The Gray City

Two young women in mismatched clothing walked down the streets of Vale, and no one noticed that they shouldn't have been there.

"I can't remember the last time I was in public like this." Pyrrha whispered when they stopped at a crosswalk, her hands shoved into the pocket's of Blake's coat. It was too small for her, and rather tight across her shoulders. Her claustrophobia wasn't being helped by the headscarf, actually a carefully arranged shirt, covering up her hair, or the sunglasses, or the grease that Blake had wiped across her face.

They didn't look like two prospective huntresses being looked for by the police. They looked like two silly girls who'd wandered into a garage and rummaged around with the tools before running away.

Beside her, Blake adjusted Pyrrha's hat to make sure it was still covering her faunus trait. "Just relax. The more you move around the more attention you draw. Act natural."

Act naturally? What does that even mean for regular people?

Normally in a situation like this she'd have her parents, trainers, agent, or minders all around to keep people at bay. Those few allowed through would shake her hand, she'd sign something, and then she'd quickly be moved on to whatever the next item on the to-do list was.

Maybe I should try slouching?

She tried to relax her shoulders and hunch forwards a little... it felt so unnatural that she jerked upright after a few seconds.

"Calm down." Blake grabbed her elbow gently. "Just stare straight ahead and don't fidget. We're almost there."

Pyrrha did her best, taking deep breaths and lifting her eyes to look into the distance.

Vale wasn't as... pretty of a city as Mistral was. At least in her opinion. All of the buildings seemed to be a uniform gray, everything was rectangular, the streets were a perfect grid with no character, and the fashions on display were... strange.

You wanted change. Excitement. You got it.

She fell into step with Blake when the light changed, joining the few other pedestrians in crossing. Her new friend seemed to know where she was going, taking only single glances at street signs before guiding her onward.

It didn't take them long to find a shuttle station not all that different from what she may have found in Mistral. The aircraft was more boxy and dull than the elegant airships she was used to, but at least it looked to be in better repair than the Valean Queen. She didn't doubt it could get them up to Beacon safely just from looking at it.

"Last call. CCT Mall Complex and Beacon Academy!" The pilot was shouting as they approached, "Next flight's in an hour! Last call!"

Pyrrha raised a hand at once, "We're coming! Please hold the door!"

"Quiet!" Blake hissed at once, "Don't draw attention!"

"We may have missed the flight!" She protested.

"Then we'd have waited, maybe found some food." The other girl growled, lengthening her strides to keep up with Pyrrha's. "Staying inconspicuous means being quiet, not shouting at people in public."

Oh. "I'm sorry!"

"It's..." A groan. "Don't worry about it, just let me do the rest of the talking, all right?"

"Of course."

Thankfully the pilot kept on waiting until they arrived, waving them in after Pyrrha handed over ten lien for their passage. It was far more crowded than the last shuttle she'd taken, but they found a pair of empty seats near the middle.

"Near the window." Blake motioned for her to get in first. "Less people who can see you the better."

That sounded absolutely grand, and she wasted little time in following her instructions. Getting her bag swung around, she held it in her lap while Blake sat down beside her. A few moments later a quiet chime rang out to signal their departure, the aircraft swaying gently when the pilot lifted off.

While the quiet buzz of conversation grew around them, her new friend was apparently content to sit quietly beside her.

It's... nice having someone who doesn't need to talk all the time.

She couldn't remember the last time she'd spent with someone who'd spoken as little as Blake seemed to. Not that she'd known her for very long, but that just made it all the more remarkable. Practically everyone else her age seemed to start babbling when they saw her. Well, that or they started trying to get her opinions on things.

Or started trying to flirt with her.

Or started politely demanding she regale them with stories.

Or started making disparaging comments about her opponents and expecting her to agree.

Or praising her parents.

I think I like the quiet.

It wasn't until Blake gave her an odd look that Pyrrha realized she had a genuine smile on her face, and that she was looking a little too closely at the other girl.

"Sorry." She whispered. "I'm just... happy. Thank you so much for helping."

Blake's hum was barely audible, her eyes already staring ahead once more. "Don't worry about it. Just live up to your end of the deal when we arrive."

"Of course. A..." A Nikos always keeps their word. Except I didn't. I ran away in the middle of the night. "...of course."

Her stutter didn't go unnoticed either, but thankfully Blake seemed willing to let it go. The ever so pleasant quiet resumed after that, their peace lasting as the shuttle rose above the streets of Vale. They'd left the train rather near the cliffs upon which Beacon and the CCT complex sat, so it was a rather short flight up. Within five minutes they were coming down to a landing, impatient passengers already starting to get up despite the signs telling them not to do so.

The pair of them remained seated until the shuttle had settled onto the ground, the doors swinging open. "Continental Mall, CCT Tower, and Beacon Academy!"

Blake motioned for her to stay in place, an instruction she followed until everyone else was getting off. Only then did rise, Pyrrha getting her bag settled once again on their way out.

...all right. She was a firm Mistrali patriot, but Pyrrha had to admit that Beacon was a far more impressive academy compared to Haven. Haven looked like what it was; an old mansion estate that had slowly been converted into a school after the Great War. It was nice enough, but you could easily mistake it for any of the other homes of the rich and powerful in the city.

You couldn't mistake Beacon, with its central tower, artistic columns, grand arches... no. You couldn't think it was anything but what it was.

"Wow." She murmured. "It's so much more impressive in person."

Blake nodded slightly. "It's certainly something. Do you know where the offices are?"

She ran through what she'd read online, the descriptions and little maps. "The tower, I think. Can we just walk in? Won't someone stop us?"

"Let's find out." Blake set off without waiting, forcing Pyrrha to hurry to keep up. The dark haired girl kept speaking before Pyrrha could, "I'm more worried about no one being there. Semester ended two weeks ago. There may just be security to stop anyone from wandering in from the CCT or mall."

"I hope not." It was all she could really say considering that she had no idea either. "What do we do if that happens?"

"Improvise."

As answers went that one was pretty vague. She thought about speaking up on that, but couldn't quite find the words.

It's not like you have a better idea. At least she's proactive.

Pyrrha felt her shoulders hunch in a bit, unable to deny the point. She hardly knew Blake, but already it was pretty clear she'd have been floundering without her. Well, maybe not floundering so much as enjoying the hospitality of Vale's police department while her parents bought priority flights to the city.

The mental image made her shudder. No. I can be quiet and follow her lead. She seems to know what she's doing.

Trailing a little behind Blake, she followed her through the grand courtyard, and up to the base of the tower. The heavy doors were wide open to let the warm summer air inside, and it was only after they walked in that they were finally challenged.

"Beacon Academy is off limits to the public during the summer months." A sharp voice made them both stop in place, Pyrrha looking to their left where a blonde woman was standing in front of an elevator. "Please leave at once."

Blake gave her a significant look, one that made Pyrrha cough awkwardly into her hand before she replied. "Um, I rather need to speak with Headmaster Ozpin."

The Huntress didn't look impressed. "The Headmaster is not available for anyone who walks... Miss Nikos?"

Wincing, she brought her hand further up to pull her sunglasses and makeshift scarf off. "Um, yes. I'm sorry, I didn't want to be recognized."

"Given that the entire nation of Mistral is looking for you, I should wonder why." Came a sharp response. "Is there is any truth to the reports that you were abducted?"

She shrank a little before that tone. "No ma'am."

"I see. I trust you understand just how much chaos you've caused, young lady."

"...yes ma'am. Um, can we talk with the Headmaster?"

The Huntress stared at her, hard for several seconds before speaking. "In any other circumstance I would say no, but you appear to have brought a crisis that he will have to deal with personally. Who is your companion?"

Pyrrha cleared her throat, "This is Blake. She is my friend."

Blake blinked several times, but before she could speak for herself she earned a glare of her own.

The fact that she shrank under its power too made Pyrrha feel a little better about herself.

"Very well. With me, both of you."

They followed like disobedient students being taken away to detention. Which, once she considered that, probably wasn't the worst analogy she could have come up with. Shuffling into the elevator after her, they stood quietly as it took them up to the headmaster's office.

The door opened on a rather loud argument, with one man shouting at another.

"-not happy about this, Oz." A gravelly voice snapped. "After what she's done, you can't expect anything different."

A far calmer man returned. "One could have made the same argument about yourself, Qrow."

"...I fuckin' knew you'd bring that up. I'm still not going to work with her."

The Huntress cleared her throat as she stepped out, Pyrrha and Blake following just behind her.

"Ozpin. Qrow. I apologize for interrupting another of your debates, but I have solved Mistral's missing person case."

"Eh?" The low voice proved to belong to a rather disheveled looking man. He wore something like a suit, though it was worn enough to make her wonder the last time it had been washed, and a strange half-cape that didn't seem to go with anything else.

A massive sword leaning against his chair at least told her his profession.

"Fuck." He yanked a flask off his belt when he saw her. "Dammit. Lost that bet then."

Pyrrha blinked. "I... beg your pardon?"

"Bet old Port that the Branwen grabbed you as a hostage." The flask rose and then fell as he drank. "Two hundred lien down the damned drain. I'm out, Oz. Call me when you want me to do somethin' smart for once."

Headmaster Ozpin looked ever bit as stately as the other man, Qrow, looked worn. He sat calmly behind his desk in a dark green suit, a cup of coffee steaming gently before him. Unlike Qrow or the huntress, he gave her a reassuring smile when their eyes met.

"I'll keep in touch, old friend. Glynda, do you wish to stay?"

The woman shook her head once. "I am already late to meet with Tsun at the Wall for our mission."

"Very well. Good luck, both of you."

Pyrrha and Blake quickly stepped aside so that the two professionals could move past. When the elevator doors closed it left two rather unkempt girls standing before the most powerful huntsman in Vale, possibly in the entire world.

"Please, sit." Ozpin smiled and waved towards the chairs in front of his desk. "I would offer you food and refreshment, but I'm afraid the kitchen staff have already departed for their well deserved break."

"Thank you." It seemed the right thing to say as set her bag down, taking one of the chairs while Blake silently took the other. "I'm sorry to drop in like this, but I... may be in need of help."

Silver eyebrows rose. "That is, I believe, quite the understatement Miss Nikos."

She winced, lowering her eyes. "Um, yes. It probably is. Uh, this is my friend. Blake. She wants to apply to Beacon. I'm happy to sponsor her."

Thought she couldn't see him with her gaze locked onto his desk, the Headmaster sounded incredibly amused. "An explanation would be quite pleasant, I believe. Otherwise I am forced to conclude that you departed Mistral without a word to anyone, including your own family, simply to ask me to accept an applicant well after the submission period ended."

"Um... well, no. I mean, um, there's more to it than that."

There was a quiet chuckle. "Please, Miss Nikos. Relax. This is not an interrogation. Perhaps we should start with your friend. Blake, was it?"

Blake cleared her throat. "Yes. Blake... Blake Belladonna."

She heard Ozpin shift his weight, and looked up in time to see him focus on the other girl for the first time. "Not Ghira and Kali's daughter?"

"...yes."

"...I see." Ozpin steepled his hands before him, "And you wish to attend my school?"

"Yes." Blake said more firmly.

"Why?" He asked in return.

"Because... because it wasn't what I thought it was. What I was told it was." Her pale throat worked while Pyrrha tried to figure out what context she was missing. "Because lines were crossed. We... I have to do better. Be better."

Ozpin regarded her stoically. "I see. And your relationship to Miss Nikos?"

"We needed each others help." Blake replied.

The Headmaster nodded every so slightly. "I see. Well... why not then? It will be a degree of paperwork, but if you're anything like your parents you will fit in wonderfully."

"I... what? That's it?"

"Would you rather I hurl you into Grimm territory to test you?" He asked, sounding amused. "Perhaps make you take a ten page written? I trust that you are more than qualified, given what I know of your parents and your prior employment."

"But... what about..." Blake gave her an almost panicked look and trailed off.

This must be about what she was doing on the train... but what was she doing on the train?

Ozpin shook his head while Pyrrha merely blinked politely. "It will not be a problem, unless it becomes one. I trust that it will not. Do we understand one another?"

Blake nodded tightly. "Yes, professor."

"Good. Now, Miss Nikos." He turned in his seat to face her. "May I ask why you vanished from Mistral? I was quite surprised to learn from Leo that you had already arranged for quite the tenure at Haven, yet you applied to my school without any such demands. I suddenly feel that I may have done you a great favor by not telling him of your application."

Questions about Blake vanished, her dirty hands coming together in front of her. "Um, you did, professor. I... I didn't make any demands of Haven. My parents did. I applied to Beacon on my own."

For the second time Ozpin went still. When he spoke again it was with a heavy sigh. "Ah. I believe I know where this story is going, Miss Nikos. It is one I have heard before, though thankfully not for many years. It certainly explains many things. You need not say more if you do not wish to."

"I... th-thank you, professor." She stuttered. "I... I think I just need some time. Um. Is Beacon available for lodging in the summer? I didn't... I don't have a place to stay in Vale. I really would rather not be... not be bothered for a little while."

The old man sighed once again. "I am afraid we are not. If you had arrived even two days from now you would have found the entire academy locked down for the summer months. I myself am leaving for Vacuo later this evening for a conference. I can direct you to inns and motels that cater to our profession, who know to be discreet, but little more."

"Oh."

Blake cleared her throat. "What about financial assistance?"

"I will send the appropriate forms with you, and will expedite their processing. Still, that may take up to two weeks for the bureaucracy." He glanced between them. "Will you manage until then? I would rather not leave two prospective students on the streets. I can call in a favor to find a home with spare couches if need be. Again with the utmost discretion for you."

I don't want to be even more of a bother.

Pyrrha shook her head. "I have a few thousand. Is that enough for a hotel for two weeks?"

"It should be more than enough, so long as you are not wasteful." Turning away from them, he pulled open a drawer and began rifling through it. After a few moments he pulled out several pages of paper and slid them across the desk. "Here. Fill these out now, and I will start getting them processing. With luck they will be ready for my final approval when I return."

Thank the gods.

It was a massive relief to fill out the little form. Even if Beacon wasn't able to give them very much lien, at least she'd have some kind of income. It would make it easier to avoid attention. Once they finished he wrote down a short list of hotels and passed it over to Blake, who glanced at it, tapped one of the addresses before nodding. "This one should be fine, I've heard of it."

Ozpin gave her an almost amused look for some reason, leaving Pyrrha again wondering just what he seemed to know that she didn't.

"Come back in two weeks from today. I will open the tower for you, and we can speak more if there are any problems." He assured them. "If there is any emergency, any at all, Signal Academy is open year round on Patch. Call or go there, they will help you to the best of their ability. I will find you there upon my return. If not, let us say... a noon meeting here at the tower, two weeks from today."

"Thank you!" She gushed while Blake merely nodded politely.

Of course it wasn't until they'd thanked him one last time and left the tower that she realized she hadn't asked him anything about helping her avoid attention in public. Or ask him to avoid telling anyone that she was present. Or asked if he knew where she could buy a cheap scroll.

Oh dear. I am really not not very good at this.

Not sure what to do, or where to go, she followed Blake back to the shuttle station. A bit of work got her little disguise back in place, neither girl speaking as they waited. They didn't have to sit for very long before another arrived to take them back down to the city, and Blake didn't comment as Pyrrha tagged along once they landed.

"About the hotel." Blake finally spoke as they walked the streets once more. "Did you want to share a room?"

"That would be grand!"

Blake nodded and led her away from the station. It was a much longer walk this time, most of a quiet hour passing as they wandered deeper into Vale. Around them the shops and businesses slowly shifted to worn tenements and old apartments, the streets becoming cracked and chipped. More of the people around looked just as worn and battered as their buildings, and more and more of them were obviously faunus.

"It's right up here." Her friend nodded at a small hotel jammed in between a small warehouse and a grocer. "Let me do the talking, all right?"

"Of course."

While the outside was a bit battered, the lobby was clean and well cared for. Old fashioned maybe, at least from what she could tell, but definitely a place whose workers took pride in maintaining it.

The host looked up as they walked in, his polite smile revealing over sized fangs in place of canines. "Welcome to the Wall Hotel, how can I help you?"

"One room please." One of Blake's hand rose to remove her hat, revealing her own faunus trait. "Two beds if you have them. Ground floor only."

His eyes glanced up at the feline ears, then glanced to where Pyrrha was tugging uncomfortably at her coat again. " A standard room with two twins is available. How many nights?"

"Two weeks to begin with, maybe more."

"Very well. That will be fifty lien a night, the first two nights paid in advance." At a glance from Blake, Pyrrha quickly pulled out a hundred lien note and handed it over. "Thank you. May I have a name for the reservation?"

"Blake and Petra White."

The man's quiet huff made Pyrrha wince. He clearly knew that wasn't their actual names, but strangely he didn't seem willing to push it. Instead he slid their money into a drawer, and handed over two plastic keys in return. "Room One-Eleven, just to the right. Breakfast is served here in the lobby from six to eight in the morning, first come first serve."

"Thank you." Blake took the key and got moving, forcing Pyrrha to lengthen her strides to keep up. A short walk down a plain hallway later found them entering their room, which was... also not what she was used to in a hotel.

Two beds were crammed in to a rather small space, with only a little nightstand to separate them. A dresser smaller than her trophy case was pressed up against the far wall, a little television on top of it, with a scroll charging pad squeezed in to one side.

Apart from a door leading to an equally cramped bathroom... that was it.

"Not used to slumming it like this?" Blake tossed her hat onto a bed, her sheathed weapon following it.

"Not really." Pyrrha admitted, following her lead and starting to remove her disguise. "My parents didn't let me stay anywhere they didn't approve of. Should we shower?"

The other girl hummed. "You can go ahead. I'll find us a place to eat."

"Thank you!"

A few minutes work got her things organized on her own bed, spare clothes and cleaning supplies in her hands. Giving a final glance to where Blake was tapping away on a scroll, she slipped into the bathroom to get clean.

Getting the grease and oil off of her skin, and out of her hair, made the process take even longer than usual.

Not that it stopped her from humming happily to herself the entire time.

Well. Today wasn't perfect, but I managed! I found someone who's willing to help me, Professor Ozpin was most kind, and we have a place to stay until the semester starts!

That struck off most of the worries she'd had when she left, leaving only being identified and hounded left. She didn't really want to stay in the hotel room for the next three months, but with Blake's help maybe she could come up with a better disguise. An easier one to wear.

Then we could go out! Could explore Vale! She wasn't really sure what there was to see or do in Vale, especially if they had to watch their money, but it would be something to do. I need to pay her back for her kindness. Maybe I could spar with her?

That sounded absolutely grand as well. They could find a gym, there had to be one nearby. It would be good to work out with a partner, and even better to get some light training in to stay in shape. She could see how good Blake was, maybe help her improve?

She beamed into the mirror as she swept her hair up under a towel, a fresh shirt and pants already covering her.

"Blake?" Pyrrha asked as she walked out of the bathroom. "The shower is free. Did you find a restaurant? I can pay! Blake?"

A few more steps let her see around the corner, "Blake, did you..."

The bed was empty.

So was the room.

And... at least half of the lien she'd stacked beside her pillow was missing.

"...oh."

Please read and review, criticism is welcome, flames not so much, as usual. Reviews are my lifeblood as a writer.. every-time my email goes off with a review it makes me want to write more, so please take the time to leave one. Guests can leave them as well, and it only takes a minute, so please. Even if it's as simple as "I enjoyed it, please continue."

Thanks, Kat