Chapter 4
As dictated in the regulations imposed by the council of Vale: 'All civilian personnel not currently enrolled or enrolling to a valid Huntsman Academy will be required to surrender any class 2 and above Mechashift Weapons, upon which evaluation of condition and valuation of components will be undertaken.'
Not as important, but the rest states that a portion will be returned to its original owner as recompense. Nothing but indolence on the part of the council and a sorry attempt to sting the blow of dropouts deemed unsuitable to serve as guardians of mankind.
Ruby eyed the taunting signage as she sat in a shabby rusty chair, a far contrast to what one might expect from the standards of Beacon. Opposite her sat a middle-aged fox faunus, alternating between rifling through papers and typing haltingly on a computer. It was clear that the last time this room saw any light was antiquity, which Ruby noted from the dust prancing in the obturating air, before converging on surfaces she would much rather get far away from.
Perking up as the lady mashed the enter button with finality and a desire to escape this wretched room, Ruby met eyes that were abraded and slightly bloodshot.
"All done, thankfully. Is there anything you would like to say to it before its submitted for the subsequent phase? I know how you hunters love your weapons, kind of too much if you ask me"
Ruby shook her head with a solemn look, mouth set in a grim line that betrayed sorrow and heartbreak. "What words can be said, other than requesting safe passage for my baby? She was my everything you know?" If eyes could roll any higher, Ruby was sure the lady would have experienced momentary levitation.
"Very well, please make your way to the skyport for passage back to Vale". Grabbing the weapon by the hilt, the lady made her hasty retreat with Myrtenaster in hand. Ruby supposed she had finally discovered usefulness in Professor Port's class being conducted at this time. The comforting weight of Crescent Rose concealed under her cloak against her back, she stood up with a hop and followed suit.
The unobstructed wind kissed her cheeks and ruffled her hair as she arrived at Beacon skyport, where she found her uncle lying down on a few crates with scroll in one hand and the other behind his head. Noticing Ruby, he swung his legs over and stood, cracking his back with a satisfied sigh.
"You do know I'm gonna have to take you back to Patch now right, seeing as how you are in combat education limbo, rejecting that testimonial and all?", Qrow threw her a side-eye as they walked into the airship to Vale.
Ruby returned his side-eye with none of the subtlety as she gave him a pointed look, "Beacon was supposed to be the best of the best, if this is how they all do it, I don't want an academy".
"So, you're finally going to give up this phase? That'll make Tai happy knowing one of his girls will be around"
The pointed look was upgraded to a glare, "I'm not giving up on becoming a huntress. I'll do it my own way". Ruby paced around the empty airship, hands crossed as she gazed upon the approaching city of Vale.
Qrow gave a disbelieving scoff, "Ruby, really? There is no way you can function as a Huntress in any capacity without your license. Your refusal to join any academy is the final nail in the coffin. Everyone, which I of course mean anyone who needs anything is going to get actual hunters through the mainline channels. Just…go home. You've got other people out there-"
"Other people like Yang? Why her? You guys just let her coast through, not a word. But when you guys heard about Beacon you and Dad hounded me for days asking me to come home"
Qrow gave a frustrated sigh, "Yang graduated top of her cohort at Signal, she's no slouch. While u did ok in Signal, Beacon told a completely different story-
"No thanks to any of you! And the reason why I didn't do well in Beacon even when I was trying was because I was moved up 2 whole years. Imagine expecting me to just understand Beacon level advanced concepts without prior explanation, giving me less than a week to prepare. If you gave me the same opportunities and time Yang had, I would-"
"ENOUGH RUBY"
Ruby flinched at the words that bounced off the walls of what essentially was an echo chamber, leaving trails of goosebumps as they cascaded down her person. Qrow gave a heavy sigh, rubbing a hand over his face in an effort to dispel the exasperation.
"You know better than anyone after what happened to Summer why Tai and I can't let you become a Huntress"
Ruby dropped her head, "You and dad let me go to Beacon".
"Yea, we did. Not permanently."
Ruby's head shot up, eyes wide in shock and confusion. "Wh-What?"
Qrow gave a grunt, merely crossing his arms and seemingly standing up straighter. In a voice laced with authority, he said: "You really think Ozpin would just strip leadership just like that? Beacon has seen its fair share of leaders with worse troubles. When Tai and I heard that you were made team leader, we thought that the pressure might make you cave. Make you finally give up chasing the Hunters. When it didn't, I stepped in."
Ruby's face was stricken with hurt and horror, "You…You didn't-!"
"Yang informed us of your team situation. Just made the voting seem more believable on our part. The professors though? You flew too under their radar for them to even consider any sort of vote, that part was all me"
Stumbling back till she felt the cool glass against her palms, she struggled to generate some semblance of friction, but the cold sweat on her palms made it difficult to anchor her tremoring legs. The walls of the airships seemed to close in, and breathing became a conscious, laborious activity.
"E-Even Beacon? How?"
"That's not your concern. I'm telling you this because Tai and I have endured your little journey long enough. You're not a huntress, and you never will be. Even if you had decided to continue on after losing leadership, and even if you had decided to take up Ozpin's testimonial that he offered for his own selfish reasons, I would have found a way."
Ruby didn't notice when the airship landed on the ground with a shudder, nor did she notice the sun's obscuration by warehouses and construction. What she did notice were the mechanics of the door whirring to life, preparing to release the airship's occupants. Cognizant of her anxious glances towards the door, Qrow raised a hand forward in caution, knees bent with the right foot forward as if preparing for a lunge. Adapting the position of a fencer poised to strike, Qrow's eyes narrowed with admonition yet caution.
"Ruby… You have nowhere to go but home. Despite however long you might have anticipated your expulsion, I know you don't get enough pocket money for an airship or train"
Roses fluttered and silver eyes tinted red.
"Damn it Ruby listen! Vale is a dangerous place. Criminals, gangs, people you shouldn't mess with! And you submitted your weapon, I checked the logs on my scroll. You make this move I won't bail you out". Her uncle knew her too well, always dashing towards the first sign of trouble. A feeble threat though considering all he did to keep her tucked away at home.
A shudder left her as she fought her quivering voice, forcing out a retort: "Stay the hell away from me"
A shame really. Had he been thrice faster he might've brushed her arm.
Her uncle was wrong about a lot of things, but he did offer truth in one of his statements. She was dangerously low on lien, having only started saving what little pocket money she had received 2 weeks prior.
Late afternoon had long since arrived, and the sun had begun to dip behind the decrepit buildings polluting the squalor of the industrial district. Ruby clutched at her stomach as she fought back the hunger pangs that were increasing in frequency and intensity, often causing her to pause for a moment to hug her stomach with gritted teeth.
Evidently racing through alleyways and buildings ducking a huntsman wasn't easy, taking a major toll on her energy reserves. Ruby licked her chapped lips and fought back another wave of hunger, making her best attempt at organizing her thoughts through the fog of pulsating want.
'Industrial Vale…If I walk far along to the main street, I should find vendors. Next will be finding the cheapest transportation out of Vale to… I'll figure that out later, or if not, some lien and a place to stay for the night'. Taking a steeling breath and forcing down the hunger once again, Ruby listened out for the sound of vehicles, and stumbled forth like a forager in a desert.
Squatters eyed her but ultimately paid her no mind, all content with their own sufferings. Passing by dilapidated buildings and stores decorated with closing signs as well as the detritus and needles littering the streets revealed a very different picture from the one painted by the Vale council, opting to exhibit the richer parts of the city with their prepossessing architecture and elaborate shades of white and pale grey.
After a while longer through the eye-opening sights of Vale's underbelly, Ruby emerged from an alleyway to see cars zipping past in haphazard fashion. While spruceness here wasn't much better than before, sights of the rich could be caught beyond the sea of anachronistic battered buildings, seemingly towering over the district and flamboyantly exuding superiority. The streets weren't exactly swarming, but they were crowded enough for Ruby to get angry mutters and annoyed grunts the longer she stood on the pavement.
Then, she saw him. Like a huntsman to the weak and powerless, the vendor stood tall across the street, showering all fortunate enough to pass by with his claims of delicious artery clogging pizza slices. Hunger making itself known again, Ruby practically sprinted across the road, drawing the ire and a fist shake of a man with a dented hood.
The vendor knew prey when he saw it, and he stepped aside with a hyperbolic sweep of the arm to reveal a pizza warmer showcasing generous slices of Pepperoni, Pineapple, and Chicken pizza. Holding herself back from eating first and asking questions later, Ruby said: "Hey, what's your cheapest slice?"
"That would be the Pepperoni, twenty for a slice. But for you, I'll make it fifteen for a slice and thirty for two", the eager man replied with a grin to match.
This was basic sale tactics, anyone could deduce that the original price was fifteen. Who does this sham think he is?
"And only four for extra cheese on all slices you buy"
This man was a genius and deserved her business.
"2 pepperoni slices, please. With extra cheese". Digging out her wallet, she grimaced at the pitiful amount she now considered her life savings. A worried look from the vendor prompted her to gingerly pull out the required lien, handing it over to the clear delight of the man.
"Here are your slices, I added way more cheese than I normally would just for you"
Ruby was sure he did.
Savoring the melted cheese and spiced meat was a challenge when Ruby wanted nothing more than to inhale everything to sate the beast in her stomach. But as her hunger faded and she rejoiced in cheesy goodness, she found her patience well worth it.
With her first task done, Ruby considered her next course of action. 'I need to find out the cheapest transport out of Vale. A quick search on my scroll should do it'. Fishing out her scroll, thumbs flew across the screen as she performed a hasty search for transportation. She stared mutedly at the displayed price of the cheapest transportation out of Vale, which just so happened to be to Mistral.
'Damn, that's not happening anytime soon. I'm not even sure what I would do in Mistral anyways'. It hit Ruby that she didn't have a clue of what to do, or where she needed to be. She knew becoming a huntress was her final goal, but without the academies or anyone to back her up she just felt so… lost.
Feeling tears prick at her eyes, she sniffed and shook her head with fervor. 'Heart breaking contemplation comes later. Since even the cheapest transport to a place I'm not even sure I want to go is out of the question, I need a steady source of lien and a safe place to stay so I don't starve to death or get robbed, or worse'. With the prospect of a night on the street not appealing to her, Ruby moved to tuck her scroll away before a wave of cold paranoia washed over her.
It occurred to Ruby that Qrow could possibly utilize Ozpin's position on the council to stalk her whereabouts from her scroll pinging off the CCT tower. A few days ago Ruby would have laughed at the absurdity, but after recent events revealing Qrow and Ozpin's ties to run deeper than the surface, she wasn't taking any chances.
Switching off her scroll and disconnecting the battery for good measure, Ruby made her way to the premier information broker in the industrial district, a good bit of knowledge obtained from visiting Yang in Vale.
The building had an unassuming exterior, with humble brick walls and arched windows. Still, it gave it a sort of distinct style that distinguished it from the other buildings in the industrial district. One that prompted a look over, but didn't stand out exceptionally. It was late evening now and the sun bathed the building in an yellowish-red glow that somehow made the building a little more intimidating.
Last she heard, Yang really trashed up this place in a fight with security. The possibility of being recognized as the sibling was low, but enough to warrant a shift to feel the comforting presence of Crescent Rose, at the ready for conflict. Taking in a courage inducing breath, Ruby approached the automatic sliding doors, which whirred to live and opened promptly. Basking in the chilled air that caressed her face and uncovered hands as well as the momentary hiatus from the humidity of the rapidly approaching evening, Ruby entered The Club.
The sheer silence inside threw her off guard. Staring down a flight of stairs, she observed the six large crystalline pillars that encased the dance floor. Above the dance floor on the ceiling was a rotating ring-shaped rig of light, laser and holographic projectors all raring to go. While the lights, clean tables, and security hinted at the expectation of a wild night, it simply wasn't. Staff sat at tables meant for customers, drinking cheap alcohol meant for teenagers on a budget, talking hushedly about topics ranging from nothing to everything.
It was quite surreal really, and unlike any image of a club Ruby had conjured in her mind. Casting her gaze to the left side of the dance floor, she found the man she was looking for. Junior Xiong stood with eyes unfocused behind the bar, busy polishing a glass that looked sparkly clean. He was dressed sharply in a black vest over a white dress shirt, a red tie, black gloves, and black dress pants. All dressed up to serve invisible patrons. Junior's eyes shot up as she walked over ,a surprised look befalling him as she sat down on one of the rotating stools.
"As happy as I am to have business kid, I don't think you're old enough for any kind of drink behind me except mixer", Junior said firmly as he fixed Ruby with a scrutinizing gaze.
Ruby raised an eyebrow, hands clasped together as she leans forward across the counter, "I'm not here for a drink. Look Junior, I need information and I hear you're the one to ask. Is that true?"
Junior sets down his radiant glass, settling on an unrevealing face, "That depends, how much you got and what are you trying to find out?" Ruby chucks what remains of her lien on the table, resulting in a stare of pity that is returned with a scowl.
"You know that's not much"
"I do"
"Do you even have any left?"
"If I did, I would've put it on the bar by now"
Junior grabs a coin and rolls it across his fingers in consideration. "What you looking for?"
"Nothing much, a consistent safe place to sleep from tonight onwards and a steady combat-based job"
Wincing as he palms the coin back down, he gives a heavy sigh. "A place to sleep is no issue except for financing it, the job is the tough part. Civis don't want anybody besides huntsman protecting them, best of the best you know?"
"Yeah, so I've been told", Ruby replies with a grunt.
Junior wears a thoughtful look as he brings a hand to the chin in consideration, "Yeah. Well, you're a little young, but I've seen younger. There's always Torchwick-"
"No", silver eyes darkened and Ruby cut him off with a sharp glare. "I'm not hurting innocents, and I'd rather go hungry than steal from them"
Junior raises his hands in surrender, eyes wide at the blatant hostility. "Hey, no need to get aggressive. Well I got nothing then, even with the cheapest apartment in Vale its going to take much more than a store job to keep up with rent"
Ruby swears as she gives an exhale of deep-rooted frustration, "Thanks anyway, what's the cheapest spot you got for tonight". Junior scribbles down the address onto receipt paper before handing it over to Ruby folded in half. Pocketing the paper, she gestures towards the lien on the bar, giving Junior a questioning look.
Junior shakes his head, "Bah, keep it kid. You're my good deed for the week". Pushing the lien to her with a gloved hand, he gives a smirk and nods his head at the lien, eyes twinkling with mischief as though she was in on a joke.
"Been a while since anyone's done good for me. Thanks Junior", Ruby gives a small, gratified smile with a firm nod, swiveling off the stool and making a move for the door.
Stepping out of The Club and being greeted by the starless sky proved ineffective in quelling Ruby's fears for the upcoming days. Her uncle was no doubt scrambling to gain a foothold in spooring her, and it was only a matter of time before her lien and luck ran dry. Mentally repeating the address in her head, she prepared to set off, only for a frantic shout behind her to grab her attention. Spinning around, her eyes settled on Junior leaning on the automatic sliding doors with exertion evident on his features, breaths coming out in winded pants.
"Sorry…phew sorry. But I had an idea." A questioning look from Ruby prompted Junior to continue, "You said you don't want to hurt innocents, right? Or extort or any of that?" An excited grin ensued from the affirmative nod from her.
"Well, work for us then. The Xiong Family", Junior gave his all-encompassing solution, a proud look stamped on his face.
Ruby narrowed her eyes, and silver orbs gleamed with censure. "A crime family? Don't you guys hurt people?"
Junior gave an amused laugh. "Other gang members? Maybe. You never mentioned anything about hurting violent criminals, did you? Also, the Xiong Family doesn't hurt nor extort innocents under any circumstances. We prefer making our money through other avenues, businesses, smuggling of illegal exports and imports, all that stuff". Ruby was sure that wasn't at all anywhere close to the full extent of Junior's misdeeds, images of drugged up squatters and needles from the day flashed forefront.
Silver eyes remained narrowed. "Drugs? Your consumers can't be all gang bangers can they?"
Junior gave a none too worried laugh, "Very astute red. Yeah we sell drugs to those who come knocking, but, and it's a very significant but, you'd be hard pressed to find drugs with matching quality"
An unconvinced look prompted Junior to continue. "High quality invites trust, trust invites customers that are looking for a no bullshit, safe, high quality high. We don't skimp on purity, ingredients, or any of that crap the other gangs try to pull, meaning our customers stay alive and healthy"
Ruby scoffs unbelievingly, "Healthy? What about all those people I saw just lying on the street, too high to care about anything else?". Crossed arms and a pointed look did nothing to defer Junior.
"Do you have any idea how bad it would be with bad quality drugs on the market? People overdosing here and there, those looking for a small high stand as much chance of dying as those inhaling the stuff. That, isn't good. You ever wonder the reason why the cops don't crack down on the industrial district? You're looking at them. By selling quality ensured drugs, we mediate the consequences. Instead of fifty dropping in a day we are down to five half-yearly"
"You could always just not sell them…they ruin lives you know"
Junior snorts, "And what then? We stop selling and another gang takes over, one with shitty practices and even shittier morals. I'm not going to try and tell you that we are doing this out of the kindness of our heart in an attempt to preserve society, but what we do works. The authorities don't get involved and Vale remains out of the news" he fishes out a cigar and lighter from his pocket, igniting it with a practiced, smooth motion.
A deep puff followed by a plume of smoke later, Junior continues. "As for ruining lives? As I said, if not us then someone else. And it's hell of a lot better to ruin a life than to completely end it. It's not like the life of everyone who does drugs, especially our drugs, goes to shit you know? Most just do it on the side, something to take the edge off, those function better than ever with our product. The people you saw were the outliers, those that didn't follow our recommended instructions. You think we want to cripple people like that? The more that end up like that, the more our income takes a hit, with them not having a job and all"
Conviction and experience accompanied his words, and Ruby couldn't help but ponder what she just heard. Junior inhales another puff.
"Bottom line, we don't hurt innocents intentionally, ever. Bad for business, bad for the media, bad for all of us. You need a place right? We can do that, set it all up for you with papers untraceable. As for money? We'll pay you eight hundred a week for your position", Junior said with a smirk as he watched Ruby struggle to contain her shock.
Ruby reeled in the urge to settle the deal right there and then, instead opting to air on the side of caution, "You told me all of this, just like that? I could have gone to the cops you know. You don't even know what I can do and you're just hiring me? A kid?"
A knowing smile sent a wave of uneasiness cascading down her. "Nah I didn't think you would. Not everyday you get a business opportunity as good as the sister of Yang Xiao Long, if you can fight three quarters as well as her."
Apparently silver eyes widening in shock wasn't enough, for Junior kept at it: "Qrow Branwen's a real piece of work huh. Came looking for you demanding locality, and I was so interested that I had to take a peek at your file. Never seen combat scores like that on any Year 1 sides Nikos, just makes me wonder just what you did to end up like this"
Hands raising up in surrender as Ruby crouched slightly and roses materialized, Junior shook his head. "Don't worry Ruby, I ain't looking to rat you out. Wouldn't have told you all of this if I thought you would have just went to the cops. I bet with the Qrow Branwen on the loose you're looking to lie low huh", his words were embossed with actuality rather than any sense of curiosity, and the cigar in his mouth lit his face up with an ominous glow further accentuated by the gloom of the night.
Ruby considered her options, which were rapidly deteriorating in calibre as the sun made way for the slumbering moon. This offer was a sure way to get lien, accommodation, and security for the future. She would need way more than transportation costs realistically, as just covering the bare minimum would leave her necessitous at wherever she decided to depart to. Relaxing into a casual slouch with a relenting huff signaled her reluctant agreement.
"What's the job?"
Junior flicked his cigar aside, leaving his face shrouded in darkness with only the moonlight glinting off his red sunglasses. Reaching a hand out to seal the verbal contract was a gesture that Ruby imitated, and Ruby was given direction.
"Muscle"
Author's Note
This isn't a Ruby becomes a gang member fic. This is more of just a temporary arrangement for Ruby to get some insurance for the future without compromising her morals… too much. Just thought I would throw this out there. Hope you guys enjoyed.