Blake softly sipped her tea, sitting in a café, a loud and carefree blonde sitting across from her. Said blonde let out a content and satisfied sigh as she finished her fresh coffee. "I know it's kind of a long shot, but do you want to come to the party we're having later today?" Blake stared into her cup, the vapors rising from the hot tea slightly heating her face up. "No," she said softly.
Yang expected that to be Blake's answer. "I'll give everyone your regards, okay?" The Faunus nodded. "I have to get back to work, and I already know where you're going, so I guess this is bye for now." Yang stood up from her chair and put her jacket back on. Standing next to Blake, the blonde put a comforting hand on Blake's shoulder. "I know today's a tough day for you, but take care of yourself Blake." Amber eyes stared up at violet eyes, amber starting to water as Blake gave a weak smile. "I'll try," the Faunus promised.
Blake killed the engine to her vehicle, an average black car that was given to her, and rested her forehead on the steering wheel. Every year she did this, it hurt her more and more. Knowing the pain wouldn't lessen, Blake pulled the keys from the ignition and stepped out of her car, quietly closing the door as she faced the area before her.
Blake walked through the area, stepping off the stone path once she saw what she came for. A slab of granite rising a short distance from dark grass. Blake kneeled before the tombstone, running her fingers over the words carved into it.
Joan Arc
A friend we have lost.
Blake lowered her head, tears forming as she let the memories overcome her. The day she met the blonde. The day Joan had asked her out, the blonde being a nervous and stuttering mess. The day Joan let slip of her desire to have a family. It had been five years since the woman had gone missing. She was presumed dead three years before, Joan's family having run out of hope of the woman being found.
Letting her tears fall freely, Blake looked up at the tombstone. "I miss you Joan," she said softly. "It hurts, not having you here with me. I would give anything to have you back." Blake rested her forehead on the tombstone, shoulders sagging as she sobbed. After a few minutes, Blake leaned back, giving a bittersweet smile full of pain and longing.
The somber silence of the graveyard was interrupted sharply by Blake's scroll going off. Looking down in confusion, Blake looked at the caller ID before answering the scroll. "Yang?" The blonde sounded exhausted when she replied. "Blake! I'm sorry to cut your little ceremony short but you need to come to Beacon now!" Blake let out a confused noise, Yang interrupting her before she could respond. "Someone tried to kill Ozpin!"
Blake's eyes went wide.
Yang met Blake as soon as the Faunus arrived at the combat school. "This way!" she shouted, grabbing Blake's arm and pulling her forward. Standing in the middle of the courtyard was Ozpin, looking annoyed. "Headmaster!" Blake shouted, pulling her arm free. Ozpin turned to face the newcomer.
"Miss Belladonna. There is no need to worry; I am perfectly fine." Looking around the courtyard told Blake everything she needed to. The amount of destruction and Ozpin being unharmed let Blake know that the destruction was most likely the assassin being overwhelmed by the Headmaster's abilities. "Ladies, might I trouble you to help me question our would-be assassin?"
The assassin didn't look up when the three entered the room. The assassin wasn't cuffed, as there was specially-designed technology in place in the case of such an event. "Bold of you to leave my hands free, old man," the assassin said, their voice gravelly, as if they hadn't spoken in a long time. "You've already seen what I can do. What do you think you can do to us with no weapons or aura?" The assassin finally looked up, glaring at Ozpin with blue eyes as the headmaster sat down.
"You were sent here by Salem, weren't you?" Ozpin questioned, wasting no time. "What if I was? It doesn't matter anymore." Ozpin leaned back in his chair. "Salem sent you here to kill me. And you, the poor fool, did as she ordered." The assassin sneered at Ozpin. "Salem sent you here, knowing you would fail. This tells me that she sought to get rid of you, most likely hoping I would kill you."
"You lie!" the assassin shouted, slamming her fist on the table, making Yang expand Ember Cecilia. "Do I? Think about it. Since you worked with Salem, you know exactly what I am capable of." The assassin leaned back and glared, allowing Blake and Yang to get a look at them. A full-black outfit that clung tightly to feminine curves. Black hair cut short in a crude manner.
"What is your name?" Ozpin said. The assassin raised an eyebrow at the question. "You obviously have one, and I won't keep calling you assassin. So what is your name?" The assassin stared at Ozpin with narrowed eyes, not trusting him. "Raina." Ozpin pushed his glasses up slightly. "Tell me Raina, why did Salem send you here, if she valued you as much as you seem to believe?"
"You weren't the only one I was sent for," the woman said softly. Ozpin leaned forward, curious as to what she meant. "Regardless of whether or not I killed you, I was ordered to kill the silver-eyed girl." Yang inhaled sharply, the assassin turning her sharp gaze upon Yang. "Yes, your sister. Be glad Ozpin defeated me, because you wouldn't have stopped me."
Blake crossed her arms, a dismissive expression on her face. "You sound confident in yourself. I'm sure you wouldn't have succeeded either way." The assassin faced Blake, sneering. "I could've killed you before anyone else. Visiting that graveyard, alone. Not that it makes much of a difference." Raina smirked at Blake's shocked expression. "She's dead, you fool." Blake's face slowly went from one of surprise to pure rage as the assassin spoke. "I watched the life fade from her eyes, and I enjoyed it."
Everyone was surprised when Blake shot forward faster than anyone could've predicted, grabbing the assassin by the throat and slamming her against the wall, both of her hands squeezing tightly. The assassin's eyes went wide in horror, her hands grabbing Blake's arms and her legs thrashing. "Blake!" Yang shouted, grabbing the Faunus by the shoulder and attempting to pull her off the assassin. Raina stared into Blake's furious amber eyes, the Faunus showing no intention of stopping.
The assassin's resistance grew weak as she saw everything start to go black. The assassin was suddenly dropped roughly, the woman inhaling shakily. Blake staggered back, staring at her own hands in horror and shock at her actions. Giving Yang and Ozpin no time to say anything, Blake shoved past them both and sprinted out of the room. "Blake!" Yang shouted, Ozpin stopping her as she went to follow. "Go to your dorm," the headmaster said softly, staring unflinching as Yang looked at him with a surprised and angry expression.
As Yang walked out, Ozpin looked down at Raina, not helping as she slowly climbed to her feet. "Your words almost got you killed," the headmaster said, staring at the assassin with narrowed eyes. The black-haired woman coughed roughly as she massaged her throat. "She should've killed me," the assassin said, her voice rough. "Would've done everyone a favor."
Ozpin said nothing as walked out, locking the door behind him and leaving the assassin alone.
A few days had passed since Blake nearly killed the assassin and the Faunus was still missing. Raina looked up as Ozpin entered the room. The headmaster sat down from across the assassin, saying nothing. "Well? Come to patronize me more?" she asked sarcastically. Ozpin said nothing as he set a thin folder on the table before him and pushed it towards the assassin. Confused, Raina grabbed the folder and opened it, revealing a number of documents and a picture.
The assassin looked up at the headmaster in confusion. Ozpin stood up and walked towards the door. Opening the door, he turned to face Raina. "You aren't who you think you are Raina. Salem deceived you." With that, Ozpin walked out, the door closing and locking behind him with a quiet click.