Gone

Great.  Iris has gone missing.  Again.  Since New Year's Day.  And if anyone has any informa...
OH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!  Of all the STUPID, POINTLESS....  Why would she go after Evil Evil HERSELF?! 
Oh, yeah, except she's not by herself.  She ended up getting one of her co-workers, Joseph, involved as well.  Neither of them have been seen for over a week.
Apparently the head librarian, Isabelle, is friends with  Harry.  She had asked Joseph to train Iris at her new job at the library while Isabelle took care of some family matters, but they skipped out on the end of their shift.  None of them were there when she got back.  And then, of course, I saw Iris' post about confronting Evil Evil...
So... so yeah.  If anyone has any clue where she could be... that would be appreciated.

Not all that glitters is gold.
Ruby

Finishing School!

Well, I did it!  I finished online college!  And it feels... really anti-climatic.  I always wanted to graduate with the friends I'd made around me.  Throw my cap in the air.  That sort of thing.  Instead I'm getting a mailed diploma, and I'm not even sure what to do with it.  What's the point of having a degree when you can get anything you want by saying hi?
Certainly doesn't help that Iris still isn't being herself.  I'll admit, I really miss the goofy, devil-may-care Iris that would do anything just for the fun of it.  I'm starting to wish she'd never even heard of Sonic Boom.  Seems to me he hasn't done anything but hurt her.

Not all that glitters is gold.
Ruby

Getting Nervous

Sooo... um, Iris hasn't been online.  In forever.  And I'm starting to get nervous about this.  I mean, I get that she no longer feels the need to obsess over finding Void, for which I'm grateful, and that she no longer wants to obsess over Sonic Boom, which is also a plus, but... I dunno, it was like the Internet was her happy place.  And now she's abandoned it.  She's even gone so far as to look for a job.  Like, an actual, go-to-work-and-get-a-salary kind of job.  And I'm starting to worry. 
I get that she was upset about what happened with the supers, but I didn't think it would get this bad.
Help?

Not all that glitters is gold.
Ruby

Halloween

Ha, THAT was interesting.  Halloween for a super who can't talk without spewing gems.  I felt bad about it, but there was no way I was going to open that door to trick or treaters (luckily for me, Iris actually WENT trick-or-treating, so she had no say in the matter).  I just turned off all the lights and pretended no one was home.
Of course, I didn't stop to think about punk teens that would try to sneak into dark houses.  It nearly gave me a heart attack when I heard someone climbing through the window.  I thought the Queen had found where I live.
So you can't judge me for what I did next. 
I didn't have any real weapons on hand, so I took a leaf out of Iris'  book and just grabbed the nearest thing I could find.  Which happened to be a rather large pillow.  Feeling oh-so-confident with my new weapon, I hid behind a corner, and when the intruders came by, I jumped out and started hitting them.
"Oh, HEY!  What are you..."
"STOP THAT!"
An order I promptly obeyed once I realized it was coming from a pair adolescent voices.  The Queen can change her appearance, but not that of others. 
"What do you think you're doing?" I growled.  I wasn't too worried about them seeing the gems.  It was still dark, and I wasn't turning on lights.  That would only reveal the gems scattered all over the floor.
There was silence, until a boy's voice said, "We thought no one was home."
"And you always break in to empty homes?"
"I told him it was a bad idea!" a girl's voice cried.
"Well, I'll tell you what's a good idea."  I was really ticked.  "Get out.  And don't come back."
"We're sorry," the girl said softly.
"Out."
I made them go out the front door, and I watched them until they went down another street.  Then I went and found a baseball bat until Iris came home.
I hate Halloween.

Not all that glitters is gold.
Ruby

Settling Down

I'm happy to say it's been a fairly uninteresting week (except for Iris' conspiracy theory about disappearing heroes).  Nothing unexpected has happened, and it feels amazing!  No crazy kidnappings, no surprise roommates, not even an unexpected thunderstorm!  For once life is peaceful.
Ivy and Cecy came over yesterday.  They wanted to meet Iris.  Cecily definitely likes her, and I think Ivy does too.  At least, she didn't roll her eyes when they met, which is always a good sign with Ivy.  We ended up playing bingo with gemstones (hey, I have to do something with them!).  I think we've quasi-decided to do this once a week, but I'm not holding my breath.  Ivy and Cecy have always had pretty busy schedules.

Not all that glitters is gold.
Ruby

So Just Who Is Iris Clearwater?

Well, much as I hate to admit it, having Iris as a roommate has been a lot of fun.  Though it does have its mishaps.  One of her lightening sneezes took out our internet, and we've only just gotten it fixed.  I got rid of anything citrusy I may have had after that.
It did occur to me that some of you might not know who Iris is, so I thought I'd explain a little.  Of course, it would be easier to just hop on over to her blog, http://www.irisclearwater.blogspot.com/, but if you're too lazy to do that, I'll just explain here.
Iris is a super who makes it rain every time she blinks.  Yes, EVERY time.  It makes life interesting.  And her weakness is that she's allergic to citrus smells, and she makes lightening every time she sneezes.  Hence getting rid of all my citrus hand lotion (not that I cared, it wasn't really my favorite scent).  To make a long story short (again, you'll want to check out her blog for that), she got on the bad side of a super villain in her area known as Evil Evil, and needed somewhere new.  Which is why she showed up on my doorstep.
Well, that's Iris in a nutshell.  And I can tell you this, she doesn't like to give you a dull moment.

Not all that glitters is gold.
Ruby

New Roommate

Sooo... guess who decided to make herself my new roommate?  Yep, you guessed it!  Iris Clearwater.  If you want the reasons behind her surprise move, you can check it out here: http://www.irisclearwater.blogspot.com/
I have to admit, having a roommate again is pretty nice... even if she did show up on my door without letting me know.  She's a lot of fun.  Even filled the fridge with Dove chocolates for me! :D  Though I suspect she used some of my gems to do it. 
Aaaaand she's calling for me.  Some mini-disaster involving unpacking, I suppose, so I'll tell you more later!

Not all that glitters is gold.
Ruby

What Happened Part 2

When I woke up, I was tied to a chair in a warehouse.  Or, I guess it was more a side room off of the warehouse.  It was one of Decartes’.  I could hear the animals in the other room.  I was alone.

                I tried to escape, but I think Decartes must have gotten magically enhanced rope from Rumplestiltskin.  I suppose he offered to use me to help fund his evil plans once he gets out of prison.  I was stuck.

                I have no idea how long I was left there.  It felt like hours.  Eventually the door opened, and Decartes and the Queen stepped through.  For those of you who don’t know who the Queen is, she’s a supervillain who can change her appearance at will, though usually she’s a tall blonde with blue eyes.  She was the one at the duck pond, the one who was flirting with Decartes.  If nothing else, she must have been a brilliant actress, because it was obvious when the two of them walked in they hated each other.  They moved to polar opposite ends of the room and glared at each other the entire time they were there.  I don’t know how they managed to put their differences aside long enough to work together.

                Decartes didn’t waste any time.  He pulled out a gun and told me to start talking.  I didn’t want to, but what choice did I have?  I blabbered about anything I could: weather, politics, I even told them how much I wanted to watch when Snow White and the Seven Supers kicked their butts.  As long as I kept talking they were happy.  Soon I had a pile of gems around my chair as high as my knees, and my voice was going out.  Finally they let me stop, but they were back the next day.

                By the third day I was talking in a whisper, and I was just repeating the same things over and over again.  I was sure my voice would go out completely in a few minutes, and I was terrified of what they would do.

                That’s when the door blew in.

                Seriously.  A gust of wind strong enough to rival a tornado, a flurry of snow, and Snow White stormed through the door (literally).  Behind her I could see Prince Charming, Beast, Gretal, the Mermaid, and Cinderella.  Snow went straight for the Queen, Charming right beside her, and the Beast charged Decartes.  The Mermaid followed him.  Cinderella took something from her Charm Bracelet, what looked like a bejeweled pair of scissors, and cut through the ropes.  After the others had subdued the villains, Gretal temporarily paralyzed their powers.  I nearly asked if she could do the same for me, but I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to make a sound. 

                I tried to stand, but my knees were a little wobbly.  Charming ended up supporting me on the way out.  They had a helicopter waiting outside.  They were all very gentle, of course.  Snow White especially.  I almost felt like I knew her somehow.  They took me to a secret wing of the hospital.  Apparently they have a wing for supers, so the civilians don’t find out who they are.  I was only there for about half an hour.  The doctors gave me a few prescriptions to help my throat heal, and then Snow and Charming took me home.  I don’t know how they knew where I live, but I suppose whatever hacker they have on their team did their homework.

                I wanted to sleep, but I ended up staying awake for most of the night.  When I finally fell asleep I had nightmares I was back in Decartes’ warehouse, and when I woke up, Ivy and Ceci were there.  When they heard the news they’d come back to find me.  I feel so bad that I cut their honeymoons short.

                They had to leave eventually, of course, but first Ivy gave me a new phone.  It has an app that supposedly records a conversation and puts it straight into my blog.  I assume she thought it would be helpful if I was ever kidnapped again.  I suppose I could test it now.

                “Testing… testing… hey cool, it wor-“

                BANG  “Hello!”

                “WAAAUUUGGGGHHH!!!!”  Crash, thump “Who are you?!”

                “It’s me, it’s… aaahhhhh….”

                “… What are you doing?”

                “Are you… wearing citrus… aaaaaahhhh… hand lotion?”

                “… Yeeees…”

                “Oh, that… explains… ACHOOO!!”

                CRASH

                “Did your sneeze just cause that lightening?!”

                Sniff “Yep!”

                “… Iris?”

Not all that glitters is gold.

 Ruby 

What Happened

I knew that diamond meant trouble.  I knew I shouldn't have gone to the duck pond.  I can't believe I was so stupid.  And I'm never going to be that stupid again.
I went to the duck pond, and for a while, everything seemed fine.  And then this woman came walking up the path.  I was a little leery.  I mean, the last time a woman came walking around the duck pond I ended up with a curse.  But she didn't seem too interested in me, and I tried to ignore her.  It looked like she was meeting her boyfriend, and they hung out behind me for a little while.  There was something off about the man, though.  At first I couldn't really place it, but I felt like I recognized him.  I kept trying to get a good look at him over my shoulder, but the woman was always in the way.  Finally I just decided that if they were making me uncomfortable, I would just leave.  Of course, I was dumb enough to try to walk past them to see if I could get a better look at the man.
It was Descartes.
I gasped, and a single ruby fell.
It was enough for them.  Decartes lunged at me, and I felt something prick my arm.  He'd brought a tranquilizer.  I was out in seconds.

Not all that glitters is gold.
Ruby

I am never going outside again.
Ruby

Missing

Everyone.  This is Ivory.  Ruby hasn't been seen since the night before last.  If you have any ideas where she might be, any possible leads, please let us know.

Trying Again

Okay, so I admit it.  I overreacted.  Losing that diamond at the wedding was really no big deal.  No villains have shown up on my front door yet, and I haven't been kidnapped on my way to the grocery store.  Maybe I've been overreacting about all this the whole time.  Yes, I probably shouldn't broadcast that I spew gems when I speak, which means I really CAN'T speak, but hey, worse things could happen, right?  I've decided I'm just going to go with this.  I'm going to live the way I want to, with or without powers, and I'm starting by going to the duck pond this evening!  Wish me luck!

Not all that glitters is gold.
Ruby

Venturing Out

Well, I finally left the apartment.  For the first time in days.  Like I said, I really needed to get groceries.  And nothing bad has happened so far.  I suppose some of you readers were right.  I guess I overreacted at the wedding.  Maybe nothing bad will come of all that after all. 
I'm still not going outside except for necessities, though.

Not all that glitters is gold.
Ruby

Isolation

I thought I was bored when I first locked myself inside.  I had no idea.
Now that I'm the only one in the apartment, what with Ivy being married now, I have absolutely nothing to do.  Cecily is still on her honeymoon, Ivy just left, and I have nothing to keep me company except my computer and Red (my stuffed wolf.  Don't make fun, she's the only friend I have right now).  I've also discovered a rather inconvenient truth about being a hermit in the middle of the city: you still have to go grocery shopping.  Ivy used to do it all, and I didn't have a problem being inside all the time, but now... I'm running low on food, and I still haven't left the apartment since the wedding.  I know I need to go out soon, but I'm terrified that the minute I stick my nose out the door, Rumplestiltskin is going to swoop down and carry me off.
Being alone is no fun.

I hate everything that glitters.
Ruby

Stupid

I can't believe... How could I... ARGH!!!!
Let's start from the beginning, shall we? 
Ivy's wedding went great.  May as well start with that.  Lots of people, she looked gorgeous, they were so in love and all that.  Super romantic.  I think I even recognized the tall skinny guy we'd met in the park that one time.  The problem came at the reception.  I'd done pretty well keeping my mouth shut.  The sign language was apparently convincing enough that no one asked questions.  We were having the dinner, and I was sitting by the guy from the park, named Jack, and a brunette librarian called Isabelle.  She was hilarious.  She has this Irish accent, and she was great at telling jokes and... I laughed.
It was just once, one little laugh, but it was enough.  A diamond fell to my plate.
The others didn't act like they noticed.  They were all laughing pretty hard themselves, and I was able to scoop the thing up and stick it in my pocket.  But still.  What if someone saw?  What would happen?  Is anyone going to say anything? 
Oh, I'm just so mad at myself.  I shouldn't have gone out again, I really shouldn't, but it was Ivy's wedding?  What was I supposed to do, not show up?  And I'd been doing so well, I thought it would be a good idea...
Stupid.  I am so freaking stupid.

Not all that glitters is gold.
Ruby

Wedding Plans

Hello again, sorry to have been absent, but with Ivy and Harry's wedding on Saturday, there hasn't been time to do much besides scramble to get everything ready.  The dress, the food, the dresses for the bridesmaids (Ivy asked me to be a bridesmaid!), EVERYTHING!!!  While I'm excited for Ivy, I am also exhausted. 
Oh, and there's her stepmother asking for help with the dessert menu for the reception.  I'm off again, folks!  Hopefully I'll see you sometime after the wedding.

Not all that glitters is gold.
Ruby

Back Again

Hey, sorry I haven't been around lately, but as I said, normal life is boring.  There hasn't really been much to post about.  I've actually been thinking of going out again.  Last time wasn't a problem, and the villains have been laying pretty low as of late.  I think a walk would be nice.  It might clear my head.
Ivory and Harry have decided to move their wedding date up.  They're tying the knot next week (which has of course sent their parents into fits).  The odd thing is, Ivy won't tell me why.  When I bring it up she just tells me Ceci and Ernie "inspired" them, but the thing is, they've been acting a little off lately.  They seem worried, and it's rubbing off.  Is something happening that they're not telling me about?  Is someone sick?  I feel like I'm losing my best friend.

Not all that glitters is gold.
Ruby

Back to Normal

Well, things have sort of gone back to normal now.  Ceci and Ernie are off on their honeymoon, there have been no reports on the villains around town, and once again my life as a hermitess is getting to me.  As are all these jewels!  I can't walk from my bedroom to the kitchen without stepping on a slew of them!  They're worse than Legos!  I can't seem to get them out of the apartment fast enough.  If I didn't think it would send all kinds of dangerous signals to the supervillains in town, I'd just start sweeping them out into the street.
Ugh.  Normal life for me is ridiculous.

Not all that glitters is gold.
Ruby

Cecily's Explanation

Well, after yesterday's rather unexpected events, I've decided to do another guest post and let Cecily explain what happened herself. 

Hello everyone, it's Cecily Algernon here - oh, but I suppose it's Cecily Skye now, and I guess you knew that it was me already.  Oh dear, it's just, I'm so flustered.  We didn't really plan for this to happen, it just... did.
I guess I should start from the beginning.  You see, Ernie and I have been dating for a few years now, but my step-mother... she didn't like him very much.  She said he took me away too much, that my place was at the house with her.  Either that or at design school, learning to make a living for myself.  Monday I just snapped.
I was about to go out with Ernie again, and I was sneaking out.  Sort of.  I mean, I wasn't trying to make it a secret that I was leaving with Ernie, but I wasn't exactly broadcasting it for the world to know either.  I was out the door before my step-mother noticed I was leaving, and she was so angry she said that if I left now, I couldn't come back.
I left. 
All of my important things were at the school anyway.  Ernie and I packed his car, and I slipped in the back to grab a few things from my bedroom, and then we were gone.  I admit I wasn't really thinking about anyone else.  I was just... it was the strangest feeling.  I felt free and scared and excited all at once, and I had no idea what was going to happen, but somehow I was okay with that.  Then Ernie pulled off the road and told me that... well, he said that he'd planned to propose to me while we were out today.  He said things had obviously changed, and he understood if I didn't want to, but he had the ring, and we were together, and all I wanted was to say yes.  So, well, I did.
I had been designing a wedding dress, just for practice, and I'd nearly finished putting it together at school, so I went and asked my professor if I could take it.  I honestly didn't think she'd let me, but I guess she's more of a romantic than I was expecting.  We had the ring, and the dress, and Ernie borrowed a suit, and we left.  We got married that night (no, it was NOT Vegas, there is absolutely nothing romantic about that!). 
We came back yesterday because we felt guilty we hadn't told anyone, but we're leaving on our official honeymoon tonight.  Ernie won't tell me where, he said it was a surprise.  I don't know where it could be, though, both of us are still students...
I tried to talk to my step-mother about it today, but she wouldn't even open the door.  I don't know if she'll ever forgive me, but is it bad I don't feel any regret for what we've done?
Ruby and Ivory both have cute farewells, but I can't think of any at the moment, so I'll just say goodbye. :)

Cecily Algernon Skye

Eloped

This... wow.  This was not expected.  Cecily eloped with Ernie.
That's where I've been all week.  She went missing on Monday, and we were going crazy trying to find her.  I was looking for her online through news sites and social networking, and Ivy went to her house to try to talk to her step-family.  That was a mistake.  Her step-mother nearly threw Ivory out the door, yelling that she was a bad influence on Ceci, and that she and Harry were the reason she'd left.  Of course we had no idea what that meant until Ceci showed up at our apartment with both Ernie and a wedding ring.
Cecily's step-mother never really approved of Ernie.  Says he's too geeky.  Personally I think she just enjoyed mooching off Cecily's success as a star fashion student.  I knew Ceci was getting frustrated with her step-family, but I never expected her to elope.
On the other hand, she seems happy, and her step-family has disowned her, which in this case is a good thing, because now she doesn't have to pay them half her salary anymore (I don't think her step-mother quite thought that one through).  It's just going to be hard to adjust to the idea that Cecily is married.

Not all that glitters is gold.
Ruby