Chapter 1

"You got spirit, Red!" Shouted Roman over the wind as the airship flew surrounded by Grimm over the chaos of Vale, "But this is the real world!" He pulled back his arm to thrust at Ruby with Melodic Cudgel, knocking her to the roof of the airship. "The real world is cold!" He struck her again, as she curled up to try and protect herself.

"The real world doesn't care about spirit!" He raised his cane above his head, but Ruby kicked out at his knee forcing him back as he let out a pained grunt getting to one knee.

Ruby got back to her feet as Roman recovered from her strike.

"You wanna be a hero? Then play the part and die like every other Huntsman in history!" Fury filled Roman's voice. Why did Red always have to get in his way? He knew what Cinder and her cronies were up to and with a bit of digging who was the real mastermind behind everything. She didn't. But even if she knew, he could bet that she'll fight on just as hard, despite everything. The sheer determination. The stupidity. The futility of it all. It wasn't just getting in his way or that she had probably sent Neo to her death. But all of that served to piss him off and feed the flames of his anger.

Roman took his cane with both hands, and like a bat, swung it right at Ruby's head, knocking her off her feet once more.

"As for me, I'll do what I do best. Lie, steal, cheat, and SURVIVE!" screamed Roman, as he raised his cane to strike at Ruby, and get her out of his way. Hopefully for the last time, and then suddenly darkness.

Roman screamed, sitting up from his bed, a cold sweat dripped from his forehead as his eyes scanned the room. Searching for Red, the Grimm, the airship. But all that greeted him was the familiar dark panelling of his room. His heart beat loudly in his ears as he panted as if he had just run a mile.

Roman covered his eyes as he rubbed his temples with one hand, remembering the dream. It was his last encounter with Little Red. Nearly ten years ago.

He had nearly forgotten all about Red, despite everything she'd done to him and he'd done to her.

To be fair, getting swallowed whole by a Creature of Grimm wasn't a pleasant experience to be sure and to most it would be the stuff of nightmares, though to some it's a lifelong fantasy. But being trapped in its stomach turned out to be a mixed blessing. While Roman was a tough bastard, a survivor through and through, even he couldn't survive an exploding airship falling out of the sky. But the creature's body had provided enough extra protection, that by the time it had died and dissolved to mist, the airship was already on the ground. He managed to crawl out of the wreckage in one piece. Battered and bruised, but alive at the very least.

Why in the hell was he thinking about all this? It had happened a decade ago. Salem's war for conquest and destruction had been stopped, Cinder and the rest were either dead or imprisoned, and the world was safe.

He had to hand it to Red and the rest of the brats. They pulled off the impossible. Now that Salem isn't going to rain darkness and chaos in all the corners of the world and everyone that knew he was involved with at least the fall of Beacon was either dead, imprisoned, or thought he was dead.

Knock knock.

Roman rubbed the sand out of his eyes and called out, "It's open."

The door opened to reveal Neo wearing a set of ice cream print pyjamas with one hell of a bedhead peeking through it before opening it wider as she entered Roman's room.

I heard you scream, is something wrong? signed Neo.

"Nothing's wrong, just had a nightmare." replied Roman.

That's odd, and here I thought you were the stuff of nightmares. signed Neo.

"Oh haha really funny Neo." said Roman sarcastically. "I can't even remember the last time I had a nightmare." he muttered.

What was it about? Neo asked.

Roman sat silently for a moment, trying his best to recall what he had dreamed. "It's less of a nightmare and more of an old memory." he explained, "It was the last time we faced Red, back during the attack on Beacon."

Neo's brow furrowed in confusion. Really? Any idea why you'd remember that?

Roman sighed, "If I knew I'd tell you, but honestly I have no clue why I dreamt about it."

Well in any case, if you're awake enough to whine about some nightmare. It's your turn to cook breakfast. signed Neo Also we're nearly out of eggs. before turning around to exit the Roman's room, leaving the door open behind her.

Roman groaned, "Yeah, yeah I'll get right on that." he replied, then muttered quietly. "Impatient little midget."

In a flash Neo was back at the door scowling at him. Even without her signing anything he could tell that she had heard his little comment.

"Fine, fine just let me get changed first." said Roman, climbing out of bed.

Walking over to his closet, he opened it and grabbed a pair of black pants, putting them on before walking out of his room.

He found Neo sitting on the couch, tapping away idly at her Scroll, still in her pyjamas. Without even looking up from her Scroll Neo snapped her fingers as Roman made his way to the kitchen, showing her impatience with the current lack of breakfast.

Roman rolled his eyes at her, "You know, if you're that hungry already we do have cereal."

Neo sighed irritatedly, and signed with one hand. It was crude, but she got her meaning across. You finished the last of the milk, remember, and that was two days ago.

Roman groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose in annoyance, "Is there anything else we're missing or very nearly out of?" he asked.

Neo shrugged with her back to him as she continued to tap away at her Scroll.

Roman face palmed as he shook his head before finally making it to the kitchen. He opened the fridge and inspected its contents. They had four eggs left, which was enough for breakfast, but he definitely needed to buy more. No milk obviously, there was plenty of orange juice left, and some leftovers from last night's dinner. He took out the carton of eggs, jug of orange juice, loaf of bread, butter, and a packet of bacon. He laid them all on the counter next to the stove and grabbed a cutting board and knife. He sliced the loaf of bread and placed a couple of pieces in the toaster. He then grabbed a small bowl, cracking a couple of eggs into it then whisked them with a fork. He grabbed a skillet from overhead, placed it on the stovetop and lit the stove, heating it up. He placed a pat of butter in the skillet and allowed it to melt. Once the butter was fully melted he poured the beaten eggs into the pan, sprinkling in salt and pepper.

He never really used to cook before, usually opting to eat out for his and Neo's meals. That was, until Neo noticed that always eating out did no favors for her figure when she found that her pants were beginning to get a tad tight, not to mention her addiction to ice cream wasn't helping matters either. She decided to rope Roman into cooking at home and dieting with her, claiming that he himself was becoming, in her words, a "middle-aged lump of chub". He reluctantly agreed since going along with it was easier than dealing with her nagging at him all the time.

As it turned out, he was actually seemed to have a knack for cooking, something which pleased Neo immensely as well as surprising himself.

He quickly finished off the two omelettes and placed them on their respective plates, before proceeding to fry up the bacon in the same skillet. The toast popped out of the toaster and he placed those on the plates as well.

When the bacon was nice and crispy, he divided them up and placed them the plates with the rest of the food.

"Neo! Breakfast's ready!" called Roman, carrying the plates to the table and setting them down before he took a seat and bit into his piece of toast, not bothering to wait for Neo.

Neo walked into the kitchen and sat across from Roman. They both ate in silence, Roman finishing his meal quickly, while Neo kept switching between taking bites and typing on her Scroll.

Roman grabbed his plate and brought it to the sink, leaving it there for Neo to wash, and glanced up at the clock. It showed that it was a little bit past noon and he sighed. He still had some time to go shopping.

He left Neo to finish her breakfast and deal with the dishes and made his way back to his room.

He grabbed a charcoal grey button-up shirt and put it on, unbuttoning the cuffs and rolling up the sleeves. He then slipped on a pair of socks and put on his shoes, before he took a look in the mirror, giving himself a once over making sure that he was presentable. He ran a hand through his hair, his fiery orange locks were now swept back, his bangs no longer covered his right eye.

He nodded to himself, satisfied with his appearance, Roman pocketed his Scroll, grabbed a cigar, and made his way to the door.

"Neo, I'm going shopping!" he shouted, not even bothering to turn and look in her direction. He could probably tell what she'd say to him anyway.

He grabbed his keys from a hook and stepped out the apartment door. Roman walked down the stairs, unlocked the deadbolt to the front door and stepped outside, closing the door behind him.

The sky was clear and the sun was shining brightly from above with a cool breeze blowing against his skin.

Taking a quick scan of his surroundings and the crowds of people walking around him, Roman pulled a cigar from his pocket and lit turned on his heel and began to walk in the direction of the market.

They were lucky that they were able to grab a good place in downtown of the upperclass area of Vacuou. The streets were clean, the buildings and neighbors were classy and crime was practically nonexistent in this part of the city. Well, not that he would mind living amongst other criminals again, but unlike back in Vale he was no longer a big fish. He didn't mind it so much these days, something about a standing near deaths door giving him some perspective and mellowing out as he had gotten older.

He'd finally made it to the market and began to browse for whatever food he and Neo needed in the apartment, milk and eggs were on the top of that list.

Roman was surprised at how well he had adjusted to domestic life, well mostly domestic.

It didn't take Roman long to find everything he was looking for and with his arms laden with groceries, he soon made his way back to their apartment. When he opened the door, he saw Neo once again on the couch, still in her pyjamas and typing away on her scroll.

"I'm back." he said.

Neo waved at him, acknowledging his return.

Roman walked to the kitchen and set the groceries down on the counter, then glanced back up at the clock. "You should shower and get changed soon, we'll be opening in an hour." called Roman to Neo.

He heard a beep and felt a vibration in his pocket. he took out his Scroll and saw a message from Neo.

Yeah, yeah. I'll get ready. it read.

Roman sighed in annoyance and started to unpack and store the things he had bought. In the background he could hear Neo jumping off the couch and make her way to the bathroom to get ready.

When he finished, he threw away the paper bags that the groceries came with and went back to his own room to get ready himself.

He stripped from his clothes, stepped into his bathroom and took a quick shower. After he dried himself off, Roman stepped out of the bathroom and began to get dressed.

Roman grabbed a fresh pair of black pants, slipped a belt through the loops around his waist. He then took a plain black button up shirt and put it on, buttoning it up before tucking it into his pants and buckling up his belt. Next he took out a charcoal grey vest and put it on and buttoned it up as well. Lastly, he rolled up his sleeves past his elbow, tugging and adjusting until he was sure that they weren't going to get undone. By that time, his hair had dried enough that he took a brush from a table and brushed his hair back, until it was neat and orderly.

Roman looked at himself in the mirror, taking hold of some of his hair between his fingertips, "Seems to be getting a bit long. . ." he muttered. Guess I'll get a haircut tomorrow or something. he thought.

He set down the brush and gave himself another once over, making sure that there was nothing out of place.

He then heard a knock on the door and saw that Neo had already gotten ready. She was dressed similarly to Roman, save that her shirt was white and her vest was black, and that she had a black bowtie around her collar. But the biggest change in her appearance was that her long and brown and pink hair was now bright platinum blonde.

Ready to open up ship, Boss? she asked.

"Yeah," he responded. "Our regulars might get impatient if we don't open up on time."

Yeah right, as if we even have regulars that come this early. signed Neo.

Roman shrugged, "Regulars or no, we still have to open shop on time." he said, stepping away from the mirror and out of his room. Neo followed close behind as they moved through their apartment and out the door, locking it behind them. They then went down the stairs, but instead of going through the front door, they turned to the right and through another door.

Roman, still held the keys in his hand and unlocked the door. When he opened it and flicked on the lights, it revealed a spacious yet cozy room, there were a couple of tables and chairs evenly spaced, far enough from one another to give each one enough privacy. But the centrepiece of the room was the long deep mahogany bar counter where several stools rested across. Behind the bar were scores of different liquors from all over Remnant, from the cheapest well whiskey to the most expensive cognac. All organized and neatly presented.

Roman tossed the keys back over his shoulder, saying as Neo caught them, "Neo, go ahead and open shop, then grab a rag and wipe down the tables. I'll get things ready on this side."

Neo rolled her eyes as she ducked underneath the bar's counter hatch, not bothering to lift it as she walked to the front door of the bar. She opened up the curtains of the front door and unlocking it, turning the rustic wooden sign so the words "OPEN" faced out to the street. She then moved on to opening the window curtains letting in the daylight from the outside.

Roman walked towards the center of the bar and began to bring out all of his supplies from the underbar. Shakers, strainers, bar spoons, citrus fruits, syrups, and so on. He set them down in front of himself so that they were all ready and available when he needed them. To be fair, there wasn't really much for him to set up, everything was already in its place. He then took a clean rag and wetted it at the sink of the bar, squeezing out the excess water before tossing it on the counter just as Neo walked over. She grabbed the damp rag and began to wipe off any dust off the tables and chairs, if there was any at all. Roman himself got his own rag, getting it damp as well and began to wipe down the bar counter, polishing it to a shiny finish.

By the time he was done, Neo had already finished cleaning up the barroom. She tossed back the rag at Roman, who deftly caught it. She let out a huff and went to sit at the barstool at the end of the bar, took out her Scroll and began to scroll through it.

Roman let her do as she pleased, there weren't any customers yet and to be honest, there wasn't really much he himself had to do until the first customers walked in through the door.

Roman took his scroll from his pocket and after tapping away at it for a few moments, soft slow jazz began to play within the barroom.

He grabbed a cigar from the underbar, cutting the end and lit it, before grabbing an ashtray and taking his seat behind the bar and sat close to Neo, biting into the cigar and took a puff letting the smoke drift in front of his face as they both waited for their day to actually get started.

Their first customer of the day didn't arrive until Roman was nearly done with his cigar. The small bell at the door chimed and Roman took one last puff from his cigar before setting it down in his ashtray. An older well dressed gentleman walked in and sat at the bar.

Roman walked up to the man and asked, "What can I get you?"

"Hawthorn whiskey, neat." replied the man

Roman nodded, leaning down to grab a clean glass, setting it down at the underbar before turning back to face the backbar and grabbing the requested whiskey, unscrewed the cap and poured the appropriate amount into the glass. He then placed down a coaster in front of the gentleman and set the glass of liquor on top of it. The gentleman gave an appreciative nod as he picked up the glass and took a sip.

Roman closed the bottle and returned it to its place on the backbar. When the gentleman didn't ask for anything else, Roman went back to his cigar glad that it was still lit and took another puff.

Soon after, more patrons began to enter the bar, most of them were well dressed, most likely of the same status as the first gentleman that came in.

As more people took to the tables, Neo got off her seat and began to serve the patrons at the tables, writing down their orders and bringing them to their tables.

Several hours would pass, patrons would come and go. There weren't more people than usual and most of them were their daily regulars and they all knew the rules of Roman's bar, either you follow them or get thrown out. Simple as that.

Roman was busy mixing up a cocktail when a new face walked in to the barroom.

It was what appeared to be a pretty young woman that wore a long red cloak, with the hood over her head. She made a beeline to a barstool and promptly sat down, her head bowed low, obscuring her face.

Roman quickly finished off the cocktail, giving it to the person that ordered it and walked over to the young woman.

"Can I get you anything, Miss?" he asked, not bothered that she tried to hide her face.

"A Strawberry Sunrise, please. With lots of ice." replied the woman.

Author's Notes: Hi everyone! I've wanted to do this story for a long time. I know that I'm mainly focused on Ruby vs The Machines, but I really wanted to do this one. I'll still work on RvsTMs, but I'll do this on the side. It won't be updated as frequently, but it's not gonna be as long as RvsTM. . . hopefully. I hope you enjoyed the first chapter and curious about what will happen next! So give me some feedback and remember

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