Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Cybernetic Couple. Enjoy the 900-word chapter. I don't own RWBY, Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth do.

(Mantle.)

Ruddy hummed and looked over the paper. He blinked; his right arm had the cybernetics exposed for maintenance.

"You can't be serious." Ruddy said while he sighed and looked to the side. "Dr. Pietro, please tell me this is a joke." Ruddy stated to his boss.

"I'm afraid this isn't a cruel joke, Ruddy." Pietro stated while his chair circled around Ruddy. He stopped behind Ruddy and cleared his throat. "Mr. Schnee has requested General Ironwood come to the Schnee manor… To defend his position on the council." Pietro put in before Ruddy clenched his left hand.

He was cut off by Penny. She looked at him with concern before Ruddy tossed the paper onto the counter. Ruddy crossed his arms and sighed.

"Why are we going?" Ruddy asked while turning to Dr. Pietro. "Jacques is just going to spin this into Penny being some kind of mass murder weapon. He'll blame Ironwood and just use it to blackmail him off the council." Ruddy stated before he cracked his head.

Ruddy sighed and hummed before going to get the skin over his arm. Ruddy remembered how scared and shocked he was to get cybernetic implants inside his arms. Still? It was better then losing both limbs entirely.

"You have to go." Pietro said while looking between the duo. "Jacques is going to spin it as you being cowards if you don't." Pietro watched as Ruddy grabbed the holster of his weapon.

He felt a hand on his arm and turned to see Penny staring calmly at her friend.

"I don't care what Jacques wants, sir." Ruddy said as he slowly lowered his arm from the holster. Penny looked at his arm which shook before she clamped her hand around it.

"Ruddy…" Pietro sighed and rubbed at his head with annoyance and frustration.

He was well aware that Jacques was putting them in a bind. Pietro wasn't stupid, the man was one of the smartest people in Solitas besides Will Scarlatina. Pietro knew ignoring it like Ruddy obviously wanted to do for Penny's sake would just dig them deeper.

"I'll go," Ruddy said before taking a deep breath. His arm stopped shaking with anger. "But I'm not doing this again, sir. I work for this lab and this kingdom. Not a businessman who couldn't lead his way out of a cloud of dust." Ruddy said before he started to walk out of the room.

"Ruddy…" Pietro said with a sigh and allowed the cyborg to leave. He could tell Ruddy needed some time to cool his head.

"He's not doing this for himself." Penny stated while Pietro nodded before the man hummed. "Father, is Ruddy really that worried about me?" Penny asked Pietro who hummed and nodded.

"Yes. Ruddy doesn't care about himself at the moment, darling." Pietro stated before he moved to the other side of the room. "This is entirely over the fact that people want you to be killed for what they think you did at the rally." Pietro said while he let out a sigh.

Damn Jacques, if the man wasn't politically untouchable currently, Pietro would have his head. This wasn't fair, Penny was innocent and yet they cried for her blood.

"I should go and talk to him then," Penny said as she turned to go leave the room. "Ruddy should know I'm alright." Penny stated before Pietro cleared his throat to stop his daughter from leaving.

"Dear, talking to Ruddy currently isn't a good idea." Pietro said while Penny raised an eyebrow, unsure of what to say. "He's got a lot on his plate currently. You are at the center of that and your attempts to comfort him?" Pietro asked as he paused to take a breath.

"Their sweet, but they're just making him more confused. Ruddy WANTS to help you more then anything." Pietro stated while waving his hands back and forth.

"I…" Penny started to say, she let out a sigh and relented. Penny already knew her friend wasn't mad at her, her very presence calmed him.

Penny stared at the door, curious as to what Ruddy was doing at the moment.

(With Ruddy)

Ruddy hummed before pulling the sleeve of artificial skin over his other limb. He clenched his fist, hearing the servos whine.

Good, it wasn't broken, or damaged. Ruddy smiled before patting the holster for his weapon if he needed it.

"This is going to be a very long week." Ruddy stated to himself with annoyance evident in his voice. "A very long week." Ruddy added as he turned, grabbed his helmet and went to grab his armor.

If he was going to the damn party? He was going in his 'formal wear.' Ruddy gave a chuckle at that thought before walking to his room.

Ruddy brushed off the helmet, he wanted to get ready for the party right away.

Jacques wanted them? He'd get them.

Author notes

Phew, another chapter done! I want to point out that Ruddy and Penny will be fighting Watts or Tyrian instead of Cinder. Next chapter will be in 2-3 weeks and will show more of 'Cordially Invited.' Until then, Lighting Wolf out!

P.S: Penny is 900-1200 words Tuesday; Tock might be in a week and Willow might also be a week.