Before mentally approving her outfit for the evening, Weiss studied her reflection in the bathroom mirror one last time. The intertwining strands of her long, white braid were the same size and almost perfectly even, or as even as she could get them after five attempts. Her soft, understated makeup highlighted her eyes and lips without appearing contrived. Her light-blue blouse draped just how she wanted it, dark jeans provided a nice contrast in color, and a pair of black heels added a couple of inches to her height.
The blouse was from last season, the jeans were a little too loose, and the scuffs on the bottom of the heels confirmed their wear, but Ruby probably wouldn't notice any of those things. At least, Weiss hoped Ruby wouldn't notice any of those things. In the off-chance that she did, plausible explanations had already been prepared.
Her favorite silver handbag joined the ensemble as she walked into the living room. After confirming it held everything she needed, she snapped it closed and glanced at the stacks of paper spread across the kitchen table. A frown tugged at her lips, but she turned away when Whitley walked out of his room, saw her, and froze.
"Uh, woah. Are you going on a date?"
"Having dinner with a friend." Standing in front of the hall mirror now, Weiss straightened her blouse while he set his dirty dishes in the sink. "Do I look alright?"
"You look like you're going on a date."
"It's not a date," she repeated, this time with an eyeroll. "You remember Ruby, right?"
"Your best friend from high school who's super famous now? Is that who you're going on a date with?"
Noticing the childlike zeal in his light blue eyes, Weiss glared at him and said, "It's not a date. She's back in town for a few days, so we're grabbing dinner."
"Crazy." Whitley thought about the situation for a second before grinning. "Can you get an autograph? Or a photo? Bet those sell for good money."
"I'm pretending you don't exist." When he laughed, she rolled her eyes and opened the front door. "I'll be back later," she added before leaving the apartment behind.
Rather than deal with downtown parking, she walked several blocks to the nearest bus stop. One of the giant, obnoxiously loud vehicles arrived shortly after and, once she paid the meager fare, ferried her into the heart of downtown. More passengers boarded at each stop, and soon the bus had filled with people wearing sneakers, T-shirts, and badges hanging around their necks. The same crowd crawled all over the sidewalks and swarmed every eatery within a five-block radius of the convention center.
Weiss frowned to herself when she departed the bus with at least fifteen others. They splintered in every direction or stopped and stared at their phones, forcing her to navigate around them towards Celi's. Goosebumps rose on her arms during the short walk, but she forgot all about the chilly Atlas evening when the restaurant appeared.
Spotting Ruby was easy - she was the radiant bundle of smiles obliging fans with photographs. A group of admirers had formed around her, and everyone walking past sent second or third glances her way, followed by whispers to their companions.
Weiss' steps faltered and nearly stopped. Her heartbeat climbed higher, her goosebumps disappeared, and her focus zeroed in so intently on Ruby that it felt as if she just walked into a dream. Or Ruby had stepped right out of a dream, bringing with her all of the glamour and charm she'd grown into over time.
When silver eyes found Weiss' amongst the sea of strangers and that familiar quirky smile sprang into being, the gleam faded away. Weiss' legs started moving again, and a smile tugged at her lips. After exchanging several words with her fans, Ruby waved and met Weiss halfway.
"Shouldn't you have security or something?" were the first words out of Weiss' mouth.
"What makes you think I don't?"
Ruby waggled her brow, so Weiss searched for a potential security detail. From everything she knew about personal bodyguards, they should be nearby, strong enough to provide protection, and keeping a close eye on Ruby.
"They're cleverly disguised," she teased when she found only convention attendees. Ruby laughed then half-sighed while wrapping Weiss in a hug. Melting into that embrace would have been easy, but Ruby stepped away when her warmth had only graced the surface of Weiss' skin.
"I'm so happy you called," Ruby said as more goosebumps appeared on Weiss' arms.
"Me too," Weiss admitted. "Sorry it took me a little long."
"Don't worry. I'm sure you're busy running things for your family. I'm surprised a limo didn't drop you off!"
Ruby joyfully waved towards the street, but Weiss managed only a thin smile. Rather than respond, she took a moment to look over Ruby's outfit. If there was one drastic change between high school and now, it was the way Ruby dressed. She still favored comfort over style, as her loose jacket and jeans suggested, but gone were the graphic tees and worn-out sneakers.
Cheeks warming, Weiss averted her gaze and said, "I still can't believe you're here."
"Now you know how I feel." Ruby waited for Weiss' eyes to return to hers before adding, "You look great."
"You do, too," Weiss mumbled, her cheeks growing even warmer as her eyes flitted to Celi's. "Ready to eat?" she asked, but smiled and shook her head when Ruby grinned. "That was a dumb question," she added while leading the way inside.
Nostalgia swept over her as soon as they squeezed into the small, warm waiting area. Two broken-in chairs had become an afterthought in the standing-room-only space, where the drone of voices and smell of pasta sauce filled the air.
"This place hasn't changed a bit!"
Despite Ruby's enchanted smile and awed tone, Weiss peered around the restaurant and suppressed the urge to wrinkle her nose. Affordable for high schoolers on a limited allowance didn't make Celi's a high-class establishment, and age hadn't done the restaurant any additional favors. The cream-colored wallpaper had darkened, though she dared not guess how. The once-interesting memorabilia on the walls had become outdated and kitschy. The light fixtures needed dusting. Even the linoleum floors hadn't been spared permanent dark marks in heavily traveled areas.
"Glad I made a reservation," Weiss said when she saw the packed dining room.
"I'm surprised they even take reservations. Of course, anywhere takes reservations for Weiss Schnee."
Ruby playfully nudged Weiss' elbow, but Weiss flashed a small smile before leading them to the host. The young man scribbled hasty notes on the seating chart in front of him and blindly handed a stack of menus to the waiting server. While the party was seen to their table, he scratched another name off the list and glanced up.
"Hi! Welcome to -" His sentence cut off and his eyes widened as soon as he recognized who he was speaking to. "Oh, wow - you're Ruby Rose!"
"Or a very convincing clone of Ruby Rose," Ruby mused, making him laugh.
"I'm such a big fan. I love all of your movies, especially Vampires Suck." Proving that claim, he cleared his throat and popped his collar. "You can't bite me -" he drawled.
"I'm the one doing the biting here," Ruby finished, making him grin and chuckle to himself.
"Such a good line," he mused before glancing around the busy restaurant. "How many do you need a table for?"
"Just two."
Ruby motioned at Weiss, who earned his curious gaze before he surveyed the seating chart. "Pretty sure I can find a good spot…" he muttered before glancing over his shoulder. Liking whatever he saw, he smiled, grabbed two menus, and said, "Follow me."
"Guess we didn't need a reservation, after all…" Weiss muttered as she and Ruby followed him through the dining room.
Everyone immediately noticed Ruby. Most of the diners politely turned away. Others stared for a second too long before whispering to the people sitting with them, who turned in their seats to confirm the buzzing gossip. Ruby's gaze never left their host, and a small smile never left her lips, but she must have sensed the fervor her presence created.
"Here we go. Have a great meal!"
Their young host placed menus on either side of a small booth in a private corner of the restaurant before dashing back to his post. Ruby sat with her back to the exit, leaving Weiss facing the excited diners.
"Sorry, I should've thought about what people would think."
Weiss waved a hand at the fanfare rolling through the restaurant, but Ruby's brow knit together.
"What do you mean?" Before Weiss pointed out their obvious discrepancy in social status, Ruby picked up the menu and giggled. "I forgot how big the menu is. I don't know how the chefs even remember so much."
"They probably just make it up." When Ruby's eyes widened, Weiss chuckled and opened her menu. She only made it halfway through the first page before flipping it closed. "You're right," she said while setting it aside. "Nothing's changed."
"Literally nothing," Ruby agreed, her eyes sliding down one of the pages before she set the menu on top of Weiss'. She opened her mouth to add something, but a young man wearing a wrinkled polo shirt stopped beside the table.
"Good evening!" His eager gaze lingered on Ruby before politely addressing them both. "My name's Jeff, and I'll be your server. Can I get you something to drink?"
"Want a glass of wine or something?" Ruby asked, her silver eyes sparkling.
"I'll just have water," Weiss told Jeff. "Thank you."
"I'll have the same," Ruby replied. Once he nodded and flitted away, Ruby leaned forward and whispered, "Their wine probably isn't any good, huh."
"That, and I don't want to tempt food poisoning any more than we already are."
Ruby's light, musical laughter drew attention from the tables nearest them, but Ruby's gaze never left Weiss. In a moment that should have felt awkward or uncomfortable, Weiss could only smile. Ruby responded with a bright, beautiful smile worthy of the big screen.
"God, Weiss," she half-whispered, half-sighed. "It's so good to see you."
Weiss' eyes immediately sought out her silverware, which she straightened before re-engaging that powerful gaze.
"You too, Ruby. It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"It's been too long."
Ruby had something else to say, but their waiter returned with two glasses of water and a basket of dinner rolls. "Here you go," he said while carefully setting everything in place. "And I'll be right back to take your order."
He hardly walked away before Ruby glanced at the dinner rolls and then grinned at Weiss.
"How many can I fit in my mouth?"
"Three and a half."
"Only three and a half? You underestimate how big my mouth is."
"You underestimate how big those rolls are," Weiss replied, but Ruby drummed her fingers on the table and eyed the dinner rolls before shrugging.
"They'll condense. Do you know CPR?"
"Even if I did, how would that help?"
Ruby's brow briefly furrowed at the question before she waved it off. "I'm doing it," she said, pulling the basket over.
Weiss opened her mouth, hoping to offer a dose of logic, only to shake her head and watch Ruby pick up the first dinner roll, ball it up as small as possible, and stuff it in her mouth. Ruby then held up her index finger, grinning like mad, before grabbing a second roll and repeating the process.
"Should I be recording this?" Weiss asked as the second roll joined the first. Ruby shook her head but, with her cheeks puffed out much like a chipmunk's, couldn't respond. She opened her mouth incredibly wide to fit the third roll, but logic and survival instinct didn't stop her there.
"Ruby…" Weiss warned while Ruby compacted the fourth roll and shoved it into her mouth.
Miraculously, it fit. Weiss' expression must have given away her abject horror because Ruby grinned like she just accomplished the impossible. Before Weiss congratulated her, however, their overzealous waiter returned.
"Alright. What...?" Stunned by Ruby's appearance, Jeff stared until Weiss cleared her throat. Then he jolted and resumed his spiel as if nothing was out of the ordinary. "What can I get you?"
"Yes, Ruby. What would you like to order?"
Weiss smiled and batted her eyes when Ruby playfully glared across the table. But, ever the good sport, Ruby flipped open one of the menus and pointed at what she wanted.
"The lobster ravioli? Excellent choice," Jeff said before jotting it down and looking at Weiss. "What about you?"
"I'll have the fettuccine."
"Great. I'll put those right in."
"Thamph yu!" Ruby tried to say while he hurried off, spraying crumbs all over the table in the process.
"Oh my god, Ruby." Noticing the blush on Ruby's cheeks, Weiss couldn't contain her laughter any longer. "Are you going to eat those?" she added, only to wrinkle her nose when Ruby spit them into her napkin. "That's so gross."
"I don't want to choke on them!" After searching for someplace to hide the evidence, Ruby gave up and stuffed them back into the basket. "But I won! Four rolls."
"What did you win? We didn't bet anything."
"We didn't?" Ruby asked before her expression fell. "Oh, crud. You're right."
When Weiss laughed again, Ruby quickly found another bright smile. Weiss' cheeks hurt from smiling so much, and she only smiled harder when their waiter set another basket of rolls on the table.
"Brought more rolls for you," he proudly announced.
"Ah, perfect." His expression lit up at Ruby's subtle praise, but Ruby's gaze returned to Weiss. "She didn't get any of the first ones, obviously."
Weiss shook her head but didn't turn away from Ruby while Jeff glanced between them. Soon, he hurried off, leaving the two of them smiling at each other until common courtesy said to look elsewhere.
"So, how've you been?" Ruby asked, briefly fiddling with her silverware before re-meeting Weiss' gaze. "Up to anything exciting?"
"Nothing worth mentioning." The pile of paperwork waiting at home sprang into Weiss' mind, but she pushed it far from her thoughts. "What about you? From what I've heard, you've been busy."
"Eh, not really." When Weiss' brow rose, Ruby's gaze drifted back to her silverware. "I mean, define 'busy,' I guess. I haven't had any big projects recently, so it feels like I've been on a long break."
"Do you have any projects coming up?"
"Well…" Ruby's gaze flitted around the restaurant before she leaned forward and lowered her voice. "Can you keep a secret?"
"If I couldn't, you'd be famous for a completely different reason."
Realization swiftly dawned in Ruby's silver eyes, and her expression brightened like the sun peeking over the horizon. "You're so right," she giggled, quickly getting Weiss to join in her laughter. "And you're taking that reason to your grave, right?"
"Just like I promised."
"Thank god." Ruby blew an exaggerated breath through her lips and wiped an arm across her brow before leaning forward again. "Ok, but do you remember The Huntress?"
"That picture magazine you loved so much?" Weiss asked, then smiled sweetly as the comment earned a deadpan look.
"They're called comic books, Weiss. Comic books." When Weiss playfully waved off the correct term, Ruby chuckled and said, "Anyway, she's my favorite superhero. Super fast, super awesome -"
"And super pretty, if I remember correctly."
"I mean, I guess…" Ruby said, only to laugh when Weiss arched one brow. "Ok, she's gorgeous, but also awesome!"
"Will you get to play her?"
"Well, no. But I'll be her sidekick! Apparently, I don't have the superhero vibe. Comedic relief though - I don't want to brag, but I'm kind of an expert."
"That you are," Weiss agreed, leaning back in her seat while Ruby tore off a small piece of bread and tossed it into her mouth.
They might be older and wiser, yet Ruby ate the same - a strange yet comforting observation that made Weiss smile. Catching the look, Ruby swallowed the bite in her mouth and grinned right back.
"Hey, remember that girl Yang had a huge crush on in high school? The one who read all the time?" Weiss' smile grew at the topic, but she nodded and let Ruby continue. "Yang ran into her at the convention! Apparently, they hit it off so well that they're going on a date tonight. You should've heard her. Said it's like fate or something."
"That's great," Weiss replied, lightly tapping her fingers on the table before sneaking a smile Ruby's way. "Blake and I are actually friends now."
"You are?" Ruby's eyes widened when Weiss nodded, and she set the dinner roll down in front of her rather than take another bite. "When'd that happen?"
"We took a few classes together in college." When Ruby's expression fell ever so slightly, Weiss quickly waved that topic away. "Hopefully, their date goes well. Or 'date' - I was told the actual word wasn't used."
"Yeah, they're 'hanging out.'" Ruby put the word in air quotes before shaking her head. "Typical Yang. Always worried about 'expectations' and 'perceptions.'"
"With good reason, if I remember correctly."
"Yeah, I guess." Ruby drummed her fingers on the table, glanced at Weiss, then looked away. "Uh, what about you though? Seeing anyone? Or married?"
"Married?" Weiss repeated before laughing. "Ruby, how would I be married already?"
"How wouldn't you be married already?"
"Easy. I'm not married. And not seeing anyone either."
"Oh, great!" The words hardly left Ruby's mouth before her eyes widened. "I mean 'great' as in, me neither! Not 'great' as in…" With Weiss already laughing, Ruby joined in and said, "You know what I mean."
"I know. You want me to become a spinster."
"Only if I'm one, too. Should we collect cats or dogs?"
"You already know the answer to that."
When Weiss arched one brow, Ruby laughed and said, "Right, of course. Forgot who I was talking to."
"E-excuse me?"
Startled by the interruption, both of them turned toward the small, hesitant voice. A young girl smiled meekly back at them, tentatively grasping a phone in her small hands.
"Can I take a picture with you?" she asked while holding out the phone to Ruby, who was already sliding out of the booth.
"Of course!" Smiling brightly, Ruby crouched down so that she was nearly the same height as the young girl. "Actually, you look familiar," she added, thoughtfully furrowing her brow. "Weren't you the princess in Queen to Be?"
"No…"
The girl shyly shook her head, her adorable little ponytail swaying from side to side at the same time.
"Are you sure? Or were you a fairy in Sunshine?" When the girl giggled at the guess, Ruby snapped her fingers. "I got it - you were one of the little gremlins in Space Imps!"
"Nooo!" the girl said this time before dissolving into giggles. Weiss' heart warmed at the sound, especially when Ruby chuckled and gave the girl a friendly smile.
"You don't have to tell me, but I know you're famous somehow. Maybe...can I take a photo with you?"
The girl's eyes widened like saucers when Ruby gestured to the phone in her hands. Then a smile appeared, and enthusiastic nods quickly followed. "Really?" Ruby asked, sounding and looking genuinely delighted. More nods only made her happier, and she was grinning from ear to ear by the time the little girl handed over the phone.
"Alright, on 'sneeze.' One...two...sneeze!"
The little girl giggled while Ruby took the photo. After checking the result, she returned the phone with a genuine smile. "Thank you so much for taking a picture with me."
A happy little laugh was Ruby's response, along with a soft, "You're welcome," before the girl practically skipped back to her parents. Ruby waved at the couple, who'd kept a close watch on their daughter the entire time, before sliding back into the booth.
"Sorry about that."
"It's fine, Ruby. You are a celebrity."
"I'm literally famous for being clumsy, Weiss. Every movie I'm in is just me being goofy."
"They're entertaining."
Weiss shrugged with the true statement, but Ruby held up one hand.
"You've seen them?" Weiss' surprise must have been enough of an answer, because Ruby sputtered for several seconds before saying, "You have? Which ones?"
"...all of them?" Weiss answered only for Ruby to cover her face with both hands.
"Oh my god, I'm so embarrassed. I didn't know you watched them!"
"Why are you embarrassed? They're entertaining. Plus, it's -" Weiss stopped mid-sentence, but Ruby had already looked up. "It's nice to see you…" she admitted. "Even if you don't live here anymore."
For a moment, Ruby stared. Then a slow, radiant smile appeared like a flower opening its petals to greet the sun.
"In that case, you should be an actress. Then I can see you, too."
Weiss smiled at the sentiment before turning away from Ruby's powerful silver gaze. She didn't want to read too much into it, but it was nice hearing that Ruby had missed her too.
"By the way - you didn't buy Celi's while I was gone, did you?"
"Why on earth would I do that?"
"For the great memories and priceless art collection?" When Weiss laughed at the idea, Ruby grinned. "Since you haven't, I'm paying for dinner."
"What?" Just like that, the smile fell from Weiss' lips and she shook her head. "That's not how it works. You're the guest - and I can pay."
"I know you can," Ruby replied with a reassuring smile. "But let me get this. Please? I owe you for buying like all of my food in high school."
"I didn't mind doing that."
"And I don't mind doing this. Besides, when you invite the most beautiful girl in the world out to dinner, you better pay for her."
"Most beautiful…?" Weiss repeated before shaking the compliment out of her head. "What about that actress you just made a movie with? The redhead?"
"Penny?"
"No, the other one."
"Pyrrha?"
"Why are you always paired with gorgeous redheads?" Weiss asked while Ruby laughed.
"They're both super pretty, but you're prettier."
That was different. Ruby never would have doubled down on such a compliment in high school, which was why Weiss felt ill-prepared to handle it. Objectively, Weiss thought she was at least above average in appearance, but Ruby's opinion mattered far more than expected. Fortunately, their waiter continued his streak of perfect timing by arriving with two steaming plates of food in hand.
"Here's the lobster ravioli…" he said while setting one plate in front of Ruby. "And the fettuccine." The second plate arrived in front of Weiss before he stepped back and clasped his hands. "Need anything else?"
Ruby checked Weiss' reaction before shaking her head and saying, "I think we're good. Thanks."
"Perfect. Enjoy your meal, and let me know if you need anything."
With that, their waiter flitted away. Ruby, meanwhile, set her hands on either side of her plate and met Weiss' gaze.
"Ok, before this amazing food distracts us, I have a super important question - are you busy tomorrow?"
Midway through shaking her head, Weiss stopped and sighed.
"In the evening, yes, but I'm free other than that."
"Want to come by the convention again? Yang wants to see you. Plus, it's the last day, and I can show you around in style."
The wavy, opposite-of-stylish hand motion Ruby made succeeded in making Weiss laugh. And by the time her laughter trailed off, she'd made up her mind. It might not be the best idea in the world, and it might only make it hurt more when Ruby left again, but that didn't stop her from saying, "I'd love to."
"Awesome! I'll have someone leave a pass up front for you."
The sparkle in Ruby's eyes was a reward in itself. As was watching her pick up her fork and knife to finally begin the chaotic, hasty process of cutting up her ravioli. "Remember when I ate five ice cream sundaes in one sitting?" she asked at the same time, and Weiss laughed at the memory while picking up her own silverware.
"You threw up as soon as we got home. It's the only time I've ever heard Winter scream."
"I did throw up right on her shoes…"
"I'll remind her of that the next time I see her."
"Making friends, one Schnee at a time."
When Ruby laughed at that thought before sticking the first piece of ravioli into her mouth, Weiss shook her head and took the first bite of fettuccine. It was just as mediocre as she remembered, but Celi's had never been about the food - at least, not for her. Once upon a time, she could eat at any restaurant of her choosing. She chose Celi's for the company, and that company had only become more incredible with time.