Hello! Another chapter of this fic is done. I hope you enjoy!
Happy! Of all the things she could have asked me! What a silly thing to ask. If anything, SHE was the unhappy person. It's obvious that she has something wrong with her. There has to be if she's asking all those questions. I tried asking questions and look what happened to me. Nothing but sadness and misery can come from that. She may be pretty, cute, and adorable, but she does nothing good. Still, I did speak to her more than practically anyone. More importantly, she was speaking with words that held weight rather than empty air. Really, she reminded me of him. That man. Sitting alone on the park bench. Contemplating! Thinking! It was all preposterous. Everything could be traced back to him on that day. Her...unusual feelings towards Ruby, her reluctance to call and report Ruby, her thoughts, her questions, and the nagging in the back of her head. He was the cause. It all began a week ago.
"What was he doing there alone? He shouldn't be there alone. Why was he just sitting there. Maybe his Sound-Set broke and he was waiting for a replacement. Still, maybe I should ask him if he is in good health?". These thoughts all ran through my head as I observed the man sitting there on the bench. White hair with thin, wire-frame glasses. He wore an expensive, slightly worn three piece suit. He held a mug in one hand and a cane in the other. The aspect of him that got my attention, however, was his actions. More specifically, his lack of them. He was just siting there. Looking at the sky and clouds with a concentrated look on his face. Nobody did that. There must be something wrong with him. Quickly, I made my way over to him.
"Excuse me, sir, but are you alright. Is your Sound-Set broken." I asked
He suddenly came out of his trance and turned to look at me with a soft expression on his face.
" No, I'm perfectly fine. Thank you very much for asking. I don't even own one of those infernal contraption designed to keep people complacent and unthinking. I'd much rather sit here and think about my former life, the universe, our biology, anything that interest me."
Thinking? The universe? What was he talking about? Is he an offender? I must question him further.
"May I take a seat besides you?"
"Of course. I don't bite."
"So", I said as i planted myself beside him, "what do you mean by thinking?"
"Surely you know what thinking is like. You use that grey matter between your ears and simply think about anything. It does help if you have a book. I have one and it does wonders."
So he was an offender. I had to report him. I had to call the nu-
"If you're thinking about reporting me right now, let's be honest you most definitely are, then you can do it. I'm beyond the point of caring at this point. I've lost everything I've held dear. My position as a headmaster, my wife, and my use to society. Do it. There's no use for an intellectual such as myself in today's rotten society. People have lost any and all ability to reason, to question, and to learn. Everyone just accepts the medication as fact and not a product of our mentality. Everything is. I can't live in a world such as this. My name is Ozpin. I live on 34 New Crescent Street. Call the Burner center."
I was stunned. I couldn't even comprehend what he had said. Not a living soul alive had ever spoken to me like that. And it wasn't just the way he spoke. His words were so radical. In all my time listening to the Sound-Set and visit my co-workers at their houses, I had never heard anyone say this. He was the worst offender I've ever heard. He had nothing to lose and he had a book. He must be purged.
"Sir, I must report you. You have admitted to owning a book. I am sorry for you losses but you are the reason society is so sick. Your useless thoughts wasn't energy. When it's much simpler, easier, and happier to just let things be. You, sir, are a diseased man." I replied as I dialed the number for the CG hot-line.
He began to get up and walk away.
"You say that, yet you came over and asked me if I was in good health. 23 people came by toady and only you asked about me. You may not be a lost cause. Now, if you'll excuse me I must do something before I get taken away. Farewell, I hope you realize the error of your ways and the blindness you have welcomed."
Hands shaking, I punched in the final number and gave this fiend's name, address and description.
"I will never be a lost cause, thank you very much, I am fine. Society is fine. You are trying to corrupt everything." He said nothing else as he walked away. He simply kept on walking and sipping from his mug.
Sighing, I slumped down in my seat. How exhausting. Although he was an offender, he did have something in his eyes I've never seen before. In most people, their eyes only hold a glassy surface. But his held a hidden fire. The likes I've which I've never seen. I've never had a frame of reference before. Did he maybe have a point? He did speak as if his word was truth. But how could he be right? Nobody said anything. Nobody raised any alarms. So it could not be true. Yes, he was just speaking drivel. Nothing else could be true. I bean making my way home. Still, I couldn't help but feel like their were eyes on me. Nothing more than being rattled by that man's words. Nothing else.
As the flashback ended, I was reminded of how his words impacted me. Like a worm they burrowed in my mind and refuses to leave. They grew and grew until I had to do something. It'd be too much to handle if I didn't. That something was stealing a book from a nearby Burning and keeping it in my house. I can not explain why. I felt like I needed to take it. Now, this Ruby girl was making me feel what that Ozpin fellow made me feel. However, there was something else growing alongside this confusion and pressure in my skull. A...desire to be close to her and to hear more of her voice. I've never felt something like this before and it was all so new and weird. I couldn't report her. Not now. Not at least until I got proof of her involvement with illegal activities or until I discovered what this strange desire meant. Whichever came first.
Suddenly, an incoming phone cal interrupted my thoughts. Internally sighing, I made my way to the Sound-Set room and picked up the phone.
"Hey Hey Hey what's up Weiss. It's your favourite co-worker Sun."
It was him. Of course. What was he calling for now that troglodyte.
"Hello Sun. What do you want?"
"Just reminding you of the weekly co-worker get together. I just got the latest, the greatest Sound-Set 450. 4 walled, hyperactive sound waves, and seating for 20. We're all gonna watch it. Be at my place in an hour." He replied.
Eyes wide, I began to tighten my grip on the phone involuntarily. Calm down Weiss. It's one Sound-Set. That's all. I can do this. Even though I've can't even look at mine. Even though I haven't even touched mine. It's fine.
"Weissss. Hello? Is this thing on?"
"My apologies, Sun, I did not hear you. I shall most certainty be there. I'm sure it will be lovely." It was not going to be lovely at all. I just hope I could manage. I had to maintain my image after all.
"Awesome! See you there." He replied
"I shall." I said as I hung up the phone. A sigh left my lips. This was going to be a long night.
I made my way to the nearest subway station and began to make the journey to Sun's house. While he said I had to be there in an hour, everyone showed up at least a half hour early. Nobody wanted to be known as the person who showed up late.
Arriving exactly 32 minutes before the designated time, I made my way to the door of Sun's ludicrously large house. Sighing once again, I pushed the doorbell and waited for the inevitable answer.
Promptly, my golden-haired, loud, and otherwise raucous coworker.
"Hey Weiss, Glad you could make it! You're the third one to arrive so come on in."
"Thank you, Sun. I'm looking forward to an enjoyable evening."
I made my way past Sun as I entered the house. My heart rate was steadily increasing with every step I took. When I entered the Sound-Set room the rapid thump thump of my heart was so violent I could hardy stand. Thankfully, there were seats nearby that held no occupants. I made it just in time to release a shaky breath. I can do this. I am the ruler of my emotions. Unfortunately, my mental pep-talk was ended prematurely, when Sun decided to raise his abrasive voice.
"Welcome to our weekly Sound-Set meeting. Glad you all could make it and everyone was no less than 20 minutes early. Great job everyone. Without further delay, let's get this started." He rambled.
I can do this. I can do this. I can do thi-"
"Please report any an all offenders to .com
The latest Burnings can be found at .com
Remember to pick up your CG issue medication at your nearest CG registered pharmacy.
Meds are required by law...
Burnings..
Redacted...
BURNINGS!"
"Weisssss. Weissss. Are you home? Are you there? Need some extra meds?"
What? Where was I? Wait, Sun. Right. Sun. The Sound-Set. Breather. Right. Breathe. Breathe!
"My apologies, Sun. I got lost in the Sound-Set. It does happen from time to time."
"Oh yeah yeah totally. I get it. I mean everyone has been gone for 5 minutes and you're gripping the chair pretty hard but don't worry I get it."
Looking around, I realized it was just me and Sun in the room and that my hands had started to turn deathly white from gripping the chair so hard. And why was it so hard to breathe?
"Oh , yes, well I must be going. Thank you for checking up on me. I must be going now."
"Oh yeah that's cool. And whenever you might wanna come over-"
"Yes, thank you, but I must be going."
Quickly sliding myself out of my seat, I scurried to the door and I began to run to the nearest entrance to the subway. Barrelling down the stairs, I jumped into the nearest subway car and held onto the pole connecting the floor to the ceiling. Why was everyone staring at me? Why couldn't they see I was n distress? Why wouldn't they help me?
Ruby would help me. But she had contraband. I couldn't trust her. But who else would help? I can't breathe I need air. I need to get out of here. Why was Ruby right? Why did I feel so terrible. Was it her fault? Or was I truly unhappy?
At my stop. I ran towards my house and I made my way up to my door. The telephone. I had to call her. She had to know something. Anything. I was almost there when I heard that vile voice coming from the door.
"Hey Weiss. Just making sure you're alright. You ran of in a hurry there."
Sun? Did he follow me? Composing myself somewhat, I made my way to the door.
"Y-yes, I'm alri-, I mean I am fine. Thank you, Sun. You may leave now." I replied
"Just making sure. But before I go, I gotta tell you about my friend Mercury. You see, Mercury, and I are good buds. And one night he tells me about this white-haired girl who started asking questions about his job. He says this girl was so strange. He said that this girl wouldn't leave him alone and wouldn't leave well enough alone like anyone else would. And then I thought about you. The only white-haired girl I know. And I thought about how you blew Neptune off at work that one time. And tonight, I thought about all of that and how weird you're acting. Just occurred to me you're acting awfully strange that's all."
"Leave. Get out of this house. Now." I said with barely contained rage.
"Do you know why we burn Weiss? It's cause we have to. Thoughts lead emotions and emotions lead to actions and actions lead to results. And those results are terrible. Not many people know this, but war, disease, famine, rage, anger, despair. They all existed because people thought too hard. They are all products of people having too much time to think on their hands. Thinking about having more power, more wealth, and more for them. Thoughts are the root cause of all evil. Look around Weiss. Do you see any disease, do you see any war? I don't. Think about that before you do anything rash. I like you Weiss. But don't fall victim to those thoughts. Everyone has them. Take more meds. Watch Sound-Sets. I don't care what you do just don't let them win." He lectured as he walked away.
"Please, leave. PLEASE!"
My yell went unheard, however, as he was already out the door. That evil, nasty, vile, disgusting, pig of a man. How dare he insinuate anything. How dare he. I am just asking questions. There's nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all. There shouldn't be. Then again, why does everyone act like their is?
Again, breathing was impossible. I had to move or do something. I couldn't do this on my own. I needed help. Ruby. It had to be Ruby. There was nobody else I spoke to on a regular basis enough to justify a call. It had to be her. I tried to run, but my legs wouldn't work. Slowly, I crawled to the phone. I had to make it. I had to. Inch by inch the phone loomed closer. Dialing Ruby's number was a herculean task. I had to. The last digit was shakily pressed and was closely followed by two rings.
"Hello? Who is this?" The ever cheerful voice said.
"Why are you right? Why are you doing this to me? WHY! WHAT'S THE POINT! Do you want to hurt me? What have I done to you! YOU just had to make me question my whole life. My very existence is a sham because of you." I yelled into the phone
'Weiss? Weiss you're panicking. I'm coming over. I'll be there in 5 minutes." She replied, whit a tone of seriousness.
"HELP! WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME? THIS NEVER WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I MET YOU!"
Suddenly, the effort to remain conscious was too great and I slumped to the floor. Thankfully, since I was already crawling, the fall wasn't too bad. My last thought as I was oscillating between consciousness and unconsciousness was of heavy footsteps on my floor and of strong, warm, and secure arms lifting me up and the scent of strawberries.
Thanks for reading! Please leave a review. I love reading them!
Again, go read Enigma0434's and White_Rose_Trash's fics. They make awesome stuff!