Black, darkness, dimness, that was everything Roman could see. Those three words all meant the same thing, but was it really that important? No, it wasn't, unless you just so happened to like that sort of thing. Groaning softly, Remnant's most fashionable criminal sat up slowly, smacking his dry, yet perfect and full lips together. Yup, that was a good nap-

"Red!" Roman scrambled to his feet, grabbing Melodic Cudgel which was laying on the cool concrete ground next to him. His green eyes scanned the alleyway he was just lying in. Where was he? He didn't remember much after he beat Red's minor ass and was eaten by that Griffon. He used his free hand to touch his neck and hair. Yup, still in one piece, although he had some bloody scratches on his face. His aura should be able to heal that soon enough once it kicked in.

Just about now.

Yeah, any second now.

Any moment now.

His stomach started to grumble. Damn it, his aura was going to take a while unless he had food. Patting his pockets for his scroll, Roman cursed himself. There went his plan of calling Neo to come and pick him up with some food, not ice cream, never ice cream. It was going to be hard to find something eat in Vale now that the plan went off without a hitch-

It was quiet, too quiet. Roman held Melodic Cudgel and peaked his head down the alleyway. He saw the outlines of a few people walking as if nothing happened. Why weren't they running and screaming in terror? Where were the Atlesian droids he hacked?! And the Grimm, there should have been hordes of them flying in the air and rampaging through the streets!

"This is weird." Roman muttered as he winced just when his stomach grumbled again. Grabbing a handkerchief from one of his coat's many pockets, he wiped the blood off of his face.

Time to find out what the hell was going on.

This wasn't Vale, that much was obvious, or any of the other three kingdoms. It was more colorful than Atlas, but more organized than Mistral, and it felt more like Vale with a hint of Vacuo. No one batted an eye, despite Roman being the most notorious criminal in Vale. It was weird, and a bit disappointing actually. He had worked hard for that reputation.

After relieving a few passerbyers of their heavy wallets, Roman always enjoyed helping to stimulate the economy, he found himself in a restaurant that seemed to sell Mistralian food. It wasn't his favorite, but it was passable.

Taking a seat at a table near the back, he pulled out one of the scrolls he had so gracioisly relieved from a man with tree branches for arms. Thankfully the fool didn't think to put a password.

"Hi! Welcome to Hado's Udon. My name is Hado Nejire, how can I help you today?" A voice filled with fake cheer interrupted his investigation of Roman's new scroll, speaking in Mistralian. It's been a while since he's spoken the language, having spent years in Vale building his criminal empire, but it should was just like riding a bicycle right?

Roman looked up from the scroll. The waitress was younger, probably around Red's age if he had to guess. Her long blue hair fell down past her knees, and she had a large smile on his face.

"I'll have whatever this can get me." Roman said, speaking slowly. Yup, he had gotten to used to speaking Valish. He pulled out a few bills from one of the wallets he was gifted. It wasn't lien, but judging by the way she spoke he must've been in some random city in Mistral, probably. Neo should've known better, Spiders were everywhere. "Something with meat."

"Our famous beef udon then?" She said, counting the money. Roman's stomach grumbled again, the smell of food from the kitchen sneaking into his nose.

"Yeah." Food was food, as long as udon wasn't nasty he would eat it, whatever it was. Roman pulled out another bill. "And some tea. Keep the rest as change."

Hado's eyes widened and nodded. "Your food will be out shortly!" She turned to move.

"Can I ask you a question?" Being polite would be the best way to get information. Roman moved his bangs out of the way and gave her a wink. "I think I drank too much last night. Could you tell me where I am?"

"Oh! You're in Hosu City, Japan." Hado gave him another smile. Japan? What the hell was a Japan?

"I see. Thank you." Roman waved her off, turnjng his attentiom back to his new-used scroll.

He had things to search up.

"Stupid Griffon." Roman muttered as he stomped down the sidewalk, his stomach now full. It would take some time for his aura to return since that Grimm took a lot out of him, but hopefully it was sooner rather than later. "Stupid Red, fucking Cinder."

He knew he shouldn't have taken that job, it would draw too much attention, but the seductive woman had been rather convincing. That would be the last time! Roman walked down an alleyway. He needed more information, especially since he left the scroll in some random trashcan in case there was a tracker in it. All Roman had to do was borrow another one, permanantly.

He missed Neo, and her silent judgement, but it seemed like he wasn't ever going to see the midget ever again, being stuck in another world and all that. Pretending to limp with Melodic Cudgel to 'help' him walk, Roman grunted. He needed to find a way to make more money, pickpocketing wasn't enough obviously and spending a week in shitty motel's wasn't exactly a prime vacation.

The alleyway led to several more, all which smelled of shit and trash. Wrinkling his nose, Roman pulled out his latest scroll, he tapped the cheap glass, when he heard footsteps. Roman whipped his head around, only for something to jab itself into his eye.

"Gah!" Roman screamed as he felt his nerves light themselves on fire. He let his guard down, which broke the first rule of being a thief. The small figure who stabbed his eye tried attacking him again, extending their hand, only to meet Melodic Cudgel face to face. "That fucking hurts you bitch." Not even a week in this new world and he was already injured. That would have been his neck if he was any slower!

And it ruined his good looks. Stupid aura! Pinning the figure against the wall with his free hand, Roman narrowed his now lone eye. The figure just so happened to be a little girl, with blonde hair and sharp teeth. She hissed at him like a cat faunus while licking her lips, her yellow eyes staring at his bloodied face.

His aura finally decided to kick in at that moment.

"I gotta say I like your spunk kid, but unlucky enough for you, I'm not in the mood to play games." Roman growled and pressed the end of Melodic Cudgel next to her neck. His poor face, how was he going to get laid now? Well, Neo always did say that he could use a scar or two. The ferallike girl froze and stared at him in confusion.

"You took my eye, so now you owe me." Roman continued, eyeing her already torn uniform. Young people always know the latest gossip, right? And he did need a guide to show him around.

Blonde girl still looked confused. Was she sick in the head or something? Oh wait a minute, he was speaking in Valish wasn't he?

"You took my eye so you owe me now." Roman said awkwardly. She kept staring at his blood, which was starting to drip onto his formerly white coat. Like seriously, what was wrong with her? And was she blushing?! "Not in that way you sicko." He muttered that last part.

"What do you want?" The girl's voice was high pitch, and rather annoying. She licked her lips, swiping the red dots that were below her nose, probably his blood.

"I need a guide, I'm new around here." His aura already went to work, healing his scratches, but it would take a while for his eye, if it was still salvageable. The girl had bigger balls than most men, trying to kill him like that. "What's your name?"

The girl tilted her head, flashing him a toothy grin.

"Toga Himiko."

A/N

MY FIRST INTERLUDE! It shall serve as a palate cleanser from the tournament arc. Writing Roman's POV is much harder than Weiss' or Toga's.

Question of the day:

Now that we're closer, who do you think Weiss will intern with? How about her friends?

Till next time on Schnee: Hero or Huntress!