Inspectre Online.
Gonna keep this one short. Yes you're all welcome. The story goes on! And the ball is picking up speed again with nearly double the views it once had! Only one review though but that's cool. Still gonna answer it. Actually.. Did I ever answer the ones from the first chapter? Le gasp I'm neglecting my duties!
At Andilite, twice.: I do. I have at least 25. Not for this story, just RWBY characters in general. On RoB I have currently at LEAST 90 roleplay characters. Yang pops up in the second chapter which is out now so moot point. And wouldn't you like to know? Find out later!
Thanks! And yeah, most of the time in fics like these it'll start off slow and build up rather than the pairings start off as a couple. Can't rush love y'know. Even if sometimes it hits you like a freight train. Nah, I focus on my job but I love writing when I have time. Like this morning!
At Lego Dragon Ranger: Typical ice queen, beating up babies. Pfft, I know you have a lot of work pile up like all the time so Weiss can sympathize. Yeah Ruby's behavior this last chapter was largely because of that.
At hela7smite: Here ya go!
Boom, clap, sound of my fingers hittin' the keyboard 'cause the motivation keeps going on and on! ..What song was that paraphrased from because I hear it often where I work.. Y'know, carnival music.
Weiss' eyes fluttered open as she woke, looking around their dorm with a lazily drifting gaze as she rubbed her eyes and stretched her arms. As that gaze moved over to her Scroll the heiress picked it up and opened it, tapping the screen once to see the time. It was going on- Ten o'clock!? The Huntress tossed the device back on the dresser and rapidly went to change clothes, not seeing any of her teammates still in their beds. Did they leave and not wake her up? Did they even realize her assignment was due tomorrow?! Grumbling as she started to tie up her hair Weiss' head spun around as something bounced off of it. A small pink eraser..? Looking up would reveal-
"Already kicked them out. I didn't wake you because to be honest, you needed the time to sleep in."
"..*sigh* Thank you, Blake."
Weiss shook her head, grumbling again about how that was precious time lost for work causing Blake to throw her hands up and jump down from her partner's bed. Seeing her picking up a small white briefcase had the Cat Faunus wondering aloud if she was going somewhere, to which Weiss replied that she'd rather go back to the coffee shop. Get something to drink and just get out of their dorm in general. The place was getting to be too stuffy for her tastes.
In truth she simply wanted to avoid running into either of her other two teammates until she was done for the day, plus JNPR's shenanigans next door could distract her as well. Hearing the thud, and feeling it, of dumbbells hitting the floor as well as someone shouting about their toes only cemented this and with Blake in tow would walk out the door, throwing it shut behind her.
"So, what exactly is it you're working on?" Blake asked as they walked down the halls of the dormitories. She wouldn't receive an answer right away and in fact it seemed like Weiss hadn't heard her. Clearing her throat to get her attention she restated her question.
"Huh? Oh. Corporate management practices. At least for now. I have to know how to properly handle the people below me after all. I mean my employees."
"Of course."
"And I do mean properly. I am not going to run it like he does. As I've said before he was not the start of the company and I refuse to let him be the end of it. It can still be put back on the right track before he runs it into the ground. Although I can't deny he's been.. Successful. With the business."
"But at what cost?" An armor piercing question, one Weiss already knew the answer to. Blood. Tears. Innocent lives. Their reputation and image. Her entire life which was a lot crueler and oppressive than any child deserved.. A lot of Dust and Lien.. Though those last two were the least important to the heiress in her own opinion.
"One too high, but just you wait. As soon as he steps down, I'm stepping up, and I'm going to fix everything he managed to break." The woman gave her a fixated and adamant look before turning to face the doors ahead of them, shoving them open and proceeding into the lunch hall, almost running into someone as they prepared to do the opposite.
"Oh, my apologies."
"I wasn't paying attention, I'm- Sorry..?"
Weiss blinked, as did Blake at the strange male? before them. At least he sounded and somewhat looked like one. Tall, slender, dressed in a buckle-bedecked black tailcoat with tapering coattails, dress shoes, black trousers, and a turned up collar that provided a narrow view to pale skin and dark green eyes hiding behind purple hair and under a jet black tophat. The most noticeable details were the bullseyes painted on his cheeks, black eyeliner, and purple lipstick he sported. The man was shuffling a deck of cards sporting a branch of mistletoe on the back as he smiled at the two Huntresses, ceasing the action and doffing his hat for a moment.
"No worries dear, now if you'll excuse me.. Ah. Wait. Where is the Headmaster's office if I may trouble you for a moment?"
"In the adjacent building, out to the left." Blake answered, pointing towards the tower outside the auditorium. Silently gazing in that direction he nodded and again removed his hat, throwing the deck of cards inside and donning it once more. Adjusting it with his thumb and forefinger the strange Huntsman walked away, leaving the two to share confused looks before moving on as well.
"Aaaanyway. You really don't have to come with me if you don't want to." Weiss said as they walked, to which her teammate answered 'a promise is a promise'. "You technically never promised me anything though."
"I still said I'd help. Besides, I may not know anything about business management but you can at least bounce your thoughts off of me."
"And stay around where I can't sneak off to do the rest of this today, instead of relaxing like I should?" The two of them broke out into small chuckles at that, though the heiress was only joking that actually was something Blake had considered.
"Maybe. ..I'm only kidding!" She raised her hands defensively as she felt that cold trademark glare on her. Weiss smirked and pat her arm with the back of her hand. "I can tell you a few things I would do however if I were in charge of the SDC." Release all the Faunus wrongfully imprisoned and taken advantage of in their workforces for one.
"Well that's obvious, and yes you did say that out loud. Don't worry though, I'm not against the idea. In fact I'm all for it. The ones that do stay or in the future possibly come back? I'll make sure they get treated just like the rest of my employees. I'm going to make the company a discrimination free workplace."
"If only it was as easy as simply saying about it." The Cat Faunus huffed, crossing her arms. Her teammate didn't have a response for that so for the rest of the trek to her newly favored coffee shop she was silent. Both of them were for the most part save for small banter here and there.
...
*a short while later on the streets of Vale*
...
The city was relatively empty today, many feeling the nipping of winter's approach on their skin. Those that ventured outside today were bundled up just like the two females briskly pacing down the sidewalk. Blake much preferred a nice and sunny spot to curl up in, either to nap or to read a good book, and even for someone who specialized in Ice Dust enough was enough for the heiress. Together they headed for the cafe which to them was a haven of warmth and most importantly caffeine.
"Free at last, free at last, thank the gods almighty we are free at last." Blake chittered, wishing she had put more on her head than a simple bow. Even if the rest of her was adequately covered.
"Oh it's not that bad, quit whining."
"Easy for the ice queen to say."
"So through with you Blake."
"The cold never bothered you anyway?"
"So. Through."
Shaking her head Weiss pulled open the door, grinning as the scent of coffee beans and the heat of the interior washed over her. Gesturing for Blake to go in first she'd raise an eyebrow when she, well, didn't, and instead paused to seemingly stare off into space. "I thought you were freezing your tail off. ..Hello, Remnant to Blake!"
"Huh? Oh, right. Sorry. Yeah let's go."
Blake gave a short jog inside, Weiss quickly following her as the door shut with a ringing of its bells.
...
*a few minutes later*
...
After ordering themselves each something hot to drink and a light snack to share they'd buckled down and gotten to work, diligently focused on their assignments. Technically Weiss' assignment but Blake had meant it when she'd said she'd help. Plus if meant finishing sooner then that was more time she had for other things like making up with Ruby and getting some well earned rest tonight.
They were doing so pretty efficiently as well. The heiress had to admit that having someone to go over her work with her was actually helping more than she thought. She even jokingly offered Blake a job as a receptionist at some point which earned her an eyeroll and a scoff along with a sarcastic 'I'll think about it'.
"Well I could really use someone in Faunus relations, at least until everything is smoothed out and it won't be necessary."
"Somehow I think that they'd be more likely to listen to someone who isn't working for the SDC, but that's just me."
"Not every Faunus hates our guts you know. Just a lot of them. If my plan works and I can really turn this ship around, I think a lot of that will die down." Weiss affirmed, casually pointing a pen in her direction.
"True. I think such a radical change will at least change how a lot of people view the SDC since you plan on making a campaign out of it. ..Hey, Weiss. Can I ask you something?" Blake slid both the briefcase and the papers on the table, as well as everything else, out of the way and locked eyes with her.
"Sure?" Weiss responded, clicking and setting down her pen. She sounded serious..
"Umm.. About the whole situation with Ruby, I wanted to know-"
"I promise, at some point today I will drag myself away from work and go find her. *sigh* As important as this is, our friendships are even moreso. So what if my assignment is late. If my father doesn't like it, he can deal with it."
"Then why pressure yourself like this?" A quiet question it was, and a forlorn Weiss gave an equally quiet answer. Until he died, Weiss' appointment to head of the company was entirely in his hands and he could hold on to that position if he so chose. That little walk she'd taken last night gave her some time to think though, for as much as she wanted his job and the power to make things right sooner rather than later who knew how far he could drive it into the ground in the meantime?
On the other hand, what then when she did take the reins? She might have even less time to spend with her friends than she did now, and as much as she desired to cleanse her family name her friendships forged at Beacon were worth just as much if not more than even that. Essentially the heiress was torn between her future and her present obligations, and wanted desperately to try and fulfill them both.
"..It's really important to you isn't it?" Blake finally asked, breaking what had been a solemn silence.
"It is. But you all are important to me too. ... ..You know what? Let's stop for now. I want to go find Ruby. We can finish this later or in the morning."
Blake smiled and nodded her head. "Finally, you're starting to make some sense. I thought I'd have to get Yang to twist your arm like she did mine."
"Oh I'd do it too." Someone called from beside them, munching away at a buttery crescent roll they'd taken while they were distracted.
"You are such a-"
"Brute? Baboon? Buffoon? Barbarian? Got any new ones?"
Weiss tried but she couldn't restrain a giggle, eyes widening as she started glancing about the cafe. "Is Ruby-"
"Hey Weiss."
Her body instantly chilled for a split second as her hands turned white, grasping the edge of the table when she stood up to meet the one who greeted her. Ruby Rose had apparently come with Yang to the cafe as well and to the ignorance of both she and Weiss Blake snatched Yang up and nearly dragged her a few feet away.
"What are you doing?" The Cat Faunus hissed.
"Speeding up the process. I heard from Team CFVY that she's been hangin' around here lately instead of the dorm so I thought I'd bring my lil' sis by. See if you two snuck off here." Yang shrugged, beaming and looking towards the two Huntresses. So far they were still awkwardly staring at eachother and remaining silent, the shorter of the two holding something up to her scarfed collar. "I know you two have probably been hard at work but from what it sounded like we came just in time."
"Lucky guess. I- Wait. How long..?"
"Since you tried to get Blake to be a desk lady." Facepalm. "I get that Weiss has been about as inattentive as Ruby on sugar but you? C'mon. What're you so fixated on the ice queen for?" A wink and an elbow nudge had Blake groaning and pushing away at the blonde.
"It's not like that. I'm just really worried. Before today she was a wreck, and she couldn't even realize it. Today though she's been a lot easier to deal with."
"Probably because you finally tore her away from her freakin' project to take care of herself." Yang snipped, her eyes flashing red for a mere second. Always the team mom with that one.. Though she was more of the caring but tough one than the naggy one.
"And you see she's improved." Blake motioned towards her and Ruby with a tilt of her head. Then, following Yang's stare would prod her chest with a forefinger. "But what about you? Why are you so bent on trying to take care of Weiss, hmm?"
"H-Hey I did the same for you, I just don't like seeing any of my friends stuck in a rut. Especially Ruby, I mean she's precious to me y'know and I'm gonna stick on Weiss' case until she fixes this mess." That made sense enough, except.. Her cheeks were slightly pink. With her being a walking human radiator it certainly wasn't from the cold so that meant-
"Oooh my god. I was only teasing Yang. Don't tell me you seriously have a-" Before she could finish the blonde shoved her up against the wall, a hand over her mouth. ..That got a few curious looks but she ignored them.
"If you say a single word I'll stuff you in a tuna can and mail you to Vacuo. Capiche?" Blake quickly nodded. Letting out a hefty sigh Yang released her and glanced over her shoulder.
"How.. Why.. I don't-"
"I kinda ask myself the same thing but I just can't explain it." She shrugged, ignoring the fish-like way her partner was trying to mouth words that wouldn't come out. Finally she shook her head and moved on from the subject. Which lingered in the back of her mind like a knot in one's hair.
"Anyway. We were just about to go find Ruby. Otherwise you probably would have gotten yourself frozen solid."
"Yeah yeah. Just watch. I had a little talk with her on the way over."
"So, umm.. How've you been?" Weiss asked, rubbing the back of her head.
"Good. Good.. ..Yourself?" Ruby asked in return, gently rocking on the balls of her feet.
"..Not great apparently, but I'm getting better." A few seconds of tense silence later. "Look, Ruby, I know I screwed up-"
"Yeah you did." The brunette cut in, looking down towards her feet.
"-but I'm sorry. You didn't deserve to be lashed at. I'm sorry that I treated you like that."
"That makes two of us." Again with the cutting.
"Weiss, I know things have been tense for you between school and all of this fancy heiress stuff but as I'm pretty sure Blake and Yang have told you, you need to slow down. So I thought I'd invite you to a little something, maybe it'd help you unwind." The object she was clutching to her collar was held out and put into Weiss' hands. That was the thing from before. Some kind of sealed envelope. While she was busy staring at it Ruby continued.
"I tried to give it to you yesterday but you kinda went off on me and threw it in the trash after I left." Ouch.
"Ruby I didn't. I wasn't even aware you put it there. I was just so frustrated with everything and-"
"Yeah you weren't paying attention. You haven't been for the past few weeks." The little brunette's tone was starting to get bitter, and her eyes were filling with annoyance. No no no, why was she getting upset again? She knew Weiss wouldn't really have done something like that on purpose. ..Would she? Despite everything Ruby couldn't stop the rising venom in herself.
"Because I've been working, in case YOU haven't been paying attention for the past few weeks!"
"And it's more important than your team? Your friends? Your partner who by the way has been worried sick about you?"
"What would you know? This is my future I'm working on! Of course you're important too but I-"
"You have a funny way of showing it!" And thus things began to boil over.
"Yaaaaang." Blake looked at her own partner with a growing worried expression as tempers flared and voices rose. Fast too. It looked like Weiss wasn't the only one with pent up stress and emotions.
"Dammit. This is not going as planned.." She said. As Ruby and Weiss went from talking to flat out arguing Yang started walking towards them, ready to try and defuse the situation she indirectly brought about.
rooby weis wat u doin stahp
Uuuugh women. ..Nora said it, not me. So things are rapidly going downhill. This isn't good.
What IS good though is TWO chapters in a row (one a day, one after the other FYI). Say whaaaat? *holds hand up to ear for echo* Though don't expect another chapter until Sunday at the earliest. Busy weekend y'know. POSSIBLY Monday. I might take another short break or I might not. Getting back into the Pokeymanz again. Speaking of which, Sun and Moon is officially slated for a November release. And if the RWBY Hiatus Countdown is right we have about five months until the premiere! Wooo! Get hyped.
Still giving thought as to what I might post next. Maybe something with our resident Bullhead pilot Jack Fonar (from The Royal Test) and his team, possibly a GrimmLord, for a short handful-of-chapters-shot. Or perhaps a friendship/humor oneshot I've been thinking about involving Weiss, Yang, and puns. I know I want to work on that Miraculous Ladybug oneshot but now my motivation for it has petered out. ..I couldn't think of a better way to word it at the moment okay.
Anyway, see you guys next time!
Inspectre Offline.
