Sup.
Been awhile. Life's been shitty and hard, had family knife me up, friends knifed me up, had work that got me fucked over on a few different occasions. Spent several months on the street. Only recently got back to even a semblence of being in a somewhat okay situation and I still feel like I am going insane.
SO anyway I felt like doing some writing. Now because it has in fact been some time since I last wrote for this, a quick heads up: No, I did not finish V8 and I have not watched V9 at all. I did see a fight between Ruby and some giant cat and I willl say that animation work was surprisingly good, and a lovely scene with Neo and some kind of illuision Torchwick did make me go "That was a good moment." But as a whole, I know nothing about the current state of the story outside RWBY and Old Man Jaune being in some stupid fantasy world, so as a whole if something that came up in V8 or V9 that would make something I write be questionable or wrong, sorry but this isn't going to stick to the more recent canon.
Unless I like a detail or whatever it may be, so free reign to try and convince me, though don't get angry or upset if I decide not to involve or use something. I appreciate all reviews and constructive criticism as all ways, and while I'm a bit broke at the moment, I will save the hate for when I get my hands on some marshmellows again.
So, just a heads up, this chapter never existed in my original planning but THAT was a long time ago and I wanted something a bit more lighthearted to get back into the swing of writing. Also I was thinking my pacing was a bit too fast paced in hindsight, so I plan on dialing that back a little.
Also in hindsight, I realise I never actually explained what Ruby's outfit actually was. I know I did a brief verison while she was in Junior's Club, but that was more a disguised verison then regular appearence.
And with no further adeu, here we go.
The rest of the school dance went pretty much how anyone would have expected in Ruby's eyes.
Cinder had clearly lost Ironwood's soldiers and had made her way unto the dance floor in an admittedly beautiful black dress that sparkled in the light while a faint sheen of fog drifted across the floor. According to Yang, she had managed to rope Sun into helping her and Weiss organise the dance and the two blondes had successfully managed to get Weiss to concede to a few smaller machines to add to the atmosphere.
Of course, Ruby hadn't particularly cared to bother dancing, but once again in her position to watch the pyromanic dance with her grey haired minion, Mercury, Ruby also noticed quite a few people stumbling around a little while they danced. Clearly Qrow's liqour was a quite strong substance considering he hadn't poured a significant amount in. Funnily enough it seems that Jaune didn't notice it in his earlier drink and was happily drinking more while in a white dress, sitting next to his clearly pleased partner that also had a bright red face as she sipped her own, likely spiked, punch.
The scene did put a smile on Ruby's face though, taking her mind of her close encounter with Cinder just minutes ago. As well as her own shifting thoughts about her own problems.
"You know, kiddo, I'd probably suggest making sure those two get home. Last thing I want to deal with is my semblence ending up getting someone knocked up."
Ruby jumped and reflexively reached for Crescent Rose with one hand while the other spun around to backhand the sudden voice behind her, but was quickly caught in a relaxed grip as she whirled around to see the amused expression of Qrow Branwen having a swig from his hipflask. Ruby quickly lowered her free hand from the empty spot on her back where Crescent Rose usually could be found with an annoyed and surprised frown.
"Did you really need to sneak up on me like that right after what just happened?" She asked with a tone of frustration at the older man, who merely shrugged with a smirk.
"Normally the kids here just jump and act a little scared, it's a treat to see a student being aware of their surroundings for a change." The usually scruffy man explained while he stepped up next to Ruby and joined her leaning on the railing above the dance floor. With a tilt of his head, he looked over at the young redhead with a small smile. "So, too amped up to dance or just don't feel like it?"
Looking down, Ruby watched as Jaune and Pyrrha get up from a bench and make their way back to the dance floor to slowly dance together while Ren and Nora could be seen a small distance away "dancing" and "totally not watching Pyrrha and Jaune" as Nora all but threw her exhausted and likely dizzy partner around in such a way her other two teammates were never out of sight for too long.
Almost like a pair of parents sneaking around to watch their child on their first date.
With a small, somewhat sad sigh, Ruby shrugged.
"Just thinking." She replied briefly, clearly not trusting Qrow with the real reason for her mood. The man in question once again watching the amusing display of team JNPR, nodded his head as one of his flicked towards the younger girl.
"About the CCT? Or is it something else going on in your life?" He asked, careful to sound more like someone offering a chance to vent rather then wanting to push the issue. Last thing he needed was her putting up her guard like she usually did when he asked personal questions. While he didn't know the exact extent she knew Neo, and he too had made quite the fuck up with the mute girl years ago, he also knew this was his biggest lead in years and the last thing he wanted to do was push the girl away.
The fifteen year old student looked at him with one of her trademark suspecious looks before sighing and looking back down at the dance floor. Qrow watched as her eyes drifted around the floor, looking at her sister-team, her own, a few people like that Sun guy from the Docks and fight with the Paladin or a black haired girl dancing with another student with grey hair. With a sigh and a internal groan, he uncapped his flask and passed it over to Ruby, who looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm not trying to drug you." Qrow said with a roll of his eyes and gentle tap on her head which made the girl scowl, but he could see the faint trace of amusement in her eyes. "I've seen that look you got before on a lot of different people, and they are always the ones that need a shoulder to lean on every now and then." The amusement in his tone dropped for a brief second as he continued, "Trust me, the thoughts going about that head of yours? Maybe we don't know why, but Oz and Glyn do notice when their students disappear the second they finish their school work." He paused when the girl accepted the flask after a moment and took a little sip. To the girl's credit, other than a faint look of surprise, she drank the high-proof alcohol without issue.
Closing her eyes a second, Ruby looked over at Qrow with an reluctant look. "So, did they send you to talk to me about it too?" A glance from Ruby drew Qrow's gaze to his niece who seemed to be making someone laugh at her like usual and seemed to be at the butt of a joke by either Ice Princess or Moody Cat. Returning his vision to the girl next to him, Ruby nodded and pointed down at her team. "They want me to talk about it too, but it's not something I can talk about with them."
Tapping against the railing, Qrow spent some time letting Ruby's explaination wash over him. So, team had noticed too huh? Made sense, he knew his had been just as close that they wouldn't take no for an answer, except in the case of Raven, who would just knock whoever around a bit before making them explain.
"Well, Oz did ask me to talk about it, as well as check up with you given what just happened. Figured you'd seen worse on the street but he's not the kind of guy to take a risk like that with his students." Qrow admitted as he took a sip from his flask while Ruby nodded in understanding. "So, if you can't tell your team, and you can't tell the professors, then when were you planning on coming around to your mentor?" He lamented with faux-disappointment, "Does my training me so little?"
Ruby couldn't help the giggle that came from her, a clear and honest laugh that sounded so much like...
Well...
Here goes nothing even if Ozpin would probably end up getting annoyed with him.
"You know..."Qrow began slowly as he worked his way around how to say what he wanted to say. "Back when I was in Beacon, my team used to get up to all kinds of crazy things. Got in to all kinds of fights and situations that reminds me a lot of what you and your team have been getting up to." Ruby looked up at him with a quizzical expression that he laughed off for a second. "Well, not fighting terrorists in mechas or burning down the Docks, but definately hunting down a major criminal doing something shady." He amended much to the girl's mirth, who was finally smiling at the older man.
"Sounds familiar alright. What got you dragged into that kind of situation?" The girl asked innocently, if not for the way her eyes seemed to listen to his story with vivid attention.
"Well, like I told you, me and my sister were raised in a tribe and we got into a little bit of crime once we got let out to go come to Vale. Turns out Raven stole something from someone high up in the criminal ladder, and we got stuck having to stop the guy from basically starting all out war on the streets. Definately was quite the shock to her partner that was a sure." He finished with a swig of his flask to let Ruby soak in what he had said.
With an understanding nod, she looked over at her own teammates and asked, "Who were your teammates then? Your sister obviously, but who were the other two?"
Despite already expecting the question, the way she looked down with a small smile at her team reminded Qrow so much of how Summer used to look at their own.
"Well, there was me and Raven, the badass and amazing twins from outside the kingdom." Qrow started with smirk that Ruby rolled her eyes at before he continued, "And there was Taiyang, who is Yang's old man and married my sister before...well, not my place to say." Ruby gave him a curious look before shrugging and waving it away.
"And who was the last one?" She asked in a steadily quieter voice even if he knew that she already knew who.
Qrow sighed and put away his hipflask for a second before leaning more heavily on the railing and looked Ruby dead in the eyes.
"Summer Rose was her name."
With a final twirl of her dress, Cinder began making her way towards Emerald while Mercury followed her from behind. Despite his rather frustrating attitude, she could not deny that his grace on the battlefield translated well to dancing. Not too surprising considering he was a trained assassin, but that attitude could make one forget that at the best of times.
"Ma'am, did everything go well?" The green-haired girl asked her once they were within speaking distance. With a sly smile, Cinder geastured towards a small, empty spot off to the side. The three made their way there before Cinder deigned to respond to Emerald's question.
"The piece has been set, Ironwood had to go see about something but it shouldn't be an issue so long as Watts did his part right." Cinder informed her followers before glaring at the two. "Did anyone else leave? Did anyway do anything to suggest they noticed anything?"
Emerald looked at Mercury, who merely shrugged before Emerald responded with an embarrassed voice. "We didn't see anyone leave or come back, but we did loose track of a few people at a time." She confessed to Cinder, who merely scowled but waved her away. It wasn't unexpected some of the more quieter students might have gotten passed her lookouts, but if they had seen something important Emerald would not have hidden that anyone potentially threatening making moves against them.
"No matter, now that it's in place, we have full access for my use. Emerald, Mercury, you two are to spend the rest of the night here. Make sure that no one here can suspect us of anything." Cinder ordered, and her minions nodded in confirmation before making their way back to the more packed parts of the dance. Getting up herself, Cinder made her way over to a railing to observe the children and fools act like there was nothing wrong in their school at this very moment. While a smirk slowly came to her face as she envisioned the panic, fear and hate that would eventually come to their lives, she quickly found her attention drawn to silver and red eyes some distance away from her balcony.
Cinder watched as Qrow Branwen seemingly said something that amused the young red-haired girl. Ruby Roslinen. Curious, that Ozpin's vaunted enforcer would be spending his night with the girl that Ozpin had let in early. Of course, she knew about the two's training in the morning, Mercury having watched from afar personally weeks ago, but just what was Ozpin's intrest in such a random girl? To the point he was intergrating his top agent with this girl as a mentor? When Mercury had said they trained with scythes, Branwen's known weapon of choice, at first sight it might have been a case of simply giving the best a teacher could to their students, but together with Salem's cryptic warnings about those with Silver Eyes, the fact she was brought to Beacon two years early, and training with her enemy's agent meant that something else had to be at play here.
An excuse to bring Qrow to try and defend Beacon, and by extension, Amber? Perhaps...
As the hated Branwen rubbed the top of Ruby's head affectionally, much to the girl's mild annoyance, as they started making their way downstairs Cinder could only determine one thing.
Ruby Roslinen was no ordinary student of Beacon.
"So anyway, Yang totally had the right idea with the fog machines you know? It looks soooo cool here Ruby!"
With an amused roll of her eyes and the smile she had been wearing for the last few minutes since Qrow and Ruby had made their way downstairs to save a confused and drunk Jaune from a drunk and handsy Pyrrha, who quite clearly didn't go out drinking that much considering the fact she was leaning against the much smaller girl that half-walked, half-stumbled the normally reserved and polite girl towards a bench.
"Yes Pyrrha, they are pretty cool aren't they?" Ruby said placatingly as she carefully lowered Pyrrha down onto the seat without causing them both to fall over. A few metres away Qrow was doing the same with an equally done Jaune. The two scythe users shared an amused smile before Jaune got decidely green in the face and Qrow looked over with eyes that promised a painful death for Jaune before the still sober, or still functional might have been more appropriate, dragged Jaune to his feet and started making a beeline towards the vague direction of toilets.
Ruby smirked at Qrow, knowing he was probably going to get the full Jaune experience before she felt something press against the top of her head with a satisfied sigh. Echoing the sigh with another, Ruby turned her head to look at Pyrrha, who had decided that Ruby's head was comfy enough for her own.
"Pyrrha, why are you using my head like a pillow?" Ruby said simply to the champion, who merely giggled and wrapped her arms around Ruby, much to the criminal girl's amused annoyance.
Neo might have been insanely skilled and could pull all kinds of crazy moves, but she never could handle too much drink either.
Before Ruby's thoughts could dwell on what she had been thinking about before Qrow had come over to talk, much to her gratitude even if she didn't say it to the man, Pyrrha started rocking the two of them side to side with a wide grin. "Jaune liiiiikes me Ruby, he liiiiikes meeee!" The drunk redhead said with a squeel that caused a few people to look over before smiling in amusement and sympathy at the two girls.
Ruby gently pried herself from the older girl's embrace before slightly pushing Pyrrha's back against the wall to stop her from leaning too far forward. "Yes Pyrrha, he does, you are his partner and teammate." Ruby replied, before noticing Pyrrha's massive, likely exaggerated pout. Before Pyrrha could go off about something else, Ruby added, "And I'm sure he likes you as a person and friend as well."
Pyrrha just drunkenly groaned and laid her head against Ruby's shoulder as she slumped against her.
"Only a friend?" She asked in a quiet, sad voice. Ruby wrapped an arm around her as Pyrrha looked at her again, "Does he only look at me like that?" She asked again, this time resigned. Ruby could only roll her eyes in amusement before taking a move out of Nora's book and tapped her on the nose with a "Boop."
When the older girl went crosseyed looking at Ruby's finger, the girl in question just shrugged. "Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. It's Jaune we are talking about, he is as bad as I can be sometimes." With an amused smile, she continued, "Besides, to me and Qrow, it looked like you two were getting along really well on the dance floor, just ask Nora."
"YEAH! I was about to ask Yang if me and Ren could bunk in you guy's room." A bright, bubbly and most importantly, the distinctly familar sound of the other female half of JNPR, came out as the aforementioned human force of nature, Ren, Yang and surprisingly, one of Cinder's mooks, the one with grey hair, Mercury. Tilting her head slightly in confusion at the second man's inclusion, Yang waved the hidden infiltrator over to the other hidden inflitrator to introduce them.
"Hey there Ruby, this is Mercury, he was having a chat with Ren and Nora when I came over to say hey when Ren noticed you over here with P-Money here. I hope Jaune isn't getting too jealous of you." Yang added with a smirk shared by everyone present save Ruby and Pyrrha, who rolled her eyes and panickally jumped to her feet respectively.
"Don't worry, he is too busy repeating his introduction to you, but with your uncle." Ruby replied with a bright smile much to everyone's amusement, while Ren placed a hand on Pyrrha's swaying shoulders to reassure her that no, Jaune would not think she was getting with Ruby, and no, he was not trying to seduce a man twice his age. "To be fair, it's his own damn fault for spiking the drink that Jaune immediately came over and started drinking from." Ruby added much to everyone's continued laughter.
A few seconds of simple and honest feelings later, Mercury nodded over at Ruby with a smirk. "Anyway, like Yang was saying, the name's Mercury Black." he said with a outstretched hand, before tilting his head to the left in a show of amused embarrassment before adding, "Though I think we already met before even if we didn't introduce ourselves."
Remembering her accidental run in with Cinder's crew, Ruby put on a polite smile that was likely as real as Mercury's before shaking his hand in return. "Yeah, sorry about that, totally forgot we left something in the library."
Mercury just shrugged and waved it off. "Ah it's no big deal, to be fair seems like we were a little lost." At Yang's curious and politely confused expression, Mercury added with a relaxed smirk, "Team came from Mistral, I was just following the others to the dorms but turns out they knew as little as I did."
"Ah, that makes sense." Yang nodded in understanding before her gaze switched to Ruby with a dangerous hint, "So, our fearless leader already making moves on the exchange students?" She teased much to Ruby and, thankfully, Mercury's shock, both of which immediately started to respond over each other.
"NO YANG! It wasn't even remotely like tha-"
"NO WAY! She is cute but still two years yo-"
Both the undercover crooks shut their mouths at the same time while Nora shouted over from where she was poking a swaying Pyrrha with a "THAT'S OUR LEADER'S NAME!" to no one's response. With a grin as wide as she could make it, Yang began laughing hysterically.
"Hahahaha W-w-w-Weiss would be so mad you got into the H-Haven st-students fiiiiiir-" The blonde girl trailed off as her laughed caused her to bend in half at the golden expressions of Ruby and Mercury. And to further the two's embarrassment, a few people started looking over at the three of them. Shaking at Yang's antics, Ruby dragged the girl by her arm over to where NPR was sitting with their drunk teammate, Mercury awkwardly following them.
As the trio took a seat, Yang in between the two and still laughing quietly to herself, Ruby gave the guy an apologetic smile, even if she knew he'd probably try and kill her if she knew who he was really.
"Sorry about Yang, she can be a real pain in the ass some times." Ruby said to Mercury, who raised an eyebrow at the blonde between them before looking at Ruby and giving her an accepting nod.
"All good, I can be like that to my own teammates, even if that's usually not quite my kind of thing." He offered in reply before looking at the two for a second. "So, you two seem close, you...related or something?" Mercury asked the seemingly innocent question, but considering who he worked with, Ruby knew it couldn't be ideal curiosity.
So in return, she waved Mercury off before shaking her head. "No, we aren't related, ran into each other a little before Beacon and ended up on a team together. It's just how she is."
Mercury nodded as Yang spoke up for the first time, a smile still brightening her face.
"And to be fair, she is doing training with my Uncle Qrow, they both use scythes." Yang explained to Mercury.
'Sure, thank you Yang for telling a random stranger that I am working under your uncle and how we both fight.', Ruby internally scolded her blonde teammate. Didn't she know that you don't tell random people what you are capable of and who you know?
Mercury however, seemed politely interested in what Yang said.
"Huh, that so? He a professor here or something?"
"Na, he works at Signal but apparently the Headmaster asked him to give Ruby some training since he's the best there is with a scythe. Makes sense you know, since they are pretty rare to see." Yang continued to explain as Ruby internally screamed at her dense teammate to stop leaking infomation to the enemy, regardless if she knew or not!
As Mercury and Yang trailed off to talk about how Qrow was Qrow, Ruby found her attention drawn to the slowly emptying hall as the dance started to reach it's final stages and people began making their way back to their dorms. In the distance, Ruby spied an irate Qrow dragging a limp Jaune out of the building, thankfully clean of any vomit or any blood stains had Jaune's limp body not had been due to being so obviously passed out, given the glare the two were getting from an equally irate Goodwitch, who had seemingly rejoined the part alongside General Ironwood, who too was back looking no more worn then he had when she last saw him before the CCT.
Eventually, Pyrrha was dragged to her feet by Ren and Nora, who both had to withstand the terrible power of a drunk, happy and clearly looking for a certain male blonde with a preference for a sword and shield, and the three slowly made their way out with a farewell to the two girls and Mercury. A few minutes later, the green haired minion, Emerald, came over to tell the grey-haired man that Cinder was heading back and so should they. With a smirk and a wave, Mercury walked off with his teammate, leaving Yang and Ruby alone on their seat as the dance came to a close.
"It was good Blake came tonight. I'm glad to see her not burning herself out for a change." Yang spoke up with a pleased look on her face as she looked over at Ruby. "Glad you both came, I put a lot of effort into this you know?" Ruby smirked and rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but nod her head in agreement. It had been a good evening, life being at risk aside, she had a good night at the dance and even knew a bit more about Cinder's plan.
Would have to let her da-
Roman, know.
The unusual and unwanted thought brought her smile down a slight, but before Yang could comment, a certain white haired heiress located the two from where she had been organising something with a janitor by a side door, and with a quick word and a wave, came walking up to the two.
"I do hope you both were not responsible for spiking the punch tonight?" Weiss questioned with unamused glare, aimed mostly at Yang who just smirked and shook her golden head to the side. "Well, Ruby, I hope you enjoy the festivities tonight? Yang and I did put much time and effort into ensuring it's smooth running." Weiss continued before muttering quietly, likely to herself, "Spiking the drinks aside."
Ruby got up and gave Weiss a friendly hug the cold young Schnee would have at one point pushed out off, but now accepted with an amused and jokingly forced smile.
"Well, I'm glad to see you are feeling a lot better, Partner." Weiss said, her tone betraying a geninue relief and support for Ruby. A surge of guilt went through Ruby, that continued for a few seconds, Weiss noticing and pulling her into a tighter hug. "I'm sorry that you have to go through whatever your going through, but remember we are always here for you."
Yang, having noticed the tender moment between partners, wisely didn't try and force herself into the situation and instead stood off to the side, a black shadow soon joining her by the side.
"So, you did get her to come in the end." Blake's words being more of a statement then a question, even then Yang nodded in confirmation regardless. While Yang had found Ruby when Sun had told them where she might be, the rest of RWBY had seen little of the two until the Dance, save the morning.
"Yeah, she...well, she hasn't told me yet, but I know I told her we are all here for her if she needs us, and that if she can't work it out by the Vytal Festival, then she will need to tell us. I just don't know what she might have done in the meantime." Yang explained simply to her partner, who nodded in understanding.
"I suppose she could need the time, not like my own...problems..."Blake started to say before Yang gave her a long look that made the faunus wilt. "I know, I know. I understand what you all meant now. I'm not hurting myself over it anymore, you know that."
With one more look and a nod of promise, Yang looked back at Ruby and Weiss, who at this point had finally dropped the hug and Weiss was now explaining how she would be helping her and Yang with organising the clean up for the Dance, an lecturing but endeared tone to Ruby's exaggerate surprise and terror.
Noticing her look, Blake raised an eyebrow and smirked at Yang. "You look like a proud older sister right now." Yang returned Blake's gaze, expect it was full of shock and confusion, and maybe a little denial.
"H-H-Huh?!" The unflappable Yang's mouth flapped. "Wh-Whaaat? N-No way B-Blake, I'm just pr-GLAD to s-see Ruby doing better!" Yang continued to deny much to Blake's amusement, who couldn't help but chuckle at her partner.
"Sure Yang, I'll act like I believe it." The cat faunus waxed as she started walking to the rest of her team while Yang continued to deny acting like an older sister.
Ozpin sighed as once again he had to watch the fallen and injured be taken away for treatment while he remained otherwise unharmed.
Truly, a man like him could see all manner of evil, pain and terrible fates, but never did it get easier watching those that relied on his guidence and wisdom to aid and protect them from the threats that truly exist out there in the world. At least for normal people, they would only have to endure a lifetime of this at most. He, unfortunately, had to witness it for endless lifetimes, and like would for many more.
The elevator tinged as it reached his office, and outstepped a frustrated deputy, an Atlesian General and a Qrow.
While a joke would have been made, unfortunately the second Qrow opened his mouth for a snark, Glynda's crop was immediately in her hand and pointed at the huntsmen, who wisely chose not to further annoy Glynda or risk being launched from the roof at terminal velocity.
"I presume the last partygoers have left the Dance then?" Ozpin enquired with a sip from his mug. He would be needing the coffee tonight and probably tomorrow as well. At least being an immortal wizard had left him quite capable of dealing with long nights for all the nights he had spent.
"Yes, Ozpin. Team RWBY and a few other students are assisting with the cleaning and organising but as a whole the student body has finished up for the night. I imagine most will be nursing hangovers tomorrow morning." Glynda added irritatedly with a deadly glare at Qrow, who could only shrug and take a drink from his flask in response.
"Qrow's less redeeming qualities aside, we have a bigger issue to discuss Oz." Ironwood said with a tone of mild frustration as he stood in front of Ozpin's desk, likely at Qrow's antics and having to drag a student that had thrown up to his dorm. "An infiltrator, in the CCT. And I already told you, someone tried to bug the elevator, yes I know what you have to think about that." Ironwood interrupted before Ozpin could once again voice his displeasure at Jame's intrusions. "But combined with the bugs my men have spent the last few nights finding, of which we have no clue how many are there or how invasive they are, but now? As well as this?" He finished with an annoyed growl.
Not that Ozpin could fault the man for his frustrations. He felt much the same way, despite his reservations on Ironwood's actions, it was not in doubt that he had been correct to install them in this case.
Once is call for suspecion and investigation, twice, and the situation needs direct response.
With a placating wave at the general, Ozpin stood from his desk and looked over his allies.
"As it stands for those of us present that are not fully aware, a number of Ironwood's security was attacked during the dance, and has apparently place something within the CCT's systems. Miss Roslinen was present, having told us she saw someone moving on the nearby rooftops, and decided to investigate. Upon seeing the infiltrator engage Ironwood's men, she determined the infiltrator's target was the CCT, and decided to try and discern our foe's reasons for their attack and managed to reach the CCT and hide before the infiltrator arrived. From there Miss Roslinen was almost found before James managed to intervene. While the infiltrator did manage to escape us, Miss Roslinen was safe and I will be asking her the specifics tomorrow morning prior to the first year mission assembly." As Ozpin concluded, he looked over at his comrades, all whom nodded in confirmation. "Do you all have any specific questions or shall we continue?"
James, naturally, was the first to raise his voice. "Ruby Roslinen, what do we know about her and her team? I have reports they've been involved in conflicts with both Roman Torchwich and The White Fang." The unvoiced question of 'Is she and her team trustworthy?' echoed in Ozpin's mind as clear as if it had been said in the open.
Qrow, surprisingly, was the first to speak up.
"Girl's not a threat, or her team. Life is a bit of an unknown but she is not the kind to work for the likes of Her. Plus, she's got the Schnee heiress, a former White Fang member, and my own niece on her team. No way they are our infiltrators." Qrow said without a hint of uncertainty in his voice. Ozpin inclined his head slightly in thought. Perhaps Qrow had gotten more close to their little Summer replica then he had lead Ozpin to believe.
James on the other hand could only shake his head. "Ozpin told me about your little side project. I don't have any issue with seeking potential closure," James explained patiently with his hands raised to mean he meant no offense, Qrow quickly glaring at the man but not yet responding to the general's words. "I'm concerned about her vague history. Raised near alone on the streets of Vale, only associate we know being a dangerous woman that personally has reason to hate Qrow and his sister?" Gesturing with his other hand, he continued, "We know She makes use of the downtrodden, She has before, when we can only suspect that She was responsible to Qrow's teammate's death, who is not to say her forces didn't induct the infant into their own?"
While it hurt him to think Summer's daughter could have been turned, he could not fault James' reasoning. Gone for well over a decade, and then the potential daughter of Summer appears when Amber has been attacked and Salem's forces are working around Beacon at this very moment.
Qrow on the other hand, seemed to be almost physically stricken by James' words.
"W-What? N-No way, I refuse to believe that!" Qrow exclaimed angrily, his hand already drifting towards Harbinger on his back with a fierce scowl on his face directed at the general.
Ozpin immediately sat up and stared at Qrow, proclaiming with authority only a former teacher could muster at a former student, "Peace, Qrow. James does mean to suggest Ruby is infact our foe." Qrow, having heard such a voice many times at Beacon, immediately paused at Ozpin's words, staring back, before he began lowering his hand, and the scowl on his face while still present, loosing much of it's heat. Much like the young teenager that first came to Beacon. Ozpin continued, quieter and more sympathetically, "I understand your anger Qrow. I believe I speak for us all when we would all be terribly hurt if someone we were close to was accused of being in Her service, especially given what little we actually know for certain about Miss Roslinen. However, James is not wrong with his caution. For all we know she may have been kidnapped and made into a weapon designed to make us falter when She makes a move."
Ozpin sighed as he walked over to the huntsmen and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "While I'd hope nothing more that James' words are merely unnessecary caution, he raises a valid point."
James, seeing a point to clear his position, faced the scowling Qrow with a peaceful wave of his arms. "We simply don't know, and should she be clear of any reason for suspecion, I would appreciate having someone with her unique set of skills and views should the worst come to pass. But until we know, we can't be certain. I'd suggest we ensure we have her loyalty by the Vytal Festival. That gives time to work on it, even if the first year missions are tomorrow. Believe me, I hope nothing more Miss Roslinen is on our side then against us."
Qrow, scowl finally falling from his face, gazed at the ground with a sigh.
"I...damn it, yeah I get it." He said reluctantly. Glynda, silent until now, walked up to place her own hand on Qrow's other shoulder.
"I understand how you feel Qrow, Summer was a very dear friend who I still miss to this day, and the idea that her child could be twisted like that makes me just as furious." Glynda said as she gave Qrow a small, sad smile that drain Qrow of the last of his anger.
Ozpin, seeing his student calm once more, slowly returned and sat at his desk.
"Now, I believe if we have anything less emotionally haunting to discuss...?"
It always caused his timeless heart to ache, seeing those around him die and grow old, to miss and be missed by their friends and loved ones in a way Ozpin now could never be.
Roman spat off to the side, drew another cigar and lit it before looking down at the shitshow below him.
Mountain Fucking Glenn. Damn Cinder wanted him cause a goddamn terrorist attack with a train, dust and Grimm.
To hell with her promises the GRIMM would not finish him off! He was a not a TERRORIST he was a fucking THIEF! This was all way above his paygrade. Sure, he'd steal some dust, sure, he'll let the Fang get some credit, after all surely Torchwick wouldn't actually SUPPLY them directly right? Sure, give a few rallies, not like THAT could go wrong, oh no wait, no it did.
And now here he was in the middle of Mountain Glenn, surrounded by Grimm, angry animals, enough Dust to blow open an entire plaza, no decent food or comfortable beds, no way to get his clothes cleaned RIGHT, a moody Neo, and he couldn't so much as help his damn daughter at Beacon.
Roman picked up a burn crystal, squeezing it in his hand and letting the flames wreath around his hand as his aura manipulated it with years of use. Neo looked over from a couch she had claimed and sipped at a bottle of fine wine she had found in the ruins, eyebrow raised at the thief's actions. Roman turned around, dispelling the flames as the crystal did the think all crystals did and just stopped existing. He looked over at the moody girl before sighing deeply.
"Yeah, I'm worried about Ruby. Things got here so quick, we learned nothing of what Cinder really wants only that she wants me to cause mayhem and take the fall." Roman scowled as he took as seat opposite of her. "And we can't get to Ruby to know this is the plan because these damn idiots are insisting we gotta stick to the plan." He took a puff on his cigar before leaning forward. "Fuck this, rather be with my little girl now..."
Off to the side, Neo sighed silently as usual before nodding and leaning against Roman's shoulder, tapping it twice.
"Yeah I know, I miss her too..." Roman trailed off, his vision fondly stuck on the cane in his hand.
So, that's a thing. Next chapter? Not sure, but I hope you all enjoyed this one. Bit more sedate pace from now on, less rushing, but to be fair more events to work with that's not mostly repeating canon.
