(no subject)

[namesaquestion]

WHO: Nikolai and Ruby
WHERE: Ruby's place
WHEN: Shortly after his run-in with Archer.
WHAT: Nikolai checks in on Ruby. Also talk of CNC2020 memories.
WARNINGS: Underage characters talking about sex. It'll be warned for when it comes up.

[He'd been a good mood since he'd ported back in with upgraded powers. Since he'd gotten a Keystone that burned a hole in his pocket now. But that could wait and there where more important things than that.

Such as a somewhat soured mood thanks to Archer. Thanks to what the man had said, not only about how sloppy he was getting with some of his extracurricular habits, but had threatened... He needed to check on Ruby and make sure she was safe, and while he was at it, ask her about something he was- more than alright with and wanted to know if she was, too.]

u home?

[Technically he could just rock up, but it was easier to check, first.]

Comments

[by_candlelight]

I am. Making dinner. Plenty enough for two. Or more. You want to come over?

[ The reply was quick, Ruby having all but mastered the ability to reply to messages without ever touching her device. ]

[namesaquestion]

yeah.

b there soon.

[And true to his word, he's soon knocking on the door. It's a bit weaker than typical, but whatever.
When she opens the door, she'll find he looks like he's seen a ghost and is trying to hide the fact.]

[by_candlelight]

See ya soon.

[ She comes to answer, all smiles, but then, she sees his expression. Her own becomes instantly serious and she moves to pull him inside. ]

What happened? Are you alright?

[ There's no panic, just concern. The type of concern that comes from a lifetime of living without any security save what could be made by their own two hands. ]

[namesaquestion]

[As soon as they're behind closed doors, Nikolai wraps her in a hug. A tight one, and it's only this that gives away the faint trembles.

That he's scared.

It's a bit before he speaks].

I ran into Archer outside work.

[by_candlelight]

[ She immediately hugs back. She can feel the trembles, and a part of her is instantly frustrated that someone scared him, scared one of her people. Especially one so difficult to scare.

And then she hears his news, and hugs him a little tighter. ]

Did he hurt you?

[namesaquestion]

[He hates being scared; it's a weakness and he doesn't do weak. Never had, never will and he sure as hell doesn't like that Archer's gone after those he calls his just because he doesn't approve of his social circle.

It's stupid, it shouldn't be getting to him like it is. He should be able to laugh it off, and if it were anyone else, he would, but this Archer.

And the man's already got a small gang up and running. Or at the very least informants. Who've probably tailed him at some point-

Again, it's a bit before he speaks.] No. He threatened you and I should have fed him to Baku rather than let him leave, but there wasn't a sewer handy to dump the body.

[Relationship goals: have a bf who'd do a murder for you. Yep.]

[by_candlelight]

[ She managed to avoid relaxing. The truth was she wasn't terribly worried about herself. She had dealt with people wanting her dead before. ]

Did he give any details on how he was going to do it? I'll tell my bosses, and ask them to change my patrol routes. You told me he lived in Maurtia Falls and that he was unregistered, right?

[ She's all business, and not all that afraid. She has the tone of someone who knows what they're doing, even if she doesn't completely. ]