Recording #17
January, 22981 AEA
My family came to visit me today. I didn't have much to show them that wasn't purely theoretical, which was pretty awkward. I don't get to see them very often because of the nature of my work, so it was nice to catch up. Yeah… anyways, even if people think the theoretical parts of my research are boring, so what? This could be the discovery of a millennia! How could anyone not be excited about that? I just know there's something amazing, something incredible, waiting beyond the Veil, and I intend to prove it. Now, if you'll excuse me. There's work to be done."
Kingdom of Vale
November, 78 AGW
Ozpin was astounded. It was almost comical how quickly negotiations had broken down mere minutes after Ruby accepted his deal. Qrow was leaning on the pillar closest to the elevator, trying hard not to laugh. In front of Ozpin stood Ruby, palms slammed down on his desk, glaring at him with a look of furious indignation.
"Listen up you pathetic mortal. I've already agreed to your, quite frankly, ridiculous terms just so I can use your pitiful, paltry library." She fumed, popping every 'p'.
"But maybe I misunderstood, because I could have sworn I heard you say that I'm not allowed to use any of my magic while on campus?!"
Ozpin sighed. "As I've told you, using your powers in public will place you at great risk. There are… certain individuals who would not hesitate to kill you for them."
"And as I've told you, they can try all they want, but I'll guarantee they won't even be able to touch me, let alone kill me!"
They'd been going back and forth over this point for the past few minutes, and it was becoming clear to Ozpin that Ruby wouldn't budge on the whole 'being unkillable' part, which was most assuredly a lie. If Ruby were truly immortal, then it would have been impossible for him to not have encountered her at some point during his many lifetimes on Remnant, and he was in no rush to test her immortality in person. It seemed Qrow's report about her state of mind was entirely accurate, and as much as that troubled him, it also meant it was time for a change in strategy.
"Fine, I'll concede that you'll be alright even if our foes came after you. But can you say the same for the rest of us 'pathetic mortals' who might get caught in the crossfire?" He could sort out Ruby's delusions later. Right now, he couldn't possibly place the entire school at such blatant risk, even for a Maiden.
"I uh, that's—" She hesitated, backing off. "I mean, maybe if you people weren't so good at dying, this wouldn't be a problem…" Ruby trailed off as she slowly realized the whole school was filled with 'mortals', as it were.
Now was the time to strike. "Listen, Ruby." Ozpin began, his voice softer. "I'm not saying you can't use magic ever while on campus. I just want to emphasize that you must not be seen doing it, and the best way to do that would be to simply not use it in the first place."
He relaxed in his chair, and took another sip of hot cocoa. "If you wish, I'll set up a time and place in Beacon where you can practice your magic, in private. Would that be alright?"
Her demeanor changed almost instantly, as a devious grin crept up on her face. "Make sure that place doubles as my personal laboratory—fully funded by the school, of course—and you've got yourself a deal."
A lab? What on Remnant could she possibly want that for? Ozpin dreaded to think of how he would have to explain this year's budget to the Valean Council, but he knew he couldn't have a Maiden flippantly using her magic for all to see. Besides, controlling the funding would allow him some oversight, so what was the worst that could happen?
He poured himself some more hot cocoa. "Very well. We can work out the finer details later."
Ruby became much more amicable after that concession, and he called up Glynda to list off the other rules that every student at Beacon needed to follow. There were some small disagreements: her refusal to part with her cloak while in uniform chief among them, but those were relatively minor in the grand scheme of things. Eventually, they reached the subject of her name.
"I'll need your full name and date of birth to get you registered in our system." Glynda stated, Scroll in hand.
Ozpin leaned forward, bringing up Qrow's full report, and waited for her response.
"Why do I need a last name?"
Ozpin considered himself something of an expert at reading other people. He had lifetimes of experience observing the minor tics and microexpressions that everyone expressed when talking. His every instinct screamed that her question was genuine, and he suddenly realized, much to his chagrin, that he had spent the bulk of his conversation with Ruby explaining, arguing and compromising with her, and literally no time questioning her background. Where did she come from, that she didn't have a last name? Why was she all alone when she stumbled upon Qrow, with nary a belonging on her person aside from her cloak? Where was her family?
"Everyone has a last name." Glynda explained patiently, clearly still uncomfortable with Ruby. "It's how we separate people who share the same name."
Ruby's eyes widened ever so slightly as she realized something. Whatever it was, though, she decided not to share. "Oh, okay, uh… let's see… What should my last name be?" She put her palm to her chin, deep in thought.
Right. It was time to probe for more information. It was certainly a possibility, due to their similar appearances, but he didn't want to get his hopes up.
"How about Rose?" Ozpin suggested.
Ignoring the absolutely withering glares that both Qrow and Glynda shot him, he watched carefully for any changes in Ruby's expression, and found no reaction.
"What, like the flower? I guess that works, since it's red, like me."
…
"Er, I mean, like the blood that I definitely have, hehe…" She trailed off awkwardly as all the tension drained from the room.
"Though, I could also be a Branwen, as long as I'm not Qrow's daughter this time." She added.
Ozpin nearly choked on his hot chocolate. There was no way in hell he was letting her take the Branwen name. It was too notorious. Summer had at least taken measures to hide her name from the public eye, and their enemies.
"Right. Ruby Rose, then." Glynda typed out on her Scroll, opting to ignore Ruby's faux pas. They moved on to the next question: "Age and date of birth?"
"I don't know." She stated flatly. "Well I do know, I just don't know how far back your history goes, so I can't extrapolate. Why don't you just make one up for me and I'll tell you later once I have more information?"
"I— that's ridiculous!" Glynda spluttered. Ozpin decided to cut in before things got out of hand, again.
"Just mark her down as seventeen, Glynda. Like she said, we'll worry about it later." Ruby gave him a grateful smile.
"I think that covers everything." Ozpin concluded, while Glynda tapped away at her Scroll. "Glynda will show you to the room you will be staying in before the semester starts in a week. If you have any more questions, feel free to stop by anytime." He nodded at her as Glynda began walking towards the elevator.
Ruby popped up out of her seat and followed. "Show me where the library is along the way, please!"
Glynda Goodwitch let out a tired sigh. She had just finished showing Ruby her new dorm, completely empty just before the start of the new term, and had to explain the amenities available to her. The girl was utterly clueless about even the most basic of basics: like how the bathroom worked, or what a Scroll was. It was like she was literally born yesterday! Glynda knew she would have lost her patience hours ago if Ruby weren't a Maiden. Hazards of the job, she supposed.
Ruby was in the library now, despite it being half an hour past midnight. She was sitting at a table in the corner, her new Scroll in hand, and a massive pile of books from every subject available stacked up next to her that seemed to defy all the laws of physics. Seriously, how had it not collapsed yet? Glynda vaguely remembered Ruby's earlier compliment about her telekinesis and briefly wondered if she had a similar Semblance, before leaving the library to report back to Ozpin. The elevator music was as bland as always, and when the door opened up with a ding, she was met with the sight of Qrow and Ozpin furiously arguing. She could already guess what it was about.
"I'm tellin' you, Oz." Qrow slurred, waving his flask around wildly. "The timeline matches up! Summer disappeared seventeen years ago, and now this cheap knockoff kid version of her just waltzes in, and you won't even try and confirm it?"
"I did, when we were talking earlier." Ozpin explained slowly. "She showed no reaction at all when I brought up the name. No recognition nor fear, nothing. Her comment was about it being a flower was just that: a comment. I know how much you want it to be true, Qrow, but I can't definitely say she's Summer's child. Not yet."
"That's hardly proof of anything!" He chucked his flask against the wall—which Glynda caught telekinetically before it hit—and threw his hands in the air. "So she was raised without knowing her last name, big deal!"
"Calm down, Qrow." Glynda said, unceremoniously dropping his flask on the floor. "I saw the similarities too, but they're just similarities. Even if she acts a bit like Summer, that's, as you said: hardly proof of anything. Plus, her hair and eye color don't even match up entirely."
Qrow slumped down in a chair. "I'm sorry. I just— we only found evidence of Sum's… remains… five years after she disappeared, so I thought there might have been a chance…" He choked out.
Ozpin cleared his throat. "Qrow. You might actually have a point."
Glynda stared at him in bewilderment. What was Ozpin thinking? Wasn't he just disagreeing with him moments earlier?
"Both of you, listen up." Ozpin began, a serious look on his face. "It's undeniable that Ruby has Maiden powers. That alone makes her a target. Yet we also have absolutely no idea who she is outside of that."
"That's true." Qrow rasped, regaining his composure. "She just showed up outta nowhere while I was helping Amber, and spouted some made-up place when I asked her about it. Plus, the girl's crazier than anyone I've ever met, and we all know what Raven's like."
"Indeed. And we must ask ourselves: why is she like this? Perhaps…" Ozpin paused dramatically. "Perhaps she lost her mother at a young age, and was left to fend for herself in the wilderness with nothing but her newly acquired Maiden powers?"
Glynda gaped at him. "You can't be serious, Ozpin. Are you saying that when Summer went undercover looking for the Maiden in the Grimmlands..."
"That Maiden is still unaccounted for after all these years, despite Headmaster Theodore and Summer's efforts. This is perhaps the best theory we have at the moment." He looked contemplative for a moment. "But I'd like to emphasize that it's just a theory. There's an equal chance that what I've said is completely untrue, and Ruby has no relation to Summer. But to confirm that, we need more information, and I don't think Ruby will open up about her true past if we just ask her. We'd just get fed more of her delusions."
"What should we do, then?" Qrow asked.
"I have a few theories I'd like to test out later, regardless of her bloodline. As for you two: Glynda will handle the school side of things. Qrow, I'm pulling you out of the field. I'll need you on hand now that we have two Maidens to protect. Observe her behavior, and report to me if anything seems unordinary. I can even make you a professor this year if you want." Oh no…
"No thanks. I've been out of the teaching game for too long. I'll just stick around and help out everyone else." Qrow replied.
Thank the Gods. Glynda wasn't sure she could handle the combined might of Qrow, Peter and Bart as professors.
"By the way, Glynda." Ozpin turned to her. "How is she doing right now?"
"She's in the library, if you want to check." Glynda briefly launched into a report of her time with Ruby, emphasizing her unfamiliarity with the world at large.
"Poor kid…" Qrow muttered, getting up. "Welp, I guess I should let Yang know I'll be at Beacon this year."
"Very well. Just don't take too long. We still have important matters to discuss. Glynda? You're dismissed. Good work today." Glynda nodded and took her leave. As the elevator door closed, she could hear Ozpin muttering.
"It looks like things are shaping up to be an... interesting year."
"I'm telling you, it was a monster that killed my partner, not a Grimm!"
Yang was beginning to lose her patience. The tanned Huntsman with the goatee was busy occupying Junior with his drunken rambling about some red monster, that was apparently not a Grimm? Maybe he had a few too many drinks.
"I was low on Aura, so I couldn't search immediately, but we looked for months and never found it!" He slammed down his glass, spilling alcohol everywhere.
Junior sighed. "Alright, I've had enough. You can take your fairy tales somewhere else. Melanie! Get this guy outta my bar!" Finally. Yang strode forward, making her presence known.
The drunken man turned to her, even as another girl—Melanie, probably—moved towards him threateningly. "Hey kid, you believe me, right?"
"Nope!" She grinned. "Cool story, though."
"It's not just a story!" He screeched as Melanie hauled him away from the bar. "It's real! A skeleton with a red gem wearing a red cloak! It talks like us, it doesn't feel pain, and it killed my partner!" A loud slam could be heard as the drunkard was booted out of the bar.
As entertaining as that distraction was, Yang was here on business. She sat down on one of the bar stools.
"Strawberry Sunrise. No ice. Oh, and one of those little umbrellas."
"You know, you'd be in a helluva lot of trouble if Tai caught you here." A voice called out from behind her. She whirled around in her seat.
"Uncle Qrow?"
"Heya, kiddo." He took the seat next to hers, nodding at the bartender. "The usual."
Yang frowned. Didn't Dad say Qrow was supposed to be on a mission for a really long time? She brought it up while the bartender made their drinks.
"Yeah, well I ran into something unexpected." He gave a tired smile that showed more than he was letting on. "Happens all the time when you're out in the field." Qrow looked utterly exhausted, so she didn't push it further.
"How'd you find me?" She asked, taking a sip from her cocktail.
"I was actually headed to Patch, just thought I'd stop by and get a refill." He said, ignoring the look the bartender gave him as he poured his drink straight into his flask. "Old Oz doesn't keep any of the good stuff at Beacon. Anyways, what are you doing here by yourself?"
"What? A girl can't come to Vale to relax from time to time?" Qrow just stared at her.
"...Fine. I was looking for Raven. I thought Junior might have some information on her."
"I thought we talked about this, firecracker. You won't find Raven in Vale, and you're not strong enough yet to go looking for her."
"Hey, I'm plenty strong. I can beat Dad every time we spar now!" She huffed in annoyance. Plus, she'd be attending Beacon soon. Wasn't that enough to at least start her investigation?
"Your old man's retired, Yang." He chuckled. "Look, how about we have a spar once you get to Beacon? If you can beat me, I'll let you look for Raven. Hell, I'll even help you!"
Yang looked at him, confused. "I thought you were going to Patch?"
"Yeah, but that was just to talk to you and Tai. Y'see, the truth is…" He took a swig out of his flask. "I'll be at Beacon this year. Not as a professor or anything, just helping out Oz with a couple of… important administrative things. I figured I'd stop by and let you two know in advance."
Yang wasn't sure whether or not to be excited by that news. On one hand, it meant that Qrow could be around to train her, which left her ecstatic. She had long since outstripped all of her peers at Signal, and there was only so much her father could teach her. Qrow was a legendary huntsman with tons of combat experience, which meant she could get way stronger sparring with him. On the other hand, Qrow had always let his guard down around her, and it was incredibly easy to spot the look of worry on his face when he vaguely mentioned what he would be doing there. It was clear that something was wrong, and she'd bet good Lien that whatever the problem was had to do with whatever he ran into on his mission. It didn't take a genius to put the two and two together: something big was happening at Beacon, mere days before the start of the term.
Yang pushed down the sense of foreboding that coursed through her. Whatever problems lay ahead, she and Uncle Qrow would face together head on, like they always had.
"Awesome!" She gave him a big grin. "You'll have time to train me?"
"Of course. Who knows what kinds of crap they've been teaching you while I was gone." He replied. "Now come on, let's get out of here. You won't get any useful information outta Junior anyways."
"I resent that!" Junior called out from behind the bar.
"Sure thing, Uncle Qrow." Yang giggled as she took her Strawberry Sunrise to go. "I'll call up Dad and let him know we're coming. There should be enough room for you on Bumblebee..."
"Shouldn't I be the one driving?"
"You're wasted, old man." Yang snorted. "No way in hell am I letting you drive."
"Fine, fine." He relented, as they left Junior's Club. "I better not catch you breaking any laws on that thing, you hear?"
"Hehe, of course not." Suddenly, she turned around and hugged him.
She spoke in a muffled voice. "It's good to have you back. I missed you."
"...I missed you too, kiddo."
A/N: Not sure how I feel about this chapter. I do believe it to be in character for Ozpin to pussyfoot around the issue instead of just asking Ruby directly, since one of the main reasons for the Fall of Beacon in canon was that Oz acted too cautiously and tried to pretend everything was normal until it was too late. I tried to pick out as many contrivances or inconsistencies as I could during Ozpin's conversation with Qrow & Glynda. Still, I've have this feeling there's no way I could have gotten all of them, so apologies in advance.
I swear I'm going somewhere with this whole 'Ruby looks kinda like Summer's kid despite it actually being a coincidence' plotline. Even if it seems like a massive contrivance for it to even exist in the first place, I thought it would lead to some interesting character conflict, so I kept it in. Hopefully I can nail the execution in the next few chapters.
Feel free to yell at me in the reviews if I'm completely wrong and this chapter actually was really bad, though. Thanks for reading!