"Why did we think this was a good idea?" Asked Ruby as she watched the chaos around her unfold. She had thought that getting everyone into Vacuo would keep them safe, but she didn't realize just how many grimm there were in the desert. She had never fought more grimm in a day, and she was exhausted.
"Well refugee camps are better than being crushed by a falling city." Said Yang, laying down, still catching her breath. "At least everyone is alive."
"Well, almost everyone." Blake remembered how many people Cinder had blown off those stupid bridges. "And we lost the staff. Are we really better off than we were a day ago?"
"Of course we are. Yesterday everyone who lived in mantle was almost a goner, and possibly in Atlas too. At least they're safer now."
"Weiss is right. It might not have gone as smoothly as we wanted it to, but we're here now. We can't dwell on the past, we have a duty to these people."
"Sal-u-tations" a voice called out from above.
"Hi Penny" replied Ruby. "Have they decided the nightwatch rotations yet?"
"Indeed they have. Yang, Blake, and Weiss are on the first watch, and you and I are on the second."
"Can I at least take a nap?" Groaned Yang.
"I checked the immediate area and there are no grimm nearby. You should have at least an hour before there are any potential threats." Penny said matter of factly.
"At least wait till we get to the watchposts." Said Weiss. "We don't want people to think we're slacking. That'll just attract more grimm."
Blake helped Yang up and the trio walked towards the from of the camp, leaving Penny and Ruby alone.
"Come with me Ruby, I'll show you where they've set up huntsmen sleeping tents."
"Lead the way Penny" Ruby replied with a yawn.
The two walked through the camp. Ruby couldn't help but notice the more resentful gazes she and Penny got. While there was plenty of praise and thanks, she couldn't get the negativity out of her head.
"What's wrong Ruby?" Penny asked, noticing her friends downtrodden expression.
"Oh nothing Penny. Just wish more people were happy I guess."
"People are rarely happy after large disasters Ruby. They'll cheer up in time."
"I didn't think our plan was that bad."
"Oh? I meant the giant whale attacking the city, not your plan. Your plan saved countless lives, including my own. I'd never say a plan like that was a disaster."
Ruby looked up at her. "Thanks Penny, I needed that."
The two arrived at a small tent with 4 sleeping bags. "Tada! Here are the sleeping quarters for team RWBY."
"Not as nice as our beds in Atlas huh."
"I've never slept in a bed before, or at all really, so I don't know." Penny mused, her eyes starting to grow heavy. She let out a heavy yawn. "Ruby, why do my joints feel so heavy? I didn't think I needed oil anymore."
"You're probably tired too. You fought harder than any of us."
"I've never been tired before."
"Well I guess robots don't get tired."
"How do I stop being tired?"
"Sleep Penny." Ruby laughed. "What did you do overnight as a robot?"
"I would recharge my batteries overnight, I guess that was sort of like sleeping. But all I had to do was get into my charging pod. I don't actually know how to sleep."
"You knew my semblance but you don't know how to sleep?"
"I'm combat ready Ruby." Penny said enthusiastically. "Sleep is not part of combat."
"You don't say. Well sleeping is pretty easy. You just lay down and close your eyes, and try not to think about too much."
"But I have so much to think about. Like why can't I keep my eyes open?" Penny yawned again. "And why did I make that noise again?"
Ruby laughed. "That's what being tired is Penny." Ruby yawned. "that's your body telling you to sleep."
"But, I still don't know how. I know, maybe if I watch you then that will teach me."
Ruby yawned again and laid down on her sleeping bag. She was too tired to even undress, she just wanted to sleep. "It's really not that hard Penny, just lay down…" Ruby closed her eyes. "And relax."
"What is relaxing?"
"I don't know how to describe it. Relaxing is... it's just being calm. With no worries. It's a happy warm feeling."
"Like a hug"
"Yeah, kinda like a hug."
"Then I will hug you to fall asleep."
"No Penny you really don't-"
Ruby was cut off as Penny laid down on top of her, resting her head on Ruby's chest.
"This feels nice."
"Yeah... it really does." said Ruby, wrapping her arms around her friend. "Sleep well Penny."