Chapter 43
Weiss had to resist grumbling as she made her way down the stark white corridor. Given recent events, it would place the staff even further on the edge. The media had not been merciful in the wake of the attack, and someone had leaked more information than she was comfortable with being public. Ruby deserved better than having her exact condition revealed to the public. It should have been on her terms, when she was ready, recovered, able to stand on two legs she could call her own. The culprit would be tracked down in due time.
For now at least Weiss could use her forced socializing to be productive, pulling up a certain contact on her scroll and sending a request to meet. Weiss hoped Ruby would get along with her. She was formal and respectful when Weiss had met her, but Ruby did not need formal and respectful, she needed empathy and understanding. Harriet was seemingly the best choice.
Coming to a halt before Ruby's door, Weiss leaned against the wall and took a deep breath. There was an anxiety she experienced every time she had to face Ruby. The lingering guilt nagged at her heart. Ruby considered her a friend, in spite of all the stresses she had inflicted upon the girl, even after the incident. Friendship had never felt easy to Weiss. It always seemed cruel to inflict the risk upon others, to paint a target on their backs. It made it easier to filter the pretenders over time, but all the harder to suffer the genuine individuals. Coco and Velvet, Pyrrha and Ren, now Ruby.
Blake was another matter, an almost refreshing one. There was an honesty between them that only Pyrrha rivaled. But Pyrrha's was born of love, Blake's of contempt. It made trading barbs easier. Maybe that was what she had been missing all this time, someone to vent negativity. Perhaps Pyrrha was right, and a therapist would benefit her health. Maybe someday.
Weiss knocked twice and pushed the door open, peeking inside. As expected, Ruby sat comfortably in her bed, scroll in hand, bright eyed and smiling as usual. "Hey Weiss!" She chirped, setting the device aside.
It was then Weiss noticed how empty the room was. "Good morning Ruby, how are you feeling?" She took a step into the room.
Ruby held out her arms and grinned. "In need of hugs!"
Weiss let out a laugh, releasing a breath she had not consciously held, and accepted the offer of a warm, if awkward, embrace. "I would think you'd have your pick of hugs today."
Ruby hummed, shrugging as Weiss pulled away. "Nora and Jaune were here, but Jaune wasn't feeling well. Sun hasn't been getting much sleep lately, so I made him go home."
"Ah, unfortunate." Weiss hooked her foot behind a nearby chair leg, pulling it closer and sitting herself down. "I have neglected to check on him personally. I really should."
"I think he'd appreciate that." Ruby suggested. "In the meantime Nurse Nora is on the job."
"I take it she's being quite attentive." Weiss surmised.
"She's really committed." Ruby confirmed. "The costume looked expensive."
"Costume?" Weiss quirked her brow.
"Yeah, it even had a hat!" Ruby cheered.
"Nora came to visit, in a nurse costume?" Weiss asked.
"It was under a coat." Ruby explained. "It was a tad risque."
"She certainly has flair, I'll give her that." Weiss observed.
"It was nice." Ruby nodded. "I'm glad I met her."
"So am I Ruby...have they shown you your prosthetics yet?" Weiss inquired.
"Pyrrha says the actual prosthetic won't be made until my therapy is close to ending, in case adjustments need to be made, but she gave me the blueprints." Ruby replied. "They're beautiful! I never got to see such advanced models in class."
"Yes, they're quite well protected." Weiss noted.
"I can almost feel an NDA looming over me." Ruby chuckled.
"Those will be Pyrrha's responsibility." Weiss clarified. "I find them rather dry and technical, and leave them to the respective departments."
"Well, it's not like legal documents make for good reading." Ruby agreed.
"You'd be surprised." Weiss countered. "Depending on the circumstances, a legal document can hold some fascinating stories."
A rough tapping rang upon the door before it opened. A dark skinned woman poked her head inside, smiling kindly. "Do I have the right room?"
"Yes Harriet, do come in." Weiss straightened her posture as the woman entered. She did not appear to be much taller than either of the two, standing at the bed's end with her arms folded behind her back. As far as SDC employees, she was one of the few non security individuals to wear a uniform of sorts, though even that was non standard, navy blue and white SDC branded gym shorts and a well fitted collared shirt. Her exposed legs were obviously toned, and what little of her arms Ruby could see seemed to match. Her hair was striking, brown and tightly cropped on the sides with a dyed white crest. "Ruby, I'd like you to meet Harriet Bree, your physical therapist. Harriet, Ruby Rose."
"Hi!" Ruby greeted.
Harriet bowed her head in return. "Good morning Ms. Rose. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Oh, you can just call me Ruby." Ruby insisted. "Don't worry, Weiss does too."
"Sorry." Harriet shrugged. "Force of habit."
"I chose Harriet personally." Weiss continued. "I felt her attitude and experience would fit well with you."
"I can't tell if that's a compliment or not." Ruby said.
"Neither of you have been fired...yet." Weiss joked.
"Technically-" Ruby smirked.
Weiss jabbed an index finger in Ruby's face. "No technical jokes." Ruby merely snickered, poking the finger with her own. Weiss sighed, suppressing a smile. "Harriet, would you care to demonstrate?"
"I uh, am not entirely presentable at the moment, Ms. Schnee." Harried resisted.
"Ruby is not an investor." Weiss waved away the concern. "You won't be disappointing her."
"Right, of course." Harriet took a small breath before moving her arms. The clink of metal caught Ruby's attention as the dark skinned woman revealed decidedly lighter grey metal. The familiar stock sheen of Atlesian prosthetics shone matte beneath the light. Nine fingers flexed freely. "I have a habit of being rough with my prosthetics."
"What was it this time?" Weiss inquired.
"I think I weakened it with weights, then I fumbled with a door handle." Harriet answered.
"A defective part?" Weiss suggested.
"I'm just rough with them." Harriet shook her head.
"Would you allow Ruby to examine the damage?" Weiss requested.
"Ah...sure." Harriet agreed. Ruby noticed some hesitation in her movements as she made her way to the opposite side of the bed. Pausing, she drew the over-bed table to rest by Ruby's hands. "Normally I only let the technicians do this, but from what I hear you're heading into that department."
"Only if there's no stairs." Ruby joked. "Otherwise I'll have to get Pyrrha to carry me everywhere and it'll be awkward."
"She'd consider it a good workout." Weiss smiled.
Harriet chuckled, reaching behind her waist, a zipping sound preceding her hands laying themselves on the table. "She always seemed like a sweetheart." She opened her hands, one dropping a metallic finger.
"What do you think, Ruby?" Weiss asked.
Ruby picked up the offending object, examining it with all the awe of a child given a new toy, running her fingers over the alloy, testing the texture of the rubberized sensor pads, the give of each joint, until she came across the severed end. The polished metal was seemingly shorn in half, a clean break. "It snapped?" Ruby furrowed her brow. "Looks like the weld failed."
"Design compromise, as I understand it." Weiss explained. "For ease of manufacture, making two small pieces was easier than one full piece."
"It couldn't be cast or machined whole?" Ruby inquired.
"Perhaps, but not as quickly and inexpeisively." Weiss replied.
"I'm far from the norm." Harriet added. "Most civilians won't put their prosthetics through the same stresses."
"Our warranty claims say otherwise." Weiss sighed. "Do you have the replacements?"
"Yes ma'am." Harriet unclipped her belt, placing a large fanny pack on the table and opening it fully. A small kit of tools was contained within, as well as two sets of fingers. "I uh, I'm not really good at doing it myself, one handed and all."
"Can I try?" Ruby requested.
Harriet glanced toward Weiss, who gave her a nod. She managed a smile and nodded in turn. "We'll see if that education was good for something, eh?"
"I'd say cross your fingers, but…" Ruby shrugged with a wry grin. Harriet could not help but chuckle, watching as Ruby matched the broken finger with one of the replacements and examined the intact part. She set it aside then reached for Harriet's hand, gently pulling it closer to peer at the remaining nub. "I think we're supposed to shut it down first, or is it fine?"
"It's fine, just feels funny." Harriet answered.
Ruby nodded, lifting the hand to look closer. After a moment of thought, she gripped the joint firmly, pushing it inward and rotating it. With a click the connection disengaged and the damaged finger slid off. Ruby felt a giddy excitement fill her heart. Setting aside the broken finger, she took hold of a replacement, reversing the movements until with a final click, it locked in place. Harriet grunted as the fingers snapped to full extension, each flexing in a test pattern, synchronizing their movements before seemingly granting Harriet control once more. Ruby watched the demonstration with glee, a look of wonder on her face. Weiss looked on with a small smirk.
"Oh that's so cool!" Ruby bounced on the spot, looking from an amused Weiss back to Harriet. "Thank you for letting me do that."
"It's no problem, thanks for fixing me." Harriet shrugged, only to be met with an extended hand and a smaller, softer smile.
"It's really nice to meet you." Ruby declared. "I hope you can help fix me too."
Harriet straightened her posture, gripping the hand with her own. "We'll have you running in no time."
Weiss had forgotten how pleasant it was to listen to someone speak about their family. It helped that everyone she met seemingly had a wonderful family life. Except Coco that is, gods, what a mess. Pyrrha's parents were respected landowners in Mistral, Ren's father was a sheriff and his mother a florist. Velvet came from the lower middle class, but had a lovely if distant extended family. Ruby had a teacher and a chef for parents, plus a sister whom she had thus far spoken of little.
Weiss had met Yang briefly, and in truth found her rather intimidating. She was not as toned as Pyrrha but broader, with thicker thighs and a habit of dressing like a rather fashionable biker in the cold weather of Atlas. A biker in shorts. Who wears shorts in Atlas? Regardless, there would be words between them at some point. For the time being it was clear Yang was not willing to rock the boat. Weiss held all the power, over Ruby and Yang's employment, and their living situation. It left a sour taste, that in doing the right thing she had placed her in a position of reluctance. But she could not exactly go out of her way to inform Yang that it was okay to hold things against her. What if she was as selfless as Summer? As Ruby? Weiss would just look foolish and self pitying. Gods knew she did more than enough of both already.
"Meringue puddles don't taste bad, but they're nothing compared to real meringues." Ruby shrugged. "Fussy things, but mom makes the best."
"I can barely cook my own noodles." Weiss noted. "If I could make my own meringues I doubt I'd keep my figure for long, precarious enough as it is."
"Do you work out?" Ruby inquired.
"Sometimes on weekends, but nothing so consistent." Weiss answered.
"I need to start again." Ruby sighed. "I've been meaning to for ages but...well not I can just focus on my arms and core." She giggled. "Pull-ups will be a bit easier now I guess."
"I don't think I could manage a single pushup, let alone a pull-up." Weiss joked.
"Squats then?" Ruby suggested.
"Probably...I prefer dancing to be honest." Weiss replied.
"I can't dance to save my life." Ruby snickered. "Maybe I can get a right foot with the left one this time!"
"I'm sure that can be arranged." Weiss nodded. "I'll have the latest Dance Dance Remnant package given to Yang for your return home. Call it a housewarming gift."
"Oh yeah, Yang's training today isn't she?" Ruby remembered.
"She is, though today is more of an evaluation." Weiss explained. "I'm making a few select changes to security, and Yang will be among the first to participate in the new program."
"You didn't tell Yang did you?" Ruby worried. "She'll start thinking you're training her to be a secret agent."
"Thankfully no." Weiss shook her head. "As far as she's concerned this is business as usual."
"Oh thank the Maidens, the last thing we need is Yang with a bigger head." Ruby chuckled.
"Full of herself is she?" Weiss quirked her brow.
"You haven't been able to tell?" Ruby asked.
"She tends to keep to herself in my presence." Weiss observed. "I worry she may be concerned with offending me."
"Well, you are our boss." Ruby allowed. "Loudmouth or not, Yang's always been pretty professional, at least as far as I know."
"Perhaps given proximity she will grow more casual." Weiss surmised.
"It shouldn't take long." Ruby guessed. "Yang's like a social butterfly. If she meets Coco they'll have a field day."
"I heard my name!" Coco's voice startled the two. They turned to see her head poking through the doorway. "I brought comfort food and drink!"
"Coco, please tell me-" Weiss started.
"Vodka for all!" Coco cheered. "And donuts!" She lightly jostled the box in her hand, pulling a large clear bottle from her purse with the other and setting them both on the bedside table.
Velvet slipped in behind, looking equal parts tired and amused. "Hey Ruby, Weiss."
"Hi Velvet!" Ruby chirped. "Coco!" She barely had time to hold out her arms before Coco was leaning in for a tight hug.
"You're lookin' better everyday." Coco smiled.
"Weiss-" Velvet began.
"Everything is fine Velvet." Weiss interrupted. "Coco, non-medical alcohol is not permitted on these premises."
"Oh pish posh, we've cause to celebrate!" Coco laughed. "Big sis is alive!"
"What, Winter?" Ruby asked.
"She's not here yet Coco." Weiss cautioned.
"So she's breathing?" Coco inquired.
"Yes but-" Weiss tried.
"Then she'll be fine." Coco declared. "So long as she's got a toe in life's door she'll tear it from its hinges and use it to beat whatever idiot tried to close it." Weiss sighed, sinking deeper into her chair as Coco loomed over her. "Hey none of that internal moping nonsense. Big sis is back, she's gonna' be up and bossing people around in no time."
"I don't know that Coco." Weiss frowned. "They didn't even tell me what condition she's in."
"Then we wait, and we drink, and we toast the good news." Coco insisted.
"Hey Coco, the doc said I'm not allowed to drink alcohol while I'm here." Ruby interjected.
"Right, right…" Coco nodded, pausing to think. "I'll grab you a soda, BRB!"
"Apple juice please!" Ruby called before returning her attention to Weiss as Coco raced out. "You okay Weiss?"
"I'm fine Ruby, just…" Weiss sighed heavily. "Trying not to think too hard."
"I tried to calm her down." Velvet soothed, laying a hand on Weiss' shoulder.
"I know Velv, thank you." Weiss managed a small smile, laying her own hand over it. "I take it you had a good morning?"
"In a manner of speaking." Velvet nodded. "Yourself?"
"It was going quite well at first, but Ruby has been cheering me up." Weiss replied. "We were just discussing her sister."
"Where is she?" Velvet inquired.
"Secret agent training." Ruby chuckled.
"Oh gods, you gave her to Elm, didn't you?" Velvet guessed.
"She seems sturdy enough." Weiss observed.
"There's sturdy and there's crushing melons between your thighs." Velvet laughed.
"I refuse to comment on her thighs." Weiss deflected.
"Is she really strong?" Ruby asked.
"If Yatsu were a woman, she'd be gentler." Weiss declared.
"Yang's probably having fun then." Ruby assumed.
"Oh, how is Yatsu?" Weiss questioned. "We've not spoken in some time."
"He's doing well, aside from Fox nearly setting the apartment on fire again." Velvet answered.
"Again?" Pyrrha's voice suddenly came from the doorway. She was followed in by Ren. "Was it popcorn this time?"
"Mac and cheese." Velvet corrected. "Hey Pyrrha, hey Ren."
Pyrrha hugged her. "Hey Velvet. We brought an early lunch for everyone." Ren held up a plastic bag holding several containers. "Dumplings."
"Are they your dumplings?" Ruby asked.
"Sadly, not this time." Ren shook his head. "But they're almost as good."
"They were out of apple juice so I got a couple options." Coco returned, bottles in hand. "Hey Pyr, hey Ren. What's cookin'?"
"Good morning Coco." Pyrrha greeted. "Is the vodka yours?"
"Everyone's!" Coco announced, moving to offer Ruby the other drinks.
Pyrrha sighed, moving the vodka aside so Ren could begin unpacking the food on the table. "No alcohol in the hospital. We need a clear head and full stomachs."
"At least it's good vodka." Ren admired the bottle before Velvet snatched it and stuffed it in her satchel.
The dumplings filled the room with a comfortable smell, overriding the stale antiseptic that normally pervaded the senses. For a time everyone seemed to relax, their light chatter putting Weiss at ease. It was pleasant. She could not help but jump when there was a knock at the door.
"Did I miss something?" Blake asked, slipping inside.
"We've still got vodka." Coco offered.
"We have no vodka." Velvet groused. "Good morning."
"Good morning." Blake acknowledged, holding up a paper bag. "I bought a snack. I wasn't expecting to find a meal."
"Thanks!" Ruby cheered. "Pyrrha and Ren bought everyone breakfast."
"There's still plenty left if you'd like to partake." Pyrrha noted.
"Thank you Pyrrha, but I'm still full from my own." Blake declined.
"What did Yang make this time?" Ruby inquired.
"Omelets." Blake answered.
"I miss Yang's omelets." Ruby spoke.
A timid knock caused Blake to step out of the doorway, revealing a small nurse. "Ms. Schnee?"
"Yes, Nurse Marcia?" Weiss asked.
The nurse glanced at the room's occupants before returning her focus to Weiss "We have received notification of your sister's imminent arrival. Her plane has landed."
"Thank you Marcia, that will be all." Weiss responded.
Marcia nodded, leaving as quickly as she had come. Weiss drew in a deep breath and let it go. "I will be back later Ruby." She stood.
"We're coming with you." Pyrrha insisted.
"As are we." Velvet added.
"Okay." Weiss agreed, turning to Blake. "Do keep Ruby in good spirits in my absence." She spoke in a monotone as she left, the room seemingly colder for her absence. Pyrrha slipped out with a nervous smile, Ren and Velvet following.
"Fingers and dicks crossed ladies and ladies." Coco sighed, exiting with the others.
Blake looked to Ruby with an arched brow. "Am I missing something?"
Ruby could not help but laugh. "Just a little."
Author's Note: Sorry for the long absence, things have been a little crazy, even before The Pestilence. Didn't really know what to say about it last week, so I said nothing. Still don't, so that's about all on that subject.
RealTerminal still writes with all the speed of a legless tortoise, so I might alternate this fic with one of which I'm writing a larger percentage. It's a new one, keep an eye on this account if you're interested in a RWBY AU with a bit more of a sci-fi bent. [Space weapon sound effects.]
I love reviews/comments and RealTerminal needs the motivation, so please, if you've got something to say, take a moment to write one. Or just shout it out your window as loud as you can in the vague hope that we'll hear you and your neighbors won't think you're weird.