Ch. 7 A Decision
Richard could felt the usual dread in his stomach as he began to turn and sweat in his sleep. Suddenly he was back at the riot years ago remembering every little detail and horror. He saw the flames begin to engulf the shop as George and his father struggled to save their dearest possessions. He sat there horrified as the people he called noble and trustworthy shattered his best friend's windows and destroyed his livelihood. He looked down at the brick that was just handed to him by his friend and dropped it disgusted at this evil.
"What are you doing? Throw the brick. We're showing these racist bastards what they get for crossing the White Fang."
"This isn't right. They never hurt anyone they don't deserve this treatment."
"Don't deserve this treatment they fired six different Fauni for no reason."
"They did have a reason though. They were sleeping on the job and stealing profits."
"Yeah sure anything to justify their wrongs, now pick up that brick and throw it or do you want to be a human lover."
"I can't do it. I won't let you treat them this way." Richard growled as he walked through the crowd and helped George collect what little he had and walked with him to his car until they drove away.
"You shouldn't have done that you weakling." Came a gruff voice from behind him.
"If you aren't going to act like a Faunus then you aren't going to have the privilege of being treated as a Faunus by us."
"If this is what you mean by acting like a Faunus." Richard said as he gestured to the carnage behind him. "Then I will have no part in it."
"Fine it's your blood then."
As they mobbed him and began to carry him away he noticed something that he had overlooked at the time. It was a teenage girl with cat ears wearing a black shirt and jeans that was around his age standing in the back away from the crowd. In that one instant he could see a small tear flow from her eye before he was torn away and taken to the main camp. He suddenly sat up in a cold sweat staring at the blank wall in of his dorm.
"Time for another sleepless night." He thought to himself as he got up to pour himself a glass of water. He suddenly tensed feeling a presence in the dark behind him. He turned around to find Blake sitting in the corner looking out at the window.
"Blake, what are you doing here it's like three in the morning."
"I couldn't sleep Richard. I wanted to apologize for acting out earlier. I didn't know that was you at the boycott and if I had I wouldn't have lost my temper."
"Blake if there were a way to end this violence in the White Fang and return it to what it once was I would do it in an instant but the reality is that I just don't see that happening. The violence that they've unleashed is not going to end for a long time."
"But if we can just show them violence isn't the answer and mercy and compassion is."
"You might be able to show the White Fang mercy Blake but I don't know if the White Fang will return the gesture. You're going to have to make a decision about the White Fang and that decision might be closer than you think."
"I hope you're wrong about that Richard but I don't think you are. Richard I can't sleep would you mind if I could just fall asleep next to you this one night."
"Sure Blake, maybe I'll be able to get some sleep too."
As Blake cuddled up next to him purring softly Richard began to drift off into sleep. He was suddenly back in that familiar alley with George but this time he didn't feel any fear or dread. As he stood there surrounded by Adam and Blake and protecting George he suddenly saw Blake sheath her weapon and walk to him. She gave him a quick hug causing the whole scene to melt away and yield to a restful sleep.
As he got up he realized that they had a day off today and were free to spend it any way they wanted. He decided to go to town to visit a friend he should have visited a long time ago. As he left the dorm to walk to town he was stopped by his team.
"Richard, where are you going?" Yang asked quizzically
"I have to pay a visit to an old friend in town. It'll only take a minute. I'll be back before lunch."
"It's nothing special but if you all want to come then I don't mind."
As they walked through Beacon and boarded the airship to Vale Weiss was the first person to break the silence.
"Richard I can' forget something you said last night. You said that the only reason you took the job from Schnee was to fight the White Fang. How long have you been working for our family."
"I've was in the mercenary business for two years. Your father would call me for an odd job every month or so. It was never anything too dangerous but it kept the money flowing for George and me."
"How much was my father actually paying you for your work?"
"Anywhere from 2,000 to 5,000 liens a job I've got a good 30,000 lien saved up if you include the last job."
"Wow" Yang was the first to reply. "I guess that makes you one "rich" person." She said with a wry smile.
"Yeah but I never needed that much. It was mostly for George so he could take care of his family later in life. Any way we're here" Richard replied as they reached a little bakery on the corner of a busy intersection.
As he held the door open for the four ladies Ruby was the first one to ask.
"What exactly are we doing in this little bakery Richard?"
"I have to talk to an old friend and mentor." He said as he rang the bell and was greeted by a kind old man.
"Welcome to dragonheart café how can I hel-. Richard is that you my boy it's been far too long now. Please have a seat I'll get your usual order."
He sat down with the rest of his team in a small booth near the back of the bakery. Mr. Dragonheart returned with black coffee and a small croissant. He looked over and noticed the rest of the team and asked.
"I'm sorry I didn't notice you all there. Is there anything I can get for you?"
As he was in the back preparing the food Yang asked:
"What exactly are we doing here in this café? How do you know that man so well?"
Richard just looked into his cup lost in thought while he was mindless ling chewing on his croissant.
"So Richard what brings you here after two months with a new group of friends and my son nowhere in sight?" Mr. Dragonheart said as he passed out everyone's orders.
"I wish I could be here with happier news my old friend but unfortunately that's not the case. A few months ago we were hired to infiltrate and destroy a key White Fang base for 10,000 liens. We couldn't refuse that much money so George and I took the job. We were nearly out of there when we were ambushed and captured. We both suffered pretty bad injuries but George was hurt the worst. After busting out of our cells I helped George through the building until we were ambushed again by the White Fang. I tried to defend George but I couldn't have been everywhere at once and one member was able to stab him through the heart before I could stop him." Richard finished with a single tear streaking down his cheek.
"I see.' He said after a few minutes of stone faced silence. "Did you recover the body or did the White Fang get to him first."
"I was able to escape with George and bury him near an old ruin outside of the city."
"Could you take me there please?"
"Of course, follow me." Richard said as he got up leading Mr. dragonheart to the door."
As they walked Richard tried to explain the last few months to him.
"After I paid my respects I was surprisingly approached by Professor Ozpin who offered to take me into his school. I accepted and spent the remaining time training and working at beacon."
"I don't blame you for taking the offer. Beacon is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I don't blame you for George's passing. I know you did the utmost you could to protect him."
"I've been trying to tell myself that for the last two months but that doesn't matter now. We're here." He said gesturing to the carved tree next to him.
"He always loved the forest. It's for the best that he can spend eternity here. Thank you Richard I'm ready to leave."
As they walked into town Richard stopped and pulled a small envelope out of his pocket.
"Mr. Dragonheart I wanted to give you something. I know it's a poor substitute to the life of my friend but please take the money we were promised. I don't need it as much as you do at the moment and it would make me feel a lot better if I knew you had a little support."
"I cannot thank you enough for this gift Richard. I knew the minute I saw you at our doorstep that you had the courage of a lion and a true heart. I'm glad that you were a friend of George because I could not have thought of anyone better."
Bowing slightly Richard turned to leave the shop with his friends and return to Beacon.