"Nice restaurant. Adequate." Weiss was judging everything already, one arm woven around Ruben's as they're shown to the table.
"I guess Cinder likes super fancy? Or her girlfriend does?" A simple question, keeping his voice lowered over the quiet of the rest of the patrons.
"Hmmm, I've been here before. Winter does enjoy this type of setting more." She stops to sit when Ruben pulls out her chair for her, "Thank you."
"No problem." Grinning as he sits, "Though, Weiss, your tastes have evolved to rowdier tidings since we've dated."
Sighing, she thanks the waiter for her water before looking at Ruben, "What can I say? I have a terrible but overly charming influence now," squeezing his hand and grinning, "Now, hopefully they're all here before long."
Another few minutes, Blake and Yang are shown over as well, "Long time no see." Yang greets, whispering for once in his life.
"Sorry, we're a little late. Yang's hair would have triggered someone if it wasn't tamed." Blake sits when Yang helps her with her own chair.
"Can't tame a wild stallion, babe." Sitting and looking proud of his wild hair.
"Gross." Weiss adds, grabbing the wine list, "Should we at least get drinks?"
"Oooo-"
"Wine, Yang."
"Gross."
Rolling her eyes, she looks over the menu itself, "They serve a delicious charred chicken with sweet potatoes and oranges." Humming as she looks for a bottle.
"Oh, I'm definitely not getting chicken strips here." Ruben grumbles quietly, disheartened by the lack of safety picks.
"Sorry, this is an adult taste restaurant." Weiss pars his hand nicely.
"Wine is the only alcohol and the food is foofoo." Yang sighs, "This night is gonna suck."
"It'll be fine." Blake grins, "The dinner is gonna fly by and then we can stop by the bar to get you a real drink."
"Ooo, good." Yang grins and he leans in to give Blake a peck on the cheek.
Weiss checks her watch and then sees Cinder sit down, "Sorry, Sorry!" She grins, "My date is a little late as well. Kind of nervous to be meeting everyone."
"Why?" Weiss asks, setting down the lamented menu for now.
"Well," Cinder takes a sip of water, "It's like meeting the family. You guys are special to me, even if you don't believe so." Blake nearly chokes on her own water when Cinder said that. Yang pats her on the back to soothe her coughing.
Weiss rolls her eyes, "Gag."
"See? Just like family to react that way." She laughs and Weiss cracks a smile too. "She'll be here soon. She said to get a good year of wine?" She tries to remember, "Uh, a Cabernet or some sort."
"Ah, I know Winter loves Cabernet. They have her favorite here, a Cabernet Sauvignon." Weiss calls a waiter over to order a bottle.
Ruben peers at the menu and his eyes bulge, "Over a hundred bucks for a bottle of wine."
"Nasty!" Yang seemed insulted, "I would never spend that much on one bottle."
"I wouldn't spend that much on alcohol in general." Ruben recoils, "I'll stick with water."
Before the bickering could start, another voice cut in by clearing her throat, "Excuse me."
Weiss's eyes widen as she turns to see her sister standing next to the table. A light flush on her face and looking severely uncomfortable, "Winter!? When did you get into town!?"
"Just yesterday…. I was spending time with my… Significant other."
"Who-" Before she could finish, all the pieces were put together.
Winter sighs, "Yes, Weiss." She gently lays a hand on Cinder's shoulder, "I am dating Cinder."
It almost seemed impossible that Weiss could get paler than she already was. "Ah- You- She-" stuttering and utterly speechless at once.
Ruben blinks as he pats her on the back, "Weiss-"
"WHY!?" She shouts, standing up, "She-" pointing at Cinder.
"Weiss…" Winter tries to continue before her sister just leaves.
Ruben scrambles after her, "Ah- Sorry." He tries to give an awkward wave of apology before disappearing after his girlfriend.
Blake and Yang were stunned. Though Blake sighs and looks to the other women at the table, "I've known for a few months. So I was more shocked by Weiss than you." She shrugs and gets up, "But, let's try this again another time. After I talk to Weiss."
"I did expect it to be worse." Winter adds and clears her throat again, "Like a knife lodged into Cinder's chest. Or her choking me."
"I did too. I guess she feels more betrayed than anything." Blake motions Yang to follow, "Anyways, let's get going."
"Yeah, uh…" He grins, "Nice to see you both again, until next time."
Cinder let's them leave and groans, "Man- I was hoping for an upset but not that."
"I wasn't prepared for that." She helps Cinder up, "I shall… Nevermind, let's go get food because I feel we've been apart of enough of a scene for now."
"True. Let's go." Cinder hooks her arms around one of Winter's as they leave, "We should do this again."
Winter groans, hoping to never go through that ever again.
Weiss was quiet the entire time, angrily storming through a hotel room she had rented for the night. Ruben sat with her, watching and looking concerned. Their new home was under temporary renovation and she wanted nothing to do with her current apartment.
So they're hiding.
"Weiss…"
"What, Ruben?" She sounded tired and frustrated.
"Are you… Okay?" Silly question but he has to ask.
She snarled and he grabbed a pillow to hide behind, "No. I am not."
"B-But why? I mean, they seem to like each other?"
"It's not that. I swear it's not." She sits down and rubs her temple, "It's… They lied to me and kept up this facade instead of just… Telling me."
"I mean- You did yell at them?" When she glared at him, he hid further behind his pillow.
"I felt betrayed that, as much of a fucking ass Cinder is, she is one of my close friends. And Winter's my sister! I hate being lied to. My father lied to me all my life and Winter is the last person I expected it from."
"Cinder lies too? What makes her different?"
"She's evil, you know this." Weiss sighs, "I wouldn't have gotten mad if it were just better executed or I was told MONTHS ago about this."
Ruben puts the pillow down and pulls Weiss in for a big hug, "I'm sorry."
Groaning and papping him on the arm, "You're not who I'm mad at you dunce." She doesn't hesitate to bury her face into his chest.
"I know. But still seems like the right thing to say. But you should still talk to them and stuff? I'm sure they'd understand better if you did…"
"And I will. But for tonight, let's get ready for bed and watch a terrible movie with some very buttery popcorn or something."
Ruben grins, "Sounds good!" He lets her go before kissing her on top of the head, "I love you."
"I love you too."
Hello all, 3 new chapters after however many years I've been inactive? eue;; Enjoy!
