Gamer4 in. This time around, I paused Goodwitch in her retelling, expressing my regret that things should go this way for Sun, Pyrrha, and Jacob. She agreed solemnly.
"Miscommunication sometimes leads to arguments, and arguments often lead to fights. They are very similar, in a way- anger is usually present in both.
"Anger is an emotion, generally classified as negative. Negative emotions can cause severe problems in our environment, and to our own health.
"Happiness, on the other hand, is usually classified as a positive emotion. It brings good health to our body, and spreads positivity into our environment.
"When we are ill, we are often not on our best behavior. When I say ill, I mean several things: physical illness, emotional illness, mental illness, or spiritual illness."
Chapter XV
Rain
"I wanna go in the haunted house, Daddy!"
"Are you sure, son? They can be scary."
"I'm a big boy, I can handle it!"
"If you say so..."
Nichole smiled as she watched her husband and eleven-year-old son head into the haunted house- certainly a better setup than the ramshackle one often set up by the fair. This was a full-fledged amusement park, after all. To occupy her own time, she grabbed some funnel cake from a nearby vendor.
About ten minutes later, she heard her son screaming, and immediately leapt to her feet, and saw Jaune sprinting across the pavement towards her, immediately wrapping her in a tight hug.
"Scarier than he thought?" she whispered to her beloved husband, Nicholas.
"He was clinging to me the whole time," Nick smiled, patting his son on the head, "but he faced the darkness and made it blink, didn't you, boy?"
Jaune sniffled as he pulled away and wiped his nose, summoning a watery smile. "Yeah, I... I guess I did!" His terror steadily turned to pride.
Nichole smiled as she caught sight of one of the wandering cartoon characters. "Oh, Jaune, you wanna get your picture taken with the Fall Maiden?"
Jaune's eyes lit up at the prospect, and it didn't take long for them to flag the woman down- she was only too happy to get her picture taken with the boy.
"Say cheese!" Nick grinned as he raised his scroll.
Jaune did not say cheese. Instead, he wrapped one arm around the Fall Maiden, and another around Nichole. Beaming widely, he called out, "I love my mommy!"
XXXX
Mommy... Nichole... Mommy... Nichole... Mommy... Nichole... Mommy... Nichole...
"Nichole... Nichole!"
The world was spinning around Nichole- it took her a moment to recall where she was. That was right... she was in the sheriff's station. Yang was sitting across from her, looking very grim. Ruby and Michelle lingered behind, looking hardly any happier.
"Nichole, can you hear me?" Yang prompted again.
"Yeah... I hear you," she said emotionlessly.
Yang bit her lip- she never thought she'd be in a situation like this. "You have the right to an attorney. If you can't find one, we can appoint one to you, or you can-"
"I waive that right," Nichole interrupted, waving her hand in the air.
Yang seemed to be struggling to meet her eyes. "I'm gonna... ask you some questions, Nichole. You have the right to remain silent- anything you say may be held against you in a court of law."
"I understand."
Yang spoke very slowly. "On Friday morning- March 3rd- did you go to the Vale Hospital?"
"I did."
"Why?"
"I was looking for someone."
"Who?"
"The man... who killed my son."
Yang nodded her head- she had figured that part out long ago. "Did you know his name?"
"...Yes. Corsac Albain."
Yang fought to keep from turning and punching the wall. "What made you think Corsac killed Jaune?"
"...You arrested him."
Yang looked down, unable to meet her eyes. Ruby became very interested in her boots.
"Nichole... did you kill Corsac Albain?"
Nichole had maintained a steady appearance so far, but at this, she began to break down, her face twisting in pain. "He... he killed Jaune- my precious boy! Yang... have you ever experienced absolute loss?"
Yang glanced up in Ruby's direction- she had begun tapping her index fingers together. Memories of Summer Rose flashed through both their minds. "None of us are strangers to grief."
"This was more than grief," Nichole shook her head. "It lurks... deep down. Every cell screams out in agony- it's all you can hear. Yes..." She began to sob. "Yes... I ki- I killed him! Yes! Yes, yes, yes! Yes..."
XXXX
Ruby was massively relieved to leave the room, Michelle at her side. "You think she could try an insanity plea?"
"We'll need a psychiatric evaluation," Michelle shook her head. "But I can tell you this-Parents... shouldn't have to bury their children. Anyone who's been through what she has-"
Ruby turned, interrupting her. "Do you approve of murder, Mrs. Wukong?"
"Of course not," Michelle shook her head, standing firm.
Ruby didn't know what else to do- she turned and was on her way, leaving Michelle alone with Ren, who approached her rather nervously.
"Hello, Doctor Wukong," he greeted.
"Oh- hello, Ren," Michelle greeted. "Did you need something?"
Ren licked his lips. "This is... a rather personal matter, you understand."
"Well, I'm your doctor, Ren," Michelle raised her arms. "Anything you have to say, I'll take to my grave."
"Well... it's about my sperm test," Ren whispered. "I... flunked, for want of a better word, but I've recently had reason to second-guess those results. Is there a possibility that I might... retake it?"
"I suppose we could do that," Michelle shrugged. She reached into her case and pulled out a bottle, handing it over. "Fill 'er up, put 'er in a brown bag, and meet me in the parking lot."
"Right now?" Ren asked, surprised.
"Well, I assumed you'd want these results ASAP," Michelle shrugged.
This was easily one of the more awkward positions Ren had found himself in. Glancing at a desk, he spotted the latest issue of Ninjas of Love- not his usual cup of tea, but desperate times called for desperate measures. He rolled it up and was on his way to the bathroom when Nora turned a corner and slammed into him, spilling a box full of jerky.
"Oh- sorry, Ren," she apologized emotionlessly- it was far from the peppy Nora he was used to.
"Here, I'll help pick up," he offered, getting down on his knees.
"Nah, it's just... fine..."
Nora's words trailed off when she found Ninjas of Love at the bottom of the pile. She looked from it, back up to Ren, then to the bathroom right behind him. It didn't take too long to connect the dots. She made a strangled noise that sounded like a laugh, a sob, and a scream all at once, before rising back to her feet and taking off, leaving a large chunk of jerky on the ground behind her.
Ren sighed- when had his life suddenly become a situational comedy?
XXXX
Yang and Ruby reconvened in the lobby. As they settled, Nora went stomping by. "You doing okay, Nora?" Yang asked.
"I don't wanna talk about it!"
Yang blinked, exchanging a shrug with Ruby before getting down to business. "We've got a judge coming in this afternoon. Old Man Williams. He's from Vytal City- maybe you know him?"
"Can't say I do," Ruby denied.
"Well, he doesn't spend that much time in Vytal," Yang admitted. "He likes to think of himself as the last of the frontiersman."
"So, we've got a hearing for Nichole and Adam?" Ruby recalled.
"To see if Nichole gets bail and if it's even worth trying Adam as he is now," Yang agreed. "Prosector's gonna be Miles Edgeworth. I think he and Winter would get along."
"Anything from Fox?"
"He called this morning," Yang nodded. "Apparently, nobody by the name Cinder ever lived near Haddock Lake. The only person he could find was a woman named... Rial. He's looking further into it- we oughtta hear back by this afternoon."
Ren circled into the lobby, looking surprisingly nervous for one usually so stoic. He seemed rather distracted, particularly when, for the second time that day, he bumped into one of the other officers, dropping a bag in his hand- a small bottle came rolling out and under a nearby chair.
Nora looked up, then looked determinedly away. Ren sighed deeply before kneeling down and reaching out under the chair for his bottle.
Ruby's eyes widened. "Ren! Don't move!... Where did you get those?"
Ren paused. "Is this really a conversation we need to have, Ruby? This is very personal business."
"...Your shoes?" Ruby asked in surprise.
"My shoes?" Ren asked, sounding equally surprised as he pulled himself back from under the chair. Now Yang's attention was drawn, as well- sure enough, he was wearing a brand new pair of shoes. "Oh- I see. My apologies- I bought these from Torchwick while he was waiting the other day."
"That's the same brand as the boots we found at Adam's!" Ruby exclaimed. "...Ozpin said there was still a clue out there."
"I thought he was talking about the coke," Yang admitted.
"No... it's Torchwick," Ruby shook her head. "Somehow... some way... this all comes back to Torchwick."
"...Am I dismissed?" Ren asked. "I've been given a task of... some urgency."
"Oh, right! You're free to go!"
XXXX
Willow was on the move through her hotel when she was intercepted by a man of short stature and dark skin- the hotel's official manager. "Mrs. Schnee!"
"Walk and talk," she demanded, hardly paying him any mind.
"I have a friend who works for the Vytal Tribune- well, a friend of a friend, really, but- he called me this morning to alert me to something- top secret! Ash Jenkins is coming to Vale!"
"...Why do I know that name?" Willow asked offhandedly.
"A travel writer!" the manager explained. "Ash Jenkins travels incognito, uses cash only- nobody can trace his identity- or hers, we don't even know that! Not even the paper knows!"
Willow slipped into her scheming mode. "A favorable review from them could prove... useful."
"And they're coming! Here! To Vale!"
"Keep an eye on the registration," Willow ordered. "I want an update every hour. Scrutinize everyone-"
"Especially-" the manager interrupted with a grin, "if they use cash."
"Good work," Willow praised. "Eyes open."
It was with a grin that the manager turned and went back to his normal duties, while Willow ascended to her office. She halted in the doorway upon spying a man there, sitting in her visitor's seat, his legs crossed. He was tall, his black hair braided down his back, and there was a very noticeable scorpion tail protruding from just over his rear- the very end replaced by a prosthetic.
He grinned widely when he saw her enter, rising to his feet. "Ah, Mrs. Schnee. I've been waiting for you."
"You can start by giving me your name," Willow demanded, eyes narrowing.
"You don't remember me? I'm wounded- truly, I am! I'm the insurance agent for the Widow's Web! Tyrian Callows... at your service!" He bowed deeply, never breaking eye contact.
"I seem to remember you," Willow decided. "To what do I owe the... pleasure?"
"Oh, nothing too critical," Tyrian raised his hands. "I just found an entertaining video I wished to share with you."
"Scrolls have the ability to send those without having to meet in person," Willow pointed out. "You hardly needed to trouble yourself-"
"I wanted to see your reaction. Please, have a seat."
Willow shook her head. "I'll stand, if it's all the same to you."
Tyrian broke into laughter. "Clever girl! Very well, here you are!"
He raised his scroll and pointed it in her direction, starting the video of Weiss being gagged, tied to a chair, and force-fed drugs.
Willow's eyes began to widen as she drew nearer, struggling to deny the reality of the situation. When she no longer could, she turned a glare towards Tyrian frostier than anything her daughters could be capable of. "You son of a bitch!"
She threw a punch at him- he dodged deftly. "No need to get angry at me, Mrs. Schnee! I'm just a humble messenger!"
"From who?!" Willow demanded.
Tyrian cackled. "Well, that would be telling! All you need to know is that they request a large sum of money."
Willow fought with anger and despair waging war within her- loathe as she was to admit it, at this moment, she was completely outplayed. "...How much?"
"They want money- I want something a little... different."
"Some employers you've found yourself, if they can't even foot the bill for their own middleman!" Willow snarled.
"What I want is mutually beneficial!" Tyrian denied, wide-eyed. "Your little side-business is being run by a bunch of idiots! Fools, as you would so eloquently put it- dunces and dolts! Surely, you knew!"
"I had... suspicions," Willow admitted.
"So, my offer is to become your partner," Tyrian grinned. "I'll oversee the Widow's Web and weed out all your problems."
"I already have a part-" Willow started, but Tyrian held up the video of her daughter being tortured again.
"Do you want my help? Or not?" he asked, his voice suddenly far less jovial.
Willow clenched a fist. "Yes."
Tyrian smiled. "One last thing... I want Ruby Rose to deliver the ransom."
"Ruby Rose? A huntress?" Willow scoffed. "I'm beginning to question your sanity."
"You'd hardly be the first," Tyrian giggled. "Do you want your daughter back or not? The money... a partner... and Ruby Rose delivered on a silver platter."
"Hardly... an equal exchange," Willow struggled to even speak.
"Indeed, it seems far too beneficial to you," Tyrian chortled. "You get a new partner, your daughter back, and get that huntress to stop being a thorn in your side? It seems to me the ransom is a pittance for all that!"
He stepped back, pocketing his scroll. "You'll receive a call tomorrow with further instructions. Noon. Don't miss it!" He threw in this last in a singsong voice before prancing out of the room and down the hall.
Willow waited until she was certain he was gone, then threw the chair he'd been sitting in across the room. She grabbed her scroll and began making calls.
XXXX
"No foolin'?" Coco blinked as she picked up her own scroll and received some surprising news. "Well, don't leave me hangin'- what's this guy look like?"
Hazel only half paid attention as he brought Sun the food he'd be delivering that day. "You're quite motivated for a man your age," he noted. "Hmm... you've cleaned up. Is there a special occasion?"
"Oh, yeah, I'm...uh... meeting up with a girl I met on the route," Sun gave a half-hearted smile.
"A shut-in, I suppose? I fail to see the fascination."
"She's... a unique one," Sun countered hesitantly. "Thanks..." He took the food and was on his way, leaving Hazel to turn to Coco just as she finished her call.
"Breaking news, Hazel," she reported. "I just got a call from the Austin- Ash Jenkins is coming to Vale!"
"...Who?"
"The most powerful restaurant critic in the kingdom," Coco explained. "A good review from him would bring in loads of business. Vale's already banding together- if he goes to the Austin, they're gonna try and send him our way."
"Hmmm..." Hazel donned a very thoughtful appearance. "What does this... Ash Jenkins look like?"
"Nobody knows," Coco admitted. "Part of how he tries to stay impartial- nobody knows anything about him, but the word on the wind is, he's coming today."
Hazel stroked his chin absently, then snapped his fingers. "Then we have time."
"Time for what?" Coco asked, as he moved to the time clock in back and clocked off.
"I'm taking an early lunch- I'll go and get some flowers... candles... tablecloths. While I'm out, you should add something to the menu- some extra specials."
Coco smiled. "Well, I was planning on doing some experimentation..."
Hazel smiled- a genuine smile- and pulled her up into a kiss. For once, she fully returned it- she finally felt a glimmer of the man she used to love in there.
He finally set her down and headed to the door. "Let's set this place up like Christmas on the Fourth of July," he smiled. "Oh- perhaps you should call Yatsuhashi Daichi."
"Yats? Why?" Coco's heart jumped- did Hazel know something?
"Well, you're still friends, correct? If this Jenkins needs any vehicle maintenance, it's him they'll go to. Perhaps they stop in for some gas, and the friendly station owner refers him to the local diner...?"
Coco nodded, relieved. "Yeah, I'll call him."
"Wonderful." With one final nod, Hazel was out the door.
XXXX
The day had been cloudy, and begun to rain as Sun arrived at Penny's- not that it affected the inside temperature at all.
Penny greeted him as gladly as before- this time around, he gratefully accepted a glass of lemonade.
"Oh! I know!" Penny beamed as she sat with her own glass. "We should do a toast! But what to...?"
Sun smiled, able to think of only one thing. "To Jaune."
Penny looked surprised, but eventually matched his smile. "To Jaune- in our hearts, forever locked."
They tapped their glasses together.
Penny glanced behind herself, and reached for a book- the very book that Sun had discovered last night. "I... intended to show this to you last night, but you seemed so... so sad, I wasn't sure how you might react. You seem much better now, so... this is Jaune's journal."
"His journal?" Sun did his best to appear surprised. "I thought the police had it."
"This was his secret- he only ever shared it with me," Penny explained, hugging it closely to her chest. "It was our secret, but... would you like me to read from it?"
"Feel free," Sun nodded, not wanting to appear too eager. Who knew what answers might lay within those pages?
Penny maintained her smile as she opened to a seemingly random page. "'But still, I'm afraid to tell him of my fantasies... and my nightmares. He can be understanding, but there are other times when he just starts laughing, and I can't bring myself to break it by asking why it's so funny. I stop talking, and keep to myself about it. It's frustrating, but still, I love Sun like my-'"
Penny broke off, blushing furiously. Sun gave an understanding smile and motioned for her to continue reading.
She nodded. "'Like my own brother, but sometimes, I worry that if he knew what I was really like, he'd leave. Black... dark, and cold, filled with dreams and lusts of women taking me under their control.'"
Penny stopped herself again. "I... I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-"
"Don't worry about it," Sun shook his head. "I... I kind of..."
He swallowed, and sought to change the subject. "Er... if that could be evidence, shouldn't we give it to the cops?"
"No!" Penny shook her head, holding it tight to her chest again. Abruptly, she seemed to realize that she'd done something odd, relaxing a bit and speaking more normally. "I... I've read it cover to cover, Sun. There are no answers. Besides..."
She smiled sadly, and Sun felt he was drawing closer to the real reason Penny guarded the book so jealously. "He gave it to me. It was our secret..."
"Why did he give it to you?" Sun asked curiously.
"Well..." Penny tilted her head in thought. "People come to me sometimes, and tell me their stories. Tell me about things happening outside. I take the stories everyone tells me and put them together into a... larger context, if you will. A- er, living novel, I suppose."
"What sort of stories?" Sun asked.
"The stories of friends... of lovers... maybe someday, you can tell me your story!"
Sun gave a gentle smile as he took another drink of lemonade.
XXXX
"You were right," Willow hissed as she explained the situation to Ruby. "The kidnappers contacted me this morning. If you want to gloat, now is the time, but keep it brief."
"Why tell me?" Ruby asked. "Why not Yang?"
"They see the police getting involved, they'll kill her!" Willow growled. "But you're a huntress- you must be used to situations like this!"
"But you don't think the police should at least know?" Ruby suggested.
"The only thing I'm concerned with right now, Rose, is getting my daughter back to me alive," Willow snarled. "Look... you and Weiss had a... special relationship. Of everyone in this town, you must understand what's at stake here!"
Ruby kept her face steady, but inside, her heart was racing.
"They want to make the exchange tomorrow," Willow explained. "Weiss... for 150 thousand lien. Cash, of course. Rose... Ruby... will you take it to them?"
Ruby pursed her lips, but nodded.
XXXX
Taiyang was drawn to the entrance of the Haven Inn by the sound of the door opening- he found the lower half of a woman stepping in. The upper half was concealed by a large pile of boxes and packages, which, when dropped into a nearby chair, revealed the somewhat harried Blake Belladonna.
"Blakey!" he greeted, approaching her and giving her one of his famous bear-hugs.
"Tai- I'm sorry," she whispered as she returned the hug.
"I'm the one who should be apologizing," he shook his head. "The mill burned down on my watch."
"But not because of you, I'm sure," Blake fired back. "I... I keep thinking about Mom and Dad... what they would do about something like this. For once, I'm glad we have Raven to smooth everything over."
Tai's face fell. "Blake... Raven died in the fire."
Blake's eyes widened. "No! Oh, Tai, I'm so sorry!" She pulled him into another hug, patting him on the back.
Tai nodded, fighting back tears. "We're planning her funeral, but they haven't found the body, so... God knows what we'll be burying."
"I'll be there, Tai," Blake assured him. "I'll be with you all the way."
XXXX
The wind increased in intensity, sending the woods surrounding Vale into a hypnotic dance.
Across the river, at the Widow's Web, Shane Corman was dragging Weiss down the hall by the arm, taking care to be as rough as possible.
"Right this way, Dreamboat, Daddy's waiting."
Weiss struggled to take in her surroundings. A desk... Tyrian on the other side, grinning at her.
"Ms. Schnee here was a bad girl- tried so hard to get out of taking her medicine!" Shane smirked as he forced her into her seat.
"Please," she whimpered- her head felt as though an ax was going through it.
"Oh, dear, oh dear," Tyrian laughed, drawing her attention away from one smirking face and towards another. "I do hope you aren't being mistreated, Weiss!"
"He... hit me..." Weiss mumbled, unable to summon the strength to speak much louder.
"Did he, now?" Tyrian asked, throwing a disapproving look towards Shane.
"That... is absolutely not true!" Shane denied quickly, stumbling over his words. "I didn't lay a finger on her!"
Tyrian shook his head, turning his gaze back towards Weiss. "Well, that was wrong," he nodded. "Put your trust in me, Weiss, and I promise it will never happen again."
He rose from his feet and began drawing near her- every part of Weiss screamed at her to flee, but she simply didn't have the power.
"I talked to your mother this morning," Tyrian recalled, skipping around the desk towards her. "She agreed to the ransom- you're in no danger!"
Despite her efforts to cringe away, he took a seat next to her and lifted her onto his lap. "Everything's going to be just fine- you believe me, don't you, Weiss?"
"You- you see, Ms. Sc- er, Weiss," Shane continued stumbling over his words, "in situations like these, you have to handle yourself... professionally. We're all reasonable people at the end of the day, and-"
Weiss's eyes fell on the gun in Tyrian's hand a second before it went off, permanently ending Shane's ramblings as he fell to the floor.
"My, but he was annoying, wasn't he?" Tyrian cackled as he began running his hand through her hair. She'd had no affection whatsoever for Shane, but for some reason, that didn't stop tears from falling down her face.
XXXX
It took several hours for Ren to finally summon the courage to speak to Nora- luckily, when he did, she was only on the opposite side of the room. "Nora? May I speak to you for a moment?"
Nora seemed to ignore him. "Nora... I think it would benefit us both to speak-"
"Oh, really, Renny?" Nora asked in a sickeningly sweet voice. "I thought you preferred the company of magazines!"
"Ren? Nora?"
They both turned to see Ruby entering the police station, looking bewildered. She glanced between the two of them, then cleared her throat. "Ren... get some air, would you?"
Ren stood up as straight as he could, nodding as he walked past her and into the front lawn.
Once he was out of earshot, Ruby turned her silver eyes towards Nora. "Okay, Nora, Doctor Rose is in- what's going on?"
Nora looked down, ashamed. "Ren and I... we've been together, like, forever. It's always been him and me, but it wasn't until a couple years ago that we were finally... together–together. But recently, he'd been spending less time with me... avoiding me, almost. I... I was so lonely! But... I watched this show once, where a girl got a guy to notice her by going out with another guy and making him jealous! That's when I met Neptune, and he seemed like the perfect guy to make even Ren jealous! "
"Neptune?" Ruby repeated, drawing a blank.
"From Dust Til Dawn, Men's Fashions," Nora rolled her eyes. "Always has whatever's 'in style,' drives a really fancy car, keeps himself in great shape!" Nora glanced at the floor again. "He's no Renny... not even close, really. Actually, he's outright asinine sometimes, but... at least he's there!"
Ruby thought over how she wanted to handle this- this was much different from a criminal interrogation. "Are you... still seeing him?"
"Not... really," Nora shrugged, seemingly not all that certain herself.
"So... do you want to get back... together-together with Ren?"
"I... I don't know!" Nora was biting her lip, tears starting to leak from her eyes.
"Then... what do you want?"
"I... I don't know!"
With that, Nora retreated to a nearby room, from which Ruby could hear sniffling and stifled sobs. She considered going after her, but felt she'd made her desire for privacy clear.
Ruby turned to find that Yang had been watching the confrontation.
"I... er... I think I might have made things worse," Ruby admitted, tapping her fingers together.
"I appreciate the thought, Rubes, but trying to understand those two is like trying to get you on a diet- just one big exercise in futility."
Yang smiled, but the smile disappeared when Ruby didn't laugh or attempt to retaliate. She was biting her lip instead. "Yang... I need a favor. I'm asking as your sister, not as a huntress."
"Well, anything," Yang nodded, suddenly ill at ease.
Ruby braced herself- she knew how much Yang hated secrets, but... "I need a member of the VDF- your best. I need you to set up a meeting, and I need you not to ask why."
Yang brought herself down to her sister's eye level. "Rubes... you know how I feel about secrets... you're sure there's nothing you can tell me?"
"Absolutely," Ruby nodded regretfully.
Yang took a deep breath. "Alright. I'll set it up- our best agent. Crow Bar, 9:30."
Ruby slung her arms around Yang. "Thanks, sis!"
With that, she was gone, leaving Yang to sigh deeply, wondering just what it was she had agreed to.
XXXX
Night had fallen, and Coco's Diner was just about empty- the only person left was Nolan Porfirio, a part-timer who usually grabbed a meal after work.
The bell rang as a tall man in a red suit and white cravat entered. His eyes were steely grey, matching his hair, a few shades darker. There was a very severe air about him, as though he had never told or laughed at a joke in his life.
Coco and Hazel glanced at each other, smiling. "It's gotta be him," Coco whispered.
"Game on," Hazel nodded.
He headed into the kitchen, leaving Coco to attend to the customer. "Good evening, sir, welcome to Coco's Diner! I'm Coco, what can I do for you tonight?"
"Miles Edgeworth," the man introduced himself. "May I have a booth, please?"
"Absolutely, right this way!" Coco bowed and led him to the booth right behind Nolan. With her best customer service pose, tone, and smile, she continued. "We have some very delicious specials this evening-"
"I'm certain you do," Edgeworth interrupted, "but for the moment, I'll settle for a bowl of ramen, should you have it- medium, and your finest grape juice."
Coco masked her surprise very well- her sunglasses were lifesavers again. "As you wish, sir, we'll be with you in a moment!"
Just behind them, Hazel had accosted Nolan, known for his poor table manners. "Excuse me, Porfirio, but you might be better suited to finishing this in the kitchen."
Nolan sighed, but followed his food into the kitchen, where Hazel sternly warned him not to touch anything else before returning to Coco's side.
"He just wants some ramen and grape juice!" Coco reported quietly.
"Sounds like a trick to me," Hazel mused.
"You think so?"
"Absolutely. Now, I-"
*A-hem!*
Edgeworth had risen from his seat, and was currently looking from one to the other in what may have been mild befuddlement- it was hard to tell.
"May I use your restroom?"
"Oh- right this way, sir," Hazel bowed, leading him to the back. "We just finished painting it- it's very nice, very private."
Coco watched them go- until she noticed Nolan in the kitchen. "Nolan! What are you doing back there? Get back onto the floor!"
She was still dealing with that when Hazel returned and spotted Edgeworth's coat, left hanging over his seat. Double checking to ensure he was alone, he reached into a pocket and produced a wallet.
At that moment, Sun and Jacob entered the diner, and took a seat on the opposite end, in a booth that guaranteed them some privacy.
"Thanks for comin', Sun," Jacob began. "I er... I didn't know..."
"Know what?" Sun asked.
"I...er... I thought you might still be mad," Jacob admitted, playing absently with his silverware.
"Nah, nah, don't worry about it, it's all water under the bridge," Sun shook his head, waving his hands, and wishing that his words were the truth.
"Look, Sun... there's nothing going on between me and Pyrrha," Jacob attempted to reassure him. "It's not me she loves... it's the idea of having Jaune back, and that's something I just can't give her."
"It's fine if you're seeing her," Sun repeated. "I mean, I'm seeing someone else anyways, so..."
"You- you are?" Jacob asked, taken aback.
"Yeah... something like that- listen, Jacob, I need your help with something."
"What is it?"
"This girl- Penny Polendina- she has Jaune's journal."
Jacob tilted his head. "Whaddya mean? I thought the police had his journal?"
"Not this one- according to Penny, Jaune had a second journal, one he entrusted to her, one that nobody else knew about. Not even me or Pyrrha. I've seen it- it's legit. Can you imagine what's written there? What we could find out- how much closer we'd get to the killer?"
"We've gotta tell Pyrrha!" Jacob exclaimed.
"You do that," Sun nodded. "She's guarding it closely, but one way or another... we have to get a good look at that journal."
Behind them, Hazel had taken to the relative privacy of the counter to examine the wallet. Sure enough, Miles Edgeworth, a District Attorney- a prosecutor. There was no picture- only a thumbprint. But for his purposes... that was all he needed.
XXXX
Thunder was rolling in by the time Yang made it to the Haven Inn to meet with Blake, who smiled that catlike smile of hers when she saw her visitor. "Do you like my dress, Yang? I know I paid too much for it, but I just... fell in love."
"Looks great!" Yang nodded with a very forced grin.
"Glad to be hearing it," Blake nodded as she settled into Yang's lap and gave her a kiss. She pulled away slightly, looking confused. "You're... cold. That's unusual."
"Blake... I gotta know... were you really in Vytal City?"
"Of course," Blake nodded, brows furrowing in confusion. "Where do you think I got all this, Centralia? I remember a manager passing by- she told me I'm the only reason they're still in business."
Yang hated to have to interrogate her, but she had little choice in the matter. "You could have told me you were going."
"It was... short notice," Blake whispered. "I told you how afraid I was."
"Of Raven and the Schnees," Yang nodded.
"Exactly!"
"And now Raven's dead."
Blake blanched, pulling away from her. "Yang... you don't think that I-"
"Look, Blake, don't get me wrong, when her funeral's done, I'll be the first in line to piss on her grave," Yang attempted to defuse the situation with some humor, "but as the sheriff, I have to take everything into consideration!"
"Including me burning my parent's mill? Why would I do that?"
"I mean... you had it insured, didn't you?"
Blake was turning white. "Yang... how could you?" Each word was like a knife to Yang's heart. "How could you accuse me of something like that?! Do you understand how that makes me feel?!"
She moved to a sofa beneath a window- Yang followed. "I'm sorry, Blake... I'm just so worried."
Blake turned to her. "Hold me."
Yang obliged, wrapping her arms tightly around her- a gesture Blake returned.
"Take me..."
"Blake, why didn't you tell me?"
Blake ignored her, silencing her with a kiss, moving Yang's hands to the top of her dress.
"Yang... tear it."
Barely thinking, Yang did as she was bid, ripping Blake's dress open and forcing her back onto the sofa.
In the midst of their love-making, they both failed to notice the figure watching them through the window, even when illuminated by a bolt of lightning- a tall, rugged-looking bat faunus.
XXXX
It was to Nora's relief when she found herself alone in the station's lobby that night, helping herself to some pancakes and milk. She'd wanted coffee, but found memories of Ren warding her away to be too painful.
She barely paid attention to the door opening and closing until the new guest greeted her. "Excuse me, young woman, have you seen my niece anywhere? She's about three feet tall, loves pancakes and sloths? You look something like her, but she's a cute little thing, not a strong woman like you."
Nora's eyes lit up when she turned to see him. "UNCLE BEARDY!"
She leapt up on the old man, and it was to his credit that he didn't buckle and hit the ground then and there. He was a tall man, somewhat portly, and bald as an egg. The hair that he did have was snow white and formed a magnificent moustache-beard combo, which earned him the nickname Nora had bequeathed to him in childhood.
He chuckled, sounding very much like Saint Nicholas as he patted her on the back and steadily lowered her back to the ground. "Nora, you're a bright oasis in a vast desert."
He stepped back, and noticed something. "Hmm... is something wrong, dear?"
"I... don't wanna talk about it."
"No need, then. Life can be hard, I know. But still, I'd say it's harder in most places than in Vale."
"Hey, Judge Williams!" Yang greeted as she stepped through the door as well. "Sorry I'm late!"
Yang settled for a handshake- she didn't have quite the history with the man that Nora did.
"No need to worry, Yang, I just got here myself. So, who's the lucky fella?"
Yang balked. "Huh?"
"I can recognize someone suffering love problems from fifty yards, m'girl," Williams smiled. "Of course, I won't bore you to tears offering my advice on the subject. I'm sure you have things well under control- I pity the poor fool who tries to play Yang Xiao Long for a sap."
"Yang?"
Now Ruby was on the scene, glancing from one face to the other. Yang quickly moved to introductions. "Judge Williams, this is my sister, Ruby Rose- a huntress all the way from Vytal!"
"And how might you be doing, hm?" the old man grinned, extending a hand, which Ruby accepted.
"Doing just fine, your honor!" Ruby shook his hand a little longer than necessary, and afterwards, seemed uncertain whether she should bow or not. Yang fought back a smile.
"You two oughtta have some things in common."
"Not my love for Mistralian whiskey, I hope," Williams said. "Even I know how bad it is for me. Speaking of, do you still have some left in your stash?"
Yang smiled. "Right this way."
As they followed, Williams turned back to Ruby. "So, Ms. Rose, how do you find Vale, now that you've returned?"
"Heaven on earth!" Ruby answered earnestly.
"A heaven that involves arson, several homicides, and attempted murder directed at a hunter?"
"What can I say?" Ruby shrugged. "Heaven's an... interesting place."
Nora was on the verge of returning to her pancakes when Neptune entered, dressed in several raincoats and carrying no less than three umbrellas, which he folded up as he crossed towards her. She attempted to make herself scarce, but he'd already seen her. "Nora?"
She closed her eyes and counted to three before turning to face him. "Hi... Neptune."
"I'm sorry, Nora- I haven't been able to sleep since our last talk. I can barely eat. You're sad, and that makes me sad."
Nora looked up to him, eyes widening. "Really?"
"I understand, now- I've been an idiot, and a bit of a douche, too. I'm sorry... I'm so sorry."
"You... you are?"
"I've gone over it a million times in my head, and... I finally made a decision. I have to do the right thing."
He reached into the second of his four raincoats and produced an envelope, handing it over. "Here- I managed to pull together about seven hundred lien."
"...For what?" Nora asked, nonplused.
"Well, I called around, and that seems like more than enough to..."
"To...?" Nora prompted, not at all sure she liked where this was going.
"To... well... take care of... our little problem."
Nora finally realized what he was talking about. For a moment, she considered screaming in fury, but she fought back the urge. "Neptune," she began after a deep breath. "Here's what I want you to do. First, you take your money back." She pressed the envelope back into his hand. "Put it back in your pocket. Turn around and walk through both sets of doors- careful with the first set, it likes to get stuck sometimes. From there, you get in your car, turn the key, and never speak to me again, or I'll break your fucking legs!"
Neptune was taken aback- he opened his mouth, but Nora cut her off. "GET OUT OR I'LL DO IT NOW!"
Neptune took several steps back, before turning and leaving as he was bid. Nora took the chance to run into the nearest room and slam the door, sobbing.
Ren appeared, guiding Nichole to meet with the judge, when he heard the cries. He desperately wanted to reach out to her, but knew that seeing the man who had caused all this in the first place was likely the last thing she needed right now- he pressed on.
XXXX
"Nichole," Judge Williams said regretfully, "this is... a remarkably difficult situation. I understand how heartbreaking your loss must have been, and I have nothing but my deepest sympathies and condolences to offer."
"Thank you... your honor," Nichole nodded quietly.
"You've appeared before me many times- in court and out. I know that you are a fine, upstanding woman, and to see you under such circumstances is... well, it's dreadful for us all.
"The law is a structure to guide us through trying times such as these, and in return, it requires our submission to its procedures for the greater good. Before we must assume our roles in this drama, I would like to say that... when these frail shadows we so temporarily inhabit in this little world of ours quit the stage, I would like nothing more than to meet and raise a glass together once more in the halls of Valhalla."
Nichole fought back the tears threatening to leak from her eyes. "I'd like that very much, your honor."
Judge Williams nodded solemnly. "I understand you intend to represent yourself?"
"Yes."
"Well, has anyone seen Prosecutor Edgeworth?"
"Haven't heard from him yet," Yang whispered.
"In that case, we'll leave the question of bail til morning. I hope they've been treating you well, Nichole?"
"Very well," Nichole nodded. "Much better than I deserve, under these circumstances."
"Then I bid you a good night," Williams decided, rising to his feet.
"Good night," Nichole agreed, allowing herself to be led away by Ren. "And... thank you."
Williams sighed heavily. "I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say... we have hard jobs."
They paused to drink their coffee, Williams finishing before saying, "Well, if you'll excuse me, after eight hours on the road, I'd like to put my feet up at the Austin. See you in court."
XXXX
Willow was overseeing a group of ballerinas and tapdancers making their way through the hotel's lobby to the Gold Room when she spied an odd man out of the corner of her eye. He was on the shorter side, wearing dark glasses that matched his pitch black hair, tied into a ponytail behind him. He wore a dark suit and had one of the most stereotypically eastern moustaches she had ever seen- but as her guest, who was she to judge?
She bowed, slightly, and kept her amusement to herself as the man bowed back.
She had other things to tend to, so she missed the concierge greeting her.
"Alright, Mr... Wu Ya, we are all set! What card did you want that on?"
"Cash, please," Wu Ya answered in a thick eastern accent.
"Cash?" the concierge asked, looking surprised for a brief moment before something clicked in his mind. "Oh, cash! Fine- great! Where did you say you were traveling from, sir?"
"Vytal City."
"Vytal, huh? Not too long a trip. Alright, we can definitely do that, Mr. Ya. The bellman will get you to your suite, and-" He reached beneath the counter for a business card- "If you'd like to treat yourself to some outstanding local cuisine during your stay, may I recommend Coco's Diner? Owner's in the name, I'm sure she'd be happy to have you."
"Thank you very much," Wu Ya inclined his head before heading on his way.
The concierge immediately grabbed a nearby phone. "Coco, this is Louie, from the Austin Hotel- the eagle has landed, repeat, the eagle has landed!"
XXXX
Tai entered Blake's apartment to check up on her when he found her speaking to a tall bat faunus with brown spiky hair and a matching goatee. "Oh, excuse me, I didn't realize you had company, Blake."
"Oh, him? This is my cousin, Landis."
"Landis, huh?" Tai smiled. "Glad to have ya. I'll get some coffee for you, assuming another fish didn't find its way into my percolator."
Landis didn't respond, leaving it to Blake instead. "I'm sure he'd like that- after his flight, it should help him reset his biographical clock."
"Biological," Tai corrected with a chuckle. "Be right with you, Landis."
Landis shut the door behind him. "How did you last all this time with these monkeys?" he scoffed. "I can't imagine spending so many years out here in the boonies."
"We all have our roles to play, Yuma," Blake reminded him.
"Yes- and yours is nearly finished. Is the land sold?"
"Almost- I need Tai to sign first."
"I hope that won't be too difficult."
"Of course not- have you seen him?"
"How long?"
Blake thought for a moment. "...Two days."
"Sienna expects to see us in Menagerie soon. I hope there aren't any other complications."
Blake narrowed her eyes. "Hazel."
Yuma laughed. "I should have known. Don't worry- I'll take care of him. Does anyone suspect us?"
"Nobody," Blake shook her head.
"And what about this Sheriff- Yang Xiao Long?"
"She's nothing to me," Blake answered quickly. Perhaps a bit too quickly.
"That... is not what I asked," Yuma pointed out as he drew closer.
XXXX
Ruby was shaking in her seat at the Crow Bar's bar, her knee jiggling up and down as she glanced around for the contact Yang was supposed to send. She jumped when she saw Yang stepping in. "Yang! Is the agent here?"
"Right on the tick," Yang nodded. "She's here, alright- our best agent."
Ruby tilted her head, then broke into a smile, diving forward and pulling her into a hug.
"Alright, alright!" Yang laughed as she struggled to pry her sister off. "What's our time limit?"
Ruby smiled. "Yang... let me get you a drink. We've got some talking to do."
XXXX
Hazel awoke to the sound of pounding at the front door of the Diner- pounding that only grew more ferocious the longer it went unanswered. "I'm on my way!" he called out as he tied his bathrobe and opened the door.
There was nobody there.
Confused, Hazel turned back in, examining the various empty booths. He tried to turn the light on- nothing. It seemed the storm had knocked out the power. Instead, he settled for a flashlight, kept handy in a drawer behind the counter.
"Mr. Rainart."
He spun and shone the light on a man at the other end of the floor.
"And who might you be?" he asked, pointing the flashlight with one hand as he clenched the other into a fist.
The man didn't answer.
Hazel drew near, and swung a fist, which the man effortlessly dodged. He moved to the floor and rose up, using leverage to flip Hazel over the counter.
Hazel pulled himself quickly back to his feet and swung at the man again. Dodge. Again. Dodge.
Again. The man used Hazel's own strength to send him flying into a nearby tub of dishes, allowing his head to smash against them.
One final punch, channeling all of his strength- the man leapt over it, unveiling a pair of bat wings as he went as high as he could, and drove his feet into Hazel's skull, sending him back to the floor.
"Very well..." Hazel grunted. "I suppose I can lay here for-"
The man hopped onto Hazel's chest, keeping him down as he brought out a knife, with which he cut open Hazel's thumb, followed by his own. He pressed their injuries together.
"This is your last warning, partner. Next time, it's your head."
The man concluded negotiations by smashing his own flashlight into Hazel's skull.
XXXX
Please R&R, constructive criticism, theories, and guesses welcome, Gamer4 out.