So I just got finished watching chapter 7, and while I won't spoil it, it's good.

I will on the other hand spoil chapter 6, so if you haven't seen it, go see it.

The Apathy Grimm, are some of the best conceptual idea's for Grimm I've seen yet. To me the ability to drain people of the will to go one is genius. I makes me wonder what else Miles and Kerry can come up with. I'm a little disappointed they didn't make reference to the headless horseman beyond the farm but hey, you get what you can.

I'm busy at the moment so there's not much I can talk about but I will say that so far V6 has in my opinion been one of if not the best volume. that can still change obviously but the first half at least has been very strong. the only thing that has anyoyed me this volume hasn't been with the show, but with things surrounding it;

First, the shipping.

No, no people shipping themselves, I'm totally fine with that, but I beg you RT, confirm a ship already. I mean they did it with Ren and Nora but they're side characters so it doesn't count.

I mean I like shipping, I really do, and you can probably guess I'm a bumblebee shipper, but I would rather had Blake and Yang flat out say no, they're not getting together instead of the constant will-they-won't they rubbish. I mean if you ship Black sun that's what, at least three volumes, three more years until we see Sun again when they eventually get to Vacuo?

Listen RT, shipping is great, it is, but actual development and plot focused romance and relationship building are in my opinion far better. So like, I may be a little biased, but hurry up and confirm Bumblebee and actually develop them instead of having us wait three years until you go back to the god-awful perceived love triangle.

My second problem, is related to Yang again, and the FNDM. What is it with people complaining about how she's been bitchy this volume? I mean, seriously, people can't stop complaining about her attitude. Guys, come on, one of the symptoms of PTSD is elevated levels of irritation, especially in stressful situation, like finding out that the big bad can't be killed, that the one guy you told not to lie is still lying or, you know, being stuck in the cold with no idea what to do. I mightn't have brought this up it wasn't for the fact that apparently people with actual PTSD have been singing the show's praise for how they've been presenting it.

I don't know. I realise this is a bit ranty but I guess I'm just more on Yang's side on this. I'm not as proactive as Yang, but I feel like I have the same thought pattern as she does in the show. Or it might just because I never trusted Ozpin and, still kind of don't. I can see him being a sacrifice the few for the many that while I would support if he was, say, Emiya Kiritsugu, some who actualyl got results most of the time I'd be fine with it, but Her's been losing this whole time, at stalmat at best, so I don't... yeah.

Also I just got Darkest Dungeon yesterday and have been obsessed with that for hours. It's pretty good.

So, that's all. Hope you enjoy the chapter

...

Patch was a peaceful place at this time of year.

The last summer month was one many residents associated with greenery, warm rays of sunlight and the soft cool breeze that hinted the transition into fall.

For many of the people living in Patch this was the standard, the norm and usually encourage a nice sort of laziness for them. A time where they could just sit back on the porch and enjoy the day.

That could not be said for the residents of the Xiao-Long household however.

"Roman!"

Ruby looked up and blinked owlishly, unsure how she was supposed to react when faced with two criminal thieves running out of the house towards her at high speed.

Roman and Neo looked panicked over something, and in all honestly Ruby was thinking that they probably deserved whatever punishment they were running from.

The fact that they saw her and took the chance to dive behind her put a damper on the idea of seeing that however.

"Help us out here Red!" the thief hissed.

Ruby let out a groan. "What did you even do?"

"Well-"

"Roman!" the scream came again, closer this time and Ruby caught sight of a very irritated Cinder storming towards them.

Wait… were Roman and Neo using her as a human shield?

The half-maiden came to a stop a few feet in front of her and glared in a way Ruby wasn't entirely comfortable with considering the fact she was between them.

"Ruby," Cinder said slowly. "Could you please step aside while I burn Roman to a crisp?"

"Cinder." The younger girl sighed. "You can't incinerate Roman and Neo."

"Good choice Red!" the thief congratulated from behind her. Neo nodded along quickly.

Cinder didn't look dissuaded however. "It wouldn't take long. You wouldn't even notice it for long. Just one quick immolation and suffering on his part and it's over, no fuss."

"I heavily disagree with that!" Roman rebuked.

"I still can't let you do it Cinder." Ruby shook her head. "I know they probably did something stupid but that doesn't mean you can just kill the both of them for it."

"Not the both of them, just Roman." Cinder told her. "Neo is innocent of any trespasses this time."

At that the multi-coloured girl perked up and smiled brightly, stepping away from Ruby's back and over to the sidelines to watch. Roman was not pleased.

"You traitor!"

He got a shrug in response.

"No can I melt him?"

"What did he even do?"

"I did nothing!"

The dark haired woman scowled. "He called me fat!"

"What?"

"I did not!"

"Yes you did!"

"I didn't!" the thief howled his innocence to the sky. "I said that new outfit you made looked like it filled in a lot better than the last one."

"I specifically heard the word fat, Roman."

"I was referring to the fact that those certain aspects were made of fat."

"How is that any better!?"

"It definitely is!"

Ruby palmed her forehead with her good hand. "You two are dangerous criminals, deadly combatants and grown adults. Why do you do this every single day?"

Neo scoffed. "This is what happens when you let said dangerous criminals and deadly combatants do nothing but sit twiddling their thumbs on the most peaceful island on Remnant. It's a wonder they haven't burned the forests down yet. The adult part is pretty much non-existent for these two anyway."

Ruby just sighed. "That's doesn't help me Neo. Can't you help me with this?"

"Can? Definitely. Will I when I can just sit back and enjoy the show? Nah." The girl grinned. "You could always stand over her with me and enjoy it with me. Don't worry, I'll keep you safe, besides I know you like to watch."

Ruby flushed at the double meaning, and was thankful that Roman and Cinder were too preoccupied in their stalemate to notice Neo's 'words' for the moment.

"Sometimes I regret ever having learned how to understand you, you know that Neo?"

The shorter girl just winked.

"So can you move aside already?"

"Just drop it Cinder." Ruby sighed. "Even if you were totally justified dad would be mad if he had to clean it up."

Roman frowned. "Your concern is apricated Red."

"Oh, be quiet you. You knew you'd annoy Cinder like this."

"…Fine." Cinder grumbled, extinguishing the flame in her palm and shooting one last glare at the thief as he finally came out from behind the smaller girl.

"Good," Ruby smiled. "So can we talk about what we're doing today? Roman, you said you had good news this morning at breakfast."

"Yep," he said, tipping his bowler's cap to her. "Your resident charming criminal mastermind finally got everything ready. I 'borrowed' a bullhead from some people who owed me a favour."

"You stole it didn't you?"

"I did." He admitted shamelessly.

Ruby rolled her eyes. "And? What else."

He smirked. "I heard an interesting little tidbit from one of my informants just out of Atlas. He had ins with a few of the military boys in high places and found some interesting coordinates. Apparently this is where the ice queen's being held."

"Weiss?" Ruby perked up, before blinking. "Wait, what do you mean held?"

Roman shrugged. "No idea honestly. She's at Meridian tower. No clue as to why but apparently dear old Jimmy wanted her there."

That was… strange. Ruby admittedly didn't know much about Atlas, but she knew Meridian tower wasn't a place people ended up… ever. If the general of all people, wanted Weiss of all people there then something was going on. Something she wasn't getting. It didn't matter anyway, not really. Ruby had already planned on breaking Weiss out of her mansion since she knew her father probably wouldn't let her leave. This would just be slightly tougher.

"So what's going on with the general then?" she asked. "How's he been managing after the Fall of Beacon?"

"Again, not much information," Roman sighed. "My little bird wanted out of Atlas but didn't have a real reason why. Not one he wanted to give me anyway and I could have probably gotten a reason out of him but you told me I wasn't allowed to break anyone's fingers."

"And I'm happy you didn't." Ruby thanked him.

He rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Next time I'm bringing Neo. She'd do it no problem."

Both of them turned to the diminutive girl upon mentioning her, and the mismatched devil smiled cheekily back.

"Fine." She sighed. "It's not like I can stop you… did you at least get something else out of him?"

"Just that apparently tensions are getting pretty high, nothing nobody didn't already know, but at least we got a lead to follow here."

"You're right." Ruby admitted. "We know where to go at least. So we just have to prepare for a trip to Atlas."

"I still don't see why we need to go to Atlas anyway." Cinder grumbled.

The younger girl blinked and turned to her. "Cinder, we need to find Weiss."

"Why?" the maiden frowned. "As far as I can see she has nothing to do with this. She knows nothing about what we're really fighting, nor does she need to. As far as I can tell you'd just be dragging her into the conflict."

Ruby's eyebrows drew together. "She at least should know. I can tell her about it after we break her out of Meridian tower. She can say whether she wants to come with us or not then."

Cinder shook her head. "We don't need her. The six of us are enough. We should just head to Mistral and meet up with your sister like we agreed to-"

"Weiss is my partner." Ruby cut off. "I'm going to see her, end of story."

The two glared into each other's eyes stubbornly, neither wanting to surrender their point.

Cinder looked away first, however.

"Fine," she spat. "We'll go break the little heiress out of her cage, but if we do then you best have a plan."

"I have the beginnings of one." Ruby told her. "it helps that I have a master of breaking and entering, two illusionists, an assassin and you to help me."

Roman chuckled. "You're a flatterer kid. Alright, we'll work out a plan of action on the way over. We should have everything ready by tonight. We can leave then."

"Great. So where are Emerald and Mercury?"

"Inside," Cinder told her, still not looking pleased with her decision but at least willing to deal with it like an adult. "I instructed them to stock dust and other supplies for the trip to Mistral… and Atlas."

"Is it really a good idea to have the two of them around volatile Dust? Together?"

"I told them not to be childish and use it against each other." She said. "They know not to go against what I've told them."

Roman snickered in the background. "I don't know about that."

She glared at him. "What are you on about now Roman?"

"Oh it's nothing," he shrugged. "Just that I don't think you're as threatening to them as you used to be. They probably aren't all too afraid of disobeying you."

"I don't rule through fear," she frowned. "And besides, even if I did, I certainly haven't become less threatening."

The thief raised an eyebrow. "The fact that you cave to a pipsqueak like red begs to differ."

"Hey!"

"Don't look at me like that Red, look at you!"

Ruby did as such, looking down at herself. "What about me?"

Roman sighed. "You really can see it? No, what else could I been thinking." He looked up at her. "Listen Red, your fashion sense it's bad exactly but it makes you look like a… how do I put this into the proper words? A Gothic Lolita."

Ruby gasped. "How dare you!"

"You know it's true."

"I'm not some cutesy little doll!"

"Aren't you though?"

"There is nothing wrong with how I dress."

"You literally wear a frilly skirt while fighting monsters."

"It's a combat skirt!" she cried. "I'm not a damn loli!"

Cinder choked in the background. Roman sent her a withering stare for a moment before turning back to the fuming younger girl. "Of course not," he amended. "You just don't give the off the imagery of a huntress combating creatures of darkness you know?"

She frowned.

"See! That, that's a pout! You can't be threatening when you pout."

"I'm not pouting!" she argued. "I'm frowning, people frown!"

"Sorry Red, you can't escape from it dressed like that"

Ruby groaned. "How did this even turn on me again?"

"Because Roman doesn't think I'm threatening." Cinder grumbled. "You think I'm threatening, don't you?" the younger girl hesitated. "Um…"

"What do you mean um?"

"I mean it's just that, I don't think I could ever find you threatening, I mean, we've known each other for ages and all that."

"I'm not threatening." Cinder sagged. "I've lost my touch."

"I mean it would probably help if you carried out half of the threats you aim at people.

Cinder looked up hopefully. "Does that mean I can burn Roman to a crisp?"

"… Maybe a light scalding if he pushes you again." She conceded.

"Traitors!" Roman cried again. "I'm surrounded by traitors."

Neo brought their attention back to her with a snap of her fingers.

"Oh, right," Ruby blinked. "We should go over things one more time instead of wasting it here."

"Fine," the thief groused, throwing away his cigar. "Let's go get the street rats already."

Ruby sent him a look for the term street rats, (not that she thought it would change anything) and went back into the house.

The kitchen table was stacked with crates, Ruby didn't really bother to look much at it, but she could see a few labels with things like 'Dust' or 'food' so that was a good thing.

She was more focused on the sight of Emerald pointing a knife at Mercury, while the silver-haired teen stood with his arms outstretched and using Zwei as a deterrent.

"Put the dog down so I can gut you, you bastard!"

"Well when you put it like that I don't think I will."

Cinder muttered something angrily about losing her edge under her breath.

Ruby sighed. "What happened this time?"

The pair froze, only realising they weren't alone anymore and straightened up.

Emerald hid the knife behind her back, while Mercury, rather shamelessly, set the corgi on top of his head.

Zwei let out a little yip as he panted happily there.

"Nothing!" Emerald answered rather unconvincingly if the blush on her cheeks was anything to go by.

"Yep, totally nothing." Mercury agreed, sitting down at the table and picking up a screwdriver that had been laid out next to an open toolbox. He lifted one leg, and began to unscrew it carefully.

Zwei was still on top of his head.

Ruby looked between them before letting out a breath. There was something clearly going on there but… "I'm not even going to ask. Do you guys have everything ready?"

"Most of it." Emerald told her, calming down. "We could still do to bring along some emergency rations or ammo but apart from that we're good to go. We still have to load it into the bullhead right? Where is it anyway?"

"It's on its way." Roman assured them. "I've got a guy on it."

"You got a trustworthy guy?" Emerald drawled. "I find that hard to believe."

"Whatever kid, you'll see it when you see it."

The girl grunted, deciding that it really wasn't worth her time to argue.

"So, what is the plan exactly?" Mercury asked, taking off his leg and setting it on the table, working on his other one. "We still taking a detour to Atlas or what?"

"We are," Ruby nodded, going on to explain to the duo Weiss' situation. When she mentioned the tower, Mercury smirked. "So basically we're breaking into a maximum security prison that's constantly under watch?"

"We'll be fine." Ruby told him. "Not to sound too full of… well not me, but you guys; pretty much have broken semblances or skills that make you perfect for something like this."

"I guess so." The teen shrugged. "So long as they don't shoot us out of the sky we probably have a good chance."

"Again, leave that to me." Roman said. "I'll get us in and of there no problem."

There was a pointed tap as Neo brought down her parasol with a raised eyebrow.

"Okay fine, Neo's the one flying the thing but I'll be doing ninety percent of the work either way. Neo's basically an add-on."

The woman in question sent a rather unflattering gesture his way in response.

"That does bring up a point however," Cinder spoke up suddenly. "We're talking about skill and abilities we have… hut there is one specifically we haven't heard tell of in months… not immediately needed but still…"

The half-maiden glanced at Ruby, who in turn looked away.

"You haven't been able to use your eyes again have you?"

"I… no." Ruby lamented. "I've tried to think back and… I don't know."

Cinder crossed her arms as Ruby fidgeted uncertainly.

"You've used them multiple times before. Have you still not understood how they work?"

The reaper scowled. "Less times than I can count on one hand. I've never fund anything on silver eyes. No books or passages or reports, not even in the Odyssium, and I Ozpin knew anything never told me. He said something activated them but was so vague on the subject he might as well kept quiet. He was interested in them, that was for sure, but I don't think he knew how to use them."

"Maybe you need to think about what happens during it then," Emerald suggested. "I mean, if he said you need something to turn them on then maybe you just need to think about what you were doing while you used them."

"That would help if I knew."

"Huh?" the green haired girl blinked

Cinder narrowed her eyes. "What is that supposed to men?"

I mean I don't know what I was feeling at the time. I never do. It's… I don't know how to explain it. It's like when it happens I'm not even there. I can never remember what I do clearly, it's all hazy afterwards and… I don't know, what I can remember feels… off I guess.

She bit her lip. "Like it's not me it's happening to, or like, I know what I'm doing and can control myself but at the same time I'm… not?"

Ruby groaned, running a hand through her hair. "I don't even know. It's like some so of weird chance where I don't even think, just do and then blackout at the end. I nearly blacked out last time too."

"That's…" Cinder trailed off, looking down in thought. "I'm not sure what that means actually. It sounds off-putting"

The reaper let out a mirthless chuckle. "Yeah, tell me about it."

Emerald frowned. And… you're sure there's no way you can learn to use it? No way at all?"

Ruby blinked. "I don't know, why are you so hung up on this? I mean, I get being interested in it but… you seem weirdly invested in it."

"I…" the older girl hesitated, looking…. Unsure of herself. "I don't know. It just feels like I should know something… there's… something I'm missing here."

Ruby sighed. "You and me both. If mom was still around then… she might have been able to teach me something about it, but if there're any Silver eyed warriors running around then Ozpin would have tracked them down already. He's had a couple thousand years for it."

There was an awkward silence where the five criminals shared a look. They had all lost people, or just not had anyone to begin with, but there was something morbidly strange as being labelled as something else and, well, being the last of them.

That's what she was right? The last of what was essentially a bloodline, or something like it.

In the end, it was Cinder that broke the silence.

"We'll figure it out eventually Ruby. I've seen you use them once already, you'll be fine. For now let's worry about the present and our mission in Atlas."

"Right," Ruby managed to smile. "You're right. No point me bringing us all down with something like this. We should all prepare for the trip."

"Exactly." The maiden agreed. Which is why I have something to show you."

Ruby blinked for a moment before her eyes lit up. "You finished them?!"

"I did. Come on."

The rest of them followed Cinder as she led them into the room Ruby was well acquainted with, mainly because it was where she constantly visited trying to recover. The mirror on the wall made for a good method of viewing one's self however, which was probably why Cinder was using it.

"Wait here." She ordered, striding into another room off to the side for a moment to get… something.

A minute later she came back with something folded over.

"This is it then?"

Cinder hummed. "Yes. This did say I would be weaving dust into it, so it has the ability to change from one form to the other. I have clothes for the others as well."

Ruby nodded, accepting the clothes as the half-maiden went back and forth, handing clothes to the rest of them one by one.

"Now, disrobe and try it on."

Ruby didn't miss the way Mercury (and Neo) perked up at the word disrobe.

Neither did Cinder by the way her eyes narrowed.

"Roman, Mercury, stand outside until the rest of us are done."

Roman rolled his eyes, "Of course, of course. I'm enough of a gentleman to allow lovely ladies to change in peace… and you too of course Cinder."

"Just get out." She groaned.

The two men did as they were told, letting the door click behind them.

Cinder nodded to herself as she went to get her own, but not before shooting the mute a warning glare. "Neo if you so much as touch my ass you'll lose your hand. Don't look at me like that, we know you're not some innocent flower."

The girl stuck out her tongue in response.

"Ugh!"

Ruby for the most part ignored them, already busy hanging up her cape carefully and taking off her over-shirt. At once she winced, her eyes flickering to her arm.

"You okay?" Emerald asked, stepping up beside her as they looked into the mirror. The thief was, well Ruby thought she was always half dressed but there was considerably less now as she took of the traps around her chest.

"It's nothing." Ruby sighed. "Just… yeah, it's fine."

"It doesn't look as bad anymore." Emerald commented lightly.

"You think so?"

"Yeah. It doesn't look like it'll fall off now at least."

She laughed at that morbid but very true fact.

Her arm was…. Well it was clear it was still damaged. The skin was dark red and scratched over, all the way up to her shoulder the pigmentation was that painful looking shade, and there were certain black marks still marring places. Whether that was permanent damage from magic infused flames or something else she didn't know but some things were better.

For starters, Ruby had fingernails again!

It might have been a small thing, but Ruby hadn't noticed how odd it felt until they'd been melted off her in the beginning. It wasn't quite a numbness but it itched and… well the tips of a person's fingers were a lot softer than other places. It meant it was slightly more painful than usual to use them.

But that was in the past now thankfully, they had regrown fully a month back and even more miraculous Ruby could use her hand again!

Not… not for fighting though. She didn't think it would ever get to that point of recovery, but she could hold things now, move her hand, wiggle her fingers and had a general sense of feeling in her palm.

Sometimes she'd get flashed of pain, but Emerald helped her manage those. All she really had to deal with was the stiffness in her joints.

Again, she still couldn't hold Crescent Rose the way she used to, it was basically deadweight in a fight but hey, results were results.

"Do you want me to help you get that on?" Emerald asked suddenly.

"Sure," Ruby nodded.

It didn't take too long; after Ruby shuffled off her skirt and boots she worked with getting the rest of it on.

She kept her corset though, even if it couldn't be seen it still had a purpose.

Not to mention it might have been a little spite on Torchwick's part. There was no way she was going to prove his point.

Emerald helped her fit her arm into the sleeves last and they were finished.

Ruby took a look into the mirror and…

"Huh." She murmured aloud.

The older girl hummed. "Not bad."

She agreed. It was… different from what she expected: in that it looked almost like a military overcoat. Like a specialist uniform even, except slightly more closed over, and instead of white and blue Cinder had kept the red and black – an appreciated decision Ruby thought – with long sleeves cuffed at the end.

It didn't have the suspenders she'd seen Winder wear thank goodness, but there were thigh-high, gunmetal grey boots all the same. It was interesting how Cinder had decided she didn't need a combat skirt though, letting the coat open at the front near the bottom just a little so flow at her sides and dark red leather tassets underneath.

Her shoulders were free other than a strap that ran across her chest and back likely to hold her weapon of something else.

Her left arm again was mostly free apart from the sleeve and a red tactical glove.

Her right on the other hand was more protected, straps encircling the length of her forearms like a brace and a silvery gauntlet at the end that ran up to her elbow. It was smooth and light.

As she inspected it Cinder called out from the other side of the room. "It's not going to help you fight." She said. "It'll help you move it a bit and perhaps protect you from further injury if your aura fails but don't expect much else from it. Remember this isn't your combat attire, this is more casual wear."

"Right, thanks for the heads up." She called back.

All in all, it looked… pretty good, but,

"If this is casual wear what's my combat outfit look like?"

Emerald snorted. "Yeah, Cinder put a lot into this. I saw her going over designs for weeks. I'm telling ya, if we didn't have to deal with the end of the world she'd be a fashion designer." She added. So how do I look?"

Ruby turned around and got a good look.

"Huh, looks good." She meant it;

Maybe it was because they were going to Atlas, but Cinder had taken precautions to make sure Emeralds was properly covered for it, a lot more than she usually was that was for sure.

It looked more like civilian clothing; a white high collar jacket that crossed over at the front and black slacks held up by her belt and half a dozen straps and buckles that hooked on extra ammunition. What was different about it were the gloves. They had some sort of… not crystal, but a strange pattern of them. Was it Dust perhaps?

"Yeah I think so too." Emerald agreed. "Not very practical for combat though, it's got dust weaving right?"

"All of them do." Cinder told her, right as she finished getting dressed herself and was walking over to them.

Ruby tried not to stare. She really did.

Cinder had gone full Mistralian. Red silk clung to her figure all the way up her stomach and breasts, leaving an opening as that wrapped around her shoulders and down her back and again, clinging to her figure. It carried this on until just above her thighs where it opened up in a sort of twin tail design. The edges were trimmed with gold at the sides and two gold-coloured straps made up of interwoven ropes connecting the front half of her dress to the back half of her thigh.

Cinder had kept her heels but gone with think black stockings that stopped at her thighs, and two long sort of gloves that Ruby sure as hel didn't know the name of but appreciated how much they emphasised the parts of skin she left free to see.

Aaaannnd that was when Ruby realised what she was doing.

Her cheeks heated up as she tried to look away but Cinder had already caught her look.

All the same she directed her eyes in the opposite direction of the maiden.

Damn hormones, making everything complicated.

She shouldn't have been that attracted to Cinder. They'd known each other for years, Ruby should have been resistant to things like this. She could understand how other people could possibly be flustered because, honestly Cinder was stunning on a bad day.

Right now she was downright criminally gorgeous. Yang would have been jealous of her perfect figure. Cinder knew how to look good, how the colours brought out her amber eyes or creamy ski-

'No! Bad Ruby! Stop thinking about how sexy Cinder is!'

Hormones were evil! Why were they attacking her now? She was sixteen not twelve!

Ugh!

…

…

Ruby was so busy lamenting how awful it was to be a teenager, that she missed Cinder's triumphant smile.

She'd seen how Ruby had looked at her.

Just as planned.

Now if only Cinder could deal with-

"N-neo!" Ruby yelped as the bloody midget crashed into her, wrapping her arms around Ruby's good one and purposefully pushing her bust against the girl as she showed off her own outfit.

Cinder's thoughts came crashing to a halt.

Cinder hadn't gotten much input on that one herself, if only because the damn mute knew she would have made her look like a nun if she could!

What did it matter to the little psycho anyway? Her semblance was physical illusions!

Damnit and now Ruby was blushing even harder, and not at her! If Cinder's glare was connected to her powers she was positive she would have burned Neo to a crisp by now.

What right did she have to do that?

How did she think she could compete?

Cinder could acknowledge that maybe she was a little bit arrogant, but come on, she was drop-dead gorgeous! All she had to do was walk down the street and men were drooling over her. She was strong, mysterious, alluring and most importantly she was available!

Neo was a catch on her own sure, but how did she think she could compete with her?

"Y-yeah it looks nice." Ruby responded to the mute's unspoken question (because somehow Ruby had learned to understand her) "I-it uh, really suits you."

To that Neo lit up, grinning happily and resting her chin on Ruby's shoulder.

And Cinder didn't miss how she also made sure to oh-so-subtly press the inside of her thigh against the other girl's hips.

And neither did Ruby if the way her face went as red as her cape.

Oh, yeah, that was why; because Neo literally had no shame and was as open as humanly possible to the fact that she wanted to fuck Ruby's brains out.

Did Ruby realise that? Probably not. Teenagers were like that. They liked people, lusted after them, but when it came to comprehending the fact that someone had the same feelings for them, or maybe even deeper ones, only a few actually figured it out.

They were still dealing with all this other confusing stuff after all. It wasn't a surprise if she could see it then.

But everyone else did.

Even Taiyang!

Ruby's father had been fooled. Fooled into thinking that Neo was a nice girl because of how small and gentle she looked.

But Cinder saw, she knew that Neo was crazy!

Well… maybe she might have been too, considering she'd been a part of an operation to bring an entire City down and had been working for the GodQueen of Grimm, but that was more a 'do-what-needs-be-done' kind of crazy.

Neo was the unhealthy kind!

Again… working alongside the Grimm that wanted to destroy all of humanity probably wasn't considered by many professionals as the 'healthy' kind but at least she'd sided with Ruby after everything!

…Except so had Neo, even though they'd known each other less than Cinder had… and she'd done it sooner.

Cinder decided that it was probably best to stop with her line of reasoning before more of her arguments crumbled, besides she had more important things to deal with.

In reference to the mute multi-coloured skank!

Cinder cleared her throat. "Yes Neo, you did an excellent job on designing your… own outfit."

She looked it up and down and had to begrudgingly admit that it was well done for that she no doubt was aiming to catch Ruby's eye with it. Neo had kept her corset, (changing it only from Brown to Black to slim more of her waist) and the way it exposed her hips dangerously. However this time she'd actually amplified it making sure it… extenuated certain areas even more than it had before.

Which was cheating!

It made it worse by the sleeveless black blouse that went up to connect to a choker around her neck and a dark gloves up to just below her elbow.

She had a longer jacket too, one that looked a lot like Romans coat but scalded a smoky black and a heavy hood connected to its collar. Cinder was sure Neo had taken into account that at any time she could change her colour scheme to anything she liked.

Again, cheating.

And Neo knew it if the way she was smirking at Cinder was anything to go by.

This was war.

"Anyway," Cinder pressed on, because as much as she wanted to, Ruby would be upset if she torched the annoying little mute and she had far too much class for that. "I didn't have much input on your clothing Neo, but I did manage to add a few of my own touches, that being the use of dust."

"So what did you do?" Ruby asked.

Cinder stepped over to her and ever so gently trailed a finger across her shoulder.

She hid a smirk at how it made Ruby shiver and the mute frown. "Take a look at the fabric. It looks different upon closer inspection doesn't it?"

"Um…" the younger girl blinked, inspection it closer "yeah, actually, it does. It kind of looks like… glass maybe? Or something else."

"Concentrated dust." Cinder supplied. "It's weaved all throughout your clothes, but focused more specifically in your feet, knees, elbows, forearms and hands. Do you remember the apparel I head during the dance at Beacon?"

"The one that used fire Dust? Yeah."

"Well I still have it. This outfit I'm wearing now changes into a... modified version of that. It's basically the same, but more practical in that it covers all exposed skin and discards the mask for a hood instead."

"So why are you bringing that up exactly?"

"Because of how the Dust worked in it." She answered. "I used it not only in an attempt to mask my maiden abilities, but also for extra utility. I have done the same for you."

Ruby shifted uncomfortably. "So… you gave me… fire?"

She shook her head. "I realised how… insensitive that would be. Now, I ventured for something more useful for you alone; gravity Dust."

Ruby looked up. "Gravity? How would that work?"

"Well the simple trick is that it can make you lighter, but more so it can make things you hold lighter. You've been working on Crescent Rose, but I know you weren't quite able to get it down to the proper weight you need." She smiled proudly. "So instead I work on a way around that by lessening the gravity that your weapon inflicts on you, it's adjustable of course depending on how much aura you pump into it so it shouldn't be a problem."

"Wow," Ruby breathed. "That's actually amazing. Thank you Cinder!"

Neo was glaring at her now.

It just made Cinder smile wider. "Of course. There are some other useful things too. For instance because it focuses on your feet and joints it should make it easier to move faster and jump higher, especially with your semblance added to the mix. You still have all the force but less of the gravity weighing you down… considering how you fight now however, that can also be reversed to make your limbs heavier if you wish."

"The rest of you have similar utilities," Cinder waved to Emerald and Neo as well as gesturing to the two still likely waiting outside the doors. "Simple things like wind, energy or ice to make you more adaptable to situations."

Emerald whistled. "If that's the case and it's so useful you wonder why everyone doesn't have Dust infused clothes."

"Because of the expenses," Cinder said with a roll of her eyes. "Dust is far too rare to spend on things like clothing when it must be used for power and weaponry, especially now. I was only able to get my hands on the amount needed for us because Roman stole it-"

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that for deniability's sake in court." Ruby murmured before Cinder continued on.

"No to mention that Dust weaving takes skill and years of practice."

"Yeah I get that," the youngest of them nodded. "Even when you were travelling with Qrow and I you started learning it didn't you?"

"Indeed. The fact is there aren't really many people who still study the craft, mainly because it really isn't needed; with things like semblances and aura the extra firepower and protection usually isn't considered. We know better though. Even if the boost is small or used in things other than direct combat we must take whatever advantages we can get."

"I guess that makes sense." Emerald hummed. "So should we call the guys back in? So how they look?"

"Probably." Cinder grumbled before calling out. "I know you've been listening in Mercury, hurry up and get in here with Roman."

The door clicked open a moment later as the two of them entered. They'd already changed into what they'd been given outside and this time it was Ruby who whistled.

Mercury had just exchanged. His old jacket for a thicker on with a hood on it, so not much there. The real chance came lower down, and it was easy to see where the dust became for focused and it shines lightly with a hint of green. Wind Dust perhaps? Most it just did stuff to conceal his robotic legs.

Roman… well.

"What are you doing?" Cinder frowned. "Why aren't you changed."

The thief shrugged. "I dunno, don't take this personal Cindy but I think I prefer my own… fashion sense over yours."

The maiden twitched. "It's focused on utility and practicality. What on Remnant does your hat have to offer?"

"Uh, presentation? People know who I am as soon as they see this getup."

"Yes, they recognise the notorious criminal… something we want to avoid if you recall."

He rolled his eyes. "After we break out the ice Queen descriptions going to go out the window. I'd rather they saw my face and panicked than thinking we're just a few rouges that might have gotten too close to something they shouldn't have."

Cinder clearly didn't agree if her growl was anything to go by. "You are unbelievable."

"I'll take that as a complement pyro."

"I hate you. I hate you so much."

Roman made to say something possibly insulting when the sound of the front door echoed into the room.

"Ruby?" Taiyang called out. "Are you there? There's uh, a bullhead on our lawn right now... please tell me Roman didn't steal it. I don't want the police knocking on my door again this month."

"Well," Roman grinned. "That sounds like our ride, oi street rat, you and your boyfriend ought to start loading things up now. Go on get to it."

They flipped him off in response, but did do as they were told a moment later a Roman led Ruby out of the house to get a good look at his prize, and when she saw it…

"How did you even managed to get an armoured bullhead?"

"Are you asking because you want to know or because you feel like you have to?"

"Will I like the answer?"

The thief shrugged. "Let's just say I have friends who know how to get thinks and leave it at that, okay Red?"

"You're a bad influence, you know that right? I'm an impressionable sixteen-year-old and you're corrupting me."

"I try." He said with a tip of his hate, before his eyes flickered over her head and he hummed. "Now… there's probably someone you should talk to… I'll make sure the rest of us are ready to leave, it shouldn't take long."

He gave her one last nod before turning away and shouting some orders to the others.

That left Ruby to turn, looking around to meet her dad's eyes.

"…Hey," she coughed, which sounded stupid, she realised as soon as she said it.

All the same, Taiyang smiled. "Hey." A pause. "So you're off again."

She hesitated. "I mean, hey, at least this time you know I'm leaving… i-I'm sorry that sounded…"

"It's fine." Her dad let out a breath. "I knew you would be leaving eventually but… I was hoping the wait would be indefinite."

Ruby's eyes drifted shut. "Yeah…"

"It's going to be dangerous out there… you were already being hunted by those bastards but now-"

He cut himself off to hid how his voice quavered.

"Hey," she tried, stepping closer to him. "I'll be fine. I'll find Yang and then she can watch my back. And besides, I've got these guys looking out for me."

Taiyang's eyes drifted over to the criminals as they loaded up, yelling curses at one another as they did so. It got a laugh out of the man, if only a weak one. "I can see that. I… wouldn't call them the best of influences but they're strong enough to keep you safe."

"They are." She agreed. "And… if uncle Qrow comes back here you can let him know that we've gone, right?"

"Right." He nodded. "I will."

The silence drifted between them slowly, and Ruby didn't know what to do.

Her dad did though, thankfully and dragged her into a crushing hug, pressing his face into her hair. "Be safe okay?"

"I-" Ruby choked, ignoring the welling of feelings that rose up. "I will. I promise."

His shoulders sagged in relief. It wasn't much, but it was the most she could promise him. This wasn't the first time he'd said goodbye to a Rose going off on a mission.

It was her job to make sure it wasn't the last.

"You ready?" Emerald asked as she made her way over to the ship, it's engines whiling to life and pushing the grass beneath her feet back.

Ruby smiled, forcing back those feelings again, ignoring the stinging sensation in her eyes.

"Of course, let's get going team CRRMSN."

It hurt, because she knew that sensation wasn't tears.

Emerald grasped her hand and pulled her up and the younger girl let herself fall into her seat. Up in the pilot seats, Neo and Roman looked back. "Strap in boys and girls, we're off."

There was a lurch as the bullhead rose above the trees and into the sky. Ruby was certain her dad was still watching her.

She felt a hand on her shoulder, as Cinder looking down at her with concern she only ever showed for her.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"Of course," She smiled, because she had to, because right now they had a job to do. "Don't worry about me Cinder."

They all had something to do. For Ruby, it was to keep looking ahead.

She couldn't stop.

Not now.

...

So yeah, that's where I'll leave it for now. Like I said I've got a few things I need to take care of, but I am curious about something.

It's partly because I'm lazy and have no skill but also because I'd like to give you all a visual representation but do any of you know where I can find a good artist to do RWBY art commissions for? Just curious.