A Wild Rose Appears

Hi Penny!" Said a boisterous, sweet and cheerful, chiper voice that sounded familiar from behind them causing them both to freeze. "Whoa! Are you on a date? You're holding hands. Totally a date! Pennys on dates are sooo cute! I don't know why but they just are. They're usually with attractive older guys too. Hmmm. Yup, attractive older guy! Is that because you have daddy issues?" Zipping around to the front a Ruby Rose appeared and started setting down drinks and various appetizers zipping around. "Yang said it's because of daddy issues. According to her a surprising number of us have "daddy" issues. Something, something about princesses? Blake has them, also Weiss, Nora I think. Yang too. I don't but she said that's because i have a complex thanks to uncle Crow which According to her amounts to the same thing. I don't really get it but-Gwahhh!"

Penny finally freed from shock and awe tackled Ruby squeezing her tightly. "Ruby-Ruby-Ruby!"

"Gahk. Penny... can't... breathe!" Ruby said slapping her arm.

Penny eased up but didn't let go. "I'm sorry friend Ruby but- oh..." She stared intently at Ruby's face close up. "You're not her are you?"

Walt meanwhile had recovered and felt a pang in his chest. "You can tell?"

Penny nodded. "It's odd but there's just a feeling I get. It's super slight but still..."

Ruby laughed nervously. "I'm definitely Ruby Rose but I'm probably not 'your' Ruby Rose. Plus you're new right?" Penny nodded. "I have been here over a year. Even if I was your Ruby Rose, I'd be different from different experiences over that time from how you knew me. I'm also pretty sure I'm not your Ruby, but" Ruby gave her a peck on the check and a big hug,"I'm so happy to see you Penny and see you doing well!"

Penny hugged her back. "As am I friend, Ruby. I'm so happy to see you!"

Walt smiled it obviously made the two young ladies happy to be with each other. But there was something off the situation.

Meanwhile a Blake came quickly walking up and tugging on Ruby's arm. "Ruby! You're not supposed to be out yet. You jumped the start time by 5 minutes again! You're going to get scolded again"

Looking over Penny drew Blake into their hugging reunion. "Blake I'm so happy to see you too!"

Blake softened and smiled hugging her back. "It's good to see you too Penny."

Penny looked at Blake. "I missed seeing your cute cate ears." Blake flushed.

Meanwhile Walt sensed something was up. The three girls were getting a lot of attention from customers. The place was quite a bit fuller than it had been a while ago too. Was it getting darker?

"Friday"

(("Here Boss."))

Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a pair of glasses and slipped them on.

"They're dimming the lights and something feels off with the crowd. Could you check."

(("One moment"))

"And you have such a cute tail now to go with it!", Penny said to Blake who flushed much deeper and Ruby giggled.

It was a cute tail Walt thought. It could be a mod from her owner but most of the characters in here seemed to be stock. I thought-

"May I see? I thought Faunus only had one animal feature",said Penny as she ran her hand down Blake's back

The lights dimmed even further. They were definitely getting a lot guests attention all right.

A voice over the PA started.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. WELCOME TO THE SUPER HEROINE'S HIDEAWAY

"Oh!" Said Penny surprised while Blake hid her face in her hands and Ruby laughed. She took half a step back from her friends in their slightly more revealing than usual costumes. The fabric a little sheerer and tighter. The cut a little more risqué.

Walt felt he starting to catch on. "Friday?"

(("Boss. The SHH is-"))

WE HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY YOUR TIME WITH US. THE AFTERHOURS EVENING ENTERTAINMENT BEGINS NOW!

"Blake why is your tail plugged into your-" "Whooo!" "Yeah!"

(("-it's an after hours, burlesque/strip club that also functions as a bordello, Boss."))

Walt nodded, picked up his beer and said, "Of course it is."