Chapter 18

Ruby just could not get it out of her head, which was stupid and wrong. It was Blake, she should not be thinking of her like this. She should not even know this, or maybe she should know. She should actually do research instead of saying she would and forgetting. It seemed every time she neglected her promise, the world threw another new and weird Faunus fun fact in her face. Alphas, kinship, scent markings, dicks, dicks on a female, not multiple but one dick, specifically on Blake. Blake had a dick.

Ruby groaned long - and probably out loud - to herself. Were she anywhere close to reality she may have noticed the quizzical expression Penny popped onto here chibi face. How the hell did Blake stand such tight pants with that thing? And how had Ruby not noticed a bulge of some kind? Did it retract or...no, that was just stupid. It was, from the few seconds of memory she had of it, a completely normal human...penis. Did Faunus ever have unique penises? They had horns, ears, tails and scales yes, but it was not like she had ever searched for pictures of Faunus dicks, and she was really not about to start.

"Hey, wakey wakey Red!" Coco's voice suddenly burst. Ruby jumped, arms splaying in panic, knocking her SDC branded coffee mug off her desk...straight into Velvet's hand.

"Good morning Ruby." Velvet smirked, returning the thankfully empty mug with a clink.

Ruby clutched at her chest as her heart throbbed. "Hah, good morning Velvet, Coco. Sorry I was...thinking." She smiled sheepishly, reaching over to gently nudge the coffee mug into a more secure position, one safe from her clumsy antics.

"Never seen a gal think so hard she ignored the cute chibi girl waving at her." Coco joked, thumbing toward Penny's monitor. The AI stood pouting.

"Sorry Penny." Ruby apologized.

The miniature girl perked up. "That's okay Ruby. Are you feeling well?" Penny smiled.

"Yeah, you sure you're alright from yesterday?" Coco asked.

"Did you sleep well?" Velvet inquired.

"Yeah, yeah I did it's just...got stuff on my mind." Ruby replied.

"Heavy stuff?" Coco pressed.

"Confusing stuff...like...I learned more about Alphas than I think I was ready for, and it's all buzzing around in my head today." Ruby explained.

"What happened?" Velvet asked. "Did Blake do something strange?"

Ruby drew her lips into a tight line. "Sorta'? I mean, one thing was kinda' weird, but that's not what really is...I uh...walked in on Blake and...saw a little...extra."

"Oooh, you saw her dick?" Coco burst, grinning.

"Ooooooh, right, that, yeah." Velveet rolled her eyes. "A little evolutionary holdover from ancient times."

"Blake said it was an Alpha thing...for when males aren't around." Ruby noted.

"Alpha genetics are convoluted and still not entirely explored." Velvet explained. "But the basic gist of it is that the Alpha gene is triggered by the state of the pack. If an Alpha is needed, one will be produced...even if that one is female."

"Oh...so they're born female...but with a penis instead?" Ruby asked.

"Both." Velvet clarified. "Female Alphas are hermaphrodites."

"Best of both worlds." Coco chimed in, finger gunning toward Velvet with a wink.

Ruby blinked. "Are you an Alpha too?"

Velvet laughed. "Hell no."

"The world can barely handle her now." Coco pulled Velvet into a hug. "Velvet with a dick? Even I can't compete with that. It's my one virtue." She smooched her lover's cheek, causing her to flush and roll her eyes.

Ruby furrowed her brow. "Your one virtue?"

"Yeah, I cop some flak for it sometimes but...I've just never been able to decide on surgery." Coco replied.

"Surgery?" Ruby exclaimed. Her friends' smiles faded.

Coco regarded Ruby with a raised brow. "Surgery, for my transition." She rolled her hand over her pelvis.

"You're...trans?" Ruby spoke with wonder.

Velvet glanced between Ruby and Coco. "You didn't know?"

"No, I mean, should I?" Ruby asked. "I never really questioned it at all, you don't...I mean you're...I don't have anything against it just...hoo boy." She sighed, running her hands across her face. "I'm really sorry. I'm just so frazzled and I think the pace of this week is getting to me." She offered an apologetic smile, hoping beyond home that she had not offended Coco or Velvet, or both. They were close friends of her boss, two of the first friends she had truly made in years. She really liked them. A foot in her mouth was far preferable to losing their friendship.

"You knew about me, but you didn't know I was trans?" Coco balked with a laugh. "Like how? Coco Adel, Transwoman of Atlas, I swear I was in the headlines for like two years."

"I've never really kept up with the news, like ever." Ruby explained. "Yang might know, maybe. I dunno'...I don't think they mentioned it in the news last week."

"Huh." Coco mumbled. "That's...new. I just assume everyone knows."

"You okay babe?" Velvet murmured.

Coco chuckled. "Yeah, I'm great. Ruby though, relax. You didn't offend me, just surprised me." She grinned. "It's not every week you find out two of your girlfriends are packing, eh?"

Ruby spluttered, much to Coco's amusement. "It's not like it's weird. I mean, it is to me, because I've never met anyone like this before, and I'm just a country girl who played with sticks and ran around a lot as a kid...I need a drink." She groaned, rubbing her leg, which had been throbbing slightly all morning.

"Unfortunately it's against company regulations." Velvet reminded.

"Pfft, everyone who wants a stash has one." Coco scoffed. "As long as you don't get smashed it's not like anyone's gonna' rat you out."

"I'm right outside Weiss' office." Ruby gestured to the heavy doors.

Coco shrugged. "Offer to share!"

Ruby chuckled. "I don't think we're close enough to be drinking buddies."

"Eh, won't know until you try." Coco suggested.

"Speaking of Weiss, I need to talk to her." Velvet interjected. "About business."

"I'm gonna' stay and bug Ruby for a bit." Coco joked.

"Behave." Velvet ordered, poking Coco in the cheek before cupping the other and drawing her into a soft kiss. "Remember the sexual harassment policy."

"I solemnly swear I am up to no bad." Coco chanted, hand across her heart.

Velvet rolled her eyes, pulling away. "Sure, be back soon." The door clicked as she approached, and she easily pushed through. "Hey Weiss." Her voice was cut off as the door clicked shut again, the electronic locks engaging with a clunk.

"So, how big was she?" Coco began with a smirk.

"Coco…" Ruby groaned, flushing.

"Come on Red, dish the deets'!" Coco plead. "I gotsta' know!"

Ruby crumpled onto her desk. This was going to be a long day.

Ruby ambled in at her usual time, dead on her feet, a more pronounced limp than usual. She still managed a cheerful greeting and a grateful smile as she was handed her cocktail. It even inspired one of Blake's own rare grins. It was a busy night. Faunus of all kinds and breeds flooded in to down alcohol by the gallon. It was good for business, bad for Blake's ears. But the tips were flooding in, so Blake plugged her upper ears and soldiered on.

A gravelly bear drowned in his pains. A lispy serpent, aged beyond her years, bored holes into her glass. A fresh-faced canine - hardly more than a pup - jittered nervously, eyeing several high-pitched college girls with feathered hair, who chittered between each other as Blake mixed their drinks. There was no end to the variety. There was even a new human here, her perfume mingling with the heavy scents and hormones in the air. The girl had entered a few hours after Ruby. Clad in plaid, with curly black hair and thick red lipstick, she had melted into the crowd as Blake watched. What stir she caused dissipated as she did everything right - no eye contact, no purposeful physical contact, her perfume was simple and soft, defining her without intruding on the senses. She swayed and bobbed to the music with a satisfied smirk, completely at ease.

It was not exactly rare. Humans, rich and poor, often found themselves in Faunus dominated areas, some by accident, others for the thrill, the excitement and danger inherent to being around animals. Some fetishized the Faunus, allured by their bestial nature and features. Blake was not sure which one disgusted her more. Still, a few humans genuinely enjoyed their company, or at least the result of their company. The distinct lack of humans could be appreciated by anyone sufficiently anti-social. Faunus read body language and scent, interactions could boil down to a simple stare or gesture. Humans, the ignorant things, had to vocalize everything. Body language was so rarely appreciated in their society.

Eventually the human made her way from the dance floor, leaning against the bar, tangled black curls curtaining her face, blocking it from view as Blake approached. "Hey, what's your poison?" Blake yelled above the noise.

The human turned, flashing her a bright grin, immaculate teeth shining almost as bright as her ruby red lipstick. "I think I'll have a…" She faltered, stumbling over her tongue as her eyes briefly widened in shock. "A-a Strawberry Sunrise!" The girl's smile faded as she stuttered her order before a strained imitation fell back in its place.

Blake furrowed her brow, confused by the seemingly cheerful girl's lack of composure. And then she saw it, familiarity, pale blue eyes, struggling to hide their panic as they met Blake's own for the second time in their lives. "What are you doing here?" Blake growled as Weiss Schnee herself blinked in shock before her.

"I-I-I'm just here to relax, is that so much to ask?" Weiss stammered, laughing nervously as she glanced side-to-side, looking for potential threats. "What's the issue miss?"

Blake had to resist grinning. This was delicious. "Drop the act...there's no way you came in here with a real ID." She held out her hand expectantly.

To Weiss' credit, she regained her composure quickly, settling for an almost impassive glare as she dug into her pocket, the likes of which Blake expected from the woman. "I am not here to cause trouble." Weiss stated firmly, handing over the card.

"Then why are you here?" Blake pressed. "Come to mingle with the filth?" She sneered, examining the ID. Carmine Regenstrum.

"I am here to enjoy myself on one of the very few nights off I allow myself, as I have done for the past two years." Weiss explained. "And I will thank you not to put words in my mouth. I observe far more filth in a human establishment. At least here any filth knows not to fuck around with the bouncers watching."

"Could you have picked a more pretentious name?" Blake deadpanned.

"It's a reference." Weiss frowned.

"Whatever." Blake waved away. "So what, you've been coming here for two years, and I never noticed?"

"Actually no, I've never come to this particular club before." Weiss replied. "I don't know why, it's not exactly low profile. But still, I usually frequent Kuon, and the Rainbar."

Blake's brow arched at that. "A Faunus gay bar?"

"Their cocktails have yet to be topped." Weiss defended.

Blake scoffed, shaking her head. "So your idea of a night off is Faunus bar hopping...you're not concerned with who you're surrounded by?"

"Who do I have to be concerned about?" Weiss grinned. "I'm no one." For a moment even Blake was fooled again, the smile so wide and genuine, joyful. It reminded her of Ruby. But there were flaws, subtle bags beneath her eyes, mostly hidden by makeup. No, her smile did not quite meet her eyes. Pupils dilated, the edges of her lip twitching, the girl was tired, and she was scared.

Blake leaned in close enough to speak into Weiss' ear. "You're not concerned with the wrong person finding out the wrong information and telling the wrong people?" Even with the bustle of the club, she could hear Weiss swallow.

"Not if Ruby is a good judge of character." Weiss replied.

Blake scoffed, pulling back. "I threw a girl into the wall in front of her, and she let me cuddle her. Your assistant is a terrible judge of character."

Weiss' brow rose suddenly, before a smirk grew on her face. "You cuddled with Ruby?" She balked.

Blake rolled her eyes. "Strawberry Sunrise huh?" She changed the subject, pulling the required ingredients from the fridges. "Took you for a scotch kind of girl."

"It was the first thing that came to mind." Weiss sighed.

"They're sweet, Ruby likes them." Blake noted.

"That girl is sweet enough without being drunk and high on sugar." Weiss joked.

"Well, you're about to know for sure." Blake waved over Weiss' shoulder and the human's blood ran cold.

"What...no Bl-" Weiss started.

"Hey Blake, watchya' need?" Ruby suddenly popped up beside Weiss, clinging to the bar for stability with one hand, a half drained glass in the other. A silly straw and umbrella dangled on the glass' rim. Weiss ducked her head, grimacing up at Blake, who wore a ravenous grin. "Oh hey, I'm Ruby!" She squealed.

"Newbie here has never had a Strawberry Sunrise." Blake gestured to Weiss as she mixed the drink.

"Oh, they're awesome!" Ruby burst. "My sister loves them, and she used to give me sips when she snuck me into clubs and...who are you?"

Weiss turned to stare blankly at the tipsy, rambling girl. Only one person ever looked at her like that. "Hello Ruby, my name is Carmine." She emphasized.

"Heeeeeeey, my name is Ruby!" She slurred, chasing her straw to take a sip.

Weiss turned back to Blake. "How many of these have you given her?"

"Three." Blake replied.

"Two!" Ruby corrected. "Well, this is my third!"

"Oh gods above." Weiss groaned, burying her face in her hands. This was not how she had expected her night to go.

"Want to try?" Ruby offered. "Blakey, can we get another straw?"

"Sure, I'll get right on that." Blake drawled, placing the finished cocktail on the bar. "Why don't you take Carmine back to your seat. Make sure she stays out of trouble."

"Oooh, why didn't I think of that...Carmine, you wanna' come sit with me?" Ruby asked. "No one ever bothers me. Everyone is scared of Blake and I smell like Blake, so they're scared of me. I think. Maybe, is that how it works?" She wondered aloud. Blake shrugged.

"Very well." Weiss sighed, handing over her lien card. "May I have my ID back now?"

"Maybe." Blake swiped the card over the scanner. "If you behave." She grinned, returning the card. Weiss pressed her lips into a thin line as she plucked it from her fingers, a mixture of irritation and suspicion coloring her expression.

"I can't walk all that great right now so bear with me." Ruby warned. "But I know where I'm going."

Well, Weiss thought, at least she was in good company.

It seemed Ruby and Weiss had something in common, they both enjoyed people watching. She had expected the girl to begin slurring her ear off the moment she sat down. Gods knew she talked Coco's ear off. It was why the fashion fiend like the girl. Anyone who could match Coco Adel in words per minute without sycophantry was worthy of respect in her eyes, and it did not help that Ruby had an innocent charm about her. She had never met someone with silver eyes before, and they gleamed in the neon lighting of the club.

The pair drank in silence for a time, simply observing the denizens of the dance floor. Honestly it was nice, in a weird way. Normally Weiss went out to lose herself for a few hours, escape her life, her identity, to exist among those who might condemn her otherwise. Now...well Blake knew who she was, which had her silently panicking on the inside, but Ruby's presence was somewhat grounding. If Ruby trusted her it had to count for something, even if everything about Blake screamed danger. Ruby could not be living with a criminal, could she?

A burp sounded beside her, and Weiss turned to see Ruby covering her mouth with her hands, shaking with giggles. "'Scuse me!" Ruby's muffled voice squeaked. "Whadayou' think of yours?" She asked, pointing to Weiss' beverage.

"It's a bit tangy, I kinda' like it, but I usually go for something weaker." Weiss answered, putting less emphasis on her usual, refined accent. That was one of the first things to go - accent, eyes and hair. No one would recognize her body, sad as it sounded in her head. It was trivial to conceal, and granted her a refreshing freedom.

"Yeah...it's a bit strong." Ruby slurred. "But I don't just drink for the flavor, I'm here to get drunk." She smiled dimly, sucking on her straw before letting her head fall back against the wall. "I saw you dancing, you're good! I can't dance. I fall over and everyone laughs at me." Ruby blushed, but her smile did not fade. It seemed she was an honest drunk.

"Who cares if people laugh, dancing isn't about impressing anyone, it's…" Weiss bit her lip. Ruby was regarding her with a drowsy but rapt expression. She had to remember Ruby was not like her. She did not have an identity purely for this purpose. She had herself, and like Weiss, was self conscious. "It's about losing yourself. You stop thinking about everything else. It's just you, the music and movement...sure you might fall over sometimes, but if you're having fun, what does it matter?"

Ruby smiled, chuckling. "I think it's more fun watching people have fun...I have my own fun...doing...stuff…" She frowned briefly, her eyes glazing over. "Well...I used to…" She blinked, her smile returning in full force. "But I still have fun. It's a bit hard with work all the time, but I'm making friends. Oh, do you live here? I only moved a few weeks ago. I used to live on Patch...it's a big difference." She brought her drink up again for a long draw.

Now came a decision. Ruby was asking a question about Carmine, who had her own life, her own history, and her own career. But at the same time, it did not really feel right to lie to Ruby. She was a good woman, a reliable employee, and a kind individual, the three things Weiss valued in a friend. The prior day's deed had solidified the respect Weiss held for her. It took a lot of courage to be put on the spot like that and barely blink. She deserved at least a semblance of the truth.

"I was born and raised here." Weiss answered. "I've never been to Patch, what's it like?" She knew what it was like from pictures, but had never visited. Sadly she had never visited anywhere outside of Atlas. It was never safe, never secure. Her family did not take holidays. Only Winter, through her military service, got to see the world firsthand.

"It's really hot in the summer and really cold in the winter, so you go from laying around in your undies to balled up in every blanket in the house." Ruby beamed. Weiss chuckled at the image. "But there's a really nice lake half an hour's walk away from home that was great to swim in. Yang and I used to go there all the time. Yang's my sister by the way! I really miss her...she introduced me to these." She shook her cocktail, almost spilling it before taking another sip.

Weiss felt a pang at the mention, but schooled her expression into a smile. "What is she like?"

"She's the best!" Ruby burst. "I mean we're sisters, we've had some rough spots, but who doesn't? When I broke my leg she was there for me every day, and she's actually why I got into engineering!" She mellowed, a look of melancholy on her face. "I miss her."

Weiss sighed. "So do I."

"You have a sister too?" Ruby questioned.

Weiss blinked, had she really said that out loud? "Yes, yes I do but we've...fallen out of contact." It was not entirely untrue.

"What happened?" Ruby asked.

Damnit. "We grew distant, she went away and...hasn't come back." Weiss answered. Still not entirely untrue, but it did not hurt any less.

Ruby frowned, reaching to lay a hand on Weiss' thigh. "Have you reached out to her?" She asked.

Weiss shook her head. "I'm trying." No, she was not. She could not. She did not even know if Winter was alive. There had been no demands, no threats, no finger in the mail. Nothing.

"Keep trying." Ruby encouraged. "If she has any sense she'll come around. Yang and I had that problem once, sorta'...we got better, you can too!"

"I don't know if we can Ruby." Weiss managed before a lump blocked her throat. "She's so far away."

"And she'll come closer." Ruby persisted. "You gotta' keep trying. Never give up. Sisters should never give up on each other."

Weiss nodded, her eyes stinging. She took a long swig of her drink, ignoring the straw. The strong cocktail helped distract her from the pain in her chest. She came to Sunrise to escape the grief. She was always trying to escape something, to get away from her life. That was how she survived the stresses of running the SDC. Weekends were for her to enjoy, to push out any worries and fears that plagued her at any given time. And now...now she was being comforted by her drunken assistant, and well on her way to matching her inebriation.

"Ruby, can we talk about something else?" Weiss requested. "I really wanna' just...forget about life for a while." She plastered on a smile for the girl, and found it reflected.

"What do you do for fun?" Ruby asked. "Apart from clubbing?"

Weiss grinned. "I...like anime."

Ruby looked more excited than ever. "Me too!"