Good day,

Please note that the following story was written and composed well before the release of RWBY Volume 3. As such any characters that appear are not related to their series counterparts and are my own creation/interpretation. Additionally I recommend you read the previous story: Swan Song.

Thank you.

-F. Red


Dying cigarettes smoldered in the ash trays. Final drops of wine wallowed in the glasses, forgotten by their once eager patrons. The double bass eased the blonde soprano in to the final notes of her set. The Red Velvet Lounge was almost empty, except for a handful of men waiting for the last minute to pass.

Two men and two women, dressed to the nines in suits and dresses sat at the bar sipping drinks and chatting. The man behind the bar and ice blue eyes and scruffy blonde hair. He dressed in a black pin stripe suit with a dark green shirt and dark red tie. Beside him a lady with blonde hair and ocean blue eyes drew with her finger on a map. She dressed in a short blue dress with golden designs.

The blonde's compatriot ran her fingers around the rim of her wine glass, listening to the tune it created. She had long wavy black hair and emerald green eyes. She wore a long, purple, dress with a low back. Faded red lines and black splotches blemished her skin. Signs of corruption. She scantly hid the taint beneath an orange shawl.

The last was a tower of a man and broad. His suit was a size to small but he didn't mind. His large arms tugged against his red shirt. The knot of his black tie had been undone long ago with the top button of his shirt. He mussed his scruffy brown hair and rubbed his dull grey eyes.

"Olivia, if you're planning a tour of Mistral you have to hit the Canary Coast, Gia, and the Mistral herself," said the purple woman waving a fan.

"Not bad, Cavatina," Olivia the blonde nodded, "But I want to hit Althena and Lacedaemon also. That'll make it a very long tour just for Mistral. Hey Terzo, your contacts still good?"

"Our contacts are still there, but they want OCTA to make an appearance too," Terzo, the broad man, shrugged, "Why they want jazz men at a rock concert is anyone's guess. Amadeus, do you have an idea why they want you?"

"Speak for yourselves, I'm all rock and roll," said Olivia, "You dragged me into the jazz world, brother."

"I didn't exactly hear you complain about it. Maybe they just want to say 'hello' to old friends. We won't fit in the main concert, but a private show might be a nice compromise," said Amadeus with icy eyes, "I guess I could leave the lounge in Dexter's hands for a while."

"Can you believe those two little bands have made such a big splash already?"

"Just like us back then," smiled Amadeus.

"Alright, that's Mistral planned out. More or less," said Olivia, "So… Vacuo… I'm guessing we avoid that like the plague."

"We should, but ENOZ has to play there," said Amadeus, "Maybe double up. ENOZ and Icy Tail will tour together. That kingdom is secure beyond reason, so they should be fine."

Olivia sighed, "But they'll need special visas to travel in both the human and Faunus cities. I wonder if we can get away with just the Open Cities."

The lounge door opened and shut. A woman, hidden in shadows, walked sultrily to the tables.

"Sorry, madam, we're closing," said Amadeus.

The lady was dressed in long flowing royal red dress. Golden vines intertwined up the sleeves and around the chest. The low back of her dress revealed a black heart-shaped tattoo. Ember eyes glowed beneath her long charcoal hair.

"I shan't be long," she said in a seductive voice, "I only have a small question."

"And that would be?"

"Who guards the guards?"

"We, Chosen Men!" said the four instinctively.

The remaining patrons leaped to their feet. Small arms appeared from hidden holsters.

"My Chosen Men," said the woman, "In the entire history of Vacuo, not a single team of Chosen Men had deserted. That was until, you. OCTA (Orchestra), why did you leave me?"

"We are your mother's Chosen Men," said Terzo taking a stand.

"And we were relieved," said Amadeus.

"My mother and I are one and the same," she said, "The same blood you swore to serve."

"She is noble blood," Cavatina snapped her fan shut, "You are not."

A patron drew his pistol, "How dare you speak to her with such disrespect! ARG!"

An icy dart shot out from Cavatina's fan and impaled his hand. The pistol dropped and discharged a round. The other patrons drew cocked their guns and brandished their knives. The lady waved her hand.

"I have no desire to see my… mother's… Chosen Men harmed."

The men lowered their weapons.

"What do you want, Cinder?" asked Amadeus.

"A song."

"You came all this way for a song," scoffed Olivia, "You should've just waited for the ENOZ tour."

"Perhaps 'symphony' would be a better word. Something akin to a siren's song."

"That's why that old man wanted it," muttered Olivia.

"I see," said Cinder, "No matter, I still have a use for that particular music. You will return with me to Vacuo. I will give you a week to make preparations. That should be more than enough."

"And if we refuse?" asked Terzo.

"Then you'll have to deal with us."

A man and woman stepped out of the shadows of the furthest table. The man had short grey hair and shimmering silver eyes. He uncreatively dressed in all black with only a white tie as an accent. The woman had mint green hair and deep red eyes. Her dark skin kept her other features hidden in the dim light. She wore a pair of white short shorts and a swamp green tube top.

"Emerald, we have a dress code you know," said Olivia.

"Like I care," she said, "Now, come with us or there'll be trouble."

"Get that from a B-movie?" Olivia smirked, "Or were you trying to be original."

"You bitch, I'll –"

"Now, now, Emerald," said the man, "There's no need for violence. OCTA has been more than cooperative for the time being. I'm sure we can resolve this amicably. Isn't that right, Amadeus?"

"Much to your dismay I'm sure, Mercury."

"This is your threat, Cinder?" Terzo smiled, "I thought it would be much more. Alas, 'tis only the rejects. Are they Your Chosen Men? If so, we have nothing to fear."

"We're a lot stronger since the last time," said Emerald, "We weren't drinking in a dank bar or trapped in the woods."

"Stay quiet. Both of you," ordered Cinder, "As for you, OCTA, if they won't convince you perhaps they will."

Four forms appeared from thin air, out of a veil of smoke. They were armed and armoured to the teeth. Blood drained from OCTA's faces, their eyes widened.

"So, who guards the guards?" asked Cinder with a devilish grin.

The four shadows and OCTA replied, "We, Chosen Men."

"And who guards them?"

The shadows answered, "The Reapers."

"I shall see you at the end of the week," said Cinder, leading her company out of the lounge.