Late nights & Memories
There’s a strange woman, who regularly drinks at the bar where Ruby works. She always orders the same thing – some fruity cocktail that Ruby never remembers the name of because she’s not too good with names and she never says a word to anyone.
Often times, Ruby finds herself absently staring at the silent woman. She’s so pretty Ruby thinks, though the word pretty alone, isn’t enough to describe the woman. She was beautiful, long white hair that Ruby guesses would be super soft if she touched it; and the woman’s eyes are a bright, striking ice blue and her skin a smooth, milky white. She often wears a pretty white and silver dress, with matching boots but sometimes Ruby sees her in a blue ensemble, complete with a jacket. The woman, in all her quiet, color-lacking glory is the complete opposite of Ruby. Loud and obnoxious Ruby - who’s always, decked out in rainbow LGBT gear from head to toe. Rainbow barrettes, suspenders, socks –you name it, and if it came in rainbow, Ruby had it somewhere in her wardrobe.
The patrons whisper about the woman. They that she seems cold and rude – while others are blunter and simply label her a ‘bitch’ without ever saying a word to her. Ruby doesn’t think she looks cold or mean – she just looks lonely. There’s so much sadness in her eyes.
It’s a Friday night when Ruby finally works up the courage to talk to her. The night was a slow one – so the place is relatively empty when the door creaks open and the woman wanders in. She glances around as she makes her way to the bar, her heels clicking on hardwood floors. Her eyes catch Ruby’s and she offers a small smile in greeting. Ruby can feel her cheeks heat up, as she quickly looks away.
By now, Ruby is the only employee around so she rushes to the bar, as the woman takes a seat.
“Give me a Quick Fuck.” The woman orders. Ruby splutters, her heartbeat picking up. The woman raises and eyebrow, but Ruby can see her holding back laughter.
“You know - the cocktail.” The woman clarifies. Ruby calms down. Of course. The cocktail. Right. What else would she have meant?
Ruby finishes and hands the woman her drink as the two bathe in awkward silence. Come on, say something! Ruby inwardly berates herself.
“So…what’s your name?” Ruby awkwardly asks. The woman perks up, surprised.
“Pardon?”
“Oh, well it’s just uh… I keep seeing you around here and I never asked for your name.” Ruby explains. The woman smiles.
“Weiss. Weiss Schnee.” The woman - no, Weiss, introduced and for a minute, Ruby’s brain stopped working.
“Weiss Schnee?! THE Weiss Schnee? As in, ‘Schnee Diamond Company’?” Ruby astonished. Weiss was amused at this.
“The very same.” She confirmed. “Now, may I ask what your name is?” Weiss inquired. Ruby gathered herself.
“I’m Ruby Rose!” She proudly announced. Weiss laughed lightly at this, and Ruby leaned on the bartop. “So what’s your story?”
Weiss blinked before her expression turned somber. Ruby worried she’d said the wrong thing.
“Well, right now I’m going for my undergrad in business. I hate it of course – but my father is making me and what he says goes, since he controls the money.
My brother, Whitley is looking for any dirt he can find on me – since he’s next in line to inherit. My older sister Winter only managed to get away from our family by joining the army. I’m the only family member that she still keeps in contact with – not that I blame her.” Weiss shrugs, taking a sip of her drink before continuing. “I’m also gay, but if I tell my dad he’ll disown me. He’s very traditional. Oh - and there’s this weird, blonde kid at my university who can’t seem to take a hint. Even after 6 months.” Weiss finished. Ruby blinked, not expecting to hear that much. Then again, she supposed that people did tend to get loose-lipped when under the influence of alcohol.
“Ouch,” Ruby commented, feeling sympathy for this woman that she’d only known for half an hour. Ruby had always assumed that the Schnees lived a life of grandeur – the redhead hadn’t even considered that she may have been wrong. “So, why doesn’t your mom do anything?” Ruby inquired. Weiss let out a scoff.
“That woman spends her days clutching a bottle, and chugging down anti-depressants like they’re candy,” Weiss responded bluntly. She finished her drink and placed the glass down. She glared at the empty glass.
“Then again, guess I’m one to talk.” She grumbled. “So, what about you?”
Ruby blushed. No one had ever asked her that before. “Oh uh – well there’s not much to tell. My mother left, on a business trip when I was a kid one day and she – she never came back. We – my dad, and my sister – never heard from her after that. I was too young to really know what was going on –but it was never clear whether something had happened or… or if she just decided to leave. Our dad was never the same after that – he spiraled into a depression.
One night, he fell asleep on the couch with a cigarette in his hand. You can imagine what happened. The house went up in flames; Yang lost her arm in the fire and our dad didn’t make it. Sometimes I think a part of her still resents our dad for it.
My uncle and his husband stepped in to raise me and my sister after the fire until we could get out on our own.” Ruby paused. “I remember they had this little tabby, named Penny. Man, I loved that cat – until Yang and I had moved out. Apparently, she meowed for weeks, missing me. Or at least, that’s what my uncle told me.” She cleared her throat.
“Then, years later my sister, Yang and I got an apartment of our own. I started going to college and Yang got this place. She owns it with her wife nowadays.” Ruby finished. “I’m sorry – I’m probably boring you with my life story aren’t I?” Ruby apologized. Weiss shook her head.
“Not at all – it was quite interesting to hear. I’m sorry about your mom –and your father.” Weiss said. Ruby gave her a wry smile.
“I’m sorry about your family.” The redhead returned. Weiss shrugged as if to say, ‘fair enough’.
“Surprise me with something else,” Weiss instructed, changing the subject. Ruby turned examining the liquor, a smile coming to her face as the perfect idea came to mind. Moments later, she handed Weiss a drink in a martini glass, with a red ombre and rose petals floating on top. It was by far, the most bizarre cocktail Weiss had ever seen. She picked it up, glancing at it.
“What is this? I don’t believe I’ve seen it before.” Weiss commented. Ruby beamed at her.
“It’s called ‘Crescent Rose’, invented by yours truly,” Ruby announced, with a mock-bow. “It’s my specialty and one of our most popular drinks. Try it, see if you like it.” The red-head suggested. Weiss glanced at the drink once more, before taking a small sip. The drink had a warmth to it, but there was also an odd yet satisfying, underlying sweetness. Weiss’s eyes lit up.
“That’s pretty good.” Weiss complimented, taking another sip. “I like it.” She decided. Ruby grinned at her in response.
“I knew you would!” She clapped. Ruby didn’t have anything left to do that night, and Weiss was always their last customer so the two spent the next two hours until closing, chatting away.
****
“…and so then, he came to my dorm with a freaking guitar and started singing!”
Ruby gasped. “No way!” Weiss nodded.
“I swear he did. I can’t make this shit up.”
Ruby burst out laughing and Weiss joined in – the two giggling over each other.
“That is so creepy! Like, in what universe do you think that is going to make someone say yes to going to a party with you?” Ruby pondered, still lightly chuckling. Weiss laughed even harder at that. Ruby glanced at the time. 11:00.
“Shit, I gotta close up.” She realized.
Weiss sobered a bit at this.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t even think to check the time.” She apologized. The heiress pulled out her wallet and dug through it, eventually placing a $50 on the counter.
“Keep the change.” She said when Ruby turned to the register. Weiss thought for a moment. Then, she reached into her purse, pulling out a pen and a piece of paper. Scribbling something down, she folded the paper and placed it on the counter.
“This too.” She said with a wink before she turned and flounced out of the bar. Ruby waited until she left before grabbing the piece of paper and unfolding it.
‘555-923-5594
Call me <3’
As her eyes roved over the note, Ruby felt herself smile.