Hello, everyone. I had to split Chapter 6 into two parts because of how long it is. I'll be posting the second half probably either later today or tomorrow. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. If you guys have any suggestions as to new characters for this (because I need help deciding who will be on Rie's team and I also want to work in Roman having two more people that he was training), then please message me with the info on the character (name, backstory, Semblance, etc.). Thank you.

A Dance in Dust to Dawn

He was not in a good mood. He was pacing, stopping every now and then to make sure his shoes were still 100% clean. Cinder may be my boss, but she's playing with fire lately. What could possess her to free Archangel? And using me to relay the information to Talon… Is she trying to make me mad!? Subconsciously, he started stomping. He took out his cigar- one of Cinder's, since she could come here at any time- and stared at it. I hope that Talon never finds out that I work with you. I also hope Archangel never figures out that he will be working with a friend of Talon's. Cinder, what about this seemed like a good idea? He turned to continue pacing, and saw Cinder looking at him. He forced a smile. "Hello, Cinder. To what do I owe this pleasure?" She smiled without emotion.

"Just wanted to make sure you were feeling alright, Roman. Last night, I could have sworn you wanted to kill me." It was all Roman could do to avoid glaring at her. She DOES want me mad at her. Why? "Well, Roman? Are you ok?" she asked without any concern whatsoever. She could at least try to SEEM to care. Roman took a deep breath and smiled.

"I'm fine. I was just tired and the thing with Archangel was a bit much. I haven't slept well lately." A lie. He'd actually slept quite soundly for a while- except last night, of course. "I just wasn't thinking straight." Cinder smiled.

"I see. And why haven't you been sleeping well?" Roman's smile faltered for a half-second. She lifted an eyebrow. She knew- or at least suspected- that he had just lied to her.

"I've just been so busy lately." Her eyebrow rose a bit more. She's enjoying this, isn't she…

"Really? I haven't heard much happening in Vale lately…" Roman's smile tightened. Stay cool, Roman. She's trying to get under your skin…

"I was training new recruits." Not a lie, exactly. He was training some new members to his team- a whopping two people. Not enough to make him lose sleep, but just enough truth to possibly throw her off.

"I see… Well, I hope you slept well tonight because I'll need you at peak efficiency. We make our move at 8. That gives you an hour to prepare." She turned to walk away. Roman's scroll started beeping. When Cinder left, Roman let out a deep sigh and took out his scroll. It was Talon.

"Hey, kiddo! What can I do for you?" Talon smiled. Roman noticed that Talon was wearing a dark jacket over a white, button up shirt. Is that a tux? I never thought I'd see the day…

"I was just wanting to ask you a few questions. About what we discussed last night." Roman's smile froze. Does he suspect me? No. He trusts me as far as the heir to the biggest company in the world can trust a criminal and then some. Talon took a deep breath. "How did you know about that before I did. I was called three hours ago to be told. I haven't had a chance to call you until now."

"Listen, Talon, now's not a good time. I'm a bit… busy at the moment." Talon looked at him, puzzled. Then he got the message.

"I see. Roman, you know I'm probably gonna have to turn you in one day unless you and Neo stop, right?" Roman feigned an expression of being hurt.

"You'd do that to me? Your Uncle Roman? After all I did for you when you first came to Vale…" Roman fake pouted, which was more Neo's specialty. He managed to do it without smiling, though. Talon grinned.

"Well, at least give me a call when you get done with your 'business.'" Roman put a finger to his chin and looked thoughtful.

"I'll consider it." He looked at Talon, and they both broke into a wide smile. "I gotta go, kiddo. See you later." Talon waved goodbye as Roman ended the call. Cinder, if you ever make me hurt him like that again, I'll kill you with my bare hands.

It was about 7:30 when Rie walked into the local Dust shop. Dust to Dawn, eh? I like the name. She smiled at the elderly man behind the counter. He looked at her, and smiled. "I'm just going to look around, if that's alright with you." The man nodded and made an agreeing sound. Rie looked at all the Dust. It's so pretty… She was so wrapped up in looking at the Dust that she didn't notice a small girl sitting on the floor until she nearly tripped over her. "Oh! I'm so sorry!" Rie was so embarrassed. The girl sat back up, and looked up at her with her silver eyes. She was fair-skinned and had black hair with dark red highlights on the ends. She was wearing a long-sleeved, high-collared blouse with red-trimmed sleeves. She had a red-laced black waist cincher and and a red-trimmed black skirt. She was also wearing black stockings and black combat boots. She had a silver brooch pinned to her belt. She pulled back her red hood and took off her headphones to hang them around her neck.

"Sorry! If I had known I was in someone's way, I would've moved. I shouldn't have been in the middle of the aisle like this…" Rie looked around. While she had been admiring Dust, she had somehow found her way into the magazine section of the store. She looked at the girl, who was picking up the magazine she had been reading. It was a weapon magazine.

"I'm sorry. I should've paid attention to where I was going." Rie offered her hand to the girl, who was now standing up. She was 3 inches shorter than Rie. "My name is Rie Himora. What's yours?" The girl shook her hand.

"Ruby. Ruby Rose." the girl replied, smiling. Rie smiled, too.

"I don't know too many people who read weapon magazines for fun," Rie said, indicating the magazine Ruby had been reading. "You must really like weapons."

"Yeah. I do. Weapons are like an extension of who we are. Our weapons are as much a part of us as our eyes or hair. The type of weapon a person uses and how they use it speaks volumes of the person wielding it…" Ruby stopped, then laughed nervously. "Sorry… I sometimes ramble when I talk about weapons…" Rie laughed.

"It's ok. I personally don't know too much about weapons. I'd like to talk to you about it some time." Ruby looked up.

"Really?"

"Of course. Anytime." They shared a smile. "I'll let you get back to that. I'm gonna look at the different types of Dust they have here. Nice to meet you, Ruby."

"You too, Rie." The two girls smiled at each other, then Rie walked off to the other side of the store.

To be continued...