what's my name again | rue & mal

[malcolm calan clark]

April 2028 

Malcolm showed up at the club alone, which made him feel like a loser at the door, but his mates were supposed to be waiting inside for him. He got caught up with work and lost track of time so he was arriving later than expected, so he half expected them to not be there. First order of business was getting a drink in his hand.

One thing about Mal was he was tall, he towered over most people. Some would argue and say he was a half giant but he never had that confirmed nor denied with both of his mums because it was a touchy subject for him. He easily scanned the dance floor of the club as lasers blanketed the crowd. Hell, if his mates hit the afterparties already, he’d be pissed. Mals eyes scanned the crowd, sure to pinpoint any unaccompanied hotties.. but it seemed to be slim pickings tonight. As he turned around to scan the back of the club, he noticed someone he half expected to see. Rue. She was always lurking the depths of clubs, pubs, alleyways, and other unexpected places, sporting a dreamy smile and blotches of glitter around her eyes as warpaint. The first time he met her he was just trying to bum a ciggie on the patio of someplace and she ended up being great craic. She also was an even better connect for illicit party favors, which always made a great friend in his book.

Mal hadn’t seen Rue in a couple of months since he had been stuck in training new curse breakers and other odd jobs he didn’t quite enjoy to keep his head above water financially. Noticing Rue moved a bit differently tonight, he made his way over to her with purpose, tapping her shoulder. "Hey Rue.." he greeted, pulling her into a side hug to avoid getting glitter on him.

prudence oria weiss

[prudence oria weiss]

━ the mirror's telling me to go home ━

please note: TW/CW warning for this thread, as the mention and involvement of drugs are included.

AH APRIL. LIKE EVERY OTHER YEAR, Rue loved spring. Despite being born in the winter, the Weiss enjoyed the feeling of warmth creeping up and developing. Though, along with the growth of her business meant Rue was due to be busy 24/7. That was until fairly recently anyway. It had been just over seven years since her fathers death, occurring when the Weiss was just the ripe age of seventeen, in her sixth year. Rue dealt with it differently compared to their siblings and mother, silently grieving while becoming addicted to the potions that kept her father sedated. Before experimenting enough to get high off of her own creations.

Every year for his anniversary, the Weiss would celebrate with drops of the potion that would keep her father numb, going a little further just for it. And every year following the anniversary was just like the rest. Bland, filled with things Rue wanted to do, people she wanted to see, have flings with, get high with and do general business. But this year in particular was oh, so special. Visiting home for a few days, Rue's mother decided to drop the news that every Weiss member knew of - even extended - except for Rue. Her mother was...moving on.

Rue knew she had no say in it by any means, but the vow her mother left her father on his deathbed was essentially doing a 180. It felt stupid, getting upset over a silly thing, but the pain of it all came from the secrets that had been growing for months on end. She was glad her mother was happy, finding the chance to move on, but it was rather painful to learn about it so late compared to literally everyone else. And how it developed anyway. It was all because of her father's death anniversary that allowed such an odd relationship to blossom. Regardless though, Rue continued like things were fine. Smiled like they were fine, pretended to be sober as if it was fine, wished her mother the best like it was fine. Because it was fine. Who was she to complain about such a thing?

Although, Rue's 'thought process' and her actions did not see eye-to-eye with one another. As the winter disappeared and spring crept upon them, Rue's abuse usage with her potions and her experiments grew significantly...worse. Times like this only happened for a week or so around the anniversary, but the eldest Weiss decided to bring the party a little earlier. Rue had been a potioneer for years, only ingesting the smallest amount of their potions, knowing that while it was bad for them, it wouldn't outright kill her. She had donned a zombie personality anyway, only taking up four hours of sleep max a day - but she always reassured those who asked anyway. But now?..Well.

Club Indigo was the place to be to get ones mind off of things while listening to booming music and bright lights flashing in the background. Or at least that's what Mina had said once or twice. Being let in with ease once the queues started to pick up because of her business with a few staff members, the understanding of time slowly left the Weiss' mind. A couple of trips to the bathroom here and a re-up on whatever potions they mixed there, Rue was out of it. Dressed in her usual club-going attire and glitter painted across and under her eyes, the Weiss undoubtedly had a mission to not leave empty-handed. The craving of the numb feeling was insatiable that oddly enough, not even the potions were enough to fulfil.

Though, as Rue danced with the people she was sure Mina was friends with, Rue eventually found herself at the back of the club, the effects of whatever potions she had taken or Muggle items some random wizard tried to overhype, clouding her judgement and actions. Swaying a little while she fumbled her pockets for a cigarette, the Weiss almost missed the voice greeting her, despite them tapping their shoulder, before turning and realising who exactly it was. "Mal!" She beamed, before giving Malcolm a slight pout. "No actual hug?..Kiss on the cheek? Invitation to come by later?" She teased, slightly running her hands up against his arms. Despite having a terrible avoidant attachment style, Rue had..history with Malcolm. "Not even an Owl to say how you've been lately.."

| malcolm calan clark |

[malcolm calan clark]

April

Rue ran her hands up his arms, getting closer to him as she pouted about no hug or kiss or other flirty gesture he'd usually display for her. Mal always found Rue attractive and a bundle o’ fun, most days, but she had too many personal problems. Most involving drugs or illicit potions he never knew existed until she told him about them. She was an actual genius. It was too bad she wasted the potential.. Hell, even Mal had his fair share of abusing said substances with Rue, but today seemed a little different... Now he regretted not texting her back that one time, maybe she was in too deep.

Malcolm playfully grabbed Rues head on both sides and kissed her forehead forcefully, kind of like a priest trying to perform an exorcism..  ”You look a wee bit zombie-like tonight, I had to make sure it was you.” he told her bluntly with a dimpled smile. His eyebrows threaded at the center of his forehead as he craned his neck down to carefully examined Rue's glitter splotched face under the flashing strobe lights and shitty EDM blaring over the speakers.

His head cocked to the side, ”What potions have you mixed tonight because this isn’t it..” he stated with slight concern and a hint of annoyance in his tone because he cared about her. Mal knew Rue for years and hadn’t ever seen her like she was now. Malcolm wrapped her into a strong hug and gave her a warm squeeze, figuring maybe being 'sweet' would be one way to get information out of her. 

prudence oria weiss

[prudence oria weiss]

━ the mirror's telling me to go home ━

BEING KISSED ON THE FOREHEAD was meant to be a romantic gesture, but to a drugged-up, mindless Rue, she only saw the action as something negative. As if she was being babied. Rue knew she would be terrible in a relationship. She was always too busy, too high and too tired to give her attention to someone else. But in that moment, the Weiss wanted nothing more than to go home with Mal, as they had done previously. "Zombie like?" She questioned, her eyes barely opening as they tried to look up at Mal. Rue knew with a little bit of effort they would look less tired, more alive and interested in things, but at the same time..who cared for others opinions?

Laughing softly as she finally got the hug she was looking for, Rue's arms moved upwards to wrap around Mal's neck. "No mix..just the usual potion and a Muggle thing.." While Rue was viewed as a genius, they knew they were a terrible liar. Truth be told however, they had no clue how many potions they had messed and mixed with at this point. But their mind was quiet, with the only thought as of present being Mal and how warm he was. And maybe how terrible the music was. "I'm fineee I promise."

| malcolm calan clark |

[malcolm calan clark]

April

Mal kept his arms around Rue, more to support her from falling or slumping over. Her answer baffled him. Just a bit of potion and muggle. Shaking his head in disapproval, ”That is mixing, Rue.” he answered her as he sucked air into his nostrils. She looked up at him with a dopey grin, attempting to open her eyes. Most would assume the pressure of being a Curse Breaker would make people good under pressure, and Mal typically was, but this was a different "real life" scenario. Mal didn't want to overreact if Rue was just having fun, but this didn't seem like a typical night. Something was off.

”Sure about that?” he challenged, hazel eyes flickering with concern. Mal never got involved in peoples vices, he didn't have time for that. People would always do what they ultimately wanted anyways, whether if they had to hide it or not. But Rue was different. Most of the time she was too high to make her own choices and he'd grown a soft spot for the junkie. ”Yer practically sleepin' while standin-” he stated pointedly, eyebrows lacing on his forehead as he wiped a bit of glitter off of him, but it only smeared worse on his pants. As she wrapped her arms around his neck, he could feel her dead weight. She was slumping so he offered her a bit of support while his arms tightened into the hug. "Please tell me what exactly, Rue." he insisted, warm breath on her ear as he leaned in.

prudence oria weiss

[prudence oria weiss]

━ the mirror's telling me to go home ━

FEELING WARM AND PUTTY IN Mal’s arms, Rue got herself comfortable. Or more like her body was shutting down but it was alllll fine. Pouting as Malcolm shook his head, Rue’s head cocked to the side, like a child barely understanding why they were in trouble. “Nuh-uh..Mixing would be with potions..Which I totally..did not do.” Grinning wide and spaced out up at Mal, somewhere within the Weiss, they knew that only an idiot would believe anything they were saying. With droopy eyes, their body slowly but surely crashing in on itself while the noises of the club slowly merged into one…Rue was fine from okay.

“Yup!” They added, popping the ‘p’ sound. The potioneers eyes opened a little wider then, while her lips rounded out into a soft smile. Merlin Mal was gorgeous. His eyes were one of Rue’s weaknesses. That and..various other features. “But ‘m wide awake?..” She responded, laughing softly at the glitter on Mal’s pants. Rue didn’t even know how half the time her clothes would be covered in glitter. As the hug between the two of them tightened, Rue couldn’t help but give her best smile. She was loving this. Her thumb brushed gently against the hair on Mal’s neck, small goosebumps forming as she felt his breath on her skin.

“I told you already…the usual that you would see me with..” She began, her eyes slowly starting to lose focus as she tried looking past Mal and around the club. People’s shapes and figures were soon enough turning into fuzzy silhouettes while the lights began blurring like colourful bokeh. “Why? Did you want some?..” She added, leaning in so their lips were practically touching. ”I can’t take rolling around in your bed as payment again..”

| malcolm calan clark |

[malcolm calan clark]

April

Mal's eyes scanned Rue's face carefully. He had a feeling like if he didn't take Rue out of the club himself, she'd end up sleeping on the side of the street, or the back of a strangers car.  Malcolm didn't believe a word she was saying. Shrugging in a hint of defeat, ”Yer bums oot dae window.” he sighed in irritated Scottish man, more to himself. Hell, he needed more whiskey to deal with this.

Rue's mouth hovered over his, tempting him with a good time. His hands dropped to Rue's glitter speckled face, allowing their lips to touch for a moment before pulling away. "No." he denied the offer of whatever potions or drugs she indulged in. "I need to be up early for work." he stated, looking down at his watch. Mal sighed, because he was taking a Portkey to Egypt at 8, and he was standing with Rue longer than he realized. And his mates had definitely left him. Tonight would be a late night. Mal hated to admit it but his job was the most important part of his life.

Leaning forward towards Rue's dopey expression, he peppered a trail of kisses up her neck and jaw. "You'll tell me, eventually..." he challenged with a smile against her neck, hands falling to her waist.

prudence oria weiss

[prudence oria weiss]

━ the mirror's telling me to go home ━

THE MORE THE MINUTES WENT on by, the more Rue became determined to dig herself out of the hole she had created. Of course, they could have just…simply told the truth, mentioned that because of a silly little thing, it led to a triggering moment for her which resulted in well…all of this. But given how warm she felt in Mal’s embrace, enjoying the push and pull from all the flirting and teasing..the Weiss decided to remain quiet. Even when Mal’s accent got heavier (something that only made the Weiss swoon) and Rue narrowly missed what he had said.

But as their lips brushed just for a moment before Mal chose to pull away, Rue thought she was almost in the clear. That was one funny thing about her fogged up brain, the delusions would be ten times worse. “Then why are you here with me?..” She asked, fully ready to take a step back. “If I’m keeping you from going home please do say.” They added, eyes scanning the room once more. The challenge of trying to focus on Mal and Mal alone was proving to be more difficult, the more the effects of the potions kicked in.

As his lips found their way to her neck and jaw, Rue’s breath hitched quietly, swallowing a lump that had been forming in her throat. “You wanna bet on it?..” She challenged, the hands around Mal’s neck continuing to play with the short strands of his hair while her own lips formed a small smirk. Taking a moment to think, Rue concluded there would be no harm in admitting to what she had taken. At least from what she could remember anyway. Then she could simply go back to dancing around the truth. “My Pepper-up..” They began, eyes slowly starting to roll as they followed the strobe lights above them.

| malcolm calan clark |

[malcolm calan clark]

April

Malcolm was well aware his moral compass was off, but he knew that escalating anything with Rue was wrong. Nor did he find her attractive when she was this sloppy. He wasn’t drunk enough to snog Rue while she was in beast mode. It was fun to tease her though, a couple of kisses wouldn’t hurt anyone. Malcolm was ready to depart from the club, especially after she dismissed him. But there was no way in hell he’d bring her home. Jack wouldn’t care but he didn’t have his bags packed for work…fuck. Rue seemed like she needed a looking after, which he didn’t have the capacity to do tonight, or most days, honestly. There was a tiny voice at the back of his head telling him not to leave her alone. He didn’t want her to pass out and choke on her own vomit or something.

Mal ignored her sassiness asking him why he was with her if he had work in the morning. Rue was barely on the same planet as him so he didn't think much of his own response. "Well, I was hoping you'd come with me." he lied, hand running down her back. She admitted to taking Pepper Up. Her Pepper Up was strong, he knew from from first hand experience. Rues Pepper Up in particular was too much for him, he felt strong side effects, like steam coming out of his ears.. He had a slight suspicion that she was lying because Pepper Up was meant for the common cold or warming the recipient... but she was certainly warm, which was equally unsettling.  ”That's a start, I suppose..” he shrugged, slowly starting to give in to defeat. Once he stopped asking, she'd probably just tell him anyways..

”Come with me, Darlin...” he suggested in the sweetest tone he could muster, pulling her upwards because she was slouching into him with droopy eyes. If she didn't start walking, he'd throw her over his shoulder and carry her out of the club if he had to. Actually, now that he thought of that, it would just look suspicious to other club goers but he'd do it anyways. Mal figured if he could lure Rue out of the club, he could drop by with a special delivery to her best friend Mina's doorstep, since he knew she already knew about Rue's problems. He remembered meeting Rue there last time because she lived in London fairly close to Club Indigo.

prudence oria weiss

[prudence oria weiss]

━ the mirror's telling me to go home ━

WHILE RUE’S BODY SEEMINGLY BEGAN to slow down, her mind was the complete opposite. Since the change of music and the strobe lights began to flash more frequently, her mind also accelerated. It wasn’t helpful though, given that while her mind considered all sorts of thoughts quite..quickly, her body simply couldn’t catch up. But as Mal mentioned coming with him, Rue couldn’t help but flash her usual grin. “Really?” She asked, biting on her lip while her skin felt hot to the touch as his hand ran down her back. The pushing and pulling between the two of them was eating the Weiss up but yet she enjoyed nothing else.

Seeing how Mal responded to Rue opening up about whatever it is she took, the potioneer decided there would be no harm in..trying to remember what else there was. Slightly resting her head against Mal’s shoulder - barely being tall enough to do so - Rue began murmuring, hoping he would pick it up anyway. “Something in a bag..Muggle..Alihotsy..Draught of peace..“ The potions were all of her recreations of course, following the same logistics as the supposed outcomes of the original potions but with a slight…twist. A typical draught of peace relieved all forms of anxiety whereas Rue’s…Well, it relieved literally anything. From experiments, they discovered that their rendition of the potion was the thing that numbed every thought in their mind. Kept it quiet. The ultimate definition of peace no less.

As her brows furrowed, the memory of what Rue had taken coming back, she continued in a slight mumble “There’s also..another mix..” The last time Rue had tried something new it was alongside a close friend. It was another monthly experiment during last summer in Rue’s warehouse. In which she warned her friend not to get too close because of the fumes. Lucky for Rue’s customers, the experiment worked out, with the potion being distributed from that same winter. But unfortunately for Rue, it meant something new to get high off from. Given the circumstances, that morning Rue had started with her usual dose of their Pepper Up before moving onto the other potions as the day went on..then onto the mix in the club’s bathroom. “Where’re we going?” She asked, feeling herself go putty at Mal’s simple request. But something felt..a little off.

| malcolm calan clark |

[malcolm calan clark]

April

Mal nodded with a smile as Rue seemed pleased with the idea of leaving with him. His hand ran down Rues back as she leaned into his touch. If he was wasted or strung out on whatever potions she was on, they’d be dancing and/or fooling around in the dark corners of the club. She shared more about what she had ingested but it sounded more like gibberish to him. "That's quite the cocktail." he sighed, looking down at her deciding how he'd remove her from the club. Mal's friendship with Rue started off more transactional so he was having a bit of a moral dilemma. She always had fun illicit potions and other mind altering substances which was usually the feral part he enjoyed. Tonight he felt a nipping feeling in his gut like he had to make sure Rue got home safely and he didn't typically consider him an 'intuitive' person.

Cocking his head to the side, his hands fell to her sides. ”I already told you where we’re going.” he lied with a convincing smile, feigning a confused look like she wasn’t listening. The Clark wasn’t against a bit of manipulation and a sprinkle of gaslighting to convince someone to do something. Mal knew if he told Rue he was going to walk her down the street to Mina’s place, she’d probably probably refuse to go in her current state because she was stubborn. So, he'd have to convince her the only way he knew how to... Mal leaned forward as she looked up at him with a dopier look than usual, pulling her in for a proper snog. It was meant to be more of a distraction but he surely enjoyed it more than he should have. After a couple of extended moments he pulled away, attempting to match her gaze, ”You gonna come with me or not?”

prudence oria weiss

[prudence oria weiss]

━ the mirror's telling me to go home ━

IN HER USUAL OR MORE so sober-state, Rue would've figured out that this was all a bad idea. That Malcolm was probably doing this for her benefit, to get them to the help they needed and away from the scene that was making it worse. But considering how far gone the Weiss was, she was simply falling for every trick up Mal's sleeve. At his sigh though, Rue's head cocked to the side again, noting that he was disappointed. "Are you upset?.." They asked, a pout forming on their lips. Rue knew the longer the night went on and the more the effects hit the Weiss, she knew she was bound to forget everything she was saying and had done.

"You did?.." Rue questioned, her eyes flickering down to the smile on his lips before up at his eyes again. Almost anything Mal did could be considered a weakness for the Weiss, and the feelings were only heightened in the state she was in. That and also she loved the attention they were getting. Before Rue could question anything else, Mal pulled her in for a kiss which only resulted in the potioneer to feel all putty once more. There was a feeling within the Weiss, telling them to snap out of it, to see that what was happening probably had a hidden meaning for something else, but Rue was in the moment. And simply didn't care.

Her arms rested comfortably around his neck as they kissed and upon pulling away, Rue nodded eagerly. "Right now?.." Merlin, what they had sought for at the start of the night was finally coming true. "But don't you have to work early?.."

| malcolm calan clark |

[malcolm calan clark]

Mal shook his head from side to side when Rue asked if he was upset. He wasn't. She was an adult. Adults could make their own choices. He made his fair share of bad choices in his lifetime, so who was he to judge? Luckily for Mal, he had a great support system (AKA his brother Jack) who he could always lean on and give him tough love when needed.

Rue's gears in her head appeared to be moving, slowly processing the world around her as she questioned, Mal if he truly already told her where they were going. Rue's arms looped around his neck, his hands dropping to clutch her waist possessively as he kissed her fervently, giving her a little preview of what was hopefully to come. Rue asked him about work and he lifted his shoulders into a lazy shrug, "Yeah, I do, but thats okay.." He lied again, knowing that was out of character for him. His job was usually the reason for most of his choices in life, which he hated. It made him feel restricted as a person and affected him more than he'd ever admit. Hell, he was tired all the time whether if he went out or not.

Mal pulled a smile and locked Rue's gaze the best he could as he reached for her hand to give it a kiss. "Lets go, Rue." he requested with a charming smile, biting down on his lip as he tugged on her hand, attempting to lead her toward the door of the club. Now he just needed to find the right moment to text Mina..

prudence oria weiss

 

[prudence oria weiss]

━ the mirror's telling me to go home ━

AS EYES WENT BRIGHT THE moment Mal shook his head to say no, Rue presented him with her best smile. A little dopey of course, given how her body felt and how she presented herself of course. She knew the choices she was making and had made were terrible ideas but it kept her happy. Unhealthy, possibly close to death, but she was happy.

With his arms clutching her waist while the two kissed, the Weiss felt like she was swooning. It was a constant feeling around the Clark, even though most of the time the two of them saw one another, the night would end the same. Messing and fooling around before heading back to one or the others apartment. How romantic. But at his shrug, slightly-less-high-Rue would’ve figured it out that Mal was indeed hiding something. “It is?..” She asked, lips turning upwards in a smile regardless. Anything Mal said was music to the Weiss’ ears at this point.

“Yours or mine?..” The potioneer questioned, letting herself fall into the fantasy a little longer. Her cheeks flushed a little, almost unnoticeable under the club lights but given Rue’s usual complexion, being flushed was something new. Letting herself being guided towards the front of the club and ultimately the door, the Weiss smiled and waved at her friends who questioned where they were going. Wherever it was, the potioneer couldn’t care.

| malcolm calan clark |

[malcolm calan clark]

Thank Merlin, Rue started to follow him, asking his place or hers. Mal wrapped an arm around her shoulders to keep her close, "Mine." he stated, knowing that was a lie. Mal wasn't sure if Rue would hold tricking her against him, but something was telling him it was the right thing to do tonight. As much as he enjoyed rolling around in bed with Rue, and even with a skewed moral compass, he knew tonight wasn't the night.

Mal pulled his phone out of his back pocket and sent Mina a quick text as Rue bid adieu to her club friends, distractedly waving them goodbye. His eyes got a glimpse of the time and he wondered where the hell the time went. He'd have to be awake in 2 hours. "Hey Mina, Rue is going through something weird tonight. I'm going to drop her off to you in about 15 minutes.." he typed quickly, unsure if Rue's best friend would be awake. He didn't wait for Mina to reply as he started to walk in the direction of her flat, hoping Rue wouldn't catch on that he wasn't leading her to their typical portkey to Scotland.

"C'mon, let's go Rue.." he urged again, this time pressing a heated kiss to her lips before pulling away with a charming smile, tugging her along the sidewalk. "I will carry you if I have to.." he teased playfully.

prudence oria weiss