Richard was currently waiting on the streets of the middle quarter, his sweater keeping him warm in the crisp autumn evening. Glynda sent him a message to meet her here, a square with a statue dedicated to the King of Vale during the supposed Great War they had. Richard was staring idly at the crowd, his eyes couldn't help but focus on any faunus that passed by. Unlike the Felinids or even the Beastmen, each faunus was of a different Terran animal. But why the supposed ancient terran animals that all had gone extinct long before even the dark age of technology? Before he could try and find an answer from his own knowledge, a hand tapped his shoulder.
"I was wondering if you had gotten lost, but it seems you arrived just fine." Richard looked to see Glynda Goodwitch in a stunning cream-colored one-shoulder dress, complete with tan high heels. Richard couldn't help but feel underdressed. She was stunning to him, and he felt something akin to love for the first time since his marriage turned into… well… It was better to not think about it, he thought to himself. Too much memetic danger in attracting her attention.
Richard snapped out of his own trance and responded with confidence. "This city is nothing like Terra or any other hive I've been to. It's unusual to be so… spacious and uncramped. You usually see this on Civilised worlds, but those generally don't have the danger of something like the Grimm nor Dust or Aura."
"That is interesting. How about we talk about it more once we get to our reservation." Glynda outstretched her hand, and Richard took it, walking down a dank alleyway. Richard instinctively reached for his stub pistol he always brought with him, but he decided he'd at least humor whatever ambush he was probably getting into.
They came upon a small shop, neon gas signs saying "open" and "welcome" flickering and sputtering. The door had a stylized ramen cup symbol on it, and Richard felt like he was back on Terran soil, the vents spewing wet steam and the pipes dripping water surrounding them made Richard relax, as much as someone would relax in this situation. Glynda opened the door, and they stepped into what could be described as a storied local bar you'd see in a hive city. The old wood paneling and the dim lights, combined with the pine needle green walls reminded the Inquisitor of an old detective picture film, yet there were no goons nor gang members to be found. All that was there was an old, thin man with what looked to be a mad scientist's haircut. The top of his head was bald, yet for the crazy hairstyle he had a firm and stone solid expression, his eyes so squinty they looked like thick lines on his head. He had a permanent frown, the lines across his face showing a life filled with toil and hard work. When his attention turned to Glynda, his frown turned upwards into a slight smile, and he motions for the two to sit at the bar.
Richard and Glynda sat down, and the old man waited patiently for them to order.
"I'll have a glass of Mistral Lotus sake." said the Professor.
"I'll have the same then."
The old man came and brought a white porcelain bottle and two small plates, then he walked into the kitchen.
Reminds me of Tau drinks, thought Richard, as he poured Glynda a drink and then gave himself one as well. He turned to Glynda, sipped from the dish, and smiled.
"So what exactly was so enticing to you about me?"
Glynda smiled as if she knew this question was going to be asked. It made the back of Richard's mind start to question what exactly was her game in this.
"I couldn't help but see how you treated Pyhrra after your match with her, it, well, opened my eyes a bit to what exactly you stand for."
"You got that much from so little? I'm impressed." He took another sip from the dish. The alcohol slowly started to work on his mind, and he had to admit, she was beautiful in this light.
"Well, it's not the only thing I like about you."
"Oh? Do tell."
"I'd list you as one of the more attractive people I've had the pleasure to meet. Your combat prowess is also above my normal expectations."
They both looked into each others' eyes. Glynda couldn't help but feel more and more enamoured with the hard, yet tender features of the Inquisitor. It was like looking into a map of a man who had seen and fought much, but still kept himself intact. To Richard, the beautiful, unmarked face of the professor was an innocent and cherished thing, something he would strive to protect. They were struck from their trance by a grunt, and turned to see the old man back with two bowls of chili beef ramen. He left them at the bar, and put down some chopsticks. The aged man then left and walked slowly back to the kitchen.
Richard was the first one to speak: "I suppose we start eating then."
"Of course."
Both of them began to savour their dinner, Richard with a bit more gusto, due to him avoiding a meal the entire day in an attempt to fast and train in his small freetime between classes. His eyes lit up when he tasted the broth and the meat. He had never eaten anything like this, it was like grox, but the taste was something else. He grew enamoured with it the more he partook in the bowl, falling in love with a food for the first time in a long while.
"You ate that like there was no tomorrow. Never had something like that before?"
"No… I've never had something so good. What kind of meat is this?"
Confusion played out on her face. "You don't have cows out there in space?"
"Cows? No, the most common livestock is Grox."
"You'll have to tell me about it later. First, I say we head back to my place." Glynda smiled, clearly ready for what Richard called 'The next step'.
"So soon? I thought we had only just met?"
"Well, I would say you've earned enough of my trust."
"What about paying for the meal?" By this point, they were both talking a bit slurred, having gone through the entire bottle by themselves.
"I've made special arrangements with him, so don't worry."
They both walked out of the store, with the Inquisitor's hand entwined with hers.
Ozpin, for the first time in centuries, was closer to having a fit of anger than he had ever gotten to. His most trustworthy friend and assistant had fallen for someone who was bound to destroy all of the hard work he had done. He sat alone in his office, hands on his head, bent over his desk. He wanted to break that bastard's neck, but no matter what method he could figure, the might of the Imperium stationed on Remnant was too great.
What can I even do? Give up? And let Salem just steamroll over everyone? No! I have to figure out a way to fight these bastards. But that's impossible with what I have available to me. The only choice I have is to ally with them. But the council wants to play their political cat and mouse game. Fine, so be it. No doubt Salem is planning her move, and it's up to me to stop her.
He continued to sit at his desk, his mind twisting and turning, for the rest of the night.
The next morning, Richard awoke in a bed that wasn't his. He realised what had happened, and rolled over to see the sleeping form of Glynda Goodwitch. He had already known when he woke up he was completely nude, and all too soon, the memories flooded back into his mind. To his own surprise, he did not regret what he did, even if that now made Glynda a target for Her. He would protect Glynda, no matter what.
He quietly scooted towards Glynda, and wrapped his arms around her sleeping form in a tender embrace. This was something he had missed for too long, the embrace of another. He wondered why he was so trusting. Was it his attraction to her? Was it something else? He wasn't sure, but what he was sure of is that he would cherish this moment more than he would regret it.
He kissed the back of her neck, and got out of the bed. His body was a mess of scars, concealing the painting of muscle and strength beneath. It was rippling with muscles, honed over his long life. Not enough to match against an Astartes, but a worthy contender to many other foes.
"Not staying for long are you?" Richard quickly turned around to see Glynda, wide awake, looking at him with a smirk.
"I, um, wanted to leave you to yourself since-"
"No excuses."
He froze up, instinctually, standing up straight. She sounded like his teacher in the Schola Progenium. He cursed himself in his mind, he always was a 'good boy' no matter how much he covered that up, and the trauma of being the bullied kid in the Schola and the grueling training had never left him. Glynda continued to scold him like a child who didn't eat their ploins.
"You may be quite independant, but I'd like to at least stay with you for a while before my shift at the girls' dorms."
"Y-yes ma'am."
She smiled, seemingly satisfied. "It's funny how my senior by centuries still acts like a 23 year old bachelor, with no sense of committment."
The feeling of imenent danger slowly subsided inside Richard's mind, and he relaxed slightly, sitting down on the bed beside Miss Goodwitch. She put her head on his shoulder, and they spent more time together, however fleeting that might be.
Yang was currently the only one in the gym, it being a saturday, where most of everyone else was out having fun, what she wanted was to work her frustration into little pieces. She couldn't grasp how Ruby would just continue to go to that bastard's class, learning whatever sort of bullshit that man peddled.
"Ugh it's so fuckin frustrating!", she yelled as she finished her final bench press, locking the heavy weight above her head.
"Excuse me?"
She quickly locked eyes with the man in question, who was doing arm curls with 70 lb weights, 10 lbs above her limit of 60! Richard looked a lot more intimidating now that she could see the multitude of scars on his arms and legs. He was wearing grey sweat shorts with a bright red t-shirt. Even though he was lithe, he had extensive muscles, which only increased Yang's newfound apprehension. His scarred yet handsome face made him feel even more menacing.
Richard looked at Yang with a raised eyebrow, channelling his best Schola professor impression. He saw Yang's expression go from anger to what he liked to call an 'Oh shit' face. He loved it when people made those faces. The widened eyes, the slight curve downward of the mouth, the vertical stretch of the face, the feeling of immediate regret seeping from their presence. The one thing keeping the small platter of dopamine from entering the rest of his mind was the victim of the face he loved so much. He liked Yang. She was ready to defend her sister's honor and safety, and she had that ganger look about her he missed so much from his youth on Terra. He decided to see what exactly troubled the young woman so much about himself. But before he could ask again, she answered extremely quickly.
"N-nothing. It doesn't have anything to do with you."
He chuckled. It was funny how she tried to so innocently hide it, like how Anastasia used lied about who ate through all of the cookies in the jar. So inadequately concealed, so laid bare, to a master of investigation that is a veteran Inquisitor of course. He put down the weight, and walked over, leaning by his left arm on the wall corner in front of her.
Yang however, was now on the verge of having a flight or fight response. She remembered how he took getting smashed into the concrete like it was nothing, even though his nose was broken and his skin was raw on his face, he had remarkably healed quicker than she had expected. She now knew how strong he was, and how people were whispering that he took down gladiator champ Pyhrra in no time at all. She didn't trust it at first, but now she believed it whole-heartedly.
"I'm guessing it's about me?"
"It's not. I don't know why you'd think that." Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck! He's onto me! How could he still know how I feel about him and his class? I haven't even-
"You're still mad at me that I hurt Ruby, even though it was one of my subordinates who did it in the first place. I at least want to make sure there is no unneeded hostility between us, so how about a proposition?"
"What kind of proposition?" Yang couldn't help but feel like this was going to be her chance to really make him pay. But doubt still lingered. Could she take on someone who easily beat Beacon's best first year prodigy?
"You, me, we meet up at an agreed place, then we have a fight. No weapons, just fists. I'll give you a chance to beat me fair and square. Do not bring anyone else. It will be just us two. If you bring people, I will make sure you'll get extra disciplinary action. And if you cheat, well, that's going to be even worse when I have to explain the lesson I teach you." He extended his hand to seal the deal, his most confident smile glowing on his face.
Yang gulped. Now she had the chance to one-up Pyhrra, AND get revenge for her little sister. She would have whole-heartedly accepted had the opponent been someone she was confident in beating, but Richard was on a whole other level. He practically oozed killer instinct, like uncle Qrow. She wasn't going to back down, since now is her chance!
"Alright, but get ready for the ass kicking of you life." She clasped his hand, and they shook, sealing Yang's fate forever more.
Hey! You! Yes you! Been a while, huh? Sorry for the wait! I've been really busy preparing for a program I'm joining. I'll be unable to really write or even communicate from September to April, so expect a really long hiatus. I don't like it either, but that's just how it is. Still, you guys have always been such a great inspiration, and I'm always happy to read your reviews!
Make sure to leave a review and favorite Dust and Adamantium to keep track of any updates, and thanks so much to the thousands of readers who keep me motivated to continue writing!
- Lord Inquisitor Richard