[ Thankfully Ange does move to try and support as much of Ruby's weight as possible while the two of them walk - so the other girl mostly just has to actually move her feet, since the carrying part is a little beyond Ange. But she can support the other enough for the walk towards her bedroom to be possible.
Which isn't too far - also thankfully. And the moment they're there, Ange immediately helps the other girl to lay down on the bed, though it only makes Ruby's state even more obvious. The injuries, the dirt.
It makes so many things flash through Ange's head at once. What happened to the other girl to leave her like this? Does Ruby need food? A drink? Should she help clean the other girl up? Then again, she probably shouldn't leave her alone while she's in this state--
Ange sits down next to the bed, her hands moving to gently hold one of Ruby's hands between her own two, her eyes filled with worry as she looks at the other.
Her heart beats so quickly with worry, with adrenaline. Ange can feel her hands shake a little around Ruby's, even as she tries to uselessly still them. ]
What.. What do you need first, Ruby? I can grab you anything. Just let me know.
[Ruby ghosts alongside Ange toward the bed, she doesn't seem completely there at the time. Mind drifting and wandering as she fights through the pain and exhaustion to get her bearings. When she lays down on the bed it's the warmth of Ange's hands that catches her attention the most, the warmth and softness is something she can focus on.]
I... Uh-Yeah. A food would be great- If it's not too much trouble.
Of course it's not. [ Nothing would be too much trouble right now. Ange would flip backwards through a hoop if that would be what was needed to make the other feel even a bit better.
But she's still reluctant to leave the other's side. And it shows - in the way she sits there for another moment, hesitating, still holding onto the girl's hands before she slowly rises to her feet. ]
I'll be right back. Just wait a moment. You'll be alright if I leave you for a second, right?
[ Maybe she's being overly cautious, or paranoid, or both - but how else is she supposed to feel when someone so important to her is in this sort of state? It feels like Ruby may just vanish or perish if Ange takes her eyes off her. ]
[She let's out a little bit of a hum in response to that. Her hand lingers on Ange's for as long as it can before she pulls up to her feet.]
Not going anywhere, I promise.
[At least she didn't feel like she had the strength to. The last few days had been a blur but the more she remembered the more a chill went down her spin.
So she just let herself lay on the bed for now. Fighting to keep her eyes open while Ange was in the room. She didn't want it to look like she was going to fade.]
[ Ange does linger for a moment. It's so hard to even move away from Ruby's side for a moment here, but with the way the other is looking right now, Ange thinks Ruby really has to eat.
And she can't just let the other girl starve, just because Ange was too scared to leave her for a moment. So she quickly heads out of the room, looking around the kitchen to find something she can easily feed to Ruby in that state. It's not easy, especially since Ange is not a cooking master, and wouldn't even have time to cook right now even if she was good at it..
.. but thankfully she finds some leftover soup. Sure, it's not exactly hot anymore, but it's better than nothing.
Pouring it into a bowl and grabbing a spoon, Ange is quick to rush back to the bedroom, trying to move as quickly back to Ruby's side as she can. ]
[Ruby drifts a little in an out but she manages to open her eyes back up when Ange reenters the room.
She smiles a little at the sight of soup. that looked awfully easy to go back down right about now. She shifts on the bed and takes the spoon from Ange.]
Thanks, I mean it.
For everything.
[And don't mind her as she starts sipping away at it. There's a couple sputters but it seems to go down easy enough.]
[ She watches for a moment, just making sure that Ruby can actually eat it by herself and isn't just being a little too ambitious about this soup. But thankfully it does seem like the other girl can consume it without choking on it, so Ange will let her have at it herself.
It gives her some time to pick up the towel she grabbed along with her too, starting to use it to gently wipe some of the dirt off Ruby's face while the girl eats. It's done in silence at first, since Ange also isn't too sure if Ruby even has enough energy to talk and eat, but..
.. after a while it's hard to hold back her words, considering how worried Ange is. ]
[Ruby's more focused on the food when Ange starts to wipe at her face. Eating a little ravenously when she starts to feel some strength return to her, like she hadn't eaten in days.
That is until the question hits her like a rock and she suddenly stops and sits back. The memories of the last few days weren't clear, but the ones building up to them were. She takes a few breaths as tries to formulate the words to say.]
I-
Someone from my world showed up...
About the biggest trouble you could get.
She uh... Captured me- and Glitch he- he-
[He died but she can't find the words to say just yet.]
And then she did something to me- transformed me. It
[ Ange already captured that the gist of it was that something awful happened. Ruby wouldn't be looking or this or acting like this if it had just been something small - the girl is capable of trucking on through so much, after all.
Which is exactly why Ange has been so worried, why she's so fussy, even now the other girl is in front of her, alive. She's worried about what happened to Ruby, and how big it was, and what the lasting consequences could be.
She momentarily puts down the towel, instead covering one of Ruby's hands with her own. ]
I'm so sorry.
[ That it happened in the first place. That Ange couldn't do a thing to stop it, didn't even know what was happening until now. Sorry for so many things. ]
She can't find you here, right..? [ Because even if Ange can't prevent what already happened, she can prevent it from happening again. ]
[Ruby doesn't have a lot of excess strength at the moment but when she feels ha hand touch down on hers, it's almost instinctual how her hand turns to grab on and hold it back. Desperately seeking out those signs of warmth and comfort. She sucks in a breath as she eventually says.]
Not your fault- No one could have known...
[There's a pause as she thinks over that briefly.]
I-I don't think so- She doesn't have any of the Grimm from back home... She shouldn't be able to.
Still, Ange isn't so sure how good of an assessment Ruby can make in her current state, so she isn't sure how right that is. She sure is hoping she won't have to fend off any monsters trying to break in to protect Ruby - even though she will darn well try if it happens.
That thought is what makes her grip on Ruby's hand tighten just a bit. ]
Don't worry about it.
[ Even though she feels so worried herself, and so upset and hurt that this happened to Ruby.. Ange hardens her tone, making sure she sounds absolutely determined about this. Absolutely sure. ]
I won't let anything happen to you now, okay? [ Even though she already failed that. For days, for so long, having no idea what was happening to poor Ruby.. ] Now you're here with me.. I'll protect you. No matter what. I won't let that happen again.
[Ruby's hand tightens around Ange's with a hint of desperation before relaxing a few seconds later. It was relieving to be somewhere safe somewhere not in the belly of some beast or being held in Salem's basement. ...Deerington had put her through a lot- but this just took the cake. It was too close to home what had happened, something she knew that could happen but it was different to know then to experience it.
She looks to Ange and gives the faintest hint of a smile.]
Right... I'm uh- counting on you.
Kind of weird, being on the other end of this. Huh?
[ If this situation were any less serious, Ange definitely would have made one of her usual deadpan jokes. Some joke about how she's apparently not dependable enough to be more often on this side of it or something. About how Ruby is usually the knight on a white horse.
But Ange can't manage. It's too much to see Ruby like this. She can't joke in the face of it, not even to try and clear the air a little. ]
Weird or not, just rely on me. [ Ange gently moves the hand she's holding up, putting it against her cheek, so Ruby can feel the heat of her body. ]
Just eat here, and try to see if you can rest or sleep. I'll see if I can let your family know that you're alright now.
[Ruby had been expecting one of those jokes and there is a blink of surprise when it doesn't come. But... Honestly she couldn't blame Ange for being a bit more concerned, especially given the stake Ruby had arrived in.
She appreciates the touch and leans into it. It was so safe and warm compared to what she had been through the last few days, she could just soak it up for hours at this rate.]
[ Honestly, she does feel like she's the one relying on Ruby a bit more than the other way around - but it has nothing to do with the care they give each other. That is very much equal, Ange thinks. The difference lies more just in the fact that Ruby can fight very well, and Ange not so much yet.
But then again, this is Deerington. If anything about Ruby's arrival at her place today has taught her something, it's that being strong sometimes doesn't mean anything. ]
You know, if you're being so sweet, I could just come keep you company.
[ Come keep you company how, you say, considering they're already in the same room?
Of course she means she can come lay down in bed with Ruby. ]
[If Ruby had learned one thing throughout all her time here in Deerington, it's that her own strength and persistence could be used against her. Sheer strength was great against monsters but it didn't help much against the other horrors Deerington brought on.
And going against Salem of all people that didn't really mean much anyways. Someone who couldn't be killed and had years of magical experience torturing people. That paired up with Deerington's usual tricks didn't bode well for Ruby.
Still she couldn't help but smile with a bit more strength a Ange's suggestion. That sounded incredibly nice.]
[ It's as simple as that. Especially during a moment like this, when Ruby has been through so much. There's not a single wish Ange could deny the other.
So she moves to lie down next to the other, not even caring if Ruby has the majority of the bed here. She deserves it. ]
.. I'm so sorry you had to be alone the past few days, Ruby.
[ If only Ange had figured it out more quickly, then..
Well, she doesn't know what could have happened then. It's not like she could have done anything about Ruby's condition by herself.
But it still feels like she failed the other girl. ]
Thanks Ange... You're the best. You know that right?
[And it's a bit of effort but Ruby shifts to give Ange a bit more room before rolling over and cuddling up as close as she can to her. The last few days had been a lot and while she didn't remember every part of it, she knew she had caused her fair share of pain regardless of whether shew as at the wheel or not.]
It's not your fault- No one could have guessed things would get this bad.
[ Ange knows that Ruby is right. But it's also hard to not blame herself, even though she knows it would have been hard for her to do anything more.
It renders her quiet for a moment, but then she places a tiny and careful - since Ruby is still healing - kiss on the other's cheek.
At least Ruby isn't disappointed in her. Ange knows she just has to focus on that fact, and then make sure the other keeps feeling better, bit by bit. ]
And I'm not going anywhere now. They'll need to pry me away from you.
[Ange wasn't the only one blaming herself at the moment. Ruby can't help but wonder what might have happened if she had of made any number of different moves to prevent what had happened.
But she couldn't dwell on that. She had to keep moving forward and she didn't want the people she cared about to dwell on it either.
She feels the kiss on her cheek and there's a warmth there that she wasn't felt in days now. her cheek goes red hot as the blush forms and she smiles awkwardly at Ange, leaning in a little closer.]
And I know you've got a vice like grip from practice. They don't stand a chance.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Which isn't too far - also thankfully. And the moment they're there, Ange immediately helps the other girl to lay down on the bed, though it only makes Ruby's state even more obvious. The injuries, the dirt.
It makes so many things flash through Ange's head at once. What happened to the other girl to leave her like this? Does Ruby need food? A drink? Should she help clean the other girl up? Then again, she probably shouldn't leave her alone while she's in this state--
Ange sits down next to the bed, her hands moving to gently hold one of Ruby's hands between her own two, her eyes filled with worry as she looks at the other.
Her heart beats so quickly with worry, with adrenaline. Ange can feel her hands shake a little around Ruby's, even as she tries to uselessly still them. ]
What.. What do you need first, Ruby? I can grab you anything. Just let me know.
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I... Uh-Yeah. A food would be great- If it's not too much trouble.
no subject
But she's still reluctant to leave the other's side. And it shows - in the way she sits there for another moment, hesitating, still holding onto the girl's hands before she slowly rises to her feet. ]
I'll be right back. Just wait a moment. You'll be alright if I leave you for a second, right?
[ Maybe she's being overly cautious, or paranoid, or both - but how else is she supposed to feel when someone so important to her is in this sort of state? It feels like Ruby may just vanish or perish if Ange takes her eyes off her. ]
no subject
Not going anywhere, I promise.
[At least she didn't feel like she had the strength to. The last few days had been a blur but the more she remembered the more a chill went down her spin.
So she just let herself lay on the bed for now. Fighting to keep her eyes open while Ange was in the room. She didn't want it to look like she was going to fade.]
no subject
And she can't just let the other girl starve, just because Ange was too scared to leave her for a moment. So she quickly heads out of the room, looking around the kitchen to find something she can easily feed to Ruby in that state. It's not easy, especially since Ange is not a cooking master, and wouldn't even have time to cook right now even if she was good at it..
.. but thankfully she finds some leftover soup. Sure, it's not exactly hot anymore, but it's better than nothing.
Pouring it into a bowl and grabbing a spoon, Ange is quick to rush back to the bedroom, trying to move as quickly back to Ruby's side as she can. ]
.. I'm here. With.. um, with some soup.
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She smiles a little at the sight of soup. that looked awfully easy to go back down right about now. She shifts on the bed and takes the spoon from Ange.]
Thanks, I mean it.
For everything.
[And don't mind her as she starts sipping away at it. There's a couple sputters but it seems to go down easy enough.]
no subject
It gives her some time to pick up the towel she grabbed along with her too, starting to use it to gently wipe some of the dirt off Ruby's face while the girl eats. It's done in silence at first, since Ange also isn't too sure if Ruby even has enough energy to talk and eat, but..
.. after a while it's hard to hold back her words, considering how worried Ange is. ]
Do you want to tell me what happened..?
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That is until the question hits her like a rock and she suddenly stops and sits back. The memories of the last few days weren't clear, but the ones building up to them were. She takes a few breaths as tries to formulate the words to say.]
I-
Someone from my world showed up...
About the biggest trouble you could get.
She uh... Captured me- and Glitch he- he-
[He died but she can't find the words to say just yet.]
And then she did something to me- transformed me. It
It was awful- It was really awful.
no subject
Which is exactly why Ange has been so worried, why she's so fussy, even now the other girl is in front of her, alive. She's worried about what happened to Ruby, and how big it was, and what the lasting consequences could be.
She momentarily puts down the towel, instead covering one of Ruby's hands with her own. ]
I'm so sorry.
[ That it happened in the first place. That Ange couldn't do a thing to stop it, didn't even know what was happening until now. Sorry for so many things. ]
She can't find you here, right..? [ Because even if Ange can't prevent what already happened, she can prevent it from happening again. ]
This is also crusty.
Not your fault- No one could have known...
[There's a pause as she thinks over that briefly.]
I-I don't think so- She doesn't have any of the Grimm from back home... She shouldn't be able to.
hmmm, chew on that delicious crust
Still, Ange isn't so sure how good of an assessment Ruby can make in her current state, so she isn't sure how right that is. She sure is hoping she won't have to fend off any monsters trying to break in to protect Ruby - even though she will darn well try if it happens.
That thought is what makes her grip on Ruby's hand tighten just a bit. ]
Don't worry about it.
[ Even though she feels so worried herself, and so upset and hurt that this happened to Ruby.. Ange hardens her tone, making sure she sounds absolutely determined about this. Absolutely sure. ]
I won't let anything happen to you now, okay? [ Even though she already failed that. For days, for so long, having no idea what was happening to poor Ruby.. ] Now you're here with me.. I'll protect you. No matter what. I won't let that happen again.
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She looks to Ange and gives the faintest hint of a smile.]
Right... I'm uh- counting on you.
Kind of weird, being on the other end of this. Huh?
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But Ange can't manage. It's too much to see Ruby like this. She can't joke in the face of it, not even to try and clear the air a little. ]
Weird or not, just rely on me. [ Ange gently moves the hand she's holding up, putting it against her cheek, so Ruby can feel the heat of her body. ]
Just eat here, and try to see if you can rest or sleep. I'll see if I can let your family know that you're alright now.
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She appreciates the touch and leans into it. It was so safe and warm compared to what she had been through the last few days, she could just soak it up for hours at this rate.]
Maybe I'll do both...
But you know I rely on you already, right?
Way more than I really say.
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[ Honestly, she does feel like she's the one relying on Ruby a bit more than the other way around - but it has nothing to do with the care they give each other. That is very much equal, Ange thinks. The difference lies more just in the fact that Ruby can fight very well, and Ange not so much yet.
But then again, this is Deerington. If anything about Ruby's arrival at her place today has taught her something, it's that being strong sometimes doesn't mean anything. ]
You know, if you're being so sweet, I could just come keep you company.
[ Come keep you company how, you say, considering they're already in the same room?
Of course she means she can come lay down in bed with Ruby. ]
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And going against Salem of all people that didn't really mean much anyways. Someone who couldn't be killed and had years of magical experience torturing people. That paired up with Deerington's usual tricks didn't bode well for Ruby.
Still she couldn't help but smile with a bit more strength a Ange's suggestion. That sounded incredibly nice.]
...I'd like that a lot.
I'd just rather not be alone right now, you know?
no subject
[ It's as simple as that. Especially during a moment like this, when Ruby has been through so much. There's not a single wish Ange could deny the other.
So she moves to lie down next to the other, not even caring if Ruby has the majority of the bed here. She deserves it. ]
.. I'm so sorry you had to be alone the past few days, Ruby.
[ If only Ange had figured it out more quickly, then..
Well, she doesn't know what could have happened then. It's not like she could have done anything about Ruby's condition by herself.
But it still feels like she failed the other girl. ]
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[And it's a bit of effort but Ruby shifts to give Ange a bit more room before rolling over and cuddling up as close as she can to her. The last few days had been a lot and while she didn't remember every part of it, she knew she had caused her fair share of pain regardless of whether shew as at the wheel or not.]
It's not your fault- No one could have guessed things would get this bad.
You were here when it counted...
no subject
It renders her quiet for a moment, but then she places a tiny and careful - since Ruby is still healing - kiss on the other's cheek.
At least Ruby isn't disappointed in her. Ange knows she just has to focus on that fact, and then make sure the other keeps feeling better, bit by bit. ]
And I'm not going anywhere now. They'll need to pry me away from you.
no subject
But she couldn't dwell on that. She had to keep moving forward and she didn't want the people she cared about to dwell on it either.
She feels the kiss on her cheek and there's a warmth there that she wasn't felt in days now. her cheek goes red hot as the blush forms and she smiles awkwardly at Ange, leaning in a little closer.]
And I know you've got a vice like grip from practice. They don't stand a chance.