The ceremony was held in the town hall, generally used for social events as such. Fortunately, he was one of the buildings to suffer minor damage during the war, a month ago, and was in perfect condition for the event. The place was full with people from all realms. The outside was filled with journalists, as Weiss had foreseen, away at the entrance by a moving fence. Looking out the window, Ruby looked completely terrified, watching Weiss get off, several cars ahead in line, and being greeted with hundreds of flashes and shouted questions.
- Oh no, oh no, oh no! - Ruby was truly pale and curled up inside her cloak, which she had insisted on wearing. Apparently the dress that the girls forced her to wear was 'outrageous'. - I can not go out there!
Oscar and May exchanged a worried look. Ruby was with them in the taxi in the first place because Weiss had gotten irritated with her, by trying to get her out of the house, and left ahead with the team after May had offered to talk to Ruby. May had established a plan to "go in, hide in a corner until the ceremony, get the certificate and leave" that seemed to reassure the huntress. But the rain of glances at the front door was more than she could bear.
- Now Ruby, they do not even put a red carpet on the floor. - Oscar tried to joke, but Ruby pulled the hood over her face and tried to disappear.
- I'll make a fool of myself and tomorrow will have photos and videos of me everywhere and YANG NEVER LEAVE ME IN PEACE! - She almost screamed, sinking into the seat and pulling the hood up to her chin. - I should not have come ...
- Maybe you could do your pretty magic with the roses petals and just shoot inside? - May suggested, seeing no other way out for the poor girl.
- Perhaps...? - Ruby murmured hopefully, uncovering her face.
Oscar pressed his lips. It would still draw much attention and she would have to deal with the tabloids later. It was hard for them all to understand that they were now war heroes and that this would bring undesired attention to all of them. Suddenly, an idea came to him from one of his thousands of memories of Ozma.
- I think I have a plan. - He said cautiously. - But I do not know if I can put it into practice. Give me a minute to try.
- What will you do? - Ruby asked curiously, and she and May focused their eyes on Oscar. He closed his eyes, concentrated, and to their surprise, began to blink, as if disappearing for a few seconds, again and again. - Ehhhh ? !
- Oscar, what are you doing ?!
- I'm trying to manipulate light and shadows to make myself invisible. I know the theory, but it's trick ... - He remarked slowly, still trying to concentrate. - And shadows is not my best element ...
In the next second, he could no longer be seen.
- It worked? - He asked at the shocked expressions of Ruby and May.
- That's so cool! - Ruby exclaimed, hopping in the same place. - Oscar, you're amazing!
Ruby could hear Oscar's low laugh, but she could not see him blushing at the compliment.
- I have not got the hang of it yet, so he's consuming more aura than it should. Give me your hands, so I can extend the magic to you two.
May and Ruby did as they were asked, and the next moment Ruby jumped by surprise as she felt Oscar's hand on her free one. Slowly he appeared in her field of vision, as if it were cloudy, until it was completely visible again.
- I'm seeing you!
- Yes, but only because we are under the effect of the same magic. Look, the window does not reflect us. - He pointed it out and, with his free hand, slammed into the window that separated them from the driver. - Stop the car please, we're getting out here."
The car stopped and Oscar opened the door on the side of the street, instead of the sidewalk. They were still a good five cars away from the entrance and everyone's focus was on Lucila Devilheart, from Vacuo.
- Come, but be quiet and do not let go of your hands.
Ruby had to stifle giggles at the whole ridiculous situation, and May found herself doing the same. These silly preoccupations tasted like youth and drowned the memories of the sad days gone by. So they stepped out of the car and crossed the curb, avoiding bumping into the photographers and onlookers crowding the sidewalk.
Ruby glanced around in surprise. There were only two rows of journalists at the security fences. All other people were ordinary citizens. She saw signs of thanks to the hunters, one or other specifically for her or her friends, photos of people that died in battle and teenagers hallucinated with ... Jaune T-shirts ?!
Oscar glanced back, confused, as Ruby began to pull desperately at the hand he held. It took him a second to understand what she was trying to point out. Did Jaune have ... fans? Well, he WAS a young hunter, war hero, and most of all, single ... The problem is that Ruby found that hilarious, and by the redness of her face she seemed about to burst into laughter. Oscar made frantic motions for her to stop and hastened their pace, carefully diverting them from the huge Alex Firemane, Mistral's hunter, as they passed at the entrance. Once safe inside, the magic broke in the second when Ruby finally burst out laughing.
- Gods! Jaune has fans! Teennagers fans! I need to make fun of him NOW! - Ruby scanned the huge room with her eyes, finding her friends together at the drinks table. - There he is!
She immediately exploded in roses, but stopped two meters away, as if remembering something. She came running back to Oscar and May, stealing a hug from the boy.
- THANK YOU for saving me Oscar. You are the best. She squeezed it lightly, with the sincerity of thanksgiving weighing in her voice. Unfortunately, she let him go. "Now I can make fun of him." And he fired at roses in the crowd.
- I thought they were just petals, but even the air smells like flowers. - Aunt May commented, delighted with Ruby's skill.
Oscar just agreed with a neutral response, seeing Ruby chuckle around Jaune in the distance. She still kept her cape shut, falling like a cloak down to her feet. Inviting May to accompany him through the hall, he wondered in his mind if he would not see his infamous dress that night. Again, he did not have an answer in his mind.
Walking slowly through the crowded hall, Oscar stopped several times to greet acquaintances. He introduced May to the various hunters he met on his travels, pointing to others in the distance, engaged in their own conversations. They accepted drinking glasses from a young Faunus waiter and kept talking.
- Did not we see those two coming in? They seem like veterans. - He turned to see who May was referring to.
- Yes, they really are. Her name is Lucila Devilheart, a teacher at Shade Academy in Vacuo.
Lucila was a tall woman like Yang, looking like she was in her mid-thirties. She wore a revealing black dress that barely reached halfway to her knees. Perhaps to compensate for this, she completed the suit with a red leather overcoat. A black leather belt kept twin pistols attached to her body, one on either side of her wide hips.
- She is a teacher...? - The woman was glorious! May felt sorry for the poor teenagers who studied with her and their broken hearts.
- Yes. She was responsible for recruiting most of Vacuo's hunters. She's an incredible fighter and, frankly, a little scary. - May did not doubted his nephew. The woman looked like she could eat a man alive. - The man talking to her is Alex Firemane. He is a hunter, trained in Haven. He will take up the post of teacher next school year. We lost his predecessor in the war.
Alex was a man of absurd proportions. He was bigger than Jaune by a head at least. Wide and covered with muscles. He wore red and gold, and a cloak hung from his shoulders with a fur collar. His hair was red and a full beard framed a constant smile on his face. Oscar and may could hear his laughter, meters away from them.
- I saw this man lift a Ursa over his head and throw it away just before fighting a Beringel, completely unarmed. - Oscar counted, shaking his head at the size of the absurdity he had witnessed.
- This room is full of unbelievable people.
- Indeed.
They rolled around the room for another half hour, talking to friends and acquaintances. May can not help noticing again the disparity of Oscar's actions, almost of personality, between his friends and only acquaintances. He was leaning on his cane, arm in arm with her, looking even older and more mature in formal clothes. May caught him adjusting imaginary glasses on his face. Oscar seemed to notice the slide, as his hand held the cane tighter for a moment.
Before she could comment on it, the lights in the hall will be turned to the stage. In front of the microphone, Glinda Goodwitch caught the attention of the guests. Within seconds the room was in complete silence.
- All welcome, and thank you for your attendance, for this ceremony.
- As everyone knows, five years ago I was a teacher of a couple of very peculiar teams at the Beacon Academy. Like many teenagers, they often created confusion on campus, causing me a headache.
Light laughter filled the silent hall. Oscar smiled, being ravaged by second-hand memories of those days gone by.
- Once, in particular, the cafeteria was completely devastated thanks to a simple food war. No, I'm not joking. They used semblances to battle with fish and soda cans as if they were in an arena. Such an affront. Luckily for the offenders, the former director, Ozpin, advised me to let the incident go by. 'They should be defenders of the world,' I said as they laughed, but Ozpin just shook his head and replied:"
- And they will be, but for now, they are still children. So why not let them play the part? After all, they will not be forever. - Oscar said softly, mirroring Glinda's next words. His voice, filled with sadness, like hers.
- At that time, I had no idea how correct it was: in that same year, our school fell victim to the machinations of the Queen of the Grimms, even when they lost their teammates, wounded and injured, they continued to fight, without any help.
Alone, they unraveled the web of secrets and lies that enveloped our world. They summoned others, announcing the coming of the war. Thanks to them, Remnant was united and human and faunus of all kingdoms took up arms, side by side, to win the war.
These young people never had the opportunity to formally receive their title, as deserved. That's why I'm asking team RWBY and team JNPR to get on the stage now, so we can fix that.
The hall exploded in clapping hands and his friends began to head toward the stage. Even Ruby was making an effort not to drag his feet there. Jaune passed Oscar's side with a smile, but instead of moving on, he stopped, placing a hand on his companion's shoulder.
- Are not you coming, my friend? - Oscar grinned.
- Well, she called the teams first.
- Oscar, that's exactly what I'm talking about. You are our 'P'ines. Always was.
- I ... - Oscar did not know what to say, being plagued by a wave of emotions. In the end, he managed to squeeze a 'thank you'.
- Go, do not keep them waiting. - Aunt May hurried over, a big smile on her face, and Jaune and Oscar followed the stage side by side.
The eight lined up side by side on the stage and the hall fell silent again.
- Ruby Rose. Glinda announced, taking out a certificate displayed in a gold frame. - You froze the Wyvern in the fall of Beacon and the Leviathan in the attack on Argus. You led you team in battles throughout Remnant and returned home victorious. By your deeds, I grant you the title of huntress.
Glinda handed the frame to Ruby, who was glowing with a wide grin and watery eyes. They exchanged low words as the hall burst into clapping hands. Moving away, Glinda took the next certificate and approached Weiss.
- Weiss Schnne. You came from Atlas as a reminder that hunters do not fight for their kingdoms, but rather for Remnant, our home. By your aid in the fall of the Atlas academy and your bravery in all the other battles that followed, I grant to you the title of huntress.
She followed, honoring Blake, Yang, Jaune, Nora, Ren and finally Oscar. With her in front of him, Oscar was able to feel diverse memories and feelings begin to surface in the back of his mind. He immediately took them away, an ability whose years had helped him hone, but the huntress seemed to suffer from the same evil. She looked at Oscar for the briefest of moments with an indecipherable, but pained expression in her gaze. Certainly seeing the man who had once occupied that body. But the next second she was back in her formal posture.
- Oscar Pine. You did not seek life as a warrior, but fate threw the weight of the world on your back and you chose to carry it. You have been charged with the weight of knowledge to unravel the lies during the war and now you are willing to use it again to rebuild Remnant and educate our children. By your deeds in battle and admirable altruism, I grant you the title of hunter.
Oscar accepted Glinda's certificate with a faint smile. The hunter leaned forward slightly to be heard above the applauses.
- Good work, Oscar. - She returned to the podium, drawing her attention to herself once more. - Now I'd like to call a special guest on stage. Please, Carmin Nikos, join us.
A redheaded woman, seemingly surprised by the invitation, stepped onto the stage. If the last name was not enough to deliver your identity, your face certainly was. She paused beside Glinda, who handed her a certificate, like the others.
- A mother should never feel the pain of living longer than her children, but thanks to the sacrifice that Pyrrah Nikos imposed to herself, all these honored hunters here today could live another day to move on. Pyrrah has always been an example of what it means to be a hunter and no one will ever doubt that she was one.
Mrs. Nikos accepted the honor with tears streaming down her face. The applause, once loud and enthusiastic, was now deafening. She thanked them briefly and stepped off the stage to compose herself. Even Glinda, known for her austere posture, had to swallow hard to contain her emotion before continuing.
- Today, we are celebrating the beginning of yet another era in Remnant. Once again, the remnants of this world rise from the ashes, tired and downcast, but stronger than ever. We will build our schools and cities one more time, and next year, that same day, we will celebrate the reopening of our academies. Remember, friends, the gods themselves have considered us worthy of the life and gifts we have received, so let us make them proud.
One more clap of hands and everyone slowly left the stage. Ruby, who followed behind Oscar and May, stumbled on the last step. Fortunately, Oscar was quick to protect her.
- Are you all right, Ruby? - She laughed, rushing to reassure him, but Oscar noticed immediately that something was not right. - Your face is red!
- She thought a glass of wine would give her the courage to face the audience. - Blake explained with a smile.
- Well, she was not wrong! Well done sis! - Yang celebrated right behind him.
- Of course, but now she's obviously tipsy! - Weiss exclaimed irritably. - She's going to break her neck by walking on heels!
- You made me wear them! - Ruby snapped and staggered again, clinging to Oscar for support. - Ugh ...
- Oscar, dear, why do not you take the poor girl to the balcony to get some fresh air? Me and Yang have not yet finished our conversation conversation from earlier.
- That 's right. You take care of my little sister while I present your aunt to some ... Friends. - Yang winked at May, who laughed. Oscar opened his mouth to object but closed it again, content himself to sigh.
- Please, just do not introduce her to Sparrow. That man is anything but a gentleman. - Oscar murmured. - Come on Ruby, you will feel better after a glass of water and fresh air.
- Right, thanks, Oscar. - Ruby laughed, stepping crooked once more. - I do not even know why I'm laughing! Alcohol does it? That's why I do not drink! Who would have thought a cup could leave anyone like this? Uncle Qrow drank a bottle before he began to roll his tongue!
Yang and May watched them walk away. Oscar leading a chattering Ruby in calm steps toward one of the reclining balconies. Around, the rest of the team began to disperse, returning to the party. With a mischievous smile on her face, Yang turned back to May, her arms folded beneath her full breasts, highlighted by the bright dress.
- You know, if you had not met Oscar for years, I'd never let him take my little sister to a private corner. Gods, I've known Jaune much longer, and I would not let him do that. - Jaune, standing a few feet away at the snack table, turned to hear his name.
- What about me?
- Nothing against you vomit boy, but your flesh is weak. - Yang shrugged and turned back to May again, leaving the blonde unsmiling. - But Oscar is more mature than we all together, so they will be fine. So while the kids have fun, I'll introduce you to some friends. You're too beautiful tonight to not flirt without commitment.
May looked at herself and blushed with pleasure at the compliment. She had certainly lost years of her life struggling to survive on the farm after the death of her sister and brother-in-law. Years of hard labor took its toll on her body, but a spa day with the huntresses disappeared with these signs like a magic spell. Her sunburned skin and hair were soft and shiny. Her battered hands were moistened with nails well done. Her body, accustomed to work, was thin and defined. Gods! She was only 33! She was not even close to being dead!
- Yang. - She began, a broad smile growing on her lips. - Why do not you introduce me to this Sparrow Oscar talked about.
- I knew you were one mine kind. - Yang laughed out loud. - Come, we have no time to lose.
As the two stumbled into the crowded hall, Oscar handed Ruby a glass of fresh water. In the half-light of the full moon, he can not help but notice that her eyes glittered, almost like liquid mercury.
- Ahh ...! - Ruby let out a satisfied sigh, wiping her glass. - I needed it. Wow, for a moment I thought I'd hang up there! Thankfully Professor Goodwitch kept the whole speech.
- You did well. - He blinked in surprise as Ruby began to remove her cloak. - What are you doing?
- It's too hot here!
Beneath her cloak, Ruby wore a stunning black dress. The sleeves were drooping, exposing her white shoulders. Her bare neck was adorned only by a thin chain of silver with a delicate pendant in the shape of a rose. The black cloth continued, clinging to her body to her hips, where he fell in soft waves to above the knees. Her lap rose and fell with her breath, making the red pediment that adorned the bust of her dress sparkle the moonlight. Oscar took great care to look away as soon as he noticed that fact.
- Ahh ... So much the better now. - Ruby smiled. - The air out here is a lot nicer.
Both remained in a comfortable silence for a few moments, admiring the quiet night in the city. It was still possible to see damage from the attacks during the war, but virtually all of them already had signs of repairs in progress. Oscar looked at it and sighed. There was something bothering him for a long time and now was the best possible time to ask.
- Ruby ... What are you going to do from now on?
He watched her reaction carefully. The girl's shoulders tensed for a moment and she wrenched her hands absently.
- I do not know well. I've been thinking about this a lot lately. - She moistened her lips, measuring the words. - Blake commented that we all deserve a break, after so many years, but there is still so much to be done! Oscar, Weiss told us that according to the survey that Atkas has been doing, 25% of Remnant's population is gone!
- More and more people are leaving their villages behind and returning to the cities, looking for security, and even if weakened, the grimms are always present! Escort requests are piling up and we no longer have hunters like we used to. I can not rest, not yet.
Oscar nodded, already waiting for that answer. He had dreamed about the end of the war for years, wondering what he would do, if he did not disappear into Ozma's millennial consciousness. His biggest wish was to finally be able to tell Ruby how he felt, to take that bittersweet feeling out of his chest. But ... With Ruby traveling the world again, she would be far away. If she matched his feelings, they would both suffer from the distance, and otherwise ... Their friendship might take it too hard to recover.
- I'd like to do the same but...
- Oh not Oscar! Your job is so, if not more, important than that! You will teach magic to the WORLD Oscar! You're like ..! Like...! You're like Garondalf of Ramnant! The Vale Dambodóro!
- I'm who? - Oscar laughed at her animation, even if his heart burned with unspoken words.
- Master Yoba then? No? Wow, what end of the world did you used to live in?! - That only made Oscar laugh again. - In short, you are the master of the masters!
- The worse is that you're not far from reason. I agreed to start recording a video next week, explaining the basics of magic, to be distributed across all media. You know, to try to reduce the number of people spontaneously exploding on the streets.
- Wow! This is amazing! What do you intend to do?!
They talked much longer about their futures, laughing and enjoying each other's company. Ruby's insistence that Jaune should star in his magic video, shirtless, to please the teenagers, almost made him lose the air of laughter. Even so, Oscar lay down that night with a heavy heart, feeling that he had missed his one chance to get what he wanted most.