Gamerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr55555mitsuruisnotrealmarieisnotrealdontlettheminmitsuruisnotmitsurumarieisnotmariedontletthem

in. When I expressed my astonishment at these latest events, Goodwitch answered with an understanding nod. "Sometimes... or, perhaps, at all times... things are changing. As humans, we are judged primarily on how we treat other humans. How do you treat your fellow man?

"At night, just before sleep, as you lay by yourself in the dark, how do you feel about yourself? Do you feel pride? Shame? In your heart, you know you have hurt someone.

"When you hurt someone, do not wait to make things right, lest the world break apart in sadness in the meantime."

Chapter XXIX

The Sheriff's Lament

Let it never be said that the members of the Vale Police force do not look out for each other- the next morning found Ren attending to Yang in the Library, where she had spent the previous night downing shot after shot of whatever liquor she could get her hands on. "Yang... you need to eat," he cajoled, providing a breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast. "Please- for Ruby, if no one else. She's as concerned as we are."

Yang continued turning her glass on the table, as if each different angle provided another view of happier days she'd spent with Blake- her dark hair, amber eyes, velvety ears.

"God bless you, Ren..." Yang forced a smile through her bloodshot eyes. "I'll... get around to it later. How're things at the station?"

Ren took a deep breath. Part of him wanted to chastise her and make her eat, but he knew her well enough to know that any such efforts would be in vain. "We're... focusing on Emerald at the moment. When we find her, I'd like to show her some better games to play."

"I think I'd like that too," Yang nodded listlessly.

"Bottom line, we're holding up for now."

"Yeah... between you, Fox, Nora, and Ruby, I'm not worried. This is a simple town. Or... it used to be... maybe the rest of the world just caught up to us."

Ren made to run a hand down the side of his face, but hesitated, instead placing a hand on her shoulder, rubbing gently before turning and heading out on his way. Yang watched him go, then filled up her glass with some whiskey.

XXXX

The door to Coco's Diner opened, and in stepped a young woman in truly bizarre clothes. A mishmashed white blouse, black tie and off-kilter blue cap, matching the blue bag slung over her shoulder. The blouse ended with a plaid skirt, beneath which were long black-and-white striped socks ending with black platform shoes. Her hair barely reached her shoulders, her bangs kept well away from her light green eyes.

"Hey, Marie!" Coco smiled when she saw her, waving her behind the counter. She wrapped her arms around her, but Marie didn't seem to reciprocate, simply standing there and allowing it to happen.

"Oh, who're you?" Velvet asked, smiling politely as she exited the kitchen and spied Marie.

"Velvet, this is my sister, Marie," Coco beamed.

"Oh, you're Marie!" Velvet beamed. "Coco's told me all about you!"

"Not too much, I hope," Marie commented, glancing sideways at her sister.

"Don't worry about Velvet," Coco waved aside. "She's like family."

"That would mean more if we were part of any other family," Marie scoffed.

"I'm guessing your meeting with Mom didn't go well?"

"I can tell you about that, or we can try to have a good time," Marie nodded.

"Agreed," Coco rolled her eyes. "I'm glad you're here, Marie."

"It's odd to be back in the real world," Marie commented. "For all the buzz, there's another feeling out here that private school doesn't prepare you for. That said... I don't expect any handouts because you're my sister, Coco. I don't want any handouts. Got it?"

"Oh, don't you worry about that," Coco smirked, lowering her sunglasses to show her real eyes. "I'm already planning on working you to the bone."

Velvet smiled and turned to take Major Joseph Winchester's order- he had gotten a lot better since his brief disappearance, smiling as he ordered his usual breakfast.

He didn't wince when he felt a finger caressing his neck, right where the mark he'd obtained during his absence was. He could see the log signaling the culprit out of the corner of his eye. "Is there something you'd like to say, Ms. Goodwitch?"

Goodwitch sat next to him, running her hand over her log. "...We need to speak to Ruby Rose."

XXXX

Ruby had more or less taken over her sister's duties in the previous night's aftermath- currently, she was going through some international documents, finding a surprising amount of evidence against the late Blake Belladonna. She only looked away when Ren entered the room, looking somber. "Your sister's rushing towards rock bottom."

"Is she at least eating?" Ruby asked nervously.

Ren shook his head. Ruby sighed. "Any idea when she'll be able to come back?"

"Not at all, but we can hope it won't take too long," Ren grunted, taking a seat across from her. "You need a hand?"

Ruby gave a humorless chuckle. "I oughtta be asking you that."

"Not at all," Ren raised his hands. "Whether you have your badge or not, you're the senior operator here, Ruby. I don't see any reason to change the hierarchy now. Besides, any excuse to get out of paperwork is a good one in my book."

"Yeah," Ruby nodded. "Lots of stuff to take care of after last night. Khan... Blake... I just got through their autopsy reports. You know what Blake's weight was?"

"Never thought it polite to ask," Ren shrugged.

"All her medical records said about 180 pounds. But her body? 64."

Ren's eyes widened. "How... how's that possible?"

"I don't know," Ruby shrugged. "Doctor Wukong couldn'ti67y even pin down the cause of death. But... right when she died, I swear I saw... Cinder."

"Cinder?" Ren asked, his eyes narrowing again. "You saw her? For sure?"

"Not for sure- it was just for a moment. Her and the woman from my dream- the short one, with the hair and eyes. She even had the same ring on- gold, green stone. She said something to me- signed it, really... something about... garmonbozia. Any idea what that means?"

"Garmonbozia?" Ren repeated- Ruby nodded. "Well... that's an old word. Not really used in any language today, but in old Atlesian, it was a word similar to... to pain. Suffering. Sorrow."

Ruby glanced down at the floor. "I guess there's been enough of that to go around lately."

Ren closed his eyes. "Perhaps we should consider crossing our fingers when we're passing graveyards."

Ruby exhaled through her nose. "Yeah..."

"Any news on Emerald?"

"Nothing," Ruby shook her head hopelessly. "All we can do for now is wait for her response."

XXXX

Emerald was leaning back in a chair in her ramshackle cabin, while Adam lurched around like Frankenstein's monster, doing whatever menial task that popped into her head. "Newspaper, Adam! Time to see what Little Red's next move is..."

Adam obediently grabbed the latest issue and handed it over to her- she flicked right to the Personals- it took her less than a second to locate Ruby's latest play. She turned to the chessboard right next to her and moved Ruby's piece. She hesitated as she took her hand away. "...That's not a proper move... that's for a stalemate. Ruby... is not that clever. She... is getting... outside help!"

She leapt to her feet, smacking Adam with the paper before throwing it into a corner, rage entering her crimson eyes. "She's breaking the rules!" She picked up her flute and began smacking Adam with it over and over. "I! CAN'T! STAND! PEOPLE! WHO BREAK! THE RULES!"

Finally, she collapsed back into her seat. "Ruby... you will regret this..."

She took a deep breath, and began to play on the flute, a haunting melody to match what she felt in her heart.

XXXX

The Austin Hotel's Gold Room had been fully made up with a red-carpeted stage and walkway, which Weiss was currently walking along, demonstrating for the models that would be used in tonight's event- designed by her parents to raise awareness for the destruction the Hienton Project would cause, and to inspire others to move against it.

Finally, she reached the walkway's end. "Got it?" she asked of her spectators.

They nodded, then rolled their eyes when Neptune appeared in a red suit and white shirt. "Ladies," he grinned. "Looking good- you both perfectly represent the sanctity of nature."

Another eyeroll signaled their disinterest as they turned and stalked off. Before Neptune had time to fret, Weiss appeared at his side. "Have you spoken to Payne yet?"

"No, I'm feeling fine, thanks," Neptune smiled.

"No, Payne," Weiss corrected. "Winston Payne- he's giving a talk about the pine weasel. You know, the endangered animal? The center of our talk tonight?"

"Oh, right!" Neptune nodded. "That's a... raccoon, right?"

"...A ferret," Weiss corrected again.

"Ah, Weiss!"

Winston Payne had arrived- small and skinny in stature, with large glasses, wispy grey hair and a large bald spot, he was about the least imposing or charismatic figure that Neptune had ever witnessed- not at all helped by his shrill, unpleasant voice.

"Oh, good, you're here," Weiss smiled. "You two should coordinate."

Neptune ran his eyes over Payne again, and sighed. "I'll do what I can."

They walked away, and Weiss turned around to find herself face-to-face with Mitsuru Kirijo. "Hello. You look harried."

"What can I do for you, Ms. Kirijo?" Weiss asked, already fighting back a blush.

"I just wanted to talk about dinner last night," Mitsuru answered. "I wanted to-"

"Oh, I'm sorry, I know I was rude, I just get a little-"

"Not at all, who am I to just waltz in and-"

"- I mean, anyone can see that-"

"-I can understand if you-"

"-can't think of anyone better qualified."

Finally, they both ground to a halt.

"...Perhaps we ought to try again," Mitsuru commented.

"Yes, let's," Weiss nodded. "...What were we talking about again?"

"I was apologizing, you were apologizing, we're both very sorry. Perhaps we can apologize to each other by going out somewhere?"

Weiss felt her verbal skills shut down.

"I see," Mitsuru nodded. "You are rather busy here-"

Her verbal skills came back. "Oh, no, no, no, it's fine, that sounds wonderful!"

"Ah, magnifique," Mitsuru smiled. "Perhaps a picnic by the river?"

"We... we'd need some... outdoors things!" Weiss fumbled over her words. "Basket... blanket..."

"Food?" Mitsuru smirked.

"I... well, I'm no great cook," Weiss flushed.

"I'm certain you can talk to the cooks," Mitsuru suggested.

A mirthful grin crossed Weiss's face.

On the other side of the room, Neptune was struggling with Payne. "This is just to show people what the pine weasel looks like!" the shrill-voiced man explained as he turned a stuffed weasel around, attached to a stand.

"Yeah, I get that." It was Neptune's turn to roll his eyes. "But I just wanted to point out that this is a charity benefit... to encourage people to save the pine weasel. You with me so far?"

"Yes..."

"So, I think using a taxidermied weasel as a demonstration might send the wrong message... don't you?"

Winston's eyes widened behind his overlarge glasses. "I... I see... yes... that would... right..."

XXXX

Ruby's heart sank when she stepped into the library to check on her sister. "...Yang?"

It took Yang several seconds for her eyes to focus. "Oh... hey, Rubes..."

"Yang, we have Blake's dossier..."

"Screw the dossier."

That was about what Ruby had expected, but she felt strongly that Yang needed to hear this. "Blake killed Sienna Khan... she nearly killed me... and she killed Yuma."

"What does it matter now?" Yang rasped.

"She's also wanted for at least thirty different felonies back in Menagerie- including two counts of prostitution."

Yang hesitated, then shook her head. "But what does it fucking matter?"

"Yang... you need to accept that she wasn't an angel-"

"You didn't know her like I did," Yang cut her off. "You didn't know her..."

"I guess everyone has two sides to them," Ruby shrugged. "You saw all the light in her... we saw the dark. But Yang, it won't do any good to ignore the dark and-"

"Get out of here," Yang cut her off, glaring up at her. In the light, her azure eyes seemed almost red.

Ruby gazed at her sadly. "Yang-"

"I SAID GET OUT!"

Yang threw an empty whiskey bottle- it didn't come anywhere near Ruby, flying a foot and a half to the left of her head, but Ruby accepted that more of this wasn't what Yang needed. She turned and made her way to the exit, wishing she could block out the sound of quiet sobs behind.

XXXX

Raven was poring over a map of her newly-acquired land, laying out her plans for its development, when she heard the footsteps at the door. "Hmm..." she grumbled. "My idiot of a husband is rubbing off on me- I usually lock the door."

She turned to see her intruder- a woman with blue eyes and pale blue hair, strange markings on her arms signifiying her as a spider faunus.

"My name is Trifa- I'm here on behalf of the late Sienna Khan."

Raven's eyes narrowed, and she moved a hand to the gun hidden beneath her desk. "Take a seat."

"Gladly," Trifa nodded. She sat and set down a purse at her side. "Don't get the wrong idea- I'm just here for her body. She wanted to be buried in Menagerie, I'm sure you can appreciate that."

"I don't know what control you think I have over that," Raven scoffed.

Trifa eyed her closely. "It... was a tragedy. She really did love Blake, you know."

"Everyone loved Blake," Raven fired back.

"Sienna wished to be buried side by side with her."

"I'd like that," Raven smirked. "They could keep an eye on each other- but again, I don't have any control over where the bodies go."

"So bitter," Trifa commented. "But then... I'm guessing you have your reasons."

"I approach everything with a healthy amount of skepticism," Raven shrugged, bringing out her gun to underline her point. "So, let's cut the shit, shall we? Why are you really here?"

Trifa raised her hands, seemingly unfazed. "...Sienna left you something in her will. As her executor, it's my job to pass it on. May I?"

"Why would she leave me anything?"

"She said she was thankful for your help with finding Blake," Trifa shrugged. "Past that, I don't know much- I don't even really know what it is. You'll understand if you let me produce it."

Raven waved her gun. "Slowly."

Trifa nodded, not breaking eye contact as she brought up her purse and produced a large black box, placing it gently on the desk between them before setting her purse on her lap.

"I'm not here for much longer," she explained. "Just a couple loose ends to tie up- I'll be leaving tonight. I don't think we'll be seeing each other."

She rose to her feet and headed to the door, Raven keeping an eye on her all the while.

XXXX

*Ding-dong!*

Sun was still rubbing sleep from his eyes when he heard the doorbell ring. "Just a sec!" he called out, jaunting across the house towards the front door. He opened it to find an older woman in very formal attire, up to her rather fancy coat- her skin was dark and her eyes were red.

"Excuse me, I'm looking for Fei or Michelle Wukong," the woman greeted.

"Sorry, they're not in," Sun shook his head. "Feel like leaving a message?"

"My name is Dr. Lily Peach- Michelle and I were friends in Med School. I was on my way to a convention in Vytal, I thought I'd take the chance to stop by and surprise her."

She paused, examining him closely. "You... must he her son, right? Sun?"

"Yeah, that's me," Sun nodded. "Well, I'm sure I can let you in for a bit..."

"Thank you very much," Dr. Peach nodded, stepping through to the living room.

"Want something to drink?" Sun offered. "I'm not touching the liquor, obviously, but we've got some soda, or tea."

"No thanks," Peach waved aside. She took a seat on the couch, where her eyes fell on a newspaper left on the coffee table. "Oh, is this today's?"

"Yup- we still get these in small towns," Sun chuckled.

"Oh, don't badmouth small towns until you've tried living in the city," Peach chastised. "It looks to me like your mother found herself a little slice of heaven."

She glanced over the paper, then returned it. "Don't you have a friend living here, too?"

"Sage- he's like a brother to me."

"Where is he?"

"Probably visiting the park- he likes to head out to get ideas for his poetry."

Peach leaned back on the couch and glanced around nostalgically. "You know, your mother and I used to lounge around our dorms, trying to plan the rest of our lives down to the finest detail. I think she's landed closer to the mark than me. You're still in high school, aren't you?"

"Don't remind me," Sun chuckled.

"Don't we all feel that way?" Peach's smile turned wistful. "Yeah, it's difficult- you're still trying to figure out what you want to do with your life, so everything you're learning seems so... pointless."

"Damn straight."

"Well, try not to worry about it too much," Peach advised. "Everything will work itself out. For now, try to enjoy it in all its absurdity."

"Sounds like a plan," Sun shrugged.

Peach glanced at a watch, and blinked. "Hmm... can't stick around too long. Before I go, I have a present for Michelle- you mind passing it on?"

"Of course."

"Just be sure not to open it, Curious George," Peach smirked. "...I used to call her that all the time. Twenty years ago... yeah, we graduated twenty years ago, this month. That's what the present is, really- a remembrance."

"I'll make sure she gets it," Sun promised.

Peach produced a card. "This is my number- let her know she can call me any time. I'd like to see you again before I go home."

"Sounds good," Sun offered a smile as he waved her back out the door.

XXXX

Tai seemed to be dancing on the threshold of sanity. He had filled up the lobby of the police station with no fewer than ten chessboards, each set up with their own variation of the same game- he was darting from one to the next, moving pieces around, taking notes, and muttering to himself nonstop. Several books on historic chess games were opened all over the place, Tai had to move very carefully- often crawling under the tables- to avoid upsetting the books or boards, and he'd been mainly surviving off of milk and honey for the past day and a half.

There was concern in Ruby's voice when she asked, "So, Dad... you doing okay?"

"It's not possible- it's not possible!" Tai fretted. "I've been through every stalemate game in Remnant's history- including some local matches that didn't make it to the history books! It's just not possible! There isn't a game on earth that doesn't lose you a few pawns! In the most classic stalemate game, you end with only six pieces left! I've been working on it, improving it, but even with the best I can do, you'd lose six pieces- six people would die!"

Ruby nodded understandingly. "We just need to hold her off as long as we can- we're still looking. Until then... Emerald's impatient. She's started off with pawns, but that's not what she really wants- she wants royalty. Focus on protecting those- if we can frustrate her, she might slip up, and we can grab her."

"Nora, no," chided a gentle voice from nearby. Ruby looked up to see Ren and Nora playing a game of their own behind the desk- and from the sound of it, Nora was still learning the ropes.

"Something wrong over there?" Tai called.

"Nora's trying to move her knight without the L."

"You don't have to do the L!" Nora insisted, crossing her arms. "It's optional!"

"No, Nora, I'm afraid Ren is right," Tai smiled. "The knight does have to do the L"

"E...every time?" Nora faltered.

"It's a privilege!" Tai grinned. "No other piece can do that, and not even other pieces can get in the way!"

"Yeah... I get it... I get it!" Nora leapt to her feet and pointed forward dramatically. "Ren, me and my L-moving knights are gonna wipe you out!"

"I'm sure you will, Nora- but in the meantime, check," Ren smirked, moving his bishop.

Tai and Ruby smiled at each other- a smile that vanished when the front door opened and two people walked in- Joseph Winchester and Glynda Goodwitch.

Joseph removed his hat as he faced them. "Ms. Rose- we need to speak to you."

XXXX

A few minutes later, Ruby was in the conference room, drawing Joseph's tattoo on a whiteboard- three triangles, two standing above the third, all pointing up- or, perhaps, all three were pointing towards the center.

"Yes," Joseph nodded. "That's the pattern that appeared on my neck during my... experience. Needless to say... I have no idea where it came from."

"My log noticed it today," Goodwitch chipped in. "And... I remembered."

"Remembered what?"

"The back of my leg."

Goodwitch twisted her leg around, lowering her sock to reveal another tattoo-like mark there- two triangles standing side-by-side, but not so perfect as the ones in Joseph's tattoo- they looked more... jagged, as if they were mountains.

Ruby examined it closely, before turning to the whiteboard and sketching her tattoo as well.

"I was seven," Goodwitch recalled. "I went walking through the woods on Baldpate Mountain. It was only a few hours, but when I returned, I was told I'd been missing for three days. All I remembered was a bright flash of white light, and the next thing I knew... that mark was on my leg."

"We've all seen the light," Joseph nodded.

"And the owl- I heard an owl," Goodwitch added.

"I remember the light and owl," Ruby agreed.

"I saw that light and heard that sound again, thirty years later," Goodwitch's eyes narrowed. "The night my husband died. In a fire." She practically spat the last word.

Ruby offered her a sympathetic look before turning back to her drawings. She stepped back, struggling to see meaning in them.

Joseph perfectly summed up her thoughts. "The marks... they mean something, I can feel it."

"Yes," Goodwitch agreed. "But... even my log doesn't seem to know."

XXXX

"I want to be bad, and not even care,"

Mitsuru sang softly, running her hand through Weiss's hair as they gazed out on the Haven River- Weiss had laid her head in her lap after a fine meal.

"I want to go out of my head somewhere-

I want to go crazy like the dogs in the yard.

I want to cut the rope- it's getting so much harder.

I want to play poker, stay out every night.

Throw stones in the water in the morning light.

I want to be lazy like the dogs in the yard.

Why can't I fly tonight?

Why can't I sleep all morning?

I'm going out of my mind tonight- that's where I'm going.

That's where I'm going.

I want to have a good time

before it's too late.

Come on, baby, let's go uptown and celebrate.

Let's go and celebrate-

We're going to run crazy like the dogs in the yard.

We're going to fly tonight-

We're going to sleep all morning.

We're going out of our minds tonight- that's where we're going.

That's where we're going."

Weiss found herself smiling. "Nobody's ever sung a song like that for me before."

"I'm sure your parents did, at least," Mitsuru smiled down at her. "And no boys have tried to court you?"

"No, my parents never really had time for singing," Weiss shook her head heavily. "And... well, there was one boy, but... he was never really my type. Everyone else was just afraid."

"If they fear you, they don't truly know you," Mitsuru whispered.

"I doubt anybody truly knows me- sometimes, I wonder if I know myself," Weiss admitted.

"Are you trying to warn me away?"

"No..."

"Weiss, if there's somebody else..."

"There was, once- she was the most wonderful person I'd ever met. But lately, I've come to realize... it could never work. And now... there's nobody."

"Then where do you intend to go from here?"

Weiss thought. "I've always been a fan of cowboy movies..."

"Perfect," Mitsuru smiled. "I'll find a lasso and catch you the moon."

Weiss laughed. "That might be a bit big to start out with."

"Point taken," Mitsuru nodded. "Let's set our sights lower. I can catch a dog- a raccoon, maybe? Or... oh, of course! I'll catch you a weasel!"

To her surprise, Weiss found herself laughing again. She couldn't remember the last time she'd laughed so heartily, so... genuinely.

XXXX

Sun had just opened a can of soda when he heard the front door open- his parents were home. He headed to the living room to greet them. "Someone stopped by to visit, Mom- an old classmate of yours? Lily Peach?"

Fei looked confused, but Michelle's eyes widened. "Sorry, Sun, I must have misheard you- I thought you said Lily Peach came to visit?"

"Yeah, that's her name," Sun nodded. "She left you a present and everything." He held out the present and scroll number.

Michelle accepted them, exchanging a horrified glance with her husband as she handed him the number. "Sun... Lily Peach died in a mountain accident three years ago. I was there, I tried to save her. I felt... I felt her heart stop beating."

Sun's eyes widened as he took in what he was being told. "But then... who-"

"The number is to a cemetery," Fei announced, looking gravely up at his wife.

Michelle looked down at the present, and opened it- inside was a black knight with a small paper attached, spelling out a chess play.

She swallowed. "I... need to give this to Ruby. Sun, if you see that woman again, don't let her in- she's extremely dangerous- call the police."

"Gotcha," Sun nodded uneasily as he watched Michelle sprint for the door. She hadn't even taken her coat off.

XXXX

Yatsuhashi took a deep breath- even Oobleck's presence wasn't making this much easier. He sat on the safety of his own couch, his wife at his side, a psychiatrist in a chair in front, and still, he was fighting to get the words out. "Look, Neon... what I'm trying to say is..." In... out. "Considering your new relationship with Sky, and all..."

Neon grinned. "You're so cute when you're embarrassed, you big lug."

"And... since I've found someone else as well... this... this may be difficult to understand..."

"Oh, don't worry, I get it," Neon shook her head. "Don't even worry, Yats, it's not like this is just some little fight!"

Oobleck finally took pity on him. "Ms. Katt, I feel obliged to ask you... do you truly understand what Mr. Daichi is suggesting?"

"I mean, it's not like it's rocket science or anything," Neon giggled. "It is what it is- we're breaking up- once and for all."

"That is technically true," Oobleck agreed. "However... hmm..."

"There's a little more to it," Yats put in.

"Oh, you're taking this so seriously," Neon rolled her eye. "I get that it's hard, but these are the dating years, aren't they? We've both found someone else, haven't we? It's not all that big a deal, is it?"

Yats looked imploringly at Oobleck, who put their heads together and whispered into his ear. "I'm afraid, Mr. Daichi, that there are no secret tricks or magic words to invoke here. All we can do is rip the band-aid off swiftly, so to speak. It's only when her mind feels safe that reality will return to her."

"And how long will that take?"

"Were that I could tell you. She's already greatly outlasted my expectations-"

Neon interrupted their hushed discussion. "Oh, Yats- I don't wanna see any rages, okay? You gave me up fair and square, just leave us to each other."

Yats sighed heavily. "Oobleck... just give it to her straight, will you?"

Oobleck straightened his back, then his tie. "Ms. Ka- Neon, you and Yatsuhashi are about to get a divorce."

Neon's eye widened, and a hand raised, nearly pawing at her eyepatch. "Yats... I think I've gone blind in my left eye!"

XXXX

Sun's blood ran cold when the doorbell rang- even more when he reached the top of the stairs to see that his father had already beaten him to it, even in his wheelchair. What if that impostor was back?

He was soothed slightly when he saw the woman at the door- it was quite clearly Willow Schnee. That didn't entirely wash away his concern, though- what business did Willow Schnee have with a family of monkey faunus?

His befuddlement only grew as Willow took his father's hand and knelt down in front of him, raising a finger to her lip in the universal gesture for silence. She leaned in near to him and whispered something into his ear. Strain his own ears though he might, Sun couldn't make out a single word.

XXXX

Coco was going through her mail for the day, when she let out a laugh.

"What's going on?" Velvet asked, eager to get in on the joke.

"Check out the flyer," Coco smirked, turning it around.

"Oh, the Ms. Vale pageant," Velvet rolled her eyes with a smile. "Thinking about defending your title?"

"I was more so thinking about passing it on," Coco smirked, brandishing the flyer at her.

Velvet blushed furiously when she realized what her boss was implying. "You... you must be joking!"

"It could be good for you!" Coco pointed out. "A nice cash prize and a scholarship! You're the town darling, Velvet, I bet you could do it!"

"I... I really don't think-"

"It's just a stupid pageant," Coco shrugged. "You get up, give a speech, answer a few dumb questions..."

Velvet glanced around to make sure nobody else was watching, then grabbed a nearby spoon, speaking into it as though it were a microphone. "Ms. Waitress, what would you do to fight homelessness?" She slipped into a much meeker tone. "Well, I think that what we really need is more world peace around the world, because then the world would be more peaceful!"

Coco roared with laughter. "You're already halfway there!"

A bell rang from the kitchen. "And I have an order up," Velvet shrank back into herself- though not enough to stop herself from strutting to the counter as if imagining walking along a carpet.

She caught the attention of a long-haired woman with dark skin drinking some coffee at the counter nearby- the same woman the order was for, as it happened.

"What's with the dance?" she asked.

Velvet's blush returned. "Er... my boss just told me I should enter the Ms. Vale pageant. A pipe dream, really-"

"Is it, though?" the woman asked, tilting her head. "You are rather pretty. I'd vote for you."

"Well, I appreciate you saying so," Velvet laughed nervously, "but I don't really think of myself like that."

"Nobody does," the woman pointed out. "It's... an inner thing."

Velvet shrugged, then returned to work.

The woman finished drinking her coffee when she saw Ruby Rose sitting down at the other end of the counter, flicking through a book on North Menagerie.

She disappeared before Ruby had the chance to notice her.

XXXX

Ruby sighed as she took her seat at the counter- in times like these, one needed a relaxing lunch break.

"Can I help you?" asked the voice behind the counter.

"Yeah, I'd like some coffee, please," Ruby spoke into her book. "Cream and... five... sugars..."

Her eyes widened as they finally left the book to see her waitress- her dark hair and beautiful green eyes instantly caught her attention.

"Coming right up," Marie nodded, providing a mug from beneath the counter.

Ruby grinned as she produced a paper to take the rest of the order. "So... you must be Coco's sister."

"Marie, yes," Marie confirmed. "How did you know?"

"Ruby Rose," Ruby introduced, holding out her hand. "I'm with the VPD."

Marie shook her hand once before taking it back. "They must keep you busy."

"Yeah..." Ruby nodded, smiling vacantly at her. "Yeah... oh, are you in town for long?"

"I may be here for quite some time," Marie nodded.

"That's what happened to me," Ruby smiled. "It grows on you, you know?"

"That's what Coco says," Marie nodded, heading into the kitchen. Not too much later, she returned with the coffee, and poured it into her cup. "It might be a little strong, I guess..."

"No worries," Ruby grinned- her grin slipped when she saw a scar on Marie's wrist- it had been hidden by a bracelet, but it was revealed when she moved to pour.

She chose not to comment for the moment.

Marie finished pouring, and was on the point of returning to the kitchen when Ruby stopped her by raising her hand. She took a long, slow drink of coffee, and beamed. "You made it just right, Marie!"

"You're making me feel like a Mary Sue," Marie scoffed, fighting to hide a blush as she did, indeed, return to her work.

Just in time- Fox approached her from the back and tapped her on the shoulder. "Ruby, there's been a problem. At the Library."

XXXX

'Problem' was putting it mildly. As Nora reported when Ruby arrived, Yang had spent the previous hour tearing up and overturning everything that wasn't bolted down- in other words, only the bed remained. A particularly large pile of junk had been erected near the window, upon which Yang currently sat like a throne, glaring down at anyone who dared to draw near, gun in one hand, a bottle of whiskey in the other, from which she was periodically taking long swigs.

"I want to help her," Nora whispered, "but... I don't know what to do!"

"Let me talk to her," Ruby whispered, advancing slowly into the room. She kept her face as neutral as she could- she didn't want to come across as frightened or pitying- neither was what Yang needed right now.

"Well, well, well," Yang struggled to glare at her as she came into view, but her eyes were blurred and out of focus. "If it ain't the mosss perrrfec' copper disside uvvthe... *hic*- uvthe river... Deputy Roshe. Howshe tricks, sis?"

"Oh, you know how these things go," Ruby shrugged. "Nothing ever goes smoothly, but we've got a big complication right now..."

"Ya... yunno da great thing about da law?" Yang continued to slur. "It... itch dunnt breethe, so yu can't kill it!"

Yang was working herself up, waving the gun around without a care in the world. That was the first problem to address.

"But there is something you can do to help!" Ruby snapped her fingers, as if something had just occurred to her. "Yang, can I borrow your gun?"

Yang struggled to glare at her and chuckle humorlessly at the same time. "I'm da jokester round dese parts, Rubesh. I ain't handed muh gun to no-one fur... fur... fur never!"

"I know," Ruby nodded, slipping into the puppy dog eyes with which she used to always get whatever she wanted from Yang when she'd been young. "But it's just such a cool gun, Yang! Please, can you let me see it? Please, big sis?"

Yang barely seemed to react. "Sumtin... sumtin elshe I never dun... never been cross-da sea. Never been tu Men... Man... Manjury. Blake... she... she cameta me. She found me... when I wash all 'lone... made 'tall better. Everting... schmuch bettar..."

Ruby drew closer, putting a hand on her sister's shoulder. "Yang... I'm sorry. I'm sorry I left. Mom died, and right when you needed me the most, I left. I'm sorry. I... I understand what Blake meant to you- probably, the same thing Makoto meant to me. They're gone now... but we still have our own lives- they didn't take that with them. We still have each other."

Yang looked up at her, all the anger gone, only deep sorrow in its place. "Shuda... shuda shaved her... gotten her away... I... I loved her. I loved her so much... she... she din't hafta die..."

She looked down, trembling. Ruby moved closer, wrapping her arms around her sister in the tightest hug she could muster. Yang dropped the gun and bottle to reciprocate, sobbing uncontrollably into her younger sister's shoulder.

"I... I dun undershtand..."

"Nobody does," Ruby whispered gently, rocking her back and forth. Slowly, she began to sing. "Don't you worry about the dark, I will light up the night with the love in my heart, I will burn like the sun that will keep you safe and warm..."

She slowly lifted Yang off of the pile, and carried her towards a nearby bed- fortunately, one of the few things Yang hadn't touched. "Like the smell of a rose on a summer's day, I will be there to take all your fears away- with a touch of my hand, I will turn your life to gold..."

She stepped back- she could hear Yang snoring. She smiled, and looked to the others. "Fox... someone should keep an eye on her tonight."

Fox and Nora looked sorrowfully on. "I've never seen her like this," Nora shook her head. "It's... it's wrong."

"It's like taking a hike to your favorite spot and finding a landfill where the lake used to be," Fox nodded. "Blake... had quite a bit of power over her."

"Yang doesn't love easily... so when she does, she loves too much," Ruby nodded. "But... that's what makes her such a great person."

"The best," Fox nodded.

XXXX

The lobby of the Austin hotel was becoming remarkably crowded- so crowded that the concierge didn't even look at the next guests at first. "So, a special honeymoon suite for Mr. and Mrs... Turney?"

"That is correct, yes," Mr. 'Turney' nodded- a somewhat short man with what appeared to be a mullet that he attempted to hide beneath a large bowler hat. He had a pair of obviously fake glasses on, and a tweed suit that quite obviously didn't belong to him. 'Mrs. Turney,' meanwhile, was quite obviously the town kook, Neon Daichi- the only effort she'd put into hiding her identity at all was a large pair of sunglasses.

The disguises were almost physically painful, but he allowed them to keep talking.

"We're from Shade, but my... er... wife wanted to see the countryside," 'Mr. Turney' explained.

"Will you be with us long?" Ms. Concierge asked.

"Not long enough," 'Most-Definitely-Not-Neon' smiled at her 'husband.'

"Just until tomorrow," 'Most-Definitely-Her-Husband' quickly corrected. "We're going fishing up at the lake. We'll just go on up now, me and-"

"Oh, Sky!"

Sky closed his eyes in exasperation as he turned to see Dove Bronzewing and Russell Thrush standing there, grinning like cats who had just caught the canary. "Hello, Mr. Bronzewing, Mr. Thrush. How are you?"

"Doin' fine," Russell smirked. "Kinda wondering what you and Cardin are up to nowadays, with your apparent sudden furry fetishes-"

Neon grabbed the call-bell off the counter and tossed it at them- Rusell hit the ground with a thud and a whimper. Dove's eyes widened as he quietly stepped away, not looking back as he hurried off.

Sky took a deep breath as Neon turned to smile at the concierge. "We're heading up!"

"We'll handle the bags," Sky grunted as he hurried away, leaving the concierge to tend to Russell. He had a large mark on his head, and the bell... had been flattened like a pancake.

XXXX

Willow's benefit was a roaring success so far- granted that it had just barely started. She assumed the stage to give a speech. "First of all, I'd like to thank each and every one of you for coming out here this evening. It truly raises my spirits to see so many people so sincere about saving their environment. The 'Stop Hienton' campaign is a determined effort to keep the rabid development interests from trying to turn the beautiful forests of northwestern Vytal, destroying animal preserves that have been undisturbed for centuries. The little worlds serving as sanctums for so many endangered species, not least of which, of course, is the little pine weasel."

She paused to gesture at the countless photos of pine weasels decorating the Gold Room, showing the weasel at play, climbing trees, and sleeping in the branches.

"Before we move along, I would like to take a moment to emphasize that ecology is not a luxury science. This isn't supposed to be pleasant- it's about survival, ensuring that we all make it. That said, since visual pleasure is rather valuable in itself, I would like to begin the fashion show. Should any of you recognize any of the models, you should- they are concerned members of the community who have graciously given us their time tonight. To begin, I give you our host, Neptune Vasilias!"

Polite applause greeted Neptune as he walked out from behind the curtains to accept the microphone. "Thank you, thank you everyone!" He flashed his winning smile around the audience. "First up, let's see... Nora Valkyrie!"

The curtains parted again, and Nora came prancing out in a large flannel shirt and coat, complete with blue jeans, grinning wildly.

"A lovely mix of northern comfort and southern hospitality," Neptune grinned as she headed down the walkway. "This look announces-"

To his surprise, Nora seized the microphone and began giving a speech herself. "Hello, everyone, I'd like to take a moment to tell you about our Lord and Savior, Paul Bunyan! The ultimate woodsman, his army was so large that he was having trouble making enough pancakes to feed everyone, so he had Ole the blacksmith make a griddle so large you couldn't see all the way across! It took fifty men skating around it with pork rinds on their feet to grease it! The batter was mixed into large barrels, and it took the strongest cooks to even flip the pancakes, let alone deliver them!" She licked her lips. "Just imagine what it must have been like to sit at that table!"

"...Thank you for that, Nora," Neptune forced a smile, offering some polite applause, encouraging the audience to do the same. Nora beamed proudly and took a wild bow before prancing back behind the curtains again.

Neptune fought back a look of exasperation. "Now, we turn to Lie Ren, who has fashioned his own clothing made of wool, all plaid, except for his black-checked trousers!"

Ren was far quieter as he assumed the stage. "...I'm afraid I have nothing to add," he shrugged before stepping back.

XXXX

Weiss was backstage, preparing other models. "Okay, we're starting to run late- someone hurry Neptune along."

"I'm not sure the anecdote was entirely necessary, Nora," Ren commented as they walked by on their way to the dressing room.

"Blasphemy!" Nora declared. "It's always the right time for a story about Paul Bunyan! Besides..." she lowered her voice. "I wanted to say somethign to take my mind off all those girls Neptune was eyeing up..."

Ren placed a comforting hand on their shoulder as Weiss heard Neptune calling the next model- she quickly ushered her on stage.

XXXX

Raven smirked when she arrived at the benefit- so this really was Willow's new plan, hm? "Look who thinks she's Jane Goodall," she scoffed as she approached Willow at the bar, where she was drinking a tall glass of... milk.

"Jane Goodall specialized in primates," Willow pointed out. "Between your husband and daughter, I'd think that name fit you far better than I. However... I am glad to see you here."

"Who do you think you're fooling with all this?" Raven didn't waste any time beating around the bush.

"Nobody," Willow answered. "Because there is no deception occurring- I am absolutely sincere in my convictions."

"You might be able to fool others, Willow, but not me," Raven shook her head. "I've known you far too long for that. Try this on someone who isn't in the same line of work. You've never been as subtle as me, but this... this is blatantly obvious."

Willow set down her milk. "Raven... have you ever had an experience that truly, fundamentally changed you?"

"Spare me the born-again sales pitch," Raven cut her off. "There's no stopping me and my plans for Hienton, so what is your plan?"

"The preliminary scrubbing of one of the filthiest consciences on Remnant," Willow answered firmly. "There will, naturally, be many more to come. The cleansing may last the remainder of my life, but I intend to see it through. And, while it may be something of a pipe dream, I'd like to see the same happen to you."

She leaned closer, and Raven eagerly followed, certain she was about to get her answers.

"Raven, I know your plans for Hienton. I know I used to see things in exactly the same way you do. But... no matter how many deals I made... no matter how much money I made... inside, I was killing my soul, until all that remained was a black, miserable clod of filth. I have since found that the one thing that can bring me true joy is giving. Raven, I hope you come to the same realization before it's too late."

"You should have been an actress," Raven commented. "You almost sound like you mean it."

"That's because I do," Willow still stood firm. "For you, for me, and for the future of this town. Raven... why not take this opportunity to turn your back on a lifetime of megalomania and egocentrism? Donate to us- to help stop Hienton."

Raven burst out laughing. "And there it is!"

Willow followed her laugh, but to Raven's surprise, did not press the issue, instead downing the rest of her milk before heading on her way.

XXXX

When the last model stepped down, Neptune took back the microphone to move things along. "And now, to introduce you to a poor little endangered critter, whose home is under threat as we speak, at the hands of the Hienton project. Mr. Payne!"

"Thank you, Neptune, thank you very much!"

Neptune was not alone in cringing at the sound of Winston Payne's voice as he stepped through the curtains with a cage under his arm. He had found the least flattering suit to accentuate his total lack of charisma, and by some divine prank, had gotten it into his head to wear a fanny-pack to the event. "Hello, everyone, how's everything going?"

No applause- Neptune didn't attempt to rouse any. He had a sneaking suspicion it would be an exercise in futility.

"Good, good, wonderful," Payne nodded. "Ladies and gentlemen, I have with me a little fella with no concept of the peril that awaits him! An innocent in this world gone mad! Mad, I say!"

He winced as Neptune subtly stepped on his foot.

"Right, correct! Without further adieu, ladies and gentlemen, I give you... the endangered pine weasel!"

He opened the cage and took the weasel inside into his hands, holding it aloft, allowing it to look around, blinking at the lights. "This is, of course, a member of the weasel family, completely non-aggressive, absolutely beautiful, and, by nature, an excellent pest controller! Unfortunately, he is rather curious, making them a rather easy trap. He's also attracted to bright, shiny objects!"

As if to demonstrate, the weasel caught sight of the studs in Neptune's dress shirt, and began nibbling at them.

Winston smirked, but hid it before he turned back to the audience. "He's also attracted to various smells, such as cheap cologne!"

Neptune fought to maintain his smile.

"Oh! I think he wants to give you a kiss, Neptune!"

"I doubt it."

"Oh, come on, give him a kiss!"

Neptune groaned internally- Payne was killing the entire event here. He may as well go along with this to try and liven things up a little.

He bent over to plant a quick kiss on the weasel's head.

Out of curiosity, the weasel nibbled at his nose.

Out of surprise, Neptune moved to pull back.

Out of surprise, the weasel sunk its teeth in further.

Neptune let out a shout of pain and instinctively began to flail around.

Out of its own panic, the weasel dug its teeth in further in an effort not to go flying.

Finally, Neptune managed to wrench the weasel off and send it flying onto one of the tables.

The people at the table screamed and jumped away, knocking it over.

The weasel landed, confused and starting to panic itself, wrapped in tablecloth.

Screams quickly filled the Gold Room- people were screaming everywhere. Neptune made his leave to find the nearest first aid kit, leaving Winston struggling to get everything back under control. "Don't panic! Don't panic! He's completely harmless!"

Nobody was listening.

The weasel began scampering around, searching for an exit, and spreading the panic even further.

A man fell to the floor and looked to his side, screaming in terror as the weasel dashed towards him- and climbed right over.

Ren and Nora broke through the curtain. Ren raised his voice. "Everyone please calm down. Please, let's remain civil..."

"Aren't you people listening?!" Nora shouted. "Renny says everything's fine, so everything's fine!"

Weiss fought her way to the microphone. "Everybody calm down! Return to your seats!"

A panicking woman pushed past her, knocking her off the stage- and into Mitsuru's arms.

"Are you okay?"

"Fine," Weiss nodded as she returned to her feet.

"Well, this is silly, isn't it?" Mitsuru commented. "All this fuss over a little weasel."

"So foolish," Weiss agreed. "We should help."

"Perhaps, perhaps not," Mitsuru shrugged. "I think this is the most excitement these people have had in years- perhaps it will do them some good."

Weiss grinned. "I love the way you think."

beFORe sHE kneW it, thEY HAd preSseD theiR LiPS TogetHer.

XXXX

Fox was exempt from the chaos- he was keeping watch over Yang- which, at the moment, was limited to reading a book while he waited for her to show signs of life.

This unfortunately left him vulnerable when Trifa entered behind him and smacked him over the head with her gun. He slumped over in his seat.

Trifa stepped around him and towards the unconscious Yang, sliding off her coat to reveal a thin dress beneath, before sliding into bed next to her.

XXXX

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tHIS is THe waTEr, AND This iS THe WeLL.

dRInK DEep ANd DESCeND

tHE HoRSE Is The WHIte Of the EYES

darKness WIthiN