Never say never, my dear

Ruby | 40 | The Snug Mug owner | RP blog

[ruby-babayan]

[ Angela Sarafyan, cis w, she/her ] — whoa! RUBY BABAYAN just stole my cab! not cool, but maybe they needed it more. they have lived in the city for 20 YEARS, working as a CAFE OWNER. that can’t be easy, especially at only 40 YEARS OLD. some people say they can be a little bit PRIVATE and STRESSED, but I know them to be COMPASSIONATE and COMMITTED. whatever. I guess I’ll catch the next cab. hope they like the ride back to STATEN ISLAND! — (Andy, 43, EST, they/he)

BASICS

full name: Ruby Jean Babayan (formerly Calloway)

pronouns: she / her

sexual orientation: straight

relationship status: divorced

occupation: owner of The Snug Mug

BIOGRAPHY

tw: affair

Born in Kentucky to the working poor, Ruby strove to make it out of her home town. To be something more. Academics and extracurricular activities were gold for college applications, as was building her own car piece by piece. The truck was eventually what got Ruby and her sweetheart to NYC, where he promised that he'd work to pay her way through college if she did so for him first.

Six years of full time work and part time school, barely seeing one another, but he finally landed a Bachelor's degree. They celebrated with a courthouse wedding nobody they knew attended. Ruby was managing The Snug Mug by then, while Brandon started his way up the corporate ladder. She didn't feel the drive for higher learning by the time her 30th birthday approached, but hoped to start a family, instead. Something Brandon delayed by suggesting Ruby make an offer to buy the cafe from the retiring owner. He was confident they could get it between his job and her in with the owner.

After the deal closed, Brandon lingered another month before confessing that the cafe was his apology to Ruby. He had fallen in love with a younger woman at his office, and they were running away together to chase her Hollywood dreams.

Minus one husband and one big source of income, and plus a lot more responsibilities, Ruby focused on the cafe. She moved into a unit above the cafe, and rarely needs to leave the island, but loves the ferry ride and will find excuses to get into the city proper regularly.

TRIVIA

The cafe was recently adopted by an orange tomcat the staff has taken to calling Shortcake. He's a friendly tomcat who really loves appearing to beg or steal food.

Still has that Appalachian accent, as well as the old truck that got her to NYC. Absolutely believes in a lot of Appalachian cryptid, folktales, and the wisdom of the holler.

Loves sci-fi, scary stories and historical romance. More than one bodice-ripper hides in her apartment.

Not a drinker, you're lucky to spot Ruby doing more than sipping at a wine now and again. (Grow up in the bourbon capital of the world and you might get sick if alcohol, too)

Some folk have been known to call Ruby a reckless driver. She would argue she's a perfectly good driver - if this were Kentucky. She's yet to have a single accident or ticket, which is just further proof in her book.

Noodles on an old folk guitar, but is by no means a pro.

more soon!

POTENTIAL CONNECTIONS

Neighbors - Fellow Staten Island residents! This could be friendly, neutral or antagonistic.

Other Foodies - Ruby loves baking and any form of hearty food/meals. While she appreciates the precision of high-end food, Ruby swears by comfort food. She loves a farmer's market and swapping recipes.

Cafe Regulars - Be it for just the one morning a week, whenever your seasonal favorite hits the menu again, or something more frequent. Maybe you just like the atmosphere and basic black coffee.

People to fuss over - Ruby is a mother with no child, so much of her mothering ends up aimed at friends and employees. Do you enjoy or resent it?

[chorus-console-me]

Lou had no illusions--Molly liked visiting The Cozy Mug as much for its proprietor as she did for the hot chocolate. People were often charmed by how well his daughter could mimic the adults around her, but few of them met her at that level. It was no wonder the place had become her comfort spot.

He nodded back, "morning, Miss Ruby." It's what Molly called her, and Molly was boss. On his end, he didn't see the need for Mr. Mochroi, but he wouldn't begrudge a Southern girl her old-fashioned habits. She'd mentioned, in passing, how out of place she still felt on occasion, and he had no desire to make that any worse. As far as he figured, the city could use a little extra courtesy.

He watched his daughter shrug and sigh, "Boxcar Children's better." He tried to hold in his snort of disbelief at her haughty tone and redirected it into a cough, patting her back.

"You wanna go get our table, bug? And some napkins?"

He kept an eye on her as she moseyed over to the counter set aside for sugars and creams and utensils of various sorts. And then he turned back to Ruby. "Don't take it personally. Since school started, everything that was cool last year is now extremely lame. We have moved on from foxes to horses. Just wish I'd known that before I bought the fox backpack and the fox lunchbox and the fox pencil case."

[ruby-babayan]

Ruby didn't flinch, only nodded in grave attention. "Boxcar Children. We'll leave the other for younger kids, then." It was instinct to watch the little ones when they weren't hand-in-hand with an adult. Even in the shop, even with her dad between Molly and the door. Even though her daddy hadn't ever been anything but attentive and mindful.

When Mr. Mochroi spoke, Ruby waved his thoughtful explanation away with a sidelong smile. The look was mostly sincere, only a hint of winking adult attitude. "No offense taken. That's just part of it all, don't you think? Trying things on and discarding them until you work out what's you, long-term."

Ruby continued, assembling dishes for them, "I know you didn't ask... But you might look to asking other parents if they have a student interested in foxes. Maybe you all could trade." She paused to consider, watching the young lady neatly arranging their table. "Only - why horses?"

[ruby-babayan]

TASK 004: TV Tropes

[marbledmayhem]

closed starter: Ruby @ruby-babayan location: The Snug Mug

Even as a born-and-raised New Yorker, it was next to impossible to have been to all the spots around the city. Madeline was ecstatic to be back in her hometown again long-term instead of as a visitor, even if it was for... less than savory reasons. To keep herself busy, she had made a list of nearly a hundred different spots around the city she wanted to visit, hoping she would be able to visit each and every one within the next couple of years if she kept to it. Emphasis on the if.

The Snug Mug had been at the top of her list for several reasons. The name alone would've given her enough reason to visit, but the reviews had talked extensively about the coziness and soothing atmosphere. Madeline could definitely use some coziness in her life at the moment.

As promised, the cafe was small and homey. The cafe seemed to be slowly switching over from their summer decor into their autumnal decor as Madeline saw an employee clearing off miniature fabric summer fruits from a shelf. With the temperatures still warm, Madeline ordered an iced vanilla latte and croissant sandwich, sitting down with her brunch at one of the tables. She took her time with her meal, slowly eating her sandwich while scrolling through various social medias. After a few minutes she realized that the scent in the cafe had changed. She perked up, looking around for the source of the new scent - a delicious blend of vanilla and autumnal spices. The scent seemed to be coming from the area where the employee had been switching out the decorations. With her sandwich finished, Madeline threw away the trash and picked up her drink to go to the table of new decorations. Sure enough, there was a large wooden bowl in the shape of a pumpkin now sitting out, within it sitting several cups of the potpourri Madeline had noticed. "Oh my goodness, this stuff smells so good!" she exclaimed, leaning down a bit to get more of the scent. She turned to the employee who had been changing the decor, a woman a few years older than her with piercing eyes. "Are you the one who chooses the seasonal decor around here? This place is so cozy, I love it. I saw quite a few reviews online of people talking about the atmosphere, and it didn't disappoint," she said. Even if this particular person wasn't the one in charge of those decisions, Madeline felt it was right to let one of the employees know how lovely the place was.

[ruby-babayan]

"Well, now, thank you." One slim shoulder shrugged, Ruby forever modest by default. "I bring options in, everyone votes. So, suppose you could say it's me, but I like to think it's a touch more democratic than that." It was an old trick for parents and managers alike, but Ruby had found it to be a helpful one.

She considered the customer, and then the potpourri. While she adored cinnamon any time of year, it did seem most popular in Fall. "Would you want some to take with you? Kind as you were to compliment the decorations." There'd be all the makings for a little sachet somewhere in the supplies, Ruby was confident.

[some-celebrity-stuffs]

Happy Birthday Angela Sarafyan

June 30

[itshoneys]

——to say that she was excited for the music festival it would be an understatement. Honey was ecstatic, and even more so it collided with her break so she could fully enjoy it ( of course, she was going to upload it to her story to keep her followers engaged, but wouldn’t stress too much about it or for shooting content ). there were many options to choose from if you were looking to pass the time, the festival grounds were filled with tents and activities, but she was sold as soon as she saw the face painting booth. standing in line, she had almost settled on wanting a cat one or a deer, when the person speaking on the parallel line next to her attracted her attention. warm brown eyes met her gaze and a smile, bright and genuine, formed on her lips. “oh, I am so in!” she agreed excitedly, nodding to further emphasize her words. “just give me something cute, yeah?” she laughed, and then extending a hand to her, a smile still adorning her lips as she introduced herself with an “I am Honey.”

[ruby-babayan]

Some people managed to be impulsive and indecisive in the same conversation. Ruby was one such person, and so appeared to be the young women. That she shared a name with something both from nature and food rang a positive sign in Ruby's book. "Ruby. Now, I'm going to be nosey, as you might be the first Honey I've met. Is that a nickname that caught on?"

She shuffled forward in line, then returned to eyeing the options. It was so much simpler to choose for someone else. "Now, no asking for something I'll be arrested for having on my face, okay?" Ruby flashed a smile, plainly joking.

[caddel]

——he stepped outside for a minute since it would be a while until the doctors would be done with examining Neva and running some tests, as per usual —this was a daily routine now for her and he felt awful there was nothing they could do to change it, as well as the fact that she couldn’t leave the clinic. most hours he spent there, with her, especially more since his grand project had come to an end and he didn’t have any other pressing matter, he was also off work for good. in fairness, he could sign up to be paged in case they needed him, but he couldn’t even begin to think about doing anything else other than be there, with and for his wife. he doesn’t mind save for the reasons behind her hospitalization which still gives him a good load of stress, even though he doesn’t let it show.

blue eyes drifted from where he had parked his bike upfront to an older lady walking with a younger woman, idly watching the people passing by, when he caught sight of a familiar figure approaching. smiling softly, he looked at Ruby noticing she did not come empty-handed. “you don’t have to, you know,” he mock scolded her; he truly appreciated the gesture though, found it to be very thoughtful of her, and there was probably not telling her what not to do either. ( @ruby-babayan )

[ruby-babayan]

"Don't have to?" Ruby clucked her tongue. "Ryan Hunter Caddel, you hush. I'm not letting you all eat nothing but that hospital food." She said it like one might describe an unpleasant smell. Single serve gelatin and unseasoned potatoes? Who could feel better eating that? No, a body needed heartier fair for keeping strength up.

She slipped the tote from her shoulder and held it open. "Soup and stew both, fritters, rolls and veg. Apple snaps are any old time, but mind your reheat." Her grin shifted from the food back up to Ryan and softened. "I know everyone's got to be fussing over your lady - but how are you?" She imagined Ryan was spending a lot of time being Neva's rock, and not doing a lot of minding his own state.

[ruby-babayan]

what: closed starter for @lou-mochroi

where: The Cozy Mug, a.m.

She was sorting out time sheets when Molly's voice reached her. So young and already so self-possessed, it really was something to behold. Ruby slipped from her meager office space to greet the pair of regulars. "Howdy, Boss." Her salute was sloppy, Ruby had no doubt, but the little girl laughed and that was the point. To her father, Ruby gave a friendlier wave. "Good morning, Mr. Mochroi."

Like all her regulars, Ruby already knew what to start prepping. Little Molly was her harshest food critic; always quite clear on what was good and what was 'Adult Junk'. "Think someone left a Nancy Drew here this week, boss. Reckon it's worth my time?"

[ruby-babayan]

what: closed starter for @collinsappsley

where: the Staten Island ferry

Twenty years and Ruby still had to sit by a window. Still adored the view from the ferry on its passage across the water. Today, the weather had her outside, letting the wind play in her hair as it wished. To be joined by someone who wasn't a child or towing one was a pleasant surprise. For the young woman to peer over the side excitedly was an even better surprise.

"I've never managed to see a fish this close," she called over the wind. "A riverboat'll get ducks trailing behind for the popcorn, but I think the ferry's a no go." Hesitating on an idea for several beats, Ruby finally cracked a smile and took a gamble. "Think there's ever been a mermaid spotted out here?"

[ruby-babayan]

TASK 002: character moodboard

[ruby-babayan]

closed starter for @itshoneys

where: Music Festival - Glazed Finish's face-painting

For a music festival, Ruby had half-expected more adult face-paint options. And, sure as anything, they were there - maybe not on the board of offerings, but on attendees Ruby had passed on the way over. But at the actual tent, the pickings were a lot more tame. Some references to performers, and the usual pickings of rainbows, flowers, and animals.

Standing in line and still trying to decide, Ruby spotted a lovely young lady in the second painter's line doing the same thing. What normally would have been a conspiratorial stage whisper had to be spoken far louder to be heard over the music. "I'll pick for you, if you pick for me?"

[lassenisms]

open starter ( @bhqextras ), located @ or around cover - to - cover.

additionally tagging due to closed starter requests: @mvximized ; @mrmcrch / @ccrusso / @dcmwells ; @kitsantoss ; @lovemetopieces ; @itshoneys ; @drvioletmetcalfe .

the  autumnal  clearance  sale  would  be  approaching  for  cover  -  to  -  cover,  in  addition  to  a  new  film  premiere,  which  rosie  would  need  to  report  due  to  the  promised  fashion  statements.  the  theme  would  be  gauche,  which  was  broad  enough  to  warrant  complaints  and  yet  niche  enough  to  stimulate  thinking.  (  this  was  the  blurb  that  they  wrote,  at  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  before  crashing  into  bed.  TEASEIT  needed  as  much  attention,  sometimes,  as  a  pet,  or  a  kid,  or  the  bookstore  itself.  )  bleary  -  eyed,  but  still  determined  to  somewhat  re  -  arrange  the  store,  they  thought  it  would  be  a  good  idea  to  begin  by  getting  the  exterior  spruced  up.  and  what  better  way  to  prepare  than  to  figure  out  flower  arrangements? 

now,  they  hadn't  the  slightest  idea  what  to  do.  studying  the  empty  stone  pots,  frowning  deeply.  usually,  if  someone  was  to  see  rosie,  they  were  greeted  with  a  smile  and  a  pep  in  their  step.  not  right  now.  “i  hate  that  i'm  stuck  about  this.”  though  intending  to  speak  to  themself,  there  was  that  part  of  rosie  that  always  erred  towards  needing  to  socialise.  say  things  aloud,  have  them  heard  and  responded  to.  it  made  things  real.  the  storefront  was  currently  empty  of  books  —  that  was,  the  glass  display  immediately  to  their  left.  the  stacks  inside  the  store,  one  of  which  was  being  used  to  prop  the  door  open  to  allow  in  the  breeze,  tattled  as  to  just  how  much  work  they  had  to  do. 

“why  are  flowers  so  hard  to  figure  out?”  not  to  mention  they  wanted  to  do  decorations.  “i  really  want  this  place  to  scream  autumn  and  halloween  and  stuff,  but  not  be  too.  i  dunno.  one  thing  over  another.”  it  might  be  easier  if  there  were  others  working  in  the  store  that  day  —  but  it  was  just  them.

[ruby-babayan]

In Bardstown, a body talking to themselves would have meant it was time to cut them off. Now and here it usually meant Bluetooth earpiece. So, Ruby didn't immediately react to the one-sided conversation. She'd come looking for the next installment of the Ember Mercy series - long concluded but new to her. One look at the propped open door, the empty window display, and no additional conversation from the young woman, it painted a fairly clear picture.

"Well," Ruby drawled, eyeing the stone pots as she stepped into the conversation, "Autumn is pretty vibrant, which might be too lively for a Halloween aesthetic." Tipping her head back and forth, she considered for several beats. "Maybe a more de-saturated palette. Browns instead of orange, or cream instead of yellow?" It was a wild guess, but if nothing else it might eliminate some potentials for the proprietress.

[ruby-babayan]

TASK 003: character inspiration for Ruby Babayan

ann perkins / kitty foreman / carla espinosa / rebecca pearson / annie january / norma jennings

[elliot-appsley-deactivated20240]

Open ( @bhqextras ) The High Line

One thing Elliot had learned over the last few months since becoming a dad, was that he needed to make time for himself. That it was okay to still go out and do something that he loved to do, which for him, happened to be running. It had always been that one thing that seemed to ease and relax him. A way for the stress of a long day at work to roll off his shoulders or to just give himself time to breathe. Not have to be dad Elliot for a moment, which he loved, but still needed to remember who he was as well.

He always tried to switch up where he ran, through Central Park, along the harbor and today, he found himself jogging along the High Line. Taking in the spectacular views of the city, one where he still couldn't believe he had the honor to call his home for his entire life. Letting the warm sun kiss at his skin, glancing down at his watch to see how much further he needed to go for his run, timing himself every time he went on one. And was surprised to see that he had already surpassed the time, slowing down his speed until he was almost at a walk. Moving off to the side to give himself a moment, regulating his breathing as he looked around at the faces that passed.

[ruby-babayan]

All these years and Ruby still felt like a tourist half the time. Sure, she'd stopped looking up at the buildings, and she didn't stress about stops anymore, but she reckoned she'd never learn every last corner of the city. The food network tourist she'd been chatting with mentioned the High Line, high praise for the renovated rail line's garden and art, and Ruby was curious enough to have a peek.

Now she was regretting the lack of sunhat, even if Old Tree was a treat to see up close. All around her folk were debating the symbolism, the deeper meaning, the juxtaposition of... the color and the city and who knew what all. That creeping Unsophisticated Hick anxiety tickled up her legs, and Ruby set her jaw to carry on walking. The universe and its timing saw fit to point her right at a familiar face, grounding her right back where she should be.

Politely, Ruby caught his eye before curling her fingers in a wave. "Elliot, right?" Why folk ran for fun was beyond her, but life took all sorts. "The Final Girls Support Group, remember?" A book club recommendation that had turned out to be a delightful read, and a welcome addition to the shelves of books available at the cafe. They'd been seeking the same title that day, and it felt like a treat to meet him again after finishing the read.