Chapter 14

Ruby sat up in her bed, her Crescent Rose resting on her lap while she performed some basic maintenance on it. The gray tank top and black jeans she was wearing were stained with a bit of oil, some of the stains looked rather aged, and some more recent. With a socket-attached ratchet in one hand and a box of several sized bolts in the other, Ruby took out the fasteners from parts of her weapon, replacing them with newer, less stretched bolts. With how aggressively she used her weapon, she found herself having to replace its bolts, shocks, and metal plates on an almost weekly basis. She looked around her room, its eerie quiet starting to unsettle her slightly. Her teammates have yet to return, despite it being hours after school ended, Ruby beginning to fear for the worse. Was she too harsh back at the combat training class? Did she only make things worse, like she initially thought such an aggressive approach would? Sighing, she laid back, her weapon resting on top of her legs while she immersed herself in these potential consequences.

The door swung open, Ruby looking up to see Yang entering, standing in the doorway for a moment. “What?” Yang yelled out into the hallway, Ruby hearing some faint talking from the other side of the wall. “Yeah, I’m down. Cya.” Yang waved whoever she was talking to off, closing the door and turning to Ruby. “Who was that?” Ruby curiously asked, Yang stepping over towards her as she answered. “Alex. Wants to go to the club tomorrow.” “Oh okay.” Yang chuckled, noticing Ruby’s troubled demeanor, sitting down next to her and leaning back onto her hands. “What’s the matter?” Yang asked, Ruby placing her weapon down beside her, leaning forward while resting her hands between her legs. “Yang, do you think I was a little… too much, during the inspection?” Ruby asked, Yang tilting her head, confused for a second before managing to come to a conclusion on her own. “Huh… oh. You weren’t really extra or anything like that, it just kinda came outta left field. Think Losa might be rubbing off on you a little.” Ruby giggled, bringing her legs up to her chest and hugging her arms around them. “Is that bad?” “I dunno, depends on who you’re askin’. I think dude’s pretty funny, he’s always like… talking shit to someone.”

The door opened once again, with none other than Weiss walking in through it, her dressed in a more casual blouse and dress pants combination. “Heya, Weiss.” Yang spoke, Weiss giving her a wave as she spoke. “Hi. Have either of you seen Blake anywhere?” Weiss asked, Ruby shaking her head while Yang answered. “She told me she was going to the library after school.” “Thank you.” Weiss exited as quickly as she entered, Yang shrugging while she looked back towards Ruby. “Well, she’s either going there to fight her or be friends with her, so we’ll see if that stunt of yours worked.” Yang stated somewhat jokingly, her and Ruby sharing a short bout of laughter. “I mean… yeesh, I’ve never seen you like that, Ruby. You were going all drill sergeant on them, and me and Losa, we were like… staring in complete awe.” “It was…” Ruby giggled for a second, shaking her head before managing to finish her sentence. “It was really hard for me to do, I was - I was kinda on the brink of crying the entire time.” Yang smiled, plopping down next to Ruby and patting her on the shoulder. “I’m sure things’ll work out.” Yang reassured, Ruby nodding her head. “I hope so.” “Think you being more assertive with the team’s good, though. Might help if you, like… visualize ‘em as a grimm while you’re talking.” Ruby snickered and shook her head. “What, so you want me to try and fight all of you?” “Pff. No, I just mean, like… you’re a lot more confident with grimm than you are with anything else. Seen you rip off plenty of beowolf heads, but then see you, like, apologize to someone because they spilled their drink on you.” Ruby shrugged her shoulders. “That’s obviously different, dummy. Grimm are monsters trying to wipe out our world, and all you have to do is kill ‘em. It’s a lot simpler dealing with them than all this… social stuff.” Ruby replied, Yang exhaling, nodding her head and rubbing along Ruby’s back. “Guess you’re right about that.” Yang released her hand and stepped away from Ruby, the two sharing a smile while Ruby put her scythe away and stood up. With a content sigh, Ruby plopped down on the couch across from a mounted flatscreen television, kicking her feet up along the cushions and turning on the screen. Yang glanced over from her opened scroll to see Ruby watching her robot-themed action cartoons, chuckling at the sight before turning back to her own screen.

Standing in front of the entrance to the library was Weiss, taking a moment to work up the nerve to go and talk to Blake. Upon realization of her many past mistakes, Weiss felt like the least she should do is try and apologize to her. She drew in a deep breath, closing her eyes and exhaling through her nose. The door opened next to her, Weiss walking in behind the other student, beginning her search for Blake within the library. As she walked past the front desk, Weiss stopped, narrowing her eyes and turning her head to each corner of the library. Blake wasn’t hard to locate, Weiss finding her rather quickly, seeing the faunus woman searching through the bookshelves of the Thriller section. Sighing, Weiss walked over towards her, feeling her pulse grow stronger and more rapid with each step.

Blake rested her back up against the bookshelf behind her, opening a book that she plucked from the shelf. Titled “Dagger in the Dark”, Blake read over its synopsis, the book describing itself as a fantasy thriller about a gnome tracking down an assassin that killed its family. Such a morbid description about something as unthreatening as a gnome tickled Blake, her giving a hearty chuckle with her tail slowly wagging behind her as she placed the book back on its shelf. Her eyes moved from the book back forward, seeing none other than Weiss stood in front of her, the human woman with a very noticeable look of apprehension on her face. Blake narrowed her eyes, listening while Weiss spoke. “I’m… I’m not sure how I should go about this.” Weiss muttered to herself, Blake tilting her head as Weiss continued. “The way I’ve been treating you since I met you, it’s - it’s unforgivable, and deeply wrong. I apologize for how I acted.” Blake averted her gaze for a moment, crossing her arms while a slightly saddened look crept onto her face. “Are you really sorry?” Blake asked, Weiss stammering for a moment before managing an answer. “Of - of course, Blake, I know that - ” “Then say what you did, and actually give a genuine apology about it. Not whatever you rehearsed in your head before coming here.” Blake spat, Weiss nodding her head, anxiously scratching at the side of her neck while she spoke. “I…” Weiss trailed off for a second, giving a shaky inhale. “I treated you with prejudice and discrimination. Because you’re a faunus. I am… I am so sorry.” Weiss solemnly spoke, Blake frowning, her head drooping down slightly while she leaned her shoulder up against the bookshelf.

“Why?” Blake asked, Weiss perking up, visibly confused by the question. “Hmm?” “Was it something that happened to you in the past? Why did you think I was some criminal trying to hurt you?” Blake questioned, Weiss shaking her head, bringing both her hands up to her chest while she explained. “N - No, of course not, Blake. It doesn’t have anything to do with you.” “Then why do you feel that way towards me and my people?” Blake asked, her tone becoming less interrogative and more concerned. Weiss bowed her head and heaved a deep sigh. “It’s only that… it’s all I’ve ever known. I know it sounds ridiculous, but you’re probably the first faunus I’ve ever personally interacted with.” Blake raised her eyebrows, listening quietly while Weiss continued. “My acquaintances since my childhood all had to go through my family. And with their horrid beliefs on the faunus peoples, thinking them all to be thieves always trying to usurp the humans, I… I never really had any other perspective on the faunus culture. Until now.” Blake nodded her head, her expression softening while Weiss stepped towards her. “I know now that I was foolish to think there was any amount of truth to their claims. It doesn’t excuse my actions, but…” “I understand, Weiss.” Blake began, standing up straight, resting her hands at her sides while making eye contact with her. “You… you just need to see faunus culture for yourself. And if you’re willing to learn,” Blake stepped forward. “I’m willing to teach you.”

The two silently stared at one another for a moment, before sharing a mutual smile, Weiss nodding her head while she spoke. “Thank you, Blake. I don’t know how to repay you for your kindness.” “You don't have to. After all, we’re supposed to work together, not against each other, right?” Blake jested, chuckling to herself while Weiss quietly laughed.

“How should we start, then?” Weiss asked, Blake bringing her hand up to her chin, the two slowly walking down the library’s aisles together. “I guess I could take you to a Vohses temple.” “...oh? Are you sure they’ll let me in?” Weiss asked. Blake looked over towards her and raised an eyebrow. “Why wouldn’t they?” “I’m sure my family name isn’t very popular, given their… involvement, with the segregation and forced labor laws in Atlas.” Blake shook her head, Weiss still looking somewhat concerned at the thought. “They aren't judgemental people, Weiss. When they see that you’re different, they’ll treat you like they’d treat anyone else.” Blake smirked, giggling to herself for a second. “Besides, my dad’s pretty close with the Sunset Order, so I can always pull that card.” “The Sunset Order?” Weiss curiously asked, Blake clicking her tongue before explaining. “They’re a collective of all the druids within the Remnant.” Rubbing the back of her head, Weiss chuckled, Blake smiling while Weiss spoke. “I’m sure you can guess what I’m going to ask next.” “Yeah. A druid’s a faunus blessed by the champion of Vohses. I honestly can’t give you a very good explanation, though I’m sure they’ll talk your ear off about it at the temple.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

The two exited the library, pushing past the doors and walking down the hallway. “When can we go to the temple?” Weiss asked. “Probably tomorrow. I kinda just want to get some rest tonight, I haven’t really been sleeping that much lately.” “Oh?” Weiss hummed, giving Blake an inquisitive look. Sighing, Blake rested her hands in her pockets, leaning her body forward slightly while she kept walking. “I came here sort of… afraid, that people would treat me horribly for being a faunus. I lived in Menagerie my whole life, and I’ve always heard horror stories about the discrimination we faced in the kingdoms…” Weiss pouted, hugging her arms against her own chest, Blake’s expression saddening slightly while she continued. “That I’d be treated like a second-class citizen, or that I’d be put in chains and sent away to Atlas, but now that I’ve seen it myself, I’ve - I’ve realized something.” Blake looked down at Weiss, the two meeting eyes. “People don’t only discriminate out of hatred. They do it out of ignorance, and they do it out of fear.” The two stopped in front of their dorm room, Blake turning around and facing Weiss, pressing her elbow up against the wall and leaning onto it. “And although the racist assholes need it beaten out of them,” Blake stated, chuckling to herself while Weiss gave a soft, slightly awkward laugh. “There’s a lot of people that just need to learn. That we’re not as different as they think we are. That we all want to love and be loved, regardless of race or background.” “I understand.” Weiss replied.

The door swung open once again, Ruby perking up and watching as Weiss and Blake stepped in through it. “Hey.” Ruby softly spoke, looking up to the both of them, a smile growing on her face when she noticed the smile on theirs. “Y’all two make up?” Yang asked, Weiss nodding her head while Blake answered. “Working on it.” “Cool. Hey,” Yang began, looking over at Blake as she sat down across the room. “Me ‘n Alex are gonna go to Junior’s tomorrow. You two can come if ya want.” Blake shrugged, looking over at Weiss, the young human woman undoing her hair while she answered. “Eh. I’m not one for going out and inebriating myself.” Yang sucked her teeth, rolling her eyes as she turned back to Blake. “You?” “Uh… maybe? Me and Weiss already planned something for tomorrow, though. If it’s later in the day I can probably tag along.” “Yeah, it’ll be at night.” Blake leaned back, pressing her back up against the wall. “Then sure, I'll come.” “Nice.” Yang looked over at Ruby, the younger sister idly watching as two robotic soldiers fought on screen, looking over from it when her name was called. “I wish I could have ya tag along, Ruby, but you gotta be 18 or over to get into the club.” “That’s fine.” Ruby spoke, yawning while she sat up. “Me and Jaune are gonna hang out tomorrow.” Raising an eyebrow, Yang crawled off of her bed, slowly walking over towards Ruby. “Isn’t that the scaredy blonde dude?” “Which one?” Ruby jested, Yang giggling, shaking her head while sitting down at the other side of the couch. “The short-haired one.” “Yeah.”

Clicking her tongue, Yang crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at Ruby. “You sure he’s not a creep, Ruby? I mean - ” Ruby groaned, Yang pointing a finger at her, stopping Ruby’s protest before it began. “Ruby, seriously. There’s dudes that are gonna see you’re a cute, er… inexperienced, young woman, and they’re gonna try and take advantage of that.” “C’mon, Yang, you do this every time I meet a new friend that’s a guy.” Ruby began, Yang resting her cheek on her hand, pouting slightly while listening. “You say they’re a weirdo predator, then you tell me I shouldn’t talk to them, then - then when we meet in person, you - ” Ruby drew in a deep breath, a stern look on her face as she continued. “You do this whole thing where you try and scare them into running off!” “They don't run off cuz I scared them. They run off cuz I called them out.” Ruby sighed, scooting over towards Yang, sitting up onto her knees and resting a hand on Yang’s shoulder. “Please. Yang. I know you wanna protect me, but I… I can handle myself. If Jaune is a weirdo, which I doubt, then I’ll just, y’know… beat him up or something.” Yang laughed, Ruby returning the laugh, putting both of her arms around Yang and pulling her sister’s side against her chest.

“I’m begging you. Leave him alone. Don’t catch him in an alleyway, don’t text him, don’t bang down his door, let it be between me and him. Alright?” Exhaling, Yang gave a hesitant nod, bringing her arm up around Ruby. “Fine.” Yang mumbled, Ruby nuzzling her cheek against the top of Yang’s head. “Thanks, Yang. Love you.” Ruby cooed, Yang patting her on the back and standing up from the bed. “Love you too, Ruby.” Yang quietly replied, stepping over back towards her corner of the room, turning around and limply falling onto her bed. As Ruby checked her scroll, she noticed that it was starting to creep into the later part of the night, standing up from her bed and deciding to grab a quick snack from the cafeteria before going to sleep.

After she stepped out from the dorm room, she noticed Zephyr standing at the other side of the hallway, the android staring at her with its cold, featureless gaze. “Stand still.” Zephyr ordered, Ruby cocking her head while she watched it turn to her. The camera in the center of its head was fixated on her, it widening as the android stepped closer. “Uh…” Ruby let out, standing still as Zephyr stood closely in front of her. At this distance, she was able to admire the intricate, sleek details of the android’s frame, with dust combustion chambers present along its arms, built snuggly beneath the blades embedded inside. “Huh. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a model like you before, you have to be a bleeding-edge release from Atlas or something.” Ruby thought out loud, Zephyr not responding, instead bringing its hands forward and placing them on the sides of her head. Her face reddened slightly as the cool metal of the android gently pressed on her skin, Ruby not protesting the sudden contact, instead reaching her hands forward and reluctantly placing them on Zephyr’s sides. “Wow, you’re… you’re so thin, and so light, but… so powerful.” Ruby muttered, her blush deepening when Zephyr angled its head forward, brushing the hair from her face and placing its camera against the mark on her forehead. While Zephyr analyzed the mark, Ruby carefully pressed her fingers into the joints connecting the limbs to Zephyr’s torso, admiring the steel chrome roller bearings within Zephyr’s arms and legs. “You’re not just a weapon, you’re a… work of art…” Ruby quietly spoke, running her hands along Zephyr’s parts and feeling how they connected to the rest of its compact body. “Recording complete.” Zephyr spoke, pulling away from Ruby and leaving her standing by herself in the hallway. Ruby was left stunned for a moment, her blush remaining on her cheeks while she struggled to regain her composure.

Deeming the hallway too populated for it to safely make communication with the Agency, Zephyr weaved through Nora and Lie standing in the middle of the hallway, the two giving the android a strange look while it stepped into the server room built within the dormitory’s hallway. Shutting the door behind itself, Zephyr then looked around at the interior of the room, detecting no heat signatures or any other probable signs of life. “Located target. Uploading coordinates and identity to Atlas Agency servers.” After about a minute of silence, Zephyr received a response, proceeding with the message communication without an audible word coming out of it.

“Successfully received data from Zephyr unit. Confirming target as Beacon Academy student Ruby Rose.”

“Confirmed.”

“...huh. Was she… standing there and letting you inspect her?”

“Yes.”

There was a brief pause, Zephyr patiently waiting for further communication from the agent.

“Remain on standby until further notice.”

“Understood.”

Zephyr hummed back to life, walking over towards its dorm room and kneeling in front of its lock, its fingers splitting apart into several thin, metal appendages. After silently picking open the door, Zephyr then slid in behind it, closing it then walking back into its room. Once it was at its own corner, it flipped open a panel on its chest, revealing several yellow dust cartridges inside of it. After taking out an empty cartridge and replacing it with a filled one, Zephyr sat down against the wall, bowing its head down. “Entering low power mode…” It hummed, the lights along its frame dimming.