"So what they're telling me is all I'm good at is being Sheriff? I'm the god damned Savior, for fuck's sake!" Emma slammed her fist against the table, nearly knocking over Ruby's drink. "You'd think I'd be asked to sit on the Council at least. I am their daughter, right? Or is it because I wasn't raised a freakin' princess, so I'm not royal enough?" Emma grabbed her beer, then drank the entire contents in one swallow.
Ruby watched her friend become angrier and drunker. She didn't know what she could say to make Emma feel better. She knew that the rules of Fairy Tale Land would be strange to someone who had not grown up in the Enchanted Forest. But she also understood that it was the only way to oversee that everyone lived with some semblance of order.
Emma called over the waitress and ordered another round. She had decided, the moment she dropped Henry off with Regina, that tonight she would drink herself unconscious. It was the only way she saw to quiet the voice in her head telling her to pack her bags and run.
"Listen, Em. I know you're having a hard time with this, but being Sheriff is a big responsibility. And, besides, I thought you said you didn't want to be a part of it, anyway?" Ruby swallowed her third shot and knew then she'd be working tomorrow with one serious hang over.
"Yeah, I did. It's just... it would've been nice to have been asked. You know? I'm their only child. Well, until they have another, that is."
"No matter what you think, Emma, your parents do love you. And even if they have another child, it won't change the way they feel about you." Ruby placed her hand on Emma's forearm and smiled.
She had been told by Emma and Hook about what happened when they had each been forced to reveal their darkest secrets. The latter more concerned on how much of an idiot he must have appeared, while the former was trying too hard to pretend as if it were no big deal. Ruby had been so angry with Snow that she had refused to speak with her for over a week. If it had not been for Belle, acting as a mediator, she couldn't say how long her silence would have lasted. Although Ruby came to understand that Snow had not intentionally set out to hurt her daughter, she also knew the revelation had only served to fuel Emma's fragile insecurity about abandonment.
"I know you're right, Rubes. I guess I'm just a little overwhelmed. After getting back, it's like everybody has got something new going on, except me. I'm back at my desk, shoveling bear claws and coffee while perfecting my dart skills. I'm just so..."
"Bored?" Ruby interjected while trying to focus on which beer was hers.
"Yessss." Emma dropped her head down onto the table.
"Well, what about Neal? I thought you guys were trying to rekindle those old flames." Ruby signaled the waitress and ordered two more shots.
"I don't know if I'd call it flames. Maybe something along the lines of candle light." Emma snorted while taking her shot and chasing it with her beer.
"Huh, from the look on Neal's face lately I would have guessed it was something more." Ruby took her shot and winced as the liquid burned her throat.
"Yeah, well. I've got no control over what Neal believes or doesn't. Don't get me wrong: he's a nice guy, even easy on the eyes, but we have too much history for me to just jump right back in. And there's Henry to think about. I am not gonna give my kid false hopes just to end up disappointing him again. He's been through too much lately." Emma pushed the hair back from her face, wishing once again she'd put it up in a ponytail.
"Emma, Henry's smart and has proven he can take a lot more than what any of us believed he could. He was raised by the Evil Queen and he still came out of it pretty decent."
"Don't call her that. Regina is not the Evil Queen. Hasn't been for a long time." Emma snapped, as she took her shot.
"Sorry, Em. Old habit." Ruby held her hands up in surrender.
"I'm sorry, Rubes. It just gets me how some people in this town can dismiss all the good she's done lately. Christ, I know it will never be enough to wipe her slate clean, but she is trying. And it upsets Henry to hear that crap." Emma was tired of explaining to her son how it was better to turn the other cheek when it concerned his other mother, but even she had to admit there were times she wanted to punch certain citizens in the face whenever they decided to enumerate on the countless crimes Regina had committed in her past.
"Well, I've seen what she's done and I think it's great how she's changed. And, besides, outta anybody in this town, I should know what it's like to be judged by your past." Ruby grabbed her beer from the table, finishing it faster then she'd have liked. "But back to your problem. All I can say is, go with the flow. Let the Royals do their thing. Take this time to concentrate on what you want. The town will still be standing, if you decide to take it easy." Ruby smiled at her friend, hoping she would see the logic.
"Thanks, Rubes. I hear what you're saying. But there's just one problem."
"What is it?" Ruby leaned closer to Emma, placing her hand upon her shoulder.
"I wished I knew what I wanted." Emma sadly replied before lowering her head to stare into the empty shot glass.
The rest of the night was spent on lighter topics, from town gossip regarding the Charmings' baby making project, to Leroy's ongoing pursuit of Nova and even on Emma's unfortunate love triangle, involving her ex and a certain pirate. The drinks had continued until Chester, the Rabbit Hole's owner, kicked them out in order to close for the night. As they stumbled out onto the street, the sky had already begun to lighten with the oncoming sunrise. Such was the reason why Ruby found herself sluggish even despite her inner wolf's higher tolerance.
Ruby made her way about the crowd, seeing to everyone's orders. It was unusually busy this morning and she was slowly regretting her late night at the Rabbit Hole with the Sheriff. But a best friend's duty took preference over an early shift and Emma's call to join her last night had made it almost impossible for her to decline. When Ruby had finally arrived to the bar, it was to find Emma on her fourth beer and third shot. After defeating Pan and escaping a new curse, everyone, especially Emma, believed that life would return to some form of normalcy. For the most part it had.
The citizens of Storybrooke had resigned themselves to their new post curse lives. Snow and Charming were assuming roles of modern day sovereign with the understanding that there would be no "absolute rule", but a government similar to this world's with the War Council acting as Congress. Regina, although no longer acting in full capacity as Mayor, was appointed as counsel to the Charmings in dealing with outside agencies to ensure the town remained invisible to investigation. Rumple was then tasked to enforce and maintain the magical border to secure Storybrooke against unwanted visitors like Tamara and Greg. It seemed everyone had been given his or her roles to play in this new Utopia; everyone, that is, except the Savior.
The diner's bell chimed and, as Ruby looked up, she found a fellow soul who looked to be on the verge of collapsing. Ruby made her way behind the counter, grabbed a cup, then the pot and proceeded to pour a large helping just as the figure plopped down onto the stool. It was a sight of messy hair, wrinkled clothes and very dark shades. Ruby smiled sympathetically as she watched a single finger on one hand rise up in the air, stopping any conversation from beginning, as the cup was brought up to dry lips with the other.
"Jeez, Em... you look like I feel." Ruby laughed, watching as her friend pushed the glasses down the bridge of her nose.
"First of all, I look fine. Second, can you please not shout?" Emma rubbed at her temples, trying to massage the ache that pounded relentlessly since she woke this morning.
"Out of the both of us, I'm the one with the super hearing. And all I can say is, when the sound of mice running beneath the floor boards, vibrates in your head like they're stomping on your brain, I might be a tad bit more sympathetic." Ruby pinched the bridge of her nose, trying desperately to wish the migraine away.
"Ouch, never mind. You win." Emma smiled up at her friend, laying her hand against Ruby's. "Did I thank you yet for joining me at my pity party?"
"You don't need to thank me. What are friends for?" Ruby smiled.
"Well, getting each other shit faced before we both work early shifts seems to be our M.O." Emma laughed, and then winced at the pain in her head. "Next time, let's stick to gorging on ice cream and rom-coms like normal chicks do."
Ruby sniggered as she refilled Emma's cup before resuming tending to the tables.
Emma shook her head at the thought of her and Ruby sitting on her couch, each with a pint of Ben n Jerry's in their laps, watching some actress cry her way through half the movie only to be swept off her feet by some jerk. No way. She thought. Ruby and she were no Rachel and Monica. They were more like Butch and Sundance. Definitely too badass for ice cream and braiding each other's hair. With that thought, she finished her coffee and resigned herself to get through the rest of the morning. Hopefully, she would have another uneventful day and would be able to catch a nap in the interrogation room at lunchtime.
Ruby waved at her as Emma passed her, going out the front door. She, too, hoped her day would slow down and, possibly, give her the excuse to ask Granny to head home early. All she wanted, was to lay her head on her pillow and sleep away the day. She had just begun to clean up the last dishes from the morning's rush when the bell chimed, signaling another customer. She sighed heavily as she grabbed her pad, making her way over to the table.
"Welcome to Granny's. Can I take your order?" She repeated her usual greeting, head down, pen pressed against paper.
"Why, thank you, but I am afraid I have no idea what to order. What might you suggest?"
Ruby raised her head then at the sound of the unfamiliar voice. She was suddenly taken aback. Sitting in front of her was a stranger. Working in the diner for over twenty-eight years, she had come across almost all of Storybrooke's residents at least once and the ones who hadn't visited her grandmother's establishment she had seen about town. The man who sat in front of her now was definitely not from Storybrooke. To say he was a handsome man would have been an understatement. From his chiseled face and obviously defined body, Ruby was certain she would have remembered him. Then there were his eyes. She could see that they were blue, but -unlike David's- they seem to shine like light being held behind a glass pane.
"Excuse me, milady. Am I not phrasing myself properly?" He was certain that he had immediately grasped the young woman's language and had conveyed a proper response. As she had not replied, though, he was now uncertain.
"No... no. You did... I mean, I understand." What the fuck, Rubes! Get yourself together. "Ok. Let's start again, shall we? Hi. My name is Ruby Lucas." Ruby extended her hand out. The stranger stood from his seat and clasped his hand in Ruby's.
"Hello, Ms. Lucas. My name is Azael Falleré. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Azael smiled brightly before taking his seat once again.
"Please, just call me Ruby." Ruby found she was unable to stop herself from blushing. Why the hell was she blushing?
"Ruby! Stop gawking, girl, and take the order. We got to get ready for lunch." Granny yelled before stomping back into the kitchen.
Ruby sighed and hid her face behind her pad. Granny's impeccable timing of embarrassing her was on point as usual. When she finally glanced back at the stranger, he simply gave her a sympathetic smile.
"Sorry 'bout that. Granny tends to enjoy yelling at me in front of customers." Ruby hoped her flushed cheeks were not obvious.
"No apologies necessary, milady. One's superiors can become a bit demanding when they feel work is not moving as quickly as they deem proper." Azael replied, trying to set the young woman at ease.
"Superior?" Ruby laughed. "No, Granny is actually my grandmother and torturing me seems to be her pleasure."
"Ah, well then I completely understand. Family can be far more critical." Azael frowned as his thoughts brought him back to a situation with a far harsher reprimand.
Ruby watched the man's face turn from cheerful to melancholy and wondered what thought had crossed his mind, but just as quickly the look was gone and he was smiling once again.
"So, milady, what do you suggest I order? Though I must confess, I should first inquire about payment. It seems I am short on coin at the moment. That is if you even accept this form here." Azael produced from his pocket a small sack from which he drew coins of different kinds.
Ruby took one coin into her hand and examined it closely. It was close in size to this world's money, but she was surprised to see that it looked to be made of solid gold. Grabbing a few others, she also noted that the faces imprinted on them were none she had seen here or back in the Enchanted Forest.
"Mr. Falleré, if you don't mind me asking, where are you from exactly?"
"Please, call me Azael. And as for where I am from, well that is a little hard to explain. Is there a problem with the coin? I do understand they may be old and not much, but I would have assumed that they would be enough until I was able to procure more." Azael found himself at a loss. When he had checked his pockets and found the small coin purse, he had been elated. The monies he possessed had crossed along with him from his last time on this earth and upon count, if memory served him correctly, were enough to buy him food, drink and residence if necessary. Had he misjudged the worth? Had the coins lost value after so much time?
"Well, Azael, I'm no coin expert, but I think what you have here is more than enough to buy you a cup of coffee. Hell, you could buy up the place if you wanted." Ruby laughed at the expression on Azael's face. This guy has no idea what I'm talking about.
Knowing that she was completely over her head, Ruby decided she needed to call in reinforcements.
"Listen, I can see that you are a long way from home. And things being the way they are here I think you should have a talk with our sheriff."
"Sheriff? What or, better yet, who is that?" Azael questioned.
"Umm, well, the sheriff is the town's law enforcement. Kinda makes sure anything out of the ordinary gets looked into. Understand?" Ruby was suddenly concerned. This man had no idea what a sheriff was. She, at least, hoped he understood what a law was.
"Ah... Do you mean your local magistrate?" Azael had anticipated having to introduce himself to the local governing ruler, but had worried on how he would arrange such a meeting. He was delighted that this kind woman not only was acquainted with such a person, but also was offering to introduce him to the city's local official.
"Magistrate? Uh, yeah, I guess." Ruby scratched her head, wondering what the hell a magistrate was. Seeing as the man seemed pleased, though, she was in no way going to tell him otherwise. "So, let me get Sheriff Swan on the phone and I'll be right back. Ok?"
"Yes, go ahead, but do please inform this Sheriff Swan to excuse my appearance, as I was not prepared to meet with anyone." Azael smiled and proceeded to brush at his clothing, trying to make himself as presentable as possible.
"Yeah, sure. No problem." Ruby grabbed her phone and rushed off towards the back. She wondered if she should call David and Snow, but she also did not want to spook the stranger by having him mobbed. So she decided Emma would make the call if they should involve her parents once she met with him.