Vanilla ice cream (Neo x Reader)

S2: Chapter 12: Mistakes

Ruby was looking wide-eyed at the chromatic steel and sparking wires under the ripped-up skin on Penny's hands, far beyond confused.

Ruby: "Penny I – I don't understand."

Penny: "Most girls are born, but I was made."

The sun was beginning to set now, casting a pale orange light over the alleyway.

Penny: "I'm the world's first synthetic person capable of generating an aura. I'm not real."

She clenched her fists, hiding the steel under her palms. But then she felt Ruby's fingers close gently over her hands.

Ruby: "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 –"

She leaned in very close, green eyes narrowed.

Penny: "You're taking this extraordinarily well."

Ruby: "You're not like those things we saw back there."

She poked Penny in the chest with a smile.

Ruby: "You've got a heart and a soul. I can feel it."

Penny sobbed, and Ruby feared she had messed up, until her head was hugged tight to Penny's chest.

Penny: "Ruby, you're the best friend anyone could have!"

Ruby: "I can see why your father would want to protect such a delicate flower."

She felt like a hydraulic press was clamped around her skull as Penny hugged her. But the pain faded when Penny pushed her away.

Penny: "Oh, he is very sweet, my father is the one that built me. I'm sure you would just love him."

Ruby: "Wow, he built you all by himself?"

Penny: "Well, almost, he had some help from Mr Ironwood."

Her voice was back to being just as bubbly and positive as ever.

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

Penny: "They like to protect me too!"

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

Penny being, well, Penny, missed the snark in Ruby's voice.

Penny: "They're not sure 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."

She tilted her head in confusion.

Penny: "That's not what Mr Ironwood said."

"Check down here!"

It was the voice of the soldiers.

Penny: "You have to hide!"

Ruby: "Stop, Penny, what are you doing?! you don't have to go with them, I can help you!"

She was held high above Penny's head, thrashing to no avail.

There was a loud bang as Penny tossed Ruby into a large dumpster.

Penny: "It's okay Ruby, they're not bad people, I just don't want you to get in trouble. Just promise me you won't tell anyone about my secret. Okay?"

Ruby: "Promise."