Ruby found herself sitting in a darkly lit room, an interrogation chamber used by His Majesty's Valiant Enforcers. In front of her was a cheap metallic table, empty of contents, and on the other side stood Glynda Goodwitch, perfectly composed in her typical manner. With Crescent Rose resting neatly behind her chair, and an awkward smile wrapped around her cheeks, she decided to break the ice.
"He He..." she shrugged, her eyes darting around the room, avoiding Glynda's gaze. "Good thing the Enforcers showed up when they did, huh?"
Glynda was unfazed, staring at her with a critical expression.
Ruby tried once more, "Its a little cold in here." she kicked her legs under her red skirt, frowning with raised brows. "Not much of a talker, huh?"
Glynda dissolved her composure and inquired, "Where have I seen you before? You look familiar. Have you been on campus grounds before?"
Ruby avoided answering, changing the subject, "Its good weather out there...yup." she looked around the room again, swinging her arm up gently, "Goooooood weather."
The door behind Goodwitch opened, and the white haired man with glasses known as Ozpin stepped inside, shutting the door behind him. "You can go now, mistress. I'll see you at orientation."
Glynda wanted to say something, but in respect, she stepped out of the room, shutting the door and leaving the two of them alone. Ozpin placed the hot mug of coffee in his hand on the table, and Ruby spotted a platter of cookies that he was holding behind him.
"Oh, Snacks!"
Ozpin tossed the cookie over to her, the platter sliding under her hands, "Why don't you have some. They're fresh from the kitchen."
Ruby smiled cutely, waving her hand with a blush on her cheeks, "I'm okay. Well, maybe just a few."
She proceeded to grab several cookies, consuming them like a hungry dog, crumbs falling on her dress and chocolate chips smearing on her lips. She managed to eat at least five of them in less than a few seconds, and Ozpin turned his head with a grin, confused by her behavior.
"What is an adorable girl like you roaming the streets outside of Beacon doing here?" he pulled a chair at the corner of the room closer, resting it near the table and sitting with his elbows placed atop the table. "Do you know who I am?"
Ruby stopped eating, placing a half-eaten cookie in her hand back on the platter, "You're Ozpin, Headmaster at Beacon Academy." She smiled, the elation clear on her face.
Ozpin furrowed his brows, "You want to join my academy?"
Ruby leaned forward, Ozpin pulling his hands away from the table in surprise, "YES! My sister, Yang, is attending this semester, too. We were travelling together, but we got separated. Its just so cool! I've always dreamed of being a huntress!"
Ozpin interrupted, "You want to join a school for the military's strongest elites? You want to be a Huntress? "
"YES!" Ruby's arms flailed with excitement, "I want to try all of the weapons, and fight against the Grimm! Just like my Uncle!"
Ozpin was taken aback once more, "Your Uncle? There's only one Hunter I know that swings a scythe around like you, but he attended my academy years ago. He used to be a part of my council, until he abandoned his post."
"Qrow!" Ruby replied. "That's my Uncle. He teaches at Signal Academy."
Ozpin face said it all; a sudden realization overcame him. In a flash, he had put the pieces together. It was no ordinary girl he was talking to.
"You're a Branwen?"
"Well, not by blood." She answered, looking down at the platter of cookies with sad expression. "That would be my sister."
Ozpin stood up and placed his hands on the table, leaning forward to get a better look at Ruby's face. Then, he noticed something that he could not believe he had missed before.
"You have Silver Eyes."
Ruby fell into a silence, glimpsing up at the headmaster with her head turned, overwhelmed with worry. Her heart pounded as she awaited his judgement.
"Do you have any idea how much trouble you will be in if the Valiant found out?" Ozpin tapped his fingers against the table. "Do you know what the military would do to you and your sister? You do know how Vale sees the Faunus and the Tribes, dont you?"
Ruby nodded, finding difficulty summoning words as Ozpin turned his back and walked to the front of door. He stopped, his hands crossed behind his back, taking a deep breath.
"My mom always said, we could trust you." Ruby said.
"How much do you know?" Ozpin asked, his voice cracking under a lighter tone.
Ruby responded carefully, "Not much. Know its hard to believe, but, our moms never talked about it much. They wanted to keep us safe...before the attack."
Ozpin's head turned, "Where is your mother now?"
"Raven's still with them...but my mom...she..." Ruby began to cry.
Ozpin turned back, ready to ask more questions; but, he was met with a crest held in Ruby's hand, the Silver Rose that she kept at her belt side. His eyes opened wide, and he felt a sense of utter disbelief. He couldn't bring himself to ask anything more, not with a good conscience. So, he faced the door again, placing his hand on the knob.
"There's an airship flying to my academy now. You're late, but I'll ask them to stop near here. Welcome to Beacon, little Huntress."
Ruby's mood changed from sadness to joy. She clipped the Silver Rose to her ammo belt, then tightened her forearms in front her chest with her fists shaking, "Really? Really?! You mean it!?"
"indeed." He nodded.
"Thank you, THANK YOU! I'll be the best Huntress Beacon's ever had!"
He opened the door, taking a step outside of the dark room, "I'm sure you will." He paused himself, looking back at Ruby from the corner of his eye. "That woman in the helicopter... She's your..."
Ruby looked down, grimacing before looking back, then nodding slowly. Ozpin understood the picture, nodding in return.
"I'll stay quiet." he comforted. "You'll be safe at Beacon. I can't guarantee it anywhere else."
As he shut the door behind him, Ruby felt a sense of accomplishment. She could hear the sound of footsteps outside of the room, through the halls. It was likely the Valiant awaiting her for escort to a bright new future as a Huntress.