Ruby fingered her pistol, wrapping her hand around the grip and loving the way it felt. She smiled for a moment. She loved her weapons. Then she made sure it was unloaded, made doubly sure the safety was on, and then put it inside her work bag with tender care and zipped the bag up. She checked her locker to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything.

"Of course I'd forget my reports," she muttered as she pulled them from the locker and stuffed them into her bag.

She sighed and sat down on a wooden bench next to her locker, then started flipping through the incident reports she needed to finish.

It had been a long shift – long because absolutely nothing interesting had happened. The night had been an endless string of family fight calls, noise complaints, traffic incidents, and even a drunk man yelling about how the police owed him money – because an unknown officer had evidently tased him three weeks ago and then left him on the side of the road. It went without saying that he had absolutely no proof or evidence.

She had already changed out of her uniform and vest and back into her work clothes: a simple pair of black slacks and a red t-shirt. She was lacing up her sneakers when Penny walked around the corner.

"Salutations Ruby!"

"Hi Penny," Ruby mumbled. "You know we were just on patrol together right? You don't have to greet me like that again."

Penny sat down on the bench across from her. "I know. But this is our last day together. I'm done with on-the-job-training now, so I'll be going on patrol on my own from now on."

"Congrats. You're ready for it, don't worry. You'll do just fine."

"Oh I know. I will just miss going on patrols with my friend."

Ruby grinned and looked down at the floor. "I'll miss it too. It's a lot easier to stay awake when you're talking my ear off. But we always need more officers on the beat, and it'll be good to have you out there too. Anyway, we can always go code 7 and meet at Starbucks or something."

"Ooh, that is true! I did not think about that," Penny replied with a bright smile. "So did you ask your friend to the dance?"

Ruby felt her cheeks heat up at the mention of Weiss. "Yeah. She uh, she agreed. It's in two days right?"

"If they have not changed the date then yes, two days friend."

Ruby smirked. "I think you'll like her. I can't wait for you two to meet."

She didn't mention that the real purpose behind introducing Weiss to Penny was to hopefully dispel some of the white-haired woman's jealousy. It was easy to villainize someone you hadn't actually met, but not so easy once you knew they were a good person. She found the jealousy cute, but she knew it was bothering Weiss. When Weiss' happiness had become her number one concern she didn't know, but she didn't quite care either. It felt nice to look out for someone else instead of just herself for a change.

"Of course! If you like her then she must be an amazing person."

Ruby smirked. "She's certainly something."

"Ooh I'm so excited!" Penny exclaimed and clapped her hands together. "There'll be social interaction, and conversations, and punch, oh and dancing! Friend Ruby, would you honor me with a dance while we're there?"

Ruby hesitated. "I mean... I guess two girls can dance together just fine. But Weiss..."

"I only meant as friends," Penny hurried to explain. "If it's a problem then I shall not push you. I just thought it might be fun."

"Fun huh?" Ruby muttered. "Well the only thing I can give you right now is a maybe. It probably depends on what kind of mood Weiss is in when you ask."

Penny simply nodded and smiled.

Ruby stood up and shouldered her work bag. "I'm gonna head out then. Good luck out there Penny. You're ready for the streets. I mean it."

"Thank you friend. You have trained me well, and I have had much fun in our adventures together."

Ruby stopped in the doorway to the hall that would lead her to the parking lot. "I don't know if I'd call them adventures, but you're right." She turned and shot Penny a grin. "They were definitely fun."

Two days later, Ruby sat in front of the mirror in her bathroom and ran a brush through her hair one last time. It was no use. The ends remained just as frazzled as before.

"Shit!" she exclaimed. "Why can't I get this..."

She stared at her hair. Her eyes roamed around the countertop. A hair clip? Maybe another shower to wet it down again? Should she try straightening it? But all of those would look strange with her dress uniform.

"This is stupid," she growled. "We're like the last freakin' department in the state that actually does a charity ball. No one even does these anymore! Why am I..." the brush got stuck in her hair, and she pulled it and grit her teeth. "Getting so worked up..."

She threw the brush down on the floor. "Screw it! Fine, you're going in a bun!"

"Would you like help?" Weiss spoke up from behind her.

Ruby jumped and banged her knee against the counter. "W-Weiss!"

The white-haired woman laughed. It was warm and soft and musical, and Ruby felt her heart throb a little. She looked down at her knee and poked it, hoping it wasn't bruised.

"You are such a clumsy woman."

"I'm not clumsy, you just surprised me!" She looked up from her definitely-bruised knee.

"Oh wow. Weiss you look..."

The shorter woman did a quick spin in her dress. It was a sleeveless navy blue number that flared out at the knees, with a shallow v-cut neckline and a white sash around the waist. She wore white stockings that went perfect with her hair, and navy blue heels to match her eyes and the dress.

"Well? I look what?"

Ruby closed her mouth. "Wow. I-I mean beautiful! You look beautiful. Or gorgeous. W-Which one do you like better?

Weiss smiled, and Ruby thought she could see the dusting of a slight blush on her cheeks. It could have just been the makeup though. "Both of those words work fine. The dress fits me yes?"

Ruby stood up to get a better look. "It fits you like a gun fits a holster." She smacked herself in the forehead. "No wait... crap that was lame. Sorry."

Weiss only laughed again, which caused Ruby's heart to leap further into her throat.

"You are funny today Ruby. Do not worry, I find it endearing."

Ruby blushed and sat back down. "T-Thanks."

"Now you needed help with your hair no?"

"Oh that. Yeah I just can't really get my hair right. The ends are all frazzled and stuff. I'm just gonna put it up in a bun since I'll be in my dress uniform anyway."

"Your uniform is ready?"

Ruby pointed to the bed. "Yeap, it's all right there. That thing is freaking uncomfortable too. It's like they make them to constrict your body on purpose and feel all tight so that way you can't relax or anything."

"That is probably the point," Weiss replied.

The snowy-haired woman moved behind her and gathered up the edges of her hair, then pulled them together and started braiding them into a bun. Ruby almost expected the tugs on her hair to be painful, but Weiss was soft and gentle with her work. It was like she was afraid of hurting her. It had been so long since someone had touched her like that, and Ruby sighed and shut her eyes. She tried to exist in the moment and forget her nervousness.

"Like that?" Weiss asked.

Ruby opened her eyes in surprise. Weiss was already done; she had apparently lost track of time when she lost herself in the woman's gentle touches. The bun was perfect, better than she had ever been able to do.

"Wow, that looks amazing. You've done this before haven't you?" Ruby answered.

Weiss looked down at the floor. "Yes," she muttered. "Many times. To my sister."

Ruby's eyes widened. "You have a sister? You've never said anything about a sister!"

But Weiss was already halfway out of the room. "We talk too much already. Finish getting ready for the ball. I still must take care of few things. I will meet you in living room."

"O-Okay," Ruby replied. "Sure thing."

She gazed into the mirror but didn't quite see herself. She was busy thinking, wondering, fantasizing about Weiss. Had she been a noblewoman or a princess? She was pretty sure Russia still had royalty. Or maybe she'd been the daughter of a wealthy businessman. She certainly seemed to know her way around the finer things in life, almost like she was accustomed to them.

Ruby frowned. That was one thing she could never give Weiss, even if she gave her her heart. She could never give her a big home or fancy clothes, expensive jewelry or extravagant food. She could only offer herself. Would that be enough? Or did Weiss need more in a person than just that?

Ruby sighed and adjusted the bun last time. Either way, it was almost time to leave for the ball. Maybe if she was lucky she would get a dance with Weiss. That would be enough. She hoped.

"So with no further adieu ladies and gentlemen, I hope you enjoy tonight's seventeenth annual charity ball. Thank you."

The police chief stepped off of the podium, and applause filled the resort's conference room. When it finally faded, conversation quickly filled the gap. Officers in their dress uniforms – finally free of the tedious ceremonies preceding the ball – stood up and moved to find their friends. Dates and civilians mixed and mingled, and the clink of glasses and bottles of undoubtedly alcoholic beverages punctuated the dull roar of conversation.

Ruby let out an deep sigh, glad to finally be done with the proceedings of the ceremony that came before the dancing and drinking.

"Holy crap am I glad that's over," Officer Brooks spoke from across the table. It seated eight, including herself, Weiss, Penny, two officers she did know, their dates, and one officer she didn't. Weiss sat to her left and Penny to her right. Introductions had already been made, but where Penny seemed amicable and friendly so far, Weiss was stand-offish and aloof. She hoped it wouldn't be a problem.

"No kidding," the unknown officer replied. "At least this resort we're renting out is better than that crap place we used last year."

"Yeah no shit," Brooks laughed. "That was some high school's gym. I actually found a condom under the bleachers."

Everyone at the table started conversing amongst themselves, and Ruby took the opportunity to look around. It was indeed a nice venue – a resort in the southern, wooded area of their district. The roof was high and the walls were all sculpted oak, giving the place the place a vague log-cabin feel. It was airy and yet somehow cozy at the same time. Potted plants in the corners and dark green ornamentation on the walls only amplified the woodsy feeling the place held. Of course if one looked out the broad windows next to them one would see actual woods, so perhaps that had something to do with it as well.

"-the food is coming soon?"

Ruby blinked as she caught the back end of Weiss' question. "Sorry, what did you say?"

Weiss scoffed, but there was a smile in the twinkle of her eye. "Idiot. I asked when the food was coming."

Penny suddenly leaned in towards the two of them, her uniform immaculate and her hair in a perfect bun. "Excuse me, but do not call my best friend Ruby an idiot. That is rude and uncalled for."

Weiss narrowed her eyes. "And who are you again? Some girl Ruby goes on patrol with?"

"Ruby has been my partner for the last three months, and we have become the bestest of friends."

Ruby held up her hands. "Well I don't know about tha-"

"And who in hell do you think you are?" Weiss hissed. "Ruby is my friend first! You do not tell me what I can and cannot call her."

Ruby held up her hands between the two of them. "Holy crap calm down-"

"Oh I assure you I am very calm friend," Penny replied, but Ruby could see the sparks of anger in her eyes. It was the first time she had ever seen Penny genuinely upset. "The only one not calm here is you, and do not dare take it out on Ruby by calling her a name!"

Ruby winced. By now the entire table, and some of the surrounding ones, were either glancing at them or blatantly staring.

"What I call her is none of your business!" Weiss nearly shouted. "If she does not like it she will tell me so, and she hasn't said anything before! It's not like she hasn't had chance to either, considering I live with her!"

Ruby put her head in her hands. She had brought Weiss here under the facade that the snowy-haired woman was her distant cousin from Russia, not someone shared an apartment with her. "Guys, please just sto-"

"Oh I know all about your living arrangements," Penny hissed. She leaned forward. "Trust me. Everything."

Ruby pushed Penny back. "Okay Penny, too far. I didn't tell you about Weiss so you could do this!" she hissed.

The other woman immediately shrunk down. "I-I am sorry, I did not mean to say that."

Ruby waved her hands in front of her. "Sorry everyone, might as well get back to your drinks. Just a stupid argument."

The other officers smiled awkwardly and attempted to restart their conversations.

Ruby turned to her left. "Weiss?"

The heiress was busy glaring at Penny, although even glaring seemed like an understatement. If looks could kill, this one was a 50,000 gigawatt death ray that would have disintegrated Penny down to the last atom.

Ruby put her hand on Weiss' shoulder. "Weiss, please just-"

The heiress pushed her chair back and stood up. "I will be back later," she muttered.

Ruby tried to catch her arm but missed. "Weiss, wait!"

She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to find Penny staring at her with a mix of regret and sorrow. "It would be best to let her go friend Ruby. She might need space."

"Yeah? And what the hell do you know about her?" Ruby dropped her voice to a whisper. "You seriously crossed a line there, threatening her with what you know about our situation. I told you that in complete confidence because I needed someone to talk to about it, not so you could use it as a weapon against her!"

Penny frowned. "I know. I am sorry. I did not think about what I said before I said it."

Ruby ran her hand over her face and let out a long sigh. "Fine. Alright, I forgive you. You should... I don't know, apologize to her."

"Social interaction is not my strong point friend. People still confuse me sometimes and she irritated me when she called you an idiot."

"Yeah, that's just her. She doesn't really mean it as an insult. I think it's actually her way of showing affection."

"Is that a thing most humans do?"

Ruby smirked. "You say that like you're not one."

"Sometimes I wonder that myself," Penny replied with a smile.

"Yeah. Well I'm gonna go to the bar and grab a beer. Might as well have some fun while I'm here right? I'll talk to Weiss for you when she cools off. Let her know you're sorry."

"I will stay here and work on my social interaction. Do not ingest too many alcoholic beverages friend Ruby, the night is still young."

Ruby stood up. "Yeah whatever. I can handle my beer, don't worry."

Several beers later, Ruby was re-thinking her earlier declaration. She stared down at the grain of the red wood the bar was made of, fascinated by the way it twisted and swirled in on itself. In the back of her mind though, she was wondering where Weiss was. She had taken to looking around the room every few minutes or so, but she never saw that distinctive shock of white hair.

She finished the last of her fourth beer and put it down. "Whatever," she mumbled. "Weiss is a grown woman, when she wants to show up she'll show up."

"What was that miss?" the bartender asked.

"Nothing," she slurred. She stood, shakily, but her head cleared as soon as she was on her feet. She wasn't that drunk. Or at least that's what she told herself.

She glanced out the window. "Some fresh air should help," she muttered, and made her way to the glass doors. "Might as well check out the dance too."

The dance floor itself wasn't in the same room as all the dinner tables were; the two buildings were separated by a concrete sidewalk that ran between the two. The path let out to open fields on either side, which in turn were bordered by the surrounding woods. Ruby pushed open the door and stepped outside, and immediately felt much more clear-headed.

The night air was cool and refreshing, the stars and moon shone overhead, and the smell of pine and maple drifted with the gentle breeze. In that moment it seemed to her as if she was almost in another world. She lifted her head to the sky and took a deep breath.

"Ruby?"

And nearly doubled over into a coughing fit when she heard her name called. She spun around to find Penny staring at her in concern.

"O-Oh," she coughed again, "it's only you Penny. Holy hell you startled me."

The orange-haired woman cocked her head to the side. "Why did I startle you? You have met me before and we are not strangers."

"Nah, it's not that," Ruby replied while shaking her head. "Whatever, did you want something?"

"Yes. Would you dance with me?"

Ruby blinked once, then twice. "A dance? You were serious?"

"Is that not a thing friends do together? I have observed many fellow female officers dancing together in the ballroom, and I know that some of them are indeed married and most have male relationship partners. No males have danced together so far, but for two females to share a dance is culturally acceptable is it not?"

Ruby smirked and looked to the side. "I mean I guess." She looked back at Penny. "Look, Penny, you know I'm not interested in you right? Like I don't have any romantic feelings for you."

Penny smiled. "Of course not. I was simply asking if you would like to partake in an interesting social activity with me. I thought it could be fun. But I will leave you to your musings."

Penny turned, but Ruby spoke up before she could walk away. "You didn't give me a chance to answer Penny. I think you're right, a dance should be fun."

"Oh hurray!" Penny shouted. She reached out and grabbed Ruby's arm with both hands. "Come, let us make haste to the dance floor then!"

Ruby grinned and let Penny drag her along the sidewalk and into the large open room that served as a ballroom. Up-tempo classical music filled the air along with the murmurs of the crowd. The walls were dark blue and studded with dim white lights, and the paneled wooden dance floor was lit up while the rest of the room was shadowed.

"Holy crap, Penny slow down!" Ruby exclaimed as Penny pulled her through the crowd.

The alcohol was really starting to seep into her system, and she stumbled a few times and had to murmur apologies to the people she bumped into. Before she knew it they were in the middle of the dance floor, surrounded by dancing couples and friends.

Penny immediately put her left hand on her waist and her right hand on her shoulder. Ruby swallowed and did the same. "Do you know how to dance friend?"

Ruby grinned sheepishly. "Well honestly I was gonna have Weiss teach me while we were here. I don't really know much more than the basics. What about you?"

"I have been studying the people dancing here for almost half an hour now. From what I gather, you simply hold eachother like this and sway from side to side, occasionally breaking the routine with a spin or a shift in position."

"Okay," Ruby replied. "I mean that sounds easy enough right?"

They started swaying gently to the tempo of the music, and Ruby found that – after a few moments passed – that it was very easy indeed. So easy that she didn't have to think about it. Or maybe that was the alcohol.

"Speaking of your acquaintance, where is Weiss?" Penny asked.

"Well, I mean she's a lot more than an acquaintance," Ruby slurred. "I kinda like her a lot. Like a really lot."

"A really lot? Ruby are you already past the proper usage of English?"

"Pff," Ruby scoffed. "Nah. I'm just a little tipsy. There's a few other buildings here Weiss could be in. She's probably talking to people and cooling off or something, I dunno. She'll be back."

"Ah," Penny replied. "Well in the interest of conversation, I gave some more thought to joining SWAT."

"Hey, you rhymed," Ruby giggled. "So what'd you decide?"

"I will join. They're holding selections in a month and a half, and I decided that I will try out then."

"Yeesh, that's hard stuff," Ruby replied. She stepped back and did a small twirl, and Penny smiled when they came back together. "You know you're gonna have to train real hard to pass, and it only gets harder once you're in."

"Oh I am fully aware friend Ruby. Don't worry, I know I will make it. Once I set my mind to something there is nothing I can't accomplish."

Ruby smirked. "For some reason I believe that. You weren't even a beat cop for a month, and you're already gonna try out for SWAT. Overachiever much?"

"There is nothing as too much fulfillment in life. I do what makes me happy and what gives me purpose."

"Sure, "Ruby slurred. "Whatever floats your boat."

"My boat? I don't own any watercraft, and the nearest body of water is almost two hours away."

"You know what I meant," Ruby laughed. "It's just a saying. Like whatever makes you happy."

"I've never been a big fan of water," Penny replied. "It's never been a significant source of happiness to me. I still fail to see your point?"

"Whatever, just roll with it Penny. You're pretty good at that."

"I am? Well thank you for the compliment." Penny was silent for a moment, then something appeared to catch her eye. "Hmm, Ruby? Does your friend Weiss normally look like she wants to rend the nearest person limb from limb?"

Ruby laughed, but then caught herself when she realized Penny wasn't laughing back. Her blood went cold. She turned and followed Penny's gaze. Weiss stood at the edge of the crowd, her face a potent mix of hurt, betrayal, and fury. Ruby's blood froze.

"Shit," she breathed. She immediately disentangled herself from Penny. "Weiss, I was just-"

But the white-haired woman was already moving away through the crowd.

Ruby made to run after her, but tripped on the leg of another officer who had been twirling his date around. She tried to recover but stumbled to the floor, hit her head, and slid several feet. The world went black for a few moments. She heard murmurs, and then she could feel hands trying to pull her to her feet. She got halfway up before she tripped and fell again.

This time a pair of firm arms wrapped themselves around her waist and hauled her to her feet. "Ruby, please settle down!" Penny said. "You will hurt yourself if you continue falling!"

Ruby tried to shake her off. "Freaking let go of me," she hissed. "I gotta catch Weiss!"

"Officer Rose!" a familiar voice called. Ruby turned and found herself face to face with Sergeant Baker, the man in charge of her squad. "You're making a fool out of yourself."

She blinked away the sudden dizziness she felt. "S-Sorry sergeant. I just... I need to go find my friend."

"You're in no state to go anywhere right now. Drunk off your ass in the middle of the ball. Couldn't you have waited until after and gone to a casino or something? Christ." He turned to Penny. "Ironwood, can you get her home? Safely?"

Penny saluted, and a few people in the crowd snorted and giggled. "Of course Sergeant. You can leave it to me."

He stared at Ruby for a few seconds more. "Best believe we're gonna have a talk about this back at the station after briefing Rose. I'm not done with you."

She grinned. Right now the wrath of Sergeant Baker was the last thing on her mind. "Sure thing Sergeant."

He rolled his eyes and walked away. By now no one was watching them anymore; the crowd had turned back to dancing and conversation.

Penny gave her an inquisitive look. "Ruby? Your apartment complex is only six blocks away, correct?"

"Yeah, I mean..." Ruby narrowed her eyes. "Wait a minute, how do you know that?"

"I've given you a ride home before?"

"No no, I mean the six blocks thing. That's pretty specific."

Penny grinned. "I just know. I have always been good with maps. I never get lost."

"Somehow I doubt that," Ruby replied.

They stepped out of the large room and into the cool night air, and Ruby sighed as a gentle breeze swept over her skin. She was glad to be free of the crowd.

"Weiss is probably already home," she muttered. "I don't even know how I'm gonna calm her down. I've never seen her that pissed before."

"I think she'll be okay," Penny replied. "She seems like a strong woman."

"Too strong for her own good sometimes," Ruby mumbled. She turned in the direction of her apartment complex. "I guess you can walk me home as long as you don't get us lost."

Penny smirked. "The probability of that happening is nearly nonexistent friend Ruby. I do not get lost."

"Suuure," Ruby drawled.

"I thought you didn't get lost?" Ruby said as they walked up to her apartment complex. They stopped in the grass right before the path leading to the bottom story of apartments.

Penny looked laughably confused. "I... the monorail station had two left turns instead of one – and the fifth block was bigger than I expected! And it was your fault too! Why didn't you tell me when I made the wrong turn?"

Ruby shook her head and laughed, glad that the effects of the alcohol were finally wearing off. "Because it was funnier to see you mess up."

Penny tilted her head. "You find other people's failures amusing? That is not healthy behavior."

"Whatever Penny. It's almost ten and we have work tomorrow. You should head back too and get some sleep. Actually wait, are you gonna be fine making it home on your own?"

"There's another rail station within one point two miles of my own apartment, so yes I will be fine. Thank you for concern."

Ruby looked up at the starry sky. "Alright. Thanks for walking me home. I guess I'll have to deal with Sergeant Baker tomorrow. That's gonna be fun."

"I will be waiting outside his office to make sure no harm comes to you," Penny replied.

"What?" Ruby asked. "He's not gonna hit me or anything. That's illegal and I'd have him up on assault charges."

"Oh. Well you sounded worried so-"

The sprinklers in the grass abruptly came to life, and Ruby and Penny barely dodged a waist-high stream of water before they made it onto the sidewalk.

"Yeesh," Ruby said, looking down at her dress uniform. "That was close. I really don't want to have to get these dry-cleaned again."

Penny stared at the sprinklers for a second like she was studying them, then turned to Ruby. "I will take my leave now. It is growing late. But Ruby, a warning, if you will listen."

She raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?"

"Do not grow too attached to your companion. She is an illegal immigrant and you are a sworn officer of the law. Such a relationship cannot end well."

Ruby shot her a withering glare. In the back of her head she knew the same thing, but her heart wasn't willing to accept it.

"Thanks Penny, but I can handle myself. You've said it yourself, you've still got a lot to learn when it comes to 'social interaction.' Well you need to work on it some more. Who I choose to be friends or anything else with is honestly none of your business."

She turned on her heel and marched to her apartment door before Penny could reply. Not checking to see if the orange-haired woman was still standing there or not, she unlocked the door, stepped into the cool blackness of her apartment, and slammed it shut.

She leaned back against the nearest wall. "Crap," she muttered, rubbing her eyes. "I'm probably gonna have to apologize for that later."

She opened her eyes, fumbled for the hallway's light switch, and flicked it on.

"Weiss?" She called out. "I'm home."

The rest of the apartment was still dark. There was no sound and no movement. Her stomach sank. Something felt wrong.

"Weiss?"

She stepped into the kitchen and flicked the switches that controlled the lights for both it and the living room. They lit up, and Ruby immediately noticed two things out of her baseline. When she had been going through police training she had learned to established a baseline when investigating cases or searching for evidence. A baseline was the normal way things should have been; a standard and regular image you held in her your head of the way things should be, the way her apartment should be. Anything out of the ordinary was something that broke the baseline.

And two things broke it. One was that Weiss' neat and orderly piles of clothing that Ruby had bought for her over the past few weeks, normally sitting by the couch, were gone.

The second was the note on the dining room table.

Her stomach dropped into a bottomless pit and her hands started to sweat. The walls felt like they were closing on on her. She frantically stumbled over to the table and snatched up the note. Maybe Weiss was just telling her she went out for food or groceries.

She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment and held her breath. Some part of her deep down knew what the note might say. She didn't want to read it. But she had to know, so she opened her eyes and started to read anyway. The handwriting was beautiful and immaculate.

'Dear Ruby,' it read.

'Firstly I must thank you for everything you have done for me. You have been a friend to me when no one else would. You took me in when no one else would. You gave me a second chance, and for that I will never forget you.

But I must move on. I cannot stay with you. I cannot bear to be around you any longer. I cannot exactly explain why. But know it was the reason I left Russia in the first place. It is not your fault at all. It is mine.'

Ruby couldn't stop reading, but she could feel Weiss slipping away like sand between her fingers with every word she read. The paper was slightly wet in places, as if teardrops had fallen upon it.

'I have taken the clothes you bought for me and some food as well. I know that this is robbing you, and I am sorry. It is necessity. I made you pelmeni one last time and left it in the fridge. I know you will be happy with Penny. She is a good woman. I do not wish you to think I left because of her though. But she made me realize something, and with that realization I cannot stay. I wish you only the best happiness you can find in your life. One day you will be truly happy. I know it. But it must be without me.

Thank you again for everything you have ever done for me.

Do Svidaniya. Yours forever, Weiss Schnee.'

Ruby put down the note with steady hands. She went to wipe her eyes, then realized that she wasn't actually crying. She chuckled and read the bottom of the note again. Weiss Schnee. She realized that Weiss had never actually told her her last name until now.

She stood up and turned off the lights. She moved to the couch in the darkness and sat down. She tried to pick up the remote, fumbled, and then dropped it.

She started laughing. She laughed and laughed and laughed.

Then she curled up into a ball and started to cry.