Chapter 36: Gotta Knock A Little Harder
Reader, it' your doctor, The Draigg. Now, I've called you to tell you something very important: you have to keep on reading this story. Every minute that you don't your lifespan will decrease. Now, take a few doses of RWBY, made by Monty Oum, and some other supplements that I didn't make. Call me back when you see some improvements. I'm sure your insurance will cover the treatments.
Mr. Brass certainly wasn't what Team RWBY expected as an inspector for the Schnee family. Weiss expect the calculating master that was Mr. Silva. Team RBY was expecting someone who would remind them of Penny, but not in a good way. But, as they walked on the way over to the library, they realized that Mr. Brass was pretty much a lower level employee who was a replacement for his boss.
In the meantime, Mr. Brass kept on asking questions and taking notes on his scroll.
"If given the opportunity, could you see your teammates working for the Schnee Dust Company and affiliated industries?", Mr. Brass asked. The question sounded incredibly stilted, as if he was forced to ask it (which he was).
"I do not believe so. Each of my teammates are rather firm on their career choices.", Weiss answered back.
Blake, knowing about the oppression that the company forced on her race, would never work for the Schnee Dust Company. Judging on how Yang kept on adjusting her blouse, she would never fit into an office space. That, and she would probably destroy a lot of office equipment on her first day. Ruby was the romantic type, so she would never imagine herself working in an office, either. She loved the outdoors too much to fall into the trap of a desk job.
Mr. Brass bit his cheek as he typed in Weiss' answer. His bosses wouldn't be glad to hear that. The Schnee Dust Company (and it's affiliates) was always on the hunt for fresh, young talent. Nowadays, the popular image of them was a bunch of crusty old men sitting on thrones of solid gold. So, it was more of a PR thing than actual talent they were hiring for. But, some of the skills that students learned at Beacon would certainly be a bonus, too.
So, if they didn't improve their image soon, then the company would have to go with the 'open a theme-park' option. That would be absurdly expensive. But, that was the only option the board of directors had left.
"And… we're here!", Yang announced as they neared the library doors.
The inspection group walked through the large, ornate doors of the library. Beacon had spent a lot of money on those doors, so they damn well knew where they wanted to put them. Of course, they weren't convenient in any way, shape, or form. They were extremely heavy, since they were made out of rare, guided wood. It was no wonder that students used the side entrances when they needed to study there.
It was a good thing that Yang had enough strength to open the doors. It would have been a little rougher for anyone else.
Walking between the rows and rows of leather bound books, Mr. Brass couldn't help but admire them somewhat.
"I can see why this academy gets so much acclaim. You certainly have some quality knowledge here.", he said to nobody in particular.
Blake smiled a little at his comment. It was nice to have someone around who really appreciated a good book. This inspector wasn't all too bad, after all.
Making his way over to the main desk, Mr. Brass leaned on the librarian's desk. He flashed his Schnee Dust Company employee badge and said:
"Hello, I'm here on behalf of the Schnee family. May I get a printout of Weiss Schnee's grade records, please?". He flashed a toothy grin at the end of his sentence.
With a small nod, the librarian printed out a sheet of Weiss' grades and handed it to Mr. Brass. Taking it, Mr. Brass smiled again and walked over to Team RWBY, who was waiting nearby.
"Come, let's take a seat.", Mr. Brass said to the group, moving his hand over to nearby study table.
Team RWBY sat with him, a little anxious to hear what he had to say. Scanning over the grades, Mr. Brass analyzed what they meant.
Eventually, after a minute or so of silence, Mr. Brass finally spoke up.
"Well, what I CAN say is that the grades for your classes are perfectly fine. Exceptional, in fact. However, what I'm a little concerned about is this team grade here. I mean, it's a passing grade, but I know you can do better.", was Mr. Brass' conclusion.
Weiss resisted the urge to smack her forehead. Of course it was her team grade. Those missing credits have been haunting her for the past month or so. And, what else would it be? It kick started this whole 'adventure' so far.
It was at this point that Ruby decided to inject her own opinion.
"Mr. Brass, sir, I feel that as team leader, it's my fault that Weiss' team grade has been slipping.", Ruby said in Weiss' defense. It was an unnecessary gesture, but Weiss appreciated it all the same.
"Well, I wouldn't put the blame just on you, Ms. Rose. It's a collective team effort to get up that grade.", Mr. Brass mentioned.
"Is there anything we can do?", Weiss asked. It was ironic that she asked that, considering all the work she went through for the musical. That was a slim shot, even if it could actually get them credits.
Mr. Brass looked back at the sheet, seeing the classes on the list. "Well, I don't see any major class here that could give a group grade. But, if you do some extra credit work through a department, that could get you some credits.", he explained.
Team RWBY already knew that well enough. Maybe next time, they should go to a teacher or department head instead. Apparently, club presidents couldn't promise some team credits.
"Is there any staff you know that you can work for? As a team, I mean.", Mr. Brass asked the group.
"Well, I'm in contact with the landscaping and grounds keeping department.", Weiss replied.
"Great. If you do something for him, maybe then you could snag a team credit or two.", Mr. Brass said.
Weiss didn't know why she didn't think of that before. Maybe she was just too busy helping Ruby's dream to focus on her grades.
"I-Is there anything else?", Ruby asked. As team leader, she only wanted the best for her team. Well, the fact that Weiss was her girlfriend certainly swayed her disposition as well.
"Looking at this sheet, I don't see anything else.", Mr. Brass said.
"What if we… put on some kind of show? Like… starting now?", Ruby asked, hoping to kill two Rocs with one… rock.
Mr. Brass raised an eyebrow at Ruby's suggestion.
"I don't see in any way that could help. Clubs offer credits for members only. Plus, I'm not sure Ms. Schnee's parents would appreciate their daughter out in public like that without their permission.", Mr. Brass explained, leaning forward onto the table.
Ruby looked disappointed at Mr. Brass' statement. Weiss lightly kicked her leg under the table. She had gotten too close to revealing what Weiss was doing here. She nearly blew the whole charade!
"Thanks, for your opinion, Mr. Brass.", Weiss said, keeping up her mask of formality.
"Now, is there anything else you'd like to ask me while we're here?", offered Mr. Brass.
Weiss froze in thought. Was there anything else at all? She didn't really want to ask about her family. If she wanted to her them pressure her to be better, she would have called them by now. But, maybe this was a good time hear their collective opinion while not dying inside a little more.
"Mr. Brass… What… What do my parents think about me attending Beacon?", Weiss asked, trying not to sound too shaky.
Mr. Brass scratched his stubbly chin in thought.
"Well… I know, from what I heard is that your parents aren't exactly glad about you not directly training to be the heir to the company.", he recalled.
Weiss slumped in her chair a little. When she decided to leave for Beacon Academy, her parents tried their hardest to get her to stay. They even tried using her sister, Winter, to convince her to stay. Why did Weiss think that her parents would change their mind in the meantime?
Mr. Brass saw Weiss, eyes dim a little. He figured that being the heiress to a multi-million lien company could be taxing on someone, let alone a teenager. So, he decided to give his opinion.
"But, as for ME, I don't see any problem with this academy. Heck, when my daughter grows up, I would want her to go here. She would learn a lot more than what I could teach her. I got to tell you, if you stay on this path, I feel that you wouldn't regret it.", he said. He hoped that his opinion would help the girl a little.
Weiss picked up a little at Mr. Brass' encouraging words. Finally, there was someone with a heart in her family's company. At least this guy understood what this school had to offer. It could offer a chance at a new life, a fresh start on anything and everything.
"Thank you Mr. Brass…", Weiss said, smiling. It was a genuine smile, not some false attempt at happiness like it usually was.
"No problem, Ms. Schnee.", Mr. Brass said, flashing his toothy grin.
Velvet was ready to play that recording by now. The waiting line had thinned by now, so the ad for the music show was nearly at hand. There was nobody else waiting in the chairs, so all she needed was to be called up by the secretary at the front desk.
"Scarlatina. Velvet Scarlatina, please come up.", the secretary droned out.
Speak of the devil!
Velvet hopped out of her chair. It was the one of the few times her rabbit Faunus heritage showed itself (well, other than her ears).
Strutting over to the desk, Velvet started to talk to the secretary.
"Excuse me, but how do I make an announcement? It's an ad for my music show.", Velvet asked.
The secretary clearly looked like she didn't want to deal with such a small matter. "Just use the microphone here. Click this button once to project, click it again to stop", she instructed. Then, the secretary turned back to her computer, continuing her work.
Velvet didn't hear the disinterest in the secretary's voice. Instead, she grabbed the microphone to pull it towards herself.
Taking a deep breath, Velvet settled her anxiety and cheer. This was the big moment! She switched on the microphone, ready to announce the existence of the music show all over Beacon Academy.
Because of all the time it took to walk from place to place, it was nearly the afternoon when Team RWBY escorted Mr. Brass back to the air dock. They were currently waiting for the next shuttle to arrive to take Mr. Brass to Vale proper.
"Thank you for gracing us with your visit.", Weiss thanked, still sounding overly formal.
"Please, the pleasure's all mine. Just be sure to give my office a call if you need any more advice, okay?", Mr. Brass said. He took a card out of his tan business jacket and handed it to Weiss. Weiss took it without hesitation. At least she now knew that someone in the company who was a friend.
"Yes, thanks fo—", Ruby's thanks was cut off when the speakers on the dock crackled to life.
"Attention, student body and staff!", Velvet's voice came over the speakers. Team RWBY collectively paled, and Mr. Brass looked at the speakers, curious at the announcement.
"As you may be aware, a music show is going to be held next Saturday! We would like to give you a special taste of what to expect!", continued Velvet's advertisement.
Then, to Mr. Brass' confusion and Team RWBY's horror, Weiss' singing wafted out if the speakers.
"Happiness is just a word to me /And it might have meant a thing or two
If I'd known the difference"
"Emptiness, a lonely parody /And my life, another smokin' gun
A sign of my indifference"
"Always keepin' safe inside /Where no one ever had a chance
To penetrate a break in"
"Let me tell you some have tried /But I would slam the door so tight
That they could never get in"
Mr. Brass looked over at the petrified Weiss. She was a part of a music show? Just like that Rose girl suggested they do?
"Kept my cool under lock and key /And I never shed a tear
Another sign of my condition"
"Fear of love or bitter vanity /That kept me on the run
The main events at my confession"
"I kept a chain upon my door /That would shake the shame of Cain
Into a blind submission"
"The burning ghost without a name
Was calling all the same /But I wouldn't listen"
"The longer I'd stall /The further I'd crawl
The further I'd crawl /The harder I'd fall
I was crawlin' into the fire"
"The more that I saw /The further I'd fall
The further I'd fall /The lower I'd crawl
I kept fallin' into the fire /Into the fire
Into the fire"
"Suddenly it occurred to me /The reason for the run and hide
Had totaled my existence"
"Everything left on the other side /Could never be much worse that this
But could I go the distance?"
"I faced the door and all my shame /Tearin' off each piece of chain
Until they all were broken"
"But no matter how I tried /The other side was locked so tight
That door, it wouldn't open"
"Gave it all that I got /And started to knock
Shouted for someone /To open the lock
I just gotta get through the door"
"And the more that I knocked /The hotter I got
The hotter I got /The harder I'd knock
I just gotta break through the door "
"Gotta knock a little harder /Gotta knock a little harder
Gotta knock a little harder /Break through the door"
When the song finished, Velvet's voice came back over the speaker system. The group waiting at the air dock focused on what the girl on the other end was saying.
"And that's not all! But, you have to see the show to get the rest! Remember, a night to remember is next Saturday evening! Be there, or be square!", closed out Velvet.
Mr. Brass turned his attention back to Team RWBY. Weiss' eyes were as big as tea saucers and her mouth was agape. Blake was covering her mouth, Yang was face palming, and Ruby's hands were completely covering her face. They were completely frozen in place.
"So… a music show, huh?", Mr. Brass asked rhetorically. Weiss' mouth was having a hard time forming words.
Everything was going so well, but then Velvet just HAD to mess it all up. Of course that had to happen. The universe never gave Team RWBY a break at all. Now, their secrets might be all revealed. They would take away the show, take away her friends, take away Ruby… Weiss didn't dare think any more of it.
Eventually, Weiss' mouth managed to form words.
"M-m-mister B-brass… I can as-sure you-u, I d-didn't know that would h-happen.", Weiss managed to squeak out. Her strength and confidence were starting to fail her. Weiss tried to suppress her hyperventilation. She couldn't break down here, not in front of Mr. Brass.
"No wonder you mentioned it…", Mr. Brass mumbled, looking at Ruby. Ruby didn't meet his gaze, since her face was still covered by her hands.
"P-please… don't tell my p-parents!", Weiss cried out between gasps for air. Panic filled her chest. She was ready to do anything if it meant keeping her secrets.
Mr. Brass absentmindedly kicked at a pebble as he thought. Given the way the Schnee girl was reacting, this was something that meant a lot to her. He couldn't help but pity her a little. It seemed to him that she had little control over her life, if she was acting this badly at the thought of her singing getting out.
However, it was his job to report what happened to Ms. Schnee at Beacon Academy. That included academics and her standard of living. Then, Mr. Brass thought of a way to get around that issue. He wasn't a monster. He could let one small thing slip by.
"Well, it IS my job to report on what you do here…", Mr. Brass started to explain. Weiss looked like she was about to get on her knees. Ruby, now looking around, tried to keep Weiss standing. She needed to protect her dignity.
"But… a music show isn't really an academic field. And it doesn't really affect the way you live. So… I didn't hear anything important.", concluded Mr. Brass.
That got him some shocked looks from Team RWBY. Ruby then nearly knocked over Mr. Brass as she grabbed him in a tight hug.
"Whoa, whoa, there!", Mr. Brass exclaimed. He tried to push Ruby off of him. Ruby got the idea and let go.
"Wow! Thanks! Thanks a lot!", Ruby exclaimed. It was nearly unbelievable! He was willing to let Weiss do her own thing!
"No problem, Ms. Rose.", he replied to Ruby's thanks.
"But… why?", Weiss asked in disbelief.
"Heh. Well… call it a case of good will.", Mr. Brass said as he turned to look over the end of the dock.
"You know, I get why you want to stay here. It's a nice school. Real nice. Who am I to deny you a good chance at going here?", Mr. Brass explained, looking at the natural scenery past the docks.
"Maybe someday my little girl can do the same thing.", he concluded, looking back at Team RWBY.
Before the team could say anything, they saw an airship approaching in the distance. Mr. Brass turned around and saw it as well.
"Well, that's my ride. Ms. Schnee, Ms. Rose, Ms. Xiao Long, Ms. Belladonna.", he said as he took each of their hands and shook them.
"I think it's time to say goodbye. And, uh, Ms. Schnee? Don't forget to call.", he said, winking at Team RWBY.
"Thanks", Ruby cheered.
"Thank you.", Weiss thanked, still a little shocked.
"Groovy, man!", Yang exclaimed.
"We appreciate everything!", Blake called out.
The airship pulled up and extended it's retractable walkway. Walking on board, Mr. Brass gave a small salute before he disappeared further into the ship. Team RWBY all waved back at him.
Mr. Victor Brass was a nice man. It was kind of sad to see him go, even if he was only here for the day. Team RWBY thought for sure that he felt the same way about them as well. After all, he wanted his daughter to go to Beacon as well.
As the airship pulled away from the dock, Team RWBY watched it leave. Overall, this experience turned out well, all things considered. It was that empathy Mr. Brass felt that allowed Weiss to continue her own life here. It was freeing, in a way.
The ship disappeared over the horizon. Team RWBY turned to each other, wondering what to do next.
"So… that was a thing.", Yang said. That certainly summed up what happened today. "Think I can take off these clothes now?", she then asked, tugging at the collar of her blouse again.
"Keep them on.", Blake immediately ordered, smoothing over her sports coat. She was going to milk the hell out of the way they dressed, damn it!
Yang sighed at Blake's order. She was probably trying out some new weird office worker fetish now. It was tough to be Blake's girlfriend when most of the time she wanted to try out something she read in a poorly written erotica book. They really should go on dates more often.
An uncomfortable silence fell over Team RWBY again. However, this time it was because they didn't know how to transition from that odd conversation.
"Well… we should probably tell the others how the visit went.", Ruby suggested. Knowing their friends, they were just as concerned as Team RWBY.
"We should really talk to Velvet about her timing.", Blake then interjected.
"Definitely.:, Yang said. If it wasn't for the fact that Mr. Brass showed Weiss kindness, she would be as screwed as what Blake did to Yang roughly every weekend.
"Y-you guys?", Weiss said a little choked up. Tears clung to the corners of her eyes.
"T-thank you. Thank you for helping me, and being there for me, and… just… thank you.", she choked out quickly. Weiss' heart thumped faster as Ruby walked right up to her.
Weiss' tears started to flow a little as Ruby pulled her into a warm hug. Rubbing Weiss' hair, Ruby said, "I wouldn't dream of not helping you.".
"Yeah, it's the least I can do for you two lovebirds.", Yang said, accepting Weiss' thanks.
"As long as you two are happy, I'm always glad to be of help.", Blake also said, feeling glad that the couple could stay together.
Weiss felt emotions she had rarely ever felt. Just to be loved by so many people at the same time was absolutely engaging. The burning sensation in her chest poured out to her limbs.
"I-I love you all.", Weiss whispered over Ruby's shoulder. There were no other words to describe what she felt. Those were only words that she needed. Sometimes, a simple truth like that could carry so much more than what words could convey.
"Should we get going?", Yang asked, looking at the path that lead back to the dormitories. They couldn't stay out here all day.
"Y-yes, let's.", Weiss agreed, getting out of Ruby's hug. She slipped her hand into Ruby's and interlocked their fingers. Ruby blushed a little, but didn't protest. It was nice to show their love in public. It certainly calmed the both of them down.
So, with Yang leading the charge, Team RWBY started to walk back to the dorms. Blake kept up pace with Yang, while Weiss and Ruby hung towards the back, still holding hands.
As they strolled down the walkway, Weiss couldn't help but think, "So this is what it's like to have your own life? Not bad, not bad at all.".
Hey, it's your doctor, The Draigg again. I hope you're doing well. That song 'Gotta Knock A Little Harder" was made by Yoko Kanno and The Seatbelts. It should improve your condition. Just be sure to add some reviews to help your recovery along. This is The Draigg, signing off on this call.