End of the Beginning

"Tukson, Blake." Ozpin said as Ruby and Qrow continued to stare at each other. "Shall we all step outside for the moment? I believe that these two have a great deal to talk about."

That was Professor Ozpin in a nutshell. Blake thought, always polite, but in a way that gave one no room to oppose him. After all, what was she going to say? 'No! I want to eavesdrop on my best friend!' ?

Ruby might appreciate the support… but that wasn't for Blake to decide. She filed out of the shop with the other two men, looking back at Ruby for any sign that she wanted Blake to remain with her, even for a brief moment more.

No such gesture was forthcoming.

The door thunked shut.

"Thank you for your courtesy, both of you." Ozpin said with a weary smile. "I do apologize for using the shop as an impromptu meeting place, but…" He glanced back over his shoulder. "I believe this is something that they both need, despite how contrary the situation appears at the moment."

"That man…" Blake said, still looking through the window, "He's her Uncle?"

Why on Remnant was Ruby living with Cinder if she still had a living relative?

"Indeed." Oz replied. "Nevertheless, we are not here to whisk Miss Rose away from those friendships and relationships she has formed here. This is a visit to lay the past to rest. Nothing more."

Blake watched through the window as the two began to talk. False starts and awkward pauses abounded. She couldn't see Ruby's face, but her body language was like an open book. Blake frowned as Ruby tensed at something Qrow said, but he immediately backtracked.

He dropped to a knee across from Ruby, an apology easily visible on his lips. 'Sorry' He said 'I'm so, so sorry…'

Blake turned away when Ruby moved forward and collapsed against her uncle, sobs wracking her slight frame.

Ozpin was regarding her thoughtfully.

"It is heartening to see that young Ruby has made such devote friends." He said. Blake blushed slightly.

"So is there any reason you're here too Professor?" Tukson asked. "It's not like you to play baby sitter."

"Rather." Ozpin said. He took a sip of his tea.

Inside, a brief shout broke through the door, before Ruby and Qrow settled back into quite, charged, murmurs.

Blake could probably have picked out what they were saying, if she tried. But she chose instead to listen to the wind as it gusted through the trees.

She and Ruby had shared many things after all, but it was Ruby's choice if this would be one of them.

"There is one thing I need to discuss with both of you." Ozpin said conversationally. "I'm hoping you'll bring the idea to Arthur as well when you next see him Tukson. I would broach the subject myself but, your leader is a busy man. Finding time in both of our schedules for this matter will delay what I'm hoping to accomplish."

"Huh, and what's that?" Tukson asked. Blake raised an eyebrow.

"Expanding the Hunter Initiative." Ozpin said, sipping his coffee. "Secondary education* for Combat Academy bound students, even if they decided to follow a different vocation along the way, starts at twelve years old for many reasons. Primarily, so that we can assure our children are both well-educated and well prepared for the more military focused curriculum of Beacon." He paused for a moment looking at Blake. "However, due to… strictures of the system, it is very difficult for Faunus to be enrolled in schools such as Signal and Tower, which translates into less Faunus capable of attending Beacon, despite the lack of any restrictions on their enrollment."

Blake frowned, she hadn't know about those restrictions. She remembered how a few of her older friends had applied to Signal last year only to be summarily rejected. Just another reminder of the hidden racism of Vale.

"I see." Tukson said. "And you have a plan to fix that?"

"Two plans, or rather two revisions to the education system that both should be passed by the government before the next school year. The first is simply the admission of eight Faunus to Signal academy as a test case. Should they perform well in their studies, more Faunus would be admitted to other schools on precident." He said. "The next is a provision that children who unlock their aura in any manner be transferred to a Combat Preparation school, though they will be allowed to transfer out once they learn to control their aura."

Tukson blinked. "And you think both of these will make it through?"

"Indeed, though I'm using much of my political capital to ensure it." He replied with a wan smile. "That is much of what I want you to pass on to Arthur. If at all possible, I'd appreciate a list of eight candidates who would be interested in attending Signal next year. I will administer their entry tests myself, so there can be no confusion as to the results."

"I suppose the schools won't be too happy that you're going over your heads like that." Tukson said with a chuckle."

"Yes well." Ozpin took a sip of his coffee. "I did not leave much choice in the matter."

"You wanted to talk to me about something as well Sir?" Blake asked as the conversation lulled for a moment.

"I was hoping you'd be one of the candidates, Blake." He replied. "From what, admittedly, little I've seen and heard about you, I think you will make an excellent Huntress in the future. If Arthur agrees with me, I'd be happy to sponsor you at Beacon in a few years."

Blake blushed lightly, "Thank you sir." Then she blinked once, before giving him a very small smirk. "But I don't think I should be on your list of eight students sir."

"Oh?" Ozpin asked, "Why is that?"

"Well…" She paused. "I unlocked my aura, so… I should be able to attend Signal anyway, correct?"

Ozpin smiled at that. "An excellent idea." He said. "I look forward to what you will achieve at Signal."

"Ah… thank you." Blake dipped her head.

Tukson chuckled, ruffling Blake's hair between her ears. "That's my girl." He said. She glared at him for a moment before relaxing and letting him scratch her ears.

"Cat Faunus." Tukson said to Oz. "Prickly as cactuses, but give em a little scratch behind the ears and they turn into a puddle." He looked back Blake, who started to purr at his touch. "I'm not quite sure how I should feel about this." Ozpin smiled.

The trio waited for several minutes in companionable silence and then the door opened as Qrow and Ruby walked out.

They looked at each other awkwardly for a moment. "It was… nice to see you again Uncle Qrow."

The man gave a small smile, ruffling Ruby's hair. She bore it stoically. "Yeah… it's good to see you doing alright." The two broke apart. "Next time, would it be alright if Yang showed up?"

Ruby looked away for a moment, before giving a small smile and nod. "Yep. It would be nice to see her again, I guess."

"She really is sorry about what happened, little Rose."

Ruby shrugged, but said nothing.

With a sigh Qrow turned to the Ozpin and the others. "Well, that's my cue to leave." He said gruffly. "Thanks for letting me borrow your shop." And with that the grizzled man with salt and pepper gray hair vanished with nary a whisper.

Ruby blinked. "He'd better teach me that trick next time…" She muttered.

She turned to head back to the Penthouse, but a wave from professor Ozpin brought her up short.

"Before you go, Miss Rose, I have a proposition for you and your guardian." He smirked lightly, "whomever they may be."

Ruby blinked. "Umm, yeah?"

"If you are willing and able to jump ahead a few years in your schooling, than you will be able to apply as a first year student at Signal this coming academic year. Naturally, you will have to pass the placement tests but," He smiled, "for some reason I do not believe that will be much of a problem for you."

"You mean… I could join a combat school?!" Ruby started bouncing in place.

Ozpin chuckled. "Exactly that. I believe Miss Belladonna will be attending next year as well. I trust your guardian will be able to uncover the rest of the details."

With that he gave a cordial farewell and departed down the street towards the nearest air tram terminal.

"Blake this is gonna be so cool!" Ruby started dancing around. "I thought I was gonna have to wait years until I could go to a combat school."

Blake tilted her head in askance. "Why are you so excited about this?" She asked. "I didn't think you wanted to be a Huntress so badly."

Ruby paused, looking over at Blake. "Well… I used to." She said. "I used to want to be a hunter really, really bad! I would be just like my parents and we'd fight evil monsters together and save the world and all other sorts of things." Ruby sighed. "But that's not really possible now. Mommy and Daddy are dead." Blake blinked, that was the first time she'd heard Ruby admit what happened to her family. Even Tukson was watching her in solemn silence. "Now…" She shrugged. "Now I just want to get stronger, so that… I… never have to leave my own friends behind, right?"

She smiled sheepishly at her confession.

Blake just shook her head, smiling ruefully at the surprising depths her normally childish friend had contemplated. "Only you Ruby."

"Huh?"

Blake hugged her.

"Awww." Ruby cooed, hugging her back. "Thanks Blaky!"

"No problem. And don't call me that."

"Okay Blaky!"

Ruby poked her head through the doorway "Emerald, do you know where Cinder is?"

"Hm?" The older girl turned around. "No. She said she'd be gone for the rest of the day. We're going to stay here and relax until she gets back."

Ruby nodded. "Okay…"

"Why do you need to talk to her?"

"Oh, something important happened. But it's not super important or anything. Just something I have to talk to Cinder about soon."

Emerald gave Ruby one last look before returning her gaze to her scroll. The kid would just have to wait.

Granted, Cinder had been out for hours, and the sun would be setting soon… It was a break from her usual routine. But then again, Emerald decided, this wasn't the first time Cinder had disappeared for long periods at a time.

It was probably nothing.

Torchwick sighed as he checked his watch once more, idly spinning his cane as he meandered through the inside of yet another abandoned warehouse Cinder had directed him to. She must own at least half of the shipping district at this rate, or perhaps she managed the majority of Vale's warehouses jointly with a White Fang shell company?

It was a vaguely amusing thought.

"There you are!" He said when he heard her enter the building. "I was wondering if this was just another one of your little pranks. After all, it's been… a month? since you last had me attacked by random goons off the street." He gave her a jaunty little smirk. It didn't reach his eyes.

The clinking of her glass heals against the metal catwalk above announced Cinder's location for her. "Oh Roman." She replied as she stepped into the light. "If I didn't keep you on your toes, what kind of an employer would I be, really?"

"The good kind?"

She smirked, the ruby red of her lips spreading like blood across her pale face. "Too bad for you that we're in the business of evil. Or were you expecting rainbows and sunshine?" She asked mockingly.

"Che." He shrugged and looked away. "So why were you here late anyway? Don't tell me you had to wait for school to finish for the day."

Cinder laughed. "Quite the contrary." She purred. "I was only collecting your presents…"

"What?"

As if on cue, the door to the warehouse opened, admitting a small white van with tinted windows. It came to a stop right in front of Roman, engine idling quietly as the garage door dropped closed once more.

"A gift for being so faithful Roman." Cinder said languidly. "Be a dear and open the back would you? Be careful though, the contents are rather fragile after all."

Roman glanced back at Cinder for a moment before turning his full attention to the white van. It continued to sit there, idling. Somehow it was threatening even in its stillness.

Slowly, cane well in hand, he circled around to the back doors of the van.

Gingerly, he reached out and grabbed the handle. Eyes narrowing, he yanked it open.

"What the hell!"

He staggered backwards as three bodies fell out of the van, landing on the concrete with dull, lifeless, thuds.

"What the hell is this?" He spun around, checking his surroundings quickly, efficiently, his cane at the ready to ward off any attack. If Cinder thought giving him dead bodies was a present, the girly was either messed up in the head –well… he knew she was messed up in the head- or he was next on the list. That was the reason she wanted to meet him in this warehouse! So she-

Sultry laughter interrupted his thoughts. "Please Roman, give a girl a little credit." She said. "If I was going to have you killed I would hardly be so cliché."

He snorted. "Then what's with the bodies?" He asked. "I mean, don't let me tell you any different if you think that dead people are a suitable birthday gift, but…"

"What, don't you recognize them?" Cinder said coyly. "Why don't you take a second look."

With one last distrustful glance Roman turned back to the three dead men laying on the ground. A moment later his eyes widened.

"That's… Grell Peccant."

"Along with Samek Dirge and The Sable." Roman glanced up at her once more, eyes wide in disbelief. She pouted. "I thought you'd like it! The other three crime lords of Vale delivered at your feet. Isn't that what every aspiring mob boss dreams of?"

After a moment of shock he looked down at the bodies again.

Above, Cinder leaned over the rail and smiled. His reaction was even better than she could have hoped. Yes, this little diversion had definitely been worth the trouble.

It had been days since she'd personally seen to the steps of her plan, and while killing the three had hardly been necessary… it had let her… cut loose.

Seeing Roman's reaction was just the icing on the cake.

Playing chess with the entire kingdom of Vale as the stakes. Truly the game was enough to give Cinder chills.

In the end, it was hard to say which she enjoyed more, the power plays and convoluted intrigue of underworld politics, or the warm and tender affection of her two little Gems.

Good thing that she could have both.

"Is it too much for you Roman?" Cinder called down. "I'm sorry if I offended your delicate… sensibilities."

Roman stared at the corpses for a moment more before giving a short laugh. "Oh, no, no!" He replied, trademark smirk already back in place. "It's like the Vytal Festival came early this year." He twirled his can once, easily spinning it into a ready grip. "This is, of course, if you planning on stopping at three. I understand the lure of having the complete set of course, but Iam rather attached to my head." He said easily, as he poked The Sable's decapitated corpse. "Unlike our old friends here."

Cinder laughed. "Oh don't worry Roman, this really is a gift." She said. "As much as it… surprises me to realize it, you are by far the most adept criminal in Vale. So here are your trophies. Consider them tokens of my esteem for you."

Roman took a moment to digest her statement. "Oh you little minx." He looked up at Cinder. "You hired all of us, at the same time!"

"Can't blame a girl for wanting to sample the wares."

Roman looked like he was going to shout something, before clamping down on that urge. "No…" He muttered instead, glancing away in deference. "Of course not." The double message here was painfully obvious.

The Sable was known to have, or have had rather, some of the best body guards that lien could buy. Yet here he was with the others, all dead as dormice, with not even the Vale PD any wiser.

Out of all of them, Roman was by far the least personally protected. He preferred to trust his safety to his own, not inconsiderable, skills. With how easily Cinder or her contacts must have breezed past these three dead men's retinues, Torchwick didn't think his own approach to personal safety would have yielded any greater rewards.

Well… at the very least he knew not to waste money on personal guards while working for Cinder. Best just to keep her happy… and keep training.

Which was probably the conclusion she wanted him to reach, damn girl.

"Yes- well…" Roman spun, dapper smirk slightly strained. "I think you've made your, ehe, point… So- what happens now?"

Cinder stretched languidly, arching her back like a cat. She smiled down at him. "Now? Well, you'll find out soon enough."

"Can't just come out and tell me? It would save both of us a great deal of effort."

Cinder just laughed, the sound of her voice echoing around the empty warehouse. "But Roman, where's the fun in that?" She turned to leave, strutting back into the darkness. "But I suppose I can give you a hint…" She paused artfully "The prologue is over."

"Now the play can truly begin!"

Footnotes

*By secondary education, I mean what we would see as high school level. This isn't cannon, of course, but I believe it to be reasonable for the reasons Ozpin stated.

A/N: Bit of a shorter chapter, but that's cause we're gearing up for a minor timeskip. This is, as Cinder so helpfully mentioned, the end of the first arc. And while I wouldn't consider 30k plus words a measly prologue myself, we still do have quite a long way to go.

Here we see, of course, Cinder's dark side, back to the fore, along with my own attempts at reconciling her motherly behavior with her actions this chapter.

I might be on Hiatus for the rest of the month. Finals are coming up, as are many other things, so don't expect another update within the week, sadly.

Last but not least, hope you enjoyed the chapter. Sorry I didn't include the conversation between Qrow and Ruby, didn't think I could do it justice. In brief, it was a lot of awkward small talk, then yelling, with a little time actually devoted to the important things right at the end.

Don't forget to follow favorite and review! If you have any questions about the story, feel free to put them in a review or PM me directly. I'll do my best to clear things up, as long as it isn't spoilers.