Winter Non-Maiden

[in4apounding]

[You might think this kind of thing would start with a threatening message, maybe some photos of loved ones being targeted as an incentive, telling Ruby to come to a private location alone. That would certainly be the smarter way to go about things, especially considering how the more direct approach had gone.]

[But nope. As Ruby's going about her day, as soon as she's reasonably alone, a bolt of Dust-powered laser fire is streaking out of the sky above her and cracking into the the ground at her feet with a sharp explosion.]

Comments

[clickclickbloom]

Yeah. He's kind of a total jerk once you get to know him.

[P.E.N.N.Y may or may not know him better than Ruby but she's going to stand by that.]

I promise I'm not trying to escape. I think you'll want to see this.

[Ruby's going to lead her toward Atlas Academy. She's going to try and keep them out of sight of anyone in the military but has something there she wants to show her.]

I have some pictures. I want to show them to you and see if they'll help at all. Maybe then you'll understand what I'm saying.

[in4apounding]

Maybe you don't know him well enough, maybe that's the problem.

[yeah, no, he's definitely an asshole, Penny just has him currently filed as "ally, maybe friend" which may or may not be actually her idea]

[She tugs her face mask down as Ruby leads her; it's definitely the same face Ruby remembers underneath, if there was any doubt left.]

Okay? I'll look at them, but. Please don't get your hopes up. I've got a VERY good memory, just because I've got nuts and bolts instead of squishy gray matter doesn't mean it could just be- erased, or whatever you think happened.