What We're All Looking For
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Chapter 10
That sneaky little bitch Ruby Rose had tried to weasel her way out of letting Weiss into her house, she just knew it. That temporary coffee-induced truce was powerful indeed, but brief. It had held up long enough for Ruby to introduce her daughter to Weiss and her family, but that had been it.
Summer had been endearing, enthusiastic, and fun. The polar opposite of her mother.
Weiss hazarded a guess that the girl took more after her father. Whom she has yet to see. Or even heard mentioned.
Curious.
Once Whitley and Winter had entered the picture, however, Ruby's more-or-less pleasant attitude had taken a nosedive right off the deep end, and it was clear why. More than one Schnee within spitting distance was enough for the huntress. She'd gone from an understanding and relatively patient mother to 'I hate you and your entire family' in the blink of an eye. The look she'd given Weiss as she pulled her daughter away to safety? Pure, unadulterated hate. Simple and obvious.
At least, to Weiss it had been. She had no idea what the others had taken away from that little encounter.
She had grown used to people judging her over the years. Judging her by her gender, by her age or rank, or even her family name. She'd been called many things; a bitch, a slut, a conniving snake, and many things even worse. And Weiss couldn't care less. She was in charge of her own life, and she lived how she wanted.
She worked hard, and she played hard, too. Otherwise, what was the point of living? She enjoyed casual sex with both men and women, and some days, she even felt like wearing fucking leggings and making random strangers blush as she walked down the street. Fuck everyone else for thinking badly of her.
She did things her own way, at her own speed, which was why at that moment she was sitting at Ruby Rose's dining table, completely ignoring the woman's heated glare as she bit daintily into a pepperoni and olive pizza.
Weiss had to admit, though, on some level Ruby did interest her. How was it that a woman could go back and forth with her, throwing insults around like they were sticks of gum, only to turn around and throw herself headlong into a horde of Grimm to save her town? She could understand the duty of a Huntress; after all, she was one herself. But there was a strange dimorphism to Ruby that she couldn't put her finger on.
Still, she knew better than to tell Ruby outright that she had been the one to pull her out of the veritable tidal wave of Grimm and save her life. She'd keep that tibdit in her back pocket until the right moment. Chiefly, when it would give her the biggest punch in the gut, she would then choose to drop that little piece of information.
Mary was explaining to Ruby with excitement the projected setup of their new and improved house. Meanwhile, Summer and Jess were chatting away happily at their corner, their bellies already full of cheesy pizza and juice. At the other end of the table, Jess' father and grandparents ate happily, occasionally adding to the one-sided conversation between Mary and Ruby.
A fat, old dog named Zwei was lounging underneath the table, hoping for scraps but too tired to actively go begging.
Finally, to Weiss' mild surprise, two more people had joined the impromptu dinner party. Wes had joined them at the last minute, accepting Ruby's invitation for Pizza at her home. But that wasn't what had surprised Weiss; the man had been a pretty common fixture around Ruby - she assumed he was Ruby's version of a personal assistant, or a friend at the least. What was a surprise to Weiss was that a Faunus had been invited as well.
Weiss had met Ilia Amitola briefly the previous day; the woman apparently owned the inn where Weiss and her entourage were currently staying, and had exchanged pleasantries with her. As a chameleon Faunus, her skin was olive-toned and had freckles dotting her skin in large patches. Her dark brown hair was tied back in a long ponytail - much like Weiss' own currently. She had been just as surprised to see Weiss there as she was, but shook it off with a bright smile and a friendly hand shake.
See? Weiss had given Ruby a significant look. If the Faunus could be polite, so can you.
Hence, why Ruby was glaring at Weiss like she had strangled a kitten in front of her.
Still, one had to wonder why Ilia of all people had joined them for dinner. They could have been friends, Weiss supposed. Small towns usually had large, tight groups of acquaintances, and Weiss herself hadn't spent enough time here to know everyone's social circles. And from the easy comradery between Ruby and Ilia - when Ruby had taken her glare away from Weiss to look at something else for a change - was both plain as day as much as it was a little irritating.
Aside from Ruby's more often than not glare, dinner went well, and Weiss felt like she had a better idea of the sort of people Mary and Jeff were, as well as their parents. She felt assured that she could give them the homes they wanted, as well as the rest of Patch in the weeks to come. As she thanked everyone and stood to leave, Ruby rose as well, saying she would walk Weiss out. They both ignored Wes and Ilia's odd looks as they left the dining room and walked out the front door.
"I know what you're doing," Ruby said stiffly when they paused on her front porch.
"Oh, so now you're speaking to me? How positively big of you."
Her silver eyes hardened. "You're trying to seem nice and approachable to my friends and family - and the people of patch." She stepped closer and thrust her finger towards Weiss' chest. "So when you drop your little bomb on us, they'll be more likely to roll over and take it."
"I assume you're speaking metaphorically?" Weiss sighed. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and arched an eyebrow. She wasn't going to let Ruby goad her into another argument. Nope. It would probably make Ruby even more angry to keep her cool, anyway. And that was by far more fun. "What are you doing here?" she asked instead.
"I live here."
"No shit," Weiss quipped. "I mean, what are you doing here with me on your front porch?"
Ruby's eyes flashed, and for a moment, Weiss thought she might strike her. But the moment was gone in an instant and she stepped back. "I don't even know anymore!" she snapped. "I had things figured out and knew what I was going to do. I had a plan, a life and everything was going so well. Then shit happened and everything got all fucked up."
Weiss knew Ruby wasn't talking about Weiss anymore. At least, not directly. She stayed silent and watchful as Ruby prowled around the front porch like she was stalking something.
"Now I feel like everything's going to shit and I'm barely able to catch up. Everything's happening too fast and people are still missing and the town's still destroyed." She suddenly stopped, her shoulders falling. "I feel like I failed everyone."
Weiss scoffed. "Don't be an idiot. You didn't fail anyone."
"We weren't prepared for that much Grimm," Ruby admitted. "Nobody anticipated such a large invasion. I'm the only Huntress anywhere near here. I sent out a call for help, and nobody came. Well," she snorted. "They did come, but it wasn't enough to save the town."
"But they did prevent many deaths," Weiss pointed out. "And that was the most important thing."
Ruby whirled around, staring Weiss down like she was Grimm herself. "These people trusted me. And I let them down."
Weiss sighed through her nose, and took a step forward. "You didn't let anyone down. No town can be completely, one hundred percent prepared for the Grimm, no matter how it is defended. It's not possible. By their very nature, they are chaotic and unpredictable. There is no way to totally defend anywhere from them. Only react."
Ruby scoffed again. "You talk about them like you know them."
Shrugging, Weiss didn't comment on that. "What I can tell you is that your people will get their town back. Mary and Jeff will get their house back. Jess will get her playground in the backyard. Patch will be better defended and able to withstand the next Grimm attack. Hopefully, it will never happen. But, better safe than sorry."
Ruby didn't look convinced. "This town? These people? This is my life. I grew up here. My family grew up here. My daughter is growing up here. If this happens again…"
"Then it will be different," Weiss finished her words. "But different doesn't necessarily mean worse, Ruby. If anything, it means that a lot of people will acknowledge the fact that you've been through a lot, and are a stronger person for coming out on the other side."
Ruby sighed, saying nothing.
"You are right to be skeptical. And to be protective. Not everyone that has the resources to come in and fix your every problem would have Patch's best interests at heart. Luckily, I do."
"Right," Ruby snorted. "Like I believe that." After a moment, she shook her head. "Sorry. I'm tired and stressed. I don't usually act like this, but you seem to bring out the worst in me."
"Right back at you," Weiss smirked.
"I wonder if I'd feel the same under different circumstances?" Ruby muttered aloud, leaving Weiss to wonder what exactly Ruby was talking about.
"You mean if you didn't have to keep both eyes on me to make sure I don't ruin your town even further?"
Ruby straightened, clearing her throat. "Yup. Pretty much." Her smile was wary and a little strained, but it was present, and Weiss felt a little hiccuping zing through her blood at the sight. Ruby was an attractive woman. It was just too damn bad her personality ruined the whole effect.
"Well, I guess we'll never find out, huh? Now, I'll leave you to your… family and friends." She stepped away and backed off the porch. She turned and lifted a hand in farewell. "Tell Summer I said thank you for the invitation, and the pizza."
"You do realize I bought the pizza, right?"
"Shut up. I know what I said."
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