Chapter Eight: The hands of a Thief
Asterion walked through the city of Vale. This is my city, he thought. He adjusted his stride to reflect that attitude, affecting a haughty attitude. He didn't care about the people he passed who tried to avoid him by crossing the street or hugging the sides of the buildings. He was only slightly more interested in the few that didn't part for him, roughly pushing them out of his way. This is my city, but these aren't my people. He had had enough of their stares, their whispers, their disdain. When he was just a child, his parents had tried to make him hide what he was. As a child, he had agreed with them. As a teenager, he had agreed with them. He had tried but he could not hide his true nature, he couldn't deny his true self. They want to look down on my because I'm a Faunus? Let them. I'll be the one having the last laugh. If only they knew the destruction that is soon to befall them.
That destruction was something that he had looked forward too for a long time now. It had spent years in the initial planning stages, and even longer in preparation. And now, on what was to be the dawn of the new age, the leadership of the White Fang had decided to whore themselves out to a human, to do his bidding. Why? he asked himself. They took all the risks, and the human got all the rewards. Why are we doing this, and for how much longer? He knew that their original plan had depended on a very tight and highly controlled timetable, one that had been tied to the beginning of the biannual Vytal Festival, an event now only a few months away. If they missed their opening because they were rented out like tuxedoes for a wedding, it would be another eight years before it returned to Vale. Eight long, long years. Who knows what could happen in that length of time? Asterion resisted the urge to howl at the sky in frustration. Why would they do this now? No, why would they do this ever? It just didn't make any sense, and every time he had asked his questions the supreme leadership summarily dismissed them; Taurus did everything short of physically throwing him out of his presence to make it clear that the matter was not open to discussion, now or in the future. It was very clear that he was to fall in line and obey orders. Those were the exact words the terror leader had used the last time Asterion had pushed him for answers. The dog Faunus laughed sardonically. The nerve of him, to lecture me on the need to obey orders. Didn't he know dogs are always loyal to their masters? Bulls are the ones who turn around and gore the one goading them.
Asterion reached his destination and milled about uncertainly, unsure of what to do next. His contact should have been here by now. It's not like Brawn to be late for a meeting, especially when it's as important as this is. He looked around, paying careful attention to the throng of people that milled around the busy city square. This marketplace had been chosen both because- and in spite of- the fact that it was one of the busiest in the city of Vale. The idea had been Asterion's own, though now he was beginning to have regrets regarding the wisdom of the choice. In theory, the mass of civilians would make the police less likely to interfere, would allow for Brawn and himself more faces to hide among, and would provide an appropriate level of background noise to prevent any unwelcome ears from listening in. In practice, however, the crowd offered as many advantages to any that might be tailing them as it did to those seeking to use it to hide.
There was a slight and momentary breeze, and Asterion lifted his head to sniff at the air, trying to discern the distinctive scent of his fellow revolutionary. There wasn't any trace of it, which caused Asterion to go even further into a state of alert. Could Brawn have been taken? He had heard about a police raid at Junior's nightclub in the early hours of the morning, well before dawn, and he knew that Brawn liked to try his luck with the ladies that frequented the place. I can't wait forever, he thought. He looked up at the clock on the side of one of the office buildings adjacent to the square, and then compared it to both the watch he always wore on his wrist and his scroll, synchronized with the CCT in the center of the city. All four were in agreement regarding the time: Brawn was now officially ten minutes late. Make that eleven, Asterion thought dryly as the last number of the display blinked and changed. Asterion had known Brawn for years, and he had never been late for anything before. He wouldn't start now, not if he had a choice in the matter. Something was wrong, and Asterion realized he needed to leave immediately.
Asterion took one last look around the square before making his way down the street, passing multiple vendors without giving them a second look. He had been here before and knew their wares were nothing that would pique his interest. He pushed his way through the crowd and flipped a coin into a fountain as he passed, smiling as he heard the distinctive "ker-plunk" of the coin sinking into the water. He made the same wish he always had, knowing that one day it would eventually come true. One day, the White Fang will ensure freedom for all Faunus, everywhere. That cannot be doubted.
If all that we've gained through the years isn't lost in service to a human first.
"You know, you're way too predictable," a voice said from beside him. "And that's a terrible waste of good lien. I have half a mind to jump in the fountain myself and fetch it back." Asterion jumped at the sound and made to draw his weapon, but the soft furred hand of his tardy companion coming to a rest upon his own halted the movement. "Relax, friend Asterion. That won't be necessary. I'm not here to hurt you. You might have needed your weapon back in the main square, but I don't think those police were looking for you specifically. I think it was simply more of a show of force, an attempt to calm the troubled populace, than any action against us. There was a fight in one of the slums earlier today, and that seems to have left them on edge." When Asterion didn't move his hand from the grip of his sword, the voice continued. "Relax, Asterion. They didn't follow you. We're clear to talk here. If you don't believe me, take a look around. I'm willing to wait."
Asterion forced himself to release his death grip on the hilt of his sword, and he drew his hand away from the weapon strapped to his side. He looked behind himself over his shoulder and scanned the merchants and shoppers in the open-air marketplace. Satisfied that his companion wasn't lying about the dearth of police, but unsure of how he had failed to notice any during his checks beforehand, he nodded and spoke. "Okay, then, let's talk. I assume you have what you promised me?"
Ruby sat on the bench, trying her absolute best to remain inconspicuous. She had noticed it becoming increasingly harder for her to become one with the crowd since she had agreed to her new, albeit temporary, assignment. Even now she could feel the stares directed at her, or, rather, directed at her general direction. No one ever gave me a second look before. This is all her fault. I can hide myself under my hood, using my clothing to conceal my features, my hair, and my eyes…she can't. Ruby didn't move her head, but she let her eyes wander to the girl sitting at the other end of the short bench, only a foot or so separating them, looking at her out of her periphery. The girl that was the reason for many of the stares and second glances Ruby had been noticing. I don't know that I can blame them for staring, she thought. Weiss is striking. Ruby recognized that it wasn't normal for her to pay attention to someone's physical appearance, beyond an initial assessment to measure their potential threat level, but even she had to admit the white-haired girl beside her was, physically, extremely attractive. The light blue eyes, the pale complexion, the white hair, the trim build. The scar over her left eye. The scar might be the most appealing thing about her, she thought. Ruby knew that for many people, the scar would be a blemish on an otherwise flawless face, a blight to be covered up, hidden, camouflaged. For many, the scar would be a signal of her weakness, or of imperfection. Ruby was not one of many. That scar is something to be cherished, if not flaunted. Every day, it's a reminder that she has strength. It is a reminder that she fought a worthy opponent, and won, emerging from the battle a more capable fighter. The universe had challenged her, and lost. At least, that was what Ruby liked to think had happened. She sighed imperceptibly, admitting to herself that there were plenty of other potential origin stories for the wound. Maybe she walked into an open cabinet, or she just suffered from a really aggravating itch one day. She let out an audible laugh at the thought of that one, recognizing the ridiculousness and unlikelihood of it.
"What's so funny?" asked the girl Ruby was studying. Her voice interrupted the assassin's personal thoughts, almost making Ruby jump at the sudden interruption. Relax, girl. You're better than this. Remember your training, she tried to encourage herself. You're supposed to be the professional. How can you let someone asking you a question scare you?
"Nothing," she said aloud. No way am I going to admit to her I was laughing at her. We have enough problems working together as it is. Ruby was under no false assumptions regarding their relationship. They had pledged to pretend to be cordial, and they temporarily shared a common goal in eliminating a Templar and a known criminal, but they were not friends. Friends can share a laugh, or relax in each other's company. Friends sit around and paint their nails, and go shopping, and talk about cute boys…she again looked at her companion's face. Or cute girls...She shook her head, hoping that Weiss wouldn't notice the movement. But we're not anywhere near that point, and probably never will be. For some reason, that thought made Ruby's heart sink a little. It's not like I wanted to be her friend or anything. She's my enemy. Ruby knew even as she thought that that she was deceiving herself, if not outright telling lies. Honestly, I'm glad that Yang volunteered to work with Blake, and that they went off on their own. Maybe it'll give Weiss and I a chance to talk things over. A large part of Ruby felt bad about not telling Weiss the full truth about what had happened to her father; a much smaller part tried to rationalize it by reminding her she had answered the questions truthfully. Is it my fault that she asked the wrong questions? How can I be blamed for giving the wrong answers?
"You're lying to me," Weiss said, turning away from Ruby and lifting her nose. "I don't need to have known you long to know that. I clearly heard you laughing a minute ago, and I want to know why."
"Let's just focus on our mission, okay? I promise you it wasn't important." Ruby hoped that Weiss would let the issue slide, and she allowed herself to take her own advice to find their target. She was vaguely aware of Weiss giving a reply, likely something snappy, but Ruby deliberately ignored her. Who am I kidding? Weiss and I are just too different, too far apart on everything to ever talk openly about…anything. "Do you see anyone that matches the description in the files Professor Goodwitch gave us?" she asked. This is a safe topic for us. Just focus on the mission.
"There are many Faunus here," Weiss said, pretending that answered the question Ruby had asked. Now I'm the one asking the wrong questions, Ruby realized drolly.
"Yes, that's true, but do you see anyone that matches the description Professor Goodwitch gave us? We're looking for a dog Faunus. I see monkey, cat, bull, and deer, but no dog. Do you see anything?" Ruby asked again. Patience. Weiss is just testing you.
"No," Weiss said, crossing her arms over her chest. "How can we be sure that he'll be here? This seems like a big leap in logic. All we know about him is that he's been a long-time member of the White Fang, so the police assume that he's risen through their ranks and is now highly placed. How can we be sure that he'll be right here, right now, with something that will help us?"
"Weiss, it's like fishing. You go to the pond, which is where we are now, and you dangle the bait, which I admit we don't really have, and then you just wait for a pull on the line. Do you see all the people here? This is one of the busiest marketplaces in Vale, giving him plenty of people to hide among. Big pond means big fish. Now I'm hoping- and I'll stress hoping- that the increased activity of the White Fang means their big fish need to swim around more, not less. They can't afford for others to think they're scared and in hiding. We just need to be patient. If we don't get anything, Blake and Yang should still be able to provide something that'll help us. They went to a known White Fang hotbed, where there's almost guaranteed to be something going on."
It didn't seem that Weiss was convinced of Ruby's arguments, but she stopped complaining and resumed scanning the crowd for any sign of their target. They were silent for a few minutes, simply sitting on the bench in the late day sun, breathing in the many rich smells from the food stalls, hearing the chatter of merchants calling out their wares and the sound of different coins exchanging hands. Mr. Venaticus, where are you? Ruby asked herself. She wouldn't admit it to Weiss, but she was beginning to share her doubts as to their chances of success. It had made sense to me back at Beacon, when Professor Goodwitch handed me the files. There hadn't been much in them, since he seems to have mostly evaded detection by the police. A few notes from interrogations with lower-ranking members, a few grainy photographs, and a few assumptions thrown in for good measure. Asterion Venaticus, longtime member of the White Fang, known to operate along the riverbank in the agricultural district. That was the basic gist of what the files had contained. Back at Beacon, it hadn't seemed like too much of a leap to assume he would frequent the farmer's markets, as they were located squarely in the agricultural district that he apparently called home…but still he hadn't shown himself, and Ruby was wondering if they should cut their losses and move on to somewhere else. Every fisher needs to know when to pull in the lure and cast somewhere else.
"Ruby, have you noticed all the police here all of a sudden?" Weiss asked from beside her on the bench. Ruby could feel the tenseness in her voice.
"Yes, I just noticed that myself. Originally, there were just those two over there, which is normal procedure for crowded public areas such as this one, so I hadn't thought much of it. But then those three joined them, and then those two, and now I see another one is hanging back, but still in the area." She pointed at the last one, dropping her arm quickly. It wouldn't do for the police to notice her action and wonder why she was so interested.
"Do you think they're here for us?"
That's a good question, she thought. She didn't think Junior or either of his two female bodyguards would have been willing or even able to give much of a description to the police department, so it seemed unlikely that they would be there trying to arrest either herself or Weiss. Even if the nightclub owner had folded under pressure, it didn't seem possible the police would have known where to look for them. Certainly, it seemed that if they were there with the intent to arrest Weiss and herself, they would have attempted to hide their presence better until they were ready to spring their trap and move in for the arrest. Still, it wouldn't hurt to be cautious, and there was always the chance that she was wrong. "I don't think so, but I think we should try to leave now instead of staying to find out whether we're wrong or not. In any case, a display of force like this is probably going to scare off our target, so there isn't any reason to stay anyway." Ruby stood and made sure her hood was still in place, just in case the police had been given a description of her. The hood would hide her easily distinguished hair and eyes. She again wished Weiss had something that she could use to cover herself up with as well.
Weiss also stood and made her way towards the same side street they had walked in from. Ruby grabbed her arm at the elbow, pulling her back. "Not that way," she whispered intently. "On the off chance they are here for us, they might have been watching us since we entered. We need to go out another way." She looked around and saw another exit, away from the police but still crowded with people. "This way. Follow me." She led Weiss by the arm in the chosen direction for several steps before coming to an abrupt halt.
"Oh, what is it this time?" demanded Weiss.
"Be quiet," Ruby said. "Look over there." She pointed with her left arm in the direction they were walking, and Weiss squinted to try and improve her vision.
"What is it?" she asked again, her voice slightly calmer. "I don't see any-Oh. How about that."
"Quiet," repeated Ruby. "The police must have spooked him as well as us. He might even have been the one they were here for. We'll have to move fast to grab him before someone else does." She was quiet for a minute, clearly thinking through their options. She spoke up again. "Or," she said, holding up her left index finger, "instead, we could try something different…" she let her words trail off, giving Weiss an opportunity to speak up.
The Templar didn't take her eyes off the dog Faunus as she allowed herself to play Ruby's game. "Or what?" she asked.
"Well, if you're willing to take a risk, we don't attack him. We just follow him, see where he leads us and if he meets with anyone. If he does, then maybe we can just swoop in then and take whatever he gets off him. Either way is taking a risk, I admit, but this way has more upside. If he has something now, and gives it to someone else, we take that one. If he doesn't have anything, and is given it, then we take him. If they just talk, we take him afterward. If he doesn't meet with anyone at all, we take him. We win no matter what."
Weiss frowned, apparently unhappy with both choices but willing to play them out in her head. "Very well," she said eventually. "For now, we follow him, discretely, and see if he meets with anyone. If he does, and if we see anything pass hands, we try to steal it without him noticing. If that doesn't happen, we just proceed with our first plan: attack him, and force him to speak to us."
"Agreed. Now c'mon. We need to hurry. This way." Ruby pulled on Weiss' arm, leading her towards her sighted goal.
"Of course I have your stuff, Asterion. Don't you have any faith in me? Here it is. Look it over for yourself." The bear Faunus dug into one of his pockets and pulled out an older model scroll, activating the screen and bringing up the image gallery. "I followed this Torchwick guy for a full week. Everywhere he went, I went. I was more loyal than that man's shadow."
Asterion took the scroll and began to thumb through the pictures it displayed, pausing on several of them to study them better. Brawn really outdid himself this time, he thought, silently complimenting the spook. Somewhere in here are the answers that I've been looking for, the reasons why the high command is willing to betray the cause. He came to the end of the first album and pocketed the scroll, vowing to study its contents in greater detail at the first opportunity. For now, he needed to leave Brawn behind and make his way back to one of the White Fang safe houses. I'll have to choose which one carefully, though. I can't afford to be caught studying our supposed ally. If Taurus caught me, he'd treat me worse than he did his former partner. Asterion shuddered at the thought of evoking the bull's wrath. For now, it's a risk I'm willing to take, but still, I don't relish the outcome of him uncovering my investigation before I've had a chance to learn the truth behind this all. Turning to his companion, he handed over a small card, an address handwritten on the front. "Take this, Brawn. Your payment will be there. And remember, this one was off-books, so make no mention of it to anyone, am I understood?"
"Yeah," the bear growled, taking the card. "Don't worry, Asterion, I'll keep your secret, if for no other reason than I have a sickening feeling that I'm covering my own ass by doing so." He slipped the card into the pocket that had previously contained the scroll, and patted his chest to make sure it had fallen in place properly. "Don't hesitate to call me next time you need someone to do your dirty work for you. You know how to reach me." He shuffled off, pushing his way through the crowd, leaving Asterion alone among the many more law-abiding citizens of Vale.
I need to get away from here, before those police notice me. Asterion was equal parts confused and upset that he hadn't noticed the police presence while he was waiting for Brawn at their originally agreed upon spot. I need to be more careful, more cautious from here on out. I cannot afford to picked up in a sweep. He knew that he was the only one among the White Fang's higher levels of leadership that was willing to resist the human's interference, the only one that wanted to remain focused on the operation that was the culmination of all their years of shedding blood, sweat, and tears for the cause. He made his way towards a safe house that he knew was likely to be vacant. Trying to put on a more relaxed front, he began to whistle smoothly. He walked with slightly more care than he had when entering the marketplace; where before he had been rude and unwilling to move aside for others, he was now hanging to the side to let others pass by without needing to walk in the street.
Unconsciously, he slipped his hand into his pocket and grabbed at the phone that was there. I hope something in here pans out. If not…well, hopefully this was worth the expense. He didn't want to consider the possibility of failure. The photos he had looked through seemed to be a comprehensive account of what Torchwick had been up to for the previous week. I'll find what you're holding over the White Fang's head, Roman Torchwick…and when I do, I'll take it from you, leaving you powerless and alone. You have my word on that. He removed his hand from his pocket and put it to his lips, vowing to himself that he would do exactly as he thought.
"You're right, Weiss, it is easier to access a rooftop from the inside a building than the outside. There are far fewer strange looks from normal people this way too. Also, it's less exhausting," Ruby said as she pushed the rooftop access door open and walked out onto the flat roof, Weiss directly behind her.
"Of course I'm right! You don't have to sound so surprised about it." Weiss hurried to the edge, afraid that their target might have disappeared from sight during their brief time inside the apartment building. She let out a quiet sigh of relief when she was able to quickly pick him out of the crowd. This is a very different perspective, she thought. I understand now why snipers prefer higher elevation. There is so much on the ground to block your view. She was ashamed that she hadn't ever realized the simple truth behind the common practice until now. Book knowledge verse field experience, I suppose.
"He's meeting with another Faunus," Ruby said from beside her. "A bear Faunus, by the looks of it. I don't remember any mention in the police files of any particular associations besides his involvement with the White Fang, so I don't have a clue who his friend is."
"It might not matter. We came here for Venaticus, not whoever he might be meeting with. It's a shame we aren't close enough to hear their conversation…are you sure that this was the better option, Ruby?" We might be able to see more from here, but we can't hear anything
"Yep," the brunette said, not taking her eyes off their target. "I'm the leader, right? I'm the one with experience here. Besides, you agreed to it."
"Hmpf," she said, continuing to watch the Faunus intently. She saw the new one reach into his pocket and withdraw something small, a book or a scroll, maybe, and hand it to Venaticus. "Did you see that?" she asked Ruby, wanting to confirm what she had just witnessed.
"Yep," Ruby said again. "It seems like I was right. Remember that the next time you feel like doubting me."
You don't have to sound so smug about it, Ruby, Weiss thought. "Hmpf," was her reply. She got lucky, that's all. She got lucky that we found him here, and lucky that the police didn't see us, and now she's lucky that her guess about him being handed something by an unknown compatriot was right. Weiss didn't trust in luck. She trusted in skill. Skills could be practiced, honed, perfected. Skills were something that could be counted on. Luck…well, luck comes and goes on its own accord. There isn't any rhyme or reason to it. She thought back to what Pyrrha had told her only a few hours ago. 'Hone your skills and perfect your technique,' she had said. There was a reason that girl was a world-renowned warrior despite her youth. She understands what is necessary to succeed. At least, she understood what Weiss had always been taught. But so much of what Father has told me has been proved wrong already. Ruby is walking, talking proof of that. She must have some aspect of a technique, and was clearly granted a double portion of skill, but she seems to survive on her wit and instinct, not endless practice sessions in controlled environments. "What do we do now, then?" she asked, desperate to quiet her inner monologue. She had spent far too much time over the last twenty-four hours questioning her most closely-held beliefs, and it was beginning to upset her.
Ruby began to outline her new plan. "Now, you stay on up high, on the rooftops, and follow him. I'm going to return to ground level and try to get close enough to him to steal whatever he was given right out of his pocket. If I lose him, I'll look up to you, and you point me in the right direction. Oh, but make sure that he doesn't see you. He is probably beginning to act a little paranoid right now." Weiss followed Ruby's pointed finger and had to agree that Venaticus did seem extremely on edge. I can't say I blame him. Would I be any better if I was in that situation?
No. She could admit to herself her own shortcomings. I would probably be much worse.
Asterion was feeling increasingly worried about the situation he found himself in. He kept looking over his shoulder, certain that someone or something was following him. Every time he stopped, though, he didn't see anything suspicious. How could he, when he didn't even know who they might represent? It could be the police, or the White Fang, or even a common street thug looking to rob me. He mulled the options over in his mind ashe stopped and looked into a store window, only pretending to examine the display while trying to use the reflection of the street the glass provided to see behind him surreptitiously. Have I seen that man before? Or what about that one? That girl looks familiar, maybe she's the one following me. That deer Faunus, though, he looks like he might be allied with the White Fang. Dammit! There's no way to know for sure! He decided to make for the safe house as quickly as he could, and hope that anyone tailing him might fall behind if he ran at his full speed. You should be better than this, he reprimanded himself. You've been doing this for decades; you have experience in staying low. Why are you letting this get to you?
He knew why. For all his experience, he had never truly been alone. At least, never in the way he was now. He had always been able to count on others for support; as a child, he could look to his parents and as an adult, he could look to his brothers in the White Fang. Now, I don't know if I can trust them like I used to. I don't know what they're doing anymore, and I know enough about how they operate to know they'll take decisive action against any that they deem to be acting in opposition to their goals. Hell, I've taken part in operations directed against those in opposition to our goals. Now I might be the one being hunted, instead of the hunter.
He picked up his pace again, his rapid footsteps making a steady noise against the pavement. Only one more block, and I can relax in safety. As soon as I enter the safe house, I can put it into lockdown, and then I'm alone for as long as it takes to find out the truth. He wasn't entirely sure what he would do once he knew. It all depends on what I find. If it's something damning, I'll reach out to a few of the White Fang that I know I can trust, and we'll proceed as necessary. If it turned out to be nothing serious, and there were solid reasons for the seeming betrayal, he could always pretend that he had never had any doubts regarding the leadership, and that he had disappeared for a few days out of fear the city police anti-terrorism squad was closing in on him.
Even as concerned as he was with the threat of danger, his speed had made him reckless, and he crashed into a young girl as he turned a corner. He stayed on his feet, but she wasn't as lucky and was sent flying sideways into a trash can, falling to the ground even as the trash spilled everywhere on the street. She immediately clutched at her leg, crying out in pain and looking at him with large silver eyes, a solitary tear beginning to make its way down her cheek. "Watch where you're going, little girl," Asterion snapped at her, not stopping to see if she was seriously injured. Let the humans worry about their own, he thought. They wouldn't think twice to help a Faunus that fell to the ground, so why should I be any different? They've made their bed, it's time they sleep in it.
He turned away from the girl and continued running, ignoring the angry calls of the passerby that had seen what had happened. I'm almost there, he thought. He was breathing heavily now, not having run so far or so fast for a long time. He saw the safe house in front of him, an unassuming one-story dwelling tucked away neatly between a bakery and an inter-kingdom travel agency, Vale Vacations Select. He reached the front door and typed the entrance code into the security panel. Entering the house, he slapped the control to lock the front door and collapsed against it, holding his hand to his chest to calm his breathing. After a few seconds, he reached into his pocket and grabbed for the precious scroll it contained. He frowned, and dug deeper into his pocket. No, it can't be, he thought. Terrified, he ripped his pants off and turned the pocket inside out.
"Dammit!" he shouted, smashing his fists against the door behind him. He threw the pants angrily to the ground.
The scroll was gone.
"Did you get it?" Weiss asked. She had jumped down from the roof of a building to an awning spread over the street, and from that to ground level. Several of the citizens were muttering under their breath about her potential lack of mental health, but they were glad she was assisting the injured girl since that meant they didn't have to.
"Of course," Ruby said, holding the scroll up between her index and middle fingers. "I said I would, and I did. Stop doubting my abilities."
"Do you think he'll know it was you?" Weiss offered her hand to Ruby and pulled the brunette to her feet, absent-mindedly brushing some dust off from her cloak.
"He might, but what does he know? All he saw was a little girl that got hurt when he ran into her. He won't know how to find me. And there were a hundred other people that passed close to him as he ran here. He might think that it was any of them. If we don't dally around here until he comes back, we should be all set." She put the scroll into a pocket on her skirt and made sure the pocket was zipped shut. It's hard to steal from a thief, she thought, but it doesn't make any sense to make it any easier for anyone foolish enough to try than it needs to be. "Are you coming, Weiss, or do you need a personal invitation?" she asked as she began to walk off into the city, once again becoming a hidden blade in the crowd.
"I'm coming," the Templar said, throwing one final glance over her shoulder in the direction that Venaticus had disappeared in, afraid that he would come chasing after them. "Let's go," she said sharply. "I don't like standing around here like this." She resisted a shudder and hurried to catch up with Ruby.
Together, the two young women ran through the city, making their way back towards the transit station that would take them back to Beacon.
"Do you think Blake and Yang had any success in their assignment?" Weiss asked as they ran.
"Well, if I know Yang they'll come back with a crazy story if nothing else," Ruby said, ducking under a line of clothes hung across the street to dry. "Don't worry, Weiss. I looked through the scroll while you were getting down from the rooftops. Even if they don't come back with anything, we should have a good start on planning our strike. There are a few thousand pictures of Roman Torchwick on here. Somewhere among them is what we need."