Burning the Candle
"I'll have to think about it." Goodwitch says.
"Take all the time you need." Ironwood responds, "Though it would be best to decide before I return to Atlas after the Vytal Festival."
"It shouldn't be that long." Goodwitch declares.
Ash wakes up to find himself in the locker room. He is lying on a bench. Ash looks up to see Cora peering down at him. It is then that Ash realizes that Cora is no longer wearing the plates on her armor and that his head is on her lap.
"And how'd we get here?" Ash asks.
"You fell asleep." Cora states, "So I had to drag you all the way over here myself."
"Cat and Iris didn't help?" Ash asks.
Cora shakes her head.
"And why is my head in your lap?" Ash asks.
"You were having a nightmare and you wouldn't wake up." Cora declares as she looks away, heat rising to her cheeks, "So I did my best to soothe you."
Ash hums in acknowledgement.
"How long?" Cora asks, turning back to Ash.
"What?" Ash asks.
"How long have you been having nightmares?" Cora repeats more sternly.
"What makes you think this wasn't a one time thing?" Ash avoids the question.
"Kismet." Cora answers, "Now answer the question."
"Since the docks." Ash states.
"When you first encountered the Flames of Destruction." Cora concludes.
Ash closes his eyes, neither confirming nor denying.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Cora asks, "We could've helped. Providence could've helped."
"It's under control." Ash responds.
"Is it?" Cora questions.
"Yes." Ash declares.
"Liar..." Cora comments as she looks away.
Ash sighs as he sits up, "Where are the others?"
"They went back to Beacon." Cora answers as she gets off of the bench, "We should head back soon."
"You go on ahead." Ash orders, "I still need to get out of this armor."
"I can wait." Cora says, quickly.
"You don't have to." Ash responds as he walks away.
Ash, now wearing his standard attire, enters the lobby of the building to see Cora waiting at the entrance. She is looking at something on her scroll.
"I told you that you didn't have to wait." Ash states as he approaches.
"Yeah, but I wanted to." Cora says as she puts her scroll away.
"Let's go then." Ash orders.
As the two are walking back to Beacon, Cora is lagging behind slightly.
"Something wrong?" Ash asks as he stops.
"The dance is coming up..." Cora states.
"What about it?" Ash asks.
"Are we going?" Cora responds.
"Yes and no." Ash answers.
Cora tilts her head in confusion.
"Kismet sent a mission plan." Ash states, "Didn't you read it?"
Cora shakes her head.
"That's not like you." Ash states, "You were always the 'perfect soldier.'"
Cora groans in disgust.
"Please don't call me that." Cora requests, "I don't need you and Iris on my back."
"You two cannot get along can you?" Ash asks.
"She hates me." Cora complains.
"She's scared." Ash corrects, "On our last operation she saw both our dark sides. Not the best first impression."
"I guess." Cora admits
"You'll work it out." Ash assures, stepping closer to her.
"I'm not worried about me." Cora states, "She's your partner. Have you even spoken to her? I mean without the rest of us present."
"No." Ash answers, "She's avoiding me."
"You should talk to her." Cora suggests, "She talks to me, even if it is riddled with insults."
"Sounds like fun." Ash comments sarcastically.
Cora punches Ash in the shoulder, "Don't be a dick."
"Did she insult you during the sparring match?" Ash asks.
"No." Cora answers, "She's capable of steeling herself when in combat."
"Then we'll be fine." Ash declares.
Ash chuckles as he places his hand on Cora's shoulder.
"Come on, let's get back to Beacon." Ash orders.
Ash sighs as he walks towards Professor Goodwitch's office. He knocks on the door and waits for a moment.
"Come in!" The professor calls.
Ash opens the door and takes note of the large stack of books and paperwork, the professor's glasses resting beside them.
"You asked for me?" Ash calls as he spots the professor.
Professor Goodwitch is sitting in her chair, which she has moved to be beside the window.
"I did." Goodwitch confirms, "I saw you team's match."
Ash raises an eyebrow.
"The general was taking me on a tour of the Providence office." Professor Goodwitch states.
"Why?" Ash asks.
"Ironwood asked me to join Providence." Professor Goodwitch states, "I haven't made my choice yet. I'd like to ask you for your thoughts first."
"My thoughts?" Ash questions.
"You've been a member of Providence a long time." The professor states, "I'd like your input."
"Do you know what role you'll be taking?" Ash asks.
"I'd be an undercover agent." The professor states, "I would help coordinates the other agent's activities in Vale while reporting any information that I happen I come across to Providence."
"What about Ozpin?" Ash asks, "You'll be sworn to secrecy. It may be difficult considering his position."
"Not entirely." The professor declares, "Ozpin is aware of Providence's existence."
"What?" Ash reacts, "Why? He's not aligned with us in any capacity."
"Unfortunately, I cannot tell you." Professor Goodwitch.
"Must have to do with Salem." Lancel declares, "It would explain why she's not on Providence's radar."
'Agreed.' Ash responds.
"Mister Snow?" Goodwitch calls, noticing his silence.
"Why are you so worried about joining Providence?" Ash asks, acting like nothing happened.
"Providence's activities are covered in so much black ink that I can't be too sure what I'm getting myself into." The professor answers, "Even what I do know is disturbing: child soldiers, black operations, infiltrating civilian institutions, and it operates outside of any of the council's jurisdiction. I want to know if you believe that Providence is truly working for the benefit of all of Remnant."
"..." Ash looks to the side, "I can't speak for all of Providence. All I know is that what I do, I do for the benefit of all."
The Professor nods before standing up from her seat.
"Are you happy there?" She asks as she steps closer to Ash who looks back at her.
"Happiness isn't something one considers when saving the world." Ash responds.
"That's really an answer." Professor Goodwitch notes.
"No, it's not." Ash agrees before sighing.
Ash looks down.
"I..." Ash pauses, "No. But that's not Providence's fault. Not really. I'm not happy here at Beacon either."
"Because of what to Team SLVR?" Goodwitch guesses.
Ash nods.
"So you've lost people in the line of duty at Providence too..." The professor deduces, "I'm so sorry that you had to go through that."
"I'd rather not talk about it." Ash states.
"I didn't mean to bring it up..." Goodwitch says, "You may go, if you'd rather be alone right now."
Ash nods before turning around.
"Professor." Ash calls, "If you do take Ironwood's offer, Providence would be glad to have you."
Ash returns to his dorm room where the rest of his team is waiting for him.
"Remind me again why Ironwood wants us to act as security for the dance." Iris requests.
"Because Atlas has clearly been infiltrated, there could be spies among the men that he has brought with him to Vale." Cora states.
"And why are you and Ash working inside the ballroom while Cataline and I get stuck on watching the perimeter?" Iris complains.
"Because you're a sniper and Cat is a tracker, you two would be terrible indoors." Ash explains, "Cora's skills will be slightly handicapped due to being restricted to a sidearm but no where as handicapped as either of you would be in her place. As long as Cora stays close to me I can use my Semblance to provide her with better firearms."
"We wouldn't be terrible." Cataline protests.
"You know what he means." Cora replies.
"Just get some rest." Ash orders, "The dance is tomorrow."
Team SCCI stand inside the Assault Container. Cataline and Iris are wearing their Kavachas. Cora is wearing an off white, seamless dress with gold highlights that reaches down to her ankles and has matching heels. Around her waist is a light pink sash ties with a white rose. Ash is wearing a simple all black two-piece suit with a black dress shirt and bowtie. Ash a Cora both have their earpieces. Ash checks his watch for the plan.
"Iris will be stationed on this building." Ash states, pointing to a holographic map projected by his watch, "She'll have a full range of vision and easy access to the tower should she need to enter. Cat will be with the guards on the inside the tower to serve as backup should anyone get by."
"Penny will be at the dance." Cora states, "She'll be recording the whole event but she won't be able to get full coverage of the ballroom. Especially since she'll be shadowing Cinder, Emerald, & Mercury."
"Even if Providence could fit a camera in our earpieces, the three of us wouldn't be able to record everything." Ash comments.
"I know..." Cora responds, "I just feel like we're going to miss something important. Especially since we don't know who their fourth teammate is. I feel under equipped."
"It'll be fine." Ash assures, placing a hand on her shoulder, "If you truly worried, I'll set up some micro cameras around the room."
"Just remember what you promised me." Cora says, "We want them alive."
Ash nods.
Ash and Cora arrive and are greeted by Yang.
"You came!" Yang is surprised, "I thought you said that you had work to do?"
"Cat and Iris are taking care of it." Cora lies.
"Shame they couldn't make it." Yang says.
Ash hums in mock agreement.
"The dance isn't due to start for another hour." Yang states, "So no one is really here yet."
"That's alright." Ash says.
"We'll use the time to take a look at the place." Cora adds, "Since we never got a chance while you and Weiss were planning."
"I'll give you a tour." Yang smiles.
While Yang leads them, Ash rubs his hand on the wall, pulling some cameras out using his Semblance. He hands half to Cora.
Iris takes position on a rooftop, drawing her sniper rifle. She pulls a wire from the scope and attaches it to the back of her helmet, linking them.
"I'm in position." Iris states, "Activating Squad Sight."
Her HUD flashes as the view Cataline, Penny, and the cameras that Ash and Cora place are all projected on the side of her HUD.
Cataline stands with Atlesian guards in the lobby of the CCTS. She checks the ammo of her machine pistol.
"Don't expect much on my end." Cataline declares.
Ash and Cora are in the middle of a dance when they hear Iris through their earpieces.
"The guests of honor have arrived." Iris declares with heavy sarcasm.
Ash and Cora turn to the door to see Mercury and Emerald greeted by Yang.
"No Cinder." Cora states, "She must be up to something."
"Agreed." Ash smirks, "Let the games begin."