Chapter Text
The traditional tea rooms, the velvet opera boxes, and the marble parlors of the Daiichi estate were spaces that Ruby was highly familiar with.
They were environments where a single dropped teaspoon felt like a severe atomic bomb.
The arcade could get 5 of said bombs dropped on it, yet it wouldn't change even a pinch of the sound that was made in it.
It was a multi-story labyrinth of neon lights and music. Synthetic bass shaken from heavy subwoofers rattled the floorboards, metallic chimes of digital prize wheels.
It was a space where silence simply could not exist.
If anyone had asked Ruby exactly which streets they had crossed to get here, or what train line they had taken from Tracen, she would have been entirely unable to provide an answer.
Her memory of the journey was a blurred blank, save for one incredibly distinct sensation.
The warmth of Helios’ hand, completely enveloping her own, holding onto her tightly through the crowds of the city station without letting go for a single second.
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Ruby stood just inside of the arcade, her fingers curling inward.
Her newly painted almond nails, decorated with their tiny bows and pearl frames, glinted under the lights of a nearby racing game. Her posture remained straight, a stark contrast to the slouching teenagers passing her by.
She wore a soft cream pleated skirt and a delicate white blouse, her black velvet choker resting perfectly on her neck.
"Ruby-chi! Over there, over there! They’re already at the rhythm games!"
Helios’s voice pierced through. She didn't let go of Ruby’s hand, gently guiding her forward, weaving effortlessly through the rows of flashing games.
Waiting by a massive dancing platform were Espoir City and Forever Young.
..These two looked like they just came from a metal gig.
City was leaning against a cabinet in full Rokku gear, an oversized distressed tee, dark plaid skirt, and heavy combat boots that looked like they had seen their fair share of mosh pits.
Beside her, F.Y exuded a heavy leather aviator jacket draped casually over her shoulders and her dark sunglasses resting on her head, despite being indoors. cause why not???
"Yo," Espoir waved. "You actually managed to bring the princess to the trenches, Helios!"
"Told ya I could!" Helios beamed, finally releasing Ruby's hand to hug the both of them, though the sudden loss of warmth left Ruby's palm feeling strangely cold. "My princess is totally down with the squad now!"
Forever young chuckled. "Calm down, Helios. You just got here." Patting the others shoulder while still in her embrace, until the 3 of them backed away from each other.
She looked down at Ruby, a smile softening her features. "Good evening, Ruby. Welcome to our side of the tracks. If anyone messes with you, they mess with us!"
Ruby took a slow breath, the scent of the establishment filling her lungs. She looked at the giant leather jacket on Forever Young's shoulders, then back to Helios.
The panic of the arcade began to melt away, replaced by that warmth she was growing so fond of.
"Thank you for the welcome, Forever Young, Espoir," Ruby said, her formal voice steady and clear against the booming arcade bass. "The environment is... formidable, but as long as I am in capable company, I have no objections to exploring it."
"Hell yeah! That’s what I’m talking about!" Helios cheered, her tail swishing happily against a nearby coin machine. "Alright, Espo! You and me, dance battle right now!
Ruby, watch how fire I am!"
Ruby was accustomed to analyzing stride length, cornering efficiency, and the precise moment an uma chose to exert their maximum stamina.
She did not, however, know how to analyze whatever it was that Helios and Espoir were currently doing.
The two gals had ascended to a raised metal platform linked to a towering stage, flashing with the words ‘Uma: Dance Revolution’.
Above them, a screen displayed a mess of colored arrows bouncing upward to an electronic beat that Ruby could feel vibrating directly through the soles of her shoes.
"Watch close, Ruby! I'm going to impress you, on god!" Helios shouted over her shoulder, her fingers shaking a bit as she queued up a track.
The moment the music started, it was a blur of motion.
Her platform sneakers slammed against the arrow panels with a speed that defied physics, her tail whipping through the air like one of those watches-that-hypnotize-people to maintain her balance.
Beside her, City moved with a sharper style, each step deliberate.
Her combat boots hitting the rhythm pad with heavy thuds, her eyes fixed on the screen.
Ruby watched them, her back perfectly straight, her hands clasped tightly together. Her ears twitched frantically, trying to isolate the sound of Helios' laughter amidst the noise.
“It is entirely unrefined,” Ruby thought, her eyes tracking the flash of Helios’s new neon blue acrylic nails as she threw her arms out to match a specific pose on the screen.
“There is no classical structure, no adherence to traditional form. And yet..”
And yet, Ruby could not tear her eyes away. Helios was completely in her zone. Radiating a warmth that Ruby couldn’t put her finger on.
With a final crash, the song ended. The screen erupted in glitter, flashing the words 'FULL!! COMBO!!' Across both of their screens.
"YAAAAAY! Absolute cinema!" Helios shrieked, leaning over the safety bar, panting heavily. Her face was flushed, her eyes instantly scanning the area until they locked onto Ruby.
"Ruby-chi! Did you see?! Did I impress my princess?!"
Ruby felt the familiar, heavy thud of her heart against her ribs. She smoothed the front of her skirt, keeping her expression perfectly poised despite the warmth blooming in her cheeks.
"Your physical coordination is... remarkably formidable, Helios. Though I believe your exertion of energy was somewhat excessive for a casual pastime."
City stepped down from the platform, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand and letting out a dry chuckle. "Don't bother, Ruby. She almost broke her foot once.. It really is that intense!"
"And that's exactly why we love her," F.Y said, stepping up beside Ruby.
Upon hearing everybody's praises, the spark in Helios' eyes lit again, pulling City for another round of absolute chaos.
"Come on," Forever Young murmured, gesturing to Ruby with her head toward a quieter row of machines bathed in a softer pink glow.
"Let's leave those two to argue over the scoreboard. Let's see if we can find something a bit more your pace."
As they walked away from the rhythm games, the air grew slightly cooler. Which made Ruby feel a shiver ripple through her shoulders.
Her blouse and skirt were perfectly suited for a stroll through an elegant garden, but they also offered little protection against the industrial chill of the game center.
"Cold?" Forever Young asked, her eyes catching the subtle movement instantly.
"I am perfectly adequate, thank you," Ruby replied, trying not to cause any issues. "A lady does not complain about-"
Before she could finish the sentence, an enveloping warmth dropped over her shoulders.
Ruby froze. The weight instantly anchoring her posture. Forever Young had casually slipped off her oversized aviator jacket and draped it right over Ruby’s frame.
Ruby was entirely drowning in the garment. The sleeves hung past her hands, completely obscuring her newly styled nails, and the giant collar brushed against the edges of her face. It smelled like good quality leather, and a trace of sweet vanilla perfume.
"Keep it on," F.Y said, her hands tucked casually into the pockets of her distressed denim shorts as she continued walking. "You look cute! Like a little sister who stole her teammates gear. Besides,
Helios would kill me if I let you catch a cold on our watch."
Ruby’s fingers, hidden deep within the oversized sleeve, curled tightly into the soft interior lining.
"I... express my gratitude, Forever Young," Ruby whispered, burying the lower half of her face into the collar. "It is... exceptionally well insulated, thank you."
"Yo, check it out!" Espoir’s voice called out from a few paces ahead. She had finished her battle to the death in ‘Uma: Dance Revolution’ with Helios not long ago, leaving the other girl to do another round without her.
She was now entirely fascinated, standing in front of a glowing glass crane cabinet filled to the brim with fluffy plushies.
"They actually have the limited edition Star-Bunny series. Aren't you collecting those, Ruby? Helios mentioned you liked them."
Ruby stepped forward, the jacket swishing against her knees. Inside the glass, sitting right at the top of the pile, was a beautifully crafted plush rabbit with soft lavender fur.
And a tiny, delicate crown stitched between its ears.
"It is... a highly accurate representation of the classical silhouette, if we ignore the unnatural colors.." Ruby murmured, her eyes locked onto the toy. "The embroidery on the crown is remarkably precise for an arcade prize."
"Want it?" Forever Young asked, a knowing smirk playing on her lips.
"I do not possess the necessary proficiency with mechanical cranes," Ruby admitted, her tone tinged with disappointment.
"It appears the claw mechanism is designed to be intentionally unstable."
"Please, that's just a challenge!" F.Y cracked her knuckles, pulling out a shiny hundred-yen coin from her pocket.
She slit the coin into the machine with a satisfying clink. "Step back, princess!"
For the next two minutes, Ruby watched in absolute fascination as Forever Young operated the joystick with focus, with of course - City's instructions. She timed the swaying of the metal claw perfectly, completely avoiding any obstacles it could latch on to.
With a definitive slam of the button, the claw descended, clamped tight around the plushie's head, and lifted it clean off the pile, dropping it directly into the prize chute with a thud.
Forever Young reached down, retrieved the incredibly fluffy prize, and casually tossed it into Ruby’s arms. "There. A royal bunny for a royal uma."
Ruby caught it, pressing the soft lavender fabric against the front of her chest. The kindness of these fierce, alternative girls, who looked so intimidating to the outside world but treated her with nothing but care, brought a rush of warmth to her heart.
"Thank you," Ruby said, her voice flustered as she looked up at them. "I shall... allocate a prominent position for it on my mantlepiece."
"Don't sweat it," City smiled, leaning over to give the plushie's ear a playful tug. "Now come on. All that dancing made me thirsty. Helios is already outside pointing at the cafe across the street."
Instead of the diners Ruby had occasionally seen in television advertisements, City led them down a narrow flight of stairs tucked away in a back alley. A single bulb flickered overhead, casting shadows against walls escalated with vintage rock concert flyers and iron chains.
As they pushed through the heavy soundproof doors at the bottom, a wall of sound hit them. The underground cafe was alive with the raw energy of a live metal gig.
Even if this was usually something City would enjoy, the gals concluded that it would be nice to explore even more types of the alternative scene.
On a low-profile stage bathed in strobing red and purple lights, a local band was tearing through a set, the drummer beating out a relentless rhythm that made Ruby start to shake.
She instinctively tenses, her ears pinning back against her head at the sheer volume of the performance.
Yet, as she stood wrapped entirely in Forever Young's massive aviator jacket, she felt the deep vibrations of the bass guitar echoing directly through her chest. But looking at the sheer excitement on Helios' face, she found herself anchoring her feet to the floor.
They secured a booth near the back of the venue, safely removed from the surging crowd up front but perfectly positioned to absorb the atmosphere.
A waitress navigating the dim room approached their table, holding a small glowing tablet.
City, completely at home in the environment, leaned over said table. "I’m getting an old fashioned."
F.Y leaned back against the leather cushions. "Make those two, actually, swap mine for a crisp bourbon highball, thank you. What about you both?"
Before Ruby could even open her mouth to ask if the place carried an imported chamomile tea, fully aware of how ridiculous the request would sound over the metal music, Helios slammed her hands onto the table.
"No way, we are totally going in big!" Helios yelled back, her eyes sparkling with joy.
She pointed a glittering nail at a special dessert placard on the table. "We’re getting the biggest and sweetest milkshake they have! And we are sharing it!
Ruby, you have to try it, it’s literally a total vibe!"
Ruby blinked, her gaze tracking down to the illustration of a massive glass overflowing with whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, and two distinctly placed pink straws.
"Helios... a shared beverage? Surely, it would be far more structurally sound and hygienic to procure separate portions-"
"No way, sharing makes it taste a million times better! Pretty please, my princess!" Helios insisted, leaning across the table until her face was mere inches from Ruby’s, her eyes wide and pleading.
Faced with Helios's puppy dog gaze, Ruby’s defenses crumbled instantly.
She pulled the heavy collar of F.Y’s leather jacket up a bit higher to mask the sudden, intense crimson flush warming her cheeks.
"Very well," Ruby murmured, her voice barely carrying over the music. "If it is an established subcultural custom, I shall... acquiesce."
"No way, my lady.." Helios cheered, her tail swishing happily against the leather booth. “I’m so honored! Total victory!”
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.
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When the orders arrived, the dynamic at the table was hilarious. City and Forever Young sipped their cocktails, looking effortlessly unshakeable in their element.
Directly across from them sat Ruby, utterly drowning in a punk aviator jacket, staring down a mountain of ice cream, whipped cream, and about 56 sprinkles, that Ruby counted.
The live band moved into a slower doom metal solo, making the scene all that sentimental.
"Ready, Ruby? On three! One... two... three, sip!" Helios counted down, a radiant grin breaking across her face.
They both leaned down, taking their respective straws. As the sweetness of strawberry ice cream and dark chocolate melted over her palate, Ruby looked up.
Because they were sharing the single glass, Helios’s face was so, so close.
She could see the flashing of the red stage lights dancing in Helios’s bright eyes, and she could smell the scent of sweet strawberries competing with the smoky scent of the cafe.
Helios smiled through her straw, her eyes meant entirely for Ruby alone. The slow-burn progression of their entire afternoon seemed to crystallize right here, in the least likely place imaginable.
Ruby's heart began to hammer with a frantic rhythm, completely out of sync with the chords played by the bassist and entirely grounded by the girl sharing her drink.
The lead guitarist struck a final, screeching chord that reverberated through the walls.
The crowd erupted into a chorus of cheers and raised arms as the stage lights shifted into a lighter shade of yellow, concluding that the gig was over.
Ruby sat quietly as the scene washed over her, clapping gracefully as a shift occurred within her chest.
She looked at Espoir's fierce pride, Forever Young's effortless badassery, and finally, turned her head to look into Helios's radiant face.
Maybe some princesses also like living in castles with rows of sheet music, CDs, and LED lights plastered around the walls.
Maybe today, Ruby learned something new about herself.
"That was.." Ruby murmured, a smile completely breaking through her formal facade. Her eyes locked with Helios's, holding her gaze. "That was quite.. Fascinating.”
These people are just like us, they..They merely choose different instruments to express it."
Helios beamed, her face lighting up so brilliantly due to Ruby’s approval of such an establishment.
Without a drop of hesitation, she reached beneath the table and gently took Ruby's hands, her star charms on her nails interlocking perfectly with Ruby's pink bow charms, making a contrast that simply could not be ignored.
"My princess, if.. If you do enjoy our company, I will take you to even more events, I promise!
We’ll go to so many fun places, my lady!"
“..Perhaps.. Perhaps we will, Helios.”