Two months have already passed, and they've all settled into a comfortable student routine. He got to know the people of teams PRVN and RWBY pretty well. Weiss seemed like she'd be a nightmare, but she mellowed out a bit. As for the other girl, Blake, he still didn't get to know her all that much. She seemed pretty defensive about faunus, so that might be a good sign. Maybe. She could be a White Fang agent, those maniacal terrorists have done everything in their power to destroy the reputation of any faunus rights advocate.

Today Violet joined team RWBY in an outing to the waterfront, as they had already done a few times prior. He hoped this would be an opportune moment to find out more about Blake. And he had just the idea. He saw the morning news, and he chose for them to go through this precise part of town.

And so, before they could reach their destination, they stumbled upon a crime scene. A local dust shop was broken into and emptied. Two policemen were talking in front of it.

"No money taken, just the dust."

"No kidding. You thinking what I'm thinking?"

"They're White Fang alright. They must be trying to destroy SDC shipments at the selling point."

Like hell they are, Violet thought, They're arming themselves for… something. What the hell are they planning to do with it? Are their numbers already bigger than he thought? Are they trying to blow something up?

"The White Fang? What an awful bunch of degenerates." Weiss said.

"What's your problem?" replied Blake.

"My problem? They're a bunch of insane terrorists. I don't see what's so controversial."

"They're merely a… collective of misguided faunus."

"Misguided? They seek to wipe all humans out for heaven's sake!"

"Well, they've very misguided. Either way, they've never done this sort of stuff before."

Oh, she definitely knows more than she lets on. She has to be involved with them. But she's not a faunus? He looked her over again, trying to spot some animal characteristic on her.

"Like what you see?" Yang slung her hand over his shoulders. "She is a looker, alright."

Wait, her bow? "Of course!"

"Really? I was just teasing you."

He realized he may have said that part out loud "I… didn't mean it that way!"

"Don't worry" she whispered, "I understand. I can't believe my little bro is actually interested in someone. Ruby and I thought you might not be into girls at all."

"Don't be silly, women are just a distraction to me."

The argument between Blake and Weiss continued to escalate. Violet was getting tired of their shouting, "Actually Yang, can you help me out a little? Hold Ruby and Weiss back."

He approached the arguing pair, "Alright girls, calm down. Blake, can you come with me?"

Everyone stared at him in confusion when he made his request, except for Yang who was smirking to herself. He dragged Blake away from the group into an alley and well out of earshot. With Yang making the girls keep away, he could finally question her.

"What the hell do you think you are doing, Violet?"

He ignored her words and activated his semblance. His left eye began to glow, and a symbol of a red crane appeared on it. Blake's eyes went from confused and angry to empty. Now he could figure out the truth.

Soon, he returned with an upset Blake in tow. Yang and Ruby were laughing, and even Weiss smirked a bit at what she likely perceived as a failed romantic attempt. Let them think whatever they want, he didn't care much.

Getting the two girls away for a while did not, however, stop the argument.

"They feel as if there's no other way out of their situation." Blake trieed to explain to an increasingly annoyed Weiss.

"That's their problem. I have no sympathy for them."

"It's clearly your problem too, since you seem to be complaining about the White Fang."

"Regardless, Blake. It doesn't change the fact that they're still scum. Those faunus know nothing other than to lie, cheat, and steal."

"Aren't you going a little too far?" Ruby shyly joined in, "Not all faunus are White Fang members."

"Of course not. They just happen to never oppose them, they feed them information, and they shelter them. You know, just minor offenses against humanity."

"No wonder they're like that," Blake said, "When they have to deal with the likes of you every day."

"The likes of me? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh don't pretend you don't know. Your company treats them like slaves, as does practically everyone else."

"You're exaggerating. There are plenty of legal ways to address any concerns-"

"They were all tired! We were left no choice." Blake was screaming at this point.

"We?"

Blake stopped in her tracks, realizing her slip-up. She looked over at her teammates, all of their faces frozen in shock. She turned to run, with the group too stunned to react.

"Did she just say what I think she said?" Yang asked.

"Maybe… this is just a misunderstanding," Ruby said meekly.

Violet went after her, despite cries of protest from the rest of team RWBY. He wasn't sure if he could catch up with her, but he gave it his best shot. It soon became apparent to him that he'd lost her, but he didn't give up just yet. He texted Ruby, and she told him they were all looking for her. He hoped it would be enough.

He searched for her everywhere. Every street and alley was looked through. Every store and cafe. And yet he couldn't find her. Several hours of fruitless searching later, he was growing tired. Maybe she returned to Beacon, he thought. It was a small possibility, but nonetheless, he got into an airship that was scheduled to take off in about half an hour. He found a secluded spot on it and waited.

As the airship was just about to take off, he noticed Blake appear, looking around for anyone who would recognize her. Not noticing Violet, she sat down. She was looking around in paranoia during the short ride. He noticed the bowtie on her head was also missing, revealing a pair of cat ears on her head.

As soon as the airship landed, she sprinted out of it. This time he would follow her properly. She led him to the team RWBY dorm room. The door was slightly open, and inside he saw Blake ruffling through her things.

He entered the room and closed the door. "A little sentimental, are we?" The click of a lock caused Blake's expression to darken.

She looked at him in anger and tried to run out, but Violet was blocking the doorway.

"What's it to you, creep? I was just picking up my weapons." Blake said.

"Of course. With all your paranoia I'm surprised you ever left them unattended."

"That's none of your business. You know nothing of me, now get out of my way!" She pointed her machine pistol at his face.

He did not flinch. In fact, he did not even activate his aura. "Actually, I know plenty about you,

Blake Belladona of Menagerie." She was taken aback at this and pushed her pistol directly against his forehead. The feeling of cold metal did unnerve him, but he held strong.

After all, she told me everything I needed to know. It's almost too easy. "You were born into the White Fang, and you dedicated yourself to their cause with great zeal. Of course, when leadership changed and they turned violent you started having misgivings."

"That doesn't change anything. I still did terrible things there." her eyes were now getting teary and her hand started shaking.

"Perhaps, but you did leave eventually. It must have been hard, leaving so many friends behind. Some might have even been more than friends… I understand everything."

"You understand nothing of me!"

"You wanted a new start, right? It's not a lost cause, you know? They can be convinced you're not like that anymore."

"Not the Schnee girl."

"Maybe. But you can't just leave without trying."

"It's too big a risk."

"And returning here wasn't?" He swatted her gun away, a great relief came over him that she allowed it. Too easy, he thought.

"It's alright Blake, you don't have to push everyone away. I don't judge you."

She started sobbing, "I- It's not… It's not that simple. My life is ruined. Someone will find out someday, and it'll all be over for me." She sat down on the ground and curled up.

He sat next to her, letting her cry her heart out. After a while, he began, "Listen, Blake. I understand how guilty you must feel, but you have the chance to right things now. I am also tired of this rotting world, and I think we can help each other."

"What do you mean? Help with what?"

"Those dust robberies. I think we should investigate them together. Whether it's White Fang or not, resolving this would go a long way toward absolving your sins."

She could not believe those words were coming out of such a young boy. She didn't know what to do. "And what of you? Are you some kind of vigilante? Is that what this is about?"

"In a way, I suppose. So what do you say?" He stood up and offered her a hand.

She accepted it and pulled herself up. "Alright, so what's the plan, Violet?"