It was a beautiful summer day, birds were singing, flowers were blooming, and on days like this, people like me…
Shouldn't have to be stuck in a cramped bakery waiting for a customer to finally wander in at two in the afternoon!
The sun was shining brightly outside the Lynx Family Bakery and I had a feeling that if I was out there, I would be able to feel the cool feeling of the wind brushing through my ears.
"But you're not out there Rei. You're stuck in here, cleaning dough and making cookies for the only customer that will probably show up today." I sighed as I brought my rag across the counter once more, continuing the arduous process of ridding it of the dough that had stuck there during the preparation of my latest batch of cookies.
Truth be told, I didn't mind the work, I even often found it enjoyable. But on slow days like this, time seemed to drag on forever and make my job magnitudes more monotonous.
My grandfather had always said that the best way to attract customers was to make it look like you're always busy with something. "Let's know that you're working hard and actually putting effort into what you make" he always said, and over the years of working with him I had slowly come to agree with the sentiment.
When he passed just two years ago, it had been an extremely devastating affair for me. The older lynx faunus had practically raised me after my parents abandoned me at a young age, and where I had come to see him as a father, he in turn saw me as a daughter. When he had died, he had left me as the sole inheritor of his will, gifting me everything he had owned at the time of his death, bakery included.
I had been working with him in said bakery since I was young so I more or less knew how the whole thing worked. I got up at the buttcrack of dawn to prepare the dough and begin making the first pastries for those who were going into work in the morning, and my work didn't stop until the shop closed at six.
There was something satisfying about putting in a hard day's work and being rewarded with the satisfaction of those you had served. It was…cathartic, and now there was rarely a time that I wasn't doing at least something. Whether at work or in the space I called home merely a few feet above me.
Still, on days like this there was little I wouldn't give to be curled up on my bed in the loft, reading a book on my scroll, or leaned over a table going over the plans for my next heis-
I was interrupted from my thoughts by a small jingle from the bell that hung from the store entrance.
"Reeeeiiiiii!" A familiar voice called out and I felt a smile flit across my face.
"Give me just one moment! I'm just about to pull your order out of the oven!" I yelled out to the owner of the voice, smiling wider at the high pitched 'Oookaaay' I received in return.
I reached into the oven and retrieved the tray of cookies that had been kept warm in there, placing them into a white box, making sure to sort them by flavour as had been requested, before sliding it closed and making my way out to my waiting customer.
I was met with the all too familiar sight of a pale girl in a red cloak, sitting at the stool nearest the counter, feet swinging merrily as she waited for her favorite treats. On the counter in front of her was a red blocky piece of metal that would look unassuming to those who didn't know the owner. I had seen the girl whip that thing out enough times to know better by now.
Ruby Rose had been a regular customer at the bakery for several years at this point, having wandered in one day while my grandfather and I had been closing up. She had such a pitiful expression on her face as she saw us throwing away the stale cookies and my old man had taken pity on her, giving her the rest.
The way her face lit up at that… Later after she left, my grandfather had taken me aside and said, "See that girl Rei, see that look on her face? That one act of kindness just earned us a lifelong customer." And he had been right, for just three days later Ruby came wandering in again, this time well before close and with a fistful of lien.
She had ordered one of every cookie we had on the menu, along with a glass of milk. Then she stayed in the bakery for the next hour or so, just scarfing down cookie after cookie until her father came to collect her, saying that she would be back next week.
Lo and behold, next week rolled around and she came back. And then she did so the next week, and the next, and the next, and the next, and she hadn't stopped doing it since.
This had led to the two of us becoming good friends, such good friends in fact, that when she heard about my grandfather's death, she had dropped everything and forced her father to bring her to Vale solely to comfort me in my time of need. Something I was extremely grateful for.
Yes, my life was brightened considerably thanks to the other girl's presence. Still, I better give her her cookies before she bursts from excitement, something I imagined would happen soon given that she was practically vibrating in her seat at the smell coming from the box in my hands.
"Ruby, I've got your order!" No less than a second after I spoke, she appeared in front of me at the counter in a burst of rose petals, making grabby hands at the bag in my clutches.
"Gimme!" She said as she nearly dove over the counter in a an attempt to get at the bag
"Hold on missy!" I laughed as I reached my arm out to hold her back, "You still haven't told me what you're doing in Vale in the first place. You usually don't come over her until you run out of treats or things for your weapon, and I know that you just refilled your supply of both." I narrowed my eyes at her playfully.
She had gone from attempting to take the bag from me to just staring at it in undisguised hunger, "Give me my cookies and I'll tell you." She bargained and I laughed, handing them over eliciting a small cheer from the hyperactive girl.
"Alright, so I originally came to Vale to get a copy of issue 228 of Weapon Magazine," I chuckled at the pun and she stuck her tongue out at me, "Don't laugh, it's a bad pun. Anyway, I was looking through the magazine for upgrades for my baby, when I was interrupted by a guy trying to rob me!"
I snorted, "And I assume it didn't go too well for him?"
"Nope!" She grinned, "I beat him up! And then I saw there were others trying to rob the rest of the store so I beat them up too! I was all like, POW! BAM! SWOOSH!" I watched in amusement as she pantomimed beating people up, sound effects and all.
"And then I fought this guy who I'm pretty sure was an ex hunter or something. He had a white suit and a bowler hat and used this cane that was also a gun and also a grappling hook and he shot at me with fire dust and-"
"Wait wait wait," I stopped her in her tracks, "Fancy suit? Bowler hat? Mascara? Cane-gun? That's Roman Torchwick! You're telling me you fought Roman Torchwick and were barely injured!?" I asked in astonishment.
Ruby shrugged, "I guess? I didn't get his name but he was really good. He had all these weird moves and I could barely keep up with him. And he got away even with my super speed!" She pouted, crossing her arms over her chest.
I just nodded, "Yeah, that's what he does. He's an expert at dueling single opponents, and from what I've heard, barely anyone at all has been able to keep up with him one on one when he's really trying. He specializes in dirty fighting and escape and he utilizes both extremely well, it honestly wouldn't surprise me if he had a cognition enhancement Semblance." I postulated.
Ruby hummed, "Maybe, I didn't see him use a Semblance but you're right, it might be internal or something." She shook her head, "Anyway, back to my story! After he got onto the Bullhead, there was this scary looking woman who shot fire at me! I would have been toast if it wasn't for that huntress with the riding crop making that barrier to block the shots. And then she arrested me." She pouted again.
I chuckled, "Sounds like Ms Goodwitch. She's a veteran huntress who teaches at beacon. She's the Vice Headmistress there last I heard. Real strict lady. She probably took exception to you stopping a robbery without a license."
"Yeah, she seemed pretty strict." Ruby nodded, before she gasped, "Oh! And get this!" She practically jumped up and down in excitement, "I got to talk to Ozpin, and he was kinda weird but he fed me cookies that weren't as good as yours and said I could come to Beacon two years early!"
I gasped at that. It was a rare thing that someone got accepted into a combat school like Beacon early, much less two whole years early! Ruby must have really impressed Ozpin for him to make her an offer like that.
"That's fantastic news Ruby!" I congratulated the other girl, "There's nobody I know who deserves it more than you." I said sincerely.
"Bah, you're just saying that." She waved off and I shook my head.
"No, I mean that Ruby, you really do deserve this after all the hard work you've put into your training." I said, watching with amusement as she stammered lightly at my proclamation.
"Well then, as a bit of a congratulatory treat…" I leaned down underneath the counter to grab a paper bag I had stashed there earlier, "I would like you to have these." I finished as I placed it on the counter.
Ruby stared at the bag in wonder as her nose picked up the scent emerging from it, and she hesitantly pulled the two sides apart to reveal the contents to her amazed eyes.
I leaned my cheek on my palm as I watched the other girl slowly, almost reverently, pull a dark brown cookie from its depths. She brought the cookie to her nose and inhaled again, shivering this time at the enhanced smell.
"It's forty percent dark chocolate peanut butter with a caramel drizzle. I know you don't like things too bitter so I tried to not go overboard on the cacao beans."
Ruby slowly put one up to her mouth and took a small bite, and the moment the treat touched her taste buds, the rest of the cookie disappeared into her mouth with astounding speed.
She hummed happily as she savored the flavour, and I watched with an amused smile on my face as she practically bounced up and down in the empty bakery.
"How do you keep making cookies this delicious!?" She asked as she reached into the bag to grab another one, "Any cookies I make are nowhere near this good. And I make good cookies." she complained as she stuffed it into her mouth and held another one out for me to take, which I did so happily
I shrugged as I took a bite of my own cookie, "It's a secret. I might tell you when you're older." I winked at her.
She flushed lightly at my actions, "But you're only two years older than me…" she pouted as she reached her hand in the bag yet again.
I just chuckled, "Two years makes a world of difference Ruby, especially when you've had a life like mine."
She just stuck her tongue out childishly, before turning her attention back to her 'meal'.
As we sat there, munching on the treats I made, I noticed Ruby was distracted, not enjoying the treats with nearly as much enthusiasm as she should be, "Is everything alright Ruby?" I asked, and she jumped as if startled.
"Oh, who me? Yeah I'm okay. Nothing wrong here! Nope, nothing at all!" She exclaimed and I just raised an eyebrow at her.
She deflated immediately, "Ok, there's something wrong. I just don't want to worry you or anything."
I scoffed, "Ruby, you've been there for me more times than I can count with a calculator. Let me return the favor, yeah? Spill, what's wrong?"
"Ok, it-I jus…" She stammered and I waited patiently for her to speak, "Rei, do you think it was a good idea to accept Ozpin's offer? Should I just wait until I finish at Signal and go to Beacon with the rest of my class?" She asked.
Ah, so that's what this was about. I hummed, taking another bite of my cookie, "Well Ruby, for most people I would have said yes. Training is important after all, and most people would benefit from a well rounded education no matter their skill level. Not to mention help from their peers."
Her gaze turned down toward the counter and I hurriedly finished my statement before she got the wrong idea, "But Ruby," I reached across the counter and grabbed one of her hands, forcing her to look at me, "Tell me, when you saw what those thugs were doing in that dust store, did you hesitate? Did the thought of running ever cross your mind?"
She shook her head as she stared at me with wide eyes, and I smiled encouragingly, "That. That right there tells me you're ready. Most people your age would have seen what was happening and panicked, or ran away in an attempt to call for help. Not you, you saw something happening, realized it was wrong, and put a stop to it. That's why Ozpin gave you that offer, not just because of how skilled you are."
"You have the kindest heart of anyone I know, you'll be a great huntress Ruby." I finished warmly, staring into her mirror-like eyes, "I know you will."
Her face was as red as her cloak and she tried to hide behind her bags of cookies, "T-thank you Rei…" There was a small moment that we just stood there, and I could just barely see her features shift, obscured as they were.
I was stunned as the containers were suddenly on the counter to her right, and the girl herself had her arms wrapped around my body in a hug. I stood frozen in shock for a moment, my own arms stuck in the air in surprise. Just as I went to reciprocate the hug, Ruby darted backwards, picking up her cookies and turning toward the door.
"OkthankyouReibutI'vegottogoYangswaitingonmebye!'
And then she was gone, rose petals drifting to the floor of the now empty bakery in her departure, leaving me even more stunned in the process.
'That girl…' I thought as I shook my head fondly at her antics. I looked down at the rose petals covering the floor and sighed. They'd disappear in around ten minutes as their residual aura ran out, but I might as well go ahead and clean them up. It would give me something to do while I waited for the next customer to roll in, whenever that may be.
As I went to the back to get a broom and dust pan, muy mind wandered to the silver eyed brunette who had just exited my store. It wouldn't be too far a stretch to say I was terribly fond of Ruby and her general mannerisms. I had known the other girl for years and she had been there for me in my darkest hours, always giving words of reassurance to me in times of hardship. She was the kindest person I had ever met.
Which was exactly why I worried for her.
I knew just how dangerous the life of a huntress could be. I didn't want to see Ruby's innocence fade in the face of the unending tide of grimm before the other girl even reached her majority. And I especially didn't want to be faced with a visit from her father saying she had been slain on a mission saving one of the many friends she would inevitably make at Beacon. I don't think I could take it if I lost my best friend so suddenly.
No, there was no reason to think like that. Ruby was one of the most skilled people on Remnant with that scythe of hers, and few grimm would be able to stand up to its dust infused edge. I would just have to trust that her training would see her through as it had for those who came before her.
It was all I could do after all.
I made short work of the rose petals, and made my way to the back to finish cleaning up the mess I made while making Ruby's cookies.
Around forty-five later,I was done, and I stretched my arms up to the ceiling as I took in my clean workspace with satisfaction. I looked at the clock on the wall, noting it was nearly five in the afternoon, "Welp!" I said out loud, "It's not looking like anybody else is coming in today, might as well close up early I guess."
The ears on the top of my head perked up at the signature sound of the bell on the store door ringing, indicating I had another customer.
'Well I stand corrected.' I thought wryly as I made my way out of the kitchen.
"Welcome to the Lynx Family Bakery, what can I get yo-" I stopped as I took in the appearance of the man who had entered. Black suit with a crimson tie, bowler hat and red sunglasses, and an equally red sword in his hand. This man was one of Junior's thugs, a member of the Xiong Family.
"What are you doing here? I already paid up this month." I asked as I scowled at the gang member. To operate a business in Vale, one needed to pay a 'protection fee' to the Xiong Family as they were the biggest criminal syndicate in the kingdom. Rates differed depending on where one was. Given that I was operating in the city proper, my rates were extremely high
Still I had already paid this month. So what was this asshole doing here?
"Yeah well, me and a few of my boys decided that you faunus aren't paying enough to do your business in our upstanding neighborhoods. We're upping your price." He scoffed, resting his sword on his shoulder in an attempt to look intimidating, "I'm here to collect."
I held my hands up in mock fear even as anger filled my mind, "Ok ok, I'll pay. No need to get violent. I've got the money right here, just let me grab it." I said as I began reaching below the counter.
He nodded as he stepped up to the counter, grinning smugly, "Good to hear. Maybe I should mess up this shop a bit to teach you a lesso-" He stopped talking as the barrel of a revolver was placed between his eyes.
I grinned, exposing sharpened canines while I took in his terrified expression as he came face to face with Trick. The revolver felt just as at home in my hands as it always had since I made it years ago.
Trick was the first and only weapon I had ever made. It wasn't mechashift, I never saw a reason for it given I didn't want to be a huntress, but it didn't need to be as it was for situations in which I didn't have another weapon available. Situations like now.
Trick was a high powered revolver that carried a payload of high velocity burn dust rounds, backed by a firing mechanism infused with gravity dust to further increase velocity and reduce drop off at longer ranges. The metal shell was made of a dust infused steel alloy specifically designed to handle the backlash from high powered rifles, which should tell one just how powerful it was. Hell, just shooting it without an active aura was just asking for a shattered wrist and fractured forearm.
In short, whatever Trick was pointed at when I pulled the trigger practically ceased to exist, aura or otherwise. And from the look on the thug's face, even he recognized that much.
"You have until the count of three to get out of my store before I have to call Junior to scrape your corpse off the pavement." My threat was emphasized by a menacing 'click' as I manually cocked the hammer on my revolver.
He stared at me for a moment longer, eyes indiscernible through his glasses, before holding his hand up and walking back toward the door, "You're making a mistake. You won't get away with this."
"The more you talk, the itchier my trigger finger gets." I commented, "I'd shut your mouth before I decide to scratch that itch."
He scowled, before turning on his heel and running the rest of the way out of my store, bell above the door jingling violently at his rapid departure.
I kept Trick trained on him through the glass storefront as he fled, making sure to keep his head in my cross hairs just in case he turned around and tried anything.
Luckily he didn't, and I sighed as he escaped my view, disappearing around the corner and out of sight, startling a young couple who happened to be walking in the opposite direction. They looked toward me in confusion, and I just shook my head.
I placed my revolver on the counter and ran a hand through my short hair, "Fuck!" I cursed quietly as I thought about the situation I had just been put in. This was a problem. If what he said was true, there were more like him in Junior's ranks, racists who thought faunus should have to pay more than everyone else for 'protection'. And I didn't have nearly enough lien to cover something like that.
Hell, I barely had enough to keep the lights on in the bakery, and I knew for certain I wasn't a good enough fighter to fend off any significant amount of thugs they sent to convince me without damaging my store…
"Get your shit together Junior, you just gonna let them do whatever the hell they want!?" I cursed the gang boss in my mind, "Of course you are, you don't care what happens so long as you get your cut and it doesn't make the news. Bastard…"
I took a deep breath, composing myself and gathering my resolve.
It looked like I would have to push my plans forward. That dust shipment would be in my hands by the end of the week.
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