The Work Load

It was 10:00 am in the Dead Bear Auto Shop, and the company phone was at its wits end.

The poor thing had a lot of competition when it came to grabbing anyone's attention. It's clanging chimes weren't exactly capable of winning out against grinding of metal on metal, saws cutting through pipe, and the whining drone of fine machinery, let alone the overarching metal and hip-hop that too turns pouring out through the speaker system. Even the testing of engines and occasional car lift operating did a good enough job at keeping the ringing a secret.

It might have stayed that way if not for the sharp eyed employee who finally took off her welding mask and caught a glimpse of the ancient corded beast jangling around on its receiver. That what the phone was reduced to, shaking violently in order to be seen properly, sound no longer a worthy method of attention grabbing.

"Hey, Dead Bear Auto Shop, Yang on the line, whatcha need?"

"Hey, it's me sis."

"Ruby?" Yang managed to perk up and get worried as soon as she heard her sister's voice. While it was never a contest between hearing her sister or a customer, the tone in the young girl's voice reeked of apprehension; the fact she called the work number and not Yang's cell also took a turn for the discomforting. "Is everything okay?"

"Well… yes, and no."

Lilac eyes narrowed, slightly frustrated. "Could you be more specific? As in, are you in trouble or are you just not feeling alright?"

Ruby's sigh came across as static in the speaker, like breath on a mic. "The latter. Sorry to scare you."

Yang's time to sigh. "No worries, kiddo, just tell me what's up."

"Well, I'm about a block away from my work right now, and I feel really panicky and I'm thinking of just heading home. I mean yes, I can't wait to start working here, but what if I don't make my boss happy, or if my first day has so many customers I flip out and forget all the training they gave me. I don't know if I'm ready for this, maybe the job wasn't such a good idea…"

Yang sighed. "Ruby, it's your first day on the job, everyone's nervous at first. Bosses can be like that, you just need to put up with them, take a deep breath, and move on."

"Okay… but it's still really different…"

"Like I said, it's your first day here. Of course it's going to be new, and fast paced, and different, but just do the job, ask for help, and know that these people are here to help you get to a fresh start. Plus, we've known Mr. Port since we were kids, he's always been nice to us and will definitely be there to give you a hand."

Another sigh from Ruby. "You're right. Okay, I'm gonna go, thanks for that. Ugh, but I'm still not comfortable." Yang rolled her eyes, but shifted gears and remembered how to bring Ruby back to her default cheery state.

"Well, as I seem to remember, you get a fifty percent off employee discount on any baked goods they have in stock."

"Whoa, you're right!" Ruby squealed before hanging up. Yang smirked, content her dear little sister was back on track, or at least diverted from fear by her love of cookies. Seriously though, working in a bakery was going to be great for Ruby, Yang ruminated to herself as she returned to her own duties.

Working as a mechanic had been the best thing that had happened to Yang, except for meeting her sister (in reality half-sister) when they were eleven and nine respectively. Yang had always like the grease and grime of the job, the hands on atmosphere, the busy shifts and bustle of people doing things; heck, the biggest perk was pushing aside some old relative or rude neighbor and solving their engine trouble after they insisted fervently that they didn't need a "girl's" help. The emasculated shame that spilled down their face when the engine roared to life after on try by Yang was enough to make her day.

Yang whistled an old favorite, Beastie Boys' "No Sleep till Brooklyn", to herself as she got back to her work desk, rummaging in the metal slide-out drawers for the breaker bar she kept away from the others. They may have their power tools, but I've had this piece of shit "borrowed" more than enough to just leave it out in the open again, Yang brewed to herself, but not angrily. She loved the guys she worked with, they were great; it was just the kind of work place where a lot of people were comfortable with each other enough to borrow something out of the blue and forget to return it.

Yang's desk held more than just tools and cables. She kept a few other keepsakes on the table top: a lava lamp from a few years back, two speakers for music, her work-drumsticks, and a framed photo of Ruby and her at Ruby's high school graduation. She was proud of her sister, who was doing what she wanted in life and moving forward the way she should be. Yang herself had dropped out of high school in junior year to work at the shop, which was a decision she made herself; she already had the job lined up for her, they loved her, and she had connection in other auto shops in the area in case something happened with this one (unlikely, since she was the highest rated employee). Ruby had, despite her proclaimed dream to go to college and find out what she wanted to do, almost dropped out to be like her big sister.

Big mistake, as Yang seemed to recall. She had to sit Ruby down and explain to the spunky sophomore the situation. "But it's okay if you're doing it! You have a job and are looking for apartments, I should be set too!"

Yang had smiled, admiring the stubbornness in the brunette's will despite the importance of the situation. "What about going to college? Didn't you always want that?"

"You aren't going to college; I can just get a job and be like you."

Yang crossed her arms, still smirking. "Really? What job?"

That had caught her off guard for a second. Just enough for Yang to close in. "What field? Where? Who are you going to talk to? How do you put together a resume? Are you planning on calling in or visiting in person? Where are your strengths?"

Just as planned, Ruby wasn't prepared for her sister's barrage of questions. Seeing her discouragement, the blonde put a comforting hand on her sister's shoulder.

"Listed Rubes, I know you want to be like me. I'm honored, and having a little sister look up to you like that is amazing. But this isn't you. You've got a dream, you want to explore, and you want to discover what you love. And to be honest, doing what I'm doing won't get you there. You need to stand firm in what you want, make your own decisions, be your own person. And," here Yang slung an arm around her petite sister's shoulders and bringing her into a bear hug, "I'm gonna make sure you get there in the best condition ever. Okay?"

And Yang was right; Ruby had a long way to go and Yang's path for Yang, not her sister. Ruby committed to school, graduated with honors, and was enrolled at the local community college to get her G.E. before she transferred to an as-of-yet undecided university. She had kept up her hobbies of guitar playing, reading, and video games ("You need something constructive to keep your head up," Yang said, tapping a beat on her drum set as an example), been on the job hunt for part time work to pay for college, and even held back on dating ("Trust me, you gotta prioritize your time and energies so you pass your classes and don't do something you'll regret. Wait to mature a little yourself and meet someone who respects you, and then bring them my way for inspection.").

Yang had long since found her breaker bar and moved onto replacing the broken wheel of a blue sedan, but she still kept her thoughts on her sister. She loved the girl, always had, and really hoped she was doing well at her new job. College was starting in two weeks, and she needed to get into a proper schedule so she wouldn't flip out too soon into the game. Whatever Ruby's decision, Yang was there to support. Her dad, who took Ruby in when her mother couldn't, was also very supportive of his daughter and step daughter; even though both his daughters had moved out and were roommates together, he still called when he could and provided advice and help when they asked.

It had taken while, but Yang was in a happy place. She had a great job, a better family dynamic, less craziness in her routine, and thanks to all this was finding more and more time for herself.

"Oh! Oh! Holy crap, crank that Morty, you know this is my jam!" she cried, pointing at the handlebar bearting car junkie. He shrugged, and adjusted the volume so that the blared all the louder. Yang, blonde locks tumbling and bobbing as she grooved, chanted along with the music while she pried at the rusted bolts.

"Police think they can see me lean
I'm tint so it ain't easy to be seen
When you see me ride by they can see the glean
And my shine on the deck and the TV screen
Ride with a new chick, she like hold up
Next to the playstation controller is a full clip and – Hey!"

The music stopped mid-sentence, letting Yang back into the world of reality. Two mechanics, who she recognized as Phil and Ted, were standing in front of her, arms crossed and disapproving looks on her face. Yang was about to retort about how rude it was to interrupt someone mid-rap solo, but a raised hand and tilt of the head from Ted interrupted the fiery blonde.

"Look Xiao Long, you know we think you're beast. You got more cred here than anyone else, you a great grease monkey, and you sure as hell can lay down a beat. But," he held up his hands apologetically, "for the sake of me and my fellas, work on that rappin' outside of work, it's too painful to have to endure."

Yang gritted her teeth, frustrated not at her coworkers (they wonderful swarthy old gents, bless their middle aged souls) but more at the truth. "I knoooooow guys, I just get in the mood and I go with it. Geez, let a lady do as she pleases, you old coots."

Phil shrugged. "Ain't a problem, we juss love ourselves some good rap is all, don't want ya fuddling it up while we be tryn' ta listen."

The blondie fluttered her lashes and tossed her man, resorting to her playful mode to win them over. "Aww, you don't think I'm good?" she cooed, pouting sarcastically and cocking her head with her flirtatious violet eyes closing in for an apology.

"It's terrible."

"Well, that didn't work," she huffed as she returned to normal. "Fine, just go back to playing it; I'll keep my mouth shut."

"Ya know we love ya, Yang," Ted called, both men already lumbering off.

"You too, fellas." Miffed yet still resigned that her rapping was sub-par, Yang Xiao Long decided to work up a sweat with her own job, letting Chamillionaire handle his own song as she pulled crooked lug bolts from the damaged wheel.

With this newfound time on her hands, Yang decided there were a few things she would need to take care of: her rapping abilities for one thing, but more importantly she had another issue that had been pressing on her mind for quite some time.

I hope he understands….

Ruby hung up the phone, groaning in pent up frustration as she slid down the back of the wall, collapsing in emotional and physical exhaustion. She didn't feel ready for this job, she didn't want to have to deal with the endless customers, and she was already tired after being up with the jitters for a good three hours.

I just want to go home, she thought miserably, already counting the minutes until she got her one-hour lunch break.

As nervous as she was, Ruby knew her sister was right; there was nothing to be afraid of. She was going to do well, the first day of anything was sure to be nerve-wracking, even if you've been in that same building at least once a week for the last six years. She had loved coming to Port & Company's Bakery and Café ever since she had moved with her small family to this city; the warm smell of cookies and fresh bread mixed with the homily decorated interior reminded her of her grandmother's house, and sipping hot cocoa with Yang and her step-father around the holiday season or picking up pastry for birthdays was one of her favorite experiences.

That still didn't quell the nervousness; now she'd be working here three days a week and balancing that with homework too. Plus, a lot of people said that once you start working in a restraint you being to dislike the food you spend your time working with; over exposure to too much of a good thing, as her father mentioned. As much as she'd never grow tired of the checkerboard chocolate chip Porterdoodles or the strawberry muffins with cream cheese frosting, she was crossing her fingers that she wouldn't fall pray to that trend.

"Um, hey, hi, are you gonna go in?"

Ruby jumped, turning to meet eyes with someone behind her. She had forgotten she was standing in front of the door for the last few minutes, and realized she was blocking potential customer's entry.

"Oh! Oh I'm so sorry sir, I didn't mean to stand here for so long, I'm just, ah, a little nervous is all…"

The boy shrugged, smiling nervously. "It's fine, you seemed lost, or something, which happens to me all the time, so I didn't want to break your train of thought too soon."

Ruby adjusted her red polo, hoping the fancy metal name tag was showing. "Oh, I'm not lost. I actually work here now; first day, I was kind of nervous," she explained, grinning cheekily as her face warmed with the familiar uneasy blush.

"Oh! Neat. First day, yeah, those are always rough."

"Hehe, yeah," Ruby concurred, nodding mostly to herself.

"What position?"

"Cashier.'

"Oh. Okay."

Neither one spoke, having accepted the awkward pause's entry and letting it to blossom into a beautiful and painful rose of social stagnancy. Ruby looked the boy over, discreetly as not to make him more uncomfortable. He was about a head or two taller than her, messy blonde hair parted off center and falling just above his brow. His eyes were one shade darker than the lean navy blue hoodie he wore, complimented by faded jeans and a pair of white and orange skate shoes. He also wore a black backpack, which Ruby noticed had a few buttons from a band or two she liked. She returned to meet his gaze just as he spoke.

"Um, are we gonna go in yet?"

"Oh! I'm so sorry, I kinda spaced out for a minute!" Ruby politely pulled the door open and, once the boy was inside, hurried in after him. She had made it their fifteen minutes early, but still was cursing herself for taking so long entering.

She waved to Karrie, the head cashier, who seemed to be the only employee present. In fact, the place wasn't as packed as it was in the mornings, with only a few regulars who stayed at the café sitting in the booths. A little more at ease,

"I need to go in back and punch in, you can get your order from Karrie if you want."

"Actaully," Jaune replied, clearing his throat, "could I have you take it? I do better with people I'm more familiar with, and if it's your first day you could use the practice with customers."

Ruby brightened up. "That's actually a good idea! And I know you a little, so it won't be too hard on me to take your order! Just don't go too crazy, okay?" she said, taking on a mock accusatory tone and pointing a finger at him for the last sentence.

The boy laughed. "Customer is always right, as you'll figure out soon enough. But yeah, I won't order much, I'm not super hungry."

"Alright," Ruby replied, dashing back to the backroom to get ready for the job. Slipping the plastic punch card from her purse, she found her position in the box, punched in, and then headed to the apron rack to get suited up. Tying the light green apron on and slipping on the red visor as part of her uniform, Ruby fixed her name tag so it would be visible to customers, and strode out, walking up to the counter. Seeing her, the boy from outside hopped up from a chair he was sitting in and came to the front counter.

"Hello, welcome to Port's Bakery, how may I help you?" Ruby said, smiling happily.

The boy smiled back, chuckling a little. "Hi, I'll have a medium latte and one of your blueberry bran muffins."

"Anything else, sir?" she said, her default perkiness easing back to the surface.

He waved a hand in decline. "No, I'm good, I'm set."

"Okay, that's going to come to 4.85." The boy reached him, pulling a leather wallet out and fishing a five dollar bill out. "And would you like that for here or to go?"

"For go, I need to get to Northbrooks for regestration." Ruby's ears perked at the name of one of the community colleges in the area: the same one she attended.

"You go to Northbrooks too?" she exclaimed.

"Yeah, but only part time. What year are you?"

"Freshman! I'm going to be going full time, maybe we'll see each other around! Do you have a major declared."

"Yeah! I still have to do a lot of GE, so we'll see how that goes. And no, I don't have a major at the moment, I'm still deciding on that part."

"Same here. I want to explore all my options first, you know? I do a lot of – oh! Your order's ready, here you go!"

She handed the paper bag and warm cup to her first customer, who took it graciously. "Thanks, it was nice meeting you… Ruby?"

"Yup!" she confirmed, tapping her name tag for effect before holding out her hand. "Ruby Rose. And you are?"

"Jaune. Jaune Arc. It was really nice meeting you Ruby." They shook hands before he had to head out and drive to the college, both agreeing to meet at the fountain on their first day of classes. Ruby smiled to herself as the door closed, the bell just above it jangling as it shut.

Well, that was a great first experience, she thought cheerfully to herself. And just like that, the door was open again, and an elderly couple hobbled in. Anxiety forgotten, Ruby smiled again as she recognized Mr. and Mrs. Draper.

"Hello, how can I help you?" And on continued her first day at work.


Author's Note/Update for Readers.:

Consider this a side project that will eventually grow into a main story of mine, one I will work on while I am not progressing "FlipFlop AU" or working on other forthcoming projects (yes, yes, more fics from thehemingwaydilemma in the near future) and as such, updates will not come frequently. I expect FlipFlop to get a new chapter once a week until mid-August, when I start college again; "Audiophiles" will likely air at most once a month, most because I aim for much longer chapters and a hell of a lot of stuff to happen.

Not wanting to give away any juicy details, I will tell you this: FlipFlop has a long ways to go, as does this new Audiophiles piece. I don't think I'll delve too much into volume 2 of RWBY in either one, but that isn't a promise ;) and in addition to these two main fics, a shorter lived piece in the same vein of "Jaune Arc vs. the World" and a one-shot or two are in the works, which you will hopefully see around early August depending on workflow.

All I can say in the meantime is thanks. Thank you for sticking by and reading me work, putting up with gaps in my updating, and coming back with more and more positive feedback. It means the world to me, and every little bit is a donation to the encouragement jar that keeps on filling up.

See you all soon,

thehemingwaydilemma