Contrary to what was agreed on, Neo had no freedom. The only real difference really between life in prison and her current arrangement was the food and bedding. She was always monitored 24 hours a day.
Whenever she wasn't accompanied by a member of team RWBY, either Ruby or Blake, she possessed a choice: remain at Beacon until a time where a member of RWBY was available to supervise her or remain on house arrest in her apartment with both cameras and listening devices in the primary rooms until someone was available to escort her either to the market place or returning to Beacon. She was least thankful there weren't any devices in her bathroom and bedroom.
On days like this, she opted to return to her apartment 'alone' when she couldn't be around Ruby. She was always escorted by Atlesian soldiers or knights. It was an embarrassing trip each time when people stared at her and her armed escort.
Neo laid flat across her queen sized bed, staring up at the ceiling for no other reason than boredom. Normally she'd be in her living room planning the next heist or sleeping from an all-nighter. On days she did have off in her previous life, she generally just watched television or spend time with her new friend Ruby. With all her newfound 'free time' she didn't know what to even do. All she did know is that she didn't want to be in her living room.
Neo's attention was immediately drawn to the lite screen of her bugged scroll. As she rolled on her bed to the nightstand she saw she received a new message from The Headmaster.
"Miss Neo, we have additional questions we'd like you to answer if you would. A member of RWBY was available and will be coming by shortly to escort you back to school grounds. I had awaited for one of them to become free to retrieve you, as I understand your concerns of having Atlesian troops escort you. - Professor Ozpin."
Neo smiled faintly. 'At least he cares. I think' Neo rolled off her bed and began to get dressed in fresh clothing. Even if she was miserable to an extent she didn't want to appear so.
After cleaning up, Neo made her way into her living room and sat on the couch, awaiting for her escort.
'I really hope it's Ruby..' She thought as she flicked on her television. Normally it was a slight game of chance. Ruby and Blake were the only two willing to even be around her. The rest of their team, Weiss and Yang, refused to even breath the same air. Neo understood their reasonings and respected that they may never speak again. She had lied and in some way, used them, or atleast thats what she thought.
As Neo scrolled through channels, a new report caught her attention. Across the screen a picture of her former boss was being shown.
"Notorious criminal, Roman Torchwick evaded capture last night after Police conducted a daring raid on a White Fang safehouse. Police say there were no causalities and they made several arrests on key White Fang recruitment officers." The new anchor seemed quite pleased with the news and even added a few comments of her own into the mix. Neo tuned out the rest of the story as she stared at Roman's picture painted across screen.
All she could feel now was that she was betraying the one person who gave her life meaning. She never really considered what would happen if she did accept Ozpin's offer. At the time, she only wanted to be near her friend, Ruby. Even after confessing Neo didn't regret anything, Until now.
She knew what safehouse the reporter was referring to. It was a centered in the downtown area. A place she told Ozpin and the General about. It was raided and the White Fang members were arrested because of her. She felt guilty.
Knock Knock Knock
Neo jumped from her seat at the sudden noise coming from the door. Neo switched off the television and made her way to the door, expecting to find Ruby on the other side. As she opened the door, Neo's eyes widened.
"Hello, Neo." Roman said grimly as he walked inside. Neo stumbled a couple of paces backwards before falling down.
"What's the matter? Not happy to see me?" He said as he shut the door behind him. Neo was shaking. Roman noticed this and frowned. He knelt down to her eye level and caught her gaze.
He noticed a slight bulge on her ankle and pushed the pant skirt up a few inches to reveal a her ankle monitor. He nodded slowly and looked back towards her.
"Ah." He said quietly and he pulled out a scroll from his jacket pocket.
"Bugged?" It said. Neo gave a short nod in response.
"I'm not going to assume but I need an answer. Are you telling them anything?" Neo looked down but gave a quick nod once more. Roman stared at her for a few moments before standing up.
"Okay. Then i'l-"
"Hey Neo! I'm here let's.. Go.." Roman snapped around and saw Ruby standing there with a confused look.
"Why red, don't do gooders like yourself know better than to open other people's doors without permission. Schools these days.. Teaching our children the wrong thing." Roman shook his head. Ruby growled and reached for her weapon.
"Ah I don't think so!" Roman said as he grabbed Ruby's arm and put her in a headlock, gripping her right arm tightly and holding it away from him. "I need to be leaving now and I don't have time to play!" He shoved the smaller girl into Neo and ran out the open door way.
Ruby scrambled to her feet and stopped at the door way. "Dang it!" She yelled. Ruby turned around and saw Neo getting to her feet, nursing her left forearm.
"Are you okay?" Ruby asked, as she took Neo's forearm and examined it. Neo nodded and pulled her arm away from Ruby. "What was he doing here anyway?" Ruby questioned. "Did.. you contact him?" Neo immediately shook her head and scrambled around her pockets for her scroll.
"Here." Ruby extended her scroll.
Neo opened the text field and began typing as quickly as she could.
"He just showed up! I didn't know what to do!"
"Did he hurt you?" Neo shook her head. Ruby gave a sigh of relief and hugged her friend. "Thank goodness." Neo hesitantly returned the gesture and buried her face in Ruby's neck.
"We're gonna have to explain what happened to Professor Ozpin." Ruby whispered. "And Ironwood might find this a good enough excuse to put you away.." Neo felt her stomach drop. That was the last thing she wanted, and Ruby was right. It could be used as a good enough excuse to lock her away and throw the key.
Ruby let go of the shorter girl and gestured towards the couch. "Might as well get comfy. They'll send someone soon, but i'll message the Professor anyway."
"She needs to be put in a damn cell now!" Ironwood screamed at Ozpin, slamming his fist into the large desk as if it would help get his point across. Ozpin remained calm as he watched the General vent his frustration out loud.
"And what would that accomplish exactly, James?" Ozpin asked.
"You know damn well what it would do! She wanted meeting with her boss and she told him she was ratting him out! She is no longer an asset Ozpin!" Ozpin remained silent. He folded his arms against his lap closed his eyes, releasing a deep sigh.
"I beg to differ James. We saw the footage from her apartment, it's clear she wasn't expecting him." Ironwood fist tightened.
"She needs to be in constant surveillance and needs to be locked in a cage! She can no longer be trusted! What if she gave out information that we didn't know about! That thug could have had anything written on his scroll!" Ozpin opened his eyes finally and met Ironwoods.
"True. I do agree she needs to be on full watch, however I do not believe we need to put her in a box. She'll stay here at Beacon indefinitely." Ironwood opened his mouth to retort but ceased when Ozpin raised his hand. "We will not cage her up like a common animal. The information she has provided us and greatly assisted our cause in making sure the citizens of Vale are safe. As well as the upcoming Vital Festival. And, by last night's arrest, her information proved that Mr. Torchwick is indeed working with the White Fang. Do you understand James? She is providing valuable information and is cooperating perfectly. Locking her in a cage know would only ruin our advantage." Ironwood's face twitched angrily but remained silent.
"Fine. But one more slip up and I'll lock her in a cell personally. With or without your permission." Ozpin watched silently as he marched into the lift and disappeared behind the automated doors.
"We shall see." Ozpin took his scroll from his desk and hit the call button.
"Ms. Goodwitch? Please have Miss Rose and Miss Neo come to by office now. We need to discuss a rearrangements of our agreement."
"Of course sir."
It took the duo a few minutes to enter the lift leading to the headmasters office. It was a silent journey up the smooth lift. Neo stared at the carpet of the elevator while Ruby bounced uneasily on her feet. She feared that Neo was going to be locked in a cell for even seeing Roman. She didn't want to lose her now. As the lift let out a short 'ding' noise the doors opened up, revealing Ozpin sitting patiently at his desk.
"Ah, Miss Rose and Miss Neo. If you please have a seat, There is something we must discuss." The two girls walked in silent and sat in the two seas in front of the desk.
"Now then." He started, placing both of his elbows on the desk and locking his fingers. "About the events that transpired earlier this afternoon. It has become clear that Miss Neo can not be allowed to stay in her current residence. Therefore effective immediately you will remain on Beacon grounds until further notice. This is for you safety as well as trust."
Neo tilted her head at the word. Confused on what he meant by 'trust' Ozpin seemed to grasp her confusion.
"By that, Miss Neo. Your interaction with Mr. Torchwick has lead speculation of your information you are providing. So, in order to silence these murmurs I will have you remain on Beacon grounds to ensure both your safety and validity of your information." Neo pulled out her scroll from her pocket and quickly typed out a response both handing it to Ruby.
Ruby cleared her throat for a moment as she quickly scanned the contents. "Where would I be staying exactly, if I can't stay at home?"
"Until deemed otherwise, I will see to it that you will be in Miss Rose's dormitory. I'm aware it might be crowded in a sense but I see no better option at this time.
"She'll be staying with us, Sir?" Ruby questioned.
"She will Miss Rose. I'm sure that won't pose a problem with you, but I am aware your teammates still hold resentment, even after your conversation with them?" Ozpin asked.
Ruby nodded. "Yes sir. They're willing to listen to reason and won't start an problems but.."
"Miss Rose, I do not enjoy placing heavy burdens on my students, especially one as young as you. However you the leader of your team. As I told you before, they will not understand. It is your job to ensure they do." Ruby nodded.
"I'll make sure they do, sir."
"Excellent. Miss Neo I leave you in Miss Rose's care for now. I will have a temporary bedding delivered to your dorm Miss Rose. You are both dismissed."
As Ruby and Neo stood up and walked to the lift, Neo felt both relief and fear. Ruby had talked to her teammates and they agreed to cooperate to an extent, she knew they didn't like her but now she knew that they'll most likely hate her even more for moving into their room.
"Don't worry." Ruby reassured, placing an arm around the shorter girl. "Ill talk to them first. It'll be alright." Ruby smiled and Neo smiled back.
A/N: That's it no longer giving out times i'm gonna update. I just end up jinxing myself. It gets updated when it gets updated! . Anyway hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, gonna start getting back into the cutsy moments in the next chapter!