onrataxiaâ:
Another night, another mess to clean up, but itâs not as bad as it used to be. Concerning actually, considering the type of establishment he runs, and the kind of people his regulars are. For these rough and calloused sailors and dockhands to be so subdued must mean things are getting ugly out there beyond his walls.
Heâs taken care to make sure Wonderland does not get to him this past decade, and so far, heâs done well to maintain a safe distance between himself, his pub, and the drama of the city. That doesnât mean he hasnât kept an ear to the dirt though. Ignorance is a luxury few can afford, and heâs been a part of the game too long to believe any semblance of peace they scrounge up can last.
The door opens again and he looks up, ready to tell the new arrival to come back tomorrow, only to find a flurry of red on white and black filling his vision, already cross-legged on his countertop without invitation. He sighs, the smile he aims at the tiny terror thatâs found her way to him again fond, though exasperated.
âThatâs the only reason this place is still open,â a shrug and he steps back, gesturing for her to hop down on his side of the bar and follow him into the bathroom. âWhat have I said about cleaning up after a kill? You look a fright girl, come on.â
Heâd heard the hushed re-tellings of how Houndstitch had gone up in flame and smoke not too long ago, and all the superstitions and speculations that surrounded the happening. âItâs possible, but that might be too simple an explanation.â The faucet running fills the silence briefly as he wets a towel for her. âNo, Iâve never liked working with fire. Too unpredictable and hard to manipulate into doing what you want it to. Guess Iâve got a bit of a control complex huh?â
While she cleans up, he goes back to the front to wipe away the blood that she tracked onto the countertop. âI havenât seen you in a while. What mischief have you been up to?â
Itâs true â the residents of this city grasp at any chance to escape the reality of whatâs happening on their streets, anything to dull the senses, and alcohol was the most readily available and easily accessible.Â
â Should I cause a little more unrest then? â It sounds like a joke, but if he said so she would. Ruby has never been one to pass up an opportunity for a little more chaos, but it would also be her own way of showing a little appreciation for all the wisdom he had imparted on her.Â
His words make her survey her own body, looking down and twirling around to make sure. â âve gotten better, noneâs on my clothes, see? â She twirls a second time for him, tone a little proud. â âM barely one though, ya shouldâve seen the stage. Set it just like how they wanted, my artistic direction was great, might even give the first audience enough of ân impression for a trip to the Vale. â
Giggling at the thought, suddenly thinking it was a pity she hadnât stuck around to get a firsthand experience of it, but it would be too much waiting for her, never much patience once the job was done and she had fulfilled the terms of her contract.Â
But she still obediently heads to the bathroom, streaks coming off easily, having barely dried on her way over. Nothing around here was ever quite simple, he was right. A little nighttime jaunt through charred rooms were enough to hint at things. â Mmm, ya probably right. I mean, didnât find bodies when I went for a looksie, the blueberries didnât either. The missinâ kiddies was probably why, right? â
It is not surprising to hear him say that, control was what so many people wanted around here, wasnât it? The â queens â fighting for control over the city, helpless residents always futilely fighting for control over their own fates, information traders looking for control over one more person.
â I guess ya right ... fireâs really pretty sometimes though ... âs fine in some situations, baby ones are easier ta get right. â Done with making herself more presentable, she pulls a couple of gummy bears out of a pack she swiped earlier, shaking the packet at Poet in offering. â Cityâs been busy, so âve been busy too! Lotsa work got done. â
Her laugh is full of satisfaction, both at her added wealth and the resignation in some police officersâ eyes when they get called to more crime scenes. Of course, there were many that never warranted calls, tragic accidents and residents moving out wouldnât need the policeâs help, after all.
â Someone sealed up that entrance from the hotel recently though, ya know who did it? Less of those richy rich idiots as clients, but âm not complaininâ. Always wanderinâ round like Underâs some kinda exotic tourist trap. Was fun to give âem a little welcome sometimes, their faces are kinda funny when I do, but guess âm not gonna be able to do it anymore. â
The smile hangs off her lips, a touch of disappointment in her tone at the loss of entertainment. There were times where the City was generous enough to throw some in the right direction, but children left to their own amusements always had to go out to find their own toys in the end.

















