ruby racnoss . gamemaker [fin]

Don't try to fight this and deal with it
And that's just part of it
If you were dead or still alive
I don't care

-


FC: Michelle Gomez
Age: 50
Pronouns: She/Her
Profession: Gamemaker & Casino Owner


-

Ruby's voice growls as she speaks to her sister.

"You're going to do it if you like it or not," Ruby demands.

She receives an eye roll from Darcy in response. Ruby slams her fist on the table between them, causing Darcy to flinch.

"Fine," she reluctantly agrees, likely out of fear for what Ruby would do in retaliation if she didn't. "How long do I have to do this for, though?"

"Until the 93rd Games are over. I'm going to be too busy as Gamemaker to take care of the casino," Ruby explains.

"Do I at least get a cut of the profits while I'm running things?"

Darcy is trying to get something out of her: at least a bit of compensation for the work she's going to be putting in to run Ruby's Capitol-famous casino while she's too busy to do it herself.

"Fine. Five percent," Ruby reluctantly spits out.

"Ten," Darcy retorts.

"Five or nothing."

"Fine, five."

"That's what I thought," Ruby smirks.

Now that that was taken care of, she had some other things to get in order.

-----

Not being allowed to bet on the Games as a Gamemaker is a bit frustrating for Ruby, but she'd manage. She has ways around things, after all, and being the sly snake she is, she wouldn't be getting caught very easily.

"You're going to do it for me," she explains to her brother, Cafferty. "I give you the cash— say I'm paying you for something— and you use it to bet on who I tell you to. Deal?"

Cafferty nods. He knows better than to argue, unlike Darcy.

Ruby has always been the threat of the family, after all. She was a physically aggressive child and is a verbally aggressive adult. She keeps her cool in public spaces, but when you catch her alone, all aspects of the comfort and safe feelings you had before are off the table. She's not afraid to figuratively rip your throat out. Of course, if it were legal to do so literally, she'd probably do that as well.

-----

There is one last thing to get under control before her stint as Gamemaker begins, and that is making sure her wife is happy. Ruby's wife Raelynn is the one person she truly gives a shit about. She cares about her more than any other person. Although, to be fair, she doesn't really care about any other people. Nevertheless, Ruby actually loves Raelynn. She wants to make sure she's content while Ruby is away for a little while.

For the two weeks leading up to the Games while the tributes are in the training center, as well as the little-over-a-week that the tributes will likely be spending in the arena, Ruby wouldn't be home. She'd be spending her time with the other Gamemakers instead, figuring out the details of the incoming tributes' demise.

When Ruby arrives home after dealing with what she needed to with Darcy and Cafferty, she announces herself as she passes through the threshold and shuts the door behind her.

"Rae, sweetie, I'm home!" she beckons.

Raelynn can be heard traipsing down the stairs and into the entryway of their oversized home. Luckily, she'd been close enough to the door of their home to hear Ruby's words.

"Hello dear!" Rae exclaims as she sees Ruby. She approaches her and their lips meet in a kiss. When they pull away from one another, Ruby has her hands on Rae's waist.

"Can I talk to you about something fun I have planned for you?" Ruby asks her wife. Rae's face lights up.

"Of course!"

The two women make their way to a pair of fancy plush chairs that are arranged near one of the fireplaces in their home, and Ruby speaks up.

"Since I'm going to be gone for a bit as Gamemaker, I planned a vacation for you. I hope that's alright."

"Oh!" An excited sound comes from Raelynn. "Of course!"

It's so nice for Ruby to hear someone excited about a surprise she'd planned for them. Whenever she tried to surprise her family with things as a kid, they always got mad at her for not just being open and telling them everything from the start. It was as if they saw her as a liar. Sure, she did lie sometimes, but that wasn't the idea behind surprises. Surely they had to understand that, right? Apparently not.

But Raelynn understands, and that's what matters right now.

"Excellent!" Ruby claps her hands together once in anticipation of what she's about to share with her wife.

"So," she begins. "I've got a few things planned. First, I've got you tickets to Sho Circus."

Rae looks beyond delighted to hear this, nods, and looks to be anxiously awaiting the rest of the information Ruby is about to share with her.

"I've also got you a dinner scheduled with Patryk Sho after the performance."

Ruby's eyes widen.

"Lastly, I've also got you a stay booked at the Grand Hotel near Candace Stage, and tickets to see Charity Candace perform there."

Charity Candace is Raelynn's favorite singer. A small yet enthusiastic squeal of delight can be heard emerging from her.

Raelynn shoots up from her chair and comes over to Ruby to hug her.

"Thank you so much!" she practically shrieks. "I love you!"

Ruby lets out a delighted laugh, and hugs her back.

"I love you too, Raelynn."

-----

Now that things were sorted out with Raelynn, too, Ruby could comfortably begin her time as a Gamemaker for the 93rd Hunger Games. She was ecstatic to have the opportunity, as it was something she'd dreamed of as a kid. For the last forty-something years, she'd wanted to do it. Now, at age fifty, the opportunity has arrived. She is over the moon. She just tries not to show it to everyone.

Ruby often masks her emotions. She doesn't want people to detect any sort of weakness in her whatsoever. So, emotions, both good and bad, are often hidden from those around her. That is, unless her anger rears its ugly head, in which case, she has a hard time controlling it.

Sitting at her desk in her home office, Ruby sighs in relief. Things are working out, just as planned.

This is good.

-

lyrics: "I Don't Care" by Apocalyptica