What Good is Love? Ch. 35: Kind of Cultured
I'M BACK! Really happy to be back in action, and we'll see how long this lasts. I will say this, my pace is going to be fluctuating from here on out. With the lingering uncertainty of my health and my other side things {which will be included in the self-promitonal A/N at the end}, that'll slow down my pace from what I was doing to maybe one update a week per story. But hey, I am writing again. I'm also sorry for not including that you should NOT review that update, as I always delete those. I had plans for something y'all may wanna review the next chapter for all 4 of my fics, but oh well. Thank you to everyone for getting me to 340 followers and 240 favorites while I was away! Y'all are so great for still showing support while I'm gone. Let's get going again.
Weiss had a pretty good idea of what Blake and Yang were doing, though she preferred to leave a majority of it up to "I don't want to think about it." That being said, thinking about it must have certainly been easier then what she was doing.
Weiss loved Ruby, she loved Ruby more then anything else. That being said, trying to take Ruby on a nice little cultural outing was one of the worst decisions Weiss could make. Ruby didn't appreciate culture, she simply called it "boring" and "dull" and "drab" {Weiss was actually slightly pleased when Ruby used the word drab, it certainly was an improvement on her normal vocabulary}. Weiss never let up on her determination, mostly because she didn't want to interrupt Blake and Yang doing whatever it'd be that they were currently doing.
Now she was onto an interesting portion of the journey, walking. Walking was the part that Ruby enjoyed the most, as it meant time away from museums and art galleries, and it was also when she was at the most talkative points.
"Man, what a day," Ruby said, with a hint of sarcasm. "Have you enjoyed yourself, Weiss?"
"Sure," Weiss said through partially gritted teeth. Weiss knew that Ruby knew that Weiss was having a rough time with keeping Ruby at bay during her talks about certain pieces. There was no way, in Weiss' opinion, that Ruby had no idea about how much Weiss was suffering through some things.
"Yeah, I know," Ruby said. She wrapped Weiss up in a hug, and the heiress just put one arm around Ruby. "I'll be honest, I've thought some of this stuff has been cool." Weiss raised her eyebrow at Ruby, not at all believing her. "Except for the fact that I need it in moderation, I don't like this much culture at the same time." Weiss sighed, and rubbed Ruby's head.
"Dunce," Weiss muttered.
"But I'm your dunce, right?" Ruby asked pitifully.
"Yes, you're my dunce," Weiss said mercifully.
The two girls kept walking along until they finally reached their destination. It was an art gallery, which were definitely the places that Ruby appreciated more then museums. She found the pictures interesting, but she couldn't keep her attention focused on one for very long, where Weiss could. This place was strictly paintings, and most of them were more contemporary.
"Come on Ruby," Weiss said. "This is the last place, and then we can go back." Ruby's expression changed immediately.
"Then why're we still out here?" Ruby asked. She walked towards the entrance, leaving Weiss behind. Weiss patiently tapped her foot, and waited on her girlfriend to return. After a few moments, Ruby walked back over to Weiss.
"Hey Weiss," Ruby said awkwardly. "So uh, you have the money."
"Yes, yes I do," Weiss said cockily. She pulled out her bag, and grabbed onto Ruby's hood. "Let's go, at my pace." Ruby nodded pitifully, and trailed just behind her girlfriend.
She took a standing position in front of the first piece. It was a large skyscraper with the sky around it.
"This one's interesting," Weiss said. "Not many people who paint skyscrapers wind up in galleries."
"Huh?" Ruby asked. "Yeah, sure. I really like the sky. It's really... Blue." Weiss sighed, and rubbed Ruby's head.
"Perhaps your ability to describe paintings needs some work," Weiss observed. "But yes, the sky is done with some really exquisite colors."
"There are multiple colors in the sky?" Ruby asked in awe.
"Don't you remember our first trip from the art gallery? Every color has multiple shades to it. The proper usage of these shades results in a wide variety of depth that comes in exquisite aid in during painting. I thought you drew?"
"Not with colors," Ruby muttered. "I only draw in silver-ish and white."
"And you just asked if there are multiple colors in that sky," Weiss mumbled. "And you included silver-ish in that statement."
"Oh," Ruby said suddenly. "I think I see your point. How about we move on?" Weiss shook her head and walked to the next painting. Ruby trailed along just behind her, and she suddenly froze at one of the paintings. Weiss didn't notice that Ruby had stopped for a moment, but once she realized that a very exuberant presence was missing, Weiss turned around.
"Ruby?" Weiss asked. Ruby was staring at a painting, her expression was completely blank. "Ruby?" Weiss walked over to where Ruby was standing and waved a hand in front of her. It didn't phase Ruby, not for an instant. Weiss finally looked over at the painting Ruby was staring at, and carefully inspected it.
"Do you know where this was painted?" Ruby asked Weiss. Weiss looked at description and nodded.
"It's on the plate," Weiss responded. Ruby briefly looked down, and sighed. "What is it?"
"Nothing," Ruby replied. "Let's keep moving, okay?" Weiss just nodded, not wanting to press the issue.
Both of them continued through the gallery, but something was clearly off with Ruby. Instead of her normal, cheery self, she was dead silent. She spoke only when called upon, and she moved on only after Weiss did. That was definitely when Weiss knew that something was wrong.
Weiss finally called it quits for the day, and tapped on Ruby's shoulder.
"Let's head out," Weiss suggested. "I could really go out for something, maybe even grab something to eat. I was thinking about a little bakery nearby this place."
"Sure," Ruby said. Though, her voice lacked it usual enthusiasm. Weiss sighed, and brought Ruby outside. The moment she got clear of most people, Weiss turned around and stared Ruby in the eyes.
"What happened back there?" Weiss asked sternly. "And before you say anything, I know that painting affected you somehow. You've been quiet and distant."
"I don't mean to be," Ruby said. "It's just... It just stirred up some memories from a long time ago, that's all."
"Ruby, if you keep acting like someone killed your kitten, or Blake, then I will be forced to ask for further information. If you do stop, I'm going to press further. It's what you do when you care." Ruby groaned, and looked around her. "If you answer these questions I will buy you all the cookies you want."
"You don't have to bribe me," Ruby said, making a slightly indignant noise. After another moment, Ruby dropped her tone to a very childish level, and whispered, "but it is appreciated."
"Yes, yes I know," Weiss said. "Now, will you talk?" Ruby nodded, and stared down at the ground.
"My mom got killed in some kind of an animal attack," Ruby said. "She was out doing something, I don't actually know, and then she got killed." Ruby hesitated, and Weiss put an arm around her to try and comfort her.
"She had a request of where to be buried," Ruby finally continued. "It was in a forest that apparently her family had all been buried in. That forest was the one in the painting." Weiss felt any words she may have had leave her mouth. "And I visit her as often as I can, but they don't really let me go and I... It's just..." Ruby leaned into Weiss, and started to weep softly. "I miss her so much."
"Sh, I know," Weiss said. "It's okay Ruby. I know she's gone, but I'm here now. I want to be there for you as much as I can, okay?" Ruby nodded, and grabbed onto Weiss.
"I know," Ruby said. "Let's just... Let's just get to that bakery. You promised me cookies."
"Ugh," Weiss groaned. "Yeah, I did. Don't make me regret this." Ruby smiled at Weiss and nudged her slightly.
"Would I ever make you re-."
"Yes," Weiss said flatly. "Yes you would, and yes you have." Ruby let out a giggle and skipped away. Weiss sighed, and patiently tapped her foot. Ruby walked back towards Weiss with her head down almost instantly.
"It's the other way," Ruby muttered.
"Yes, yes it is," Weiss said triumphantly. "Just follow me."
It didn't take very long for both girls to reach the bakery. They had passed it on the way over, and Weiss was very good at noting down things in her mind. Ruby was capable of doing that as well, but only when she really wanted to. Now was not one of those moments, and rarely was it one of those moments when Weiss was around.
Weiss quickly got them a table and a menu. Much to her expectations, Ruby really took the part where Weiss said, "I will buy you all the cookies you want" to her advantage. Ruby wasn't greedy around Weiss, but the moment that Weiss gave Ruby an opportunity to do something Ruby took it. She was very much so opportunistic, which was something that Weiss respected.
Ruby had bought one of each flavor of cookies, determined to try them all. Weiss simply ordered herself a sandwich and watched Ruby eat like she had never seen food before. Each cookie seemingly disappeared when she took one bite, slightly concerning Weiss about her girlfriends eating habits. Then again, why hadn't she noticed this before?
"Ahem," Weiss said suddenly. Ruby took a slight glance up from her already half empty plate and stared at Weiss like a deer in headlights. "Tomorrow is the bachelorette parties." Ruby nodded, and then kept eating. "Are you prepared for Yang?"
"Bar, feed her and Pyrrha alcohol, have Nora drive home" Ruby said. "Oh, and no prosthetics."
"Prosthetics?" Weiss asked.
"Yeah, that thing that Blake is worried about."
"Do you mean prostitutes?" Weiss asked finally.
"Oh yeah," Ruby said suddenly. She sucked in another cookie, and nodded at Weiss. "Prostitutes. Strikers too."
"Strippers."
"I don't know these things!" Weiss suddenly became incredibly trusting that Ruby would never cheat on her. Actually, Weiss become more worried that she might cheat on Ruby.
"Any plans for Blake?" Ruby asked.
"Bar, ideally get Velvet drunk, stay sober," Weiss replied.
"Jeez, you could lighten up and let Velvet drive," Ruby suggested. "Or what about Renee?"
"Renee will get drunk," Weiss added in. "I know that. I have never seen Velvet drunk, so this would be very fun to see. Plus, I'm not a fan of alcohol."
"Not surprising," Ruby said. "It tastes gross, really bitter." Weiss nodded in agreement, and took another bite out of her sandwich. "This is gonna be so much fun!" Ruby said excitedly.
"Indeed it is," Weiss agreed. Weiss took one last bite out of sandwich, and then looked over to see that Ruby had finished. "All set?" Ruby nodded, and Weiss flagged down a server to get the check.
After paying the bill, Weiss got Ruby and her out of there. The two girls started to walk towards the hotel.
"Hey, hold up," Ruby said all of a sudden. Weiss paused for a moment, and looked back at Ruby. She followed Ruby's stare, only to find that it was directed at Weiss.
"Yes?" Weiss asked.
"It's just, I was thinking a bit," Ruby said. "And I just wanted to say how incredible these past few months have been. You've really been there, and you even were there a fair amount in the past three years that I've known you. Even when we weren't really as friendly, you always showed concern for me." Ruby dropped down to one knee, and Weiss' face went completely pale and her eyes grew very wide.
Oh god, Weiss thought. Is she proposing?
"I know for sure that I love you Weiss," Ruby continued.
I think she is!
"And I like to think you love me."
I need to think of a way to politely decline and tell her we've only been together for under a year.
"I just want to be with you."
Do I really want to decline though?
"I guess what I'm trying to say is this."
Oh, I don't know if I do. Is I'll think on it an acceptable answer?
"Can you call up Blake and ask for her to send the limo over to us." Weiss' expression changed from shocked to confused for a moment. Ruby proceeded to tie her boot, and then she rose to her feet and stared Weiss dead in the eyes. Instantly a tear formed in her eye as she tried to surprises laughter.
"You should've seen your face," Ruby managed. As soon as she finished this sentence, Ruby absolutely lost it. She burst into laughter, and started clutching her stomach. "It was so priceless. I just... Ahahahahaha." Ruby started to roll around on the ground, and Weiss picked Ruby up and slapped her hard across the face. Ruby's face now went from amused to slightly stunned as Weiss started to walk away.
"Enjoy the walk home!" Weiss yelled out. Weiss flagged down a cab and ducked inside. Ruby ran over and tapped on the window.
"Hey, Weiss, c'mon it was a joke," Ruby pleaded.
"Indeed it was," Weiss agreed. "I suggest next time you don't find one that makes your girlfriend angry." Weiss told the cab driver to drive away, and Ruby just watched it go.
"Great suggestion Yang," Ruby mumbled. "Really good idea for a practical joke. Slap and a lonely walk since I don't have money. I could call Blake, but Weiss has probably already talked to her..." Ruby looked at where the cab had driven towards and sighed. "A walk it is."
End: Thank you to Wendy Crescent as she was an aid in this concept of Ruby doing a joke proposal. So self promotion. I have my YouTube channel still, /codynight22, which I am currently doing a lot for editing wise, including Cody Talks Fanfiction for those of you interested. I am also still going to be doing my weekly streams on twitch {except I didn't do it last week on accident}, also codynight22. Twitter, gotta love twitter, Codyknight22. And I have a group I'm doing videos with on YouTube, /XPHoarders. Anyways, these are all of my excuses apart from medical stuff. Questions, comments, follows, favorites, and feedback is appreciated.