Vade Retro Satana [Ruby]

[Dorian Gray]

Dorian had taken the liberty of deciding what he and Ruby were going to do today, and knew that she wouldn't mind it. He had risen before her to dress and take tea. He stayed waiting for her in the parlor, where he was smoking and playing the piano after he'd had his morning brew; several of Chopin's nocturnes crossed his fingers after a rendition of a Beethoven waltz. He waited patiently, fingers grazing the keys, until a familiar footfall sounded behind him. He stood, taking up his cigar with him, and bowed to the woman to entered the room; his lovely and dear bride.

"Good morning, sweetheart. Glad to see you dressed and ready." He smiled and embraced her, placing a gentle kiss on her cheek. He knew she still had no idea what he had planned, and he wasn't going to tell her yet. He called to Victor to ready their horses, looking mischievously upon Ruby and dismissing any of her questions with a grin. He returned to the piano to play one of her favorite songs and when the horses were ready he escorted her outside and helped her mount, saying, "It's a lovely day, yes?"

He bid her follow him and they rode at a steady trot for several silent minutes, and when they had neared the main city of Aledon, which she knew well herself, he began to speed the pace.

They left the horses at the city gates and Dorian offered her his arm, trying always to play the gentleman when in polite society. "We are going," he mused, playing and drawing it out until he knew she was getting annoyed, "to market today. To see what great goods merchants have brought." This was something they never did together, and a bit of lightheartedness never hurt. He was always willing, in the right spirits, to please her, and today he was feeling less bound from his dreadful curse.

[Ruby Gray]

She had not been sleeping well. Guilt and darkness shrouded her and she spent much of her nights tracing patterns on the windows, the wolf wounding her as the terrible thing let its memories filter through her in cracks. Dorian's body sailing through the air and cracking against the wall, talons leaving wounds into soft and delicate flesh, the cruel taunts and snarls the beast had issued, the suppressed fear followed by the haughty arrogance, the only defense he had had. She gazed at her fingers and she could still see his blood smeared upon their surface. Her bottom lip trembled and not for the first time she bit back her tears. Damn that monstrosity, damn her straight to hell.

The night prior she had fallen into a restless slumber, the creatures hatred and cynicism, plaguing her dreams of doing far more than just wounding him. The beast delighted in her pain, always had, but this... this was killing her, she wasn't sure how much more her poor heart could take. The poor organ never seemed to stop bleeding. She arose silently, to a melody cast by Dorian's fingers from downstairs. Fitfull and still tired she trudged to his bathroom, smearing a touch of make-up along the slight discoloration below her eyes. She needed to look youthful, well-kept and presented. Her demeanor had not been the same since that night, so afraid she was that she would hurt him. Dressing as a Duchess, as society's standards demanded of her and her still new status, she inhaled sharply before leaving to find her Duke.

It wasn't hard as she slipped behind him, patiently waiting for him to finish. Restraint seemed to be her new mantra. When he turned to see her, he bowed and she returned the favor, a soft curtsey in his direction as he approached her. A gentle smile curled her mouth. "Good morning Dorian, you look impeccable as always." Even as she spoke, she moved to smooth the lapels of his jacket, the warmth of his body still reminding her of the wounds she had caused just shy of her fingers were now. "It tis a lovely day." She answered mildly distracted by his proximity, but all too swiftly they were riding, Crescendo's familiar gait beneath her. Silence stretched between them and she played her role to perfection. The gorgeous and unobtainable Duchess by anyone that wasn't her husband of course. The very picture of decorum.

He teased her relentlessly, never speaking what ideas were swirling within his head and while she felt both excitement and anticipation bubble within the confines of her belly, she let neither show. She only offered him a small, coy smile whenever his gaze drifted too her. Once they had dismounted she accepted his arm with a soft word of thanks and fell her annoyance grow as he prolonged her ignorance. When finally he spoke to her, she blanked. Eyes glittering with surprise, completely caught off guard by such a gentle afternoon to occupy their time. "The market? Just the market? What has brought on such an activity of innocence?" The small smile that showed her pleasure, was far too innocent for someone like her. Guilt, though she may feel, never had she been able to resist teasing him.

[Dorian Gray]

Dorian could not console the things she felt; he healed within hours as always he did because nothing had been too profound. Superficial wounds did not trouble him because they would morph back into alabaster skin in no time, transferring themselves to his other, more tormented half. Lately, just because he'd been working on it and had stayed by Ruby even in her worry, he had been able to keep the less corrupted side of himself out more often. Of course, the painting still had its fair share and often caused him turmoil, but in the past days he had been able to keep it more or less at bay.

He had left her alone to sleep though he knew what plans he'd made for today and took his time readying himself, leisurely playing his piano, having a cup of tea and a cigar in her absence. Pleasure was becoming less and less his motivation and he was glad for it. He knew that this wouldn't be a normal thing, but he would be able to cherish it just for now. As he played, she came up behind him and he smiled, finishing the song with a flourish and meeting her. He smiled at her words, replying gently, "Is there a day you do not say that?" And soon enough they were mounted and off on the road to what adventures this day was going to hold. He could not wait to show her that he understood from time to time how to be a proper husband, that he wasn't just a prick at all times.

Of course, he still offered himself license to tease her as he pleased, but that was something he would always do. With a half-smile, he said, "Pardon your wait, sweetheart. So much more fun to keep secrets, even for half an hour."

She held fast to him and they began to make their way closer to the market. Her question, seemingly intrigued with that ever-present air of seduction, delighted him and he answered nonchalantly, "Yes, dear. Just the market. You don't object, I hope?" He didn't care if she did or not. This was going to be a good day and she rarely chose not to go somewhere with him. Why should this be any different? They went along, and he finally admitted, "I did hope that you wouldn't be averse to my buying you things while we were here. Your choice. MY purse has no end." He winked at her.

[Ruby Gray]

She had watched him play, silently observing for a few minutes as he played his piano, cigar smoke swirling in the air. It was an unconscious habit, but one she enjoyed quite thoroughly, especially when he got to be her object of study. She watched the play of his muscles through the thick layers of cloth, she watched those talented fingers stroke the keys to make them sing. His skill far superseded her own, it was treat to hear him play. Her comment left a small smile tainting his mouth and she shook her head. "I know only truth light of life. Beauty becomes you, it's merely a question of why you choose a beast." It was no stab at herself, the smirk that tilted the edge of her mouth and the twinkling gleam of her eye spoke of her mirth.

Too quickly they were away, off to wherever Dorian wished to whisk her. She rolled her eyes at his playful banter, the teasing in his voice, making soft laughter fall from her lips all the same. She could remember now why she had fallen for him in the first place.

Gliding against him, they made a gorgeous pair. Her youth and her demon, granted her an exotic beauty and the husband upon her arm had a grace an air about him that drew attention just as fiercely. Stares were expected and ignored, at least by her, she was here for him and everyone else could damn well find their own Duke. "Object? When have I ever denied the pleasure of your company? Tis like you don't know me at all." She was relaxed as she walked beside him, eyes taking in the scene around them but her true attention never leaving Dorian's. She was tuned to him almost habitually.

For the second time in just a few short moments he surprised her with his selfless offer, it took a great deal of effort to keep her face schooled into the decorum that was demanded of her. "Whatever do you intend to buy me? I assure you I want for nothing save your company. I am more than content with only you at my side. Trinkets, as gorgeous as they may be, hold nothing to your presence." It was an entirely truthful confession, and something he already knew more than likely.

[Dorian Gray]

Dorian could sometimes be lost in the music. There were times when it felt like an extension of his soul, but without all the tarnished brushstrokes that the damned painting had. He was an artist in his own right on occasion, and sometimes Dorian wished he could trade his years for something else, something better. But there was no promise of Heaven for him anymore, and the closest he had was here in Aledon, in the form of his wife. Her words brought a smile to his lips and he answered gently, brushing back a lock of her dark hair, "Not half so beautiful as you, m'dear." He smiled and they were on their way.

The stares that always followed them had never left, and they were still present now. Dorian was careful to keep Ruby close by him, to proclaim to all of those who denied his fidelity that he could still be a good man. Even in this new world that was not London, he had already angered so many people. Thankfully for him, Ruby's anger had never been permanent. He was grateful for her, and in his current state of peace, though it may well be gone by the evening, he could have asked for little more. He smiled for her, saying, "I know you better than any man has ever known you; do not be ridiculous. It doesn't sit well with this polite company." He indicated all those around them with a sarcastic laugh. "I for one would never deny you such pleasure." He grinned with his prominent cheeks and led her onward. She was so at ease now, and it did his heart good.

And she looked so surprised. What, that he would offer to buy her things? It wasn't as though he had not the coin, and his usual self was not wont to treat her so well. If not simply for spending time with her, he felt he had to make up for himself. His demon was so rarely a good thing to have. "Aye," he said roguishly, his mind melting into that state of prolonged bliss but still calm. "But money can buy those thing that make you a more agreeable... lover." He knew his smirk was not lost on her. Innocently, he added, "And of course, I thought you may still wish for new things."

[Ruby Gray]

The dress up and the perfection they had to falsify was not something she had ever enjoyed. In such a public setting it was deemed that society's standards were proper, pristine, gentleman and ladies and never before had those titles suited her. Compared to what society deemed standard, she was little more than a feral child. However... if it was Dorian that she needed with her, if it was Dorian whose arm was linked so gently with her own... she found she did not much too terribly mind all of the properness. Playing a duchess with her gorgeous duke was not so terribly bad. His compliment, however simple, made her smile and to show her appreciation she turned her head to press a kiss to his clothed soldier. "Flatterer." The accusation came softly, just loud enough for him to hear.

The stares were unrelenting and if they weren't fixated on her, they were fixated on him. They did make quite a stunning pair and even if her humble background as a bar wench interfered with ones perspective of her, they didn't show it, either too afraid of her own rumored strength or Dorian's political reach. She wondered if they seemed a bit untouchable to a common eye. She hummed softly at his smooth words, a coy smile tilting the edge of her lips. "It tis my job to be ridiculous, how else well I know that you pay attention? Somebody must keep you on your toes." She teased him, as always. bit of melancholy drifted over her and gently she raised their linked arms to her mouth, leaving the barest of kisses upon his knuckles before lowering his hand once more. "I will miss you when I'm gone I think."

Her soft words and mild sadness evaporated quickly at his wicked words and her mouth curved into a sly grin, gentle laughter coloring the air. She lowered her voice entirely, not wishing for her words to reach stray ears. "More agreeable in what manner on top or on bottom?" His wicked smirk had not been lost on her and her own amusement danced in mirth behind emerald eyes. "Physical things... I know not what I want but perhaps..." She paused a moment here, eyes blinking a moment. "My sweet Adonis! I almost forgot, tomorrow is a full moon! I have something still to show you. Do you have any previous engagements or are you mine on the morrow?"