Chapter 4: Unwanted Interest

Back at it again with a new chapter! It's been a LONG time since updating a new chapter and I hope that this doesn't happen later on in the future, since college is a lot of work going on (though it probably will). Now, I know this may be a little slowly paced and pretty late again, but worry not! This chapter and definitely the next chapter are where plot will really take form. It should work out in the end, if I don't screw it up... which hopefully is unlikely. Man, I suck at scheduling.

Enjoy people.

The elevator doors open up, the air from within the room the two occupants arrived at filling up their space with a chilling, yet appreciated feeling of calm. The room itself was visually appealing to the eyes, both in the color scheme of the different shades of green and brown with gear designs etched into the floor and more so of the movement of all the gears that decorated the walls and ceiling. On both sides of the wall from where they arrived in the elevator, one large semicircle, hollowed out leading up to the edge of the oculus to the floor, which both contain various sizes of gears and cogs as well as on the ceiling, moving in unison to one another for reasons that are unknown.

At the end of the room was a large desk, structurally sound with strong legs in deep black with a curved translucent table top with a light blue hue. Behind the desk was an extremely unique chair one wouldn't necessarily see or find in a local furniture store. The back of the chair similar to that of a spine with the legs also of unique design with small, green circular indents in them. A large window taking up the entire wall with the broad majority view of the academy in all its glory. At the window, looking down at the mentioned view with a mug of presumably coffee in his right hand, was the very man in charge of the academy and the one Embrah was there to discuss his current situation, his silhouette a solid shadow thanks to the sun's rays going against him, filling the room.

The woman walks out the elevator up towards where the man stands. She stops halfway however, as the young man she has been told to meet with and bring to the Headmaster was standing in the space between the elevator and the room.

Embrah himself had started to make his way as well before actually seeing the man he has heard so much about sometimes in his life, with great regard, and what he saw made him hesitate and wary. Around the man through his eyes, Embrah can see how Ozpin is one of the best Huntsmen out there. The very presence of him being in the same room was enough to tell the young man of his stature but was even more so with the way his aura was presented around him. It's like it had a steady flow around his body, moving like the current of a river, smooth and with an abundance of seemingly never-ending experience coming off of him, the green of his aura fitting the atmosphere of his person. Yet at the same time, there was also a flicker of something merged within it. Embrah didn't know what it was and couldn't find out at the moment since mere seconds after, it was gone as fast as it came.

"Young man," The woman says impatiently, snapping him out of his thoughts. "It's quite rude of you to make one wait."

Ozpin turns and walks back into the room where the light reaches just about, his silver hair and sharp looks not helping to determine his actual age range. His eyes trail over Embrah's tense frame, looking him over carefully as he nonchalantly sips from his mug.

"Come now Glynda, it's alright for him to be somewhat cautious. He is standing in one of the most esteemed academies in Remnant and before the Headmaster in charge. It's a natural reaction to feel a bit wary. Truth be told, so am I. It's not every day Qrow calls in and tells us that he's sending a visitor from places unknown to my knowledge at that moment. I'm hoping that you would help explain it more thoroughly than Qrow, or in his case, barely try to do."

Embrah was still a bit heedful about what he saw (or could barely make out of), but nonetheless, he psyched himself up and walked into the room, slowly letting go of the feeling and standing in front of the desk facing the older man. "I was told that coming here would probably help me with my own problem and I've pretty much run out of options at the moment. I'll answer all your questions to the best of my ability."

Ozpin hums and takes another sip from his mug. "I glad to hear that and I hope to learn more about your circumstance, Mr..."

"Embr..." He cut himself short. Up to this point, he's never told anyone else his whole name, even to Balder and the two kits in the village. Always on a first name basis. Him telling others about his given name doesn't mean anything as he has no qualms about saying it, even more so if not more with his surname. But it still is important to keep his name, amongst other personal things confidential, as even though it won't really cause himself much trouble if he keeps a low profile, it may not be the same case as others he has encountered along his travels. As a precaution, he's made sure that there were other individuals with a name that were as similar to his possible, so as to hide in plain view and to not worry about any unwanted encounters – some in more ways than one.

But now, being in the presence of the esteemed Professor Ozpin makes him hesitate on the matter. It shouldn't be like this. He has no problem telling anyone else just his first. But either due to the significance of meeting the man that he has heard so much of in person or the fact that the man has this insoluble feeling to him, Embrah feels that whatever it is, it's going to be a driving point later in the unforeseen future of his troubles.

Embrah blinks after hearing the sound of someone's throat being cleared and looks up to see the man himself looking at him, yet again sipping from the mug with an arched brow, and to the woman who has her arms crossed, a scowl directed towards him, riding crop in hand. He really thought it was just his mind veering off again when he saw that thing.

"Oh! It's Bridger. Embrah Bridger. Sorry about that."

"It's quite alright." Ozpin chuckles watching the young man scratching the back of his head. "As long as we understand the path of this meeting, I'm sure we can up with some sort of solution to your dilemma. Please, have a seat."

Embrah was about to say there wasn't anywhere for him to do so, only for the professor to point to a chair in front of his desk. 'Pretty sure that wasn't there before.' He walks over and sits down on the surprisingly comfortable piece of furniture.

The Headmaster sits in his own chair, setting his mug down and crosses his fingers on the desk with Glynda standing next to him. "Now it may be redundant to say this now, but it's in the form of pleasantries and duty to do so. As you know, my name is Professor Ozpin, Headmaster of Beacon Academy and next to me is Professor Goodwitch, assistant Headmistress and combat specialist instructor. We were sent word of your arrival by a field agent of mine, Qrow Branwen, who seems to be interested in you enough to make this meeting happen," Ozpin leans back in his chair, his expression changing from mild-mannered to a man with a gaze that can cut through an Ursa with ease, his attention entirely focused on the young man in front of him. "And I intend to see why is this so."

Embrah, although unfazed by the shift of persona, still sat up straighter to address the man.

"I've been traveling across a good portion of Remnant for around two years now, and now those travels bought me to meeting Qrow - my "stalker" - which then, in turn, bought me here. But the decision to travel wasn't about seeing the sights, but more along the lines of escape."

A small smirk appeared upon Ozpin's face when he heard what Embrah addressed Qrow as since it isn't completely off for his personality, both in the field and out, but it was quickly wiped off when hearing more into the story.

"Now, I'm not saying I was a prisoner or anything like that, but it was for different circumstances. It wasn't something I was really supposed to do, but in that instance, I had no other choice. So..." Embrah stopped once more, still unsure of whether or not to tell the man in front of him about his previous placement or how he would react.

"Mr. Bridger," Ozpin leans forward, placing his elbows on the desk with his hands folded. "I've been told by Qrow that what you will tell me would be something I'd consider of great interest – it's one of the reasons I agreed to this meeting – but if it is one that you are unable to reveal for any reason, there is no need for you to do so. I won't force your hand in any way."

Now, this complicates things even more. Embrah has learned from both training and personal experience that when hearing one say that they would be letting certain pieces of information go is a plethora of unwanted, and at most times morbid, events that can occur in ways no one could even begin to comprehend. Keeping information from people, especially when they are in a position of power, is a sure-fire way of causing massive amounts of damage in many degrees, from physical and mental harm to the body, though not necessarily to the one withholding, but more to the people connected to them to financially destroying businesses to the point of certain bankruptcy. Being cautious in revealing information of any kind is something that has been drilled into him to being hazardous yet crucial, barring his own name.

But now, he doesn't have any other options other than receiving the opinion from this well-known individual who may or may not make his situation take a turn for the better. It would also come across as rude and a major waste of time for both parties, as he shouldn't do this to the professor. But if and when he needs to and when it comes to the point of regret...

A breath. Another.

"I was a member of the Yōsuru Clan."

In less than a second, Embrah immediately found himself being pinned against the far wall beside the elevator, his eyes having Ozpin still in sight through his peripherals, as most of his attention was directed at Goodwitch, her hand gripping the riding crop that was covered in a violet glow pointed directly at him and a fierce glare boring onto him. He did not try to move, as attempting to do so would most likely end up with him in a more unwanted position. Instead, he opts to relax his body as much as he can, despite the crushing force behind the attack.

"I can't believe Qrow would do something as foolish as this," The Headmistress's words biting at the young man, filled with acid. "Of all the asinine, incompetent things he's done in his life, this is by far the worst thing he has successfully done."

"Professor Goodwitch..."

"Ozpin, he sent an assassin to our academy, from one of the worst groups in Remnant no less!" She cuts him off. "There is no reason not send this degenerate killer to the authorities."

"Glynda," This time she stopped and looked at the Headmaster, his eyes concentrated on her own with a calm expression. "I know there are times that the things involving his actions can be questionable at most times, but they all had the means of furthering our sake of keeping the world as safe as possible. If he sent this young man despite knowing of his origin, then I must trust his judgment on this matter."

"But sir..." Glynda bit her lip in frustration, knowing that even though in her experience Ozpin may be more than too lenient with some of the things the drunkard does, but it is a known fact that she herself has made of Qrow pulling through with his expeditions of Remnant, helping stop crimes and assassinations in many regions, preventing future problems to manifest.

Reluctantly, she lowered Embrah to the ground – himself feeling much looser and able to relieve some of the tense pain through stretching – her caution not in the slightest diminished.

"Come now, please take a seat." Ozpin addresses the man once more. "I apologize for my colleague's behavior."

Embrah walks back over and sits down on the chair, seemingly unfazed by what just happened.

"Now I don't condone just attacking my guests based on background and occupation nor do I expect my colleagues to do any sort of aggression towards them as well. However, while I don't want to express the need to act in any way that may cause any conflict, I would have to agree with Professor Goodwitch's reaction and must be cautious as well for the well-being of both the academy and its occupants."

Embrah tenses in his seat hearing this but makes no move, Ozpin making note of this.

"As she stated, any encounter with any criminal must be met with the intention of capture and detain. However, I will still listen to whatever this meeting is heading towards for the sake of trust I have for my operative. Now, will you continue with the discussion and hope that whatever you say in the next moments would be beneficial to yourself as well as to my own. I wouldn't want this to end in an unfortunate conclusion."

The tension was one of familiarity to Embrah – oddly nostalgic – that made the next words he says to be thought out thoroughly and spoken with complete honesty. 'Hopefully, they won't think too bad of me.' Embrah thought, the stares of both the other occupants in the room making his confidence waver just slightly, mostly from the stern Headmistress. '…Or hopefully, Ozpin wouldn't.'

/-/

The evening glow of the sun setting on the academy leaves a subtle mellow ambiance in the air, the time when students head over to their dorms and await the next day of classes, ready to drive through lectures and combat. Although many were getting ready to call in for the day, two individuals were positioned across from Beacon Tower, sitting or leaning against the wall of a building, one holding a duffel bag attentively while the other was fiddling with a strand of her golden hair, occasionally sighing and glancing at the tower.

"You know Rubes, I'm all up for waiting with my baby sis to give this guy his stuff back since it's our fault that it's like this and he's not bad looking either, but you know we could just give them to a staff member to give to him for us instead of us waiting for like, two hours. I'm surprised that I'm waiting as long as I have been doing now. It's a new record for me."

Yang glances down at the younger girl, herself quite worried for her sister since handing over that sword to her hours earlier. As soon as the weapon was given to her, the small girl has been acting strange since then and has opted to stay and wait until Embrah showed up, the name thankfully mentioned to them by Blake as to not just address him as 'the dude I punched/who got punched', and not wanting her to do so alone Yang stayed with her. But the atmosphere around her made the whole thing unusually uncomfortable.

"You know," Yang started. "You've been pretty quiet and that's actually weirding me out that you're like this. Are you ok?"

Ruby blinks and looks up at her, a smile on her face. "Oh, sorry. I'm fine. Just kinda thinking about something."

"Oh, well… you mind telling me?" Yang shifts down to a sitting position next to her. "I'm not gonna pry or anything if you don't want to, but…"

"Oh no! It's alright." Ruby waves her arm, not wanting to suggest that she didn't want any interaction. "I've just been having this feeling of… something. I don't know for sure but it felt uneasy."

"When you held the sword?"

"Yeah," Their attention directed towards the duffel in Ruby's arms, the object in question residing within. "It's just been on my mind ever since and I can't stop thinking about it. I just have this antsy feeling about it."

She sighed, knowing that this feeling won't be gone within a matter of hours or days on its own. Herself a person who has a fruitful passion for mechanical weaponry and who always take the time to inspect any weapon she could get her hands on, whether it was to make improvements to ones like her Crescent Rose and to anyone who were willing to let her or to see and fawn over others' weapons – which still includes her own, sometimes in a way to where many would call it a "borderline strange yet healthy obsession" for her future line of work as a Huntress.

But it was because of the overexposure to so many over the years that Ruby was able to not only know how mecha-shift weapons with all their individual parts work but also know how each weapon, in her own terms "share the connection with their owner." She was repeatedly teased about this by her sister many times over, who sometimes stated that she would one day find ways to have both owner and weapon make sweet, oily copulation with each other, whatever that meant.

In this case, when she had in sword in her hands, she felt something within the weapon that made her feel uneasy, like it had some sort of pull about it. Not something that affected her but just enough that she noticed it. And it made it seem like it wanted something as well, and it made her feel slightly nauseous, enough that she immediately put the weapon back in the bag before her sister could try to "inspect for damage" and decided to wait for the owner. Maybe it was because it wasn't her own or if it was something she couldn't understand at time of it happening, but it didn't really try doing anything with her. And this also has her attention on the one who possesses ownership of the sword, although she isn't one to try and pry her way into things. That's Yang's specialty.

Nevertheless, it confused her and made her wonder more than it should have, and she knows it.

"It just didn't feel right and I don't think I'd want to do anything that might, I don't know, mess something up with it." She sighs looking down at the bag containing the weapon.

"Well, not that I can understand how it is with drooling over gears and motors, but you know that I'll be here if you need me. Always will be." Yang threw her arm around her, causing a giggle to escape her lips.

"Thanks, Yang," Ruby blinks. "Hey! I don't drool over them!"

"You keep telling yourself that little sis." Yang laughs, ruffling her hair earning a very cute pout in return.

The sound of doors opening brought the two sisters' attention to the tower they were staking out. Embrah walks out into the open air, moving his head in a sweeping motion as if looking for something. He then immediately turns over to their location, a look of recognition on his face when he sees them or one of them at least.

"Ah, finally he shows himself," Yang stands to stretch with Ruby in tow, herself watching him heading towards them. "Took him long enough. I'm about ready to catch some Zzz right now."

"Yang, you could've been doing that this entire time while we were waiting."

"And miss re-meeting this guy to find out how he was able to brush off my strike like it was nothing? Not today."

"I knew that was the real reason you stuck around!" Ruby exclaimed in a huff.

"Hey, that's not true! I stayed cause I couldn't leave my cute little sister alone."

"I'm not little! I'm growing bigger you know since I drin-"

"Yeah, I know. You drink milk. You know it's not gonna help with everything. If anything, you should eat more in variety than just eating cookies all the time. Then you'd be able to grow like me, or close enough."

"Well I hope your ready cause in a couple of years, I'll surpass you and you'll forfeit victory!"

Yang crosses her arms in amusement at the prospect of her losing at anything to Ruby, especially in the body department. That won't happen anytime soon.

"You can keep dreaming on that fact." She chuckles, patting her head.

Ruby growls, wiggling out from underneath the hand and giving her a defiant look. "Just you wait Yang Xiao Long. One day I will have you beat and it will be glorious!"

"Challenge accepted Ruby Rose!" Yang replied, both staring each other down.

"Ahem."

Both sisters jump in surprise and look over to the young man they were waiting for, who was standing in mirth at the conversation he was witnessing.

"Wasn't expecting to see this when trying to find my bag, though not at all unpleased with the entertainment that was provided."

Ruby stands there in embarrassment and tried to hide behind her sister, who herself was trying to hold back a smile at the attempt.

"I see a familiar face who had a nice connection of my own face with their fist," Now it was Yang's turn to blush in embarrassment at the mention of her actions that happened hours before. "Plus, one I haven't seen before. May I ask these individuals for their titles, if that's no issue?"

Hearing to be addressed upon, Ruby immediately appeared behind her sisters' back and stood in front of him. "Sorry about that. Name's Ruby, first-year and leader of team RWBY. And before you say anything, yes, it is a bit confusing at times. And this here is Yang. She's also part of the team. And the other two that you probably met before are as well."

"Leader?" Embrah asks.

"Yup!" Yang links her arm around Ruby's shoulders with a grin on her face. "Only 15 and she's already breaking records as the youngest to attend and lead a team at Beacon. I couldn't be prouder."

"Anyway," Ruby breaks off from under the hold once again and walks up to him with his bag in her arms. "I think this is yours. You kinda left back at the courtyard when you were, uh, busy with other things."

"Thank you for that," He reaches down and receives back his duffel from its previous holder. "I would be in a pretty bad spot if I'd lost anything in here."

"It's no problem, Embrah. It's our fault you lost it in the first place. Just doing what's right." Ruby replied meekly, more along the lines that her team, or a member, caused this problem.

She was totally going to chew Yang out on this one later.

"Mm," Embrah rests his bag over his shoulder looking at the both of them. "Don't remember telling either of you my name before."

"Oh, we got it from one of our teammates. You know the one with the black hair, right?" Yang spoke up for the explanation.

"Ah, you mean Blake. Yes, I remember her. She seems like a good person." He says with a smile.

"Ha, of course! Best partner a gal can have," Yang leans in with an impish-like smirk. "Keep an open mind if you're interested though, as there might be someone out there to see just what you're made of."

Embrah tilts his head in confusion. "Oh, who and in what way?"

Smirk turning into a grin, Yang walks up to him, crossing her arms and stopping in front of him in a confident stance. "Yours truly and in a fight."

"Fight? For what reason?"

"Because you pretty much brushed off my punch that was supposed to give ya a nice shiner, yet here you are, looking all clean and bruise free… again sorry about that again."

Embrah holds back a chuckle at her apology, even after the fact he had told Blake that it was fine. He bows in front of both sisters, causing both of them to have a similar surprised reaction he had seen previous times before as the most recent was the dark-haired girl that helped him. "I appreciate the thought of a spar with someone as strong as yourself, but I'm afraid that I must decline your offer. I don't really have the time at the moment nor do I think it'll be wise for me to do so now of all times. But I will still like to thank you for bringing me my bag to me. One day, I will give you that spar, I can promise you that."

Yang hums at the gesture of basically denying her a fight but didn't say much more of it since while she is known for messing with people she just met, he's still someone that she's just met that day. So right now, she'll accept the thought of their fight for another time.

"That's all fine and dandy, Em. I'm a girl who can wait."

"Em?" He raises his head at his abruptly given nickname.

"Yeah well, your name isn't really one that's common," Ruby nods in agreement to that. "So, I called you in something I'll be able to get used to."

"Huh." Embrah thinks it over and decides that for now, it's something that she can get by with saying. "It's fine of you to want to call me that, though I would appreciate it if you'd change it to something else if you get the chance to."

Yang laughs. "Don't worry about that. I'm pretty good at getting that right name for the person."

"I'll hold you on to that. You might have the chance to give me another and maybe get a true fight with me. Though the way that it's been done is just…" Embrah sighs in frustration with his implications of further interactions.

"Uh, what do you mean? Is there something wrong?" Ruby asked.

"Well, no but…"

"He doesn't have the time to address his current state at this time, Miss Rose."

Embrah sighs as both sisters look past him to see Glynda walking towards them with a scroll in hand.

"As right now our guest has somewhere else to be." She spoke with clear disdain, confusing them. "Come now, Mr. Bridger. We still have matters to attend to." She turns and walks away from them, heels clicking along the ground at a rapid pace.

"I believe I should stay right near her less I unleash her wrath on me." Embrah adjusts the strap on his shoulder and turns to follow Glynda. "I may see you both sooner than later, I suppose. Until then, I've enjoyed our conversation."

Ruby smiles and waves. "Guess we'll see you."

"Yeah, and don't get any ideas on thinking of finding a way to avoid your beatdown." Yang warns, a smile on her face that shows no ill will.

He waves his hand at them and jogged to catch up to the professor.

"Now that that's over, it's time to get some well-deserved sleep." Yang stretches her arms behind her back. "The weekend flew by way too fast for me."

"Oh shoot, I forgot to ask him about the sword." Ruby facepalms at her mistake, surprising Yang.

"I thought you didn't want to have anything to do with it."

"Well yeah, I don't wanna mess with it, but I still want to know the story behind it. I'm also kinda curious about him too."

Yang wraps her arm around the younger girl, leading her towards the dorms. "Well, maybe you'll have a chance one day to explore your upbringing to a young lady. But for now, let's get some sleep."

Ruby sneers at her, but then holds a smile on her face that breaks Yang's joking and causes suspicion in her. "What's with that look?"

"Oh, I'm just remembering that you might not get to early as you wanted. But I'm sure Weiss will keep you company in lecturing you into the night."

"Ugh. Crap."

Ah, displeasured moaning from the normally teasing blonde bombshell was music to the young reaper's ears.

/-/

Ozpin sits at his desk, his chair turned facing the window looking at the sunset of the day's end, his ever-present mug resting on his desk, untouched after the meeting he had with the young man, who had some very interesting things to say that, on a personal level, Ozpin himself can relate to. Although, it was an even more of a surprise at the mention of his previous position within the clan that made the experienced Huntsman think of some matters he's had in the past, and that maybe he might be able to correct them to an extent. Just didn't think it would one day walk up to his front door.

"Embrah Bridger. I myself don't have the answer to what you may be after nor do I have the means of truly helping you. But even so, I will try to make it so you won't have to do it all on your own. This may be pushing it a bit considering what you have told us, but I have a proposition that you may think about. I will leave it up to you whether or not you accept it." Ozpin thinks back to that conversation and chuckles to himself.

"This may turn out to where it may bite me in the back," He gets up and grabs his mug heading towards the elevators. "But I'll see to it that that won't happen without any precaution. Hopefully, he'll be able to see the better aspect of it."

And with that, and the sound of the doors opening, he enters and heads down.

And there goes another chapter. I apologize for the lack of chapter for the last three months, procrastination is strong in me, but I should be able to get the next one out a bit faster than this one.

With that, I'm out.