"What are you?"
A question that holds no reasonable answer, Ruby only stares as her mind processes what to do. Blake's breath shakes as she firmly grasps her weapon, Gambol Shroud, and shifts it to its pistol form. Her face grows stern and she points it directly at Ruby's head.
"What are you?!" Her voice cracks, betraying her genuine emotions. Not like that matter, Blake was oozing with negativity and Ruby was unsure how to respond.
She saw her. She saw her. She saw her dusk self or at least a portion of it, it doesn't matter. By seeing her true self…
Ruby's perception of the world slowed down. Blake's words slowed before she stopped mid-sentence. Silence filled Ruby's ears, with the faint ticking of a clock in her ears.
It would be so easy…
Fear is a drug for her kind and a detriment to the lightborn. The lightborn's hand is shaking in fear and its eyes constantly dart around to and fro from Ruby, its mind can not comprehend the idea of a duskborn, much less one wearing the skin of her kind. It would be so easy to dodge, just a quick dash to the side and it'll miss. It may have Aura, but its body is supple and weak, easy for Ruby to grab hold of it. Easy for her to dominate, easy for her to play with.
The lightborn saw, and by right of law, it must die. But it won't just die, no no no no no no. Something gripped Ruby at that moment, terror, fear, negativity. All washing over and hitting her like a rampaging goliath yet soothing her ailing mind, she must have more. She must have more! Why hasn't her Mother discussed this feeling, a god shouldn't be denied its ambrosia! Ohhh how tantalizing the mutant looks to Ruby right now.
It would be just a simple drowning, watching this cat mutant flail futilely in the water as its last thoughts are of death and betrayal. Her hands grip its pathetic little body as it begs for mercy feebly. Maybe she should drag it out, and let it take a few breaths above the water before drowning it again. It is suitable to bear witness to such perfection for such a cost. From its death, she can just return to Yggdrasil, make up a sob story, and have her deal with the loose ends. It was the perfect plan.
A figure watches in the shadow smiling encouragingly.
Time resumed for Ruby.
Her body twitches and searing pain is felt in her head. Her mind feels overloaded and is bursting from the seems. She slowly raised her hands, before clutching her head. She starts to hyperventilate, tears streaming as she lies in the water. So much pain, so much anger, what was happening to her? What were those thoughts?
Visions of a white rose pierced her mind. Her breathing gets more erratic.
"No…no…I'm sorry…Please…don't…"
She was suddenly on shore, her head resting on a tree. She looks to her right and-.
Blonde hair, lilac eyes. So familiar, so small…she was so small…
Blake lets out a tired chuckle. She stands up and unsheathes Gambrol Shroud.
"Gods, what a mess I created for myself. First Kuo Kuana, then the train and Adam, then I'm paired with a Schnee of all people, and finally for the cherry on top of the mess that is Blake Belladonna's life: One of my teammates is a mythical, skin-stealing Grimm that somehow managed to fool everyone thinking they're human. Just perfect."
Ruby did not respond.
"Gods, how many people did you kill? Lives impersonated? Families ruined? Was this some sort of twisted joke for you? Was protecting Velvet nothing more than you securing your kill?!"
"Shut up~…"
"Monster, you think-."
"Shut up~!"
A tense silence emerged. Ruby takes a deep breath and calms down.
"I… am not a monster~. I am…just as human…as the rest~. Just~... Be quiet for a moment… please… I don't want to lose another~..."
Blake didn't respond, Ruby shifted her attention to the river. She closed her eyes and meditated. Her mind was a mess, but the river was calm. Like an endless sea, she could get lost within, and embrace the serene depths. Smiles of friends, faintly shimmering below the depths.
Breathe in…Breathe out…In…Out…In…Out…In…Out…
"The Geist's out of the object, might as well address it now."
Ruby opened her eyes and stood up. She turned and looked Blake directly in the eyes.
Blake will have questions, hard to answer questions, but she must try.
"Thy curiosity… shall be sated now~. Speak~."
"What…no, who are you?"
"I am Human… to my core~. But I am different… Dusk is what… my kind is~. My name… is the same~…"
"Dusk? Not Hom-."
"Please… do not refer me to that word~."
"W-why?"
"Homunculi… artificial man~. To… denote me with that word… is to distinguish me as fake~. As though… my heart and actions are… utterly artificial~. They are… all those of an act~. Nothing more… than a Grimm performing…an insidious play~. Just… call me by my name~."
Blake opened her mouth to speak but stopped herself. She takes a deep breath and exhales.
"Let's… move on from that. So…uh, wow… Where do I even begin?"
"Where doth thou desire to start~?"
"Ok, what's it like…being uh, Dusk?"
"I exist in the same way as a Faunus or Human~."
"That doesn't answer my question."
"Well…I eat, sleep, and have dreams and desires~. I don't see the point of your question~."
"What, so you're just normal? You're not plotting some gruesome murder or feeding off of negativity to survive?"
"...Do you go crazy over dots on the ground…or feed off of fish~?"
"Wh-what?!"
"Better question…why do you hide thine ears~? Thou was fine displaying them before…Beacon~?"
"H-hey! I'm the one supposed to be asking questions!"
Ruby chuckled as Blake got flustered and stammered on her words.
"But, to answer thy question: I certainly am different~. But that hasn't stopped people from talking to me~."
Ruby's smile faded.
"I just wish I could just…show me more~. But I can't~."
"I mean, you have-."
"You drew thy weapon on me~."
Blake went silent.
"I was really…idiotic~. Coming here was… a mistake~. But I'm too far gone in to leave~. Every day could be my last, and yet…if I leave~."
Ruby's face grimaced.
"There…are forces at play beyond our control~. Forces that would act…if I leave~."
"What?!"
Blake stared at Ruby astonished.
"I may…I may have accidentally…~"
Ruby struggled to find the words. She couldn't figure out how to tell Blake she was marked for death if Ruby was found.
"'A most gruesome fate awaits those who meet the blades of the Queen~.' That is what my aunt told me…when I was young~."
"The Blades? Rose, what did you do?"
"I ran~." She said with a blunt tone. "My only crime was…an unquenched curiosity in an isolated world~."
She sighs.
"Alas, my desire to see the outside…has fruited only anger, hate, and despair~. A failure on a magnitude comparable to a child having…a deadly tantrum~. I even lied to myself…" She lets out a grim chuckle. "Only the deluded…or the ill can do that…I'm not sure if I fall in either one or both~."
Ruby sits down and looks at the river.
"But…I just don't…know where this path in life will take me~. "
Blake sits down next to her.
"I know what you're feeling right now. Scared, lost, and confused, you feel as if the whole world will swallow you whole."
Ruby nods.
"Let me tell you a story then, a story about a princess from a faraway land. There once was a little girl from a faraway land who was…unhappy with how the world worked. She had amazing and loving parents, but she felt as if they weren't doing enough. Despite her status, people would still treat her differently out of a factor of her life that she can't control, so…she ran away. Ran with her mentor and friend, but-."
"Blake…I appreciate the effort but, art thou that uncreative~?"
"What?!"
"Little girl, faraway kingdom, unhappy with the world, loving parents, treated differently due to…uncontrollable factors~. The only difference is the running…with the mentor~. You've could've at least given a bit more thought…and originality to your story~."
"A bit more thought?!" Blake sounds insulted. "I'm trying to tell a heartfelt life lesson to you, and the first thing that comes to your mind is "Oh wow this is so unoriginal."!?"
"...Yes, because it is~."
"IT IS NO-!" She lets out an angry sigh. "The moment's ruined."
Ruby chuckles. "How is it ruined~?"
"Because you have to go all critic mode when I'm trying to teach an important life story, a life story that I quickly made in my mind to cheer you up!"
"Well, thou-~."
"Don't you "Well Thou" me, It is completely original and based off REAL world experiences, and contains more twists and turns and drama than whatever you could come-."
Blake freezes, her face quickly turning to a cherry red as she stammers in embarrassment, before covering her face.
"I did it again!" She shouted, her voice muffled by her hands. "Ahhhhhhhhh why do I always do this whenever I write?!"
Ruby couldn't take it anymore and she started to laugh, which caused Blake to groan even more under embarrassment. Soon enough, her groans slowly became laughter.
The two of them laughed together. For Ruby, it was a call to a simpler time in her life, and she loved it.
The laughter died down as Blake composed herself.
"I'm sorry about that, I used to get passionate about writing when I was young. My mom used to stick her nose into whatever I was writing, it was… embarrassing for me whenever she talks about it."
"So…what's thy message of the story~? I'm curious~."
"Oh…It was just a long way of saying "Just go with the flow"...you know? River's right there and it just popped into my head, especially since you said you didn't know where "This path in life will take you." Go with the flow, and see where life will take you. Hopefully, something good!"
"'Go…with the flow~.'" Ruby compilates for a moment. "I'll…try, it doesn't alleviate my worries, but if… going with the flow helps…then I must try."
Ruby sighs, as if a great weight was somewhat lifted from her chest. She looks at her reflection in the water, her true side going back to its masquerade. She then looks at her friend, her first true friend.
"Blake…"
"Yes, Rose?"
"Thou promise…to never utter a word to anyone, about what happened here~. Or else…thou art willing to explain to Atlas about thy association with a Grimm, traitor~. I have kept thy secret of thy stowaway on the train, I hope thou can uphold thy side of the bargain…as a friend~."
"...Ok, I'll promise."
Ruby smiled before getting up and stretching her body.
"By the way, Rose, this may sound weird but, before you fell. Did you see anyone…suspicious?"
"No…why~?"
Blake remained silent for a moment.
"N-nothing. Must've been my imagination."
"Considering thy…writer's mind, I do not blame thee~." She gave a haughty chuckle.
"Oh shut up!"
Night has fallen by the time Ruby finishes her assignments. After explaining the near-drowning incident to the professor and why she couldn't fulfill the work assignment, Ruby spent the rest of the day cataloging and organizing the samples gathered. Her clothes were taken to be dried, and she is wearing her school uniform. Right when she was done, Goodwitch told her that the Headmaster wanted to see her.
She offered an escort, but Ruby declined. Humiliated, yes, but not that humiliated. She can walk around campus without Beacon's equivalent of the Rose Guard beside her.
She left the facility, took a deep breath of the cool, night air, and walked towards the CCT.
However, the time didn't diminish the amount of whispering, gossip, and numerous attempted "pranks" she experienced on her way there. She wonders if people switched to alchemy or Dust studies solely to dedicate their time to coating her in strange, foul substances. It's either that or physical harassment. Not worth the time.
She hears someone running behind her, and by instinct she sidesteps.
A random girl, glasses, holding a container with the lid open. The foul container splashes onto the ground as she realizes she missed…and awkwardly chuckles. She grimaces, not worth the time.
Ruby only stared at her before continuing her walk, albeit at a faster pace. She can't even enjoy the serenity of the night.
After a few minutes of walking, Ruby reaches the CCT. Right when she entered, she notices…them.
Team CRDL and Ruby locked eye contact with each other. CRDL looked nervous for some reason.
She does a forced sigh as Cardin walks to her, and she curtsies.
"How may I assist thee…my lords~?"
"A-a-actually…uh…I-I want to apologize?"
"I beg thee pardon~?"
"W-w-well, what I did was…" He looks towards someone reading the newspaper behind him. "Uncool…totally uncool. It was not my right…to beat you up in front of the school like that. You're…free to go now, and I hope that... You can forgive me."
He audibly gulps, now that Ruby is up close and personal, she notices something, nay smells something too. There are traces of forever sap on his armor…and dried blood on his left side pauldron. He feels fear…He feels fear.
Ruby couldn't hold back a chuckle as she drinks in that delicious flavor. Who will deny her from drinking…just a bit more.
"Oooh~. Then I consider…thy apology accepted~. Thou art expressing…thy version of "superiority"…however."
She places her prosthetic hand on him and stares directly into his soul with her piercing, silver eyes.
"I suggest thee…to learn thy place from now on. I know thou arts and style… If we fight again…"
A splitting headache hits Ruby, and she lets go of Cardin.
"Ah~! I…apologize~. I-I accept thy apology~! I must go now~!"
She quickly runs to the elevator and presses the button for the headmaster's office.
Right before the door closed, she saw someone with blonde hair walking towards CRDL, she wondered who would talk to them as her headache subsides.
Ruby rubs her temples as the pain subsides, the second time today. She prays she didn't catch a nasty illness from the river. She quickly organizes her clothing before standing up straight and attentive.
Her mind drifts as the elevator continues. She wonders why Mother can't order the recreation of these "elevators" back at home. Perhaps the technological gap is still too vast for proper recreation, even with replication of the First Era construction techniques like the Wells, they only had one destination. Perhaps she can read a book about this in the library if she's bored.
The elevator dings and Ruby enters Ozpin's office, and she is surprised by what she sees.
Time.
That is the motif of his office.
Numerous gears and cogs spin continuously to power some unseen mechanism as well as fill the room with ambient noise, the lighting here is tinted green. Above Ruby lies large, numerous green lights that slowly spin around each other, the Beacon Lights, rumored to also be the core of the CCTnet here. The air here feels ancient, and if Mother was here, she would both complement the style, mood, and motif, while criticizing that it's not white enough.
The idea of her Mother sitting in that tiny box made her chuckle.
"Ah! Smiithing, uh dorsally sit Raise?"
Ruby was shocked at the headmaster speaking her language albeit with an accent so thick it was a miracle she could understand him, but also confused because what in Yggdrasil's four religions was he saying?
Ruby sat down in the chair in front of the headmaster, his chair was a clockwork marvel and looked comfortable. He takes a sip of his drink and clears his throat.
"I hope to uhh, your mother," what "Pleasent, rose. Water river, Rose, feel good?" He gave a comforting smile to her.
"You are butchering my beautiful language headmaster! I apologize…but for thy respect, please talk in Valean~."
Ruby can see the embarrassment in his eyes as he sighs.
"I apologize Ms. Rose. I thought it would be more comforting for you to talk in your native language, rather than speak Valean."
"I believe you were discussing… about wanting to be with my mother~. "Water river, Rose, feel…good" is what you said."
Ozpin choked on his drink, which caused Ruby to laugh.
"Again, I apologize for the vulgarity of my words. However, that is not why I called you here for."
Ruby stopped laughing.
"Ms. Rose, Professor Goodwitch has told me about your incident earlier today. Now, Beacon has always expressed the utmost care for its students, but from what I read, it seems that someone intentionally wanted to…" He sighs. "Ms. Rose…Outside of the incident between team CRDL, was there an altercation between you and anyone else?"
At first glance, her mind thought of the Snowflake, but that wouldn't make any sense if Ozpin decided to look into this. She shook her head.
"I see…well, in any case, I shall have to look into the matter. See who is the culprit responsible for this."
He takes a sip from his mug.
"Also, Ms. Rose, I do want to thank you for bringing up an issue that has gone unreported in Beacon, I just wished it didn't come at a large cost for you. Do be aware that any major incidents like that again will not go unpunished."
"I understand."
"Good, you may leave. Have a good night."
As Ruby stands up, the elevator dings and opens. The Snowflake steps out.
The two of them locked eyes before Ruby quickly stepped into the elevator. She watches the Snowflake approach the headmaster before the doors close.
WN: There are numerous locations within Vale for someone being pursued to hide in, from criminal safe houses to WF sympathizers and Faunus-only motels. Roman Torchwick is famous for the safehouses that he uses to evade the VPD whenever his notoriety grows too big. However, if one is unlucky, they only serve to delay the pursuer from reaching their prey.