Had a little panic attack when I realised I forgot to put anything in about the arrival of the Atlas fleet so that was a fun moment because I had forgotten the timeline but I got it now, it's all good.
~§~
~a few hours before the end of last chapter~
"So what now?" Asked Yang
"What do you mean?" Asked Blake
"Well, we have literally no leads except for operations down south and the assessment missions aren't on till after the dance so what do we do now, relax?" She suggested as she looked in concern at the bags under Blake's eyes.
"No. We can't have time to relax!" exclaimed Blake "We still have one more lead"
"We do?" Asked RWY
"Tanith an-"
Weiss huffed and rolled her eyes while Ruby tilted her head and Yang just stared with a 'really?' expression.
"-Elster. They have been regularly going into Vale every two days-"
"So? Lots of people have regular business in Vale" Said Weiss
"But they always go to this suburb house! Always" explained Blake
"And how do you know this?" Asked Yang
Blake avoided their gazes as she looked down sheepishly "When I was in town a few days ago to and get maintenance on my weapon… I bumped into them at the weapon store and I… followed them"
"You did what!" Exclaimed Weiss even though she had heard.
"It was a heat of the moment decision but they went to this suburb house, I've followed them a few other times and it's always been that house" explained Blake.
"So they might have been visiting relatives" said Yang
"I caught Elster wandering around taking photos of the campus!" Blake said though she was staring to sound desperate. "Didn't you say that if I was still suspicious that we would look into it"
Silence reigned as Weiss and Yang shuffled about awkwardly, not making eye contact. Ruby had a determined look on her face.
"Yes" said Ruby as she stood up "if you want to look into this Blake, then we'll help, like we promised to"
"I… suppose I can help" Said Weiss reserved then suddenly arrogant and confident "a Schnee never goes back on her word"
"Your stuck with us Blakey" chirped Yang
Blake was taken aback at their sudden willingness but simply smiled happily that they trusted her.
"So should we confront them now or?" Yang trailed off
"No, Elster is likely dangerous and while I'm sure the four of us could take her there's too much risk behind it. But if we go for Tanith we could easily overpower her if the need be" said Blake
"Alright so we tail her until an opportunity presents itself" said Ruby
"Guys" Weiss suddenly piped up "What do we do if this doesn't work out? What if this is all a bunch of coincidences?" She asked
"Then I'll take responsibility" said Ruby confidently
"What? No! This was my idea I should be the one to take the blame!" Said Blake
"Nope" said Ruby "I'm leader and you're my responsibility meaning that I'm the reason we're doing this if it goes wrong"
"But-"
"Now lets go and investigate!" She exclaimed as she zipped out the room.
"But-"
"She as no idea where we're going" sighed Weiss as she quickly set off after her
"Wait-"
"Look Blake" started Yang "Ruby is determined so if she is set on doing this then she's doing it. She's stubborn like that" shrugged Yang as she walked toward the door before then suddenly turning round- her eyes red "But if this all goes wrong and Ruby gets expelled. I will hold you accountable" and she calmly walked out the room leaving a terrified Blake.
~§~
The figure stayed in front of her for several seconds without doing anything. Behind her she heard footsteps and knew she was surrounded.
"Well this is awkward" Tanith finally decided upon as she desperately thought of a way out of the situation. "Because I know your hallucinations so whatever your trying to pull isn't going to work" she really hoped they were hallucinations.
The figure in front of her showed no reaction but "w-what? No! We're not hallucinations!" Said a different oddly familiar voice from somewhere behind her.
Perfect! the figure said 'we're' confirming multiple persons "Really? That's just what a hallucination would say" she said suspicious as she tried to hide the growing dread from the realisation that she was surrounded and there was no way out.
"We are not Hallucinations!" Exclaimed the same familiar voice from behind. She hesitantly looked over her shoulder and saw another two figures, the only real thing she could see in the dim ally was white and yellow which didn't really help. She turned back to the original figure who was now joined by a red figure.
"All right then" Said Tanith defeated "What do you want?" She asked cautiously as she turned slightly so she could keep an eye on the two behind her.
"We want information" Said one of the figures. It's voice familiar.
"On what? Bullhead aerodynamics? Bullhead maintenance? How to-"
"We want white fang locations" interrupted one of the figures. The black one judging by the way it took a step forward.
"Cool. Why have you come to me then?" Asked Tanith confused as she looked between the figures. Red, White, Black and yellow… why was that so very familiar?
"Because we suspect you of working closely with them" said one of the figures, she couldn't tell which.
"Oh… so all Faunus are members of the white fang now are they?" Asked Tanith disapprovingly as she racked her brain for why they were so familiar
"W-what? No! It's just you've been acting really suspicious and-" That voice was very familiar and unforgettable.
"Ruby?" Questioned Tanith
"Ugh… N-no! I've never heard that name before!" Spluttered the girl, her speaking still confirming her identity even though she tried to put on a deep voice.
"So then. Ruby and your… Blake" Tanith pointed and turned to the other two "And you two must be Weiss and Yang"
Silence reigned throughout the ally.
"Awkward" Yang sang quietly
"Why ar-… what is…. What are you doing?" Asked Tanith as she struggled for words as she glanced between them.
"Look. Are you working for the white fang?" Asked Blake as she stepped forward.
"No" said Tanith shaking her head
"Is someone you know being held hostage by them?" Asked Blake forcefully
"No"
"What about that house you keep visiting?"
Tanith turned to her sharply "Have you been following me and Elster?" She asked a hint of anger and indignation in her voice.
"Why aren't you answering the question?" Asked Blake suspiciously as her hand twitched in a way that showed she was resisting going for her weapon.
"Because it's private and I don't need to tell you shit" said Tanith glaring.
"Is it a White fang operation"
Tanith remained silent but her fists were shaking in anger.
"Is Elster really your girlfri-"
"Blake? So far the last two days have been pretty shit for me. I woke up yesterday with a pain in my scars and am then rushed to hospital to be told I have a condition that could kill me unless I take some medication" Tanith had been slowly walking forwards toward the now cowering form of Ruby and Blake who was holding her ground "I then go and get horribly drunk and my girlfriend Elster finds me. I'm then hungover and sick, after that me and Elster talk which is interrupted by voices in my head telling me some pretty nasty things" Tanith was by now standing in front of Blake.
"So here you come along and begin accusing me of working for a corrupt terrorist organisation. I'm fine with that, really I am because I have evidence to back up all my claims" she shook her head "No I can deal with all that. But given the day I've been having if you fucking finish that sentence, I promise you will regret it" by this point she was breathing heavily. "So what gives you the right to come down here and swing around these accusations?"
There was a small silence as everyone watched in anticipation.
"Well, you were being really suspicious" said Yang half heartedly
"I was suspicious back at that lesson you gave about Bullhead safety when she was in the shadows of the room. Then she appeared at forever fall without being in the bullhead during transit. Then during the docks incident you had a plain bullhead similar to the white fang ones and scars on your face from a crash which look more like claw marks and you've been regularly heading out to a small house in the suburbs" listed off Blake.
Tanith nodded slowly before sidestepping Blake and continuing down the ally.
Blake snapped round and reached for her "Wait! where are you-"
Tanith turned round with a glare that stopped all of them "I'm going back to beacon, if any of you try to stop me I will be reporting this incident to Ozpin. As for the information, I will be consulting with my girlfriend because that is personal information that affects us both and doesn't need to go public. We will decide whether we tell you or not. I will contact you and not the other way around. Are we clear?" She said in a voice last cold as Atlas.
Ruby eagerly nodded while Weiss and Yang nodded more cautiously and Blake simply narrowed her eyes.
Tanith turned and looked Blake straight in the eye. "If I find out you are following me anywhere else. I will not hesitate to report it to whoever the fuck I need to" She then spun on her heel leaving three stunned- and one suspicious- teenagers in the darkness of the ally.
~§~
"Motherfuckers!" Exclaimed Tanith as she slammed the door to Elster's room causing the other occupant to jump as she hastily took off her headphones and put down the duster.
"Woah! Tanith! Calm down, what's wrong?" Asked Elster as she quickly ran over to her girlfriend the familiar sound of her girlfriends many silver bracelets clicking together helping Tanith calm down. Tanith looked at Elster's sleeveless shirt and jeans and sighed as she took in the beautiful sight helping her calm down slightly "I just had an interesting encounter with Team RWBY who have apparently gotten it into their heads that we are working for the white fang" said Tanith angrily as she dug into her jacket and pulled out the Dust batteries.
"Well, that's a turn of events… But I'm also not surprised" Said Elster as she walked over and plugged one of the batteries into the vacuum. "RWBY is showing promise. In my 7 years of being here their showing the signs of being a legendary team" she explained as she walked back over to the shelf she had been dusting and began replacing the shiny ornaments that had adorned it.
"They had that food fight that I'm sure will be talked about for a long time. They also by the sounds of it are sneaking out and investigating- Huh!" Elster suddenly turned to her wide eyed "I bet they know something about the robot on the freeway! It fits if we assume they have been doing something which might also explain the docks so much more" she said as she turned back to the shelf.
"Elster" Said Tanith quietly "They've been following us a-and they were demanding to know what we were doing and-"
Tanith was cut off as she felt Elster envelope her in a hug "sorry, guess I got a bit carried away focusing on unimportant matters. Your right, this is serious" she let go and pulled up the two chairs "start from the beginning"
~one recounting of events that happened~
"And so I tell them that I'm going to be talking to you to decide what to do, and that we will decide whether we tell them or not and here we are" explained Tanith.
"Hm… they are nosy little shits aren't they" noted Elster as she stood up and stretched.
"So what should we do?" Asked Tanith
"What do you think?" Asked Elster "What do you think of team RWBY- prior to this incident"
"Well, I thought they were skilled and generally nice kids, now I think their nosy littl-"
"Alright, well we can't tell them nothing because that will build up mistrust and their not exactly doing harm" said Elster slowly
"Wait, seriously. We just go up and tell them everything" said Tanith frowning
"Obviously not everything, and I'm not anymore happy about it as you are and I an angry at the idea that they might have been following us but… maybe I want to help them alright?" Said Elster exasperated "Maybe I want to get back out their and continue being a huntress" she slowly turned toward her wardrobe.
"Oh? Are you sure, we don't need to rush things and…" Tanith trailed off at the determined look on Elster's face.
"I haven't had a nightmare for a while, I think I'll be alright" she said as she walked over to the drawer.
"Uh Huh" Said Tanith unconvinced as she watched her girlfriend begin shaking "Are you sure about that?" She asked half jokingly half concerned.
"Tanith, I've spent a while working up the courage to do this so at the moment it's now or never" said Elster as she reached for the handle.
"Alright, Alright. Just don't cut yourself" Tanith said as she watched from her chair.
Elster reached for the draw and took a deep breath before pulling it open and staring at her weapons.
There was silence for a few seconds.
"So… you okay?" Asked Tanith from her chair.
"Hmmm… I was expecting something to happen" Said Elster confused as she stared over her weapons.
"Well… you gonna pick them up?" Asked Tanith
Elster reached into the draw and pulled them out, their white paint shining in the sunlight. She stood up as she examined them and slowly walked over to the table.
"They need to be cleaned" she noted as she inspected them.
"How do you feel?" Asked Tanith
"Pretty good" nodded Elster "all things considered… I'm gonna clean these up" she set them down on the table before reaching over and picking up a black box which opened to reveal several tools and brushes and bottles.
Tanith watched entranced as she methodically took the axes apart and clean them using a variety of tools and brushes. Then reassemble them perfectly. She held them up and pressed a button near the handle of the weapon and the blades on the Axes retracted and the weapons turned into two sticks, she pressed the button again and the axe blades reassembled.
She casually tossed one into the air and caught it easily by the handle. "That feels good"
"Why axes?" Asked Tanith as she watched Elster start juggling the axes.
"Well I killed my first Grimm with one" shrugged Elster as she casually juggled the axes before finally stopping "plus fighting with these axes feels so much more fluid and smooth for me" she hung the axes up by the blades on some hooks set into the wall.
"So… How should we do it?" Asked Tanith
"Well we've done a lot of positions but I was thinking of trying the King Taijitu-" she cut herself off smirking as she saw Tanith's deadpan expression.
"Y'know what I meant" she said.
"Yes, but it's more fun teasing you this way" she said cheerily before going into deep thought "Well. We'll want somewhere relatively public as they'll most likely won't try anything there and I'm definitely going with you… tomorrow I've got a session on anyway so we could go out then"
"Alright, we just have to find them tomorrow then" Tanith said as she stood up
"No. They have school tomorrow… wait till Friday. School ends early on Friday so they'll be free then" Elster said as she walked back over to the shelf and began replacing the ornaments onto it.
"Fine… But I'm still mad at them" Said Tanith pouting
Elster chuckled as she picked up a small silver death stalker statue and polished it off before placing it on the shelf.
Tanith looked down at the table and noticed the tool kit still out and various tools all over the surface, she picked up a flat piece of metal and held it up making it catch the light and shine it onto the wall. With careful manoeuvring she slowly positioned it onto the wall in front of Elster and gave it a wiggle attracting Elster's attentions as she looked up at it and followed it with her head.
Tanith began to move it round the room with Elster following it enraptured. Then she tripped over and collapsed onto the ground.
"Shit" Said Tanith a she put the metal down and quickly ran over "I'm so sorry! are yo-" she was cut off as she found herself dragged down and also on the floor with Elster straddling her.
"You think I would be so easily defeated by something shiny?" Asked Elster huskily as she leaned down and stopped a few centimetres from Tanith's face "silly girl. I think you'll have to be punished" she then closed the gap
~§~
"I don't have time for a stupid dance. I thought-" Blake cut herself off when she turned round to be greeted by the sight of Tanith in Jeans and a grey Jacket that looked too big for her with her arms crossed as she looked at them. Behind her was the tall figure of Elster who was in a pair of cargo pants and a think blue jumper.
"We're willing to talk" she said as she looked at them
"Oh. Okay! Let's goo to our dorm an-"
Tanith cut Ruby off "No. We're going into Vale to talk about this"
"What're you guys talkin' about?" Asked Sun from behind Blake
"Nothing you nee-"
"Why they decided to surround me in an alley and demand information on the White fang" Tanith bluntly interrupted Blake.
"Wait, What?" Sun looked confused as he looked between them
"Come on then, let's go catch a shuttle" said Tanith as she turned around
"Wait, why don't you just fly us?" Asked Ruby
"Normally, I would. But the Atlas fucking Military is taking up the sky at the moment and I'm not in the mood to talk to them" said Tanith as she and Elster began walking away towards the landing pad
"Wait, you guys threatened her in an alley?" Asked Sun confused as he looked at RWBY
"Hehe heh, it's a long story" said Ruby as she awkwardly rubbed her head "not our best moment"
"Are you guys coming or not, I thought you wanted to know shit" called Tanith
"Look we'll explain everythinglaterbutwehavetogoandbye!" Ruby shouted as they ran off toward the landing pad.
"You guys never tell me stuff" mumbled Sun as he walked back to Neptune.
~§~
"I have to ask, was that you guys with the giant robot?" Asked Elster as they sat at a table in a relatively deserted café.
"Yes… it was being controlled by Roman Torchwick" said Ruby
"How long have you been… suspicious of us?" Asked Tanith as she put her elbows on the table.
"It was my idea" said Ruby confidently
"No Ruby" said Blake "it was my idea because you two have been suspicious for a while now"
"Of course… that actually explains a few things" said Tanith as stared at Blake "you look like a conspiracy theorist with the bags under your eyes"
"Well I'm not just going to sit back while the white fang is out there-" Blake's passionate speech was cut off by Tanith
"Yes very interesting,l now look" interrupted Tanith as she leaned forward "What we are about to talk about doesn't leave this café, honestly I would prefer to tell you nothing because it's personal information and none of your business. But someone" at this Tanith glared at Elster "seems to think it would be good for you to know"
"Hey, their out there doing shit instead of staying in school and studying. That's great huntsmen material" she defended.
"Right… so where do you want to start?" Asked Tanith as she sat back "I'll ask a question and you ask a question yeah?"
"Alright…. Why were you at forever fall" asked Blake
"I was bored and so I snuck along to talk to Tanith" said Elster
"She tried and failed to ask me out" said Tanith smiling slightly as Elster flushed. "Okay… what are you trying to do?" Asked Tanith
"We're trying to stop the white fang because no one else is doing anything" said Blake. "How did you get those scars?"
"A Grimm attacked me when I crashed" said Tanith "how long have you been doing this?"
"Ugh, we only started a few days ago" said Ruby "Are you a huntress?" She asked excitedly
"Yes, yes I am" said Elster "why are you doing it?"
"Uhm. Cause we're huntresses and that's our job" said Ruby
"Your huntresses in training" said Elster "and you endangered civilians by leading that robot onto the freeway"
"So? At least we're trying to do something" said Blake angrily
"Alright why are you so sore over the white fang?" Asked Tanith focusing on her.
"That's none of your business" said Blake defensively
"Well you made it our business when you surrounded me in an alley" said Tanith leaning forward again "and again, I don't think you really need to know any of this but we're still telling you so again. Why are so focused in the white fang?"
"She's a Faunus" said Elster as she took a sip of her drink
The table remained silent as everyone stared at her in shock before Blake narrowed her eyes "And how do you figure that out?" She asked aggressively as she looked like she was getting ready to run.
"Your bow twitches and moves depending on your emotions, technically no other students or civilians would notice but anyone whose a huntsman or even Faunus can see it" she said with a shrug.
"Hm, that explains a lot" said Tanith as she sat back and crossed her arms.
"Alright, why do you keep going to that house in the suburbs" asked Blake
Tanith opened her mouth to answer but Elster put a hand on her shoulder as she put her cup down. "I go there for counseling sessions" she answered smoothly
"Why do you need counseling?" Asked Yang
"To help me deal with my PTSD and survivors guilt over losing my team and to help me mourn their loss and to move on" replied Elster calmly
Silence reigned at the table. "I mean your definitely making progress" said Tanith encouragingly
"Alright, Blake. Are you being very paranoid because you're an ex member of the white fang and think they will be looking for you to make an example of?" Asked Elster.
The four teenager remained in a stunned silence for a moment "well she nailed you there Blake" Yang said to which Blake responded by glaring.
"How did… wha-" Ruby titled her head confused "How?"
"She's a Faunus and she's really saw about the white fang while having an extreme case of paranoia" shrugged Elster
"Why were you at the docks?" Asked Blake trying to change subjects
"We were on a date and happened to be nearby to hear and see an explosion so we flew over to check it out" said Tanith "Who's monkey boy?"
"What? Oh! You mean Sun. His names Sun Wukong from Haven and he was helping Blake through some stuff" said Ruby "he's really nice"
"Why were you taking picture of Campus?" Asked Blake to Elster
"It's a hobby" shrugged Elster she leaned forward and tapped her fingers on the table "I must say" she said as she looked at the four teenagers in front of her "surly it's hard to leave without being picked up upon by the staff"
"Yeah. But we manage!" Said Ruby happily
"Look. I like what your doing but I think you could use help with transportation. What if you find yourself needing to follow someone in a car"
"We follow along on the roof tops" said Blake defensively
"Right, because the police are gonna love that" Tanith rolled her eyes and slid her scroll number across the table "if you need transport just give me a call Alright? I'll be there as long as I don't have a job on"
"Wait, aren't you mad?" Asked Ruby
"Oh yeah, I am mad but not at you three because you were just trusting a teammate" she turned to Blake "I am mad with you though" Blake had the decency to look a little apologetic
"I'm not really angry because I can tell you guys just want to do the right thing" shrugged Elster "but I'm not the one you terrified in an alley so…"
"But aren't you busy?" Asked Weiss
"At the moment I'm waiting for CVFY to send out a signal to go pick them up and I have a girlfriend who works in air traffic control, I'm sure I can jump through loop holes"
"Oh yeah, I'd be happy to help to" said Elster
"We don't want to bring in too many people" said Blake
"So you don't want a fully trained huntress backing you up on your more dangerous excursions?" Deadpanned Tanith as she raised an eyebrow at them
The four teens sat in silence for a moment.
"That might be useful" whispered Ruby.
"Also me and Elster are in Vale once every two days so we can see what's going down and note if there's anything that might be needed to check out" shrugged Tanith
"Wait" Weiss suddenly said "Didn't you say you were recently diagnosed with a life threatening condition or something? You accused us of being hallucinations" She asked accusingly. Elster smiled in amusement as she quirked an eyebrow at Tanith.
"Yes I do" nodded Tanith "and it's still a sensitive subject so we aren't going to talk about that. The reason I accused you of being hallucinations was to buy me time and it confirmed there were multiple of you both when you spoke and when you said 'we're'" she said signaling that that was all they were going to get at the moment while Weiss reddened slightly in embarrassment.
"Right… So are we done here?" Asked Elster
Their were mostly sounds of agreement from the table.
"Alright then… so what was this I've been hearing about a dance?" Asked Elster
"Oh, well since CVFY are away on their mission still, me and Yang have been put in charge of the Dance and organizing it" Said Weiss
"Oh And is it open to anyone?" Asked Elster
"Yes anyone can come as long as their y'know a student or part of beacon" said Yang
"Who cares about a stupid dance when the white fang are out there doi-"
"Blake" Elster interrupted "I once spent three years of my life dedicated to one thing and ignoring everything else, even my family" she crossed her arms "It's not good and it's not healthy, I mean just look at you. So take it from me when I say this… You need to chill the fuck out and relax because if you keep doing… this" Elster vaguely gestured at her "your going to get yourself hurt, possibly others as well"
Blake sat there in shock at what she was hearing.
"Now, is there a theme to this dance?" Asked Elster as she leaned forward
~§~
"I didn't know you were into dancing" Said Tanith incredulously as she watched Elster who was trying out several dresses to see if they still fit her.
"Eh, this dance only happens every two years so…" Elster shrugged as she trailed off and reached around to attempt and zip up the dress, it was grey with black sequins going down to her knees.
"Here let me" offered Tanith as she walked over and did the zip up and Elster looked at herself in the mirror.
"I would put my head on your shoulder but your stupidly tall so I'll just" Tanith wrapped her hands Elster's waist and hugged her back "You look great"
"Yeah, I'm surprised it still fit's me" Said Elster as she looked down at herself.
"Well you train regularly" said Tanith as she ran a hand over Elster's left arm and over the defined muscle there.
"Mmmm" Elster seemed to temporary lose herself in the touch "do you have a dress?" She asked
"Should I?" Asked Tanith confused
"Yea, your coming with me to the dance" Said Elster as she looked at Tanith's head poking out from her side in the mirror.
"But I dunno how to dance" Said Tanith
"Hmm, Okay" Lester then walked over to the bedside and fiddled with the bedside alarm until classical music began to play into the room. She then walked back and now stood in front of Tanith. "Put your hand on my waist"
Tanith out her hand on her waist
"Now I'll grab your free hand" she did so and they were in the pose that people did in movies and shows.
"Now what?" Asked Tanith.
"Honestly I was just assuming the position that's on TV" she said shrugging
Tanith chuckled "I thought you knew what you were doing!" She said smiling still
"No. Sway?"
"Sway" nodded Tanith
And they swayed slightly, after a minute of this Tanith frowned "why do people do this?"
"To feel rich?" Said Elster
Tanith hummed And let go of Elster's hand and put it on the other side of Elster's waist then she pulled herself closer and rested her head on Elster's chest and smiled slightly. "This is much nicer"
"Oh yeah" agreed Elster as she put her chin on top of Tanith's head
"You realise the dance isn't for like a week?" Said Tanith.
"Well it pays to be prepared and I'm really excited for it" shrugged Elster
"True"
They stayed like that, gently swaying to the music until Tanith yawned and Elster felt her eyes growing heavy.
"Lemme just get out of the dress" she mumbled as she walked back over to the wardrobe while Tanith simply collapsed onto the bed and crawled under the covers. Soon she felt a body press up against her back and arms wrap round her. "Goodnight" whispered Elster
"Night" Tanith mumbled
~§~
I hope I did that well but I might not of… I dunno
Originally was going to end at "does the dance have a theme but I decided that that wasn't a good bit to end in so I added in this little fluff scene at the end.
Fav/follow and review if you enjoyed and stuff
See ya!