You're here to keep your promise, Weiss thought. It's your guiding light. Remember that.
"Propellers?"
"Um… check."
"Electronic speed controllers?"
"Uh, check."
While Ruby held a clipboard with the master list, Weiss pawed through the robotic parts scattered on the table in front of them. It took her a bit to find each part since she was still familiarizing herself with them.
"Lithium polymer battery?" Ruby asked.
Weiss tore her gaze away from the various parts. Sometimes it was like her partner spoke a different language.
"The what?"
"The lipo battery."
"Oh," Weiss almost mumbled and spotted the tiny battery in the middle. "Check."
"You're killing it so far," Ruby encouraged with a wide smile. She was pleasantly surprised that her partner knew most of the robotic parts. "What's the C Rating?"
Weiss was completely dumbfounded by the question. "... what is that?"
Since Weiss was new to building a drone, she had a lot to learn. Ruby was massively impressed with how many parts she'd learned in this short amount of time. Most of them.
"The C Rating is the measurement of current in which the battery is charged and discharged at," Ruby explained like she recited it from a dictionary.
Her explanation only made Weiss more confused. This dolt could be an engineer if she cared about her grades more.
Ruby noticed her puzzled expression and explained. "It should be on the lipo battery."
Weiss picked up the battery and read the label. "It says 10Ah, whatever that means."
"That's perfect!" Ruby cheered in glee, catching a few students' attention. "We're well on our way to building the best drone in the club."
From what they could tell, the tiny thing looked like it could be the size of twenty ants. Maybe. All the parts combined were exceptionally small. It must be difficult to put together.
Weiss nodded in agreement as she scoped out the room. The other partners in the tech club were also taking note of supplies. Although it appeared they were building much bigger drones.
"Looks like ours will be the tiniest," Weiss observed.
"Tiny, but mighty," Ruby chirped. "Our drone will be superior. A mix of art and science!"
From her energy, Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose. They had a long school day and she was still somehow chipper. "You're too much sometimes."
"Blake says that a lot, too," Ruby said with a laugh. "I don't think Yang notices anymore."
"I think she matches your energy more often than not," Weiss replied in amusement. "When can-"
"Sal-u-tations!"
From the sudden yell, the girls jumped in surprise and screamed. "Agh!"
"Penny!" Ruby greeted in an almost chiding tone. "You scared the crap out of us."
"I meant no fear," Penny replied and held out her hand to Weiss.
Intrigued, Weiss shook her hand. "You're Penny Polendina, yes?"
"Indeed, Weiss Snow," Penny confirmed and shook her hand relentlessly. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
From the handshake, Weiss' whole body shook. She had to gradually pull her hand away to be stable again. While Weiss adjusted her sleeves, Ruby decided to fill her in on their relationship.
"Penny and I were partners in this club last year. We built a dancing robot together."
"It can still land a flip," Penny said proudly. "It is resting peacefully in my room as we speak."
Weiss found the image of a robot flipping amusing. "I'm sorry for stealing your partner."
"Do not fret," Penny said to reassure her. "My partner is Ren. He is quite knowledgeable in the field."
From the news, Ruby gasped in epiphany. "Didn't he make that combat robot last year?"
"That is the one!" Penny confirmed. "Although, its whereabouts are unknown..."
While they talked about that, Weiss found her eyes wandering to the volleyball court. Only five girls were present, which was odd. They were missing someone… the wild inferno with a wicked spike.
Where is she? Weiss thought. She never misses volleyball.
When Penny left to join her partner, Weiss asked. "Hey, Ruby, where's Yang?"
"Oh, she got detention," Ruby said casually.
"What?" Weiss' voice raised in alarm. "Why?"
"She left class without warning on Friday," Ruby informed with an impish grin. "Care to guess why?"
Did she get detention for my sake?
Based on Weiss' expression, Ruby knew she figured it out. "You should've seen her. She was like a whirlwind. There one moment and gone the next. She barely said two words to Ms. Goodwitch before running out the door."
She rushed for me. I was the only thing on her mind.
"The brute…" Weiss mumbled fondly. "She couldn't have left during the passing period?"
Ruby shook her head. "We had over half an hour left in the class. She clearly didn't want to wait that long when you finally texted her."
I sent her the text without thinking about how it would affect her. She has detention all because of me.
Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose. "I feel so bad."
"Don't," Ruby said. "She knew the consequences. Plus, she's gotten detention before. It's not a big deal."
From the information, Weiss didn't know what to say. Before they could converse more, the bell rang. After-school activities were officially at an end. Together, they put the tiny robotic parts in a locked safe before heading out.
When they left the room, Blake jogged over to them with a teammate in tow.
"Hey," Blake greeted. "How was tech club?"
"Productive," Weiss answered.
After she spoke, the girl behind Blake held out her hand to Weiss.
"Hi Weiss," the girl greeted. "I'm Ilia. Blake's childhood friend and fellow faunus."
When Weiss gave her a confused look, Ilia flashed her entire body purple. Her hair was like a lightning strike before fading to her natural complexion.
"That's a unique ability," Weiss observed, impressed. "It must be useful."
Ilia had to agree. "It comes in handy. It makes me sneakier than this one and more useful," she playfully elbowed Blake in the arm.
"Did you forget about my claws?" Blake flashed her nails that grew in a second.
"Ooooh," Ilia put her hands up in surrender. "Enhanced nails. Watch out."
"These are weapons of mass destruction," Blake said, which earned an eye roll. "What? At least I can pick a lock."
"At least I scored a point today," Ilia threw some shade.
"You wouldn't have if Yang was here," Blake retorted.
Ilia flicked her ponytail back. "I could have and you know it."
"I'm sorry guys!" Ruby interjected. "It's a shame Yang couldn't make it."
"Don't be," Ilia replied. "Her absence gives our forearms a chance to heal."
That earned laughter.
"Oh yeah," Blake said in an epiphany and pointed to Ilia. "You need to tell us about Lord of the Grimm."
Dramatically, Ilia looked around and leaned into the group. "That's what you're stuck with?"
Multiple nods.
"Bless your souls," Ilia muttered. "Look, all you need to know is that these kids become rabid animals and start killing each other."
"Well, ugh…" Ruby mumbled. "We knew that! That's like the whole premise!"
"That's literally all you need to know," Ilia said. "I have to go, brother's birthday, family dinner, all that crap. Good luck!"
When she turned to leave and enter the locker room, the three girls groaned.
"Yeeeeah," Ruby said. "I don't think she'll be much help."
Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose. "Does anyone in this school actually read?"
Together, Ruby and Blake raised their hands.
"Besides magazines and erotica?"
Together, they lowered their hands.
Lyrics from Redo: "I can see the promise we made becomes a guiding light I know will never fade. So I will take this oath for your sake."
Stay dandy,
~Toto