"Welcome, to the Velvet Room," said a familiar voice. "We are delighted to have you back."
Ruby's eyes fluttered open for a second and then found herself in a familiar room across from the same two men from before.
"It's a pleasure to have you back our honored guest," Henry said with a smile. Mirth clear on his eyes as he watched Ruby look around in confusion.
"Why… Why am I here again?" Ruby asked, confused. Wasn't she in her room holding onto her parents' badges?
That thought brought back memories of today and why she needed them in the first place. Already she could feel her heart beating fast and her breathing becoming erratic.
But before it could get worse she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Henry there, having not even noticed he had gotten behind her, and in his other hand he had a tray of milk and chocolate chip cookies.
"I believe these should help calm you down," he smiled.
Now calm the young teen stared at the cookies with stars in her eyes as she quickly grabbed one and shoved it in her mouth, then another, and another, until her hands were a blur as they scooped up every cookie on the tray.
"You might want to slow down or you might," Henry tried to say but Ruby's coughing cut him off. "... choke."
Chuckling Henry patted the young girl on the back and handed her some milk. "Here this might help."
The teen girl quickly grabbed the glass and chugged it down much to the amusement of residents of the Velvet Room.
After letting her calm down from her near cookie induced demise Igor then spoke.
"Well know it's good to see you in high spirits again," the long nosed-being said with an even wider smile. "It's good that our patient is comfortable while going through her treatment."
"Treatment?" Ruby asked while handing back the glass to Igor's assistant. "Why would I need that?"
"That is something you need to find out yourself," Igor said cryptically. Much to the annoyance of the silver-eyed teen.
"But," the long nose man said as he snapped his fingers and a blue flame popped in front of Ruby, making the teen let out a yelp. "If you truly do not desire our help. Then you are more than free to not sign the contract."
With those words, the blue flame died out and a contract took its place. There wasn't much written on it. Only that she takes responsibility for any and all choices and actions that she makes from this day forth. Quirking an eyebrow the young girl looked at the long-nosed man.
"This is it?" she asked with confusion. She never saw a contract before, but from what she heard, they were a lot of stuff put into them. Some of it even being hidden between the lines to trick you. But this one was simple and to the point. "This is all I have to do?"
"Don't make it sound easy," Igor simply replied. "There are plenty who think they can but end up never following through."
"You should always think about what you do or say," Henry said with a small frown. "Words and actions have far-reaching effects, like ripples in the ocean."
"Quite right," Igor said as he pointed at Ruby. "as long as you agree to face the consequences of your action, then we also agree to help you along your journey."
"But what do you mean when you say, Journey?" Ruby asked. "I don't understand…"
"Don't worry," Henry said with a smile as he patted Ruby's shoulder. "We're here to help."
"Yes," Igor said with a nod. "The Velvet Room reflects the heart of the visitor. The fact it took this form shows that deep down your heart is calling out for help. To get through the hardships of life, and we will help you do that."
Ruby wanted to deny what he was saying, but memories of what happened today. What happened today with Cardin, how she reacted to her sister Yang, and how the memories of her life affected her, made Ruby have to silently admit the two strange people in front of her were right.
Looking down at the contract Ruby stared at the simple agreement written on it.
As long as Ruby Rose agrees to take full responsibility for her actions, we of the Velvet Room, swear to help her on her journey towards recovery.
It was so simple and honest Ruby had a hard time believing it was a contract. Looking forward Ruby looked towards the other two people in the room. Henry's smile that showed kindness and support, and Igor's creepy grin that somehow was still able to show comfort towards the young teen.
Taking a second to think, the silver-eyed girl soon made up her mind and grabbed a pen that Henry was holding out for her and with a few quick motions was able to write her full name on the parchment.
Even wrote it perfectly in cursive too! Neo would be proud!
As soon as the contract was signed, it rolled up and disappeared.
"Excellent!" Igor said. His grin growing to the point it threatens to split his face. "Now that is taken care of, we will soon be able to start your treatment. But till then."
The bell tower outside soon rings signaling the end for this visit.
"You need to wake up now," Henry finished for his master. Helping Ruby up from the couch, the assistant guided the young girl to the door. "Be safe and we hope to see you again."
"Until next time, our honored guest," Igor said with a nod.
Soon Ruby was ushered to the door and like time was blinded by the light that came through when Henry opened the door.
Ruby woke up, her eyes fluttering open. As she regained her vision, she noticed her eyes were still wet with tears, her parents' badges still in front of her. She realized, by the fact she was still dressed in her school clothes, that she had cried herself to sleep.
I had that dream again. Well, not the same dream… Was it just a dream? She then remembered exactly why she had gone to get those items for her comfort yesterday. Darn it… gonna have to ask Neo for another bottle. She checked the time, seeing she still had an hour before the bust arrived and took off her clothes before washing up in the shower, brushing her teeth at the same time. After getting out and drying off she quickly threw something on, put her keepsakes away, and then headed downstairs, only to be stopped by a loud and familiar snoring noise.
Lying on the couch was a lean, older man in his early 30's, dressed in a formerly sharp (but now wrinkled) slate gray suit jacket and pants. Under the jacket was a silver waistcoat and a lighter gray collared shirt under that. Covering his face was a fedora the same color as his coat as he slept, only showing his black and unkempt hair.
Ruby sighed, and then looked at his shoes, noticing they were black and well polished. Guess he met a client. Now the only question is if he got drunk and passed out here or if he got drunk and managed to stumble his way home. She got into the kitchen and poured a glass of cold water, adding in plenty of ice and then leaving it on the table next to him. "Good morning, Uncle Qrow," she muttered, before turning to get her breakfast.
A quick bite of some chocolate chip waffles and orange Juice and Ruby was ready to to head out. Grabbing her school bags, she rushed out the door. As she waited by the bus stop she quickly downed it all in a few minutes, and when she had finished she could see the bus coming around the corner. She got on, one of the only people that did. She didn't really know who, and she really didn't care. That's how things were for her honestly, the world was just a haze for her. She couldn't care about the people or the world around her, everything feeling dull and muted, all of the people around her faceless. So unimportant, and unworthy of her atten-
She shook her head. No, the thoughts are starting up again. She took a deep breath to calm herself. Just relax. Keep your thoughts empty. Neo and the others will be here soon enough.
And speaking of which the bus soon stopped in front of the bus stop, letting one of the people in question on board. As they filed in she spotted a familiar face and it was like everything that had been going through her mind before was gone. The world seemed brighter and more vibrant, if only a little, as her friend sat next to her.
'Good to see you,' Neo signed out as she gave Ruby a smile.
"You too, Neo," Ruby smiled back. She then took a quick glance at the other seats, making sure no one was looking. She scooted closer to Neo, not noticing the other girl's face turn a little red, and reached into her bag covertly showing off the empty bottle that used to contain her pills.
"Sorry to ask you this so early but...," the silver-eyed teen muttered. Looking down in shame at asking her friend. Though her pity party was cut short when Neo gently cupped Ruby's face and had the young teen look up to see Neo smiling at her.
'Don't worry, I can have something for you by tomorrow. End of the week at the latest.' She mouthed these words out to Ruby, reading lips being another way to communicate, at least when they were close.
'Thank you,' Ruby mouthed out as well with a smile.
The two stayed like this with Ruby giving Neo an innocent look as she looked at her best friend. Wondering why Neo hasn't let go of her face yet. While Neo was looking into Ruby's eyes and gulped a little.
'This is my chance,' Neo thought as she slowly drew her face closer towards Ruby's. Much to the teen's confusion.
But before Neo could take her chance the universe had other plans.
"Hey, guys!" shouted a voice causing the two girls to look towards where it came from. Both teens soon spotted Oscar who was waving at them as he soon took a seat across from them.
"Oh hey, Oscar!" Ruby said with a smile as her world brightened a bit more with one of her other friends showing up.
'I will fucking eviscerate you!' Neo Signed out while making sure to be behind Ruby so she would see what she was saying to Oscar.
Oscar was shocked at what she "said", and then realized what happened. "Uh… heh heh… I'm uh… just gonna sit here and wait for Penny," Oscar nervously chuckled and took his seat.
"So," Oscar spoke up after a moment of awkward silence as he glanced at the two girls. "How long do you think we can go through school without something happening."
'Wow, what brought this up, you usually wait until lunchtime to talk about how much our school sucks,' Neo signed out while rolling her eyes. This made the farm boy sighed out as he ran his hands through his hair in frustration.
"What's wrong Oscar?" Ruby asked with a worried look. When it came to school, Oscar was usually the more vocal of their group when it came to the shortcomings of their school, but he either waited till lunchtime where they all could talk about their day or after school on the rare chances they could spend time together.
Letting out a sigh Oscar looked down with a frown and muttered.
"My aunt heard about what happened yesterday," the farm boy muttered. "She's getting tired of me getting bullied and the school not doing anything about it."
Letting out another sigh he looked towards Ruby and Neo. "she wanted to pull me from the school and have me go to this other one she went to on the other side of town."
'What!?' Neo signed out so shocked she almost messed up in her sign language. 'You can't be serious!?'
"How are we going to see you?" Ruby said. "We have a hard enough time spending time together as is, if you get moved to a new school then it will be even harder!"
Putting his hands up, Oscar tried his best to calm them down. "H-hey! Guys, calm down. I'm not saying I'm going, I was able to convince my aunt not to, but we should avoid any trouble for a while."
This was able to calm down his two friends, though Neo did shoot him an annoyed glare.
'Geeze farm boy, could you not scare us like that?' the mute girl signed out. 'Looking all depressed like that and saying that scared us.'
After a bit longer there was another stop, and all three of the faces of the friends lit up when they saw who was waiting at the stop. A few seconds later Penny got on board, smiling brightly. "Salutations, friends!" she greeted warmly.
"Penny!" Ruby said as she gave the orange-haired girl a hug.
'Hey,' Neo signed with a smile.
"Don't need to be dropped off today?" Oscar asked.
"Nope! With the tests yesterday, my limbs are primed and ready!"
Giggling at her friend's enthusiasm Ruby went back to her seat next to Neo and Penny took a seat next to Oscar, which made the farm boy blush a little.
"So what were you talking about?" Penny asked while tilting her head.
Before either Neo or Ruby could say anything Oscar spoke up.
"Oh you know, how boring classes are going to be," the farm boy said with a nervous
Ruby was about to speak up, but then Neo put her hand on her shoulder, catching the other girl's attention. Neo shook her head. "But-" Neo cut her off with a finger to her lips and shook her head again.
'Let him decide,' she mouthed. Ruby sighed but nodded.
Penny noticed the looks on her friends' faces, the strained smiles they gave her. Internally she sighed but just smiled back. 'They're not trying to be mean or exclude me from something,' she reminded herself. 'They must have a good reason for not telling me what they were talking about.'
Penny let it go and they continued to talk, passing the time before arriving at school. Again, most of the school day was a blur, but the other friends noticed that Penny did seem more excited as the gym approached.
"You seem excited," Ruby commented as she and
'She's always excited,' Neo signed before going back to change into her gym clothes, making sure Ruby can see her change.
"But she's even more so now," Ruby pointed out. Turning back to Penny Ruby saw her orange-haired friend roll up her sleeves and removing her gloves
"Because I get to show off my skills," Penny said with a competitive, but still cheerful look, and with the glove removed her hand was free for the world to see.
Instead of a normal hand. The young orange-haired girl's appendage was artificial. A prosthetic with a light-colored metal as the outer casing. She moved her hand around noticing a small squeak coming from the ball joint of the wrist.
"That doesn't sound good," Ruby commented as she looked at the hand. Not showing any discomfort at the fake appendage. "Did you say you got them checked?"
'Crappy check job,' Neo thought as she finished getting dressed.
"Don't worry," Penny said with a smile as she started taking her clothes off. Showing that her other arm and even her legs were prosthetic. "I'll just tighten it when I'm done changing." with that the young orange haired girl did just that as she got into her gym clothes. Soon she and Ruby were the only ones left in the locker room. The rest of their female classmates left to wait for gym class to start.
"And done!" Ruby said as she tightened the last bolt in the arm. Moving it around and happy to hear now squeaking. "Now you're ready~!"
"Thank you again Ruby," Penny said with a smile. It would have taken a while to tighten the joints of her arm with just herself. "Now we should get ready before we run late.
"No problem, now just let me-ow!" Ruby yelled out as she felt something hit her in the back of the head. Looking down the offending object was a rubber band ball. Hearing some laughter the two girls turn towards the entrance to the locker room. The two had to hold back a scowl as they saw Cardin one of his cronies with him.
"You done tinkering on your toy little red?" Cardin said with a laugh.
"Cardin!?" Ruby shouted as she and penny got up from the bench they were sitting on. "What are you doing here!? This is the girl's locker room!"
"You can get in trouble for this!" Penny added in with a glare. Though with her missing an arm she wasn't looking as intimidating as she wished.
Relax ya freaks," Cardin muttered with an eye roll. "You two were taking too long and the teacher was getting pissed. So I was sent to get you two so we could get the physical exams done with."
"We were about to go," Penny muttered with a glare. "So you're not needed."
"Yeah!" Ruby shouted. "So you can get going, you jerk!"
"Pfft, don't know why you're getting all fussy, not like there is anything to look at," the bully said. Causing the two girls to glare harder at him. Soon a smile grew on his face and his mood got a lot more cheerful for some reason. "But anyway now that you two are done you can get going and stop wasting all of our time. Oh and don't forget to put your toy back together Red."
"She's not a toy Cardin!" Ruby shouted as she went back to the bench and grabbed Penny's arm. "Let's go, Penny, I'll help you put back your arm while we walk."
"Ok Ruby," Penny muttered as she followed her friend. Cardin's words playing in her head.
As the two left Cardin watched them go with the same smile on his face. Soon that smile became more malicious as one of his lackeys came out of the girl's locker room.
"Did you get the job done?" Cardin asked.
Nodding. The goon known as Dove held out a screwdriver for the other members of Cardin's group to grab. "Yeah, it was easy… just needed to tighten some bolts and loosen some others…"
"Leave it to one of the best students in shop class," Cardin said in a rare show of gratitude. "Now all we have to do is wait and watch the show."
"Don't you think this is going too far?" asked another member of his group. Who shut up when Cardin glared at him.
"How about you shut up and enjoy the show," the school bully ordered. Once the one who spoke up was cowed, Cardin's grin from before returned as he says. "Besides this should teach Red to take better care of her toys.
!( moments later in PE class)!
As everyone made it to PE class the gym teacher and the assistant teacher quickly split the class into groups and proceeded to start the exams.
In one part of the gym, Neo could be seen holding herself up on one of the gymnastic bars and closing her eyes momentarily. She then started to flip around on the bar and perform a pull over maneuver before stopping with her legs in the air and slowly splitting her legs open. The duel hair colored girl looked towards Ruby, wondering if she was watching as others in the class started, but was disappointed to see her stretching.
Speaking of the silver eyed teen, young Ruby was getting ready for the 100 meter run. The only good thing about their school was the fact they had a big enough gymnasium to allow for there to be an indoor track room. This prevented something like bad weather from affecting the track teams activities.
Crouching down the young teen tensed as she waited for the timer to start. After a moment the assistant gym teacher shouted for her and the other students to begin. Like a bullet Ruby was off blitzing past her fellow students as her legs carried her to the halfway point in record time. Soon she finished the hundred yard sprint. Much to ether the amazement or annoyance of her fellow classmates.
In another part of the gym, Oscar put years of farm work to good use as he did the deadlock exercise. His fellow classmates watched in awe as the farm boy showed them that he wasn't weak as they originally thought.
'Thank god I know the proper way to lift stuff,' the farm boy thought as he set down the weights. Letting out a sigh of relief as he thanked all of those back breaking chores he did back home was going to allow him to get a passing grade. As he was soon sent to do something else. Not showing as good of a performance as the deadlifts. He wasn't fast as Ruby or as acrobatic as Neo. though the same could be said for the other two as both of them couldn't lift as much as he did and Ruby almost flung herself off the poll when she tried to swing around like Neo.
Soon the three met up as they got in line for the final activity. The dreaded rope climbing test.
"God I hate this…," Oscar muttered. "Why does the bell have to be so high up? Someone could get hurt with how high it is. Even with the matts underneath."
'Don't be a baby,' Neo signed. 'You could always chicken out if heights are your kryptonite.'
"Like how telling a certain someone what you really feel is yours?" the farm boy shot back much to Neo's shock. Said mute girl was going to fire back but both teens were stopped in the middle of their argument by Ruby who hushed them both as she wanted to pay attention to the first student in line for the rope climbing test. The other two quieted down as they saw the 4th member of their group get ready to show her stuff.
"I'm ready!" Penny said proudly as she stepped up to climb on the teachers go ahead.
"Alright… go!" said the coach. Penny pulled herself up the rope, wrapping her geet around it for support. Each pull to shimmy up the rope was a chore, but her hands held firm. 'I'm doing it… I'm actually doing it!'
"Come on, Penny! You got this!" Ruby cheered. Oscar's face was a mix of excitement and worry, happy for what she was accomplishing, but also scared for what might happen.
Penny's time climbing the rope was slow and arduous, but she was making progress. Her arms and legs were heavy, but they didn't get tired from overuse. Before she knew it, she could see that the bell at the top was almost within reach. She could hear her friends cheering for her. 'Almost there… almost…' She was just in reach, holding on to the rope with her left hand. She was about to ring the bell…
What happened next took Penny a moment to process. Three sounds seem to occur at the same time. First was the expected ring of the bell. Then was an unexpected metal snap. Finally was what sounded like Ruby and Oscar screaming. It wasn't until she processed that she was tumbling end over head and then the ground racing towards her that her own scream was added to the mix.
and as this happened. the dark puddles that nobody could see. just got a little bit deeper...
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CHAPTER END.
WHOOO~! SORRY FOR THE WAIT. BEEN TAKING BREAK RECHARGE
MIGHT BE A LITTLE WHILE TO UPDATE, MY CO-Author IS BUSY.
