A new dawn in Remnant: Volume 2

Painting The Town

In the deserted alleyway with a graffiti-marked dumpster as Penny revealed her secret to Ruby...

Ruby: Penny, I-I don't understand...

Penny: Most girls are born, but I was made. I'm the world's first synthetic person capable of generating an Aura. *turns her head to the side sadly* I'm not real...

Ruby: *takes Penny's hands in her own* Of course you are. You think just because you've got nuts and bolts instead of squishy guts makes you any less real than me?

Penny: I don't... um... *leans in close to Ruby's face* You're... taking this extraordinarily well.

Ruby: You're not like those things we saw back there. *taps Penny's chest* You've got a heart, and a soul; I can feel it!

Penny: Ooohh... oh Ruby 

She grabbed Ruby into a hug and shook her back and forth.

Penny: You're the best friend anyone could have!

Ruby: *groans muffled* I can see why your father would want to protect such a delicate flower!

Penny: *releases Ruby, fully back to her happy self* Oh, he's very sweet! My father's the one that built me! I'm sure you would love him!

Ruby: Wow. *giggles* He built you all by himself?

Penny: Well, almost! He had some help from Mr. Ironwood.

Ruby: The General?! Wait... Is that why those soldiers were after you?

Penny: They like to protect me, too!

Ruby: *scoffs* They don't think you can protect yourself?

Penny: They're not sure if I'm ready yet... One day, it will be my job to save the world, but I still have a lot left to learn. That's why my father let me come to the Vytal Festival. I want to see what it's like in the rest of the world, and test myself in the Tournament.

Ruby: Penny, what are you talking about? Save the world from what? We're in a time of peace!

Penny: *confused* That's not what Mr. Ironwood said...

They heard then the soldiers coming closer.

Soldier 1: Check down here!

Penny: *grabs Ruby by the shoulders* You have to hide! *lifts Ruby above her head effortlessly*

Ruby struggled and screamed as she had been carried toward the dumpster.

Ruby: Penny, wait! What are you doing? You don't have to go with them! I can help you!

Penny: *throws Ruby in the trash and lifts the lid so she can still talk* It's okay, Ruby. They're not bad people. I just don't want to get you in trouble. Just promise me you won't tell anyone else my secret. Okay? *gravely stares at Ruby*

Ruby: I promise.

Ruby lowered her head into the garbage as the lid is put down, but she lifted it a little to peek at the scene outside.

Soldier 1: *off-screen* There she is!

Penny: *salutes happy* Sal-u-tations, officers!

Soldier 1: Why were you running? And what happened to the other girl?

Penny: What girl? I've been by myself all day! *hiccups loudly, then smiles*

Soldier 1: You shouldn't cause such a scene.

Soldier 2: Are you okay?

Penny: *shows off her "injured" palms* Just a scratch.

Soldier 1: Penny, your father isn't going to be happy about this.