"Thanks so much for driving me Velvet, it's absolutely disgusting out there," Blake said from her spot in the passenger seat. Velvet waved a hand dismissively.
"It's no problem at all," she replied cheerily. "I wouldn't want you taking the bus in this heat."
"Yeah, I don't know how anyone can stand it," Blake said back. There was silence for a moment as they approached city hall.
"So what time is your appointment anyway?" Velvet asked. "You seemed anxious when we left.. I hope I'm not making you late at all."
"Not at all!" Blake said quickly. "I have to wait for some council vote at noon anyway."
"Noon? You have almost 30 minutes then," Velvet said as they pulled up in front of the building. "Would you like to pick something up from the diner at the plaza?"
"Uh, no thanks," Blake responded, reaching for the door handle. She was so nervous she doubted she could eat anyway.
"Thanks again Velvet, I'll see you later." With that, Blake stepped out of the car and into the suffocating heat. She broke out into a sweat almost instantaneously.
"All right then! Bye Blake!" Velvet called as she drove away.
Blake sighed heavily as she trudged up the stairs and into the sweet, sweet air conditioning. The interior foyer was bustling with activity as people scuttled back and forth to their meetings and errands. Blake stepped out of the way before checking the time on her phone. 11:38. Early as always.
She made her way to the council chambers, and was pleased to see that she remembered the room from the previous times she had been there for work. The chamber was almost empty, and Blake selected a seat in the back corner to observe. The only alderperson present was Glynda Goodwitch, the senior-most member of the council. During her decades of service, she had developed a formidable reputation as highly efficient, though austere. Blake avoided eye contact, staring intently at the back of the chair in front of her.
Blake had no idea why she was so nervous. It had been a while, but Yang had definitely offered her a job. And Blake had even called ahead, although she didn't speak to Yang directly. Maybe that was the problem. Just thinking about the prospect of seeing the other woman again had her stomach immediately tied in knots. Blake shook her head to clear it. What was wrong with her? She didn't even particularly like Yang. Needing a distraction, Blake pulled her pen out of her bag and began spinning it between her fingers.
The pen itself had been a gift from her father presented when she started college. Now, it was well-worn, the black polish rubbed off in some places from her incessant spinning. It was a nervous habit, really. Starting in college, she had taken to spinning it around her digits as a way to relieve stress. So far, it had worked pretty well.
A door slammed open and Blake nearly jumped out of her chair. She looked up to see three more council members filing in. Peter Port, a large man with an admittedly impressive mustache, entered first. Zipping around him while talking animatedly was Bartholomew Oobleck, and trailing at the back was James Ironwood, a serious man from Northern Vale. Ironwood addressed Goodwitch with a curt nod. She ignored him entirely, a scowl forming on her face.
Blake watched the exchange, intrigued. She'd had no idea of any animosity between the two. The men took their seats and Blake fiddled with her pen as the minutes ticked past. A few more citizens settled in to watch the vote. Blake idly wondered what exactly they were voting on. She checked the time again. 11:57. Frowning, she glanced at the door. Where the hell was Yang?
She spun her pen faster as the minutes continued to pass. None of the other council members seemed fazed in the slightest by Yang's absence. As the clock struck 12:00, Goodwitch stood up to call the session to order. The low chatter in the audience stopped, leaving the room in perfect silence. Just as Goodwitch opened her mouth to speak, the main doors flew open, slamming into the wall with a loud bang.
Blake jolted, her heart rising into her throat as she looked to see who it was. The second she caught a glimpse of the long, golden hair, she was filled with relief. Yang was breathing heavily, as though she had just been running, though her hair still looked impeccable, and her eyes shone with the same brilliance that they had held at the press conference.
"Good afternoon everybody!" she said, her wide grin flashing. Blake rolled her eyes at Yang's exuberance, but couldn't stop the small smile that crept onto her face.
"Nice of you to join us, Councilwoman Xiao Long," Goodwitch said solemnly. Yang's grin flickered a little at the stern comment, and she quickly took her seat.
"You're right on time, Yang," Ironwood said to her. "Don't worry about Glynda, she's just being…" He trailed off as Goodwitch sent him a piercing glare. "Er, anyway, shall we get started?" He continued nervously.
"A fine idea Councilman Ironwood," Oobleck chimed in. "I hereby make a motion to call this session of the Vale City Council to order."
"And I second your motion," Port boomed, his mustache and eyebrows moving hypnotically as he spoke.
"Very well," Goodwitch said. "The item in question is Councilwoman Xiao Long's citywide recycling proposal. Councilwoman?"
"Right, thank you Glyn—uh, Councilwoman Goodwitch," Yang said, standing up to address the council and the audience. "So, we all know that Vale has a trash problem. We generate more garbage than some larger cities, including Atlas and Haven. I did some research, and it turns out it's because we just don't recycle as much. I mean, our recovery rate for paper and plastics is only 33%, under the national average. And the reason for it is that we have trash cans on every damn corner, but no recycling bins anywhere near them. I was just at the plaza, and I counted 8 trash cans in the main square. And guess how many recycling bins? Zero." Yang paused for emphasis.
"So I thought, hey, why don't we add some? I found over 150 locations around Vale that would work great. The details are in the packets you guys got last week. Of course, the added volume of recovered recyclables means that we'll have to expand the Vale recycling plant. The plans for that are also in the packet. Honestly, the expansion is pretty pricey, but remember that it'll create jobs and that the increased recycling will save Vale money and landfill space in the long run. That's why I really think this is an investment worth making."
Blake listened to the speech, her mouth dropping open. Yang was so…eloquent. She managed to sound rehearsed without becoming robotic, and her natural charisma shone through as always. Blake hated to admit it, but she was impressed.
"An excellent proposal Councilwoman Xiao Long," Oobleck said after Yang had sat back down. "We must protect the environment as best we can, and as such you certainly have my vote." Blake smiled. Yang only needed one more vote at this point.
"Now hold on just a minute," Port said. "Dear child—" Yang frowned slightly at the use of the word "child"—"we've seen Vale survive this long without recycling! I myself love a good old fashioned dumpster, and my constituents do as well. Why, when I was a boy, I had to walk 10 miles just to—"
"Yes, Councilman, we know," Goodwitch interrupted wearily. "However, I agree with you on this. While recycling is important, we simply don't have the money to expand the plant, at least not right now." Blake bit her lip. Goodwitch had a fair point. She glanced at Yang and was surprised to see a sly smile on the other woman's face. Before she could ponder further, Ironwood spoke up.
"Maybe you're right, but we can't just do nothing," he said firmly. "I wasn't elected to this council to sit around and talk." Goodwitch narrowed her eyes at him. Yang watched the proceedings with an ill-concealed grin.
"I vote no," Goodwitch stated, glaring straight at Ironwood.
"Well then I vote yes," Ironwood replied, glaring right back.
"Yes from me of course," Yang said. "Gentlemen?"
"I still must say 'nay'," Port responded.
"And I vote yes," Oobleck finished. "So I believe your proposal passes, Councilwoman Xiao Long." He sent her a nod and a smile. Yang was positively beaming as Goodwitch finished up the session. As soon as it was over, Goodwitch and Ironwood exited the room from opposite doors, both looking decidedly displeased. Port and Oobleck followed them a minute later, leaving Yang alone at her seat, rifling through some papers.
Blake stood up to slowly approach her while the remaining audience members filed out of the hall. The closer she got to Yang, the more nervous she became. Yang, on the other hand, was blissfully unaware of Blake's presence, as she jotted a few things down in the margins of what looked like some sort of list. Blake bit her lip in agitation.
"I…I'LL TAKE IT!" Blake winced at the sound of her own voice. She hadn't expected to yell. Clearly Yang didn't expect it either. She sprang to her feet, knocking her chair to the floor and crying out a few expletives as she did so. They locked eyes and Blake felt her face heating up with embarrassment.
"I—I mean, you offered me a job last week and, um, I'd like to take it, please?" Blake's voice trailed off as she spoke, ending in a small squeak. Yang gave her the blankest look Blake had ever seen in her life.
"And you are?"
"Neverminditwasamistake," Blake blurted, turning around hastily to make a break for it. But before she could bolt out the door though, a hand snagged her wrist.
"Whoa, whoa, calm down Blake I'm just kidding!" Yang said, laughing at Blake's reaction. Her easy smile was immediately met with an unamused glare as Blake whirled back around.
"Seriously?" Blake said in a flat tone.
"I'm sorry, okay? You just looked so nervous I couldn't help myself," Yang explained, still struggling to contain her laughter. Blake rolled her eyes.
"You can't blame me when you pull shit like that," she replied. Yang grinned at that.
"Guess I can't," she said good-naturedly. "But yeah, all of my stupid jokes aside, you've got a job as my campaign aide! Congratulations!"
"Wait, don't you at least want my resume? An interview?" Blake sputtered, utterly confused by the flippant hiring process.
"Eh, I think 'News n' Stuff' speaks for itself," Yang said with a wink.
"Wha—" Blake started.
"C'mon, I gotta show you the 'headquarters'," Yang continued, grabbing Blake's wrist again to pull her into the hallway. Blake gave up on arguing, just allowing herself to be dragged up a flight of stairs and down a hall. The whole time, Yang kept a vice grip on Blake's wrist, and Blake found herself starting to appreciate the warm presence on her skin.
"Hey, Yang? How did you know Goodwitch and Ironwood would oppose each other?" Blake asked suddenly. Yang sent Blake a grin over her shoulder.
"Jimmy and Glynda? They've had tension for ages. And I mean all types of tension." Yang chuckled a little. "All I have to do is keep track of whether they're arguing or, y'know, getting along—" at this point she sent a wink over "—and I can get an almost guaranteed vote out of one or the other."
"That's…actually pretty intelligent," Blake admitted.
"And why do you sound so surprised by that?" Yang said with a laugh.
"Uhh…" Before Blake could formulate a response, Yang abruptly stopped, causing Blake to crash into her and get a face-full of blonde hair.
"We're heeere!" Yang sang out, pushing open a door with a flourish. Blake blinked, then followed her inside. It was a small but comfortable lobby, with a few soft looking chairs scattered around. Doors to what looked like offices were positioned along the walls and in the center was a receptionist desk. The woman at it, who Blake recognized as Ruby Rose from the press conference, perked up at the sound of the door opening.
"Hi sis, welcome back!" she said with a smile.
"Heya Rubles," Yang replied affectionately. "This is Blake, my new aide," she continued, gesturing vaguely in Blake's direction.
"Nice to meet you Blake!" Ruby chirped, zipping out of her seat and up to the door almost impossibly fast.
"Yang was really hoping you would take the job," she added as she shook Blake's hand. Blake smirked at the comment, glancing at Yang, who turned a very light shade of pink.
"Of course I did, seeing what I have to work with around here," she muttered, running a hair through her thick hair.
"It's very nice to meet you too, Ruby," Blake said, ignoring Yang's comment. Ruby beamed up at her, and Blake started to see some of the family resemblance.
"Wanna cookie?" Ruby asked, basically teleporting back to her desk and conjuring a box from somewhere behind it.
"Uhh, no thanks," Blake answered. "Maybe later," she quickly added as Ruby's face fell. The young woman perked up immediately, nodding happily before going back to work.
Blake turned to Yang, who had been watching the exchange with a small smile on her face.
"What is it?" Blake asked.
"Nothing," Yang said, still smiling. "C'mon lemme show you the rest of it," she continued, beckoning for Blake to follow her.
"This one here is where Pyrrha and Jaune work when they're here. They're in Public Works but they cut back to part time to help with the campaign," Yang explained. "That's Qrow's office, that's the conference room, aaand this one's mine." She opened the door as she spoke, then pranced over to the desk.
"Check out the rolly chair," she said, dropping into it and spinning around like a 5 year old.
"Hold on, is that it?" Blake asked, steadfastly ignoring her antics. "Only five of you for this whole campaign?"
"Well, six now," Yang replied, grinning again. "And it's not like we have much competition… The next closest candidate is that Peach lady and I don't think anyone's even seen her. If Ozpin had endorsed me this thing would've already been over." Blake frowned slightly.
"Don't you think you're being a little overconfident? There's still time for more candidates to announce their campaigns."
"Eh, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it," Yang said with a shrug. "For now I'm just enjoying my 25 point lead in the polls and—"
"Yaaaang!" Ruby's voice cut in from the lobby area.
"Ruby? What's wrong?" Yang called, her eyebrows creasing with worry as she stood up.
Blake turned to the door just as Ruby came barreling in, nearing knocking Blake over as she did.
"Whoops, sorry Blake! Yang, look." Ruby shoved her phone in Yang's direction. Blake approached from behind them, peering over Yang's shoulder to see the video.
The sound was off but she could see a tall man with carefully gelled gray hair talking. The caption read: "Mercury Black Announces Mayoral Candidacy."
"Well goddammit," Yang muttered.
"What happened?" Qrow's voice rang out from the door. "I heard this one yelling." He gestured at Ruby with his head.
"Mercury Black is running for mayor," Yang answered with a scowl.
"Marcus Black's son? Shit."
"I guess this means it's time to step up the campaign," Blake added. "Don't trip crossing the bridge," she continued, smirking a little at Yang. Yang looked at Blake in surprise.
"Ooh, feisty. And how would you suggest we 'step it up' Miss Belladonna?" she questioned, smirking right back. But Blake was prepared for that one.
"First of all, you need to behave more professionally in public. Your council speech was a good start, apart from you arriving late."
"But I have a good excuse for that! I was—" Yang began.
"Not done talking," Blake cut in. Yang immediately shut her mouth, eliciting a giggle from Ruby and a half-smile from Qrow.
"You need to change your campaign slogan. 'Vote Xiao Long and you won't go wrong' belongs in a high school student council election." Yang scoffed a little but kept quiet. "Just do 'Yang 2016' or something," Blake continued. "And obviously we need to fundraise, starting with the gala in a couple weeks."
"Right," Ruby added. "And I could use some more help organizing that."
"That's what I'm here for," Blake said with a smile. "And were you listening?" she aimed at Yang as Ruby darted out of the room and back to her desk.
"To every word," Yang replied smoothly. "I will have to redo the buttons though…And the posters. And my tattoo." Blake couldn't stop herself from giggling at that one.
"Better get on that then," she said when she had recovered her composure. She gave Qrow a nod before turning to exit the room.
Yang watched her leave with a goofy smile plastered across her face.
"Careful there, firecracker," Qrow drawled beside her. Yang rolled her eyes.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" she asked defensively.
"Kid, I like having some eye candy on the team just as much as you do, but you can't be chasing after girls right now. Especially not your campaign aides."
"I—I'm not chasing!" Yang protested. But Qrow just shrugged and left the room, leaving Yang standing by herself, openmouthed.
AN: Wow okay this one ended up longer than I anticipated. Sorry for the delay again I swear I'll figure out some form of schedule one day..
But hey, wouldya look at that, we finally got to the plot! Thanks for sticking with it guys, this is where the story starts picking up :)
Let me know what you think! Thanks for reading 3