Chapter 31

Ruby did not expect a limousine. In retrospect she should have, but considering Weiss' paranoia at the time, Ruby had expected armored SUV's, perhaps even a police escort. Instead she was confronted by an ivory limousine with the SDC snowflake branded on the hood and sides. But what truly took her off guard was the honest-to-gods butler standing by its open door.

"Klein?" Weiss called in shock, before breaking into a jog and throwing her arms around the chuckling man. "I didn't expect to see you so soon!"

Clad in a navy waistcoat, dress pants and a white undershirt, Klein fit the classic image of a butler in Ruby's mind, though the waistcoat was far nicer than most, a floral pattern decorating its upper chest, and a silver pocket watch peeking from its pocket. Rotund, balding, with a thick moustache of deep brown, he smiled warmly as the embrace was returned. "It has been far too long since we last met my dear, and your mother had me drop her off early."

"Mother is already there?" Weiss balked, pulling away slightly. "Is she sober?"

"Very much so, and in high spirits." Klein beamed.

"That's...interesting?" Weiss mused before spinning around. "Oh where are my manners? Ruby, Sun, please meet Klein Sieben, my oldest and dearest friend. Klein, my secretary and friend, Ruby Rose, and her friend Sun Wukong."

Klein bowed politely. "A pleasure."

"Hello!" Ruby waved, Sun following suit.

"Hey." Sun greeted.

"Miss Nikos, Mister Ren." Klein nodded to each in turn. "I heard you are trying for a child?"

"Trying, but no luck as of yet." Pyrrha nodded.

"In due time then." Klein offered a reassuring smile. "I wish you both the best of luck."

Sun raised his hand. "Yes Sun?" Weiss asked.

"Uh, not to be a downer or anything, but isn't a limo kinda'...attention getting?" Sun asked.

To Ruby's surprise, Weiss laughed, reaching to rap hard against the vehicle's window, producing a very dull thud. "There are few places safer than inside this vehicle. Think of it as a luxury APC...which reminds me. Ruby, you did leave your gun behind, right?"

"Yes!" Ruby chirped. "I promise, it's in my desk drawer."

"Good, good, Ironwood may be incompetent but his soldiers take security seriously." Weiss noted. "There will be no incidents tonight." Weiss stepped beside the car's open door. "There's plenty of room for everyone, and drinks. Thank the gods I stocked it with wine before the fire." She mumbled as she climbed inside. Pyrrha chuckled as she and Ren followed.

"What about Coco and Velvet?" Ruby asked as she too entered.

"They'll be here soon." Weiss replied. "Come try this wine. I think you'll find it fits your taste." Ruby took a seat beside Weiss, who filled thin glasses with a rich wine, passing them to each guest in turn, Pyrrha and Ren on her left, Ruby and Sun to her right, Nora and Jaune across from her. "To a safe and uneventful night." Weiss raised her glass in toast. "May the Maidens smile upon us, please, just for one night." She half plead to herself before downing her glass in one shot.

Ruby looked at the dark liquid in her glass, took a small breath and down it. "Oh wow that's strong." She nearly choked, gulping in fresh air.

"And worth every last lien...I swear if those two are making out again-" Weiss' phone buzzed on the small table beside her. She picked it up and sighed. "We may as well go Klein, Coco and Velvet will follow."

"Roger that!" Klein called from the front.

"Do you want the rest of mine?" Sun offered his glass to Ruby.

Ruby nodded. "Please."

Ruby felt out of place, standing once again before a crowd of people, watching them all stare silently up at the group. Only this time she was not the one speaking, and eyes were not actually on her - though given her attire there was sure to be plenty of glances.

Weiss drew attention like a spotlight shone upon her, positively regal in her dress. That, however, was the last thing on everyone's minds. It was Weiss Schnee, CEO of the SDC, walking into the event with an engaged couple on her arms that caused the real bustle. Pyrrha and Ren had stuck firmly by her side since their arrival, even as she stood poised to give a speech to the attendees. Ren in his olive dress greens, the ornate uniform was likely a stir of its own in the making, but Pyrrha was positively risque, her outfit a blatant exposure of the female form, standing before the wealthy socialites of Atlas tall and proud. Ruby, on the other hand, was just standing there, hiding in plain sight, Sun by her side, and a dull ache growing increasingly evident in her leg. She could not wait to get another drink.

"Good evening, it is my pleasure to welcome all of you to the SDC Gala benefiting Schnee Faunus Outreach." Weiss began, speaking loud and clear. "This night is dedicated to helping the underprivileged, and to forging new bonds with the Faunus community. But recent events have brought new meaning to this gathering." Weiss paused for effect, taking a small breath. "We will show those who choose hate, bigotry and violence that we will not be stopped by their cowardly acts. We will make the world a better place, a more peaceful place, a more prosperous place, together." Another pause. "I hope you enjoy yourselves this night. I thank you with all my heart for joining me in this vital endeavor." As the crowd delivered a round of applause, Weiss bowed her head and retreated from the podium.

Ruby and Sun offered their own ovation, much to Weiss' amusement. "That was great!" Ruby cheered. "Really...uh...inspiring!"

"It was more a formality than anything, sad to say." Weiss admitted. "Many of our guests are here mere to burnish their public image."

"At the very least their contributions will be valued." Pyrrha noted.

"If not their company." Ren added.

Weiss heaved a heavy sigh, smiling painfully at Ruby. "Yes, Ruby, I won't hold it against you if you choose not to accompany me-"

"Weiss!" Nora burst. "You were great up here!" Jaune stood just behind her, and she held a rather sizeable plate of appetizers and deserts.

"Dear gods, you're not going to eat all of that are you?" Weiss asked.

"Eventually, unless you guys want some?" Nora shrugged, holding the plate out to them. It was an impressive collection, several tarts, some breadsticks, mini caramel slices, and some strange coconut covered chocolate rectangles. Ruby squinted at them.

"I'll pass for now, perhaps later." Weiss declined. "Ruby, you don't have to come if you don't want to. There's a cocktail bar if you'd like to indulge."

"No I'm fine!" Ruby insisted. "Uh Sun, why don't you get something to eat and I'll come find you later?"

"You sure?" Sun asked. "Because I don't mind coming along."

"It's okay, besides, it'll probably just be a bunch of rich people, and you'll get bored, and I don't wanna' bore you." Ruby rambled. "Go have fun!"

"Yeah, come have fun with the kids while the adults be boring." Nora held the plate toward Sun, who took one of the coconut cakes.

Sun took a bite of his chosen snack. "Alright then, I'll uh, bring you a drink?"

"Yeah sure, thanks!" Ruby agreed.

"Come on, I'll show ya' where everything is." Nora added impatiently. "I think I saw hamburgers too!"

"Hamburgers?" Sun questioned. "At a fancy joint like this?"

"I know, right!" Nora exclaimed.

"Uh, do you need me for anything?" Jaune asked.

"No Jaune, thank you." Weiss shook her head. "Go keep them out of trouble, we'll be fine." Turning back to Ruby, Weiss could not help but smile at her eagerness, such bright silver eyes, likely to be dull and lifeless by the end of the night. "Well then, I suppose we had better get started. Pyrrha, Ren, will you be-"

"We will follow from a distance." Pyrrha responded. "Just give us the signal."

"Signal?" Ruby inquired.

"Sometimes I need an escape plan." Weiss explained. "The conversations I get dragged into...ugh."

So it began, Ruby tailing Weiss as she pointed out and interacted with the many high and low profile, wealthy businessmen, businesswomen, celebrities and socialites present. It was an interesting, if underwhelming experience for Ruby. She was thankful that little attention was paid to her. Weiss made sure to introduce her as a friend first, secretary second. She received many compliments for her attire, and much to her surprise, several kisses on the hand. Ruby was not sure how she felt about that. It was incredibly flattering, but they were usually from elderly men. And one woman. Who winked at her. That was going to stick in her mind for a while.

Coco and Velvet showed up not long after, stopping by to fuss over Ruby's outfit before moving on to their own rounds. Two more dull conversations later, Weiss heaved a heavy sigh. "This one is all bark and no bite, don't let her intimidate you." She instructed.

Ruby scanned the crowd for the subject in question. She found her eyes drawn to a rather tall woman with black shoulder length hair, clad in a rich crimson dress with bronze trim. A single stocking clad leg was clearly visible from the hip down decorative clasps resting upon her thigh. An equally ornate glove clad hand rested above. She seemed in conversation with another woman who wore a much simpler olive dress, her mint green hair glimmering in the light. The girl noticed Weiss, eyebrows shooting upward as she spoke. The woman in red spun around and Ruby found herself speechless.

It was not the mask which covered a sizeable portion of the left side of the woman's face, nor the scarring peeking out from within, but the clawed onyx prosthetic that dominated her left arm. It clutched a delicate wine glass, an almost comical juxtaposition. The arm was a work of technological art, fine filigree gleaming as she moved ever closer, a bright white smile on her lips, golden eye burning with glee.

"Weiss, it has been far too long." The woman greeted, neglecting to offer her hand to shake.

"It was only a matter of time Cinder." Weiss responded. "How fares the company?"

"Oh you would know well enough, no major accidents, thank the gods." Cinder's gaze wandered to Ruby, catching her fascination with the prosthetic. "See something you like?" She teased.

"Uh, oh, sorry!" Ruby fumbled. "It's just, it-"

"Ruby, meet Cinder fall, Cinder, Ruby Rose, my friend and secretary." Weiss introduced.

"Charmed." Cinder purred, plucking the wine glass from her claws with her mortal hand, extending the prosthetic to Ruby. "Truly."

Ruby resisted the urge to beam as she took the robotic replica in hand. It was warm and cold in equal measure, certainly not looking to imitate the human form so much as enhance it. The claw tips barely dulled up close, every segment of its fingers had been engraved with a loving hand. "I...I'm sorry for staring Ms. Fall, it's just that I'm an engineer...I mean I'm supposed to be an engineer but I can't work just yet, and I've been studying prosthetics for years and I'm gonna' develop them and...this is a really beautiful arm. I've never seen anything like it, did you make it yourself?"

For a moment Cinder seemed stunned. Not that Ruby noticed, she was too busy gazing at the limb like it was a prized artwork, taking in every little detail. She exchanged an amused glance with Weiss before gently tugging it free. "No, unfortunately engineering is not my forte. I did, however, design it to fit my...preferences." Cinder turned back to Weiss, offering a wider, somewhat brighter smile. "It was a pleasure Weiss. I'll be sure to make a generous donation to the cause, but I can see Ozpin sizing me up for another one of his pacifist lectures."

"And how terrible would that be?" Weiss rolled her eyes. "I hope the rest of your evening is enjoyable."

"Oh I expect something entertaining to occur, eventually." Cinder smirked, raising her glass in mock toast. "Goodbye Ruby Rose, perhaps if you find success here I may have use of you in the future."

"Oh, I uh, thanks?" Ruby stammered in surprise. Not that it mattered. Cinder was already sauntering away, linking arms with the mint haired woman along the way. "I didn't do bad did I?" Ruby fretted, turning to Weiss.

The CEO wore a smug smile. "Cinder fall is a very proud and powerful woman Ruby. I've not once seen her off balance in all our unpleasurable encounters. Congratulations, you made her falter."

"All I did was say her arm was beautiful." Ruby noted.

"Genuinely, a remarkable difference from the norm." Weiss clarified, laying a hand upon Ruby's back as she walked. "In high society imperfection is frowned upon. What compliments are paid are more often than not selfish in nature. You, on the other hand, are not. You admired her genuinely, not out of politeness, not due to etiquette. You simply spoke your mind, innocent and pure." She chuckled. "Oh the look on her face was priceless."

"Uh, who was she exactly?" Ruby asked.

"Cinder Fall, CEO of Fall Armaments, one of the largest weapon manufacturers in all of Remnant." Weiss replied.

"Oh…" Ruby nodded.

"She was the victim of a supposed accident, but of course there was more to it than that, not that anyone was willing to delve deeply into the situation." Weiss continued. "Cinder handled it on her own terms and grew all the more powerful for it." She paused, laying her free hand upon Ruby's arm. "Ruby, I realize your career here has barely begun, but life may lead you through many different places. In several years time you may see fit to leave my company, for whatever reason that may be. Please, if she offers you, do not work for Cinder Fall. That woman is a war profiteer through and through, and you deserve better than that."

"I'll keep that in mind, but I don't want to leave, at least I hope I never do." Ruby stated. "I like working for you, and I can't wait to work for Pyrrha. I've made so many friends at the SDC, like you! I've never been friends with my boss before."

Weiss laughed, genuinely, her cheeks dusted with pink. "I have been a poor friend Ruby. We hardly get to spend time together that doesn't involve me telling you what to do."

"Well, we can change that!" Ruby encouraged. "Any time you have free, give me a call, or a text. We can chat all you like, especially after work, because I don't really have anything to do. Blake and Sun go to their job when I get home and it's just me and...well I sometimes call Yang and mom and dad, and sometimes Coco or Pyrrha...thanks again for the scroll by the way. I didn't realize how painful the old one was."

"You're very welcome Ruby, and I promise to try to speak with you more, but for now I must ask you to go." Weiss sighed. "I've spotted my mother, and I'd rather she not make another pass at you."

"Oh, right, uh...tell her I said hi?" Ruby managed.

"I'll be sure to do so." Weiss agreed. "The catering table is over there, and I believe I spied Sun and the others hidden in a corner somewhere. Don't be afraid to indulge, I'll come by later."

"Okay, and thanks for letting me tag along!" Ruby smiled. "Oh, would you like me to get you a drink first?"

"Oh gods no." Weiss refused. "If I start drinking here I won't stop. No, I need my wits about me. Now go have fun, you're neglecting your date."

Ruby pouted. "He's not my date!"