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

[in4apounding]

[She suddenly feels like she's lost track of the conversation.]

Why would that be funny? That's just what I'm called. The Doctor said it stands for Prototype Emulation Neuro- something. It was kind of long.

Did you have a friend called the same thing? That would be kind of a weird thing to call a human, but I'm sorry for whatever happened? Oh! But the good news is, you won't have to be upset much longer!

[dot dot dot]

Unless I lose, I guess, I know you're really strong. But I'm still combat ready!

[clickclickbloom]

[Ruby doesn't know how they did it. This felt like more than a carbon copy of Penny. If Salem had someone who could hack into Atlas technology like she did at Beacon. It was possible she could have found Penny and rebuilt her into this.

She doesn't have much time to play around with the thought as it looks like P.E.N.N.Y is about ready to throw down.]

My friend wasn't a human. I think she was you. I don't want to fight you.

[Still she's holding her scythe like she's ready for a fight. Her heart sinks further when she says P.E.N.N.Y. repeats a familiar phrase.]

Please, we can just talk this out.

[in4apounding]

Hmmm no? No, I'm almost certain I'd remember meeting someone like you.

[This assassination has taken a turn she wasn't prepared for.]

...is there anything I could do to MAKE you want to fight? It's not gonna be fun otherwise.

[clickclickbloom]

[Ow. Ow. Ow. That got her right in the heart.]

Not... Even a little?

[She looks less like she wants to fight than she did a moment ago. Way to go P.E.N.N.Y.]

Maybe. You could come with me for a bit? We can see if we can jog your memory. Then we can think about that?

[This is a long shot that's probably going to back fire on her.]

[in4apounding]

Not even a little, sorry. You ARE very exceptional, and it would've been nice if you'd come with Mister Tyrian willingly, but- no, I'm CERTAIN I'd remember meeting you.

[She squints suspiciously behind the tinted visor. Is this a trick? It seems like it could be a trick.]

I am VERY sorry, I really don't have any memories to jog. But- I suppose we could try? If it will make you feel better.

[P.E.N.N.Y. thinks for a second, arms folded.]

If we try this and it doesn't work, do you promise to actually fight?

[clickclickbloom]

Well Mister Tyrian didn't really ask as nicely as he could have.

[She frowns a little deeper knowing that it really seemed that she wasn't remembered. She held on to the hope that her idea would work.

She offered P.E.N.N.Y. her hand.]

It would make me feel a whole lot better. Yes.

And yeah. If this doesn't do anything. Then sure, we'll fight it out.

[in4apounding]

Really? He usually seems so cheerful about everything.

[That's the same as being nice right.]

Hm. All right. As long as this isn't some kind of trick to escape or take me off guard, that would be really rude.

[She takes the offered hand and keeps pace with Ruby.]

What do you want to try?

[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.