imeeji_frontstage | (backdated) Dream Post of Chaos

((actual cws: sexual harassment (nothing physical), cannibalism, medical trauma, gender problems, loss of control, body horror))

[ You're in a maid cafe on the night of a beautiful full moon.

One beam of light shines through a window, the lighting in the room otherwise dim. The spot illuminated by the moon is a velvet-upholstered booth, where a younger looking Ruby sits in a maid uniform, next to a tall man in a business suit who's face is obscured by shadows. They're smiling, hands in their lap as they very pointedly keep as much distance as possible while still seeming friendly. ]

Ummm, of course I'm old enough to work here? Like, it'd be super illegal to have someone who couldn't even drink here, duh! I'm in college, you know?

[of course she's in a maid cafe because she's a maid? logic???

stepping in with a smile]

Excuse me, is there a problem?

Why would there be a problem? There's never a problem.

[ Ruby smiles in a way that indicates that there's definitely a problem - the man, on the other hand, just seems to not actually notice Iris at all. ]

Let big sis handle it, okay?

Of course. I'll leave you to it.

[stepping aside, but not out of hearing distance]

[ hm

don't like that.

despite her discomfort, though, despite the unpleasant feeling prickling at her chest, she does rein in the desire to barge in in favor of just approaching the booth at her usual pace, waving a hand ]

- Ruby! I didn't know you were working tonight . . .

[ and a pause, ]

Um - you're done with a lot of your thesis now, aren't you? Is it okay for me to ask for your help with something...? It won't stop you from working, if you're busy...!

Ehhh?

[ Ruby just sort of stares at her, fidgeting. The man inclines his head, silently. ]

Um, I'm trying to...get a thing done right now, you know...? Tuition just went up and the clean-up crews still haven't found any trace of my mom, so -- um, sorry sir - she's just like, a friend of mine? Um, sure, I can introduce you...?

[ They seem to be carrying a conversation? The man does move as if he's talking, but there's no sound coming from him at all. ]

Uh...I guess it's like, fine? What do you need?

Can you come over here...?

[ gesturing to herself, vaguely, with a hand. wherever "here" is it seems she'd like them to get up. ]

I'm really sorry! You can go back really soon, okay...?

[ They look back over at the man, bowing their head before slipping something into his hand. He nods, and Ruby gets up and walk over to Aradia. ]

Are you like trying to bail me out, 'cause I like, super don't need it right now. This guy's loaded, Dia!

[ every once in a while her gaze shifts just slightly to look at the man, then back to ruby, ]

You looked really upset . . . Even if he has a lot of money, that doesn't mean you should be doing things that make you uncomfortable, does it...?

I wasn't lying when I said I need the money. My aunt's a dead terrorist, my mom's who knows where, and most the people I used to know in real life are also dead, hospitalized, or in jail. I just wanna get my degree and get out of this city, okay? Besides, the girls here are like, the only family I have left. It's better me than one of the new kids.

...

. . . I'll do it instead, okay?

Like, no you're not!

[ they stiffen and look behind them, but the man seemingly hasn't noticed, and they walk back over to call for someone to get some drinks and food, and then they give him a kiss on the cheek and bound back over to Aradia, grabbing her hand. ]

Five minutes, come on.

[ oh

hand: is grab ]

Okay - ...

[ they head out to the back alley with her, where she is promptly kabedon'd. ]

You're mine. What makes you think I'd let some creep even so much as look at you?

[ that

is not what she was expecting to happen here! she settles back against the wall, more surprised than startled or anxious, letting her hands rest at her sides ]

- But you weren't happy being there. Even if there was a good reason behind it, being there was making you upset, so it makes sense that I would do it for you instead, doesn't it...? I -

Even if I'm yours, you're still my familiar, aren't you...? Since I called you away, Ruby - you should go home and rest instead, okay? I'll make sure to bring you the money, so you don't have to worry.

[ they growl, tail whipping. ]

I'm not gonna stop being upset 'till I'm out of here. Once I can stop pretending to be a cute nice girl who's just here to be some old loser's arm candy, once I can stop being my mother's son, once I can just fucking live a quiet life for once and spend my last ten years alive in peace without some stupid life-changing event ruining everything every other month! Okay?

[ there's a huff, before they push off the wall and turn, making to head back inside. ]

My shift's not done for another hour, and I'm not super interested in getting fired. Only so much being the cutest does for me if my regulars can't actually spend time with me.

[ there's a lot to unpack there but,

rather than focusing on any of it she reaches for their hand, attempting to pull them back, just enough to slow them down ]

Then -

Let me stay with you instead . . . okay?

[ they stop with another growl ]

What, are you gonna pay me? That dude's on the city's board of directors, you know. I can give him a few promises to get him to clear out, but if I'm gonna do that you're gonna make up the difference.

[ she balks a bit - of course she doesn't have any money. it doesn't especially dawn on her to lie, any more than it occurs to her that this is a dream, so instead she murmurs, fingers curling tight around their wrist, ]

... You told him earlier that you could introduce us, didn't you? So -

If it's okay, then I'll stay here with you...

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

notadrop - 2020-03-23 05:35 (UTC) - Expand

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

constellationprize - 2020-03-23 22:10 (UTC) - Expand

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

notadrop - 2020-03-24 05:18 (UTC) - Expand

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

constellationprize - 2020-03-24 05:34 (UTC) - Expand

[He slides into the next booth over, within hearing distance of the conversation. And a little BARiTONES dreamwalking magic ensures that another maid takes the seat next to him and serves him a drink.

Just so he doesn't look out of place.]

Edited 2020-03-23 01:24 (UTC)

[ Ruby talks animatedly with the man, who...does seem to be responding, given his gestures and general body language, but there's no sound coming from him at all. Ruby's half of the conversation is clear enough, though: ]

Huh? Oh, so you're one of the new board members...? Wow, that's so cool! You must be kinda scared though, right? I mean, there's still those rogue military units, aren't there? ...Haha, yeah, yeah! I heard the city hired a new security force, but I don't really know much about stuff like that, you know? Ehhh? Oh, well, I don't know! Ummm, I'm not like, very smart? So I'm not even sure I can like, make it through college?

...Mister! You shouldn't - well, yeah, I did say my family all died in the riot, but - h-hey!

[ It's around there that the man reaches up to touch one of their horns, pulling a bit roughly at it. ]

Fucking -- of course I hide them, they're like, so embarrassing? Sir, could you please let go, touching isn't allowed - um, no? I've never heard of a Kyrie in my life, so --

[Well.

What was Intensity expecting really?

And once the patron gets handsy, Intensity gets up from his seat and moves to---

Well, why even bother with pretense? Grip the man's wrist that is holding onto Ruby]

Policy violation.

Let go now.

[Similar to Intensity taking the booth over. However, unlike Intensity he's just going to lie down in it while eavesdropping.]

[ Hey grandpa why are you weird???

Fortunately this is a dream and so neither Ruby nor their customer notice anything wrong - Ruby's talking animatedly with the man, who...does seem to be responding, given his gestures and general body language, but there's no sound coming from him at all. Ruby's half of the conversation is clear enough, though: ]

Huh? Oh, so you're one of the new board members...? Wow, that's so cool! You must be kinda scared though, right? I mean, there's still those rogue military units, aren't there? ...Haha, yeah, yeah! I heard the city hired a new security force, but I don't really know much about stuff like that, you know? Ehhh? Oh, well, I don't know! Ummm, I'm not like, very smart? So I'm not even sure I can like, make it through college?

...Mister! You shouldn't - well, yeah, I did say my family all died in the riot, but - h-hey!

[ It's around there that the man reaches up to touch one of their horns, pulling a bit roughly at it. ]

Fucking -- of course I hide them, they're like, so embarrassing? Sir, could you please let go, touching isn't allowed - um, no? I've never heard of a Kyrie in my life, so --

[Him. Weird? Perish the thought!

He continues to listen putting his hands behind head to pillow them. The man sounds unpleasant, but he's sure Ruby has it under control so far.]

(backdated) Dream Post of Chaos

cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

Re: cw: it's a terrible night to be a baritones

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject