lost myself and I am nowhere to be found

[fightingale]

WHO: catch-all for Leliana, Ruby & Herc
WHAT: all sorts! some open prompts for each, as well as closed starters.
WHEN: throughout Bloomingtide
WHERE: various
NOTES: Depression, discussion of death, alcohol, potential violence, others to be added as necessary. If we're threading and something comes up in a tag, feel free to add a warning to the subject line.

Starters in the comments! If you'd like a personalised thing then just prod me via pp (@karmacharging) or pm and I will whip something up C:

Comments

[eviscerates]

Ruby huffs out a quiet laugh, at that. "Oh, now. Would I ever try to do something that obvious?"

She likes to think not, but she's not the best judge of her own character, she's pretty sure. There's something self-mocking in her smile that she hopes covers up for the hurting and the-- and the everything else. She hopes that she doesn't look as lost as she feels.

"Only me and my liver. Care to join me? I promise to be minimally mopey."

[easternseaqueen]

"Well, I know a thing or two about that sort of thing. At least let me treat you to the good stuff. See if I can't maybe put a smile back on that pretty face."

She gestures upstairs.
"I have my own stash, you know. I have my boys send packages back to their admiral."

[eviscerates]

Her scoffs is good natured and self-mocking. "The pity and wallowing, you? I find that hard to believe." It's somewhere between teasing and serious, because she finds herself know better even as she looks at Isabela and remembers all the times that things just seem to roll off her back, unconcerned as a duck's feathers by water.

Ruby glances down at her drink, not much of a dent in it yet, and over to the stairs. She's considered claiming a place here for herself too, for the semblence of home and her room at Granny's. "Sure," she starts, but holds up her drink between thumb and forefinger. "Do you mind if I bring this one with me, or will that offend your delicate sensibilities?"

[easternseaqueen]

"Pity and wallowing? Don't be absurd. That's what killing people is for. Or at least just moving on. I meant more assaults on my liver," she laughs.

Isabela winks at Ruby.
"No, but all means, the more the merrier. You might want the extra glass."

[eviscerates]

"Of course," she replies, smiling in a way that's equal parts embarrassed and amused, tone a little dry. "Silly of me."

With that she twists off her seat, bringing her glass along. She likes the flirting, honesty, the easy ridiculousness that seems to be part of being in Isabela's proximity. "Careful, Isabela. I might drink you out of house and home if you encourage me."

[easternseaqueen]

"Then I'll just have to ask my boys to send up more. There are perks to being an admiral, truly."

Isabela laughed and led her upstairs to her room.
"Go ahead and make yourself comfortable, sweetness. I won't be chasing you out anytime soon."

[eviscerates]

"I can believe it. I've known some kings and queens in my time."

Power has its perks— Ruby's just too used to doing things herself, in working hard, had been even when she was on Snow and David's Council.

As Ruby looks around the room she's curious. She always feels like personal space has the potential to reveal all sorts of bits and pieces. "Appreciate it." A little wryly, "but even if you did, I don't see any fires and pitchforks. You'd have to up your game."

[easternseaqueen]

"I'll have you know, that position was earned from the ground up. I didn't always rule the seas."

Isabela pulls out a decanter of aromatic amber liquor and pours herself a glass.
"Fires and pitchforks aren't really my style, dearheart. I prefer to get straight to the point with a dagger or crossbow, if I'm going to."

She gestures with her glass.
"You want some?"

[eviscerates]

"Hey, I believe you. I'm just saying you have a convincingly regal presence."

Now Ruby might be teasing, even if there's still something tired and strained in her smile and in her humour, something that doesn't make it all the way to being properly convincing to anyone who takes half a second to notice. Ruby's not so bad at pretending she's fine, normally.

"See, that's how I know you aren't royalty. They love the fire." And with a bit of laughter, she pulls aside the collar of the shirt she's wearing, exposing a line of collarbone and the curve of her shoulder, where there lies a knotted scar. "My grandmother prefers the crossbow method, herself. Thankfully I think that's the only thing you two have in common." Aside from an enthusiasm for strong drink.

"Sure. Hit me."

[easternseaqueen]

"The things you learn to cultivate," Isabela laughs.

Oh, she knows the girl isn't half as good as she says. Well, few know how to numb pain as well as Isabela does.

"Sounds like I ought to meet your grandmother," the pirate says, pouring a glass for Ruby. She bends to kiss the scarred shoulder as she hands her the drink. "Though I'm really not the sort you bring back to your family."

[eviscerates]

"I'm not sure anyone ought to meet Granny," she counters, before losing her train of thought as Isabela's lips press against the pale scar, a rare mark left by silver piercing the Wolf's hide. For a minute she just looks at Isabela, brow pinched before her fingers finally grasp the drink properly.

It's rare, the contact, and she closes her eyes and smiles in a faintly incredulous why am I saying this sort of way, "Uh." (Promising start, Red.) "Do you mind doing that again?"

[easternseaqueen]

"Mmm, not at all."

Isabela bends to kiss Ruby's shoulder, and then more kisses, trailing up to her neck.