SILVER LINING

"I'm just saying if we sub out Ezra with Weiss, we'd be called Team BERY! Which is just us good as RWBY."

Ruby desperately tried to explain to Weiss, who clearly wasn't at all impressed at the thought, nor is she showing any sort of interest for that matter.

"It doesn't matter if sounds 'cool' or not, we put it to a vote and even Ezra himself voted that he'd be sitting out the Vytal Festival. That decision is final."

Ruby pouted and looked at me, hoping that I'd somehow back her up.

"Sorry Ruby, I really think Team RWBY should participate as RWBY. RWBEY Doesn't really work for the Festival rules so I'm the odd one out."

I sat down on the girls' window frame as I've done so, so many times. This whole situation Ozpin put me in is so out of whack and unconventional that I can't help but think that he has ulterior motives in putting me with this team in particular. It's been a blessing don't get me wrong, I'm definitely at peek happiness right now with Yang and the others, but he can't have plan this right?

"Well, does it really matter?"

Yang rolled her eyes, as she dropped down from her bunk bed.

"If Blake keeps spacing out like this, we might have to sub you in."

Me, Ruby, Weiss and Yang stared at Blake for what seemed like an eternity. The pressure from our gaze, however, did nothing but make Blake's silence more awkward than it already is. Her consciousness dozed in and out, as she blankly stared at the carpet. One can easily conclude that our presence hasn't been noticed at all. I don't even think she knows she's in her room, let alone acknowledge our existence.

"Blake."

Weiss said calmly.

"Y-yeah."

Blake frantically raised her head. Her eyes had a slight tint of red, and the skin underneath it was dark. She looked around the room then quickly looked away, trying her hardest not to make eye contact. That or she's trying to hide the fact that she's tired. If that's what she's up to, then she's failing miserably.

"Were you even listening to us this whole time?"

I asked, knowing full well that she wasn't. Blake pinched her eyes and glared at me with a scowl on her face.

"Of course, of course." She rolled her eyes then yawned. "Congratulations on beating Nora. Yay Team RWBY."

I faked a laugh then leaned closer to Yang who had her arms crossed in front of her chest. I rested my chin on her shoulder, as the two of us locked us eyes briefly, then shifted our gaze towards Blake.

"That's... not what happened at all. I fought Pyrrha... and lost."

Blake to took a deep breath and sighed. I can easily tell that she wanted to keep the façade of her being part of this conversation, but she knew that the jig was up. Ruby stepped in with anxiety and worry painted all over her face.

"Blake, we want you to go to the dance."

Blake looked up, her flustered demeanor swapped with anger and panic.

"You what?"

Sensing the hostility emanating from her, Yang stepped in front of Ruby.

"Blake. We're worried about you. This investigation is starting to mess with your head."

Convinced that we finally have her full attention, Weiss raised her fingers and started counting with each fact that she spat out at Blake.

"You can't sleep, you hardly eat, and to be honest, your grades have been suffering."

I can sense the rage in her slowly starting to boil. Blake stood up and started waving her hands wildly.

"You think I care about grades! People's lives are at stake!"

I gently put my hand around her wrist and lowered her hand.

"We know, and we're still trying to figure out what Torchwick is up to."

Ruby circled around her sister and quickly stood right next to Blake. She gently wrapped her arms around her shoulder and softly sat her down.

"Thanks to you and Ezra, we now know they're operating in southeastern Vale."

It wasn't our intention, but we've formed a makeshift barricade around her with Weiss moving in to close the gap.

"And, the Schnee company records singled out Vale as the primary target for Dust robberies over the last few months."

Yang optimistically butted in.

"Don't forget about the missing military tech too!"

But Blake was not satisfied. Her resolve refused to waver in front of us.

"But there's still unanswered questions!"

Undeterred by Blake's hostility, Ruby argued back.

"Blake, you won't be able to find anything if you can't even keep your eyes open."

"All we're asking is for you to take it easy for one day! The dance will be fun! We'll make sure of it."

Weiss continued.

"Excuse me?"

Blake asked.

"Team CVFY's mission lasted longer than expected, so me and Yang volunteered to pick up where they left off."

Yang pumps her fist in excitement.

"Yeah! Weiss and I will make sure you have the perfect night."

Without missing a beat, Yang's partner in crime continued.

"Once we're done with the night, we'll continue our search rested and ready!"

Ruby awkwardly smiled at the still unconvinced Blake.

"So, what do you think?"

Blake groaned, her face even more annoyed than when we first started talking to her.

"I think it's a colossal waste of time. I'll be in the library."

And with that Blake stormed off.

"She'll burn herself out before we even get to our next mission."

The rest of team sighed collectively at the obvious fact that I just put out.

I have to admit though, Blake's not too far off the mark. Ever since Cinder refurbished our contract, I've been out loop more than I usually am. Not even Torchwick is telling me what he's been up to lately. Can't trust Neo, and the people from the Nest are laying low and relocating after being compromised, leaving me in the dark for the first time in a very long time in my career. I've been reduced to a grunt in whatever Cinder is planning next, and it's annoying. I can't say I really blame Blake for acting the way she is, cause frankly, I feel the same way.

"This is why they call you Ice queen."

Next thing I knew, Weiss was slamming the door on Jaune's face. Guess I missed the part where he tried to ask her out again after Blake left.

"All my life, boys have only cared about the perks of my last name. Besides, I already have a date in mind."

Weiss arrogantly answered back. Quite convenient for her to have an out, I on the other hand have to think of a way to get out of my team's hair. Cinder's been meaning to talk to me since I fought Pyrrha today.

"So what now? Wait, actually, who do you have in mind Weiss?"

I asked with earnest curiosity. It's obviously not Jaune, which is good for Pyrrha, but knowing who Weiss is planning to go out with might help me and Yang convince that dimwit to ask Pyrrha out.

"Why Neptune, of course."

Ruby scratched her chin, deep in thought, completely ignoring Weiss and her crush on Neptune.

"You know Ezra, I've been meaning to ask this a million years ago, but how in the world do you always show up in our window. I don't think I've ever seen you use our door."

I stared at her blankly, trying to recall a time where I've had to use the door, and true enough, nothing comes to mind. So to satisfy her curiosity...

"Oh. Like this."

I sat down squarely on the window frame and tilted my whole body backwards till I fell down and vanished from their view. The three girls popped their heads out with looks of concern and shock drawn all over their face, which I enthusiastically greeted them with a grin, as I squat down against the wall with my boots frozen on the wall.

"Semblance comes in handy from time to time."

Yang smirked at me.

"Show off."

Which all I can really do was smile in response.

"What about you? We spend all this time trying to convince Blake to go to the dance, but you're not even going yourself."

Weiss frustratingly argued.

"Weiss, I told you Ezra has family stuff going on that night."

Yang tried to defend me and I can see where this is going, I mean, we literally just went through it with Blake; and I don't feel like going through that again, so I nip it in the bud before it goes out hand again.

"No it's fine. I'll think of something, I might be late, but hey! It's better than not going at all right?"

Yang had her jaws wide open, I can't really blame her since this is the first time she's heard me even entertain the idea of possibly attending. Weiss on the other hand doesn't seem too content with I just said.

"Anyways, Blake's the real issue here. Why don't you and Ruby look for Sun and Neptune. Maybe they can help convince Blake to go."

Ruby snapped her fingers and smiled like it was always her idea. With brutish strength, she grabbed Weiss by the arm and quickly dragged her out of the room.

"That's becoming more and more common lately."

Yang commented.

"Surprised Weiss' still not used to it."

I added.

"So... you're planning on going after all?"

Yang hesitantly asked, afraid that her questioning might change my mind. Honestly, it was something I just decided on the spot. I don't even know if it's possible, but now that I have her hopes up...

"Yang... I don't know, maybe. It was an impulsive reaction brought on by Weiss menacing stare. I-I'm sorry... I'll try."

Yang faintly smiled. She reached out her hand and pulled me up till I'm sitting squarely on the window frame once more.

"It's okay. I understand. Sucks that you got my hopes up there for a second, but I-I've come to terms with it."

She grinned at me, though it was obvious that she was merely trying to hide her disappointment.

"Just don't be upset if some other guy dances with me."

I nervously laughed.

"I hope not."

We looked at each other's eyes briefly, then we both rested our foreheads against each others and held hands. We stayed like this a moment till we were both satisfied.

"So, yeah, now what?"

I asked calmly, not wanting to let go of her hand.

"I gotta plan the dance for tomorrow. You?"

I stood up and leaned out of the window, with one hand on the wall supporting most of my weight, and exposing my body to the calm breeze of Vale.

"I'll meet up with y'all at the dance hall then, I'll go snoop around and see if I can find anything that'll satisfy Blake's anxiety enough for us to convince her to go."

With that, Yang and I parted ways, but not before...

"Ezra... aren't you gonna say it?"

Yang stopped with her foot halfway out the door. She had her arms crossed with her face morphed into a pout with a slight blush on her cheeks. Of course, how can I forget.

"I love you, Yang."

She sighed, and softly smiled back while she shook her head.

"I love you too."

Moments like these are the ones that make me want to change for the better, though my excuse was a lie. I absolutely hate lying to Yang, but there's only one other reason why I would do such a thing to begin with.

"Cinder."

There she was, patiently sitting down on the corner of her dimly lit room, with her legs crossed over the other.

"OWL."

She softly whispered back.

"So, what of Ms. Nikos?"

The fact that I'm about to give out information about one of my closest friend is heart wrenching, but I have people to protect. If giving her the nature of Pyrrha's semblance will keep Cinder off my back for the time being then I have to do it.

"Her semblance, it's polarity."

Cinder's eyes widened in awe. She paused for a second, allowing herself to drift with her thoughts. Cinder then smiled the moment she was done thinking. She raised her head with a grin that terrified me. I don't know what it is she's planning, but I can already tell it's going to be trouble.

"Yes, that's quite interesting. We can use her. Excellent work OWL."

Her compliments mean nothing to me knowing that Pyrrha just became a pawn in Cinder's devious plan, and I have no idea what role she's going to play. It was but a moment ago that I was willing to sacrifice Pyrrha for my family, but I'm already now regretting it. This whole operation has been a big regret. How did I even end up here to begin with? This whole dust heist operation quickly turned into blackmail and terrorism.

I turn my back at Cinder, trying to hide my anger and frustrations. I slowly made way out her window, but I was soon stopped by her deceptively alluring voice.

"OWL."

She beckoned.

"What?"

The annoyance in my voice was clear, but she didn't seem to mind. Cinder raised her hand, while she twirled a flash drive in between her fingers.

"That mission you're going through tomorrow won't succeed unless you upload this software into Beacon Academy's systems. I need you to go to the classroom at the center of the study hall and hack into the computer systems hidden in the ceiling."

I sighed and hesitantly grabbed the flash drive out of her hand.

"Should be a piece of cake for you, OWL."

Angry at Cinder and whatever job she has me doing, I stormed off her room without so much as giving her a look back. Blake's worried about Torchwick committing robberies, but here I am openly sabotaging a Hunstman Academy- the grounds used to train up the supposed protectors of mankind. The team should honestly be more worried about me, and I'm surprised I'm as well off as I am now all things considered.

I put all my angst and frustrations behind me, thinking that whatever this is Cinder has me doing is followed by more time spent with Yang. A silver lining that came out of this misery.

"Room 205. Yep this is it. The center of the study hall. All this sneaking around, and Atlas brining in their military force here... I wonder if Cinder knew all along that Ironwood would bring this much of his army here in Vale... or did she use Torchwick's crimes to lure him into doing so?"

I parkoured my way up close to the ceiling and used my semblance to freeze my boots against the roof, preventing me from falling.

"I hate being in the dark like this. This darn computer system, though, shouldn't be too difficult to find, no tools needed."

I tapped each block of wood till the sound that echoed back was hollow and empty. I carefully slid my pocket knife through the crevices and expertly shifted the wood inside the roof, exposing the wires running along it. I peek my head in, looking for a hub of some sort till I found a gray box screwed to one of the roof's support beam.

"Bingo!"

I pulled a feather shaped drone out of my back pouch and plugged Cinder's flash drive in it. I took a deep breath and carefully aimed at computer box, throwing the feather like a dart soon right after.

"There, the drone should automatically install whatever Cinder has in her flash drive. Any modifications can be done through my helmet later. Let me just send her a message..."

[To Cinder: Mission Complete]

"Then slide this back on, and off to Yang!"

As I slowly began to melt the ice off my boots, the door violently swung open. The panic I felt made my heart skip a beat.

"Yang, if you're going to tell me to stop, you may as well save your breath."

It was Blake and Yang. It would seem that Yang couldn't stand Blake's mopping any longer and decided to pull her aside. Yang jumped on the teacher's desk, without a care in the world, knowing full well that there wouldn't be anybody in this room... well, except for me.

"I don't want you to stop; I want you to slow down."

Blake squinted her eyes, and glared at Yang as she crossed her arms and paced back and forth.

"I don't have the luxury to slow down."

Yang sighed and gave Blake an exhausted smile.

"It's not really a luxury. In your case, it's a necessity."

Not convinced at all, Blake stomped her foot firmly on the ground.

"The 'necessity' is stopping Torchwick."

Yang, however, is not one to back down either.

"And we're going to. But first you have to sit down and listen to what I have to say."

She pats the empty space on the desk right next to her, urging Blake to sit down. Blake simply looked away in response, but ultimately gave way to Yang's persistence.

"Fine."

She draped her legs over the edge of the desk and rebelliously refused to look at Yang.

Yang rested her cheek on her fist and smiled at Blake, till the expression on her face began to slowly to change to something more melancholic than the one she just had.

"Ruby and I grew up in Patch, an island off the coast of Vale. Our parents were Huntsmen. Our dad taught at Signal, and our mom took on missions around the kingdom. Her name was Summer Rose, and she was, like... Super-Mom: Baker of cookies and slayer of giant monsters."

She pumped her fist as she reminisced about her family. The pride Yang had in them was clear from her smile. But once again, her happy expression began to turn gloomy, as she shifted her gaze from Blake to the ground beneath them.

"And then... one day she left for a mission and never came back. It was tough. Ruby was really torn up, but... I think she was still too young to really get what was going on, y'know? And my dad just kind of... shut down. It wasn't long before I learned why. Summer wasn't the first love he lost; she was the second. The first... was my mom."

Blake's eyes suddenly widened. She couldn't believe the things Yang were saying. Hell, even I didn't know that Yang and Ruby were only half-sisters.

"He wouldn't tell me everything, but I learned that the two of them had been on a team together with Summer and Qrow, and that she'd left me with him right after I was born. No one had seen her since."

Summer? Qrow... why does that sound familiar? Qrow, Qrow... Qrow Branwen! The famous huntsman that used to teach at Signal Academy, and the one that frequents Beacon. I'm familiar with him. The Nest would damn near shut down whenever he's around, too strong of a foe to keep criminal operations afloat. Summer Rose, Qrow Branwen... that would mean Yang's talking about team STRQ! I've heard about them from my grandparents. Summer Rose, Taiyang Xiao Long, Raven and Qrow Branwen were all prodigies during their time in Beacon.

To think Taiyang is Yang and Ruby's father... how could I miss that?

"Why did she leave you?"

Yang sighed, and slowly made her way towards the chalkboard. She carelessly picked up a chalk and began to tell her story.

"That question... Why? I didn't know an answer, but I was determined to find out. It was all I thought about. I would ask anyone I could about what they knew about her. Then, one day, I found something. What I thought was a clue that could lead me to answers, or maybe even my mother."

Her hand began to aimlessly wander around the chalkboard as she stared blankly at it. Me and Blake were confused whether or not she was telling a story, or recalling a memory that she's trying to forget.

"I waited for Dad to leave the house, put Ruby in a wagon, and headed out. I must've walked for hours. I had cuts and bruises, I was totally exhausted, but I wasn't gonna let anything stop me. When we finally got there, I could barely stand, but I didn't care; I had made it. And then I saw them. Those burning red eyes..."

Her hand began to shake, and her fingers began to squeeze the chalk uncontrollably, breaking it in half.

"There we were: A toddler sleeping in the back of a wagon and a stupid girl too exhausted to even cry for help. We might as well have been served on a silver platter. But, as luck would have it, our uncle Qrow showed up just in time. My stubbornness should've gotten us killed that night."

I knew it. Her mother is Raven Branwen. Heh. The Branwen tribe of Mistral are a world renowned criminal organization. Not the even the Nest could up to what they're capable off. Each of their members are tenacious, cunning, and capable fighters skilled enough not only to fight grimm, but hunters and huntresses too. If I remember correctly, they had a change of leadership a couple years back, way before my time...

Yang's mother left, could it be that the head of the Branwen Tribe now is Raven?

"Yang... I'm sorry that happened to you, and I understand what you're trying to tell me, but this is different. I'm not a child, and this isn't just a search for answers! I can't just-"

Yang was having none of it. She had her fists clenched, and furrowed her eyebrows.

"I told you: I'm not telling you to stop! I haven't! To this day, I still want to know what happened to my mother and why she left me, but I will never let that search control me. We're going to find the answers we're looking for, Blake. But if we destroy ourselves in the process, what good are we?"

Their conversation was starting to escalate to a full-on argument. Both sides I can sympathize, but Blake's determination is clearly blinding her from the side effects of pushing herself to the brim.

"You don't understand! I'm the only one who can do this!"

Yang stomped her way towards Blake till their faces were mere inches from each other, revealing her fiery red eyes.

"No, you don't understand! If Roman Torchwick walked through that door, what would you do?"

Blake replied without a hint of hesitation in her voice.

"I'd fight him!"

She tapped Blake on the shoulder, knocking her back on the desk.

"You'd lose!"

"I can stop him!"

Again, the rebellious Blake stood up and tried to push back, but her exhaustion has caught up to her. Blake barely had enough strength to stand up, let alone push Yang.

"You can't even stop me!"

With her teeth and fist clenched, Yang made her way to Blake. Blake reeled back, fearing a physical confrontation, but in an unexpected twist, she wrapped her arms around Blake instead.

"I'm not asking you to stop. Just please, get some rest."

Yang's tone of voice softened. Her fiery red eyes faded back into her lilac colored ones as she pulled back and stared Blake straight in the eyes.

"Not just for you, but for the people you care about."

Blake, still shocked from what just happened simply stood there in silence.

"And if you feel like coming out tomorrow, I'll save you a dance."

Yang winked at her, before quickly making her way out of the room. Blake stood still for a moment, contemplating what Yang just said. She sighed and closed her eyes. I slowly began to defrost my boots, fully expecting her to leave the room shortly after, but it would seem I've underestimated the senses of this particular faunus.

"Ezraaa.. come out."

With my cover blown, I deactivated my semblance and swiftly landed right next to Blake.

"How long have you known?"

I asked.

"When Yang hugged me. It... sort of knocked me back to reality."

Ah. I see. So she didn't know what I was doing here before hand, which is all the comfort I can ask for. Not wanting to risk getting interrogated, I decide to jump the gun and offer an answer to an inevitable question.

"I know what you're going to ask, it's quiet here. That's why. I was just startled when you and Yang came in. I thought it was Oobleck again, wouldn't be the first time I got caught here."

Blake smiled and scratched the back of her neck in response.

"Well Professor Oobleck is a professional huntsman. Hard to hide your presence when one of them is around."

Ain't that the truth.

"Anyways."

I carelessly hopped back at the desk like Yang did earlier, and swung my legs back and forth.

"Are you planning on going tomorrow or not? Ruby's pretty worried you know, so is Weiss."

She tilted her head my way with her eyes wide with curiosity.

"What about you?"

I get the feeling she's about to ask me about the dance as well, which admittedly is getting kind of tiresome, but I'll entertain it.

"What about me?"

Blake leaned her arms back against the table and stared at the scribble Yang left on the chalkboard.

"Well... everything. You said Ruby and Weiss are worried, and obviously, so is Yang, but aren't you? And you're so persistent about this dance, yet you yourself aren't showing up?"

Wow. If Blake wasn't part of my team, I'd seriously be frightened. She's unbelievably sharp and quick-witted. None of that really matters though, cause what got me going was when she assumed I'm not worried about her.

"Of course I'm worried dummy! I just know better than to repeat myself over and over. You weren't really in the right state of mind for me to keep nagging you. You probably would just get even angrier."

Blake giggled and shrugged her shoulders

"You got that right."

Whatever Yang did seems to be working, Blake's a little bit more talkative than usual- even if I remove Torchwick out of the equation, this is probably the longest conversation I've had with her and it's still going.

"And about the dance... Beacon's special, I wasn't expecting to be picked by Ozpin when I applied for the program. I-I made commitments prior to all this to take care of my family. More specifically, I promised my grandparents I'd take care of my siblings tomorrow night so they can take care of the family business at Mistral."

Only parts of what I said were a lie. Beacon is special to me now, and I wasn't expected to be tangled up with Yang and the rest of Team RWBY like this, but I have to still protect my family. So this is the lie I'm going with, as painful as it is.

"That's unfortunate. Yang would have wanted you there."

Ouch. Why would she bring up Yang now? Cunning, astute, and her aim is deadly too. Is there anything she can't do.

"I-I don't want to give her false hope, but I want to be there still. I'll try my best to attend, even if it's late. So do me a favor will ya?"

Once more Blake looked at me with a curious look.

"Hmm?"

I gave her the biggest and sincerest grin I've ever shown her and said...

"When you attend the dance tomorrow, will you keep Yang there for as long as you can?"

Again Blake sighed, but this time, not out of frustration but disbelief.

"Sure, Ezra. Just promise me you'd actually show up."

The once rebellious Blake, now making me promise to attend the very same dance that she so adamantly refused to go to. Blake and I laughed at the irony of it all, as we head out of the room. Who knew tomorrow's mission would bring about a chance to spend the dance with Yang. Another silver lining.