The rain was pelting down in thick silver sheets, streaking the ground and making it very hard to see. Julia turned a corner and stumbled blindly towards the big, handsome house that she instinctively knew to be Ruby's, despite her lack of sight. Thunder rumbled softly in the distance, and the clouds, thick and dark, rolled overhead. Julia swallowed as she looked up, feeling suddenly claustrophobic. Don't be silly, she told herself. You're outside. Still, as she crossed the long-winding driveway, her chest felt tight and her breathing hitched.

Shaking her head as if trying to be rid of an irksome fly, she approached the white marble steps that led the way to the highly arched doorway of Ruby's home. Pausing to glance despairingly at the obvious expense of the house- how just like Ruby to wish to flaunt her wealth- she knocked on the door several times, pulling back on the golden knocker. Julia waited edgily, attempting to comb back her wet and bedraggled hair to no avail. She drew her raincoat closer to her body.

Just when Julia thought Ruby was purposely ignoring her, the door swung open suddenly and Ruby Ogden bounced out. She took in Julia for several seconds, her eager smile fading a little. "Jules, you look like a half-drowned rat," Ruby told her bluntly. "And what are you wearing? Some sort of horrible cloak from the Harry Potter films?"

"You didn't even watch those movies, Ruby," Julia pointed out, stepping past Ruby and into the house without waiting for invitation. "And it's called a raincoat. Surely you've heard of them before?" Her voice was stiff; she was still quite upset, though she had blown off quite a bit of steam since her call to Ruby.

"I watched the trailers," Ruby retorted without missing a beat. She almost squealed as Julia entered the house, and followed, closing the door behind her and shutting out the steady pounding of the rain. Wildly gesturing, "You'll get the floors all wet!"

"Let me guess, the floors are made of solid gold," scoffed Julia, paying no heed to her sister's antics. She hung her soaking wet coat up and wrung out her hair, much to Ruby's dismay. "I can't believe the weather," she said. "It was only yesterday I was filming underneath the boiling sun."

Ruby's eyes sparkled with a mischievous light at that statement. "How is your movie going, Jules? I saw the promo, and I'm ever so eager to watch it." She stepped closer, giving Julia a smug, knowing glance. "Thomas dropped by earlier. He hinted you might be getting close with your handsome co-star. How is Mr. Garland?"

"How would I know?" Julia responded brusquely, her eyebrows arching, her shoulders bracing. "There's nothing going on between Darcy and I, nor will there ever be-"

"Ooh, you and Darcy," giggled Ruby, and Julia glared at her.

"You infuriate me," she muttered, under her breath, "More now than ever."

She followed her sister down the long hallway into the kitchen more slowly; Ruby seemed to skip or dance everywhere she went. The room was large and rectangular, with dark floors lightened by the puddles of sunlight that streamed in through the windows. Everything was neat and orderly, and a round glass table sat in the centre of the room. Julia had to admit it was architecturally beautiful, though she thought it was a bit of a waste in Ruby's house, as she seldom cooked, often going out to the fanciest restaurants that the United States had to offer.

Julia herself wasn't the greatest cook (a certain incident involving the fire department and an irate father was firmly lodged in the back of her mind), but her own cozy kitchen was plain and drab compared to this grand room of Ruby's. Half frowning, she took a seat at the table and gratefully wrapped her hands around a mug of coffee. "How do you always know when I need a coffee?" she asked with a smile.

Ruby rolled her eyes. "Easy. You always need a coffee. Caffeine addiction, Jules, ever since Daddy gave you a sip of his cappuccino when you were ten."

Julia wrinkled her nose. "I am not addicted to caffeine. I just enjoy a cup of coffee, that's all." She took a sip, and exhaled appreciatively upon swallowing. "Delicious. Thanks again. That's just what I needed after such a trying day. Coffee is a divine invention."

Ruby nodded sympathetically. She had joined Julia at the table, but seemed discontented to sit, twirling around on her chair. She began to fiddle with her hair, and then immediately placed both perfectly manicured hands on the table surface. "I always need a good cigarette after a hard day. It helps me brighten up." She lifted a hand and inspected her nails closely, only lowering it when the silence between the two stretched on.

Julia stared at her "You're too young to smoke! You told me you quit!."

"I… did. Well, I tried. It lasted for a day and a half. Jules, that's development! Daddy thinks so, at least," Ruby finished weakly, giving her elder sister a beseeching look.

"He would think so," Julia retorted, "he smokes about two packs a day." Still, her disposition softened, and she sat back. "Have you at least been cutting down?"

"Of course I have! I only smoke at the end of the day… and before a photo shoot… and when I go out," Ruby implored, and then hastily changed the subject. "So, Julia, what brings you here on this fine evening?"

"You know perfectly well why I am here, Ruby," Julia replied stiffly, and when Ruby looked perplexed, she leaned forwards. "Your affair with Mr. Wells?"

"Oh, that's old hat," Ruby said airily, her tone casual. It was as if they were discussing meals or fashion trends. "Samuel was far too clingy. I can see why his wife brought out the divorce papers, to be honest. He continually texted, called, and emailed me."

Julia spluttered for a second, looking at her in disbelief. "His wife brought out the divorce papers because she discovered he was having an affair! With you!"

"That's one of the contributing factors," Ruby spoke cheerfully, picking up the remote on the counter and flicking the TV on. "Oh, look, the Royal baby has been born!" she squealed in genuine delight, actually clapping her hands together in her glee.

"Ruby," Julia began, but Ruby immediately interrupted her.

"Please, Jules. I'm young. I'm testing the waters. You can't honestly say you never did anything reckless or scandalous at my age. I did some much-needed publicity, sending out a heartfelt apology in regard to my involvement with Mr. Wells." Ruby smirked for a moment, and then the smile dropped off of her face. Her eyes filled with tears, and she began to blink quite rapidly. "I d-don't k-know what I was t-thinking," she blubbered, dabbing delicately at her eyes with a lace tissue she had produced from her pocket. "I-it all seemed so f-fun and h-harmless at the t-time. I didn't k-know it would fabricate such disastrous results. Looking back now, I'm so a-ashamed of myself. I don't k-know if I can repent my actions, b-but I'm fully p-prepared to do everything and anything I can to try and reverse the situation I had a hand in p-producing." She fluttered her eyelashes innocently, a lone tear streaking down her cheek. Then Ruby looked up, and her gaze hardened. "I am truly, deeply sorry. Really, I am. You can quote me on that."

Julia looked at her, completely gone out. Ruby's dazzling smirk returned and she wiped her cheeks, leaning back. "That's almost exactly what I said in my interview. I think I really moved the audience and my interviewer, and I'm fairly certain this bump in the road will not affect my career in the long-term."

"Forget modeling," Julia said flatly, folding her hands under her chin with a weary sort of patience, "Your calling is in acting. I actually almost believed you were sorry."

"I know! I should really talk to my agent about getting me some acting gigs. Maybe we could act together in a film, Jules! Wouldn't that be fun?" Ruby exclaimed, animated once more. Julia pressed her fingers to her temple, feeling a headache begin to form there.

She made a final attempt at chiding Ruby, though she knew it wouldn't make the slightest ounce of difference. "Ruby, you cannot go on this way. You're tarnishing your image and your modesty!" Her tone was scolding, as if her sister were still seven.

"On the contrary, I believe I have enhanced my image. I think I'm surpassing even you in fame, Jules. The reporters love me, and I've gotten thousands of offers for interviews and such since I started opening up to the public. I look at my interviews as sort of… oral diaries." Ruby had remained perky, and had barely looked at Julia over her phone.

"Enhanced your image in a negative way! Do you keep anything to yourself nowadays?" Upon seeing Ruby was only half-paying attention, Julia grew very frustrated. "What are you even doing on your phone?" she snapped, "Googling your own name?"

Ruby looked up at her with wide, innocent eyes. "Surely you know I'm not that self-centered," she said sweetly. "I'm updating my Twitter. It's all the rage nowadays- I already have a million or so followers. You should get one, Jules, and maybe a Facebook and Instagram as well. You'll increase your fan base that way."

"By snapping photos of myself?" growled Julia. "Or posting that I just ate a piece of fruit? I don't care for such things, and you know this, Ruby."

"Oh, but everybody else cares! It's ever so… what's the word… mainstream."

Julia's eyebrows shot up. "Did you just say mainstream?" She stared incredulously at her sister. "Please don't ever say mainstream again, for the sake of my sanity."

"And then there's Tumblr," continued Ruby, very enthusiastic; seemingly ignoring Julia's somewhat barbed comments. "I have a blog on there, where I write about anything that comes to mind. I believe if I wasn't in my current profession, I would like to be a journalist …"

Julia gave up on trying to speak after a moment of attempting. When Ruby began talking, she often didn't stop until she a.) Had to take a breath, or b.) Had nothing left to talk about. Both seemed very unlikely; Ruby seldom ran out of discussion topics, and Julia had learned the girl was half-fish during an incident at their childhood cottage.

"… I don't know what I'd do if I lived in an age without technology. I was just watching a documentary about the late 1800s and the early 1900s the other day. I couldn't believe it, Jules. Can you imagine no phones, or computers, or cars? I don't know how they survived. Apparently, even dentists were akin to torture back then..."

Julia zoned out and focused on the flat-screen television, which was nestled in the corner of the kitchen. At first, she was unable to make out what was playing, and after a moment, the images sharpened. She sat back against her chair with a resigned sigh, her eyes narrowing and her hands gripping the edge of the seat instinctively.

Laughter rippled through the room, loud and obnoxious, and the show host looked rather pleased with himself. He ruffled his shirt collar and gave the audience a quick smirk, waiting until the mirth died down before speaking in a clear confident voice.

"Today we have rather an unexpected guest, as Mr. Harris found himself unable to make today's show." Groans of disappointment cancelled out the continuation of his statement, and he grimaced along with the audience. "I know, I know. I was looking forward to having a chat with him as well. However, once I learned the identity of our new interviewee, I was- if possible- more excited than before."

There were a few cheers at this; most of the audience was leaning forwards in their chairs. This was clearly the effect the host wanted, as he took his time in choosing his next words. "I would like you to enthusiastically welcome Miss Julia Ogden!"

The roar that greeted him was absolutely deafening, and it only increased in volume as Julia took the stage. Spotlights danced across the stage, which was raised and tilted slightly above where all the chairs rested. The host himself was slightly pink in the cheeks, and he applauded Julia with the rest of the audience. He stood to kiss her hand and help her take a seat in the comfortable white chair beside his own. If Julia was in any way shy, she did not show it as she thanked the audience and took a seat, crossing her legs and looking altogether very unperturbed by her surroundings.

The two of them waited for silence once again, and then the host broke into a wide grin. "It's fantastic to have you here. I must say I am a huge fan of your films."

"I'm thrilled to be here. Thank you again for inviting me, Mr. Poundsett," Julia replied, smiling at him. "I've watched several interviews of yours as well."

"Call me Reg; everybody on here does," Reg said, nodding rapidly. He seemed almost overcome by the actress's presence, but he quickly returned to his normal self. "So, Julia- may I call you Julia? - I do have to ask about the progress of your current film. How is it going? Filming in this stifling heat-wave must be exceedingly difficult for you."

"I am truly enjoying working on this film. It's a delight to be working with Mr. Prenfrew again, and I was amazed by the intelligence of the script. Everybody is doing such an amazing job, and deserves full credit. Filming in the heat wave has been agonizing, but I'm confident it will grow better in time." Julia's reply was steady and confident; she didn't miss a beat after Reg asked her the question.

He raised an eyebrow at her, and then appeared to think for a while. "May I ask you a more personal question?"

Julia was hesitant, but then she smiled. "Go ahead, Reg."

He seemed extremely pleased she'd called him Reg, and again he straightened his dark silver suit. "I of course wish to ask you more questions about the many roles you have played over the years, as well as how you have been dealing with the fame that has so suddenly been sprung on you…but I wished to first question your sister's actions."

"Ruby?" Julia asked, furrowing her brow.

Reg sat back, looking surprised. He seemed to be choosing his words carefully. "Ruby Ogden…is your younger sister, correct?"

"Of course," Julia replied, a bit impatiently. "Why?"

"Well…" There was a prolonged silence from the audience and Reg looked distinctly uncomfortable. "You weren't aware that… um… Ruby was caught with the married Sam Wells? It was… quite… startling…and the result was the conclusion of Mr. Wells' marriage."

Julia's eyes flew wide, and she stared at Reg for a moment as if she couldn't believe her ears. "Mr. Wells being the well-known producer? I met him on several occasions."

"That's the one. Would I be right in assuming Miss Ruby hasn't confided in you on these matters? I was under the impression the two of you were rather close."

Julia's eyes were now icy; her posture was stiff. "Of course we are." Her tone matched her stance, and Reg put his hands up as if surrendering. "I apologize if I somehow offended you, Julia, really I do. But…now you know… and I'd like to know your thoughts on the issue."

Julia winced, reaching for the remote and clicking the television off. The screen was washed clean almost instantly with black, and she growled to herself. She had no desire at all to watch her screen-self stumble her way to disgrace in an attempt to defend her sister's actions without justifying them. She took a sip of coffee to calm herself, and then frowned quizzically at Ruby. "Wait. Where did you get this?"

Ruby scowled herself, her eyes narrowing. "I made it."

"Don't lie. This coffee is far too good for you to have made it," Julia countered evenly, taking another steadying sip of said delicious coffee. "You don't even have a coffee machine in the house. Who's doing your errands today, Ruby?"

"His name is Robert. Robert Perry, I believe. I met him and his friend at the local Tim Hortons, and Robert seemed quite infatuated with me. He's a university student- isn't that wonderful? Sometimes I do wish I hadn't quit high school…"

"As do I," muttered Julia dryly.

"And he bought me a coffee. I asked him to buy an extra one for you, as well, as I knew you'd be over soon." Ruby smiled sweetly, twirling a lock of her blonde hair casually.

"Then he was the one who answered your phone for you?" Julia groaned. "I feel terrible about that now, though I suppose warning him off you was a good turn in itself."

Ruby furrowed her brow. "You called me?" she asked, her tone bemused. She jumped to her feet, spinning as she did, and made her way over to the counter where her iphone lay. Her fingers swiped rapidly against its screen, and she shook her head, pursing her lips. "I don't have any missed calls."

"Maybe somebody answered it for you and you weren't aware of it?" asked Julia, a blush beginning to sear its way onto her cheekbones.

Ruby shook her head resolutely. "I left my phone at home all day today. It was an accident, of course. I barely survived the day without my baby." She cradled her phone.

Julia's mouth hung open for a moment, and she tried and failed to form coherent words as the seconds trickled by. "But- then- how did you know I was coming?"

"As soon as I got home, I checked my phone. You'd sent me several angry texts. I rushed out to get a coffee as a peace offering as quickly as I could," Ruby explained. Her eyes brightened with understanding, and she threw her head back to laugh heartily. "Oh, Jules, you must have accidentally dialed the wrong number. I do hope you didn't give the poor, unsuspecting soul too much of a mouthful!"

Julia ducked her head, mumbling something unintelligible, her cheeks now a flaming red color. "I didn't give him… too much of a mouthful. I only said…"

"Yes? What did you say?" Ruby asked jubilantly, clearly enjoying every moment of this.

"I didn't really… say. I, um, shouted. About you… and staying away from you." Julia buried her head in her hands. "I feel like complete garbage now," she groaned lightly.

Ruby patted her sister's hand, wearing a readily sympathetic face. "Don't feel too badly, Julia. You probably only traumatized the man. The least you'll have to do is pay for his therapy-"

"This isn't funny, Ruby," moaned Julia through her fingers.

Ruby raised her eyebrows. "Don't worry about it. Weeks from now you'll be laughing just as hard as I am. Once you've gotten over your embarrassment." She gave Julia a patronizing look. "The only thing you have to worry about is whether your victim was connected to the media. Tomorrow the magazines could be sporting stories about Julia Ogden verbally assaulting unwary phone-users. That would be very awkward for you." Ruby whistled a tune.

Julia looked grim. "Is that likely?"

"No," replied Ruby, "I'm just winding you up. Though, of course, it could happen."

Julia straightened up, stretching her legs out under the table and clearing her throat. "Don't start," she warned the girl candidly, and she pulled out her phone. "I'm going to call him back," Julia added, her face stiff with determination as she scrolled through her calls placed, "And profusely apologize for my misconduct."

Ruby looked horrified. "Why on Earth would you do that?" she protested, her eyes growing wide. "Just let it go. He'll probably forget about the whole thing…. After a few years and four physiatrists." A mischievous grin curled across her face, wiping away her previous expression.

Julia bit her lip, and after a moment of staring decisively at the radiant screen, she hesitantly placed the phone down. "…Fine. You win."

Ruby practically glowed at these words. "I haven't heard you say that in a long time."

"And you won't again for a long time," seconded Julia, smiling reluctantly. She squinted at the windows, and slipped her arm into Ruby's. "It's stopped raining. Why don't you show me the magnificent grounds that accompany this house of yours?"

Ruby was only too eager to comply, and the two strolled down the hallway and out of the door. Julia closed the front entrance securely, the phone left, very forlornly, on the table.