Fresh off the Boat

[Lynesse {Celia/Jazzy} 398]

Ruby Bramble was born in Alras to two halflings. Her father and mother commonly acted as advisers for King Ailsin. Her mother and father were kind people, very kind. They always thought of other people ahead of themselves.

Ruby's family was rich and her parents were kind. However, because of the important work that her parents did she never saw them too often. Her best friend was her butler, Charles. Ruby often though of Charles as her own father. Charles made food for Ruby, taught Ruby, read stories to Ruby, everything void in her life was filled by Charles the kind butler. She was living the dream.

Then the dwarfish conquest of Alras began. Her father was a smart man, very sharp with the head. He saw the inevitable coming. Ruby was still only eleven years old. He quickly prepared instructions for Charles to escort Ruby to the vale. You see, Charles too was a dwarf. However Charles picked duty over his race and proceeded to bring Ruby to the place where her parents were born. In the middle of the night when Ruby was sleeping, Charles picked her up and quietly brought her out of the city.

Ruby woke up, confused. Why was she not at home? This didn't feel like her bed. Her eyes fluttered open. She was on a carriage with Charles, the same weak smile upon his face. Charles explained everything. Ruby was a smart girl, she understood. She was sad but at least she had Charles.

The carriage halted and Charles freezed up. The dwarves found him. He was a deserter. All dwarves were supposed to report back to populate Mount.Ire but he decided to stay with the Bramble family. He had been approached before. Charles killed his own kin to remain with the Brambles. How ironic how fate would bite him back. Charles noticed the impending attack too late. He only had to time mouth the word "run" to Ruby before a crossbow bolt pierced his chest.

Ruby blinked and tears ran down her eyes, running. She remembered the place where she was supposed to go. They called it the vale. Charles always told her to be strong, it was time for Ruby to meet those expectations. For Charles.

[[ Hi everyone! ]]

[Pum! 106]

Midney is exploring The Vale, half searching for Ginny, half searching for Poppy, when she hears loud footsteps, like someone is running nearby. She goes near the noise, thinking it might be one of the two she is searching for. Instead, she finds a girl about her age. She brightens up, smiling.

"'Lo! 'ave you seen Ginny or Poppy?" She asks, thinking that everyone knows them.

[Bawd 222]

Fredbert approaches the arrival and burps. Alcohol can be smelled on his breath as he turns and walks away without saying a word.

[Lynesse {Celia/Jazzy} 398]

Ruby was just dipping her feet in the water when she hears a voice from behind. Frightened and paranoid, she scutters off behind a halfling hole, shy.

[Pum! 106]

Midney wonders why she ran and follows her, thinking it's a game. She giggles a little, she likes to play games.

[Wheatley 24]

Reggie watches the young woman scurry away. He pulls his hat down lower over his eyes and turns back around in his raft, dipping his fishing rod back into the water.

[Lynesse {Celia/Jazzy} 398]

Midney wonders why she ran and follows her, thinking it's a game. She giggles a little, she likes to play games.

"S-sorry. Y-you scared m-me. Y-you're not g-going to hurt m-me right?" she asks to the girl.

[Pum! 106]

Midney shakes her head.

"Nope! I wouldn't 'urt you!"

She starts to giggle a bit.

"I guess I can sto' looking' few Ginny an' Poppy. Do you wan't te' look aroun' t'is place? I jus' got here, an' I haven't seen much of i'."

Midney tugs on Ruby's hand.

"C'mon! An' if yer wondering', my name's Midney!"

[Lynesse {Celia/Jazzy} 398]

Ruby begins to get scared as the girl takes her hand.

"W-where are you t-taking me?" she asks worriedly.

[Pum! 106]

Midney giggles at this, wondering why she's so scared.

"We're gonna go git t'at shiny t'at Ginny dropped in te' water!"

She starts to lead her to the Tookwater River, were Ginny had once dropped a mina into the water.

[Lynesse {Celia/Jazzy} 398]

Ruby looks at the girl worried.

"W-why are you b-being so nice to m-me?"

[Pum! 106]

Midney giggles some more.

"Because! I'm everyone's frien'! I wanna fin' te' shiny Ginny dropped in te' water!"

She tugs some more on Ruby's hand.

"You still 'aven't sai' yer name!"

[Lynesse {Celia/Jazzy} 398]

Slowly Ruby begins to lighten up. This girl seemed like no real threat to her.

"S-sorry' she says gathering her voice and losing the nervous studder. 'My name is Ruby." she says, a faint smile appearing on her weak lips.

Ruby opens her napsack and looks to Midney. "Want to see something cool?" Ruby asks asks as she shows Midney a bag filled to the top with minas. Curious how such a little girl would be holding onto over 20000 minas in her backpack.

[Beneh 227]

Lobo walks out with his cane , seeing the new arrival he waddles over and waves his cane around happily

" Cor' , anotha' new arrival ! A young'un , 'eh ? Where's yer' parents , little one ? "

[Lynesse {Celia/Jazzy} 398]

Ruby glances to Lobo, a sad yet serious expression on her face.

"Dead."