The bar that Ruby Rose found herself in was more in line with what she'd expected to encounter that evening. Though the Courier had let the business in the café slide easily enough, she couldn't help but feel more the fool. It seemed so dumb to her now, that she'd mistaken the café for a place where the White Fang could be hiding. But she didn't take it too personally. She was learning.

Turns out, she had a decent teacher to learn from.

Ruby observed the Courier, as he leaned against the bar, facing the bartender. She wondered if it ever bugged him how tall he was. If it wasn't for the fact that she knew what he was like, it would be really easy for him to be intimidating. The words he used could easily sound like a threat. Yet when she heard them, it didn't sound any more intense than the casual way he spoke with them.

"It's not gonna take much." The Courier said. "Soon as you tell me what I wanna know, we'll be outta your hair."

The bartender scowled at both of them. "And I told you kid, you're wasting your time."

The Courier chuckled, a sound that on the surface, Ruby could recognize as genial. But on some lower level, it felt like someone trailed a knife down her back.

"Oh, I don't know about that." The Courier spoke.

Ruby let her gaze wander smoothly from the bartender to the Courier, then back again. In her mind, trying to imitate the way she'd seen private detectives and police do in those crime shows dad watched. Cold, steely, give nothing away but take everything in. She'd been watching the way the Courier did things, and saw that he missed a lot. But it didn't stop him from trying.

After the debacle at the café, Ruby had decided to follow the Courier's advice and watch how he did things. They'd moved quickly away from the coffee shop, after Ruby'd made a fool of herself. She wasn't sure if the Courier had done that on purpose for her, or for both of them.

But, he'd also admitted he'd known she'd do that, so he was still a massive jerk for letting her do it.

They'd moved quickly through a number of the smaller locations on their list. In most of them they hadn't actually even questioned anyone. Instead, they'd just walked inside, waited a few minutes, then turned around and left. When Ruby asked him why they were leaving, he'd tell her the place didn't 'read right'. She didn't understand what that had meant, at first. Each place they went seemed different from the last. When asked to explain, the Courier merely told her to watch the room, the way people acted. She didn't really get what he'd meant. At first.

Then they'd both come here, and she believed she was starting to understand what he meant. When they'd entered the bar they now stood in, the atmosphere was different than any of the other places they'd been. It was hard for her to describe. A feeling that settled over her the way humid air felt different from dry, or the little tingle that came before a static shock. It was a tangible quality she was starting to recognize. Almost as if, had she tried to observe more of their surroundings, maybe she'd see things that might seem strange, or out of place.

Even for a place as skeevy as the bar they currently stood in.

She desperately ignored the cockroach that scuttled over the toe of her boot. Though she watched as the Courier absentmindedly crushed it when passed by his foot.

"Am I supposed to be intimidated?" The bartender asked, a man somewhere in his late thirties and looking like that many miles of bad road. "The fuck are you hoping to do here, kid?"

"Language." Ruby muttered, earning a scowl from the man that looked like a pothole folded over on itself. She stuck her tongue out at him, but only wound up tasting the inside of the muffler over her face… It tasted like hair, and a little like mucous from her breath. She tried not to gag.

"I think I made it pretty clear." The Courier said, tone unchanged. "I just want to know the basics. The who's, the what's, the when's, and the why's. I've already got the where figured out."

The bartender bristled angrily, looming over the counter, one hand on it.

Ruby watched as the other seemed to disappear, just behind them at a casual angle.

She felt her skin begin to prickle, and began to slowly move onto her backfoot.

"I've got no business helping the White Fang." The bartender growled. "I think you should stop making accusations. And leave, before I call the police on a couple minors standing some place they shouldn't."

"You're not going to do that." The Courier replied, calmly. "Mostly because you know better than to bring the authorities down on you." He motioned to the bar vaguely. "I count at least two cases of illegal gambling, there's a weapons sale happening in the third booth down, half your patrons are on something, and that's not counting whatever health code violations I recently stepped on."

The bartender's eyes narrowed, and he began to tense.

"And if you're smart, you won't pull that piece you think you've got cleverly tucked up your prison pocket." The Courier said, voice still calm and smooth. "I guarantee, you're not gonna outdraw me…" Then he motioned to Ruby. "And hers is probably a lot bigger."

The bartender paused, his eye passing over Ruby.

She took that as her cue to open her hood slightly. Let the edges of Crescent Rose peek out.

The bartender's eye snapped open, and his hand slowly trailed its way back around the front. Which almost earned a chuckle out of Ruby. His eyes scanned the bar for a moment. Whether he was looking for something, someone, or maybe some way out, Ruby wasn't sure. But after a moment or so, the bartender let out a low breath. "… What do you want to know?"

"About the White Fang, Roman Torchwick, any recent crap that's happened between the two, and if it involves any crawlspaces or backrooms of this fine establishment." The Courier answered, lowering his voice and leaning in.

The bartender grunted. "Don't know nothing about Torchwick, not since the war between the Spiders and Xiongs," he answered, scanning the room. "The White Fang, though?... They'd been hiding a group of guys and some weapons in my store room up until about yesterday."

The Courier nodded, drumming his fingers on the bartop. "How long?"

"Couple months, want to say it started sometime back around the start of spring?" The bartender answered. "Came to me saying they needed to make use of my facilities. Told them to go pound sand, but they made me an offer I couldn't refuse."

"Money, or the privilege of breathing?" The Courier asked drolly.

"Both." The bartender answered blandly. "They paid good enough to help with rent, and told me if I said anything they'd dump me out with the fish."

The Courier nodded. "Reasonable… But they're not here now?"

"Like I said, they jumped ship yesterday." The bartender answered. "You can go take a look in the back, but they took everything with them. Said if I breathed a word of them being there to anyone, they'd hear about it and be back."

"Any idea why they would've packed and left?" The Courier asked.

The bartender grimaced and shrugged. "Beats me, kid. They paid, and I didn't feel inclined to ask questions." After a moment's pause, he then added, "I did overhear that there was supposed to be something big happening, and they were calling everyone back. What that means, don't know, don't care."

"Perhaps you should've managed one of the two." The Courier said smoothly. "Either one could save you if the wrong person decides they don't like your candor."

Another of those phrases that could be interpreted in different ways. This time it wasn't a dagger trailing down Ruby's back, it was one angled at her throat. She wasn't even the intended recipient.

The bartender paled immediately.

"I think I will take a look in that backroom of yours." The Courier said, before turning to Ruby. "Keep an eye on him, 'Red'. Won't be more than a moment…" He turned back to the Bartender. "Assuming someone's chosen to be honest."

Not wasting a moment, the Courier stepped back from the bar, and stalked towards a door at the far side of the room. Without further word, he passed through the door and vanished, leaving Ruby alone in the barroom. Surrounded by strangers, drunks, and criminals. Something that she honestly wasn't as concerned about as she should've been. The atmosphere reminded her of hanging around her favorite uncle.

She stared down the bartender while waiting for the Courier to return. Practicing her listening, trying to overhear conversations, or otherwise make sure no one was trying to catch her off-guard. She was surprised at how simple it was, if a bit strenuous. She couldn't pick out more than any one conversation at a time, but the ones she did, it was actually surprising how well she was able to follow them. Was this what the Courier did? Or was this just her trying to understand?

After a handful of minutes, the Courier stalked back into the barroom. Ruby watched as he folded something and tucked it into his duster pocket.

"Checked it over, they're gone." The Courier answered. "Didn't leave much behind either."

"Told you they didn't." The bartender said, self-satisfied. Short lived though it was, with another look from the Courier.

"… We'll be going now." The Courier answered. "Don't give us a reason to come back."

Without another word, the Courier motioned to Ruby and they walked out of the bar. Ruby noted the way the Courier kept his head on a swivel as they did. Still searching for any trouble that might choose then to rear its head.

Once they were back on the street, they set a quick pace away from the rundown bar and its clientele. After some distance, the Courier motioned for Ruby to lower her hood.

"Doesn't appear we're being tailed." He said. "From what it looked like, he wasn't lying. They'd been there, but they closed shop and ran." The Courier fished around in his pocket for a moment, then withdrew a folder slip of paper. "Not normal to find something like this in a place like that."

"What is it?" Ruby asked, eyeing the sheet of paper. There were lines criss-crossing all over it, but she couldn't determine any of what they may mean in its present state.

"Blueprints." The Courier supplied "For some building, don't quite know where. Must've dropped it by mistake."

"Or they planted it, hoping someone could find it and it's a trap." Ruby bubbled.

"…" The Courier sighed. "The fact that might also be possible is a bitch." He then opened his coat once more and slid the slip of paper back into his pocket. "I'll throw it on the pile when we get back to Tukson's, we'll have tomorrow to look it over."

Ruby nodded. "Maybe we can-… What's that?"

While watching the Courier return the slip of paper, she observed an odd glitter of glass. Peeking out from just inside the hem, a long neck and cork wobbling back and forth.

The Courier, looking down, promptly shut his coat. When it was shut, the coat almost seemed to conform to him as though there was nothing there.

"Evidence." The Courier answered. "Collected to ensure that the owner isn't serving his beverages laced with something."

Ruby looked at the Courier curiously.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"… They were properly compensated." He added after a moment.

Ruby shook her head. "You know, that stuff's not good for you."

"Most things in life aren't." The Courier answered. "Don't worry, I'm not gonna start quaffing right now. I know the importance of keeping a clear head on the job… most of the time."

Ruby looked at him pointedly, but nodded. She didn't like alcohol. It wasn't hard to see how much of the substance her uncle drank. When she was younger, it'd been a little funny. He'd tell inappropriate stories, and act funny.

As she got older, learned more, she started to see how bad it was.

Even if it wasn't a problem yet, some small part of her worried.

"… You did good." The Courier said.

"… I did?" Ruby asked, voice brightening.

"I could tell you were trying to watch everything." The Courier answered. "A bit rough, obviously, but you were doing good. Especially when he made it seem like he was going to get physical. Think the words would've been enough, but actions make a nice amplifier."

Ruby smiled, a lightened feeling in her chest. "Just felt right. When we were in there everything else felt wrong."

"Means you've got good instincts." The Courier said. "Just a matter of whether or not you know when to listen to them." The Courier reached back into his coat. After a moment his hand withdrew, along with his cup of coffee. Ruby had long finished hers, and couldn't help but boggle at the sight of the beverage. The Courier raised the straw to his mask and sipped, before recoiling. "-Yep, still boiling hot."

"How did you do that?" Ruby asked, looking at his coat. "Is there some sort of special, super-secret inventory thingie in your coat?"

She almost hoped there was. Talking about all the random odds and ends Six had always tickled Ruby's sense of wonder. She knew there were things that were basically impossible, like jetpacks, power armor, or an unlimited cookie dispenser. However, there were times it felt like her understanding of logic didn't apply to the Courier. Seemingly at random, he'd go from doing things she understood, to showing her and everyone things that shook their understanding of what was possible.

It made her really wish he'd just open up a bit more. He really was fun talking with once you got him going.

The Courier chuckled, now a sound that actually sounded mirthful and friendly. When he spoke, it sounded irritatingly like he was smirking at her. "Trade secret, and deep pockets."

Of course, he seemed to love being all mysterious too much to actually give her an answer. So she ignored him with the dignity that is to be expected of a leader and lady. She certainly didn't roll her eyes and blow a raspberry at him. That would be childish.

The two carried on for a short distance more, watching as Vale's nightlife started to come alive. Couples out on dates, the marquees of theaters starting to light and glow in soft yellow. There was laughter in the air, mixed with the usual hustle of foot traffic Ruby had learned to expect of Vale. So much to do, so little time, rush-rush-rush.

"So what do you think's going to happen?" Ruby asked. "With this weekend, and what we're trying to do."

"In all honesty… I've got no clue." The Courier answered. "Speaking from personal experience, there's two outcomes we're liable to experience. Either we accomplish nothing and things continue to unravel, or we managed to throw enough wrenches in the machine to slow it down for a time."

Ruby nodded, pondering.

"… What're you hoping we get out of this?" The Courier asked, swirling his coffee. "It's a big mess to be involved in."

Ruby pursed her lips thoughtfully. There were many things she hoped would come out of this. That Blake would feel better. That the White Fang would stop scaring and hurting people. That she'd get to fight some people, and try to make a difference…

"I think… I just want things to be alright." Ruby said. "That's what it's all about right? Just trying to make things better?"

"Is it?" The Courier asked.

Ruby paused again, looking at the Courier. "Isn't it?"

"Again, is it?" The Courier asked. "I can't tell you what you want. If it's what you're hoping will come out of this whole mess, then that's what it is. But only you can decide that. And whether or not you get it… well, only part of that's in your hands too."

Ruby nodded again considering the words. Then she smiled, it was a pretty obvious answer. "I want to fight, and stop the bad guys… But I want everything to be alright."

The Courier regarded her for a moment, his mask boring into her with the crimson glare of its lenses. It was hard for her, understanding the way the Courier thought. But she knew at his core, despite how much of a butt he could be, there was somebody good under it all. Zwei wouldn't have spent so much time hanging around him if he wasn't.

Without warning, the Courier started chuckling again. "You're such a kid."

"Kid!?" Ruby snapped indignantly. "Am not, I-

"Drink milk?" The Courier asked.

"Drink coffee!" Ruby finished, changing her words.

"With sugar… and milk." The Courier needled.

Ruby scowled at him, and he started chuckling more. "Ok, you big jerk, what do you want out of this?"

"To not owe Blake a favor anymore." The Courier answered, before pausing, then sheepishly adding, "… and to beat up bad guys… try to make sure everything turns out alright."

Ruby felt her scowl fall, before melting into a smile.

"What're you smiling about?" The Courier grumbled.

Ruby didn't say anything. She just smiled even bigger. It had its intended effect, as the Courier continued grumbling and dropped the subject. However as they carried on, walking down the street, Ruby found herself pondering the question. 'What did you hope to get out of all this?'. The longer she thought about it, the more she resolved herself. But there was something she wanted to know.

"Hey Six?" Ruby said.

"Yeah Tiny?" Six answered.

"What were you hoping to get out of coming here?" Ruby asked. "By coming to Remnant I mean."

The Courier paused for a moment, though not slowing in his stride. He tentatively took another sip of his drink. "Well, I wasn't exactly trying to get here, so I can't say I was hoping for much of anything."

Ruby nodded, at first, the answer satisfied her, for a moment. But then she started to think further on it. He hadn't been trying to get to Remnant, had he? He'd been experimenting with a machine of some kind. Though he'd never elaborated on what. He had to have known it was a bad idea, even if he didn't think it would land him on Remnant. So then:

"What were you hoping to do?" Ruby asked, watching the Courier. Trying to apply what she'd learned so far.

His appearance didn't change all that much. He seemed just as calm and relaxed as before. But when he spoke, Ruby could hear the difference in his voice. There was something tense in it. The wit he'd been carrying the conversation with was still there, but it was dry and impassive. "… Was hoping to try and save my world." The Courier said.

A simple answer, sounding very much like the one he'd given before, about being there in Vale. Words that rang with an honest conviction.

But, when Ruby heard it, the words couldn't have sounded any more different.

The words were honest, and that rang through.

But the sadness in them rang louder.

It only made Ruby consider his words even more. He'd been telling them all about his world for weeks now. All the strange, cool, and wild things that filled it. Like listening to something out of a comic or story book. But underneath it all, the truth, that it was real. With that, not everything he'd told them was good. Bad things happened, especially in Six's world. People died, wars happened, there were monsters everywhere, and he only ever told them what he thought they could handle.

But he'd told them enough to understand, as bad as the wasteland was, the world before it was worse.

Was he trying to fix that?...

"You said, before the bombs fell, the world was a terrible place." Ruby said, resolving herself. She was going to get to the bottom of this new mystery. "What were you trying to do?"

"… Save my world." The Courier answered, voice growing terse and curt. "That's all you need to know."

There it was, again. The moment any of them tried to understand him better, he put a wall between them. One she knew that if she kept tapping at, would just get him angry. On the one hand she understood, they hadn't exactly been respectful of him or his privacy in the past. But on the other, was it wrong to want to understand?

What was that supposed to mean? 'Save my world.'

It was something almost corny sounding. Like it came from some comic or video game, and he thought he was the hero. Well, he didn't, actually. The Courier had been quite clear to all of them he didn't think of himself very highly. But here he was, spouting lines like that.

Ruby let silence fall between them, as she pondered over the words. Whenever someone said something like that, it was easy to take it at face value. They were nuts, or trying to help a whole bunch of people. That seemed possible. But it didn't match the person she was starting to know. Not completely.

There was an alternative however, one that took root in Ruby's mind. The Courier hadn't said 'Save the world', he'd said 'Save my world.'. He could've just been clarifying, but wouldn't that have been obvious? Saying that meant his world. The only time someone said those kinds of words, was when they weren't referring to the world itself. They were referring to something that made their whole world. If he wasn't doing this to save the world, then what was-

As these thoughts circulated through Ruby's head, she failed to observe the world around her. Failed to notice as the Courier lagged behind her, slowing his pace.

She, however, walked face first into the brickwall standing in the middle of the sidewalk.

"Ack!"

Ruby rebounded off it, landing on her butt.

The brickwall turned to look at her. It's voice coming out in a light, high, and slightly squeaking voice. "Oh my gosh, are you alright?"

"Sorry, sorry." Ruby said, rubbing her face. "I wasn't paying attention-"

Ruby's words trailed off as she rubbed at her face, forcing her thoughts away for a later time. She blinked, and looked up at the talking brick wall.

In turn the brick wall looked down at her with bright green eyes.

It's appearance had changed little from the last time Ruby had seen it. Rather, seen her. In fact, it hadn't changed at all. She was still a small amount taller than Ruby was, a literal hair taller by a single curl sticking from her head. She still wore a beige blouse and drab skirt that hung from her shoulders by suspenders, accented by long black boots and leggings, with green lines that ran vertical at the sides. They seemed to pulse, as though powered. The same for a black and green choker that ran from just beneath her chin to her collar bone. Her face still soft, a quaint and innocent look.

She looked down at Ruby, completely surprised.

"…Penny?" Ruby asked.