"Did you see that statue, Blake!" Ruby asked her teammate excitedly, her eyes shining brightly as she darted around. Her red cape whipped around from how fast she was running around.
"Yes, I did, Ruby," Blake adjusted her bow, making sure it wouldn't fly off and expose her identify as a Faunus. She then pushed a stray hair behind her human ear. Earlier that day, she had asked Yang to tie her hair up for her date with Ruby. The blonde had eagerly agreed, especially if it was for her little sister.
There had been a few mishaps, like her bow almost getting lose and falling off, but it managed to work out perfectly.
"So, what do you wanna do first?" Ruby had stopped her sightseeing to zoom back to Blake with her Semblance. A trail and pile of rose petals making it obvious. Blake managed to hide her blush as she fidgeted with her hands.
"Well, there is this bookstore I've been wanting to visit for a while now," the Faunus began, "It's called Mistic Paradise."
Just then, Ruby beamed while taking Blake's hand.
"What are we waiting for?!" the younger girl questioned eagerly Thankfully, she didn't start zipping around again with Blake in tow. She did, however, start running.
"Ruby!" Blake yelped, trying to keep up with the speedy girl. Ruby continued to avoid accidentally bumping into objects and other people. She easily weaved between crowds, stands, and around smaller shops. By the time Ruby had come to a stop, Blake's hair was starting to slip out of its ponytail.
Blake took the hair tie in her teeth as she put her hair back up.
"Where are we, Ruby?"
The building was an aquatic blue, with doors that looked like they were made of turquoise sea-glass.
"You did say you wanted to come here, correct?"
They were standing right in front of Mistic Paradise.
"How did you know where it was?" Blake gasped, feeling her cat ears twitch eagerly under the bow.
"Looked it up on my scroll," Ruby flushed, letting go of Blake's hand.
The two stepped inside, taking in their surroundings. Rows of bookshelves were on one side of the area, while the other had rows of computers and scroll charging stations. In one of the corner was a kids play area and in another was a small stage for storytelling. Right in the center was a large rounded desk.
"Hi there," the woman at the desk waved as Ruby and Blake walked forward, "How may I help you?" the small sign on her desk read 'Coral Calais.' Right beside her currently empty plate was a picture with four other people, looking like it had been taken somewhere in Atlas.
"We were wondering if you had any books based on fairytales," Blake said. Coral nodded, stepping out from behind the desk.
"Right this way."
"Hey, Blake," Blake turned around from the shelf to see Ruby balancing a couple of books on her hand and shoe, alongside a pencil mustache. She giggled at the shorter girl's antics before glancing over at Coral, who didn't seem to mind.
They continued to scan the bookshelves until Ruby found a title that peaked her interest.
"Blake, come check this out," she called to the Faunus, who heard her with her advanced hearing.
"What is it, Ruby?"
"I think I found a book you might like," Ruby held out a book with an ombré blue cover and a swirling silver title that read "The Knight Between Worlds."
The title intrigued Blake.
"You find what you were looking for?" Coral asked, brushing dust off her jacket.
"Yep," Blake nodded, holding the book Ruby had chose for her up.
"Oh, that's a good one," Coral remarked, "Always great to reread from my experiences with it. Is that your final choice, or would you like to look some more?"
"No, I think I'll go with just this one," Blake replied. Coral nodded, gesturing for them to join her back at her desk. There, she scanned the book for its price.
"That'll be 10 lien," she said. Ruby pulled out wallet, counting how much currency she had. She slid the money to Coral, who thanked her.
"Have a good day you two."
Ruby and Blake stepped out of the bookstore, wondering where to head next.
"How about one of those restaurants?" Ruby pointed at the row of food places with bustling customers.
"I want to make sure their Faunus friendly first," Blake replied, a little quieter in case anyone else was around. The bow did hide her ears, but it still didn't feel nice having to see other Faunus experience prejudice because of their heritage. Ruby nodded with understanding.
"I'll go check them out," Ruby said before activating her Semblance.
While she was doing that, Blake pulled out her new book, and opened it up. On the first page was a woman with sleek armor. Not the large, broad armor you'd expect, but rather more lean and simple.
What caught Blake's attention the most was the dark tail hiding underneath the knight's midnight-dark cape. It was so well hidden that Blake had to check twice to make sure she wasn't seeing things.
Just then, Ruby came back while she was putting the book away.
"Checked them all," she panted, the rush of energy she had cooling down, "And at least six of them are Faunus friendly."
That was dismaying, but also relieving to Blake. There was still Anti-Faunus treatment going around unfortunately. But more than one Faunus Friendly restaurant was better than none.
A Faunus with a pair of bee wings that constantly buzzed sticking out from behind her back led them to their table.
"Hi, I'm Daisy," the bee Faunus introduced herself, "I'll be your server for tonight. May I get you two started with some drinks?"
"I'll have some milk, please," Ruby piped up, tongue sticking out as she drew on a sheet of paper.
"I'll have the same," Blake replied. Daisy nodded, jotting down their choices of drink.
"I'll be back in a few to retrieve your orders," she said, wings buzzing rapidly. Blake scanned the menu, hoping to find some kind of fish. Meanwhile, Ruby had already decided what she wanted and was continuing her drawing.
Some time later, Daisy came back with their drinks. She set them on the table and asked them if either of them would like a straw.
"No thanks," they replied politely and the bee Faunus nodded.
"Are you ready to order, or would you like a little more time?"
"I think we're ready," Blake said.
"What would you like, Miss?" Daisy had her pen hovered, ready to jot down Ruby and Blake's
"I'll have the lemon salmon without the onions and a side of fruit," Blake stated her order as Daisy wrote it down.
"Lemon salmon, no onions, fruit," she told herself before turning to Ruby, "And you?"
"I'll have turkey with a side of fries and ketchup," Ruby said, flipping her menu over, "And can I get some carrot sticks as well?"
"Sure thing," Daisy told her, "I'll be back soon." Once she left, Ruby continued to draw.
"Hey, Ruby, what are you drawing?" Blake's ears perked up under her bow as her curiosity got the best of her. Ruby lifted her work in progress art, beaming, proud of how it was going so far.
"I'm drawing me and you!"
Ruby's drawing was, in fact, of her and Blake. The two were holding hands while standing in front of a flower field.
"My art skills aren't the best," Ruby said shyly, "But I made it with you in mind."
Blake suddenly started digging around her pockets, looking for something. Eventually, she pulled out a slightly crumpled piece of paper. It was also a drawing of her and Ruby, being slightly cleaner than the others.
"I drew this a few weeks ago," Blake said, not hiding her blush this time.
"I love it, Blake!" Ruby replied happily, "Your drawing skills are amazing!"
Blake flushed from the compliment. Just then, Daisy came with their food. Talk about fast. Ruby placed the art Blake had gifted her into her pocket so it wouldn't accidentally get messed up. She set her own drawing on the bench as Daisy gave her her food.
"Here's your turkey with fries and carrot sticks," Daisy placed a plate of chopped turkey in front of Ruby, alongside a smaller one with carrots and fries, "And the ketchup you asked for."
She then turned to Blake.
"And for you, the lemon salmon without onions and a side of fruit. I made sure the kitchen didn't mess up." Blake took the food, her mouth watering at the sight of fish.
Ruby turned towards their waiter, smiling.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome," the bee Faunus nodded, walking away to assist the other tables, "Enjoy your meal."
"You find anything interesting about that book?" Ruby asked, dipping one of her fries into her ketchup.
"Yeah, so it turns out the protagonist is apparently a Faunus," Blake explained, opening to the front page to show Ruby.
"Woah," Ruby said, amazed, "Are you planning on starting it any time soon?"
Blake shrugged, "I'm not sure. It depends on if I have time."
"How about we read it together once we get back to our dorm?" Ruby suggested. Blake thought for a moment before nodding.
"I'd like that."
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