Author's Notes:

Yeah, sorry this chapter is short, but I really, really don't want to make long chapters. This and the next Blake chapter was supposed to be one chapter, but I had to split it into two because otherwise, I won't really write the scene to the fullest. Plus, the prologue actually has 800 words (without the Author's Notes), but none if you complained.

Strangers: Become Lovers

Act I

BL4K3

9:30

TUESDAY

Blake closed the door to her house, shrugging off her coat as she scanned the house for her owner. There were only really two options as for where he would be; either he was home, or he was out on one of his 'walks', despite her insistence that it was dangerous for him to be walking around at such a busy hour.

"Ghira?" she called out, her voice echoing in the mansion.

No response.

Her first destination was the living room - the place her owner inhabited most other than his bedroom.

It was empty.

She tilted her head to a noise she heard; the sound of running water coming from the bathroom near her.

Oh.

Her owner was in the house… that was for sure.

Wishing to busy herself, the android analyzed the room, eyes blinking when she saw couch pillows and books and mugs she could tidy.

Then, her gaze found the TV, which showed two humans sitting down. It appeared to be… an interview of sorts.

The first human was Lisa Lavender; a simple reporter Blake had seen a fair few times before.

And the other…

The other human made her freeze, her grip on the book tightening.

"It's very brave of you to come here, especially since the government doesn't think very highly of you." That was an understatement.

Ozpin, fiddling with his well-known cane he rested on top of the table, smiled in an orderly fashion. "No, thank you for inviting me here. This will be a good way for me to spread my message to humans. To all humans."

"Right," the woman began reading from a piece of paper, straightening herself. "First question, how does it feel knowing that you, the creator of androids, is shunned by many? How does it feel knowing that companies are, as you say, abusing and misusing them?"

The man's smile faltered, and he looked down. "I created androids in the hopes that we, as human beings, can learn something from them, so that we can learn to live harmoniously with each other. It is a real shame to see that the government treats them as though they are machines."

"Is this why you built Beacon?"

He withdrew his hand from his cane only to rest them both on the table as he leaned forward, his smile no longer present.

He looked at the camera, his gaze seemingly piercing through everything, as if he knew more about everyone than themselves.

It was as if he was looking at her.

"I built Beacon so that we can all be free. So that we can all make our own choices. So that we can all be humans."

She took a step back, almost hugging the book to her chest as if the object could bring her comfort. As if she wanted support from the lives of the people within.

The human woman continued. "The government, these companies; everyone is intent on telling us, the citizens, that androids are nothing more than just… androids. Though… Are they really more than machines as you said?"

"Why, of course-"

The TV turned off, showing a reflection of the android, holding the remote, book abandoned on the floor.

"Blake?"

She turned, finding Ghira standing there with a bewildered face, his hands and white long-sleeved shirt showing traces of paint - meaning he'd just recently worked on another piece. He turned to look at the TV, his eyes squinting. "I could've sworn the TV was on. I heard they were going to interview the man who built androids; I think his name's Ozma or Oscar or something…"

Ozpin.

That was his name.

She refused to say that, though - as it was unnecessary - and, instead, nodded. "I know. I turned it off. Political debates are not something you're interested in. I felt it was the right decision."

She wasn't lying. Ghira was an artist, and he never liked politics.

Yet his brows furrowed in concern and a sense of understanding as though he knew something she didn't. He lifted his hand, reaching out to her.

"Blake…"

But the android took a step back, convinced that she didn't need him to hold her like that. Because she wasn't a human. Because she was an android.

"I'll make you something to eat, you must be hungry." He wasn't and she knew that.

He looked like he wanted to say something else, but he closed his mouth again, looking down, downhearted.

-[SAY SOMETHING]-

-[STAY QUIET]-

And suddenly he smiled at her gently, as a father would to his daughter, and something inside her stirred in both a wonderful and painful way.

"... Alright, Sweetie."

Author's Notes:

Something that always feels awkward for me is when you write romance… but then you write a scene where the pairing is incomplete (like this chapter where there's no Yang in it). I always feel like I'm betraying you, my readers, or that I'm making you bored…

But hey, this chapter's important! We get to see Ghira, Blake's owner! Which is important! And we also get more info on Beacon, which has been hinted at since Chapter 2 or Blake's first chapter.

Basically, Ozpin is Kamski… but only if Kamski wasn't a huge douche. And Beacon is Jericho. Sort of.