34. Osmond:

What's Left Behind

[Osmond]

As Weiss's sister words progressed up in terms of complexity beyond my vocabulary, I started to tune her out in the background. I know she meant well, but at this point there's nothing else we could do aside from learn from our mistakes and in a nutshell, that's basically me praying the White Fang won't try to come back in this second half and do another attempt on kidnapping someone(again).

Are you really not going to say anything to her? Ositha asked.

I was barely deciphering Winter's words when I heard Blake's voice intruding on them, "Well, at least he saved the day," said the catgirl suddenly, making our heads turn toward her. "I think your sister means so much to him that he risked his life over hers."

I'm not sure, but somehow it felt like sarcasm directed at me. Was that a jab for the brash thing I did?

Or jealousy, Ositha chimed in. Shut up; I muttered inwardly. You're not being helpful.

Winter seemed to calm down if only a little. "And you have my gratitude for that. However, it is such an unnecessary risk for you, someone of your status, to jump right into their maw," she stressed in exasperation and continued, "Our team was on our way and would've been able to handle the situation. You wouldn't need to be down there by yourself and..." she hesitated, then sighed, "...I'm sorry to hear about Ositha. She was brimming with potential and her... death could've been avoided."

I was about to say more to divert Winter's thoughts and ease the situation, but I doubt Blake would appreciate-ahem, not get jealous-, if I say 'Ositha gave her life for Weiss'. Yep, definitely wouldn't put that on top ten smartest things Osmond had ever said. So, let's just let the situation cool down on its own while we go to this dorm room that's going to be ours for the next several days.

Err... wait, what?

Here's a funny story behind it. I raised an eyebrow at our Special-Operative-sans-local-guide. She explained quickly that the General won't risk any possibility of an aftermath attack, so he's keeping everyone here for the time being until the situation is brought under control.

Which means I'm not coming home to the Burlywood manor–nobody came home since the attack, not even the Schnees. And that left me sharing a room with Blake because she is my 'personal bodyguard'. I'm starting to regret making up her identity.

Winter left a moment ago, promising that she'll have someone delivering food to our door. She also said that she'll inform her sister regarding my current whereabouts—so I should expect a surprise visit from a particular Schnee.

Let me tell you a funny riddle. A Burlywood, a faunus, and a Schnee are put in a room together. Guess which one will die first?

I don't even know the answer myself. And somehow, I think I don't want to find out.

Jokes aside, I'm actually starting to like our temporal living quarters. The room was pretty spacious for just two of us; it's meant for a team of training huntsmen. There were four beds dug into the wall with a setup that reminds me of bunk beds; except that they were separated by the wall. Each one has a lamp and looks pretty cozy—even though I have a feeling it's nowhere as cozy as my queen-size bed back at home.

There's a dresser, a table, several chairs, and basically enough furniture to accommodate huntsman activities. I like the marble-tiled floor; it felt sturdy underneath my feet that I'd believe we're in some kind of a flying castle in the fairy tales.

The window is ornate, yet huge enough to let most of the light from outside come in. I was tempted to see what's beyond; probably clouds and the panoramic city view of Atlas.

Blake settled down on the lower bed near the window, leaving me with pretty much very few options. Either I climb up the upper bed—which I bet would get me a look from her, or I pick the other side. I ended up choosing the latter, not wanting to capitalize on the moment. Ehm, I'm still considerate, after all.

"It's… massive," Blake spoke, finally with less weight in her words. "I can't believe we're here."

I plopped down on my bed, falling onto my back while my legs dangled off the edge. It's comfy. I yawned, loud enough, trying to sound like I didn't care. "Yep," I puffed. "Me neither."

Yes, I couldn't believe out of any person, it's her that's here with me. And as if fate wants to laugh in my face, it has to be after the difficult circumstance between us. Dang it. I swallowed the bitter taste and forced my eyes shut.

"Why didn't you tell him the truth?"

My eyes cracked open. Overhead, just a bit left from me, the ceiling's smooth surface was interrupted by the lamp's circular shape. "You wanted otherwise?" I retorted.

"No, I appreciate it and I owe you everything after what I've done, Os, but I'm still... curious. Why?"

Why?

Why couldn't I just send her off to jail and be done with it?

"Well, what will I get by doing that?" I asked back. "Will it bring Josh back alive? No. I don't think I can suddenly forget what happened by seeing you behind the bars."

"That… makes sense." A pause. "Then, what are you planning now that I'm stuck here?"

Hold up. That sounded familiar. Have I heard them somewhere… ohー

My face flushed with heat. I remember where that line came from. It's from one of Blake's smut novels that I peeked through one time(but I still remember the entire scene). A welcome distraction, but not an appropriate one in this situation. I coughed and cleared my throat, not wanting to sound embarrassed. "We're not in your smut novel, you know."

There was a sound of bed sheet rustling from the other side, followed by Blake's sputter, "T-that's not what I was talking about!"

For the first time, I let my laugh go. It felt better. Like breaking the wall of ice that's been forming between us since months ago. I could use a bit of ice-breaker. "Sure, Blake."

I heard a small huff. "You never change."

Maybe, I should try sitting back and enjoying her company, instead of dwelling in the sorrow and blaming her. "I never change, I simply just grow up."

"Sure," she snorted back.

I turned to my right, facing the dark gray wall that divided us. Smiling, even though I know she can't see it, I said, "I miss your sarcasm."

Blake went silent for a moment. Maybe thinking if my words had a double meaning. Eventually, she replied stiffly, "Os, let's not-"

"Tell me one thing you missed from me," I interrupted, not wanting to lose the tempo and make it awkward again. "I bet there's at least one out of so many," I said with a smug smile.

"Hah," Blake grumbled, before muttering, 'Some things never change.'

"Well, I'm waiting here~" I said airily.

"I missed hearing you laugh-"

I blinked. The heat rushed into my face once again. It's been a while that I forgot how it feels being this flustered. I woke up and peeked from the wall, seeing Blake had her hands clasped over her mouth. She looked at me and grimaced, "Was it too straight-forward?"

The knocks on our door saved Blake from my attempt to tease her. She jumped off the bed and walked hurriedly past me to open it. I followed soon after. A young man in an Atlesian uniform stood by the door and handed us a medium-sized bag with a delicate aroma that I could tell came from the freshly grilled bratwurst—my favorite type of sausage.

My mouth watered, forcing me to swallow down my saliva. This is it. Heaven after passing through hell. Time to-

Ehm.

…

Ositha?

She didn't say any word, but conveyed her urge: hunger. The Atlas personnel(poor guy) was about to walk off when I called, "Hey, wait!"

"Yes?"

"Could we have another serving, please? We're pretty hungry and it's been a long night," I told him with the brightest smile I could offer.

"Uh," the guy scratched his head before shrugging. His Atlesian accent is thick. "Sure. Is there anything else, Sir?"

"Nope, just that." I smiled, ignoring the fact that someone who's probably just a few years older than me had just called me 'sir'.

"What about our weapons?" Blake asked, "Are they still confiscated?"

"I have no clue about what you're talking about. If you want your weapons back, you should probably ask someone else in charge, Miss." He gave us one last nod and left.

My roommate exhaled pensively. I watched her dragging her legs toward the table near the window, before settling down and began unwrapping her breakfast—brunch, considering it's almost noon now with the sun up high above us. I put mine next to hers and plopped down on my chair, eager to see what's for lunch.

I swallowed, the taste of stale sandwich from earlier already began fading as I beheld the sight before me; a pair of bratwurst—fresh brown and yellow from grilling—, mashed potatoes, topped with cabbage and onion gravy. 'Bangers and mash', the name is as inviting as its taste. I dug into my meal with a renewed vigor that would've rivaled a beowolf.

Blake turned from hers. "Os?"

"Hm?"

She put her fork down. The cutlery clattered against the container. "What about Ositha? She needs food more than we do. And we still haven't checked on her wounds."

I paused my spoon mid-air and gave her a glance. "So, you do care about her."

Blake spoke, "I-", then abruptly cut her sentence and looked down to her food with a growing frown. Gosh, if she's not the same person as that girl who made me go head over heels back then...

Now, I feel guilty. With a sigh, I chomped down on the gravy coated spoon. Enjoying the soft texture on my tongue, accompanied with the savory gravy. It was good, until guilt came mixed in. Bitter. I shut my eyes, trying to blot out the negative thoughts.

"She'll be fine," I finally spoke up after swallowing it down. "She's stronger than you think."

"I don't think so. Everyone has a breaking point." Blake hadn't shifted from her position, but her penetrating gaze forced me to put down my spoon and listen to her words. "Ositha is strong, but after what happened, don't you think you should talk to her?"

I gave her a look. Our eyes met, then she flinched.

"I don't know!" She turned away with her arms crossed above her chest—getting defensive and sounded frustrated. "It's not my place to say after everything, but I care about Ositha as much as I care about you. Why do you think I followed Adam's plan?"

…?

"Adam said that if we could separate you, Ositha won't need to get in harm's way trying to do the impossible. You two wouldn't need to be involved. He cares about her, and I'm scared of what you two are going to try if you knew last night would happen."

"But at the end of the day, he's no more than a coward who'd walk away while Ositha and I's lives were in line," I growled. "What's your point?"

"No. I'm not trying to justify my false actions or defending myself," Blake's amber eyes clashed against mine brown. "I just want to make sure… is she alright? As in, how is she faring? She has it the worst, Os."

I raised an eyebrow. "Are we alright?"

"At least you talked. You vented it out." She made a point. "Ositha won't even say a word."

I'd like to say; Yep, she did. She kicked someone's crotch pretty hard. But I guessed Blake would never know it was her doing..

"And somehow, I feel like I know more things about her than you do. That's why I'm worried," Blake drove the hammer to my guts. The exact thoughts I've been thinking and yet, look how hard I tried to ignore it; ignore Ositha's pain and focus on mine.

...am I egoistic?

"Os, I know you're angry at me. The least I can do for you now is to help you out, but I don't know how. And I don't know if I could be useful at times like this—" Blake's voice strained.

We avoided each other's faces.

After a minute long silence that's starting to make me uncomfortable, I eventually caved in, shoving my ego aside. "Thanks, Blake."

I could feel her eyes on me. Glancing, I gave her a tired smile. "Thanks for being here." I scratched the back of my head and exhaled. "You're right, Ositha's been doing all the heavy-lifting for me. She always said not to worry about it, so I'd never give it a second thought."

My fork clattered irritatingly against the plate. "I just realized how many things she's been hiding from me and it's so… overwhelming."

Blake gave me a look of sympathy. "You didn't have to fault yourself, Os. Your semblance is so similar to you, but I know Ositha owns her thoughts and decisions."

"Yeah. Got any ideas?"

"Be there for her?" Blake said it with a wince. "I feel like I should say that to myself."

I snorted a laugh.

My other half's presence popped in my head. I'll pass. I don't want any awkward crap like back in Vale when we're escaping-

Ositha; I cut her off. We'll talk about this later, okay? But I promise you can share your burden with me.

No, I don't want that. You don't need to know. It's… terrible, okay? She almost sounded like begging. I don't want to go through it all again.

Yeah, I know. That's the point, dummy; I rolled my eyes.

"What?" Blake asked.

"Nothing." I coughed into my fist, embarrassed after rolling my eyes to empty air.

But-

Talk one more word and I won't give you lunch.

Hey! You can't-

I tuned out the rest of my other half's sentences.

"Blake," I called out her name.

"What is it?"

I slowly shook my head. "Nothing will ever be the same again between us, right?"

"Right?" she echoed, unsure of what I'm talking about.

"Then, could you stay here for a bit?" I looked her right in the eye.

Blake's eyes widened, if only by a fraction. Her feline ears perked up in surprise. Then, she schooled back her mask. "Okay, but why?"

"At least, it helps to have a familiar face around. And I still trust you more than anyone else here."

"That..." Blake winced, "...says a lot." She eventually nodded, composing a more serious expression and genuine look. "Alright. How do I help?"

As the answer, my hand clasped above hers. Instinctively, Blake tried to pull away, but I gave it a gentle squeeze. We both looked at our intertwined fingers.

I gave her a melancholic smile. "You already do, Blake."

~-x-~

"I would like to speak with my brother," Clara announced, sitting on a wheelchair that one of our butlers pushed. Seeing Blake didn't move, she added with a raised eyebrow, "Alone?"

The girl in question looked at me, before quietly stepping out along with the butler after a curt, "I'll be right outside."

That left me with my twin sister sitting face to face. The temperature in the room seemed to drop down a few degrees. We stared at each other dead in the eye, trying to read out what's in the other's mind.

"Josh and Father are gone," she started.

"I know."

"The funeral is tomorrow, and after that we will have a week for their memorial," she continued.

I clenched my fists. "I don't know if I have the strength to attend."

The memory is too fresh in my mind. Too painful. I'm not sure if I can relive what happened last night in my mind again. Josh's still body in a casket, waiting to be cremated. I shook my head, trying to shove those nightmarish images back to the corner of my mind.

"You don't have to," she replied softly, her voice on the brink of shattering. My sister took a deep breath and managed to calm down a bit. "That's not the important issue right now. I'm talking about the fate of this company. We have a decision to make."

"Clara..."

Her eyes bore deep into mine. "Os, we're the last Burlywoods. There is no one else to take the leadership mantle here but you."

"I'm not fit to hold this much power," I admitted.

"Me neither." She rushed in with her words. "I don't want to live like this, being haunted and terrorized my entire life. I wanna leave."

I scrunch my eyebrows. "Excuse me, what?"

"I want to be anywhere but here!" Clara snapped. "I'm done with this life. I'm going to change my name and start a new one. And if you're smart enough, you'd do the same."

Yes. That's the most sensible thing to do. Rip off my last name, start a new life as an incognito and live to the fullest without worrying about the White Fang jumping on me any day. We have more than enough funds to live until we finish our education.

Easiest choice to make, ever. Patch is waiting for me and Ositha. We have a family there. A safe place. But I found myself shaking my head. "I... can't."

"You can't?" she asked in disbelief. "Why?! Have you seen what they did to our family? They want to end us all!"

"I know! I just can't yet. It's still my responsibility," I cringed at myself. Josh's last words telling me to live my own life seems to ring in my ears, but I didn't pay any attention to it.

My sister gave me a long, flat stare. "Then you can inherit Father's share of this company. I don't care about it. I'll just take my part of the sum and leave."

She began rolling her wheelchair to the door. At the exit, she paused. "I was hoping you'd at least leave this bullcrap behind and settle somewhere safe on a low profile, but it's your decision. I can't stay here any longer. Until we meet again, try not to get on the news, brother."

I watched her taking her leave and sighed in defeat. "Yeah, sure."

~-x-~

What do we do?

Ositha rolled her eyes at me. Really, shouldn't it be 'what can we do'? Be realistic, Os.

I... want to make the world a better place; I told her, not even convinced by my own words.

How? she asked impatiently, already guessing the answer.

Shrugging helplessly, I replied; I don't know. It's lame, I know. After pausing a bit, I desperately tried to explain why; I mean, come on, Ositha. We have a chance, a power, that can turn things around. Not everyone is like us. As much as I don't want to, this will never come twice. We really should think this through first before deciding.

Ositha acknowledged my words, I get what you're thinking, but you haven't considered the external factors. We have a council. Even our dad couldn't say anything to their supremacy. They will all go against you and side with the Schnee, for sure. We won't become anything except being their puppet. Is that what you want?

No; I answered instantly.

Good, cuz' I'm not going to forgive that old asshat who rushed us to do your betrothal and brought the White Fang on our door. Ositha sounded like she wanted to murder someone.

Leaving this company here is the same as handing it over to the Schnee, though. I won't see that happen; I told her.

Ositha hummed, Hmm... Os, I trust your judgement. Whatever it is, I'll be here and I won't go anywhere without you.

Thanks, partner. I smiled. You make me feel warm with those words.

A nauseated expression came into my mind. You sounded so pathetic. Who else could carry you up with your emo nature?

Who else...

...

else...

...

Who...

...

Who else? Qrow. No. Who else has power here? General Ironwood-

"That's it!" I exclaimed.

Ositha, who just read the idea through our mind link, gasped. Os, you're such a genius.

Hmph, I puffed my chest. "I know I am."

"You know you-what?" Blake, who was reading a book she borrowed from the academy's library, asked at my sudden declaration. She had been so quiet that for a moment I forgot her existence here. "Nothing. I've just got a great idea," I said to her with a beaming smile.

Blake looked at me with an eyebrow raised in suspicion. "I don't think I like where this is going."

Yep, typical Blake.

~-x-~

The huge doors opened as the soldier stood still by my side, letting me come in alone. General Ironwood and Winter Schnee looked away from the holographic map perching above the floor, which flickered off as I walked into the headquarters. I tipped my head in curtsy, "General Ironwood, Sir."

To Winter, I offered her a polite smile which she returned in kind. "Osmond."

Well, I'm taking that as the warmest she could be, remembering her notorious cold nature.

"I hope your stay has been well," said the General. "Is there anything you need?"

"Ah, actually, more like I have a proposal for you, General Ironwood."

There was a flash of surprise across the headmaster's stoic face, gone quickly replaced by calmness in his voice. "I'm listening. Carry on."

The words I've prepared in my head and practiced so much suddenly were nowhere to be found. My mind drew up a blank. Ironwood's blue eyes had never been this intimidating. There's a lot of reasons why he is the general of the Atlesian army. This was one of those. I almost squeaked.

Seeing my struggle, he chuckled. "At ease, Osmond. You're not the one I called here."

I scratch the back of my head sheepishly, before sighing, "I just realized this is probably the hardest decision I've ever made."

With a concerned look, he patted my shoulder. "I'm well-aware of what you've been through. Like I promised, I'm here if you need any help. You can come back later once you've made up your mind."

"No, it's fine," I insisted. "It's my final decision. You're the only person capable in this situation."

"And that is...?"

I straightened my back, staring at his cerulean blue eyes. "I want you to take over my inherited share of the Burlywoods Company. All sixty percent of the shares my father has."

~-x-~

"He will do what?!" Weiss nearly screamed. "Are you out of your mind?"

I tapped on my head and shrugged. "Nope, last time I checked, I'm still sane."

"This is an outrage! You can't possibly do that, Osmond. What were you thinking?"

"I was thinking about the best scenario where I gain the most benefits and make sure your father gets nothing." I ended the sentence with a glare, hoping to be a little more intimidating than usual.

It didn't work as well as I thought.

"This surely has become a bit personal, don't you think? You're going to bail out from our engagement, rejecting my dad's offer of becoming the heirs of the SDC, and handing everything you could've had to General Ironwood." Weiss shook her head at me. "You can't be serious, Osmond."

"Weiss, it has nothing to do with us. You'll always be a precious friend to me, but that doesn't change that this is between me and him. I've seen what your father is, and I will gladly deny him the power he craves."

Weiss finally snapped, "That's not it! You're putting yourself in great danger!" She stomped toward me and got super close until our eyes were mere inches from each other. Her azure orbs glazing with intense frustration and anger. "If you've seen what he can do, you should know he won't stand idly and let this happen. My dad..."

At the mention of her father, her anger slowly evaporated, replaced by guilt.

"I know. That's a risk I'm willing to take."

The white-haired girl took a step back, perplexed. "You're such a dim-wit, you know that?"

That went from one hundred to zero real quick. My serious expression cracked as I snorted in laughter. "Is that the best you can call me, Ice Queen?"

"Hmph!" She crossed her arms across her chest in annoyance. "I meant everything I said. I still stand by my point."

"I know you're worried. Thanks, but let me fight here." I embraced her in a hug—between friends, of course.

Weiss stiffened from the unexpected contact, but eventually she caved in. "You better not get hurt."

"I won't." Sighing, I added, "Or… at least I promise I won't die-die."

"What was that supposed to mean?!"

~-x-~

A/N: It's been 84 years…

Yep, exactly today is the date when I last updated Amber & Chocolate. It's been a year, so, happy birthday to the hiatus, I guess?

I don't know how to explain, but it's mostly centered around work that's exhausting me and also my tendency to play hard after working-which ends up giving me not enough time to write properly.

Among those reasons, I found myself unable to connect with RWBY characters anymore following the latest volume. I dunno how to say it too, but maybe, they feel too different and the lack of personal focus, like all they did was fight, more betrayals, more fights, more deaths, and-oke I'm probably just depressed thanks to how the story goes.

Starting at Volume 8 last episodes I slowly lost interest in trying to make my story canon. It's just too hard, I guess, and too many bits missing when the story is cramped into 2 hours. Another thing is that I'm a bit struggling to keep the story as realistic as possible: I'm not going to make Os have the company under his control. Reality is often disappointing.

Also, I'm not signaling that Os is going to be Ozpin's host. Nope. Big nope. What Os said about 'making the world a better place' is not his will; it's only common sense in this part. So yeah, definitely not gonna happen.

I may have lost my touch here cuz' again, months without proper writing. Heck, this chapter is rewritten and it ended up shorter than my original plan. Consider it a start, I guess. Like usual, no promise when I will update again. Truth to be told, A&C has been a place for me to grow with my English and writing. I'm glad there are people who like it, even though I'm a bit guilty too since I sometimes(many times) didn't deliver despite my words.

Thanks and sorry. Hope the chemistry between Blake and Os is as natural and realistic as it could be. Now, allow me to go back to my stupid revisions and deadlines.

P.S. I still remember my words about fixing some stuff and making it clearer to distinct which between Osmond and Ositha who narrated the story. That'll happen, soon.

P.P.S. It's been a year, so can I have some feedbacks? Any inputs are appreciated in the reviews.

– Karvost

~-x-~