Just Like the Movies - Chapter 5

After tugging the long sleeves of a weirdly flowy shirt, Ruby frowned at her reflection.  No matter what she did, too much fabric dangled around.  At first, she thought the extra strips were meant to be belts, but even her fashion-impaired mind knew that the result looked horrible.

“Ruby?”

“Oh, thank god,” she muttered before pulling back the dressing room curtain.  As soon as she spotted Yang and Blake in the clothing store, both with drinks in hand, she popped out of the dressing room and held her arms out.  “What’s wrong with this shirt?”

Blake’s brow rose, but she sipped her drink while Yang set her cup down on one of the waiting area chairs.

“You’re supposed to tie it up.”  Yang motioned for Ruby to turn around and, with a few expert tugs and twists, completely altered the shirt.  “See?” she asked as Ruby rechecked her reflection.

“You’re literally a magician,” she said, awed by the transformation.  Yang just chuckled and returned to Blake, their hands linked together once more, while Ruby turned towards them.  “But is this fancy enough for a launch party?”

“Depends on what’s being launched.  A career?  A rocket?  A chocolate cake?”

Ruby dropped her arms to her sides when Yang grinned.  And of course Blake smiled - she did nothing but encourage this behavior.

“It’s a new Schnee Industries product.  So…help me, please?”

“Wait.  She invited you to a work thing?” 

“Yes…”  Ruby motioned with her hands to move past that point, but Yang did the most typical Yang thing: folded her arms over her chest and grinned as if Ruby had just said something exceptionally funny.

“I thought you were keeping this under wraps.  The whole ‘secret Schnee’ thing.”

“We were.  But things are…different now.”  

Ruby tugged her sleeve, hoping to get through the subject without adding to her big lie.  Of course, her lack of response left Yang and Blake filling in their own answers, which they did by sharing another meaningful look.

“Oh…”  The way Yang drew out the word always made Ruby imagine a loading screen as Yang downloaded Blake’s thoughts directly into her mind.  “This is the next step!” she concluded once the download completed.  She then grinned at Ruby.

“Have you met her family yet?”  When Ruby opened and then closed, her mouth, Yang laughed.  “You have!  How’d it go?  What’re they like?”

“I didn’t meet her dad,” Ruby clarified.  “But her mom and siblings are nice.  Her brother’s a fan.”

“Who isn’t a fan?”

“Her sister, apparently…” Ruby muttered, remembering Winter’s suspicious glances.  Blake briefly frowned before her gaze drifted to the nearby rack of shirts, which she casually flipped through, but Yang squinted at Ruby as if pulling the memories straight from her mind.

“It’s her older sister, right?”

“Right.”

Yang nodded at the response before checking the two shirts that Blake held out in front of her.  She pointed to the pastel purple one on the left, which Blake then handed to Ruby.

“What does her being an older sister have to do with it?” Ruby asked while dutifully ducking back into the dressing room.

“Ruby, she could be the biggest Skyfall fan in the world, but no way she’s letting you know that when you’re dating her extremely successful, extremely wealthy little sister.  Who knows what type of people they have lurking around?”

“So she thinks I’m using her?”

“Maybe.”  Ruby frowned as she disentangled herself from the flowy shirt and tugged the more comfortable purple shirt over her head, but Yang added, “I mean, if she wasn’t one of the richest people in Vale, I’d think she was using you.”

Shirt finally in place, Ruby pushed the curtain aside and looked at Yang.

“Would you really?”

“Absolutely,” Yang admitted before flitting around Ruby, tugging the shirt in several places while Ruby’s brow remained furrowed.  She wanted to say that she wasn’t using Weiss, but she kind of was.  Except not for money or power or any of the typical things.  She was using Weiss for…an excuse to keep Yang from worrying?

“I’m not using her.”

“We know that,” Blake assured her.

“Yeah, Ruby, you’re literally set for life and surrounded by famous people all day.  You aren’t after fame or fortune, but her sister doesn’t know you like we do.”

“Then…I just need her to get to know me.”

“Exactly.”  Yang set her hands on Ruby’s shoulders and then tilted her head.  “This color’s not the best on you.”  

Finally in designer mode, Yang went to the nearby racks and flipped through shirts as if she knew exactly what she was looking for.  Ruby had no idea how she did it, but she eventually pulled out a dark-green button-up that Ruby had already shaken her head at.  Of course, she was the fashion-impaired one here, so she accepted it when Yang pressed it into her hands.

“But you don’t think she’s using me, right?” Ruby pressed while trying it on.

“What would she even use you for?”

“I don’t know…good publicity?”  

Ruby stepped out of the dressing room and held out her arms, but Blake and Yang both squinted at her before simultaneously shaking their heads.

“Pretty sure her family owns most of the newspapers,” Blake pointed out while Yang pressed another shirt into Ruby’s hands and shooed her back into the dressing room.

“That’s right.”  Yang chuckled while Ruby changed yet again.  “Weiss dominates the boardroom; you dominate the big screen - it’s a match made in heaven.”

“Or a match made in a restroom…” Ruby mumbled.

“What?”

“Just wondering if I have to try on the whole store,” Ruby called out louder.

“It’s a process,” Yang reminded her for the millionth time in her young life.  Ruby sighed as she re-emerged from the dressing room and again presented herself for inspection.  She couldn't count the number of times that she had stood like this while Yang whirled around her, straightening seams and tugging hems into place.  

“Better,” Yang muttered before stepping back and waggling her brow.  “The real question is…who dominates the bedroom?”

“Yang,” Ruby groaned.  Her cheeks defied her by turning red when Yang chuckled.  Blake, meanwhile, rolled her eyes.

“We made it almost two hours without you making something sexual.”

“A new record!”

While Blake made a so-so gesture with one hand and Yang playfully argued her case, Ruby absentmindedly stared at her reflection.  Her thoughts, however, refused to veer away from Yang’s remark.  Weiss had kissed her…but did Weiss like her enough to do those things with her?  Maybe not right now, but if they spent more time together, which they were already doing…

“So…” Yang said, interrupting Ruby’s train of thought with another sly grin.  “What’s it like?”

“Come on, Yang.”  Ruby shoved her sister’s shoulder, blush deepening, so Yang laughed and held up a pair of black slacks.

“These are really easy to get into…if you know what I mean.”

Ruby’s jaw dropped, but she looked at Blake before grabbing the hanger from Yang.

“The curtains know what you mean,” she said before ducking into the dressing room.  Yang’s laughter followed her as she shook her head and quickly changed into the pair of slacks.  Yang was, unfortunately, correct, but Ruby would call them ‘comfortable’ rather than ‘easy to get into.’

She liked what she saw in the dressing room mirror, but she needed Yang’s stamp of approval before calling this ‘the one.’  Reappearing for her audience, she held out her arms.

“What do you think?” she asked, though she didn’t need to after seeing Yang’s smile.

“You look incredible.”  Yang swept around Ruby for a cursory inspection before returning to Blake and kissing her cheek.  “I love shopping with you,” Yang cooed before gasping.  “We need accessories!”

Blake and Ruby rolled their eyes in unison but said nothing while Yang hurried to the jewelry racks.  With Yang doing her thing, Ruby checked her reflection more thoroughly as Blake came to stand beside her.

“She’s really happy seeing you.”  Blake’s amber eyes flitted to Yang before returning to Ruby’s in the mirror.  Ruby dropped her arms to her side and sighed.

“Yeah, me too.  I feel bad for letting it go so long.”

“Don’t worry.  She understands.  She always says that she’s happy as long as you know she’s there whenever you need her.”

“I do.”  Ruby glanced at Yang, busy squinting at two different bracelets, before turning towards Blake.  “I want to be there for her too though.  And for you.  And - everyone, really.”

Ruby stopped herself before ‘Weiss’ slipped out, but Blake’s knowing smile suggested that it hadn’t mattered.

“It’s sweet that you’ve been seeing Weiss for a little while but act like you just started dating.”

“Ah, well…she dresses really nice all the time.  I don’t want to look like a slouch.”

“Now you know how I feel with Yang,” Blake teased.

“Thank god she helps us shop.”

Yang returned in the midst of Blake’s chuckle, the sound earning her adoring smile before she presented Ruby with a silver bracelet and glossy black belt.  “Nothing crazy,” Yang assured her while she added the accessories.  “But a little extra oomph.”

As soon as Ruby turned around, she agreed.

“Wow.”  She twisted to the left and right, imagining what Weiss would think upon seeing her in this, before smiling at Yang in the mirror.  “I love it.”

“Yeah?”  Yang beamed when Ruby nodded, but her gaze grew contemplative shortly after.  “You know…this thing with Weiss seems way more serious than you made it sound.”

“It does?”  Ruby glanced at Yang and then frowned.  “I mean, I guess it’s pretty serious.  I like her a lot and want to keep seeing her.  I hope that’s what she wants.”

Ruby hadn’t realized how true that was until she said it out loud, and until Blake and Yang shared a knowing smile.  Yang then set a hand on Ruby’s shoulder.

“Trust me, Ruby.  It sounds like she’s just as into you as you’re into her - and you’re way into her.  You’re literally out shopping for her!  Who else would you do that for?”

“Like…no one.”

“Except for one person, it seems,” Blake mused.

Of course Ruby went shopping for Weiss.  That was the simplest answer in the world, yet it was such a deviation from her prior self that her friends would note the difference.  She knew what it meant - what started as a lie hadn’t remained a lie - but smoothed her hands down her new shirt before turning to her audience.

“Thank you.  Both of you.”

Blake smiled and dipped her chin, but Yang tilted her head.

“You don’t think we’re done, do you?”

“But…I have an outfit now.”

“Exactly.  You have one outfit.  We need at least two more - then you can make your final decision the day of.”

Ruby huffed and looked at Blake, who solemnly nodded, before gaping at her sister.  Yang shrugged as if the laws of fashion didn’t bend for any soul, then chuckled and asked, “And what’re you wearing to the premiere?”

Ruby mouthed the words to herself before her eyes widened.

“Oh my god.  I forgot that’s next week!”

“And might you need a dress for that…?” Yang prodded.  Her grin said that she knew the answer.  And Ruby, rather than protest a day out with her sister and Blake, dove into it instead.

“I do.”  Yang’s grin morphed into a beam while Ruby added, “And maybe we can find some jewelry, too?  Nothing fancy though.”

The way Yang froze suggested that Ruby just requested help committing a crime.  Then she leaned against Blake and wiped a fake tear from her eye.

“Look at her…all grown up.”  Yang sniffed and touched her heart but dropped the act once Ruby rolled her eyes.  “Alright, let’s pay and get out of here.  Those outfits won’t coordinate themselves!”

Ruby shared a bemused look with Blake before changing back into her regular attire, paying for her new outfit, and following Yang to who-knows-where.

Shopping with Yang was an exhausting but fun experience.  Ruby couldn't remember the last time the three of them had so much time to catch up on their lives.  She also couldn't remember the last time her arms felt like they might fall off from trying on so many shirts.  But, by the end of the day, her heart was warm, her feet sore, and her hands laden with shopping bags.  

When Yang put her mind to something, she succeeded.  She found the perfect dress for the Quantum Knights premiere, along with a reasonable pair of heels and jewelry to match.  She also painstakingly crafted three separate outfits for Ruby to wear to the Schnee Industries launch party, each with their own set of accessories and shoes.  Ruby’s bank account had suffered worse blows in the past, but it was still a sizable haul.

On the evening of the big day, Yang’s insistence on having multiple options turned out to be prescient.  One of the outfits just…fit better than the others, for whatever reason.  How Yang knew that would happen, Ruby would never understand.  What she did understand was that she was grateful for her sister’s help and also incredibly excited about the night.

Schnee Industries’ headquarters occupied the tallest and most visible skyscraper in downtown Vale, where its giant, blue “Schnee” sign could probably be seen from outer space.  Ruby had driven past the building hundreds of times before, but tonight she drove right up to the entrance, where a valet accepted her keys and a doorman bowed her into the lobby.  She only needed to step through the doors to know that tonight would be a night she’d never forget.

Where Crescent Productions had a clean, nerdy vibe, Schnee Industries was sleek, modern, and a bit pretentious.  The atrium, a soaring space with floor-to-ceiling windows, had been converted into an extravagant event space.  Giant banners hanging from the ceiling featured the company’s most well-known products along with several of Jacques Schnee himself.  Several large, covered pedestals had been placed throughout the space, clearly waiting for the big reveal.  A stage at one end of the room had a giant video screen behind it.  Silver and blue decorations were everywhere. 

Elegant seating areas had been set up - many of the guests sat and mingled while enjoying drinks from the fully staffed bar or food from the long catering table.  Photographers snapped pictures of everything from the decorations to the exhibits of current Schnee products.  The other guests seemed equally split between investors in expensive suits and media personnel wearing badges.

Ruby spotted Winter first.  Her sharp black business suit made her look even more intimidating than at dinner.  Or maybe it was how she’d tied her hair up in a tight bun.  Or maybe it was her perfect posture and the calm, cool way that she surveyed the guests.

Only the faintest thought of approaching Winter entered Ruby’s mind before it - and every other thought - flew right out of it.

Weiss stood near Winter, engaged in conversation with an elderly gentleman.  And she looked jaw-droppingly gorgeous.  She had tied her long, white hair up in a stylish ponytail.  Her black skirt hugged her curves.  Her heels showed off enviable calves.  And her black blazer revealed a white blouse that was itself tastefully revealing.

She looked elegant…competent…ravishing.  Ruby would sign her life away if Weiss set the paperwork in front of her.  That future seemed increasingly likely when Weiss glanced over, caught sight of her, and smiled.

Of all the important, influential people in the room, Weiss smiled at her.  Weiss then ended the conversation for her, hurried across the room to join her, reached out for her, and kissed her cheek.  Ruby’s hands settled on Weiss’ waist for a moment, feeling the silky skirt under her fingertips, while her gaze soaked in Weiss’ appearance.  As soon as Ruby noticed Weiss doing the same thing, however, she lowered her hands and blushed.

“Uh, hi.”  She rubbed the back of her neck as Weiss’ eyes met hers.

“Hi.”  Another smile tugged at Weiss’ lips as her gaze swept over Ruby another time.  “You look great.”

“Uh, yeah, thanks.  So do you.  Like, wow.”  Ruby gestured to Weiss as if that explained everything before tugging the hem of her shirt.  “And this is all new,” she admitted, sneaking a small grin Weiss’ way.  Weiss’ smile turned radiant - for a few instants becoming Ruby’s entire world - before the rest of the world barged back in.

A gentleman in a suit caught Weiss’ attention - only for a second, and only to shake her hand and say, “Good to see you, Miss Schnee” - and reminded them that they were in public.  Ruby put a more respectable distance between them, which Weiss promptly halved by inching forward.

“Thank you for coming.”

“No problem.”  In case Weiss thought that was a mere platitude, Ruby added, “Seriously, I’m happy to be here.”  

Weiss rewarded the sincerity with a smile worth every ounce of priceless minerals in the universe.  And Ruby, without that much money at her disposal, soon glanced around the impressive event space.

“I’ve never been here before.  It’s…big.”

“Doesn’t Crescent Productions take up several blocks?”

“Well, yeah…”  Ruby laughed at Weiss’ raised brow.  “Ok, it’s also pretty big, but it’s not like this.”  Ruby gestured to Schnee Industries before suddenly pausing and squinting at Weiss.  “Wait.  How do you know about Crescent Productions?”

“I didn’t watch any of the movies,” Weiss quickly replied, but her real answer brought a faint blush to her cheeks.  “I might have asked Whitley for background information.  And he might have driven me by it…”

She also might be a little embarrassed about it, but Ruby was ecstatic that she cared enough to go through the trouble.

“You should stop by next time you’re around.  I’ll give you the full tour.  The studios, production lots - anything you want to see.”

Ruby’s smile froze when Weiss took a tiny step closer and tenderly straightened the collar of her shirt.

“What if I just stop by to see you?” Weiss asked, her voice soft yet with a teasing smile on her lips.

“T-then…you can do that, too.  Anytime.  I’ll post one of the heroes at the door for you.”

“Then perhaps I’ll do that some day.”

Ruby’s heart fluttered at the thought of Weiss showing up at her office just to see her.  She wouldn't care if it was unannounced, but something told her that she would receive some form of forewarning, at least for the foreseeable future.  Maybe one day Weiss would feel comfortable dropping by unannounced.  What would their relationship look like for them to have that level of comfort with each other?

Weiss appeared to be contemplating the same thing, or potentially making plans for her first visit.  When another pair of guests looked like they might approach her then decided against it at the last second, she subtly straightened her shoulders while simultaneously releasing a soft sigh.

“I certainly didn’t plan for you to meet my family and see me at work on our first few dates.”

“It’s been great though,” Ruby assured her.  “We can plan a weekend away together next.”

“Maybe somewhere warm?” Weiss replied without missing a beat.  Her posture relaxed when Ruby laughed.  “My family owns a resort in Vacuo if you’re interested.”

“The entire resort?”  Weiss nodded, so Ruby narrowed her eyes and tried to hide a blatant smile.  “You guys are, like, super rich, huh?”

“Just a bit.” 

Ruby dissolved into giggles at the way Weiss pinched her thumb and forefinger together.  It was as if the mammoth building they stood in, the gargantuan estate where they shared dinner, and an entire resort represented just a ‘bit’ of wealth.  Weiss soon joined her - the two of them drawing curious glances for disturbing the uber-uptight peace.  By the time Ruby regained her composure, chuckling a few times to get it all out, her cheeks were warm and her mind was occupied by the thought that maybe they should plan a weekend away.

“And I know someone who owns a private island,” she suggested.  “He owes me a favor so…we could go there, too.”

“A private island?”  As soon as Ruby bobbed her head, Weiss tilted her head and smiled.  “You’re well-connected, aren’t you...”

“I mean, I know people…and sometimes those people know people.  And sometimes those people who know people also happen to be fans, so…”

Ruby lifted her hands in a shrug, but Weiss squeezed Ruby’s arm before a young lady wearing an earpiece and clutching her phone like a lifeline motioned for her attention.  The young woman then made a series of hand gestures that, remarkably, Ruby understood.

“Oh my god,” she gasped.  “You have a Ciel-clone.”

“A what?”

“A -”  Ruby stopped the explanation and shook her head.  “I’ll explain later.  You should get going - ten minutes isn’t a lot of time to do a run-through.”

“How did you -?”  Weiss glanced between the young woman and Ruby before softly laughing.  “You’re right.  I have to do some…work things…now, but I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Don’t worry about me.  There’s plenty to look at.”  

Ruby motioned to the various exhibits, but Weiss bit her bottom lip and hardly moved away.  It took Ruby’s reassuring smile and a soft nudge to ease her reluctance, but even then she sent Ruby one last apologetic look.

“But I wanted to spend the entire time with you.  If only -”  She gestured to the room, where her last name graced every spare corner.  “I worried the whole night that you thought I was ignoring you.”

Ruby reached out and touched Weiss’ elbow.  “You didn’t realize that you already made my night just saying hello.”  She waited for Weiss’ gaze to meet hers, and read hers, before gently turning Weiss around and prodding her forward.  “Now you should go before not-Ciel puts me on the ‘troublemaker’ list.”

A laugh slipped through Weiss’ lips, but she finally walked away, adding a soft, “She does have a list,” as she went.  Ruby watched Weiss join the young woman, who fired off updates and instructions while hurrying Weiss away.  They were stopped by several other guests for greetings, much to not-Ciel’s annoyance, before disappearing from view.

Should Ruby get Ciel an earpiece and phone to replace the clipboard…or would that make her too powerful?  She would probably figure out how to tap the earpiece into the building’s intercom system - a terrifying thought.  Besides, no clipboard meant no more tapping the clipboard with her pen.  Ruby could practically hear the forebodingly slow, steady tap…tap…tap now.

Ruby realized far too late that she wasn’t hearing Ciel’s ghost - that was the sound of Winter’s heels.  Weiss’ poised, definitely more intimidating sister was walking over, the measured gait and intent gaze enough to stiffen Ruby’s shoulders.  Yang’s comments, however, convinced Ruby to hold her ground.  Winter was only doing what Yang would do, but she was more polite about it than Yang would be.  Maybe that was the intimidating part.  Yang would come right out and say what she wanted to say, but Winter circled like a vulture waiting for its prey to keel over and die.

“You made it,” Winter greeted her, a polite smile already in place.

“Of course I did!  Did you…think I wouldn't?”

Winter somehow shrugged without shrugging - a marvel of human motion.

“If Whitley’s to be believed, you’re a busy person.”

“I am, but I want to support Weiss.  And I got the feeling that this might be way more important than she made it sound.”

Ruby gestured to the magnificent room, silently marveling at the atmosphere and how easily the truth rolled off her tongue.  Winter studied her for another moment before nearly smiling and then turning so that they stood shoulder-to-shoulder.

“It is.  My father’s about to get up on stage and take all of the credit, but don’t let him fool you.  This is Weiss’ day.  None of this would’ve happened without her.”

After glancing at Winter, whose cool demeanor had failed to mask the pride in her tone, Ruby surveyed the room even more intently.

“I can’t wait to see it then.  Whatever it is.”  Ruby gestured to the cloth-covered pedestals waiting to be revealed.  Winter faintly hummed agreement.  “Where is Whitley, by the way?”  Ruby scanned the room, searching for a friendly face.  “Shouldn’t he be here?”

At that, Winter stifled a smile.

“After the…dinner incident…he and Weiss reached an agreement over his participation tonight.”  

“‘Agreement?’  What were the terms?” 

“The settlement was sealed, I’m afraid.  But, in short, he won’t be here tonight.  He did send very effusive regards, which I imagine Weiss didn’t deliver.”

“Not yet.  I’m sure she’s just waiting for the perfect moment.”

The joke landed - a small miracle considering Winter’s stoic exterior.  As she finally smiled, Ruby suppressed the urge to gleefully jump up and down.  Ruby searched for a continuation instead - some way to capitalize on Winter’s good mood and make a small, positive impression.

Unfortunately, another young woman wearing an earpiece had other plans.  She swooped in from nowhere and subtly motioned for Winter’s attention.  Rapid hand gestures followed, and Winter turned to Ruby with a politely apologetic expression.

“If you’ll excuse me, I have some other matters to attend to.”

“Sure, sure.”  Ruby tore her gaze away from the second Ciel-clone and bobbed her head.  “It was great seeing you again.”

“Likewise.”

Winter had dipped her chin and half-turned when a thought popped into Ruby’s head.

“Oh!  Winter?”  Winter paused.  And Ruby, knowing that she needed to take some big shots to answer Winter’s unasked questions, lowered her voice and said, “Just so you know…I make a lot more than the average producer.”

Winter’s brow momentarily creased, but then the corner of her mouth almost imperceptibly twitched up.  “That’s good to hear,” was all she said before heading away.

While not the most effusive response, Ruby blew out a breath of relief.  She didn’t often discuss money with…anyone, really…but if Winter harbored concerns, it was worth getting into.  Now, Ruby needed to figure out how to reiterate that she also didn’t do drugs.

“Excuse me?”

As soon as Ruby turned towards the young man with a media badge dangling around his neck, he relaxed into an excited smile.  

“You are Ruby Rose!  What’re you doing here?  Are you doing research?”  

Ruby’s eyes flashed from the name of the media company on his badge to the tape recorder in his hand before shaking her head.

“I’m actually just here supporting a friend.”

“Oh.”  He deflated but offered a pleasant smile.  “You know the Schnees then?”

“Somewhat.  They were at least kind enough to invite me.”

The atrium lights briefly dimmed, saving her from excusing herself or trying to diplomatically answer questions that she didn’t quite know the answers to.  The room’s attention moved to the stage, where a suited man at the microphone announced that the presentation would start in two minutes.  The giant screen above the stage and several screens around the room provided a countdown - an effective way of prompting hushed whispers and vague jockeying to get nearer.

The young media reporter flashed Ruby a smile before heading off to do his job.  Ruby trailed behind at a more subdued pace, willing to stand at the back where there was more room and also a clear view.

Exactly two minutes later, Jacques Schnee walked onto the stage.  The guests clapped, though it was a polite business clap rather than the ruckus applause Ruby was used to.  He looked exactly how he did on television - crisp suit and tie, short white hair, handlebar mustache that always looked like a frown, and piercing blue eyes.  Winter and Weiss trailed behind him - one on either side, their outfits coordinated and pristine.  All together, they cut a striking image.

“Good evening,” Jacques spoke into the microphone.  The room quieted as everyone seemed to lean forward in anticipation.

His speech began with a history of Schnee Industries.  Where the company began, where it was now, and how many great decisions he had made along the way.  He then discussed their most well-known products, industrial in nature but no less impactful to the greater world.  As he lavished praise upon himself - or onto the company as an extension of himself - Ruby’s attention drifted to more important matters, such as how impeccably timed the presentation was to his words and, most importantly, how Weiss stood passively yet attentively beside him.

Jacques Schnee, the ‘corporate mastermind,’ the ‘business genius,’ was actually a fool.  He stood up there boasting about his business, utterly clueless that two of his greatest accomplishments stood beside him.  Even to the uninitiated, it was obvious that Weiss and Winter wielded beauty and intellect like the sharpest of swords.  Businesses would fall to them.  Kingdoms would fall to them.

Weiss’ gaze found Ruby’s, and Ruby realized that - though not a kingdom - her entire world had fallen to Weiss.  It had been simple, like watching the stars at night or sleeping in on the weekend.  What was supposed to be earth-shattering and revolutionary had happened with no effort or protest.

Ruby smiled at Weiss then rolled her eyes and made a gesture saying that she knew Weiss’ father was full of hot air.  A small smile slipped onto Weiss’ lips before a specific note in his speech dragged her attention back.  Anticipation swelled in the atrium as he finally provided details on Schnee Industries’ newest product.  Even to Ruby, who had minimal-to-no knowledge in this field, the words sounded too good to be true.

‘Ten times as much storage.’

‘A tenth of the cost.’

‘A tenth of the impact.’

The pedestals were uncovered with a flourish.  The audience burst into excited whispers as Jacques raised his voice over the din.

The diminutively named EcoCell didn’t look like much but, based on the palpable disbelief in the air, might as well have changed the world.  Photographers swarmed the pedestals, bright flashes going off in rapid succession.  In the background, Jacques offered quick closing remarks before exiting the stage with Weiss and Winter in tow.

Weiss made eye contact with Ruby while descending the stairs, but a horde of reporters diverted her attention.  Ruby did her best not to stare, but it was impossible not to stare.  Being here felt like collecting another side of Weiss.  Weiss intently listened to each question posed to her and responded politely yet firmly - a departure from the gentle, almost whimsical Weiss who Ruby knew.

“Ten times as much?” Ruby overheard a nearby photographer ask.  He shook his head before taking more photos.  

Ruby beamed.  

The EcoCell’s full impact might elude her, but her impossibly full heart and bursting pride answered everything.  She wanted to bundle Weiss up in her arms, pinch her cheeks, and kiss her all at once.  In another setting, she might have.  Instead, she unleashed what must be a megawatt grin when Weiss separated from the crowd and walked towards her.

“That went really well,” Ruby said before Weiss tried to apologize for the wait.  “Everyone just lost their minds, which seems like a good sign.”

“We can only hope.”  

The two of them shared a smile before Ruby gestured to the new device protected by a clear acrylic case.  

“At risk of sounding really stupid…that’s a battery, right?”

“It is.”  Weiss’ hand slipped into Ruby’s so that she could tug Ruby closer.  “We developed a new storage method that - basically, we can condense more energy into a smaller space.  It also takes far less material to produce, making it extremely cost-efficient, not to mention better for the environment.”

“So it’s a super battery.”

“Pretty much.”  Weiss lightly chuckled while her blue eyes traced the small metal object.  “I’ve been working on this for years.  I had to find a way to make it obscenely profitable before my dad showed interest.  Now it’ll make him a fortune, but at least it’s better for the environment, too.”

“That’s incredible, Weiss.”  Ruby looked around the room filled with excited media and even more excited investors before taking in the stoic girl beside her.  “It’s amazing that you created something so…transformative.”

“It wasn’t all me.  We have teams of scientists, researchers, and the product development team -”

“They needed a leader with a vision, and that was you, wasn’t it?”

Weiss peered at Ruby rather than answer - an answer in itself.  

“That’s your job,” Weiss eventually replied.  “You create a vision for everyone else to follow.”  When Ruby shrugged, Weiss leaned into Ruby’s side.  “I didn’t do it all on my own,” she reiterated.  “But…it’s been a passion project of mine.  If I have to work for my dad, I want some good to come from it.”

“This is more than ‘some’ good.  You’re, like, literally saving the world.”

Weiss let out a startled laugh and shook her head.  

“‘Saving the world?’  Ruby, please -”

“I’m serious!  Maybe you don’t wear a cape and fight crime, but this is a different way to do it.”

Despite Ruby’s insistent nods, Weiss chuckled and shook her head.  Her blue gaze then flitted to both sides, checking that they were still relatively alone, before she leaned close, lowered her voice, and asked, “Do you want me to wear a cape?”

Ruby froze, her mind overloaded by the image of Weiss in snug silver armor, a cape rustling in the breeze behind her, her white hair tied up in a long, beautiful ponytail.

“Apparently, I should go shopping…” Weiss mused, arching her brow while Ruby coughed into her hand, which did absolutely nothing to ease her rampant blush.  She considered pretending that the moment never happened.  Instead, she smiled and shook her head.

“Wasn’t expecting to stumble onto that revelation tonight.”

“I wouldn't mind stumbling into a few more.”

Weiss winked, looking more satisfied by Ruby’s wide-eyed response than with literally changing the world via energy storage.  Ruby intended to point out the idiosyncrasy, but a well-dressed gentleman interrupted by subtly motioning for Weiss’ attention.  Based on Weiss’ sigh, she both knew the man and couldn't avoid speaking to him.

“This is why I didn’t want to invite you…” she grumbled under her breath.  “It’s not exactly a great date when I get called away every few seconds.”

“Weiss, I’m here to support you, not make your day harder.  Actually, tell me if there’s anything I can do.  Do you need a drink?  Something to eat?  Or, how about I go talk to him while you sit down and relax?  My feet hurt just seeing those things.”

Weiss glanced at her heels when Ruby pointed at them, but then she smiled as if something unexpectedly wonderful just happened. 

“Just knowing you’re supporting me is enough.”  Weiss gently touched Ruby’s arm before sending a meaningful look to the long table covered in food.  “I had them add something just for you.”

“Really?”  Once Weiss nodded, Ruby grinned and backed that way.  “I should probably check that out.  Wouldn't want good food going to waste.”

Weiss’ eyes brightened as Ruby waved before heading across the room, freeing Weiss to work and presenting Ruby the opportunity to have a late-evening snack.  She hardly grabbed a small plate and wondered what was ‘for her’ before the answer revealed itself.

Tucked amongst the desserts sat a tray of chocolate chip cookies so decadent that Ruby actually gasped upon seeing them.  She immediately searched for Weiss, who caught the look and winked before returning to her conversation.

Ruby quickly turned back to the cookies, her heart beating like a drum solo in a rock song.  She picked up one cookie, then two, and the third never made it onto her plate.  The first bite ruined all other cookies forever, though she couldn't decide if the cookie itself was that good or if the circumstances demanded that it could never be overshadowed.

While mulling over that thought, munching away, she watched Weiss sweep the room like she owned it.  Which, literally, she did.  Her family did, at least.  That lineage might explain why she carried herself with such grace, poise, and certainty, but she possessed an inner radiance that her father lacked.  Standing beside him, she shone like a star; he towered like an oppressive black hole.  

And that observation was based on appearance alone.  Most people might never know how caring Weiss was.  How generous.  How accomplished yet humble.  How, in just a few short minutes, she could make Ruby feel like the world had shrunk to space for just the two of them.

Weiss was an incredible girlfriend.

As soon as the thought crossed Ruby’s mind, she blinked and stood taller.

Weiss was an incredible girlfriend…and she was Ruby’s incredible girlfriend.  For real or not didn’t seem to apply anymore since Ruby was here for her.  Ruby would stay all night if Weiss needed her to.  Ruby would talk to investors, serve drinks, wipe the tables, and clean up once everyone left.

As it turned out, all she needed to do was wait a few more minutes, enjoying some of the world’s best cookies in the meantime, until Weiss returned to her.

“Sorry.”  Weiss noted the crumb-covered plate in Ruby’s hands before glancing over her shoulder.  “So…another slight curveball - my dad’s insisting on meeting you.”

“Oh.  Sure.  Let’s go.”  

Ruby set her plate down and dusted off her hands, but Weiss stared at her as if she’d suddenly grown two heads.

“That’s…it?”

“I’m here for you,” Ruby reiterated.  “If that means I need to meet him, then I’m ready.  Born ready.”

For a moment, Weiss looked lost for words.  Ultimately, she smiled and held Ruby’s hand to lead her over to the infamous Jacques Schnee.  

Despite being in the midst of a conversation, he shooed away his conversation partner mid-sentence.  The man, properly dismissed, ducked his gaze and left as if he’d never been there at all.  That presented the opportunity for Weiss to lead Ruby to her father, who drew himself up to his full height.  Out of the corner of her eye, Ruby noticed Winter watching the interaction like a hawk, but the eldest Schnee remained in the periphery.

Weiss only released Ruby’s hand once they stood in front of the man, whose black-hole-esque presence grew more oppressive up close.

“Dad, this is my…girlfriend…Ruby.”

Weiss subtly grimaced at the tiny hesitation, but her dad was too busy scrutinizing Ruby to notice.  He squinted at her as if he recognized her from somewhere but, ultimately, regarded her with that permanent mustache-frown.

“I see.”  He looked Ruby up and down once more.  “You’re the one wasting an excessive amount of my daughter’s time.”

“Dad.”

He pretended like he didn’t hear Weiss’ protest.  He looked down his nose at Ruby instead, so she ignored the intended dig and threw on a polite smile.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Schnee.  I’ve heard a lot about you.”

None of it good, but she hoped his ego would lie on her behalf.  Unfortunately, he appeared unmoved.

“She says you work in…film?”

“I’m a producer, yes.”

Should Ruby mention Skyfall?  He probably wouldn't know what that meant.  She could drop quite a few names of people who he should know, but would that make a dent in his impression or would it just look desperate?

She stayed quiet and let him fill in the blanks, whatever those might be.

“Weiss, a word.”

Judgment reached, he walked away.  Weiss’ expression clouded like a thunderstorm passing through the night. 

“Sorry -” Ruby began, but Weiss firmly shook her head.

“Please don’t apologize.  Nothing you said would’ve changed his mind.”  

As further reassurance, Weiss squeezed Ruby’s hand before starting after her father.  She hardly reached him before he launched into what appeared to be a tirade.  Weiss listened carefully, absorbing his words quietly, before responding in a forcibly calm manner.  Her clenched hands suggested great restraint whereas her father’s wide gestures suggested none.

For a moment, it looked like his annoyance would bowl Weiss over, but then the tide changed.  She held her ground.  He wore down.  She kept talking, her own urgency keeping his words at bay.  At long last, he scoffed.  And that was that.  He had the last word - one that looked suspiciously like a succinct, “Fine” - and walked away as if the conversation bored him.  Weiss stared after him before blinking and hurrying back to Ruby.

“Everything ok?” Ruby asked as soon as Weiss reached her. 

“Everything’s great.”  Weiss’ gaze flitted to her dad and, remarkably, she smiled.  “He said I don’t have time for a relationship, so I told him I’ll decide what I do or don’t have time for.  He doesn’t approve, of course, but I’m tired of letting him rule my life.”

“So that means…”

“It means I’m going to do what I want, and I don’t want to miss out on this -”  Weiss gestured between them.  “- for work or money.”

“You mean miss out on…life, right?”

Weiss tilted her head and peered at Ruby more closely.

“And…you?” 

It was as much a declaration as a question, but Ruby already knew her answer - she beamed.

“Well, that’s probably as close as you’ll get to a new dad.”  As soon as a light laugh escaped Weiss’ lips, Ruby bundled her up in a hug.  Weiss fit perfectly in her arms, of course, and she breathed in Weiss’ perfume before letting go.  “That’s awesome,” she added, her hands lingering on Weiss’ shoulders before returning to her side.

“It is.  He’ll test my limits on it later, but for now…”  Weiss mulled over the situation before taking a deep breath and releasing it in a sigh.  “I can’t remember the last time I felt so…free.”  Weiss smiled at Ruby and added, “All thanks to you.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“Debatable.”  

Before Ruby attempted that debate, Weiss reached up and gently ran a strand of Ruby’s hair through her fingertips.  The intimate action alone sent Ruby’s heart racing, yet the rest of her body grew still as she memorized the softness in Weiss’ eyes.

“So…what happens now?” she whispered.

“Now that the launch is over, there will be some press and media events, but after that…”  Weiss paused and then smiled up at Ruby.  “I’ll finally have some time.  You know what that means?”  Ruby was in the midst of shaking her head when Weiss leveled her with a playful grin and leaned close enough to stop her breathing.  “I’ll have more time to spend on you, and I know exactly what I want to do.”

“W-what’s that?”

“Watch your movies.”  Weiss tilted her head and subtly smirked.  “What did you think I meant?”

“O-oh, I don’t know - that’s probably it.”  

Weiss’ smirk became an amused smile as Ruby nervously chuckled and rubbed the back of her neck.  Internally, she cursed Yang for planting impure thoughts in her brain.  Not that it was difficult to have impure thoughts when Weiss looked as gorgeous as she did…

“Actually, I have an idea.  For what we did next.”  Ruby had Weiss’ attention now, and Weiss nodded for Ruby to explain.  “This might also be, like, ‘too soon,’ but…”  Ruby only had to glance at Weiss to know that she wanted this, real or not.  “One of my movies is premiering next week.  Do you…maybe want to go with me?”

“Is this Quantum Knights 2?”  Weiss was smiling by the time Ruby nodded.  “That’s the movie Whitley’s wearing a costume to and would probably chew off his own arm to go to the premiere of?”

“Oh.  Should I invite him, too?”

“Hell no.  He’s embarrassed the Schnee name enough.”  As soon as Ruby chuckled, Weiss beamed at her.  “And I’d love to.  Go to the premiere with you, I mean.”

“Awesome,” Ruby breathed out, caught up in Weiss’ eyes, just imagining the two of them at the premiere together.  “I mean, great!” she added, snapping back to the present.  “I’ll send you the details.”

“Please do.”  

Weiss’ smile remained amused at Ruby’s brief dalliance with the future.  She looked ready to tease Ruby about it, but sighed when the assistant from earlier returned to their orbit.  This time, the message included a stipulation that the order had come from someone in charge - someone who could only be Weiss’ father.

“I need to go,” Weiss said, her tone regretful.  “We have to do a whole media thing, and then my dad will want to debrief the entire event.  It will take a while, so…”

“I should probably head out then?”  After searching Weiss’ eyes for confirmation, Ruby nodded and touched Weiss’ hand.  “Don’t worry - I had a really great time.  My first visit to Schnee Industries…my first time seeing something you put so much work into…”  Ruby looked around the atrium before smiling at Weiss.  “I already knew you were incredible, but this was the night I realized just how special you are.”

Weiss searched Ruby’s eyes before she planted a quick kiss on Ruby’s lips.

“You’re pretty special yourself,” she said before backing away, only turning around when she had to follow the assistant to wherever this meeting of minds was taking place.  The Ciel-clone was already firing information at her, yet she still looked back and smiled when she found Ruby rooted like a statue to the atrium floor.  

Ruby’s senses eventually returned, but she still took a deep breath before making her way out of the building.  The valet returned her car in a matter of minutes, sending her on her way.  Despite leaving Schnee Industries, however, her thoughts refused to abandon everything she had just witnessed.

Weiss had changed Ruby’s world, but she could also change the world.  She could probably change the universe if she wanted to.  She didn’t need superpowers.  She didn’t need to be blessed by some divine being.  She didn’t need to wield an ancient, otherworldly relic.  She took her situation - demanding father, high-pressure family business - and made the best of it.

She wasn’t the typical hero, but she was Ruby’s hero.

She was Ruby’s hero.

Ruby whooped out loud before slapping the steering wheel and then pulling into the nearest parking spot she could find.  Like the floodgates unlocking, her mind suddenly swarmed with ideas that she needed to write down.

Weiss was Ruby’s hero, but she shouldn’t be only Ruby’s hero.  She should be everyone’s hero.  

Ruby could make everyone see that.