#wnruby

In all his blind wanderings, having been told to just “go find someone to show you the ropes”, Charlie had gotten himself turned around and confused.  So confused, in fact, that he tried to change direction too fast and ended up running headfirst into a smaller person.  “Oh, I’m- I’m so sorry!” he said, eyes widening as he reached for the other person to try and keep them from falling.  “I didn’t see you, I’m sorry-”

He had removed his cloak and placed it over the chair where he typically left it when they slept, stretching his arms as his eyelids drooped over his eyes. This nap was well-deserved; perhaps he wouldn’t wake from it before nightfall. Perhaps he wouldn’t wake from it at all. He turned and stared into the fire when he heard a noise behind him and saw the door pushing open. He assumed it was Eira and he smiled before he set eyes on Ruby. Startled, he took a step towards the door. “Ruby?” he asked, as if he were unsure of her presence. “What are you doing here?”

A place for everything and everything in its place, just so. Astrid liked to receive any visitors she might have in this little parlour room, and she had instructed the servants to have a fire lit and be ready to serve tea at the hour she had agreed upon with Ruby. One of the young girls had been tasked with waiting and keeping an eye out for Nore's most recognisable whore. Now Astrid waited to receive her guest in the little, relatively simple but comfortable chamber.

On reflection Astrid would concede that many would think it an odd impulse. She could not deny that she was curious about the woman whose life no doubt differed from her own so drastically. And it certainly helped that she appeared to be one of the few people who managed to talk to her like a normal person and not some fragile doll or temperamental force. Being treated like a princess - while admittedly quite useful on occasion - rather forced one to act like a princess, which chafed every now and then. Not to mention how uncomfortable it was when people so obviously wanted her to go away so that they might continue with their business.

She wished she had her father's knack of warmth, to put people at their ease and have some kind of enjoyable interaction despite the looming spectre of royalty Astrid apparently trailed behind her. 

Plus, the lady had a sense of humour.