Disclaimer: RWBY is the property of Rooster Teeth. Guildwars is property of ArenaNet
The Noble Roses: Chapter 1
A young Ruby Rose sat huddled by a tree, a stone's throw from her house on Patch. Tears flowed from her eyes, and her sobs echoed through the nearby woods.
"What troubles you, young one?"
Ruby looked up from her sorrows to see she had been joined by a huntress. She was beautiful, tall and slender with straight golden hair. She wore a dark blue combat skirted dress, with added on plates of beautifully detailed gold colored light armor, and carried an intricate staff as a weapon.
Though eyes red from tears, Ruby spoke. "It's my Mother's birthday today."
"A birthday is usually a time of celebration, not sadness." said the huntress.
"It used to be". Ruby said tears beginning to fall again "But not anymore, Mom…she's not here to join us. She vanished during a mission a few years ago, and we've not seen her since."
"I see.." said the huntress, understanding on her face. "This world is a harsh one indeed, but do not let sorrow consume you. Rejoice in the memories of your mother, and the life you enjoyed together. Mourn her, yes, but always remember the love she had for you, for it will always be there, no matter what fate your mother has endured."
Ruby wiped her eyes. "You think so?"
"I know so" she said, "I am a mother myself, after all. You have the same air as my son, in fact. He is often sorrowful, but brave and true when the time is right. His judgement sound, and his actions dedicated to uncovering the world as it truly is."
"You sound proud of him." said Ruby. The huntress sat down beside Ruby and nodded.
"All parents are proud of their children, young one. Though at times, my son can be a bit vengeful."
"I guess I can understand that. When I think of all the people hurt in this world, I get so angry. But It's the grimm I hate the most. People may do bad things for money or petty hatred, but the grimm...they do bad things because it's just their nature to do such. It's so senseless."
"Strong words for one so young."
"Probably the only thing about me that's strong. I'm a terrible fighter, unlike the rest of my family, though Qrow, my uncle, says I have talent. He's promised to take me under his wing when I start at Signal Academy next year."
"Sounds like your Uncle cares for you deeply, and sees something in you that you yourself appear to be blind to."
"I can't imagine what that could be." Ruby said, a dejected tone in her voice.
The huntress thought for a second. "Often times, our greatest strength is not in force of arms, it's in the power of our convictions, our ambition, our dreams. What is it you dream for, young one?"
"I want to be a huntress, like my Mom."
"Oh? And why is that? Do you seek revenge on those who took her from you?"
Ruby shook her head. "My sister tells me stories of heroes and adventure, of those who traveled the world helping people, and that's what I want to do: Help people. And huntresses have the greatest power to do that."
"A noble goal indeed, and I feel, an honest one."
Ruby smiled softly, but looked down. "But just a dream, I fear. I don't even have my aura, I'm nothing like the heroes in Yang's books."
"Do not sell yourself short, my dear." the huntress said, using a hand to raise Ruby's eyes to her own. As silver eyes met crystal green, she continued. "I see in you all the qualities of greatness. Your soul shines as brightly as the midday sun, and I believe that when the time comes, that light of yours will inspire all that see it, so long as their eyes are not blinded by hatred or regret'.
"tha...Thanks" Ruby said. The woman stood up, and Ruby find herself joining her on her own feet.
The huntress studied Ruby for a second, and nodding her head, spoke again."I must be off i'm afraid, but in parting, I'll leave you two gifts." The huntress placed her hand on Ruby's chest.
"The soul of a huntress is a bright star in the dark night. It gives solace to the needy, protection for the weak, a salve for the wounded, and emboldens the hopes of the people. It is a fire that burns away the evils that threaten the world. Go forth in it's radiance".
Ruby gasped as her reddish aura flared to life, enveloping her in its light.
"My...my aura! You unlocked it!"
"Indeed I have. Now for the second gift, a grander one yet, though one I believe you shall not abuse."
"What could be better than this?" Ruby said, at a loss.
The huntress placed her hand on Ruby's head. "A new way to see the world, and a new power to help bring it peace". The huntresses' hand glowed, and brilliant light filled Ruby's vision. As the light faded back, the huntress looked upon Ruby with a pleased expression.
Ruby blinked as her vision returned to normal "So what did that one do? Nothing seems to be different."
"Like fruit, this one will take time to grow and ripen, but trust me when I say it will change both you life, and the lives of those around you."
Ruby blinked in confusion as the huntress begin motion to leave, only to be stopped by the sound of Ruby's voice.
"Oh yeah, I never introduced myself! My Name is Ruby Rose! What's yours?"
The huntress stopped, and faced Ruby. "My name is Dwayna." she said with a smile.
"That's a pretty name. Thank you for all you have done! And that staff looks awesome, did you make it yourself? Oh, and I love your wings, are you a Faunus?"
Dwayna laughed. "Your welcome, yes, and something like that. Farewell Ruby. And remember, use what you have been given in pursuit of your dream, and be the light I know you can be. And I love your cloak, by the way." She added with a wink.
"Thanks, it was a gift from my mom. I'll do my best, I promise!"
"That is all I ask."
A shout came from the house, drawing Ruby's attention. "Ruby! Where are you? It's getting late, you should come inside.'
"I'm over here Dad. I was just talking to.." Ruby turned, but there was no sign of the huntress.
"Talking to who?" said Taiyang, who had by this time joined her outside.
"Huh, she's gone." Ruby said, confusion upon her face, till it was replaced by excitement. "But you'll never believe what just happened!"
When Ruby Rose had started her evening, she never expected to find herself in the middle of a dust store robbery, let alone stopping said robbery, chasing down a wanted criminal mastermind, and doing battle against an unknown huntress alongside another professional huntress as said criminal escaped.
Had her evening ended there, Ruby would have considered it an evening worth bragging about. Luck as it were, it hadn't ended, and she found herself whisked down to the police station to make a statement, and be interrogated by a certain Glynda Goodwitch. It hadn't gone as expected ether, something of a trend for the night. By the end, she'd met with Professor Ozpin, and to her infinite delight, had been extended an offer she couldn't refuse, in a good way.
Outside at last, Ruby danced for joy. Beacon! And two years early at that! All it took was stopping a robbery, and she didn't even have to make use of her special skill set. "Not to mention, I got another set of autographs! Collection almost completed!" Ruby exclaimed out loud. Ruby carefully stowed her weapon, put on her helmet, and sat down upon Hummingbird, her modest yet awesome, as she was inclined to describe it, motor scooter. As she started the ignition, she finally responded to her waiting messages.
[Yang: So how did it go? Are you in trouble? Answer, sis!].
Ruby replied immediately, [Ruby: Everything is fine! More than fine really! Awesomely fine! I've got big news when I get home. Meet me at the Ferry dock?]. She replied before mounting up and heading in the direction of the docks.
[Yang: Sounds good on the docks, but did you tell them anything about you know what? You didn't show it off during the fight, right?]
[Ruby: Everything is cool, I didn't show off any of THAT. Just used normal skills against some sort of crooks]. Ruby felt bad not saying who she had been fighting, or more chasing off, but felt the news she had encountered a notorious criminal would be be better spoken face to face.
[Yang: That's a relief, now hurry home, I can't wait to hear this news of yours!]. Ruby smiled as he gunned the engine, "Yang is so gonna flip when she hears this!" Ruby said aloud to herself, racing toward the dock as fast as her scooter would allow.
On board their personal bullhead, Ozpin and Glynda were reviewing the nights events again. "Skilled as she is, are you sure she's ready for this, headmaster? This is a huge leap from what students are expected to do at Signal" begin Glynda, concern obvious to any listening.
"She'll be fine, she's her parents daughter in all ways it seems. I did notice something odd tonight though, well, two things. Can you guess what i'm referring to?" Replied Ozpin, studying the video of the nights events once again.
Glynda thought for a second before replying, "She was holding back in that fight. I get the feeling that she was stopping herself from doing something, though I can't fathom what. As for the other thing, I'm not sure what you are referring to."
Ozpin nodded and continued, "Correct on the first point, Ms Rose was indeed holding back. Against the henchmen I can see, they appeared to be little more than common men. Against Torchwick however, she seemed to be doing all she could to avoid utilizing something. As for the other point of oddity, i was referring to her outfit."
Glynda raised an eyebrow to that, "It was well made for someone of her age. Quite durable looking at that, but an interest in tailoring isn't that strange for a youth, skilled construction aside".
"It was beyond mere durability, Glynda. Power coursed through it, albeit, just a bit of it."
Glynda was intrigued, "Dust woven perhaps? A rare skill for someone her age, though not uncommon among huntsman as a whole."
"Perhaps" continued Ozpin, "But I feel it's more than just that. If she made it herself, as she claims, then it's yet another reason to keep a close eye on Ms Rose and her career. The truth of it all, I feel, will reveal itself sooner or later."
Glynda nodded in response, and settled in for the remaining of the flight. She would have work to do upon her arrival, hastily preparing and filing the paperwork needed for Ms Rose's attendance.
Ruby found herself being tackled by her big sister. They were on board a large airship bound for Beacon, filled with a variety of student huntsmen and huntresses.
"I can't believe my little sister is going to Beacon with me! This is the best day ever!" Exclaimed Yang, her sister in a vice like hug.
Ruby gasped, trying to free herself "Please stop sis!". Yang loosened the hug and continued "But I'm proud of you! Not everyone could do such a thing! And without, you know...You're awesome sis!"
"It was nothing Yang, really." Ruby replied, looking a bit down.
"If I had known beating up criminals would get one into Beacon earlier, I'd have thrashed that nightclub sooner."
"What, What? You said they started that!"
Yang quickly changed the subject. "This is your dream Ruby, aren't you excited? You did something incredible! Everyone will think you are the bees knees at Beacon!"
"Ruby sighed in response. "I don't want to be the bees knees, okay? I don't want to be any kind of knees! I just want to have normal girls knees, like a normal girl!"
"Hey, what's wrong with Bee's Knees! They are perfectly good knees!" stated one of the other passengers, in obvious annoyance.
"Nothing! They are perfectly good, working knees! Great knees in fact!" Ruby said frantically, waving her hands.
"Oh ignore her sis, Mellifera's sensitive about such things." Yang turned to the huntress in question, a friend of hers from Signal. "She meant nothing by it Mel, you know that."
The bee faunus shook her head. "I've got my eyes on you, Rose" she said, staring down at Ruby and pointing at the young girl with her antennae. Ruby could only sweat drop in response.
"Anyways" Said Yang, returning to the topic at hand "You have every right to be excited, and you should be."
Ruby sighed, "I am excited sis, I jumped forward two years! I just don't want people to think I'm special or anything. I'm going to have a hard enough time as is without any added weight from that."
Yang enveloped her sister in a one armed hug. "But you are special Ruby, heck, you are probably the most remarkable student here, for reasons we both know."
"I'm still not sure how I'm going to deal with that for four years. "Said Ruby, doubt written on her face.
"We talked about that last night Ruby, stick to the rules Dad and Uncle Qrow gave us and everything should be okay." Yang said, concern for her sister obvious to all.
Ruby quietly recited the rules from memory, "No using it in class, nor on people if you can help it, but Grimm are fair game. Avoid exposure to the mass public. No invites unless it's life or death."
Yang nodded in approval.
The girls introspective was broken up by the appearance of a holographic woman on one of the aircraft's screens.
"Hello and welcome to Beacon!" the hologram began. "Who's that?" Said Yang, curiosity apparent. The message continued, "My name is Glynda Goodwitch." "Oh, the girl from last night right?" Yang said. Ruby again nodded her head.
The hologram spoke on, "You are among a privileged few who have received the honor of being selected to attend this prestigious academy! Our world is experiencing an incredible time of peace, and as future Huntsmen and Huntresses, it is your duty to uphold it. You have demonstrated the courage needed for such a task, and now it is our turn to provide you with the knowledge and the training to protect our world." The hologram blinked out of existence.
"I see what you meant about the eyes, Ruby" said Yang, recalling the woman's appearance. "She's much scarier in person, trust me." Ruby started, before a look of wonder appeared on her face. "Look Yang, you can see Signal from up here! I guess home isn't too far after all!"
Yang joined her sister in gazing out the window. "Beacon's our home now sis. Though, I don't think everyone appreciates the view" Yang continued, turning her eyes to, and upturning her nose at the site of a poor student hunched over, trying not to lose too much of his lunch on his race to the back of the aircraft.
"Well, it was a touching moment while it lasted" Said Ruby, though the wonder hadn't fully vanished from her eyes.
As Beacon came into full view, Ruby continued "I wonder what are fellow students will be like. And well, I really hope I don't weird them out too much. I miss my friends back home already".
"Don't worry sis, they can't be much worse then vomit boy back there." Yang stated, quite sure of her assessment.
"I hope not, I'm not sure you could deal with everyone throwing up on your shoes like that". Ruby said, edging away from her sister.
"What are you talking about...oh sick! Gross gross gross.." said Yang, finally noting the sick on her boots.
A few minutes after Yang's close encounter with the vomiting kind, the airship at last docked at Beacon, and the passengers began to disembark. While a certain yellow haired boy made a mad dash to the nearest waste bin, Yang, Ruby and the rest of the students to be filed walked off the craft and onto the campus proper. The sisters took in the site before them with a not so subtle "Wow!".
Beacon Academy, Vale's premier school for Huntsmen and Huntresses alike. The cream of the crop, the tip of the top, the other things that mean great, as Ruby would say. Yang was taken back by the size of scope of the school, with its towering architecture, and it's even more towering central Tower. Ruby was more interested in the variety of weapons the students had on display.
"Look Yang, she's got a Fire Sword! Oh, oh, He's got a collapsible staff. And that guys got a, well, i'm not sure what the heck that is, but it's awesome!" Ruby Looked like a kid in a candy store, provided that candy killed grimm and looked awesome, which given Vale, was a not something unheard of.
Yang reached out to stop Ruby as she started to drift away to get a closer look at the students and their weapons. "Alright sis, that's enough. I know your a weapons geek and all, but they are just weapons."
"Just weapons, just weapons!? They are extensions of who we are! Cool, deadly, and awesome!" said Ruby, aghast at Yang's insult.
"Well yeah, but you have like, a dozen weapons. And compared to ours, they are pretty mundane" Yang said, clearly not finding the topic of student weapons all that interesting.
"Still, seeing new weapons is like meeting new people, everyone has a story. Heck, it's better than meeting people." Ruby declared, sounding quite certain of her remarks.
Yang playfully pulled her sisters hood over her head. "Now now little sis, you shouldn't be too hard on people. In fact, you should go try and make some new friends of your own."
"But I don't need new friends, I've got you, Yang." Ruby topped it off by giving Yang her sad puppy eyes.
"Yeah, well you do but.." started Yang before being mobbed by her friends, who proceeded to drag her off down the road, "Looks like my friends are here now, see you later Ruby, good luck! Bye Sis!" As Yang vanished down the road, Ruby recorded from the sudden vanishing of her sister.
"Wait, where are you going?! Are we supposed to go to our dorms? Where are our dorms? Do we have dorms? You'd think they would have given us a map."
[I'm so going to get you for this Yang! Yang!]
No reply forthcoming, Ruby took in her surroundings as best she could. New school, tons of new weapons, so many professions, it was a madhouse for her. She took a step back to think, and crashed right into a luggage cart.
What followed was an explosion of luggage, followed by an explosive outburst by the white haired teen pushing said luggage, a few muttered apologies, and then finally an actual sneeze ignited dust explosion.
"Way to start the day off with a bang" Ruby thought to herself.
The outburst triggered yet another outburst from the white haired youth, in the form of a lecture and insult to her youth and ability, drawing a rare sign of annoyance from the hooded young youth. Salvation had come in the form of a raven haired girl with sharp yellow eyes who proceeded to identify the white haired youth as "Weiss Schnee, heiress of the Schnee Dust company".
Said Raven haired youth, who in Ruby's opinion had a very cute bow in her hair, proceeded to then criticize said SDC, drawing sputtered words of indignation from Weiss, who stormed off afterwards.
"I'll make this up to you, I promise!" Ruby called after Weiss, still sorry about the whole mishap. She turned to thank the other girl, but found only air, the girl having resumed her walk down the road. Ruby collapsed down to the ground, in defeat.
"Welcome to Beacon, Ruby Rose" Ruby said to herself.
"Cute name, mine's Jaune, nice to meet you" said a now familiar yellow haired youth, reaching out his hand. Ruby took the offered hand, and examined the boy as she was helped up.
"Oh hey, aren't you the one who lost their breakfast on the airship?"
The young man, Jaune as she had learned, was of particular interest to Ruby. As they walked and talked, He noticed she seemed to be eyeing him with unusual focus.
"Do I still have some on my face? I thought I got it all off.." he said, reaching again for his handkerchief.
"No no, you'll all good there. It's just, your a huntsman student, right?"
Jaune appeared to be a bit shook by this "Well yeah, I'm here aren't I?" he said, scratching the back of his head.
Ruby continued her line of thought, "And you have a weapon, right?"
"Sure do! It's a family heirloom, but it still works." Jaune said taking out his sword and shield turned scabbard. "How about yours?"
Ruby's train of thought was derailed by a chance to show off her own weapon. "This here is Crescent Rose! It's a scythe, and It's also a customizable high-impact sniper rifle! I may have went overboard designing it"
Jaune was clearly impressed, "Whoa, you made that? That's cool!".
"Everyone at Signal does, It's a requirement. I also made the outfit i'm wearing." Ruby explained, doing a brief twirl, "Though that was more due to my, ah, hobby."
"Impressive on both fronts" said Jaune.
Realizing she was showing off her dress to a boy she hardly knew, she quickly changed the subject. "So, why did you help me out back there?"
"Why wouldn't I? "My mom always says, 'Strangers are just friends you haven't met yet.'" Jaune replied with a shrug, keeping pace as Ruby resumed walking. "By the way Ruby, where are we going?"
Ruby stopped, " I was kind of following you. Anything look familiar?".
Jaune looked around, examining the landscape, "I think that's Beacon over there."
Ruby laughed, "So that's a no then?".
"Yeah, That's a no."
A short while later, the intrepid duo at last arrived at Beacon's great hall, finding it full of students milling around.
Ruby winced, "Information overload" she thought as she observed the gather masses.
"Ruby! Over here! I saved you a spot! " shouted Yang, waving to get her sister's attention.
Giving one last review of the blonde beside her, Ruby said her goodbyes, and made her way to her sister, leaving the suddenly dejected youth behind.
"Hey, wait!", Jaune cried out with a sigh, to no avail. "Ah, great. Where am I supposed to find another nice, quirky girl with surprising talents to talk to?!" Jaune shook his head and move into the crowd. Behind Him, a certain redheaded girl's head perked up, but otherwise didn't move from her spot in the hall.
"So how's it yanging sis?" Yang said, with a chuckle at her own joke.
Ruby shook her head before responding in deadpan "You mean since you ditched me and I exploded? And ignored my messages?"
"Yikes, sarcasm. Having a meltdown already sis?" Yang responded, a smile on her face.
"No, I mean literally exploded. There was fire, some ice I think, and a crabby girl, luggage, and words Yang. Angry words. Angry words yelled at me! I said I was sorry but they just. Kept. Coming!" clarified Ruby, hands in the air in expiration.
"So like back home after a farming excursion?"
"More angry and less cookies waiting for us"
Any further sisterly interrogation was interrupted by the sound of a loud "You!" piercing the air from behind Ruby. Ruby leaped into her sisters arms with a startled cry of , "Not again! I hate this metaevent!"
Yang looked at her sister and commented "You can face down a pack of beowolves with a smile and a laugh, but this frightens you? Really?" Yang adjusted her grip on her sister. "Though I have to admit, those heels of hers are kind of frightening"
"Hmm, I'll have you know they are actually quite comfortable." Said Weiss, defending the honor of her footwear.
"I doubt that" replied Ruby, now noticing the footwear herself.
"My choice in shoes aside, you could have gotten us killed earlier! You're lucky we weren't blown off the side of the cliff!" Shouted Weiss, getting in closer to Ruby and Yang.
"Holy crap, you actually exploded?!" Yang said, looking to her sister for confirmation.
"It was an accident!" proclaimed Ruby, getting down from her sisters arms. "I mean, I sneezed, it went kaboom, and i'm still so very sorry about it".
"Your sneezes explode now sis? That's a new skill." Yang mentally filed that factoid away.
"It's not a new skill! Her luggage was leaking dust and it got all over me and …" Ruby's explanation was cut short by a pamphlet being thrust into her face. "DUST for dummies and other Inadequate Individuals" It read. "What's this for?" asked a confused Ruby.
Her answer came in the form of a long winded and quite rapid legal disclaimer from Weiss.
"You think her lips ever catch on fire when she takes that fast?" whispered Yang, somewhat in awe at the rapid speech.
"Funny blondie. And only a few times" responded Weiss.
"So ah, legal issues aside, the pamphlet?" said Ruby, pointing to the aforementioned item.
"You really want to make this up to me?" asked Weiss. Ruby enthusiastically nodded.
"Then read this, and never talk to me again." "Now now, " said Yang, seeing the dejected look on her sisters face,
"I think you both just got off on the wrong foot here. How about we just start over, and you two be friends, okay?".
Ruby nodded as she put the pamphlet away and brushed herself off. "Great idea, Yang!" said an enthusiastic Ruby, "Hello Weiss! I'm Ruby! Lets hang out, we could talk about weapons and crafting and school and killing monsters!".
Weiss was a bit taken back. "Crafting, crafting what? And monster slaying, is that what you do for fun?"
"Oh you know, weapons, outfits, miscellaneous other stuff. As for grimm slaying, it's a hobby I suppose." Ruby smiled, convinced she was on the friend making path now. Yang on the other hand..
[Yang: That's got to sound odd to anyone not in on this. Dial in down a bit sis!]
[Ruby: Oops, sorry!]
"Quite the deadly hobby. Not the outfit making thing though, that's actually kind of impressive. I figured you'd more be the type to talk about nail painting or boys, like Tall blonde and lanky over there." Weiss motioned to Jaune, who stood a few meters away.
"Like Jaune? He's cool I guess. He's got an heirloom sword, it's pretty cool if you like the classics". Jaune's ears perked up at the mention of him, and he found himself standing a bit more proudly at his praise.
"Oh please" Weiss said, "He's probably the type to wear footie pajamas at his age. Totally uncool."
"That would be pretty lame, sis" agreed Yang.
Jaune was a bit less proud of things now, and mentally noted to change his sleepwear choices while at Beacon.
"Oh, okay, Well what about that guy over there? You know, with the black hair and the pink highlight" Ruby began, before getting cut off by Weiss, yet again
Weiss shook her head, trying to clear her thought. "Wait a sec, this is so not happening. We are not talking about boys, or weapons or anything!"
"Really?" came Ruby's timid reply.
"Really" clarified Weiss.
"Oh".
The assembled students attention was then drawn to the stage, where Ozpin and Glynda were readying the microphone to speak.
Given it's, well, less than inspiring nature, Yang gave her sister a nudge. [Yang: So that's the headmaster eh? He and the woman next to him where the ones who interrogated you the other night, correct?]
[Ruby: Yeah. They had cookies though, which was nice.]
Yang eyed Glynda. [Yang: Certainly a high level beauty there. Common profession though.]
[Ruby: They are both high level sis. I mean, they are professors. Still wondering what the deal with his profession is, though.]
Yang shrugged. [Yang: I suppose we may find out during our stay here. Still a lot we don't know about all this].
Ruby nodded in agreement.
"Do you two always just sort of stare blankly and gesture to each other?" Inquired Weiss.
Ruby let out a non convincing laugh. "It's kind of a sisterly thing"
"Somehow I doubt that"
"I don't know" added Jaune "Mine do similar stuff all the time."
Weiss glared at Jaune.
"I'll just go back over here then" he said, retreating.
"A wise decision."
As night fell over the academy, the freshmen students gathered in the great hall, which was now covered in sleeping bags and pajama clad youths. Ruby is relaxed on her bag, writing in a journal and looking out over the students.
Yang plopped down beside her sister, both girls clad in their sleep wear.
"So whatcha writing Sis?"
Ruby looked up from the page "two things. First thing is a letter for all my friends back in signal, I promised I'd tell them what Beacon was like.
"And the other?"
"Trying to spot any new professions. Seeing a few more of the rare ones here than in Signal."
Yang ruffled her sisters hair. "Relax sis, enjoy the slumber party!" Yang eyed some buff boys near by. "I know I am".
Jaune walked by the girls and waved, clad in what looked like workout shorts and a tank top. They waved back before returning to their conversation.
"Hmm, he cleans up nice."
"He's...a unique one, Yang" Ruby said, giving him one last look.
"He's OK I guess, hotter guys here though"
Ruby threw a pillow at her sister. "Yang! I'm not talking about what he's got, it's more what he lacks".
"You're going to have to be more specific than that, sis." Yang resisted the urge to list all she found lacking about him.
"I mean, well, You know what every huntsman has when you look at them in, well, our special way?"
"Yeah, go on"
"He's not got it. He's the only one here without it in fact.".
Yang's eyes widened in surprise as she gave another look at him. "What the..how did I miss that? He's a huntsman with a weapon, right?"
"Yep, on both counts"
"That's...strange. Interesting, but strange."
"Goes to show that we still don't know a lot about this, despite the last year." Ruby put down her journal, doubting she'll get any more written tonight.
"We'll figure it out, that's what sisters and friends are for. Speaking of which, I see you are making progress on that front. Plus two already! Way to go sis."
"I doubt Weiss counts, she seems more annoyed by me than anything."
"Eh" said Yang, enveloping her sister in yet another hug, "She'll come around".
"I hope so."
Both girls noticed the lighting of a candle nearby.
"Oh hey, it's the girl from earlier!" said Ruby.
"From the explosion incident? Well now is the chance to thank her, lets go!" Yang said, dragging her sister up to her feet and walking over to the raven haired girl in question.
Blake's reading was interrupted by the not completely voluntary arrival of Yang and Ruby.
"Hello there! I do believe you and my sister are acquaintances?"
Blake gave the duo a once over, eyes fixating on Ruby. "Aren't you the girl that was blown up earlier?"
"The one and only! Or at least I hope so." Ruby's embarrassment was quite evident to any onlookers. "Name's Ruby Rose. Thanks for the help earlier."
Blake's attention returned to her novel. "Don't mention it. Really, don't".
Yang decided to throw her sister a bit of a line. "So…what's your name?"
Blake's irritation grew, not that the duo seemed to pick up on it. "Blake".
"Nice to meet you Blake! I'm Yang, Ruby's older sister. Love the bow and Pj's by the way, it's a killer look."
"Um, Thanks?"
Yang was floundering.
[I think this may be a lost cause sis…]
Sensing an opportunity, Ruby went in. "So what's it called? The book that is?"
Blake resigned herself to the conversation. "The man with two souls. It's..it's about a man with two souls, each fighting for control over his body"
The sisters looked at each other. "You know, I can so relate to how that feels"
"No Joke Ruby, that's basically life as we know it."
Blake's curiosity was peaked at that. Before she could inquire further, Ruby spoke up.
"I love to read, myself. I used to read all kinds of stories as a child. Stories of great heroes battling monsters, aiding those in distress. Tend to read a lot more scary stories these days though."
"Quite the abrupt shift there. Happily ever after to tales of horror and survival?"
"This is Remnant, one doesn't come without the other. It's our job to push back that darkness and do what we can to protect others. What power we are given should always be used to such an end".
"That's, actually quite admirable I suppose." replied Blake, wondering just what sort of girl she had before her.
[G1: Taiyang: Goodnight Girls! Get some sleep, tomorrow will be…eventful. And no, I won't give you any hints.]
[G1: Ruby: Spoilsport! Night Dad!]
[G1: Yang: Goodnight dad!]
Ruby and Yang nodded to themselves. "Well Blake, it's been fun, and a pleasure to meet you!"
"Yeah, what Ruby said" continued Yang. "Best be off to the sack, big day tomorrow after all. See ya around!"
Blake placed the book down and started to prepare her own sleeping bag. "You too, good luck tomorrow."
"Pfft, who needs luck with skills like ours, eh Sis?"
"Way to jinx us, Yang. Goodnight Blake!"
"Goodnight, Ruby, Yang."
As the sisterly duo walked off, Blake found herself thinking over the encounter. If this was the sort of huntresses Beacon had in store for her, it was bound to be an interesting four years.
Blake put out the candle, and drifted off to sleep herself.