The Leftovers

Weiss sighed and checked her phone one more time just to confirm what she’d already confirmed. 

Sure enough her sister’s instructions had led her to a small eatery with the name “The Leftovers” painted on a sign on top of the establishment's roof. 

How…charming. The art was at least well done but the image of a small sandwich made of who knows what didn’t exactly inspire confidence.

She frowned in annoyance and decided to check the local reviews and ratings for it while she waited. 

To her shock it was apparently exceptionally highly reviewed. Over a thousand four star or higher ratings?

How had she never heard of it? She scrolled through the reviews and pulled up a few negative ones just to be fair. A zero for not giving a refund after they’d eaten the entire meal?  They had a blind chef? Wait, not totally blind? What even was this place?

She followed the link to the diner’s website and looked it over. The food on offer appeared to be mostly standard with a few ‘house specials’ that didn’t have pictures. 

She’d just about decided to check out the staff section before she heard footsteps approaching and saw Winter walking down the sidewalk toward her. 

Weiss put her phone away and tried to smother the huge smile that threatened to blossom on her face. She so rarely got to see Winter. 

“Hello, Weiss. Have you been waiting long?” Winter asked politely as she stood at attention. 

Weiss did her best to avoid fidgeting as she smiled at her older sister. “Not at all. I was merely checking on the diner’s website to see what they had on offer,” Weiss explained as Winter sighed and flicked her in the forehead. 

“Winter!”

“Still not a good liar I see,” Winter said with a bit of humor before she broke out in her own grin and opened her arm up for a hug Weiss wasted no time accepting. 

After a minute she stepped back and nodded towards the eatery. 

“How did you come across this place? Forgive me for saying but well it doesn’t seem to be the type of place you’d normally eat at,” Weiss asked her sister who smiled mysteriously at her. 

“You’ll find, Weiss, that sometimes the best places are the ones you least expect.”

“She found that in a fortune cookie,” A snarky voice called out from inside as Winter flushed at being called out so brazenly. 

A dark skinned woman, taller than Weiss, exited the establishment doors. She had rather mesmerizing silver eyes that Weiss found herself staring into.  

She took a vape pen and loaded it before she frowned and angrily put it back into her pocket. 

“So you are working today then Maria,” Winter stated, sounding almost depressed by that fact. 

“Aye, and so is your girlie. So you best get in there before she gets busy,” Maria said as she fiddled with the pen for another minute before putting it down. 

At seeing Weiss staring she tossed the pen her way. “Give it to Ruby. She has eyes like mine. Tell her I’m working on it,” Maria instructed her and when she noticed Weiss staring she gave her a cheeky wink before closing her eyes to presumably relax. 

“Come along Weiss,” Winter instructed her young sibling as they entered the establishment. 

A small meow forced her to look down and she saw a small mostly black kitten with blue eyes peer up at her as soon as she entered. 

The kitten had a small inverted triangle of white fur on its chest that went to its neck narrowing all the while. The kitten was adorable but something was bothering her about it. 

“Winter,” Weiss asked as her older sister turned to look at her and freeze. 

“Did you come back here because the cat looked like a penguin?” Weiss asked as Winter desperately looked around for a distraction from the obvious question. 

“Be glad you meet your fate at the hands of Mercenary Meow!” Came a peppy voice as a ginger-haired girl scooped up the kitten into her arms. The kitten instantly began purring loudly as the girl placed it on her shoulder.

Weiss watched it begin to knead the woman's shoulder for a moment before it laid on top of it looking supremely comfortable. 

“Mercenary Meow?” Weiss asked.

“The kitten’s name! Cinder named him. She found him outside in the garbage bins and we adopted her as a mascot! I’m Penny by the way, and will likely be your server! Welcome to The Leftovers!” 

“What if I was allergic to cats?” Weiss asked, not all that impressed with the potential health problem even if it was cute. 

“We have a multitude of signs warning the public about him, and allergy issues,” Penny said, indicating one such sign to the side of them. 

The Beware of Attack Cat sign showed the kitten in all of its fury demolishing a toy mouse. 

“Terrifying,” Weiss deadpanned although her lips continued to try and twitch into a smile. 

“Do you know where Ruby is?” Weiss asked as Penny turned toward her with her head cocked to the side. The kitten mimicked Penny and Weiss almost broke down and tried to steal it then and there. 

“Someone named Maria wanted me to give her this,” Weiss said gingerly holding up the vape pen. 

Penny clapped when she saw it. “Maria is trying to stop because she knows Ruby hates the smell and it makes her worry about her health. She's probably in her office getting ready to prepare a few things. I can show you where that is!” Penny said with a cute nod as her bow bounced on top of her head. 

“I’m here with my sister and I don’t think-”

“It’s fine Weiss. I’m sure Miss Polendina will show you to the table when you’ve met Miss Rose, after all she wants to earn her tip,” Winter teased. 

Penny struck a pose complete with a salute. “I am Customer Service Ready!” 

Winter chuckled lightly behind her gloved hand as she nodded to Penny who waved to indicate Weiss should follow her. 

Weiss was pleased to see that although only lightly crowded the restaurant appeared to be exceptionally clean which eased some of her worries about potential food poisoning. 

“How long have you been working here for Penny? If you don’t mind me asking,” Weiss asked the green-eyed ginger leading her through the diner. 

“I do not! I have been here for almost a year! Much longer than usual or so I’m told,” Penny informed Weiss as they weaved through the last few tables to the staff area. 

“Is it not a good place to work?” Weiss asked warily well aware appearances could be deceiving. 

“Oh no, that's just how it is. The Leftovers was started by Cinder and Ruby as a way to show that just because we felt like a leftover or afterthought that we still could be made into something wonderful! So people stay here until they feel like they’re ready to move on. Some stay, and some go, but no one ever forgets their time here! At least I won’t!” Penny promised as she knocked on the door. 

A cute brown haired woman with hair tied up in a ponytail that went down most of her back and gray eyes opened the door to greet Penny. She seemed to almost light up at the sight of her and latched onto her much like a koala on a tree.

“It’s been so long Penny!” The woman declared as Penny giggled. 

“Less than ten minutes Ilia,” Penny responded as she rubbed her cheek on the top of Ilia’s head as Mercenary Meow traveled to the break room couch to nap. 

Weiss put the vape pen away. At first she’d thought the eyes were close to what Maria had described but clearly that wasn’t the case.  

“Ten minutes too long! Oh, hello,” Ilia said, realizing for the first time that Penny had company and her voice dropping it's pleased quality once she caught sight of Weiss. 

“I’d ask if you were here for a job, but no offense, the hair is a dead giveaway you don’t need it,” Ilia said as Penny gently squeezed Ilia’s hand in silent reprimand. 

Weiss picked up on a thin layer of dislike and came to several conclusions based on that. Asking if she was a Faunus would be rather rude so she settled for the easier and less potentially insulting option. 

“I apologize for any grief my father’s actions have put you through. Ever since my mother divorced him and kicked him to the curb we’ve been doing all we can to make things right,” Weiss promised with a small bow. 

“No, I’m sorry that wasn’t called for. You’re not your dad. Penny has been working with me on it, but it still,” Ilia waved a hand vaguely to try and encompass her complicated feelings. 

“No need to explain. My father was certainly a piece of work,” Weiss said with a frown as Ilia nodded in agreement. 

“Ruby is likely playing in her office instead of working if you wanted to see her. I’m sure Penny will show you to your table when you’re done…but for now,” Ilia turned pleading eyes onto Penny who giggled and sat down as the much smaller Ilia curled up in her lap as Penny took a brush from the nearby table and began to brush Ilia’s long hair. 

Weiss left the two adorable women to their work and headed toward the door ahead of her on the other side of the room. 

She frowned when she heard some strange noises from behind it and when she saw it wasn’t closed lightly pushed it open. 

Two women were staring at a screen with controllers in their hands playing some sort of fighting game. Both had dark hair but she couldn’t tell much else from behind. 

“Little Red you let me out of this corner or I swear to god!”

“You got yourself into that corner you can get yourself out!” 

“STOP SWEEP KICKING ME!” The first woman yelled as she screamed in primal anger but still made sure to gently set the controller down. When she turned around Weiss saw amber eyes widen for a moment which meant this woman wasn’t the illusive Ruby she’d been looking for. 

“If you’re here then so is Winter,” Cinder said as she began cackling and rubbing her hands together. “Excellent!”

“Ruby, I need the room to freshen up. Go spend time with this one,” Cinder ordered the other woman who turned around and for the second time in five minutes Weiss was rendered speechless by lovely silver eyes. 

“I mean what if I don’t want to?” Ruby asked with a smirk before her eyes landed on Weiss. 

“Ugh, fine I’ll owe you one or whatever. Just get out of the office so I can freshen up and change,” Cinder said. 

“You sure you don’t want some help? I know how you get when you're nervous,” Ruby offered as she put down her own controller and turned off the console. 

“Take a few extra minutes to spend with Maria. She can extend her break or something,” Cinder ordered as she pushed them out of the room and closed the door. 

Weiss blinked at the woman’s rapid emotional change before chalking it up to just not knowing her well enough to know if that was normal for her or not. 

“Howdy. I’m Ruby. Ruby Rose,” The silver-eyed woman introduced herself as Weiss automatically took the outstretched hand and shook. 

“Weiss Schnee. I was told to give you this,” Weiss said, finally handing over the vape pen to the other silver-eyed angel she’d met today. 

It was strange that she’d never seen the color before but now she couldn’t imagine a lovelier set of eyes than the two pairs she’d seen today. 

“Awesome. Maria promised me she’d try to stop so I’m glad she’s at least trying,” Ruby said as she slipped it into her pants pocket before she motioned for Weiss to follow her.

They left the couple napping on the couch, or rather Ilia was napping as Penny briefly paused from brushing her hair to silently wave at them. 

Mercenary Meow watched them go but declined to move from his spot even as Weiss waved to him much like a typical cat.

“So are you the sister Winter was gushing about before?” Ruby asked teasingly as Weiss nearly tripped over her own feet.  

“I doubt she was gushing over me,” Weiss said as she felt a bit of an embarrassed blush take home in her cheeks at the thought. 

“Nah, trust me she totally was, in her own way I mean,” Ruby corrected herself as she led Weiss back to a table out front by herself. 

“Where’s Winter?” Weiss asked, frowning as she looked around and spotted her on the other side of the diner frantically whispering with a taller redhead with green eyes. 

“Oh she’s probably freaking out now that she knows Cinder is here. They both do it. It’s actually kinda cute really,” Ruby said as Weiss watched Winter frantically look at herself in the mirror of the pastry box to make sure her hair was in place. 

“I figure we can give her a few minutes before we get you back over there yeah?” Ruby asked as Weiss nodded and discreetly took out her phone to record Winter’s breakdown. 

Weiss ignored the sound of someone else sitting at the table with them until she smelled something utterly divine under her nose. 

“Compliments of the house, and chef,” A voice Weiss had heard before said as she put down her phone to see Maria slide into the booth across from her. 

“Oh fancy!” Ruby said as she dug into her own plate, or tried to before Maria slapped her hand gently as she put out a few glasses with drinks in them.

“You let the guests eat first to make sure they enjoy the food chica ,” Maria reprimanded her. 

“Yeah, but I’m your boss,” Ruby said grumpily as she pouted. An action Weiss had no reason for finding as adorable as she did. 

Maria leaned back with her arms crossed and smiled smugly at her. “Go ahead and fire me then.”

“I absolutely can!” Ruby said as Maria raised an eyebrow at her. “I just don’t want to,” Ruby pouted. 

“Please, you and I both know you can’t or won't I guess. I'm way too cute. Besides neither of you are my boss. I just stay here cause I want to,” Maria waved her off easily as she poked Ruby in the cheek. 

“Isn’t that right… carino ?” Maria teased Ruby who slapped away her hand with a light flush. 

“Only if you keep up the no vaping. It’s bad for you!” Ruby insisted as Maria nodded. 

“Aye. The r̃eward is worth the effort though,” Maria teased once more. “Speaking of r̃ewards,” Maria said, rolling the r in rewards as she leaned toward Weiss who felt her face heat up at the attractive woman leaning into her personal space. 

Weiss sent a look for help to Ruby who shrugged. “She does it to me too.”

Weiss felt that unsure if her heart could take it but determined this was a good thing.

“That’s right. Dig. In,” Maria said as she gently pushed the plate a smidgen closer to Weiss and leaned back into her chair. 

Weiss took a look at the plate and saw a sandwich on some sort of strange bread with what she assumed were homemade or store-bought fries. 

She warily picked up the sandwich to see chicken and took a tentative bite as the other two watched on. 

Her eyes widened at the flavor and she instantly went back for a much bigger bite as Ruby giggled and bit into her own. 

“Tasty as always, Maria!” Ruby complimented her after stopping to swallow. 

“I know. Hard to believe they’re six months past their expiration date right?”

Weiss felt all joy leave her life at that exact moment.