Ruby Rose stood patiently in the elevator as it carried her to the highest point in Beacon Academy: Professor Ozpin's office at the top of Beacon Tower. She had been anticipating this meeting for the better part of the week. Being the rather important figure he was, Ozpin was a very busy man, leaving little time in his schedule for him. But a few days prior, Ruby had put in a request with Glynda to speak with him, and, happily, she put Ruby down for this very afternoon. This was it. This would be the day she had been waiting for for so long.

This would be the day the truth finally came out.

As if waiting for that cue, the elevator doors slowly opened to reveal Ozpin's office. The scenic windows. The glass floor, revealing cogs in the tower's clock. And there, sitting at his desk… The man himself.

Ruby cleared her throat. "Professor Ozpin?"

Ozpin looked up from his personal computer. "Ah, Ruby. You wished to talk to me?"

Ruby began to walk toward his desk. "Yes, sir, I… I did."

"Come then, have a seat." Ruby saw a chair on the other side of his desk, and sat down as Ozpin put aside his mug. "Now then, what did you want to see me about? Is there… anything troubling you? Anyone?"

"No, it's not that. Not at all." She shifted a little in her seat. "Actually, Headmaster… I wanted to thank you."

The professor tilted his head slightly. "Thank me? Whatever for?"

"Well… Everything, really."

Ozpin leaned forward, elbows on his desk, in anticipation of her explanation.

"When I first came here, I felt like, except for my sister and maybe Jaune, nobody was really on my side. Blake barely talked to me, Weiss straight hated me, and everyone else just kind of… Faded off into the background. But then, after that initiation… You just made me leader of my own team. I don't know what potential you saw in me, but it was apparently enough for that.

"Then the next day, when Weiss and I had that little… feud, and I was having serious doubts about my new role, you gave me the encouragement I needed to prove myself to everyone, even me."

By this point, she had gone to a standing position. "Heck, you were the one who allowed me into Beacon two years ahead. I've spent my life trying to live up to my mother… And I only got this far already thanks to you."

Ozpin was silent for a moment longer, before he again spoke. "I greatly appreciate your gratitude, Ruby." He stood up as well. "But none of it was a favor to you, make no mistake."

"Wh-What do you mean?"

As Ozpin spoke, he began to slowly circle his desk. "Everything I've done to help you, you earned on your merits. My permission did not let you enter Beacon early, your efforts to stop the Dust robbery did. You asked what you did to earn that leadership role? When the Nevermore attacked the ruins, you kept a level head and utilized the abilities of your newfound teammates, as well as your own to bring it down." He at last stopped in front of his student. "You got this far already thanks to you. So take pride. Take heart. But most importantly… Take credit."

Ruby's face lit up at his words. "Well… Now I have one more thing to thank you for." She put a hand on his shoulder. "And since I guess words won't cut it anymore…"

"Ruby, what-"

It's a basic fact in life that humans do not have an "Off" button. They do, however, have a "Mute." Which is, coincidentally, exactly where the speaker is located.

It seemed like a pleasant eternity before Ruby broke away. "Thank you, Ozpin," she almost sighed. "For everything and more." And with that, she walked back into the elevator, and the doors closed behind her.

Once she had left, the headmaster walked back around his desk, sat back in his chair, and again reached for his mug for a sip of coffee. He had a lot to think about.

Author's Note: And another one down! We are on a roll!

Now, about that announcement: I'm officially putting forward a sort of original character "casting call," right here and now. Here's how it works: Just PM me the name of one of your original characters, along with a concise bio. If I like what I see, they'll be taken to a random selection, the winner of which will guest-star in an upcoming chapter. Luck to all, and look forward to Chapter Five, starring the sun dragon herself, Yang Xiao Long!

Hoo boy.