#rubyblades

-@prideful-khopesh

"Ooooo really???"

--??

*Rubio looks at Husam, clearly not having expected that. After a moment of stunned silence, he takes a small breath and looks away.*

He's not disappointed, though. That's exactly what he hoped for.

The house still has a few golden lights on, compared to the surrounding houses which are silent and still, almost blending in with the sandscapes all around. But those little golden lights, shining through his windows... again, exactly what he hoped for.

The man steps into the home, a subtle warmth engulfing him. Frizzy black hair bounces up over the couch as Razzie sits up and turns around. Her red eyes light up with joy as Rubio walks in.

"Rubio!!!" She exclaims, vaulting over the couch and into Rubio's arms. There's no hesitation on her husband's end, not as he swiftly kicks the door closed before she tackles him, and not as he wraps his arms around her just as tight and hugs her with every fiber of his being.

The love floods through both of their exhausted bodies, filling their tired minds with a sense of solace and ease. It's been a long day... but finally, they're back in each other's arms. Razzie's tail wags wildly as she giggles softly into Rubio's chest, before leaning up and kissing him.

"Ohhh, it's been such a day.... I missed you, Rubi, I was thinking about you all day," she confessed, a hint of melodrama in her voice.

Rubio's face clouds slightly with pink. "I have, too... it's good to see you, Razzie, I missed you. A lot..."

"How much?"

"It was a struggle to not come home sooner, that's how much."

Something about his voice sparks concern within Razzie. She looks him up and down, swiping her hand over the stubborn fire stain on Rubio's cheek that he just couldn't get off. He almost seems to melt in her touch, eyes fluttering closed.

"... Rubi, honey, you look so tired, what happened...?" She asks.

Where do I even begin? Rubio wants to say. However, his legs are starting to shake from the exhaustion hitting him all at once.

His words are soft and small. "... can we go to the couch please...?" He whispers.

Razzie smiles softly and nods. "Sure."

The distance is only a few steps, hardly even. Yet, as soon as Razzie sits and lowers Rubio onto the couch as well, he seems to collapse and rest his head in her lap, face against her stomach as his limbs go limp.

"Do you want your caps?" Razzie asks, rubbing her hand along his face. At his nod, Razzie leans forward and grabs a small ceramic dish from the coffee table, one filled with about ten rubbery foam caps. She continues to speak while carefully sticking one on each of Rubio's fingers.

"Wanna talk about today...?" She asks.

"... it was... very emotionally charged."

Razzie noticeably pauses before continuing, the fingers she's already capped now helping to put the rest on. "You've never described a work day as 'emotionally charged'. Did something happen?"

Rubio turns so his head is facing up at his wife. "It was the first day of the apprenticeship I told you about."

She gets ready to wince. "How badly did it go....?"

".... it actually went very well."

Razzie blinks in surprise. "... it... it did?!" she exclaims a little louder than she meant.

Rubio nods. "He actually showed up, and was willing to do the work. There was an outburst, as I predicted... but he was able to work through it with some guidance," he explains.

Razzie's grin grows, her tail thumping slightly against Rubio's torso. "That's great, then!!"

Rubio nods. "It also went... not great, in some ways."

"... how so?"

There's a small pause before Rubio finally admits, "He doesn't know he's in a computer."

The woman pauses. "... he doesn't?"

"No, he mentioned something about 'Purgatory'... which, I'd assume is some religious term."

Razzie nods. "It's just, like, the middle ground between Heaven and Hell.... not good, not terrible. Or something like that, I haven't heard it in a long time."

"Regardless, I briefly tried to explain it to him. That I'm an AI, and we're in a digital world... he didn't understand, though. And I dropped the subject."

As Rubio speaks, all his fingers are finally capped off, and he wraps his arms and fingers around Razzie's waist as comfortably as he can for her, eyes remaining closed under her touch. Every word feels like a hike in his lungs, barely making their way out. The only thing truly keeping him awake right now is the experience of talking with the only one who knows everything about him.

Razzie's expression is solemn as she swipes her fingers over her husband's face. "... I'm sorry, honey... I know you hate having to say that," she whispers.

Rubio shrugs. "I say it when I must. I'd rather not try fooling anyone as a human... I'm simply not. And it's easier to accept than trying to convince others that I am.... or trying to convince myself."

A small lump forms in Razzie's throat as she nods. How she hates when they have to discuss this subject, and how she has to hear any life be sucked out of Rubio's voice while he restates what they both know.

"... did anything else happen...?" She asks, trying to change the subject.

"... I think I... what's the phrase... hit a nerve. There was a discussion about his apprenticeship and how long it was, and who it was meant for... and I told him honestly. I get very little out of this. It was all for him. And... he happened to get emotional."

Razzie forces a small chuckle. "Oh boy... I know how you feel about that..."

"It wasn't entirely unpleasant, there were no others around. I think it may have been in a positive light as well, which is.... reassuring, I suppose. I have confidence he'll be returning tomorrow."

"Good...! And the commission...?"

The shadow of a relief crosses over Rubio's face. "Almost finished. I should be done by the weekend."

"Yay!!" Razzie leans down, cradling Rubio's head and planting a gentle kiss over his forehead. She smiles more feeling his face heat up subtly from her affection. "I'm looking forward to having my husband back for the evenings, it's so lonely here...."

"Yes, I'm looking forward to it as well... I do not enjoy dinner away from home."

Razzie nods, and the two sit in content silence for a short while. Rubio feels as if he's about to pass out on the spot, but he's not quite ready for that yet.

"How about you...? How has your day been, Razzie...?" He asks softly.

The woman beams a bit. She loves when he talks like that to her... but as she thinks about her day, her smile fades.

"It... wasn't bad..." she responds quietly, looking away. Rubio pauses and slowly sits up, head raising from his wife's lap and eyes shooting open.

"That means it wasn't good. Who was it. What happened." Rubio asks, a deadly familiar tone rising in his voice. Razzie quickly puts her hands on his shoulders.

"No no no, don't get upset, just... a few men who wouldn't leave me alone..."

"Were they talking about your body? Your laugh?"

"Rubi..."

"Razzie. Answer me. Please."

The two stare into each other's eyes for a silent, tense few seconds before the woman's slowly lower and she nods.

"... a guard on the street came to my aid when they wouldn't leave me alone. Threatened them and everything. And when they left, one of them said something like 'how could you date someone with a laugh like that?'... sorta said off-hand that I'm for the streets..."

Rubio remains silent, staring at Razzie as she purses her lips together.

"It's alright, you know I get those comments a lot..."

"... so not only do they have the idiocy to stare at you in a disgusting way... they also have the audacity to insult you when they actively tried to get you."

Razzie nods. An alert, sharp gleam returns to Rubio's eyes as he slowly exhales, expression darkening. His voice is low and dangerous.

"You know I can't let them go unpunished for that."

"Rubi, honey, don't harm them, please..."

"They said what they said. Filthy hypocrites, they are, and nothing more. I can make them regret it. Let me make them regret it."

".... just a warning? Please?"

"Only a warning?"

Razzie adjusts herself to face him better, taking his fingers in her hands. "Because if they do it again, you can say you warned them. It was their choice to not heed it... and whatever happens will be their fault. Please? For me?"

Rubio pauses before slowly relaxing, the muted anger screaming in his mind ebbing away as he sighs. "Okay. I'll give them the warning tomorrow. Leave a paper of their appearances and details before I leave, okay...?"

Razzie nods. "I will... thank you, honey," she sighs.

"There's no need to. I may not like to publicly show it. But you... all of you..."

He brushes a stray hair out of her face, taking hold of her waist.

"Your body. Your love. Your laugh. No one gets to insult any of it. And no one gets to have you, in all of your beauty, awe, and wit... no one except me. Right?"

A small smile and giggle escapes Razzie's lips as she nods. "I'm all yours. And you're all mine. Forever."

Rubio slowly leans forward and kisses Razzie softly, eyes closing. "There we go. There's that beautiful smile and laugh." His words elicit more flustered giggles as Razzie kisses him back, the two locked together in that state for a few seconds before pulling back. Rubio's face, while not deviating from his often blank expression, is still full of ease and tranquility as he stares into his wife's eyes.

"I love you, Razzie."

She beams in turn, tail wagging excitedly.

"I love you too, Rubio... now come on. It's late. Let's get you cleaned up, you smell like fire"

"I always smell like fire," Rubio replies, standing.

"You smell more than usual. And there's soot on the couch now- I'll clean it up tomorrow, don't worry."

"I have no doubt you will. Thank you, Razzie."

"Rubio?" She softly calls out, walking into the forge. "Rubi, dear? I brought you food."

There is no verbal response. Her husband sits on his knees, staring into candlelight. The soot caked onto his body muddles the flame's reflection, even as he slowly turns up to look at her.

Razzie pauses. The defeated look he gives her sends a cold chill down her spine.

"... Rubio- what happened?" She asks, kneeling in front of him and setting the food aside.

The blacksmith stares up at his wife, knowing even her comfort now won't be able to quell the hollowness in his mind and body.

She reaches forward to hold his face, to which he lets his eyes close and head lean into her warm touch.

"... tomorrow night."

Razzie tilts her head. ".. what's tomorrow night?"

"When Fukayna's order is due."

The moment of silence doesn't hesitate to thicken as each word out of Razzie's mouth trembles.

"... but- but we were supposed to have more time-"

"He doesn't care. He wants them immediately... almost took them today."

Razzie recalls the hastily straightened piles of weapons by the entrance, her own face falling with defeat. "... which means..."

"The plan has to go in place tonight."

A sob mixed with a gag catches in Razzie's throat, a sound Rubio can only wince at. "No, that isn't fair, he can't do that- what about you.?! How will you complete the remaining weapons in time..?!" she cries.

".. I won't. But it doesn't matter."

"But it will!! What will he do to you if the commission is incomplete?!"

"I..." Rubio falters. Razzie freezes as she hears a ragged gasp choke it's way through his words.

"... I don't know."

"No... no, no, nononono-" Razzie stands, immediately starting to pace the soot-covered sandstone. "There has to be another way, just for one more day- or- or we could change the plan..! Stay together for the night and... I leave before Fukayna gets here, easy..!"

"It's no use, Razzie. We can't risk anyone seeing you."

"Why, though?! This isn't fair!!"

Dread and grief turn into a rage as Razzie continues to pace, yelling enough for anyone unlucky enough to pass and here to likely guess it is merely a lover's quarrel.

A furious laugh escapes her, tears already pouring down and soaking into the fabric of her sandy robes and face shawl. "Why did you make this plan, Rubio?! Why did you have to propose we separate?! FOR WHAT?! I can fight!! I can be of use!! I can- why must I run?! And why must I tonight?! It's not fair, not fair, not FAIR!!! Why?! Why, Rubio?!"

"...."

"ANSWER ME!!!" Razzie shrieks, whipping her head around to face him.

The blacksmith dares not look up at Razzie. He stares at the ground, torso jerking. His fingers lay like broken shards in front of him. He cries yet another sob, head lowering further in shame.

Instantly, Razzie's anger is drowned in guilt, as she hurries to kneel back in front of him. How could she scream for him wanting to keep her safe? How could she shriek for him following his plan exactly as he created it, like he always has? How could she yell at him like this during the most trying and harsh times of his life yet?

How could she?

"... I'm so sorry, Rubio, I shouldn't have yelled like that," she whispers, hesitantly placing a hand over his face and restraining herself from hugging him with the other. Some of the fur on her cheeks sparkle of wet gold and orange, flickering in sync with the candle.

Rubio shakes his head, placing his hand over hers- lifting his arm feels like trying to lift a boulder. "I understand," he replies. "It isn't fair, no. I agree."

Razzie looks down, only for a gentle knuckle to tilt her chin back up to her husband.

"I don't want to do this either," he continues. "But even more than that, I don't want you to be put into this situation. Fukayna shows less mercy than the men on the streets, and he has power. If anything went astray, it could jeopardize not just your life, but your body and control."

The thought of that makes Razzie want to hurl, knowing its truth only adding to the horror.

"Razzie, you must listen... if anything- truly anything- were to happen to you because I could not get you out of Egypt... I don't know what I'd do. You are the most important thing in my life. I can't risk you for anything."

"W... what about you...?" Razzie asks.

Rubio can only shrug, staring at his wife through desolate sapphire. "It's hypocritical, I know. But the Pharaoh needs me. Egypt needs me. Husam needs me."

He pulls out the note from earlier and hands it to Razzie, trying to ignore her horrified gag and cry at the gruesome sight.

"Oh my god...."

Rubio opens his mouth to speak again, but a quiet sob beats the words.

"I don't want to do this," he cries. Razzie pulls him into a hug.

"I'm sacrificing everything for this. None of my family knows. Not Sapphia, not Dia, no one. This plan... I'll be a fugitive to Fukayna if I escape the exchange alive. I won't be able to be at home. I won't have a single weapon. I won't have you. I am giving up everything for this... because if I do not, there will be more bodies floating down the Nile like the photo. I don't want to, though."

"No sane person would," Razzie replies, the smallest and weakest of chuckles rippling in her voice.

Rubio doesn't respond. And the two sit in silence for some time.

"... speaking of your family..." Razzie finally says, reaching into a pocket on her dress. "Your sister sent you something today."

Rubio tilts his head. "Who...?"

"Pearlyn." She pulls out a flat parcel wrapped in parchment paper and paint-stained twine. Rubio's name is written in red on the front. On the back, in pearlescent strokes, "Good luck!"

The exhaustion of the blacksmith is replaced momentarily by disbelief. That dream couldn't actually have worked... right...?

As slow as his trembling fingers can, he unties the twine and carefully unfolds the parchment, only to see his and Razzie's faces staring back at him. His favorite picture of all, laid perfectly in front of him... with a single difference catching his eye: the serious, stoic, stony frown upon the groom's face.

Razzie tilts her head at the photo. "... Rubi...? Why did Pearlyn send you our wedding photo...? And... why are you frowning...?"

"It's.. difficult to explain. Could you hand me the pen there?"

Razzie hands him the pen- a simple wooden stick with an ink-soaked tip- and carefully Rubio turns over the photo and starts to write a message. As he writes, it slowly dawns on Razzie what her husband is planning.

"... Rubi...?" she whispers, chin resting on his torso to peek at the note. "You're a genius."

"He will have to know somehow. You will return home, yes...? Can you take this with you and put it in its place...?"

Razzie nods, standing as Rubio carefully waves the photo to dry the ink before handing it to her. "Of course I can... will you take a break and eat something, then...? Just until I return so we can explain the plan to Explorgi...?"

Rubio thinks. "... I will try. Does that suffice...?"

"Yes, it does... thank you. Stay here... I'll... be right back."

Razzie offers a small smile as she leaves the forge, her footsteps disappearing out the shop. Rubio glances down at the food she brought, not even quite registering exactly what mediocre treat she bought from the night markets before forcing down a bite that would have probably come up if it could.

He's more than thankful she'll return, knowing she won't the next time she leaves. The plan and all its possibilities loop in his head, ongoing, repetitive, as repetitive and circular as blood flow through a heart he never had.

Rubio looks down at his fingers; the once pristine diamond points are now scratched and rough, the remnants dead fire dusting each and every one like nighttime clouds. He silently accepts the fact that, even with the Nile nearby, he probably won't be cleaning the soot off any time soon.

Something in Rubio feels organically ill. So many complex feelings and bittersweet emotions that if he could cry them all out at once, they would all be darkened by the mix of different colors and shades.

The blacksmith lets himself sway back and forth, controlling his body just enough to not topple over and fall to a heap on the ground. Somehow, the sensation swaying is nice.

He lets his eyes close, just for a moment while drifting aimlessly in place and letting his mind wander, a mental stroll he's rarely taken... the swaying could be like a breeze, a gentle Egyptian breeze sweeping away days of slaving over the fire... with no hard weapons and blades to be handled, only the soft sand plush as a pillow surrounding his fingers and feet... and Razzie's laugh echoing softly near him while she's dressed in her favorite outfit, his favorite outfit, with no one to hurt either of them, she's in reach, he could reach over and take her by the waist right now, kiss her lips and feel her fur against his body, a warmth rushing over them both with bodies tangled together...

And for a moment, in his mind, Rubio feels... human...

"Rubio.!!"

Razzie's exclamation jolts Rubio out of his daydream and back to the bitter reality of sitting on the forge floor, surrounded by over a thousand godforsaken weapons, as his wife and adventurer friend walk in to say goodbye for longer than any of them really knew. The two's eyes meet, and the slight sense of courage and hope built from before crashes back into defeated despair. Razzie doesn't even look like she has any more tears to cry, a bag of valuables and neccesities slung over her back

Explorgi glances around the forge, cowering at the sight of so many weapons, pointed in various which-ways from hasty storage. "... Mister Rubio...?" he asks as bravely as he can. "What's going on...?"

"... I'm sorry, Explorgi, I can't quite tell you, just... we're in danger. Someone is trying to hurt us," Rubio explains, kneeling in front of him.

The dogs ears perk up. "What?! That's not good at all, though!!" it says. "Why would they do that? Can I protect you? I have to!! You guys are my friends!!"

Razzie sets aside her bag and sits on a bench as Rubio nods. "That is why you are here, Explorgi... I have a very important task for you."

Explorgi tilts his head. "Yes?"

"Razzie is going to be leaving Egypt, for her safety. I need you to go with her and protect her. You two will protect each other, but I don't want either of you to get hurt. Understand?"

"But what about you? Are you coming with?"

Rubio shakes his head, biting back a cry. "I have things I need to do here so we can all be safe."

"But... will you be...?"

For a second, Razzie and Rubio's eyes meet once again. But almost as soon as their gazes lock, Razzie quickly hides her watering eyes, shielding them with her hair.

Rubio wishes the answer he wants to say was the truth.

"... eventually," he manages to say instead. Explorgi smiles softly, tail wagging a little.

"Please try to be safe... 'kay? And I'll protect Mrs. Razzie too, I promise!"

"Good boy."

Rubio gently reaches over and pats Explorgi over the head, who beams and wags his tail furiously before stepping aside.

With Explorgi out of the way, he stands and approaches his wife. Razzie stays faced away, all the way until they're merely inches apart. He takes the moment to admire how even now, dressed in the sand's colors to blend in and hide, she still looks beautiful. Although, the spark of joy and bubbliness that could make someone as tough and stoic as Rubio weak in the knees, that spark is missing, and without it Razzie simply seems... incomplete.

".... I wish I could say something to soften this blow." Rubio whispers.

"Nothing can."

"I know... but, look at me, Razzie...?"

She finally turns to face him, tears once again pouring down her face. The sight almost breaks Rubio, his own eyes stinging with tears that aren't physically there. There's nothing he wants more than to run away with her.

He reaches up and takes her cheek. A tear trickles over his thumb. His breath hitches.

"... It's going to be okay." The words feel like a wish.

Razzie matches Rubio's touch, reaching up to hold his face as well. Her fingers are so soft against his face, and he can't help but hold her hand there just to try and remember every miniscule detail of her touch and the moment as a whole. The quiet. The intimacy. The soft touches. He tries to ignore the dread and reason for this moment.

And the two stay holding each other, staring... for so, so, so very long.

Rubio leans down. Razzie stands upright. The two share a kiss broken only when they're both barely able to hold back their sobs, hands shaking against each others' faces.

Rubio's words are merely whispered into Razzie's mouth, as if trying to let her inhale the words so his voice will be with her forever. "Do you think you have everything you need...?"

"Yes. Yes, we have... everything."

"... not yet."

Confused and wiping tears futilely, Razzie lets her husband go as he walks to the carved-out room of the forge and returns carrying something in his arms- long, thin, wrapped in fabric only slightly darker than Razzie's dress, and secured with a leather strap.

"Take these with you. Use them if you must... but, under no circumstances, let anyone have these. No one. They're the last of their kind."

Razzie pulls back the fabric slightly, eyes widening as she sees what's concealed within the parcel.

"... r-really...? You're giving these to me...?"

"Only to keep them safe. Take them out of Egypt, where no tyrant can get his hands on them. Use them if you must. I primed them, just for this."

Razzie stares at the contents of the package just for a little before setting it aside and wrapping her arms around Rubio, her tears blackened by the soot on his torso. The hug is swiftly returned, followed by another mournful kiss.

"I love you so much, Rubio."

"I lo-love you too, Razzie. Be safe on... on your journey... okay...?"

She nods, unable to speak through tears. Rubio wipes each and every one away, almost wishing he had some for her to do the same just so he could feel her touch even more.

"We'll reunite soon. It will all be okay."

With another nod, Razzie steps back once.

And again.

And again, out of Rubio's reach.

She picks up her bag and the fabric bundle, holding it like a stiff plush as each step carries her further and further from him. Explorgi trots right past her and waits outside the shop, not wanting to witness more heartbreak than he wants.

Even after Razzie is out of the furnace, she and Rubio don't break their gazes, a slight breeze making the curtains sway and letting them have glimpses of the distance they're continuing to build...

... further...

... further...

... and further...

until Razzie is finally out of sight.

Rubio doesn't move just yet. He waits, listening to the faint sniffles and subtle rustle of fabric, followed by... silence. A void of presence.

Loneliness.

He falls to his knees, immediately wishing she would run back and hug him, insist that she's staying no matter what he says... but, for the better, he knows it won't happen.

... he lurches forward, leaning on his hands with a trembling body, sobbing into the silence. He feels like his heart is breaking, a crack searing through his chest...

... and when he opens his eyes, that's exactly what there is.

Rubio's vision fades in and out of focus as he looks further down at himself and the crack within the ruby. It's deep, and it's growing. He's powerless to stop it.

So he doesn't try.

He just sits on the floor of his once tidy and proud forge, now surrounded by weapons he feels nothing but disdain and pity for, trying to ignore the pain of heartbreak.

"... I-I-I-I lo-ve you, Razzie."

Rubio skims the rest of the letter, eyes struggling to focus on the trembling letter in his hands. He manages to catch a few words, such as "time" and "tile" despite almost mixing them up. As he reads Garniel's name signed at the bottom, the smallest noise of tearing paper jolts him slightly.

... my finger punctured it, he thinks. The letter hangs from the tip of his thumb, like a mockery of how sloppy he's getting.

It's disappointing, really. At least to Rubio it is. Razzie describes it more as unnerving, seeing his once surgical-still hands tremble with numb exhaustion. Speaking of whom, another small noise makes Rubio jump as his wife sets a fresh plate of food where the rotted once sat.

"Who is it from?"

"Garniel... he got back to me on the tiles. Asked about when he should come over to do it."

Razzie nods, concern carried in her gaze. "What will you say...?"

"I... I don't know. I'll just... contact him when all of this is over. I'd rather not..." The rest of his sentence trails into a mumble as even speaking becomes too much at the moment.

Razzie looks her husband up and down, before gently taking the letter from his hand and putting it in her pocket.

"Rubi... this isn't good for you."

"I have to, though. I can't let Fukayna get away with this."

"I'm not talking about the plan, hon, I'm talking about this.. ridiculous, endless work that you're pushing through" Razzie's voice cracks softly, and she tries muffling it with the drab scarf concealing her face and hair.

"I don't have a choice."

Rubio looks over at the pile of weapons that has continued to build. In such a short amount of time, he's made more weapons than he has in his whole life. The currently-closed shop and forge look more like the army of an underground god.

And oh, how he hates it.

There wasn't really another way to get out of this, knowing Fukayna in any capacity. Yet the sight of so many weapons, all marked with the same symbol of tyranny and torture of the innocent, all planned to be used for slaughter... it goes against everything Rubio stands for.

"Woah- Woah! Rubio!!"

In an instant, Rubio feels his face against Razzie's clothed shoulder. Both of them try to set him upright quickly.

"Oh for God's- now will you take a break?! Please?!"

Rubio tries to protest, feeling for a nearby worn-down anvil that he can lean on. "Razzie-"

"No, can't you see that this is killing you?!"

The blacksmith looks up at his wife. Tears gleam through the shadow over her face, seeping into the fur on her cheeks.

"Rubio, it doesn't matter if you're made for this, you're going to work yourself to death if this keeps up. Look at this!"

She grabs some of his fingers and holds them up, the diamond points shaking in her grasp.

"You do see this, yes? The way you're shaking? Do you feel the way your body is giving up?!"

Rubio is silent.

"You need to take a break. Just for a little. Fukayna already acknowledged how long it would take to make 100 weapons, right? You aren't due in a week. Just- please, you need to rest. Are you truly willing to destroy yourself for him?"

More silence. Rubio's face tilts down to the ground, a sob bubbling up in his throat. He doesn't want to admit it...

"... if you keep doing this, the weapons will be of worse and worse quality. Fukayna will certainly know something is wrong from that, won't he...?"

Finally, Rubio nods. "... yes..."

Razzie's anguish softens ever so slightly as she pulls Rubio into a hug. He wants to cry even more, cry into her arms and never make another weapon again.

"... just a little. Just for a little while. No weapons. No carving. No planning. Just rest. We may not be able to for a while."

Rubio nods absently, closing his eyes as he lets his body relax just for a moment...

... and suddenly, he opens his eyes to a world of soft pink shine.

The ground below him feels like marble. The sky is like shimmering clouds in a sea of pink. And in the distance, he sees two familiar figures speaking.

Rubio's still exhausted. He can't stand or walk straight like normal... but one foot after another, he makes his way towards his sisters. He already knows exactly what he wants to say- he and Razzie had this conversation yesterday- or was it the day before?

The more observant of the two- tall, slender, with blue dreads and a constant warm smile- notices Rubio and his state first. Her face brightens as she sees him, and suddenly falls as she sees his condition.

"... Rubio?!" Zulielle exclaims.

The golden-haired, mermaid-esque painter follows suit, confusion melting into horror as she sees their brother.

"Oh my gosh- Rubio?! What happened to you?!" she exclaims, running over to help him stand straighter. Zulielle follows directly behind her.

Pearlyn holds Rubio's face up, immediately realizing how bad the situation is upon realizing he's not yanking his head away like normal.

"... it's a long story... listen- both of you- I... I have a favor to ask of you."

Both sisters tilt their heads. "... a... favor?"

"Yes," Rubio nods. Something in his subconscious tells him that this is merely a dream, but... ah, whatever. Not like he has anything to lose from this.

Dreams have limited time though, and he's trying to make this one as short as possible so he can get back to work. No time is to be wasted.

Rubio looks at both Pearlyn and Zulielle first. "You two work together often, yes?"

Confused, both of them nod. Rubio turns his attention to Zuli.

"Do you still have copies of the pictures... from Razzie and I's wedding...?"

A smile crosses Zuli's face as she nods, remembering the occasion like it was yesterday. "Of course I do," she affirms. "I have backups of all my work."

"Good. I need you to send the picture of just us two to Pearlyn."

Again, both sisters tilt their heads. Pearlyn immediately speaks up.

"What will I do with that?"

"You paint realism, yes? Or you can?"

Pearlyn nods.

"I need you to alter the photograph. I want you to paint my normal expression onto the photo, and then send it to me."

There's a small pause.

"... you mean-"

"Yes, my 'resting bitch face', or what Zircando calls it. My normal expression. Or something like that. Anything but a smile."

After a few seconds of silence, Zulielle crosses her arms. "... Rubio, for once, you aren't making any sense."

"I'm not trying to. Not right now."

He slowly takes a seat on the ground, both his sisters helping him to not crumple in a heap of tired jewels.

"Listen... my world is going through a very difficult time. It's dangerous. I don't want anyone to know what is going on, for your safety.

"However... this photo is going to be a symbol for someone close to Razzie and I. It will stick out like a sore thumb to him, invisible to anyone else, for simple words."

Pearlyn's face starts to light up. "Like a secret code? Or a hidden message like a spy?!" she exclaims. Rubio nods.

Zulielle decides to ask Pearlyn about how exactly she knows about spies later, directing her attention back at Rubio. "Will you be safe?" she asks. "Are you now?"

"I am for now, yes... but I don't know if I will be, much less anyone else. Razzie won't be safe, for certain."

Both girls, again, look uneased by the lack of explanation. Rubio can't blame them... he really doesn't want to involve them with this, but knows they're two of the best to help him outside of any sort of combat.

"... I will try and explain when it all ends. But this is all just my part to make sure that it does end. Does that at least make sense...?"

Reluctantly, Zuli nods, Pearlyn following suit.

"... so just to recap... you'd like me to send a copy of your main wedding to Pearlyn..." Zulielle starts. Rubio nods along to each detail. "... where she'll edit your expression to be more like you normally... and then she'll send it to you? Any changes in photo dimensions?"

The blacksmith shakes his head. "No dimension changes. It just needs to have a blank background."

"Got it."

"Will you let us know when you're safe...?"

"I'll try... if anything, I'll let Sapphia know, and let her tell you two. Because honestly, I have no idea how much longer this-" he motions to the dreamscape around them. "- will last. Or even if it's real. For all I know, this is just a dream and you two aren't... actually here.. which means all of this is for nothing. Which wouldn't be very good."

A small pause of concern follows his words, before Zulielle softly laughs and pulls her older brother into a hug. Their rocky bodies clink against each other awkwardly. "... you really are exhausted, huh? Is Razzie taking care of you...?"

"She's trying."

"Good, she should be," Pearlyn says, joining the hug. "You should let her. 'Kay?"

"... okay."

Rubio closes his eyes again.

"Trust me, Rubio..." Zuli's voice starts to say, hazed by his own exhaustion. "This is probably more real than you feel it is- I don't know what exactly she's doing, but I think this is Dia's doing somehow."

"Of course it is..."

"Regardless, it'll all be alright, okay...? Just rest. We'll get the photo to you soon."

The blacksmith only nods weakly.

"... don't overwork yourself too much, Rubio. Stay safe."

He doesn't even nod this time...

Husam's having a very good time rn

Hes drunk as piss but doing karaoke and having fun

Even encouraging a younger guard along with it

Thought you might like to know that

... I see. Good for him.

*Only a select few could tell if he actually means that or not.*

*Meanwhile, the girls are fast asleep and silent. If Rubio listens close enough, he can hear some of the festivities in the distance. He's quite thankful he isn't there right now... it would be terribly overwhelming, and he knows it.*

*Yet, Rubio finds himself humming softly. A song stuck in his head for most of the night. A song Razzie sung sometimes, during the quiet or troubling or exhausted nights when even she had no energy left to give.*

*"My friends' parents would sing this to them at school", she once told Rubio. "I taught my parents the English lyrics so they could sing it to me and my sister." They would sing it during storms or after fights. Even the day Razzie moved out, she said, that night her mother sent it in a voice note.*

*The song is stuck in his head tonight. He doesn't want to wake the children up by singing it fully. Nor does it feel right to keep it in his head.*

*His voice cuts off at some parts, and he tries again, to make sure he hums it just as Razzie would sing it- clear, warm, and soft like a blanket.*

Rubio tilts his head as he stares at the contraption. Despite never seeing anything like it before in his life, his memory tells him it's a sort of phone.

He turns to leave, having no use for the device before suddenly, the phone goes off. Rubio pauses and looks over his shoulder as the ringing continues.

And continues.

And continues.

Rubio watches it for about 10 seconds, waiting for the ringing to stop. And when it doesn't, a small sigh leaves his mouth while he walks over to the phone.

It takes a moment for him to properly hold it, the smooth material slipping from the diamond of his fingers. But finally, he gets a proper hold on the phone and brings it up to where his ear would be, waiting to hear a voice like he expects.

There's no human voice, not immediately. Something small seems to brush against the transmitter, followed by gentle clattering, a sort of staticky shck and fsh mix of sounds. Rubio wonders if the phone is bring brushed against the ground.

"Who is this?" He asks. No response.

More shwip and clck sounds continue after the briefest of pauses. Rubio tries to ignore the simmering annoyance; whoever's on the other end clearly doesn't know how to use one of these, or perhaps they don't have good motor control.

"Hello?"

Once again, no response-

Wait... no, there was something else. It sounded slightly more human, but wet and disoriented... almost like a gurgle?

By now Rubio already is low on patience, and mixed with the odd disturbed sense from such random and unorganized noises, he's not inclined to stay on the line much longer.

"I'm ending the call," he states firmly, starting to pull the receiver away from his ear. Do these things normally happen? Would Razzie know? He wonders what she might say in response to this odd experience when-

"Baba?"

Rubio's eyes shoot wider open than ever before as he feels his body freeze. Not more than a second passes before he opens his mouth...

... only for the phone to slip from his fingers as he watches it drop to the ground, an unwelcome cracking sound piercing through the clatter on the ground.

Rubio's never so quickly lunged towards anything before, fingertips scraping the phone as he desperately holds it up to his ear again.

"Hello?!"

Only a dead, droning, endless tone can be heard from the other end.

No clacks.

No gurgles.

No tiny little voice asking for Baba.

For the second time, the phone slips from Rubio's hand. He doesn't bother to pick it up this time, a colossal band of grief seeming to constrict his limbs and hold him down in place.

Even without tears, his vision goes blurry as heaving, sick sobs without any hope of holding them back jerk his body. Rubio's never so badly needed Razzie here. Could he even muster to tell her what he heard?

He doesn't know.