"So what exactly are we looking at, here?"
"Let's find out, shall we?"
Ren frowned slightly as he brought the information they had been given up on his terminal. They were back at the station, Ren sitting at his desk while Jaune stood behind him. The blond leaned forward as Ren brought the image in to focus.
The face on the screen was younger than they were which came as a surprise. To try to break in to Azure Heights, you either had to be very skilled, or suicidal. The fact that they had actually managed to make it past all of her security to the vault itself spoke volumes about their skill level. Ren and Jaune had been expecting someone older; at least as old as they were. This kid couldn't have been 18 or maybe 19 if you were really pushing it.
The kid's eyes were a dark green, and his dark hair was the color of lacquered redwood. His skin was the tan of someone who spent quite a bit of time in the sun, and his build only testified to that fact. Though not large in any sense of the word, his small frame seemed to be the product of hard work. His hand was raised, as though he was trying to protect himself, (which, Jaune thought, he probably had been. Azure Heights was not someplace you wanted to find yourself after dark), and the look on his face told them what they really needed to know. He was panicked.
Professionals didn't panic. If you tried to hit a place like Azure Heights, you went in knowing exactly what you were getting in to. You prepped for the security and you made peace with the fact that you probably weren't going to make it out again. You might feel afraid once the bullets started to fly, but you kept your cool. Only the people who managed to do that while under pressure ever managed to get out in one piece. Professionals always planned for the getaway. Professionals didn't panic. This kid wasn't a professional.
Jaune scowled at the screen.
"I don't like this."
Ren nodded, "I agree. He certainly doesn't look like he knows what he's doing."
"Right, just look at him. He's just another stupid kid in over his head."
"So we have a stupid kid, new in town, hard up on options with no backup plan, with an unlocked aura? You know where we need to take this."
Jaune sighed, handing his scroll over to Ren. The detective copied the file on to their scrolls for later use.
"You're right, as always. Let me just get my pills."
"I'll call ahead and let them know we're coming."
Ren couldn't help the small smile that came over his face as his partner rummaged through his desk. The look on Jaune's face told him what he already knew: his partner was going to enjoy this trip even less than the last one.
After a quick phone call, he got up from his desk and Jaune quickly followed, retrieving his scroll. The two were out the door as Jaune poured a couple of pills in to his hand from the bottle he had brought with him. He noisily chewed on them as they climbed into their car, drowning them with a bottle of water that had been sitting in his car for longer than Ren cared to think about. He was making a bit of a show of it, of course, though Ren couldn't blame him.
Dealing with an annoying witness was one thing, but when you couldn't even enjoy the ride there? That usually only made things worse.
They drove in relative silence as Jaune waited for his pills to kick in. Part of the reason he had taken them so soon was to stop him from stalling when the time came. The last thing he wanted was to have to deal with them wearing off before he was ready. He sighed, and Ren had to smother the grin at his partner's grumbling. He was always like this, but Jaune couldn't really complain when it came down to it. Despite his obvious discomfort, and as much as he would have preferred to handle this over the phone, he knew that going in person really was the better option. You missed things over the phone.
They pulled up to their destination not too much later, and Jaune swallowed as they got out of the car. Ren patted him on his back. It looked like they were just in time.
The bullhead in front of them roared to life.
"Well, at least this time, you don't have to worry about vomiting on Yang's shoes."
Jaune glared at him. Ren smiled in return.
The ride in the bullhead lasted as long as it usually did, which was to say, an eternity. Ren stood by his partner, despite the odd looks they were getting. It wasn't every day that you saw a grown, perfectly sober man hunched over a brown bag while his partner offered sparse words of encouragement.
"You've got this."
" . . ."
"Show that bag who's boss"
" . . ."
"Show me the results of your training."
"Screw . . . You . . ."
"That's the spirit."
A young hunter in training inched as far away from them as he could, his nose scrunched up, and Ren silently mouthed the words 'I'm sorry' to the young man and his partner, a mousy brunette. She offered a sympathetic smile, but inched just a bit farther back regardless.
"One of these days, Ren, we're going to take a case on a boat or something, and we'll see who's laughing the-"
Jaune's sentence was cut off by another surge of nausea. Ren smiled, and patted his partner on the back soothingly.
"Well, that will have to wait for another day. But look on the bright side, we're almost there."
Jaune managed to stand up straight and wipe his mouth. He looked out the window hopefully, but immediately regretted it, the view bringing on yet another burst of nausea. He immediately doubled over the airsick can once again. Ren patted him on the shoulder.
"This is how true legends are born."
"Just you wai-urk"
Despite Jaune's glare, Ren spent the rest of the trip with a small smile on his face.
By the time they finally landed, the two young hunters in training had put as much distance between Jaune and them as humanly possible. Jaune finally straightened up and wiped his mouth. He took a couple of deep breaths, but now that they were once again stationary, he didn't need to worry about throwing up again.
"Do those pills even do anything," Ren asked, genuinely curious.
"Believe it or not, yeah, they do. Not completely, but enough for me to keep buying them. I lasted almost half of the ride without throwing up this time."
"That's true, I suppose. You'll get there."
"Yes, your motivational comments really help me pull through," Jaune added, sarcasm practically tangible.
Shaking his head, Jaune looked up to their destination. It was still as breathtaking as the first time he had ever seen it. He would go as far to say that he could truly only appreciate it now, with no secret hanging over his head, and no nerves worn raw from worry.
Beacon Academy: the world's finest institution for aspiring huntsmen. The tall, pristine towers called to the eyes, begging to be admired. Ozpin's office sat high above them, observing everything and everyone. Jaune could almost feel the man's gaze from there, and he had to resist the urge to scan the towers in response.
He shook his head and tried his best to focus on the task at hand. Ren took lead, and Jaune had to catch up (having stopped to dispose of a now rather smelly bag). The path towards the academy brought with it so many old memories that even Jaune had a hard time being dour. It was odd, seeing the places they had once claimed as their own now taken over by a new generation of aspiring hunters. The place where team RWBY had put on a play was now the meeting spot of a young group sitting in the grass. He watched as they laughed and enjoyed their meal. The pool was now filled with unfamiliar faces cheering on a timid looking girl standing on the high board. The place where they had played dodgeball was teeming with young students training.
Ren looked over to see the smile on his partner's face. Even if it was small, it was genuine, and despite the odor that no doubt still permeated the bullhead, Ren was glad that they had come. It wasn't often that they got a chance to literally walk down memory lane. Ren smiled, but kept quiet, knowing that pointing out Jaune's mood might just end up knocking him out of it. Instead, they just kept up the easy pace towards the main building. They didn't have to travel long before arriving, and there was someone waiting for them when they did.
"Professor Goodwitch, always a pleasure."
"Yes, it is always good to see you professor. I hope things are going well."
"Mr. Arc, Mr. Lie, or should I call you Detective Arc and Detective Lie, now," she asked.
Jaune wouldn't have been able to swear on it later, but for just a brief moment, he could have sworn that there was just a faint hint of a smile on her lips. The corner of her mouth raised just the tiniest fraction, and the two got the feeling that she was pleased with them. It was a rare sensation.
"So you heard about that, then," Ren asked.
"We do tend to keep an eye on the futures our students choose. It's always a pleasure to see our graduates make something of themselves; particularly when they have chosen to put their talents to use in an alternative field of work."
Jaune tried to brush off the not so subtle hint that they were being watched, though he supposed her reasoning made sense. Still, he didn't like people keeping tabs on him, especially now when it was clear someone was trying to meddle in one of their investigations.
"Well, we aim to please," Jaune replied with as much of a smile as he could muster.
"Considering how busy you must be, I don't believe you two would not be here in person if it were not important. I suppose you wish to see the headmaster," she asked.
"Yes, it's important that we speak to him as soon as possible. We won't take up much of his time," Ren answered.
Glynda offered a small 'hmmm' before she continued "Very well, then. If you will follow me, Headmaster Ozpin is expecting you."
She turned and headed down the hall, the two detectives on her heels. The door closed behind them, almost silently in spite of how quickly it moved. The two would have flinched had they not seen her semblance in action before. They knew from experience that there were few things that she could not do.
The halls were as busy as ever, with students rushing about as if they didn't have a moment to lose. Ren might have found it funny had he not spent many a morning in a similar mad rush himself. From the look on Jaune's face, Ren could tell that he was thinking the exact same thing. Beacon hadn't changed much at all since they had been gone. That included, of course, the way the sea of students parted without a second glance before Glynda Goodwitch. Despite the school year having just started, it seemed she had already made quite the impression on the first years, if the speed at which they moved aside was any indication. As they walked past one room, Jaune heard the distinct sound of one of Port's boisterous stories. The complete silence outside of his voice told Jaune that the students were paying just as much attention as they had.
They arrived at an elevator neither Jaune nor Ren had been invited to take very often during their time there. They entered quietly, and Glynda pressed the button that would take them to Ozpin's office. Despite his curiosity, Jaune resisted the urge to ask what had been bugging him since his first time in this particular elevator. Just what in the hell was Fort Port?
The doors slid open, and they found themselves at the top of the tower, in the office of Headmaster Ozpin himself. As they stepped out, Ren and Jaune couldn't help but take in the view. They could see all of Beacon, the Emerald Forest, and even some of Vale in the distance. It was always awe inspiring. Just one of the benefits of being the Headmaster, he supposed.
Ozpin sat at his desk, as calm and composed as always, looking exactly the way he had looked when they had been students. He sipped his mug of coffee, silently looking them over, almost as if evaluating them after not seeing them for so long. Glynda led them forward and then stepped to the side, taking her place at Ozpin's right hand.
"Gentlemen, it certainly has been a while. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Ren stepped forward to answer.
"I wish our visit could have been under better circumstances, Headmaster. We're here following a lead on an ongoing investigation, and we were hoping you could help us."
Ozpin nodded, "I see. What exactly did you have in mind, Detective?"
Jaune pulled out his scroll and gestured towards the small groove in the headmasters desk. "May I," he asked.
Ozpin inclined his head and Jaune placed his scroll in the small port. Immediately the image on his scroll was projected in to the room large enough for everyone to make out the details. It was the face of the young man that had attempted to break in to Azure Heights. Lady Evergreen's security system was, as always, top of the line. He watched their faces for any kind of reaction, but didn't see much he could work with.
"This is the only image we have of a person of interest in a recent attempted break-in. We were hoping you could cross reference it against your pool of recent applicants."
"You suspect one of our students," Ozpin asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Not as such, no," Jaune began, but Glynda cut him off.
"You suspect one of our rejected applicants," she surmised. Jaune nodded in response.
"Kid comes to Vale but doesn't make the cut to get in to Beacon? Best case scenario, he goes home and tries something else. Worst case scenario? He doesn't have a backup plan and ends up stranded. A few weeks like that and maybe one of our not so upstanding citizens convinces him that he can use his skills in another line of work."
Glynda's eyes narrowed slightly, though Jaune knew it wasn't directed at them. She shared a glance with Ozpin, who sipped at his coffee before speaking.
"Mr. Arc, the information given to us by our applicants is given to us with our implied discretion. To ask to go through such sensitive records on a hunch . . ."
"I'm aware of that, Headmaster, which is why we're not here under any official capacity. We could get a warrant and go combing through the records ourselves, but that would bring Beacon's name into the spotlight with a direct connection to a crime; possibly several. The press would have a field day. It would also take time. Time we don't have. I'm not asking to go through your records. All I'm looking for is a name. I'll leave this with you, and should it happen to match any of the people on your list, we'd appreciate the information. No one would even have to know it came from you."
"If it doesn't match any of your applicants," Ren added, "then we'll apologize for wasting your time, and we'll continue our investigation elsewhere."
Ozpin studied the two men over his mug with the same intensity given to a particularly difficult puzzle. In the end, though, he simply nodded.
"Very well, I will take your request under consideration. Simply leave your file with Miss Goodwitch and we will see what we can do."
Jaune nodded and retrieved his scroll. He stepped off to the side to exchange information with the deputy headmaster. Ozpin took the chance to address Ren.
"And you, Detective Lie? Do you also believe that we will find this young man amongst our records?"
"Jaune is a good detective and I trust his instincts. If he thinks we'll find something, then I believe we will."
The answer, given immediately without a hint of doubt, seemed to satisfy Ozpin, and he let the matter go.
There was a small ding as Glynda received the file from Jaune's scroll, and he retook his spot beside his partner.
"Thank you again, Headmaster. We appreciate the help."
"Anytime, Detectives," Ozpin said with a small nod of his head. "I also appreciate your discretion in this matter, of course."
"Naturally," Ren replied. "Unfortunately, we do need to be going."
"I would imagine so," Ozpin said.
"Thank you for your time, Headmaster. If you ever need us, please, don't hesitate to call," Jaune chipped in.
"I will keep that in mind, Mr. Arc. Glynda, if you would?"
The deputy headmaster nodded and stepped forward, "Well, Detectives, right this way. I will accompany you to the entrance."
The two detectives nodded once more towards the headmaster, but allowed themselves to be escorted out.
The trip back down was silent, though not entirely uncomfortable. At the door, Glynda wished them good luck with their investigation and headed back the way she came, closing the doors behind her.
Ren and Jaune continued in silence after that, with Jaune chewing his pills to prepare for the trip back.
It went nearly as well as the trip there.
Neither of them spoke until they were back on solid ground in Vale and Jaune had disposed of his small brown emergency bag. They did a quick security check of their car, and once they were sure it was secure, they got in. Finally sure they were outside of Beacon's surveillance, they relaxed. Jaune hit the ignition.
"So . . . do you think they'll give us anything?"
Ren thought for a moment.
"I would hope so. It's in his best interest to help us out after all. Any time Beacon loses face it affects his standing with the council. He may try to cover it up, but then he runs the risk of it coming out anyways later and looking worse for it."
Jaune nodded. "Their best bet would be to help us out. Maybe next time they'll remember how considerate we were," he added with a grin.
"Yes, I'm sure they'll remember how you considerately walked in and practically threatened to bring a warrant and drag their names through the mud," Ren said as he rolled his eyes, though his smile showed he hadn't completely disapproved.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I was the picture of grace and tact."
Ren laughed but let it go as they pulled back out on to the road.
"So, where to next," he asked.
"Well, we've given Beacon an opportunity to help us out, and if they come through it will be a whole lot easier."
" . . . I sense a 'but' coming along."
"But since when are things going to start getting that easy? Ozpin's not exactly an open book here. He might throw us a bone, but who knows if it would even be enough."
"So what's your plan?"
"How about a drug bust?"
"With our favorite petty criminal," Ren asked with a smile.
"The one and only," Jaune answered.
"Lead the way."
Jaune made a right turn on the next street, heading downtown towards the residential district.
The journey there was almost the complete opposite of the journey to Azure heights. As they got close to the bridge connecting the Residential District to the Industrial, the houses became smaller, and shabbier. There were plenty of people who were trying their best to keep their house in top shape, and Jaune could appreciate the people trying their hardest to make things work. Unfortunately, these homes were in the minority.
People sat on their porches, watching the car go by with a steady glare, and no matter what he did, Jaune had the feeling he wouldn't be warming any hearts here. Several of the ones watching would get up and walk inside as they approached, maybe just to get out of sight, maybe to tell someone they were passing by.
Several times he saw kids watch the car approach and then run around a corner or into a building as fast as they could. Jaune hoped that it just kids being kids, but unfortunately, child lookouts were all too common. But that was a problem he couldn't deal with just yet. For now, their main focus sat in his yard surrounded by about five or so of his friends.
They were sitting on lawn chairs or fold out chairs, drinking beer and bragging about something or another. Jaune had never actually stayed long enough to listen in. He was usually in a hurry, and they never seemed too keen on talking to him anyway. But they didn't matter. The only person that mattered sat in the middle.
Standing at 5'9" and weighing 140 pounds, Cay Valentine was Ren and Jaune's favorite local thug, small time criminal and local would be drug dealer. His dark, baggy clothes and hunched demeanor practically shouted that the guy just wanted to blend in and be left alone. Unfortunately, all of that clashed horribly with his pale skin and shocking red head of hair. The wild mane came down to his shoulders and remained untamed by all manner of man-made devices.
Despite this, Cay had one unusual talent. He seemed to be everywhere. He could be seen trying to break in to a car in the Industrial District, and then twenty minutes later, it seemed like he was on the opposite end of the Agricultural District trying to make a quick buck. Jaune would consider that amazing if it weren't for the fact that Cay wasn't the most careful guy and this usually meant that he was simply arrested for more crimes in more diverse areas. There was a lesson in that somewhere, but he would leave that to the professionals. Instead, he simply pulled up to the house.
Cay had been in the middle of telling some sort of story, but froze and cursed under his breath as he saw the two detectives exit the car.
"You've gotta be kidding me."
"Cay Valentine, you're under arrest. We need you to come with us."
Ren took the lead, suddenly all business. Cay's 'friends' all backed away, not willing to get caught up in whatever mess he had gotten himself in to this time. Ren grabbed him and practically dragged him to the car where Jaune was waiting. Already used to the routine, Cay placed his hands on the hood.
"And what are you gonna take me in for this time, huh? Looking too pretty?"
"No," Jaune interrupted. "This time, you're going away for possession with intent to sell."
"Bull, you don't have anything on me."
Jaune smiled as he began searching the man. "Well let's see if you've got anything on you, shall we?"
He frisked Cay down as the man squirmed. It wasn't until he reached into the back of his jacket that he grinned and pulled out a small plastic bag that they all knew hadn't been there a second before. He would really have to thank Neo.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here? I suppose this is powdered sugar? You planning on baking us a cake, Valentine?"
"That's not mine and you know it."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm sure it's not. Save it. Read him his rights."
Ren nodded as he handcuffed the man and began stuffing him into the back of the police car; and if the last little push wasn't too gently, he wasn't going to make an issue out of it.
Ren took one last look at Cay's friends before he got back in the car. Jaune went around the front, waving the small baggie in front of his face as he did so.
"Stay in school, don't do drugs."
He climbed back in and they were off. He hadn't gone half a black before he saw Cay's friends helping themselves to the rest of his beer.
Jaune and Ren smiled as they considered the man in the back seat. He was already adjusting himself and giving them a glare that could kill.
"You could have at least let me finish my drink," he said.
"C'mon now, Cayt, those things are bad for you. Besides, we're in a hurry."
"Oh no. No, no, no. You promised me I would have at least one month free from you psychos after the last time."
"What? Last time wasn't so bad," Jaune assured him. "You were safe and sound."
"You locked me in the trunk of your car."
"See? Safe and sound"
"You forgot about me."
"No I didn't! I came right back to get you, just like I promised I would."
"Three hours later!"
"Now it's not my fault the guy was a runner. I get winded just thinking about it."
"I'm claustrophobic!"
"But did you get shot?"
"Not the point!"
"Besides, didn't your added trauma help convince the judge to drop the charges? See? Win win."
Cay sighed, knowing he was just spinning his wheels.
"Besides, this time, you don't even have to be anywhere near the trunk of my car. Promise."
Cay stayed silent for a long moment before he finally sagged his shoulders, resigned.
"What's going on this time," he asked.
Jaune smiled. "That's the spirit. The job this time is easy. All you've got to do for the next couple of days is keep out of trouble and keep your ear to the ground. We're looking for someone."
With this, Ren pulled out his scroll and showed the young man's face to Cay, who tried his best to memorize it.
"We have a feeling that he's not going to be getting along too well with his friends in the next couple of days," Ren explained.
"What happened," Cay asked.
"He botched a job. Cost them a lot of money."
Cay nodded. "Alright, I'll keep an eye out for anyone trying to get away. How big of a job are we talking?"
"Ever heard of Azure Heights?"
Cay whistled appreciatively. "I guess we better hope he shows up soon, huh?"
"That's what we're going for, yeah," Jaune chimed in.
"Alright, but I'm going t need my car from impound."
"Deal. What happened to it?"
Cay mumbled something under his breath.
"What was that," Ren asked.
"Unpaid parking tickets . . ."
Jaune raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"
"Don't even start. Not every job ends well, you know. Now do we have a deal or not?"
"Alright, alright, no need to get all crazy. Yeah, we have a deal."
Cay nodded, and settled back into his seat. "So where are you taking me?"
"Well," Jaune said thoughtfully, "We can either drop you off in front of the station or you can join me and Ren for a nice lunch."
"You paying?"
"I sure am, but in order to keep up appearances, we can't let you out of those cuffs until we go our separate ways."
Cay tried to imagine being stuck in the back seat of the car for an hour while trying to eat a burger without his hands.
"Take me to the station," he decided quickly.
"You got it, Boss. Just one thing, you still remember how to tuck and roll, right?"
"What?!"
Jaune laughed half of the way back.
Author's Note:
A quick shout out and a shameless plug.
Thanks to the advice of a dear friend of mine, I've decided to make a tumblr.
On it, I'll post joke shorts, stories too short to deserve a listing here, and sometimes snippets of projects that were abandoned due to either time or them just clashing too much with current canon.
(Many of these were written quite a while ago)
If that interests you, you'd like to get a hold of me, or try to talk to my therapist, feel free to stop by and take a look around at
the-real-coronium dot tumbler dot com
/End of sales pitch