[Hi little Rose, Blackbird sent me.]

Ruby's eyes widened as the text was fully processed, there was only one person who refers to her as little Rose, the woman she met a decade prior. "Mom... Mom sent you?" The question left her lips not being able to process the situation. The half-pink girl on top of her had a happy expression when her words left her mouth.

[Yes Ruby. She didn't want you to be out of her reach alone, Ozpin is shady.]

Ruby stared at the scroll for a couple seconds before looking dejected. "I wish that she trusted me enough to be on my own."

Neo's mood fell with Ruby's, deciding to lighten it she typed up a storm. [Mother wanted for us to find each other if something were to ever happen. It's not that she doesn't trust you to be safe, but it's a precaution. We don't know what will happen, it was safer for us to be together, by the way, I have heard a lot about you Ruby, my name's Neopolitan, but please call me Neo. Mother has taught you to sign right?] Ruby nodded. [Then that's how we will communicate from now on.]

When Ruby first had sign language drilled into her head she asked her mother what it was for and why she needed to learn it, but she never got her answer. Now she knows why and it appears that the woman has been planning to have them meet at some point. Neo got off of Ruby and offered out her hand. Taking it Ruby was met with a confused Blake and an oddly neutral Wendel. Know that she had to explain what this was to Blake, and not before introductions.

Picking up on her train of thought Neo was in a flurry of hand movements. [How do you want to do this? He thinks that I am your older sister. Should I correct him? I doubt that Yang Xiao Long would be too happy with me.]

Ruby was able to decipher most of what Neo was saying, but she still cursed herself for being out of practice. She then started to return the favor but the adrenaline that was keeping her moving ran dry and the injury to her arm caught up with her. With a grunt of pain, she stumbled back now holding the now limp limb. Blake and the now-surprised Neo moved to either side of her to keep her from falling. "Fuck." Ruby cursed, the pain distorting her senses. She moved to the nearest tree and rested underneath it. Choosing to speak to save Neo the trouble her voice came out soft and pained. "You made the right choice Neo, I doubt that she would blame you." Getting a nod from Neo Ruby turned to Blake to make an attempt to explain the situation to her. "Blake?" Her partner made a motion that indicated that she was paying attention. "This is Neo, Neo this is my partner Blake Belladonna."

The two looked at each other, Blake opened her mouth to exchange pleasantries but had a scroll stuffed into her face. [Neopolitan Branwen... Ruby's big sis at your service, but call me Neo. And this is my partner Wendel Léon.] pointing opposite to where Ruby was resting with a mischievous grin, obviously keeping something to herself.

Ruby and Blake look at the boy in a gray t-shirt and sweatpants, he was flustered wearing a Rosy tint. Wendel has just now figured an aspect out of his partner's semblance as a voice whispered to him taking the perspective of Neo's point of view, recovering as he introduced himself. "Hello, I am Wendel, as you might have gathered I am Neo's partner." He looked between the two new acquaintances and put on his best smile, much to Neo's amusement. Before he could continue there was an ear-shattering howl of a Beowulf.

Neo with an angry expression looked in the direction of the howl, she activated her semblance and her features went pale. She had thought that she led the leader of the beasts away but here he was with his close friends numbering in the double digits, the Beowulf alpha seemingly had it in for Ruby, it was tracking her especially. It was too late for an escape and with Ruby in her condition, a head-to-head fight was risky at best and suicidal at worst. Getting Wendel's attention she motioned to Ruby with her head. The message received he positioned his larger frame to the three in front of Ruby still looking at the three, Neo getting Blake's attention.

With her Scroll pointed at Blake Neo's message was loud and clear. She nodded at her silent acquaintance and kept a lookout for any movement and any possible escape route if needed. The group got into positioning for a hasty escape.

"Neo, what's going on." She made the attempt to get up but lost her balance. The six-foot Wendel caught her as she made her descent to the ground.

[You need to sit still for now but be ready to move at any moment. We have company, a lot of them.] Neo moved closer to Ruby signing. [Don't use your gift Ruby, the forest has eyes. Trust in us. Both of them have the best intentions for you.]

[Fine, but I have the right to go back on it if you guys need help.] Ruby signed relaxing as Wendel lowered her into a sitting position.

(...)

Back at the clearing Yang and Weiss had got the lay of the land while waiting for Ruby and Blake. Weiss was frustrated with the situation, not only did her partner seem to hate her for gods knows what, but she seemed to be worried about the well-being of someone else not involved with their ability to pass the test. When the pair found Belladonna, Yang instantly recognized the red tattered hood she was wearing and the scythe that said the girl was clinging to for dear life. Weiss' partner then interrogated the ravenette into spilling Rose's location, getting all of the information her partner sprinted towards this clearing at top speed using the blanks firing from her mini gauntlet shotguns to propel herself forward, not knowing why they needed to produce that much power or how Yang's arms did not get torn off from recoil alone during a fight but that was another question for another time. She was more concerned with the large explosion she just heard and she turned towards the direction in that Rose and her partner disappeared, with an appropriate amount of shock a pillar of black flame somehow illuminated the twilight sky further than it had darkened. "What the hell." Was all that the girl was able to spill out before turning to her partner.

However, Yang was not confused by what it was or what the black flame meant. Biting her lip she thought of Ruby or the warning that she gave her sister. 'Rubes,' was the first thing on her mind as stood at the edge of the ravine near the stone bridge. Not giving any warning Yang took off again, and she was headed towards the tower.

Not having much choice in the matter Weiss was left to follow again. This time Yang seemed more panicked than last time and she had no clue why. Of course, it for sure had something to do with Ruby Rose again, but the why and how eluded her. Though she had no clue of what was going on, the fact that her partner cared for the girl was undeniable at the forefront of her mind.