Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Running full speed up two flights of stairs (with a tray holder of coffee) proved rather difficult when a yellow ball of fury was giving chase, but that wouldn't deter the red-haired girl. She hadn't backed down before and wasn't about to start now.
"Ruby I-promise-to-tell-you-everthing-last-week-little-liar Rose, get your weaselly butt back here!" The dragon bellowed, causing unsavory chills to run up the chided's spine. Crapcrapcrap!
"Y-you're lucky Glynda isn't in today!" She countered quite lamely as she all but vaulted up the last three steps to her sanctuary. Well, it would have been had her dear sister not been right on her heels. "Velvet, save meee!" Ruby had just managed to put their morning dosages down when Yang wrapped her built arms around the thin waist. Even with the prosthetic, Yang was still exceptionally strong and Ruby had no choice but to stop struggling lest she run out of energy and air faster than she'd made it up the stairs.
"Good morning you two." A chipper accented voice greeted the now out of breath pair as she stood up from one of the computers for the greeting. Though, one look at them had her backpedaling sheepishly. "I see your 'ultimate plan of ninja stealth' didn't really work out, huh Ruby?"
Velvet Scarlatina worked alongside Ruby, but when the redhead messed up from time to time, it was Velvet that had to take heat from the Captain and the Doctor they both assisted. Oobleck seemed downright crazy from to time to time, yet neither of the girls would have chosen someone else to take them under their wings. Anyway, Velvet was Ruby's senior by two years and had been in the labs since she graduated from college. At first, it irked people that such a greenhorn was working in the same place, but when she proved herself on and off the field, they warmed up.
It was the same for one Ruby Rose.
"You could say that." Said woman groaned into her sister's more detailed...metal-ish arm. Previous and painful bites before had taught Yang to put her non flesh-y arm at Ruby's mouth while she held her in place. The shorter one could definitely be pretty feisty when she wanted and Yang wasn't sure she wanted to make much more of a scene than they already had.
"Did you really think you would get by me when you always go to the same coffee place?" Yang let up a bit, knowing Ruby wouldn't run again. If she did decide to, Yang was an excellent tracker. "You're aware that Jaune's part time job is there?" And she just so happened to have a good amount of people to get information from should her dear sister want to disappear off the radar. Again.
"Uh, it may have sort of slipped my mind." Ruby chuckled, trying not to give in to the nervous habit of rubbing at her neck. In truth, she did forget about her blonde friend and the connections that came with knowing him and now that it all came back to her, she figured he'd said something to Pyrrha. (Darn that awkward puppy-love they both experienced when they were within talking distance!) So the line went that Pyrrha mentioned it to Nora over the phone and Nora got back to Yang while they were at the gym, thus leading Yang to basically stake-out the coffee shop until a certain red scarf showed up. (Darn Yang and all her connections!)
I'll just have to have a word with him about that...all of them. For sure.
...Or she could just give her sister what she wanted?
The ludicrous thought dropped an iceberg deep into her stomach and chills of slight fear spread all over her body from it. "H-hey. Velvet, didn't you say you wanted to check this one place out before lunch?" No. Not yet. Ruby decided she didn't want to delve into her past all of a sudden and opted to drag her poor, unsuspecting partner into it just to get out. Or keep her head above water. At least for a little while longer.
The brown-eyed woman snapped her head up from taking a sip of coffee. "Hm?" Those eyes darted between the sisters for a moment before widening at the realization of what Ruby was doing dawned on her. "Uh- I- I mean- that is-"
"Sorry sis! But this thing is really, really important." Ruby squirmed out of Yang's grip, not noticing the look on the former stuntwoman's face. "Like dire." She continued while grabbing her own cup and then frantically helping Velvet get her things together.
"Ruby-" Yang's small voice caused said woman to pause as her heart clenched almost painfully from it's tone.
"I promise I will tell you some day." She kept her gaze away from her older sister, choosing to watch her fingers toy with the tattered end of her cherished scarf. "I'm just not ready yet."
A stifling silence filled the air between them and Velvet briefly wondered if the older sister would do something to make her talk. Granted, Velvet had no idea as to what they were talking about, but the tension was thick enough to cut. Whatever it was wasn't going to be easy to put out there.
But what did she know? She only really had one true friend. And Ruby as a partner, of course.
"And I'll be there." Yang finally straightened with determination, breaking the formidable air that was the right amount of uncomfortable for Velvet. There was no hesitation was in her once more confident voice, only conviction. "This time I'll be there for you, little sis. Count on it." That declaration was all it took for Ruby to drop the wall that was starting to build back up between them again and then turn back to pull the older woman in for a hug. The familiar scent, warmth, and straight up comfort of a loving sibling's embrace burned into Ruby's very being making her want to break right then and tell her loving sister whatever she wanted.
But, that couldn't happen. Not yet.
So, with that, Ruby pulled away again and Yang ruffled her short locks with that brilliant smile that rivaled the sun's beauty. "Don't look so serious, Rubes. You'll look older than me soon." Some loose ties still needed to be tied.
She still had someone to catch.
"I thought you understood I didn't want to talk!" Silver eyes narrowed suspiciously at the tag along that got out right after them.
"So talk about something else!" Yang grinned back, bounding forward to drape her arm around Ruby's shoulders. "C'mon, you can't blame me for wanting to hangout with my little sister some more." It took everything in her to not pull Ruby into a full-on noogie right then and there. She was just so darn precious trying to be serious! About her job nonetheless. Despite the sometimes crippling hours and loss of sleep from time to time, Yang knew Ruby truly loved her job. That was rare nowadays and Yang was happy for her.
"Velvet, help." Said woman feebly groaned, reaching out to the one that was just a mere step in front of them.
"I think it's really sweet." Velvet turned back to show off her sympathetic smile.
"You're no help at all." Deciding her complaints weren't getting her anything but smug smirks from Yang, Ruby simply chuckled and tried to brush off the ugly feeling still clinging to her insides. They had something else to do besides work. Or talk for that matter.
"Hey, where are we exactly?" Yang suddenly thought to look around and realized they were walking up the drive to an oversized house. "This doesn't look like a crime scene."
"Could be." Ruby shrugged.
"It really depends on the day and what kind of mood my friend is in." Velvet once again turned to answer, but that time stopped walking at the sound of doors slamming open. All eyes were directed at the source for scant seconds. Almost instantaneously, another brunette came rushing out of the house. They watched curiously as she continued hopping on one foot while pulling the other heel on. Ruby wasn't sure how that was even possible and just thinking of what her own results would be if she attempted such a feat made her cringe. Here we go again.
"Hey, Bun. Let's go!" As soon as the heels were on, the slightly taller woman rushed forward to take Velvet's hand, whipping her right back around. "Hurry, we're late." They brushed past Ruby and Yang with such speed, Ruby had to blow her bangs away from her face.
"Those are my heels!" Another blonde girl came rushing out after them, waving what appeared to be a paddle or sorts. Uh-oh! Knowing how this scene usually ended if they didn't get away in time, Ruby turned to quickly follow the other two's lead and turned tail, but Yang was distracted. "Dammit, Coco!" The girl stopped short when she saw Yang gaping up at the house. "Who the he-"
"Ruby, you know someone that lives here?!" With a naughty smirk, Yang turned back around to give her retreating sister an approving thumbs up.
"Shut up and let's go!" Ruby shouted back, already stepping into the back of the car that was starting to pull forward. A finger gun and wink was shot at the girl before Yang immediately sprinted back to lunge into the car, crushing the redhead in the process.
"A Sorority. Well done, sis." Yang snickered once she settled properly, not even the slightest bit winded.
"You should have drove faster." Ruby muttered to Velvet while rubbing her sore forehead.
"I couldn't leave your sister behind." Was her infuriatingly sweet reply that made silver eyes roll.
"Again, you're no help." Came Ruby's heavy sigh before the other girl turned around to greet them.
"Hi, Ruby." She lifted her shades with a lopsided grin, revealing brilliantly colored irises. Velvet had told Ruby once that she had always been a little envious of those stunning orbs. Of course, she added that having brown eyes were never really fun or unique, but the shorter girl couldn't agree there because Velvet was all kinds of interesting. She just couldn't see it. "Are you keeping my sweet Bun-Bun out of trouble?" And there was that little factor in their relationship that gave hints at something that very clearly should have been there.
To say it was a little infuriating sometimes was fairly accurate. "Yes. Though she doesn't seem to want to repay me." Ruby stuck her tongue out at the wannabe stern look Velvet gave her in the rear-view mirror. They made such a good couple, but the darn driver always overthought things and scared herself out of any other relationship more times than Ruby could count. Instead of thinking about a really nice guy named Yatsuhashi, Ruby found herself back in the present. "Anyway. Hi, Coco. This is my older sister, Yang, Yang, Coco."
"So you're in Delta Zeta, huh?" Yang sat up, not missing a beat. "Now that place takes me back."
"Don't be pervy." Ruby huffed, but Coco wasn't the slightest bit fazed.
"Yeah. My parents already paid for everything so I'm stuck there." She shrugged like it wasn't a big deal. Seriously, Ruby was still paying off student loans and Yang was still avoiding payments until recently just because she could. Either way, she was Velvet's friend for better or worse and they couldn't outright say anything to her. Or maybe they could.
"So, how do you two know each other?" Yang sat back again while Coco's sunglasses fell back over her dark blue eyes.
"We're going steady, right, babe?" She replied nonchalantly, but as calm as she said it, Velvet suddenly careened into the wrong lane for two terrifying seconds. All was right again before Ruby could even think to let out a yelp.
"Coco!" She squeaked uncharacteristically. "That's not-"
"I'm joking, Bun." Coco reached over to pat her head, making a soft smile turn up Ruby's lips. They were so cute together. "We met in middle school." Coco began. "Some dirtballs were picking on her and I intervened. I haven't been able to keep her off me since."
"Everything but that last part is true." Velvet poked her cheek. I beg to differ. Ruby thought in amusement.
"And before you ask the obvious, there was an accident when I was about fourteen that landed me in the hospital for another two years. That's why I'm still a year and a half behind my dear friend." Coco continued while leaning down to grab one of her signature berets from a bag Ruby hadn't even seen her bring and then place it on her head. Now her affinity for stylish clothing was something Ruby could be envious about (save for stealing someone else's heels.)
"So you're about my age, huh?" Yang nodded sympathetically.
"I'm certainly older than that one there. Still don't know what happened in that department." Coco directed her gaze at the youngest one in the car.
"Eh, Ruby's always been a sort of genius." Yang's arm once again wound it's way around her shoulders.
"Are we almost there?" The redhead chose to ask instead of go along with their banter. Or whine, because it would only lead to more embarrassment on her behalf.
"I take it you two aren't really working today then?"
Ruby glanced to her right once Yang caught up to her. "I haven't gotten anything from Qrow yet, so we're okay for now." They continued along the street Velvet and Coco had retreated down. Honestly, Ruby had originally thought that Velvet wanted to come to this audition on her own, but when the brown-eyed girl said Coco was the one interested, she knew her friend was only looking for excuses again. She'd even put her most recent case aside so she could be there for moral support!
Now, Velvet Scarlatina was the nicest, sweetest, person with the most patience Ruby had ever known, but she was also almost completely selfless. The woman clearly had a thing for music. Every so often, the redhead would catch her drumming her fingers to the beat of a song that wasn't even there, or on some of the later nights when she thought no one else was around. Those nights were the most entertaining because Ruby would catch the usually shy woman messing around with her pens and a pseudo drum set that would be assembled on her desk.
But this audition was apparently for her one and only best friend.
"They seem nice." Yang broke Ruby's train of thought just as a poor looking clunker of a car pulled into the drive they were about to walk up.
"They who?" Ruby asked, flinching like an idiot when the vehicle, or lack thereof, backfired and left an ominous black cloud wafting in it's wake. Before Yang could clarify who she was talking about, the door slammed open and the driver scrambled out of it.
"Neon, this is the very last time we ever trust your idiotic friends to lend us a 'working car' for pickups!" The woman's ice-cold voice could only be heard because the black smoke blocked the majority of her face as she stood akimbo. Even from this distance Ruby saw her as formidable and almost downright scary.
"Don't you dare talk trash about Flynt!" Another feminine voice spat from the passenger side, followed by coughing. "He could have given us that one without a hood so be thankful we have one." More coughing.
"Whatever." She huffed. "I won't be driving it anymore so he can come and pick it up himself." The woman dusted her pants off and as the smoke cleared, Ruby's jaw fell to the floor. "I expect this monstrosity to be gone by the time this audition is over."
"You got it." The girl with orange hair mock-saluted. "Ice Queen." She finished in a none-too-subtle mutter.
"What was that?" The girl dressed in white capris and a black tank top stopped short and turned, making the other clear her throat awkwardly.
"I-I said yes ma'am!" She hid behind a ridiculously wide grin. When the driver continued in to the open garage, the passenger sighed heavily and brought her phone out to make a call.
"Is it just me, or is that-" Yang spoke up, breaking Ruby's trance from the garage entrance. They turned to each other with wide eyes.
"The White Fang." Ruby croaked.
A/N: Well there's a chapter without a song.
Sorry if it seems to be everywhere on the floor...I'm not used to this sort of style. (I like first person) but even then, I tend to really only focus on one character and am left with others wanting to see different POV's.
So be patient with me! *gulps*
But thank you for reading and for any sort of feedback. (I mean, I can write whenever, but reading reviews first is pretty good fuel to get motivated.) So..yeah.
~Jane