Damn... this just took off... for whatever reason... let's not keep you waiting.
Chapter 2:
"New Meat, get over here." Ruby said as she reached under the heat lamp as she turned off the heating lamps. As the blonde walked over Ruby let a smile grace her lips. "Take the glove off. Let me see how bad the cut is." Ruby spoke as she walked back towards one of the sinks and grabbed her bottle of water.
She relaxed as the man followed her instructions as she took a drink of water. Grabbing his hand with her free one, Ruby took a look at it and gave it back to the man. "Be glad with the exception of my knives all here are sharp." Ruby said as she heard some snickering from the purple haired woman.
"Chef has a point... if you were using one of those knives instead of it healing in a couple of days, you would have taken a finger off... wouldn't notice it either."
"May. What are you doing? Normally you are out the door as fast as you can." Ruby asked as the woman pulled her hat down a little more so it was covering an eye. "Needed to talk to you. You know how I'm meant to go on holidays next week... mind if I swap that week with Amber?" May asked as Ruby sighed.
Looking at the clock on the wall Ruby sighed. "New Meat, go get changed. Be here for nine in the morning. You are doing prep with Ren." Ruby stated as she looked back towards the purple haired woman. "Run it by Amber, tell her to talk to me tomorrow about it. I want to make sure she is okay with it. Is that all?" Ruby asked as the woman wearing a beanie just smiled.
"Thanks Chef, I'll tell her." May spoke as the door out of the kitchen and Ruby smiled at the white haired woman walking in. "See you in the car Weiss." May stated with a wink as she quickly pushed past the woman and left.
Ruby just spared a glance towards the white haired woman as she walked towards the lining to start to clean her knives. After a few minutes being unsure what to say, Weiss quickly walked behind the counter. Weiss took a deep breath, and decided to just speak. "Ruby... is something going on at home?" Weiss asked as Ruby froze while she was cleaning her large carving knife.
Shaking her head as she continued to clean her knives. "Nothing I can't handle Weiss. Blake just went into heat... and I'm a little exhausted after last night." Ruby lied as she placed the knife down on the top of a towel she had to dry them.
Reaching for the next knife Ruby held it under the water as she felt Weiss concerned gaze. "Ruby... if something is happening... you can tell me." Weiss spoke as Ruby shook her head. "It is fine Weiss. Just... go spend the rest of the night with May. Once my knives are clean, I'm going to get changed and go." Ruby said looking over her shoulder as she reached over and grabbed her small paring knife.
"Okay Ruby. Just... remember if she doesn't accept it when you say no... just tell someone. If not me, then your sister or Ren... anyone." Weiss said as Ruby looked at the knife in her hands. Enjoying the pattern in the blade. "Okay Weiss." Ruby stated placing the knife down as she picked up one of the final ones.
Ruby could just see out of the corner of her eye Weiss stopping right before walking through the door "May told you that she needs to swap her holidays with Amber right?."
"Talking to Amber about it tomorrow." Ruby stated as she heard the door, looking back in the sink and smiled. Wincing a little as she felt a pang of pain from her shoulder. Placing the knife onto the towel, Ruby gripped the counter and began to raise her hand to massage her shoulder.
After a few seconds, Ruby let out a deep breath as she glanced at the remaining knife that was in the liner of her knife case as she took a breath. 'I should use clean it... but I didn't use my vegetable cleaver.' Ruby thought as she let go of her shoulder, and walked over to the towel dispenser.
Quickly pulling down a few sheets Ruby ripped them free and walked over towards her knives.
Ruby began to raise her hands, keys clutched tightly in one as she slipped the key into the lock. She began to pray that Blake was in a nice mood. Or asleep at least. As she opened the door, she could hear some laughter. Some that she recognised all too well.
Opening the door fully, Ruby could see the woman she fell in love with, smiling and laughing with a man Ruby was always unsure of how to feel about. She knew that this was the person that infected Blake's mind. The only solace that Ruby had with him was that whenever Blake had debated leaving her, Adam would push them back together.
"Ruby, your back. Yang is here as well, she is just in the bathroom." Blake sung standing up and walking over to hug Ruby, planting a chaste kiss on her lips. As she moved towards the shoulder she knew she had marked from the previous night.
Digging her chin into the top of her shoulder Blake whispered into Ruby's ear. "Get her the fuck out. I don't care how. I just don't want her here. My level of care for humans is tapped out with you. If I have to deal with another, I may snap the second she leaves. And once she is gone, Adam and I are hungry."
Ruby began to frown as she pulled back and smiled at the sight. Ruby just smiled as she noticed a mane of blonde coming from the bathroom causing her to smile. Quickly walking over to the table Ruby placed her duffel bag with her uniforms she smiled as she heard Yang stretching letting out a loud sigh.
"Sup Rubes. How you been?" Yang asked as Ruby looked towards her. "Hey Yang. I've been tired... everyone seems to be taking their holidays, we just got some new staff..." Ruby began as she opened her bag and began to take her uniforms out. She was trying to figure out how she was meant to kick Yang out. She knew that Blake knew it was tough for her to think this through.
"Damn. That's life after all. I just came by to drop off that heavy ass dish. Yatsuhashi loved the food by the way. He is a little curious who taught you to make Gyoza." Yang spoke as Ruby smirked at her. "I learned when I was like ten, you know after my first televised contest long before the second one." Ruby spoke, walking into the off shot utility room and began to shove the thick cotton clothes into the machine.
Turning the dial, Ruby walked back over towards Yang and smiled at her. "I'd love to continue this meeting Yang... but I'm sure you and Yatsu want to continue breaking in the new place, I just want to clean my shit, and then go to bed." Ruby started as Yang held up her hand to try and silence the brunette.
"Already planned on it, you still coming over to Dad's next week for dinner?" Yang asked as Ruby just smiled. "I don't know Yang. Again, stuff is getting a little hectic at work." Ruby spoke as Yang quickly hugged her. Much to Ruby's dismay. It seemed like Yang was crushing her shoulder to the point she knew it reopened.
She could feel the blood dripping down her shoulder. She just hoped that the blood wouldn't fall onto the floor. Biting the inside of her cheek as she hugged back, her shoulder was killing her the longer she was in the position.
Pulling back Yang began to ruffle Ruby's hair much to her dismay. Quickly swatting the offending hand out of the way. As Yang snickered. "Thanks for the tea Blake. Nice to see you still have that stick up your ass Adam" Yang joked as she walked out the door closing it.
Ruby's hand rose to try and massage her shoulder after a few minutes she let go and began to undo her jacket. Calmly as she could she rolled her sleeve up. She could see the white cloth starting to be dyed red as some of the blood escaped and began to roll down.
Glancing up she could see Blake's ears twitching, before the came to a stop meaning she could let out the pained groan she was holding in. She had no idea how she was able to keep it together so much, but she just knew she did it barely.
"Adam, what would you like? I'm sure the dirt wouldn't mind cooking something." Ruby heard Blake speak as she began to bite into her bottom lip, trying to ignore what her lover and the man sitting in her house were conversing about. Only paying enough attention. She already knew what would happen if she didn't or couldn't make what Adam wanted.
"A nice Steak. Mid rare. Spinach... and some crushed potatoes." Adam said as Ruby took one more deep breath before she was standing up right. "What cut of steak? I think we only have strips." Ruby asked in the tone that she knew Blake couldn't find fault with.
It was the same one she used when talking to Blake about anything. It was one that she knew was going to be great if they didn't seem to find some sort of ire in her words. She knew they would by the end of the night. But for now she could try and minimise the damages.
"That should do fine. Filthy fucking mongrel." Adam sneered at Ruby who just quickly walked into the kitchen. She didn't want to keep them waiting. She just needed to do this fast. It shouldn't take long. Longest was the potatoes and she just hoped that Adam knew that.
Quickly getting to what would take the longest Ruby pulled out her knife, not taking the time to enjoy the pattern like she normally would. She wouldn't have the time. She could enjoy it later. Reaching above the stove to grab a pot and placed it down as she turned on the kettle. She wasn't going to waste a second.
Ruby began to slice the potatoes, not bothering to peel them. She knew this was going to be the best she ever made. It always was when she had this kind of pressure. Her options were simple, either cook something to appease them... or get beaten.
She always knew what option she would choose. The one that would make Blake the happiest. Then Blake may, just possibly not hit her. Or at least not hit her in the face. She knew it was going to take at least a week before she wouldn't need to wear any makeup.
"Human. Get in here." Ruby heard Blake demand just as she pushed the potatoes into the pot of salted boiling water. Once she placed the cutting board and her knife down she quickly walked into the living room, looking down.
She knew that this was going to be alright. She didn't call Ruby by her name. When she did that, Ruby was often met with a hit. The odds of her getting hit were still high. The only phrase that she knew that meant she wasn't going to get hit without a shadow of a doubt was 'Sweetie' which she only ever said when, Tai, Yang or recently Yatsuhashi were around.
Ruby came to a stop in front of the couch where Blake was going to be. "Look up at us! Or are you looking down at us because we are Faunus." Blake spat as Ruby looked up. She could see the vehement hatred in her eyes. Not at Ruby specifically. But at the fact she was human. The type of disdain that would never leave no matter how much Ruby tried.
But she just knew she had to try. She knew she could prove to Blake she wasn't like the humans from her past.
"I told you she can cover a black eye up. It is probably the only decent thing she can do besides cook." Blake laughed as Adam looked at her face. "I concede. I guess you taught her something decent. All we need to do now is teach her that the Schnee are evil." Adam spoke as Ruby looked towards him.
"Weiss isn't bad. She treats everyone the exact same." Ruby muttered under her breath, as low as she could possibly voice it. She did not want to ruin anything right now.
"What was that?" Blake hissed as Ruby quickly looked towards her. "I said is that all Blakey... I don't want to ruin the food." Ruby lied as Blake raised an eye at her.
"Adam. Stay here. I need to go have a word with the Human." Blake said standing up as Ruby began to coward a little. She knew what that meant. And it wasn't something she was looking forward to. "Leave her for now Blake. She is cooking. Wait till we eat. Then you can teach her a lesson." Adam spoke sending a chill down her spine.
Looking between her friend on the couch and the woman she slept with. She knew Adam was right; it would be a lot easier for Ruby to finish what she was meant to do. But the attitude she took towards the bull Faunus was causing her some anger.
"Fine. But one more and I don't care what she is doing." Blake spat as Ruby quickly looked down and walked out of the room.
Ruby let out a cough as she walked out of her home, quickly walking down the stairs. She couldn't stay there right now. Blake was mad. She knew she wouldn't have long before she had to return. The narrow escape she had the previous night was still stuck in her mind. It was a mystery as to how she was able to avoid the beating. She was just glad that she could.
Instead of thinking about it though, Ruby was going to enjoy the morning. The fresh air filling her lungs as she placed a cigarette into her mouth and lit it. She just wanted to enjoy the morning walk she would have so she could get something to hopefully appease Blake's morning appetite.
She already knew what would do the trick. She just hopped that it she could get to the shops in time. That way she could cook it and hopefully avoid a beating before going to work.
Turning down a side street Ruby began to pick up pace as she took a drag and smiled. She enjoyed the morning sun hitting her as she took a step just at the end of the side street. Quickly looking down a street as she took the cigarette out of her mouth to quickly ash it as she began to think about what she would make with what she planned.
Shaking her head as she crossed the streets, she knew where she needed to be right now and couldn't let that thoughts like that into her head right now. They would merely cloud her judgement. Once she got to just outside the store she was looking for, she quickly took one last drag before dropping the butt and crushed it under her boot. Taking care to grind her boot on it to make sure it was extinguished, Ruby began to walk into the fishmonger's.
She smiled as she saw the almost intimidatingly large man slam a fish down onto the blue cutting board as Ruby spoke up. "Hey Ghira." Ruby said causing the man to smile as he looked up at the brunette entering.
Looking back down at the fish and at her. "Long shot Ruby... you want a full salmon? Or at least want to break it down?" The man asked as Ruby looked at the specimen on the cutting board.
"I know your daughter loves fish... but that nice looking fish would probably go bad. And if you stopped using such a thick spined knife you can break it down faster." Ruby stated as the man began to shake his head. "I've been doing this a lot longer than you've been around. That knife may be cheaper than any of yours, but it has served me just fine." The bearded man spoke as Ruby held her hands up.
"I'm joking Ghira. I trust your judgement. I haven't broken down a fish since culinary school. I just need a fillet. Trying to surprise Blake with breakfast in bed." Ruby spoke as the man shook his head.
Quickly walking over to the wall he grabbed one of the knives held up with a magnetic strip and walked back towards the fish. "You want the heads and spines to make that amazing stock? Kali loves to use it." He asked as Ruby shrugged her shoulders. "I'm kind of busy training some new chefs. And that is taking up most of my free time. But tell you what, next time you guys are over, I'll make my famous fish appetizer and entree." Ruby spoke as they both heard a bell behind her.
Looking over her shoulder, fearing Blake may have woken up and followed her. She just smiled as she noticed the woman she ran into the previous night at her restaurant. She walked up to the counter as Ruby just crossed her arms.
"Hey, your that chef from last night. Funny meeting you here." The raven haired woman spoke as Ruby looked at her. "And you are that customer. Did you enjoy your meal?" Ruby asked as she looked at the man beginning to drag the knife across the side so the rib bones begun to stick up.
"I loved the Wellington... it took me a lot longer than I care to admit for me to actually recognise your face. I feel the stories of it under sold it." Cinder spoke in a sultry tone that Ruby just wanted to laugh at.
She thought she made it clear the previous night that she was taken. "Nice to hear." Ruby stated she looked carefully as the man began to wrap up her request. "Here is a question I'm sure you get asked often but that sushi makes me want to try more fish... which fish would make the best dinner for one... for a beginner? I've never even seen a full fish like this before let alone cook one." Cinder asked as she looked through the selection of fish on ice as Ruby snickered a little.
"Most people don't recognise me on the streets. But personally I love working with halibut. But that is slightly trick to get right." Ruby began as she began to pull out her wallet and handed the man a note. "But your best bet, ask Ghira here. Always trust the fishmonger if you don't know. But keep a few questions you know the answer to so you can test their knowledge." Ruby stated as Cinder looked towards the man. Patiently waiting.
"Ghira, if you're not too busy, do you mind teaching her the basics so she doesn't get scammed by every fishmonger in town?" Ruby asked as the Faunus just smiled. "Sure thing."
"Cooking wise it really depends on the time you have to spare. Mackerel is pretty nice when you make a pouch and just cook it like that for a couple of minutes. Some small potatoes can be cooked in a separate pouch..." The Faunus spoke as Ruby looked between them. "Ghira, whatever you do don't start her on something hard like flounder." Ruby started as she turned towards Cinder, "Nice seeing you again... Cinder?"
"Yeah, and it was nice seeing you again." Cinder said as Ruby walked out the door, hearing the bell chime once more as the people began to talk behind her.
'I hope Blake is in a good mood today.' Ruby thought as she felt a small cold breeze blow down the side street she had previously walked down. 'At least I hope she isn't in a face hitting mood...'
Author's Note:
Damn... this story fucking exploded... nearly fifty followers in just over twenty four hours. I'd like to thank Doomzoom for the cover... she drew another one just as cool, but it sadly lost out. Onto the guest review...
Guest 4: Glad you are intrigued. But I'll have you know... I wouldn't judge a book by it's cover. If you want the truth though... I don't really aim for that level of contempt with characters... it just happens. Yang is a bad person in a different story... where she rapes and beats Ruby... and trust me, if you want a proper representation of a kitchen... Hell's Kitchen is really accurate.