Act 3
Yesteryear's Demons

Reaper Rose woke up late in the morning, lacking the sensation of Neopolitan around her. With a stretch and a yawn, she stumbled out of bed and into her underwear and tank top, a habit she picked up when her father walked into her room without knocking one morning and saw both the dark lovers wearing naught but what they were born with. Not an experience she needed twice. Neo is probably in the kitchen, Reaper thought, recalling how surprisingly efficient the small girl is as a cook.

Reaper debating leaving the room just yet. It would be fun to sneak up on her lover while she was cooking, but that could ruin the meal. On top of that, her father was still uneasy whenever she left the room in anything less than fully clothed, so she instead went straight to the closet. She realized her mistake as she opened the closet door. Her and Neo's things were still in bags, as all of Yang's items were yet to be taken from the closet. Curiosity struck at that moment, however, and for the first time in three weeks of sleeping in her sister's old room, Reaper looked through the closet.

A lot of it was clothing and things she knew her sister had, so Reaper dug deeper. She wanted to find the things that may have rarely seen the light of day when Yang was alive. She hit pay dirt quickly, stumbling upon Yang's 'little black dress'. Hanging just at the knees, black latex, sleeveless, and turtle-necked. A split ran up the right side, all the way up to the hip, making Reaper wonder just how much would be left to the imagination. A pair of above-elbow length latex gloves hung on the same hanger.

She set the dress aside, wondering what kind of things could be stashed deeper than that. She didn't see anything that popped out, until a long red scarf caught her vision. Years ago, Summer was trying to teach Yang how to knit and sew. The blonde's first idea was to make a scarf for Ruby, and got so caught up in it, she made it waaay too long. She presented it as the 'Yang's Xiao Way-Too-Long scarf!'. Ruby wore it every day, tripping over it constantly, until it vanished. It seemed Yang took it back after seeing Ruby fall one too many times.

With a smile, Reaper also set that aside and kept searching. Looks like that's everything worth looking for… The woman deduced. She was proven wrong when an unassuming box caught her vision. Nothing very standout about brown cardboard, but what was written on top…

'Rubes 16 B Day!' Was scrawled across the top in bad handwriting. Reaper stared, the cogs turning in her mind. Yang had gotten her a birthday present… But the festival… she died before my birthday… she never got a chance to give this to me… did dad not know about it?

Neo went back to the room a few minutes later to get Reaper for breakfast, and saw her staring at the box laid out on the bed. Neo put two and two together, and approached slowly to lay a hand on Reaper's shoulder. "What I do, Neo…?" Reaper asked her. "This present is Ruby's… I don't know if I have any right to open it…"

'Remember that dream you told me about?' Neo signed. 'I think, no matter what, Yang would rather you have this.'

Reaper nodded in silent thought. With a deep breath, she took off the lid. A beautiful black leather corset lay within. Simple red accents decorated the sides, and a layer of white lace lined the inside. There was a note Yang wrote to herself inside. 'Don't forget to wrap this, Yang! And remember your lines! A more mature corset for a more mature Ruby! Use it wisely! That's sure to make her blush!'.

Reaper chuckled softly, running her hand over the item. Her eyes darted back to the dress and the scarf she found, an idea forming in her head. Her current outfit worked, but that's all it did. It served its purpose at a time Reaper just needed something simple and survivable, when she was still learning her new identity. Not much to look at, though… perhaps it's time for an upgrade…

Reaper fished out a few more items from the closet and assembled her new outfit. The latex dress was prominent, the turtle neck going all the way up her neck. The corset went over it, and she wrapped the scarf around her waist a few times, using it as a sash of sorts. A thick belt held that in place, with a cross shaped buckle. She traded her boots out for black versions of Yang's old boots, and dressed her legs in black leggings. She used a pair of Yang's shorts under them instead of underwear, because the dress's split really didn't leave much to the imagination, and there were some things only Neo was allowed to see. She also wore the latex gloves, though she cut the index fingers off each one so her trigger fingers were still free. Last was her cloak, complete with a new buckle shaped after her new 'Reaper' symbol, a hooded skull.

It was quickly clear that Neo was very appreciative of the outfit change.

It was also quickly clear that Taiyang wasn't so much.

"I forbid it."

"You don't even know what I'm going to do."

"You cannot leave. The upcoming gala too important to your future."

"My future, will be there for me when I return. This is something I can only do now."

"You're still my daughter. You will go nowhere."

"I'm an adult. You can't stop me."

Weiss and her father were continuing an argument from the past few days. Jacques wasn't happy when he heard of his daughter's plan to spend a few weeks in Vale on an 'extra credit assignment' for Beacon. "I can, and I will. I have no idea what you plan, but there is no Winter Assignment for Beacon. No doubt this has something to do with that… girl."

"Do not make this about Blake. This has nothing to do with her." Weiss deadpanned. "This is about helping a friend."

"Do you mean that criminal?" Jacques countered. "I really don't like the company you seem to be keeping at Beacon. Perhaps it is time to pull you from that place entirely. Something long overdue."

"Did you know that there are third and fourth year students living on their own?" Weiss asked him. "Because they're adults, and they can make their own decisions. I am an adult, father, and this is my decision now."

"Then I suppose you have a choice, Weiss. Your family, or your so called friends." Jacques advised. "Choose wisely."

Just then Jacques scroll sounded off. He looked at the contact name, sent a curious look Weiss's way, and answered. "Hello… Yes she has told me… but the rest of Beacon has no-!... Special circumstances? So they are the only one?... I see… Yes, of course she'll be there." He ended the call with a defeated voice.

"Who was that?" Weiss asked.

Jacques shot an accusatory look her way. "I don't know how you did it, but Ozpin just called to inform me that team WBRN does, in fact, have an extra credit assignment in Vale, available only to them. It seems my hands are tied. To keep you here now would only suffer your studies."

Weiss smiled triumphantly.

"Just know, Weiss… With your behavior lately, I am going to have to seriously reconsider your future." Jacques warned. "Go pack."

Weiss met Blake at Vale's airship station. With a huge sigh, she collapsed dramatically into her girlfriend's arms.

"Long flight?" Blake asked, giggling.

"Long stint at home… Father is growing more irritating by the day." Weiss vented. "He wanted to keep me in Atlas, to attend some events 'for the good of my future'."

"You've come a long way from becoming your father, Weiss." Blake told her. "Have you… Never mind."

"Have I what?" Weiss asked.

"I'll tell you later." Blake promised, though how much later was up to her bravery.

Weiss frowned. "Okay…"

"Hey guys!" There was a shout from across the hall. The checkmate pair looked up to see the rest of their team approaching with Taiyang.

Blake couldn't help but stare at Reaper's new outfit. "Well… that's some transformation…"

"So, are you guys ready?" Reaper asked them, smirking at Blake's awestruck face.

"Almost. Detective Black should be along any minute to explain how this will work." Weiss explained. "Apparently, we're actually earning extra credit for this."

"Thank god…" Reaper muttered.

"What's that mean? You told me you did well on your exams?" Weiss accused.

"I did." Reaper nodded.

"You did well?" Blake cut in. "Or you did tell her you did well?"

After a moment of thought, Reaper attempted, "Dealer's choice?"

"I don't think that's going to work." Black announced his presence as he strode up to the girls.

"What are you, some kind of detective?" Reaper joked.

"Shut up, Yang." Weiss shot. "Hello, detective."

"Good evening." He greeted in return. "I trust you girls enjoyed your time off?"

"It was pleasant." Blake answered.

"It was cold." Weiss told him.

"Yeah." Reaper agreed, smirking at Neo. "But at least I had my bed warmer."

"That's… enough." Black cut them off.

Neo made a few gestures that only Reaper could decipher, and they weren't sure they wanted to know. The scythe master's immediate reaction was to suggestively wiggle her eyebrows.

"Back to the matter at hand!" Weiss politely took control of the situation. "How is this going to work, Detective?"

"Due to Reaper and Neopolitan's experience in Torchwick's organization, I managed to have them brought on as 'consultants'. Because of their status, you are here to watch them when and if I can't." Black told Weiss. "Ozpin arranged to make it a team exercise, mainly so Blake can be here, but it will garner 'extra credit' for your schooling based on your performance."

Neo nudged Reaper's arm, and the girl jumped as though she just remembered something. "Um, uh… Me and Neo-"

"Neo and I" Weiss instinctively corrected.

"Me and Neo," Reaper stubbornly powered through, "really appreciate you doing this for us."

"To be completely honest, it's not entirely about helping you stay out of trouble." Black informed them. "Torchwick is good. The police don't have enough knowledge about how he operates. When I say you're consultants… I tried looking for him over the past few days. It quickly became clear that I don't know where to start."

The four girls traded looks. "Junior's Club?" Weiss posed.

"Junior's Club." The others agreed instantly.

The group arrived soon enough at the Club. Reaper looked over Detective Black. "No offense, but you really give off that cop vibe." She told him.

"So what, I should stay out here?" He asked her. Reaper nodded. "I have some paperwork anyways. I'll be back at the station."

Black made his departure and the girls continued inside. Once they entered, Neo noticed the downside of her dark lover's alluring attire. She was now eye candy for every straight man and gay woman in the whole club, and the mass of clubbers certainly indulged. Neo stood closer to Reaper, hoping to give off the she's mine impression.

When Neo looked up at Reaper herself, she saw the face she wore. It was a face she hadn't worn in a long time before this Torchwick incident, but had been returning to often lately. It was a face of deep thought and concentration. This is where 'Reaper' was the farthest from 'Ruby'. She was looking at everything, trying to think out all possibilities. She was planning, knowing her opponent in this game was someone just as observant. What Neo knew of Ruby was calm, carefree, and a little impulsive. Reaper spent her entire short criminal career picking up and perfecting various skills and instincts. And now she was using all of them for this hunt.

Junior turned in time to see the entourage arrive at the bar. "It took you long enough. I was starting to think you girls wouldn't be coming."

"You were expecting us?" Weiss asked, surprised.

"You know." Reaper told him.

"I know." Junior nodded.

"Have you heard anything?" Reaper asked next. Weiss let her take the lead, knowing the girl had both experience and history here.

"No." The club owner answered.

The heiress rolled her eyes. "Look, between Reaper and I, I'm sure we can pay whatever we need for-"

"Weiss, he's telling the truth." Reaper cut her off. "He hasn't come in at all?"

"Nope."

"So you have nothing? Not even theories?"

"Well, I have one." Junior teased.

"Old rules?" Reaper asked, laying 500 Lien on the table.

"Wait, what? What rules?" Weiss was suddenly interested. After dropping four grand here, she was curious how Reaper might get away with only 500.

"Doesn't concern you." Junior warned.

"I'll tell you later." Reaper assured. "Junior?"

"A ship with Atlas tech was attacked off the coast, a few weeks after the breakout. I managed to get copies of the shipping manifest and the salvage report. Lots of pieces went 'unrecoverable'." Junior told her.

"I don't see how this connects to Torchwick." Reaper countered.

"None of Vale's active players have any need for the things gone missing." Junior continued.

"What makes you think they're still in Vale?" Reaper asked.

"Can't move this much out of kingdom without help. And the major players know nothing." Junior finished.

Reaper thought for a few moments before pulling more Lien cards from her pocket. "500 more for good info, and some 'padding' for copies of those documents." Reaper told him.

"Geoff!" He called out.

"Got it, sir." Geoff walked off.

The group stood, waiting for the copies. "Anything else?" Junior asked after a moment.

"Actually… I've been curious… how are things? As a whole?" Reaper asked him.

"About what you would expect." Junior told her. "Do you always quit your jobs with such a spectacular mess?"

"Mess?" Weiss asked.

"Torchwick had gained control of the Palette Mafia's assets." Junior explained. "And not two weeks later, his entire organization goes under. It made a massive power vacuum. Vale's underworld was chaos."

"I don't remember anything like that…" Thought Weiss, who read the news every day.

"The news stations were too enamored with Torchwick and Reaper's trials." Junior reminded them. "By the time those were over, things had calmed down."

"And you're still helping us?" Blake asked.

"I'm neutral. As long as you can pay, I don't really care." Junior pointed out. "And honestly, Torchwick's rise was a little too fast, don't you think he may have stepped on a few toes? Don Palette was desperate to maintain balance. The other major players didn't agree with his decision. That wasn't going to go well either way, and lately, a lot of people agree that what went down was the lesser of two evils."

Neo signed something, and Reaper translated, "But things are still in a sorry state?"

"The underworld is the weakest it's ever been right now." The club owner continued explaining. "The hole you and Torchwick left never really got filled. But no one's holding it against you. You always showed more respect than your boss. Torchwick kind of had it coming."

"And you're giving us this for free?" Blake half asked, half joked.

"I figure Reaper deserves to know. The rest of you just happened to be here." Junior told them. Geoff had returned and now handed the girls two sheets of paper. "And that's our business concluded."

"Thanks Junior." Reaper nodded.

"No offense, but the day I stop seeing you four is a day I look forward too." Junior told them.

We understand, Neo nodded.

The girls left the club, looking over the sheets they picked up from Junior. The longer they walked, the more Reaper realized something. She stealthily called it out to Neo, who signed to the whole group so they had a silent understanding. The girls of team WBRN were being followed.

I got seven chapters for this act! Don't forget to follow my Insta for any and all news, Follow, Favorite, and most importantly, leave some feedback! i love me some feedback. Don't forget Phoenix Rose tomorrow either! If you haven't started it yet, now's a good time to get into the story! Have fun reading, as i know i had fun writing!