Ruby left her boyfriend's apartment, still flushed by how he felt through that towel. Then, shaking her head, clearing it as she dialed on her scroll.

Blake's usually calm voice tinged with confusion, "Ruby?"

The team leader bit her lip, "Hey this is important-"

"I'll be back at school in 30 minutes."

Digging her toe as she arrived at the bus stop, "Um don't, meet me at the park before going back to school."

"Ruby, it's dark."

Sucking in her breath, "I know, and I'm sure your cat eyes will see just fine."

"Oh."

Ruby felt her guilt thick in her throat, "So I'll see you at the park, and we will go back to school together?"

"Yes"

Ruby practically felt her teammate bob her head obediently.

Squeezing her eyes shut. "And say hi to Perry for me."

After hanging up, Ruby chewed on her nails on the bus, anxious that she upset Blake. She should have sought Roman's advice. How does one convince a huntress in training to spill secrets to a criminal? What exactly did Ruby have to say to Blake? She didn't want to have power over her friend. She hoped to talk with Blake and together make a decision.

Blake paced, and a glasses-wearing man with an otter tail gave a strained smile to Ruby. The reaper almost pulled up her hood to hide her guilt.

"Blake" her friend stilled, pulling the ribbon out of her hair, and Ruby denied the urge to scratch them.

Golden eyes wide with worry, "What is it Ruby? what do you want?"

Perry held up his palm, "Someone's watching."

Ruby pulled out her scroll, and embarrassingly she missed a message from the 'Guyliner'.

"It's my boyfriend."

Taking a step back, "You mentioned Perry, which is why he is here. But did you think I would hurt you?"

Ruby ran up to her friend and grasped her hands, "The White Fang plans on causing destruction to Vale. You left, and I know Perry is a strategic councilor."

Perry smiled, "an unexpected promotion."

Ruby bounced on her toes, "congrats!" Then, letting loose a long breath, "Blake, I am dating Roman Torchwick, and he wants to learn what he can about the White Fang."

Blake's sharp eyes narrowed, "Why?"

Gesturing to the car parked on the street, "Would you be willing to ask him directly?"

After a slow nod from her friend, Ruby turned to the car waving. Roman emerged, cane hanging on his arm, lighting a cigar as he leisurely strolled towards them.

Blake, "Seriously, you're dating this guy?"

Ruby "he's not always like this." pouting, "Hey, you could have given me a ride you jerk!"

Unconcerned, "You were already on the bus when I thought of it" taking a languid puff.

"Could you stop spewing thug life vibes in front of my friend!"

Blake snorted, "oh Ruby you're dating a dork."

Roman scoffed while Ruby grins," and I love this dork."

Blake sucked in her breath through her teeth, "Ruby do you know what you're doing?"

Looking away, "Um, that isn't why we're here."

Roman gave his girlfriend a sideways glance. Straightening his sleeves, "The woman that was coercing Adam and myself died. I've done what I can to resume normal operations. However, Adam has made it painfully clear he is here to stay, and is unwilling to talk."

Perry sharply, "You gave him most of the dust in Vale."

A long drag of his cigar, "I don't give literal terrorists the power to destroy my home. But, because there was a flame to all of our throats, he could buy the Dust."

Perry's hands balled into fists, "Then why didn't you fight her!"

Dropping his cigar, "Because I thought she had something I couldn't afford to lose." Then, grinding his heel on the burning end, "Why didn't you?"

Perry rubbed his arms," after what she did to our camps, we were afraid. She's gone, and Adam's not listening to any high-ranking members. He, he will burn all of Vale to the ground."

Ruby, "why Vale? I mean, we did a history report on several activists leaders. Cardin did his team did the White Fang and," Ruby went wide-eyed.

Blake filled in, "That speech was an experience."

Ruby nodded, "Wasn't Adam born and raised in Mistral?"

Blake gripped her arms, "it's because of me, I ran away when I realized he wasn't interested in being my friend or mentor." The Faunus began to tremble.

Perry wrapped an arm around his beloved's shoulders, "To protect her from Adam I pulled some strings to get her into Beacon."

Ruby covered her mouth in horror.

Roman, "as interesting as this is, learning that Adam has an entitled to pussy complex-"

The crimsonette swatted at him, "Roman!"

Unamused, "I wasn't being racist. I meant vag- nevermind. We can agree that we don't want Vale to turn into a burning inferno."

Perry, "Obviously."

Clapping gloved hands, "Excellent! Now let's discuss when and how the White Fang will infiltrate the city."

Blake rubbed her arms, "you don't really need me."

Perry nodded and gave Blake a kiss.

Roman pulled Red close, "I seem to be owing you a lot this evening."

Bracing her palms on his shoulders, "You know my price!"

He leaned down.

"Ro! Not outside!" He chuckled and kissed the tip of her nose. She spun away, hooking her arm around Blake to walk off.

"Oh Blake, you're going to have to apologize to Yang because someone disguised as you punched her in the face."

"Hold on WHAT?"

"That's what you get shocked by this evening?"

XXX

Oscar sat in a cafe staring at his notebook, annoyed. He wanted to work with Neo, but she seemed to have other, more sultry ideas. He had to flee his apartment because of Neo's ability to blip past locks.

"Um Oscar? Would you like some company?"

There was Ruby holding her bookbag in one hand and an impossible amount of cookies in the other. With that look in her eyes that warmed his heart.

"Ruby, oh sure." he gestured to the chair across from him.

She settled her eye glance to the right, one of Torchwick's men. Oscar had no idea if it was to keep an eye on him or Ruby. With the rumors that Roman got a cute girlfriend who has connections to the White Fang. It wouldn't be odd to keep some sort of protective detail on the girl.

Pulling out her textbooks, "I'd like to say thank you."

"Oh your welcome?"

"The guy you gave me advice for. We're dating exclusively." She gave a happy smile, yet he saw the strain there.

"Congratulations. You seem a little stressed."

"Well just sc-" she cut herself off, "My boyfriend has a stressful job, and I've been helping. I don't know if I actually help, though." Ruby shook her head. "I wanted to sit next to you because you seem upset. How are you?"

He couldn't talk to her about Neo. How could he ever explain time travel to anyone. Well, other than Ozpin. "A friend. A good one has gone missing and I and my...coworkers can't find him."

"You think he's in trouble?"

"I'm afraid he is causing it."

"That sounds really scary." Ruby leaned forward and gripped his hand and her smile was sad for him.

Oscar swallowed thickly, realizing if he let them, he could have again the love and support from two of the best women he knew.