“Miss, we aren’t ones to inquire about much, but…” Jacob maintained his composure while still trying to wiggle his lower half to hide his clear bulge given rise by Ruby. “...but we don’t run across women asleep on the beach and not wearing any clothes.” He paused, “Do you need any help?” Jacob offered his small leather overcoat and shrugged when Ruby shook her head.
It took about a minute longer for Jacobs' companion to spot the dress hanging across a couple of branches. “Looky there, Jacob. She has clothes.” He walked up and pulled the dry garments free from the tree and after covering his eyes, walked over and handed the lovely dress to Ruby. “My apologies ma’am. Jacob and I will head off, if you are alright that is.” The second man offered while still looking down.
“Boys.” Ruby ughed, “Worry not about this, Aye?” She ughed and strode pyfully into the palms. “Ol’Ruby won’t be tell’n if’n you don’t. Savvy?” Ruby pulled her undergarments on, ensuring her bandeau covered her rge chest completely. “Stop by The Tipsy Violet ter and I’ll buy you boys a couple pints, Aye?”
It took a few seconds and a couple of hard gnces at one another before Jacob inquired further, “Did you say Ruby? As in Captain Ruby-One Eye?”
Somewhat surprised that the two fishermen knew her name, Ruby finished donning her dress and had cinched the bodice tightly before emerging from the grove and answering the men. “Aye, Ruby in the flesh, as it were.”
“Can…Can I see it?” Jacob smiled wide and hit his fishing partner. “They say she’s got a dagger of unmatched beauty…” He looked back at Ruby, “Just the hilt, if that is okay.” He ughed, “We hear all sorts of tales about you, Captain Ruby.”
Turning to the side, Ruby lifted her long pleated dress and showed her namesake strapped to her calf. “Aye, tis true. Now then, an know this ta’be true see…” Ruby dropped her skirt and focused her gmorous hazel eye to the men, “...if’n I draw me weapon, blood it seeks. You’ve been lovely y’have, So she stays covered an’ we leave it at that.” She winked and stomped her feet into her soft leather shoes. “Aye, remember that pint boys.”
Happy to see that the rumors were true, both men bowed to the captain, “Well met, Captain. A pint it is.” They then headed off in the distance singing a cheerful song about a bountiful haul.
Relieved that she didn’t have to break one of her more steadfast rules of killing while in town, unless necessary, Ruby followed the path that the two guys had used and headed for town. By the time Ruby had reached the door to The Tipsy Violet, the pretty pirate had nearly run herself out of breath. Taking a few moments to breathe in the heavy scent of cinnamon from the bread served with the rum and ale, Ruby caught her breath and proudly stormed through the doors, her dress billowing as she did so.
Time passed quickly and Ruby found herself dancing and often kissing most of the single dies who were also in the tavern enjoying the music and festivities. Between the earthy aroma of rum from her heavenly breath and her spicy yet uplifting scent of sandalwood from her sweat, Ruby had collected a wide array of favors from the dies she had danced with. One of the better things Ruby enjoyed about Bridgeport was that the women had a custom where they wore small cotton strips buttoned to their wrist and if interested in something beyond dancing, would remove the slip of cloth and fasten it to their potential partner’s arm. Depending on the woman in question, their name could be embroidered with a family symbol to alleviate confusion or with very little identification to add an air of mystery.
Needing a tiny break, Ruby spun her way to the bar and ordered herself another ale and a shot of rum, followed by whatever water that the tavern offered. Once her drinks arrived, Ruby dropped the rum into the ale and took a heavy pull and set the mug down to look over the strips that had been affixed to her arm. Removing no less than twenty from her arms, Ruby looked over the different pieces until she found an unusual one made from purple silk and had the name ‘Reine’ imprinted in gold thread. A quick smile escaped Ruby’s lips and she held her drink to the sky, “Ner-Ner, a brunette as predicted. Here’s to you, witch.” While she knew full well that Nerice could read her mind at a whim, Ruby offered the toast and downed the remaining contents of her mug and ordered another round for herself. While she waited, Ruby followed the custom of the town and rolled the other ‘favors’ neatly and pced them in an ornate silver basket with red roses painted on it, so that the dies could retrieve them at a ter date.
Following the second part of the custom, Ruby attached the sash at its button and slipped it onto her left shoulder and simply waited. Within a minute, a short young dy with matching hazel eyes and brown hair spun and wiggled her way into Ruby’s arms. “Why hello there, Captain Ruby.” She announced and picked up Ruby’s ale, taking a sultry sip. “Reine Duchamp.” Reine held out her hand for Ruby to lightly kiss.
Ignoring the dainty kiss request, Ruby slipped the purple streamer back around Reine’s wrist. “Aye, you’ve heard of me, have you?” Ruby took back her drink and pyfully sipped as well. “Which is both good and disturbing, wouldn’t you say?”
Confused by the return of her favor, Reine blinked a few times and took her hand back. “You didn’t want my attention?” She pointed to the return of her garment, “You could have just put it in the basket.”
“On the contrary.” Ruby smiled, “How ‘bout we discuss this in a more private setting? If we stay here you run the risk of me dancing and drinking away the rest of the evening.” She leaned into Reine’s ear, “A dy such as yourself with such expensive items shouldn’t be offering her beauty and tiny charm to someone like myself.” Ruby pced a light kiss on Reine’s ear. “Although I have a distinct weakness for French names, dear.”
