Old Friends Reuniting [Ruby]

[belle]

Emerging out of the inn she was staying in Belle decided to get some air. A sigh escaped her as she scanned the crowed that was out and about. Belle didn't say a word she simply nodded her head and waved at a few that had been kind to her all this time. Belle was alone here or so she thought at least. No familiar faces had come out yet that was to be seen.

Where were her friends? She was hoping they were brought along here in this new land. Her eyes still scanned the area though. Whilst she walked along the road she was lost in her own little world. Though she should have been paying attention when she walked right into someone.

A light scream came from Belle and she backed up suddenly. Fixating her eyes upon a young woman she helped her up. "Oh! I'm so sorry, I didn't see you I was not paying attention upon where i was going and...." she paused and stared upon the woman. "Forgive me for staring but...you resemble so much like my friend Ruby...." she said staring at her. Blinking a few times. "Unless...." she looked upon her and narrowed her eyes a bit. Just in curiosity not in anger she wanted to know who this person was.

[Ruby Gray]

Ruby was a Duchess now, which meant she was expected, on occasion, to make appearances throughout Aledon. In a gown that she detested and her hair pulled in perfect ringlets, she acted the part of a noble to perfection. She had been doing this for years beneath the care and hand of Snow and it came to her with ease. Polite, falsely interested in petty affairs, she made a good reputation for herself and for her soon-to-be-husband. She didn't enjoy these get ups, but they were necessary. She just wished her beloved was here to endure such torture with her. At least he would lean down and whisper dirty promises, or tell her atrocious things about the other nobles. She sighed softly to herself, but was suddenly crashed into. Not accustomed to wearing heels, she tumbled backwards, off her balance and glanced up at whom had crashed into her, her eyes widening at the familiar face.

Before she could say a word, Belle spoke, in that strange accent she was known for. Ruby grabbed Belle's hand as it was offered and rose to her feet, dusting the dirt off the dress, her smile ever growing and finally when the brunette finished speaking, Ruby leaned forward, a coy smile painted upon her lips. "I know it's been awhile since we have last seen each other Belle, but I didn't think you would forget what I looked like!" Red laughed animatedly, eyes sparkling with delight as she looked over the woman.

She looked a bit worse for wear. Tired, run down, a touch exhausted... Ruby wondered how long she had been here and why Rumple wasn't taking better care of her. Ah well, such worries were for later. She smiled gently. "How have you been my friend?"

[belle]

There were times when she had wished to run into familiar faces. Studying Ruby she said nothing for a moment. She had different clothing and she looked very different here as well. Belle frowned and she looked at her some more. A small smile then appeared upon her face knowing that she was the same woman she grown to love as a friend. Remaining silent she said nothing and she spoke then went silent again.

Giving a light sly smile she said nothing for a moment. "It has been awhile since I saw you like you said.." she said in a small voice. Belle sighed and she looked down then she looked back at her again. "You're different here. But you look good nonetheless" she said nodding her head. A light laugh escaped Belle and she looked around then back at Ruby.

"Could be better..." she said in a soft voice. "At least your here, that's all I need right now" she explained. Belle looked down and she closed her eyes and inhaled for a moment. Then she opened them again. "How long have you been here Ruby?" she asked tilting her head and saying nothing else at this point.

[Ruby Gray]

Ruby studied Belle carefully the woman seemed lost, dazed, confused and she almost pitied the poor child, it seemed no matter what world the brunette fell into she was lost amidst a turbulent storm of chaos... poor child. Red had felt that way forever, afraid of the monster that lingered within the depths of her soul. Afraid of the beast that plagued her thoughts and her body. Such a monstrosity, she had eaten her last lover. She winced slightly as the memories returned but she shook them off. She hadn't known, she hadn't had control. She had her fine control, she had made a deal with Rumple. She knew now. She could shift at will. Luna, no longer held her sway.

Ruby laughed lightly at the woman's words, emerald eyes gleaming with barely there excitement. " I should hope I appear different! A great deal has changed in my life! For starters I'm no longer a waitress, I'm a Duchess now." her excitement she could barely keep contained, she wondered how Belle would react to such news when she showed her and after a moments more hesitation (because Ruby could never contain herself) She offered her left hand. A glittering ring with several rubies encrusted around a diamond lay upon her finger. "I'm engaged Belle!" She giggled happily, thoughts drifting to her beloved Dorian.

"I have been here for far too long, a good year? Perhaps more?" She smiled gently at Belle, embracing her suddenly, not liking the look of melancholy that painted itself across her face. "I will always be here for you Belle! Should you ever need me! I love in Dorian's Gray's manor, it's a massive mansion, you cannot miss it! I will tell Victor you are allowed anytime you wish, but enough of me, tell me about yourself! Where have you been all this time?"

[belle]

At least this was finally a familiar face Belle had known for long periods of time. Even though they were only friends within Storybrooke Maine, and not in the Enchanted Forest. Belle managed to smile a little and she looked upon her friend for sometime. "I'm so happy to see you here Ruby, you have no idea. Your actually the first person I found here..." she said in a small voice giving a light laugh. Belle brushed away some hair from her face and looked upon her friend. The only friend she could ever have here really. She had more but they haven't arrived yet.

Making a sly face she looked upon her and giggled. "You look wonderful nonetheless Ruby" she said smiling a bit. Then her eyes widened. "Y-your a duchess now?" she asked softly. Belle had read about those when she had her library and would get lost in time with them. Smiling she saw the ring on her finger and literally wrapped her arms around her friend. "I'm so happy for you Ruby.." she said pulling back and looking at the ring for a moment. "May I?" she asked looking at her for a moment. To ask permission before she took her hand to study it more closer. "And who is the lucky man?" she asked eyeing her friend playfully.

Belle pulled away and chuckled softly. "I just arrived here a few days ago..." she said softly looking upon her. "Last thing I remember, was standing by the well with Rumple" she said sighing. "Hopefully he'll be coming soon, I'm worried about him" she said leaving her eyes from Ruby to around the little town and she looked about her surroundings then back at her. "Well, I'd love to come visit. Though I think I'd be doing that after I find Rumple" she said laughing lightly. "You look great as I said..." she told her as she smiled a bit to her. "Oh, Me?" she asked suddenly blinking. "Here...and there. I'm in the little inn they hold here for sometime...its a strange town isn't it..bigger than Storybrooke and such" she said looking around then back at her. "I missed you though.." she told her.

[Ruby Gray]

Ruby smiled endlessly at the dear woman before her. The brunette with the calming smile and the gentle eyes. She didn't mind that Belle was soaking her in like a sponge to water, it had been a long time since Ruby had chanced upon any of her old friends and the woman before her was a welcome change, especially since she had recently repaid her debt to Rumple, but hopefully, the woman would never know of that dark little secret, she didn't need to hear of darkness and malice, the poor brunette had experienced enough evil in her lifetime and unlike Ruby... she hadn't the demon to deal with such nuisances. "The first? You haven't been here long than I take it? Ah well! Who cares! You are here and I am ecstatic to see you!" Unable to control herself, Red lunged forward, embracing the brunette tightly once more.

Red would laugh at the look of disbelief that would drift across Belle's face. her laughter pealing into the air genuine and soft. Humor would brush through emerald greens and Ruby grinned widely, biting her bottom lip in an effort to silence herself. "Not quite! I will be though! For now we are merely engaged, you are, of course, going to be one of my bridesmaids yes?" Ruby babbled excitedly. "You don't have to ask silly!" Red offered her the hand with the rather glorious ring and allowed the woman to examine it more closely. A gentle smile tore across her face as she smiled at the thought of her beloved's name. "Dorian... Dorian Gray." She purred the name lovingly, obviously enamored by the gent it belonged too.

"Perhaps I could take you around? Show you the city? Help you get acquainted with some of the inhabitants?" Ruby tilted her head to the side, a smile lighting her face as she grew more anxious with her excitement. "Oh Belle! I'm sure you will find Rumple! And come! It will be fun! I have this lovely stallion, Crescendo! He's more than capable of carrying around just the two of us!"

[belle]

As Ruby spoke to her, Belle looked upon her friend. "Oh, no I 've not been here long. Its been just two days really. Nothing big" she explained moments later. Giving her a small smile upon her face. Belle said nothing else and she listend to her speak. Giggling she looked at her. Her eyes closed feeling Ruby's arms go around her and she hugged her friend back. Ruby was really the only friend that Belle had back in Storybrooke. Pulling away she looked up at her.

"I am sure you will make a fine duchess.." she said smiling. "I can't believe I'm friends with a soon to be duchess" she told her underneath her breath giving a light laugh. Belle looked up at her and she smiled. "Of course!" she said softly. "Why wouldn't I?" she asked quirking a brow playfully. Then she took her hand and she grinned. "Its beautiful. I'm so happy for you Ruby, I really am" she said softly. Hearing upon her fiance's name she smiled and said nothing for a moment. "Dorian. I can't wait to meet him" she explained. Then she hugged her again. "Oh, Ruby. This is so exciting! Have you planned at all?" she asked pulling back this time lacing her fingers within Ruby's and looked at her friend happily.

Belle looked at her again as she spoke to her. "Oh, that would be great Ruby thank you. I haven't had time much to get around. I've only seen bits and pieces so far. I think it would be a great fun to be exploring the new place with a familiar face" she explained lightly nudging her. "Crescendo" she repeated. "Is he your horse?" she asked moments later. "I think that would be even a more brilliant way of exploring the town on horseback!" she said grinning more. "Where do we begin? Bring me to him!" she said giving a light laugh.

[Ruby Gray]

Ruby would tilt her head to the side, smiling adorably as Belle mentioned she had only been here a few days, she was glad the young brunette had not been left to wander this world alone for long. Ruby had the wolf side of her, complete with inhuman strength, speed, and stamina. She had protection should a situation turn hostile. Belle was hardly trained in the art of war, at least to Red's knowledge, and she was fairly certain her young friend had far too kind a heart to truly get involved in any such violence. She shook off her thoughts, there would be time for such analysis later, for now, she had a dear friend to attend too.

Ruby rolled her eyes playfully at Belle's exuberance, a gentle blush dusting across her cheekbones at her dear friends excitement. She shook her head slightly, disengaging a few loose curls from the tie they had once been pulled up in. She offered her a sultry smile full of mischief. "Oh! Duchess is no more than a fancy title! Im still the same Ruby! And you are still dear to my heart!" She giggled softly to herself. A grin painted upon her visage. "Dorian is quite the character! We will have to arrange for it soon and I have hardly started planning at all! Im a bit helpless with these kinds of things!" Ruby babbled helplessly, scratching the back of her head.

"Wonderful! Come! Crescendo was a lovely gift! A ran into some trouble with some ogres they... snapped me in half. One of the farmers who helped rehabilitate me had been plagued by the ogres I dispatched. Crescendo was his most prized horse, a gift for saving his village. Is there any particular sight you are hoping to see?" Red laced her fingers with Belle's her arms swinging animatedly, grin wide as they set off towards Dorian's stables.

[belle]

The young princess stared upon her friend for sometime. Belle said nothing else as her friend smiled at her. Ruby was one of the first friends she came in contact with both in Storybrooke and now here in this odd place she now called home. Belle looked at him and she said nothing for sometime. All she could do was stand there and listen to her words. Belle though hoped Rumplestiltskin would be around here soon, she missed him terribly. But at least there was a familiar face here that's all she needed was someone she knew from another land.

Belle looked at her and she laughed. "Please, I've read about dutches and other lands and I think you'd make a wonderful one! No doubt a wife" she said nudging her friends arm and she looked upon her with a teasing grin. She always loved teasing her friend and she giggled and she brushed away a stray hair from her face. Soon she felt her arm go through hers. "Well I'm just glad to see you here Ruby, I was so afraid I'd be alone..." she muttered. "I can't wait to meet him!" she said giggling. " He sounds like a fabulous person Ruby, I'm so happy for you" she told her. "I know I've said that already but its true, I am happy for you Ruby.." she said looking up at her friend.

As Ruby spoke about Crescendo, she smiled. "Ogres here ?" she asked with a worried look. Her eyes suddenly widened upon hearing what the ogres had done to her best friend. "Ruby! The hell! I wish I was here sooner to help you.. I know how to deal with those things!" she told her with her worried look. "Well, not exactly." she said rolling her eyes. "But I should have been there to help you!" she said looking at her. Feeling her fingers on her arms she said nothing but suddenly smiled as they walked towards the stables. "I do hope that Crescendo likes me, he seems to be fond of you Ruby and Dorian" she said underneath her breath placing one hand upon her friends arm and giggled. "Oh, I can't wait to be on the horse, and to explore this city with you Ruby, I'm just too excited" she said grinning up at her as they walked.