Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY in case that wasn't obvious
Chapter 24
Detention
After Oobleck's class the previous day not much happened. Yang and by relation Blake seemed to be distancing themselves from the Whiterose partners, or specifically the rose.
Weiss was acting grumpy all day because of the detention, but she was still interacting with Ruby and surprisingly Neo, much to the confusion of their other teammates. Adding to the strangeness, combat class was apparently canceled for the day.
The next day was pretty similar to the previous one with nothing of interest happening until they arrived at detention. Oobleck was waiting for the three girls to arrive and get situated before going to his office nearby to get some paperwork done.
Ruby watched as Dr. Oobleck left the classroom with a simple 'Stay quiet and use this time to do some of your schoolwork. '
Once he was gone Neo moved over to sit next to Ruby who was about to call out for Weiss to join them. Neo stopped her before she could open her mouth, getting a confused look from the Crimsonette.
"Yesterday you said that she figured us out, didn't you?" She signed.
"Yea pretty much why?" Ruby signed back.
Neo grinned then nodded towards the lone camera in the room. Ruby looked at the camera and still didn't know what the silent girl wanted her to do.
Neo pinched the bridge of her nose before signing something out.
Ruby made an 'Oh' face and disappeared in a flurry of rose petals. She then reappeared in one of the camera's blind spots. Weiss noticed the tornado of petals and sighed after seeing Ruby about to do something stupid, and probably illegal.
Within a second Ruby had separated the camera from the ceiling with Mercy. Then she casually picked the camera up, started walking towards the window, and then threw it out of said window.
"Ruby what on Remnant are you doing?!" Weiss hissed looking at where the camera had been.
"I blame her." Ruby said pointing at the ice-cream girl who rolled her eyes in response.
After the thorough eye-rolling Neo stood up and walked over to Weiss.
"Yes?" Weiss asked not expecting to be randomly approached. She noticed Ruby closing the door to the classroom.
Neo pulled out her scroll and started typing. "I heard you and Ruby had a bonding moment yesterday."
"Ruby! Did you tell her?!" Weiss asked suddenly becoming furious.
"No, I promised not to tell anyone, and that includes Neo and Kyle." Ruby said holding her hands up.
Calming down a bit Weiss looked back to Neo who was smiling. "Thanks for trusting her… she might not want to show it, but she was really worried after what happened the other night." She typed out.
"Neoooo." Ruby pouted seeing the message.
Weiss gave a small half-smile. "I would be in a bad position if I wasn't able to trust in my partner, so think nothing of it." She said rather haughtily which made Ruby and Neo laugh.
"No need to put on that act Weissy it's just the three of us here." Ruby said throwing an arm around the blue girl's shoulder.
"Ruby I may trust you, but that doesn't mean I completely trust your girlfriend yet." Weiss said moving Ruby's arm off her shoulder.
"See Neo I told you she was smart." Ruby said happily getting a confused look from the heiress.
Neo just shrugged and nodded noticing Weiss' confused expression.
Ruby then looked back over at her. "What?" She asked.
"What did you mean when you said you told her?" Weiss asked trying to make sense of all of this.
"She wanted to see what kind of person you were. You know, see if you could be someone trustable. Just because I trust both of you doesn't mean you both need to trust each other that's just not how that works." Ruby answered. "Had you immediately trusted her she probably wouldn't do that." Ruby finished pointing at a no longer disguised Neo.
Weiss was just looking between the two girls who were smirking at her. 'They're actually insane.' Was her only thought.
After a minute or two Weiss finally came back to reality. "What!? If I didn't trust her why would she show me who she really is?" Weiss asked genuinely confused.
"This is a way to see if you can keep a secret and see if we together can trust you. I might trust you, but together we don't." Ruby said earning a nod from Neo.
"You do know that reasoning is horribly flawed." Weiss pointed out.
"Well we thought it'd be fun, and besides if we do end up trusting you then we can all be friends. Besides there isn't much in the way of proof at the moment. If you ran to get a teacher or something, then she'd just be back in disguise by the time you got back. If you took a picture or tried to call someone, we can easily stop you. If you told someone later then it'd just be your word against ours." When she was finished Ruby shrugged. "If something goes wrong and it's worst case scenario and she does get found out then we can just leave."
Weiss sat there processing everything she just heard. Despite it being stupid she had to admit that they had a point in some cases. Even with her pride she will admit any day of the week that Ruby is faster than her, and in a two on one situation there isn't much to be done in the way of combat even with Woe. Finally, she looked to Ruby who now appeared to be slightly anxious, which made Weiss sigh. "Ruby I can't even explain in words how dumb this plan of yours was, and at the same time it is definitely something I could see you doing." She said shaking her head getting quizzical looks from Neo and Ruby.
"But?" Ruby offered.
"But I will admit that I'd rather trust you two than not, and maybe in some way become friends." She finished the second part quickly.
Ruby and Neo smiled. Suddenly everyone heard the doorknob turning before a black glyph appeared around the knob stopping it. "Hurry and sit down and…" When she was about to tell Neo to get back into her disguise, she was pleasantly surprised to find she had already changed back and was now sitting in a nearby desk with Ruby sitting between them.
"Has someone locked the door?" A voice came from outside. Immediately Weiss released the glyph and acted like everything was normal.
Sticking his head in to check up on the students Oobleck saw that while they were sitting closer together, they didn't seem to be causing any trouble. "I don't know if it was actually locked or just stuck, but please don't lock the door." He said quickly before disappearing again.
All three girls let out a collective breath. After a moment Weiss turned to see Ruby and Neo signing something to each other, well Neo was signing something, and Ruby was whispering a response. 'That might be fun.' Weiss thought to herself.
Tempering her resolve for a moment Weiss stood up and approached the two. She was specifically looking at Neo.
Neo saw her walk up and raised an eyebrow in question.
"Ruby said the other night that you were the one who taught her sign language." She said receiving a nod from the other girl. "Would you be willing to teach me?"
Ruby and Neo looked between each other puzzled. After a moment or two Ruby shrugged. "This could get you guys closer to being friends."
Neo looked Weiss up and down before typing on her scroll. "Why do you want to learn it?"
"Well I think it would be a useful language to know… and besides… it would probably be easier on you than having to type everything in a scroll." Weiss finished the last part quietly earning a shocked look from Neo. '… that's exactly what Ruby said…'
Neo got over her shock quickly and smirked at the heiress. "Fine I'll teach you, but I will teach you how I wish." She typed out making Ruby shudder slightly.
"I will never forget those times." She said with a far-off look in her eyes. She came out of it when she was elbowed by Neo.
With that the rest of detention was spent starting Weiss on the alphabet. Luckily for all involved she was a quick learner, so Neo figured it wouldn't take too long to teach her.
Break
With Roman
Boredom.
That was his existence right now. In his little cell there was absolutely nothing to do. They took his cane, his scroll, and his hat! That wasn't the biggest issue though. No, the things he missed the most right now were his cigars.
'The guards aren't any fun and I can't smoke. All the while Kyle and the girls are running about in the middle of a soon-to-be battlefield doing whatever they please. It's unfair I say!' Roman thought to himself before smiling. He had just thought of something that could entertain him, and maybe even get him his cigars back.
'Oh Kyleeeee~' He sang through their connection.
It took a few moments, but he eventually got an answer. 'What?' came the disgruntled voice of his partner. Curious.
'How would you feel about having some more excitement in your life?' The thief asked.
'I seriously don't need another thing on my plate right now Glynda's been… after me for the past few days.' He thought back.
'After you?'
'Well let's just say that I may have pushed a few too many of her buttons, and now she's pissed.' He thought with a sigh.
'As interesting as your love-life is I'm afraid I didn't call to talk about that.'
'Well you asked, but whatever. Why'd you call?'
'I'm giving you a warning and a preemptive apology.'
'For what?'
'You'll see.' The thief responded before cutting the link.
'Ironwood should soon be in for his daily attempt at interrogation.' Roman thought with a grin.
With Kyle
'That isn't a warning!' He shouted over the link before realizing it had been cut. "Well I can't see this ending well." He muttered to himself before looking out from where he was hiding.
In the distance he could see an angry Goodwitch looking around the courtyard. Presumably still for him.
"Oh well I guess hide and seek was getting boring anyways." He muttered to himself before walking out into the opening. When she saw him, she quickly walked over.
"Do you have any idea how long we've been playing this stupid game of yours?!" She asked with a stern gaze.
"To be fair you're the one who started chasing me." He said with his hands raised.
"And that was your fault too. Now come on I'm not willing to cancel our class three days in a row." She said walking in a direction.
"I'm surprised you kept this up as long as you did especially with how strict you are about the classes." He said walking next to her.
"You're annoyingly difficult to ignore, and I need to keep an eye on you and your disciple anyways." She said before realizing exactly what she said.
"So, you've failed to keep track of Ruby for the past two days because you've been hellbent on chasing me." Kyle summed up not helping the situation any.
"I will kill you one of these days." She muttered darkly.
"I look forward to it." He replied rolling his eyes with a smile on his face. "Now that that's settled let's go get some food and see what our favorite students are up to." He said putting an arm around her shoulder and leading her to the mess hall.
"As teachers we aren't allowed to pick favorites from the students lest we be seen as biased." She reminded him removing his arm from around her.
"But we are biased. You know I don't personally care about any students aside from a select few." He said raising an eyebrow at her.
"You may be biased, but I have an example to set for the rest of the staff, so I will remain unbiased in my opinion of the students."
"You can say what you wish, but we both know you like a certain girl with a red cloak more than some of her other peers." He said smirking.
"I do not see or treat Ruby any differently than I would any other student." She said crossing her arms.
"Then why'd you just call her by her first name when every other student is called Mr. or Ms. insert last name here?" He asked grinning.
At this Glynda paused realizing just what he was saying.
"That's not all, but she's also the only student I've seen you let call you by your first name."
Unfortunately for her she couldn't dispute what he had said. 'Have I really gotten that close to Ru-… it seems I have.' She thought to herself.
"Don't worry too much about it. You haven't been interacting with the other staff members recently, so I doubt they've noticed." He said with a shrug. She had been busy with the Vytal festival, students from other academies arriving, and the disaster that is Kyle and Ruby. And recently the Neo girl.
With a great sigh she closed her eyes and tried regaining her composure. "Alright let's get something to eat and see what trouble that student of yours has gotten into recently." She said after a minute.
"After you." He said gesturing forward. 'I hope Roman doesn't do anything too stupid the opening ceremony for the festival starts in a few hours.' At this point he realized that they wouldn't be having class tomorrow, or for the rest of the week because of the festival. He smiled to himself. 'The look on her face should be amazing when she realizes we won't be having class at all this week, and right before a combat tournament of all things how ironic.'
With RWBY and PNJR
The two sister teams were eating together like they usually did, but the members of PNJR could tell something was up with the RWBY girls. There was a tension in the air around them. Well most of PNJR could tell with the exception being Jaune who was rather oblivious. Even Nora was quieter than usual looking between the girls across from them.
Part of the tension seemed to be because of an extra person at their table. Neo was going over the alphabet again at Weiss' request. Said girl was sitting between Ruby and Weiss with Blake and Yang on Weiss' other side.
Pyrrha looked between her three teammates. Ren met her gaze but shrugged. He didn't know what was up either. Looking back to those across from them she looked at Ruby who was watching Weiss and Neo with a small smile.
"Ruby could I talk to you alone for a moment?" She asked causing everyone at the table to look at her. She smiled awkwardly at them before looking back to Ruby who was also staring.
"Sure." She said after a moment.
Without saying anything else the two stood up and walked outside of the cafeteria only to run in to their combat professors.
"Oh, hey Kyle I haven't seen you in like two days." Ruby said to the approaching teachers.
"Been busy." He said with a shrug. "What about you anything new?"
"Nothing too much I can tell you about it later, but for now Pyrrha wanted to talk to me." She said gesturing towards the girl behind her who looked nervous for some reason.
Even after being in their class for so long it didn't change the fact that Beacon's arguably two scariest teachers were both staring at her.
After a moment passed Kyle looked back towards Ruby. "Just don't do anything stupid." He said ruffling her hair getting a pout from the cloaked girl.
With his piece said the two professors continued on their way and entered the cafeteria.
After they had left Ruby looked back to Pyrrha. "Where do you wanna talk?" She asked.
"The where doesn't really matter I just wanted to ask you about how you and your team are doing because there seems to be a… tension surrounding your team." Pyrrha said as they started walking again.
"Well… I guess you could say we had a bit of a falling out maybe?" She said unsure of how to put it. "They learned a bit about my and Kyle's past that they didn't particularly like." She finished with a noncommittal shrug.
"I see… is there anything you guys need? We're always willing to help." Pyrrha offered with a smile.
Ruby's scroll went off. "The ceremony is starting soon we should probably get going. As for your offer… I'm happy you're willing to help, but I think this might be something we need to sort out together as a team." Ruby told the champion.
"Right… well just know that the offer is still available just in case." She said smiling again.
With that done they started walking back to the cafeteria to fetch their teams.
"Are you looking forward to the tournament?" Pyrrha asked.
"I have a feeling it'll be fun." Ruby said. 'At least for a while.' "What about you? How do you think your team will do?"
"We've got a good variety of skills. Ren is quick and agile. Nora has plenty of firepower, and Jaune is the team's main strategist." She said making Ruby look at her.
"He's the main strategist?" She asked.
"Yes, despite my… impressive record in tournaments I've never been shall we say… a team player, so I don't always know what plan will work best for different situations for the team. Jaune on the other hand seems to have a knack for it. I dare say that he might've made a better leader than me." Pyrrha answered honestly.
"Strategy isn't the only way to judge a leader." Ruby said shaking her head.
"What do you mean exactly?" Pyrrha asked.
"Strategy is important, and having a strategic leader is helpful, don't get me wrong, but you have something that I personally haven't seen in Jaune. You have charisma to lead your team. You have combat experience that the rest of your team probably doesn't. Add on to that your skills and abilities. Even if it is purely from tournament fighting. Those are all things he could pick up over time, but if the moment comes and he isn't ready for it… what then? Maybe given time he could be a better team leader than the both of us combined because let's face it, I haven't been the shining example of a team leader myself, but the world isn't just going to give him that time. The world is cruel… if he can naturally grow into a leadership role then great, but right now you're the best pick between them, so continue what you've been doing. Help them grow, help yourself grow, continue your training with Jaune." Ruby said, the last part surprising the older girl.
"How'd you know about that?" She asked somewhat nervously. They had been meeting out on the roof at night, and she was certain no one had seen them, but apparently that wasn't the case.
"I'm more observant than I look." Ruby said with a smirk. "And I think everyone has figured you out on your crush too. Aside from Jaune himself." She said shaking her head.
Pyrrha now realized that maybe she wasn't as subtle as she thought she was and couldn't help the pink tinting her cheeks.
"Anyways give yourself more credit, from the bits and pieces I've seen you've done a good job leading them. You guys almost remind me of a family." She said with a small smile. It might've been fun if RWBY could be like that, but she had long since accepted that her teammates would probably never accept her… views when it came to certain things. Weiss seemed able to tolerate them, or certain ones, but she wasn't like Neo. Neo would personally assist on a less than legal mission if asked, and probably with a smile on her face. She couldn't see any of her teammates doing something like that.
Pyrrha noticed the slight frown the cloaked girl now wore but didn't question yet since they had gotten to the cafeteria.
Opening the doors, they found that most of the teams had cleared out and presumably started heading towards the opening ceremony. Their other teammates looked over to them with varying looks ranging from happiness to sadness to pity. The happy ones were mostly from the members of PNJR.
Ruby also noticed that Kyle and Glynda were also eating, but they were sitting a little way away from the two teams.
"Alright guys we have that ceremony starting soon, so we should probably get going." Ruby said getting nods from the others. Neo and Weiss stood up and walked over to the crimsonette while Blake and Yang did the same, but at a slightly slower place. The rest of PNJR also stood and the group made their way to the auditorium.
This left the cafeteria almost empty apart from two professors.
"Well that was the last of them." Kyle said placing his head on his hand. "Shouldn't you be getting to the ceremony as well?" He asked only for the Goodwitch to shake her head.
"Because of your little stunt at the initial initiation ceremony you aren't allowed to participate in this one because not all of the students from the other schools have found out that an assassin works here, and while that's all well and good we don't want you to be left alone without any supervision." Glynda said with a smug smile.
"I have a babysitter then? Can't say I've ever had one of those before." He said with a short laugh. "Were you assigned for this little job, and is the pay any good?"
"No, I volunteered. I don't mean to boast, but I'm probably the only staff member suited to look after you. The headmaster could do it, but he has to be at the ceremony, so that leaves me." She said with a sweet yet off smile.
"Well I don't think I could ask for a better babysitter. I might actually behave." He said with a smile before yawning. "Although since we're both done for the day I might head off to bed. I haven't exactly caught up on sleep since you were chasing me around the school for the past thirty-six or so hours."
"I was hoping you'd say that. I'm exhausted as well." She said standing up.
The two then left to head back to the teacher's dormitory. It was fairly quiet as they made their way through the school grounds. Apparently, the universe didn't like that thought.
"Reaper! Stop where you are and put your hands in the air where we can see them." Came a familiar voice.
Kyle and Glynda both turned to see the Atlesian general along with fifteen of his men.
"And what exactly am I being arrested for? In the eyes of Vale and the headmaster I'm under house arrest here. Voluntary I might add." Kyle said already tired of this. He truly wanted nothing more than to get some sleep.
"We have received a tip that you are working in collaboration with criminals to bring about trouble in Vale." The general said glaring at the other man.
Glynda looked between the two for a moment before resting her gaze on the reaper.
"Don't look at me I'm actually innocent this time." He muttered to her before looking to the general. "Jimmy please do tell who exactly I am said to be working with."
If the nickname had any effect on him the general didn't show it. "After weeks of questioning Roman Torchwick has admitted that the two of you were working together."
'This is your idea of fun?' Kyle asked over the link.
'Well I'd say the look on the general's face was entertaining enough for me, and I got a cigar out of it, so all in all I'm pretty happy.'
'I can imagine.' The reaper deadpanned before looking to the general. "So, based off his word. The word of a man you've been interrogating for weeks. A well-known thief and conman. You believe that I'm in league with him with whatever it is he might be doing?" He asked making sure he got everything.
"… Yes, that would be the case." James said after a pause.
"Is this serious James? You can't think that the word of a thief and conman would warrant something like this." Glynda said gesturing to his 'posse'.
"With how dire times have been recently it is merely a safety measure in place in case he tried to resist arrest." He defended. "You should be assisting me in bring him in rather than question my actions."
"What did Professor Ozpin have to say about this 'tip' of yours?" She asked.
"I… have yet to inform him since he is at the ceremony right now. The plan was to lock this killer up and then inform Ozpin of the situation at a later time." He said slightly quieter.
"Leave James." She said softly making the general look up.
"But we can't let him continue to walk free. Now that he knows we're after him he's a major flight risk." James yelled trying to talk some sense into his colleague.
"Bring this situation up with Ozpin and see what he says. I will personally see to it that he stays here at Beacon." She said leveling a glare at the esteemed general. "You may be in charge of the security for the festival, but as long as we're on school grounds Professor Ozpin still has full control, so if he agrees with you on this tip then you may attempt your arrest, but for now leave."
Kyle widened his eyes a bit at this. Sure, they were close, but he never thought she'd actually stand up for him against someone she's known for much longer. Even though she didn't seem particularly fond of him.
The general looked stunned too, but begrudgingly accepted what the strict witch said.
"Very well. I expect you to hold up your end in keeping him here." He said before walking away. His soldiers following.
Glynda turned back to Kyle, and was about to say something, but he stopped her with a small hug then a smile. "Thanks Glynda. I never thought you'd do something like that for, like the general said, a killer."
"It isn't something I'd normally do, but it seems you're the exception. Besides I'm still annoyed at that man for brining a fleet to a festival meant to promote peace." She said the latter part with a frown.
"Well I guess that just makes me special." He said causing her to roll her eyes.
"Let's hurry to bed this has made me even more tired." She said beginning to walk again.
When they reached their hall, they stopped at his door. Well he paused, she seemed to be waiting for something.
"Well I'll see you tomorrow?" He said somewhat confused.
"What's the face for? I promised James that I'd make sure you didn't run off overnight, so I have to stay with you." She said opening his door. Of course her scroll had access to his door for some reason.
He just chuckled to himself before following her in. "You couldn't stop me even if I did run."
"Maybe not me personally, but I don't think you'd want to leave Ruby here all on her lonesome, and besides… some of us here have grown rather fond of your company." She admitted.
"Well maybe I've grown fond of a few people here myself." He said as he started dressing for bed. Glynda had done the same and gotten into the bed. "No sex this time though I'm too tired." The reaper said causing the goodwitch to roll her eyes.
"Don't count on that kind of stuff happening again. I may very well make it a one-time thing." She said placing her glasses on the nightstand next to her.
A/N: It's been a while hasn't it. I wrote the beginning of this chapter a while back, but wrote the rest of it a day or so ago when I had some free time. Anyways I hope you all enjoyed. Who saw Neo and Weiss ever interacting with each other quite like this? I didn't.
Hmm congrats to Videocrazy, JustAnotherAuthor64, and Rex Caldoran for figuring out Weiss' weapon is the Blade of Woe from Skyrim. I thought I'd get some weird feedback from adding something like that, but feedback has been pretty chill. Also I guess I'm not as bad as describing as I thought, but maybe it was just the name Idk.
Reviews hmm...
Did Weiss overreact to being late? Maybe but it was funny, and doesn't it just show how in order her priorities are? Anyways thanks to everyone who reviewed, I smiled at most of them and laughed at a few others.
Why was mama Schnee killed indeed. Only time will really tell if that will cause any other conflicts.
I may be shipping Neo and Ruby, but I admit the Whiterose, both friendship and romance, is usually pretty cute, so I like it.
jmartinez: I do like the idea, the biggest question I'd have to answer is where to put something like that, but that'll be something I keep in mind for the future.
Kharaki you're right Yang's opposition to one of Ruby's... pastimes, disturbing as it may be, is very strong. Are you right? Has she personally experienced the soul-crushing guilt of murder, or even just killing? Is she terrified of how her dearest little sister treats something that may have haunted her like a game or hobby? Oh the many questions we can ask ourselves.
Again I'm glad that most of you seemed to enjoy the last chapter, and I hope you enjoyed this one too.
I believe that's everything? Maybe? We'll see.
As you can guess next chapter starts the tournament, but for now that's all.
Follow, Favorite, Review, and whatever else you all do.
~Laz out.