Even More
Chapter 52:
Sighing gently as she rested her head against the steering wheel, Ruby just took a deep breath as she heard the door opening causing her to quickly look towards who it was and just frowned at the sight of Emerald taking a seat. The simple sight of which was enough to cause Ruby to just sigh. One that carried a lot of weight to the person in the other seat.
"You haven't been trying to avoid me in a long time Ruby. What gives?" Emerald asked as she turned and just stared into Ruby's Eyes.
"Last time I got a few days out of it though. Who told you where to find me?" Ruby asked just hoping to dodge the question as she could see Emerald chuckling and shaking her head.
"No one. I literally was just sitting outside because Neo kicked me out of the room, and I thought you were in your room because of the crap on your door handle. But shocker saw you pull in and just slam your head against the wheel. So I figured I find out why you've been dodging me and faking like you are in your room." Emerald continued as she reached over and took the key from Ruby's grasp. "Because again, it was years ago last time you did this, and I doubt you burnt down my kitchen again while I was in Atlas. Which caused a bunch of crazy shit to happen, namely jacked up my already high insurance because nobody trusts an emancipated sixteen year old." Emerald spoke as Ruby just sighed.
"I'm not faking like I'm in my room. That is Yang and who I assume is Weiss taking my advice to just hate bang." Ruby said as she rested her head on the steering wheel again. "And I said some super hurtful things to you last night."
"What? No you didn't. You just screamed at me and were rightfully angry and confused with everything. Hell I was confused about everything until Merc texted me this morning. Did you really scream at Cinder that she wasn't your mother and your girlfriend is alive?" Emerald asked as Ruby just sighed and rested her head on the steering wheel.
She was left feeling a little miffed that, that was already making its rounds amongst her friends. "Yes... and ex-girlfriend. She broke up with me through text today. And I'm actually all kinds of stupid because I turned down a date with the incredibly hot barista woman. The only solace would be that I told her to try again in a week and we kind of set something up for that..." Ruby spoke as she took a deep breath. "Then in therapy today, I confessed to Glynda about me screaming it at Mom and how she feels that we are drifting further and further apart and the best way to fix that is to start to do something which we can do together. And again, I'm very very sorry for saying hurtful things to you last night." Ruby continued as she just groaned gently at the sight of Emerald laughing.
"You seriously didn't say anything bad Ruby. Just screamed at me that you know when I'm lying which I maintain is bull." Emerald continued as Ruby just groaned and began to shake her head.
"When you lie, you always reach for your right ear with your left hand but catch yourself. When Neo lies she always swings her left hand behind her back and intentionally twists her body so it is harder to see. Merc rubs his left leg. You forget that we've spent nearly our entire lives together and only really drifted apart in like the last year." Ruby said as she could see Emerald just chuckling at her.
"Amazing. You notice that, and yet it took you how long to realise you were dating Reese? Three years?"
"Six months and shut it. At least I can say I haven't been pining for my best friend's mother." Ruby said as she could see Emerald just sighing as she could see Ruby sticking her tongue out. "Don't get me wrong that is all kinds of wrong and nasty and frankly if you ever tried anything I know you won't get far because Mom is super straight. I've walked in on her a few times from nightmares."
Sighing as she leaned back in the car to just sigh, Emerald tossed Ruby the keys. "A girl can dream can't she?" Emerald said as she spared a glance towards Ruby. "And frankly Neo and Mercury are still doing nasty hetero things that I'm positive is closer to borderline snuff, and I haven't seen Weiss or anyone else come down in the mean time. Want to go catch a movie? Hit up the arcade? Go hit up a bar? My mind is fried from keeping an eye on high Neo last night, and a super stupid test today... I just need to decompress and kicking your ass in pick a game."
"Shut up. You cheat. Who pulls their top off during a game in the middle of a public arcade knowing it would make me embarrassed and not being able to focus." Ruby complained as Emerald just seemed to laugh as she looked at her. "At least it isn't like Neo who would gladly just show her boobs and would intentionally grope me just to distract me." Ruby continued as Emerald just shook her head gently.
"I don't need to do that to beat your butt. You're reaction speeds leave much to be desired. I was just giving you an excuse to why you lost. Besides who can go and make out with someone in a broom closet or a bathroom stall... but gods forbid that you aren't wearing a top. Fight the power Ruby." Emerald said as Ruby just groaned and slipped the key into the ignition and gave it a turn.
"Sorry for having self respect? And shame?... and bathroom stalls and broom closets are different. There is still a sense of privacy in them."
"No. No they don't. Regardless. I want to blow off steam. I'm not lucky enough to have a course I'm actually super good at like you or Neo... and given the fact that it was what Cinder and Roman wanted, and given how next semester I actually have an easy road given what I've learned through more... hands on things... it is just this one semester with all the stupid science crap. Did teach me though if I want to dispose of a body... find a pig farm. Who knew they would eat anything?" Emerald asked rhetorically as Ruby just sighed and began to shift the car into reverse.
"I could have told you that. They can also be trained to find these super rare super expensive mushrooms. And they are actually really intelligent. Not as intelligent as members of the ape family, but pretty close. Can also act as a one for one of a human body. Which is kind of pretty cool. Which is literally the only reason I'd be curious what humans taste like... thankfully that is just one of the passing curiosities. Like what would happen if you shoved a bunch of firecrackers into a pumpkin and then microwave it... or superheat the flesh... both would cause an explosion, but which one would cause the better one?" Ruby asked as she leaned back and began to get comfortable as she started to drive away.
"Don't even know what 'superheated' means and honestly with the amount of crap I crammed into my head in the last few weeks. I can't fit any more in until a weekend of binge drinking and getting baked. Even if I'm under orders not to give you anything close to narcotics. Until Cinder does a bit of a spring cleaning. This time, it isn't really about getting people out that have mentioned something bad about you. It is something Salem is wanting done and it is super hush hush. No one but Cinder, your uncles and Roman seem to know it. And if I was being honest, I'd totally would say that Roman doesn't know and is just trying to act like he does for his own ego." Emerald said with a small smile as she could see Ruby just nodding her head. "What is on your mind?"
"I talked with Jaune today. You know... the guy who caused all of this... he woke up sometime last night and I talked to him to do what the Nuns always said we should do when someone wrongs us and forgive them. And is actually where I was coming back from. Just... where is the line of what Mom would do to someone if they harmed me? Where is that line for my Grandmother... where is that line for my family?" Ruby said as she as she gently flicked her wrist to turn on the indicator. "That is just what has been bugging me. You should have seen the man after what Mom did to him."
Looking back, Emerald just frowned as she pulled the parking break as she turned the key in the ignition. "What the hell Em? That is how you destroy the rear brakes. Plus we are in the middle of the road!" Ruby said as she reached for the break to have her hand smacked by Emerald.
"Because, you've got to get those thoughts from your mind. I know where your Mother's line is, and I can't tell you where your uncles' line is, but I do know your grandmother's line is about six hundred miles past Cinder's. So seriously just get those thoughts from your mind. Because if you think killing someone who raped you and a person who watched is now in the hospital is where Cinder's line is, that is beyond a kindness. So again, just get those thoughts from your mind. It doesn't matter how." Emerald said as she could see Ruby just groaning as she twisted the key as she reached for the parking brake. "Drive to a bar Ruby. I know you'll be thinking about it otherwise."
"Fine." Ruby said as she could see Emerald out of the corner of her eyes with a sense of curiosity to them.
"Seriously what is up with you today Ruby? You've never entertained these thoughts before. And you certainly wouldn't go to the hospital to talk with someone who got acquainted with your mother's wrath." Emerald questioned as Ruby just took a deep breath.
"Lots of things are with me today. And yesterday frankly. I mean I found out I was violated, I found out my Mother has killed at least one person and beat a guy so bad that it dislodged the optic nerve in one eye... caused several permanent life altering conditions in him... and destroyed a family in the process. And if that isn't where her line is... what would she have done to so many other people who mildly inconvenienced me?" Ruby whispered as Emerald just shook her head.
"Again Ruby. Don't dwell on it. All that is going to happen is you getting into a worse and worse state. So why would you want to dwell on it?" Emerald asked as she could see Ruby just taking a deep breath before sighing. "I will say that she wouldn't kill someone for inconveniencing you. And frankly short of someone actually doing something illegal towards you, she wouldn't do anything wrong towards them. Maybe inconvenience them in return, just to a slightly more extreme degree, but no death or even hospital trips. Maybe letting most of the air out of three tires. Maybe moving the car two feet closer to a double line. But again, no hospitalisation." Emerald spoke in a soft tone as she just looked at the road in front of them.
"You don't get how hard this is on me Em... I used to be able to put all this behind me thinking Mom would still be able to get into heaven and be waiting for me. But now I know that is impossible."
"I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you. Getting to know the Gods." Emerald said in a calm tone as she could see Ruby just sighing in her seat. "The nuns were good for something once you got past being forced to learn all that stupid scripture, and equally stupid guilt they tried and placed onto people."
"Do not be deceived: The Gods cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." Ruby said in a soft tone as she could see Emerald just shaking her head. "Both the God of Light and the God of Darkness hate the sins but they love the sinner. And they'll damn a person if the person has sinned. Especially against them and their creations."
"Come on Ruby. Let's go get our drink on. We can have this spiritual debate while getting wasted. And I know how green Russians do that for you. Also gets you lit up like a Christmas tree. So it is wins all around. At least for me."
"I hope it is that easy Em. I really do. Plus to add onto that shit show, Mom did her normal thing and organised a dinner with Yang and her parents. And if it goes like Reese's it is going to be a nightmare. One that I can't just make out with the person to break the tension as our parents get close to killing each other." Ruby grumbled as Emerald just simply laughed at her. "Your right. I can do that, but let's face it, Yang seems like the type that is down for banging but it is less about enjoying the moments after and certainly no kissing. Just makes everything seem so impersonal. Like doing taxes... or going to the ice cream store."
"Since when do you do taxes? And what ice cream stores do you go to where they know you on a personal level?" Emerald laughed as Ruby just laughed and began to shift down gears. "And how can you make the car sound so calm but the few times I drove this it sounded more like trying to blend gravel."
"I help with Mom's. That way I learn about it. And because you forget how me and Neo spend a lot of our time." Ruby said with a chuckle. "And It doesn't sound like I'm trying to blend gravel because I don't drive like a jackass and me and Mom have built this car up from the bottom up practically. So I know what makes it tick. Including how it hates to shift from fifth gear down to second. And just be glad I don't tell Mom that because she would freak out. That is how you destroy a car."
"You forget, I only mostly drive an automatic. And I am thankful you haven't told Cinder about that. I'd probably wind up with my hands busted... and yet she'd still take me over Neo." Emerald muttered as Ruby just laughed gently. "Hell she'd take me over Neo for a lot."
"The fact Neo has had her licence stripped due to her attempted drag racing in Roman's food trucks have nothing to do with that? I think that has a large amount of things to do with it. But as for drivers, pretty sure Merc has you beat." Ruby said softly as she could hear the chuckle coming from her friend.
"Okay, now you've said something hurtful. Ow. He drives more like a jackass than anything else. Just not when you are in the car."
"Frankly that is all that really matters to Mom if someone was to drive me around."
"True. It really is."
"She can never know." Weiss said as she began to slip the buttons on her blouse back into place. "Because if she ever hears about what we just did, no matter how cathartic it was for me to smack you a bit... she will never ever let you or the far more important me for that matter live this down." Weiss continued as she grabbed her skirt and began to pull it up. "Because while you've only known her for so long, I can guarantee that she has an evil memory. She still sends me a quart of motor oil on my birthday without fail." Weiss began as she spun around and just groaned at the sight of the blonde woman holding her phone playing some game on it.
"Yeah, sure whatever." Yang said as she almost screamed as she saw a hand reaching over the device and tossing it towards the other bed. "The hell princess!? I was messaging my Dad."
"No you weren't. And I'm being serious here. You cannot tell Ruby. Besides that model is like five years old. So if I broke it, I'd gladly buy you one that cost the exact same." Weiss said as she walked over towards where her socks had fallen.
"Yeah and I said I wasn't going to. Nice to see that stick is still lodged up there. Seriously can you just get over yourself?" Yang said as she tossed the blanket off of her as she walked towards Ruby's bed to grab her phone. "Honestly, I figured tossing you a bone would dislodge it, but I guess not."
"You tossed me!? Like you could make me lower my standards. You aren't even that good looking! Honestly a table has a better chance." Weiss chuckled as Yang spun around and just glared at Weiss. "Between you... and..." Weiss continued as Yang took a few more steps hoping to just silence her.
Before either could register it, Weiss had jumped up wrapping her legs around Yang's waist as she slammed Weiss into the wall by the door as they mashed their lips together in what was far from a passionate kiss. It was closer to something that they both could feel the deep need for.
Pulling back to rip the shirt out from the skirt, Yang just smiled as she spun around and tossed Weiss onto the bed. "I'm going to make you regret that you barbarian."
"You can try."
Author's Note:
And we are done again. Catch you all next time.