Okay, so back to writing this. I do hope you all are enjoying this, and according to my plan this makes it just over a third done. So what ever could a guy like me do to make it rather traditional me... I wonder?
The Wolf: I'm fully aware of that. Hence why I don't normally drink and write. But that is also the reason why I make Ruby like Whiskey. That and whiskey is great. But glad you are enjoying it. And maybe. Maybe not.
790: Perhaps... I have been known to dick around people.
Chapter 5:
"Hey guys." Neo spoke as she took a seat at the bar. Since breakfast she had learned the hard way, why it is a terrible idea to practically drink the maple syrup. After getting the sugar rush that she had only ever heard stories about, she realised why when they told the stories they mentioned a 'crash' she was tired and hoped that by the time her shift came around she could at least feel like she actually slept.
"Why do you sound like you didn't sleep at all?" Pyrrha asked as she began waved Emerald and Blake over. It may be easier than they thought to get Neo to talk about Ruby if she was tired. But the mother figure she had adopted for everyone was worried if she would be alright come opening time.
"I tried maple syrup for the first time. Went over board. Ruby said this is the start of the crash." Neo spoke letting her head rest on the counter. Pyrrha smiled at this being the first time Neo would ever have a cure all. "Okay Neo, I'm going to make a drink that will get you over that. Just be warned, don't ask what is in it. It will cause you to get sick." Pyrrha spoke softly as Emerald and Blake took a seat next to her.
"You're making her the cure all? Because don't get me wrong it works, but it is just disgusting." Emerald asked. It had been a near right of passage for everyone that worked there. Even Junior. Pyrrha would never tell anyone what was in it, but what she did tell people did turn a few stomachs. But it did exactly what it said. It would cure anything from hangovers to head colds to Neo's sugar crash.
Pyrrha placed the glass in front of Neo who looked at it. She wasn't sure what it was meant to be. The swirling colours of green and brown. She could swear she even saw a skull and crossbones form in the mixture.
"Now plug your nose and drink all of it. Literally slam it. If you don't the taste and texture will come back and make you feel worse." Pyrrha spoke as Neo reached over with a tentative hand. She was willing to take the risk, but the fact the tall redhead felt the need to explain the rules for drinking it, and even mentioned the texture. "Just know everyone here has had this, and it works. But that texture just gets you." The green haired woman next to Neo mentioned.
Neo threw all care out the window as she she pinched her nose and drank the drink. She would need to butcher the definition of liquid to use it. The gritty texture was akin to wet sand. And the taste. Neo was positive that drinking muddy water would taste better. She could see why they told her to slam it. If she was to attempt to nurse it, it would backfire. And most likely paint the bar with her breakfast.
As she placed the empty glass on the counter she could feel the contents of her stomach wanting to be brought into the world again. She was fighting a barely winning battle to keep her food down. "Yeah, that is about the right reaction. But you'll be able to keep it down. I hope." The raven haired woman spoke as Neo finally felt comfortable enough to open her mouth.
"That is revolting!" Neo yelled. She was ready to kill whoever came up with that drink's conception.
"But it worked. Which leads me to the next order of business." Pyrrha started as Mel and Milt walked over. Forming a miniature inescapable circle. "We need to talk about Ruby. And it is something come hell or high water we will get an answer."
Neo noticed the almost malicious tone that Pyrrha took. The aura coming off of the group had long since turned malicious. She Flung her head around and could see no possible way out. She was not looking forward to whatever it was that they were planning to ask her about Ruby.
"Well you all sleep with her. You should know her better than I do. I just live in the same apartment as her." Neo wanted to get out of this situation. She had already decided that if it came to it she would gladly fight her way past them. She had enough confidence she could do dodge any hit they would throw.
"Well that is just it Neo. Has she seemed off at when it is just the two of you because she seems off when she is with us." Mel began loathing the sight of Neo tensing up from the people gathered around her. But she needed to stay strong. They all knew she would be the weakest link. She never liked crowding anyone.
"She has just been moody that is about it. Granted she has been slightly moody but she said at breakfast she has just been feeling guilty for some reason. She wouldn't say guilty about what, and truth be told I don't even think she knows. Now can we stop doing the whole circle thing? It is making me feel uncomfortable." She asked just wanting to be able to see the door clearly at least.
That way she can run if she needs to. Not that she thinks she really would need to. It was just something that she found comforting. Just knowing the fact that she could.
"What's with everyone gathering here? Are you guys planning to harm someone. Because if you are you can't bring Neo. She is too innocent. Never had syrup. Or bacon. She needs to live first." Ruby asked, offering Neo that sought after break she needed. The break so she could see the door. "I'd swear her parents don't love her. Who would deprive their children of all the delicious foods in the world?"
"Well she had a cure all. She doesn't like the taste. They just gathered around for the rite of passage." Pyrrha spoke up for the rest holding up the glass with the small remnants of the drink in it.
"Damn it I missed her first one! Someone could have gotten me!" Ruby was offended. She had after all been the one to make it become a rite of passage. She even gave it the name. Pyrrha had just refereed to it as 'the drink'
"Not cool guys." Ruby muttered as she turned to Neo. "Well, you're still standing. Did better than Jaune." Ruby joked as Neo laughed lightly.
Ruby was exhausted. She had no other way to describe it. She didn't sleep well last night, and then to top it off, she was meant to stay awake because Neo didn't have a key and Mel invited her out for some drinks. Which forced her to actually be sitting in the living room flicking through the early morning television. Just because she didn't want to go out for a few drinks. She always knew where it would lead and would much rather not go through the guilt.
'Why is there always something involving Gordon Ramsay on at this time... granted he does know how to make a good show, but I'd rather not see rotting meats at half three in the morning.' Ruby thought as she rested her head against the small pillow at the arm of the couch.
The temptation of taking just a quick nap was growing by the second. 'hell knowing the twins she won't be back till six. Which gives me enough time to have a quick nap' Ruby continued to think as her eyes slowly grew heavier and heavier.
Soon the sounds of the tv drifted out and was replaced with her steady breathing. Hoping that best case scenario Neo would stay at their house that night. That way maybe she could sleep without the guilt that seemed to hit her on a nightly basis.
"Rubblles come on. You know he'll be mad if we stay here any longer." The blonde girl stated as she caught the little girl on the descent of the swing. All joyous laughing ceased almost instantly.
"Hey Yang," Ruby started as she hopped off the swing, "What was daddy like before mommy died?"
That had been the main question on Ruby's mind as of late. If the drunkard known as their father, the one she had known for all the nine years of her life, if he was the same before she was born. Yang knew what had caused this, or at least she could have a fair guess.
"Rubblles, don't believe a word of what he says." Yang started as she grabbed hold of Ruby's face and directed her head so they could see eye to eye.
"You are not the reason mom died. He was the person that hit her and the one that had caused the problems. Now repeat after me, 'I Ruby will never believe dad.'" Yang could see the tears beginning to well up inside Ruby's eyes. "I... R-R-Ruby... w-will n-n-n-never... b-b-be-believe d-d-daddy." Ruby spoke, the tears beginning to spill.
Ruby was wrapped up in a tight hug as her older sister began to rub her back soothingly. "He just says it so much. And you say I wasn't an accident... I don't know who to believe anymore."
Ruby's muffled words pained Yang. She had never understood his reasoning behind him saying that to her. "Ruby, trust me. You weren't an accident. You're my baby sister. Now I don't ever want to hear you say otherwise." Yang demanded from the little girl in her arms.
"O-o-okay." Ruby eventually responded as her tears died down. "Do you think he'll hit us tonight?"
"I... I can't say." How she wanted to give the ball of energy the answer she sought. That they both sought. But she would also never lie to her.
"Hopefully he won't." Yang spoke as they started to cross the final street. The accursed house sitting within eyesight. Each step Yang took, the more she wanted to run in the other direction. But Ruby needed to have a house to live in. She had to stay strong for the nine year old standing next to her.
"But tell you what, do you remember our fort in the woods?" Yang asked, stopping, prolonging the inevitable yelling match that would ensue because they were late getting home.
Ruby just nodded. How could she forget, she always felt safe there. Even if their dad was sober he couldn't find it. "Well if at any point you feel like he is going to kill one of us, run. Run to the nearest phone booth, call uncle Qrow and go hide in the fort. You'll be safe there and I'll come and get you." Yang made sure Ruby understood.
"I promise that I'll never lead him there. So do you understand what you are meant to do?" Yang asked, she already figured that Ruby did, but she needed to make sure. That way Ruby could be safe.
"Run away from daddy, call Uncle Qrow, and stay in the fort until you come and get me." Ruby spoke grabbing Yang's hand. She just wanted to have her big sister protect her. She knew what was about to come once they walked in the door. She wanted to prolong that one inevitability.
"Okay Ruby. Once we get in, I want you to run up stairs and go to bed. I'll be up shortly. Okay?"
"Okay. Just don't take too long. I don't think Miss Goodwitch is going to believe us much longer." Ruby spoke, trying to rub some of the sleep out of her eyes as Yang put her key in the door. Just as she was about to turn it, the door was flung open. The smell of alcohol off the tall man in front of her hit her like a wall.
"Damn Bitches! Get in here!" He yelled as he grabbed both of their heads in one fist full of hair and dragged them inside. The sister duo let out a course of painful shrieks, reminding them how alone they truly were know.
Ruby tried to do what Yang had told her to. She tried to ignore the pain of having some hair ripped out but instead was met with the door she always feared.
With his free hand he flung open the door and threw Ruby into the small cramp cupboard. As her shoulder connected with wall she already heard the familiar sound of a deadbolt sealing her off. She was alone in the darkness partnered only with the sounds of Yang screaming and him hitting her.
She couldn't do either of Yang's plans. So instead she did what she had always resorted to. Covering her ears to try and block out any sound she could. She closed her eyes, that way she could at least pretend someone else was with her. And she cried.
"Fuck!" Ruby yelled sitting up right. She reached up and could feel the old trails of tears that had been streaming down. 'Calm down. It was a dream. You're in your apartment. The past can't harm you now.' Ruby thought as she looked around. She could see the sun already starting to rise.
She could smell coffee brewing, and heard the sound of some small feet running towards the living room.
"What's the matter Ruby?" Neo asked as she pulled on the large hoodie Ruby gave her on her first day off because she was complaining about the cold.
"Nothing. It was just a nightmare," Ruby started as she began to piece together why she was even still out in the living room. "How did you get in last night?"
"I used Emerald's copy of your key." Neo could see Ruby's demeanour shift.
"The fuck? I never gave Em a copy of my key. The only people meant to have a copy of my key are me, myself and I" Ruby asked, already debating if she should call someone to change her locks.
"Well they all had a copy. They didn't tell me who they got it off of though." Neo spoke taking a seat next to the redhead.
"Remind me I have some people to question later. But I need some coffee because I won't be going back to sleep any time soon." Ruby stated as she stood up and made her way over to her kitchen.
"You want to talk about your nightmare? I find that talking about them helps remove them entirely." Neo prodded, what the others pointed out to her, did reveal a fair bit for her's and Ruby's feelings
"It was just a nightmare about the being in the darkness with a monster nearby. It's okay. Just trust me Yan- I mean Neo."
"Okay."
Author's Note:
Sorry this was meant to go up last night, but I got side tracked by watching MasakoX read bad rwby fanfics on a live stream. Which is now up on youtube, I suggest giving it a watch. You will laugh. By the way I've also legitimately have had that thought about Gordon Ramsay at half three in the morning.