Weiss watched Ruby, waiting for an answer.

"Well, it's not like you gave me a chance." Ruby said, folding her arms. She looked at the floor. Her eyes glanced back at Weiss.

"Why didn't you insist? Interject?"

"Come on." Ruby held her palms out. "You're. . . You know."

Weiss raised one brow.

"You've got the scary eyes." Ruby said with a tiny voice, grabbing the side of her chair.

"So you were too scared to show me your resume that proved your worth, but not scared enough to step up and corral my crew?" Weiss asked pointedly.

"That wasn't easy either." Ruby pouted, sipping her mead. "Whoa." She said, eyes wide, lips pursed.

Weiss glanced down. She quickly jerked her head to the side, and coughed.

"Is it your first time having Valian Mead?" Weiss asked, composing herself.

"Yeah. It's. . ." Ruby licked her lips. "It's like putting my feet in the creek back home. The water is so slow it feels soft." She raised her glass. "But it's bright, and-" She smacked her lips, sighing. "A little sticky."

Weiss pressed her lips in a thin line, looking away from Ruby again. Her face felt hot. She grabbed her drink and took a sip.

It went down the wrong pipe, and Weiss started coughing.

"Are you okay?" Ruby asked, cocking her head.

"I'm fine, I'm fine!" Weiss waved Ruby off, covering her cough with a nearby napkin. "But you didn't answer my question."

"What, being scared?" Ruby asked.

"You were less scared of talking to a bunch of people you didn't know rather than-" Weiss cut herself off, putting her head in her hands. She took a deep breath. She brushed her hands down her face, and folded them in her lap. "What I'm saying, is that it seems off."

"I didn't want to work alone." Ruby shrugged. "And, well, this is the first kitchen I've been to outside of the Summer's Set. You're my first Chef."

"Which is another thing!" Weiss slapped her hand against the table. "It's the only work experience you've had for four years! How did you get started there!?" Ruby tried to reply, but Weiss cut her off. "I tried to stage there three times and they had a waiting list! They wouldn't even move me up! Me! Heiress to the Schnee Dust Company!" Weiss pointed an accusing finger. "How did you get started there!?"

"Well, eleven. Years. I worked there elven years." Ruby said casually. She tapped her chin. "But they only started paying me when I was nineteen." Ruby rolled her eyes. She put her hands up, making air quotes. "That's when I could 'list' it as experience 'cause there was a 'paper trail.'"

"W-what?" Weiss blinked, shaking her head slightly.

"I lived there since I was twelve." Ruby said.

"You lived there."

"Yeah."

"In a restaurant."

"Well, behind it."

"The best restaurant in Remnant."

"My Uncle Qrow. Is Head Chef." Ruby said, chopping her hands down with each word.

Weiss' fuse box tripped.

"Hello?" Ruby waved her hand in front of Weiss' face. "Earth to Weiss?"

"Of course." Weiss said, starting to laugh. "Of course!"

"You don't seem okay." Ruby said softly.

Weiss slammed both her palms on the table. She stood, and took a deep breath. "I'll be right back."

"Ooooookay." Ruby said, watching Weiss walk to the bar.

"Hello Weiss." Ozpin greeted, mixing a drink for another customer. "How may I be of service?"

"I need two shots of Vacuan Sandfire please."

"Of course." Ozpin flipped and poured the drink for the customer, sliding it to them to stop just at the bar's edge, blue liquid swirling in the glass. He flipped two shot glasses with a flourish, spun on his foot, hand grabbing a bottle from memory, and poured two shots. The liquid that came out was cayenne red.

"The talk must be going well." Ozpin said, pushing the shots toward Weiss.

"We'll see." Weiss said stiffly, grabbing the shots. She thanked Ozpin and walked back, taking her seat across Ruby. She slapped one shot in front of Ruby.

"What's this?" Ruby asked, poking the side of the glass.

"An apology." Weiss bit out.

". . .I'm sorry?"

"No, I am." Weiss folded her arms tight, chewing the side of her cheek. "I didn't give you a chance." Weiss' shoulders fell. "And. . . You saved my ass today." She admitted. "If you hadn't stepped up like you had, I-" She exhaled. "Today would have been horrible."

"Oh. So. . ." Ruby gestured to the shots.

"I'm sorry for treating you poorly. And I am thankful for your work today." Weiss grabbed her shot. "Truce?" She asked.

Ruby looked at the shot. Then Weiss.

Weiss almost flinched. Those silver eyes reminded her of knife tips, the glint of an edge.

Then, Ruby's eyes relaxed, and her lips pulled into a smile.

"Truce." She said. She grabbed her shot and clinked it with Weiss'.

Weiss smiled, relieved.

Simultaneously, they downed their shots, setting their glasses down on the table. Ruby held her composure for but a moment. Then, she started coughing.

"What is this!?" Ruby croaked, red-faced.

"It's vodka infused with coriander and cayenne." Weiss smirked, letting the burn run down her throat.

"This is your idea of an apology?" Ruby coughed, slapping her sternum.

"No, this is my idea of a hazing." Weiss grinned.

"I'm dying~" Ruby wheezed.

"It burns, huh?" Weiss chuckled, a few tears running down her face. She wiped them with her sleeve.

"Betrayal!" Ruby cried. "I will die with a wound on my back!"

"Don't be so dramatic." Weiss rolled her eyes.

"Is that what I think it is?" Neptune said, approaching. He eyed the shot glasses.

"Neptune, save me!" Ruby reached out, almost flopping from her chair.

"Hahahaha!" Neptune shook his head. "I remember when we had our first shots of Sandfire." He said, jerking his thumb at Weiss. He leaned towards Ruby, cupping his mouth conspiratorially. "She was crying so hard her mascara ran."

"And as you can see, I learned from my mistake." Weiss gestured to her face. Not a trace of running.

"I need milk. Miiiiiilk!" Ruby rushed to the bar, crying for Ozpin.

"She is gonna baaaaaaarf." Neptune said, shaking his head.

"Why? Lightweight?" Weiss asked.

"No." Neptune shook his head. "She's at least six shots in now."

"Six!?" Weiss' brow shot up. "What, did she walk in and order five to start?"

"Something like that." Neptune patted Weiss' shoulder. "Joining us for karaoke?" He jerked his thumb towards the machine. Some of the crew had already arrived, with more stepping through the door.

"Oh no." Weiss shook her head. "I better get going."

"I'll finish your drink then." Neptune grinned.

"Hmmmmm." Weiss grumbled, pulling her gin close. "Maybe I'll go out back and have a cigarette." She said, grabbing her purse from the table.

"Hm." Neptune pulled out his own pack. "I'll join you. If you like."

"Please." Weiss smiled.

Neptune waved at Sun. Sun nodded, and kept joking with the crew, ensuring the pair had a moment.

The outside air was bitter cold. Comforting. Weiss set her glass on the wood bar running the length of the patio. She pulled her pack from her purse and slipped a stick between her lips.

"So," Neptune started, lighting his own cigarette. "How was work?"

"Boring." Weiss answered, putting her pack away. She grabbed the lighter.

The red one with a black diamond.

"New lighter?" Neptune asked, taking a drag.

"No!" Weiss denied vehemently. "Well. . . No. It's not mine."

"I figured." Neptune laughed, smoke pulsing from his mouth. "Your color scheme is like an Arctic Nazi orgy. White as far as the eye-"

Weiss punched Neptune in the shoulder.

"Aaaaaah!" Neptune held his shoulder, crying out in pain. "You wound me Weiss! Harketh, I am undone!"

"You deserved it." Weiss smirked. She sparked the red lighter-

CHSSSHT

-and lit the cigarette.

The nicotine embraced her like a saucy grandma. Holding her tight in an embrace as she walked through the door. Rapping the knuckles of thoughts wandering too close to the stove. Spoiling Weiss.

She exhaled.

"Who's is it?" Neptune asked.

"Nunya." Weiss smirked.

"Oh, I think I know her. Nunya Beeswax, of the Beeswax family?"

"That's right."

"So you don't want me to know." Neptune grinned. "Which means I have to figure it out."

"You won't."

"Really." Neptune let his head loll to the side, looking at Weiss. "Its owner is your new sous."

"Nope, guess again." Weiss replied calmly, taking a drag.

"You know how I know you're lying?" Neptune asked.

"I'm not lying." Weiss insisted, tapping ash from the tip.

"Your left eyebrow twitches." Neptune said, poking her scar.

"It does not!" Weiss slapped his hand away.

"Does so."

"Hmph. Then why not tell me?" She challenged. "Surely I've lied to you and you've seen it. Why not call me out?"

"And give up that kind of power?" Neptune shook his head. "Tsk tsk Weiss. You're talking to the reigning champ of poker night."

"Please." Weiss scoffed. "It's not my tell."

"So you don't sneak skittles and starburst while you're on inventory?"

"What?" Weiss sputtered. "Of course I wouldn't eat that garba-"

She felt her brow twitch.

Fucker!

"Told ya." Neptune said, taking a drag in victory.

"Okay. So this is Ruby's lighter." Weiss said, trying to play it off. "So what?"

"You lie about junk food because you think a chef of your stature shouldn't eat garbage candy. Plus, it gives you a little thrill."

"Hmph."

"What's got me curious," Neptune said, turning towards Weiss. He flicked his ash, leveling his gaze. "Is why you'd lie about the lighter."

"No reason." Her brow twitched again. Damn it she could feel it now! It was so slight! Imperceptible!

Neptune just smirked, looking up into the night.

The stars were out in full force. The moon was nowhere to be found. Weiss folded her arms across her chest, keeping one hand close to finish her cigarette.

"She's pretty." Neptune mused.

"Not you too." Weiss whined.

"Sun?" Neptune asked.

Weiss nodded.

"Well, it's plain as day." Neptune smirked. "A real gem, that one."

"For fuck's sake." Weiss rubbed her forehead.

"For the sake of fucking!" Neptune cried, poking Weiss' shoulder. "She's a catch."

"Then ask her out if she's so great." Weiss snapped.

"I just might." Neptune rubbed his chin. "But I think she'd say no."

"No?"

"Gayus Majorus." Neptune sighed. "Morus the Pitius."

"Please. I don't think she even knows what sex is." Weiss said.

"You - please don't take offense," Neptune held a hand to his chest, face earnest. "But you can be really thick-headed sometimes."

"Offense taken."

"Fine!" Neptune threw his hands up. "Take offense! But when you walked into the bar like that-" He looked pointedly at Weiss' outfit. "Her eyes nearly shot out her head."

Really?

"But hey, what do I know. I'm just your 'closest, most trusted friend.'" Neptune sighed dramatically.

"I was drunk when I said that." Weiss snapped weakly.

"Still meant it." Neptune answered, grinning. Then, he held his palms up in surrender. "Do what you will. But, personally, little tired of watching you deny yourself."

"I've hardly denied myself." Weiss grinned, giving Neptune a once-over. Trying to knock him off balance.

Neptune, however, is damn near unshakeable.

"You've had fun, yes." Neptune took a long, slow drag, staring Weiss down as he did. Then, he crushed his cigarette into the ashtray, and exhaled. "But your heart loves the ladies." He smirked. "You know it."

Weiss looked away. Her cigarette was nearing its end. She set it in the ashtray. Watched the dying smoke trail into the night.

Neptune wrapped his arms around her. Weiss twisted around in his arms, and returned his embrace, pressing her nose into his collar.

They held for a long breath.

"She said I had the scary eyes." Weiss admitted.

"You are scary." Neptune said.

"What if I'm too scary?" Weiss asked quietly. "It's so easy with you. You're just. . ."

"I'm brave." He chuckled. "There's a reason you're the Ice Queen."

"Because I'm a cold bitch who has no friends?"

"Then what the fuck am I doing here?" Neptune asked.

"Asked myself the same thing." Weiss snarked, rolling her eyes.

"You're so fucking transparent." Neptune pulled back, grinning, his hands squeezing Weiss' shoulders. "Come on."

"Come on what?" Weiss asked.

"Stay for karaoke." Neptune pleaded.

"Why?"

"Well, it'd be the first time you actually hung out with the crew." Neptune lifted one brow. "It's also Ruby's. And while I'm here, I'm their sous." He jutted his thumb into his chest. "For one last night."

Weiss looked at the wooden slats.

"No pressure. You can go home, take a bath, and forget about putting yourself out there." Neptune walked to the door. "Us meeting was a new chapter in both our lives. And you're flipping to the next page whether you like it or not." He opened the door. "Put your best foot forward."

"What if I mess up?"

"Well, you've got Sun. You've got me. For now." He grinned. "So don't fuck up."

The door clicked shut.

Weiss stared at the door. She shivered, and reached for her gin. She took a long, slow sip, and sighed.

She stayed outside until her gin ran dry, keeping her belly warm against the cold. A trick of the mind. Liquor quells the shakes, of nerves or frost, but the warmth is a trick. She knew it as sure as her breath misted in the moonlight, as sure as the glass numbed her fingers where she held it.

Cigarettes did much the same. Smothering appetite or anxiety. Never resolving it. Pushing them away like the moons draw the tides. Pull them far enough, and eventually they come back in force.

Just like Neptune, whose warmth carried her through one night, like a candle in the dark. A superficial solution. Nothing satisfying, hardly gratifying. Just a warm body to hold close until she forgot what she needed in the first place.

Weiss looked at the red lighter in her hand. She lit it -

TSCHHHH

- staring into the flame. She shook another cigarette from her pack and let the fire drag itself to the tip. She pulled it from her mouth, twisting it in her fingers, like a broken glow stick. She exhaled, and the tip burned brighter.

Then again, she wasn't against a little escapism. A little fantasy. And she had to get to know her sous. If she didn't, she wouldn't be as good a chef as she needed to be.

Father would fall for that, right?

Weiss dragged the smoke into her lungs, exhaling a rolling cloud into the stars.

For one thing, Ruby was tall. Like some kind of fey with an otherworldy grace. Her sharp jaw and glinting silver eyes. Her hair, when it wasn't pulled back for service, was tousled with a perfect chaos.

The way she moved. The way she danced. On the line she was so comfortable, so immediately present to the world around her.

And she was buff. When she pulled her coat off this afternoon, revealing those arms. That definition.

Weiss blushed at the memory.

And those arms were crossed and hashed with scars. Scars she probably acquired in the Summer's Set. Some so wide and deep Weiss wondered if she had a knife ever graze bone.

Weiss looked at her own hands. They had their own faint proof of their time in the kitchen, but only her hands had suffered. She'd never seared her forearm. Never felt a harsh splash of oil blister and pop her skin.

Ruby was a cook in much the same way Weiss had been a singer. Living it moment to moment for years. Getting to a level only attainable by the relentless.

Weiss took a drag of her cigarette.

Whether or not the fantasy remained fantasy, Ruby was clearly worth Weiss' time. If not for the skills she could impart to Weiss, then for her spirit. No one becomes that good at something with a soft spirit.

Weiss dug her half-burned cigarette into the ashtray. She grabbed her empty glass and rested her hand on the door handle.

Personally, little tired of watching you deny yourself.

Weiss' lip twitched up.

She opened the door to yelling, chanting, and music. She took a breath and stepped inside, letting the warmth of the bar embrace her.