May wears a small smile as she indulges the energetic team leader. Pleased just to be spending time with her on their absolutely not-a-date. The sniper following the red caped girl past the counter with the smiling old man and into the back where Ruby finds a weapon magazine and starts flipping through it her eyes gaining an excited sparkle. For a moment May blinks in surprise, finding herself suddenly left to her own devices as whatever article that drew Ruby's initial attention has since grabbed hold and enveloped the younger girl in the pages.
'She's so engrossed in it. Gwen's information was spot on it seems. The girl really does love weapons. I don't know whether I am more concerned by her interest in the different tools used to slay enemies or struck by just how adorable she is when she get's excited like that.' May ponders to herself. Relaxing a bit as she gets further lost in her thoughts. Her blue-steel eye watching the bright silver orbs of her companion as they scan through the pages.
Eventually though May steps away for a moment looking through the dust shop before approaching the owner. Needing more fire dust herself that she can dilute down later for her dummy rounds. With a thought she also adds Ruby's magazine to her order of dust. Purchase in hand she looks around a bit longer before glancing outside the store and covering her visible eye with a hand.
It's with a firm shake of her head that she returns to her adorable guide pretending she didn't just see the girls outside trying to duck out of sight. All negative emotion leaves her however when she makes it back to see Ruby might not have even noticed her absence the sniper smoothly slipping back into her previous spot.
~Outside~
"What are they doing? They're both in the back and I can't see. They're going awfully quick to be looking for places to hide out of sight and magazine racks are so... Cliche." Dew asks the blonde next to her getting a face palm in return as the older sister realizes exactly what happened.
"They're not doing anything. Rubes is nose deep in a weapons magazine right now and completely oblivious." Yang grumbles out getting looks from the rest of the group. "Ruby always stops by here when she can for more dust and ends up staying for a few hours reading the latest."
Dew pouts at that. Frustrated for two reasons really. One, that their observing-and-totally-not-stalking-shut-up-Gwen is producing while admittedly adorable moments watching the two go through town and more than one picture for them to look over later. There doesn't seem to be much forward progress happening. Not juicy tender moments for her inner romantic to gush and squeal over. Cute yes, but nothing ground breaking.
The second reason and one far more important to the walking dust devil is irritation that her friend might be inside the shop getting ignored for a magazine. A thought cemented when she spots May approaching the front of the store alone. The group ducking down when May looks out their way.
"Don't worry I'll ask Ruby to grab something for me. Her scroll going off should snap her out of it." Yang states before Blake stops her drawing a confused look from both Dew and Yang.
"Let May figure this one out. She's done pretty well so far right?" The cat faunus suggest before glancing at the shop and smirking. "See? They're leaving now. Ket's just follow them quietly. I think May already knows."
~back in the dust shop~
May watches Ruby for a short spell longer before tapping her shoulder gently getting Ruby to look away from the magazine and blush furiously realizing she let herself get distracted and ignored May. "Oh my Oum! I'm so sorry May, I started reading the magazine and just forgot all about us being out here together. Well not together like a date or anything but as friends. Like a guide! A shopping guide! A friendly shopping guide! I'm really really sorry May."
Ruby frowns looking down at her feet for a moment until May giggles softly shaking her head. "I-it's okay Ruby. I'm not really bothered. I just wanted to tell you I bought that magazine for you so you can take it with you, as a thank you for coming out with me and showing me around. You don't have to read it all here unless you want to. I don't mind waiting."
Ruby shakes her head rapidly grabbing May's hand again the other holding her magazine as she drags the flustered sniper out of the shop. "Absolutely not! It was really rude of me and you paid for me when I'm the one showing you around. Jeez I feel awful. I'll make it up to you okay May?" She replies cheeks burning brightly in embarrassment.
"R-really Ruby it's okay! C-can you please slow down?" May replies struggling to keep up with the shorter girls more rapid pace despite her longer legs. Sighing in relief as Ruby does in fact slow down. Her gaze down cast making May wonder just how to get a smile again from the girl. "Y-you can make it up to m-me if you really want to. B-but I don't really see the need. I j-just don't want it to ruin our outing okay?"
Ruby stops taking her hand back from May before nodding and wiping her face and letting out a deep sigh before grinning up at her companion her bright silvers shining up again with a look that causes May's heart to speed up rapidly and heat to thunder through her body as her skin flushes.
"You're right. Let's just keep going, Weapon parts shop next right? Let's keep our eyes out for a clothing shop on the way too. I mean a cloak for you is the whole reason we came out you know? But if we don't find one I guess I can ask Coco from team CFVY, I bet she knows a place we can try. Oh! I wonder if Velvet is with her now? If so I can get an answer right away." Ruby adds pulling out her scroll pausing as May speaks up.
"M-maybe we can look a little longer on our own b-before asking? I-I'm rather enjoying being out with you. I-If you're in a h-hurry though I understand of c-course." May adds a bit hastily rapidly waving her hands in front of her. But thankfully Ruby nods putting her scroll away and starts moving again.
May lets the quiet between them settle for awhile until she notices Ruby starting to squirm in discomfort. Looking for a subject to talk about her eyes land on Crescent Rose again and she smiles. Handy thing that weapon as a conversation piece. "H-hey Ruby, Have you ever considered changing Crescent over to Semi-auto instead of b-bolt action?" May asks and Ruby seems to jump on the question like a lifeline.
"Well yea, but there wasn't enough room for it. Can you imagine if Crescent had even more moving parts on her?" Ruby replies before giggling. "Besides, there are plenty of upsides to bolt action." She adds with a firm nod.
"O-oh I know. I c-considered it when building my r-rifle. But with a l-large group of Grimm I wanted more ammo and l-less time between shots. Then again I c-can't be halfway across a clearing in the b-blink of an eye." May adds with a little smile as she compliments Ruby's speed.
The ebon haired girl blushes faintly before looking up and turning grabbing the door to another shop. "Here's the parts shop. They sell ammo too and some pre-built generic weapons for civilian self defense and stuff." She adds as May follows her in. Another question prompted by the Shy sniper to ask another question.
"D-do you load your own ammo?" May asks looking around at the types on display and in what caliber they are offered. The selection seems generic and less versatile than the sniper can manage on her own so she looks over the brands for different casings in her rifle caliber.
"No I just buy mine. Why?" Ruby asks tilting her head curiously as she moves a little ways away. Being the only two currently in the shop it's quiet enough for them to talk while browsing separately.
"Oh? I'm a bit surprised. I mean with a bolt action like Crescent you can probably reuse spent casing since it won't damage them like Lo... My rifle will. Besides loading your own ammo gives you more versatility. You just need to know a bit about dust." May replies stumbling a moment when she almost names her rifle before trying to roll right over it. Thankfully Ruby doesn't seem to notice.
"I'm not... The best in Remnant with dust." The shorter girl replies blushing softly.
"I'm sure you can't be that ba-"
"First day at beacon I exploded a crater in front of the school." Ruby explains in a tired voice. As if this is something she explains often. May however can only wince before pausing and offering Ruby another shy smile. "I-if you want we can meet up some time and I c-can teach you a bit about it? At l-least as far as using it f-for ammo."
"Really?! That'd be awesome May thanks!" Ruby chirps vibrating with excitement her fists clenched ready to shoot up before she pauses again. "Oh but um... Mind if we do it Sunday or some time next week? I'm going to be pretty busy the next few days after classes." She admits grinning widely when May just nods back with a small smile of her own.
"No problem Ruby, let's get some stuff so I can teach you okay? Grab some cartridges, primers, and bullets to match Crescents caliber. The cheap stuff is fine. It's mostly for learning." May adds grabbing her own stuff and heading for the counter only to have a flash of rose petals jump in front of her.
"I'm getting these and her stuff too." Ruby jumps in grinning a smug little smile. Getting flustered protests from the Sniper.
"N-no Ruby, you can't buy these f-for me. It's to expensive." She protests, and sure enough her ammo does not use the cheaper brands. Still the smug look never leaves Ruby's face as the owner rings her up for all of it.
"You said you would let me make it up to you earlier. This is me making it up to you. I get to buy the things while we're out. And you can't complain." She replies wiggling in place, looking utterly pleased with herself as she slides her weapon magazine in with her other purchases before heading for the door with a dour May following her. Second guessing giving Ruby so much leeway and feeling guilty at letting Ruby pay so much but can't see a way to stop her.
'I'll just have to buy her next round of ammo.' The sniper thinks cheering herself up a little.
"Hey May want to take a little break? We've been walking for awhile." Ruby asks pulling May out of her thoughts and smiles when she nods before turning into a little coffee shop with booths and an impressive selection of baked goods. Making May doubt that Ruby was asking on a whim but it doesn't bother her. It's more the line of people that makes her second guess coming in.
"H-hey Ruby, I'll grab us a booth o-okay? I'll just have a small c-coffee. Black please if th-they ask." She adds retreating deeper into the little shop to find an empty booth with a window. It's not difficult. Surprisingly few people are actually staying in the store getting their drinks or food to go.
The sniper settles in and gazes out the window watching people pass by her mind wandering as an internal debate starts up in her head weighing the pros and cons of just coming out and telling her crush everything now. Her nerves screaming at her to resist. But she knows it's a stop gap. Not even she will be able to prevent telling Ruby at the end of the game. As the whole purpose of the game is to place her in that position.
In the end Ruby comes back all smiles and sunshine making May's heart skip again before her nerves win out and she just smiles awkwardly back torn between mentally berating herself for being a coward and reassuring herself that She will tell the bubbly black haired girl across from her. Speaking of hair.
"H-hey Ruby, can I ask h-how you die your hair? It l-looks so uniform." May asks softly And Ruby rolls her eyes.
"I don't dye it. It's natural. Or unnatural depending on how you choose to see it." Ruby jokes with a little grin before blowing on what smells like hot chocolate before taking a long slow sip.
May takes her cup and looks out again. The glass separating her from them a comfort as she watches them walk by. It also distracts her from the pretty silver eyes she's trying hard not to fall into again. The mercury pools like quicksand for Mays mind whenever they lock onto her blue steel orb.
It's an effort in futility. Eventually she turns back and blinks. Chocolate is gone, Cookies are gone, and looking down, coffee is gone. Ruby seems content leaning forward on her elbows and watching the shy sniper for the moment as she in turn gazes out the window. Getting caught out they both move to apologize together and end up laughing softly.
"Okay well. If it get's much later May I'll end up treating you to dinner too." Ruby prods with a smirk reminding May that the longer they continue the more Lien Ruby will be able to spend on her only driving her guilt higher. She frowns, Ruby giggles, May blushes, Ruby giggles more, May stands up abruptly and clears her throat before leading a laughing Ruby out of the cafe.
It's four blocks and a call to a certain rabbit faunus before they find what they are looking for. Stepping inside they look around at the clothing and fabrics. Simple articles on display such as capes, cloaks, sashes, belts, and tartans.
They look around for awhile before May has a few to try on. In the end she's down to three. A pure white one with red trimming. A light brown that will blend in better with wild life. And a midnight blue. Looking between the three she places the blue back knowing she can come back for it later if she changes her mind. Or, far more likely, make Nolan get it for her. The choice now being between aesthetics and practicality.
An Idea hits May and she pulls out her scroll smiling as she sends Dew a message before returning the brown and taking the white. Which she is once more forbidden from paying for much to her annoyance. However it makes Ruby happy so there is little really May is willing to do to fight it beyond weakly protest and profusely thank the girl.
She dawns it immediately and smiles at the warmth being trapped under the fabric around her. Or is it just the knowledge that it's a gift she was given by her adorable crush directly during their almost-but-not-quite-a-date. Still that doesn't mean she can't give Ruby something even if it does take her building her courage up the entire trip back.
Once they reach the statue they started at may pauses and turns back to Ruby her breath quickening as her mind shouts in protest every movement feels like swimming through wet cement as she leans forward and gently kisses Ruby on the cheek. "Th-thank you Ruby for showing m-me around. I-I had a l-lot of fun. I h-hope we can do it a-again sometime." She stammers out before turning and hurrying towards her teams room. She doesn't make it of course. As three members of NDGO snag her before she can make the safety of her room.
~back with Ruby~
'Oh Ruby Rose you have it bad. Never ever let Yang find out. She's already having enough fun teasing me about Longshot.' The team leader thinks firmly to herself as she snaps herself out of her stunned and dazed expression having just watched the pretty May Zedong vanish into the guest building. She walks her way slowly back to her teams dorms determined to get her blush under control before she arrives.
AN:
So! End of the date! I got to two thousand words and realized I was dragging my feet and about to ruin everything if I kept on this way. Otherwise I would have spent another two chapters on this date. As it is this is my longest chapter in this story to date. So enjoy!
I know I talked about it last time. and the poll is between "Jewels in the rough" and "MK:MZ" right now with the other two options low enough in the poll I feel safe counting them out. Which is kinda sad. I really like the concept for After Dust. Oh well I'll work on it in private time. So this poll will stay up until I come back from work today and then it will be closed and the other will go up.
THAT SAID. I realize that people have expectations of me with this story. I've never promised every other day postings. I keep to it because it's what is expected of me after I started doing it for this story. But after this is done. I will be a few days before the next story to go up. and even then don't expect it to update as quick as in my sights is. this story, while fun to write and I'm so glad to see all the support. But I won't be able to keep to this kind of writing permanently. I don't be doing it monthly because god my muse would abandon me in shame if I took that long to work on a chapter. but instead of every other day expect a more reasonable once or twice a week.
With this chapter I expect I will break 10k views, (Currently standing on ~9,850) so I'm really hyped about it. A few chapters ago I got real with you guys and told you how amazed I am at all the love being shown this story and the case is still true. since then over 50 more followers and 30 more favorites? as of writing this 92 people have liked this story so much it's shown in their profile. every one visiting thier page will see my work displayed there. I am honestly touched. Please keep on enjoying this story as I will keep writing it just for all of you who stop by and have a look.
NOW reviewer responses. my way of acknowledging those who take the extra time to say something. even if it's just "I like this story."
Casdin: I like to update in the mornings before I go to work so it's not near to 7pm EST (12 hours later) when I post a story. I may get off work at 5 but I live nearly 45 min away and that's not during rush hour. So, I'm sorry I kept you from your sleep but also not sorry I put out another chapter for you to enjoy.
imoshen: I wanted to keep Mays little white and red theme going with her choice of Cape so yea. I did that. I plan to enjoy whatever I write next. the whole reason the poll is up is because I don't mind which idea get's my attention next. I might even spread the updates out a bit more and just work both at the same time. As for that. Yes If Ruby were to actively try to undermine the spirit of the competition than it would only be to easy for her at this point to find out. she has to much information on May/longshot for it to even be a hassle. however. being a sniper born in Vacuo does not mean Longshot is from shade. there are many students born in one city who move to another for hunter training. Pyhrra from Mistral to Beacon, Sun from Vacuo to Haven, and Weiss from Atlas to Beacon. Longshot could easily be just another trainee who moved to Atlas or Mistral for her training. It helps that Ruby doesn't even think about finding out Longshots identity outside of the competition.
RatedRsuperstar: you know, you've been with me from the start here friend. So honestly? I will try to make that happen. It will likely just be taked onto the end of this like the other little after story scenes I'm planning.
Guest: I will... consider it. Expect it near the end of the story if at all. It's not something that is vital to the story so I'll put it in if I can find a spot where it fits.
Archer1eye: God I didn't even consider what would happen if Ruby asked the name of the gun. But thankfully while she fawns over people weapons she doesn't usually make a massive deal out of their names. I promise though when Ruby finds out. it will be interesting and god damn adorable. I read both. I liked both. You know my feelings on them by now I'm sure hehe. And i'm trying! You wait like everyone else! thankfully you don't have to wait anymore for this chapter because it's here.
that's all folks! thank you all for your support. I love you all and I'll see you next time.