I don't own RWBY or Call of cthulhu
February 9th 1926 on the outer edge of Downtown Arkham Massachusetts.
3rd POV
The scene opens up on a small house in the suburban northside. The early morning sunshine beams through the winter snow down onto the small house. Inside the hall's seem quite empty. Which seems too accurate seeing as there is a still 'sold' sign standing out in snow covered yard. As the light creeped in there seems to be a faint muttering coming from one of the rooms. In what looks to be an office space, sat a familiar person. It was Ruby, in her pajamas. A red and charcoal flannel tunic with wide brim pants. Her hair let down to cover her missing eye, she seems to be talking on the phone.
"Huh… suppose that would work but you can see where I'm going with this right? Hmm… I'd look forward to it actually." Ruby said on the phone. She then holds up a box. A package delivered from Colt manufacturing Co in Connecticut. "I did got the package. It's just as I detailed it… they call it the what? Oh, thanks, but it should be after you… Aw… I'm really flattered."
As she talked she suddenly heard the door squeaking. Looking at the door, she saw him. Tommy. He stood there with two mug in his hand and a tooth brush in his mouth. He pointed to the watch on his wrist to which Ruby realized the time.
"Sorry, I got to cut this chat short. Talk to you soon. Thanks, bye." Ruby said before hanging up the phone. Looking at Tommy she asked, "Was I on the phone for long?"
Tommy didn't answer immediately, but rather he walked over to her handing a mug of black coffee before heading to the window. He cracked open the old window before spiting out the paste. "It was 9 when you got that call. Honestly surprise that the old man stayed up just to talk to you."
"We were going over details on the fifty Cal AMR. Discussing on who to sell the patent to. Maybe Fabrique Nationale seeing they asked him to work on a 9mm pistol. But maybe it's best that we keep it local." Ruby explains as she looked at her own watch seeing that it was some time after six. "Didn't realize we were talking for that long."
"And the package?" Tommy asked looking down at the box in her lap.
"Oh, a gift for the first prototype I helped him with. Colt is going to nickname it the Silver Flower after me." Ruby said as she held it up. It was a custom 1911 pistol, with hexagonal grip, silver steel engraved with rose's up and down the barrel. A strange attachment at the front that helps with the recoil. Under it was a small note from the man she was talking to. 'Enjoy the first in a new order of ten thousand. -JMB'
"Hmm… that was nice of him." Tommy said before taking a sip from his mug. "Shame he didn't send that impressive piece with a watch."
"A watch?" Ruby asked with a raised brow.
"Yeah, cause it's now 6:45." Tommy said as he looked down at his watch. Realizing the time Ruby nearly cursed.
"Oh shoot. Shoot, shoot!" Ruby remarks before quickly finishing her mug. She then uses her semblance to quickly get herself ready for the day. Passing by Tommy as she races upstairs to take a shower.
"Hey, no semblance magic in this house hold! I can't keep cleaning up these rose petal!" Tommy shouted up the stairs to which Ruby calls down, 'Sorry!'
After quickly getting dress in some winter clothes Ruby was out the door, dragging Tommy along as they race to catch the Arkham Trolly system into French Hill District. As they run Ruby can't help but think about her time since moving to Arkham back five months prior. The history of the city of Arkham was long and not always pleasant. Founded in 1644 from a group protestant who were more Liberal thinking for the time after fleeing from Boston's a decade prior to the Boston martyrs of 1659. Since then, the town had suffered multiple misfortunes over the centuries but has become more relaxed in recent years.
What set Arkham apart from most New England towns was the very noticeable characteristics gambrel roofs and the ever growing dark legends that have surrounded the city for centuries. Despite the gothic Georgian, Colonial, and Victorian era homes Ruby couldn't help but love this city. It was like Vale in some aspects with the humble sense of Vale. Despite the beautiful architecture of the city they could barley afford the house on the north eastern part of town. Tommy didn't want to live close to work seeing he grew up in the Merchant district. Thankfully with Ruby connections back east she found some freelance work helping an old friend with new fire arm design. This allowed them to afford this home and slowly they begin making money. Give a few more months they may be able to afford a car so they don't have to catch the early train to get to work on time.
Speaking of, she and Tommy needed to get to work. The two hurried along to catch a ride on the Trolly. Paying three cents they rode the trolley to the French Hill District. Once off they head to East Powder Street. There in a newly refurbished Colonial building was the Famous or Infamous Blackwood Detective Agency. The house was once The Mires estate. A wealth family that brought a great deal of fortune to the town before there ultimate demise during the witch trials by the Infamous Kaiser Mason. The organization spawn from a man hunt of that terrible old witch with the sole survivor Joshua Mire being raised by the founders. Today the Blackwood agency has many offices in cities around the world with the latest being in Warsaw as of 1921.
"Aw, morning Agent Rose, Agent Colt. There's a client upstairs waiting on you." The receptionist said as the two walk in through the front door of the old Georgian style house.
"Oh really? Hmm a bit early for case but alright." Tommy said as he removes his winter, Fedora. "Alright. Ruby, mind getting the documents on case file on that missing person. I'm expecting a phone call from Saint Mary's sometime today. To see how his condition has come along."
"Sure." Ruby said as she slowly undoes her scarf. Tommy heads upstairs while Ruby heads to the basement. Downstairs was an archive room. Around the early 19th century there was a horrible fire that engulfed French Hill. The old house barley survived but most of the documents on the third floor did not. So the few that did were moved downstairs into a well secured basement. Thousands of case files spanning centuries were filed here. Looking through them, Ruby eventually finds one file that wasn't covered in dust. The one on her sister.
From what she gathered Yang was in country but where? Reports of her appearing in Hammond Louisiana, Chicago Illinois, New York City, and even here in Arkham. She fell in with a tough crowed though then again, she found the idea of Prohibition stupid. I mean maybe it might be good for her Uncle Qrow to stop drinking but a whole nation?! It's honestly no surprise people started setting up these speakeasies around the country. What surprise her however was how Yang fell in with organize crime. As she overlooked the files, she suddenly heard a rusted gate opening. Turning around she see's a man walk out of a heavily bared iron door.
"Oh, Agent Rose. Surprise your down here." The man greeted her. He was an elderly man in his seventies. He had a slim build with an aging strength behind it. He spoke with a refinement behind his voice as if every sentence was a question. As he put's away his Keyes away Ruby greeted her.
"Director Blackwood. What are you doing down here?" Ruby asked the head of Blackwood detective agency.
"Just going over a file from Paris's agency. We lost a good man over there but it was worth it seeing the government has repelled yet again another mob of Jacobins." Director Blackwood explains. "What about you agent Rose. You still looking for your sister?"
"Yeah. We are expecting a phone call from Saint Mary's today. Hopefully it is to tell us if Marty awoke from his Coma… I hope." Ruby said with a hesitant tone. Marty has been Comatose since August and he hasn't awaken since.
"Aw… well cheer up. Even if he doesn't pull through we always find our man. One way or another." Director Blackwood said as he pat's Ruby Shoulder.
"Yeah. Guess your right." Ruby said feeling slightly better. "Well guess I should take this up to Tommy. Wouldn't want to miss this for the world and also we may have a client already."
"Very good. As you were Detective." Director Blackwood said with a nod before heading upstairs with Ruby following behind him. She enters Tommys office to find a woman leaving. Tears in her eyes as she passes by Ruby. When Ruby walks in she see's tommy lighting up a cigarette.
"You know those things will kill you one day." Ruby remarks as she set's the paper on his desk as she sits at hers.
"Duly noted." Tommy said before puffing out smoke.
"So. What happened with the client?" Ruby asked as the two sat at their desks.
"Husband a man by the name Curt Armstrong from the American Institution of Archelogy in Boston went missing. Claims her cousin saw him wandering about the College with a broad in arm. She asked us to find him." Tommy explains as he hands her a torn photo given by the client to Ruby.
"Hmm… it's kind of disturbing to know so many people cheat on there spouses." Ruby said as she leans back.
"Yeah well. Least it keeps us in business." Tommy said before setting some things that the Client gave him. "Mind running a few numbers while I look over his things? Can't use the phone while I am working."
Ruby gives a nod and the two went to work. Overgoing the papers from Armstrong's personal things. Tommy found that he was working on a theory about the ancient cult of Teotihuacan. How they worshiped some spider god before being routed by other tribes. However he didn't seem to have any indication of cheating on his wife. Ruby can confirm that as she made multiple calls to the AIA, Harvard, Miskatonic, and Yale. The responses were from polite to disgust by the questioning however they were all worried about him. The few that saw him last detailed a red head woman who seem to have gone by a different name ranging from Red to Crimson. It was like she weaseled her way into his mind. Forcing him to disclose things outside the academic circle. After a few hours of researching Tommy get's up from his desk.
"Well… I'm starved. I'm going to run across to the Deli to get a sandwich. Want anything?" Tommy asked Ruby.
"I'll take French dip. Or the BLT if they have it." Ruby answered. Tommy gives a nod and walks away. As Ruby finishes up the phone calls a woman walks in. She had on a trench coat and wearing a scarf around her head. Covering her eyes with a pair of shades as she walks over to her with a bouquet of exotic looking flowers.
"Excuse me. Do you know where Thomas Colt Jr. desk is?" The woman asked Ruby.
"Right here. Um why do you asked?" Ruby asked as she feels… an odd sense about the woman.
"Just… just an old friend who heard he was back in town. I recently returned from South America. Do you mind if I leave it here with my number?" She asked Ruby.
"Sure. I mean he'll be back from the Deli soon. I'm sure he won't mind if you wait." Ruby suggested.
"No, I have other things to attend. Just wanted to say a quick hello before I go." The woman said as she laid down the bouquet of flowers on the desk. "Thanks for the offer. Have a lovely day."
She then leaves quickly before Ruby could even get a chance to ask who she is. She takes the moment to overlook the flowers. They were beautiful and a bit out of place for New England. She leans over to take a sniff when suddenly a spider crawls from it. She freaks out as she threw the nasty thing onto the table. Smashing it with a clock.
"Ew… creepy thing." She mutters as she looked down at her hand. Damn thing tried to bite her but that little thing didn't know her Aura basically made her skin impenetrable to little things like bugs. She begins swiping away at the mess left on Tommy's desk when the phone begin to ring. Dropping what she was doing she quickly picked up the candle stick phone. "This is Detective Ruby Rose, picking up for Detective Tommy Colt Jr. Who is it?"
"Um, Hello Detective Rose. I'm Carolyn Fern from Saint Mary's Hospital. I was told that either you or Detective Colt would pick up… I'm sorry to say but these next few words will be… displeasing." The woman on the other line said. Ruby freezes upon hearing those words. As she does Tommy Walks in with two sandwiches. "Mr. Ricco has escaped."
"… Escaped?" Ruby asked. She was glad that he wasn't dead but escaped? How? He's been in a comma for months. "How?"
"We are not sure ourselves. His Muscle atrophy should have kept him confined to the bed for a week after he recovered. Not sure how he broke out of the West Wing Coma section of the hospital." Ms. Fern said over the phone.
"Is it alright if we come over? I'd like to get an idea of the crime scene if possible." Ruby asked.
"Sure. Police are to arrive on the scene in ten minutes. So you may wish to hurry." Ms. Fern answers.
"Alright, thanks. See you soon." Ruby said before hanging up. She turned to Tommy and asked, "Can we use the company car to get to Saint Mary's?"
"I think we can. But I'm driving." Tommy said as he tosses Ruby her sandwich before grabbing his Trench coat. The two quickly got on their coats and sprinted for the door. Unaware that the bouquet of flowers laying on Tommy's desk had multiple spiders crawling from it.
On the road to Saint Mary's Hospital, 10 minutes later
The two borrowed the company car, a beat up 1920 Nash Touring; to get to Saint Mary's Hospital. Saint Mary's was the only hospital in town but along with that it also acted as an Asylum. One of devious reputation that it made the mental hospital in Danvers look like a day spa. As the two drove up to uptown, Ruby remembered something.
"Oh, fhoot." Ruby said with a mouth full.
"What?" Tommy asked.
"(Gulp) I forgot a woman came into the office looking for you." Ruby said after swallowing her food. "Didn't catch her name but she left behind these beautiful flowers on your desk."
"… flowers?" Tommy asked with a raised eye brow. "What like something you give on a date?"
"Not sure. They were exotic. I think she said she got back from South America and wanted to check in on an old friend." Ruby remarks.
"Old friend? Not sure if she got the right Tommy. I don't have friends who have the funds to go that far south." Tommy remarks as he wave his hand. "But what was she like? A tall Blond Bombshell?"
"No Redhead." Ruby corrected.
"Hmm… Ginger orange or Rose wine Red?" Tommy asked. Before Ruby could answer they arived right outside Saint Mary's. A woman was seen talking with two police officers when they pulled up. "Aw shit. It's Campbell. Of all the cops they put John Campbell on the case."
"Oh, that jerk. (Sigh) let's just get this over with." Ruby said as she leaves the sandwich on the hood of the car. The two got out of the car and headed for the main entrance. Expecting to be stopped by the two. Sure enough they were.
"Well, if it isn't prodigal son and his one eye Jane. What are two schmucks doing here?" Officer Campbell asked as he crosses his arm.
"Following a lead. Involving our escape loon." Tommy remarks with an annoyed glance. "And you, put on questioning the doc's and staff cause APD is afraid that you'll fuck up another case?"
"Watch it Thomas. I might not be the brightest bulb but I can knock out your lights. You and your one eye jane." Officer Campbell threatened.
"Me… maybe. Ruby. I'd pay good money to see you try." Tommy said with a smirk as Ruby cracks her knuckles to illustrate his point. Course the officer didn't see beyond a 5'8 girl with one eye. Before the matters could escalate the woman the two were walking with intervenes.
"Please Gentlemen and Lady. No fighting on the premises. We have enough public destruction as is." The staff member said. She was Ginger woman with a blue shirt and khaki blouse. Her medical coat over her clothes with an I.D that read Carolyn Fern. "Now, as the patient was under the Blackwood's watch they are given full permission to investigate. You however failed to present a warrant Officer Campbell. So please return when you have one as your last visit caused a lawsuit the Danvers family out in Kingsport."
Officer Campbell gives a tsk before leaving. Grumbling all the while as he leaves with his partner. The woman then turns to Tommy and Ruby. "I assume you are Detective Thomas and Detective Ruby?"
"Tommy but yes. Ms. Carolyn Fern I assume?" Tommy asked.
"Dr. But yes. I was waiting here to escort you to the scene, when those two arrived. Brute was that one." Dr. Fern said as she put's her hand into her pocket.
"Yeah, Officer Campbell has that impression on everyone." Ruby remarks before saying, "So shall we get going?"
"Of course. Right this way." Dr. Fern said as she leads the two down the sterilized halls of Saint Mary's. As they walked Dr. Fern spoke. "From the conversation I overheard it seemed you two had some history with Officer Campbell."
"We've met. He's a brute of a man who couldn't tell his ass from his mouth. Use to be a lieutenant but after he try pinning a crime on one to many innocents, nearly sending one to the chair, the APD demoted him to Corporal. Blames us in particular for find the real culprit." Tommy said as he pulls out a cigarette.
"And did you?" Dr. Fern asked.
"… Maybe." Ruby remarks with a smirk. Dr. Fern couldn't help but smirk as well by how cute Ruby said it. "Well what about you? You mentioned a last time right?"
"Yes, we received this reporter who was injured by… well I'm not quite sure but it was an odd injury. She was seen around an infamous Bootlegger prior and he questioned her while recovering. He got way to rough and injured a few staff members. I'd thought that is how he got demoted in the first place." Dr. Fern said as she thought back to late October. She then opens the door to the coma ward. Inside was a mess. By the looks of it someone had a violent brawl before leaping out the window. "Well. This is where it happened. I hope you can find out how he managed to break out. It confounds all medical expertise on how he managed such a feat."
"Will do. Do you mind if we question the staff who were here for this?" Ruby asked.
"Sure. I'll take you to them once your done." Dr. Fern said as she takes a seat in an empty chair and let the two work.
For thirty minutes the two looked over the crime scene. Making sure to take a few photos with the issued Watch Pocket Carbine. Memory can be a fickle thing so having photo's help remember. As they take a few more photo's they managed to put a mental image of what happened. Someone had torn off the restraints from the bed. The staff came with sedatives but the patient resisted. A violent brawl ensued before he… bend the gated window bars and broke free. In the snow the two can see a trail of blood, and a strange pink substance leading into the woods. With everything they collected they went to interview the staff. They told them how every once and awhile Mr. Ricci would break out into a moan or a shriek in some unknown language before falling back into his comatose state. He then begin suffering from periodic seizures. Some so violent that the hospital had to restrain him. That's when it happened last night. He awoke and broke free in the early hours of the morning. Multiple night staff members raced to restrain him but he fought with inhuman strength. By the end he escaped through the windows and raced into the woods. They called the police prior to calling them and now there is a manhunt going on for Marty Ricci.
With this the two said there thanks before leaving. But not before leaving their cards with them should anything happen. Getting back into there car they drove back to the P.I office only to find the place being fumigated.
"What in the hell?" Tommy asked as he get's out of the Nash Touring.
"Aw, Detective Colt, Detective Rose. Seems you'll be getting a day off after all." A voice from the side called out. It was Director Blackwood.
"Director. What happened here?" Ruby asked surprise by the fumigation exterminators coming out of the office.
"Spiders. Lots of them. Poisonous things. Had to call the exterminators so everyone get's a day off tomorrow till then." Director Blackwood explains.
"Huh… well I left the papers on my desk for that missing case. Mind if I hold onto the film and notes till we return?" Tommy asked.
"Sure. Just be sure to bring them in on Friday." Director Blackwood answers as he excuses the two.
Tommy gives a nod and the two head home. They made a stop in the Merchant district to pick up dinner as they had yet to get a kitchen in order. After picking up Chinese they cached the Trolly home. Walking up the walkway they were greeted by their neighbor.
"Oh, Mr. Colt. Ms. Ruby. How was your day!" A middle-aged man asked as he approached the two. In his hand was a pie.
"Oh Mr. Corbitt. Good. Though a bit of a of a bump in the road. How are you?" Ruby greeted before asking.
"Fine, fine. My Greenhouse produced one to many apples and I saw you coming up the road. Figure to ask if you want an apple pie." He said as he offered them the pie.
"Oh my Monty yes. Your last one was amazing. Thanks Mr. Corbitt." Ruby said as she takes the pie bin.
"Child please, call me Bernard. No need to be so formal." Corbitt said with a smile. He then turns to Tommy who was itching his arm. "By the way I happened to notice a young woman asking for you. Told her you were at the office."
"Aw… Thanks Mr. Corbitt. I'll be sure to have Ruby drop off the pie tin when done." Tommy said as he scratches his arm.
"Well, if it's alright I'm going to our other neighbors to see if they would like a spare pie. Have a good evening you two." Mr. Corbitt said as he nods to the two before walking away to give the rest of the neighbors freshly baked pies.
"Hmm, I wonder how he manages that greenhouse of his so well. It took my dad six years to learn how to grow anything but weeds." Ruby said as she smell that pie.
"Yeah… still something ain't right about him. Had that feeling since we met." Tommy said as his arms stop itching the further Mr. Corbitt walked away.
"Aw, your being to paranoid. Come on. Let's finish this pie quickly." Ruby said as she takes the bake good with her inside. Inside the two used wooden milk crates as seats seeing, they have yet to buy proper chairs. As they ate dinner the doorbell ringed interrupting their meal.
"I'll get it." Ruby said as she puts down the chopsticks. She walked over to the door and opened it to find that woman from before was there.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I must have gotten the wrong address." She said but before she could leave Tommy walks out.
"Confound it how do you even use these damn… things." Tommy pauses with wide eyes when he saw her. "…Juliet?"
"Hi… Tommy." She remarks sheepishly. "I heard you were in town. Thought um…"
"Oh yeah I… I transferred back here. Um… how's your brother?" Tommy asked.
"He's… he's dead." Juliet answers.
"Oh… I'm sorry about that." Tommy said awkwardly. After a few moments of awkward silence Ruby then interjects.
"Would you like some pie?" Ruby asked.
"Um I don't mean to impede or anything." Scarlet said nervously.
"Nonsense. I got to hear more about you and Tommy." Ruby said as she pushes Scarlet into the house.
Hello Everybody, Wombag1786 here.
So it seems I made a slight error in timing as the chapter was meant to be posted on Tuesday not Monday. But my fault so call it a day early chapter. Now this arc will be a bit world building but important none the less. In this chapter there are a few call backs through out the story. Can you recognize them? Post them down bellow. Now, we will continue as aways one chapter every two weeks on Tuesday. So with that all said let's answer some replies.
From Carre: 1. No problem
2A. Yeah This might become a running gag. Mostly for shit and giggles.
2B. Ha. I love making refences to IRL things like this. The previous and this chapter is no exception.
2C. … maybe. (They aren't but He does embody friendliness if not more classiness.)
2D. Shit. Though I guess if someone runs around muttering Bok it would be funny to think he is saying book.
3A. I did and I nearly missed the deadline.
3B. I hope you enjoy all five of them.
4A. He will make a comeback… eventually.
4B. I haven't watch the show but I'm aware of it. This story basically follows the theme of reuniting with an old fling. Along with that world building Arkham.
4C. Good to be back and thanks for the thumb.
Thanks for writing Carre.
From Black Cross0: Took a lot of inspiration from RE2 and Bullet Train.
A lot of world building. Also Her making friends with a legend. I'm very giddy from the idea alone.
Seen the trailer and currently waiting for the full season to be released before watching. Heard some good things.
Company has to get there shit together but otherwise nothing.
I gave everyone single adventures first but yes we will be getting some crossovers and other events… or are you referring to those stuck in the void? Cause they won't come out of the closet for awhile.
Thanks for writing Black Cross0.
Aw, it's good to be back. Now I can't wait to post the next chapter come April 18th. Till then please Fav and Fol the story. Leave a comment down bellow and I'll respond shortly after.
This is Wombag1786 Signing off.