Ding a ling ling, your phone is ringing, ding a ling lin-
Ruby blindly snatched her phone from the bedside table. She brought it to her ear.
"Hello?" Ruby greeted, yawning.
"Ruby!" A bubbly voice greeted from the other side. "You haven't called your big sis in, like, a week."
"Yang." Ruby smiled, pressing her wrist to her eye, wiping away the sleep. "Hey. Sorry."
"Sorry don't cut it." Yang huffed. "But, I suppose I can forgive you. If." She baited.
"If what?" Ruby said, taking the bait.
"If you tell me how you've been." Yang answered.
"I'm-" Ruby paused.
This is garbage.
This is trash.
This is late.
Do it again.
Again.
DO IT AGAIN!
"I'm fine." Ruby answered.
"Just fine?" Yang asked, voice perking. "You don't sound very fine."
"Well, I was woken up at -" Ruby glanced at the clock. "Ten thirty." She said, her shoulders sagging. Fuck it was late.
"Oh. I can try calling back when more people are up. Is one too early?" Yang asked, teasing.
"Uuuuugh!" Ruby unplugged her phone and threw off her blankets, slipping from bed.
"Come on Rubes. You know you can't hide anything from me." Yang declared. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way."
"I so can hide things from you." Ruby snarked.
"Right. Let me guess. Job isn't what you imagined?" Yang asked.
Ruby didn't answer. She went to the kitchen and grabbed a bowl from her cabinet. Holding the phone between cheek and shoulder, she poured a portion of 'Pumpkin Pete's : Strawberry Blast!' into the bowl. She filled it with milk and stuck a spoon in.
"Things are going well over here." Yang said, backing off for the moment. "Blake just finished another series. She wants you to call her so you can talk about it."
"Which one?" Ruby asked, digging into her cereal.
"Something something, Death of the Scorpion." Yang rattled off. "She said it had some incredible gay rep."
"Lesbians?" Ruby asked, ears perking.
"And 'two cute as fuck femboys.'" Ruby could hear Yang rolling her eyes. "Her words, not mine."
"Sweet." Ruby smiled, taking another bite.
"Yeah. I think it might cheer you up." Yang said, swinging right back around.
". . . Right." Ruby said softly.
"Come on. What's so bad you can't tell me?" Yang asked, a bit of hurt in her voice.
"It's. . . No, it's not bad. It's embarrassing." Ruby said softly. "It's so fucking stupid."
"Okay. Well, you've done dumb stuff in the past." Yang laughed. "Remember how you asked Penny out?"
"Uuuuugh!" Ruby almost smacked her head straight into her cereal. "Shut uuuuuuuup."
"I can't believe she said yes after you clotheslined her ass! AGAIN!" Yang guffawed.
"Well, this is worse." Ruby grumbled, pressing the cold spoon against her forehead. "I got the job, right?"
"And you haven't lost it."
"Right." Ruby nodded, putting the spoon in the half empty bowl. She leaned back in her chair. "So I get to work. I'm the new sous. The head chef, she's pissed. She doesn't even look at my resume."
"Why?"
"Because the owner fired the other sous and hired me without telling her." Ruby relayed.
"Ah. That makes sense."
"Yeah, no shit. And half the kitchen is about to walk out because the sous got fired. So I stop it."
"That's my sis!" Yang cheered.
"Yeah, it's great-ish. Service goes smooth. I get invited for drinks with the kitchen. Chef doesn't come along. But, I got to meet the old sous. I think you'd like him."
"Oh? What's he like?" Yang asked.
"A big dumb, blue haired ladies man." Ruby grinned. "But also kind, and caring."
"Dumb like how?" Yang asked.
"Uh. . . He hit a pool ball in with the cue between his legs?" Ruby said.
"Wow. Like, he actually hit a ball with another ball and got it in the pocket?" Yang asked.
"Yeah."
"That sounds like an awesome night." Yang said. "So where's the shoe?"
"Well. . ." Ruby brought one foot the chair, picking at her toenails. "Chef did come to the bar."
"Really?"
"Yeah. She finally saw my resume. She was. . . Kinda impressed? We have a few drinks. Get to talking. And. . ."
"And?"
"I banged her in the bathroom stall." Ruby admitted quietly.
Silence.
"Yang? Yang?"
A flurry of key presses in the background. Then-
"DAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN SIS!" Yang whooped. "I need safe search on! Wow, you tapped that?!"
"Yang." Ruby said, exasperated.
"That is one tasty looking popsicle!"
"Yang, please."
"I'm sorry, it's just-" Yang squeed. "My baby sis is getting back in the game! What a power move!"
"Could you put Blake on? Or Zwei? Anyone with a sense of responsibility?" Ruby pleaded.
"No, no, you're right. I'm sorry." Yang took a breath. "I shouldn't be excited for you banging your boss."
"Exactly. Because -" Ruby sighed. "I was. It was nice, y'know? It-" Ruby swallowed, trying to get rid of the lump in her throat.
"It's been a while." Yang said gently.
"Right." Ruby blinked the wet from her eyes. "And I kinda got caught up. I think she did too."
"What happened?" Yang asked, now in full big sis mode."
"Well, after we finished, she said we couldn't do that again. That it shouldn't have happened in the first place. We needed to be professional." Ruby wiped her eyes. "And I get it. But it still hurt. Not her fault, just-"
"I get it sis." Yang said softly.
"Right. So I go to work the next day, and I don't want to talk about it. I keep it completely professional. I did as she asked, and -" A few tears started rolling down her cheek. "And it feels like she's punishing me. For doing exactly what she wanted! She's overly critical, she gets angry at the smallest mistake, and it's only getting worse!" Ruby ran her hand through her hair. "It fucking sucks."
"Sounds like it." Yang sympathized. "Do you need me to beat her up?"
"N-no." Ruby laughed. "I think that would make it worse."
"Yeah, it probably would." Yang sighed. "Well, I'm here for you sis."
"I know."
"And if you need to come back home-"
"I know." Ruby cut in. "Maybe I will. But I'm not going to run from this." She smiled sadly. "I've dealt with harder things."
"You don't have to do things the hardest way sis." Yang said gently.
"I'm not doing it the hardest way. I'm -" Ruby frowned. "I'm not."
"Sure. Working a job in the food industry with an angry boss you banged is a cakewalk." Yang deadpanned.
Ruby bit her lip. No answer to that.
"I'm all for being an open ear sis." Yang said. "But what are you going to do?"
Ruby pressed her cheek to her knee. She sighed.
"I don't know." She said.
"Could you maybe try confronting her?" Yang said. "Draw a line?"
"Should I?" Ruby asked.
"I can't believe you're asking me - OBVIOUSLY." Yang yelled. "Yes! You deserve to feel safe at work. And I deserve to feel like my sister is taking care of herself, especially since you're done with me doing it." Yang said, her voice strained at the end.
". . . Okay."
"Okay what?" Yang pressed.
"Okay, I'll talk to her today." Ruby relented.
"Good. If it doesn't go great, you can always quit." Yang said simply.
"If I don't get fired first." Ruby snorted.
"That's the trouble, huh?" Yang yawned. "I need to get started on my day."
"Yeah, me too."
"I'll talk to you later, okay?" Yang said.
"Okay."
"You're amazing and wonderful. Don't forget it." Yang said.
"I won't."
"I love you Rubes."
"Love you too." Ruby answered.
"'Kay. Catch you soon. Don't forget to call Blake." Yang said.
"I won't."
"Alright. Bye sis."
"Bye."
Yang hung up.
Ruby stared at the phone. She put it on the table. Her bowl of cereal was soggy. She took it and tossed it in the trash. The bowl and spoon found a home in the sink, soaking.
She went to her room. On her bedside table, a picture of Penny sat. Different from the one in her locket, Penny was posing for the camera in a park, the bright red leaves of fall stark against her green dress.
Ruby touched her fingers to the photo and, after a shuddering breath, went about her day.
First, a shower. She got dressed, brushed her teeth, and cleaned up some candy wrappers and fast food bags around her bed and kitchen. She washed a few of her dishes that had piled up and put some of the laundry on her floor in her basket.
It wasn't enough, but it was a start.
She grabbed her knife bag, went to her car, and drove to work, parking just out the back. She kicked her door open, slammed it shut, and marched right up to the back door.
Fists clenched, she stared at the door. Behind it was Chef, she was certain. And she had no idea how she was going to confront her.
Maybe she could slam the knife bag on the table? No, too aggressive. But she didn't want to be meek either. She wasn't going to be walked all over. Chef would have to hear her out, or -
Ruby took a deep breath. Riling herself up wasn't going to help. Just go inside, and have a talk. It'll be easy. It'll work.
It has to work.
Ruby reached out for the door handle, and, with a shaky breath, pulled.
The door didn't budge.
"What?" Ruby pulled on the door. Locked. Locked? But she saw Chef's car out the corner of her eye. Did she lock Ruby out?
"Hello."
Ruby whirled, heart hammering. Behind her stood Chef, arms crossed, looking off to the side.
"Chef!" She exclaimed, holding a hand to her heart.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." Chef said, still holding her arms crossed.
"N-no, it's fine. Um. . ." Should she confront her now? Outside, before service? Ruby jerked her thumb at the door. "It's locked."
Coward.
"Yes." Chef pulled a pack of cigarettes from her pocket, slipping it into her full lips. She took a light out, and lit it, then held the lighter to Ruby. "Here."
It was her lighter, red with a black diamond. Gingerly, Ruby took it, holding it in her hand.
"Thank you?" She said, pocketing it.
Chef took a deep breath, and exhaled a cloud of smoke. She looked up. Cloudy, but the sun came through clearly. Shafts of brilliant gold piercing through the sky like stage lights.
Ruby was on edge. Chef was acting totally different than she had before. Almost. . . Resigned?
"I have been cruel to you this last week." Chef said, flicking ash to the ground.
Ruby blinked. Then, she squared her shoulders.
"You have." Ruby confirmed, folding her arms across her chest.
"That ends today." Chef declared, taking another drag.
Ruby cocked her head. Just like that?
"Okay. . ." Ruby said uncertainly. "Why?"
"You don't deserve it." Chef said. "You're an incredible chef, and I've been punishing you for small mistakes anyone would make coming into a new kitchen."
"T-that's right." Ruby nodded, finding her footing. "I don't deserve it."
"Yes." Chef said, shoulders sagging. She fished in her pocket, pulling out keys for the back. "I'll be out here for a minute, if you want to open up." She said, tossing the keys at Ruby.
"Okay." Ruby said, catching them. She glanced at Chef out the corner of her eye. She couldn't get a read on her. "Why?"
"Why what?" Chef asked, taking another drag.
"Why the apology? Now?" Ruby gestured at herself.
"I had a talk with Neptune." Chef said flippantly. "I realized I was being unfair to you. Or unfair with myself. It doesn't matter." Chef rubbed her eye with the base of her palm. "I won't do it again. You have my word." She walked to the dumpster and leaned up against it.
"Okay." Ruby jingled the keys in her hand. "I'll open up then."
"Thank you." Chef took another drag. "I'll be in soon. Be thorough."
Ruby gripped the keys, hard. She nodded.
"Yes Chef."
Ruby went into the Gele Gloxinia. She flipped on all the ovens, turned on the lights, and took a look a the general prep sheet. The lamb needed to be broken down and frenched today, and spinach needed to be picked clean of stems. She'd ask Sun to do that when he came in and got set up. Ruby went to the walk-in, pulled the lamb, and began breaking it down.
As she cut the meat, she kept her ear perked, waiting for Chef to come in. But she didn't. So Ruby was left to her thoughts, and to the prep.
2:00 rolled around. Sun came in, greeted Ruby and got to work. The crew came in, greeted Ruby, and began setting up their stations. Ruby finished up the last rack of lamb, and took a look around the kitchen.
Chef was nowhere to be found.
Ruby, puzzled, started checking in with each station. Everyone was prepped for the night, their projects light and achievable. She checked with the front of house. One-hundred and thirty covers. A light service, all things considered. She pursed her lips, then started setting up her station.
Fifteen minutes before service began, Chef walked in, and the kitchen went quiet.
"How's everything looking?" Chef asked, walking up to Ruby.
"It's looking fine Chef." Ruby answered. "I got some of the major prep done. Sun is on spinach. Everyone's stations are locked and stocked."
"Good." Chef said, almost to herself. "I'll work Oven. You're on Expo today."
Ruby's head almost twisted off her neck. Usually, the head chef did Expo, as it was the final stop before the food made it to the customer. The last chance to discover any mistakes or find any problems before sending the food to the proper table.
"Yes Chef." Ruby said. She walked to Expo.
Chef, after a pause, went to the pastry freezer. She pulled out a selection of cookies, wrapped them in platic, and put them in a pan resting on top of the freezer.
Odd.
Chef moved back to the line, taking her place at Oven.
"What needs finishing on Oven?" Chef asked, rolling up her sleeves.
Ruby eyed Chef. Upon a closer look, she had bags under her eyes. Her energy seemed low, and her movements were slow and deliberate. Even her voice sounded stretched. Exhausted.
"Ruby?" Chef asked.
"Um. Just some garnish. Chives and sticks." Ruby answered, now completely unsettled.
"Good. I'll knock it out." Chef answered, and got to work. She sliced the chives and pickled carrots. She flipped a few pans, old product on top, new on the bottom, and set up her station clean as a whistle.
Ruby looked at the clock. Five minutes to service. She squared her shoulders.
"Okay everyone. Tonight should be a smooth service. We've got one-hundred thirty seating tonight. Our big push should happen about an hour in, so get ahead on what you can before then, okay?" Nods from everyone in the kitchen, including Chef. "If anyone needs back up, I'm here to help."
"Heard that Chef!" Dusk called out cheekily.
Ruby glanced at Chef. She didn't even react to Dusk's words. She just kept her head down, moving her knife, buttoning up her station.
Ruby stared, puzzled. Then, she shook her head. She could figure out what was up later. There was work to do.
The first tickets of the night rang in, and Ruby got to work.
She'd had experience on each of the stations so far, so she could accurately judge whether a plate was good to go or not. She sent out the first wave of salads, and a few Oven and Saute courses followed. Ruby stepped over and checked out the plates.
"Dusk, a few more mushrooms next time please." Ruby asked politely, glancing at Chef. Chef nodded in agreement.
"Yes Chef." Dusk said. "Want me to fire more?"
"No, that'll take too long and this needs to go with the lamb. Just get that portion right please." Ruby said. She moved and checked the lamb, thrusting a thermometer into the meat. Hm. "This is mid-rare. Ticket says medium, Chef."
The entire kitchen held a breath.
"Ah. My mistake." Chef pulled the lamb back. She wiped the sauce off with a clean finger, and popped it into the oven. "Two minutes Chef." Chef called, moving to wash her hands.
"Go ahead and fire those mushrooms. Make it snappy." Ruby called to Dusk. He took the plate, threw the portion back into a hot pan, and sauteed a few more beach mushrooms. He finished just as Weiss pulled her lamb from the oven, and they re-plated their dishes.
"Good." Ruby said, checking the meat with her thermometer. Five degrees under medium, and that would carry over to medium as it went to the table. "Hands please!" Ruby called out, stabbing the tickets. "Table six!"
A server came up and whisked away the plates. Ruby watched them go, then glanced back at Chef.
No anger. No pain. Simple, plain exhaustion on her face, shoulders sagging.
Ruby pressed her lips together. More tickets rang in. She got back to it.
Throughout the night, Chef made a few more mistakes Ruby corrected. Throughout the night, Ruby made a few mistakes Chef corrected from the line. The food was fixed and went out smoothly. No complaints from the front.
Service ended.
Everyone started to close down. Ruby wiped down expo, swept the front, and grabbed the mop water and scrubber. She dumped water on the floor and scrubbed it clean. Chef had already pre-closed her station, so she grabbed a squeegee and began shucking water to the drain, leaving a mostly dry floor behind them. They worked their way around the whole kitchen, and Dusk followed with a dry mop.
Everything was put away, and the crew began clocking out. Ruby rubbed her forehead with her arm, her brain fogged with fatigue. She grabbed her knife bag, tossed her apron into the laundry basket, and waved to the crew.
"Great work everyone. See you tomorrow." Ruby said. She caught Chef's eye, and waved at her. "Goodnight Chef. I'll see you in a few days."
"Wait." Chef said, her voice small and stretched.
The crew paused at the exit. They watched as Chef went to the freezer. On top of it, a small pan held three cookies wrapped in plastic, tied with a bow. She turned and offered the package to Ruby.
"Thank you." Chef said. "I bake these myself, so consider them a small token of appreciation for all your hard work."
Ruby took the package of cookies in hand. Then at Chef. She gingerly undid the bow, unwrapped the plastic, and took the first cookie from the top. Chocolate chip. She bit into it.
The cookie, thawed from sitting out, was crisp. Like biting into a chewy ritz cracker with a slightly hard crust and delicious vanilla undertone cradling the sweet, balanced milk chocolate. It was the best cookie she'd had.
Ruby mewed with delight.
"Is it to your taste?" Chef asked, blushing.
"It's-" Ruby swallowed. "It's delicious."
"I'm glad." Chef cleared her throat. She slung her knife bag over her shoulder. "If you'll excuse me." Chef walked past Ruby, past the crew. She paused. "Goodnight." She said, and left.
Ruby tore through the rest of the cookie, then gently wrapped the other two. She'd save them for breakfast tomorrow.
"Wow." Sun said, just finishing the last of his dishes. "She gave you the cookies."
"She did." Ruby looked at Sun, who's eyes were wide, only matched by his smile. "What? Is that weird?" Ruby asked.
"Are you kidding?" Sun gestured to the pack in her hands. "When we-" He gestured to the crew, their jaws on the floor. "Get to try the cookies, she divides one up between all of us. And she gave you three. And I'm supposed to be her friend!" Sun crossed his arms. "Kinda jealous right now."
Ruby looked at the package in hand, the two remaining cookies. One red. The other snow white. Her fingers touched her lips, buzzing with pleasure. She blushed.
"You know," Sun lowered his voice, still grinning madly. "If she's gonna stop being such a bitch to you, you might be able to get the recipe."
"Really?" Ruby asked, head jerking up, heart jumping at the thought of not only eating those cookies, but making them. Whenever she wanted.
"Sure." Sun leaned close, pulling out his phone. "I'll give you her number. She usually wakes up dead ass early. Invite her to breakfast."
"B-breakfast?" Ruby said. "No, no no, we're not there yet."
Sun raised one brow, staring Ruby down.
"We're not!"
"Then when you are, take her to the Moonlit Dew." Sun said simply. He grabbed some receipt paper and scribbled a number on it. "I guarantee you, if you ask her, she'll say yes."
"I won't ask her." Ruby insisted, though it sounded weak even to her ears.
"Did she say why she was being so harsh to you?" Sun asked in a low voice, cutting right to the heart of the matter.
Ruby stayed silent.
"If you want to find out, this is a way to do it." Sun pushed the paper into her hand. "Or don't. Either way, I've meddled enough."
With that, Sun left, laughing with the crew, leaving Ruby alone in a dimly lit kitchen.
She looked at the paper in one hand. And the cookies in the other. She remembered Weiss shouting at her. Yelling. Making her feel like shit.
She remembered tonight, Weiss was meek. Quiet. Accepting of mistakes and corrections.
Ruby remembered last week. In the bar. Weiss' core hot on her fist, lips pouted, moans buzzing in her ear, breath hot, her body pressing against her.
Ruby touched her lip. The taste of the cookie. The taste of Weiss' heat. Sweet in her memory.
She pulled her phone out and put the number in. She saved the contact and, trying not to think too hard, tapped out a text.
Hey. About the day after tomorrow. Want to grab some breakfast?
Send.