A new patron to the bar stepped from the bathroom, her face flushed, breath heavy. She stepped steadily to the bar.
"Water please." She asked the bartender.
"One moment." He said, finishing a drink. He poured a green fluid into a martini, and slid it to the yellow-haired man. She remembered him and the blue one roasting each other earlier.
The bartender filled a glass of water and slid it across the bar to her.
"Is that all?" He asked.
"Two girls were fucking in there." She said in disbelief, taking a deep drink.
"Really?" Yellow Hair asked, grinning. "No fucking way."
"Oh. I'll have Oscar clean the bathroom soon." The bartender said casually.
"Does that happen often?" She asked, setting the glass down.
"On occasion. I try not to judge." He jerked his head to a picture behind the bar. A woman with a riding crop straddled the bartender on the pool table in this very establishment, pressing the crop under his chin.
"Ah." She nodded, and turned to face the bathroom door.
It opened a moment later. A red-faced girl in all white marched out, followed by a red-haired girl with a satisfied grin on her face. The one in white walked to the coat rack and immediately began pulling on her coat. The red one followed, talking softly. The one in white seemed annoyed, and snapped at Red.
White then pulled the front door open and went outside. Red, after drawing her own coat on, followed.
"Well." Yellow Hair whispered to himself. "That's gonna be interesting."
"You know them?" The newcomer asked, jerking her chin.
"Yup." He wagged his drink. "And I wish them all the best." He saluted the newcomer, and went back to the pool table.
"Hm." She leaned up against the bar, taking a sip of her water. Maybe she should come here more often.
Seems like a decent spot.
~0~
"Hey, wait up!" Ruby called, pushing the front door open out into the frigid night. She quickly caught up to Weiss, falling in step with her. "Not staying for karaoke?"
"No. I need to go home." Weiss said tersely.
"You sure?" Ruby asked. "I wanted to hear you sing." She leaned into Weiss' ear. "I bet you have an amazing voice."
"You-" Weiss whirled. "Do you think that's funny!?" She snapped.
"Whoa, whoa." Ruby held her palms up, backing up a step, her smile faltering. "Did I say something wrong?"
Weiss stared Ruby down, eyes twitching for the slightest give. The slightest inauthenticity.
"You don't know?" Weiss asked tentatively.
"Know what?"
"What do you know about me?" Weiss asked, finger pointed at Ruby's chin.
"Oh, uuumm. . . I know you're some kinda heiress? You're a good cook. You're very pretty. Bossy. You've got long hair." Ruby tapped her cheek, thinking aloud.
"So you don't know I used to be an idol?" Weiss pressed.
"Idol? Like a pop star?" Ruby asked, cocking her head.
"Forget it. I-" Weiss crossed her arms. "It was a long time ago. Something happened to my voice, and I can't do it anymore."
"Oooooooooh."
"I'm sorry for snapping."
"No, no, I get it. It's a sore spot. I just-" Ruby tugged at her hair. "I kinda already heard your voice, so that's why-"
"You heard me singing?" Weiss asked.
"In the bathroom." Ruby answered, rubbing the back of her neck, blushing hard.
"Oh."
"Are you okay?" Ruby asked. "Most people are usually relaxed after. . . Well."
"I am relaxed!-" Weiss pursed her lips. "I was relaxed." She admitted.
"Do you feel pushed or-"
"No! No." Weiss shook her head. "I wanted to." Maybe a little too much. "But it was a mistake."
Ruby cocked her head.
"I'm your boss, and you're my sous chef."
Ruby stared blankly.
"It's un-pro-fessional?" Weiss spelled out.
"Okay."
"Is this sinking in? This-" Weiss' finger wagged between her and Ruby. "Was not okay!"
"I'd say it was more than okay." Ruby put her hand on her hip, jutting it out. "It was fan-fucking-tastic."
"No, NO." Weiss insisted. "It was a one time thing, it will never happen again."
"Oh." Ruby crossed her arms, a flat look on her face. "If that's what you want." She said stiffly.
"Yes. Yes, it is what I want." Weiss looked away, squeezing her arm with her hand. "Forget about it."
"You got it Chef." Ruby said, voice flat. Dead.
Weiss flinched.
"Your place far?" Ruby asked, looking around, a smile on her face, eyes empty.
"N-no." Weiss said quietly. "It's a ten minute walk."
"'Kay. Walk safe Chef." Ruby saluted. "See you tomorrow. 2:30 sharp!"
Before Weiss could muster a response, Ruby turned on her heel and walked back into the bar.
Weiss watched her go. She pressed her lips together, one fist clenched by her side. She dug a cigarette from her bag and lit the tip-
The lighter!
Weiss moved toward the door. She should give this back. But. . .
Ruby walked away from her.
Weiss took a drag. She'd give it back tomorrow. She put it in her bag, twisted on her heel, and began the walk home, puffs of smoke trailing into the sky.
Inside, Ruby, still wearing her coat, went straight to the bar, sat on a barstool, and held up her hand for Ozpin.
"How may I help you Ruby?" He asked.
"Water, please." Ruby answered.
"One moment." Ozpin flipped a glass. Ice clinked. The soda gun gurgled. An ice cold glass slid in front of Ruby.
"Thanks." Ruby said, and started drinking.
"Weiss left in a hurry." Ozpin mused, pushing his glasses up his nose.
Ruby drained the glass of water and slapped it on the bar. She wiped her mouth.
"Yup." Ruby answered, shoulders sagging. "She sure did."
Hey!" Ruby heard Sun call out behind her. "You gonna sing the song I picked for you or what?!"
"Please! Let's give the crowd what they want." Neptune said. "Does anyone really want to hear me sing Sun's shitty song?"
Ruby twisted in her seat. At the back of the bar, the karaoke machine was set up, with two mics, a speaker and a monitor scrolling the words. The crew sat in some chairs and tables. The ones who couldn't fit took a seat on the floor, like preschool story time. Neptune stood on stage, with Sun standing at the front of the pack.
Dusk took a stand.
"Sing the fucking song already!" Dusk yelled out. "You've been stalling like a used Chevy!"
"You've been stalling like a packed bathroom!"
"You've been stalling like Stalin's standing outside your stall!"
Ruby giggled.
Neptune, on the other hand, looked around, scrambling, offering weak protests. Then, his face lit up.
"Hey Ruby!" Neptune called.
Ruby tried to hide behind the arm of her coat.
"Ruby, come sing with me!"
"I'd rather not!" Ruby said, peeking over her arm.
Neptune wore a pleading, needing look in his eye.
Sun, on the other hand, looked incredibly confused.
"Come on! Do a duet with me! Sous to sous!" Neptune begged.
"You cheeky fucker!"
"He's trying to get out of singing the song!"
"Boooooo!"
"I'm not up for it right now." Ruby said. "But maybe another time?"
"There's your answer Neptune." Dusk said, crossing his arms. "Now dance!"
Neptune's shoulders fell. Sun, now grinning, went up and pressed play on the karaoke machine. He grabbed a mic.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Neptune Vaseline, and his rendition of Boarbatusk Blues." Sun crooned into the mic.
"Fucking finally!" Dusk shouted, throwing up his hands.
Neptune, defeated, held the mic to his chest. He took a deep breath, and brought it up. The first chords of the song played, and the lyrics flashed across the screen.
I never knew a love as strong
As the one to whom I belonged
He carried me far and wide
Keeping me by his side
Neptune's voice was a back country drawl, oozing like molasses, slick as moonshine. He cupped the mic with both hands, holding it close.
But then tragedy struck
We ran dry our luck
Leaving my heart but a husk
My love was killed by a boarbatusk
Ruby's grip tightened round her glass.
For ten days and nights I cried
Letting loose the pain inside
Then I grabbed my gun, my keys
And started driving through the trees
Ten days, ten nights I tracked the beast
Followed the sunrise to the east
As the mountain glowed I found its lair
Took my aim and shot it there
Took its heart as it took mine
I feel fine
I. Feel. Fine.
Neptune finished and did a bow. The crew clapped, whooping and hollering, spilling drink on the floor.
Ruby sat in the back, her core twisted up, her eyes wet. She finished her water and slid the glass to Ozpin.
"Thanks for the drinks, Ozpin. They were good." Ruby said.
"It was good to have you, Ruby." Ozpin said, polishing a glass. "Please don't be a stranger."
"I won't. This is one good spot." Ruby looked around, taking in the warm sentiment of the bar. The books lining the bar shelves. The bright strings of lights dancing in the rafters. "A really good spot."
"Thank you." Ozpin said, bowing. "Your tab is covered."
"Yeah." Ruby fished in her pockets. "Actually, I want to pay for it myself." She said.
"Really?" Ozpin cocked his head. "Are you sure?"
"Positive."
"Well, I'm sorry to say, I already charged Weiss." Ozpin said with a small smile. "You'll have to pay her if you want to cover your own tab."
"Can't you do a charge back?" Ruby asked, voice pleading.
"I could. But I won't." Ozpin pushed his glasses up his nose.
"Why not?"
"Because your money is not mine to take tonight." Ozpin said gently.
"Fine." Ruby pouted, putting her wallet away. "Have a good night Ozpin." She said, and turned to leave.
"Goodnight Ruby."
"Where ya going Ruby?" Neptune called over the dying applause.
"Home! It's been a big day." Ruby said, flashing a grin that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Come ooooo-" Neptune started, then his mouth was clapped shut by Sun's hand.
"That makes sense!" Sun yelled out over the din. He released Neptune, giving him a hard look.
"Okay. It has been a big day." Neptune relented.
"How about I walk you to your car?" Sun offered.
Ruby opened her mouth to refuse, but. . . The company would be nice.
"Sure." Ruby relented.
"I'll be back boys." Sun punched Neptune in the arm. "Give him a hard time while I'm out." He ordered, jogging to the front door.
"Sir yes sir!" The crew saluted.
"Uuuuuuuugh!" Neptune whined.
Sun pulled the door open, bowing at once.
"Shall we, M'lady?"
Ruby chuckled. She grabbed the hem of her skirt.
"We shall." She said, offering a flourished curtsey. She took Sun's arm, and they walked out into the night.
"Where's your car at?" Sun asked.
"Just down the street. It's not a far walk." Ruby pursed her lips. "Chef walked home."
"She usually does." Sun said, frowning.
"She get home all right?" Ruby asked softly.
"She does. She knows this place like the back of her hand." Sun smiled.
"Good. Good." Ruby released Sun's arm. She dug into her pocket and pulled out a tin. She opened it, revealing six crisp joints inside. She pulled one out, shut the tin, and reached back into her pocket.
No lighter.
"You got a light?" Ruby asked.
"Sure." Sun pulled one from his pocket, and sparked it. Ruby leaned in and charred her joint.
"Thanks." Ruby exhaled.
"Will you be fine driving home?" Sun asked, looking pointedly at the joint.
"I'll take a nap in my car." Ruby said off-handedly. "Done it before."
". . . Okay." Sun pursed his lips. "Why not stay at the bar a little longer?" He jerked his thumb. "There's a few reading corners tucked away in the back if you're people'd out."
"I-" Ruby chewed the inside of her cheek. She took another puff, then offered the joint to Sun.
"Don't mind if I do." Sun took it, hit it, and passed it back. "The question still stands."
"I just need some me time today. Y'know?" Ruby said.
"I get it." Sun laced his hands behind his neck, looking up at the stars. "You did a lot today."
"I did." Ruby took another hit, then passed it back.
"Stood up for the crew, took a stand for yourself." Sun smirked. "In fact, I'm actually surprised you were still at the bar."
"Why?"
"I saw you and Weiss leaving together." Sun said simply. He took a puff.
"Oh. Right. Was it obvious?" Ruby asked, blushing.
"No. Only reason I know is 'cause some chick came out of the bathroom talking about two ladies fucking in there."
"Right." Ruby rubbed her arm. "Could you maybe keep it to yourself? Please?"
"Sure thing." Sun said, passing the joint back.
"Thanks." Ruby sighed, taking another puff.
They walked in silence to Ruby's car, a red '95 Celica, five speed, with hood and body mods making it look sharp and brutal.
"Wow." Sun whistled. "Are you a street racer?"
"Not really." Ruby answered. "My sister works on cars. She told me she was gonna soup mine up, and now I've got turbo in a '95 beater."
"Cool." Sun grinned. "I wish I had a car."
"Sis flips old cars. I can ask her to discount ya." Ruby offered.
"No thanks. I can hardly pay rent, I can't afford insurance on top of it. Besides," Sun jabbed his thumb into his chest. "I can bike damn near anywhere."
"That's good." Ruby said, eyes downcast.
"Hey." Sun smiled softly. "Wanna talk about it?"
"About what?"
"What's weighing ya down." Sun chuckled. "You've been all gloom since Weiss left. What's up?"
Ruby rubbed her arm, lips pressed together. She kicked the ground with her foot.
"I think I made a mistake." She said softly.
"Okay." Sun said gently. "How so?"
"I mean," Ruby ran her fingers through her hair. "I thought I was reading the signs right, ya know? She was all flustered every time I got my shirt off, so I told her I kinda like it when my hair's pulled, and then she did it and it was awesome and we ended up in the stall and we're having a good time and someone heard us and she told me she didn't want to do it again and I'm thinking 'was I being selfish' but I don't think so but maybe I shouldn't fuck my chef the same day I meet them and - AAAAGh!" Ruby tore at her hair with one hand, the other waving the joint around like a tiny glow stick.
"Wow." Sun said, looking like he got hit by a verbal truckload. "Are you doing coke tonight too?"
"No!" Ruby blushed. "I - sorry. I'm just so-"
"No, no, I get it." Sun held his palms up. "Let me tell you something. You weren't misreading the signs."
"I wasn't?"
"No. Weiss-" Sun rubbed the back of his neck. "How to put this. Weiss is a useless lesbian."
"That's. . . Kinda harsh?" Ruby said, cocking her head.
"Not if you knew her like me and Neptune." Sun said, shaking his head sadly. "And it's not entirely her fault."
"It's not?"
"No. I'm not gonna get into it, but -" Sun ran his hand through his hair. "She's got a lot on her plate. In fact, I'm surprised she even let herself. . . Fuck, let herself enjoy herself at all tonight." Sun shrugged. "I figured she'd get to know you, have a few drinks, go home and rub two or ten out."
"Don't be gross." Ruby said.
"I'm not the one who fucked their chef in a bathroom." Sun grinned, wagging his eyebrows.
Ruby felt herself flush, and she chose not to respond, instead hitting the last of her joint.
"What I'm saying is, maybe it was a one time thing. Maybe it'll be awkward at work for a while. But if I'm reading this right, you didn't do anything wrong." Sun gently punched Ruby's shoulder. "You had a good time, right?"
"I did." Ruby admitted, still blushing. "But. . ."
"But?"
"I dunno. I feel like I've got whiplash." Ruby rubbed her arm. "It was going so well, and now everything feels backwards."
"I get that." Sun nodded. "But, who knows? Maybe it'll go in reverse again." He smiled gently at Ruby.
"I'm not sure I want it to." Ruby said quietly, looking at the ground.
Sun remained silent, unsure of what to say.
"I'd better get back." Sun said suddenly, jerking his thumb. "Neptune is good at humiliating himself, but I'm the master." He smirked. "I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow." Ruby promised.
"Good. Catch ya later Sous!" Sun turned and walked away, hand waving above his head. "Don't worry too much, kay? Life's too short."
"Yeah." Ruby said softly. "I know."
She leaned against her car, finishing her joint, breath misting in the night. She crushed the ember and put the waste in a separate tin. She reached inside her coat to a hidden breast pocket and pulled out a small square locket. She clicked it open.
On one side, a woman, looking very much like Ruby, with silver eyes and shoulder length red hair, leaning against a tree in the same coat that Ruby wore right this moment. She smiled gently at the camera, and Ruby's heart twitched.
On the other side, a picture of Ruby and someone else, with bright tangerine hair and brilliant green eyes. They were at the county fair, with cotton candy in hand, and Ruby planting a kiss on her cheek. A lock of orange hair wrapped in a green hair tie sat atop the picture.
Ruby's heart ached.
She grabbed the lock of hair, brought it to her nose, and took a deep breath. A quiet tear ran down her cheek, the cold breeze chilling its trail to her chin.
"I'm trying Penny." Ruby whispered, staring at the orange-haired girl. "But it's hard."
The picture said nothing.
Ruby buried her face in her arms, holding the hair tight in her fist, and let the night hide her from the world.
~0~
One a week until we're all caught up, and that's about 7 more chapters after this.
I did do a bit of writing on the latest one. Should get back up to steam by then.
I see you asking for the old one. I'm not sure I still have the OG drafts I posted, it was too long ago for to hold in the doc manager. But I do have the drafts saved on a google drive. I'll check those over and get them posted so y'all can do the compare contrast. Let's shoot for next week, I guess? Cool.
Thanks for reading.