The Deadly Nightshade of Stephanite
City of Mistral
Sitting on a park bench overlooking the main city in chaos with sirens wailing along with smoke rising to the clouds was a male wearing a white coat with a wolf's head for the hood. Mistral had seen it's fair share of chaos so this wasn't anything new compared to those in the past, "You aren't exactly subtle." A voice sounded as another male came by and sat down beside the hooded man.
"But the job is done nonetheless." The hooded man replied lifting his arm holding a data chip. The chip itself wasn't nothing special but to acquire it was another story altogether.
The male gladly took the data chip and placed it into his inside pocket of his coat , "Well, you certainly live up to your reputation." The man replied as if complementing him, "Here's the rest of the payment." The man said pulling out an orange envelop handing to over to the hooded man.
The hooded man kindly took the envelop and placed it inside his coat, "Was there anything else?" He curiously asked.
The man sighed, "The people talk about how bad the Faunus are but after today; I'll always think of people like you." The man admitted slouching back on bench.
"Comparing me to others, How thoughtful." The hooded man remarked sarcastically, "I'll be off then. Maybe try another for kingdom." The hooded man then stood up from the bench and proceeded to walk off.
The other man leaned forward on rested his arms on his knees, "Mind if I ask where you'll be going?" He asked with curious intentions.
The hooded man stopped and paused for a second whilst having his hand resting on the handle of his sidearm holstered to his waist, "I've never been to Vale yet, I'd like to see what's what." The hooded man replied with a grin as he turned around, "By the way; Why couldn't hire some PMC company?" He asked. Private Military Contractors, official mercenaries that charge on the severity of the job and specific tasks. On top of that they require a transaction, fees and benefits, etc. Naturally, they're perfect for companies willing to pay extra for the safety of their interests, personal, supplies, etc.
"Unlike those PMCs, my superiors like to keep things 'off the record' for these kinds of things. Know what I mean?" The man told the hooded man with a cryptic ominous tone.
The hooded man nodded slowly in understanding and as an acknowledgement, "You know where to hit me on the Extranet." The hooded man said turning ahead and walked off.
The man sitting on the bench waved him off, "We'll be in touch, Mr. Dewolfe." He called as the hooded individual disappeared in the distance.
City of Vale, Marika Mall
Sitting in the cafeteria, Blake watched people coming and going about their lives like nothing happened. It bothered her to think people wouldn't more alert after the sudden Grimm attack recently but what bothered the most was the recurring nightmare she'd have one in awhile. The last time she had that nightmare was after she started attending Beacon.
Blake would find herself in a dimly lit forest with a full moon shining down through the cracks of the tree branches. She'd be running from something within the forest as fast as she could only to find herself in the spot she before she started running. A lone figure would walk from the direction she was coming from and say, "You can run all you want child but you will not be able to hide." In a cryptic tone of a young woman's voice. Blake would try and run again only to find herself staring at all the faces she knew with disapproving and disappointed expressions once she turned around. Standing at the center of the people was the same woman; cloaked in black hiding underneath a hood, the woman's eyes glow along with the silver moonlight. With that Blake would wake heavily breathing sometime in the middle of the night and can't sleep. This dream usually occurs when Blake would leave for good wherever she went.
She kept on thinking about the woman and the faces until a voice interrupted her train of thought, "Hey, whatcha doin'?" The voice of Yang sounded.
Immediately Blake turned to the voice. She noticed a blonde bombshell towering over her wearing a smirk, "Nothing, just remembering what Oobleck asked." Blake replied withe disheartened tone.
Yang nodded in acknowledgement, "I think he was testing us, you know, see if being a huntress is what we really want. Try not to let it bother you, 'kay." She told Blake. Oobleck asked a serious question but it would seem Yang had brushed it off.
Blake gave a reassuring smile, "Okay." She calmly acknowledged Yang's request. Yang smiled back and left to find Ruby and Weiss.
"What about the crew members?" She mentally asked herself.
"What about them?" The voice of Adam sounded shortly afterwards.
"...What you were, the things you've done." Roman's voice echoed.
She stopped thinking about that and turned to the projection of a news anchor near by, "In other news, Several districts in the city of Mistral are on edge after a series of explosions. Authorities strongly believe it was Faunus separatists but the local public reports seeing a lone individual. The White Fang denies any involvement and a spokesperson say they had nothing to do with the attacks but one thing is for certain..." ; "Blake? You alright?" She was interrupted by Ruby who seemingly jumped into her view out of nowhere.
Blake nodded, "Yeah, I was watching the news." She told her.
Ruby quickly sped into the seat next to Blake, "Anything new?" She asked.
"Nothing in particular." Blake replied staring at the floor. Blake always seemed bothered by something but more so than usual.
Ruby leaned forward to take a better look at Blake, "You seemed bothered." She stated noticing Blake's expression.
She shook her head, "It's nothing." She told Ruby.
Ruby tilted her head with a frown, "Are you sure? Do you want to talk about it?" She asked with curious intent.
Once more Blake shook her head, "No, not really." Not feeling like sharing Blake stood up and proceeded to leave until she felt a tug on her hand.
Ruby had reached out and grabbed Blake's hand, "Blake, We're all here for you. Team RWBY is always at your side." Ruby told Blake.
Feeling the soft gentle grasp of Ruby's hand, Blake pause and thought about her time with the Team, "Thanks, It's nice to know I'm not alone in all this." She said slowly turning around giving a small smile.
Ruby began grinning, "That's the spirit!" She cried with an outburst and gave Blake a glomp.
"Yeah." Blake commented softly sounding reluctant.
Ruby leaned off Blake with her hands on Blake's shoulders, "You don't sound optimistic."
Blake took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "With Torchwick behind bars I should be feeling relieved. But I don't, because there's still so much out there and I feel like we made little impact." She explained with a disheartened tone.
"One problem at a time Blake, There's so much we can do at a time like this." Ruby reassured her teammate with an optimistic grin.
Blake looked into the silver eyes of Ruby and returned her look with a bright smile, "I guess you're right. Come on, Weiss and Yang will be waiting for us." She told Ruby and left taking Ruby's hand pulling her along.
Southern Atlas, Coastline Settlement
Walking through the walled gates of a settlement stood a male wearing a ebon coat with a wolf's head for the hood. Following in behind was a fairly large truck with a shipping crated turned shop.
Moments later an individual walked up to the hooded male," Thanks for your help." The individual gratefully said.
The hooded man nodded, "Don't mention it." He calmly said.
"Here, for your troubles." The individual handed the hooded man a bundle of bank notes, "You'd think the Kingdom would have patrols or guards stationed around Atlas." The man said.
"They do, but all that depends on priority. Why would they sent troops for measly merchants instead of supply convoys." The hooded man explained. Outside the walls of the 4 Kingdoms, everyone has to fend for themselves especially the villages beyond the jurisdiction of the 4 Kingdoms.
The individual paused and gave a quick thought about it, "Good point but still, a little support would be nice, especially for the strongest military in the world." He stated.
The hooded man didn't say anything but head towards the docks where a freighter was preparing to leave.
The man quickly stepped beside him and followed, "So uh, where you headed next?" He asked curiously.
"I was thinking of taking a freighter and wind up where it goes. I don't have a particular destination." The hooded man replied with apathy.
The other man stopped and watched him leave, "I see, Well just in case you want to know that ferry is going to Vale." He said lose for words. Clearly, this man was fond of the hooded person before him.
The hooded person stopped and turned around, "I don't care where it winds up, just as long as I get there." He kindly told the man behind him. The hooded man didn't really care where he was going but as long as there was something to do.
The man nodded in acknowledgement, "Safe travels, Wolfen." The man waved him off.
The hooded man smirked in response, "Appreciate it." He said before finally turning around and headed towards the freighter.
Vacuo, SDC Quarry
Sitting in an office room to an industrial factory sat an Atlesian noble wearing light blue button up t-shirt, white slacks, his silvery hair blown back forcing it into a stylish look. Resting on the desk was a name reading, 'Ventus Elza'. He had his personal terminal open and happened to be chatting with a young teenage girl, "Father, I told you already; I don't want to go to the Expo." She protested. Her hair was the color of a light blonde, braided, and twirled around her neck in front of her shoulder.
The man sitting at his desk sighed, "This isn't up for debate, Sky. Besides, Nikov and Barrett's daughters will be there." He told the teenager in effort to convince her going to an expo wasn't all that bad.
Sky rolled her eyes in response, "They don't talk much and I don't like them." She protested again.
Ventus simply shook his head whilst pinching the bridge of his nose, "But they like you because you don't talk much either." He irritatedly told his daughter.
Sky then folded her arms sending a comical irritated look. She paused for a moment before responding, "There's nothing TO talk about. I'm a huntress-in-training, they're not. They're always busy checking and cleaning their guns while I'm sitting there toying with Thready Needle." She said pulling out a 6 inch double edged dagger. Both edges of the blade long saw tooth ridges to about an inch from the point.
Ventus rolled his eyes in response to her protests, "That's why they like you. From what I hear; Sasha and Leona like you so much they're willing defend you, and Becky..." ; "Beni." He triad explaining but was interrupted when he said a name wrong, "I'm sorry?" He questioned with a confused face.
"It's Beni Barrett." Sky simply said.
Ventus rolled his eyes again, "Beni, often doesn't share with anyone. Has she given you something for nothing?" He asked.
Sky pause and thought about it, "Now that you mention it..." She said trailing her thought.
Ventus smiled in response knowing he was getting somewhere, "See, they like you well enough despite minimal social interaction." He stated building confidence with his daughter.
Sky smiled back, "Okay, Father. I'll see you at the Expo." She said looking relieved.
"See you, I love..." Sky's father once again was interrupted by having the video feed cut, "...you."
A voice spoke from in front of the man's desk, "That could've gone better, Mr. Elza." Standing with an open scroll stood a typical personal aid wearing a suit and tie with a neatly combed hair cut.
Ventus sighed aloud implying his irritation, "Not now, Avinichi." He said talking to the personal aid in front of his desk.
The personal aid, Avinichi smirked, "But this is important." He said tapping his scroll. Through the holo glass of the scroll, Ventus noticed his personal aid was attaching files and sending them to his personal terminal.
Ventus curiously watched as his aid worked tapping and dragging files. Leaning back, he tapped the surface of his desk patiently waiting to receive files sent from Avinichi's scroll.
A file automatically opened up on Ventus' terminal. It was a Beacon Academy registration form along with a picture of a girl with black hair wearing a black ribbon shaped into inconspicuous ears, "Look familiar sir?" Avinichi asked lowering his scroll keeping his attention on Ventus.
Ventus leaned forward narrowing his eyes on the ribbon as well as the hair style, He then opened a few files that were sent but weren't open. Opening achieved files of White Fang ransom vids and executions he notice a familiar raven headed girl in most files, "Why hasn't anyone else noticed this?" Ventus asked comparing the files with the registration form photo.
"There's no telling if it's actually her." Avinichi responded sounding unsure. In truth, it could be anyone in the SDC achieved files but most of he evidence pointed to the student at Beacon.
Ventus clasped his hand and gritted his teeth thinking about the individuals in the files, "If it's her, she had a lot to pay for." He sternly said aloud, "Mind I ask where this was taken." He asked turning from the screen to Avinichi.
Avinichi simply stood at attention, "The Kingdom of Vale sir." He replied.
Ventus leaned back into his head with a hand on his chin, "I'd like to send some of our guys to see if it's her but that'll come back to bite us in the ass. Do you have another option?" He asked looking like he had no other options.
"Mercenaries sir, like always. Someone willing to get their hands dirty so we can keep ours clean." Avinichi suggested, after all they hired mercenaries for jobs recently so this was no big deal.
Ventus nodded in agreement, "Has our informant in Mistral contact us yet?" He asked a different question this time.
Avinichi gave a certain smile, "Yes sir, and he has the package." He said cheerfully.
Ventus smiled back in return, "He's not done out there yet. Have him contact the mercenary Dewolfe once more, we have another job for him." He ordered Avinichi.
"Yes sir." Avinichi acknowledged with a nod.
A/N - This is be fun writing something that was already written but in a different way. As I said last time, I'll write something a little more original since the last story had ideas that weren't my own. I was planning on deleting the last story but I suppose I'll keep it up fro you to compare each one. This won't be exactly the same but it'll reference some of it.
Again, as I said last time; Blake and Dewolfe will have more development with each other. Every journey begins with a single step.