Cinder Falls... For Ruby Rose (ch17)

EARLY RELEASE FOR MY HIGH-PLEDGING PATRONS!

This chapter, as per request, is a family visit!

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

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														Chapter 17. Keeping Vigil

After their teams all spent the holidays together, the next time Ruby and Cinder arranged to see each other wouldn't have them meeting up again in Vale or in Haven. Rather, Ruby planned to bring her girlfriend all the way back home to Patch with her.

So naturally, Yang decided to do the same.

They made all of the flight arrangements for the next long weekend they'd all have from school, packed a few bags, said goodbye to their teammates, and were on their way.

Ruby and Yang (and Zwei, who'd been put in his crate so he could go back home to see Tai) went to Haven first to pick up their girlfriends. They found Neo and Cinder waiting together for them at the docks. After greetings and kisses were exchanged they all boarded and were on their way.

Cinder let Ruby have the window seat of course, leaning slightly sideways as her girlfriend clung to her arm. Yang and Neo were across the aisle from them in much the same position. But that allowed for a bit of privacy.

Cinder could tell Ruby was wafting with excitement to be going back home. She herself had never been to Patch before from what she could remember, and while Cinder was looking forward to experiencing a new place, she was happiest about being able to do it with Ruby.

Presently, the brunette was peering out the window with her nose almost to the glass, but her arm still around Cinder's.

"Oh, oh, look! We're over the sea now! We should be able to see Patch soon!"

"I look forward to it."

"Ohhh lemme text my dad so he knows we're almost there!"

As Ruby dug out her scroll Cinder flinched ever so slightly. That was the only thing she was nervous about in all of this. She'd never met Ruby's father before, and even though Ruby had gabbed about him plenty and he seemed to be a very easygoing and understanding person, it would be Cinder's first time ever meeting the parent of a significant other.

She must have stiffened, because after Ruby finished sending her text she leaned over to peck her cheek.

"Hey, don't worry! My dad's gonna love you! I know he will!"

"If you're certain..."

"I am! Ohhh, look, there's Patch!"

Ruby turned back to the window eagerly and started pointing. Cinder could see the land mass in the distance now, drawing closer by the second.

There was an announcement made that they'd be landing soon, so she pulled her suitcase close while Ruby picked up Zwei's crate. After several more minutes they finally landed and people began filing out. Ruby and Cinder reconvened with Yang and Neo outside.

"Welp!" Yang was saying. "We made it! Home sweet home."

"Yeah, we're back!" Ruby squealed. "We haven't been here since we left for Beacon!"

As the sisters excitedly chatted together, Cinder and Neo took in their unfamiliar surroundings.

Patch was clearly a much more humble place than Atlas, or even Haven or Vale. The people dressed comfortably, and all around there were only essentials and nothing more; no fancy modern technology, robot security guards, or machines. Everyone just seemed to be at ease rather than stressed or in a hurry here.

Cinder found herself smiling before long. A small tug on her wrist brought her back to the present as she looked down at Ruby.

"Are you ready? Should we stop and get something to eat first?"

"That won't be necessary," she said kindly. "We can go meet your father."

Ruby grinned and started jumping up and down.

"Yay! Okay, Yang let's go!"

"Right behind ya, sis."

Yang kept one arm around Neo while the other took care of both their suitcases. Likewise Ruby and Cinder each held their bags with one hand, and each other with their free hand.

Ruby was so excited she started swinging her arm and Yang had to tap her shoulder and tell her to calm down before she dislocated Cinder's shoulder.

From the ship docks, the four of them made their way to a small train station, where the ride took them into the sisters' hometown.

Ruby didn't sit still the entire train ride, but the second it stopped she jumped up, somehow managed to grab the three of them plus Zwei's crate all at once, and scurried off the train with them all in tow.

From there it was just a few minutes of walking across the humble countryside and dirt paths until she could see her house. As soon as she did she gave a squeal.

"There it is! We're here!"

"Easy, sis."

Yang once again had to step in and prevent her from dashing off with Cinder. She controlled their pace as the four of them made their way up toward the house.

Cinder and Neo were taking in their surroundings, but everyone could tell that Ruby was about to burst forward and start running any second now. Yang's grip on her shoulder only lasted so long.

The second the door opened and their father stepped out, Ruby put everything down and just ran straight to him in a flurry of red petals.

"Daaaaaad!" He caught her in an expert hug as she latched onto him, giggling away like a little kid. "Hi!"

"Good ta see ya, kiddo! And I see you've brought company like you'd said."

As he looked up, Cinder made eye contact. He was a man of average size and build, nothing too terribly intimidating – not that she might've been intimidated. She made sure to keep her expression and posture unchanging as his eyes passed over herself and then Neo.

Yang went up to her father to hug him as well, and during that time Neo stepped closer to Cinder for protection. The leader looked down briefly to reassure her.

"No need to fret. We are sure to make good impressions."

Neo was too busy clinging onto her arm to sign a response, but she did straighten her back a bit.

As Ruby and Yang finally released their father, the next matter of business was introducing their respective girlfriends. Ruby was the first one talking, of course.

"Oh yeah! Dad, Dad, here!" She ran back over to Cinder and picked up her hand, lifting it high as though she were declaring the winner of a wrestling match. "This is Cinder! She's my-" She paused, her high-pitched hyperactive voice dropping to a bashful mumble as her cheeks went pink. "She's my girlfriend..."

"And this is Neo," Yang introduced, putting a hand around the smaller girl's back. "The four of us met during the Vytal Festival, and we've been seein' each other ever since!"

Their father – Cinder recalled his name was Tai – looked over each of his daughters and then looked to Cinder and Neo again. His lips curled up into a grin.

"Well aren't you two lucky," he said to Ruby and Yang. "Finding such cute classmates."

"They're not even our classmates!" Ruby chimed in. "They're from Haven!"

"Ya don't say? You ladies really came a long way. Can I offer you a drink and some lunch?"

Neo looked up between Yang and Tai, but ultimately nodded. Cinder also dipped her head.

"Thank you very much... sir."

At that, Tai, Ruby and Yang all laughed.

"You don't have to call him that!" Ruby giggled, hugging Cinder's arm.

"Just call me Tai," he said.

Cinder did her best to hold back a blush.

"Then... Tai."

"Much better!"

They all picked up their bags, and that was when Zwei started barking.

"Oh right!" Ruby bent down to open his crate. "Be free, Zwei!"

The dog yipped and yapped and darted out, racing straight to Tai and leaping impressively high into his arms. Tai laughed and cradled him as the dog licked his face.

"All right, now the gang's all here! Come on, time for lunch!"

So they all headed inside, put down their suitcases and bags for the time being, and joined Tai in the kitchen.

Yang sat next to Neo who had seemed to relax already, smiling as she picked at the little sandwiches and other finger foods Tai placed on the table. Ruby was swinging her feet with excitement as she gobbled up a few cookies and started gabbing about school to her father.

Cinder, on the other hand, sat stiffly and didn't reach for anything other than the glass of water that sat in front of her.

Ruby and Yang handled most of the talking for a while, telling their father about their classes and missions. But eventually he lifted up a hand to pause them.

"Now then, why don't you two let our guests speak, huh?" He looked to Neo and Cinder. "Can you tell me what drew you both to my little girls?"

"Daaaaad!"

"Gross."

"Can it," he said playfully.

Neo glanced to Cinder but decided to take her turn first. She put down her food and began to sign. Tai waited for a translation from Yang, but it never came. Instead she just got lost in her own conversation with her girlfriend.

"Aw, babe, that's so sweet! You really mean it?" and things of that nature.

Her father rolled his eyes and turned instead to Ruby and Cinder.

"Okay, what about you two?"

"Well-" Ruby started off. "Like I said, we met at the Vytal Festival! And we played some games together and-"

"Easy, tiger. Why don't you let her talk for once?"

Cinder had barely said two words since she'd arrived, but she wasn't going to get nervous, not now. She looked him directly in the eyes and was a bit surprised when her voice came out rather calmly.

"I was drawn to Ruby," she began. "By her energy and her charm. She's very positive, and very cute."

Ruby made a squeak of a noise and hid her face in her napkin. But Cinder didn't relent. She faced Tai and spoke seriously.

"She is a very amazing girl, as I'm sure you're well-aware."

"You bet I am." He grinned approvingly. "Glad she found such a nice gal."

Cinder managed to smile in return and dipped her head.

From there, she joined the conversations a bit more frequently, a comfortable air now surrounding the five of them. They ate and chatted, discussing the girls' classes and training as huntresses while Tai gave a few tidbits about what he'd been up to in the meantime.

After a while the food had all disappeared and he excused himself from the table to clean up. At that point Ruby stood from her chair and stretched out, then offered her hand to her girlfriend.

"Well, Cinder you've met my dad. Now I'd like you to meet my mom."

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Ruby and Cinder walked hand-in-hand through the quiet forest, orange with sunset.

Cinder could already see the grassy cliff up ahead where a single headstone sat looking out over the world. When they neared Ruby tugged her closer, giving a tiny smile.

Cinder said nothing as she approached, pausing a respectful distance away as she read the name on the headstone:

Summer Rose

She felt Ruby's hand squeeze hers a little before she took in a breath to address her mother.

"Hi, mom. I came back to visit with Yang. And I brought someone I'd like you to meet. This is Cinder." Ruby presented her girlfriend, wrapping both arms around her in a soft hug. "I'm sure you would've loved her. She's so thoughtful and kind."

Cinder said nothing as she gazed down at the headstone bathed in twilight. She wasn't one to let her emotions show very often, but that didn't mean she didn't experience them.

She felt an ache in her chest at the notion that she'd never get to meet Ruby's mother or prove to her that she could be worthy of her daughter. Cinder merely closed her eyes and dipped her head, making that silent vow to her now.

/I promise I will make her happy./

It wasn't much, but a breeze passed by, combing through her hair, and she felt like she'd been heard.

Cinder pulled Ruby close to her, relieved to discover she wasn't crying, only smiling.

They stayed there a moment until the sun went down. Then Ruby turned and started off once again, tugging Cinder by the wrist behind her.

"Let's head back! Yang still knows my mom's cookie recipe by heart! You've gotta try them!"

Cinder cast one last glance back at the little headstone on the cliff, which seemed to be watching them go. She smiled and turned back to follow Ruby home.

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A/N: A sweet little chapter for them~ I'm still trying not to get too baffled by writing nice!Cinder haha I have to keep reminding myself she isn't up to no good in this.