Diva - Chapter 16

Today was a big day.  How big, Ruby didn’t know.  But it felt big - at least, to her - and her light, bouncy steps suggested that it was big.

She had visited the Vale Museum of Art many times.  Sometimes with friends, sometimes with Yang, sometimes alone, but never like this.

The wide stone steps leading to the lobby disappeared underfoot as she jogged up them.  The silver-edged double doors released her into an atrium whose white ceiling arched high above the white marble floor.  Two sculptures stood on opposite ends of the room - one a man holding a shield and the other a woman smelling a bouquet of flowers.  Several pieces of art hung on the walls, each spaced out to draw clear attention, with a polished wooden bench sitting underneath.  Across from the entrance, the ticket counter restricted entry to the rest of the museum.  Rather than find her wallet to pay for admission, however, she pulled out her work badge and approached the woman seated behind the counter.

“Good evening,” she greeted Ruby with a polite smile.  “I’m sorry, but the museum is closed for a private event.”

“That’s actually what I’m here for.”

Ruby presented her badge to the woman, who looked it over before searching the paper list on the desk in front of her.  After finding and crossing off Ruby’s name, she returned the badge and nodded through the entrance.

“The main hall’s straight ahead.  You can’t miss it.”

“Thank you.”

After shoving her ID into her pocket, Ruby headed further into the museum on her own.  With no one else around, her footsteps faintly echoed in the wide hallway leading away from the atrium.  Her gaze slipped from side to side, noting each painting she passed.  She’d never had the entire hall to herself like this, but she didn’t stop and savor the tranquility like she wanted to.

Voices filtered toward her and, moments later, the walls opened up into the main hall, a monumental room that put the atrium to shame.  The marble floors gleamed.  The silver pedestals and frames sparkled.  But the paintings were the real stars, each masterfully lit, each injecting flashes of color, texture, or shape into the space.  A second level, currently empty save for more pieces of art, encircled the room with a wide balcony and a gleaming wooden handrail.  And across from Ruby, a wall of glass doors provided an enchanting view out to the sculpture garden - a lavish, extensive field of dreams.

The main hall was typically crowded since it showcased the most popular works of art, but today’s atmosphere was almost too surreal to be true.  Gone were the tourists and regular visitors speaking in quiet voices or silently observing the artworks.  Sound and motion filled the space instead.

The audio and video crew wheeled large black crates through the back entrance.  Others set up everything from microphones to bright lights attached to tall, black stands.  The center of the room, typically empty save for benches to accommodate the large number of daily visitors, had been the most transformed.  Plush red rope cordoned it off and, within that designated area, three silver easels had been set up.  On those easels sat Ruby’s paintings.  

In the Museum of Art.

Maybe they weren’t officially on display, but that technicality didn’t stop her from experiencing a mixture of disbelief and elation.  The three paintings represented her honest effort and current skill, and she was proud of them - an emotion she hadn’t felt for her art in a long time.

Weiss had served as an inspiration for the centerpiece.  Unlike the two colorful artworks flanking it on either side, the star of the show used the same style but took a minimalist approach to color.  It stood out like a breathtaking beauty amongst normalcy, yet fit in enough that any observer would see that it belonged.

It was Weiss, in a strange, paint-like way.  And if Weiss was going to steal any piece of art in this room, she would steal the one representing the strange conflict that was herself.  At least, that was Ruby’s hope. 

“They look great, Ruby.”

Ruby jumped as Velvet joined her and then blew a big breath through her lips.  “Pretty sure I’ve peaked,” she replied before slowly spinning in a circle, soaking in the atmosphere.  Eventually, her gaze returned to her art and an idea popped into her mind.  “Think I can take a photo?”

After glancing around, finding everyone else focused on their own tasks, Velvet leaned closer and said, “I won’t tell if you won’t.”

“You’re the best.”

Grinning, Ruby moseyed closer to her exhibit and pulled out her phone.  She spent an extra moment appreciating how official everything looked - the crew had even borrowed the museum’s easels for the scene - before surreptitiously snapping a few photos and returning to Velvet.

“Next time someone says I’m not a ‘real’ artist, I’ll show them this.”  Ruby patted her pocket, but Velvet studied the paintings and shook her head.  

“You are a real artist.  I bet Glynda and Oob never thought you’d create something so spectacular.”

“Eh.”  

Ruby shrugged off the compliment, but her gaze returned to her creations with a smile.  She knew that Oob liked them - he practically rocketed over the moon when she brought them to the studio - but there was one person in particular whose opinion she both craved and dreaded.

That person arrived at that moment, striding into the main hall with the aura of a superstar.  Which…Weiss was a superstar, so her ethereal presence should surprise no one.  Least of all Ruby, who had grown accustomed to experiencing a bout of butterflies whenever Weiss was present.

Today, just like every other day, Weiss looked flawless in a white skirt, black heels, and a light blue blouse.  A matching designer handbag draped from one elbow, but the cup of coffee clutched in her hand caught Ruby’s attention.

Ruby’s brow furrowed but released the moment striking blue eyes found her.  Weiss’ path seamlessly adjusted, and Ruby barely resisted the impulse to meet her halfway.  She rocked forward onto the balls of her feet instead and only settled back to her heels when Weiss reached her.

“Ruby,” Weiss greeted her with a slight head tilt.

“Sorry, I should’ve gotten you coffee,” were the first words out of Ruby’s mouth.  “But I thought it’s late and - that’s my bad.”

“Don’t worry about it.”  Weiss waved off Ruby’s concern before holding up a small pastry bag.  “This is for you.”

Ruby’s brow shot up but, when Weiss gently shook the bag, she quickly accepted the gift.  “Thank you,” she added before opening it and gasping.  “Oh my god.  This looks so good.”  She pulled out the giant chocolate chip cookie, took a bite, and nodded.  “Yup!  It’s good.”

“Good.”  Weiss flashed a smile before glancing to the side, where Velvet subtly lingered but didn’t interrupt.  “I should get changed.”

Weiss gestured to Coco, who had set up the wardrobe department near the museum’s restrooms, and waited for Ruby’s nod before heading away.  Ruby watched Weiss go, her heart practically stopping when Weiss passed by her art.  Weiss’ pace slowed, and her gaze lingered, but she didn’t stop or stare or demand to know who created them.

Mildly disappointed, Ruby took another bite of the cookie and reminded herself that Weiss saw scores of props on any given day.  Learning where each one came from would be exhausting and time-consuming, especially for someone who started each day with a tiny, nonrenewable amount of patience.

“Did Weiss just…bring you a cookie?” Velvet asked, breaking Ruby away from those thoughts.

“Yeah!  Wasn’t that nice of her?”  

Velvet’s brow rose while Ruby grinned and popped another large piece into her mouth, but any opportunity to discuss the unexpected generosity disappeared as Oscar rushed over.

“Hey!”  He nearly careened into Ruby before stopping himself at the last moment.  “This is cool, right?  I’ve never been here before.”

“You’ve never been to the museum before?” Ruby asked.  He somewhat proudly shook his head.

“Nope!  But look at all these awesome paintings.”  He motioned at the paintings on the walls before grinning at Ruby.  “You like art, right?”

Ruby shared an amused smile with Velvet before chuckling.

“I do like art.”

“She might have even painted those right there,” Velvet whispered behind one hand before pointing at the three paintings in the center of the room.  Oscar’s eyes widened as he spun toward them and, after several seconds of observation, looked at Ruby with wide, awestruck eyes.

“Is there anything you can’t do?”

“Plenty,” Ruby replied with a laugh.  She shuffled her feet at his overflowing admiration and eventually nodded in the other direction.  “Looks like Coco could use some help,” she told Velvet, whose gaze instantly flitted that way.  “Why don’t you do that while Oscar and I set up?”

Coco again had her hands full with a variety of extras filtering into the room, but Velvet turned to Ruby for confirmation before heading over to help.  Her presence had an immediate calming effect on Coco, who beamed and welcomed the help herding extras and racks of clothing around.

“They get along really well,” Oscar remarked as Coco brought Velvet into the costume department’s fold.

“They really do.”

Just how well Velvet and Coco got along still eluded Oscar, but Ruby stifled a laugh and nudged his shoulder.

“Come on, let’s get our radios before Cinder chews us out.”  

Cinder was already prowling around the museum, her heels tapping dangerously fast on the floor as she stormed from one corner of the room to the other.  She could already be issuing orders for all Ruby knew, so Ruby hurried over to the barren table holding a collection of radios and batteries.  Once she and Oscar were mic’d up, she gave him a thumbs-up and went to help set up a large reflecting screen.

“We’re missing the camera reels,” Cinder told them before long.  “Someone find them.  Now.”

Ruby and Oscar shared a glance before Oscar pointed to himself and rushed off in search of the missing reels.  Still supporting the lighting screen, Ruby watched Oscar out of the corner of her eye.  If he couldn't find those reels soon, she would have to drop whatever she was doing and help.

“Got ‘em!” he called out several minutes later.  Ruby breathed a sigh of relief while pulling one of the cameras into position in front of her paintings.  A jumble of cords had to be run across the room next - cord management being an unexpected yet vital part of her job.  While laying down cables and taping them flat, she spotted Weiss and Pyrrha making their way to the center of the room.

Pyrrha wore her typical ‘off duty’ outfit - tan slacks and a red, form-fitting top, with her gorgeous red hair tied up in a high ponytail.  Beauty came effortlessly to her, yet the same could undoubtedly be said about Weiss, who looked jaw-droppingly graceful in a light blue dress that cut off just above her knees.  Silver heels narrowed the height difference between her and Pyrrha, casting them as equals even though they perfectly represented fire and ice.

They were, as always, eye-catching in every possible way.  While they chatted with each other, with chaos flowing around them like a river around a stone, Ruby frequently glanced their way.  They stood right in front of her paintings now, turned toward the easels, but could be discussing anything else.  

But it looked like they were talking about the paintings, though.  Ruby’s heart seemed to hope so, as it thudded in her chest before exploding into a stampede when Pyrrha motioned to the easels and Weiss suddenly spun around.

Somehow, Ruby knew that Weiss was searching for her even before blue eyes met hers.  Then Weiss motioned her over, so she finished taping the section of cables before rushing to do as requested.    

“Ruby,” Weiss said, smiling as if the sound of Ruby’s name pleased her.  “Pyrrha says that you painted these.  Is that true or is it the first lie she’s ever told?”

“It’s true.”

That smile flickered, blue eyes widening ever so slightly.

“Told you,” Pyrrha teased, lightly nudging Weiss’ elbow before turning to Ruby.  “They’re lovely, Ruby.  Really.”

“Thank you.”

“I didn’t realize you painted, too,” Weiss said, her tone somewhere between dismayed and accusatory.

“It’s my passion, I guess you could say.”  Ruby looked at her artwork, then around the museum, and laughed.  “This is the closest I’ve ever come to having my work displayed though.”

“She wants to be a painter,” Pyrrha explained.  When Ruby nodded, Weiss studied her for several moments before turning back to the paintings.  The longer Weiss stared, slowly taking in the finer details, the more Ruby wished that she could hear Weiss’ thoughts.  Did she think they looked amateur?  Simplistic?  Unworthy of sharing the screen with someone like her?

Eventually, Weiss faintly cleared her throat and said, “I actually know the owner of The Diamond Gallery.  I could get in touch with them and see if they’re interested in including your work.”

Ruby’s eyes widened at the unbelievable offer, which Weiss proposed as if it were as simple as asking about the weather.  Her aura was so nonchalant, in fact, that Ruby glanced at Pyrrha for confirmation that it was as generous and unexpected as it felt.

“You’d do that for me?”

“Of course.”

“Then…that’d be awesome!”  Ruby threw her arms out and, for a split second, considered hugging Weiss.  She glued her arms to her sides and said, “Thank you so much,” instead.

“No need to thank me.  I’ll let you know what they say once I speak to them.”

Again, Weiss acted as if she hadn’t just given Ruby some of the best news she’d received all year, but Ruby glanced at Pyrrha before trying to express a fraction of her thanks.  Pyrrha’s small, proud smile said everything Ruby suspected - that it was an incredible offer but, for some reason, Weiss wanted to brush past it as if it were no big deal.

If it were no big deal, Ruby wouldn't feel like she could levitate off the floor and fly around the room like a hummingbird.  She wouldn't be beaming like she just won the lottery and cured cancer in the same day.  She certainly wouldn't be buzzing with the desire to scoop Weiss into her arms and spin her in a circle, peppering her gorgeous cheek with kisses and gushing about how sweet she was.

While Ruby weighed her desire to express her gratitude versus how much Weiss might hate being twirled in a circle, Cinder’s unwelcome voice ended the opportunity.

“Everyone into position.  We’re starting in five.”

Dragged back to the task at hand, Ruby pointed at the microphone in her ear.  “We’re starting in five,” she told the gorgeous duo while backing away.  Weiss finally made eye contact, but then only for a brief moment before nodding and turning toward Pyrrha.  Pyrrha smiled at Ruby for a little longer but eventually turned away to discuss the upcoming scene with Weiss.

Ruby practically skipped away from them, feeling lighter than air.  

“What’s that smile for?” Oscar asked as they cleared extra equipment from the set.

“Just…someone offered to do something nice for me,” she replied before focusing on their work.  

It never felt like they would make Cinder’s arbitrary and short deadlines, yet somehow they nearly always did.  Not without a fair amount of scrambling around, haphazardly removing bits of garbage or grabbing the spare props Ozpin randomly requested.  Meanwhile, Cinder gave orders to the handful of extras placed around the room, some sitting on the viewing benches and others standing in front of real works of art.

Pyrrha remained in front of Ruby’s paintings while Weiss moved to her starting position out of the shot.  Ozpin had some last-minute words of wisdom for her; she nodded along to them while her eyes darted around the room, cataloging everyone’s location.  Before long, he patted her shoulder and retreated to his chair at the front of the scene.

After taking a deep breath and squaring her shoulders, she met Ruby’s gaze as if she’d known that Ruby was staring at her all along.  Before Ruby turned away, however, Weiss smiled - or nearly smiled, but that was more than enough to keep Ruby’s attention fixed on her.  Ruby gave Weiss an encouraging thumbs-up before joining Oscar and Velvet at their little table out of everyone’s way.

One of Ruby’s favorite parts about her job was the moment when the chaotic preparations abruptly morphed into the quiet, still readiness for the scene to begin.  Cinder stood beside Ozpin, observing her domain like a lion ready to pounce on anyone who stepped out of line.  The cameramen, grips, and lighting crew signaled that they were ready.  The extras practically vibrated in eagerness to prove their mettle.  From there, rehearsals began.  Then, after several practice runs, filming started.

Extras lingered around the room, some staring at their preferred painting while others strolled from one piece of art to another.  Pyrrha studied Ruby’s artwork as Weiss sauntered up behind her.  Pyrrha failed to notice her presence until she said, “Beautiful, aren’t they?”

Pyrrha’s attention flew to Weiss, but Weiss never turned away from the paintings.

“Few things in this world make you feel like art does,” she sighed then snuck a look at Pyrrha and added, “Well, few material things…”

“Is that what this is?” Pyrrha responded quietly, missing the implication.  “You steal whatever makes you feel something?”

“If that were true, I’d need hundreds of warehouses to store everything in.”  Weiss shook her head and motioned to the painting.  “Look at these, Detective, and tell me you don’t see what I see.”

Pyrrha hesitated to turn away but relented when Weiss gestured to the paintings again.

“Artists leave a piece of themselves behind,” Weiss mused before leaning closer to Pyrrha and lowering her voice.  “Through the paint, the brushstrokes, the colors…this is them.  A piece of their essence.  Their soul, even.  It’s impossible to look at these and not feel like you know them in some distant, lingering way.”

Those lines were written long before today, but Ruby’s skin tingled hearing them.  Pyrrha’s brow furrowed as she searched the paintings for what Weiss described.  Eventually, she shook her head and said, “So you’re only here to…look at them?”

Weiss’ light, joyful laughter brought a smile to Ruby’s lips in no time.

“Oh, I’m absolutely taking them.  I’ve already made space on my wall.”

Pyrrha’s hand immediately dropped to her side, where her handcuffs would be had she been in uniform.  Weiss tsked at the gesture and stepped away.

“Now, now, Detective,” she playfully chided.  “What did your boss say about making a scene?”  Her eyes darted around the room, forcing Pyrrha to acknowledge the innocent bystanders.  “It was nice seeing you again, Grace,” Weiss added, still backing away while Pyrrha looked torn between pursuing or staying put.  “And think about what I said.  Maybe you can still develop an appreciation for the beauty that’s right in front of you.”

A lingering look passed between them before Weiss spun on one heel and swept off the set as if she owned the entire building.  Pyrrha remained frozen in place, then glanced at the paintings, swore under her breath, and pulled out her phone.

“I know where she’s hitting next,” she said while striding away.  “How?  Because she just told me, that’s how.”

“Cut!” Ozpin called out shortly after Pyrrha’s last line.  Two cameramen exchanged high-fives while Ozpin reviewed the footage.  They must feel, like Ruby did, that Weiss and Pyrrha nailed the scene.

Sure enough, Ozpin nodded while watching the replay.  Once he reached the end, he said, “Perfect,” and handed the tablet to Cinder.   A breath of relief and celebration swept through the room before the crew started disassembling their hard work.  Ruby joined in, re-coiling the cord that she had painstakingly taped to the floor earlier, but Ozpin’s unexpected, yet serious, consultation with Glynda drew a sideways glance.

He frowned at Glynda’s news while Cinder added her two cents, and then the three of them went to the doors leading to the sculpture garden.  Ozpin craned his neck to look up at the sky, garnering interest from more of the crew.  As Ruby threw the coiled cable over one shoulder, Ozpin nodded once and then said something.  Ruby had a sinking feeling of what it was as soon as Cinder tapped the microphone in her ear and strode across the museum as if preparing her troops for battle.

“PAs - tell everyone we’re starting the second scene now.  A storm’s headed this way and we don’t want to be caught in the rain again.”

Ruby, Velvet, and Oscar exchanged glances before setting off in different directions at once.  What began as celebration for an expertly finished scene became a mad scramble to relocate an entire film crew outdoors as fast as possible.

“Hey,” Ruby told Weiss and Pyrrha once she reached them.  “There’s a storm coming.  Ozpin wants the second scene done pronto.”

They shared a look, silently communicating reactions and concerns that Ruby couldn't even begin to guess, before Pyrrha said, “We’d better hurry then, shouldn’t we.”  She smiled when Weiss nodded then set off toward the wardrobe area, motioning Velvet over as she went.  

“Come with me,” Weiss told Ruby before sweeping back to the museum’s restroom.  Even in her four-inch heels, her pace required Ruby to practically jog to keep up.  Weiss didn’t hold the door, but she flipped off her heels and swept her hair to one side as soon as it shut.

“Can you help me?”

The instant Weiss turned around, showing off her neck and shoulder blades in the beautiful gown, Ruby froze.  Her mind struggled to catch up with the moment - plus the restroom transformed into a dressing room - and now this request.

“Uh, sure.”  Whether or not she felt prepared, she took a deep breath, undid the clasp, and then pulled down the zipper.  Watching Weiss’ bare shoulder blades and lower back being revealed made her heart pound so fast that she dropped her gaze to the floor, where it remained as the dress pooled around Weiss’ ankles.

“Ruby.”

Ruby looked up and did her absolute best to focus solely on Weiss’ eyes, but she couldn't help catching a glimpse of everything else.  ‘Everything else’ being Weiss in her lacy white underwear.

“Yeah?” Ruby asked while blood rushed to her cheeks.

“The dress?” 

Ruby’s brow briefly knit together, but when Weiss motioned to her - behind her, actually - she spun around and realized that she was standing in front of an extravagant silver ball gown for the next scene.

“Oh, right.  Here.”  

Knowing that she was wasting precious time being flustered by Weiss’ unfair beauty and self-confidence, Ruby quickly pulled the dress from the hanger and handed it over.  Weiss accepted it with an amused smile and quickly stepped into it.

“You act like you’ve never helped a girl out of her dress before,” she teased, igniting the blush on Ruby’s cheeks.

“I was just, you know, trying to be respectful.”

“Cute,” Weiss replied, flashing a small, genuine smile before pulling the new dress over her shoulders.  “But we don’t have time for respectful,” she added while turning around and again moving her hair out of the way.

In another world, Ruby would stand there and stare at Weiss’ bare back forever.  She would also run her fingers across it and see if it was as smooth as it looked…but she swallowed those desires in favor of helping.  

“If we don’t finish this scene today, they’ll add a day to production,” Weiss explained, seemingly oblivious to Ruby’s fingers fumbling with the zipper that started at her lower back.  “And I don’t want to spend another day with Cardin if I don’t have to.”

“Right.  That…makes sense.”

As soon as the new dress was clasped into place, Weiss reached across Ruby to grab a diamond necklace from the counter.  After passing it to Ruby, she turned around and again held her hair to the side.  It felt like it should be an intimate moment, especially with the way Ruby’s heart thudded when her hands grazed Weiss’ soft skin, but there was nothing romantic about having no time to spare.

“Done,” Ruby said once she clasped the necklace.  Weiss let go of her hair and pulled on another pair of heels - silver and even taller this time.  She then stood up and smoothed her hands down the front of the dress, which clung to her hips enticingly.  The high slit in the side showed off an impressive amount of leg, and the lowcut neckline provided plenty of space for the necklace to shine - as well as her cleavage to be put on display.

She looked unbelievably gorgeous, but she hardly glanced at her reflection before saying, “Let’s go,” and leaving.  Ruby scrambled after her, following that image of pure beauty through what now looked like a battlefield.  Instead of soldiers, however, the production crew raced past with whatever equipment they could carry.

“Makeup!” Weiss called out before striding over to chairs that had been set up along one side of the museum.  Pyrrha joined her moments later, looking equally gorgeous in a fiery red ball gown strewn with gold accents.  Coco appeared in an instant, issuing directions to the makeup artists who set about working their magic.  

“Ruby?”

Only the sound of her name snapped Ruby out of her daze and back to the reality of work.  Velvet motioned her over to a set of thin, metal light stands that needed to be carried outside.  Usually, the stands folded up into neat little packages, but they didn’t have the time to fold and then unfold them.

They were lightweight yet bulky and unwieldy, so she and Velvet only carried one apiece through the propped-open doors leading to the sculpture garden.  Ruby blew out a breath at the wall of humidity outside - a stark contrast to the pleasant, air-conditioned museum - but ignored the sweat prickling the back of her neck while carrying the stand down the grand, stone double staircase leading to the garden below.

Beneath the staircase’s balcony, a large, square dance floor offered the perfect space for weddings and birthday parties alike.  Today, it had been dressed for an extravagant, elegant event with plenty of rich red and royal blue strewn across the tables and decorations.  Surrounding the dance floor, statues made of stone and marble stood on pedestals interspersed amongst immaculately maintained shrubs.  The shrubs were works of art in their own right.  Living works of art, but art all the same.

The magnificent scenery served as a backdrop to chaos.  The props team added last-minute touches while everyone else focused on setting up lights, cameras, and microphones.  Extras clad in ballgowns and suits added to the disarray by roaming around the periphery, out of the way but only just so.   

After dropping off the light stands near the edge of the set, where someone from the lighting department would reattach the lights and move them into position, Ruby and Velvet hurried back into the museum for more.  They repeated that process so many times that they were almost guaranteed to catch a cold from passing between air conditioning and humidity so fast and frequently.

Eventually, the necessary equipment made it into position.  Ruby had just wiped the back of her arm across her brow when the most important pieces of the scene walked onto the balcony.  

Cardin had arrived and looked rather dashing in a stark black suit.  Pyrrha glowed like a goddess in her red and gold ensemble.  Weiss though…Weiss snatched Ruby’s heart and didn’t let go.  She looked like a princess in her silver gown, with a regal air about her as she descended the steps one by one.  Ruby nearly went to meet her at the bottom of the stairs - because that was how princesses should be treated - but kept her feet rooted to the ground.  She stared instead, silently hoping that Weiss would look her way.

First, Weiss gracefully stepped off the staircase and glanced at the lavish decorations, then her gaze landed on Ruby.  The hint of a smile that followed sent Ruby’s heart to the stars.

Ozpin drew Weiss’ attention away too soon, but Ruby still felt like she could die happily.  She blew a jittery breath through her lips and searched for something to do instead.  Her eyes caught on the balcony one more time before she hurried off.  

Looking rightfully pleased with her creations, Coco swept down the stairs after the trio.  Rather than boast or preen, however, she blew a kiss to Velvet before helping the extras with finishing touches.  Ruby grinned at Velvet’s resulting blush and decided that helping Velvet lay down more cables, while also teasing her about Coco, was the best use of her time.

Everyone sent frequent glances skyward, wondering when the gathering storm might arrive.  The darkening clouds squeezed Ruby’s heart tightly, making her work faster in between glances at Weiss.  Somehow, Weiss gave no indication that the weather bothered her.  The way Pyrrha lingered near her side, offering small smiles or fleeting touches, suggested otherwise.

That only prompted Ruby to work harder and faster.  She flew around the set like her feet were on fire, carrying anything that needed carrying, holding anything that needed holding, and finding whatever needed finding.  The faster they started filming, the sooner everyone could leave.

Her coworkers might not understand the depths of her determination, but they worked as if they did.  In record time - or what must be record time for such an elaborate setup - the actors and crew signaled their readiness to begin.

Ruby leaned against a statue of an old philosopher to watch.  Oscar joined her but, despite his eagerness to talk, her gaze never strayed from the magical scene in front of them.  Despite being too tired to talk, she was not too tired to hang onto every word and gesture Weiss made.

Maybe it was the dress, or the ambiance, or the wisps of wind that lightly rustled her hair, but Weiss looked radiant and dazzling beyond Ruby’s wildest dreams.  The extras, despite their sharp outfits, couldn't even think about holding a candle to her.  Pyrrha was the only one who came close to Weiss’ beauty, but Weiss was the one holding Ruby’s full attention today.

One of the well-dressed extras addressed the party from the balcony while Weiss confidently navigated through the crowd.  Pyrrha and Cardin searched for her, yet their efforts were stymied at every possible turn.  Weiss stopped to chat with an older gentleman standing at a table by himself.  Her smile - and appearance - quickly ingratiated herself to him, so he thought nothing when she laughed and leaned into his side.

They had to redo that part several times because his wallet always seemed to catch on his pocket when she pulled it out.  Eventually, Oob rushed onto the set and exchanged the prop wallet with his own, much slimmer wallet.  

The next take worked like a charm.  Weiss lifted the man’s wallet and walked away without incident.  She waited for the speaker to finish before calmly walking up the stairs.  That was when Pyrrha spotted her, but she merely glanced over her shoulder before lifting her dress and hurrying to the exit.  Pyrrha and Cardin pursued, but Weiss was already long gone by the time they shoved their way through the crowd and made it up the stairs.

The wind had picked up by the time Ozpin nodded and raised one thumb in the air.  At that silent cue, the crew began breaking everything down just as quickly as they set up.  Considering how close the storm clouds appeared, and how strongly the wind blew, and how dark it was for only being early evening, Ruby wouldn't be surprised to feel raindrops at any moment.  Before she rushed off to help, however, Weiss strode over to her.

No fury accompanied Weiss’ steps.  There was only beauty, poise, and an undeniable magnetism that Ruby couldn't begin to escape.

“Good job today,”  Weiss subtly dipped her chin before letting a small smile tilt her lips.  “You might become a PA yet.”

“Thanks.  Pretty sure I’m already a PA though.”

When Weiss’ eyes sparkled at the response, a laugh bubbled up through Ruby’s chest and escaped her lips.  Weiss’ expression brightened at the sound, and a true smile appeared for a brief moment before disappearing.

“Do you need a ride home?” she asked, motioning towards the parking lot, where a limousine almost certainly waited for her.

“Oh, thanks, but you should get out of here.  Don’t know how much longer the weather will hold out.”

Ruby looked up at the clouds, praying they remained dry just a few minutes longer, before turning back to Weiss.  Weiss drew in a breath to say something but released it with a small smile.

“You’re right.  Have a good evening then.”

“Y-yeah, you too.  See you tomorrow.”

As soon as Weiss ducked her head and walked away, Ruby kicked herself for declining.  She still had to help pack up, which Weiss knew yet had offered a ride anyway.  Would she have waited for Ruby to finish even if that meant the storm arrived?  Would she have risked driving in the rain or would she have holed up in the museum until it passed?  Ruby would have stayed with her, of course, and they probably could have explored the museum at their own pace, with no one around.

Knee-deep in those burgeoning regrets, her heart fluttered when Weiss glanced back and caught her staring.  Rather than pretend it was a coincidence, she waved, and Weiss smiled before joining her chauffeur, who had an umbrella out just in case, for the walk to her car.

Maybe Ruby was only dreaming.  Maybe Weiss would have just had her chauffeur ferry Ruby home then head off for her mansion.  But it felt like enough of a possibility, and a missed opportunity, that a sigh slipped through her lips.

“That was a big sigh.”

Startled, Ruby glanced over and realized that Velvet had joined her.  Velvet’s thoughtful expression convinced her to clear her throat and fight off a blush.

“Yeah, just a long day, you know?”

“It was.”  The two of them stood in silence for several seconds before Velvet added, “You make a good team.” 

That caught Ruby’s full attention, and a smile sprang onto her lips when Velvet nodded in the direction Weiss had just gone.

“You think so?” 

“I do.  It’s great to see her with someone she trusts.”

Trust.  Such a simple word, but Ruby’s heart soared and her smile brightened.  To think that Weiss trusted her - in some small, almost inconceivable way - made her overjoyed yet incredibly flustered.  Trying to hold those feelings at bay, she took a slow, deep breath before responding.

“Pyrrha was right.  Just takes patience.”

Velvet’s understanding expression suggested that she knew what Ruby wasn’t saying, but she wasn’t the type to point out just how much things had changed.  Instead, she dipped her chin and softly said, “You’re right.”

“Uh, Ruby?” Oscar called out from beneath a stack of boxes that towered over his head.  Ruby and Velvet shared a glance before rushing over to help him, then the rest of the crew with breaking down equipment.

The longer the rain held off, the more grateful Ruby felt.  It wasn’t until half an hour later - long enough that Weiss must have made it home - that the skies opened up and drenched everything left out in the open.  Thankfully, they had packed away the valuable equipment by then.  And Ruby didn’t mind the wet bus ride home.  She had plenty to think about, beginning and ending with a certain surly beauty who had been the opposite of surly as of late.