9Chapter 12
Jingles
"...You think he cares? Sure we all love that goody-two shoes hero that spares everyone he fights. This guy, the Courier ain't like that. His job is killing evil. Those White Fang that tried to blow up the Academy? He put bullets in their heads. My son and daughter attends that school. I wouldn't have known what I would do if the Courier hadn't intervened. I'll be honest: I'm a Faunus. I've had my own fair share of shit but he's out there doing what the White Fang should have been: Protecting people."- Post on an Atlesian Forum on why the Courier is a Hero.
The Courier wasn't much for fancy shit. He was a rough and tumble guy. He went out there in the Wastes and choked Deathclaws to death (A rather persistent rumor, the only time he actually killed one in close combat was because its legs were broken.). He ate out of cans and drank water from streams. So when Headmaster Ozpin invited him to the Ball he considered refusing.
It would make him look like an impolite cunt so he decided to attend but on his terms. The Courier dressed light. Light meaning he was still armed with a semi auto and a revolver, both of which hung on his hips in open hostility. Wearing his Courier's Duster, a gift from the long dead Ulysses after the Divide, he felt...bored. Extremely so. And without his helmet uncomfortably exposed.
So he stood, leaning against the wall, feeling Yang's glare on his form and Professor Goodwitch's disapproving glance so he did what he usually did, he ignored them.
Still, the music was nice and the atmosphere reminded him of the Ultra Luxe so he relaxed. Slightly of course. The door opened and he smirked as he recognized who walked in. The Lone Wanderer kid and the monkey Faunus.
Both looked around before heading up to Yang.
/
"Well you two look rather nice!" Yang said and winked at Royce. "Especially you big guy. Weiss is gonna swoon when she sees ya."
"Well, thanks Yang." Royce pulled at his collar looking nervous. He leaned in closer. "And what the hell was that about me and Weiss?" He lowered his voice. "Dating? Really?"
"Oh come on!" Yang waved her hand flippantly at him. "You guys have been tip toeing around each other for more than a few months. Live a little! What's wrong with that?"
Royce sighed again. He really wondered if he was going to survive the night. "Well where is she..." Royce trailed off when he saw Weiss and Blake enter with Ruby. Weiss was beautiful. Extremely so. Royce had to do his very best to keep his jaw from dropping.
/
Weiss blinked as she looked at her teammate who had cleaned up quite nicely in his dark colored jacket, black slacks and dress shoes. Even with that silly do-rag on his head Royce still looked very handsome. He looked nervous. And that was quite alright with her.
"You look nice!" Ruby took the words right out of her mouth.
"Thanks!" Royce and Sun spoke at the same time. They both looked at each other then started laughing.
"Well... I guess we still got a few minutes before the dance starts." Royce said as he looked at Blake.
"Guys...I'm, I'm sorry." Blake apologized. "When Yang talked to me I realized that I was being unreasonable. I shouldn't have worried you like that." She looked sheepish.
"It's okay...and Blake? If you need help you can ask any of us. We'll be there for you in a heartbeat." Royce nodded his head as he spoke.
"You're one of us Blake." Ruby added. "We'll always help you."
Weiss just crossed her arms. "Just don't run off on your own next time." She let out a yelp as Yang brushed past her to give Blake the tightest hug she can muster.
Royce and Sun had to stop her when Blake started gasping for air. "Yang...can't...breathe..."
/
The dance began in earnest.
Royce could practically feel the eyes of jealous students, male and female alike, on his back. Still he focused entirely on Weiss who smiled with some satisfaction as he twirled her around.
"You've improved." Weiss told him. "Perhaps those lessons with me were not a wasted effort after all." Her tone was that of a haughty heiress from a noble family but Royce knew she was having fun.
"Not at all ma'am." Royce chuckled and decided to play along. "It would be a shame if Miss Schnee's dancing lessons did not stick in my feeble mind."
"Why Mister Walker was that a compliment?" Weiss asked looking and far too incredulous for her own good.
"If you wish it to be." Royce nodded sagely.
/
"...And as soon as I turn around there's this guy, aiming a gun at me." Royce said as he told Ruby, Weiss, Blake and Sun about one of the most confusing encounters in Marigold Station. "He tells me to give up the lingerie. I ask him 'the hell do you need it for?' He looks at me like I'm retarded."
He shook his head trying not to laugh even as Sun held rubbed his forehead chuckling.
"I was so confused!" Royce laughed out loud. "I didn't know what to do so I knocked him out and went back up to the wastes. I'm not one to question what a guy needs but I'm pretty sure pajamas are the last priorities on a Raider's mind."
"So why did you keep the pajamas?" Weiss asked shaking her head.
"I gave it to a guy, Ronald Laren. I didn't ask. I got the caps for it and I went home." Royce said. "Never thought about it ever again."
"Aww...but you said it was leopard print." Ruby said sounding disappointed. Blake looked at her in shock. "What? I think it might look cute on you Royce."
Royce cleared his throat. "Ruby...uh...you don't wear those because they look cute. They were quite revealing..." He looked embarrassed.
"Oh..." Ruby realized what he was talking about.
Weiss just pinched the bridge of her nose as Sun just loses it and put his head on the table, his shoulders shaking from laughing so hard.
"Now who wants to hear about me dealing with a bunch of friendly neighborhood vampires?" Royce asked.
"Whoa, what!?" Ruby asked, sparkles in her eyes. "Vampires!?"
"That's what they called themselves." Royce answered shrugging.
"Oh now I have to hear this." Weiss said as she leaned closer.
Royce settled in his seat. "Right so here I was looking for work in the town of Megaton..."
/
"Cazadores?" Professor Port asked the Courier as he took a sip of punch.
"Giant mutated wasps professor." The Courier answered. "Giant, mutated angry wasps with a stinger the size of a sword. Fast, and did I mention angry? Yes they were quite angry."
"Hmm that does seem problematic actually." Port said. "Such intriguing creatures you have back in the Mojave, Master Courier. They must be quite the hunt."
The Courier nodded looking at Port. "Yes...I should mention that there were bigger and nastier things. One time I was out looking for Deathclaw eggs. Now those you don't want to mess around with. They're mutated lizards taller than a man by a head with claws sharp enough to carve through armor. They are mean suckers even if they are blind. I only got lucky once because Craig Boone is the best damned shot I've ever seen..."
"Good grief." Glynda remarked as she watched the Courier and Professor Port chatter about various beasties. "Is everything he talks about involve killing?"
"Apparently." Ozpin shrugged. "Still...I would rather face the Grimm barehanded than encounter...what was that he said? Deathclaws?"
"Gigantic, angry wasps." Glynda said shaking her head. "And I thought we had it bad."
/
"Easy Royce, you looked like you were ready to break his neck." Ruby hung onto Royce's arm trying to hold him back as he glared at Cardin Winchester's rapidly retreating form.
"He's lucky I can't shoot lasers out of my eyes." Royce muttered. He heard a snort and Weiss was shaking her head chuckling at him.
"People still spread that around?" Weiss asked Blake.
"Pretty sure it's a meme around the school now." Blake said.
/
Jaune found Pyrrha waiting for...well something. Guilty, the blonde took a step forward.
"Hey." He said.
"Hello Jaune."
Jaune looked around. "Uh...I thought you had a date. He won't beat me up for talking to you will he?"
"I went alone." Pyrrha told him. She looked down at her feet and sighed heavily. "I didn't ask anyone."
Jaune winced. He never meant for this to happen at all.
"Before I met you Jaune, I...never really had any friends." Pyrrha turned and looked at Jaune who could just barely make eye contact. "Everyone I've met always thought that I was too good for them. I was very lonely."
"And then I met you." Pyrrha gave a sad smile. "You never put me on a pedestal like the others. I actually felt like I could just be me. I...I have to admit that I liked that about you Jaune. You're friendly." She looked down. "And I would have enjoyed coming to the dance with you."
"Have a good night Jaune." Pyrrha said sincerely as she turned to head back. "And I do hope that you and a better girl get together."
"Pyrrha..."
/
"What?" Royce asked as he and Weiss sat next to each other. Royce was looking at his hands.
"I asked why you picked me instead of all the other girls." Weiss said. "You...could have asked out Yang, Blake or Ruby." She nudged her head at a gaggle of girls gossiping and whispering. "And some of the girls in my other classes were interested in you."
"I don't know." Royce said shrugging honestly. "I really don't know, it just...it just felt right I suppose." He scratched the back of his head.
"What asking out the richest girl you know?" Weiss asked.
"What? No." Royce shook his head. "I don't care if you're the heir to one of the most powerful Dust exporters in the world. I really don't and that's because you're more than that. You're Weiss Schnee first." He looked down at his hands nervously. "Honestly I'm more surprised that you said yes."
"Ah?"
Royce looked...embarrassed. "I mean, look at me. Nineteen years old and I've shot and stabbed a lot of people, enough to make anyone sick." He let his hands close into fists. "My parents are dead, all I've got to my name are a bunch of clothes and high powered weaponry. You...you've got everything you've ever wanted. You're pretty, smart, and nice." He looked at a blushing Weiss and it was the first time she had seen him so afraid, he was afraid that she'd reject him. "Before I worked up the courage to ask you out I sometimes wondered to myself...Why would a wonderful girl like you want a horrible guy like me?"
"Because you're better than you think you are Royce." Weiss told him honestly. "That and you're honest with me."
Royce gave a sardonic chuckle. "Some say it makes me naive."
"Well, they don't know you enough." Weiss said scooting over closer. "I always appreciate honesty."
"So..." Royce said uncertainly. He shook his head. "Do you still want to go out with me?"
"I'd like that." Weiss nodded smiling. Royce decided that he would never, ever be tired of seeing her smile.
"Okay Ice Princess." Royce said, smirking as Weiss's scowl returned. "I'll be your knight in shining armor.
"That was cheesy and you know it." Weiss leaned her head against his shoulder. "Still, you get points for trying."
Royce gave a satisfied hum as he laced his fingers with hers.
None of them noticed Ruby walking outside.
Or Yang cackling maniacally as she snapped a photo of Weiss and Royce with her scroll. This is totally going to be awesome, she mused to herself.
/
"Mister Courier?" Ruby gulped as said Courier walked up to her. She had just called her locker in and had picked up Crescent Rose.
"Sorry," The Courier apologized. "Never did mean to follow you but when a locker launches itself out of the prep room and lands right next to someone you know, you tend to get curious."
Ruby looked at him. "I just...well..."
"Ah you mean the Wanderer and his fair lady?" The Courier asked. "You liked him didn't you?"
Ruby mumbled something but she nodded.
The Courier chuckled a bit. "Ah well, love's love." He said. "Are you upset?"
"Nope!" Ruby said suddenly smiling. "I mean I am a little...But Royce and Weiss are my friends. And well...I'm sure that Royce is happier with Weiss anyhow. I think they look good together."
"I see." The Courier said, partially surprised at how easy Ruby bounced right back. "And you are young, you should be patient. There are other fish in the sea."
Ruby nodded. "Um...I'm really sorry about how Yang treats you. She really is a good person." She was looking apologetic.
"Ah well I suppose it's my fault in the first place." The Courier said knowing she wanted to change the subject. "So...you seem to be in a bit of a pinch and I figured that I might as well lend an ear."
"Actually..." Ruby looked hesitant. "I...I think I saw someone heading towards the CCT."
The Courier did notice the tower and he surprised Ruby as he frowned. "Did you?" He said voice serious. "Well, let's go." The man drew his revolver. It was richly engraved with the words 'Against All Tyrants' on the long barrel. Ruby thought it was just as beautiful as it was deadly.
That was when the Courier started moving. "H-Hey! W-Wait up!" She awkwardly ran after him, her heels clacking against the concrete. "You think something's going to happen?"
"One of the many things to consider when attacking an enemy stronghold." The Courier told Ruby as they walked briskly towards the CCT, "Is to take out their communications first. Something that our esteemed General Ironwood has considered seeing as he put guards around it."
He then sighed as he saw the unconscious forms of Atlesian Military troopers. "At least if they were competent enough to stay conscious in the face of an infiltrator." He muttered under his breath.
"Oh no..." Ruby said.
"Let's go." The Courier ran into the building, sweeping the area with his revolver. "Clear. Move up to the elevator Ruby."
Ruby nodded completely focused as she kept an eye out. "Call an elevator?"
"Yes."
/
When the elevator doors opened Ruby and the Courier stepped into sight, both covering all areas. That was when their supposed infiltrator jumped out and started shooting explosive arrows at them. Ruby dodged to the side, the Courier jumping behind cover. He leaned out letting off a shot with his revolver and another as the masked woman moved into close quarters. The Courier saw Ruby engage at close quarters her scythe moving in red and black blurs as the woman parried and ducked under the blows. She now held a pair of curved swords.
The Courier charged this time intent on helping his young acquaintance in battle. He was a bit slower than Ruby but he had experience, that and the sight of a man drawing a bolo and charging at someone can be quite unsettling.
The Courier and Ruby attacked in tandem but their opponent, whoever she was, was quite skilled. As Ruby staggered back from a wide sweeping kick the Courier whirled his machete over his head and stepped forward swinging down at the woman's head.
She parried with one sword and tried to gut him with the other. Ruby stepped in pushing the blade out of the way, she whirled Crimson Rose up and brought it down at an angle.
/
Cinder Fall side stepped to the left avoiding the scythe as she smirked inwardly to herself. To think that Mister Folk Hero and Little Red actually came after her...
Impressive really and she truly wanted to go all out. But that was not part of the plan. Tripping Little Red and shoving her backwards into the Courier, Cinder raised her hand and let the Dust that flew upwards ignite. She pressed her palm down to the floor letting the highly reactive Dust explode.
The Courier covered Ruby with his own body as he jumped back into cover to avoid most of the explosion. Ears ringing from the blast the Courier opened one eye and took a look at the mess. Their prey was gone.
"Shit."
/
"What exactly happened in there!?" Ironwood demanded of the Courier who was sitting next to a rather contrite Ruby. The General looked furious but his anger had practically no effect on the Courier whatsoever.
"Simple really," The Courier answered as he wiped a smudge of ash off of his face. "There was someone doing something in the CCT. We chased her off."
"'We' meaning you took an underage and inexperienced Beacon student into a combat situation?" Glynda snapped.
To their credit the professor and the general did not flinch when the Courier turned his cold glare on the both of them. "I will vouch for Ruby personally as an agent of the SDC. She did good considering the skill of our opponent."
Ruby gaped at the Courier as he continued. "Furthermore it also surprises me that a teenager lasted longer than the heavily armed and well trained soldiers of the Atlesian Military." His remark made Ironwood narrow his eyes. The Courier stared right back at the general. "Then again, from what I have seen that woman, whoever she was, had something planned."
"She was using Dust infused clothes." Ruby piped up.
"What miss Rose?" Glynda asked.
"She was using Dust infused clothes. I think I've seen her before." Ruby said louder.
"Go on Miss Rose." Ozpin told her.
"It was when I first met Professor Goodwitch when we fought Roman Torchwick." She elaborated. "There was a woman there who fought with Dust infused clothes. I think Mister Courier and I fought the same person."
Ozpin and General Ironwood looked at each other.
/
"She could be right." The Courier remarked looking at the map of Vale. His helmet was next to his left hand, its red optics glaring at everything in the room.
"Regardless, we can't just act just because Miss Rose's suspect and our current one may be the same." Ozpin countered.
"That's not the point Ozpin." Ironwood argued. "What matters is that someone broke into your network and is planning something big, we should take action now!"
"With what? A full scale military operation!" Glynda snapped "You are always like this James so eager to brandish your guns. You treat every situation like a contest for measuring di-"
"Glynda!" Ozpin looked at her sternly as the Courier silently attempted to keep the smile off of his face.
He failed spectacularly.
"In any case," Ironwood spoke up exhaling. "Someone did manage to get into the network. I'll have someone look into it and in the mean time I advise you Ozpin to do something."
"I am." Ozpin said. "You have to trust me James."
"The General has a point." The Courier spoke up. "As it turns out General Ironwood I now have a vested interest in keeping you alive seeing as some of your contacts in the SDC have asked me to keep an eye out."
"Whatever for?" Ironwood looked a bit perturbed.
"A few hours ago your contacts gave me some information that could prove seriously disconcerting indeed. Several shipments of Atlesian Paladins have gone missing. Obviously, the White Fang have been blamed for the theft." The Courier announced. "That and one of them said he was going to kill you with one."
"Damn," Ironwood swore. "Alright, I will make sure my men are on high alert."
"You probably should, that much fire could take out the school." The Courier pointed out.
/
The next morning
"So...you went out there in a dress and you swept Pyrrha off her feet." Royce said crossing his arms and looking at Jaune who scratched his head. "Man, you're braver than I am."
"Yeah...but I managed to fix things." Jaune remarked. "And...well, Pyrrha and I are closer now."
Royce just chuckled. "Nice."
"That and uh...I wanted to ask something by the way." Jaune fished out his Scroll and showed Royce a picture. "You guys finally got serious huh?"
Royce choked as he saw the picture of Weiss leaning on his shoulder during the dance. "What!?" He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Oh shit...Yang...Weiss."
/
Weiss Schnee was normally a calm and certainly graceful individual. But with girls glaring at her every step of the way and guys looking forlorn as she passed by, her irritation was easily seen on her face.
As she stomped towards the dorm she slammed the door open surprising Blake who was reading a book and Royce who was making adjustments to his Combat Shotgun.
Yang however was grinning as she looked at her teammate.
"Royce." Weiss said. Her tone was cold.
Royce let out a small fearful exhale as he looked at her. "Yes?"
"We are still going to target practice aren't we?"
"Uh..." Royce looked back at his combat shotgun then back at his girlfriend. "Yeah! Of course."
"Good." Weiss sat down. "Now...about that picture Yang. Why is it still circulating?"
"Just a little fun! Besides the only people who've seen it anyway are Jaune and the others!" Yang told her.
"Yang, I told you that night to keep it on the down low." Weiss seethed.
"It's okay." Royce spoke up. "Just...don't make such a scene out of it alright Yang? I'd rather not get stampeded by a horde of angry, jealous rich people."
"Royce when you get mad people tend to run away screaming." Blake pointed out. "Remember that one time Yang and Ruby decided to nab your Plasma Pistol and they nearly burned off your hair?"
Yang and Ruby shuddered as Weiss looked at Royce with a raised eye brow.
"That..." Royce sounded irritated as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Yeah, that was bad all around."
/
As the Ursa shaped target's head exploded for the umpteenth time Weiss lowered the Xuanlong with a smug smile on her face.
"Nice shot." Royce said as Weiss hit the magazine release and handed the weapon back to her boyfriend. She was still getting used to calling him that but every time she thought about it she felt butterflies in her stomach.
She was not going to admit that to anyone but him of course.
"Thank you." Weiss spoke politely. "Is this really all you do? Hit the gym or target practice?"
"One keeps me in shape." Royce shrugged. "I don't like letting my skills just fade away." He smiled. "Is there anything else you wanted to do?"
Weiss hardly noticed that he had held her hand. She beamed at that. "Well, I was thinking about going out to the city this weekend if that's okay with you..."
"Of course it is. There was that exhibit you mentioned." Royce said. "The one about guns..."
"You are just like Ruby." Weiss shook her head.
"Hey come on, it's also historical." Royce looked at her with mock hurt. "There's a lot of stuff on the Great War that Oobleck mentioned."
Weiss chuckled. "Sure Royce."
"You really think I'm going there for the firearms?" Royce deadpanned.
"Well...no." Weiss said. "But it does seem like it."
Royce gave a look of mock offense that set Weiss giggling.
/
"I hear you're planning on going on a date with the big guy." Yang said with a grin as Weiss rolled her eyes.
"And why are you interested all of a sudden Yang?" Weiss asked.
"Oh nothing," Yang answered. "Just curious."
"Curious..." Weiss said. "You mean you're going to find some way to irritate me and embarrass him?"
Yang was about to reply when they heard Royce's voice.
"I stole nothing from nobody." Royce said, his voice was calm but there was that little bit of menace to it.
"Then why the hell would she go out with you huh?"
Weiss and Yang turned the corner to see Royce arguing with a second year. It was kind of comical since Royce was a head taller, not to mention bigger, than the scrawny punk who was yelling up at his face.
Weiss had seen him before but she honestly could not put a name to the face. He was scrawny, very thin with black hair and brown eyes. He looked ordinary. He was wearing Beacon's uniform.
"Look, I'm not going to apologize." Royce spoke irritably. "But saying that you own her is probably going to get you in trouble. Have a good day." He noticed Yang and Weiss.
The trio walked to the cafeteria.
"What was that about?" Yang asked Royce who just sighed.
"Some guy and his buddies are rather upset that I asked Weiss out." Royce answered. "I'm going to pin him and the rest of his guys up as jealous suitors."
"I've...honestly never met him." Weiss said looking a bit concerned. "Did he say his name?"
"Tai...Tau...Taupe something." Royce shrugged.
"He looked kinda pissed Royce." Yang warned him.
"Let him get angry." Royce said. "I really don't care."
/
Lunch was a rather normal affair. Nora was...well, she was always talking about her random dreams and Ren would always end up correcting her. Royce, as he was sitting in front of Jaune, actually learned that Pyrrha liked to read comic books. Yang was listening to Nora with rapt attention with Ruby asking her elder sister questions regarding Nora's dreams. It involved pancakes, an auto cannon and several Ursa Majors. Royce made the very wise decision not to ask.
Especially since he saw Ren pinch the bridge of his nose.
Yes it was a rather normal day. Apart from Royce's "new friend" staring at him with complete disgust.
"Taupe...Taupe..." Weiss muttered. "Oh wow...really? Taupe Dark?"
"You know him?" Royce asked.
"He tried to...coerce me into going into the dance with him. He was quite lucky that I did not run him through with Myrtenaster." Weiss said. She looked...angry. "And he says that you're not good enough for me? I ought to-"
She stopped when she felt Royce lace his fingers with hers. He squeezed her hand tightly under the table. "It's fine..." He said.
Weiss calmed down immediately. "I-If you say so..."
"He won't do anything." Royce murmured. He looked over Jaune's shoulder.
On the opposite table, Taupe Dark scowled at Royce Walker.
/
Things came to a head at class.
Professor Goodwitch was irritated. And when Glynda Goodwitch was irritated people tended to keep away from her. Today was not her day however as one of her students, Taupe Dark, had challenged Royce to a sparring match. The other student had refused but Taupe kept pressing.
"Enough Mister Dark!" Goodwitch snapped. "Royce Walker has refused your challenge. Take another step and consequences will be dire."
"That's right ya pussy!" Taupe was either brave or foolish to ignore Goodwitch like that. "A bum like you doesn't deserve a girl like Weiss!"
Royce stopped walking back to his team. The air seemed to chill.
"All right then," Royce said quietly. "I accept your challenge."
Taupe hesitated but his cocky demeanor came back as he stepped back to his corner.
Weiss stood up and walked down to Royce who unsheathed his knife. She was more surprised when he handed her his trench knife and his Power Fist.
"What...You're going to take him on bare handed!" Weiss exclaimed.
Royce cracked his knuckles. "Yes. I am." He answered calmly.
"Mister Walker, I would advise...oh forget it." Glynda raised her hand. "Are the fighters ready?"
Royce and Taupe nodded at her.
"Begin!"
/
Taupe went straight on with a war cry as he drew his Gladius, Preciuse. Much like his father before him Taupe fought with the relentless fervor of an assault trooper. His strikes were uncompromising. Vicious. Predictable.
Royce patiently bobbed and weaved out of the way. Unlike Taupe he had no knowledge of swordplay. What he did have was training with fighting unarmed. While he was a good brawler there was always someone better. That person was Coco, who belonged to Team CFVY. She knew Velvet Scarlatina whom Royce had helped out in the first semester.
The Lone Wanderer caught Taupe's sword arm and closed in. With his off-hand Royce punched the second year boy in the side, holding back slightly because nobody wanted a broken rib. But the sound of flesh striking flesh was a familiar sound and the crowd winced in sympathy as Royce kept punching the kid in the side.
Taupe coughed as he felt his side get pummeled with the force of a sledgehammer. He caught Royce's fist but the Wanderer pulled to the left, spinning and tossed Taupe aside. To his credit Taupe was fast to get back on his feet, rolling onto his heels into a swordsman's fighting stance.
The Lone Wanderer charged him like a freight train. Taupe pushed forward but Royce was ready for his low swing. Royce jumped over the boy's low swing and slipped past him. Taupe turned, far too late to see that Royce had reared back and his other hand clenched into a fist.
The uppercut slammed into Taupe's chin and the boy spun around once before hitting the floor with a loud thud. He was knocked out.
"The winner is Royce Walker." Glynda said as she looked down at a spread eagle and very unconscious Taupe Dark.
Royce walked up to Weiss and gave her a small smile. She just gaped at him.
"Wow," Blake commented as they left the locker room after changing. "So you weren't taking pointers from Coco for nothing."
"Considering that she beat my ass from Vale to Atlas in the first semester...Yeah." Royce scratched his head. "Shit, she scares me. Figured I should ask for some help."
Coco was Velvet's teammate from CFVY. She was a second year so she had a lot of experience compared t them. Yang shuddered. She was also strong, confident and more than ready to beat someone's head in. Yang had only went up against her once. It was not an experience she'd like to repeat.
"In any case Ruby, I saw you talking with the Courier a few hours ago. I thought Yang said not to?" Weiss asked, now totally regretting it as Yang's eyes burned red slightly.
"W-Well, I was just making friendly conversation." Ruby was looking extremely nervous. "Just...talking about the weather." She remembered what happened in the office that night.
"While I am vouching for you personally Miss Ruby." The Courier told her. "The Headmaster has asked you not to speak about tonight's events. You did good out there kid."
Ruby watched the man leave the office.
"I must say that I am quite surprised." Ozpin said. "Considering his...reputation, he didn't seem interested in any students here at Beacon."
"I don't care." Goodwitch commented. "If he has something planned for Miss Rose then I will put a stop to it whether he likes it or not."
"Um Professor? What just happened?" Ruby asked Ozpin.
"What happened Ruby was that you have impressed a dangerous man." Ozpin said calmly. "Calm, polite but nonetheless dangerous. Still, I hope he meant well."
"I thought I told you to stay away from that..." Yang growled. "Where is he? I'm going to go wring his neck!"
Before Blake could intervene Ruby spoke up. "Sis. Look I can't really talk about it outside. Can we go back to our room?"
Yang sighed. "Alright," She then snapped her fingers suddenly. "Oh I almost forgot! I have to check the mail today!"
"Is it another catalog for Romance novels I wonder." Royce commented. "I hear that the third volume of Ninjas of Love was in circulation."
Weiss giggled as Blake tried to kick him in the shins.
/
Royce shook his head. "You guys took someone on at the CCT?"
"I...Well, yeah. But she got away." Ruby looked down. "I could have done better."
"Don't be so down Ruby!" Yang said as she held up a cylinder shaped package. "I've got something from home!"
"What!?" Ruby squealed grabbing at the package. "Oh my gosh! Dad sent us some goodies!?"
Yang lifted her arm out of reach laughing as she shook the cylinder once. With an absurd popping noise something fell out of it.
It was a dog, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. The reactions depended on the person entirely. Yang and Ruby were ecstatic, familiar with the dog. Weiss had a confused look on her face. Blake had jumped up to a bunk and peered down at the dog as she tried to control herself from acting on her instincts.
Royce blinked then he smiled. "Puppy!" he exclaimed.
"Zwei!" Ruby picked up the dog and began scratching it behind the ears.
"...Please keep it away from my belongings." Blake said as she stayed up on the bunk.
"Your dad just sent him through the mail?" Weiss asked as she looked at the cylinder, wondering how on Remnant could someone stuff a dog in there.
"He does this all the time." Yang said as she looked over the note her father sent along with Zwei.
Yang,
I'm going to be leaving the island for a little while and so I've sent Zwei over to you so you can look after him. You don't need to worry about feeding him as I have also sent food over.
Love,
Taiyang
Yang shook the cylinder again and a multitude of canned food fell out of it, including a can opener. Royce shook his head. "Is that..."
"Zwei's a smart boy." Ruby cooed. "He can use a can opener."
"I'm...wow, that's actually pretty convenient." Royce said as watching Zwei bark up at Blake. He bent down to scratch the little fella behind the ears.
The intercom squealed briefly with static before Professor Goodwitch announced "Will all first year students please report to the Amphitheater at once please."
"Wonder what that's about?" Yang wondered.
"Sounds important, right shall we get going?" Royce said as he looked down at Zwei whose tongue was lolling out. He gave the pup a scratch under his chin.
"You must really like dogs huh?" Weiss asked.
"Yeah, I miss Dogmeat." Royce answered.
"...Your dog's name was Dogmeat?" Blake asked from her perch.
"Hey it wasn't my idea to name him that so don't ask me." Royce said. "It was on his collar." He did not mention the fact that he missed Dogmeat. Idly, he thought about his four legged friend and hoped that he was doing okay back in Megaton.
/
"Well that puts a damper on things." Royce said as Ozpin finished his speech. He looked glum about being on call. "I was planning on taking Weiss out to the museum this weekend."
"Don't worry, I'm sure there'll be time." Weiss assured Royce patting his arm then glared at Yang. "If a certain someone wasn't planning on making a spectacle of our date."
"Oh fine Ice Princess, me and Ruby won't follow ya around on your little face to face." Yang answered then sniggered. "And I promise I won't record you two sucking face at some park somewhere."
At that Royce looked down and scratched his head while Weiss took on the complexion of a tomato.
"Can we stay on target please?" Blake asked. "We are taking that scouting mission right?"
"Yeah," Ruby said as she pulled up the assignment on screen. "Okay, now I just need to-"
ACCESS DENIED. FIRST YEARS ARE PROHIBITED FROM THIS ASSIGNMENT.
"Crap!" Ruby exclaimed.
"Huh." Royce crossed his arms.
"Oh, hello there Miss Rose."
Ruby nearly jumped out of her skin as Ozpin appeared from behind the screen. "Ah I see that you tried to tackle that assignment. Such a shame really, but it is quite dangerous." He took out his scroll and tapped a few things. All of a sudden Team RWBY's picture appeared onscreen alongside the word "ASSIGNED".
"However," Ozpin continued. "Seeing that you have one extra member I suppose it should be just enough to...convince your assigned Hunter that you will all be capable."
Ruby grinned up at the Headmaster.
/
Royce decided on assessing his current load out. Laid out before him was his current weaponry.
His Xuanlong and Combat Shotgun laid together on the floor. Alongside that was the Blackhawk, his MPLX Novasurge Plasma Pistol and his Trench Knife. A set of fragmentation and Pulse grenades were lined up in a row. Ammo and stimpaks were in a pile. Fisto was strapped to his arm.
The Wanderer picked out three frags and three pulse. He then decided to take his shotgun alongside his Blackhawk and hoped he had made the right decision.
"Royce?" Weiss poked her head in the locker room and blanched as Royce slung his shotgun over his shoulder. He was putting the rest of his arms away.
"Yeah." Royce said. "I'm ready."
Weiss nodded. "Alright, let's go."
As the pair left the locker room they headed towards the landing pads where the pilots were waiting in their vehicles to transport their teams to their destinations.
"Hey," Weiss pointed at Ruby who was talking to Velvet. "CFVY's back."
"They've been a while."
/
"...Always follow your assigned Huntsman. Do that and keep your head on straight, you'll do just fine."
Velvet smiled as Weiss and Royce jogged over. "Hey you guys."
"What happened?" Weiss asked. "You guys took so long..."
Velvet Scarlatina just sighed. "There was just so many of them. Don't worry Yatsuhashi had my back." She answered looking tired. Coco walked over to them. She looked at Royce evenly behind her shades and smirked.
"Nice to see that you're finally heading out big guy." Coco said, tipping her shades down so she could look him in the eye. While she sounded confident, she seemed tired.
Royce just nodded. "You guys get some rest. We'll see you when we get back."
"You take care of yourself, I'm pretty sure your girlfriend would be upset if ya went down early in the game. Come on Vel, I need to sleep." Coco remarked.
Velvet smiled. "Good luck all of you."
As they both went back to the academy Royce and Weiss looked at Yang who grinned.
"What?"
"Forget it." Weiss seethed. "Ugh...So who's our assigned Huntsman?"
/
"...You're shitting me." Yang muttered under her breath.
Weiss and Ruby were speechless. Blake just sighed. Royce just gave a good natured, if strained, grin.
"Alright students!" Professor Bartholomew Oobleck enthusiastically made a gesture. "Who's ready to fight for their lives!?"
(EDITED)
Due to Monty Oum's untimely death there might be some changes in the later arcs. Unfortunately that's going to take some time.
Either way I appreciate the support and the reviews. I apologize for the wait.