More here. Hot off the presses… except you don't use a press for this… read this while I ponder this quandary.
Chapter 8:
Ruby sighed standing up, wondering what where they were meant to go when she could see a comparatively small yacht with a group that Ruby knew as some of Adam's men and women carrying items onto the ship.
"So... who owns the ship?" Ruby asked as she remembered it being said it was from some person Yang knew but this was making her a little confused.
"Technically I bought it a week ago to give to Mom as a birthday present mixed with an early Christmas present. It is just a weekender class one... or something like that. But it was suggested we take it out first to make sure everything is ship shape." Yang said as she quickly walked down the docks towards the area that Ruby knew deep down was going to be a nightmare.
She didn't know how it would be a nightmare just yet outside of the fact she was going to be locked in a small area with her increasingly buzz killing sister who Ruby was positive would be shot if she continued the way she was around Adam, Emerald and Mercury.
"You still okay about the whole headbutting thing?" Ruby asked as she could feel Sun's tail just brushing her leg.
"It still hurts a little. But I suppose I did have it coming. Just are you sure it was a wise choice to bring your sister and Cat along?" Sun asked as they both started to walk down towards the ship. Wondering what was going to be the spark that ignited that powder keg.
"She isn't part of my side of the wedding party. I already got figuratively skinned by the fact I wanted you to be my best man. So this is the least I can do. We just need to get the guns from everyone." Ruby spoke as she stepped onto the ship. Already loathing the feeling of the thing shifting on the water.
A laugh almost slipping past as she could see the woman who Adam had called Ilia trying hard to flirt with Adam. "Hey Yang, is there a safe on board? And do you know the combination?" Ruby asked as she could see her sister walked up the flight of stairs leading to what Ruby just knew had to be the living area.
"Yeah. Why?" Yang asked looking at her sister who seemingly ignored the question as she turned to the drug dealers that she had been friends with.
"Everyone who is packing a gun hand it over. Keep the knives, and anything else easily patched. Unlike the road trip here I have the feeling with the leader of the White Fang and the enforcers of Grimm there will be a few bullets being shot, and seeing as no one here is a medical doctor." Ruby demanded as she could see the silver haired man laugh at the statement.
"Is it from the guns we pulled on you? You have to be used to it still. And with the amount of White Fang members here, I think I speak for Em and me when I say I'm not handing over my gun until they do." Mercury stated kicking his feet up as he held a bottle in his hand.
Sighing deeply Ruby turned to Sun who just shrugged. "Adam, tell the boys to hand the guns over. You guys still have numbers if things turn to shit." Sun said calmly as he started to climb to the highest point. For a reason that Ruby could actually agree was something she would have done as well if she could have managed to get used to the feeling of the ship constantly shifting.
Before Ruby could even register it, the four or so people that Adam had with him with the exception of Ilia and himself had tossed their guns at Ruby's feet. Turning to the four people who she knew still had guns and gestured to the both of them to join in.
"Ilia. Do it." Adam said in a dry tone as he continued to stare at the two across from him. Clearly still not trusting them. Something that if Ruby was being honest she could understand why. She knew that they were rivals but this had nothing to do with work and she knew that if she could limit their tools that would limit the major risks.
The woman next to Adam sighed as she leaned forward, reached behind her and pulled a gun out before tossing it towards Ruby. Ruby could just make out a look of distaste directed towards her, but she knew that it was a little laughable considering her reputation in Menagerie. She still held that pride in how she was the only human that was allowed to enter that area without being at risk of getting shot.
Pulling his own gun out Adam held it loosely in his hand as could see Emerald and Mercury pull out their own. "All of them Em. Merc. You forget how familiar I am with you." Ruby countered as the human duo tossed the ones in their hands before pulling out a second one. "Count of three all three of you will pass them this way." Ruby said calmly as she could feel Yang behind her feeling uneasy with the tension that was brewing between the group.
As Adam started the count, Ruby looked up towards Sun who was snickering a little as he spat out one hundred. As the count turned towards the second number Sun just laughed out eight. At the final number and them tossing the guns Sun just said 'pi'.
Shaking her head, reached down, quickly slipping her hoodie off to act like gloves just so she wouldn't get any fingerprints on them, she started to collect them up. As she was collecting them, Sun just spoke up from the top of the ship, "So, is Cat still wearing that ribbon? Because it is pointless. Emerald and Mercury don't care. And there are a lot of Faunus on board." Sun almost laughed at the glaring that he could feel from where he knew just had to contain Blake.
It was easily the only laughable part he could laugh at fully given how terrible everything had turned from the part he let his brother plan. Specifically towards him.
"Blake, calm down. Sun is just being a Dumbass." Ruby began as she handed Yang the hoodie with the fire arms wrapped inside as she whispered to her. "Don't give anyone the code and don't touch them. That will end your career faster than getting caught with drugs in your system. And would carry a finality to it." Ruby knew that her sister was going to follow her words. Even if it was from the fact that she knew Yang would trust her when it came to these groups.
Smiling as she started to walk towards the two opposing sides and took a seat between them. Knowing that they would calm down once the drinking really began. Or so she hoped. A sentiment that she knew Sun would share given how tense it was becoming from something his brother offered.
Ruby closed her eyes and tilted her head back to enjoy the few rays of sunshine that was starting to filter through the nest of ropes and sails to shine on her. Even if she could feel the noon sun starting to decrease in heat as it came to the near end of the hottest part of the day, she was still going to enjoy what sun she could get.
"So, what strong alcohol do we have? I'll make cocktails." Ren said taking a seat as Ruby shrugged and pointed in the direction of Adam. Or so she hoped. Hell she wasn't even going to question where the booze came from provided it got her drunk enough to forget her anger towards Adam any.
"Just about everything you could ask for. And I suggest it all being gone before we get back to shore. Don't want the cops catching us with that along with the company Red likes to keep." Adam said as Ruby laughed a little.
"Adam, the cops won't pull us over provided none of your men do something stupid. We have you, Cinder's trusted enforcers and my well known professional boxer of a sister. At worst when we get back they'll want an autograph." Ruby began as she stretched her arms out fully. Just going to enjoy the sunlight when she felt the seat next to her bow under the weight of a newcomer. Cracking her eye open a little to see her sitting down on the side where Mercury and Emerald were sitting. That was when she could see an orange coloured drink in a cup.
"Okay, what gives? You not drinking today or something?" Ruby asked sitting up as she could see Blake quickly walking over towards them. As though it would stop Ruby from getting an answer from her blonde sister.
"No. Why?" Yang said leaning back as Ruby began to inch away slowly.
"Are you sure she is cool? She seems like a nark." Ilia said softly as Blake began to tense her hands at the idea of needing to hold Yang back from just about anything. She knew that she could do it theoretically provided nothing really pissed Yang off.
"She is part of a program." Blake said knowing that Yang would just play coy around the people as though it was a game to her. But she had no idea what these people were capable of, and she didn't want to find out given how Ruby while seeming relaxed also seemed so tense between the two groups.
"Damn it. You and dad?" Ruby quipped with the slightest bits of venom she could muster towards the situation. She didn't like the thought of more people in her family doing something like that. "Alcohol isn't a problem."
"Says the ex-smackhound." Emerald quipped as Ruby rolled her eyes.
"Exactly. When an addiction gets bad enough you fuck currently at least two thirds of the people on this boat for a hit, that is a problem." Ruby quipped back as she could see Emerald laugh a little. "I know it seems like a low percentage but you both forget how strung out I was for the longest time. There still are large gaps in my memory." Ruby continued as Yang groaned at her sister's statement.
"It is a problem for me Ruby. It is a problem for dad. The difference is unlike Dad I'm only going on a month and don't want to ruin it just yet." Yang bit as Ruby stared back into her eyes. She knew that Yang was going to try and intimidate her but she knew that her sister would back down first. It was how it always was really.
"Stop fighting. Just means Yang get's to be a designated driver. But I made liquid cocaine shots to get us started." Ren said walking up the stairs causing Ruby to just laugh at how tense Blake and Yang became. "Don't worry. It is a shot Nora introduced me to in college. And one of them was enough to create that video of Pyrrha." Ren said as he held the tray out. Ruby just laughing as she grabbed the shot glass and could see Sun descending from his perch to grab his own.
"Been a long time since I had something like this. Drink up though Cat. You know so you can become less attempted stabby and more fun before we get back to shore." Sun said as he held his glass tightly, just in case he needed to slam it and run to protect himself.
"Go ahead Blake. If I can't survive here, I'm doomed for the reception." Yang said as Blake just grabbed her own glass.
"Guess I'll take Yang's as well." Ruby said as she grabbed a second one once everyone had one.
"Here is to change and Marriage. The second biggest change Red has gone through." Sun said as everyone but Yang quickly downed the glass cringing from the sharp taste. Once Ruby recovered she quickly downed the second one which seemed to go down so much smoother. She had no idea how or why, but she felt like the night was going to be fun.
Author's Note:
Welp there is the chapter. I hope you all do enjoy it. I'll see you all around next chapter.
