Beyond the walls (Ruby Rose)

°10°

I made it further than I thought I would. I expected Ruby to have sent people looking for me by now, or even show up herself. On the other hand, I am somewhere she wouldn't really know about. This pub is pretty well hidden deep in the Solris. The only reason I know about it is because this is where my mother used to work. She'd always bring me with to make sure I was safe instead of leaving me alone where something could happen to me. It was strange, but I got used to it.

I've been sitting here for about an hour now, making sure to keep a low profile so no one notices me but that's hard to do when you're dressed in a fine velvet and satin blue dress. I really should have change before leaving. At least the hood of my coat helps me ignore the glances and stares I get.

The serving wench comes back with a small glass of the ale I ordered. She puts it down in front of me and stands the for awhile contemplating whether or not to ask what's on her mind before deciding not to and leaving to serve other tables.

I sigh relieved since I'm not in the mood to have to explain anything. I just came here to calm down.

Just when I thought I was cleared from any interactions, a man stumbled over his feet and into the chair in front of me.

"W-why hell-lo there ~burp~ gor-gorgeous.." He slurred getting close to my face. The mixture of alcohol and bad breath fans over my face making almost gag as I move back into my chair quickly.

I keep quiet, hoping he'd leave soon. Usually, that works, though this man seems to be standing his ground. Sighing, I gulp down the rest of my drink and prepare to stand and leave.

"No-w where do ~burp~ do you t-think you're go ~burp~ ing?" He stands too and grabs my arm pulling me hard towards him.

"Come on d-dear ~burp~  a pretty face like y-you must be used to t~burp~ the at-attention."

"Let me go!" I say trying to pull my hand out of his grip but he's still stronger than me even in his drunken state. The people around the pub do nothing but stare, this man must be someone dangerous if no one is even going to attempt to help me, which scares me.

As he begins to drag me to only he knows where, a deep chilling voice stops him.

"The lady does not want to leave with you."

The man turns around still holding my wrist tightly.

"Thi~burp~s doesn't con-cern you!"

"Oh, but it does. I recommend you leave before things get...messy."

The drunkard glares and is about to lunge but as soon he attempts to, he freezes then cries out in what I assume is excruciating pain. He let's go of me as he falls on the ground, screaming and withering on the wooden floor before passing out.

"Take this man away, he's ruining the atmosphere of the place."

I finally look up to the owner of the unfamiliar voice. A man, thin and tall, stands almost two heads over me. He has piercing grey eyes and a goatee and moustache as black as his shinny hair that stops just above his shoulders. His attire, an all-black suit and coat embroidered with silver thread, shows that he's definitely on the wealthier side of life, wealthier than the men that are from here. This only solidifies the fact that he is a stranger to this town.

"...Thank you." I say softly still shaken by what just happen, whether it was because what the drunk was attempting or the sudden way he was stopped I'm not sure.

I look up to his face, frightened but hoping it does not show. His presence gives off an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach as he gives me a gentle but chilling smile.

It's silent all around us, patrons watching on even more wary and afraid than they were when I was being dragged away.

'these people could watch me get killed and still do nothing...I wish I hadn't left the manor...'

The man looks around us as well, rolling his eyes before signalling for the wench to come closer.

"Please, get this lady a glass of water. She must be still so frightened from what had almost happened to her." He then turns to me, gesturing to my seat from before. "Take a seat dear. You need to calm down."

Not knowing what else to do, I quickly obey, the wench coming back with the water before scurrying away. The man sits in front of me, back straight and hands crossed on the table. I just continue to stare.

"I apologize that, that fool was tormenting you. Some people just don't have the sense to know what respect and the meaning of a rejection is."

"Who...Who are you?" I finally find my voice. It felt like it had been lost for so long. This man scares me.

"Oh how rude of me, what kind of gentleman am I for not even introducing myself. I'm almost as bad as that drunkard." He laughs dryly though sounding somewhat apologetic. He raises a hand out to me.

"My name is Lucian Walker. I came in here to get myself a drink after my long travel when I saw you in distress. I hope I didn't cause you any more alarm."

I blink and stare whilst slowly shaking his hand, the unsettling feeling only increasing. The name sounds extremely familiar but I cannot for the life of me recall where I know it from.

"Where are you travelling from, if I may ask?" Maybe I'll be able to figure out the origin of my memory of the name.

"I'm afraid you wouldn't know my home town if I told you. Just know I've travelled far to meet you, Evangeline." His smile darkens and I know immediately who he is. I saw his name only earlier today. In one of the books open on Ruby's desk. The problem is that I don't remember whether it was a book on supernatural beings, or those who hunt them.

"Do not be frightened dear, I'm only curious as to how much you know about the life you've been thrust into. And I promise, it's quite possible that you only know a small portion of it. I bet your dear wife-to-be has hidden quite a lot from you, worried that you may not like what you hear. Maybe even to protect you."

"Protect me from what exactly...?" Though I'm beyond fearful, I feel the need to ask. I need to know what Ruby has been hiding.

"Oh, my dear. The likes of me of course."

He chuckles deeply and the room gets colder. But not because of the feeling he gives me, it's because the whole pub is freezing over. The floor and walls and ceiling have ice forming on them, the people turning to statues stuck with fearful expressions. Only him and I are left; me shivering uncontrollably in both fear and temperature, and him smugly smiling at me.

"If you could so kindly follow me, wouldn't want your lover to find you so easily." He waves his hand slightly and I feel my body leave my control.  I can't stop my movements as I stand to follow him. I can't even shout for help when we reach outside. No one suspects anything is wrong as I climb into the coach as I usually would with Ruby, him even helping me inside with a smirk on his face.

Once inside, the coach pulls away to an unknown destination and the man taking me away whispers in my ear with cold breath.

"Didn't anyone ever tell you not to shake a demon's hand?"