Chapter One: Face to Face

Ruby Rose was once again awake at five in the morning, a habit she had picked up when she joined her high school soccer team, and one she enforced when she had been offered a position on the USA Youth Olympics team. The red and black haired young woman was currently looking at an old photo of her half-sister Yang and herself in their uniforms. "We almost made it, Yang. But fate had other plans. Turned out for the better though I'm no good in large crowds." Putting the photograph back on the bedside table it had been resting on, Ruby made her way down into her bakery Silent Flower Bakery which was below her small two bedroom apartment, the other room empty and unused. Looking out the shop's bay windows, she could see the sun just beginning to rise. "Going to be another nice day; good thing, too. Wouldn't want Velvet's plane to be delayed because of bad weather on our end." She said, thinking about her pen pal. "Ohhh I can't wait to finally meet her in person!"

Ruby had first met Velvet during a pen pal program at her high school in Vale. They had been keeping in contact with each other ever since. It had taken a lot to finally get the Australian to visit the United States, but she had managed to save up enough to not only visit, but move to the country as well. Her flight would be landing later that afternoon.

Looking around the bakery however, Ruby could see she still had a lot that she needed to do in order to prepare for Velvet's arrival. "Ok, I picked up the banner yesterday, along with some of the different groceries I might need. All that's left is to check in with Yang and Neo to get the rest of the decorations in place." Ruby fumbled with a ring of keys as she stepped out of her bakery and locked the doors behind her. Seeing as it was a Saturday, the red clad baker wouldn't have any orders that needed to be filled until tomorrow. Tucking a box of pastries under her arm, the twenty-one year old started walking in the direction of her older sister's gym, Sun Dragon. The walk would get her there in about half an hour, so long as she followed her normal route.


"You ready, Neo?" Yang smirked at her diminutive opponent as she took up a boxing stance. Yang and Neo had decided to have a warm up match after they jogged the distance to gym from the apartment they shared, which was only ten minutes away.

"Of course, Firecracker." Neo signed quickly before slipping her hands into a pair of mma gloves. Born mute, Neo first met Ruby and Yang in high school. After some initial communication difficulties, the sisters decided to take classes to learn sign language to better help their friend. She is the co-owner of the Silent Flower Bakery alongside Ruby.

"Alright, this time I'm gonna beat you. One-hundred and thirty-two times out of two hundred and sixty; I'm gonna make it one-hundred and thirty-three." Yang said, stating the number of matches the two had fought out as her right arm shot out quickly. A slight creak from the joint in her prosthetic elbow warned the smaller woman to the right hook that was coming her way.

Neo ducked the punch and countered with a light jab to Yang's stomach. She smirked and shook her head slightly in disagreement at the tally. "Nope, I've won one-hundred and thirty-two times." The look on the small woman's face communicated.

"Oh don't give me that, you know I'm right." Yang responded to the look once she recovered from the blow to her midriff before striking at Neo with her left, hoping to land the blow now that she was in closer.

The punch knocked Neo back a few steps before she recovered with a smirk. "Nope~" Before charging with a one-two combo which forced Yang to go on the defensive.

After ducking and sidestepping the attack, Yang found herself with her back to the ropes of the gym's boxing ring. She caught the next strike in her open palm, "Nice try, Shortcake, now it's my turn." She quickly placed her right hand on Neo's arm locking it in place before sweeping her feet, trying to pin her brown and pink clad sparring partner.

"I wonder if she remembers this is about the time she lost in our last session?" Neo thought as she quickly reversed her fall, putting herself on top of Yang. In a few short seconds, Yang found herself underneath her sparring partner and roommate pinned to the mat. "One-hundred and thirty-three, Firecracker." Neo signed with a smirk, still pinning the taller woman with her free hand, their faces only a few inches apart.

"Alright Neo, one thirty-three it is." Yang smiled back.

"Uh, I can comeback in an hour if I need to. Looks like you both could use the privacy." A voice said, pulling the two fighters attention to the edge of the ring.

Neo suppressed a slight blush as she released Yang and started signing quickly. "You know it's not like that at all Ruby! You just caught us at the end of our match is all!"

"Keep telling yourself that Neo, I have eyes after all." The red dressed baker responded with a chuckle as she set down the box of pastries she had brought with her. "So, I've got a few bear claws, raspberry and blueberry pastries, and a couple of strawberry tarts if you girls are interested."

"Ruby, you know how much I like my regimen. I can't just eat those...deliciously sinful...screw it, pass me a bear claw would ya?" The gym owner relented, as she looked at the box.

"So what's on the agenda for the day, Ruby?" Neo signed after passing Yang one of the bear claws.

"Other than finishing decorating the bakery and picking up Velvet from the airport, not much. I can imagine she'll want to try and sleep when she gets here." Ruby answered with a smile which spread from one ear to the other.

"Well sis, you're pretty excited." Yang said around a mouthful of her breakfast pastry before Neo lightly elbowed her in the ribs, forcing her to finish chewing before continuing. "Though we can't really let her sleep or else she won't get used to the time change."

"True, hopefully it won't be too bad for her though. Well, we've got a few hours to kill before we need to decorate. If you guys want to get cleaned up we can head to the store and pick up anything we may have missed." The baker suggested as she devoured one of the strawberry tarts.


Neo stepped from the shower and changed into a clean change of clothes, she could hear the water stop in the stall on her left as Yang was finishing up. "Damn it, not again!" The shout caused Neo to look towards the stall Yang was occupying.

"Must be her elbow joint again." Neo thought before tossing a towel into Yang's stall and going into the the blonde's office. "We need to see about getting it replaced, ah, there's the screwdriver." The diminutive bakery caterer quickly made her way back to the shower stalls.

Yang had wrapped herself in the towel as best as she could, but the elbow of her prosthetic had locked up keeping her from being able to bend it. "I'm getting real tired of this, Neo. When this doesn't happen I feel great, capable even, as if my arm was still here. Then this hunk of junk goes and-"

Neo had heard enough, she could see tears starting to form in Yang's eyes. She tapped her roommate on the forehead to get her attention. Her eyes, actions, and body language speaking for her. The blonde's years of being around the shorter woman allowed her to pick up on what she was saying. "Don't start beating yourself up, you're better than that. Just because you have this prosthetic, and I'm not saying it doesn't have issues, doesn't mean you aren't capable." After loosening the joint, she smiled and started signing again, "Now show the me the confidence you had in high school; be yourself, Firecracker."

"You're right, Shortcake. You're right." Yang said, sniffling a little before pulling Neo into a hug, the latter stiffened and turned as red as her business partner's choice of clothing.

Yang hadn't realized it but Neo had signed one word frantically, "Towel."


After helping Yang get dressed, the pair headed out into the lobby of the gym where Ruby was waiting for them. "You guys all ready to go?"

"Yup, let's get a move on! Wouldn't want the day to go poorly now would we Neo?" Yang said, looking at the smallest member of their metaphorical family.

Neo recognized that Yang was giving her the chance to get back at Ruby for the teasing earlier, "Yeah, certainly wouldn't want Red's first day with her crush to go poorly." She signed with a playful smile.

"T-that's not, uh, what? No, we're just friends!" Ruby fumbled in her reply.

"Relax Rubes, we're just playing. Come on, what else do we need for the welcome party?" Yang chuckled before asking.

"Not much really, just a few odds and ends. Nothing we can't get at Peach's Grocer." The woman answered with a shrug. The trio started walking in the direction of the local grocery store, Neo pulled Ruby back a bit and started signing.

"Yang's elbow locked up again. She almost broke down. Do you mind if I use some of our profits from the Beacon bake sale to either get the joint replaced or the whole arm if needed?" Neo signed, her hands and her frown relaying her concern.

"With the money we made from catering the Beacon bake sale we have plenty to spare. Honestly though I think someone cut corners. Yang has had that arm for only two years, it shouldn't be malfunctioning. Make her an appointment to get it checked, and if it needs to be fully replaced then do it. Yang deserves to feel like she's whole." Ruby signed in reply. When Yang lost her right arm in a car accident during high school, she had to be removed from the USA Youth Olympics team. Ruby made the decision to leave as well and, along with Neo, helped Yang through her recovery. The redhead didn't regret staying behind and she didn't blame Yang's accident for keeping them from going for the gold. Even if the tall blonde did during one of her short, and thankfully rare, depressions spirals.

"Couldn't agree more, Ruby. I'll talk with her about setting up an appointment." Neo signed back quickly, a smile returning to her face.

"Good, now enough sad and more happy!" Ruby smiled back and picked up the pace to catch up to Yang who was waiting at a crosswalk for them.


While the hours flew by Ruby, Neo, and Yang spent the day finishing preparations for Velvet's arrival. A large banner had been hung in the entryway. Ruby had spent much of yesterday, once her orders had been filled, making a carrot cake for Velvet. The new arrival had mentioned in one of her letters that it was one of her favorite desserts. Determined to make a good impression on her pen pal, Ruby had made the cake from scratch. It was currently chilling in a refrigerator in the back of the bakery.

"Alright, so Velvet's flight lands in an hour we should start heading to the airport if we want to make it there before she lands." Ruby said, pacing slightly.

"Calm down, Rubes, you're gonna put a rut in your floor." Yang said reaching for a jacket. As the day had gone on the weather had begun to cool off.

"She's not wrong Ruby, now come on. Let's get rid of some of that boundless energy and start heading to the airport, I'm driving." Neo signed before giving Yang some help with her jacket.

"Oh can you reach the pedals now, Neo?" Ruby joked before climbing into the passenger seat of a pink and brown SUV. It was a running joke between the three of them, seeing that the four foot tall woman chose to drive an SUV rather than something smaller.

"Ha ha." Neo replied with a roll of her eyes as she climbed into the driver seat.

Ruby pulled out a sign and set it in her lap, she was almost bouncing in her seat with anticipation. "I've been waiting a long time to finally meet Velvet."

"We know Ruby, and from what we've learned about her from the letters, I'm sure she'll love it here." Yang said, ruffling her sister's hair from the back seat. Glancing at Neo, Ruby saw the emphatic nod and agreeing smile she gave her.

It took the three of them thirty minutes to get from Silent Flower Bakery to the airport. Once they arrived and parked, they made their way into the arrivals area. Ruby held up the sign she had brought with her. She was holding it over her head, it was a large white sign and in block letters was written 'Velvet Scarlatina'. Ruby had already been holding the sign for fifteen minutes before the announcement that the passengers were disembarking.

It was only a few more minutes before one of the disembarking passengers approached the group. She was slightly shorter than Yang, with long brown hair, and brown eyes. "A-are you Ruby Rose? I-I'm Velvet, Velvet Scarlatina."

Ruby slowly lowered the sign, "Yeah, I'm Ruby Rose. It's nice to finally meet you in person after all this time!" The redhead resisted the urge to go in for hug. To her surprise it was Velvet who closed the distance between them.

"It was a lot harder getting here than I had thought it would be." Velvet said, relinquishing the hug after a few seconds.

"Well you're here now. Welcome to the States, Velvet." The redhead said with smile, still spread from ear to ear.

"Welcome to Vale, I'm Yang." The blonde said, extending her hand. To her surprise Velvet didn't flinch when she made contact with the cold prosthetic.

"No need to be surprised, Yang. Ruby had filled me in when it happened. I wish there was something I could've done other than sending my letters." Velvet said, looking Yang in the eyes.

"Trust me when I say those letters helped in their own way. To be honest though, you're the first person I've met who didn't shy away at the sight of it." The amputee said, subconsciously running her left hand over the prosthetic.

"You aren't the first friend that I've had with prosthesis. I mean I hope we can be friends." Velvet said.

"Of course we are Velvet, and if you don't mind me asking who was it?" Yang asked.

"My mother and a few classmates, it was a car crash as well." The brunette answered, a little softly.

"Sorry about bringing it up." The former athlete said, realizing the memories she had brought up. The blonde felt a light tap to her stomach as Neo reprimanded her.

"It's alright, I was kid when it happened." Velvet said with a reassuring smile. "And you must be Neo. It's a pleasure to meet you as well." Neo started signing and the sisters saw the look of confusion cross Velvet's face. "I'm sorry, I don't understand."

Neo chuckled as she looked to the sisters, "She said it's a pleasure to meet you as well." Yang translated.

"We can teach you sign language if you feel up to it." The redhead suggested.

"That would help a lot. Plus, I'd be able to have a normal conversation with you." Velvet said looking at Neo. The Australian noticed the smile on Neo's face grow a little at the thought of having a conversation in sign language as normal.


"So Velvet, how was your flight?" Ruby asked, while they waited near the baggage claim.

"N-not too bad actually." Velvet replied, stifling a yawn.

"Hey now, no falling asleep just yet. If you do it'll take longer to get used to the time change." The redhead said.

"I know, doesn't help I didn't get any coffee in me though." The brunette complained.

"Well, there is a coffee stand not too far from here. Let's get you some and you can give me the details of the flight." Ruby said pointing at a nearby stand.

"T-that would be lovely." The newcomer answered, stifling another yawn as she followed Ruby to the coffee stand.

"Yang, Neo! Velvet and I are going to grab a cup of coffee. You guys want anything?" The baker asked, looking to her sister and friend.

"Nah, we're good Rubes." Yang called back, smirking at Neo's reply.

"Go easy on the sugar Red. I don't need you going crazy in my ride." The pink and brown clad woman signed.

"Gotcha Neo." Ruby chuckled, before walking up to the counter and ordering two cups of coffee. "So, Velvet, how does it feel to be here?" The redhead asked, handing the brunette one of the cups.

"Thanks, I guess it feels more like a dream. I'd always thought about coming here but actually doing it…" The taller woman's voice trailed off as she tried to find the words to express what she was feeling about finally being the United States.

"Feels like you've turned the impossible into the possible?"

"I...I guess. Though I'm not really sure that's quite it." Velvet answered after taking a sip of her coffee, still unsure.

"How about like you're living a dream?" Ruby asked again, trying to help her pin down the feeling.

"Closer, anyway as for the flight there isn't really much to say. Twenty-three hours on a plane leads to a lot of sleeping and downtime." The brown dressed traveler said with a shrug.

"Speaking of downtime did you bring your photo albums?" The red and black clad woman asked. As soon as she finished the question Ruby could see some of the weariness leave Velvet's eyes.

"Of course I did! There was no way I'd leave them behind!" The brunette exclaimed.

"What's the count up to now? Your last letter said you were up to three hundred and twelve." Ruby asked, smiling at the show of enthusiasm.

"Four hundred even, when we get the chance I have to show you them." Velvet said, pride filling her voice as she took another sip of her coffee.

"Wow….that letter was from three months ago. How did you find the time?" Ruby said, looking at her in amazement.

"It's my hobby. I made the time." The woman answered.

"Well, you'll have plenty of time to show them to me. I'll warn you now, if you have any baby photo's Yang will tease you about them." Ruby said.

"Good thing those stayed in Sydney then. So, tell me how's your bakery going?" Velvet inquired.

"Rather well, in fact Neo and I have an order to fill later this week for the Vale PD." The redhead said.

"Wow, that's impressive. Not bad for only being opened for a few years."

"It helps having a business partner who is willing to deal with accounting and getting catering gigs." Ruby said with a small laugh, "You know I'm no good with crowds."

"Well, I'll have to fix that won't I?" Velvet asked, smiling as she finished her coffee.

"We'll see about that. For now though we get you settled in and tomorrow you are going to get a tour of the city." The redhead informed.

"Sounds like fun. It'll be different seeing this place in person rather than a photograph. What's so funny?" The brunette asked, confused at Ruby's sudden laughter.

"I just realized what that feeling could be. It's like you stepped into a photograph. Instead of just being able to look at it you're here in person." The redhead said her laughter subsiding.

"I...yeah that's what that feeling is like I've stepped into a photograph." Velvet agreed, with a smile.


When the buzzer sounded alerting the group to the baggage claim, they made their way over to the baggage carousel. "It's the brown set." Velvet said, pointing to the bags in question.

"We've got them, Velvet." Yang said hoisting one of them and suddenly putting it back down. "Ack! What did you pack?"

"Hehe, sorry my sparring equipment. Couldn't leave it behind." The brunette said, taking the bag from her.

"You, Neo and I will most definitely get along." The gym owner said with a smile.

While the three friends accompanied their newest member to the Silent Flower Bakery, Velvet regaled them with the stories of her what her life in Australia was like. When they entered the bakery, Velvet stopped mid sentence when she saw the banner.

"Welcome to Vale, Velvet." Ruby said as she stepped behind the banner and brought out the carrot cake she had made to celebrate Velvet's arrival.

"Y-you guys didn't have to do this." Velvet said.

"Yeah, we did. Welcome to our little family." Yang replied, smiling.

"Welcome home Velvet." Ruby translated for Neo.

"We're glad you finally made it." The redhead said, a smile still spread across her face from earlier.


AN: Now I know what you all are thinking, "shouldn't I be working on my other stories?". The answer is yes, but I got the urge to branch out with my pairings and decided to start a loosely linked one-shot collection for Red Velvet and Baked Alaska. I don't know how often I'll be updating this yet, but it will be updated. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and I'l catch you all later! Enjoy the journey, keep moving forward and don't feed the guard dogs. - Phoenix Commander signing off.

Thanks to snotboy1186 for coming up with the name for Ruby's bakery and Thanks to Archer1eye for coming up with Yang's nickname for Neo!

I DO NOT OWN RWBY IT IS THE SOLE PROPERTY OF ROOSTERTEETH PRODUCTIONS!