Lein in his pocket and his cane in hand Roman Torchwick prowled down another street. Today was a good day for business . . . well at least good for him. The man he had left in the alley behind him probably wouldn't agree with him but at least he was only short his Lien and a pretty face for a few days. Serves his own right for choosing that area to stop and check his Scroll, not paying attention to his surroundings Ha! Anyone who was foolish enough to think themselves safe from the likes of Roman Torchwick deserved a little reminder. His signature cane twirled for a moment whipping off the speck of blood he'd gotten on it with his little bit of fun. Just as he came to the foot of the alley he felt the shift in wind as a short woman with pink and brown hair dropped down beside him from the right rooftop. As she rounded on him her arms crossed Roman rolled his eyes. "What is it Neo?"
The tiny woman puffed out her cheeks and began signing " Is that any way to talk to your best friend."
Roman chuckled. "Oh Neo darling, you should remember, I don't have friends, merely people whom I can use or people whom I work for." When his companion stomped her foot at him he smirked and added. "Of course you will always be my favorite Neo. Tell you what, since I have obviously either forgotten something you find important or you're mad at me for some other reasons why don't we get some ice cream? My treat of course." Just the words do the trick as Neo's dual coloured eyes sparkled with excitement and a grin took over her scowling features.
As the pair crossed the road, heading towards the ice cream parlor Neo favored Roman felt a shimmer in the air. It was like something warm passed over his chest, a soft giggle flew through his ears. Even as he turned his head in the direction of this disturbance a loud horn blared, drowning out the sound in his ears. Thankfully the beeping horn and Neo's quick reflexes pulled him away before a truck could do any damage to him. Roman blinked owlishly for a moment before the sensation he had felt died off. A few passerby's whispered under their breath but hurried away when he spared a glare in their direction. Roman turned back to his long time friend and companion, a grin plastered on his face. "Well that was a close one, thanks Neo."
" It's not like you Roman to be so scatterbrained AND in the middle of the street. What were you looking at?" Neo signed to him as he kept his face turned away from the onlookers. Even those who might recognise him wouldn't say anything, at least not once he threatened them into silence or had them beat up. Still attracting unwanted attention in broad daylight wasn't the fastest way to stay alive and ahead of the law so he pulled his collar further up and kept his hat low over his eyes.
Roman felt that same lingering warmth again, it was coming from somewhere behind him and he glanced back. It was coming from a building that the government buildings used for functions and parties. There was a truck pulled up outside with Vale's symbol on it while several humans and faunus carried in pieces of artwork and statues. For some reason he couldn't tear his bright green eyes away from the pieces being taken inside. Most of the objects were covered in protective layers but as some of them were carried through Roman felt a twitch over his heart. The near invisible mark of his soulmate brand tingled with heat like fingers were gently caressing the wispi lines. The mark was the palest of greys but it twinkled like Dust in the sunlight. Though he would never admit it to anyone, not even himself, sometimes when he was alone or on days when things hadn't go well he would trace fingers over it. He had another two marks on either wrist, though their colors were a pale blue and equally light copper.
His gaze turned back on the trucks, perhaps there was some sort of exhibition going on. His lips turning up into a smirk as he entered the parlor, Neo at his heels awaiting her icy treat with a large grin. His close call and the warmth of his soulbrand forgotten as his companion scooted around him and pulled him further into the establishment. Already he was thinking, coming up with a route to get inside because where there was art to potentially steal and money to be made, there would be Roman Torchwick.
"What about this one?" Yang pulled yet another dress from the rack, this one a pale pink slip on. It was sleeveless and fell like a waterfall that would probably reach Ruby's feet, after a moment of consideration Yang draped it over the growing pile of dresses Ruby currently had straining her arms. This had been going on now from nearly two hours and Ruby was quite frankly getting a bit fed up. Heaving a huff from the weight Ruby glared over the top of the pile. Actually she had been fed up within the first thirty minutes of this shopping trip and the only thing keeping Yang alive was the expensive pile of dresses in Ruby's arms. She debated for a moment if it was worth the price to drop them onto the floor in favor of strangling her beloved sister.
Thankfully Blake's amber eyes caught on to Ruby's death glare directed at Yang over the pile of clothes and suggested she try the dresses on before Ruby's arms fell off. "Thanks Blake." Ruby whispered grateful for the distraction. While Weiss was looking through shelves of shoes to match the dresses, Yang moved to the lounge seat as if awaiting a fashion parade from her little sister. Ruby tried on dress after dress. The first one she came out in was a off the shoulder green dress but it was much too long and tight around Ruby's chest so that was a clear no. The next she came out in made her look like a pear drop, in bright purple and blown out skirt. Though Yang held up a thumb Ruby imitated throwing up before retreating back behind the curtain. Blake tried to help by offering a black high collar sleeveless dress but when Ruby emerged from behind the curtain the dress with her pale skin just made it look like her sister was in deep mourning.
They went through several different shops as the day progressed, Ruby trying on dress after dress. Unfortunately they were rejected either because they didn't fit her short curvy frame or were just rejected out of Ruby's preference and style. She also tried on at least two dozen pairs shoes ranging from short kitten heels to lady stilts that Ruby was horrified at the thought of wearing.
"Should we try somewhere else?" Blake asked, after nearly four hours the four girls were walking down the street by the time Yang started to notice with concern Ruby's growing fatigue. Though her sister would never say it, not until it got too much, she didn't like crowds. Places like this where people were in constant movement up and down the streets would drain her sisters energy. The more they walked through the heavy throng of people the more Yang realised her sister was nearing the end of her patience for this trip. The chances of Ruby taking off to escape the crowd of people were high.
Yang cursed herself, this was supposed to be a fun shopping trip and all Ruby looked like she wanted to do was to splatter onto the floor. Still there was one last place to check, she just hoped Ruby had the energy for it. Plastering a big smile with her boundless energy she dragged the group towards their last stop. "Now this place is said to have everything." Yang walked ahead into the last shop on the street and held the door open for the others to follow. There were two windows on either side of the door, the right one showcased a pair of beautiful dresses while the other held a range of accessories. The words scrawled above the door on a white board said the place was called 'Fairy Tale Magic'
The crimsonnette let out a heavy sigh. "This is the last one, if there isn't something suitable here for the Gala then I'm not going to wherever you guys are taking me tonight." Ruby had had enough this was the final one shop she agreed to. Already tired and fed up with shopping, the thought of more hours trying on dresses made her visibly cringe. Not to mention the throng of people they had already pushed through today had left her nerves frayed and her brain felt like mush now.
"Okay okay, this is the last one I promise." Yang walked in and a little jingle like wind chimes could be heard echoing softly. Weiss reminded Ruby as they walked in. "You do need something for the Gala remember?" The white haired woman was much better at picking out clothes for Ruby then Yang was. While Ruby's figure was much curvier, they did like much the same things, their styles relatively similar when it came to anything outside of working clothes. The Huntresses wondered if Ruby would be into combat skirts, to bad the young red head never decided to become a Huntress.
"Yeah." Ruby slumped, she hated going to Gala's. It wasn't the idea that her work was being criticised but she herself was. While she wasn't famous by any means she did well for herself and Ruby felt her art was exceptional. She spent much if not all her energy and creativity on whatever she was making and so far had done some remarkable work. Enough so that she was occasionally sought out, commissioned to make something spectacular. The pay was always really good and it something that filled her with so much glee and happiness.
She looked around the shop, the dresses here were sleek and mature without going too far for her tastes. Ruby hummed as she roamed further into the shop, some of these were actually quite nice, even had corsets to help lock and load her generous bust. She was no Yang but then her frame was smaller so it made her look almost as busty as her sister. Ruby stopped short when she got to the middle of the store and clapped her hands together stars in her eyes.
The dress was crimson red, the top was a corset with formed shoulder straps a couple centimeters thick. Each section of would conform perfectly to her, they were rigid and would hold their shape despite the satine shining fabric. The neckline fell a bit low for Ruby's tastes as it would accentuate her breasts and also show off the soul mark between her them. The pale copper wisps of colour were starting show and she wasn't sure how she felt about anyone seeing them. However the dress had no arms so the marks upon her wrists, blue and green would also be visible. Ruby shook her head, they were just soul marks, she could deal with people seeing them.
The skirt of the dress would fall to her knees in the front and slowly billow outward in the back with a bustle bow above her butt. The volumes of red heavy fabric made Ruby's heart pound, it would be the perfect dress to hide in. Plus she really loved red.
Weiss walked up to the dress and checked the price tag, she made a face but looked at Ruby those silver eyes wide. "Try it on, we'll split the price, consider it my early birthday present for you." Ruby gave Weiss a quick hug and squealed. "Hey don't get too excited, we need to know if it fits first."
"Okay!" Ruby gently removed the gown and headed straight for the back where the dressing rooms where. Weiss smiled and walked over to her mates. "Blake help me find some shoes."
Just as they narrowed down the choice between a pair of shiny red pointed heels and silver open toe ones Ruby emerged from behind the curtain. The dress was a touch too long but with a bit of pinning up would flow beautifully on the younger woman. Weiss crossed her arms with a small smile looking the dress up and down. "So how does it feel? Show us the back"
Ruby, barefoot and smiling gave the other three girls a twirl Yang clapped at the choice and smiled. "Looking good Rubes, really good!"
"Thanks." Ruby took one look at the two pairs of shoes and put the bright red heels on, they fit her like a glove and the soft padding on the balls would help her get through the night.
Yang wandered over and stepped up behind her sister. "Hold still a moment." Gently she brushed the red tipped hair to the side and tied a black velvet choker around her neck. It fit snugly and soft over her neck, the thick black cord held a bright red rose encased in glass like a teardrop. It rested at the hollow of her throat and Ruby grinned at her reflection in the mirror. "Yes I think you look good in that. Think of it as my present for you."
The crimonsette raised a brow. "Does that mean you forgot my birthday?"
"Psssh." The brawler waved away at her. "Besides it's not even your birthday yet remember."
A quick flash obscured the redheads vision as Blake took out her Scroll and snapped a picture. "So that is what your going with?" She asked quietly, Ruby only nodded and after trailing her hands down the material once more fled back into the dressing room to change into her street clothes again.
Within ten minutes they had the dress, shoes and necklace wrapped up and safely in the bags, the shops logo scrawled across it with what was probably supposed to be a glass shoe on. Ruby took a look around, it was still crowded but the large amount of people that had been roaming around had thinned considerably. Ruby felt her stomach growling at the late hour. "Hey do you mind if we get something to eat? I'm starving."
"I think we all deserve a decent meal before we start to get ready for tonight." Yang took her mates hands swinging them like children at her side while Ruby walked closely behind Weiss. "Hey Blake shall we go see your folks?"
Blake turned to her and snuggled up closer into Yangs side, though it was mostly to get the blonde woman to stop swinging at her tired arms then to just be close to her. "Yeh sure, Mum will be pleased to see everyone.
"Yay food!" Ruby cheered and almost started to skip down the pathway. Today might have started off rough, what with the early wake up call and the shopping but Ruby was happy all in all. She had a new dress she loved, shoes that probably wouldn't kill her, a pretty necklace from her sister. Her art work was about to be showcased to the public and lots of rich potential customers and best of all nothing could take it away from her.
He watched as she walked out of the shop, his eyes never straying from her form. Even when his vision was obscured by passersby and vehicles his eyes were trained on her as though she were the only thing that mattered in the world. She was that, the only thing that mattered in 'his' world. Every smile, turn of the head, everytime she opened her mouth and the musical notes fell out he longed to be closer, to truly appreciate every word and sound she made.
His rose brushed a lock of hair behind her ear revealing more pale skin and he wondered if it was as soft as it looked, was it cold, warm? Yes she would be warm, what with those blushing red cheeks and laughing eyes. He wanted her to turn towards him and smile that beautiful smile, to see those large silver pools warm at the sight of him.
Soon
His long brown leather coat fluttered in the breeze as he kept his eyes trained on her. Even when she rounded a corner and disappeared from view, then he mourned the loss of seeing her. The street grew more crowded but now that she was gone he noticed how noisy it was, unclean and full of people he cared nothing for. Oh to plunge his fist into someones gut and squeeze their organs just to scatter the public from him but he reined in that impulse. It wasn't good and she wanted him to be good. He knew that, knew what she would want maybe even before she knew. That was why they were meant for one another, why she belonged to him and he her. His posture slouched slightly as he pushed away from the wall where he had been stood, his tail coming loose from around his middle, clicking softly before re-adjusting, tightening just a small bit.
He rounded the same corner she had and watched as the four girls entered the restaurant. He knew that place though he hadn't been inside himself, at least not when they had been open. No he had gone in there one night when it had been at its darkest to check it was safe for his rose. He had been satisfied to find things clean and neat though the visit had been a short one so as to not leave his scent for the other Faunus who worked there to detect. As he walked past the window he tilted his head so he could catch a glimpse inside and almost growled as a Faunus with cat ears tugged his rose into a tight hug.
It should be me in there, holding my precious rose, hugging her.
Instead of breaking through the glass to charge at his love he carried on walking. There would be time for all the things he had planned and there would be time to get rid of everyone who had kept them apart for so long. As he rounded the last corner his thoughts circled with images of Ruby cradled in his arms while the people she called her friends, her family lay dead at his feet.
James Ironwood stood in Glynda's tower awaiting her return, he had a bottle of red wine all the way from Mistral in hand. He just didn't understand why she kept arguing with him, they were well suited. Their positions gave them something to talk about and they were sexually compatible. He didn't care about his soul mates, he wasn't interested getting emotionally invested in such a damaged individual as Ozpin. Why couldn't she understand that?
The doors pinged open as Glynda strode in, she looked over to him and spotted the wine. She let out a long sigh, so he was here to try again. "I've said it once and I'll say it again. No James, it was fun but I'm not interested in anything more. You have someone who needs you and you neglect him."
James only just managed to keep from scrunching up his face. "No offense Glynda but what Ozpin wants I can't give him. I don't love him and I don't like men. I know he leans both ways but I don't but I don't want to put myself in that situation." He adjusted the bottle and winced as it clicked against his metal hand. "And then there is that."
" That never stopped us, the one perk to all that Ozpin has been through is he is the LAST person to ever care about that." Glynda walked over to her desk and leaned on it.
James sighed and walked over to her. "I didn't come here to fight with you about Ozpin." He offered her the bottle of wine and sighed even more deeply when she didn't take it from him. "Give it to Ozpin." She said and turned away from him. "Go home James we don't have anything to talk about."
Ironwood pursed his lips but knew Glynda well enough to know when he didn't have a chance. He stormed out of the office wine in hand, the elevator seemed to take forever to reach the bottom. The sun was steadily sinking by the time he made it into the courtyard. He had intended to ask Glynda out to dinner but that had blown up in his face. The yard was mostly clear of students as he walked toward his airship, someone of his position could fly wherever he wished and he normal stayed upon one of his Dreadknots. It never hurt to show the strength of Atlas when he had business outside of the Kingdom.
When he arrived at the Bullhead he set the bottle of wine aside and stepped up into to take the pilots seat. Then paused and turned away looking out into the Emerald Forest. Grimm tended to gather in it and he could do with blowing off some steam. Seeing as he wasn't going to get laid tonight, killing Grimm was the next best thing. He locked up the ship behind him and set out into the forest activating his white Aura.
The haunting beauty of the Autumn tinted flora did nothing to sooth James as he stomped deeper in the forest. Taking into consideration how grumpy he was it didn't take long for the Grimm to appear. They crawled out of the shadows licking their lips, beady red eyes trained on him. There were a few low growls as the Grimm began to pace around him, their predatory nature growing. The General pulled his revolver out of his pocket, the moment the first Grimm took a step towards him he started lining up shots. His shots thinned out the pack of Beowolves that had slowly started to gather around him with practiced ease. Knees and paws were blasted through as the gun rang out in deep blasts as he started to move into a run.
Three Beowolves broke from the back and charged him, James flanked right firing shots into them. Black smoke and blood sprayed over the grass as the Grimm fell one by one. One pounced on him he dove to the side and grabbed it's leg with his mechanical hand and ripped the creatures off its feet. He felt the metal appendage whirl with motion, it's cold grasp on the Beowolf so strong that bone broke under him. In the same beat he whipped it forward into the one behind it and impaling the monster on the spikes of the other's back. The second Beowolf crashed into the ground stunned as the other turned to dust, James raced forth and slammed the foot of his metal side into the Grimm's skull shattering it like glass. The last of the little group swung out with a wide strike for his head.
James grabbed it and fired his pistol into the creatures arm socket, the howled as James ripped its arm off and swung it around to shove its own claws into its chest. Not even breathing hard he surveyed the collecting Grimm and ejected the clip of his pistol and slammed a new one into place.
Thus the limbs started to fly as he vented his frustration on the pack. Why didn't Glynda get it? Ozpin wasn't his type, not to mention the man was even more broken then he was. Sure physically he was probably fine, but inside where it counted he was a mess. Why didn't she understand that he didn't want to get involved with that? Given his profession alone he was a constant reminder of the war Ozpin was trying so hard to forget.
He shattered the rib cage of a Beowolf with a punch, no they just weren't suited. The last of the Grimm started to wither into dust, bone and ash. Maybe if Ozpin got back into the fight they'd have something in common but he just didn't see that happening. Plus he wasn't into men, what would his soldiers say if they heard he had a male soul mate? Any fool could see that Ozpin was attractive, at least until they got to know the man more. For under all his experiences and good looks lay a mind too complex and a soul too battered to truly understand. James shook his head fiercely no, Ozpin was not for him.