AN: If it had not been for the holidays, I would have had this out last month. Oddly enough I had more trouble writing this chapter than anything else I've done. I hope you all enjoy!
Chapter Four
Lie Ren was many things, a published author, devoted brother, and if asked he would say he was a good cook. But at that moment he was above all nervous. It didn't help that he still thought the clothes that Nora and Ruby had picked for him were a little too formal. While he loved his sister and her fiancé, he wasn't as fond of their clothing taste. The detective and fitness instructor had picked out a green and white dress-shirt, a pair of gray slacks, and black flats.
"At least the cut of the shirt lets me keep it untucked. You girls went overboard." The author muttered to himself. Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the cafe that had been chosen for his date with Blake.
They had met a few months before during a morning rush at that very same cafe. Blake had almost knocked him off of his feet, bumping into him with a sizable coffee order that could have filled a conference hall. After that day it had slowly become a routine that they would run into one another there. It had actually been the feline Faunus who suggested the idea of seeing one another for the first time outside of their usual morning routine.
"A bit overdressed for a cafe aren't you, Ren?"
The raven-haired man turned at the question, reddening a little as he found the smirking amber-eyed Faunus who had spoken. Blake's own attire wasn't any less formal, having only managed to get away from work. A black and white office coat, matching skirt, and black heels. The only thing she had managed to do to avoid being late was tie her hair back with a bow of black silk.
"I think we both might be a bit overdressed, Blake." Ren chuckled as he joined her in a booth near the back of the cafe.
"I think you may be right; my shift went longer than I had expected." She admitted, her ears flattening slightly in embarrassment. "I basically came straight here."
The author blinked in surprise at her words. "I would've been fine if you needed another hour or two, you didn't have to rush yourself."
"I didn't want to make a bad impression by asking if you'd be fine with moving the time." The Faunus replied, taking an interest in the tablecloth.
"Penny for your thoughts, Blake?" He asked, hoping to ease her embarrassment.
"Can I be honest?" She asked as she waved down a waiter. "I'm incredibly rusty at this."
"As am I." Ren replied with a chuckle, "I couldn't make up my mind on a few things about what would work for me. My sister and her fiancé kind of made the choices for me, and then tossed me out of the house."
Blake nodded with an approving smile, "If you don't mind me saying, they have a good eye for colors. I think they suit you."
"Thank you. The black and white really does make the amber of your eyes stand out, they're a beautiful shade. Golden and warm, like the sun shining through honey." The author glanced away from her, apologizing as a waiter finally took notice of them but had to hurry to another table. "I am so sorry, that was way too forward."
"No, no, it's fine." She replied, surprised at the compliment. "Honestly you're the first person to actually say something like that."
"Being surrounded by fashion nuts has some advantages, even if I end up shooting off my mouth." He pursed his lips at the last part. Ren had spent much of the morning editing his latest manuscript and his mind was still running unfiltered. I really should have saved editing for later.
Blake's ears perked up at the mention that he was familiar with people in the fashion scene. "Been around anyone I might recognize? I've done a few fashion articles."
"That's right, you did mention you were working freelance." Ren replied, smiling and relieved at not having made a fool of himself. "Yang Xaio-Long is her name, though she and her partner Velvet have only been active for a few years."
"Yes, that name actually does ring a few bells." The feline Faunus blinked a few times as she thought over what he had just said. What are the odds of this? Calm down, Belladonna. Work and private life are separate, no need to get the others involved.
"Are you all right, Blake?" Ren asked, surprised at her reaction. "You're looking a little lost there."
"I was just thinking about what I'm going to have." Blake replied, starting to look over the menu. The raven-haired woman was actually surprised the waiter had not gone over to them yet, she could have used the change of subject.
Not exactly the truth, Blake. The world is smaller than I thought, I didn't realize who she was till just now. I should tell her what I know now to clear the air. Ren thought, nodding as he realized what was happening. "There is something you should know."
"Something serious?" She asked cautiously.
"It could be. You haven't said who you work for, but I think I may have an idea. Can I take a guess?" The author asked.
Blake narrowed her eyes slightly, her ears perked listening intently. "Well, curiosity has this cat. Give it your best guess and I'll tell you if you're right."
"Glisten Magazine. Head of the freelance department." As her eyes started to widen, Ren held up a hand. "Let me give you my reasoning first. Yang and her partner Velvet put in an application for Glisten Magazine. To say they have a few issues of the magazine is an understatement. I saw your name come up in the credits pages of many of them."
The amber-eyed Faunus let out a breath she didn't know she was holding; it came out in a relieved sigh as her ears flattened slightly. "I see. Guess keeping the news that I work for Glisten quiet is out. But that takes some stress off at least."
"Yeah. Do me a favor and treat them exactly how you would treat any other employee."
"Pardon?" Blake asked, almost as shocked hearing that request as she was at hearing him guess who she worked with.
"Yang and Velvet would kill me if I tried pulling any strings. My sister would dispose of me in a punching bag, and Yang's sister, Ruby, would pull strings to hide the evidence." Ren said, chuckling a little at the truth in the statement. Those four wouldn't let him do something so unethical. "I'd really like to be able to finish my book and I can't do that if I'm dead."
"I see what you're saying. I'd still like to try things between us." Blake said, giving him a small smile and setting aside the menu. Things would have to wait between them, but what was one or two more weeks? From their morning chats up until this moment, Lie Ren seemed genuine enough for her to keep this going. "But I have to at least ask, if you're fine with a do-over first date? And if you're fine with waiting until after their probation period?"
The author nodded, smiling as he replied. "Sure, what do you say to meeting here and then possibly a movie?"
"Sounds like a date then. How is that book coming along by the way?" She asked, curious about it as Ren had only ever brought it up in passing.
"It was slow going but almost done. I just have some editing left." Ren answered as the waiter finally made it to their table.
Summer Rose smiled slightly as she sipped at a cup of tea, eavesdropping on the pair. Ruby would likely have given her an ear full about the rules of privacy had she known that the old detective was spying on Ren during his date. But unlike Ruby, Summer was retired. And what mother wouldn't stick her nose in when a future in-law was going on his first date in years?
"Oh, the awkwardness of the dating scene. How many times did I hear conversations about a do-over like this between the others when they started getting serious? Not a bad call though, it gives them the chance to avoid hurt feelings and make a better impression." The silver-red haired woman mused quietly. "She seems like a bookish one, if somewhat reserved. Matches young Lotus to a tee."
Finished with her tea, the retired detective started to get up to pay, as a card with green lotus was handed to her waiter instead. "Leaving already, Summer?"
"I had hoped you didn't see me, Lotus, couldn't resist eavesdropping a bit." She replied with a chuckle, "I must be getting dull in my old age, I didn't even hear you come over."
"While you're here we might as well make introductions." Ren said, gesturing to Blake and back to Summer. "Blake, this is Summer Rose. She's my future mother-in-law."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Rose." Blake replied, giving her a smile.
"No need for the formalities with me, Blake. Summer is just fine with me. Has Lotus here told you anything about us?" She asked, arching an eyebrow at the author.
There is that name again. Where have I read it before? "Only that he's surrounded by fashion, detectives, and health nuts." The Faunus' answer brought an amused smile to the elder Rose's lips.
"Well, I'm not exactly wrong, Summer." Ren replied at Summer's smirk. "And do you need to keep dropping that name? I only ever use it for work, otherwise the bank gets difficult."
"Lotus…" Blake's ears shot up as she realized who she was standing next to. "Author of The River Garden series?"
"I see you've heard of Ren's work then?" The retired detective asked. Two peas in a pod. This will certainly get them bonding and help smooth things over.
"I've got every book in hardcover, picked them up on day one each time." The amber-eyed woman nodded. "To say I'm waiting eagerly for the next one is an understatement."
"Good news there, that's the rough manuscript I just finished. Just need to do some more editing before sending it to the publisher." The author replied, surprised that he had run into someone who actually read his books as most of his sales were outside of Vale.
"What would it take for me to read it first?" Blake asked, trying to keep a semblance of calm at meeting one of her favorite authors.
"Just let me finish the editing and I'll bring it on our do-over before I send it off for publishing." Ren replied simply. If he was honest, hiding behind the pen-name was helpful in that it let him keep his mostly quiet life. However it did feel good to finally let someone else outside his family know about that side of him.
"I'll leave you both here." Summer interjected as she started to leave the cafe. "Finish getting better acquainted and don't hide things, it'll make your do-over go smoother!"
"Do you have time for a short walk at least, Lotus?" Blake asked, gesturing to the nearby park as they stepped into the afternoon sun, "I can give you a few ideas about what to expect from Glisten to pass on and it'd be a shame to waste the rest of the day."
"Lead the way, Freelancer." Ren chuckled in-spite of the afternoon's strange turn of events. "Do you want any warnings about what to expect from the next book in exchange?"
"Now you're teasing." The Faunus replied with a smile. "Just be on time for our do-over and I'll consider us even."
Ruby let out an approving sigh when she felt her lower back pop as Nora kneaded along her spine. "Did I ever tell you that you're amazing at this, Sparky?"
"Often, Rosebud. Were you slouching at your desk again this week?" Nora asked, knowing what her fiancé's reply would be. "You are nothing but knots."
"Yes…" The detective moaned as she felt another pop in her back as the smaller woman worked.
"And how many times have I told you not to?" Nora asked, grinning mischievously as she leaned in and started lightly trailing kisses down the back of her neck.
"Often." Ruby admitted, wanting nothing more than to flip over and return the orange-haired woman's teasing.
"Bingo." Nora said, getting off of her. "Now sit up, I can't do your neck and shoulders properly on this couch."
"You evil tease." The silver-eyed woman muttered. "So how do you think that date is going?"
"Knowing Ren, and what he's told me about her, they're both being awkward and bookish." The fitness instructor said as she worked at Ruby's neck. Damn, Rosebud, how long have you been this tense? I'm shocked you didn't say anything sooner.
"But likely compatible?" The detective asked, interrupting Nora's thoughts.
"Possibly. Depending on her personality." Nora said, smirking approvingly as she heard the slight pop in Ruby's neck and the accompanied relief filled moan. "Say, why didn't you have me do this sooner? You've never been this tense, is something wrong at the station?"
"It was this last case." Ruby took a deep breath as she spoke, her recent case had been her worst one yet. And she had been bottling things up, she hadn't wanted to worry the others. "Seven people were killed because I wasn't quick enough at catching the guy. I got him, but…"
"Ruby Valkyrie-Rose, will you look at me?" Nora asked firmly, and waited until the detective did as she asked. "The blame for them lies with the perp. You managed to get him and keep him from hurting more people, that is what you should be focused on. Who knows how many more people are safe because he's not on the streets?"
Nora didn't wait for Ruby to reply. As she moved to recline on the couch she pulled the taller woman back down with her, wrapping her in a hug as she did so. For once she was thankful the four-bedroom house that she and Ren had inherited was peaceful. It was only during these quiet moments when they were alone would she be able to get Ruby to show her what was going on inside.
"I, uh, did some digging about Blake." The detective said after a few minutes, still not moving from her place atop her fiancé, her head resting on her chest. "Things might get interesting."
"Oh? Aren't you against snooping like this?" Nora asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Normally, yes. There is only one Blake Belladonna registered in Vale."
"And? Don't leave me hanging!" She prompted eagerly, adjusting herself just enough to be able to look down at her.
"She's the Editor-in-Chief's assistant and freelance department head of Glisten Magazine." Ruby stated, unsurprised at the shocked look that Nora gave her as she sat up again.
"Well…that could put a wrench in things, couldn't it?"
"Depends on how the company handles things like that." Ruby shrugged, hoping it wouldn't cause any issues. "We both know Ren isn't stupid enough to ask for things he shouldn't."
"True, God I hope she isn't stuck up. Makes you realize how small Vale is though doesn't it?" Nora asked gesturing about her. "I mean what are the odds that Renny would run into someone that high on Glisten's food chain, let alone Yang and Velvet sending in their application?"
"Well look at it this way, if you and Ren had been just another mile down the road you'd have gone to a different school as a kid, and we would never have met." The red-haired woman said, capturing Nora's flailing hands in her own and kissing the backs of each of them.
"But we didn't, and we did meet." The fitness instructor said, smiling at the gesture.
"Exactly. Butterfly effect, Sparky." Ruby said, turning the tables on her this time as she pulled her into her lap. And began to tease the orange-haired woman in her own way, lightly nibbling at her ear and collarbone.
"Good thing it worked out for us." Nora said, failing to hold back a gasp at the other woman's efforts. As her phone chimed, interrupting the moment. "Uh…Rosebud?"
"What's up, Sparky?" She asked, ceasing her antics for the moment and resting her chin on the crook of Nora's neck to better see her phone.
"Mom just sent me this." What Summer had sent her was a picture of Ren and Blake chatting at the cafe over their meal.
"I want to be mad about her snooping but…"
"You already did that yourself."
"Yup." Ruby nodded as she looked over the image. "Say what you will about how picky Ren is about people; he has good taste."
"Are you trying to tell me you have a thing for taller women now, Darling?" Nora asked teasingly with an arched eyebrow.
"Never." The detective stated, tightening her embrace on the smaller woman. "Now stay here and be the little spoon for a bit longer, you don't have to start cooking just yet."
"I love you, Rosebud." The fitness instructor said, subconsciously trying to move deeper into her embrace.
"I love you too, Sparky."