22 minutes until 3:00. It had taken approximately 38 minutes and 43 seconds. At least according to her watch. She didn't know the exact second she started. Main event starts at 6:00.
Weiss Schnee, heiress of the Schnee Dust Company, the largest company in all of Remnant, was to sing. She was truly a woman of many talents. Rumor says she aspires to be a huntress, just like the humble girl from Patch.
Inventory accounted for, Ruby began to relax. She had… 1 hour and 23 minutes. Sometimes if there's excess food, they'll let her take some. Better than going to waste after all. The free food would be great. It's not like they ever go without. They always have enough. It's just nice to not worry about it. Any money not spent on food, can be spent on other things. Like school tuition. Beacon was the most prestigious school, her dream of going there wasn't going to be cheap. She's working, Yang is working, Dad's working. All for different reasons but ultimately for the same goal.
Her job was simple, assemble the food given the directions on the styrofoam container. Chkn meant chicken, p meant pork; it was pretty simple. Tonight was a big concert meaning that speed is crucial. People are rather impatient, especially when hungry. With tonight's demographic there's a high likelihood of no tips. Even though 15,000 people were estimated to show up. These people are of three types, snobby Deep Pockets, stuck up teenagers, and sweaty, sweaty fans. To be honest, they were all… difficult. Especially since Ruby was not a "people" person like Yang.
Yang knows social queues, and conversation topics, the do's and don'ts. Ruby could fake it, she was good at that. One would think that with all her gaming experience which included VN's and "Choices Matter" games, she'd be able to pick up on social… things. It's simple, straightforward, planned. These choices lead the player down this route because of the personality of the character and the dialogue option the player chose. In other words, it was programmed that way. She understands programming, she doesn't understand people.
43 minutes until opening. 13 before the VIPs are allowed in. It was a concert of a larger size. The performer was Weiss Schnee, heiress of the Schnee Dust Company. A big name in a big-ish place. With such a prominent figure, 15,000 people seems rather small. The tickets weren't that pricey either. Seems this concert was not designed for profit. Surprisingly so indeed, since the head of the Schnee Dust Company is quite greedy. Not above questionable labor and deals to pinch a few pennies. If that's the case, what is his game? Why throw this concert?
5 minutes before opening. Ruby had gotten so wrapped up in something that hardly concerns her. A habit of hers which has not proven good or bad so far. Analyzing things could have-
"Rubyyyy!" Turning to see her gaggle of friends approach. All smiles and giggles, she couldn't help but join them in their nonsensical glee. Sporting a smile of her own, she stepped up to the teller. "What's good here?" Their eyes surveying the menu, they let out an inhaling hiss as they saw the prices.
"Don't worry about that, what do you want? I don't recommend the pork, but the chicken is alright and the nachos are… well it's nacho cheese and chips. Can't really mess that up." They all let out a laugh. "You can put a meat of your choice on it if you're feeling pretty hungry. If you pay full price I'll give you both a drink. I uh… have to somewhat keep it reasonable. Sorry." She let out a sheepish grin and rubbed the back of her head.
"No problemo. Let's do nachos with the drinks please. Can we get extra nachos those since we'll be sharing?"
"Of course!" A scan of the card, bonus VIP discount, Ruby's friend discount. The total came out as 12 lien. Without the Ruby's Friend Discount, it would have been 26 lien. The numbers not being "nice and simple" numbers such as 10 and 25 was a bit awkward and didn't make sense to her. Maybe it was for tax purposes? Either way it was difficult for everyone involved.
"Thanks Ruby! We're going to go get the good seats now. Love ya girl, see you later!" As they walked off with their nachos and drinks, they were gossiping about this or the other. Their excitement and enthusiasm were contagious. Still… she surveyed the shack. It was a 3-4 person shack and she was alone. Sure it was doable especially with her semblance, but that doesn't mean she should work alone. Should it? Sure she prefers alone, but it was going to be exhausting just her.
1 minutes until opening. Is she really going to be the only one? With a hopeful glance at the door, she willed someone, anyone to come through to help her. 30 seconds until opening. Anyone? 20 seconds. 10 second. The door slowly opened. Two figures cautiously stepped in with that guilty look on their faces. "Uh… hi. Sorry we're late." The first one winced, expecting repercussions.
"Really late." Added the other with a similar posture. "But! We'll uh… We'll work extra hard!" His companion winced at the thought of extra work. To which his companion jabbed him with his elbow.
She let out a sigh. "Do you guys have any training in any of this?" Expecting the worst, she held her breath. This was already so stressful.
"Yes we do!" Ruby widened her eyes in amazement. A positive amongst all the negatives! "I do the cashier and he does-" His eyes grew stunned and his jaw dropped. "Rlyrlykewlkid17! Is that you?" Miming his friends expression, his companion stuttered out a sentence.
"You. Huh? What?" The first wave of customers showed up. Both their demeanors changed. "Let's get this bread!" He flashed a cheesy grin and took position at one of the registers.
"Where do you want me chief? I can do cashier or food line." Although he said that he looked at the assembly of food warily. Putting him on cash register wasn't such a bad idea given the amount of people.
"Register." Already, an order was put out and Sun - she believed that was his name - was helping the next customer. Chicken burrito, no pico. Another box presented itself in her peripheral. It was going to be a rough, long night. First box done, she set it at the pick up window and shouted the presented name. "Jaune!"
5 minutes seemed an eternity with customer after customer after customer. At least the show had begun meaning the audience took their seats. "Man… that was exhausting, and I'm only on register. How are you holding up… I'm sorry I uh… don't know your name." Sun looked to the slumped girl.
"Ruby." He extended his hand. Despite being only a few moments the pause between her hand meeting his left a pretty good impression of her people skills. That and her short comments.
"I'm Neptune. The one who uh. Called you to get in the tournament to carry Sun's sorry a- butt." She nodded and smiled.
"Let's do our best." Her grin inspired them. Their fatigue melted and they nodded with great enthusiasm.
It was intermission. Another wave of customers was inbound. The trio readied themselves for the upcoming assault. Pork Tostada extra sour cream for a Coco? "Coco!" A rabbit faunus picked up the food package. Stylish was the person behind her, sporting shades and some sort of beret.
"Thanks hunny bun. The fashionista pecked the faunus on the cheek and led her to a table. They were cute together and she didn't even know them.
14 minutes into the 30 minute intermission, a rather important looking employee knocked on the shack's door. "I need 4 waters, 3 bean burritos, and a chicken salad." She was out of breath and sweat was dripping from her brow. Her expression, aside from tired, was somewhat scared or nervous. It was obvious the importance of this simple request.
It seemed just as she finished ordering was it presented to her. She was shocked, and rightfully so. "Can you help me deliver these?" Sun and Neptune pretended to make themselves busy. Counting cups or boxes or whatever else.
Sighing inwardly, Ruby gestured for her to lead the way. The two left behind cast an apologetic smile.
Sitting atop a case of equipment, admiring her nails, Weiss waited impatiently while maintaining an air that she doesn't care. This whole thing was frustrating. Father making her do this stupid concert to get some beautocrats off his back about his recent acquisition of assets. Basically he was being a racist prick and had to do this charity concert to put up airs that he isn't so bad after all. She scoffed at the idea. Wasn't such a bad guy? Puh-lease. Like anyone is just going to forget is atrocities because of a cheap charity event. It wasn't even that big of one. Only 15,000 people.
As she thought more of it, her irritation grew. Her hunger only accelerated her annoyance. Where was her food! I shouldn't even be here. This whole shenanigan is all his idea and he's not even here! The nerve!
Hopping off her crate, she did a once over of the area. Cheap cheap cheap. Of course her stingy father spared all expense on this. She fought hard to mask her growing rage. It wouldn't help any. Silently, she did some breathing exercises. Her face said stoicism but anyone could tell she's rather pissed off… almost anyone. The breathing exercises don't seem to be very effective when her stomach is eating itself.
Bodyguards made way and seemed to sigh in relief. Whether it be because of the arrival of their lunch or a break from the heiress's icy aura was anyone's guess.
They opened their meal boxes and snorted in approval. Meatheads. That is such a low grade, sad excuse of a burrito. They'd eat anything. She didn't notice the water and food before her. Generic brand water and what's this? She opened the styrofoam container carefully, expecting the worst… Well it wasn't the worst but it certainly wasn't… good. Suddenly growing aware of the presence still next to her and all the eyes of those present on her, she gave a curt nod. It wasn't one of approval but acknowledgment. After all, this nearly pathetic excuse of a salad was hardly worthy of a Schnee.
Her gaze had been fixated on her meal yet she could feel that the tension had not ebbed nor had the proximity of the individual who gave her the food. She looked around and as she did those that came across her sight quickly made busy. Finally, she settled on the person nearest her. What is she waiting for? She should have gotten the message that she's dismissed. Light blue eyes met silver eyes? That's new. Contacts maybe? Doesn't matter. Why is she so close? Once again, everyone awaited her actions.
"You're dismissed." Yet the girl stood there. Probably wants a photo or autograph or something stupid like that. "Look I'm not in the mood for photos or signing something." She didn't budge. Strangely, Weiss didn't get annoyed as she usually would. Instead she was curious. Curious as to why she wasn't getting angry, why this girl was still here, why the girl hasn't done anything. Was she an android or something?
A distant thought from the back of her mind came forth suddenly. Before she could even register what it was it came out, "Thank you." It was almost such a foreign thing to say to her. She was used to being waited on, she was a Schnee! The only person she really thanked was Kleid, yet here she is thanking someone she doesn't even know! How odd. How strange. How bizarre! What is it about this nobody that has such an effect on her?
"You're welcome." Her voice was small, but not because she was in the presence of greatness or the hint of trauma. No, it seemed more of a shy nature. Not meek or cowardly, no no, it was full of itself. It was just small.
A not-so-kind laugh bubbled up, but she repressed it. She wouldn't be caught laughing at someone. It would be shameful and ridiculous.
Pleasantries exchanged, a universal, unspoken rule of social construct, it was time to part ways. Ruby made no move to leave. Now to this point did Weiss's curiosity begin to transform into annoyance. "What? What is it? Didn't you get the queue? Leave." She made a shoo-ing motion with her hands. "Dolt, do you not understand the most basic of conversational etiquette? You truly are an idiot if so."
Without saying anything or giving any indication that the icy words had any effect, Ruby turned and began leaving. Weiss scoffed to herself. What a strange girl.
In her world, there was no "strange." Everything was punctual, prepared, perfect. No room for error.
Ruby paused in her tracks. Ah, that's right. She has to say something. Something to bid farewell… anything could do that if given the right circumstances. Ugh. Why is this so hard. While she struggled inwardly, the heiress returned her gaze towards the brunette from her salad.
A fist clapped her palm, she had thought of it. Something similar to what the protagonist from a dating sim she streamed awhile back had said. Before she could doubt herself, she turned and with a beaming grin bid the heiress farewell with, "May the rest of your evening be as beautiful as you are." With that, she felt it was mission accomplished and walked to her booth. Meanwhile, those remaining had mixed expressions. One was surprised, one was gleeful, one was equal parts terrified and apologetic, and one special one was blushing