——
"I remember my mom saying something to me every day when I was a kid."
"Uh huh."
"...Nevermind."
"What, I was listening. Tell me what your mom said!"
"Nope."
"Please!"
"Nope."
"Ugh, I get why Yang really wants to punch you in the face."
"Just deal with it."
In the calm city of Vale,the moon was already high, bathing the streets in a cool glow, the breeze blew through the buildings, people strolled on the sidewalks, and the night lamps lit the streets.
Though the night neared its peaks, the city remained alive. a few shops stayed open with a number of patrons inside. Mostly cafés, and some diners, also a few hotels and motels, but there was also a familiar dust shop open.
Outside the familiar shop Altair pulled up to the curb. He was wearing a black helmet with a tinted visor, ill-advised for nighttime driving. Ruby hopped off from the back, handing her red helmet, marked by her emblem, to him.
Looking at the sign—From Dust Till Dawn— the name gave Altair a bad premonition that a certain red haired "British-ish" (?) criminal might commit an armed robbery, only to be stopped by the short girl currently adjusting her cloak.
'I'm definitely picking up Ruby from the precinct.'
"Anyways. Thanks for dropping me off here." Ruby said beaming. "I can buy you a canister as payment if you want."
"Don't worry about it."
Ruby tagged along with Altair because, coincidentally, he had some business to take care of in Vale; taking the opportunity she tagged along in order to save her the trouble to commute all the way to and from the port. A win-win in her book.
"I have to go now. I'm kinda on the clock, anyways just message me when you're done buying the things you need."
"Okay, thanks again for driving me here!"
Putting Ruby's helmet in the glovebox, Altair got on the bike, and drove away, leaving Ruby alone at the sidewalk. With no one around, Ruby went inside the shop not knowing the events about to unfold would lead her into the center of a millennium old war.
——
"Can I get a two sundaes, one vanilla and one Neapolitan? A Double Duc, a large Doke, and some medium fries too."
"Okay, I'll have them here in 20 minutes. Have a nice day!"
A waitress rolled away on her roller skates, leaving Altair alone in his seat. Currently, he was in an 80's style diner, neon lights lined the walls and decorations, while a soft, melodic jazz music played from a jukebox.
Left alone in his booth, he spent his time on his scroll playing a game;a Remnant version of clash of clans, waiting for a mute girl to show up.
A few minutes later
Tap!
A poke broke Altair's concentration, taking his attention away from the screen, he turned around to face the person who poked him, but he saw no one. His confusion lasted only for a second, before a sigh left his mouth, already knowing who was messing with him.
"If you keep this up I might hand you to Raven myself."
Looking at the empty seat in front of him, the air shattered into countless shards that dissipated quickly, revealing a small girl with Neapolitan colored hair. The scent of Neapolitan—strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate—drifted into his personal space. It was soft and mellow, yet impossible to miss. She had a mischievous smile on her face, her cheek resting on one hand, while the other held up a scroll.
"I doubt you'd do that at this point."
"How naive of you to think I won't do it."
Neo's smile turned to a pout, as the girl sat up, typing fast on her phone to retort immediately.
"I'm not naive. I just know you wouldn't, not with the dirt I have on you."
"I don't really care if you tell Raven I'm staying at her daughter's place though." He said shamelessly.
Neo paused, her expression falling slightly, as she typed again.
"...I guess I have nothing."
"You do in fact have nothing."
"You know I was wondering why you called me. If it's just for food, then I really like to know when we'll start dating."
"I'm just catching up. It's been a few months since we met up."
"Sure, sure." Neo smiled smugly, trying to tease him.
Altair just shrugged, unaffected by her teasing, something Neo already expected as she scooted over to the spot beside him, leaning on his shoulder with her eyes closed.
"You should really rest more."
"Don't wanna."
Altair sighed, knowing how stubborn Neo was. Shaking his head, he leaned back, and closed his eyes resting a little, waiting for the food to arrive.
A few minutes later...
"Excuse me. Your order's here, sir"
Altair's eyes opened, awoken from his short nap, a yawn left his mouth.
"Thank you."
Nodding in acknowledgement, the waitress rolled away, a smile present on her face, while Altair turned to Neo, nudging her out of her nap.
"Wake up the food's here—"
BOOM!
A shockwave rattled the diner windows. Altair didn't even look toward the source.
"...I'm not even gonna ask."
Neo sat up, her eyes wide as she checked her Scroll. "I should help Roman."
"It's already botched." Altair said, popping a fry dipped in ketchup into his mouth. "Let's just eat. Roman's escaped by now."
Neo looked at the sundae, then back at the window, and finally shrugged.
"Don't mind if I do then."
——
Vrrrr!
Vrrrr!
Reaching into his robes, Altair pulled the vibrating scroll out, already knowing who was calling him. Neo, almost done with her sundae, leaned in curious about the call.
Ignoring the "short stack" beside him, Altair accepted the call and set the Scroll on the table. He put it on speakerphone while he popped the last fry into his mouth.
Ruby's high pitched voice exploded from the speaker, the tone in her voice made it seem like she did something wrong, which she did, but she's still trying to hide it.
"Heyyyy, Altair! So, quick question: how much trouble am I in if I told you that... I need you to pick me up from the police station? Please-don't-tell-Yang-or-Dad-I-promise-to-treat-you-to-ice-cream!"
"...So that's why there was an explosion." Altair's dry response made Ruby more anxious.
Neo, however, went absolutely ballistic. She began shaking Altair back and forth in frustration, mad that "Rubes" stop Roman's robbery. Seeing Altair remain unbothered, made her even mad as she typed furiously on her scroll.
"Tell on her!!!! (╯°□°）╯."
Rolling his eyes, Altair gestured for her to calm down, a little amused by her antics.
"Yeah, no. I'll—"
"Pleasedon't—" Ruby begged, definitely on the verge of tears. But before he could respond, a second call from Tai-Yang overrode the first.
"Wait, hold on. I'm getting a call from your dad."
Accepting the incoming call, Tai-Yang's voice rang out, surprisingly calm. Off to the side, Neo shamelessly took the last bite of Altair's Double Dac, and began sipping his large Doke, watching the drama unfold.
"Altair can you go pick up Ruby." Tai asked. As Altair predicted, Tai-Yang was definitely mad."—And buy some meat and vegetables in the night market, we're having barbeque!"
'Maybe not?'
"...What?" Confusion showed itself in Altair's voice and face, he was baffled. Ruby got into trouble, got questioned, not to even mention endangering herself when she stopped that robbery, for all that she was getting...a barbeque?
Neo was stunned, frozen mid-sip, also as baffled as Altair.
"Don't be like that man. Look, I'm mad at Ruby for getting into trouble and all that, but she got into Beacon! Isn't that worth the celebration?"
"...I guess?"
"Okay good, go pick up Ruby, and pick up some meat and vegetables. I'll cover the cost when you get back."
Tai's call ended, and Ruby's came back up, immediately her voice exploded, filled with worry about the brief silence.
"WHAT DID DAD SAY?! AM I GROUNDED?! TELL ME ALTAIR TELL ME!!!"
"I'll pick you up now. Just a wait a few minutes. Bye."
"Wait don't hang up! You haven't told me what dad—"
The scroll compressed back as the call ended, cutting off Ruby's desperate pleas.
"Guess you're leaving now."
"Yup." Altair stood up, setting some lien cards on the table. Neo just sat there eating her meal.
"I'll see you some other time okay."
"Treat me to some pastries next time (°^°7."
"If I remember."
——