Hey look, this is somehow not a dead story that no one remembers.

Fancy that.

Anywho, another chapter. No promises about this becoming a consistant thing, but we never know.

As always, enjoy, feel free to leave a review even if it's a "Hey nice chapter bro", because not going to lie, it makes my day knowing at least someone found some enjoyment in something as little as this. No pressures though, always up to you guys as usual.

And so here we go.


Ruby rested against the back of her bunkbed, scroll shining dimmly as she swiped through a few of her little cameras she had taken to placing in ideal spots around the school. A few had randomly blown, but given the fact she hadn't used them in ages until now, combined with the fact the one near Cinder's room was likely just being wireless jammed, a near silent gasp came from the scythe wielder as she noticed that several of them had out right been turned off. With a flick, she immediately wiped all traces of her being connected to her cameras, a sore loss given their Atlesian advancements, but not worth risking getting her scroll traced.

With a frustated sigh, Ruby watched as the last traces of her access disappeared.

"Damn it all..." the girl muttered quietly to herself. A few moments later, blonde hair appeared by her bedside, followed by the curious and concerned expression of Yang.

"Hey...uh, everything all good Ruby?" The well-meaning girl asked, but Ruby could only close her eyes and shrug. Not like she could tell Yang anything, although...

Sitting up and pointing towards the door silently, Yang understanding what she was getting at, the two quietly made their way towards the dorm's door. One of Blakes ears pivoted towards them, but otherwise remained where she was. Weiss, likely exhausted from her work for the dance, did not so much as shift under her sheets as the door was silently twisted open.

Outside, the corridors of Beacon gave both a sense of emptiness as well as familiarity.

Looking over at the shorter student, Yang leaned up against the wall, faintly yawning while giving her arms a quick stretch, before nodded at Ruby.

"So, what do you want to talk about Ruby?" She asked, lilac eyes watching Ruby seemingly tired but betraying her clear focus on her teammate for a reaction. Despite her years of having to act for Roman and Neo to rob a place, Ruby couldn't bring herself to care to hide her true feelings and slowly slid down the wall, sitting with her legs pressed against her chest.

"I was talking to your uncle earlier." Ruby started simply, gaze vacently taking in the sight of the floor and JNPR's door. With a sigh, Yang slid down next to the girl and nodded.

"Yeah? What did he want to talk to you about?" Yang asked gently. While she was definately Qrow's niece at normal times, it seemed her uncle had also shared his sense of timing with her.

Taking out scroll but not turning it on, she watched the blank screen for a moment, Yang politely remaining silent.

"Did you even know Raven well before she left?" Ruby asked, seemingly at random, Yang's eyes briefly flashing red in confusion before blinking and returned to lilac. The older girl took a small breath before shaking her head.

"Not...really. I was too young to remember her that well really." Yang confessed, a hand clentching slightly. "She wasn't around for long before she left. And a bit after, Dad remarried with Summer." Yang paused watching as Ruby looked over at her with a faint frown. "She...died a few years later. Something went wrong on her way home from a mission. I barely remember it but Professor Ozpin came and told Dad personally."

Ruby didn't respond for a long time, just looking at Yang to the point the older girl couldn't help but feel a familar shiver down her spine for some reason.

Without a word Ruby looked back towards her scroll, still in her pocket before she spoke.

"Qrow was talking about his team with me during the Dance." She explained, Yang nodding having likely spotted the two at the time. "He was telling me about the kinds of things his team got involved with during their time at Beacon. How it was kinda along the same lines of what we have been doing." Ruby's fingers tapped impatiently over her still pocketed scroll. "Have...have you ever wondered what...it would be to have your mom back so you could actually know her?"

Ruby's unusual question took a few moments for Yang to respond to, the brawler resting her head against the wall with her eyes closed, likely imagining the hypothetical scenario.

"I've always wished that Raven never left. And I still miss Summer to this day, but even now I want to know why Raven left, and why she couldn't look after me and Dad." Yang began, eyes still closed as she sighed. "I guess you learned something about your family before Neo started looking after you."

Despite her behavour and attitude, no one could really accuse Yang of not being intelligent, putting two and two together without a hint of uncertainty. Even if she knew the what, Ruby doubted either of them could be so calm if they both knew the who.

"I...they told me something about my mom and I..." Ruby trailed off, tears vaguely sparkling in the corners of her eyes. Yang wrapped an arm around the girl before she could start to sob, pulling her tight against her side. "What...what do I do, Yang? I...I shouldn't even be here..."

Feeling Yang's grip tighten, the older girl just slowly rubbed Ruby's arm in comfort.

"I don't know how I can help you, but me? Blake? Weiss? Even JNPR, we are all here for you whatever you need us for. Hell, Blake would do anything for you, given how much you've helped her realise her own problems." Yang said comfortingly, Ruby's head vaguely bobbing in reluctant agreement. "But what we all know is that even if you don't think you should be here, we are happy that you are here with us."

With a sniffle, Ruby finally gave Yang a small smile.

"What did I do to deserve friends like you guys?" She asked in a slightly breaking voice. Yang could only give her a small laugh and pulled Ruby into a full hug.

"You being here for us is enough Ruby." Yang answered simply.


The next morning left no trace of the two girl's previous conversation, despite Blake's knowing and comforting nod.

Making her way alone up the elevator towards Ozpin's office, Ruby found her gaze brought to the strange button that still dwelled there, demanding authorisation. Just what was down there was the only thing on Ruby's mind until the door opened and admitted her into the headmaster's office, General Ironwood also present although neither Miss Goodwitch or Qrow was present. Given the text the older huntsmen had sent her that morning about not needing to worry about training given the first year missions later today, she was surprised her mentor wasn't also there.

"Ah, Miss Roslinen, Good Morning, I hope you managed to sleep well given last nights...events?" General Ironwood asked politely, offering a hand which Ruby shook politely. Boy did the Atlesian man have a strong grip...

"Uh, yes sir, I did. Ended up having to look after a friend before the dance finished because Q-" Ruby paused suddenly, stiffening at the fact she almost ratted out Qrow to the headmaster and a foreign diplomat. With an bemused chuckle, General Ironwood smiled before gesturing towards the headmaster, who was still seated at his desk, cup of whatever he drank steaming cooling in his hand.

"It's alright Miss Roslinen, Qrow's antics are well known to us in our years working together." The General explained before given the younger girl a polite expression of curiousity. "Do you mind if I call you Ruby?"

Nodding her head, Ruby walked up to Professor Ozpin, who proceeded to take a quick sip before addressing his student.

"I'm glad to see you are well Ruby. I was hoping you could perhaps repeat what happened last night, in detail, for myself and General Ironwood." Ozpin asked casually, waving off Ruby's faint look of confusion. "I know you already explain your side of the story for us, I was just hoping you could recount it so we have all the facts correct, and perhaps answer a few questions for us."

Nodding at the headmaster's request, Ruby began recounting Cinder's attack on the CCT, omitting the obvious fact that she had been waiting for Cinder to make a move and in fact knew who was responsible. As she started to explain how she went to investigate what Cinder had done before Ironwood's arrival, the General raised a hand, briefly pausing Ruby's retelling.

"If I might, can I know why you decided to make your way into the CCT instead of coming back to the dance for reinforcements? Or failing that, calling your weapon and trying to assist the soldiers guarding the CCT?" He asked curiously. Ruby's eyes narrowed at his unexpected question for a moment.

"Well, truth be told, I just didn't think to go back or get my weapon. I just knew someone was up to something and given how quickly she was going through the guards, I thought it best I knew what she was doing so we could just fix it afterwards?" She vaguely responded, hoping the lie would satisfy the General's question. Thankfully, he merely nodded before waving her on to continue.

"So yeah, as she finished up, I tried to move to see what she had been doing with the computer but I tripped on my damn heels..." Ruby muttered quietly about the accursed footwear, then flushed at at Ironwood and Ozpin, who merely sighed quietly and smiled respectively. "An-Anyway, then I tried to hide and managed to not get seen until the General arrived. From there I just tried to get out of the way for him." Ruby finished with an embarrassed smile.

Ozpin nodded a few times before looking over at Ironwood, who had a hand gently pressed against chin.

The General spoke up, "Miss Roslinen, could you please give us as best a description you can remember? I know you already told us, but please, do so again. Any small detail could help."

Not feeling the same pressure as the last night, Ruby took her time to think about what to say, feigning it as just trying to recall the infiltrator's details.

"Like I said last night General, it was a woman, tall, slender but built for combat like a huntress, black hair and used Dust. I think her eye's might have been amber? That or something similar. I think her clothing had Dust embued into it." Ruby said, wilting under the gaze of both her headmaster and the General for a moment who seemed to question her if she knew for certain. "I've seen it before, on the streets..." She added quickly, hoping they wouldn't catch her part lie.

Yeah, she had seen it before, stolen it too. Stuff sold well and Roman was nothing if not oppotunistic.

"Hmm, huntress-level opponent, skilled in Dust weaving and combat use. Quite the skillset for a sabateur looking to make an exit..." Ironwood muttered, as if to his self, before realising Ruby was still present. He feigned a cough before nodded at the girl. "Thank you Miss Roslinen, I'll make sure my men are aware of this threat. While I will say it was risky to try and discover what the meaning of this attack was without your weapon, I for one am proud of your quick thinking and attention to the situation."

Ozpin also nodded, confirming his own agreement with the General's assement, before speaking up for the first time since asking her to retell what happened for them.

"Miss Roslinen, I believe you made mention of this person mentioning something in regards to the South East?" The headmaster asked curiously.

Ruby nodded. "Yeah, she was talking with someone over a earpiece and said something in regards to their operation in the South East. Not sure what exactly since she finished up just after she mentioned it."

The two older huntsmen nodded before Ozpin smiled thankfully at Ruby.

"Thank you Miss Roslinen, that will be all. I'd suggest making sure your team is ready for their first mission. It's quite the formulative experience and I'd hate for you to go under prepared." Ozpin cautioned in a relaxed tone. The young redhead nodded before making her way towards the elevator.


Returning to her dorm, the last thing Ruby expected upon opening the door was for Blake to be hissing from her bed, Yang smirking at Blake, and Weiss acting very un-Weissy with a small black and white dog while a drunk man reclined on their desk chair.

"Uh, what?" Ruby said dumbly. Everyone looked at her, from Yang's and Qrow's amused smirks, Weiss' adoring expression still mostly directed at the dog held in her hands, and Blake's scowl, also directed at the dog.

"Ruby tell them we aren't keeping it!" Blake pleaded with her team leader. At this point, the small corgi, now that Ruby had a better view of it, suddenly tilted it's head at her. Both Qrow and Yang watched as the small dog wiggled its way out of Weiss' hands and ran over to the fifteen year old girl, quickly smothering her boot in licks and running around her legs for some reason.

"Well, seems like Zwei's found a new bestie." Yang mused as Weiss stared at the traitorious dog with a devastated expression. Blake, seeing this 'Zwei', being distracted, quickly jumped down from her bed, swiped up some of her things that had been knocked to the floor and hid them where the dog couldn't get easily. While Zwei gave Blake a side eye, his full attention was on Ruby.

Qrow got up with a smirk and pointed down at the corgi.

"Zwei is Yang's and her old man's dog. I got him a little before, well, that's not important. Taiyang, that's Yang's Dad, had to go on a mission, I said I'd take Zwei off his hands seeing how I'm at Beacon and Yang's got her first year mission this week." The huntsmen explained, pausing only to take a swig from his drink, much to Weiss' disapproving stare that went unnoticed by the older man.

Yang blinked for a moment then nodded.

"Uh, yeah, that's right. Uncle Qrow will be watching over him until I get back." She explained for Ruby's benefit, who could only nod as she picked up the strangely excited Zwei up and looked at his face. The dog, seeing his elevated position, immediately tried to lick Ruby's face, who could only giggle at the dog's blatent show of love. Handing the corgi to a suddenly delighted Weiss, she looked over at Qrow and Yang again. For some indescribable reason, the two seems to share a similar expression, albiet Qrow's distinctly less prevalent, one Ruby couldn't quite put a finger on.

Shaking her head, she directed her gaze to Qrow.

"So, just coming by to let us know about Zwei?" Ruby questioned the man. It would have explained why he cancelled training but hadn't been at Ozpin's office.

Qrow, however, shook his head as he took another drink.

"Not quite. Oz wanted me to tell you girls about the upcoming mission." Qrow announced, quickly drawing the attention of all four members of team RWBY. With a yawn, he sat back down before gesturing to Ruby and Yang to get comfortable. "You girls have been quite the nosy bees, all in your first year of Beacon. Reminds me of all the times we used to..." He paused at the impatient expressions he was getting before laughing. "Alright, alright, back on track. Given your last couple run-ins with Torchwick and the White Fang, Oz has a special little plan in mind for your mission. In case Ruby didn't mention it yet, someone attacked the CCT last night."

A round of shocked gasps from everyone that had been unaware was Qrow's only response, who continued, "Ruby saw it all happen, almost got caught but Ironwood bailed her out of trouble. Given the shit you lot have caught the White Fang being up to, plus what you claim to have heard from that Rally about them being in the South East, plus Ruby claiming," He paused briefly before giving the stiffening girl a relaxed smirk. "Don't you worry, I doubt Oz cares if you actually heard that or not. Either way, he's got your team going out under the guise of a search and destroy mission with Doctor Oobleck. When you arrive at your destination, you'll be systematically eradicating the Grimm while also keeping an eye out for signs that White Fang have been around. If you got any questions, talk to Oobleck once your there." He stopped again to give all four girls a hard look. "Remember, this is on the sly, don't go telling everyone where your off to before the assembly." Qrow explained cautiously.

Thankfully, RWBY understood exactly what he was getting at, and all four of them nodded in understanding.

"What will you be doing then if you have been told?" Ruby asked, curiousity evident in her tone if Qrow would be coming with them.

The older huntsmen however only shook his head.

"Can't say Ruby. You know how it is." Qrow said with a knowing looking. Nodding along, Ruby shrugged in acceptance.

With his part say, Qrow got up and made his way towards the door, whistling briefly for Zwei to disintangle himself from Weiss' arms, much to the heiress' apparent disappointment.


"...But no matter which path you choose, remember to be safe, remember your training, and remember to do your very best."

"Well, I suppose we should go over to check the search and destroy board..."

Agreeing with her partner's words, Weiss followed her team over to the boards displaying the available missions. In the distance she could identify Team JNPR over by a board designated "Village Patrols", Weiss soon drew her attention to her partner once again.

What an enigmatic girl, Weiss could only think as her partner quickly slipped through the crowds with practised ease, Weiss closely following her while Yang and Blake simply walked around. Much how Weiss would have preferred had her partner not chosen the most direct route. Honestly, it never ceased to shock Weiss with how...distinct her partner was compare to ordinary people.

While Weiss was honest with her own strengths and where she was...less adept, Ruby was someone that never seems to fit a particular characterisation. She was friendly and outgoing if a little socially awkward at times, but whatever had shocked the girl recently had left her a shell of that same person. Moody, quiet and able to disappear in a moments notice without anyone the wiser.

And now she was focused, some of her prior enthusiasm returned but still holding a distinctly familar sense of sadness over her. Despite what some might think of a Schnee, and how they behaved to their 'inferiors', Weiss refused to comform to her Father's lessons and was very concerned with her partner's actions. While she had already explained the attack to her team on the way there, and wasn't that a concerning thought, Weiss was acutely aware that Ruby had left and returned that night. And whatever conversation the girl had with her mentor during the dance had left the scythe girl both better and worst.

Given she had taken Yang to speak last night, it wasn't like she'd have missed the blonde girl right by her bed given she was a huntress in training after all, whatever Mister Branwen had told Ruby clearly had something family related if Ruby's first recourse had been to the man's niece.

The thought admittedly stung a little that Ruby trusted Yang over her own partner, but Weiss was mature enough to understand she wouldn't have meant anything by it to offend Weiss.

Weiss was dragged from her thoughts as Ruby suddenly arrived in front of the currently vacent board labelled "Search and Destroy". Ruby looked over behind them and waved in the direction of Blake and Yang, who quickly made their way over now they knew Ruby and her had gotten to the board first.

"Sup Weiss-cream, Ruby. So, any idea which one we need to select?" Yang enquired, Weiss rolling her eyes at Yangs abominable nickname, the eagerness to take her first mission quickly overturning any displeasure at her teammate.

"Nah, can't say which for sure..." Ruby said as she slowly swiped across the board, slowly looking at the names. Joining her partner, the two quickly searched through the list to locate whichever mission they were suppose to ta-

Wait, there.

"Stop there Ruby?" Weiss quickly asked. The redhaired girl immediately withdrew her finger, letting Weiss quickly open a mission on the board.

"Mountain Glenn, didn't Oobleck mention that it was to the South East of Vale?" Weiss asked as she looked amongst her team, all of who were nodding as the same realisation came to them.

"You don't think they set up shop in the ruins do you?" Yang questioned with a low voice, clearly to avoid being overheard. Blake nodded thoughtfullu.

"It makes sense, when I was...well, we used to make use of ruins and the like for shelter, as well to scavange for any supplies. As big as it is? It would be a perfect hiding place to work from." Blake explained, reading over the mission's criteria, "It says we need to scout the ruins and eliminate any Grimm we encounter. No specifics on how much or for how long..." Blake trailed off thoughtfully.

Clearly, it had to be the mission the Headmaster had assigned them, Weiss swiftly drew her scroll, inserting into the board to accept the mission, before a denial flashed across the board, to both her own and her team's surprise.

Before anyone could speak up, a familar voice spoke behind them.

"Excellent deduction, Miss Belladonna, yourself as well Miss Schnee, for noting the geographic positioning." Headmaster Ozpin praised as he took a sip from his mug. "However, I did ensure to put a little extra in place to make sure you did not arrive too late for your mission." Hiding her surprise and embarassment at the Headmaster's presense, she immediately turned around and bowed her head.

"Thank you, sir!" Weiss said sharply with a satisfied smile that she hope hid her embarressment.

Ozpin merely chuckled before withdrawing his scroll in from his pocket, leaning his cane against his side.

"Well, far be it from me to deny my students from the chance to put their knowledge and experiences to use." He explained as he entered his own scroll. A confirmation appeared on the screen before the headmaster gestured for Weiss to now insert her own scroll. As she did so, the machine confirmed the acceptence of the mission and the details swiftly appeared on her scroll.

"Professor, if you don't mind me asking, but, uh, why is this just us and Professor Oobleck?" Yang asked, the question clearly working its way through her head. Not that Weiss would deny the same had crossed her mind on more then one occasion.

The Headmaster merely took a sip from his mug before giving Yang a curious expression.

"Whatever do you mean, Miss Xiao Long? It's merely a simple Search and Destroy mission. I must have accidently listed it for third years rather than first." Professor Ozpin said without a hint of deceit in his voice. Weiss could only watch with wide eyes as the older huntsmen simply began walking towards where a pair of teams were arguing over something by another board.

Her team shared a confused glance between themselves, before Weiss raised her scroll to read the instructions it had added.

"It says we need to be ready to leave via Bullhead in three hours. We won't need extra camping supplies, but we might require some more Dust and such for combat purposes." Weiss read out for the benefit of her team.

Ruby nodded a few times before her eyes met Weiss'.

"I have some things I can go grab in Vale, I'm sure you have some as well Weiss?" Ruby asked the tactiturn faunus, who nodded in confirmation. "How about you and Yang?"

Yang shrugged and Blake shook her head. Weiss, seeing the obvious, pulled her card from her pocket before holding it out for Blake.

"I already arranged something for Blake, but the two of you might need to go and get some more." Weiss explained as Blake took the card with a grateful nod. Quickly staring down the eager eyes of Yang, Weiss added, "And make sure you only are buying what you NEED for this mission, nothing else." She said pointedly at the blonde brawler who pouted but nodded.

Ruby, seeing her team already had a plan, spoke up. "Great, you two can go do what shopping you need. Do you want to come with me or stay here and prepare a little more Weiss?" Her partner questioned with a raised eyebrow.

Well, not like she had anything better to do here.

"Sure, I'll come with you."


"When you said you grew up on the streets, this is not what I expected to see you living in."

Weiss couldn't really be blamed for her surprise, given they were in the penthouse apartment of one of Vale's more wealthy districts. Just how did Ruby go from apparently being a street urchin to living in a place that, while you wouldn't have caught a Schnee considering home, was clearly opulent enough for many of the higher positioned members working for the SDC.

"Eh, what can I say? Neo's good at what she does." Ruby answered vaguely.

"Ah yes, your adoptive sister? What exactly DOES she do? Yang said she's very good in a fight, but nothing on the specifics." Weiss asked curiously as the elevator opened, admitting them to a bright foyer, finally decorated with leather couches of a excellent make, a beautifully decaled oak wood door and two wide windows that let one gaze down at Vale.

Ruby slipped her scroll out and inserted into an electronic lock, that beeped once and unlocked with an audible click. Swing the door open, the two huntresses walked inside, which was similar decorated with a large display window across the length of the penthouse while two winding staircases that lead to a trio of closed doors on a second level. Around them on the ground floor, a kitchen was off to the right, with large pantry, a pair of fridges, a chest freezer, a full selection of kitchen appliances and such. From the centre to the left was basically an extended lounge, with a number of comfy looking couches, a huge TV and numerous game consoles of all ages around it while a few doors lead off to the side.

"Toilet is that door by the TV." Ruby began explaining while started walking over to another door that was off to the side of where they had entered. "If you are hungry feel free to grab something." She paused as she opened the door then looked back at Weiss with a serious expression. "Do not touch the icecream or Neo WILL kill you."

Weiss smiled and rolled her eyes at Ruby's exaggerated threat as the girl disappeared into the room and closed the door for some reason. Looking around, Weiss took a polite seat on one of her partner's couches, looking at all the signs of clear wealth the girl had.

It was somewhat shocking to her that Ruby had access to resources like this. While the story of the street urchin reaching riches and fame was not unfamilar to Weiss, the idea Ruby, and her sister, could reach heights like this by themselves? Weiss shook her head, her partner wouldn't lie to her like this and the idea Ruby was into anything illegal just could not even remotely stick to Weiss' thoughts. But just how did they manage this?

Getting up, the heiress began to slowly walk around the penthouse while the sound of things moving and being placed down could be heard from the room Ruby had went into. Looking up, Weiss noticed how the rooms upstairs were segregated with two to the right and one to the left. Quietly making her way upstairs so no to distract Ruby, Weiss made her way the room that was secluded. From her practised eye, this side was clearly in use, the faint smell of ash coming from a small, finely made golden ashtray on a small table next to the door. Taking a slight sniffle, the smell was a rather distinctly high-class cigar, one that smelled somewhat familar but not where Weiss could place a name on. As her hand drifted towards the doorhandle in ideal curiousity, a tapping noise came from the front door, briefly making Weiss jump before she quickly recomposed herself, then realised no one noticed with an annoyed sigh.

Making her way back down, Weiss returned to the front door, noting Ruby must not have noticed the knocking.

"Hello? How can I..."Weiss' voice trailed off in confusion as finely dressed man in a grey suit and black aviators that did meshed well with the man's clearly well cleaned hair and goatee shared an equally surprised expression.

"Uh, who are...wait aren't you the Schnee heiress? What are you doing here?" The stranger asked with completely puzzlement. Weiss, quickly recovering, raised an eyebrow at the man.

"Excuse me? Why or why not I am here are not any concern of yours. Would you explain why you knocking on this door?" Weiss demanded with slight sneer at the man's lack of respect given he was the one knocking on HER door in this situation.

Before the man could retort, his eyes narrowed slightly, Weiss heard the door to the room Ruby had been in open suddenly and the girl in question zipping out and shushed the man, who's eyes widened in surprise, and to Weiss' confusion, slight concern.

"Hey there Jet, come in, come in, don't mind Weiss, we didn't expect anyone to pop by." Ruby said with a pleasent smile that for some reason Weiss couldn't help but notice had some hidden edge. "She's my teammate at Beacon, I don't know if Neo told you guys yet but I've been at Beacon the last few months." Ruby continued to explain as she let the man in and directed him towards a couch far on the other side of the penthouse. Looking over at Weiss, Ruby point up at the room furtherest away on the right hand second story. "Do you mind just waiting up there? That's my room. I just need to talk to old Jet here about Neo's work for a moment."

Weiss, lost and confused as to who this well dressed man was, simply nodded and made her way up the staircase as she watched her partner talk quietly to the man to avoid being over heard. She could tell the man was not expecting Ruby to be there, and the way he sat with a perfectly straight back and a slightly growing sheen of sweat noticible over his forehead told Weiss the man was clearly not pleased to be speaking to Ruby for some reason.

Reaching the second floor, Weiss leaned against the railing and drew her scroll before her. To either Ruby or the stranger should they have looked, it would have seemed like she was merely doing something with her scroll rather than trying to watch the pair.

While Weiss was by no means knowledgable in reading lips, she was very practised at reading a person by their body language. The man seemed to start talking, placing a plain black case on a small coffee table, facing Ruby. The girl in question seemed to ask the man a few questions, clearly relaxed and not at all worried about the man before her. After a moment's conversation, the man let her unlock it, and while Weiss could not see what was within, Ruby did take out a few piece of documentation, seemingly read over them before taking a pen the stranger offered her and signed a few things before sliding them to her side. The man, nodding and pointed within the case. Frustratingly little they did seemed to give Weiss a hint as to what was in there, but Ruby smiled and shrugged before saying something. The guy stiffened, but nodded and stood up with the now closed case and made his way to the door, as he left, Weiss watched as he seemed to take a relaxing breath that made him stiffen again as he saw Ruby smile and wave the man out.

As the man closed the door behind him, Ruby leaned forward with telltale signs of finding the conversation mentally draining. Weiss was familar with that expression, though she had not expected Ruby to almost copy her Father after he had to deal with a frustrating staff member or the company board.

"Hey, sorry about that Weiss, you can come back down now." Ruby loudly told Weiss, given the distance between them was respectable given the size of the penthouse, Weiss chose not to inform Ruby of her poor manners and simply made her way downstairs.

"So, what was that all about?" Weiss couldn't help but asked as she came within a more appropriate speaking distance.

Ruby, folding the documents at her side before Weiss could get a look at them, merely sighed and gestured towards the room she had previously been in. As the two girls walked over towards it, Ruby began, "Jet works with Neo. More on handling and administration side of thing. Kinda like Tony...oh wait you don't know Tony..." Ruby trailed off while Weiss raised an eyebrow at the girl. Ruby shrugged and opened the door, revealing a small workshop with all manner of tools, Dust, casings and weapon parts. Across a large bench that was as long as the wall it was against, a small leather pouch with half a dozen magazines that Ruby had clearly designed for Crescent Rose was placed on a workbench. "Just had to find my extra magazines and specialised ammuntion."

Looking around Weiss replied, "I see, quite the interesting room of yours." Ruby nodded before waving off at a number of what appeared to be schematics plans scattered across the bench.

"Yep, made Crescent Rose here, plus all my ammo. Neo occasionally uses my whetstones but other than that it's just me an-" Ruby cut herself off before she could finish her thoughts before continuing, "Well, me and all my little projects I have."

Weiss, naturally, noticed her pause, but said nothing.

"Uh, okay...raw Dust...check...mags check..." Ruby trailed off, quietly muttering as she doubled checked everything. While she did, Weiss simply let her vision wander around the workshop. Curiously, there was another ashtray in here, though mercifully empty. While Ruby clearly didn't smoke, perhaps her sister did and this was one of the consessions to her workshop so Neo could help her?

Soon her eye was drawn to an older looking design a bit to her left, hidden beneth a small, overturned picture frame. While the majority of the schematic was covered by the frame and other scattered papers, the strange design seemed to be some kind of gun, given a small note visible at the top reminding to "account for aim, needs sight" atop what looked to be some kind of thick barrel, likely for firing Dust crystals, given the curious device at the end of it...

How peculiar...

Weiss' hand unconsciously started to sway towards the overturned photo to flip so she could better see the design...

"Okay, all set! Uh...Weiss?" The confused and vaguely shocked sound of Ruby ripped Weiss back to reality as she blinked suddenly and looked at Ruby.

The girl's expression was indescribable, but realising the fact she was poking around her partner's personal things, Weiss coughed and looked away, eagar to change the subject.

"Ah, I see you are ready. About time, now, we have an hour and a half before we need to head to the Bullhead pads so we should make our way back so we may be punctual and prepared." Weiss quickly declared, walking out the room and Ruby's footsteps thankfully following behind her. She heard a door close as the two of them made their way towards the front door in slightly embarrassed silence.

As they waited for the elevator to makes it's way down, Weiss couldn't help but notice a trio of Dust cylinders on her belt as well as a small bag that she had seen Ruby pack raw crystals into.

"Hey Ruby? How do you have so much Dust? It's expensive in Vale, even for me?" Weiss asked, curious how she had quite a fortune in Dust.

Ruby just blinked before shrugging.

"Bought it before Torchwick and the White Fang started stealling so much."


Team RWBY gathered at the Bullhead pads, waiting for their Professor to arrive. Much like class, it seemed he would be arriving on the dot.

"So, any idea why Oobleck is coming and not say, my uncle?"

Yang's question was not the first time anyone on their team had thoughts, Ruby could be certain of that. But maybe they needed someone less involved directly with the team? Ruby voiced this idea to Yang, who just hummed non-committedly.

"Hey, you guys!" A voice shouted out from behind them with a faintly tired edge. Turning around, Ruby watched as team JNPR, along with Sun and Neptune walked up to them.

"Hey Jaune, how you feeling?" Ruby asked sympathetically. Jaune just sighed and covered his eyes with a wince. Behind him, Pyrrha's face got decidedly red as she quickly walked up and started conversing with Weiss. Thankfully, Jaune did not notice his partner's reaction.

"Ruby, your teacher is an asshole." Jaune responded simply, making Yang and Nora smirk at the poor huntsmen.

"Yeah, he can be like that sometime. Did you say hello to him the same way you did when we met, Vomit Boy?" Yang asked with a vicious smile which only made Jaune groan.

"Sure sure laugh it up. At least I managed to get back in my room and in bed, apparently Ren and Nora had to carry Pyrrha back because she kept going in the wrong direction. To the point she tripped over my bed and fell on me." Jaune said looking over at Pyrrha for a moment before returning his gaze to the girls in front of him. "She's been so embarrassed over that, even if I told her it's fine."

Ruby, Nora and Yang snickered at Jaune's lack of awareness, Blake even showing a faint smile of amusement. Meanwhile, Ren merely sighed and placed a hand on Jaune's shoulder with a shake of his head.

"Anyway, where is your team going for your mission?" Blake spoke up at least as she looked over at Ren, who nodded.

"We are shadowing a sheriff at a village me and Nora passed through once. It's a nice enough place and I'd like to see a few people that help us out there." Ren explained. "We don't leave until tomorrow afternoon though, it's not a priority mission." He finished with a shrug.

"Yeah! It's going to be SO fun isn't it Renny?!" Nora shouted up from next to her partner, who dealt with it from likely years of practise. The ginger girl turned to Yang and Ruby with a wide smile, "So where are you guys off to huh?"

Yang smirked at Nora before drawing her scroll, which had a copy of their mission on it. "Grimm eradication out in Mount Glenn. I'll make sure I break some legs for you Nora." The two shared a vicious smile before bumping fists.

A few more minutes of conversation passed between them, Weiss chatting with the still hiding Pyrrha and Neptune, while Sun and Blake wandered off a little, Sun seemingly carrying the conversation while Blake had a book open in front of her. Despite her seemingly rude action, Ruby could tell she was listening to the monkey Faunus, who seemed not to mind in the slightest, bragging about how they were working with the police and even had badges to prove it.

The thought made Ruby chuckle a little to herself at the irony if she had been doing that kind of mission like Sun.

"Ah! Capital Team RWBY I am glad to see you are all present if you would all kindly finish your fairwells then we can be on our way Mister Arc I still expect that paper by the end of the week even if you are on a mission Learning NEVER stops and I do not expect you to stop either." Oobleck's voice rained over the gather students as the man all but materialised next to them.

Ruby was convinced he also had a speed semblance because she couldn't move that fast unless she pushed hers.

"Okay, Professor, are w-" Ruby was suddenly cut off Oobleck's face appeared mere inches away from her own and making Ruby jump in surprise.

"DOCTOR, if you would Miss Roslinen. I didn't earn the PHD for nothing! Now come along girls we have life limb and safety to risk for our mission and we do NOT want to behind schedule." DOCTOR Oobleck proclaimed as he zippped off towards a waiting bullhead.

Jaune and Ruby shared a look.

Ruby sighed.

Jaune placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Thanks Jaune."

As Ruby's team started walking towards the pad, Ruby could only sigh again and close her eyes as she heard her teammate shout.

"WHY DO YOU HAVE MY DOG?!"


Let's call it there.

So, Ruby's desire to know about Summer is starting to show more outwards at least to Qrow and Yang. Weiss saw something she wasn't meant to, and we're off to Mountain Glenn.

Did you really think I'd deprave Zwei the chance to explode mechas?

As always, hope you all enjoyed

AD