Ruby
"So you're really leaving…"
"Yeah. I'm sure you understand - I can't stay in the Newbie Plains forever. Some day, I was gonna have to find a better place to grind at. And with your first day at Signal being tomorrow, I figured it might be best to go out into the wide world and see if I can recruit any more party members, considering you and Yang won't be available all the time anymore."
Ruby
"Yeah, I guess…"
"Hey, don't be such a Debbie Downer. This is what you've been waiting for your whole life, right? Learning how to combat humanity's greatest enemy? Field experience is great and all, but you'll eventually hit a ceiling if you don't have the fundamentals to build on and improve. Everyone knows that. No matter how you look at it, school's gonna be great for you."
Ruby
"I know, it's just… I wish you could be there with me, too. I've only known you for a couple weeks, but you're already one of my best friends. And… well, since we're being honest here, one of my only friends. It's gotten to the point where I'll really miss you when you're gone."
"Aww. Come here."
Hugs always make everything better. Except when they lead to you getting stabbed in the torso.
"It won't be that bad. I've already decided that I'll be coming back here every summer break. All you have to do is make it through 9 months of homework and you'll be prepared to see me again. Besides, I'm sure you'll get lots of new friends at Signal. I'd imagine someone with such a bright and cheery attitude like yours would be hard-pressed not to."
Ruby
"Oh, stop it, you! We both know how hard it is for me to work up the courage to approach someone I don't know!"
"What if they have a really cool weapon?"
Ruby
"...okay, I see your point. But I'm going to be in a class with a bunch of other first-years, and I'm willing to bet that some of them haven't even decided what weapon they want for themselves. Nobody my age will be carrying around anything good."
"Alright, alright. But seriously, I'm just saying that sometimes, all it takes is just walking up to someone and saying hello. After that, all you have to do is improvise, and I'm sure everything will work out just fine."
Man, that's such a parental thing to say. I almost feel old.
Ruby
"Well, if you say so. Where are you running off to, anyway?"
"At the moment, Vale. From there… I don't know. I guess I'll just wing it and hope for the best."
Ruby
"Wow. You'd think that the guy with an Intelligence stat of 66 would have a better plan than that, but I guess not."
"Hey! I'll have you know that the majority of my plans are perfectly serviceable!"
Ruby
"You mean like that one with the Boarbatusk horde?"
"How was I supposed to know that their super sonic spin-dashes could knock down trees?!"
Ruby
"Or that time with the scissors and the Alpha Beowolf?"
"...okay, yeah, in hindsight, that was pretty stupid. Looking back, I don't know what the h*BEEP*ll I was doing, thinking that was a good idea."
Awkward silence…
"Soooo… yep. I've already said my goodbyes to everyone else. All I have left to do is board a bullhead to Vale."
Ruby
"This is it, then. The last time I'll see you for at least nine months."
"Yeah. I'll miss you, you know. I'll miss everybody. Yang, Qrow… maybe even Taiyang."
Ruby
"We'll miss you too, Zeiss. You've already made such a huge impact on both me and sis despite the fact that you haven't even been here that long. Without you, things just... won't be the same around here."
"Yeah, I guess they won't. But c'mon, Ruby, chin up! It's not like I'll be leaving forever. You'll be seeing me next summer, after all. And who knows - maybe you'll be seeing me at Beacon once you get there yourself!"
Ruby
"Wait, you… want to go to Beacon Academy too?"
"Oh, right, I guess I never told you, huh. Well, in short, yeah. I mean, it's not like it'll be very difficult. All I have to do is level up enough times to pass the entrance exam, and bam! No combat school diploma required."
Ruby
"Heh heh, right. Sometimes I forget just how insanely unfair your ability really is. Normal people can't just fight a bunch of monsters every day and then turn around and ace a test."
"No, they can't. Which is why I always take it upon myself to squeeze out every last advantage I can get from it. Being branded a literal Life Hacker is a small price to pay for all this power. Not to mention all the free randomly-generated stuff I get. One such advantage: I never have to worry about student loans. Take that, College debt!"
Funny how I'm making a joke like that while I'm still three years away from living that fresh hell.
Ruby
"Oh! That reminds me - speaking of free stuff…"
A short time later…
Ruby
"I wanted you to have this. I was going to give it to you sometime later, but since I won't be seeing you for a while, it's probably for the best that I give it to you now."
Is that… that's a gunblade, right? Doesn't look like any I've ever seen before, though...
'Observe.'
Crimson Violet
Might: 90
"A rose by any other name…"
A one-of-a-kind gunblade of completely unique shape and make. Lovingly crafted by Ruby Rose as a present for one of her dearest friends, this weapon is fitted with an assault rifle instead of a standardized pistol to cater to the intended user's ranged weapon preference. While it may seem unwieldy, clocking in at 4 feet 6 inches and a blade width of 5 inches, in the right hands this hybrid is capable of great things. As this weapon was manufactured for the use of one specific person, it is considered a personal weapon, and grows in strength with its intended wielder.
Weapon damage scales with Zeiss's level.
Deals 98 damage per shot using standard dust ammunition.
When attacking at range, adds wielder's DEX to total damage.
Ignores 20% of target's RES when attacking at range.
What the… is that Borderlands-style flavor text? Uh…
Holy shit.
"Wow. I, ah… don't know how to properly respond to this. Um…"
Ruby
"Well, for starters, you could always just say 'thanks.'"
"Oh, right. Uh, thank… you. I…"
Help help I don't know what to do oh god I'm getting a present from Ruby what the hell am I supposed to say this is amazing fuck fuck system failure I can't handle this kind of appreciation WHAT THE HELL DO I DO?!
Ruby
"Um, hello? Remnant to Zeiss? Are you in there?"
"-uh? Oh, sorry, I just… don't know what to say. Simply saying 'thank you' seems… I dunno, too little for something like this. I-I mean, honestly, what did I do to deserve this? Sure, you said I was one of your few friends, but I never thought it would lead to something like… well, this."
Ruby
"Wow. You really know how to sell yourself short, don't you? You already know how much I love weapons. Something like this shouldn't be this mind-blowing to you. And, honestly, you're making this out to be a much bigger deal than it really is. Sure, I spent a lot of time and effort on this, but that was nothing compared to everything you've done for me. If anything, I should be the one thanking you."
Fuck, this scene is so cliche, but god damn it, why can't I laugh at it?! Maybe it's just easier to poke fun at a situation like this if you haven't gone through it yourself?
"Really? Wow… uh, hey, you realize how much this played out like one of those stale scenes in an anime or comic book or something like that, right?"
Ruby
"What? What do you mean… oh. Huh. Yeah, it kind of did, didn't it? Ah-heh-heh… haaaaa… wait. Does… does this mean I might become a love interest?!"
"Wait, what?! No, nonono, of course not! No way!"
Ohshitohshitohshitohshit!
Ruby
"Why not? Doesn't this usually happen between the main hero and one of their-"
SWAP!
Ruby
"-MMPH!"
"SSSSHHHUT… IT…! I don't know if your dad's eavesdropping on us or not! Listen, just, can we please not talk about this now? Or ever? I would like that very much right now!"
Oh, god in heaven, please, oh PLEASE tell me Tai didn't hear any of that!
…
…
"...okay… okay… I think we're good…"
Ruby
"Sheesh, Zeiss. I know dad's not too fond of me or sis… y'know, liking anyone, but you didn't need to go that far just to keep me quiet."
"Are you kidding, Ruby?! You of all people should know just how overprotective he can be! If he gets even the slightest notion that we might start dating, he'll rip my heart out and stomp it six feet under!"
Hold on, idea.
"Actually, wait. Just to make sure…"
'ID Create: Empty.'
"There."
Ruby
"Oh, hey, isn't this that Instant Dungeon thingy you used on Uncle Qrow back when you first met him? Cool!"
"Yeah, it was. But more importantly, why did you just jump to the conclusion that having a troperrific conversation like that meant that we might become a couple later?"
Ruby
"I dunno, it just… came to me out of nowhere, and then I remembered how many stories I've read had something happen like that at some point that lead to ships sailing. And I just thought 'hey, Zeiss and me might actually work out. I mean, he'll be visiting me every summer until I go to Beacon, and then he'll be there too, and he's nice, he likes weapons too, and there's a bunch of other stuff that I like about him,' sooo…"
"I… huh. You… kinda have a point, there. Wow. That's… I don't know how to feel about that."
Aw, maaaan. I guess I failed to stop the S.S. Zeiss's shipment of fuel from hitting the docks.
Oh well. Was probably bound to happen anyway, given how I've been acting.
Ruby
"You don't know how to feel about a lot of things, don't you?"
"Heh. No, I don't."
Um…
"...so are we done talking about the whole romance thing? I admit that these IDs are nice for training, but the lack of ambient noise really creeps me out. I don't see how anyone could be completely comfortable in here."
Ruby
"Yeah, I think we're done. And you're right. The atmosphere here is giving me serious goosebumps. I think I might get a cold sweat going if we stay here any longer."
"Great."
'ID Escape.'
Phew. Much better.
"...you know, I can't help but feel like we're mutually stalling just to get in a last couple of minutes together before I go. Normally I'd probably object to that, but I'm not really feeling it right now, so I won't."
Ruby
"...yeah. We're just a regular couple of dorks, aren't we?"
"We totally are. But the thing is, it works to your benefit, since it combos into your natural adorableness for quite a devastating effect. Me, on the other hand? I've got nothing. So I just end up looking like a fool most of the time."
Having a high Charm stat would be nice. But apparently the universe loves screwing me over, so both it and my Luck stat growths are 2 per level. Which… honestly makes more sense than it should, when you consider that I'm a guy pulled from the real world into a stylized motion picture world. Compared to practically every other main character and their bishounen/bishoujo/what-have-you faces, I have the looks of a street thug. At this point, the best I can hope for is not to get outclassed by extras or side characters. But even then, given my track record, I don't exactly have much hope.
The way I see it, my only possible saving graces are permanent stat-boosters, like that one Legend Icon I got a while back. If I manage to find enough that relate to Charm, I'll be able to boost it up to the point where I can catch up with the rest of the cast. Given how rare they typically are in their home series, though, I'll be hard pressed to find more than 3 within my two-year time frame.
Ruby
"Whoa, hey, you're not a fool! ...well, most of the time, anyway."
"Wonderful. Not even you can deny it. That settles it, then. Looks like I'll remain a blockhead for the rest of my days."
Cue the Peanuts-brand 'AAUGH!' Press F to pay respects.
"In all seriousness, though, I really need to get going. If I stay any longer, I'll lose the will to leave. And frankly, I think your dad's starting to get tired of paying room and board for a guy he hasn't even know for a year yet. Oh - while I'm on the topic of that, here's some advice…"
Science has proven that filling a listener's vision with your countenance makes them that much more inclined to hear you out. (Not really, but there must be some acceptable excuse out there that allows my face to get within two inches of hers.)
"Puppy-dog eyes may work now, that's an irrefutable truth. But someday, sooner or later, the ones you use them on the most will develop a resistance to them, and perhaps even an immunity. If you want my opinion? Try to save the remaining uses for when you think you really need them. Otherwise you may find yourself in a tight spot."
Ruby
"Uh… okay? That's… weirdly specific."
"Don't question it and try your best to just take it at face value, trust me. Who knows - it might save your life at some point."
Ruby
"I… find that a little hard to believe, but if you say so, then I guess I'll take your word for it."
"Good girl."
…
"And… uh…"
God, this is awkward…
"For what it's worth… give my apologies to Crescent Rose for being unable to see her birth in person. I know it may not be worth much, but it'll be all I have to offer."
Ruby
"Aw, Zeiss… thanks. I'll be sure to tell her that once she's ready. And hey - once next summer rolls around, you'll be able to see her in all her glory!"
"Heh. Yet another thing I'll be looking forward to."
Funny. I remember criticizing other characters for being unable to just say goodbye and needlessly drag the scene on. Yet when I'm shoved into the same situation myself, I can't help but blindly tumble into the very same pitfalls that I poked fun at a lifetime ago. I guess it really isn't as entertaining, being on the other side of the fourth wall.
"Sooooo… uh…"
Just fucking spit it out, self!
"...bye."
Ruby
"Yeah… bye."
CREEEEAK…
CLI-TOONK.
Ruby's support level has increased to Rank D.
A/N: A bit of a shorter chapter this time. I could label this an omake, but that wouldn't feel right since this is where our main character gets his first personal weapon. I'm still on the fence as to whether or not his Beacon weapon will be a separate construction or just a heavily-modified version of this sword, but I'll figure something out eventually.
In case you're wondering, I'm imagining the rifle's firing sound as being the same as Counter-Strike: Source's M4A1 without the silencer. I felt it fit in with all the other stock weapon sounds. (I'll admit that Gambol Shroud's pistol didn't sound right to me at first, but it's grown on me. Stormflower's also a little quiet.)
I'm not sure if that "66 intelligence" quip is correct. If I remember correctly, Zeiss should be around level 15 here.
...bah, I'll just leave it in there. If one of you readers feels you have the proper score, write a review and explain your calculations.
Anyway, this marks the end of the introductory arc on Patch. The next chapter features everyone's favorite (now-destroyed) city!
By the way, for anyone who knows what the last four chapter titles have been referencing, here's a little treat.
"There's a hundred and four days of summer vacation,
'Til school comes along just to end it,
So the annual problem for our generation,
Is finding a good way to spend it…
LIKE MAYBE:
Buildin' a rocket, or fighting a maiden,
Or climbin' up the CCT tower.
Discoverin' something that doesn't exist, (Hey!)
Or givin' a monkey a shower!
Surfing tidal waves, creating nanobots,
Or locating Ironwood's brain. (I think it's gone!)
Finding a dodo bird, painting a continent,
Or driving our teammates insane! (RUBY!)
As you can see, there's a whole lot of stuff to do
Before school starts next fall! (C'mon, Zwei!)
So stick with us, 'cause Ruby and Yang are gonna do it all!
So stick with us, 'cause Ruby and Yang are gonna do it all!
(PROFESSOR OZPIIIIIIIIIIIN! RUBY AND YANG ARE DOING A TITLE SEQUENCE!)"
And with that, I bid you adieu.
[TRANSMISSION ENDED]