Third person

Ruby was reclined in her chair. Her eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. She wasn't lost in thought. She was trying rather hard not to think. Which is why she's working a clinic.

A faint knock on the door prefaced the entering of a brown girl with green hair. "Hey, my name's-"

"Emerald, right? I remember you came in with uhhh. Mercury since his prosthetics locked up." She gave a warm smile, "It's good to see to you again. How can I help you?"

"I was wondering if one of your titles would be a masseuse."

"As a matter of fact, yes." Ruby pulled out a framed Diploma.

Emerald's eyes widened, she shouldn't really be surprised, seeing how she's seen Ruby at work before. "Good, can you get these knots out?"

"Of course. You'll either have to lie on the floor, or I can take you to my place, I have a massage table there."

"The floor isn't too soft, so lead the way."

/ Mild Break /

"You went and got a massage? At her house?" Cinder asked with an eyebrow raised.

"Yeah, she's really good. You should try it some time. I feel totally relaxed."

"Did you get a special massage." Mercury smirked.

"Shut up you perv!" Despite herself, Emerald blushed.

"So you know where she lives?"

"Yup. She has a nice place, but it's very… empty."

"As in, lonely?" Emerald nodded. "Call Neo, have her meet us there."

"But Neo can't talk…"

"You know what I mean."

/ break /

She cut into her Salisbury steak, well done with a savory sauce cooked in. It had a bite of alcohol to it, not enough for a buzz, but enough for it to give some flavor. Aside from the cutting and chewing, the house was silent. Something she's grown used to. At first she would work long hours to avoid the suffocating fiend that is the deafening quiet atmosphere, but now she thought of it as an old companion. Swallowing her bite, she reached for the wine glass, a silky smooth wine, one of her favorites.

Her mouth never got to be quenched, she was interrupted by a knocking at her door. Her mouth twisted to the side, she's had so many visitors lately, it felt so strange. Rising from her chair, she wiped her hands on a napkin and made her way over to the deep brown door. There was only one lock on it and no "peep hole." If someone were to break in and kill her, well, she didn't necessarily have any misgivings about it. After all, she was the one that killed all those White Fang members. So many lives changed and taken by her hands alone. She shouldn't be thinking of this now.

With a sigh, she opened the door. Cinder, Neo, Roman, Emerald, and Mercury stood in the hallway. "What a pleasant surprise, please come in." She stepped out of the way and gestured them in. "You'll have to forgive me, I was in the middle of dinner. One sec, I'll put it in the fridge." Emerald elbowed Cinder, a "Told you so" look on her face. "Please make yourselves at home." Ruby placed her mostly earn steak and asparagus in the large stainless steel refrigerator. "Can I get you guys anything? A drink, some food - I can order something in if you'd like. I have all kinds of beverages, juice, water, beer, wine, spirits."

"Actually, I'd love a soda." Mercury took her offer from his hunched posture on the couch. He received a variety of looks. "What? She offered."

"Anyone else?"

"Strawberry sunrise, on the rocks." Roman raised a finger as though to order.

"Here's your drink, Mercury. I'll have yours in just a moment, Roman."

"Want some help?" Emerald made to stand. Ruby ushered her down.

"No, no, it's all good. Please, your my guests." Emerald sat down reluctantly.

"Can I get a beer?"

"Of course." Ruby paused in her making of Roman's drink to pull a bottle of the fridge. "Here you go, and Roman, you too." She pushed both spirits to the edge of the counter.

"Cinder, Neo. Want anything?" Ruby signed Neo's name instead of verbalizing it.

"Water is fine, I'm the designated driver." The black-haired woman sighed.

"Fruit punch?"

"Here you go." She handed the filled glasses to the appropriate women. "Not that I don't like your company, but why are you all here all of a sudden. I mean, Roman is the only one that has known me for awhile. Don't get me wrong, I love the company of such gorgeous women… and Mercury. No offense Mercury, you're just not my type. You know. With a penis and all."

"None taken." The steel-haired man took a sip from his can.

"Emerald told us that when you were giving her a massage, that it seemed… empty here. So, we collectively thought that we'd give you some company. You know, get to know you better. Have a good time. That sort of thing." Cinder explained cooly.

"By collectively, she means her. We just tagged along." Roman leaned back in his seat, Cinder giving him a glare.

"Thank you for being so kind, and for thinking of me. Really, it makes me feel better. You want to get to know me? Shoot. I'll tell you anything."

"Anything, really?" Emerald crossed her arms and raised a brow.

"Yup. No secrets, despite them being 'healthy' I don't want anyone to not know something about me if they wish to. So…" She smiled at the tan girl.

Emerald wanted to see if that was true. How far can she go before the other girl shut her down. "How many women have you been with?"

"In bed or in a relationship?"

She wasn't prepared for that, but opportunity knocks. "I-in bed."

"Five. I typically only get in with those I've been in a relationship for awhile with. As for how many relationships I've been in total, that would be fourteen."

The room was silent for differing reasons. Roman already knew, and Neo was simply envious of those girls… and was mute. Mercury was stunned, Cinder too. Emerald was recovering from the unexpected honesty.

"What's your," Cinder cleared her throat. "What's your ideal woman?"

"I don't know, actually. It's never me to break things off and I'm always happy with whatever she is."

"So, no like, prefered personality or taste or anything?"

"Nope. Just so long as we're together and she's happy."

Wow, she's so perfect. The audience thought with a comical release if expression.

"What's your favorite thing to do?" Neo tried to not act too interested in what the doctor liked, she hoped the others would do that for her.

"I like to take pretty girls out on dates. I also would like to do you." Ruby winked. Neo hid her red face in her hands.

"Wow." Roman smirked. "No shame. I will admit though, that was pretty smooth. Now I've got a question. Why did you give up being a huntress?"

The room went still. For Neo and Roman, Ruby being a huntress was nothing new. For the others, this was all fresh ground. "I killed a lot of people. White Fang. I told my team to retreat and take any straggling evacuees with them. I was fully prepared to die…" Ruby took a deep breath. "I didn't. I was surrounded by a blinding light and then I just went into autopilot. Slicing down all the Grimm, I killed everything in my path. Then I came across the White Fang outside the building where the people were being evacuated. I lost myself in the blood bath. When I came to my senses and saw what I did, I couldn't handle it. All those people I killed, all those families and friends that are now mourning for their lost loved one. I decided that I wouldn't pick up Crescent Rose again. That's her." She pointed to a large frame on the wall. The sniper rifle and combat scythe lay on pieces against the black velvet and glass. "I built her, and I dismantled her for the same reason; to help people… that was a long answer." Her smile returned.

Everyone sat in reverence at the personal, deep revelation they were just told. Everyone except Roman. "Well, didn't you have friends there? I'm sure you hurt them with leaving. You hurt yourself too."

"I did. My team, some other teams. A couple individuals in their own team. At the time I left, and while Ozpin tried his best to cover the incident, everyone only saw me as a monster to be feared. My team still does. Besides, they were all numbed by their anger and fear to miss me, and when that rubbed off, I was just a memory."

"I had no idea you had such a past. I'm sorry." Mercury mumbled, the rest grumbling in agreement.

"It's no worries. I have you guys," Her smile brightened. "And I love you all. You make me happy."

Too pure! They almost had to shield their mental eyes from the intense luminescence of her words. "What's it like being a miracle worker? A world-renowned medical prodigy." The topic was glum, and Emerald decided to change it.

"I don't like the publicity, so I try to avoid anything like that. But it feels nice, I feel appreciated. It's a bit silly to be famous. I just help people. Individually. I'm no mass aid worker or anything."

"But you're the best at like, everything medical."

"Really? I just want to be of use."

"Being a doctor and all, isn't it hypocritical to drink alcohol?" Cinder raised a brow.

"I don't tell anyone to not drink it, I just tell them it's unhealthy for them."

"Why do you drink, then?" Emerald leaned in. It seems those to were going to take full advantage of this asking game, but they were straying from the topic Neo wanted. Much to the ice cream's dismay.

"I like the aesthetic of it. The wine collecting. The burning taste. I also do it because when I get depressed, I go and get blackout drunk to feel better."

"You should call me when you get depressed like that. It's not good for you on any level, and I… I don't want anything to happen to you." Neo looked away in embarrassment.

"I promise." Ruby looked at the grandfather clock in the corner of the room. It's 22:33, it's getting pretty late. "You've been asking me all these questions. You've learned about me. Now it's getting late, and you'll leave soon. So why don't you get to know me a bit more, and then if you ever come over again. I can get to know you."

"That seems fair. I haven't asked a question yet, so let's see… hmm…" An evil grin spread across his features. "Who is your favorite in this room? And you can't say everyone."

Ruby laughed, "Remind me not to play truth or dare with you. Probably Neo. You and Roman are guys and I've known her the longest out of the girls. But I also like Cinder's challenging nature and Emerald's fiery personality."

It was a small victory, but she'll take it. Neo screamed internally at her win over the others, not that she could scream externally anyways, but whatever.

As for Cinder and Emerald, they do have a crush on the girl, but instead on focusing on not being her favorite, they decided to focus on the things she likes about them. It was a win for everyone except Roman and Mercury.

"Well played." Mercury leaned back and finished his soda. A satisfied smirk on his lips.

Roman scoffed in mock hurt. "Ruby, after all we've been through, you just throw me out like that. I can't believe you. I'm so hurt."

Ruby chuckled, "Sorry Roman. But you got that XY, and I'm all about that XX."

They all laughed. It was a good time. The air was much… brighter since when they first arrived. Finishing off their drinks and talking about nothing in particular, the group slowly, yet merrily, made their way out.

"Thanks for having us, love. Sorry it was all sudden like that." Roman was in the doorway, the others behind him in the hall. They might as well be the ones talking to Ruby for they all stonely agreed.

"No, no. Thank you. Thank you all for helping me have a good time tonight. And hey, don't be strangers. Stop by anytime. You don't even have to call first. I'd love to have you. Any and all of you."

Roman smiled and leaned in and gave the Rose a friendly hug. "Good night, love."

"Good night. I'll see you all soon, yeah? Now get going before you're too tired. Go on."

They gave a small chuckle and left with a light in their step. Ruby closed the door. She felt better. But better is not well.

She slowly made her way to the fridge and took out her dinner. Staring at it with a frown, she sighed. Sitting alone at the wide table for many more. She ate the cold food in silence.

Third person

"He has a spear through his eye. We put him under, we're not sure how long he'll last. I know I'm asking a lot, and you have a reputation to uphold, but please. Save my son." The old woman was in tears. She was hunched over from age and grief.

"Sure." In a flash of rose petals, she was gone.

/ Mild Break /

"How much blood do we have left?" Ruby had her hands covered in crimson.

"3 bags." A male intern standing back, strictly observing.

"Alright Mr. Spearhead, let's finish this up. Bone saw. You, hold this, just like this. You're going to have to trust me." A girl with wide, cerulean eyes gulped and did as she was told.

"It went through the orbicularis oris and out the parietal-occipital suture. Right, ok." The girl holding the muscles tensed as the bone saw came dangerously close to her fingers. "I need to make a bit more room here. I don't want to damage anymore of the brain than I have to. So, you, make sure it doesn't wobble. You, help me get up there."

"What! Are you crazy? That's insane." A black male with chocolate brown eyes stared at her as though she was an escaped psych ward patient.

"Yes, now help me up there." The other man had taken his position next to the spear. With a sigh and a shaking his head, the black intern helped Ruby get onto the table, causing it to shift ever so slightly. "Don't pull, just guide." A firm nod from the steadier.

With both hands on the spear, she took a deep breath. She began removing the weapon.

/ Mild Break /

An elderly woman, clearly anxious, and praying to any and all deities stood at the approach of the renowned miracle worker. There was an exchanging of words. The old woman hunched over and leaned into the other's body. Crying heavily. Shushing and hugging joined the cries.

"Thank you. Thank you. I… I don't know what I would do without him. And I-I can't fully show you my gratitude."

"It's ok… it's ok. I'm here to help, and I did. So thank you. I do have one request. Don't tell the media."

"Of course. I just," She sniffed. "I just want to thank you. If there's anything I can do, please, just let me know."

To give the old girl a peace of mind, the doctor agreed. "I will." She smiled at the aged woman and excused herself.

"That was crazy, just crazy. You're insane, Rose." It was the intern that helped her onto the operating table.

"Indeed. But you should have known that."

He scoffed and smiled. "I hope that I can be as confident and skilled as you one day."

She returned the smile, "I hope you'll be better." With a nod, she continued on her way to another clinic.

/ Mild Break /

"What have we got?" Ruby hastily walked into the room, six people in lab coats sat at a black, oval table.

"Patient is unresponsive to bacterial medications and the drug test came back negative. He was clean of any heavy metals and radiation." A girl with dirty blonde hair read the file to Ruby.

"Has he had a fever?"

"No."

"Arrhythmia?"

"No."

She stood in thought for a moment. "Does he sweat a lot?"

"It seems so. Why?" A guy with an Atlasian accent looked at Ruby skeptically.

"Get a crash cart ready. Also, give him antifungal medication and steroids." The ex-huntress made her way to the door. Before she could open it, a third person spoke.

"He hasn't been anywhere that would put him at risk of a fungal infection. We should give him a water dust infusion and treat him for infection."

"No fever, no infection."

"He hasn't been anywhere and isn't exhibiting any signs of a fungal infection!" The man was livid. He was used to being the smartest. Being right. Always getting his way. It was infuriating to be argued with.

"Alright, fine. Let's make a bet. If he crashes in the next ten minutes, you'll give up medicine and we'll treat him as I said. If he doesn't, I will and he will be treated as you said."

"That's insane!" A girl with brown hair spoke up.

"Not the first time I heard that today." Ruby returned her attention to the cocky man. "Deal?"

With a smug grin, "Deal."

"Alright then." She opened the door in a flourished exit.

A well tanned man let out an exasperated breath. "Man, you can kiss your licence good bye." He had a thick Vacuo accent.

"She's been on that pedestal for so long, she's so conceited and thinks she's God. She doesn't know anything." He leaned back in his chair with a cocky smirk.

The final, sixth person of the team spoke. "Let's just go get a crash cart." She brushed her way past the others and made her way down the hall at a hurried gait. She had just past the ICU with the patient in it, when a long, continous beep came from the room. Her eyes widened. "He's flatlining! Get me a crash cart!"

Later, Ruby returned to the office. "How'd you know?" the man from Vacuo asked.

"The sweating and clean tox screen. He was clear for everything else, but there was obviously something wrong since his body believed he was hot."

"There's no way you could have known. You hadn't even seen the guy! It was luck!"

"Aren't you the guy that made the bet with me?"

"You didn't know!" He stood and stared at her with anger boiling in his eyes.

"That wasn't the bet. So, hand over your certificate and get out of here."

His nostrils flared. He shoved his hand in his pocket and pulled out his paper. Shoving it roughly into Ruby's chest, he stormed out.

"That bet was a bit extreme. Don't you think you were too hard on him?"

"He'll be back. He needs to learn humility."

/ Mild break /

"What do you see?" An image of a man was projected on the screen. His brows were drawn low and his neck was tense.

"Anger?" A man in the third row, second seat asked.

"Right, that was pretty easy. What about, here?" The image switched to a woman, her face was passive.

"She looks calm." A blonde boy with his feet on the desk.

"She's also angry. See how her sternocleidomastoid is has those slants right there, and her nostrils are flared. Those are involuntary actions that occur when you're upset or mad."

The students took notes, the carefree guy shrugged and took his own.

"Mmm, someone give me a sign of arousal." almost instantly, a girl with dyed blue hair raised her hand. Ruby smirked to herself and nodded to the girl."

"Dilated pupils."

"Yup. Strawberry or chocolate."

"Strawberry?" A light brown discus was tossed at her. A cookie. There was a lot more participation after that.