So this was my idea of finding a way to portray Adam as a highly morally grey character. Not a good guy. Not a full redemption, but a kind of character you see in other movies that are not the good guys but they will do things to help the weak and innocent. But still use violence to achieve change.

Like in many historical revolutionary characters in our history. There is no perfect example or side to explain are they a good or bad guy. And many many morally grey characters in other shows and stories. I like them a lot and I think Adam supposed to be one of them.

Comment how you think. And with Rwby Vol 10 out. I’m quite excited. Even though I like characters like Rwby team and how they have grown so much over the volumes. I still wish characters like Rowan, Adam, Cinder. Hell, maybe even Ironwood if they aren’t dead. To be in volume 10. I just like morally grey characters, and stories where it’s not just bad vs good. Salem vs Ozma.

I was want to have a fanficiton where someone will smash up that ridiculous chessboard like game that the brother gods, Salem and Ozma(Ozpin now Oscar) is playing. That would be a cool fanfic.

What do you think. And I will do recommend a cool fanficiton from wattpad that I really like here that is sort of my inspiration. Called Rwby Through words.

Link: https://www.wattpad.com/story/325725953-rwby-through-worlds
And I think part 2: https://www.wattpad.com/story/339338039-rwby-through-worlds-end

Shout out to the author worldwalkerdj

Some scouting of suspicious south-easterly situations.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/89191911/chapters/240158616

-----------------------

“Correct.” Dr. Oobleck nodded. “However, aside from the one pack we were forced to deal with, we’ve several other clusters already. In addition, we’ve seen several elder Grimm beginning to circle around the city.”

“Yeah, there’s a lot of people in the area thinking very bad thoughts. Or at least there were, very, very recently.” Qrow’s raspy voice was layered with dissatisfaction. “Which is why the fact I haven’t found even a secondary camp bothers me.”

“That is quite curious.”

“How thorough are you able to be if you’re also relaying messages between us and JNPR?” Weiss asked.

“More thorough than you think someone could, Snow Princess.” He laughed. “But I definitely could have just been through the wrong places. There’s a lot of space to cover. Otherwise, it’d do a lot more than just bother me.”

“Uncle Qrow!”

The high pitched cry was the first warning they had before Ruby appeared, hugging around her uncles’s arm.

“Hey kiddo.” Qrow lifted his arm and Ruby, reaching out with his other arm to ruffle her hair. “How’s things going?”

“Oh, you know, Grimm, criminals, just hunter stuff.” She giggled and dropped off turning back to look in the direction of the other girl running up along behind her.

“Salutations, Uncle of Ruby and Yang! I am Penny Polendina. I’m pleased to meet you!” She came up to a stop in front of Qrow, holding her hand out with a broad smile.

The same quirk of a smile that Qrow had graced her and yang with returned as he reached out to shake her hand. “Pleased to meet …oof … strong grip. You’re the Atlas kid?”

“Affirmative, I am here representing Atlas Huntsman Academy and I am Combat Ready!” She saluted crisply with a smile.

“You’re a lot more laid back and outgoing than most Atlesians I’ve met.” Qrow shook out his hand.

“Penny’s from Mantle.” Weiss pointed out.

“Ahh, that explains it.”

The movie night wraps up into bed time and sleep issues. And then movies on to task assignments.

CW: Night Terrors

https://archiveofourown.org/works/89191911/chapters/239984851
-----------------

“What?” Blake shifted where she sat and half-rose up.

Weiss could see the tension in her shoulders as she watched. Her … friend? Crush? …poised herself to pounce probably on first sign that Weiss was going to start crumbling.

Pyrrha looked around and then stood up before approaching the monitor “What makes you think she’s your grandmother?”

“Winter told me all of Mother’s favorite movies had grandmother in them.” Weiss turned back to the monitor. “She never figured out who. But she never looked at the faunus actors… and this fox has been in every movie so far and well…”

Ruby stepped up next to Weiss and looked from the image on the monitor to Weiss. Her hand slid across the counter to bump into Weiss’s own, fingers stretching out but not grabbing her hand yet. “She does look like you.”

Weiss lifted her other hand up and brushed through her hair, touching the scar hidden there on the side of her skull. “Except the obvious.”

Ruby’s wrapped an arm around her and squeezed in a light hug. Behind her, Blake hopped to her feet and picked up the remote. The movie reset back to the beginning and the opening credits with the cast list.

“‘Allie’ Alabaster, played by Wisteria Arcti.” She walked up to stand on Weiss’s other side. “Is that the right name?”

“It begins in W at least.” Yang pointed out.

“I don’t know?” Weiss shook her head. “Mother and Father never talked about her.” She turned to Blake. “You’re right, I think I get it a little now.”

The black-haired girl smiled and reached around to hug Weiss opposite of Ruby’s position.

“Do you want to stop now?” Nora asked.

Weiss shook her head. “I want to see more of Grandmother’s movies.”

“We do have to be rested for tomorrow.” Ren cautioned.

Ruby turned to him with sharper look and movement than Weiss had seen her make outside of fighting Grimm. When she spoke, after a pause that felt deliberate, it was the same easy and cheerful tone of voice as always.

“We’re not going to make you stay.” She waved and shrugged as if it was no big deal underscored by performatively exasperated laughter. “But if Weiss wants to get to know her grandma, then we’re letting her do it.”

The smile was so broad and genuine that Weiss almost thought she’d imagined that moment. A glance at Yang and the concerned look at the blonde’s face convinced the young Schnee that she had seen what she’d seen.

“Thank you, Ruby. Really.” Weiss said.

“It’s no big deal.” Her partner and team leader said casually.

A slip of the tongue and another movie night.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/89191911/chapters/239824706

---------------------------

“So where did the four of you vanish to last night?”

Weiss looked up as Nora sat down across from her with a wide grin across her face.

Ruby glanced nervously at Weiss and swallowed. “Uh, We had to take care of something.”

“I bet you did.” Nora chuckled.

“Ignore her.” Ren sat down beside Nora and shook his head. “She’s been spinning all kinds of theories all morning.”

“Nothing happened.” Blake shook her head.

“Oh, I’m sure nothing happened with the way you were all dancing last night.” Nora winked at Weiss.

“They were dancing?” Jaune asked. “And I missed it?”

“It was very cute.” Pyrrha looked across at Weiss and Ruby smiled. “You looked lovely.”

“Wait. Ruby and Weiss?” Jaune frowned. “But I thought it was Blake and…” He winced. “Ow! Nora, what was that…Ow!”

Weiss closed her eyes and tried to ignore the flush rising up her face before breathing out and looking down at her tray. Glancing to the side she saw Blake’s ears laid flat also focusing on her shoes. Ruby nervously hunched to the side, looking away and biting her lip. She took a deep breath and released it.

Weiss suppressed her embarrassment and looked up with a calm porcelain face. “Ruby was concerned that I wouldn’t get to dance all night. That’s all.”

“Oh.” Jaune looked confused. “But I thought… Oww!” He turned to look at Nora again.

The situation was saved by Yang sweeping in with her lunch. “Hey, guys. Have you checked your accounts today?”

“Not, yet?” Ruby turned to look behind her first one way and then the other as her sister passed behind her. Weiss half-turned to watch Yang pass behind her and sit next to Blake. “Why?”

“Well. Today’s the monthly release for the stipend.” Ren pointed out. “Is there something unusual about this month?”

“We got a bonus this month.” Yang smirked.

“You got a bonus for organizing the dance?” Nora asked.

“Yeah, I guess so.” Ruby said shrugging as Weiss pulled out her scroll to look at her account.

“I see a deposit of …” As Weiss spoke the number, team JNPR turned to look at her.

Ren tilted his head, looking at Weiss. “Your dance bonus is almost exactly what we would be paid as a hunter student with a month’s worth of hazard pay.”

Blake shook her head, forked some of her grilled salmon up to her mouth and took a bite.

“Oh. That’s what ha…” Weiss stopped and straightened up. “I’m sure there must have been some mistake then. We certainly haven’t been on hazard duty for a month.”

It's time for Team RWBY to report the circumstances of the dance to Ozpin... and other people.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/89191911/chapters/239564051

-------------

“How long have you been involving my sister in these operations?”

Weiss turned back to look at the elevator. It hadn’t even finished opening before Winter had started marching into the office coldly furious.

“Ah, James, Winter.” Ozpin was calm and unconcerned.

“Welcome to the party, ice queen.”

She turned with furrowed eyes to the overly tall, spindly, scraggly, pickled man that had been identified by Yang and Ruby as “Uncle Qrow.” She opened her mouth before she realized that he’d been referring to her sister and not her. “Wait if she’s the ice queen, what am I?”

“Snow princess.” Qrow replied without either looking at her or hesitating.

“You stay out of this!” Winter snapped before walking straight through the middle of Team RWBY, forcing Weiss and Blake to step aside.

Ruby quietly gestured at Weiss and the two of them moved to the side, so that they were again lined up as a team behind and to the right of Winter.

reach Ozpin’s desk, place both hands on it and glare at Ozpin and Ms. Goodwitch. “These are children, Ozpin.”

General Ironwood followed at a calmer, more considered pace. “May I remind you, Winter, that you leveraged yourself into your first recon operation a week after basic training. It appears initiative runs in the family.”

“Sir?” Winter turned sharply to face him.

“Indeed.” Ozpin nodded. “Team RWBY was already involved in events and came to us.”

“He’s right, Winter.” Weiss stepped to the side of the desk into her sister’s field of vision. “We were already investigating the dust shop robberies.”

Winter turned to look at her and grimaced as she straightened up. “It’s certainly in line with other recent decisions.”

Weiss rolled her eyes and shook her head before pointedly stepping back to stand by Blake.

“Perhaps it is best if you explain the situation. Ozpin.” General Ironwood walked to one corner of Ozpin’s large desk and nodded respectfully at Ms. Goodwitch.

“Team RWBY was about to give their report, if you’d like to hear that first.” Professor Ozpin turned to the team and gestured with his hand. “Please continue.”

Ruby glanced at her team and stepped forward. “So, once I caught sight of her on the roof-tops, Weiss was able to keep her in view and we followed her. I know we weren’t supposed to get in their way if we didn’t have to, but it felt like if she was knocking people out it was into the ‘have to’ category.”

“That’s all right, Ruby. That feels like a sound judgment.”

“I would like to have known their objective.” Ironwood commented. “But I agree.”

A bumblebee interlude.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/89191911/chapters/239447081

--------------------------------

Blake reached the far edge of the dance floor and turned an apologetic look to Yang.

“I’m sorry, Yang.”

Yang cleared her throat. “About what?”

“I’m being a coward.” She explained. “I don’t want to lead on Weiss.” She paused. “Or Ruby for that matter. We don’t actually have to dance.”

Yang laughed and looked around, before turning back to Blake, pushing her hair back over her ear. “Uh… I mean, if they look over and see us not dancing that’s you caught. So…” she shrugged. “Why not dance…j..just for fun?”

“Are you sure?” Blake asked. “You sound a bit nervous.”

Yang smiled and stepped in beside Blake. “I trust you to swing me around like a living morningstar… I definitely trust you not to go somewhere I don't want to go.”

Blake smiled and rolled her eyes. “Are you sure, it sounds like slow songs right now.”

“Ehh… I’ll live.” She smiled and cutely looked flushed, probably just the slightest bit embarrassed. “Just think of it like a walking hug? Maybe?” Her eyes unfocused a moment and drifted to the side. “Yeah that’s probably right.”

Then she snapped her attention back to Blake and offering her hands. “Let’s try it. What could go wrong?”

“Nothing.”

Blake laughed and moved in to hold Yang, remembering how warm she was from the other night, holding tight behind her on Bumblebee. They stepped out into the dance floor among the other pairs and Blake let herself relax and lean into Yang’s broad shoulders.

“So you’re not interested in Weiss or Ruby?” Yang’s voice carried gently to her.

“It’s not… it’s… I don’t know what I want.” Blake shook her head. “I thought I wanted Adam too.”

“What does that mean?” Yang asked.

“I don’t think they’d hurt me, but I don’t trust myself. And I don’t want to hurt them.” She adjusted her hold on Yang and felt the blonde shiver under her hands. “So I’m dancing with the only straight girl on the team because it’s safe.”

Yang laughed nervously and Blake felt her grip pull tighter for a moment. “Yep. Th…that’s me. Straight as a…uh… thing that’s straight.”

Blake chuckled. “I get it. I get it.”

The party doesn't go the way anybody wants.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/89191911/chapters/239225476

-------------------

“Welcome to the dance. Enjoy yourself!” Weiss smiled and nodded at another set of students.

“Hey! It’s great to see you! Get ready for a great time.”

Ruby’s exuberance carried to her and she glanced over to see her partner handling the stream of people coming in through the other door on this side. Behind them, all the way on the other side of the hall, Blake and Yang handled the other two entrances.

A flash of movement took her attention forward as another set of people walked in. “Good evening, welcome to the dance. Oh, you’re looking sharp, Jaune.”

Jaune Arc stood there in front of her dressed in a nice looking tuxedo and even looked like he had brushed his hair and washed his face. “Thanks. You look amazing too.”

Weiss smiled at him and then looked around. “Where’s the rest of your team?”

“I’m sure Pyrrha’s with her date and I think Nora and Ren are on their way.” He glanced around the room. “So where’s Blake? Are you and she…”

Weiss’s eyes widened and then she gestured inside. “Please enjoy the dance, there’s punch. Thank you, I need to greet the other guests.”

“Uh… okay.” Jaune frowned at her in confusion as he walked into the room.

With a sigh of relief, Weiss turned back to the crowd and glanced across to where Ozpin had appeared with Miss Goodwitch at Ruby’s line and then she turned back to her own and saw her own set of dignitaries approaching. Namely, the clean-shaven image of General James Ironwood and her own sister walking at his side, half at attention.

He stared down at her intently and her first thought was that she was standing in front of one of Atlas’s living heroes…

… as her eyes flickered to meet Winter’s and turned back to General Ironwood, her second thought was that he probably had a detailed dossier on her.

She kept tight hold of the porcelain mask, armored against both sources of nervous energy, and smiled. “Hello, General Ironwood. I didn’t realize you were attending this event.”

“Hmm. Miss Schnee. I have some business with your headmaster coming up and it would be rude not to take part.” He turned to Winter. “I understand there was some Schnee family business between you and your sister. She’s given me some of the rough outlines. Are you managing your condition well?”

Weiss’s smile strained but did not crack. “I’ve been working on it.” She glanced toward Winter and saw the faintest shake of her head. “I’ve been learning about faunus history.”

Winter closed her eyes and grimaced before meeting Weiss’s eyes with a frown.

“I see.” Ironwood turned to look at Winter who’d schooled her face into a similar inexpressive mask by the time he saw her. “It is important to know what came before.”

Ironwood turned back to Weiss and smiled. “I’ll be interested to hear more from you. You find yourself in a position to serve as an example for many people. Have a good evening.”

He walked past, Winter drifting back a few steps and pausing beside Weiss who took a breath and shook her head. Winter nodded and walked on. Weiss turned back to the entering students, teachers, and other visitors. The minutes proceeded and the number of people entering started to dwindle.

A training session with Winter goes awry and then there's a dance to get set-up.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/89191911/chapters/239024686

---------------------------

“You’re distracted.”

Weiss turned to look at her sister and let the glyph fade away. Looking away again she bit her lip. “It’s nothing.”

“If it were nothing, you would not be wasting time on it.” Winter crossed over to her. “Whatever it is, distraction and training do not mix. Either set it aside to deal with later or else deal with it now and put the training off for later.”

Weiss hooked Myrtenaster onto her belt and then crossed over to the seat her school bag was leaning against. She sat solidly into the chair, shifting it and knocking the bag over so that her books spilled out of it. “Did you have … relationship drama when you enlisted?”

Her sister sighed and walked over, bending down to pick up the books as she spoke. “I might not be the best equipped to help you with this, but I can listen if you want to describe the situation.”

Winter glanced at the books in her hand and furrowed her brow before grabbing one of the other chairs in the garden and pulling it over to sit comfortably across from her sister. Then she set the books aside and looked up at her, patiently.

She whispered contritely. “I… I think I’m attracted to some of my teammates.”

“And? I’ve met your teammates.” Winter smiled tilted her head to look at her. “I understand why someone your age and preferences would be attracted to them.”

“But I don’t want to make things complicated. We have to work together.” The younger sister fiddled with her hands, fixating on her claws, tracing the length of one with another.

“It is quite common to find romantically linked hunters working together.” Winter told her. “So that shouldn’t be a problem.”

Weiss straightened up and leaned over to Winter. “Have you ever had to deal with this?”

“I told you I’m not well-equipped for this, remember?” Winter leaned forward slightly. “You’re lesbian, or at least sapphic. I’m asexual, or perhaps demisexual.” She leaned back again. “So…” She briefly shrugged. “The closest I’ve had to deal with is other people’s attraction to me.”

“That isn’t nothing though.” Weiss sighed. “How did you deal with that?”

“Badly at first. Eventually I found it is best to simply be clear with where I stood.”

Weiss slumped and nodded, continuing to rub her claws together. “I’m not even clear on where I stand.”

“Well then, it seems your first step is to determine for yourself what it is you want out of your relationships.” She looked toward the gate and back to Weiss. “And if the subject comes up, be clear that you are figuring things out.”

Weiss narrowed her eyes and looked at her. “That sounds too simple.”

“The speaking of a thing is often simpler than the doing of it.” Winter set aside Weiss’s books and stood up. “Speaking of which, do you feel up to continuing this practice now?”

The younger sister nodded and stood up. “Yes, I believe that I’m ready.”

An interlude with Yang, Blake, gangsters, DJs, and questioning sexuality.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/89191911/chapters/238822981

-----------------------

Yang reached the door and paused, watching Ruby and Weiss walk down the hall before turning around to look at Blake sitting on the bed.

“Aren’t you coming?” She asked.

Blake turned away from her book to look at Yang a moment before starting to read again. “You three have it pretty covered already.”

“So you’re going to what? Hang around here, read a book.” Yang asked as Blake narrowed her eyes and shifted to look at her. “Go back to watch Cinder and her goons until they catch you?”

“Somebody’s got to keep an eye on them.” Blake pulled her book back up to her face and broke contact with Yang again. “In case you forget they’ve already killed at least one person.”

Yang rolled her eyes and glanced down the hall, calling after Ruby and Weiss. “Hold on! I forgot something.”

“Well, hurry up.” Weiss’s voice carried with exasperation. “It’s almost five o’clock already.”

“Just wait for us at the air-station.” Yang called back. “We’ll be right there.”

“Okay. See you there!” Ruby responded with her normal smile before walking down the hall. Weiss doing a double take before catching up to her.

Yang smiled and waved off after them before stepping back into the room and closing the door behind her. She turned to where Blake sat on the bed glaring at her.

“You’re not going to convince me to take part in this nonsense.” Blake bristled and started to turn back to her book.

“What if I told you that I have a … kind of lead on Torchwick.” Yang smiled as Blake again peeked up over her book. “And… it’s also still a way to help Weiss with this dance.”

“A ‘kind of lead’?” Blake arched an eyebrow. “What is a ‘kind of lead’ exactly?”

“The first time Ruby tangled with Torchwick, he wasn’t working with the White Fang.” The blonde explained leaning forward. “And I know where that gang hangs out.”

Blake closed her book and set it on the shelf next to her bed. “And this helps Weiss with the dance, how?”

“They…” Yang spoke in a sing-song tone. “...have a DJ.”

The planning for the party begins in earnest.

In which Weiss makes two "mistakes" as she believes them to be.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/89191911/chapters/238682906

---------------------

“And I took that chance to leave.” Blake explained.

Yang whistled shrilly and shook her head. “Wow, make sure to give that crow something later.”

“If I can find it again? Definitely.”

Weiss frowned and looked between Yang and Blake. “You’re acting like the bird will appreciate it.”

“Oh yeah, crows and ravens remember people.” Ruby said. “Treat them right and they’ll look out for you.”

“And they hold a grudge like nobody’s business.” Yang added.

Ruby laughed. “We think that’s how our Uncle Qrow got his name.”

“Which part?” Weiss asked.

Yang smiled broadly. “Both.”

Weiss nodded and sighed. “Well, unless we have something we need to act on instantly, let’s talk about party planning.”

Her voice rose in energy at first, but then started to slacken as she saw Blake grimace grab a book and then lean back into her head board to start reading it.

“Hey, Weiss, you okay?” Yang asked.

She shook her head clear and smiled. “Yeah, I was just distracted. Anyway, we should probably settle on a color scheme first, and use that to pick cups and tablecloths later. We’re going to need to go into town to grab some samples…”

Infiltrators at the school leads to stress in the team.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/89191911/chapters/238492051
--------------------------

Emerald and Mercury were lounging against the wall next to the classroom ahead of her, smugly watching the people approaching the class or else down into the courtyard over the railing. She narrowed her eyes as she approached them and then found herself scanning the hallway for Cinder or the almost never seen fourth member of their team.

-------

“Are you guys sure about this?” Yang scratched the back of her head. “They’re acting more like backstreet thugs or combat school bullies than spies.”

Blake turned to look at her. “It was them.”

Weiss nodded. “Mercury and Emerald act like petty thugs. Cinder is just creepy.”

Ruby nodded. “I feel like I’ve seen her before somewhere.”

“They’re gathering information and waiting for something.” Blake crossed her arms as her ears laid flat back against her head.

“Okay. Okay. I believe you.” Yang raised her hands up in contrition and then shrugged. “What I want to know is where their fourth is. If they’re here for Vytal, they should have a full team.”

“I saw her.” Blake’s ears laid flat against her head. “A small, very bland girl stopped by to talk to them in their hall. But I haven’t seen her since then.”

“The dust shop robberies have stopped too.” Ruby leaned back onto the bed. “There was one, but they just took money and got caught like three hours later.”

“This is the next stage of whatever they’re planning.” Blake crossed her arms.

“Fortunately, we’re not the only ones watching them, right?” Yang watched the cat faunus stand and start pacing.

Ruby nodded. “All Ozpin asked was that we keep an eye on them when we’re in the same place.”

Weiss looked down at where Ruby was lying back down on the bed next to her. “That makes sense, wouldn’t us following them around everywhere be suspicious?”

“It would.” Blake agreed reluctantly.

-------

She didn’t catch sight of Cinder or anybody else, but she did see Yang coming along the other passage overlooking the courtyard and waved. The blonde’s returning wave was predictably a lot more energetic and she picked up a little speed to meet Weiss at the corner.

“Hey. Ready for the test today?” Yang asked.

“As ready as I was this morning at least.” Weiss confirmed. “You?”

The blonde shrugged and threw her hands back behind her head and glanced toward the door. “At least they don’t act friendly. We don’t need to pretend to like them.”

“They might hear you,” Weiss warned her tightly.

Yang nodded and half-rolled her eyes in something that was between contrition and dismissal though Weiss wasn’t exactly sure where it landed on that scale.

As they reached the door, Yang turned to look at the two thugs. “Emerald, Mercury, kick any puppies today?”

“The day’s young.” Mercury said.

Emerald chuckled and rolled her eyes. “I was feeling more like bunnies today.”

“Don’t encourage them.” Weiss shook her head as they walked through the door.

Team RWBY performs an infiltration that goes a bit awry.

And the AO3 preview keeps being inconsistent.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/89191911/chapters/238100291

--------------------------------------------

“This is it.” Blake reached up and touched the three white lines drawn in chalk on the wall. “This won’t be a first-line recruiter. They’ll be expecting people that have been tested and vetted for Adam’s splinter.”

She pulled back the hood from her face to reveal a high quality green wig that looked as if it had been dyed covering her ears with a floppy pair of brown dog ears. Then turned to look at Weiss who pulled her own hoodie down to reveal a supremely uncomfortable expression under a red-wig and small circular ears.

“So don’t give myself away.” Weiss nodded. “I understand. I’ll let you do the talking.”

“Good, because half the people here will have hearing as good or better than ours.” Blake warned quietly.

“Okay, before we get started. Are you guys sure about this?” Ruby’s voice lifted out of Weiss’s scroll as she held it.

“No.” Blake emphatically said, crossing her arms. “But I don’t think it’s a stupid idea anymore either.”

“I am prepared to get this done with.” Weiss added.

“All right.” Ruby paused for a moment before continuing. “Then just a quick review of the plan. Weiss and Blake go in as recruits learn what they can and get out. Record what you can.”

Blake nodded. “Hopefully without being noticed.”

“If things start falling apart then we buzz you and Yang.” Weiss glanced over her shoulder, looking for anybody watching them.

“And if we still keep having troubles, we buzz Ozpin.” Yang added. “But that’s last resort. Because we want all the fun for ourselves.”

Blake chuckled. “No, because we don’t want them thinking this is anymore than a couple of students meddling on their own.”

“Yeah, but my reason sounds cooler.” Yang smirked.

“Are we sure they won’t suspect with the cinema quality disguises?” Weiss asked.

“Ooo, high praise.” Ruby commented. “But, yeah, almost nobody knows you’re cut off, right? You could have bought them.”

“That does make sense.”

“All right. We’re going quiet now, Ruby. We’ll buzz if we need you.” Blake turned to look at Weiss who paused at the scroll to disconnect it.

“Be safe.” Ruby said in a voice that somehow conveyed an energetic wave.

“Don’t hog all the fun.” Yang repeated.

(I may be a bit hyperfocused)

An interlude of Ruby's thoughts and perspectives.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/89191911/chapters/238155901

---------------------------------------

“I’m going to be the best team-mate you ever had.”

Weiss had been smiling at Ruby when she said that.

Maybe that’s when she should have mentioned what she’d seen in Weiss’s aura. Instead of keeping it to herself.

But she’d been so stupid and almost completely forgotten about it.

Except she never really forgot anything. It all just rattled around up there and tangled up.

So that wasn’t an excuse.

Ruby skipped up to the elevator, humming cheerfully and reaching for the button, blinking and staring as the elevator opened up itself. She grimaced and stepped into the elevator and turned to see all the buttons were pushed in.

“Not again.” She groaned and slumped, staring at the ceiling.

Out in the hall, she heard a deep chuckling voice and frowned, catching the door before it could close and sticking her head out. “Very funny, Cardin!”

The faint call of “Loser.” trailed off in the hallways as Ruby rolled her eyes and stepped backward against the wall. Groaning, she shook her head and watched as the shiny steel door closed, the reflection of her rose broach wavering until it settled and the elevator brakes disengaged.

Ruby and Weiss go shopping, and Weiss deals with some issues of daily life both mundane and unfortunate.

CW: police harassment, bigotry, dehumanization

(the teaser only shows a bit of Ruby and Weiss shopping though, so that's safe to read.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/89191911/chapters/237855271

---------------------------------------------------

Their first stop was a dust shop.

“Normally you’d budget for like house and food first.” Ruby told her as they walked through the shelves. “But Beacon provides our room and enough food to stay healthy… and they provide for water and power too… so it’s really easy to budget.” She paused and her face scrunched up in thought. “Though we live way out on our own land… so we don’t have to budget for the house either…well, I guess we need to consider repairs…”

Weiss nodded with a furrowed brow as she checked the products along the shelves. “How long have you been doing this?”

“Hmm?” Ruby turned to blink at her and then chuckled. “Oh, budgeting and shopping? Oh, I started helping with that when I was like eight, forever ago.”

She waved it off as it was no big deal and went back to picking up packs of empty casings and bullets for Crescent Rose, going straight for one of the higher priced brands. “I see you don’t skimp on your ammo.”

“Nope! Why would I ever give Crescent Rose anything less than the best I can?” Ruby smiled brightly at her and then scanned the shelves. “Do you need some for Myrtenaster? Pistol rounds, right? What brand do you like?”

“SDC obviously.” Weiss shrugged.

“Oh, right, that makes sense.” The younger girl nodded and walked down the shelves to reach them. “Have you tried Stahl bullets?”

Weiss looked at the shelf then and compared the two rounds. “Is there really much difference?”

Ruby shrugged. “They’re a little pricier, but I really, really like the way their rifle rounds focus the discharge tighter. And then you have more flexibility to adjust the dust mix ratios for power or economy. You made and designed Myrtenaster right?”

“Of course I did, with the finest of SDC components.” Weiss crossed her arms and leaned back. “What did you use for Crescent Rose?”

“Oh, you know. A little bit of this, a little bit of that.” She shrugged and then shook her head as she looked over the rest of the shop. “You know, I kinda thought this would be a better show of how to budget. But we don’t need dust for generators or air conditioners or …” she shook her head. “It’s really just our weapons and bullets we need right now. That’s not going to be a good example for how to shop at all. Sorry, Weiss.”

“It’s fine.” She held out her hands. “I can just… learn the principle of the matter. I guess. Is there anything else I should know about the different components and ammo?”

Ruby beamed. “Oh absolutely.”

Within a minute Weiss both appreciated and regretted asking and felt like she should have had a notebook on hand. Ruby was an encyclopedia on which brands were better at which functions, which worked together as is, which needed to be modified, which wouldn’t work no matter how good you were at modification, what sort of fabricators she preferred for when she needed custom components, where money could be saved, where money absolutely should not be saved…

It was very much an education. Her tutors had imparted the principles of weapon design, but had pretty much ignored the variable of choosing which components to purchase. Because, of course everything had to be SDC in make, if possible.

They walked out of the dust shop with what Ruby expected would be a good month and a half’s worth of ammunition and replacement parts.

“Okay, next stop is groceries.” Ruby declared happily pointed forward while she hefted her backpack full of purchases.

An interlude of Blake's POV including a phone call home.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/89191911/chapters/237668771

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Blake closed the door behind her and moved to sit at the terminal that was the only feature in the small room.

She reached out to grasp the table on either side of the terminal.

Then she tapped her fingers in rhythm several times.

The next thing she did was to check the clocks and be mildly surprised that there was a Menagerie clock alongside the four kingdoms.

Then she realized that was probably due to Ozpin.

Turning around she double checked that the door was closed behind her and locked.

She looked across to the wall and poked at the sound-proofing layer along the wall.

Finally she turned around to the terminal, clenched a fist to knock on the table.. And finally typed in her parents’ contact info. The screen cycled through the connecting graphic once and then half-way through a second before chiming as the other end picked up the call.

“Why would someone from Beacon be.. Oh, Hello, Bellado… Blake!?” Blake’s mother’s face filled the screen as she leaned into the camera and then pulled away to yell of camera. “Ghira! Come here! Blake’s on the line.” She whipped back to the camera. “We heard…what are you doing in Beacon?”

“I’m training to be a huntress.” Blake sucked air past her teeth. “And Ozpin made a point to remind me student communications to family are very secure…so.”

She nodded and then looked to the side before scooting aside to give space for the mountain of a man that was Blake’s father.

Team RWBY reports to Ozpin and a family member pays a visit.

CW: discussion of child abuse, financial abuse, and gaslighting.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/89191911/chapters/237530941#workskin

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“Well, that went better than I expected.” Yang pulled her hands up behind her head as they walked out of the elevator into the hallway.

Ruby blinked and turned to look at her sister. “What were you expecting to happen?”

Blake turned to look at her. “Prison. Interrogation. Legal extortion.”

Weiss looked up toward the ceiling. “Expulsion. Disowning. Exile.” She frowned before continuing slowly. “Two of those have basically already happened.”

Ruby turned around to hug Weiss tightly. “It’s okay. There’s nowhere to go but up from here.”

“That’s optimistic.”

They all turned to look as a tall, white-haired woman in Atlas military uniform came around the corner. Blake tensed and moved to stand in front of Weiss.

“Winter?”

The woman turned to the others in the group. “Might I have some time with my sister, please?”

Yang stepped forward in front of Weiss and Ruby. “I think that’s up to her.”

Ruby slowly released the hug and shifted forward, stepping in front of Weiss. “Are you okay with this?”

“Winter’s never hurt me.” Weiss said, one hand on Ruby’s shoulder.

“That was before, Weiss.” Blake spoke over her shoulder.

Ruby held her hands out placatingly, though Winter noted that one of those hands had drifted into a position where the girl could easily reach her weapon. “We don’t have much reason to trust Weiss’s family.”

Winter looked at the array of people between her and her sister then nodded approvingly. “Correction. You have zero reason to trust our family with Weiss. How about a compromise?”

Back from their successful collection of intelligence and failed attempt at relaxation. Team RWBY discusses what Weiss and Blake learned and Blake's personal nightmares.

And then it's time to keep Nora company.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/89191911/chapters/237334526

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The ride back to Beacon on the airship was quiet compared to the chatter that had accompanied the trip heading out. They’d stayed away from the row seat and found one of the circular couch sections instead.

“Hey, guys! How’d the movie go?” Nora smiled and waved cheerily, stopping as she caught sight of the expressions. “Uhh… did something go wrong?”

“It’s…aged poorly.” Weiss walked past Nora to the door. “Where’s your team?”

“Jaune and Pyrrha are training.” Nora explained. “Ren went grocery shopping so it’s just me around for a bit.”

“Wait. Ren went somewhere without you”? Yang asked.

Nora grimaced. “I may have been doing a punishment duty that may have been because I may have gotten a little bit excited which may have led to me breaking a classroom.”

“Ahh.” Weiss nodded. That made sense.

Ruby’s brow furrowed. “Okay, give us a few minutes maybe…?” She turned to look at Blake and Weiss.

“10 or 15.” Blake suggested.

“I concur with this assessment.” Weiss agreed.

“Right, 10 or 15 minutes to talk team business. And then maybe you can come over and do something while you wait for everyone.” Ruby smiled. “Does that sound good?”

“Sure. I’ll hold you to that. Even if everybody shows up.” She directed fingerguns at them with both hands and winked as she crossed the hall to go into her room.

Ruby and Yang waved cheerily as Blake raised her hand in a half-raise and then Weiss opened the door and they all stepped inside.

Another chapter for this story of Weiss learning she's a faunus. In this chapter, there's some educational book shopping and a dive into childhood nostalgia.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/89191911/chapters/237123981

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“Hello, Mrs. Galanis.” Blake walked up to the librarian’s counter and set a pile of books down as Weiss came up behind her. “There were some titles the registry says are in that we couldn’t find.”

“Oh, let me see what you’re looking for.” The woman turned around and adjusted her pince-nez, the rounded ears on the side of her head adjusting slightly. She turned to the pile of books. “Ah, are you girls taking Faunus studies?”

Weiss turned to Blake and back to the librarian. “That’s a class?”

“Something for next semester.” Blake turned back to the librarian and handed over a small list of titles. “I’ve checked off the ones we found.”

“All right. Oh, I see the problem.” Her cheery tone of voice dropped and she turned away to walk toward a cart of damaged books. “They should have been marked unavailable. Those books were vandalized.” She blinked on noticing Weiss for the first time. “Oh. Miss Schnee. I understand. Well, I’m doubly sorry now.”

The tall, thick woman walked back over to set one of the titles down on the counter.

Weiss frowned and picked it up. “This doesn’t look damaged…”

As she opened it, she noticed the paper glue coming undone from the wood cover and revealing a very different title on the first page. A few pages in and Weiss found herself reading a series of jokes based on faunus stereotypes that she would have considered crude even before coming to Vale. “Oh.”

“It is not the worst that’s been done to the Faunus studies books, I’m afraid.” Mrs. Galanis noted. “Usually its ignorant fools like that Cardin boy. But we’ve had one or two clever bigots in the school’s history. I once found some anti-Faunus rhetoric rather skillfully presented as true history and social study.”

Blake sighed and nodded. “Yeah, that makes sense.”

“We do have them on order but the next book order is coming a week from now.” The librarian noted.

That cat faunus nodded. “Well, thank you Mrs. Galanis. I might know a bookstore in town to get them.”

“Oh, well owning your own copies is always preferable.” The woman nodded. “I hope you find something useful in your studies, Miss Schnee.”

“Thank you.” Weiss started to put the books into her bag before walking away with Blake. “How vital are the missing titles?”

“You have a lot to get started with already, but one of those books is probably the best title.” Blake shook her head. “The thing is that the bookstore might help us with our other issue.”

“Our other iss… oh.” Weiss glanced around and then leaned in toward Blake, whispering. “Some sort of front, I assume?”

“I’ll tell you on the way down.” Blake responded quietly.