Arc I; Meetings
Chapter 7
Outside the Vale Downtown Storage District, top of a building
"Made it," Ruby announced as she stormed through the door of a building overlooking the Storage District, tranquilizer gun case in her hand.
"Weiss! Come on!" the brunette called out to her partner who was just now staggering through the door, cheeks flushed probably from keeping up with the blistering pace Ruby set for them.
"Give me... A minute… Air…" Weiss gasped as she made her way toward Ruby while trying to get her breathing in order.
"No time!" Ruby declared as she slung the case open, nearly ripping the hinges off. "Yang's in trouble, I need a spotter!"
"I thought you said you had spotter equipment in the scope?" Weiss asked, her breathing now under control, but never the less stepped up to Ruby, who was assembling the rifle, with deaf precision, without even looking at it, her eyes fixed on the storage containers lying about half a mile away.
Please be okay! She prayed silently as she put the final pieces of the rifle in place and flipped the stance she built into the gun open.
"I did," Ruby explained as handed Weiss the second scope that was in the case. "I also designed this for the woods. The scope can't give me readings on wind here in the city."
"Right," Weiss nodded, uncertainly and Ruby took aim through the scope mounted on the rifle.
Come on, come on, come on- Ruby thought as she started scanning the storage units ahead of her.
Each second that ticked by felt like an hour as she searched for her sister and Blake, each roll that was empty increasing the anxiety within her, fingers gripping the rifle tightening, until they were turning white.
"Ruby," she heard Weiss call. "Roll 3, from the right, near the far end."
Immediately, Ruby's instincts kicked in and she slung the rifle in the pointed direction that Weiss indicated and almost instantaneously spotted the man she was looking for along with Yang, who was held at gunpoint on her knees.
Ruby's heart dropped at the sight, but she forced herself to remain calm and willed her fingers to be steady. She couldn't afford to let her emotions get in the way right now.
The brunette sniper took a calming breath before reaching toward the gun case and deafly picked up a tranquilized dart from it.
"Weiss," she breathed slowly. "The knob on the side. Use it to switch between different variables."
Ruby slowly slid the round she picked up into the rifle's chamber, not taking her eyes off the faunus for a moment, watching his every move. Right now he appeared to be shouting something and that's when Ruby realized that Blake was nowhere to be seen.
He's probably trying to lure Blake out, Ruby theorized. Let's do this!
"Weiss, range?" Ruby asked, her right eye now firmly planted on the scope, any indicators of the device switched off.
"701 yards," the white-haired girl supplied after a few seconds.
"Okay," Ruby acknowledged. "A bullet drops around 30 inches for every 400 yards fired. Can you take your scroll and calculate how much of a drop will happen in 700?"
"45 inches," Weiss supplied almost immediately.
"Fast typing," Ruby praised as she started to adjust the rifle on the approximate height as to not miss the shot. She was getting only one chance as it was.
"I don't need a scroll for such childish calculations," Weiss huffed, but didn't give Ruby time to admire the older girl's mathematical skills and asked; "Alright, what next?"
"Right," Ruby refocused and saw that the faunus had turned toward someone else now, probably Blake, but the brunette didn't want to risk confirming that and having to re-adjust. "I feel the wind here is at our backs, so it doesn't make a difference. What about down there?"
"Wait, searching," Weiss replied and Ruby again started feeling the seconds tick away, until three agonizing eternal ticks of the clock she received her answer. "Same down there."
"Here goes," Ruby declared and placed her finger on the trigger, while exhaling.
"Think you can make the shot?" Weiss asked and for the first time Ruby felt genuine concern break through the cold.
"Ask me again in a moment," Ruby begged as she inhaled.
Just as the faunus below moved his weapon toward the new person in front of him, Ruby exhaled and pulled the trigger simultaneously, sending the dart flying.
Not taking her eyes off the scope, Ruby saw the dart plunge into the man's back, slightly below the shoulder, mere moments after she pulled the trigger and her target dropped to the ground, a few heartbeats later, the serum inside the dart taking effect.
"Thank Remnant it hit," Ruby sighed in relief as she finally removed her eyes from the scope's glass and let go of the rifle. Once she did however, the brunette felt a slight stinging sensation along her palms and looking down saw that the frame of the gun had all but embedded itself in her hands, nearly drawing blood from the force of the grip.
"That certainly acted fast," Weiss observed, putting down the spotter scope.
"My uncle Qrow always gets me the best stuff for my birthday," Ruby confirmed, feeling a lopsided grim spread on her face. "He's cool like that."
"Cool or not, it's high time we call the poli-" Weiss began, but her scroll rung before she could complete her sentence. "Yes?- Xiao Long?- Yes, your sister is here- No, we need to- This is my scroll you can't just- Fine! It's for you!" The white haired girl said, hanging Ruby the scroll, her face contorted into a grimace that reminded Ruby of a scary tribal mask.
"Yang?" Ruby asked as she picked up the scroll. "Yes, I'm okay- Yes, Weiss found me- Yang is Blake with you? Oh good- No, everything is okay, I promise- Um, Yang why are you crying?"
Vale Police Department, Interrogation Room, one hour later
"This place is starting to look familiar," Yang observed as the four girls waited inside the featureless gray room that they were left in by the VPD, after they were picked up from the Storage District.
Yang had managed all of 5 minutes as Ruby counted them, before speaking, which was surprising to the younger sister, considering how much adrenaline was probably pumping through the blonde's veins.
"Being here twice in one day, has that effect on people," Blake confirmed, though to Ruby if felt more like she was only making small talk, and not really there. In fact the raven-haired girl barely spoke after they re-united with her and Yang. Then again Ruby reasoned that many people who've been knocked out, nearly burned alive and threatened at gun point in the span of a few hours wouldn't be feeling all that chatty.
"Whatever the reason let's not make it a tradition," Weiss interfered, her tone of voice making her displeasure at the current situation more than clear.
"Come on Schnee!" Yang protested. "We kicked the bad guy's butt, Ren will probably walk and we'll be rewarded! What's so bad about that?"
"Oh nothing," Weiss nodded, although Ruby could hear the mockery in her voice. "Except that we, endangered our lives, broke into another person's residence, used firearms against them, hindered a police investigation and withheld evidence. I'm sure the police would be thrilled!"
"I guess we didn't think it all through, huh?" Ruby asked, offering an apologetic smile, before the door opening caught all of their attentions.
"No, Miss Rose," a white haired man, wearing a green suit confirmed as he entered the room, a white cup of coffee in his hand. "You did not."
"Oh," Ruby deflated under the man's gaze, casting her eyes downwards.
"Commissioner?" Weiss asked shocked/ "What are you doing here?"
"Wait! You know this guy Schnee?" Yang asked, equally surprised.
"Indeed, Miss Xiao Long" the Commissioner confirmed. "I ran into Miss Schnee earlier today. My name is Ozpin and I am the Commissioner of the Vale Police Department."
"Ruby Rose," Ozpin started reading off the names from a folder he had brought with him. "Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, Yang Xiao Long. You girls have had quite the interesting day, I dare say."
"That's one way to put it," Ruby supplied, Rubbing her head. No sooner had she finished speaking did she feel someone kicking her shin and a quick glance to her side confirmed that Weiss was looking at her disapprovingly. "Sir." the brunette added a bit embarrassed.
"In that case, let me not take any more of your time," Ozpin smiled pass his green tinted glasses. "What Miss Schnee said is true, you girls broke a good number of laws today."
"However," the man continued before Ruby shrunk even further in her chair. "You helped uphold a great deal more and helped a friend in the process, which is commendable."
"As such, I am willing to overlook your actions today," Ozpin confirmed, but before Ruby could jump at Yang for a celebratory hug, Ozpin continued. "But I would ask you to consider a proposition of mine."
"What kind of proposition?" Blake asked skeptically.
"As I said, you girls did good work," the commissioner replied calmly and Ruby got the impression he was choosing his words. "You found leads and followed through, which is the heart of detective work. I thought you might be interested in doing so again."
The girls blinked at one another, confused, before Weiss spoke up.
"I think I speak for all of us Commissioner," the white haired heiress began. "When I say that I find the idea of putting my life in danger constantly a bit… off-putting."
"Pff," Yang snorted and Weiss obvious swap of words. "That's one way to put it Princess!"
"I never meant to imply something like that Miss Schnee," Ozpin assured them. "I will however be frank. Recent rulings within the government has shifted a great deal of police resources toward the White Fang and nothing else."
"As such, I am understaffed at several departments, such as missing persons and mundane robberies. Both areas in which there is a far smaller risk, but the victims or victim's families are willing to pay for the work."
"You're saying private detective work?" Yang asked, cocking her head to the side. "I thought those were a thing of the past?"
"No and as I pointed out, a job that is getting more and more sought after," Ozpin shook his head.
"Excuse me Commissioner, but don't such agencies need permits, licenses…" Weiss began counting off her fingers, before being stopped by the Commissioner.
"All things I'd be willing to sign," he confirmed. "Provided of course, your guardians agree to that and I get to monitor what cases you take and don't take. For your own safety."
Ruby leaned back in her chair a bit at Ozpin's words. Private detectives? Them?
Suddenly an image of herself in a long trench coat and a fedora appeared unbidden and the silver-eyed girl had to bite the inside of her mouth to keep from laughing out loud.
Still…
If what Ozpin said, it was a chance to help people. Those in danger, those who had nowhere else to turn. Kind of like the heroes from the fairy tales Yang used to read her as she grew up. It felt… right!
"I'll let you think it over as I prepare the paperwork," the Commissioner smiled and got up to leave.
Once alone, the girls erupted in a discussion.
"Well, what do you guys think?" Ruby asked, her excitement at the prospect finally bubbling over. "It would be so awesome! We'll get to help people and be heroes and-"
"I don't know Ruby" Yang shook her head. "Might be dangero-"
"You heard what Ozpin said!" Ruby cut Yang off, before she could go in full, overprotective sister mode. "He'll monitor what cases we get!"
"I'm still not-"
"Weiss what do you think?" Ruby immediately turned to search for support from the remaining two people on the table.
"Why are you including her?" Ruby's sister asked.
"Because without her, your plan would have failed!" Ruby pointed out and before Yang could protest, Blake put a hand on the blonde's shoulder.
"Your sister has a point."
"Ugh! Fine! Schnee?"
"Well, since you asked so nicely," Weiss bit straight back at the blonde, her pale blue eyes narrowed. "While I don't share your sister exuberance, this might actually be an opportunity and provided we can keep the… life shortening situations to a minimum, I am willing to play along, at least for a while… If I manage to convince my Father, that is."
"Fine, 2 to 1," Yang muttered, clearly annoyed. "Deciding vote! Blake?"
Ruby peered at the raven-haired girl, who appeared to be deep in thought ever since Ozpin entered the room and read off their names. Ruby honestly couldn't say what was going on inside the girl's head, but she hoped that this wasn't going to end up in a tie.
Guess there are downsides to having a team made of even numbers, Ruby thought distractedly as she waited for an answer.
"While I don't share Ruby's optimism or… Innocence," Blake began to speak slowly. "I do agree that we might be able to help people in this way. Not by much, but every little bit helps in this day and age. Maybe we might even be able to give an example to others."
Ruby fought hard to keep her excitement at bay… For about two seconds, after which she jumped up, nearly sending her chair tumbling back.
"We're gonna be detectives!" she declared loudly, just as Commissioner Ozpin walked back through the door.
Outside the Vale Police Department
Blake had to admit her life had taken quite a few turns in the last 24 hours.
She had gone from member of a, now, terrorist group, to a runaway, to, apparently a private investigator.
Still, now that they were released and Ozpin had given them a list of all the permits and licenses they needed to prepare, Blake had no more distractions from her decision earlier.
She chose to save Yang. 'Save' might have been too strong a word, as both she and the blonde were ultimately rescued by Ruby's marksmanship, but Blake chose to help them. It was… refreshing to not run away…
Except for the small voice in her head that reminded her that she did in fact run away. Run away from the White Fang, run away from the problems it has caused her. So how long until she ran away from this? How long before this little… investigative work became too much?
After all, this is what Blake was good at… Running away from her problems…
"Remnant to Blake!" A voice snapped the cat faunus out of her musings and she saw that Yang was waving a hand in front of her face. "You okay?"
"Yes," Blake replied calmly, trying to push her thoughts back. "You were saying?"
"We're going to go get some noodles to celebrate-" Yang announced and grabbed Ruby in an excited hug. Blake was almost certain that the brawler was simply assuring herself that her sister was indeed there and well, as she had been doing ever since they re-united in front of the Storage District.
"Hm-hm," Weiss interjected somewhere from behind the blonde, causing Yang's eyes to close in annoyance.
"And also to discuss how we're going to go about doing this detective business," Yang conceded.
"Mostly to discuss it," Weiss corrected. "After all, we have to decide on a lot of things. Location, advertisement, logistics, equipment-"
"And I have a feeling that you already have a brilliant plan?" the brawler asked skeptically.
"I do, sort of," the heiress admitted. "Provided your father is willing to give us the apartment for this purpose."
"Wait, what?" Yang sputtered at the Schnee girl's words. "You want us to live together? That's insane!"
"Think about it!" Weiss almost… pleaded in Blake's opinion. "Your apartment is centrally located, spacious enough to house us, provided your sister cleans up that disaster area of a room, close to school and there is plenty of junk just lying there we can use!"
"My babies aren't junk!" Ruby protested, clutching the tranquilizer gun she received back from the VPD. "They saved our lives today. Twice!"
"When was the last time you used them outside of a shooting range before today?" Weiss asked crossing her arms, expression skeptical.
"Um, never," Ruby admitted, her head dropping down.
"My point precisely," Weiss nodded. "So, what do you say?"
Blake cocked her head to the side. In her opinion, while there was merit in her words, the Schnee heiress appeared a little too… desperate in Blake's opinion to push this idea of them all living together.
"I don't know Schnee," Yang muttered. "We barely stand each other at school and now-"
"Come on yang, it will be awesome!" Ruby interjected a huge smile plastered on her face. "We can turn my room into an armory and the living room into an office and-"
"Ruby, there is no way in hell four people and all our stuff can fit into my room." The blonde paled, in Blake's mind more at the prospect of sleeping in the same room as Weiss than anything else.
"Not if we use bunk beds!" the younger of the two sisters squeed.
"Look," Weiss interjected before Yang could respond. "Let's get to the restaurant, have something to eat and discuss this at length."
"Okay," Yang nodded. "But you're paying!"
Xiao Long/Rose Household, several hours later
Blake dropped on the couch at the sister's apartment (Our apartment now! She corrected herself) the day's excitement and the grueling job of keeping yang and Weiss from killing each other during dinner finally taking their toll on her.
While dinner was indeed productive for the most part, with the girls managing to agree on several things, from who would take care of the documentation (Weiss naturally accepted after Ruby spent two minutes trying to figure out what some of the text meant) to them actually managing a relatively decent proposal to Yang and Ruby's father about the idea. Blake was still on the opinion that Weiss pressed a bit too hard about the whole living thing, but no matter how Blake phrased it, the white-haired girl didn't slip.
An inquiry for another time, the faunus mused as she watched Ruby and Yang speak between themselves in the kitchen. If she felt so inclined Blake could have easily eavesdropped on the conversation, but decided against it. Between both girls' smiles and the articulated gesturing Ruby was using it was obviously something between them.
Besides, there were plenty of things she needed to take care of herself, starting with getting her belongings back. After all, all four of them, provided Weiss convinced her father, would be moving in together in a few days and it would have appeared very strange if Blake didn't have anything with her.
Which meant she needed to break into the White Fang hideout she was stationed at and get her stuff back.
No time like the present, I guess, the raven-haired girl thought and lifted herself off the couch.
"Blake, where are you off to?" Yang called from the kitchen.
"Yeah, we're making celebratory cookies!" Ruby proclaimed, holding up a bag of cookie dough in her hand.
"Have fun you two," Blake wished putting up a small smile. "I have to go to my old place, get some stuff from there. Can't very well sleep in this, can I?" she added gesturing to her outfit.
"Yeah, Coco would kill you," Yang agreed tapping her chin with the end of a wooden spoon. "Need some help?" the blonde asked cheerfully.
"No, I'll be fine," Blake declined politely. "And besides, didn't Ren tell you to take it easy tonight?"
"Fine," Yang deflated, perhaps a little too much in Blake's opinion, but conceded the point as she probably remembered the recommendation the young pharmacist made after Yang talked him into checking out the few injuries she still had from her last match.
"I'm just glad he got out so fast," Ruby proclaimed. "Anyway, have fun Blake!" the younger girl wished and immediately started dragging Yang back inside the kitchen.
Right, fun… Blake sighed internally and opened the door…
Only to be met with half a dozen boxes right in front of her, piled neatly in front of the door. Her amber eyes spotted a neatly folded piece of paper on top of the foremost box, a rose symbol on the back of the paper.
Tentatively Blake picked up the piece of paper and opened it. Inside in beautiful cursive it read:
Blake,
While you've made your stance on the current situation abundantly clear I do hope that you would reconsider your stance in a few months.
In the meantime, I've arrange for all of your gear and belongings to be delivered to your new apartment.
Think of it as the proverbial olive branch if you ever decide to come back.
Adam Taurus
Blake's eyes scanned the note several times over, not wanting to believe it.
After the fourth time she read the passage, she tucked the note carefully within her pocket and opened the nearest box. True to the letter, Blake recognized several of her outfits, along with a few books from her personal collection.
"Everything okay Blake-y?" Yang's voice rang out and a moment later Blake felt the blonde hovering behind her.
"Well, that was fast!" the brawler declared. "You know if this investigative gig doesn't work out you can go into moving services."
"Funny," Blake replied drily. "Some… friends of mine apparently wanted to surprise me."
"Well, I'm surprised!" Yang smirked. "let's get all this inside and start arranging, shall we?" not waiting for Blake to agree even, Yang took two of the boxes and marched inside the apartment.
The note in Blake's pocket felt uncharacteristically heavy.
Schnee Manor
Weiss opened the door into her Father's study as slow as she could, in hopes of giving her a few more seconds to prepare herself mentally for what she was about to endure. She had prepared her speech ever since she returned from the restaurant. It needed to be perfect after all. Nothing less would be able to convince her Father to agree.
And this was probably her last chance.
Come on Weiss, you're a Schnee! The white-haired girl coached herself. You can do this!
"Father," she greeted as she finally pushed the door opened completely.
Her Father's study was much like the man himself; white, cold, uninviting and decorated to emphasize both importance and dominance, from the financial degrees, to the hunting trophies, to the large, intimidating desk, positioned to overlook the entrance to the room, reminding Weiss more of a king's throne than a businessman's desk.
"Weiss," the man greeted, not really lifting his gaze from the paperwork he was working on. "You didn't knock."
"I apologize Father," the girl immediately bowed at the reprimand. "I have something to talk about with you and I felt it could not be delayed."
"I see," the man nodded, this time letting the pen in his right hand rest on the desk, cold blue eyes shifting from the documents to Weiss. "Does it have something to do with why you were arrested today?"
Son of a faunus! Weiss cursed internally, though in retrospect she shouldn't have been surprised at her Father's knowledge of the event.
"To a point, yes," Weiss admitted and a tiny, nod from her Father told her to continue. "While we were questioned in how we helped detain a murderer-"
"Faunus from what I understood,"
"Yes," Weiss nodded, biting her tongue at the interruption. "As we were being questioned we met with Police Commissioner Ozpin," the mentioning of the name was met with a dismissive huff. "He informed us that perhaps I and the other girls that were with me had the required skills to be investigators-"
"I've heard enough," her Father dismissed her and picked his pen back up. "This conversation is over."
"Just like that?" Weiss asked before she realized the words left her mouth. Not wishing to apologize, the future heiress pressed further. "Before hearing any arguments, any justification, you just dismiss me?"
"There are no arguments to be heard," her Father countered. "You are a Schnee! You are my daughter! Not some glorified aid worker for those too weak to seek their own justice!"
"And didn't you taught me that it is the duty of a Schnee to help? Or is that another thing that you've forgotten?"
"I will not be questioned in my own house!" her Father declared raising to his full height. "Your duty is to lead the Schnee company after my passing, provided your sister doesn't reconsider of course."
"Something you are no doubt praying desperately for!" Weiss replied, her voice having risen to nearly a yell.
"Perhaps," her Father all but admitted. "After all you lack several characteristics of a good businesswoman, chief among them being how soft you are!"
"Soft?" Weiss asked, her voice now an angry whisper. "Very well… Sine we're both businessmen, I propose a deal!" the teen declared, having anticipated such a turn of events, if not the details of it.
"A deal?"
"Yes a deal," Weiss nodded. "You let me and the other 3 open a Private Investigation firm. No interference with documentation on your end and I won't touch Schnee funds for the project. Then you give me six months to turn it into a successful small business."
"Six months?" her Father repeated thoughtfully. "And your definition of success?"
"We make a profit," Weiss shrugged. "It is only a small business after all, no need for something more."
"And the terms if either side wins or loses?" her Father asked curiously and Weiss, much to her unease, noticed branches of logic starting to fill out behind her Father's calculative gaze.
"You set your own right now," Weiss proposed. "Mine are that if the business is indeed a success you let me continue with it until I graduate college, here, in Vale. After that we'll talk again."
"that's quite a gamble for me though," her Father pointed out. "If this business is a success, then I am left with no heir until you turn at least 21." He summarized, but Weiss saw his eyes gain a gleaming edge to them.
"What are your terms?" Weiss asked, not backing down, despite the fear running down her spine.
"If," her Father began going round his desk toward her. "Your business fails, without any interference from me, you are to return home and agree to be privately tutored, just like Winter. Back in Atlas."
Weiss' grip tightened around the documents she was carrying with her, and for a moment she felt like backing out of her own deal. After all if she lost…
No! She wasn't a coward! She wasn't going to run!
"I agree with your terms!" Weiss said, resolutely, despite knowing that she was about to shake the Devil's hand for a deal.
Xiao Long/Rose Household, near midnight
Yang Xiao Long couldn't sleep.
It surprised the blonde in reality as she thought that after the day she endured she'd fall asleep like a rock, completely ignoring the alarms she set up for herself with her scroll. But no, sleep simply refused to claim her tonight and unlike most night's she couldn't blame Ruby's tinkering for that fact.
No it was the situation she found herself in. Private Investigator… A part of yang was jumping around from joy. After all, this job meant, adventure, excitement, danger… Everything she could ever want out of a career. In fact, she was surprised she never thought of it beforehand.
But did I really have to drag Ruby with me? The brawler asked herself. Fighting back the glee from the potential prospects of her new 'job' she really had to question if she shouldn't have fought harder for Ruby NOT to be part of the team. After all… Ruby was 15. True, a great many people would call Yang a hypocrite at her measly 17 years of age, but the feeling was still there.
The feeling that she was failing at protecting Ruby. Hell if she wasn't so reckless and simply content with going back home after a match, they wouldn't be in this situation.
But then you wouldn't have met Blake. Another part of her reminded and Yang felt her lips curl upwards at the thought of the raven-haired girl.
Not the time to think about the past, Yang told herself. After all, all she could do now is try and protect Ruby better, even if her little sister insisted she didn't need it. Yang would do anything in her power to prevent that night from happening again!
Then her scroll started ringing.
The older sister made a near instantaneous grab for her scroll as soon as the thing's alarm went off, signaling to her that it was time to put her plan into motion. Quickly hitting the 'Dismiss' button on the device, as to not wake the rest of the apartment's inhabitants. After all, a 'secret plan' only worked if nobody else knew about it.
The blonde brawler turned on the flashlight option of her device and quickly located the pair of fluffy slippers she prepared beforehand as to muffle her footsteps she was going to have to take across the wooden living room floor.
Yang quietly pushed her door open and peered into the living room where Blake was staying, until they could get another bed inside tomorrow and begin Ruby's "Grand Plan for the Construction of the Best Bunk-Beds EVER!TM".
The sneaking teen cast a worried glance at Ruby's door. One of the few things that could ruin her plans was if her easily excitable sister was still up, tinkering away at something. Luck however was on the blonde's side as Ruby's room was pitch black.
Yang made her way carefully toward the kitchen where the stationary phone was placed and picked it up, along with a card that was placed next to it.
The phone rang for well over a minute, before a very sleepy voice picked up.
"Mgh... 'Polendina's Garage and Vehicle Repair'… Penny, speaking!"
"Penny it's Yang!"
"Salutations Yang!" the girl at the other end of the phone replied a little more awake and twice as cheerfully than necessary. "What are you inquiring at this late hour?"
Yang smiled and glanced at the couch where Blake was sleeping.
"I finally got my inspiration!"
Vale Police Department, next Monday
Ozpin was sitting at his desk, staring at the chess pieces on his board. A knight, bishop, queen and rook were all lined up in front of him, before the board, waiting to be placed on their respective place. Waiting to be used.
And yet, Ozpin couldn't find it within him to pick them up and move them into the positions he had thought off. At least not yet.
But did he have any choice? Did he have time to debate his tactics with himself at such a point in the game.
With a heavy sigh, the commissioned picked up the white knight piece, just as a knock on his door was heard.
"Enter," he answered, despite knowing that it would make no difference. He was expecting this visit for over a day now.
As soon as the 'n' was out of the man's mouth, the door flew open, slamming against the wall behind it and Glynda Goodwitch, Headmistress of Beacon stalked forward.
The woman was wearing a white, long-sleeved suit, with puffy sleeves that were tighter along her wrists, a black business skirt and lighter, black-brown stockings. Her black boots reverberated with every single step she took through the office, until she stopped directly in front of Ozpin's desk, leveling her emerald gaze at the man.
"Glynda," Ozpin greeted with a smile. "Lovely to see you to-"
"Cut the crap Ozpin!" the headmistress snapped at him and leaned on the desk. "You're using my students!"
"I am not using them as you put it Glynda," Ozpin said. "The girls made the choice themselves. Their guardians seemed to also be… accepting of the idea."
"Yes, do tell what bullshit you fed Taiyang to get him to agree with using his daughters as pawns in your little game?" Glynda bit back, a few more strands of blonde hair escaping from her tight hair bun.
"The truth," Ozpin admitted. "While reluctant, he did eventually concede that she needs to be stopped."
Ozpin saw a myriad of emotions play out on Glynda's face before she finally replied.
"Remnant take you Ozpin! One of these days, your games are going to backfire! I told you as much back when Summer died!"
"Yes, you did," the commissioner agreed. "And I believe we're all paying for that now."
"You mean the Fang appearing again?"
"The Fang, this new Black Queen that's taking center stage, James, tying our hands outside Vale, protest after protest against the Schnee Mining Company- I've never felt quite so old or powerless, Glynda,…" Ozpin trailed off.
"And you truly believe these children are the best move you can make?" Glynda asked, her anger quelling down a little.
"Perhaps," Ozpin replied. "For now, the best I can do is keep them out of her notice, see how it goes from there."
Silence reigned inside the office for a few moments, until either of them spoke up again.
"I don't enjoy putting innocents in the crosshairs of madmen Ozpin," Glynda admitted, her eyes downcast.
"Those who do are often the madmen themselves," Ozpin observed brining his coffee cup to his lips. "But this was inevitable, especially when it comes to Summer Rose's daughter. I merely accelerated the timetable."
"Precisely, Ozpin," Glynda confirmed. "That's what you always do! And one of these days, you'll push too far!"
With those words the headmistress turned on her heel and walked out of the office, not bothering to close the door, leaving Ozpin alone.
Taking a determined breath, the commissioner picked up the pieces and placed them on the board.
Location Unknown, Operating Center of the White Fang in Vale
"You promised me a base!" Adam roared at the computer screen. "And now, not only do we not have that, but one of my top lieutenants has deserted!"
"Now, now Adam," A garbled, but clearly female voice replied over the speakers. Instead of a picture there was the still image of a black chess queen, taking up the entire screen. "I promised you a base, and I will deliver. The location will merely need to change."
"As for your 'lieutenant' that one is squarely on you," the voice continued.
"I didn't anticipate that Tukson's murder would cause her to flee," Adam defended his action.
"Even, so it is of little consequence," the voice continued. "As it is, we are aware of where she is residing and if need be I can arrange for her elimination."
Adam's jaw tightened at the suggestion, but he bit back his first response, instead opting for something a little more diplomatic.
"Hold off on that for the time being if possible," Adam requested. "I don't believe Blake is fully willing to abandon the cause. Perhaps in a few months when our actions become more assertive."
"My, my," the voice replied, almost teasingly. "It appears you've grown quite close to your 'lieutenant'."
"Nothing of the sorts," Taurus corrected. "I merely believe that she could be useful to us. Especially if she gains Ozpin's trust."
"If you believe so," the Black Queen all but sneered, despite the audio distortion. "In the meantime, I'll arrange for construction to begin at our nearly acquired property. I myself would have liked the more central position the boy's shop offered, but the Faunus' apartment will suit us just as well."
"How many of my men will you be needing?" Adam asked.
"A few dozen. Faunus working on the site will mean we won't have to bribe other workers. Or have them killed."
"Not a loss either way," Adam pointed out.
"But it attracts attention," the Black Queen reminded. "And I believe we have enough of that for the moment. I'll be in touch."
With that, the connection was dropped, leaving Adam alone with his thoughts. Taking a determined breath, the commissioner picked up the pieces and placed them on the board.
Vale City Hall , simultaneously
Cinder Fall, councilwoman of the city of Vale, reclined back in her chair, a smile playing on her lips.
"That went better than expected," she assured the other two occupant of the room.
"I still think leaving Belladonna alive is a mistake," Emerald pointed out from the other side of the desk, where she was writing her homework. "She has way too much information about the Fang she could share."
"True enough, but fear is what will safeguard that secret," Cinder pointed out to her adoptive daughter. "We know that Xiao Long and Rose won't shun her for being Faunus, but she doesn't. Or at least isn't ready to accept it."
"And if that changes?" Mercury asked from the couch, where he was dutifully ignoring the stack of books next to him.
"Then we shall see," Fall agreed, rising from her chair. "For now, continue to play friends with the two girls. Ozpin is taking quite the risk bringing them into the fray. I want to see if they'll pose a threat."
"You actually believe that?" Mercury asked almost appalled as he rose to a sitting position. "Xiao Long is good and her sister is a decent shot, but it's nothing me and Em can't handle."
"I have just as much faith in your abilities," Cinder pointed out. "However, galvanizing Branwen and Taiyang Xiao Long, along with the Schnees against us isn't something we can afford now. Killing their brats is a sure-fire way for us to fail."
"For now we wait!" she decreed and turned toward the window. "Get in touch with Roman. I'll be needing his services soon."
Polendina's Garage and Vehicle Repair, one week later
"Xiao Long, I would like to remind you we have a good deal more paperwork to finish," Weiss protested as the girls stood in front of a closed garage door, on the outskirts of Vale.
"Sheesh, Ice Princess, lighten up a bit!" Yang chastised her.
The blonde had gotten up an hour before everyone else and much to their protests dragged them to Penny's family's garage as soon as the other three had managed a few bites of breakfast.
Despite the nagging feeling that she was going to regret that move a few hours from now, Yang was too overjoyed to care. Her yearlong project was finally complete!
"Yang, why have you dragged us here?" Blake asked, her eyes narrowed, promising a slow and torturous death if the reason wasn't important enough. It was a look Yang became very familiar after a week of living with the black-haired beauty and one too many puns.
"Because, my bella donna," yang began with a flourish. "Today is the day on which finally, after a year of fruitless labor, my own pet project is complete!"
"Oh, my God!" Ruby exclaimed and started bouncing up and down. "You finally finished the bike?"
"Thank you Ruby," Yang's face fell. "For ruining my grand moment."
"Sorry," Ruby immediately subdued herself and started to twiddle her thumbs in embarrassment.
"Actually for once your enthusiasm is a blessing," Weiss corrected. "Who knows how long your sister might have continued otherwise."
"You know I'm standing right here, right?" Yang feigned being hurt.
"Can we please just see what this is all about?" Blake pleaded in exasperation. "It's barely 8 in the morning and we've been up till one last night until the beds were stable enough to sleep in!"
Yang sighed at everyone ganging up on her and decided to forgo the speech she had prepared.
"Open it up Penny!" Yang shouted loud enough to be sure the young teen mechanic could here.
The garage door started to open up slowly, until what felt like an eternity for Yang, the doors stopped, revealing her creation.
The motorbike within the garage, had a sleek, aerodynamic sports design, with the body riding low to the ground. The engine compartment included supercharger intakes, along with a larger than normal tank, further emphasizing the bike's sport pedigree, with the yellow and black color scheme fitting perfectly to the picture.
To Yang it looked like a dream and she was pleasantly surprised to see the other three members of the newly formed team gawking at the machine wide-eyed and slack-jawed.
"Well, naysayers?" Yang asked smugly. Unsurprisingly Ruby recovered from her shock the fastest, having at the very least an inkling as to what she was in for, both from knowing it was a bike and knowing Penny from school.
"Yang, it's awesome!" Ruby shrieked and lunged at the bike, gripping it in a hug. "Take me for a ride! Please! Please! Please! Please!"
"Maybe later sis," Yang smirked at Ruby's enthusiasm.
"What model is this?" Weiss asked taking a step forward.
"It's a Polendina original!" a cheery, if a little off, voice announced and a girl stepped out from around the corner of the door.
She had short, rather curly orange hair that comes down to her chin, and she wears a pink bow on the back of her head and was dressed in workman's overalls.
"Salutations new friends!" Penny greeted, her bright green eyes scanning the assembled group.
"Who's that?" Weiss asked apprehensively, her tone suggesting she was slightly creeped out by Penny's behavior.
"This," Yang announced and put a hand around Penny's shoulders. "Is Penny Polendina! Brilliant mechanic and inventor."
"And classmate!" Ruby supplied, hugging Penny from the other side.
"Thank you, friends!" Penny said and hugged both of them back.
"How did you come up with the colors?" Blake asked.
"Well," Yang began, trying to remember exactly how she wrote down the dialogue. "Originally I was planning on orange, but then, last week it hit me that black and yellow go well together. What do you think Blake-y?"
"It looks nice, I suppose," the black-haired girl agreed, though Yang could swear that there was a slight shiver go through Blake. Out of the corner of her eye, Yang saw that Ruby was introducing Weiss to Penny, much to the older teen's discomfort. Even though a part of her was cheering at the Ice Princess's discomfort, Yang didn't have time to gloat.
"So," Yang leaned in closer to Blake, propping herself on the bike and putting on a playful smile. "Wanna go for a ride?"
"Tempting," Blake admitted, tracing a finger along the bike and Yang was about to roar out in triumph, before... "But right now I'd rather go back to bed."
"Wha-?" the blonde sputtered out, almost losing her balance.
"Have fun with your bike Yang!" Blake called out as she headed out of the garage and presumably toward the bus station, leaving Yang to stare after her.
Well played, Belladonna, Yang thought to herself. But I'll get the last laugh!