16 Months/4 Months
This is the third time this week that you haven't done your homework, Miss Rose, Ms. Blanchard frowns at her across the big desk at the front of the classroom. What have you got to say for yourself?
Ruby doesn't answer, just shrugs uncomfortably. Ms. Blanchard lets her sit in silence for a minute more then sighs. You will have detention with me until four today and tomorrow. Over the weekend, you will be expected to make up your missing work to be turned in on Monday for reduced credit. Am I understood?
Ruby looks up with muted horror; Roman won't like this. Quickly, Ruby swallows her fear and nods. It wouldn't do for her teacher to get it into her head that something was wrong, after all. May I ask a friend to send a message home to my uncle?
You may, Ms. Blanchard says. She sighs again, I really don't want to do this to you, Miss Rose. You are a very bright young girl and I know you could fly if you just put a bit of effort into school.
Ruby looks down at her lap and doesn't respond. Ms. Blanchard watches her for a moment more then tells her, Go find your friend and give them your message. Be sure to come right back when you're done.
Yes, ma'am.
…
Neo is waiting outside in her Lotus disguise. She can immediately tell something is wrong as her student comes racing out of the school, pale face twisted in distress. Neo straightens, fully alert. If someone has been messing with her newest toy…
Lotus! Ruby calls, spying her beneath the shade of one of the young oaks in the school's front. She skids to a stop in front of her mentor, a bit winded. My teacher, she- I-
Neo holds up a hand to signal slow.
Ruby nods, takes a deep breath, and starts over. My teacher gave me detention today and tomorrow until four 'cause I haven't been doing my homework and I have to do it over the weekend. She looks down, blushing as she explains because how childish is that?
Neo relaxes imperceptibly. It's just kid problems, she won't have to teach some snot nosed brat that she doesn't share. Good because it means her toy hasn't been broken by another, a bummer because it means she doesn't get to fuck someone up.
The little gem is panicking quietly as she waits for a response. Neo smiles benevolently with a gentle hand on her shoulder. With her other hand, she fishes out her scroll, eyebrows raised. Ruby lets out a small oh and dives for her bag, tugging the scroll Roman had given her out.
Fret not, Gem. I understand that you cannot shirk such boring things as school at your age. I will make your excuses to Roman and come back for you at four, is the text that dings onto Ruby's scroll.
Ruby sighs in relief, Thank you! Neo bemusedly endures the following hug before disengaging and giving Ruby a shove towards the school building. See you later!
Neo waves at the little girl's retreating back then steels herself and sets off. Roman won't be happy about this.
…
So. Ruby winces at Roman's tone. He pushes off the wall he is leaning against, cheap cigarette clenched between his teeth as usual. He swears that someday he'll smoke those fancy Vacuan cigars, but that's a long time off. Where's this neglected homework you've been ordered to do?
Silently, Ruby digs through her bag and pulls out her homework folder. Roman plucks it from her hand, pulling the three packets out and leafing through them. He nods thoughtfully and says, Simple enough.
Neo comes up behind her and starts pushing her toward a small card table set up in the corner of the warehouse they've recently taken to meeting in just as Roman tells Ruby, Today we're going to do something different. Have a seat, Red.
Ruby obeys, watching the man warily. This is the exact opposite of what she expected. She thought he'd be angry with her, thought he'd retract his help. She can't help but be nervous as Roman smacks the packets down on the table.
It's four-thirty now, he says, sitting down across from her. From now on we'll devote an hour at most to this shit. Can't have you getting in trouble again; we need all the time we can get if you really want to get stronger.
Neo slips a pencil into Ruby's hand and places the first packet in front of her. Maths.
Let's begin.
…
Qrow is about ready to fly out the door and turn the island upside down when Ruby stumbles through the door. She's scruffy and bruised and looks like she's been in a fight. Qrow drops to his knees in front of her, hands on her shoulders, relieved and pissed off and still fucking terrified all at once.
The hell have you been, kid? What happened?
Just another session with Lotus, says Ruby, trying to brush it off. Qrow narrows his eyes, not quite buying it. Ruby swallows then lifts her chin stubbornly, holding his gaze. She looks just like her mother at her most obstinate.
Qrow whisks away the thought and the pain it brings, focusing back on Ruby. She'll have another magnificent shiner come morning. What will her teacher think?
That little caboose gives Qrow the urge to burst into slightly hysterical laughter. He pushes it down, not wanting to give Ruby the wrong idea.
Ruby is still glaring back at him in a manner more reminiscent of an angry puppy than anything else. For whatever reason, she doesn't want to tell him the truth. Well, it's more she doesn't want to tell him all of it.
She doesn't just look like Summer at her most obstinate, she is Summer at her most obstinate.
Qrow sighs and backs down, something he's done far to often lately, at least with Ruby. Instead, he changes the topic, I got a call from your teacher this afternoon.
If he hadn't still had his hands her shoulders, he probably would have missed the sudden tension there. He absentmindedly tries to rub it away with his thumbs as Ruby responds, her voice ever so slightly nervous, Yeah? What did she say?
Qrow sits back on his heels, fixing Ruby with a piercing look that had always made his sister spill the beans in their childhood. It is a look that Ruby will learn in time, one that will earn disbelief when one of them confirms that, no, Qrow is her uncle, not her father.
She says you haven't been handing in your homework or paying attention in class. Want to tell me what that's about?
Ruby winces, hands coming up to fidget as she mumbles some half-assed excuses then hangs her head, Sorry.
Qrow shakes his head and tells her, Don't say sorry to me, Rubes, say sorry to your future. Ruby looks up questioningly and he plows on, You can close a lot of doors with this kinda sh… stuff. Beacon only takes the best, ya know.
Ruby is looking rather panicked now and she throws her arms around his neck, wailing about how she won't neglect another lesson or assignment, no matter how boring. See, Summer? I can do this. It's not that hard.