Chapter 1: Followers
Much to Ruby's displeasure, the rain did not let up in time for her meeting. She would have brought an umbrella, but the wind blowing through made it useless. All she could do was trek through the watery paths of Mistral's higher levels, doing her best to see in the dark.
Above the many cliff faces and waterfalls was the new Mistral CCT Tower. It had been constructed by Atlas not long after the Fall of Haven. The three CCT Towers in Atlas, Vacuo, and Mistral could now operate even with the Vale Tower down, as it was apparent Vale was riddled with too many Grimm to maintain a Tower. The facility was highly guarded at night (and during the day at that), but was open at night to certain important persons, such as public officials and Huntsmen, like Ruby.
It was a half-hour past midnight. This time of night was always quiet in the Upper Levels, which was why these meetings always took place so late. It was kind of a pain, losing so much sleep just for their weekly meeting, but the fewer people who knew about their meetings, the better.
Ruby soon reached the grand staircase that led up to the tower's main entrance. By now she was nearly soaked, her black jeans clinging to her legs, her feet squishing in her boots.
She stared up the staircase and groaned. "Definitely not footing this." She grumbled to herself. She put her leg back and prepared her Semblance. Her heart rate skyrocketed, and in the blink of an eye, she burst into rose petals and reappeared at the top of the staircase. She stood there frozen for a few seconds, realizing she overdid it. She had managed to push the limits of her Semblance with years of practice, to the point where her movements could rival the speed of light. The draw back to it was traveling at such a speed would seriously affect her, just as it did now. When she "Light Jumped", as she called it, she would be temporarily unable to move upon stopping, and not just her muscles. Her heart would stop for a few seconds, then rapidly return to life. It was a terrible feeling, and Ruby knew she should only use it in life-or-death moments. In this case, she simply got carried away.
Once she "unfroze", she fell to her knees, gasping for air. Reflex tears fell down her face, her hand pressed against her chest. "Fucking...fuck." She cursed, forehead against the ground.
"Ma'am! Are you okay?!"
Ruby glanced toward the voice to see a security guard running towards her. She continued to gasp for air, waving her hand towards the woman. "I'm fine!" She coughed. "Just Hustress stuff."
"Do you need help?" The guard asked, kneeling next to Ruby.
Ruby felt her heart begin to calm, finally. She glanced at the guard again and sighed. "A little help up?"
The guard put Ruby's arm around her shoulders and lifted her to her feet. Ruby found her bearings and and thanked the guard before gingerly walking up to the front entrance. She scanned her Scroll at the kiosk, which allowed her to enter the Tower.
As she approached the front desk, leaving water puddles behind her, a holographic image of a young man appeared. "Hello. Welcome to the New Mistral CCT Tower. It appears you have requested access to a private communication desk. Please take this key to room B3 just downstairs." From a slot on the desk emerged a credit card sized key. Ruby grabbed it and left for the downward staircase, disregarding whatever else the hologram dude had to say.
Like usual, it was eerily quiet in the Tower. Ruby always felt a tad bit paranoid every time she came here at night, but she kept on. She was more frustrated with her aching chest and soaked clothing.
She found room B3 and swiped her key. The door slid open, revealing a small room with a monitor, desk and desk chair. She stepped inside, and the door slid shut behind her. She immediately shed her soaked jacket and red tank top, leaving only a black sports bra on her chest. Normally she wouldn't be so brave, but she was borderline pissed at the weather and herself, so she didn't really care right now. She pulled a flask from her jacket and plopped herself down in the chair. She took a drink and sat in silence for a moment. She looked down at her poor posture and at her flask and huffed. "Gods, I am turning into Qrow." She coughed, putting her hand to her heart. Still beating fast, but slowing.
The monitor had been lit up the whole time, displaying "Welcome! Please enter a contact number." Ruby punched in the number, then sat there waiting for the connection to go through.
She stared at the loading screen for what seemed like a few seconds too long, then on the screen appeared two video feeds. On one showed the face of Blake Belladonna, and on the other showed Winter and Weiss Schnee.
"Last one here again." Weiss said, seemingly annoyed, yet she was smiling.
"Shove it." Ruby grumbled, trying not to smile back, but failing.
"Ruby, why are you shirtless?" Blake asked, visibly concerned.
"It's raining like hell outside." Ruby explained. "I'm soaked."
"Maybe consider an umbrella?" Weiss asked. Winter was being pointedly quiet, though she seemed amused.
"Who's to say I didn't just want an excuse to be shirtless?" Ruby took another drink. "If I'm a distraction–"
"Let's just start the meeting." Weiss interjected.
Ruby snorted a laugh. "Not a distraction, got it." She drank once again.
She heard Winter chuckle. "You take after your uncle."
"And your sister." Blake added jokingly.
Ruby laughed. "Thanks." She straightened up and rested her arms on the desk. "So where's Yang?"
"Out shopping." Blake said.
"Shopping?" Weiss asked. "What time is it in Menagerie?"
"11:30." Blake explained. "She said she needed more shampoo, but tomorrow's our anniversary and she definitely forgot about a gift until now." She chuckled.
Ruby smiled. "Congrats you two."
"Yeah, four years now?" Weiss asked.
"Yep." Blake nodded rather proudly.
"How romantic." Winter said. "Even after all that's happened, you two prove there's still good in the world."
Blake chuckled, blushing. "Weiss has really rubbed off on you, Winter."
"Sappy snowflakes, both of you." Ruby quipped, smirking.
"Hey!" The Schnee sisters both protested, making Blake and Ruby laugh. "I've just managed to..." Winter began, searching for the words, "Relax?"
"Since quitting the military, my sister has enjoyed the freedom, I guess you could say." Weiss explained.
"I can relate." Blake nodded. "Thank you, Winter."
"Of course." The former Specialist nodded with a smile.
"This is fun and stuff, but last I checked, this isn't a book club." Ruby interjected. "I have points to discuss, if that's alright."
Wiess scoffed. "Who put you in charge?"
"Ozpin put me in charge." Ruby declared flatly.
Silence fell over them, the name hanging above them for a few forlorn moments. Ruby awaited a response.
"I also have things to discuss, but you can start, Ruby." Blake offered.
"Thank you." Ruby nodded, setting her flask down on the desk. "Soul is still questioning her role, so to speak."
"'Questioning her role'?" Winter asked.
"Doubting herself." Ruby elaborated.
"What exactly has she said?" Blake asked.
"Things like 'I never wanted power like this'," Ruby told them. "I don't think she's a flight risk. I just want to make sure she can maintain focus on her training."
"Well, you've always been good at encouraging others." Blake told her. "Just talk to her about it I guess?"
"I don't know. She seems to really doubt herself, and it'll only get worse for her once I finally explain our Vacuo plan to her. I'm honestly worried about her." Ruby exhaled through her nose slowly. "I'm considering maybe giving her a short break from her training. Let her spread her wings a bit."
"It's too risky to let her go off on her own." Winter told Ruby. "Even if no one knows who she is, something could still happen."
"I would tail her, from a distance, to protect her." Ruby promised. "I just want her to know she can still have freedom, but only if she can continue to get stronger."
"Giving Maidens freedom isn't exactly easy." Weiss pointed out. "I agree we can't just shelter them forever, but they can't wander around where anyone could hurt them, try to rob them, pretty much any situation where she might impulsively use her powers."
"I think she understands the 'don't use your powers in public' part pretty well," Ruby told her, finishing off what was left in her flask. "I'm pretty sure she doesn't want anyone to know, just as much as we don't."
"I agree you should give her a break," Blake affirmed.
"Do keep an eye on her though," Weiss pleaded. Ruby could tell neither she, nor Winter, were quite on board with the idea, but they didn't protest.
"I'll keep an eye out." Ruby promised, tossing her flask to her pile of wet clothes. She cleared her throat. "Blake, your points of concern?"
Blake nodded. "Me and Yang are planning to maintain an all-night watch in five days. Another fire occurred last night, and since these fires always occur five days apart, we figure looking for the culprit five days from now is our best bet."
"It could be a White Fang thing." Ruby suggested.
Blake shook her head. "There's zero evidence of White Fang activity in Menagerie. The people here are very anti-Fang. Attacking Kuo Kuana would only make the White Fang even more unpopular."
"Is the dry weather to blame?" Weiss asked.
"These fires seem deliberate." Blake shook her head. "The first occurred when a cargo ship came ashore completely engulfed in flames, then about twenty acres of farmland burned in the next. This fire happened in a neighborhood near the edge of the Western Desert. No one was hurt, but it's obvious these fires are no accident."
Winter hummed quizzically. "Well whatever you learn from your stake out, let us know of what occurs."
"Will do." Blake nodded. "So what's up in Atlas?"
Winter and Weiss glanced at each other, giving Ruby and Blake cause for concern. It was a few seconds before Winter spoke. "We suspect that a herd of water-bound Grimm will soon attack Atlas' Southern Glaciers."
"Glaciers?" Ruby asked.
"Indeed." Winter nodded. "These glaciers have been deteriorating in recent years, and our concern is with the Dust mines nearby. If the glaciers are breached, some of the largest mines in Atlas will be flooded."
"Why would she want to destroy Dust mines?" Blake asked, visibly frustrated.
"Huntsmen and Huntresses are limited in their abilities if they have no use of Dust." Weiss explained.
"No shit, but what impact would destroying a few mines really make?" Ruby interjected. "There are hundreds" she coughed, "of mines all around the world."
"But most of the world's Water Dust comes from Atlas." Winter told her. "You can guess why losing Water Dust is particularly concerning to the two of us."
Ruby thought about that for a moment. "Well, all that tells us is she is after our Dust. The mines and factories need more security."
"Security can't stop a flood." Winter deadpanned.
"I mean mines and factories in general." Ruby grumbled. "As far as your problem with the water-bound Grimm, my best idea would be to just try to take 'em all out before they attack."
"More and more would replace them." Weiss told her.
"Perhaps you could construct a moat of some sort?" Blake suggested. "To divert the water away from the mines?"
Winter and Weiss seemed to consider the idea. "That might work, if it can be done in time."
Ruby chuckled. "Blake always seems to have better ideas than me."
"Perhaps because she doesn't carry around a flask everywhere." Weiss teased.
"Hey! I consider that a personal attack. I'm an independent adult female. If I want to drink vodka while soaking wet and shirtless, I will."
"And if I want to call you out on it, I will." Weiss shot back. "O fearless leader."
"Don't make me come to Atlas and kick your–"
"Girls!" Winter interrupted. "Handle your banter some other time."
"It is late after all." Blake added.
Ruby sighed and nodded, then she smirked. "Yeah. I can feel the sexual tension through this screen, Weiss."
The younger Schnee tensed up and turned beet red. "Excuse you! Ruby Rose, if I were there right now, I'd–"
"Don't finish that sentence." Ruby halted her, snickering. "I can tell where this is going."
"You're drunk, aren't you?" Winter accused.
"I cannot feel my pinky fingers." Ruby answered bluntly, holding her hands up and flexing her fingers.
Blake burst out laughing, which surprised the others. "You're so much like your sister." She declared.
"Thanks." Ruby nodded to her. "I think it's bedtime."
"Call someone to come walk you home." Weiss told her.
Ruby coughed. "Good idea." Ruby stood from her chair and went to her jacket. She yanked out her Scroll and dialed a number. Her friends watched as she held the device to her ear. "Hey, you! You should come to the CCT...yes I am...nah, it's cool. I'll protect you...thanks a bunch. See you here! Buh-bye!" She tossed her Scroll back on her jacket and sat back down. "Soul is on her way."
"Wait, you called Soul?!" Weiss exclaimed.
"We just told you she shouldn't be out on her own!" Winter protested.
"I'm sensing hostility." Ruby mumbled.
"Ruby." Blake said simply, shooting her a hard look.
"You drunken dolt! Call her back and tell her to stay home!" Weiss demanded.
"Oh, that reminds me." Ruby stood to her feet. When she returned to the screen, she was holding another flask. "I brought two."
"You're hopeless." Weiss snapped.
"Damn, harsh. I don't need your negativity." She reached towards the monitor.
"Ruby, don't hang up!" Blake yelled.
"Call Soul and–" before Winter could finish, the screen went blank. Ruby had cut the feed. "Sheesh, drama queens." She stood and took a swig from her second flask, then gathered her damp garments and left the room, not bothering to get dressed. The building was still as empty as it had been when she had arrived. She trekked back up to the main floor and left the building.
The rain had died down a bit. It was still coming down, but it didn't bother Ruby at that point. The same guard who had helped Ruby after her Light Jump earlier stood outside. She gave Ruby a weird look as the Huntress left. "Uhh, ma'am?"
"I have an escort coming." Ruby told her.
"Do you need...an umbrella?" The guard asked, visibly taken aback by Ruby's behavior and lack of upper body clothing.
"I'm enjoying nature." Ruby answered. She scanned her surroundings, coughing a couple times. "Hey, have you seen a girl, like..." She suddenly yawned, then sat down on a nearby bench. "She's like, I dunno. She's cute, honestly, but like..." She leaned back and propped her leg up on the arm rest. "You know what I mean?"
"Have you been drinking tonight, ma'am?" The guard asked her.
"A tad." Ruby answered. "Don't worry though, you wouldn't know it just by looking at me. I'm good at hiding it." She rubbed her eye. "Why do you ask?"
"Do you need help getting home?" The guard asked.
"I told you, I have a friend coming to get me. She's like, about yea high, she's got ears...like, tiger ears. Of courses she has ears, duh, but like she has the tiger ones and the human ones. She's a Faunus, tiger Faunus. She has stripes, the ears. Pretty cool, like, woah, don't mess with her. She's pretty cool though."
"Ma'am..." The guard said lowly, at a loss.
"Pretty good looking, honestly. Like, seriously though. Don't tell her that, she'd get all embarrassed, but like..." Her Scroll rang. Ruby glanced at it. "Aww, Weiss is worried about me." She ignored the call, then turned back to the guard. "Anyway, she...what was I saying, oh yeah!" She cleared her throat. "She has ears, but like–"
"R-Ruby?"
Ruby choked on her breath for a moment. She stood to her feet and saw the girl she'd been waiting for. She had just reached the top of the grand staircase, a black umbrella over her head. Just as Ruby had described her, her dark striped ears poked out above her dark orange hair, doing her best to keep them dry. Black stripes framed her cheeks and encircled her neck and arms, her light brown skin combining with them beautifully. Her cyan eyes darted between Ruby and the guard. "Uhh, are you okay?"
"Soul!" Ruby exclaimed. "When did you get here?"
Soul chuckled nervously, gripping her umbrella with both hands. She glanced at Ruby's wad of clothes draped on her arm. "Uh, just now." She told her. "Why did you need me to come walk you home?"
"I've been told I seem to be impaired, I guess." Ruby explained. She turned to the guard and bowed. "Thank you for your service." She then walked past Soul and began down the stairs.
Soul noticed the guard looking at her. "Do you...got her okay?" The guard asked.
Soul looked as Ruby gingerly stepped down each stair. She sighed, smiling sheepishly. "I think so. Thanks for looking out or her." And with that, she ran and caught up with Ruby.
Soul immediately grabbed Ruby's free arm. "Slow down. You're close to losing your balance." She moved the umbrella so it would cover both of them.
Ruby glanced at her. "I like your outfit."
Soul looked down at herself. She wore a light blue T-shirt, black shorts and plain sneakers on her feet. Not an outfit Soul was expecting to be complimented on. "Uhh, thank you?"
"You gonna get me home safe?" Ruby asked, grinning at the Summer Maiden for no apparent reason.
Soul chuckled. She blushed a bit. "Isn't it your job to keep me safe?"
"Yeah, but I'm a little out of it." Ruby admitted.
"You're drunk, aren't you." Soul said knowingly.
"Yeah." Ruby nodded. "And I'm pretty pissed at myself because of it." She said straight-up.
"Don't be." Soul patted her arm.
"I got soaked on my way here. That's why I'm partly-halfway naked." Ruby explained. "Hope I didn't embarrass you."
"How would you embarrass me?" Soul asked.
"I dunno. You seemed embarrassed when you saw me. I figured you were surprised by my lack of decency."
Soul chuckled. "Well, you usually don't surprise me. You're so...fun."
"You mean crazy. Just a little crazy." Ruby shrugged. "I knew that already."
Soul hummed with amusement. "I think you're cool."
"You're cool too." Ruby told her. "Most powerful Huntress-in-training in all of Mistral, that's you."
Soul sighed, chuckling halfheartedly. "Yeah."
They reached the bottom of the staircase. Still with a grip on Ruby's arm, Soul continued to lead her home, the rain gradually fading. The shattered moon began to become visible in the night sky.
Soul wished Ruby wasn't drunk at that moment. This would be a nice opportunity to go for a walk with her, rather than Soul walking a tipsy Ruby home. For now, Soul simply guided Ruby through the watery pathways, humoring Ruby and her drunken small talk. She thought to herself how much she missed freely walking around the city. Though, if Soul was being honest with herself, staying and training to master her magic was worth it, so long as Ruby was there to guide her.
