A/N: Welcome back~ Apologies for the long and sudden wait - writing four multi-chapter stories at the same time, on top of my regular body of work, was just a bit too much to handle at once so i stepped back from this fic and others so I could focus on other projects (which had seen minimal progress in part due to being so busy with this and other fics).
Hopefully should be back to the usual twice a month uploads now though~ Do enjoy~
Reflections of the Soul
Chapter 6: A Bitter Pill
Night turned to day awfully fast.
With it came wakefulness; the four Rose sisters stirring from their hotel beds and shambling about, taking their turns with the shower and ordering some breakfast from the room service. However contrary to the hotel's modest but cosy atmosphere, the four girls were in anything but good spirits.
Ruby least of all. The day before weighed heavily on her conscience, every misplay or mistake living freely in her mind – wondering, fruitlessly, if she could've changed anything. Some things she knew were beyond her control of course – she couldn't have predicted let alone stopped the two giant Alpha Boarbatusks, she couldn't have stopped the Grimm horde before they reached Viridian, she couldn't have saved every single person-
But what about other things? Maybe if she brought more ammo she could've taken down another dozen or so Grimm. Maybe if she'd followed behind the civilians escaping she could've jumped onto the Alpha Boarbatusk and at least distracted it. Maybe if she suggested all the residents group up for evacuation the moment they arrived, more lives could've been saved, especially the infirm and old who wouldn't have been able to run to the evacuation ship on their own.
So many maybes, so little answers.
Worse still, Qrow was gone – out to make some calls about what had happened, and would presumably be busy for most of the day. She didn't blame him for that, especially since he was the only true Hunter on the scene and thus was the main source of info for those needing it – but still, his absence weighed heavily on her mind.
''Haah...''
Ruby's sigh went unanswered as she flopped back into her hotel bed. She was still in the same uniform as yesterday, the cuts and tears in the fabric yet to be fixed, but it didn't really show off much so she wasn't in a rush anyway. The others were scattered around the room in front of her – Garnet sat on the opposite bed watching the news, Scarlet was busy trying to brush her tail in the bathroom and Cherry was sat by Ruby's feet, also watching the news. If only because there was nothing else to do.
Originally she'd have thought they'd be going back to Patch, but Qrow had decided it was better for them to stay in Vale since Yang would transit back there in two days or less – thus, they could all head back together. A decision Ruby supported... but, also left her with little to do but think.
And thinking was the last thing she wanted to do right now.
Grimacing Ruby rolled over and swung her legs over the edge of her bed. Crescent Rose laid there in its compacted form, tucked against the rounded handle of the bedside drawer before she plucked it up and slotted it behind her back, the magnetic lock activating seamlessly.
It was only when she started to go towards the door that Garnet spoke up. ''Where are you going?''
''For a walk.'' Ruby said, glancing back at her three sisters with a smile. ''I'll be back soon.''
None stopped her and so with a hint of haste Ruby departed the stuffy hotel room. The hallway was a tiny bit cooler but it wasn't until she made her way outside the hotel proper that she felt like she could breathe freely – the air still cold. Though not much snow remained on the ground she could spy a few piles tucked up against the corners of shops or under automobiles. The sight of it reminded her of Patch, which was still doused in a heavy amount of snow, and without thinking she reached up to touch her eyepatch.
The metal was cold against her fingertips and she relaxed minutely; relieved she hadn't forgotten to put it on. It was becoming strangely easy to just ignore losing half of her view. Sure she still bumped into people or objects, but it was getting easier day by day, her Aura adapting almost and warning her if she was about to bump into something or something was about to touch her. Not enough to be useful in actual battle, due to the speed that attacks came at, but at least in day-to-day life it lessened the amount of times she walked into other people because she misjudged the distance between them.
Dispelling the thought Ruby started off in a direction at random. Vale wasn't entirely unfamiliar to her but she had to admit her current surroundings most certainly were – her sole silver eye scanning the rows of shops of both sides of the street, the occasional hotel or government building between them. People milled about through the early afternoon air without even looking at her – some on their Scrolls talking to people, others looking at shopping lists, some just looking ahead without even glancing in through the store windows.
It was all so... normal.
She clenched her fists then, taking a moment to draw a breath and clear her mind. Why was she so on edge? Sure, Viridian had been her first taste beyond the walls and she felt guilty about those that lost their lives – but she'd fought Grimm before. Never on this scale, yes, but she'd gone and killed Ursa, Beowolves, Boarbatusk – heck, she'd even killed an Alpha Beowulf not that long ago! She'd even faced down an Alpha Boarbatusk that must've been decades, if not centuries old and lived to tell the tale!
So why was she still so tense?
Because of that Grimm.
The thought came to her, sending a cold jolt up her spine as the pieces clicked into place. The haunting, piercing stare that was so potent it felt like she'd been literally shot – she'd never actually seen the Grimm responsible. She knew without question that there was an elder Grimm among the horde, there was no other reason why she'd feel that way... but she'd never seen it. Not at the forefront when the town was attacked nor even when they took off. Had it fled, or hid itself? Or had it simply blended in with the horde when they departed?
Some part of her way glad she never actually had to come face-to-face with such a monster. If just being looked at it was enough to paralyse her, she didn't want to know what engaging it in battle would be like.
'I don't even know what it looks like though... how is Uncle Qrow supposed to warn others if I can't even give a description?' Ruby sighed to herself. 'Maybe I should-'
Her thoughts were interrupted rather suddenly as she turned a corner, and walked straight into someone.
''Ack-!''
''Oof-!''
Ruby landed on her ass with a yelp, wincing as a jolt went up her tailbone, but otherwise she was fine – drawing her gaze onto her unwitting companion. He was about the same age as her, maybe a few years older at most and with a youthful complexion, his blonde hair messy by nature. With a quick shake of his head the young man – clad in jeans and a hoodie, she noticed – looked up at her, his bright blue eyes locking onto her.
And then as one they spoke. ''A-Are you okay?!''
They both stopped immediately after, baffled, before with an awkward chuckle the blonde stumbled to his feet. ''Sorry about that, I wasn't looking where I was going...''
''Oh, same, aha...'' Ruby laughed sheepishly. ''I didn't, um, hurt you right? I walked into you pretty hard.''
''No no, I'm fine, really!'' He assured with a smile, offering a hand. ''I'm Jaune Arc. Short, sweet, ladies love it.''
The attempt at suaveness brought a wry smile to Ruby's face. ''Uh-huh, really?''
''Well, sometimes...'' Jaune admitted bashfully.
Ruby giggled at that, accepting his hand. ''I'm Ruby Rose. Nice to meet you. Or run into you, I guess.''
''Haha, yeah... hey, you really okay?'' Jaune remarked, genuine concern in his eyes. ''Not trying the whole 'I'm okay' thing only to run around the corner and wince sort of thing?''
''Sounds like you're talking from experience.''
''I'm just saying, you know...'' Jaune half-heartedly tried to deflect the query.
Ruby couldn't hide her smile. ''Yeah, I'm fine. Just... got a lot on my mind, is all.''
''Wanna talk about it?'' The blonde teen offered, holding up his hands. ''If you're cool with it of course.''
Ruby was about to decline – he was a stranger after all... but then again, strangers were just friends you hadn't met yet. And who better to vent to than someone who didn't have any bias towards her, no pre-conceived judgement?
''I...'' She sighed. ''Sure.''
Jaune just smiled. ''I'm all ears.''
X-x-X
Vale was a big place.
It felt like stating the obvious, given it was one of the four main kingdoms, but you could never fully grasp what it meant until you saw it with your own eyes. The far-reaching streets that wound this way and that, as old-fashioned town paths turned into modern, grid-based city streets, how older houses were mashed between modern apartments, how the walls looked so small from a distance but so tall you had to crane your neck back just to see the top when up close – Vale was big in a way that, to a island girl like Ruby, made it feel unfathomably huge.
Jaune though was clearly a native to such an environment. With a casual smile he'd taken her to a café one of his mother's friends ran, affording them both a seat on the top-floor balcony overlooking the city streets and adjacent plaza. A fairground had been set up there; some tents, a bouncy castle and some other small events meant for children. She'd not heard much about it but given Jaune barely spared it a glance she assumed it was normal in this part of town.
Maybe it was. What better way to ignore tragedy and keep the Grimm at bay than by focusing on the simpler things in life?
''So the mission went south, huh?''
Ruby grimaced, shifting in her seat. Jaune sat across from her, his vanilla milkshake remaining mostly untouched for the last five minutes of her story. It almost impressed her with how much information she was able to stretch out – normally she sucked at giving detailed explanations. Now she'd just given him a play-by-play of the whole day, near enough.
''Yeah.'' Ruby remarked softly, sighing. ''It's just... weighing on my mind, you know?''
Jaune hummed slowly, finally leaning in and sipping his milkshake. He downed a good third of it before he spoke. ''You still saved thirty or so people, right? That's gotta count for something.''
''But what about the other hundred that didn't make it?'' Ruby mumbled, glancing at her own drink. Strawberry milkshake with cream and grated chocolate on top, with a big juicy strawberry sunk into the side of the glass.
She took the strawberry out and nibbled on it.
''Could you have done anything about it?'' Jaune asked – and then immediately followed up before she could answer; ''And I mean anything? Like, short of gaining superpowers and magically saving everyone.''
Ruby eased back into her seat, expression conflicted. Could she? She wanted to say yes, that she'd stalled too long or made the wrong move – but as she played each instance back in her mind, she realised, with some amount of sorrow, that there wasn't. She couldn't have known about the incoming horde – she couldn't have even known about the state Viridian was in. Likewise when she finally saw the Grimm approaching... she wanted to say she could've shaken off that elder Grimm's stare, but how? How did you just 'overcome' something like that?
But even if she had, would it have mattered? She'd been frozen for a minute at most, probably not even half of that. Even if she'd bolted inside and yelled warnings to everyone would that've made a difference? Probably not. Nobody inside the walls of Viridian knew how close the Grimm were – if they'd left their wounded or infirm behind, they'd likely do the same even if Ruby had gotten there a minute sooner. Either out of fear, selfishness or simple pragmatism. Likewise she couldn't have predicted the Alpha Boarbatusks and definitely not stopped them in the midst of their charge; even Qrow, for all his strength, would just be flattened by one of those things. Only someone with inhuman strength or some unique Semblance could've had a chance of stopping such a giant charge.
''...no, I couldn't of.'' Ruby whispered out, defeated by the realisation. ''...I still feel bad though, for everyone who wasn't able to come back to Vale.''
''That's how you're supposed to feel though.'' At her startled expression he smiled awkwardly. ''I mean, if I was in your place I think I'd feel the same. It's normal to feel bad about that sort of stuff.''
''...mm, guess you're right about that.'' Ruby murmured, munching the last of her strawberry before taking a long drink of her milkshake, draining a good portion of it. ''How are you so good at this whole comforting thing?''
Jaune just chuckled sheepishly at that. ''I come from a family of Hunters, my sisters are all Huntresses too – I guess I just sort of... picked it up. You'd be surprised how often even professional Huntsmen come back feeling like they could've done more; my dad was usually the one that walked them through their actions and helped cool their heads. I had to give my sisters that talk though, once or twice. Guess sometimes all you need is someone else to point things out.''
''Are you a Hunter too?'' Ruby inquired lightly.
''Aha... not really, no. I mean I wanna but, well...'' He scratched his cheek. ''Long story short, I'm... not that good of a fighter.''
''Your family hasn't trained you?'' She questioned with brows knitted. When she had expressed the desire to become a Huntress Taiyang had obviously tried to discourage her at first... but when it became apparent she was dead-set on her future, he'd been the one to rigorously train her, and when available Qrow did too. Signal took over after she was of age for it.
So why didn't a literal family of Hunters train their son to be one?
''My mom doesn't want me to.'' Jaune sighed – and that sigh alone contained a decade's worth of frustration, anger, and defeat. ''Says it's too dangerous – apparently not too dangerous for my sisters, but it is for me!''
''I'm guessing you're an only son?''
''Yeah, took my parents ages to have me. Kinda strange to think my family would've been a lot smaller if they weren't determined to have a son too – something about the Arc legacy and all that.'' Jaune confessed. ''I mean I understand that she wants to protect me and all, Grimm are freaking scary, but come on! If my sisters can do it why can't I?''
Ruby just smiled awkwardly. ''Overprotective parents suck huh?''
''Oh you have no idea.'' Deflating Jaune sipped despondently on his milkshake, draining it. ''You relate?''
''Sort of.'' Ruby admitted. ''My dad's really protective, but I guess it's kinda warranted after all the stuff that's happened.''
She caught Jaune glancing at her eyepatch then, something almost like understanding in his eyes. The thought almost wanted to make her smile – did he think she was blind or lost an eye? Then again, that was probably the normal assumption when you saw someone wearing an eyepatch, wasn't it...
''It looks good.'' Jaune suddenly said, before hurriedly adding; ''The eyepatch, I mean.''
Ruby giggled, bringing a blush to his cheeks. ''S-Sorry, probably shouldn't have said that so suddenly...''
''It's fine.'' Ruby assured, her smile much more tame. ''Thanks. For being so nice to me.''
Jaune shook his head. ''I just did what anyone would do.''
''Funny, you're the only one who noticed I looked down.''
''That's probably why we walked into each other, wasn't it?''
A beat.
Then as one they burst out into light laughter, grins on their faces. The weight that had previously rested on Ruby's shoulders felt so much lighter – the thought strange, but maybe all she'd really needed was someone to talk to. And maybe strangers really were just friends you hadn't met yet.
''Hey, since I'll be in Vale for the next couple of days, anywhere else I should know about?'' Ruby wiggled her eyebrows. ''That you have 'secret contacts' in.''
Jaune snorted at her wording. ''I do actually – there's this pretty flower shop down the road, and the bakery just next to it, and down by the docks there's...''
On and on they talked, and by the time they left the café they had a laundry list of places to visit and see – with Jaune acting as her impromptu tour guide.
X-x-X
The rest of the afternoon bled away with Jaune by her side, leading her around the streets with a confidence that came with familiarity. Even if said confidence wilted somewhat when it came to talking with people.
Eventually though the sun began to set and they had to part ways; exchanging Scroll numbers so they could talk more in future – though he lived in Vale and she in Patch, he had an aunt in Patch and visited her often so the chances of them running into one another were fairly high. Ruby was just happy that they'd be able to meet again; though she wasn't a loner by any stretch of the imagination, especially not with her newfound sisters around, she didn't have many friends on the whole. Sure, a couple ones she could hang out with at Signal or those who failed to pass and now worked in Patch as apprentices or shop-keeps, but none of whom she trusted enough to tell about her newfound... situation.
Jaune though was different. He was new, he didn't have any expectations of her – and because of that she could probably introduce her sisters and he'd just roll with it, heck he might even think the eye was just cool and nothing more. Despite that she carefully avoided letting too much slip out – he was her new friend, yes, but Ruby wasn't dumb enough to spill the beans to the first person who was kind to her. Heck for all she knew telling him would be a bad idea, as people might want to hurt him to get to her – if not now, then in future.
Shaking her head Ruby dispelled the heavy thoughts that started to creep in – the act a lot easier than it was that morning. With a light smile on her face she entered the hotel once more, chirping a light greeting to the receptionist before ascending up to her floor – the journey leading her down the beige-themed walls and across red carpets before arriving at her room door, the same one she shared with her three sisters.
Some part of her still hadn't quite adjusted to the idea. Another part of her loved it.
''I'm back~'' Ruby called out as she strolled inside.
''Ruby!'' And then a second later she was practically tackled by Scarlet, the fox Faunus furtively petting her all over. ''You're okay right?!''
''Wha- yeah, of course I am!'' Ruby squawked, a little flustered as her older look-a-like petted her all over. ''Why? Did something happen when I was gone?''
''No.'' Garnet's voice floated from across the room. ''Scarlet was just worried you'd been gone for so long.''
''Of course! She said she'd just be gone for a little bit...'' Scarlet trailed off, pouting.
Ruby smiled wryly and petted the Faunus's hands. ''Sorry, I'll try not to take so long next time. At least your hearing is back, though.''
Scarlet brightened at that. ''Mm! It felt super weird – I was just laying on the bed and bits and pieces started to come through, until eventually I could vaguely make out what Garnet was saying. Took about another hour though until my hearing got to where it is now. Still hard to hear if you whisper, but Garnet said it should be healed fully by tomorrow!''
Ruby could emphasise with her elation – if she'd lost her hearing, even if only for a day... yeah, she'd be pretty bummed out too. Being half-blind with her eyepatch on was one thing, but entirely deaf? That'd be agony, not even accounting for what it'd be like in a battle.
''Actually.'' Scarlet looked back at her, quizzical. ''What took you so long anyway?''
''Oh, I ran into a boy by...'' Ruby trailed off as she realised how that might be interpreted.
But it was too late, a foxy grin spreading across Scarlet's lips. ''Hehe, a boy huh~''
''N-Not like that! I mean I just ran into him – literally! Well, not literally, I walked into him, b-but you get the point!'' Ruby tried not to stammer. She failed. ''A-Anyway, when's Uncle Qrow coming back?''
''You're not evading the question that easily, Ruby~'' Scarlet crooned mirthfully, hugging her right arm into her generous bosom. ''So what was he like huh? He our age? Cute, handsome, is he into weapon forging? Oh please tell me he's into weapon forging~''
Mercifully she didn't have to answer the incriminating questions as Garnet came to her aid. ''Ruby's newfound companion aside, Qrow should be back any minute now-''
As if her words were the trigger hard knocks banged on the door behind Ruby. The flustered Rose was all too happy to escape Scarlet's questions and yanked the door open without hesitation, a bright, genuine smile lighting up her face as she found Qrow on the other side... with a stack of three pizza boxes in one hand.
''Hey squirts.'' Qrow smirked. ''Got you some pizza.''
Ruby cheered, both for the pizza and for the fact Scarlet was instantly distracted – the two Roses forced away from the door so Qrow could waltz inside. He didn't get far before the top two pizza boxes were whisked away, earning an eye-roll from the man himself but he didn't protest, simply opening the last box and taking a slice of pizza for himself. Ruby on the other hand ferried her box over onto Garnet's bed, earning a thankful smile from her sister before she took a slice out of her own, eating it with grace.
Much more grace than Ruby had, anyway. She didn't care though – after the last few days she had, she was entitled to eat messily.
''Schow!'' Ruby spoke as she ate. ''Wher wur yuu ahl dahy, Unkle Qrow?!''
''Don't talk with your mouth full.'' Qrow said first and foremost, taking a bite and finishing it before speaking further. ''And same thing I told you this morning. Mostly calls about the unusual Grimm behaviour, where the Grimm went after the attack, passing messages along to various Hunters to be on-guard about future incidents like that – that sort of thing.''
Ruby nodded, swallowing her food. ''...what happened to the Grimm after we left, by the way?''
''We don't know. By the time support came to try and thin the horde, only a few stragglers were left – the bulk of the horde had gone back the way they'd came, judging by the tracks, though they've not been spotted yet.'' The Huntsman shrugged. ''I doubt they'll do anything about it – no point in antagonising them and risking them attacking another town.''
''...what's to stop them from doing that anyway though?'' It was Cherry who deigned to speak, peering out past her hood as she munched on a bit of pizza.
Her despondent aura somewhat at odds with Scarlet, who sat across from her wolfing through her pizza slices one after the other.
''Technically nothing, though the other neighbouring towns in the area just beyond the walls are being reinforced, and patrols are being undertaken more regularly – if an attack does happen, the Grimm will have a much harder time breaking through.'' Qrow assured. ''Anyway, I also called an old friend of mine – mostly to do with that damn Grail inside of you, Ruby.''
''Oh... erm, why?''
''Just to see if he can figure out anything we can't.'' Qrow confessed. ''He's pretty knowledgeable about this sort of thing, a heck of a lot more than I am. We'll go see him tomorrow afternoon.''
Ruby was even more curious now. ''Who is he?''
In response Qrow just smirked, mirth in his eyes.
''Ozpin.''
[END]
A/N: More of an interlude chapter this was~ That, and Jaune has been introduced - and at last, Ozpin looms~
See you next time in Chapter 7: Esoteric~
