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[ Ah, talk about fortuitous timing. Penny was just thinking of messaging Ruby herself. ]
I do.
There's something I wanted to talk to you about as well.
I do.
There's something I wanted to talk to you about as well.
Miss Polendina.
[there was a grunt from the other side of the feed and the voice sounded gruff, but more in the 'busy, working' sort of way people had when they were half-intent on the conversation and half busy building something.]
I believe you and I were going to trade schematics. If you wish to go over specifics, I am operating in my shop at present and unaltered by this lunar cycle's current brand of nonsense. You can forward them, or visit the shop and I will demonstrate the ability that I possess.
[there was a grunt from the other side of the feed and the voice sounded gruff, but more in the 'busy, working' sort of way people had when they were half-intent on the conversation and half busy building something.]
I believe you and I were going to trade schematics. If you wish to go over specifics, I am operating in my shop at present and unaltered by this lunar cycle's current brand of nonsense. You can forward them, or visit the shop and I will demonstrate the ability that I possess.
[ Not only is the compliment... well, a compliment, but it also means that she managed to give Ruby some good advice. Her expression relaxes and melts into a smile. ]
It must be because I had an excellent teacher.
[ The whole time she basically just thought about what Ruby might have told her and simply said that, and apparently it worked. ]
It must be because I had an excellent teacher.
[ The whole time she basically just thought about what Ruby might have told her and simply said that, and apparently it worked. ]
[Oh. That catches her a little by surprise.
But she manages to smile a little brighter.]
Well how about we start with yours? You listened to me last time around. I feel the least I can do is return the favor.
But she manages to smile a little brighter.]
Well how about we start with yours? You listened to me last time around. I feel the least I can do is return the favor.
[It felt like a weight was being lifted off her shoulders with the new found advice she had under belt. And seeing how much Penny had grown helped made her feel pretty warm too.]
Is that so? They sound pretty wise. You're going to have to introduce me sometime.
Is that so? They sound pretty wise. You're going to have to introduce me sometime.
[ Start with Penny's, huh? That's fine, actually, but... ]
... I spoke with Neopolitan. She told me about some of the things that happened after I opened the vault.
... I spoke with Neopolitan. She told me about some of the things that happened after I opened the vault.
[ Oh, it's this guy! Penny's voice is cheerful when she responds. ]
Yes! I completed them recently.
[ She thinks for a moment, then: ]
I will bring the schematics directly to you. They're sensitive documents, so it would be best to avoid making too many copies.
Yes! I completed them recently.
[ She thinks for a moment, then: ]
I will bring the schematics directly to you. They're sensitive documents, so it would be best to avoid making too many copies.
[Oh. ...Oh. Ruby felt a light jab at her chest. Penny probably should have heard all of this sooner. But she had been a little afraid to tell her everything with how much adjusting could come with being in Trench- What was going on with Ange hadn't helped that.]
I-
I'm sorry I didn't fill you on everything right away. I was just- happy to see you and I- Well anything else would just be an excuse. I wasn't trying to keep anything from you- I just... Didn't know how to start this conversation.
What did she tell you?
I can probably fill in some more blanks.
I-
I'm sorry I didn't fill you on everything right away. I was just- happy to see you and I- Well anything else would just be an excuse. I wasn't trying to keep anything from you- I just... Didn't know how to start this conversation.
What did she tell you?
I can probably fill in some more blanks.
Outstanding. Yes. These documents need to be kept secure. I will be drawing up security measures to ensure that they remain safe. I will submit directions for you to find my workshop.
[To his credit? Equius viewed schematics like these almost like one would holy writ. He was absolutely not letting them fall into the hands of what he considered to be the unworthy, which was pretty much anyone. Robotics engineers and their jealously protected interests.]
Feel free to stop by as soon as you wish. I will be in all day.
[Whenever she might wish to stop by, she'd find his workshop set next to one of the foundries in town. There was an anvil and forge there, but the place was festooned with power cables, fabricated metal parts and various welding, soddering and electrical tools as far as the eye could see. It was kind of an eclectic collection of equipment that came with the smell of oil permeating throughout. The troll loved his work.]
[To his credit? Equius viewed schematics like these almost like one would holy writ. He was absolutely not letting them fall into the hands of what he considered to be the unworthy, which was pretty much anyone. Robotics engineers and their jealously protected interests.]
Feel free to stop by as soon as you wish. I will be in all day.
[Whenever she might wish to stop by, she'd find his workshop set next to one of the foundries in town. There was an anvil and forge there, but the place was festooned with power cables, fabricated metal parts and various welding, soddering and electrical tools as far as the eye could see. It was kind of an eclectic collection of equipment that came with the smell of oil permeating throughout. The troll loved his work.]
[The scene is a very quick one, though a lot happens. The remains of a ruined Buddhist temple frame the scene, and two strange looking entities face each other down on opposite ends of a war-torn looking landscape. If you're observant, you might also find the group of people standing much further away, just at the base of the temple, looking on.]
[It's a man and a woman, both injured, and with them are roughly about ten or fifteen children, all young, all just as scuffed and worn as the adults, enraptured by the scene.]
[The entities, for the brief moment they stare each other down, do not appear to be very human at first glance. One of them is a grotesque looking man-spider, with a frightening visage and far too many limbs stacked onto a pair of human legs in military fatigues. Hideous and uncanny, with the implication it might have once been human, but is far from that now.]
[The other entity is much more humanoid-shaped. In fact, he could pass for just a man in an elaborate suit of armor, though its impossible to tell without knowing what might be under that helmet he's wearing. He is in a bright red scarf, and that might perhaps be a clue for anyone who has met a certain Hayato Ichimonji.]
[The man with the scarf is the one to finally break that moment of pause, leaping into the air. Leaping high into the air. So much so that you might lose him in the sky if you weren't fast enough to follow him. As he comes down he seems to pick up an enormous amount of speed, leg outstretched in an aimed kick. As he rockets towards the Spider, it retaliates with a blast of web, aiming to ensnare him before he can make contact with his attack.]
[It looks like it works for just a moment, but then webbing begins to shred and fly as the scarfed man bellows:]
RIDER SWIRLING KICK!
[He twists his body into a hyper fast spinning kick, ripping through not just the Spider's attack, but his entire fucking body. The man in the scarf hits the ground with a boom and the Spider, now in two entire pieces, curses him one final time before the entire scene explodes.
The dust clears as the group of children begin to run their way towards the wreckage, followed by the adults, calling for them to be careful.]
[At the center is a bloody and battered Hayato Ichimonji, who looks up in surprise as they come to meet him. They all begin to smile, and Hayato, in spite of himself, does too. His expression something both warm and elated mixed with exhaustion. His voice, for all he roared his attack earlier, is something gentle.]
You ...You all finally smiled.
[It's a man and a woman, both injured, and with them are roughly about ten or fifteen children, all young, all just as scuffed and worn as the adults, enraptured by the scene.]
[The entities, for the brief moment they stare each other down, do not appear to be very human at first glance. One of them is a grotesque looking man-spider, with a frightening visage and far too many limbs stacked onto a pair of human legs in military fatigues. Hideous and uncanny, with the implication it might have once been human, but is far from that now.]
[The other entity is much more humanoid-shaped. In fact, he could pass for just a man in an elaborate suit of armor, though its impossible to tell without knowing what might be under that helmet he's wearing. He is in a bright red scarf, and that might perhaps be a clue for anyone who has met a certain Hayato Ichimonji.]
[The man with the scarf is the one to finally break that moment of pause, leaping into the air. Leaping high into the air. So much so that you might lose him in the sky if you weren't fast enough to follow him. As he comes down he seems to pick up an enormous amount of speed, leg outstretched in an aimed kick. As he rockets towards the Spider, it retaliates with a blast of web, aiming to ensnare him before he can make contact with his attack.]
[It looks like it works for just a moment, but then webbing begins to shred and fly as the scarfed man bellows:]
RIDER SWIRLING KICK!
[He twists his body into a hyper fast spinning kick, ripping through not just the Spider's attack, but his entire fucking body. The man in the scarf hits the ground with a boom and the Spider, now in two entire pieces, curses him one final time before the entire scene explodes.
The dust clears as the group of children begin to run their way towards the wreckage, followed by the adults, calling for them to be careful.]
[At the center is a bloody and battered Hayato Ichimonji, who looks up in surprise as they come to meet him. They all begin to smile, and Hayato, in spite of himself, does too. His expression something both warm and elated mixed with exhaustion. His voice, for all he roared his attack earlier, is something gentle.]
You ...You all finally smiled.
Edited 2022-05-26 19:53 (UTC)
[ Ohoho, Penny knows what this is! She's seen this before! She maintains her outward composure, but inwardly she's excited to get to engage with this particular social game. ]
I think you would like her. She's friendly and optimistic, and the kindest person I know.
I think you would like her. She's friendly and optimistic, and the kindest person I know.
[ Penny responds to Equius's last message in the affirmative, and then she sets out.
She arrives in no time at all - once of the advantages of being able to just fly over the twisting, labyrinthine streets of Trench - and sets down outside of Equius's workshop. The exact array of tools and equipment aren't what she's used to from home, but she knows what a craftsman's workshop looks like. She doesn't enter, and instead calls out: ]
Hello! This is Penny Polendina, here with a delivery of schematics!
She arrives in no time at all - once of the advantages of being able to just fly over the twisting, labyrinthine streets of Trench - and sets down outside of Equius's workshop. The exact array of tools and equipment aren't what she's used to from home, but she knows what a craftsman's workshop looks like. She doesn't enter, and instead calls out: ]
Hello! This is Penny Polendina, here with a delivery of schematics!
[Ruby doesn't want to toot her own horn or anything but it is absolutely sweet to hear Penny say that to her.]
I can't imagine you making friends with anyone who wasn't like that, Penny. You're such a warm, bright and earnest friend that you just draw those sorts of people to you.
I can't imagine you making friends with anyone who wasn't like that, Penny. You're such a warm, bright and earnest friend that you just draw those sorts of people to you.
[ That's... not the reaction Penny is expecting, and she fumbles to respond. ]
Oh-- no, Ruby, I am not mad! I just... I am worried about you.
[ Which probably tells Ruby plenty about what she heard, but she may as well continue. Her voice drops from the distress of a moment ago, growing morose and somber instead. ]
She said that we all made it to the central location, but that she and Cinder were there as well. She tried to attack you and hit Yang instead, then kept attacking you until you both fell into the darkness.
Oh-- no, Ruby, I am not mad! I just... I am worried about you.
[ Which probably tells Ruby plenty about what she heard, but she may as well continue. Her voice drops from the distress of a moment ago, growing morose and somber instead. ]
She said that we all made it to the central location, but that she and Cinder were there as well. She tried to attack you and hit Yang instead, then kept attacking you until you both fell into the darkness.
[ In turn, Ruby's words to Penny have something bright and affectionate blossom inside her. She's still figuring out this physical affection thing, but even so she leans in just enough to rest her shoulder against Ruby's. ]
Thank you, Ruby. That means a lot, coming from you.
Thank you, Ruby. That means a lot, coming from you.
[It's an awkward subject and while she's briefly alluded to it throughout her time in Trench. She... Still didn't quite know how to talk about it.
She feels bad for reacting as quickly as she did but she calms down a little when Penny explains her concerns.]
I- Oh... Yeah.
[She gives a half hearted shrug and nods.]
Those are my last memories of home- I remember falling but not what happens after that if there's anything.
But- That's not all I know about from at home. Jaune was here briefly before the dream collapsed and we ended up here.
I- I know what happens to you, Penny.
She feels bad for reacting as quickly as she did but she calms down a little when Penny explains her concerns.]
I- Oh... Yeah.
[She gives a half hearted shrug and nods.]
Those are my last memories of home- I remember falling but not what happens after that if there's anything.
But- That's not all I know about from at home. Jaune was here briefly before the dream collapsed and we ended up here.
I- I know what happens to you, Penny.
[It meant that world to Ruby that Penny was here and she was able to confide in her. It made this place feel a little more like home and she wanted Penny to know she belonged here and was loved just as much as she was back in Remnant. ...Even if Remnant had a difficult way of showing that sometimes.]
Well all I'm doing is saying the honest truth. You're the best friend anyone could ask for.
Well all I'm doing is saying the honest truth. You're the best friend anyone could ask for.
[ Oh.
Penny goes still, the sort of unnatural stillness that only a machine can really manage. She can't see the future but she knows what that must mean. She knows the virus is trying to make her self-destruct. She knows that their plan with the Staff might not work. She knows that Cinder has been trying to kill her and steal the Maiden's power.
She knows Ruby wouldn't want to tell her that. She knows that Ruby would be more upset than anyone save her own father. And she knows that Ruby wouldn't want to tell her that for the sake of both of them.
But she feels like she needs to know. So, voice quiet and tone gentle, she asks: ]
Will you tell me?
Penny goes still, the sort of unnatural stillness that only a machine can really manage. She can't see the future but she knows what that must mean. She knows the virus is trying to make her self-destruct. She knows that their plan with the Staff might not work. She knows that Cinder has been trying to kill her and steal the Maiden's power.
She knows Ruby wouldn't want to tell her that. She knows that Ruby would be more upset than anyone save her own father. And she knows that Ruby wouldn't want to tell her that for the sake of both of them.
But she feels like she needs to know. So, voice quiet and tone gentle, she asks: ]
Will you tell me?
[Ruby watches as her friend goes still and it feels like a weight has suddenly formed in the pit of her stomach and that starts to twist it uncomfortably. She knew Penny knew the risks that they face better than anyone. She had already lost her life in their fight once before.]
Of course I will.
It was never my intention to hide or keep it from you.
I just-
We get to the vault.
We save you from the virus.
We create the central location and the gateway to Vacuo.
But...
After I fall.
You get hurt fighting Cinder.
And to prevent her from getting the maiden powers.
...You sacrifice yourself and give them Winter.
Of course I will.
It was never my intention to hide or keep it from you.
I just-
We get to the vault.
We save you from the virus.
We create the central location and the gateway to Vacuo.
But...
After I fall.
You get hurt fighting Cinder.
And to prevent her from getting the maiden powers.
...You sacrifice yourself and give them Winter.
[ And there it is.
Ruby says it plainly, and it's about what Penny was expecting. She already knows Cinder was there, she already knows that a fight broke out, she already knows that Cinder wanted the Maiden powers more than anything, and she already knows that she's already tried to sacrifice herself to pass on the powers to a suitable candidate once already.
And yet she feels frozen in place, like if she moves again everything will fall apart. She had been frightened when she 'died' the first time - terrified, even - in the seconds before her weapons ripped her apart too thoroughly for her to feel anything at all. But there'd been a chance of recovery back then. But if they saved her from the virus that means she was human, and if she was human then it means that this time it was permanent. And...
Penny twists her fingers together, her gaze cast down. ]
My father-- he wasn't there, was he? He doesn't know?
Ruby says it plainly, and it's about what Penny was expecting. She already knows Cinder was there, she already knows that a fight broke out, she already knows that Cinder wanted the Maiden powers more than anything, and she already knows that she's already tried to sacrifice herself to pass on the powers to a suitable candidate once already.
And yet she feels frozen in place, like if she moves again everything will fall apart. She had been frightened when she 'died' the first time - terrified, even - in the seconds before her weapons ripped her apart too thoroughly for her to feel anything at all. But there'd been a chance of recovery back then. But if they saved her from the virus that means she was human, and if she was human then it means that this time it was permanent. And...
Penny twists her fingers together, her gaze cast down. ]
My father-- he wasn't there, was he? He doesn't know?
[It... It's not easy for her to say this. After all they had been through together back in Remnant. Having watched Penny die once and knowing she couldn't save her a second time around. She did her best not to dwell on the life she had left behind in favor of being in Trench but it still ripped away at her knowing in the end she couldn't do anything for her friends.
She feels a few tears well up in her good eye.]
I- I didn't see him when I was still there.
I'm not sure.
I... I don't know.
I'm- I'm so sorry I left you, Penny. That I couldn't do anything to stop this.
She feels a few tears well up in her good eye.]
I- I didn't see him when I was still there.
I'm not sure.
I... I don't know.
I'm- I'm so sorry I left you, Penny. That I couldn't do anything to stop this.
[ Oh... oh no. She made Ruby cry. That's not what she meant to do. Penny reaches out, though she stops short of actually touching her. ]
No-- Ruby. It is not your fault. I...
[ Well. There's really only one person they can blame in this situation, isn't there? One person that's actually responsible for everything that happened, and most of the things leading up to it. ]
... We both know that this was because of Cinder.
No-- Ruby. It is not your fault. I...
[ Well. There's really only one person they can blame in this situation, isn't there? One person that's actually responsible for everything that happened, and most of the things leading up to it. ]
... We both know that this was because of Cinder.
Edited 2022-05-30 15:46 (UTC)
[When that chipper voice came through at the entrance, there was a squawk of shock. Equius... might have gotten into the middle of another project before she arrived and been focusing. He poked his head out after a cloud of dust went flying. Hacking a little, he motioned for her to enter.]
Ah! Excellent. For some reason I expected a partial solar cycle first. Please, come in.
[The workshop was organized chaos. Some of the tools that were inside were definitely more familiar. They weren't the ones from Remnant at all, though there was at least two that looked like they belonged in Remnant. He helped fabricate parts for a lot of people. Ruby was on that list, after all, so of course he had to be able to work with weapons materials at least. Nothing for detailed electronics, though. Mopping his forehead, he took the towel and tamped out a tiny electrical fire that almost started, making sure it was out.]
Please excuse the mess. I have something to produce for a client. It is good to meet in person, Miss Polendina.
Ah! Excellent. For some reason I expected a partial solar cycle first. Please, come in.
[The workshop was organized chaos. Some of the tools that were inside were definitely more familiar. They weren't the ones from Remnant at all, though there was at least two that looked like they belonged in Remnant. He helped fabricate parts for a lot of people. Ruby was on that list, after all, so of course he had to be able to work with weapons materials at least. Nothing for detailed electronics, though. Mopping his forehead, he took the towel and tamped out a tiny electrical fire that almost started, making sure it was out.]
Please excuse the mess. I have something to produce for a client. It is good to meet in person, Miss Polendina.
[Ruby let's that sit briefly. She had been left with a lot of guilt and regret to what happened in Remnant. She had come to terms with the fact that there was no way she could have controlled the situation to make it turn out any better, but she knew there were spots she was responsible for making things worse in one way or another. She just wished she could have done more for her team.
She feels the tears flow down her cheeks and the way Penny approaches but doesn't quite make the full move in. Ruby slides in and let's her arms wrap around her friend gently.]
Yeah... You're not wrong.
I just wish-
I just wish she'd stop getting away with taking the things precious to us.
You-
You had so much to live for. So much to do.
She feels the tears flow down her cheeks and the way Penny approaches but doesn't quite make the full move in. Ruby slides in and let's her arms wrap around her friend gently.]
Yeah... You're not wrong.
I just wish-
I just wish she'd stop getting away with taking the things precious to us.
You-
You had so much to live for. So much to do.
[ Oh, good. Ruby steps forward for a hug and Penny reciprocates. It's much gentler and less enthusiastic than most hugs she's given, one hand on Ruby's back and the other resting on her hair, and hardly being given for a very uplifting reason. Still, something about it makes her feel better. ]
I know... it isn't fair that she's done so much to hurt us.
[ Penny knows her wording is childish but... well, sometimes childishly is the best way to say something. Cinder killed her and Ruby and Ruby's friends, and for what? To what end? ]
But... we're here now, right? Both of us. She can't take that away from us.
[ Especially if she's not even here. ]
I know... it isn't fair that she's done so much to hurt us.
[ Penny knows her wording is childish but... well, sometimes childishly is the best way to say something. Cinder killed her and Ruby and Ruby's friends, and for what? To what end? ]
But... we're here now, right? Both of us. She can't take that away from us.
[ Especially if she's not even here. ]
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