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.
[ 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. ]
[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.
[ 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.
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no subject
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?
no subject
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.
no subject
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 subject
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.
no subject
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. ]