Disclaimer: I do not own Ruby Gloom.
Chapter 1
Ruby Grant, more widely known by her pseudonym, Ruby Gloom, lives with her many roommates in a Victorian gothic mansion, which sits on the spiraling cliff of a hill on the outskirts of the dreary town of Gloomsville, Washington. The mansion is rumored by locals to be haunted, on account of the pet cemetery fashioned in the yard, but Ruby and her roommates have yet to experience any paranormal or supernatural phenomena. The elderly landlord, Poe, as well his rarely seen brothers, Edgar and Allen, reside in the more recently built extension. Ruby often wonders what kind of people their parents must've been, to name all three after Edgar Allen Poe. At any rate, they're dapper, uptown men; though rather pretentious, in Ruby's opinion. Still, they're pretty nice. Two years ago, they opened their doors to anyone wealthy enough to help support the continuation of their own lifestyle, lest they were to lose the mansion. Since then, six underground celebrities have moved in. First, was a professional theme park tester named Iris, followed by Ruby herself, as well as the multi-talented Sully (aka Skully, or Skull Boy, due to his naturally bald head, and tendency to cover it with skullcaps), He mostly sells paintings and photographs, but has also written and directed an obscure, silent, black-and-white film, which practically no one has ever seen or even heard of. Finally, arrived the critically acclaimed members of R.I.P (pronounced "Rip"). Deirdre, who prefers to be called by her stage name, Misery, writes their lyrics, and sings them in her hauntingly angelic voice, while a pair of conjoined twins—Frank and Len—simultaneously play one guitar. The band relies heavily on technology, since they're always between bassists and drummers, but Skull Boy has been quickly picking up the latter, and may become a permanent member of R.I.P.. Ruby has always been a fan of theirs, and was surprised to hear that Misery had already been, not only familiar with, but positively effected by the diary that Ruby published, which details her reflection on a dark childhood, and the light she found at the end of its tunnel. It was quickly made apparent that Misery is miserable as her nickname suggests, and Ruby has become determined to brighten each of her days. Today, in particular, holds significance, as it happens to be Misery's twenty-fifth birthday. Once she finally wakes, a surprise party will be thrown in the parlor, where Ruby and Skull Boy are still busy with decorations. It's early, and still fairly dark, but the cozy room, with its tyrian purple walls and maroon carpet, is dimly lit by the flames that flicker in the fireplace; in front of which, Ruby's black cat, Doom Kitty, is curled up in a ball.
"Thanks for your help," Ruby says, when Skull Boy hands her yet another tack, which she uses to pin the final corner of the birthday banner. "I think we're finally finished." She surveys the banner above the fireplace, the black balloons they've inflated, the small pile of presents on the floor, and the cake placed on coffee table in front of the antique sofa, upon which she and Skull Boy kick back to relax.
Eventually, Iris and the twins wake up. They join Ruby and Skull Boy in the parlor, where the two appear to be sitting rather close, before quickly scooting away from each other.
"What're you love birds up to?" Iris cocks an eyebrow at them.
"Who're you callin' love birds?" Ruby's pale face turns beet red.
"We were just telling each other what we got Misery for her birthday," Skull Boy says, both to answer Iris' question, and redirect the conversation.
"Oh, what did you guys get her?!"
Less than an hour later, Misery rises from her literal bed of nails, and quickly beautifies herself for the party she already half-expects. Once ready, she heads down the winding staircase, into the parlor, mentally prepared for the "surprise" thrown by her friends. "Oh, wow," she says rather flatly; unable to fake surprise, due to her stoic nature. "Thank you."
"Have a seat, Misery." Ruby pats the space between herself and Skull Boy. "Would you rather eat cake, first, or open your presents?"
"Let's eat." On her way toward them, Misery accidentally steps on Doom Kitty's tail, and is almost tripped, as the cat runs away.
"You okay?!" The twins reflexively hold out both their arms, equally prepared to catch their klutzy friend.
"Yeah, I'm okay," Misery says, "but I'm not sure about Doom Kitty."
"She'll be fine," Ruby insists. "Now, come blow out your candles, and make a wish!"
Misery plops down on the sofa, between Ruby and Skull Boy. "I wish to not start a fire, by blowing out these candles," she quips, before blowing out twenty-five candles in three puffs.
Deep down, she wishes that she'll someday find happiness.