Chéri did not have specific expectations when it came to Ruby: they lived in the same house and for them that was enough to make them a tribe. They hadn’t had the luxury of a stable ally, so they were quick at finding new, even temporary ones wherever they went.

Ruby seemed to be mainly amused by them, so Chéri just complied and laughed.

Chéri had meant to say they were a theater person and now they wanted to know what that meant for Ruby. “Ruby…?” And they pretended to play an invisible guitar, sang a few notes, danced on the spot -with ridiculously misplaced grace, and finally slapped their forehead with a hand. Then looked. Hoping to get an answer.

Ready like a small solider, they put their heels together and marched behind Ruby. Customers could wait, if they were interested, they could just chase Chéri later.