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Tweak says, "But we had good times-"

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redruby) wrote in

valarlogs,
@ 2017-07-05 19:51:00

Who: Ruby & Regina (and Prince Charming...the dog)
What: Ruby stops by to talk shop and also drop off an invitation for an event at the B&B, then gets a slight magic demonstration
When: Today?
Where: Haus of Disney Villainy
Rating/Warnings: Pretty low!
Status: Complete

Yeah, okay, so living in Orange County was weird. Ruby didn’t deny that - she also tried to make the point to her Granny that they were crazy for wanting to ‘immigrate’ (it just didn’t sound right, because it wasn’t like they came from Timbuktu or whatever) to the United States from Canada when a whole stampede was trying to get in, no thanks to the policies of President Mango Maggot. Well, they still had Canadian citizenship so Ruby was somewhat comforted by that - they could always hightail out and head back home; it didn’t feel like home here yet. Not to her.

She liked the B&B though - Granny did so much of the work for it, this was her refusing to ever retire and instead it was highly possible she’d in fact live until she was one-hundred-and-ten. Heart attack scare aside, the woman was as strong as a horse. They had a small staff, of course, and Ruby pitched in at the B&B when she could. There was a steady stream of business, which was nice - people liked the atmosphere, the idea of being right on the beach. All that separated you from the sand and sea was a coastal path, and it was just so cozy. Every day Ruby swore she smelled the salt and brine and even the sunshine; the three bedrooms they had at the B&B opened onto a French balcony overlooking the ocean. Each room was personally stocked with furniture by them, separate pieces and nothing corporate - a big brass bed, richly-colored rug on the dark floorboards, small plush armchair, a vintage chest of drawers and even a hat stand for clothes. They made sure there were thick, white bathrobes and candles too. Maybe, in Ruby’s opinion, it could stand to be a little more modern but hey.

The second part of a bed and breakfast was feeding people. Granny was fond of doing the cooking, however, Ruby would take over sometimes when the old woman felt like sharing her recipes. Breakfast was always stamped organic, dinner was seasonal food - now that it was summer they had been barbecuing in the garden a lot. Ruby, on summer break from her community college classes, scurried about more than usual even though she was desperately aware she needed the excuse of a real job so she didn’t have to be at Granny’s beck and call - today she hit up the local markets with a basket over her arm to pick up fresh produce for tonight. There was also a sealed envelope tucked away in her handbag. She had some time before she had to be back and she was in the neighborhood, why not.

Official business. That’s what this was. So, wearing black leggings with a scalloped mermaid tail pattern (so cute!) and an ‘I Left My Heart in Hawaii’ tank top (she had never been to Hawaii), she arrived on the front doorstep and knocked.

Official business was what Regina had been in the middle of, wasn’t that just a coincidence - now that Meara didn’t need too much of that hovering care (their little starfish was now mobile, and had a very strict napping schedule), she was able to dedicate more solid hours of work. Gamora helped, of course - she’d sent her out on a couple of visits with clients to decide on color palettes - but it was also nice to be more hands-on again, really see where everything was at. Appointments, invoices, design plans, samples, bids on corporate buildings and other hotels that needed that stylish touch.

The knock at the door came right as Regina checked one of her mirrors - not for her own reflection, of course, but there was one in the baby’s room that allowed her to peek in and assure that all was well. Sleeping soundly, milk belly rising up and down with every breath. It was a kind of magical baby monitor that was on constantly, and if there was a peep from the little one all it would take was a swirl of purple smoke to bring mother into the nursery.

A wave over the mirror rendered the reflection normal and she hoped, knocked on wood and then crossed her fingers that the baby would remain asleep while she tended the arrival at the door. Regina opened it with a smile, and -

Oh.

Don’t get her wrong, the smile remained (even after a little falter) but she wasn’t prepared to see someone so…

Familiar.

Here we go again. “Hello,” was her curious greet, door opened more. “Can I...help you?” What the hell was she even doing here? This couldn’t be a coincidence, no. More like the gears that made Orange County turn and turn plopping down another piece of the Storybrooke puzzle at her doorstep (again) and giggling as things unfolded. Like usual.

“Hi! Ruby Lucas - um, kind of a representative, I guess? From Granny’s Bed and Breakfast in Newport Beach,” she greeted, shifting the wicker basket stuffed with goodies up a little higher on her arm, and she extended her hand cordially. “We had reached out through email a bit ago - “ Or Ruby did, actually, because Granny wasn’t the most tech-savvy of business owners, “...to see about renovating the bathrooms?”

They definitely needed to be modernized. Not that they were terrible now, or like, prison bathrooms or anything. But something with brighter tile and splashes of color would be great. The trick was just working on them gradually, one at a time, so guests weren’t too terribly inconvenienced.

“I also wanted to invite you to our next customer appreciation event,” she bounced a little on her toes, in her red heels - they matched the streaks in her hair. Subtle ones, for the most part. You really only saw them when she had her hair up. “It’s a wine and cheese thing. Next Saturday, four to nine. Bring a friend.” Her smile was luminescent, blazing white teeth (all the better to charm with, my dear).

Ah. That bed and breakfast. Regina should have known, but the revelation wasn’t exactly the most unpleasant of ones - and she also knew that the place required some work, let’s just say. Granny’s tastes were a little more retro (and not in the good way). “Of course, come in,” she beckoned. It was spotless on the inside, a fucking miracle when it came to an infant, a pirate, and two four-legged creatures. Sometimes a half-pirate that shat black glitter, too. Home was also her work, however - part of the portfolio. “Follow me to my office, we can discuss things there?”

Ruby must have been a recent transplant. Poor wolf. She was about to get a very different dose of reality living here. “And welcome to the area - I hope you’ve heard only good things.” Not so much of the ‘strange things get spat out at Disney, beware’ details. Despite all the emotional turmoil and peculiar occurrences, Regina was still very fond of home.

Hard to hate a place that in the end gave her everything she wanted. It wasn’t an arrangement she could get in another life, literally.

Actuallllyyyyy, Ruby picked up on a mixed bag about the county - and it was hard to miss the gossip regarding movies being filmed that were so realistic it was literally like Godzilla was attacking the city. Or fill in the blank, anything that happened to be going on. Demons? Aliens? Giant spiders, and apparently dragons?

That couldn't be real. Could it? Or else wouldn’t the OC be a crater by now? Really?

Well, whatever. “I’ve heard...things,” she responded carefully, following Regina into the house - which was super lovely, looked like cozy elegance. The dog was also going to be her new best friend, as a derpy black lab mix (maybe a cross with a cocker spaniel - he had some curly spaniel fur going on) came derping on into the room, slobbering with happiness and ready to greet the new guest. “Oh my gosh, hi! Hi! You are so sweet!”

Yes, he was. Look how he rolled over. Give me a belly rub, human. Poor Prince - his dad didn’t take him to work today, like usual, since he had some information-gathering to do.

Still scratching the dog behind the ears, Ruby looked up. “Thanks though, it’s nice here so far! Granny and I are just trying to get word out there about the B&B. I joined a few message boards and forums to post some advertisements. Business is trickling in.”

Ugh, that dog. At least Ruby didn’t seem to mind - Regina didn’t want that beast slobbering over all of her clients, but if he managed to enamour them then she supposed there wasn’t much of a harm. Assuming he kept that fur on his body and off the furniture, clothes, and from collecting in the corners of the room.

It was a losing battle.

“Social media’s all the rage to spread the word,” she mused, almost assured that the young woman had been sucked into that particular for one. You know, the one where people either posted about their grief with their dreams or nonsensical one-lined mundanity at the end of the month (what a strange pattern). “I do give discounts depending on the forum joined, however - is it safe to assume you’re getting familiar with one that tends to discuss dreams?”

Regina sat behind her desk and motioned for her to take a seat if she pleased and, yes, Prince could come too.

“Yep, that one. I ran into a couple people I already knew - one was even a friend from back in Canada - which was surreal. But I’m not complaining,” Ruby shrugged with a smile, selecting a chair and getting comfortable, tucking one knee over the other after she’d set her things down beside her. Those same things Prince sniffed curiously, poking his snout into the basket of goodies especially - it made Ruby laugh, and she petted his head so he’d settle.

Which he did. His head in her lap. Prince Charming lived up to his moniker.

“So you’ve been here awhile?” she asked Regina. The office, and the home in general, appeared to be well-lived. Nothing particularly new, but still shiny and clean. Obviously the woman knew her stuff when it came to interior design - hopefully she could help with the B&B bathroom situation.

Regina made a note to herself: check the goddamn network more often despite the risk of migraines. No matter, though, as Red Riding Hood was one of theirs. Paths would have intersected eventually - this was proof. “It’s no surprise, a lot of old friends tend to miraculously find each other on that thing,” she smiled, but the gesture exuded secrecy. “But awhile, yes, you could definitely say that. If you’re looking to live somewhere interesting then look no further.”

Ah, where was that binder? Oh, cabinet, right. There was one specific to boutique hotels she’d done. Actual pictures in one side of ones she helped revamped, and there were stock photos for inspiration on one half to sift through. “I’d love to stop by and take a look at what you’re all working with, interior-wise. Ideally you’d want it to be unique to you, something much more different than the chains out there, but these are some things that have been done in the past. I take it you’re working with a specific budget in mind?”

She was flexible. Usually with bids and contracting certain business she was a bit of a shark, but exceptions could be made.

Ruby still had a lot of questions about, uh - alternate universes and how people could just go around casually saying they were witches or warlocks or whatever, but she figured they’d be answered in due time. She just wanted to ensure Granny’s continued health and the continued success of their business - it wouldn’t do any good to just turn tail and run up north because there were a few whackadoos afoot.

So yeah, this place seemed interesting. That was a word for it. “We do plan to stick around and, oh, you know - “ Rummaging in her purse, she pulled out the invite to the wine and cheese party so she’d be sure she wouldn’t forget to give it to Regina. It was due to be nice - the drinks and eats all local, of course. From local vineyard and farms.

“The whole thing with the B&B is that we want it to be personal,” she said, going back to petting Prince’s head. “Like, quaint. Cozy and rustic. Modern, but not too modern - it isn’t a place where you can just get in and get out, like in a chain or whatever. We want people to feel like they’re just a guest in someone’s home.” She flipped through the boutique hotel binder, observing the color schemes. Definitely something teal and green-ish for the bathrooms - that seemed fresh, and good for the beach. “But right, budget. It’d be great to have unlimited funds, however...”

She trailed off. No need to go any further - this was a family run business started by two people, it wasn’t like they were related to Paris Hilton.

“Homey but nice,” Regina deduced - and no need to go any further indeed, she waved a hand dismissively at that. Chain and corporate contracts were her bread and butter; those clients had the funds to dish out and were willing to do so to avoid looking like Rooms To Go vomited all over their interiors without a method. Smaller accounts, such as this one? Not so much. “Things can be done tastefully on a budget, don’t worry, and we can arrange installment plans.”

That invite was tucked safely on her desk plain to see. It’d be added to her planner - she definitely planned on going not just for business reasons. Ruby was bound to see the nonsensical hijinks of Storybrooke and the Enchanted Forest, and while their first moments weren’t friendly, the queen would still...be there. “I take it it’s okay to bring a plus one? My fiance may want to tag along.”

All things considering.

“Oh, of course,” Ruby nodded. “Feel free to bring them! I’ll be sure to say hello.” It’s not like she’d known Regina for very long, but she was looking forward to working with her - and yet she was obviously on that network of alternate universe and dreamy dreams and all that stuff? The woman seemed sane. It was pretty peculiar.

Hopefully she’d figure it out. Ducking to smother Prince with smooches and cuddles, she just laughed when she got a long slobbery dog tongue licking her face. “I’ll bring whatever installment plan options you have back to Granny to go over, we’ll definitely work something out. And I wish I could take you home with me,” Ruby cooed at the sweetest baby.

Should she ask about the network? Get another opinion? It was kind of on the tip of her tongue, admittedly.

Prince really was being a ham. Killian and his sister picked a good pup, she supposed. “I won’t know what we’re working with until I see it all myself, but I can come up with a visual of what everything we decide would like - that way know what you’re getting and what it’d look like once it’s put together.” Thanks to a certain kind of software Regina spent the cost of a left nut on, but clients liked to see it all before dropping an astounding amount of money on it.

Less of a headache later on. And less chances of them detesting it when it was all said and done.

“Aside from business, how are you settling down? I’m sure you’ve run into some interesting characters already.” Regina tried to smile but it came out more of a smirk then anything - because if she was on the network, someone must have dropped the bomb already. Most people liked to go straight to the punch when meeting someone for the first time.

A visual was definitely a good thing - like, you know, samples and stuff. And those fancy computer programs that decorated virtual rooms. Ruby was all about that. “Interesting character, yeah, I guess!” she chirped. She’d try to keep a positive outlook about the whole thing, even if she had no friggin’ clue what was going on.

“A couple people I know, like I said. Some new ones. I guess it’s just hard for me to really get what people say because it seems so...out there?” the brunette shrugged. “I mean, it’s not like I think they’re lying - but maybe it’s a ‘believe it when I see it’ sort of thing.”

And she hadn’t seen it. Ruby wasn’t sure she even wanted to - she just had a bad, ominous feeling for some reason. So she kept it light-hearted for now, unable to really do anything else.

That was fair. Hard to really take anyone’s word over this sort of thing seriously without proof. Her nails - a polished mahogany - tapped at her desk in thought. “It’s a concept difficult to swallow unless you go through it yourself,” Regina explained. “Or you see something that backs up the claims. I get the skepticism.”

Of course, she could always show her. It didn’t seem like Ruby to run out screaming and if she did, it wouldn’t last long - like the rest of them she’d get hit with the merciless hammer of fucked up dreams and fairytales come to life. Not a single soul from their dreamscape got it easy.

“If you want proof, I could show you some of mine. If you want to wait and see for yourself, that’s an option too. I’d recommend you enjoy the last bits of normalcy while you have it.” Ominous, wasn’t it? Regina didn’t really intend it to be, but the advice was sincere. “Soon the concept will be redefined for you.”

It’s not like she could break it to her right then and there that not only was she the fabled Red Riding Hood but also the Big Bad Wolf. That’d be a ‘dick move’ - as her sister-in-law would eloquently say - and there really were some things she needed to see for herself. But if it was validation she was looking for, she didn’t see why not she couldn’t oblige.

“Proof? Like...your proof?” Ruby pointed at Regina, and Prince lifted his head. Buhwuuuuh? But alright, why not. She didn’t think that the interior designer who gave off a classy, ginger-spice kind of aura would bludgeon her with a heavy object and toss her into a closet or something. “Okay, sure. You’ve piqued my curiosity.”

People talked about superpowers and stuff, witches and wizards - and that whole magic is everyyyywhere thing, that Ruby still was struggling to wrap her mind around - but she hadn’t really experienced many demonstrations. This would be educational, at least.

Yes, her proof. Magic. Something Ruby could witness - and don’t worry, it wouldn’t be anything terrifying. Not like how she had incinerated zombies on her goddamn lawn the night Killian appeared. Regina picked up the mirror she’d been using as an ‘enchanted baby monitor’ and turned it around so the woman could see her reflection.

“Take a look,” she said. “Normal, yes? Mirrors can be used as windows if you know the right tricks.” All it took was an effortless flare of her fingers across the it, wisps of violet following her hands like a smoke that dissipated quickly and then the surface rippled like water, the image changing from Ruby’s face to -

A baby.

Meara sleeping in her crib, mouth suckling like she was dreaming about drinking from the bottle. Kenzi had chosen today’s romper - it had skulls and pink bows, what a combo. “More things can be done with magic. Terrifying things.” Like a curse that transported an entire population from one realm to another, erasing their memories and replacing them with illusions of a new life. She’d be seeing that soon. “But because I’m not face to face with the latest Disney villain throwing magic beams and fireballs, I can use it for the more mundane aspects of life: keeping an eye on my little one while I also try and get some work done.”

Holy friiiiiijoles, that was kind of cool! Ruby was reminded of Beauty and the Beast for some reason - couldn’t he creepily spy on Belle when she was trapped in the castle? There was some official term for it, some magic thing - oh, right, scrying. Amazing she remembered that.

“Whoa,” she grinned, still watching the mirror and the baby who slept peacefully - Ruby even spoke quietly, as if she was afraid that too loud of a tone would actually awaken the little pipsqueak a room away. “I, well. Wow, okay.”

Yes, brilliant response! But she was trying to come up with the words, sue her. This was kind of blowing her mind a little - and obviously it wasn’t some illusion or trick. The smoke and stuff? Whaaaaat?

“That must come in handy? Your daughter is cute, by the way. Can I meet her sometime? You know,” Ruby shrugged good-naturedly. “When she’s awake and...magic. Yeah, I’ve totally got this.”

Oh, good, she wasn’t scared. But she needn’t worry about keeping her voice quiet - at the moment it was a one-way view, only they could see and hear what went from the other side. It was an effective method in the scenario she ever wanted to eavesdrop on someone, but she was mindful to not be a total asshole and abuse her gifts.

“Thank you,” Regina said, rather proud because Meara was cute - even when she awoke all fussy from a nap needing someone to cling to bleary-eyed. “I may bring her to the event if she’s not moody, but yes, you’ve got this. Do be a little open minded, though?”

Her majesty refrained from a wince. Gods, she wasn’t proud of what she’d done. And it was always the first impression people had of her. Madam Mayor. Evil Queen. “You’ll recognize some people in what you’re bound to see. And they won’t be on their best behavior, but there’s a line - sometimes blurry - between who people are there and here.”

“Open-minded in...things. What I see. Sure, I can do that,” Ruby promised. “This life or whatever is all I’ve known - I won’t be swayed from it so easily.” And she had her moments of being stubborn and headstrong, that was for certain - some traits from her Granny rubbed off. It may be why, on occasion, the two of them were about as compatible as oil and water.

She gave Prince another scritch behind the ears, smiling at Regina. “Thanks for the talk! I’ll keep you updated about the work at the B&B.”

Later, they’d get into Ruby’s, ah, peculiar connection to the moon - no doubt that’d be something that would happen here too - but showing her a couple hocus-pocus tricks with a mirror was enough for today. Business was the purpose of her stopping by, but she at least had proof that people weren’t drinking some kind of hallucinogenic kool-aid. It was real, all of it.

“Oh - my contact information, here.” Regina passed her a business card as she walked her to the door. “We’ll set up a more formal meeting and discuss our options. That way your granny’s present and can weigh in.” And steer her away from atrocious decisions. Hopefully. “And we’ll definitely be in touch, about other things.”

Little Red Riding Wolf would get why not long from now.

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