Come in Emerald, I repeat, come in Emerald! This is North. We have an emergency, I repeat, we have an emergency!

The man stopped mid-drink of his freshly poured coffee when he saw the message. For a moment he forgot that he was supposed to be eavesdropping on the two girls.

"Emerald" put his paper down, and activated his scroll. He punched in a few keys to make sure the signal was secure, then began to type back.

This is Emerald. What's the problem North? Did something happen to Xiao Long?

He sent the message. 'Emerald' sat back in his chair, and crossed his arms in waiting. He tried to focus back on what Miss Rose and Miss Belladonna were saying, but he was struggling. The two seemed to be talking about each others weapons, so honestly he wouldn't lose too much if he zoned out.

'North' responded back. Something went horribly wrong! The princess is here with Xiao Long, and she's morbidly wounded. I tried to get in contact with my son, but there's been no response. I think Torchwick must have intercepted them.

'Emerald' typed back, Are you absolutely sure? Torchwick is clever, but team JNPR is one of Vale's finest. They wouldn't have gone down that easily. Have you kept your distance or have you revealed yourself?

I stayed back. It wasn't easy though. She was in such bad shape. Luckily Miss Long reacted quickly and treated her. She seems stable now. I think I'll leave Princess Schnee with Miss Long.

What do you mean?

I'm sorry Oz. My boy is out there, and I need to find him. You said he'd be okay, and now he's off God knows where, injured or dead. I'm sorry but I have to find him. I'm heading over to the Schnee grounds to get in touch with the King. I'll try to meet you at the extraction point. Good luck.

Ozpin's eyes went wide. He tried to call her directly, but he got nothing in return. So he typed another message and sent it.

The sudden sound of Ruby squealing and Blake bursting into loud laughter made Ozpin jump. He looked over to see Blake had, probably with some pleading, removed her bow. He cat ears were now free, and she was wiggling them back and forth for the Scythe wielder.

"Oh my God Blake, they're so cute!" Ruby's eyes had become huge and shiny. She was awing at Blake's cat ears, meanwhile Blake was was blushing and laughing at Ruby's reactions.

Ruby hesitated for a moment, but must have decided to go through with whatever she had plan. She put on a mischievous grin, reached over, and started scratching Blake behind the ears.

Blake's eyes went wide in surprise and she started visibly twitching.

"Ruby! Don't...do...thaahahat." Blake started to protest, but was cut off by unwillingly producing a mix between giggling like a little girl and purring. She kept trying to tell Ruby to stop, but was having trouble. Ruby was also giggling away, having a blast with her new friend.

Ozpin gave a sigh of relief. He took a case out from his pocket, opened it, and took out a pill. He put the pill in his mouth, and forced it down with the last of his coffee. He took a deep breath, then looked back at his scroll again.

Still no response, and it seems that user 'North' was now offline.

"GOD DAMN IT GOODWITCH!" Ozpin shouted in frustration. Even throwing his scroll at the wall, shattering it into a thousand pieces.

Dead silence filled the cafe. Ozpin looked around to see his waitress, the two behind-the-counter workers, and the two girls had all stopped in their tracks. They were all staring at him, wide eyed.

Ozpin quickly meet eyes with everyone, but held on Ruby the longest. Those same silver eyes, the red streaks, and that cape.

She's barely changed. She looks so much like her it hurts...

He then finally broke off from Ruby. Ozpin gathered his coat and paper, and quickly made his way out the door. As he left, he heard Ruby from inside yelling after him.

"Hey wait a minute! Come back you!"

WWWWWWWW

Ruby chased after the strange man, screaming after him. One minute she was by Blake, the next, gone into petals.

Blake tied her bow back over her cat ears. She left a tip for the waitress, and a quick thank you for the great service as she ran after the cloaked girl.

She spotted Ruby standing in the middle of the street searching for the stranger. People along the sidewalk were giving her strange looks as they went off to work. Some early morning drivers were honking at Ruby, but they all eventually went around when she refused to even acknowledged them.

Blake ran up to her, tapping her shoulder to get her attention. When Ruby realized it was Blake, she went along with being pulled by her friend back onto the sidewalk before speaking.

"What was that about?" Blake questioned.

"That guy. I think I know him from somewhere. I tried following him, but he just vanished. All that was left, was this." Ruby pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, handing it to Blake. Blake opened it up, reading aloud what was written.

"Roses are red, scattering to the wind. Black darkness surrounding, that makes them friends. But of fire and ice they must find, your future awaiting, at Beacon's Tide." Blake gave Ruby a raised brow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Blake watched as Ruby took on a thoughtful look. She'd closed her eyes, starting to tap her foot. As moments of silence pasted, Blake was about to say something but was cut off- a common theme it seems- by Ruby gasping. "Wait, fire? Oh no, Yang! She must be up by now. She's going to be worried sick about me!"

Ruby started turning in the other direction when Blake caught her arm. "What are you talking about? What's your sister got to do with fire? And where are you going?"

Ruby broke free from Blake's grip, sprinting off. Blake followed, able to catch up thanks to her natural speed, but only just. Even without using her semblance, Ruby is still remarkable fast.

When Blake caught up to Ruby, she unsheathed the blade part of her weapon. She waited for the right time, then grabbed Ruby's cape and stabbed her sword into the ground behind her as an anchor. Ruby was jerked back, ramming into Blake. The two were sent back down the street and were tumbling over each other like a runaway boulder. They only stopped when they hit into a building at the end of the street.

The two were a bundled mess of arms and legs. Both girls eyes were spirals. Ruby was seeing stars and cartoon Beowolves, meanwhile Blake saw stars and tuna.

After the two untangled each other, Blake tried again to get answers.

"Where were you going?"

"Home. I need to check on Yang. I don't know why but, that note gave me a very bad feeling. I think my sister's in trouble. Well, more then usual anyway."

Blake took that in, giving a moment to consider her options. Her immediate thought was dangerous, impulsive, and beyond stupid. Then again, she hasn't been doing a good job using her skills to stay hidden last night. So why start now?

"Alright then. Lets get going."

It took Ruby a moment to realize what Blake had said."Wait what?"

Blake gave a light laugh and smiled. She placed a reassuring hand on Ruby's shoulder.

"Ruby, you can't imagine how amazing it's been getting to know you and telling you about me. I haven't felt this good in years. Having a friend like you..." Blake could feel her eyes getting a bit watery. "You're my friend. So even though I could get myself arrested, I still want to help."

Blake this time, to Ruby's shock, gave the hug.

When she broke off, Blake noticed Ruby had big water eyes and her voice was choking up.

"Don't worry Blake, I'll make sure-" Sniffle. "people get to see the real you."

Blake gave Ruby a pat on the back, straightening her out. She then turned in the direction Ruby was trying to run off.

"Come on. I'll race ya." Blake suddenly sped off in a blur.

"Hey no fair cheater!" Ruby screamed after her, zooming off with scattered rose petals following in her wake.