Neo set the picture down. She didn't want to look at it anymore. She stormed right out of the building, followed closely by Reaper and Weiss. Ember knew Reaper's softer hand was the one that was needed right now, and slipped back into the recesses of their shared psyche. Reaper caught Neo on the front steps of the police station and drew the small girl into her arms. "Neo, it'll be okay. It wasn't your fault."

'I know.' Neo signed. 'It's not like death bothers me. Just a few months ago I was trying to kill Velvet, after all. But…'

"It's different this time, right?" Reaper suggested.

Neo nodded. 'I'm trying to change… I'm trying to get away from senseless death… but then this 'M' person kills in my name, to get my attention… Well, it worked. I never thought I'd be sick at the sight of blood…'

"We'll figure this out. It will be over before you know it." Reaper assured her.

Detective Black had followed Blake out by now, and chose now to speak up. "I know you girls are eager to catch 'M', and your efforts have been in your favor so far. But now you have someone who believes that Neopolitan is innocent on your side. It really is in your best interests to stay at Beacon for the foreseeable future. A lot of people still want to blame you, damage Ozpin's program. You need to keep your nose clean."

Neo signed at him, and he looked to the others. "I don't know sign language." He admitted after no one started translating.

"She wants to go to the scene itself." Reaper told him.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea..." Black warned them.

Neo pouted, and Reaper tried to think of something. "Unless… if 'M' wants to come after Neo, maybe she left a clue only Neo would recognize? It might actually help to let us see."

Black looked between the girl. "I realize her reasons are more personal than that. I am a detective." He told them. "However, you also carry a very real point in your argument. I'll take you, and stay with you while you are there. Then, I'll drop you off at the air dock to Beacon."

Neo signed, and Reaper translated, "Thank you."

They managed to pile into his vehicle, with Blake, Ruby and Neo taking residence in the backseat. Neo, as the smaller one, sat in the middle. Black noted a definitive bias towards Reaper, and that the scythe master closed the gap by wrapping her arm over the girl and pulling her in. "So, those two are together?"

"Those two are something, all right." Weiss replied. "It's hard to define. They're not really the 'fluffy cuddle nights' kind of lovers."

"More like co-op pranking, huh?" Black asked.

"Well, you certainly are a detective." Weiss answered with a smile. "Is it okay if I ask a few questions?"

"Shoot."

"You already knew who we were when we walked in to the station. You called Reaper and Neo by name." Weiss more stated than actually asked.

"Yes, I did. I knew yours and Blake's too. I followed both of the trials closely, not just Reaper's." Black answered.

"You were eager to help, jumped right up with no hesitation." Weiss 'asked'.

"I recognized Reaper the instant she came through the door." Black told her. "When I heard her say something about a detective tampering evidence, I assumed it had to do with Neopolitan's case. Like I told her, I'm not a fan of accusing police, but if there is one case someone there would alter, it's one they can use to damage Ozpin's program."

"So why do they hate it so much? And how come they're not so vocal about it? I'm surprised we're only just now feeling the hate…" Weiss actually asked this time.

"The Council of Vale is in full support of the Rehabilitative Custody program." Black informed her. "It's not a good political move to have a precinct full of people vocally against the council's decisions, so the chief told them all to keep quiet. As far as why they don't like it… It's just wrong to them. They see it as criminals gaining authority. No matter how much good you do, some of them will always see them as criminals. And as huntresses? That's a lot of authority for someone that can't be trusted."

"But you do trust them? You think differently?" Weiss deduced.

The detective smiled. "I do. I believe in justice and what's right, Ms. Schnee. Some say it's the core of my being. It's why I'm a detective already, though I'm still young. I believe in good and evil, but I don't believe in absolute good or evil. Someone evil, under the right circumstances, can become good. I see the Rehabilitative Custody program as a path for that to happen." Black looked to the ex-criminal pair in the backseat. "And from where I'm sitting, it seems to be working already."

The conversation finished as the car pulled up to the crime scene. Neo kept her feelings off of her face as they maneuvered the alleys, and they soon laid eyes on it. The body was already removed, but the blood had yet to be washed off. It was all there, and so was the message. I will make you proud, Neopolitan. – M.

Neo looked around the alley quickly, but saw nothing she could truly point out, except one thing that came to mind… But that would be impossible… Roman didn't even know me when I was here. But… it's too much of a coincidence…

"Anything?" Detective Black asked Neo.

Neo looked up at him. She pointed to a window, then signed to Reaper. Black looked to the scythe master for the translation. "Apparently that window leads to her first ever hideout in Vale. But she says it's impossible that anyone would know that. She was still working alone until after she abandoned this place."

"I see… But it seems like too much of a coincidence…" Black stroked his chin. "Are you sure it can't be connected?"

'I just learned I have a doppelganger trying to flirt with me through blood.' Neo signed, her sarcasm clear on her face. 'I'm not taking chances.'

"Smart girl." Black remarked after getting the translation, looking back to the window. "Alright, if there is nothing you can find here, I think it's time I take you back to Beacon."

"Yes sir." Weiss nodded. "Come on, team."

The ride back was silent, as the next three days would be. Three days, because that's how long it took for Detective Black to call them again. Three days, because that's when they would learn of a second murder.

Neo was sitting at the desk, lost in her studying. Better that than lost in her thoughts of Mimic, as Ember had decided to call their mysterious copycat. "It starts with an M and she's totally trying to be you. Well, psycho you anyways." The red-eyed personality had explained.

For all the chaos, at least I'm studying. This 'school' thing isn't as bad as I thought. And Reaper was right about these drinks being helpful. Neo thought to herself as she enjoyed the product of Reaper's secret alcohol mixer stash. Reaper emerged from the shower, and Neo couldn't help devouring her lover with her eyes. Not that it was hard… Reaper knew it was just them at the moment, and emerged from the bathroom with just her bra and underwear on. "You seem a little happier than normal." Reaper noted.

Neo answered by making it obvious she was checking the scythe master out. She even added a growl. Reaper was glad Neo was finally cheering up and not worrying so much, though she was curious if the alcohol had something to do with it. Neo was significantly smaller than… well… anyone. "Maybe we should buy the Checkmate pair another hotel room?"

Just then a scroll buzzed on the table. Both of the girls looked to it. "That's Weiss's…" Reaper noted, walking up to it. 'Detective Black' was the contact name. "Black?"

Neo's mood soured with the memories of recent events. Reaper decided to answer. "Heya, Detective. Weiss left her scroll behind today, I guess. What's up?"

"Reaper? Hm. Well, I wish to speak to all of you. It's important. Where is Ms. Schnee?"

"She should be back- oh hey Weiss!" Reaper waved as Weiss entered the room. Weiss turned red when she noticed Reaper's attire. "Black's on your scroll."

"Could you please get decent?" Weiss pleaded as she grabbed her scroll. "Hello, Detective. What? Oh no…"

Reaper tried to decipher the other end of the conversation as she dressed. She was distracted, though, by Neo's obvious protest to her increased state of clothing. "We'll figure it out, Ice Cream Cup."

"We'll be there soon." Weiss hung up and turned to her team. "There's been another murder, and another message."

"By Mimic?" Reaper asked, to be sure.

Weiss nodded. "Why are we calling her Mimic again?"

"Because she signed her message as 'M', and she's cosplaying as Murder Neo." Reaper explained again.

"What's wrong with just M? When we learn what it actually stands for, it'll be harder to use if we already have our own definition." Weiss countered.

"Well… that's boring. Look, does it really matter? We have somewhere to be." Reaper stated.

"Reaper's right. Let's go." Blake agreed.

Neo had already dressed, deciding to illusion her outfit over her PJ's to save time. She didn't even bother signing her desire to hurry, her impatience was clear on her face. Weiss nodded and the girls left the dorm.

Neo buried herself into Reaper again as they rode with Detective Black to the new scene. She could tell she was starting to rely on the scythe master's comforting presence. I'm attending Beacon, training to be a huntress, and even hunting down a criminal. All because of her. I don't know what I'd do without her now… Neo let out all she needed, so she could steel herself over for the actual crime scene. They soon arrived, and disembarked.

The first thing Neo noted, even before turning that last corner, was the smell. The smell of blood, and a lot of it. When her eyes finally met with the alley itself, she was nearly sick. The blood was everywhere, and the body had yet to be removed this time. But the kicker was the message, written in blood over the body.

We'll have so much fun together, Neopolitan. – M.

Black watched the girls, and gauged all of their reactions. Neo's horror, Weiss's disgust, Blake's disturbed awe, and Reaper's quiet anger, were clear on all of their faces. He noted, too, that when Neo finally did break her eyes away, the first thing she did was run into Reaper, who quickly folded her arms protectively around the girl. He approached the duo and asked what he brought them here to ask. "Anything stand out to you two?"

Neo shook her head. "So," Black continued, "where were you at midnight, two nights ago?"

"We were all asleep in WBRN dorm by then." Reaper answered. "Neo fell asleep in my arms, and woke up in my arms."

"I see… Damn it! It's still not conclusive enough to exonerate her... It's still hard to gain support from my department." Black cursed.

"I can't believe the police chief here is letting politics dictate how he pursues justice." Weiss shook her head.

"Me neither…" Black assured.

The gang was getting ready to take off, having no reason to stay here. As they were piling back into the vehicle, Neo noticed something across the street. She tugged Weiss's sleeve and signed to her.

"Hmm… I believe so… why?" Weiss responded.

"What is she asking?" Black turned to see.

"She wanted to know if there used to be a bank across the street there, where that restaurant now is." Weiss relayed.

"Yes, in fact there was." Black turned to Neo. "Why?"

Neo signed, and Weiss translated. "It was the bank of her first heist, she says."

"First safehouse, first heist…" Black stroked his chin. "So M is using all of your 'firsts'? That's what you think?"

"Mimic." Reaper interrupted.

"Excuse me?" Black asked, confused.

"Mimic? It makes sense." The scythe master assured.

"I guess…" Black reluctantly agreed. "Anyway, about my question?"

"She says, 'That's what it looks like'." Weiss translated.

"Once is chance, twice is coincidence…" Reaper thought out loud.

"Well, hopefully we won't have a third to tell us we're on to something." Black noted.

"Is there a connection between the victims?" Blake asked. "If not, then it's more likely the location is important. She is trying to leave messages for Neo after all…"

"I will make you proud, and We'll have so much fun together." Black recited from memory. "It does sound like she's inviting Neo to join her."

"So she dresses as her, leaves her blood invites, and uses locations from her history. This is so Neo-Centric, I think it's safe to say the locations are the key." Weiss concluded.

Black looked to Neo. "Well then, can you give me a list of every possible location you can think of? Maybe we can catch-"

"Mimic."

Black stared at Reaper for a second. "Fine. Maybe we can catch Mimic, red handed."

Neo nodded and grabbed a pen and paper.

The girls didn't know that they had a spectator this whole time. Someone dressed brightly, and watching from the rooftops. The girl who would be known as Mimic had smiled the first time she finally saw Neo show up at her first gift. That same smile had been severely damaged over the past few days, however… Neopolitan seemed to be very close to her… and Mimic didn't know why. After all I'm doing for you…

A sharp pain stabbed at her brain, and memories of the black clad huntress flashed. Memories that Mimic quickly discarded. No! it's impossible… Neopolitan can't feel that way for that… Reaper… No, Neo is MINE! Her grip around the umbrella she possessed tightened when she watched Reaper and Neo embrace while visiting her second gift. Mimic stomped away at that moment.

Inside her own hideout, she was fuming. Neo and Reaper being lovers just didn't fit in the reality she wanted to exist in. No, Reaper is using her… holding her captive… I'm sure of it… Neopolitan just needs to see what I am willing to do for her… She is mine… and we will have so much fun… A vicious smile spread over her lips as she toyed with the umbrella, her prized possession. Finding it in that alley was the best thing to ever happen. She felt as though Neo left it for her, and she only wanted to repay the favor.

Mimic approached a wall she had decorated with various newspaper clippings. A few old ones where Neo was in the background, a few where Neo wasn't actually featured, but Mimic knew they were her crimes, and a few more recent ones about the Rehabilitative Custody. Among them she saw Reaper in the picture as well. The sharp point of the umbrella's blade pierced one of these images of the scythe master. I will free you, Neopolitan. I promise.