"Today, we're discussing a creature many of you are quite familiar with," Ruby watched as the professor's bushy mustache bobbed up and down with each word. "But have very little understanding of! It's very important that you know how they work, if you want to succeed! Why, I was your ages when I had my first run-in with a Grimm! I-."
Every class was the same. Professor Port would announce the class' subject, but he was an easily distracted man that hardly knew the meaning of modesty. Halfway through addressing them, he would always get swept up in some story about a mission he participated in that ended in some sort of ridiculous outcome. Some days the stories were amusing, but a lot of the time they were filled with so many boring details that Ruby found herself daydreaming about the different weapons she wished she could be working on. Too bad she wasn't going to be in the gun cage until Ironwood came back.
Still, Port would just drone on and on until the class was over, then suddenly remember he needed to assign them homework on the subject. It was no wonder this was the class she was failing… and those stories were exactly why she was so thankful to have a window seat.
Watching the students in PE was infinitely more entertaining than some drawn out tale about how Port swam across a lake with some kind of giant pelt or something. At least, the PE kids looked like they were having fun. Then there were the ones practicing hand-to-hand combat and her personal favorite – paintball. Sure, it hurt, but where was the fun without that? Both she and her sister firmly believed in the long time teaching of "No pain, no gain". Their uncle had practically preached it to them their entire lives.
As she scanned over the yard, her eyes spotted something strange that she almost skipped past. She had to do a double-take and leaned closer to the window to be sure her eyes weren't tricking her. Beneath a tree, there was a large dark wolf with a glowing outline. She knew that some Faunus could summon familiars, but she'd never seen anything like it. It was almost frightening actually. In fact, it almost looked like… a Grimm… and it was staring right back at her with a pair of strangely inverted red and black eyes.
She backed away from the window for a moment to rub her eyes and looked back out the window, but whatever it was, it had vanished. Maybe her eyes were just tricking her. After all, she hadn't been sleeping and was still recuperating from passing out earlier. She mulled over it a bit more until one of the resident class troublemakers caused a scene.
"Uh, no offense," Cardin Winchester, a relatively well-built and tall boy spoke out. "But are we gonna' actually learn something today? Because this is a subject I'm actually interested in, for once, and your story is kinda' ruining it."
The class went silent as Port stopped dead in the middle of his sentence. The portly man was shocked, or at least, that's what Ruby thought. It was fairly difficult to read the man's expressions past his well-kept, yet somehow still shaggy features. Port suddenly let out a jolly laugh and somehow got himself back on track.
"Cardin, my boy! Right, you are!" He patted his belly in emphasis. "I like that fire! Why it reminds me of…" Several students groaned and he stopped himself. "Ho ho, I almost lost myself there again! By show of hands, how many of you have ever fought a Grimm?" Ren and Nora raised their hands, along with Coco and a few others. "I see! Some of you have been in service, but many of you have only had guard and security duties. I think that we can turn this into a learning experience based on your own experiences! What can you tell me about them?"
"They kill and eat people and vampires summon 'em," Cardin blurted out and leaned back in his chair.
"No way!" Nora stuck her tongue out. "Grimm don't eat people. Sure, casualties happened, but a Grimm's sole purpose is to hunt humans for vampires to eat."
"Miss Valkyrie, correct!" Port announced with another jolly laugh. "Killing, hunting, and consuming are all completing different things but this is one of the most important differences when facing vampires and their familiars. If a Grimm captures you, you still have a chance to survive. Only when you are in its master's clutches are you doomed."
"Well, that's easy," Cardin lifted a single arm and scoffed. "Just kill the vampire. They're not that difficult."
"Hmmm, Mr. Winchester, maybe it's better that we use this as an opportunity to better understand vampire hierarchy. You see, a Frenzying sireling who cannot yet control their desires and has not regained their ability to think coherently is something that is entirely feasible for someone at your level to take on. They are dangerous, but predictable… and they sit at the bottom of the totem pole. They are the weaklings."
"Did Port just say Frenzying sirelings are weak?" Velvet whispered and Coco nodded in response, earning a whine from the rabbit girl. "Whyyyyyy…"
"Next, we have the Nobles – those who have regained their ability to reason and have begun to develop their powers, but still cannot form Darkforge cloaks or summon Grimm. It is very unlikely that trainees such as yourselves would survive an encounter, but not entirely impossible." He began to write the titles on the board behind him as he spoke, starting at the bottom and going up. "Then all the way at the top, you have the Elders. They are the most powerful and lead their own covens, whose powers stem from their own. They often cloak themselves in their own Darkforge to hide their identities."
He wrote the word "Elders" at the top and stopped at the end of the word, leaving his chalk pressed against the board. Somehow, he became very somber and slowly retracted his hand. It was at this moment, the class felt his energy completely change.
"It is these ones that take the place of the most dangerous creatures on Circadia. They are so mind-bendingly deceptive and ruthless that only Elite level Hunters are permitted to hunt them. Do not engage them. If you run into them, it's recommended that you be prepared to take your own life. They are so impossibly difficult to fight and there aren't enough Elites to guarantee that they can kill them and set you free. Even then, freedom is only if they choose to make you one of their slaves as opposed to just killing you. Vale has lost many a talented Hunter and I've personally lost many good friends to these vile creatures." He paused for a heavy moment and looked over all of them. "It's times like these that I am reminded that I should have appreciated things more. Look at your fellow classmates." He waited for the students in each row to do so. "Now look down your individual rows."
"There are 30 of you, in this class alone – much as mine was also," he inhaled deeply. "5 students to a row, six rows. Many of you are seventeen, eighteen year olds – so fresh-faced and eager to prove yourselves… But out of each row, one of you will not make it to see your 20s. Out of those left, only 10 to 15 of you will lead successful careers. When I look back on my time spent behind these walls 20 years ago, there are less than ten of us remaining alive and even less than that remaining in service…"
Eventually,Port's class ended but his words still weighed on Ruby's mind as she leaned against her locker. The way he put it, it sounded like she could lose any one of her friends at any time. She really didn't want to think about that right now, especially with her nightmare still so fresh in her mind.
"Hey Rubes," Nora rested her head on Ruby's shoulder. "Don't worry about it so much. None of us are going anywhere."
"I mean, it was kind of a reality check," Coco surprised them. "We get sent on lesser missions, but there's always a chance that something goes wrong."
"Yeah, but I kinda' remember Port being around a lot when I was little," Ruby shifted uneasily. "I think Port served alongside my parents… I mean, he's way older, so they definitely weren't classmates, but still…"
"I see what you mean," Coco said distantly. There was another heavy silence that loomed over them.
The subject of Ruby's parents was something that was rarely ever brought up. Everyone in Vale knew their story well. They were the most famous and influential team of Hunters to have come from Vale. In fact, they'd been credited with much of Vale's success. Unfortunately, they'd been too successful and the vampire council's leader himself was the one who killed them, leaving Ruby and her older sister terrified but alive… It was also the driving force in why they both elected to become Hunters, though Yang had much more success.
"You know what," Coco frowned as she watched the different emotions play across Ruby's face. "You need to get out!"
"Coco, I don't think that's really appropriate," Velvet's voice came out nervously behind her. As someone who had grown up alongside Coco, Velvet knew very well what getting out meant to her best friend.
"Oh, c'mon! Look at her," Coco motioned toward Ruby. "She looks like she could use a few drinks – maybe some dancing. You know, blow off some steam! Besides, it's been a while since we've taken Ruby out! It'll do her some good! The city's even started that new UV lighting system, so it's safe to walk on the streets at night now! What do you say, Ruby?"
"Uuuuuuh…"
"Wait, what are we talking about?" Jaune asked.
"Ladies Night, Jaune!" Coco narrowed her eyes. "Butt out! Unless you got boobs, you're not welcome here!"
"Oh, come on!" He pouted. "You guys seriously aren't inviting me again?!"
"Jaune, it's better that you just leave it alone," Ren said calmly as he joined the group. "The last thing you want to do is get Coco riled up. Nora will join her."
"Renny, you make me sound like a bad person!" Nora pouted and he sighed. "Don't worry, Jaune! We'll take extra shots just for you!"
"That also means that we should stay up and be ready to get them when they become completely unable to walk home…" Ren sighed to himself.
"Ruby and I are totally DD material!" Nora wrapped an arm around Ruby's neck and pulled her in.
"Nora," Ren said flatly. "Neither of you have a license…"
"Pshhhh, who said anything about driving?" Nora waved him off. "We're the Designated Drunks! Booyah! Cocooooooo, you should totally find Ruby something to weeeeear!"
"Doesn't she have clothes?" The posh girl's aviator shades slid down the bridge of her nose.
"Yeah, but if we let her dress herself," Nora whispered loudly. "She'll totally wear a hoodie and some sweats. You know we can't allow her to dress herself for a club setting! Besides, I wanna' go to that new spot that's Faunus and Were-friendly! I totally scoped it out already and Junior's looks awesome! Yang told me about it!"
"Yang… went to an Inhuman-friendly bar?" Ruby asked in a surprised manner. It wasn't that she disliked Faunus. It was just that Yang held reservations about Inhumans, in general. There were the good ones, but there were many that harbored ill-intent toward humans. The main reason she was such good friends with Velvet, Nora, and Jaune was because they came before the incident.
"Yeah, she said the owner provides sanctuary to them, as long as they respect each other," Nora shrugged. "Keeps us out of trouble. I also heard he's the guy to talk to if something's going down. Probably why Yang even went there in the first place."
That did sound like Yang. Internally sighing, Ruby sagged her shoulders and grew tired at the thought of the poor bar owner that had to deal with her sister. If she were there to drink, it would probably be a good night… but if she went to get info from him, it was probably a good thing that they didn't resemble each other, at all.
"Well, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon!" Stumbling as she was pushed by the excitable red-head, Ruby tried to fight back and regain her balance to no avail. "Let's goooooo! Coco, Velvs! Let's pamper this princess!"
"Huh," Coco breathed an agitated sigh. "I've got a lot of work cut out for me."
"Hey!"
ooOOoo
"Aaaaaand, there!" The brunette slowly turned Ruby around to face the mirror and Nora squealed with Velvet in delight. The whole ordeal had been met with complaint after complaint from Ruby, but eventually, she conceded and let Coco do what she wanted.
"Are you sure this skirt isn't a little… you know?" Ruby turned herself in each direction, watching the fabric sway gently. Coco at least tried to stick with Ruby's normal palette, though she deviated a bit from her personal style and gave it the Coco Touch.
She started with a black and red asymmetric style of flannel patterned dress. The dress itself was sleeveless and the longest side cut off just above her knee, while the other side was several inches shorter and felt breezy. Unfortunately, Ruby was totally fine with leaving the house like that and Coco dragged her back by her toes, kicking and screaming. There was no way she was going to let her friend leave looking so… basic…
The solution to Coco's dilemma came in the form of a black long-sleeved blouse that she pulled over the top of the dress. The piece matched the dress' asymmetry and fit snuggly against Ruby's form, covering Ruby's barren arms and shaping the dress along Ruby's curves. As an accessory, Coco placed a black leather belt around her waistline to further enhance her curves and was delighted with her work.
"Last but not least!" Coco all but skipped over to her closet and came back with something black, placing it at the top of Ruby's head. "No look is complete without a beret!"
"Ahahahahaha," Nora let out laugh. "It started cool but now you look like a hipster! Even my grandma wouldn't do that!"
"You are absolutely right!" The fashionista clapped her hands together in emphasis. "I should have seen it sooner!" Coco walked up behind her and hiked the skirt up. "We need you to show off more skin! Just a few minor adjustments and-"
"What? No!" The poor tortured soul that was Ruby shrieked as she attempted to force the skirt back down. "It's fine the way it is! Just… maybe not the hat…"
"It's a beret, thank you! And are you sure?" Coco almost pouted from behind her fashionable sunglasses. "I mean, you've got killer legs! Why not show them off?! I mean, it's just unfair that these perfect legs and this slim physique just go to waste!"
"Because you guys always act like this!" Ruby defended herself. "You practically can't wait to treat me like a dress-up doll!"
"To be fair, you eat an insane amount of junk food and have an ungodly metabolism to counter it," Coco said flatly, trying not to give too much of her jealousy away. "While the rest of us have to put in hard work to maintain our shapely physiques, you have the luxury of not even trying. So pardon us, if we have a little fun at your expense!..." Coco eyed her slyly. "Besides, we haven't even started the best parts yet!"
"Shoes and make-up?!" Nora popped back to life.
"Shoes and make-up," Coco nodded in confirmation and the two grinned maniacally at their prey.
"I'm so sorry Ruby," Velvet whimpered. "It'll be over sooner if you just let it happen. My thoughts are with you."
"Traitor!"
By the time all was said and done, Ruby was now Coco's take on a gothic style. It wasn't overbearingly gothic, but the influence was definitely there. Having compromised, Coco added a pair of black stockings with a dark rose pattern going up the sides so that Ruby felt less naked, but still showed off the definition. However, the rose's presence gave Ruby a sneaking suspicion that Coco bought them for a future outing with her in mind.
As for make-up choice, she'd gone light and focused on accenting Ruby's silver eyes enough to make them pop even more than they already did. Ruby's skin was a perfect milk-white and needed very little application, other than to hide the odd blemish here and there. She'd fluffed her hair out a bit and sprayed it with a holding spray to give her more volume and made sure that it framed her face.
As for footwear, the high heels had been a disaster. Coco mentally noted that they would have to get some practice in for the future. She refused to have a female friend that couldn't walk in heels. After all, high heels were the ultimate way to train your balance! Or so her mother had said. However that worked… Either way, she'd settle for knee high boots with flat soles. It was a rather complete look, if she did say so herself.
"Perfect!" Coco admired her work. "I'm sure all the ladies will drop their panties for y- ow!" Coco yelped in pain as Velvet smacked at her.
"Or guys!" The rabbit insisted on Ruby's behalf. "She could totally bag some guys too!"
"Pshhhh, please!" Nora barreled into the conversation. "Have you guys met Ruby? She's so far in the closet, she's finding Christmas presents!"
"Guys, I'm not gay!" Ruby whined. Why was this always a topic when it was just the four of them? It was like those two had zero confidence in her ability to attract guys. She was just lucky they weren't trying to dress her in masculine attire anymore… not that she hadn't enjoyed it… but still! "I just haven't found anyone I'm interested in!"
"TEN! LUX!" Nora exclaimed. "Says it's a girl when it finally happens."
"I'll take that bet!" Coco finally emerged from closet looking every bit as dazzling as they'd expected. "Because she's going to try to prove you wrong and get a guy, first!... before she eventually winds up with a girl!"
"Guys, I'm totally still here and I can hear you!" Ruby groaned. "You know, I could also not be interested in people!"
"Soooo, what you're saying is that you're into non-humans?" Nora wiggled her eyes brows in unison and jumped on her suggestively. "Look out guys! Don't tell Renny, but he's got competition for my heart!"
"Oh, whatever!" Ruby laughed as Nora made kissing faces at her and pushed her away.
"You're mine, I tell you!" The energetic girl clung to Ruby's arm. "All mine!"
ooOOoo
The UV lights were actually kinda' nice. It wasn't the first time she'd seen them, since Vale law required homes to be outfitted with front and back UV porch lights at minimum. It was up to the homeowner if they wanted more and Uncle Qrow certainly hadn't been stingy. Not when it came to his nieces and everything they'd already been through. No vampire would step foot in their home… but the city? This was huge!
The streetlights lined the roads, keeping them well-lit and safe. It was actually strange seeing people out at night for once. Usually, people were relatively scarce, save for the night patrols. Yeah, they were still out, but recently, they were simply running routine checks and making sure the lights were operating properly. The best part though had been that there had been very few incidents reported and those that were, were the rare cases involving Faunus and Weres. In fact, it only really happened in relation to a terrorist group called the White Fang.
This was really nice though. Ruby couldn't really recall a time where she'd seen people walking down the streets at night with smiles, laughter… feeling safe… and it made the walk to the club even better than it was. For once, she could say that she wasn't terrified of what the night brought.
They drew closer to the club, which had a bit of a line outside of it. Well, it was good to know that it stayed busy. She could tell that several of the clubbers were Faunus, but the Weres and humans were pretty difficult to tell apart. She'd really only know if she talked to them or if they changed or showed their powers.
Outside of that, Weres looked just as human as any other. Coco had eventually told them that while humans and Faunus were allowed at all times, Weres weren't allowed at Junior's Nightclub during full moons for obvious reasons. There was simply no guarantee that they had 100% control over their inner beast. Even those that had received Schnee Brands and had been labeled masters of their beasts could still have one bad night and few wanted to take the chance on that, including the Weres themselves.
Scanning the rooftops, Ruby enjoyed the clear sky. The moon was a bright thumbnail, eclipsed in darkness. Despite the purple haze that tinted the view, the stars twinkled brightly creating a romantic view on its own and she longed to share something like this with whoever first love would be. Something this simple would be perfect.
As she looked over the moon, a shape came into view, just in front of the moon. Two ears fluffed out to the side of a canine silhouette and the same two red and black eyes shined out from it. At first, she wasn't sure if it was the light from the moon, but it shifted positions and she could tell that it was a glow… It was the wolf from earlier. Was it following her? The hairs stood on her neck a bit and her blood ran cold.
"Hey, Ruby! C'mon," Nora grabbed her arm, startling her. "The door guy needs your Hunter ID or you can't get in!"
"Oh, sorry, sorry!" Ruby fished through the small purse that Coco claimed completed her look. She fumbled through her wallet and eventually gave him the card. He gave it a once-over front and back and glanced back and forth between her and the card.
"A Rose, eh?" He passed it back to her with a smile. "Your family's always welcome at Junior's. Always done great things for us, but don't be so nervous. Lighten up a bit and try to have some fun."
With that all the girls made their way in, but Ruby shot a look back. However, unlike earlier, the wolf was still there watching. It made eye contact with her for a moment and then slowly walked away as her friends dragged her further in. Who the hell was watching her?
As for the club, it was huge inside! Wide and open spaces with several booths along the walls and a fully stocked bar took the center stage, stacked with glass shelves and lined with blue LED lights. The inside of the bar was lined with a variety of glassware and the bartenders were dressed in sleek black attire, each with "Junior's" printed where the breast pocket would be.
Coco and Nora dragged the two more timid girls to a table where they found Penny, who had been sitting alone under the low hanging light. The girls all crowded into the booth, giggling as the leather seats squelched beneath them and started looking over the drink menu.
"Sal-u-tations, friends!" Penny greeted them. "I was starting to think that I had missed you!"
"Nah," Nora grinned. "Coco had a field day with dressing Ruby up. You know how much she loves that."
"What can I say," Coco shrugged. "She's got a lot of potential to work with." As if on cue, Coco dragged her out from the table. "I mean, do you see the fine work I put into this?!"
"Um, no offense Coco, but…" Ruby shifted uncomfortably. "I've been meaning to ask you since earlier…"
"Why did I give you a gothic type of look?" Coco grinned.
"Yeah…" Ruby looked at herself. "Well, I mean, it's kinda' Scene Goes Goth, but yeah. That."
"Easy!" Coco chirped. "You're gonna' hang out with the night life, so you might as well look the part! It's gonna' be fun! Besides, who cares if you look a little bit like the vamps! No one provides safe haven to them and they aren't even welcome in the city. You can't even be confused for one! Besides, you're Ruby frickin' Rose! Even the door guy recognized you!..." Coco paused as a cute bunny girl walked up and introduced herself as their waitress. Coco proceeded to flirt with her, causing Velvet to puff up with jealousy and Ruby couldn't help but wonder when the diva would realize that Velvet liked her. "Well, hello gorgeous! Now, let's get some drinks for Ruby's virgin lips!"
"Waaait, whaaaaaaaat?" Nora's voice was a mixture of a growl filled with excitement. "You've never had alcohol before?"
"Oh no," Penny gasped beneath her hands. "Nora's the last person we should let hear that."
"Well, I mean," Ruby fidgeted again, looking unsure of herself. "Yang and Uncle Qrow let me have champagne on New Year's so…"
"THAT DOESN'T COUNT!" Nora latched onto her again and started dragging her away from the table. "Omgomgomgomg, this is so exciting! Boy, am I gonna' teach you some things! We're gonna' go straight to the bartender and we're gonna' set you up with the most awesome drinks EVER! You're gonna' get so waste- I mean, relaxed, and then you're finally gonna' sleep and have good dreams… or no dreams! Either way, you won't remember ANYTHING! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!"
"Um, you're scaring me," Ruby looked back at the rest of her friends for help. The only response she got was Penny and Velvet looking away, followed by Coco mouthing the word 'RIP'. "…Traitors…"
Nora grabbed a drink menu and started talking to the bartender about different kinds of drinks. Eventually, she settled on something that apparently fit the description of "a shit load of vodka". When Nora finally got her drink, she urged Ruby to smell it and the only word she felt could describe it was "death", but Nora happily started chugging it down. Eventually, Ruby finally ordered something, but Nora had to check on what it was.
"Um, a…" Ruby ducked her head further into the menu as she read it. "Scarlet… Bull… Punch?"
"…." To emphasize her disappointment, Nora threw her head back and chugged her drink. As she drained the glass of its contents, she held a finger out to signify for Ruby to wait. Once she finished it, she slammed it down. "What?! I don't think I heard you right. A Scarlet Bull Punch?! There's no alcohol in that, Ruby! Bartender, cancel that! We're doing shots!" The bartender gave them both a glance, looking back a forth for confirmation before continuing.
"I don't think I'm ready for shots, Nora," Ruby sighed. "But you clearly know more than I do. Just don't kill me." The bartender gave her a merciful chuckle and Nora declared her victory.
"Why don't I try to help you two out?" He offered. "Anything you like flavor-wise?"
"Ooo, ooo! This is her first time," Nora grinned. "So let's make it something flavorful and like berries! C'mere, c'mere!" He leaned in a little bit closer and she whispered in his ear.
"I think I can do that for ya'!" He smiled and set to work. Ruby admired the focus he had and he almost looked like he was masterfully concocting potions. She smiled as she watched him and wondered if she looked this way when she worked with Ironwood in the gun cages.
As she watched him, she suddenly became aware of someone across the bar. It was another girl who looked to be around her age, dressed in dark clothing that complimented her dark hair and crystal blue eyes. For the love of Circadia, she was alarmingly beautiful. The girl smiled her way and swished around a drink, before taking a sip. Knowing she'd been caught, Ruby looked down and panicked. Eventually, she looked again, but the girl was gone. Just her luck… wait… NO. WAY. She wasn't gonna' let her friends be right!
"Um," Nora's voice broke her away from her thoughts as the red-head motioned toward their table. Ruby's eyes followed their direction and spotted Penny alone with a drink. "I'm gonna' go check on Penz. Looks like they left her alone. You gonna' be fine if I leave ya' for a few mins?"
"Oh, yeah! The bartender is friendly enough," Ruby waved her off. "Go on!"
"Be back soon, love!" Ruby rolled her eyes at the nickname. A drink suddenly sat in front of her and the bartender gave her a welcoming smile. She eyed the concoction dangerously and hesitated.
"It's not too bad," he offered. "I went light on the liquor for you. Wouldn't wanna' kill you your first time, though your friend might have had other plans. Haha!"
Taking the glass in her hands, she examined it carefully. The drink was a cloudy mixture of yellow that blended into a pink tinted color. Bits of strawberry floated throughout it and coated the bottom of the glass. Out of curiosity, she stirred it and more of the fruit floated up from the bottom and she smelled it. There was a scent vaguely reminiscent of lemons, strawberries, and rubbing alcohol and she hesitantly took a cursory sip. She backed off with a look of disgust, earning a laugh from the bartender.
"No, haha! Not like that," he gave his charming smile again. "Stir it a bit more. The top is all vodka. It kinda' layers itself when you first make them. If it helps, you can dip your straw in and drink from the bottom, but really, just stir it and drink like that."
"Oh, um, okay!" Ruby blushed in embarrassment, taking his advice. She carefully stirred it, spilling a little at first, but then got the hang of it. Finally, she took a sip and it was surprisingly good. I was kind of like strawberry lemonade, actually.
"A Strawberry Berryoska, just in case you want another," he winked. "And I'll keep it light for ya'!" Wow, either he liked her or he was really trying to work for tips. Either way, he was super helpful and really friendly. "You're friends are amusing he motioned to the group of four girls that were now on the dance floor."
"Yeah, they're a handful," Ruby smiled. "But they're always there for me when I need them."
"Yeah, you guys are pretty young too," he said distantly. "Normally, the drinking age is higher, but I guess that means you're from Signal. I like seeing Hunters getting along with the patrons here. In other places, you'd think it would be impossible. Being in service makes you an exception, but I'm just glad that you girls are being so respectful, unlike this one girl that comes here…" Ruby froze… One... girl… Oh no…
"Long blonde hair? Lilac eyes? Hasn't been in in a few days?"
"How did you know?!" He eyed her with suspicion and Ruby sighed.
"That's my sister, Yang," Ruby sighed. "I love her, but she needs to calm down."
"I…" He carefully thought over his words before finally selecting a few. "I'm so sorry you have to deal with that at home."
"She'll be gone for a bit," Ruby shrugged and swirled her drink around, finishing the last of it. It really was good. "She's in rotation for Senior Missions, right now. She'll be back eventually, but I'll be fine." Something dark came up beside her, and from the bartender's reaction, it was another customer, so Ruby paid no mind to them.
"Another one, miss?" The bartender acknowledged the new customer and Ruby assumed the woman nodded. "Right away!"
"Do you drink often?" A mysterious voice sang through Ruby's ears and she turned to look at the newcomer. Hoooooly crapbaskets. It was the girl from earlier.
"N-no," Ruby stammered and waved her hands animatedly. "Th-this is my first time."
"Aw," the girl smiled at her and Ruby found herself lost in those crystal blues. "Pretty girls shouldn't drink alone." Wait, pretty girls?
"A-are you flirting with me?" Ruby could feel her face flush red and her brain virtually fried.
"Oh, Scheiße! War das zu stark?" Ruby tilted her head curiously as the words came from her mouth. Was she a foreigner? "Ich habe es wieder getan!" The girl covered mouth when she realized what she had said. "Sorry, my family speaks Atlesian at home!" Ah, she spoke the Atlesian Empire's language. "I slip sometimes. I came off kind of strong there, didn't I?"
"I just, uh, thought that you'd like some company," she motioned towards Ruby's friends. "Since you seem to have opted out of the floorgy over there." Ruby looked to where she had pointed and laughed when she spotted all of her friends grinding shamelessly against each other.
"That's so embarrassing," Ruby whined in embarrassment.
"I concur. Danke!" The friendly girl thanked the bartender as he passed them their drinks. "You wouldn't mind two waters, as well, mein Freund?"
"Sichere Sache, Snowflake!"
"Ah," she smiled happily. "You're learning! It's almost enough for me to forgive the nickname!"
"Hahaha," the bartender laughed as they teased back and forth. "Might as well, if Junior says you're gonna' be around more often!" He turned away to get the water and Snowflake returned to their current subject of discussion.
"You wouldn't catch me dead out there."
"Two waters?" Ruby wondered out loud.
"Mal langsam, Liebe! Take it slow – pace yourself!" She smiled in response. "You're not very experienced with alcohol and it's late. You know, the whole Drink Responsibly thing. Wouldn't want you to get snatched up on your way home, right?"
Wow, this foreigner was really looking out for her. She spent a while talking to her, sharing ideas and laughing at the stories they shared about people they knew. Sometimes, she would slip into full sentences that Ruby couldn't even begin to try to understand. Eventually, she would realize it and correct herself. It was just a really refreshing change from what she was used to and Ruby loved every bit of it.
Currently, she was telling a story about a blue-haired boy she sometimes worked with and a monkey Faunus that sounded like he got into a lot of mischief. The guy with blue hair kind of reminded her of Yang's old partner, though he was one of the unfortunate trainees that passed away a while ago. Still, Neptune had done some ridiculous things and she missed him. Time really flew by as they talked and Ruby found herself hoping to see her outside of this… She really seemed to hang onto Ruby's every word, but most importantly...
Ruby really loved her eyes.
ooOOoo
AN: I really hope that I've providing enough clues that you guys are aware of who Snow is. She just looks… different… for a good reason. Anyway, I added a couple quirks to her in the way that she speaks. This is a semi-modern AU, though the world has evolved a bit differently than the real world, especially in terms of how countries have developed. Anyway, Germany is now Atlas and most placed have developed differently to suit Lightforge's needs. I suppose the story pretty much takes place in the EU, though the world is fairly Americanized, so I'm not really dedicated to remaining authentic to the real world. That being said, I have translations for what Snow say below. If I have something wrong or it could be phrased better, definitely let me know!
German (Atlesian) to English:
"Oh, Scheiße! War das zu stark?" = Oh, shit! Was that too strong?
"Ich habe es wieder getan!" = I did it again!
"Danke!" = Thank you!
"mein Freund?" = My friend?
"Sichere Sache" = Sure thing
"Mal langsam, Liebe!" = Pace yourself, love
