What Am I?
"Out of all people to get stuck in a cave with…" Ruby muttered disgruntled.
"Why do you sound so displeased? Does my presence bother you so much?" Tyrian asked.
"Yeah, it kinda does."
"That hurts, you know. What ever have I done to you, besides trying to steal you away?"
"That pretty much sums up the reason why I don't like you."
"But, my dear Rose, have you considered I am merely doing as I was commanded? Surely your quarrel is with that command, and not with me?"
"You're still the one doing it, and don't call me that!"
Tyrian shook his head. "And here I thought someone as kind as you would understand us 'bad guys' have feelings too. Yet you judge me without knowing me." He walked past Ruby.
"Where are you going?" she asked, warily.
"I'm going to cry in a corner." His voice cracked. A heartbeat passed in silence.
"Wait." Tyrian grinned. "I might have been a bit rude because I was still on guard, not that I'd ever let my guard down completely, but I guess it can't hurt to get to know you while we're stuck here."
"Wonderful! How about we break the ice with a little game?" Tyrian said, coming to stand in front of the little girl.
"Uh, sure."
"Good. What am I?" Tyrian held his nose with one hand, and stuck his other arm through the gap.
"Um… an elephant?"
"Yes! Your turn." Tyrian dropped to the ground and waited for Ruby to think of something. She held her hands over her head, fingertips touching. "A roof?" she shook her head. "A house?" she shook her head again and moved her hands as if she was holding a stick by her side. "An umbrella!"
"Yes. Your turn." Tyrian thought for a moment, then brought his arms over his head in a graceful move. He raised a leg behind him, and balanced on the toes of his other foot. "A ballerina." Ruby quickly concluded.
Tyrian hummed in approval, and continued with a few graceful moves until he noticed a smile on Ruby's face. "Well then, my little flower. It seems it is your turn once more." Ruby grew serious and moved her slightly in front of her forehead. She then took a stance and pretended to hold something that she swung. "Um… baseball?" Tyrian asked.
"You just scored yourself a homerun." Ruby said. Tyrian chuckled and stepped towards her, causing Ruby to freeze when he wrapped one arm around her shoulders, his tail circling her legs. "A snake?" she squeaked.
"Yes. Very good." Tyrian let her go with a giggle, and returned to his spot. Ruby exhaled a shuddering breath, and leaned her head in her hand. "Ooh, ooh! I know this one! It's Cinder!"
"What?" Ruby looked up, utterly confused.
"What do you mean, what? Didn't you start yet?"
"No. And why did you think I was imitating Cinder?"
"Well," Tyrian started, covering his left eye with his hand, "You did take out her entire left side. Ever since she came back from Beacon she's kept it neatly covered from view. But if the scar over her nose says anything, it sure isn't pretty." Tyrian laughed.
"I did what?" Ruby's eyes were locked onto him, trying to process the information she just received.
"You, heh, you don't know?" Tyrian had to take a moment to calm his giggles enough to speak properly. "Just why did you think I'm here? After hearing Cinder's concern about you, my queen requested me to retrieve you for her. Hahaha. You only need to come with me to see for yourself. Or are you going to turn a blind eye to what you have done to her?"
"I'm not going anywhere with you."
"Are you su-" Tyrian paused when a small rock fell from the blockade and rolled towards his feet.
"Sorry!" Jaune said, his face visible in a newly created gap at the top.
"Well, well. Would you look at that. Our homely cave has received a window. One with a nice view too…" Tyrian winked at the blond boy, who nearly fell when he tried to step back. And so, the scorpion man was once again lost in laughter.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you all for your suggestions. *sprinkles love dust over you*
Reviews are highly appreciated.