In the ever-fall forest all was quiet, but not absolute silence. There was a restless energy as leaves rustled in the trees, birds sang wonderful melodies to anyone who would lend an ear. However in the quiet energy and ramblings of the forest, a disturbance sounded through the forest as a white haired woman ran through the wood. A symbol on her jacket marked her as a Schnee, a title of controversy, both hero and villain. The heiress was named Weiss, her brows drawn down in determination as she chased after her target which stayed just out of her range.
WHHOOSSSHHH!
"Ruby you dolt! Slow down!" She yelled, the response was silence at first as the serenity of the forest resumed. "Ruby?"
TWOOSH!
A red blur rushed from above, Weiss couldn't even let out a scream in reaction before being slammed into by a cloud of roses. Weiss sputtered for a few seconds as some of the roses flew into her open mouth. As the petals cleared, a familiar red head came into view, arms wrapped firmly around Wiess in a hug.
"Weiss!" Ruby yipped happy, "I'm so glad we got to take this mission together! We can camp out under the stars like real BFF's! OOOHHH! This is going to be so fun!" She said, absolutely estatic about the situation, she let out a slight grunt as she received a light slap to the back of the head.
"Ruby, you dolt!" Weiss said in frustration, "We're on a serious mission! Ozpin himself gave us this assignment!" Her thoughts drifted back to a yesterday.
….One Day Ago…
Team RWBY was about to head into one of Professor Ports 'lectures' and get an hour power nap when Ozpin called Ruby and Wiess to a garden on the north-side of the academy. The two let out a sigh, convinced they were in trouble, yet again. Ruby and Weiss walked along a small stone path, "What do you think he needs from us?" Ruby conjectured to Wiess, Wiess merely shrugged and scoffed.
"Well if it was anything, it's probably to do with your little incident with your scythe and Professor Peach." Weiss said dryly, Ruby let out a little shriek, her cheeks tinged red.
"that was just a misunderstanding…" Ruby whispered hoarsely, she then shoved her hood over her head, despite the slight warmth brought by the rays of sunlight.
"Misunderstanding?" Weiss said dryly, "Ruby, having your scythe malfunction is an accident. Hearing the words do shoot the highly volatile tubes of red fire dust, instead of don't is a misunderstanding. Trying to preform trick shots with your weapon with highly explosive dust crystals, while the teacher is still on the range is just…you still need to give her something nice." Ruby went to speak, "No, gift cards to Orion's Steakhouse doesn't count!" Weiss said, glaring at Ruby, "you burnt off her eye brows, they might not grow back!"
Before, Ruby could argue in defense of her actions they arrived at the garden, a massive wall of thorns blocked their way save for a small iron barred door. Ruby pushed it open with a little effort and the two walked inside…straight into paradise.
"I didn't know this was even here." Ruby said with wonder, as she looked at the garden itself. White and red roses formed into the massive hedges that formed a circular perimeter, a gazebo and fountain lay at its center. Ozpin rested inside the gazebo, sipping from his signature mug while reading from his scroll at a plethora of reports and documents. Red roses were wrapped around every nook and cranny of the structure. The fountain was white marble, a small bronze plaque embedded in the stone, the birds sang and danced in the shallow pools at the uppermost of the fountain where water gently cascaded down. Ruby and Weiss stood at the steps of the gazebo waiting for Ozpin to acknowledge them, after a few seconds Wiess grew impatient.
"Uh-hum!" Weiss said, acting like she was clearing her throat. Ozpin didn't seem to hear her. "Uh-hum!"
"You ok Weiss?" Ruby whispered, "If it's allergies from all these flowers I have some Schnee-legra in my pocket." Weiss merely gave her a glare, "What?" Ruby asked in confusion.
"Huntresses, it's good to see you." Ozpin said, finally looking up,the two snapped their attention towards him.
Weiss curtsied, "You requested us professor Ozpin?" Ruby tried to mimic Weiss, but ended up tripping over her legs and falling to the ground. Weiss put a palm to her temple, "you dolt…" she murmured, Ozpin stood up and walked to the edge of the gazebo.
"Indeed, I do have a mission for the both of you." Ozpin said in a more serious tone, Ruby jumped up and looked at Ozpin with excitement.
"OHH! Who do we gotta beat up!" She said enthusiastically, Weiss let out a grunt of aggravation. Ozpin waved her off though."No, No, nobody to beat up miss Rose, there is a village to the north of Vale, about twenty miles from the city limits, it was called Coventry. The village was destroyed years ago, but recently we received a distress beacon. It looks as though an Atlas specialist carrying some Schnee documents went down and has sent up a distress beacon. Normally, we would send a fleet from one of General Ironwoods forces, but due to the recent attacks from Roman Torchwicks gangs, their forces are preoccupied and thin enough as it is." Ozpin then took a sip of his coffee and stared at the fountain for a few seconds, he then looked to Ruby. "Thankfully, we have two huntress whom I believe can handle this matter?" Ozpin said, Ruby went to speak, but Weiss over rode her.
"Don't worry Professor! You can count on me!" Weiss said with pride and flamboyant confidence, Ozpin merely laughed as Ruby glared at her with a 'dude…' look on her face. Weiss gave her an innocent look in response, Ozpin chuckled.
"I see, very well. A bullhead will be arriving tomorrow, I suggest it wise to prepare in the meantime." Ozpin said, Weiss curtsied again and the duo began to walk back Weiss looked back at Ozpin for a moment before bumping into something.
"Ouch! Ruby, you dolt! Watch where you're walking!" Ruby however failed to respond, Weiss looked at her with slight worry, "…Ruby?" Ruby was staring blankly at the fountain, more specifically the plaque on the rim of the fountain.
"Let's get out of here." Ruby said dryly, before Weiss could even respond Ruby was gone, a trail of slowly falling petals was all she could see. Weiss turned to look at what the red head had found. On the plaque was an inscription:
In loving Memory of Summer Rose
Beacon Presents:
The Summer Rose Garden
Ozpin watched the heiress run after the red head with knowing eyes. He loved this garden, but it was also a painful reminder of sacrifices made and broken promises, he hummed a silent poem. "Oh, how fragile and eloquent the condition of man. Like a rose, it's beauty is irresistible, but be warned! Beneath its crimson façade lies merciless thorns, painful and without pity." He sat back in his chair and resumed looking at reports, the birds chirped a happy tune.