#wnruby

[charlieabyrford-blog]

Charlie wandered through the Whorehouse, looking for all the world like a lost puppy.  He fiddled with the collar he’d just been given, already feeling self-conscious with the weight of it against his neck reminding him that he wasn’t a free man any longer.  No, he belonged to the Whorehouse now, and was to be tried as a fighter in the Ring.  Or as a whore.  He wasn’t sure which one he preferred over the other yet.

In all his blind wanderings, having been told to just “go find someone to show you the ropes”, Charlie had gotten himself turned around and confused.  So confused, in fact, that he tried to change direction too fast and ended up running headfirst into a smaller person.  “Oh, I’m- I’m so sorry!” he said, eyes widening as he reached for the other person to try and keep them from falling.  “I didn’t see you, I’m sorry-”

[kingaric-ofnore-blog]

Aric’s busy day was, thank the Gods, drawing to a close. He’d suffered through meeting after meeting and though he was supposed to meet Eira in the nursery, all he wanted was a bit of rest. He should be spending every spare moment he could find with baby Theo, but seeing his youngest son now would only tire him all the more. His strength and his will would be better with a bit of rest before he tried to spend time with his family.

He had removed his cloak and placed it over the chair where he typically left it when they slept, stretching his arms as his eyelids drooped over his eyes. This nap was well-deserved; perhaps he wouldn’t wake from it before nightfall. Perhaps he wouldn’t wake from it at all. He turned and stared into the fire when he heard a noise behind him and saw the door pushing open. He assumed it was Eira and he smiled before he set eyes on Ruby. Startled, he took a step towards the door. “Ruby?” he asked, as if he were unsure of her presence. “What are you doing here?”

[brighticeprincess]

Entertaining at the Palace ~ Ruby and Astrid

A place for everything and everything in its place, just so. Astrid liked to receive any visitors she might have in this little parlour room, and she had instructed the servants to have a fire lit and be ready to serve tea at the hour she had agreed upon with Ruby. One of the young girls had been tasked with waiting and keeping an eye out for Nore's most recognisable whore. Now Astrid waited to receive her guest in the little, relatively simple but comfortable chamber.

On reflection Astrid would concede that many would think it an odd impulse. She could not deny that she was curious about the woman whose life no doubt differed from her own so drastically. And it certainly helped that she appeared to be one of the few people who managed to talk to her like a normal person and not some fragile doll or temperamental force. Being treated like a princess - while admittedly quite useful on occasion - rather forced one to act like a princess, which chafed every now and then. Not to mention how uncomfortable it was when people so obviously wanted her to go away so that they might continue with their business.

She wished she had her father's knack of warmth, to put people at their ease and have some kind of enjoyable interaction despite the looming spectre of royalty Astrid apparently trailed behind her. 

Plus, the lady had a sense of humour.

Astrid had been rather looking forward to this visit, and while she read her book to pass the time before the woman's arrival she glanced up at every footfall as it passed the door.