Howdy folks, how's it going?
Hope you all have been doing well in a world that's gotten quite a bit shittier since last time I updated.
First things first, this chapter is, I'm afraid, a short one, without much in the way of action. Between things in real life starting to get really busy once again, and other hobbies of mine taking more of my free time, I had to cut this one off earlier than intended. It's a set up chapter, basically, but still, I hope you will enjoy its contents.
As always, big shout out to Chaos Productions for his help.
And as always, I own neither RWBY nor LoL.
Now, on with it.
/
The next morning, Ruby had gotten up early, and made to leave her team's room. Jaune and her had gotten a special leave from the Headmaster to skip class today, so they could head into the city and begin the arrangements necessary to move Tukson… Well, she supposed it was Jaune's collection now, into the Academy. The rest of their teams, to whom they had explained the situation the night before, and had readily agreed to help, some, like Weiss and Blake, particularly invested in any matter concerning the White Fang, were to be catching up to them later in the day and provide assistance with the escort depending on how things went.
Frankly, Ruby wasn't one to mind or fret or worry about having to deal with situations that got complicated and/or unexpectedly dangerous, she normally just went with the flow and dealt with things as they came, but for once, she numbly wondered if this assignment, which on paper sounded like a simple mission, would devolve into something complicated. Moreover, as Merle gave a worried croon on her shoulder, she wondered which of the alternatives would be better for Jaune. Would it be a good thing, if the White Fang tried something, that it could help her friend deal with his grief? Or was distance from the issue the way to go? She didn't know, thinking about these things was hard…
Caught up in her own thoughts as she was, even with her destination being right in the same hallway as her own room, Merle still saw the person waiting there before Ruby herself noticed, blinking owlishly at the unexpected presence. Arslan, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, glanced lazily her way before a stern expression flashed across her face for a moment.
"Ah, I should have expected you'd show up." The girl commented casually, standing straight, and stretching lightly. "Just as well, I think we need to have a little chat."
"What doing here…?" Ruby inquired, tilting her head curiously.
"What else? I'm waiting for my idiot to get ready so we can go about our business for the day." Arslan replied, as if it was the most obvious thing ever.
"No permission…" The smaller girl felt the need to point out, which earned her a snort from the platinum-blonde.
"Yeah well, this isn't even my academy, so I don't see why I should care what they think if I skip a day. More to the point, however…" Arslan's olive eyes stared piercingly into Ruby, a look that seemed… displeased, distrustful, but not exactly hostile. "What is it you're after?"
…Ruby and Merle both blinked, stared at each other, then back at her, tilting their heads as one.
"…Uh?/Caw?"
"Don't play dumb with me." The buhru girl stated, a warning edge to her voice. "I don't know how it is possible that you're here, but I know what you are. The rest of the world may have forgotten, but my people still tell stories of your kind, and I can all but feel the stagnancy on you. I would have exorcised you already… But Jaune tells me not to. He swears by you, calls you a friend, even though he's also aware of your nature. And as much as he's an idiot, his judgement has always been solid. So, because I won't see him brought to harm for being too nice, I really have to ask, what game are you playing? What do you want from him?"
Ruby nearly bristled at the accusation, at the mere thought of what it implied, and Merle did indeed puff his feathers with an angry, indignant squawk, but her muted emotions faded quickly, allowing her to consider things. Ancient memories of the Kraken Priestess' scorn of demons and spirits flooded her mind, and if Arslan was anything like her people's ancestors, the tales she'd mentioned probably revolved around how they deceived and fed on the unwary, and if she thought Ruby to be one of them, she was likely trying to goad a reaction out of her, something to justify whatever she might do afterward…
Well, she would show her a reaction all right.
"You care about Jaune. Care lots. Is good." She said calmly with a nod, earning her a completely dumbfounded look from the blonde, who clearly had not expected the calm, faintly happy reply. "Is hurting a lot, needs friends, loved ones, show not alone. Friends do it, and you do it to. Is good."
For a long, long while, Arslan did not reply, staring that the red-cloaked girl like she was a puzzle that was lacking pieces, like she was something that did not fit a pattern. For just a brief moment, the girl's eyes flashed a pale green, not unlike her own.
"I am good at picking up deceit. My god shows me the ways. And yet, I do not feel like you are trying to deceive…" The buhru girl conceded grudgingly, clearly not sure what to make of this. "You really see him as a friend, don't you?"
"Yes. Not what you think I am. Just want help friends." The reply was simple. Short, but resolute.
"…You are a strange little thing." Arslan stated, not entirely accepting, but not entirely damning either. "I suppose in time, the truth of you will reveal itself. Whatever it might be, know that I will be watching."
And just as that warning was given, the door they stood by opened, and out walked Jaune, the boy blinking in surprise as he noticed them there, having a stare down, before realization dawned and he heaved a tired sigh.
"Arslan, I thought I asked you to be nice to Ruby." He chided, giving his oldest friend an annoyed frown.
"We were just having a little chat, Jaune. I had to see for myself if you were not being led astray." The platinum-blonde replied without a hint of shame. "I have not yet fully made up my mind, but I'm willing to concede the situation might not be what it seems."
"You know, someone without the proper context might interpret this as you being jealous of my female friends." The boy retorted snarkily, which earned him a confused blink from the girl.
"Why would I be jealous of you having female friends?" She asked, sounding honestly clueless. "They're just friends, and if any of them wanted to be something more, they'd need you to want to as well, and you'd tell me one way or another regardless, if it ever became an issue."
"What was the first thing you said when you got here? "Hands off my man"?" Jaune deadpanned, looking rather unimpressed.
"That wasn't jealousy." Was the reply, less a denial and more a blunt statement of fact. "That was concern. You seemed distressed and that seemed as good a cause as any that I could immediately see."
"…I honestly don't know what I was expecting there." Jaune breathed out as be shook his head, with what could only be described as exasperated fondness. "At any rate, we should probably get moving. Are you sure you should be tagging along, Arslan?"
"This is as much my business as it is yours, Jaune." Arslan replied with a defiant stare, daring him to say otherwise. "And like I told your friend here, this isn't even my academy. I don't care enough about its rules."
That, to her confusion, earned her an amused snort from the boy, and even the crow on Ruby's shoulder seemed to be snickering at the words.
"Yeah, well, we'll see how well you hold up to that when Goodwitch comes knocking." He warned, only partially sarcastic. "Anyway, we should get going then."
"Sure I come…?" Ruby mumbled, glancing between her friend and his childhood friend/fiancée, the unspoken implications plain to see even in her blank, doll-like face.
"Yes, Ruby, it's fine for you to come." Jaune replied reassuringly, after the few moments it took to figure it out. "This isn't exactly a date, and you're also a part of this. I'd feel better if you were there too. I'm sure that's fine with you, right, Arslan"
"I don't really care one way or the other." The buhru girl replied with an indifferent shrug, before giving the blond a pointed look. "Although I will be expecting a few outings where we can be alone while I am here. We've still got a lot of catching up to do."
"Fair enough." He replied with an embarrassed wince.
Ruby didn't reply as she followed along, but she was happy that she was helping her friend and not intruding on anything regardless.
/
A while later, the trio walked along the streets of Vale. And while the first few times Jaune and her had done it had drawn some looks, that'd been a while ago, which was why Ruby noticed when the stares began anew, perhaps not as intense, but still as curious. Although this time, their new companion seemed to be the one drawing the most attention, the mistralian outfit and the buhru tattoos making her stick out like a sore thumb even among the colorful populace of the city, not helped by how she was looking around with a displeased frown, turning away curious glances with annoyed glares of her own.
"So this is the big, fancy city of Vale." Arslan commented without enthusiasm, her expression judging and finding her surroundings wanting. "Didn't get much chance to look around when I got here, but I can't say I see the appeal. Everything feels so stifling, and most feel like they're just going through the motions. This does not feel right."
"Yeah, I figured that might not be to your liking. But really, it's probably for the best if you don't start preaching sermons in the middle of the street." Jaune said, in a tone that Ruby honestly could not be sure was entirely snarky. "Pretty sure that might get the police involved."
"I don't do sermons, Jaune, I'm not that far into my training. And broken bones are far more effective teachers anyway." The girl commented with a shrug, words that brought flashes of memories into Ruby's mind. She had this feeling for some reason that this girl was making her distant ancestors proud with how much like them she sounded…
"Yeah well, public assault would be even worse. It's a different place, and a different culture, Arslan. You don't have to like it, but don't go causing trouble over it." The boy chided her with a glance… and seemed to realize something, about how grumpy and guarded his "promised one" sounded. "You don't feel comfortable here, do you? Too many people and noise and not enough nature around."
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Arslan retorted, stubbornly turning her head away, clearly not keen on admitting he was right.
"…I forgot you're basically a country bumpkin." He commented, his tone snarky and vaguely exasperated, before with a sigh he reached out with his hand, his entire demeanor suddenly rather awkward. "Would holding my hand help?"
That had her head snapping towards the offered limb lightning quick, the buhru girl staring at it hesitantly, the obvious happiness with the offer struggling against stubborn pride. After a few moments, the former won out and she grabbed hold, quite roughly, going by the twinge in Jaune's face.
"…I'm not uncomfortable." Arslan muttered, her tone somewhere between childishly petulant and happily flustered. "I'm just doing as you suggest because I trust your judgement."
"Yeah sure, whatever you say." Jaune replied with that indulging amusement of an adult watching a child blustering, clearly pleased at having won the exchange, which earned him an annoyed glare from the girl.
And Ruby, walking a few steps behind the duo, glanced between one and the other, and idly wondered if this was what that whole "third wheel" thing she'd heard about meant. Would Merle count as a fourth wheel, if he hadn't been flying over them to stretch his wings?
"…Training?" She inquired, after a little bit of letting the two enjoy what they were doing, curious despite herself.
"Oh, yeah, right, I didn't mention that yet." Jaune stated with a slight startle, suddenly remembering that they had company. "Well, Ruby, Arslan here is…"
"I can speak for myself, Jaune." The girl in question chided, before glancing back at the red-cloaked girl with her usual stern frown. "In my village, I am the chieftain's daughter, and also a priestess-in-training of the Sea God. I was taught the ways, but I have not undergone all the trials yet. Partly why I left to join an academy. Haven was closer to home, but I'd have gone here instead if someone had warned me ahead of time."
She emphatically tightened her hold. Jaune emphatically winced but otherwise ignored the jab.
At that moment, Merle landed on Ruby's shoulder, and the duo shared a glance. Arslan was sounding more and more like some things in this world had not really changed at all.
"Explains exorcism…" She muttered blankly, at which Jaune did a double take before giving the girl he was holding another deadpan stare.
"Arslan, no. No exorcizing my friends."
The buhru girl made to reply to that, but after seeing the disapproving stare that he was giving her, she merely huffed and looked away, and silence fell over the trio as they kept walking.
A while later, they were standing before a building, in one of the most business-oriented parts of the city. It was a fairly nondescript place, not quite as tall as the ones surrounding it, and much more sparsely decorated, looking like little more than a big, dark grey square. Windows were tinted black from the outside, and the only visible entrances were a side opening that seemed to lead to some underground garage, and the main door, on top of which stood a placard naming the place.
"Bunker&Bunker, inc.…" Jaune muttered as he read. "Well, name's a bit on the nose, but this is the place."
With that he led them inside. Contrasting the sparse exterior, the inside of the place looked somewhat like your typical office building, with booths along the walls for clients to address different matters, a waiting area with black leathered couches, and at least eight security guards, standing like statues around several points of the lobby, keeping an eye out for any and all movement, two of them standing before a large door that led further into the building. All of this, coupled with the pale white indoor illumination, gave the place a cold, professional atmosphere.
After a moment of glancing around, the trio moved towards one of the booths, where a formally dressed clerk glanced up as he noticed them approach, a boredom to his eyes that swiftly gave way to curiosity as they looked over the group.
"Good morning, welcome to the Bunker&Bunker security firm. What can I help you with?"
"Really, what is up with that name?" Arslan piped up without a care.
"Arslan." Jaune hissed out in exasperation.
"What? You were commenting about it too."
"It's quite alright, sir." The clerk intervened before the blond could say anything, his tone neutrally professional. "We get that question all the time. The answer, as I've been told, is that the two founders of the business, all the way back during the last war, were extremely blunt men that preferred to get straight to the point, and thus they decided to advertise the services we provide in the most direct way possible."
"…You provide bunkers?" Jaune couldn't help but voice.
"It was the initial business on offer here, yes, although we have since expanded into security in general. We're a bank, we offer security systems for homes, we even offer bodyguard services with licensed huntsmen." The clerk explained patiently. "That said, once again I must ask, what can I help you with today?"
"Right, so, my name is Jaune Arc." Jaune said, reaching into a pocket for some folded papers, and handing them over to the man. "I'm here regarding some items I know are under your care right now."
With one eyebrow raised in mild curiosity, the man took the documents and begun reading them, occasionally stopping to seemingly confirm something with his computer terminal, and once requesting identification from the boy.
"Ah, yes, Mr. Tukson. A recent customer, but one who paid very well or our premium services. He did leave instructions that concerned you, Mr. Arc, and what should be done if he were to… no longer be available." The man said, as some genuine sympathy shone through the professional demeanour. "My condolences for your loss."
Jaune's mood grew somber at the words, returning to the gloom of the last few days, before he forced himself to focus with a shake of his head.
"Thank you," He replied tersely, clearly not keen on this song and dance. "Anyway, you got his collection stashed up here, right?"
"That we do." The clerk confirmed. "It currently rests in one of our vaults. We were to be preparing it for transport for Vale's docks a few days ago, but then we were informed of Mr. Tukson's passing, and as by standard procedure, we left his assets be until his designated successor for the contract made contact, which would be you right now. I assume that is no longer what you intend to do?"
"Well, yes and no." Jaune explained. "I still intend to have the collection moved, but we want to send it to Beacon instead."
"Beacon, you say?" The clerk replied, mildly surprised. "It is an unusual request. This might well be the first time we've had it even."
"We are working with the full knowledge and permission of Headmaster Ozpin, you can call the academy to confirm, if you want." The boy replied evenly. "The question remains, can you do it?"
"There might be logistic complications that need to be addressed, given the nature of the request, some of which are above my purview to manage, but it should be doable." The man replied, after a moment of consideration. "If you'd allow, Mr. Arc, I would like to make that call to Beacon, and discuss some of these matters with my superiors. While you are waiting, would you like to be shown to the collection?"
That seemed to catch Jaune off-guard for a moment, the blond boy startling at the question, and only really recovering because Arslan gave his hand an encouraging squeeze.
"…I suppose it'd be better to give it a quick check." He eventually replied, to which the clerk nodded sympathetically. He then pulled out a key and reached for a drawer underneath his secretary, pulling out a plastic card, and then pressing a button, which called over two of the guards.
"Vault 7-B." He said, handing over the keycard to the boy. "The guards will escort you."
With a nod and muttered thanks, the trio allowed themselves to be led through the gate deeper into the building, and from there towards an elevator that brought them down, into yet another large hallway, this one covered in rather large, heavily fortified doors. A few security checks and a multi-step unlocking procedure later, one of those doors opened, and the trio were allowed in, the two guards staying by the door in wait.
Ruby glanced around. It was all rather more neatly arranged than it had been back in Tukson's store, but she could recognize it all regardless, from the tomes and scrolls, display cases and lockboxes, all the way up to the ancient, broken blade and weathered staff, the memories of those people long gone once again flooding her mind.
But going by the forlorn look on Jaune's face as he beheld it all, it was the far more recent loss that occupied his.
"The work of a lifetime…" He muttered, his free hand unconsciously reaching for the position at his back where his blades would normally rest.
"We will make sure it'll matter." Arslan replied, her tone and demeanour soft and morose for once, stepping closer to him until they were brushing shoulders, a silent show of encouragement.
Nothing else was said for the next while, as they stood there, looking over the contents of the room. It wasn't until steps could be heard approaching that the silence was broken.
"Mr. Arc," The clerk called politely from the entrance of the vault, patiently waiting for them to approach. "I have spoken with the Headmaster and my own superiors. Everything's in order, and we are ready to begin arrangements at your earliest convenience. I trust that you find everything is in order with the stored items?"
"Yeah…Yes, everything seems to be in place. How fast can you get it ready to be shipped to the academy?" Jaune asked, trying to keep his expression from looking too pained by everything that surrounded him here.
"The most expedient way to go about it would be via airship transportation. It just so happens that our company has such ships available at the local transport station, making it a simple matter of transporting the collection there in one of our trucks. If I give the order to begin the arrangements now, we should be ready to proceed by late afternoon today."
"That would be perfect. Although…" The boy hesitated, unsure how best to put it. "What can be done regarding security measures? There's… a not insignificant chance that the truck might be targeted in transit."
"Oh?" The clerk noted curiously. "Are we aware of the nature of this potential threat?"
"White Fang." Arslan replied bluntly. "They're after this stuff. That's why all this's even happening."
"Indeed?" The man inquired, unflappably professional in the face of this development. "That would certainly explain why Mr. Tukson chose our premium security package. Under its stipulations, we can provide a security escort during the move. We have a number of experienced employees ready to deploy, up to and including retired and active huntsmen. Although I should mention Headmaster Ozpin did say he was sending someone from his end to provide assistance."
"Yeah, we're aware." The blade wielder replied, earning him a curious glance from Arslan. "The rest of our teams from Beacon should be meeting us here to provide further assistance, so if you could just provide the means of transportation and the men to drive, I believe we can take it from there."
"If that is your decision, then it can certainly be arranged. You would normally be required to sign a few documents to allow for such a thing, but the Headmaster impressed upon me that this is a sanctioned mission, and thus we can skip such formalities. And payments have already been made by Mr. Tukson himself, so that has been settled well in advance." The clerk stated deferentially. If Ruby had to guess, he was relieved that the company could just wash their hands off any responsibility as to what might happen. "If that would be all then, Mr. Arc, I shall begin preparations immediately. Come back by 7PM sharp, everything will be prepared for you then."
With all of that said, the trio were escorted back towards the lobby, and from there they walked back out into the streets of the city, suddenly finding themselves with some time to burn.
"Well, all in all, that went more smoothly than I was expecting." Jaune commented, breathing out a relieved sigh.
"That is unsurprising, really. Bunker&Bunker is famed for the efficiency and quality of its services within the private security sector. Even the Atlesian military has made use of them on occasion."
"BeeBoop!"
…
…
…
Ruby should have expected the arms that wrapped around her from behind by this point, she really should.
"Holy shi-Penny?!" Jaune squawked with a startle, having nearly jumped out of his skin at the sudden and unexpected reply. "Since when have you been standing there?!"
The red-haired android blinked owlishly from where she stood, hugging a vaguely annoyed-looking Ruby from behind, her chin on top of the smaller girl's head, while over their heads an indignant Merle screeched and pecked at a happily warbling ball. The metallic clanking that echoed from all the kicking was summarily ignored.
"I have literally just gotten here." She replied succinctly. "I noticed by your scrolls' GPS that you were in the city and decided to come see you."
"Never mind the surveillance thing, would it kill you to at least announce yourself in a way that doesn't give me a heart attack?! Godsdamn…" The boy grumbled, a hand to his chest as he allowed himself to calm down.
"Who's this, Jaune?" Arslan suddenly interjected, staring at the newcomer with a curiously raised eyebrow, earning another owlish blink and a curious stare of her own in return. "Another… interesting acquaintance that you have failed to mention?"
"…You know what, how about we all just go find some snack bar or something to sit and have a chat?" The boy offered after an exasperated shake of his head. "We got some stuff that we need to fill the two of you in on anyway, so might as well get it all out of the way now."
"Good idea…" Ruby mumbled her agreement. Anything to get her out of this vice grip earlier.
/
"Is that them?"
"Yes, seems like the intel was right. The traitor was in league with Beacon."
"Should we radio this in?"
"Yes, tell the others to start mobilizing, and get in contact with Torchwick."
"Uuurrhg, do we really need to work with that human for this? That little sidekick of his gives me the creeps…"
"I don't like it any more than you do, but we don't really have a choice. Adam made his orders very clear. Just radio it in, and be glad that she's gonna be their problem…"
/
I am sure that this transport will occur entirely without incident. Absolutely.
Ruby can't escape the surprise hugs, poor girl.
Also hope you guys liked my attempts at some Jaune/Arslan fluff. Girl's not exactly a tsundere, but she is kind of all attack, no defense.
Next time, we'll have a rather uneventful stroll through the city.
Before that though, next month we'll have the next Beneath a Broken Moon update, although fair warning, that too might be a bit on the short side due to the previously mentioned reasons.
Cya all on the next one, stay safe and take care.