Marksmanship

Expansion 16 - Mother

-Willow's POV-

I stood there in the hole. I never realized how everything was so worn down. I walk outside and noticed trees overflowing the area, as grass seemed overgrown. Upon the hill, it seemed to be other holes. They all looked very dark, almost as if they were burnt. Of course, all the other homes were abandoned, and I assumed these two were the only ones living in this "neighborhood."

Upon reaching back inside, I see Ruby's father on the chair, swaying himself back and forth as if he were trying to comfort himself.

I look to Ruby, giving her an expression stating, "Is he okay?"

She glared at me, unsatisfied with what I had just said. "Are you here to judge or here to help?"

"Sorry..." I added.

"Don't even think about making yourself comfortable. My father told me we need to find out exactly what these invaders are doing and why they want us," spoke Ruby.

I paused for a moment in fear as it trembled, finally reaching my mouth. "Wait, he wants us to see what's going on?"

"Yes, does that sound scary?"

"No, I was worried for you," I bluntly spoke. I realized it wasn't exactly the smartest choice.

Ruby, as always, glared at me again. "All because I'm some woman doesn't mean I can't handle anything. We can handle any shit thrown at us."

"Okay geez I'm sorry..." I spoke.

"Good, you should apologize, because I'm not some damsel in distress. Besides, when we go there, we have to separate. We'll cover more ground that way..." she added.

I began to grow more fearful. I kept trying to put the fear on her... perhaps it was just I who felt it. "But you don't have any skills or anything."

"I can punch," she snapped.

I took a step back. "Right..."

Ruby groaned, continuing to clean up the room.

-

Later, as night fell upon the three of us, I remained outside, practicing with my bow and arrow. Gee, wonder who taught me all this. Maybe it was a father, like Ruby's? Or maybe even a mother! That would actually be interesting...

Ruby walks outside and started, "You just going to stand there and keep missing your aim because of the dark? It's night. You need to head in before the invaders find you, freak."

I chuckled, "You're right... Got it." I stood there still.

"You going to actually take action or what?" snapped Ruby.

"Oh I'm sorry," I annoyingly added. I began walking but then looked back up at the hill. "What are all those?" Ruby looked up at them too.

"No idea. Father said it had something to do with my mother."

"Your mother?" I questioned.

"Well, yeah. He doesn't like to talk about it though. I figured one day he'd want to let me know about my mother... Guess not."

"Eh he's just finding the right time..."

She gave me a dirty look. "And what would you know about parents? You don't even remember your life back from where you came."

"Beg to differ," I continued, lifting my bow so she could see it. She rolled her eyes.

-

The two of us walked in as the moon continued to pace throughout the skies, touching each of the stars. I look in and notice a couple of gauntlets on a shelf within the house. Curious, I went to it but Ruby quickly grabbed my arm.

"Don't touch something that does not belong to you!" cried Ruby.

"I was just looking, shit!" I shouted back, forcing my arm out of her grip. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I did not ask you to come here to touch everything we own and invade personal space. I simply asked you to help us from the invasion. You've done nothing to help with the deal!"

"Well what about finding out why I'm here?!" I shouted back.

"Why did the world have to give us someone as immature and ignorant as you?! You literally are crap!"

"Fine, then stay here with the invasion. I have done nothing but try to help," I spoke, shaking my head in annoyance. Why did she have to tell me all this crap? I was just trying to be helpful. Obviously she thinks she's so "independent."

-

-Ruby's POV-

I shake my head at the Willow. LORD why was he so stupid! I wanted to grab one of the gauntlets and smash it into his face as it was worn on my hand. Soon after, he stormed out. I was about to follow but looked at my father.

He began to sign, "Argument?"

I signed back, "Papa, leave it alone."

The two of us just continued to sign from there.

"Daughter, I've told you many times to quit with the attitude..."

"Attitude? Why are you blaming this on me?!" I signed back in anger.

Papa shook his head. "He is our guest. You are to be more presentable."

"Well I don't give a crap. If he wants respect, then he's gonna need to give it to me first."

Papa shook his head again in disappointment. I didn't care at that point. He could say whatever and I would still hold my opinion.

"Just like your mother... Stubborn as a rock."

My mouth widened, not needing his input. "Mother? You never tell me about her. How do you expect me to know?"

"As stubborn as she was, she would be angered with you."

"See if I care! I never even met her!" I was about to storm off too as the door was wide opened but my Papa signed "close door." The door shut as I looked back.

"This is unfair-" Before I could continue signing he signed before me.

"Your mother and I met like that."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Papa, I do not need this story again. This is the only story you ever tell me."

"Because it's the best one."

I groan, looking at him. "Fine. But don't expect me to listen."

"Your mother and I never exactly got along during the rebellion against Homeworld. She was kind yet stubborn, I was rude yet had common sense. We were both a part of a rebel site. Rebel Site 52. That's where we first met. It was a small site compared to all the others, but it worked quite well. But one day, we found ourselves fighting against Homeworld's armies. Your mother used those gauntlets. She placed them on. She ran in front of our rebellion group, just 4 or 5 of us. She jumped and crouched down, slamming her gauntlets into the ground. That's when the fissure appeared, as the cracks came in and forced some of the Homeworlders inside. She fought gallantly. She was reckless, but stronger than anyone of the site. We fought side by side until we finally became one. Years after the war, we finally had you. But mother was taken from me. Gone, all of a sudden. She vanished. She never returned and left me with your gem. I decided to stay here, on Site 52. Here, I raised you."

I looked at him blankly. "Okay first of all this is not the story. Papa why tell me now?"

"That young man. He reminds me of myself."

I chuckled, "Wait you think I'm going to end up with him? Papa please."

"This was exactly how your mother and my love sprouted. Never was a love at first sight."

I smiled at my father, putting my hands down from signing. He smiled back at me.

"Find him," he signed. I walked outside, trying to find Willow. Ugh, but how annoying he was. Taking a moment to think, I thought about what my father was saying. Perhaps I was acting this way because there is something there. Right now, I just didn't want to get too close to that matter, for I felt unprepared. I've never felt this way... and oh lord how the feeling felt awful.

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