[closed to ruby, yang, weiss, and blake]

[sanguine]

[Well then.

This was awkward. It started well, it really did! But now? It was super awkward.

The first friend she makes in this city was probably a negative friend at this point. The only reason she's probably even sticking around at this point was because there was literally no other place to sit at this food shack, and she already got her noodles cold because of SOME PEOPLE. (By which she means tiny, eager airbenders such as herself.)

Really though, this is what she got for trying to make small talk. Protip, she thought to herself, definitely don't try to point out scars on people's faces, even if it was meant to be a compliment. If you thought someone was tough? Just stay quiet! Also, don't say anything about what they should do as a job, either. That probably gives you more negative friend points.

Ruby's looking at Weiss, clearing her throat slowly. She should probably say something. Instead, she's almost staring... but at least she has an apologetic look on her face!]

So....

(ooc // Dated after this thread, but immediately continuing this thread.)

Comments

[sanguine]

[Ruby whips around, a little on edge in spite of her being truly pumped to see the duel.]

Officer, I-- [Oh. It's just Blake.

...IT'S BLAKE!]

Blake! [The young airbender is smiling happily, happy to see her acquaintance again. Can you tell how excited she is?]

My sister is having a duel with a friend of mine! They were talking some good old fashioned smack, and now they're throwing down! But in a good way, not a "I'm going to kill you!" way. They're kind of testing their bending against one another...

[descendsfromshadow]

[Blake leans back, blinking a little in surprise when Ruby spins around. Officer? What?]

Uh... hi.

[Oh, she can tell, it's written all over Ruby's face and it's a little... unexpected. Blake can't really recall the last time somebody was this happy to see her. Nevermind, someone she'd only met the one time.]

I see.

[So it's a duel then. Blake turns to look at the two benders. Well, at least it wasn't any kind of real fight. Nothing to be concerned about... not... that she was concerned in the first place but--

-- no. Wait a second. She blinks, looks back to Ruby.]

Your sister?

[Surely not--]

[sanguine]

Yeah! [Is that smile ever going to leave her face?] My sister's Yang, the firebender! She is so great at bending, she is more than likely going to be a Pro Bender pretty soon! You know, once she gets recruited...

Oh, but Weiss over there is really good, too! She beats up people pretty much every day, she even has the battle scars to prove it? But don't let her know you notice them. [She winces, recalling when she upset her so.] She gets really touchy about it...

[descendsfromshadow]

[Wait just a minute here. Blake looks from the short, dark-haired girl in front of her here and back to the tall, blonde girl she'd met a couple of times now. Even tried to help find a job.

What...?]

... Yang is your sister?

[She'll get to Weiss in a minute.]

[sanguine]

Okay, okay. Half sister, but still! No less a beloved family member!

[descendsfromshadow]

Of course.

[Well, if she thinks about it, there is a resemblance. Even if it isn't necessarily a phsyical one. Still, having met them both on the same day. It's quite a coincidence.

She folds her arms lightly, looking back toward the two of them, watching carefully.]

I guess I don't have to ask who you'll be cheering for, then.

[sanguine]

Well, I mean there is already a bias, and I kow that Yang is pretty much the strongest firebender I've met in person, [She's not counting Lord Zuko, because he's, well, LORD ZUKO...] but, I don't want Weiss to think I don't support her kicking butt as well! Plus, I've actually never really met a waterbender who's good at ice and healing!

[descendsfromshadow]

[... Wow. This girl definitely doesn't have a problem giving away information. Now she knows this Weiss girl is not only a waterbender but one who specializes in ice. Which means if it came down to it she'd--

-- no, stop. Stop thinking that way. That was a whole different life. Still, as the match begins she's apparently interested enough. Watching the two combatants closely.]

Not exactly a common combination.

[sanguine]

Yeah, it's really going to make for an interesting fight!

[Ruby's patting the barrel next to her, inviting Blake to sit! Get cozy, friend. Yes, you. Friend.]

[descendsfromshadow]

[But Blake's the only one here, who are you talking to?]

It should.

[And she's just going to stand there for a second, before Ruby's patting gets her attention. ... It seems to take her another second to catch on.]

Um. I'll stand, thanks.

[sanguine]

[She'll retract her hand, not intending to push it on her friend! Respecting boundaries is what Ruby is all about, yo.]

So, do you have any cool self-defense abilities, or...

[descendsfromshadow]

[She's just here to watch a fight, not making friends. Nope, not her.]

I know how to fight, yes.

[sanguine]

[Look at Ruby's face. Look at that smile. She already thinks the world of you!]

Yeah, I could tell. You look tough! Not only that, just the way you're scoping all this out! You can totally tell you know how to judge a fight.

wtf r u doooooiinng?

[descendsfromshadow]

[That earns a bit of a surprised blink from her. Ruby had spotted her assessing the matchup. This girl is... actually far more perceptive than Blake thought.]

Well... when you're not able to bend, you need to find other ways to defend yourself.

/sobs into hands

[sanguine]

[She softens her expression, averting her gaze to look at Yang as she throws some fiery fists Weiss' way.]

Believe me, I know the struggle. I've always felt at a disadvantage compared to Yang and our dad... But I learned how to hold my own, in spite of everything.

/shakes head judgingly

[descendsfromshadow]

[She watches Ruby for a moment before following her gaze back to the fight.]

... You weren't born a bender?

D8

[sanguine]

Nope! [She's looking down at her hands, playing with her fingers a little as she collects her thoughts.]

That's why I'm more geared toward weapons. I've spent my entire life training myself with them, to make up for what the rest of my family had been born with. I wanted to stand my own too, you know? Not be just some little girl who needs to be protected by people who can throw fire around. [She doesn't sound bitter whatsoever, just thoughtful! She loves her family!]

[descendsfromshadow]

[It's a little strange, somehow. That kind of talk isn't anything new to Blake but hearing it without that underlying current of resentment and bitterness is. Still... from what she understood of those two, Ruby had grown up living a much different life.]

Nobody in my family can bend, that's why they wanted me to learn to be able to protect myself if I had to. There are plenty of Triads and other groups in this city who see nonbenders as easy targets.

[On the other hand, she does sound bitter. It's mostly the truth too, just... omitting a detail or two here and there.

Namely that the main purpose of Blake's training hadn't been to protect herself. As she'd only found out years after the fact.]

[sanguine]

[Ruby nods, her chipper tone a bit more serious, surprisingly enough. It's a subtle change, but it's there. As silly and naive as she comes across, she understands how the world works on a much bigger picture, after all.]

I really hope I can end up helping with that. I know I haven't been here long, but I'm sure I can make a difference! Eventually. [She's clenching her fists in determination!] Just because a person can't do much with the elements doesn't mean they should be singled out!

[descendsfromshadow]

[Making a difference. She might have agreed once, a lifetime ago, but now.....

She looks away, dropping her eyes away from the fight. She doesn't say anything for a few seconds and when she does, her voice is quiet.]

That's... a very noble goal, but I don't think the world can change that easily.

[sanguine]

[And here is the shrug of an optimist!]

Every little bit helps!

[descendsfromshadow]

[Yes, she knows that kind of optimism well enough, and she knows there's no point in arguing with it. What would be the point anyway? The world will prove her wrong some day or, if she's very lucky, she'll never have to learn that lesson at all. Either way, Blake doesn't really want to be the one to drag her down.

She sighs, not looking terribly convinced.]

If you say so....

[sanguine]

Well, nothing's ever going to get better if you just let bad things happen!

[Speaking of, she'll just tilt her head quickly and fluidly, because one of Yang's errant fireball remnants are flying her direction.]