pippa right now as her mouth didn't even have enough time to widen in a smile.

"How's life? How's children, grandchildren?" she asked after Dana was done taking a photo with her for her collection, just to be polite.

Pippa knew exactly how her children and grandchildren were, as her and Arabella's favourite hobby was to giggle at Dana's son, Mystic Fred, who was trying to make it big as a mime and somehow got gigs at elite parties in Bridgeport. The only funny thing about him were his outfits, especially to Ara who could never get enough of stalking his professional page.

Pippa herself wasn't a big fan of Mystic Fred as he threw a stone at her once over the fence when they were younger, after which Jasper had some strict words with Dana's hermit husband, and Pippa thought Fred really should have known better as she was 8 and he was, like, 17.

"Yes, glad you asked! I've just come home from Frederick's big solo show in Bridgeport, I've never seen such a big concert hall in my life! I'm so proud of my boy. Wanna see our family pictures?"

"Sure, why not," what do you even say to an elderly lady offering to show you her family pictures?

The thing was, this literally happened every month - if not to Pippa, then to her dad, occasionally her mom who somehow had a magical talent to escape these conversations, and sometimes poor Ara would come under fire as well, as her tennis classes were at an unfortunate time when Dana came out for her evening neighborhood stroll.

"Hold on... Oh no, this is the wrong one, it's this one funny Social Bunny video, you must have seen it, ha-ha, so hilarious!"

"Yeah, I have," Pippa lied.

"Here. This is me, and Frederick, and this is Lisa, his wife, you might have seen her around when they came to visit, and oh, just look at how grown are little Sophia and baby Jonah now..."

"Oh, nice, oh, sweet, they're so cute," Pippa could feign interest only so long while listening to Dana's babbles. "Cool. Great! And, uh, what about your other son, Robert, how's he been?"

For a moment, it seemed like Dana forgot she had another son, who most people were not even aware of.

"Ah right, Robert," she uttered with disappointment. "Still works at a gas station, nothing new. Frederick, on the other hand! So many high-profile industry giants were mind-blown by him! I heard he had a talk with a manager behind closed doors after his gig, but, well, in the end it wasn't meant to be. That guy's loss. Maybe we dodged a bullet, he was wearing the most ridiculous cowboy hat! I wouldn't trust him with my Frederick's career. He's the prodigy of his generation. Say, do you wanna see Frederick's performance? It's only 13 minutes long, trust me, it's so good..."

Pippa prayed for some force to take her away, and she was already regretting thinking badly of Tobias as she would much rather listen to him dissecting every micro-gesture and face expression of Lennon towards him right now.

The force came in the form of the house door opening and Pippa's mother, Ruby, showing up on the porch. Must have seen her from the window. She was the exact person Pippa needed right now to her rescue.

"Hi, sweetie... Oh, hi, Dana!" she faked a smile. "Nice day today, isn't it?"

"Ruby! I was just going to show your daughter my son's big solo performance in Bridgeport. You wanna see it too? Oh, you do! Frederick is so successful! Is there even a more successful person from Twinbrook than him? We haven't had a local celebrity in years..."

Pippa remembered how once Ruby got into a spat with Dana after the words "I couldn't imagine Frederick staying behind in our hometown and teaching kids or something". Her dad didn't really care about the jab, but was touched to see his wife be so protective of him.

"This is absolutely amazing," Ruby responded, taking her daughter by the hand, "but, you know, our little Pippa is hungry after a long day at school. But you could... send the video over, perhaps? We would so gladly watch. You know how much we all appreciate your Frederick and his, uh, craft."

"Oh, of course! Just let me, uhh, figure out how to send the big files..." Dana began fiddling with her phone, but Ruby really didn't have the patience for that.

"Alright, bye, Dana, have a nice day!" she waved at her in the sickliest sweetest voice, pulling Pippa into the house and smacking the door.

"Oh my god," she exhaled, making sure that Dana has left. "Thank you, mom. I am not strong enough for 13 minutes of Mystic Fred today."

"Always, sweetie," Ruby smiled. "And who is, really? Except, you know. Dana herself."

In the kitchen, she saw her dad and Arabella, who were already home after classes, and they got a good giggle as she recounted the situation. As Pippa was getting food, the video finally dropped, and they watched a few minutes of it just for laughs.

"Oh, Pippa! I can't believe she almost made you watch the full thing!" Ara lamented theatrically. Pippa smiled.

"Yes, and for some reason you couldn't think of rescuing me. If not for mom, I would have been stuck there forever!" Pippa said, then added for extra dramatics: "And who knows, maybe she has a secret dungeon where she kidnaps the unfaithful and forces them to watch Mystic Fred's performances."

"Alright, enough gossip," Ruby grinned, though it was clear she was loving the gossip. "How was school today, Pip?"

"It was fine, nothing special," Pippa said, then glared at Jasper. "Only the amount of Tobias in my life is becoming too high."

"Come on, I know you like him," Jasper smirked. "We could even invite him to play with us in the garage!"

"I was actually thinking the same thing! But... maybe not now," Pippa pondered. "Maybe when his matters of the heart subside a bit."

"Matters of the heart?" Ara lightened up.

"Yeah, he's been trying to impress "the band", you know," Pippa shook her head, but it could be seen from Jasper's expression that he took it literally.

"Great. And so should you, Pip, if you want to have a French getaway with us all," he said, and Pippa instinctively rolled her eyes.

"Dad, please, I'm already trying so hard!" she shook her head.

"Funny you talk about Tobias, but all I can see is you making goo-goo eyes at Eliana," Jasper said firmly.

"Oh, Eliana?" Ara flashed a wide smile. 

"Um, yeah, she's our drummer-"

"Hehehe, Pippa's got a new cruuuush!" Ara started singing.

For some reason, Pippa felt weird about Eliana being called a crush, or them assuming she has certainly fallen for her. She's pretty, that's for sure, but... sure there's a difference between finding someone pretty and wanting to date them? 

She instinctively remembered Tobias talking about Nate and how his heart just isn't in it. Well, she was initially quite mesmerised by Eliana, maybe because of her being the band leader and everything Pippa wished to be. Even Tobias teased her about it, and it was fun, and maybe she hoped she could like Eliana in that way.

But as she got to know her better, Ellie proved to be an anxious presence with loads and loads of random blabbering and overthinking, and Pippa even noted that she and Tobias could be lost twins. It would be the same as dating Tobias! With all due respect, she just couldn't vibe with that romantically.

"It's not like that," she mumbled. "She's just nice, and-"

"Oh I bet," Ara gave her a nasty smirk, with Jasper also looking at Pippa with doubt.

How could she even prove that this is genuinely not like that? She could bet that, just because she had a girlfriend at a summer camp once and then a big one-sided infatuation with a girl in middle school, her family now thinks she can't stand next to a girl without having a crush on her.

"Ara, Jasp, come on," luckily, Ruby cut in, once again rescuing her daughter. "Pippa told you it's not like that, we should believe her. If she ends up liking someone, she'll tell us, right?"

"Yeah, you're right, Rubes," Jasper seemed to reevaluate his previous words. "Sorry, Pip. I should have known better than to assume. My point was, I really wanted you to do your best so that you could go to France with everyone, especially since you and Tobias have less time to prepare."

"I know, dad. I am doing my best," Pippa reassured him.

The rest of the dinner went mostly discussing various family members and their updates. Pippa patiently sat through it, her nose in her food, thinking about her own stuff.

"Oh, and you know Uncle Gale literally bought a star in the sky for Uncle Devon? I thought it was a joke," Ruby said to Jasper. "But Leia said he really did. Named it Devon and everything. Devon was over the moon! Honestly, they're still so cheesy, even after all these years. Leia is not about all that, she says she would have preferred an investment in her business."

"Practical. Very practical, Auntie Leia," Ara said. "I'd prefer money too."

Pippa was quiet. She'd definitely not want to buy a star for Eliana, that's for sure. But Uncle Gale would, for Uncle Devon. Her parents would too, if they weren't on the more practical side due to their salary being average and them saving up for family trips a couple times a year - but she knew they would. And, it occurred to her, Tobias would too, for Lennon! Oh, he'd do anything for them, under the guise of "the band accepting him", and she was especially sure of it after the haircut saga.

Was this what cemented the fact that she definitely didn't have a crush on Eliana? Yeah, at the very least, she knew with certainty that she would not cut her hair for her. To be fair, Tobias was the only person she knew that would cut his hair for anyone at all.

Back in her room, Pippa decided this was enough thinking for today, as she could feel the influence of Tobias and Eliana rubbing off on her.

She definitely had to make more friends in the band, she thought. Well, for one, Lennon doesn't seem to be like that. A bit shy and awkward, something she's been trying to tell Tobias for ages, but she could almost bet they don't overthink everything for sport. Though, that's just a first impression, and who really knows.

Plopping on the bed, Pippa heard a meow - she didn't realise her ginger cat, Breeze, was peacefully sleeping there. Breeze originally belonged to Ara, but with time he also chose Pippa as his human.

"Oh! Sorry, Breezie," Pippa said apologetically. "Great, now you're going to be mad and won't snuggle with me."

To her surprise, Breeze recovered in a few seconds and gave Pippa another meow, as if telling her it was alright, as he continued sitting by her side.

After restoring some of her brain power, Pippa's hands inadvertently went to pick up her phone, which was already being blown up by none other than the one and only Tobias Fletcher.

Even though this was mildly annoying, Pippa had a smirk on her face. Having a bestie was fun, and she was really just messing with him. Maybe one day she would be just as annoying about a crush. She really hoped not.

"Pip?" she heard her sister's voice, thin and chirpy as ever. "May I come in?"

Even though sometimes Pippa just wanted to be alone, she never had the heart to say no to her sister. Besides, she remembered, her parents may be preparing the instruments now for playing together! It was a little tradition - they tried to do it every Friday evening, and whenever they could, on weekends as well. Pippa couldn't thank her parents enough for turning out so musical.

"Come in!" she said, and in a second, Ara was there, her eyes landing on a phone in her hand and her seemingly elevated mood.

"Who are you texting? Is it Eliana?" she asked, and Pippa couldn't help but roll her eyes. Of course, her sister was in the prime age when everything crush-related is new and fun to her, and she wants to know all the tea, but Pippa herself was so over the Eliana thing.

"No, forget about Eliana! I don't even like her like that."

"Suuuure!" Ara wouldn't budge, and Pippa had to make something up.

"You know," she smiled at her sister, "actually Eliana is just a cover-up. In fact... I like someone else..." she sighed dreamily for additional effect. 

From Ara's immediate sly expression, Pippa knew she will never let her live it down.

"Now I have to look for your diary extra hard," she resolved, and Pippa nodded.

The truth was, she didn't even have a diary, but her sister was certain that she did. Although, in the past couple of days, Pippa's head was filled with so many thoughts, like never before, and she began seriously considering starting a diary. Maybe even write some songs?

"Anyway, mom and dad are now setting up the instruments," Ara grinned. "Breeze, aren't you excited for music?"

Pippa always thought their cat was faulty. Normally, music, especially drumming, and especially her dad's extra passionate drumming, would scare any human, let alone an animal. But Breeze always enjoyed hearing them play, even purring from the sound of Jasper's drums, Ruby's keyboard, Pippa's bass and Arabella's vocals.

The girls and the cat raced to the garage, where their parents were already lost in playing some tunes.

They were in perfect sync, Pippa thought, in everything. A long time ago, when they met, everyone thought Jasper was a bad influence on a seemingly timid Ruby. Only Ruby was far from timid and Jasper was never a bad influence. Things wouldn't be where they are now if he actually was. They had so much in common, their shared love for music being only one of these things. Pippa knew her mom never had an ounce of regret about joining Jasper's band at the time, falling in love with him and having Pippa at the young age of 19, with Ara following some years later.

Sometimes she wondered if she'd ever have a strong, lasting connection like theirs with someone. It doesn't even have to be romance, Pippa thought, even if she often dreamed about meeting that one girl who will make her world go round. What appealed to her was the creative bond they had. There was something special about it, the way they understood each other without words when they were playing music. This beautiful synergy must come once in a lifetime.

"Come on, girls, join in," Ruby smiled, and the happy little Arabella began hitting the notes with flawless accuracy, while Pippa took her spot at the bass. They liked to pretend they were on a big stage.

She's got a smile that it seems to me

Reminds me of childhood memories

Where everything was as fresh as the bright blue sky

Now and then when I see her face

She takes me away to that special place

And if I stared too long I'd probably break down and cry

Whoa-oh-oh! Sweet child o' mine

Ooh, oh-oh-oh! Sweet love of mine

She's got eyes of the bluest skies

As if they thought of rain

I hate to look into those eyes and see an ounce of pain

Her hair reminds me of a warm, safe place

Where as a child I'd hide

And pray for the thunder and the rain to quietly pass me by

Whoa-oh-oh! Sweet child o' mine

Ooh, oh-oh-oh! Sweet love of mine

About that synergy? Of course, no doubt, Pippa knew she already had it with her family.

But this past week made her believe she could also have it with someone else someday. Go on a tour with her own band, be an important part of it. She didn't dare to seriously dream of it before, but being in the school band filled her with so much confidence, she knew that everything was possible.

For the first time, she let herself wonder. She knew Tobias would want that too, it was already well-established, and Pippa knew deep down he was the person that made her believe in this dream in the first place by watching that festival stage with earnest childlike wonder. Telling her they could take on the world. She knew that moment changed something in her for good.

Perhaps Eliana as well? The three of them were already quite a dream team at extra rehearsals. Pippa had only known her for a short time, but she saw something behind those turquoise eyes that signified she found solace in music that nothing else could bring her.

And as she turned around, looking at her mom, so calm and focused on her keys, she also couldn't help but think of Lennon. "Ethereal keyboardist" as Tobias first dubbed them. Just like in Ellie's case, something told her - they don't let it on, but being in the band has a bigger meaning for them than one could think.

With a bright smile, Pippa knew for sure - she was lucky to have just enough people to take on the world with, and maybe even the entire galaxy if they wanted to.

***

A/N:

This was definitely my favourite chapter screenshots-wise! I've worked for so long on decorating this house but it turned out super pretty and fitting for this family. Especially Pippa's room! We've already seen all the rooms of the main characters, and it's sad that Eliana is the only one whose room doesn't correspond with her personality and tastes.

Credit goes to @blurrypxls for basically all the characters of this chapter! Even Dana, she's a bit of an inside joke inspired by someone Megs knows👀 As for the Keaton-Slater fam, they originate from Megs' old legacy, for which I made Jasper (and Ruby's mom whose genes she has was also made by me, so they're all very close to my heart). Like I elaborated a bit in chapter 3 footnotes, things go differently here as Ruby and Jasper weren't supposed to stay together in the legacy but they do here, we gave them a second chance as they have so much chemistry. And his character is a bit reworked, though he always had potential.

This was a perfect chapter to close this year with! And very symbolic as I think this year has been the most formative for Galactic Crusade, the story really got some direction. And Pippa's closing thoughts are actually a parallel to Lennon's destructive mindset from the previous chapter. She grew up in an environment that takes music super seriously, and she really believes in the band despite the fact it's not even a thing yet!

Also loved making references to the Lilygreens and my precious Gale and Devon! They're of course older in this timeline, 50-60s if I'm correct, but I can imagine them still being so sweet. I love how my families all have some sort of connections between each other, and they all come together in this story like a little multiverse🥺