Mid-Afternoon

Trist

Emilio: Almost time for the guard change...

Emilio was dressed in his full combat armor—which was only basic plating that only covered his vital areas—and was manning the tower over the main gate to the town.

Emilio sighed.

The guard next to him noticed his exhaustion.

Town Guard: You know, Emilio, you don't have to do this, you already do plenty for the town at your store.

Emilio smirked.

Emilio: You saying I'm too old?

Town Guard: What!? No, no!

Emilio: Oh, I get it. You think I'm cramping your style. Are you still trying to show off to that girl that comes by?

Town Guard: N-no!

Emilio: Oh-ho-ho it is!

Town Guard: No! Please stop!

Emilio: That settles it, after the shift is over I'm going to go to her mother and tell her that you like her daughter.

Town Guard: No, no, no, no!

The guard was now completely flustered.

Emilio: I'll tell her: "You know that guard that I work with? He wants your daughter bad!"

Town Guard: Nooooo!

Emilio: "You should hear the horrifying perverse things he wants to do!"

The guard summarily fainted.

Emilio couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Emilio: Hahaha! Oh man, you youngsters are too easy.

Town Guard: You are literally the worst Faunus there is...

Emilio continued to laugh.

Emilio: That reminds me, I wonder if Y/N got the package I sent him? Hehe... I wish I could see his face...

Emilio stopped laughing when he saw something approach the gate from down the road.

Emilio: Hey, get up, we have visitors.

The guard stumbled to his feet.

Town Guard: Grimm?

Emilio: Nope, people.

Emilio squinted to get a better look.

Emilio: Hmmm. Three of them.

Town Guard: Alright.

The guard signaled the others on the ground to open the gate and greet them.

Emilio continued to watch the three figures approach, and something felt off. Getting closer, Emilio could make out that there were two women and one man, the one in front was a woman in a red dress.

Emilio: I'm heading down there.

Town Guard: Is something wrong?

Emilio hesitated.

Emilio: ...I hope not...

Emilio climbed down the tower and headed toward the gate. The guards had already opened the gate and were conversing with the new visitors. Upon arriving one of the town guards went to Emilio to talk with him.

Emilio: Who are they?

Gate Guard: More Huntsmen from Vale. Said they had a few questions.

Emilio could definitely feel something was off.

Emilio: Let me talk to them.

Gate Guard: Sure.

The guard escorted Emilio to the front of the gate and to the three Huntsmen.

Emilio: My name's Emilio, I'm kind of the closest thing to a guard captain here. Can I ask what you are doing here?

The woman in the red dress stepped forward.

Woman in Red: Yes you can. We are Huntsmen from Vale following up on an investigation about an explosion.

Emilio gazed into the woman's amber eyes.

Emilio: Really? You lot are a little late, don't you think? A couple other Huntsmen already came here and asked us the same thing.

The woman smiled.

Woman in Red: A simple formality. What do you know about the young man that came here after the explosion?

Emilio looked at the two people behind the woman. A dark-skinned girl with green hair and a boy with silver hair, both were looking at him with less-than innocent eyes.

Emilio: Nothing. After spending some time here to rest, he left toward Vale.

Emilio looked the woman in the red dress in the eyes.

Emilio: Maybe he's already there.

Woman in Red: Hmmm...

The woman looked to her companions before looking at Emilio again.

Woman in Red: You wouldn't lie to a Huntress, would you?

Emilio: No, I would never lie to a Huntress.

A moment passed, both the woman and Emilio looking each other dead in the eyes.

Woman in Red: Hm. I never gave you my name, did I?

Emilio raised an eyebrow.

Emilio: No, no you didn't.

Emilio took a few steps back when the woman's eyes seemed to catch fire.

Cinder: Cinder.

_____

_____

5:00 am

Beacon Academy Dormitories

Ruby's eyes shot open, like she had just seen a nightmare. Taking a moment to compose herself, Ruby took a deep breath when she saw she was still in her dorm room. Looking around, Ruby noticed that only Yang was in her bed, snoring loudly.

Ruby: Huh, where is everyone?

Smelling the air, Ruby could probably guess where they were, and she wanted to join them. Quickly changing out of her pajamas and into her school uniform, Ruby quietly left her room and headed toward the dorm kitchen. Her mouth watered as the alluring smell of baking got stronger.

Opening the door, Ruby saw Y/N and Ren cooking in the kitchen, Blake sitting on the counter eating a pastry, and Jaune sitting in the corner facing the wall.

Ruby: Morning everyone!

(Y/N): Good morning, Ruby.

Ren: Good morning.

Blake: Hey Ruby.

Jaune: *sigh* Yeah, hey.

Ruby looked at the depressed Jaune before looking at everyone else.

Ruby: What happened?

Jaune: I-

(Y/N): Jaune is banned from ever using the kitchen again.

Jaune: I said I was sorry!

(Y/N): How do you burn a pot of water!? How is that possible!?

Ren: Yeah, I'm still trying to figure out how you managed to do that.

Jaune sighed.

Ruby noticed that there were more pastries being baked than usual.

Ruby: How come you guys are making so many of these?

(Y/N): Well, originally I was going to make the usual amount, however, Weiss wanted me to bake a couple dozen extra. Thankfully, Ren here agreed to help me with it.

Ren: I'm not as good as Y/N at baking but, I can certainly help.

(Y/N): You can help yourself, Ruby.

Ruby: Thanks.

Ruby quickly grabbed a few warm cinnamon rolls and put them on a napkin.

Ruby: Wait, why does Weiss want you to make so many of these?

Weiss: Because!...

Right as Ruby asked her question, Weiss came in snacking on a danish.

Weiss: Today a ship is arriving from Vacuo with students from Shade Academy, and I want to give them a great first impression of Beacon.

Ruby: Wait, so then you want to impress them with Y/N's cooking?

Weiss: Of course! Now hurry up you two, we need at least six dozen of these before noon. *munch*

(Y/N) and Ren: We know Weiss...

Weiss: Good! I'm going to make sure everything is ready for when they arrive.

With that, Weiss left.

Y/N and Ren sighed at the same time.

(Y/N): I'm starting to think she likes ordering me around...

Ren: Probably.

Y/N sighed.

(Y/N): So Blake, what were you saying again?

Blake: Oh, right. I still think she'll fall for him!

(Y/N): No she won't.

Blake: Yes she will! They're part of the same clan!

(Y/N): But he's a spy for another clan, and there is no way his clan would let him.

Blake: But they clearly love each other!

(Y/N): What about the royal prince? What about his feelings for her?

Blake: But, but, but-!

Ruby listened to their conversation like they were speaking an alien language. Confused, Ruby looked to Ren.

Ruby: Uhhhh.... What are they talking about?

Ren: They're talking about "Ninjas of Love".

Ruby: That book Blake likes?

Ren: Yep. Evidently, Y/N reads the book as well, so those two have been talking about it for a little while now.

Ruby: I didn't know you liked that book, Y/N.

(Y/N): It's actually written quite well, I enjoyed reading it.

Blake: Only because you think the main character is going to be with the prince...

(Y/N): It's the best possible outcome!

Blake: No it isn't! Her heart belongs to another!

(Y/N): Lies!

Blake and Y/N began to argue with each other about the love triangle? Star? Circle? Ruby was too confused to keep up so she just kept eating the cinnamon rolls that Y/N made.

Ruby: Aren't you confused about what they're talking about, Ren?

Ren: Nah. It's actually pretty nice to hear a conversation that isn't about explosions.

Ruby: Is Nora sleeping too?

Ren: Yep... Is Yang still asleep as well?

Ruby: Yep.

Ruby and Ren: Nice.

The two of them gave each other a low-five before continuing to try and listen to Y/N and Blake's conversation.

_____

_____

After a few hours of baking, Y/N and Ren finally finished making the baked goods for the students coming from Vacuo.

(Y/N): Phew! Finally, we're done.

Ren: We'd better put them in the boxes so we can take them with us.

(Y/N): Yeah.

The door to the kitchen opened up to reveal Yang and Nora, both of whom were just waking up.

Yang: *yawn* Hey guys! Oh, are all of those for us?

Y/N jumped in front of the dozens of pastries.

(Y/N): No! No! Stay away! These aren't for you!

Y/N pointed toward the plate of pastries on the table.

(Y/N): Those are for you!

Nora: I think those are for us!

The hunger coming from the two of them could be felt by the people in the room.

(Y/N): Q_Q Please no, it took hours to make these...

Yang: Hours?

Ren: Y/N here, has been since four in the morning baking these.

Nora: *munch* Why?

Blake: Weiss wants to welcome the students from Shade Academy coming today, though I'm pretty sure she just wants to scope out the competition.

Yang: *munch* That makes sense, leave it to the "Ice Queen" to forcibly have someone bake for her...

(Y/N): *sigh* Yeah... Wait! Stop eating those!!!

Nora and Yang had already eaten four cinnamon rolls each.

Yang: Mmmm~! My regards to the chef!

(Y/N):I have to make a whole other batch now...

Ren patted Y/N on the back.

Ren: At least they only took eight.

Ren looked at Yang and Nora, who grabbed more.

Ren: Twelve.

(Y/N): Q_Q

Weiss: Is everything ready?

Weiss, now dressed to go out to the town, returned to the kitchen.

Weiss: Wha-!? Hey! Those aren't for you!

Nora and Yang: (Food in mouth) ...Sorry...

Weiss: *sigh* You two are unbearable... Y/N! Bake another batch! Everyone else, get the rest into the boxes, the ship from Vacuo is going to be here soon and I want to make a good first impression!

Nora began to reach for another pastry only for her to be stopped by Weiss.

Weiss: And don't eat them!

Nora: Aww...

Everyone began to pack the baked goods into the boxes while Y/N began to re-bake another batch. Eventually, The boxes were packed and Weiss began to lead everyone out of the kitchen.

Weiss: Y/N, you finish up here and we'll meet you at the ship to Vale outside.

(Y/N): Okay.

Weiss: Don't be late!

(Y/N): -_-

_____

_____

Weiss closed the door and began to walk with everyone else.

Yang: You really like ordering him around, don't you?

Weiss: What's that supposed to mean?

Yang was insinuating something but Weiss wasn't getting it.

Yang: Hehe... Nothing.

_____

_____

Now alone Y/N began to bake the replacement batch that he needed. The silence was broken when the kitchen door opened again.

(Y/N): C'mon Weiss, you can't rush baking! It's-! oh...

Though the door was the bunny Faunus girl that Cardin was teasing a little while ago.

Faunus Girl: Uh, is this a bad time?

(Y/N): No, I'm just waiting for these to finish in the oven.

The girl walked into the kitchen.

Faunus Girl: It smells amazing.

(Y/N): Thank you, you want some?

Faunus Girl: Yes, please!

The girl took a cinnamon bun and took a bite, her ears shot up straight as she enjoyed it.

Faunus Girl: This is delicious!

(Y/N): Glad to see someone at least take their time eating my food for once.

After finishing her roll the girl wiped her mouth.

Faunus Girl: You're Y/N, right?

(Y/N): Yep, is something wrong?

Faunus Girl: N-no! I just wanted to thank you for the other day. You know, with Cardin...

(Y/N): Oh, no problem.

Velvet: My name's Velvet, thank you for helping me.

(Y/N): Nice to meet you, Velvet, and I don't think Cardin is going to be bullying anyone for a while.

Velvet: Yeah, I heard about what happened in the Forever Fall Forest... So.. um... this might sound weird to ask...

(Y/N): Have you seen teams RWBY and JNPR? "Weird" would be a breath of fresh air around me.

Velvet: I was wondering if I could take your picture? I-I-I mean- only if you want to! I'd understand if you didn-

(Y/N): Sure.

Velvet blinked.

Velvet: ...Really?

(Y/N): Go right ahead.

Velvet pulled out her camera and aimed it at Y/N, he smiled and gave a thumbs up as the camera flashed.

Velvet looked pleased at the photo and put her camera away.

Velvet: Thank you! I know this was a little out of the blue, but me and my team are going to be embarking on a mission soon and I wasn't sure when we'd be getting back.

(Y/N): Anytime, there's no harm in taking a photo.

Velvet: Thanks...

The oven dinged and Y/N brought out the freshly baked batch of pastries. Velvet stared at them like it had been weeks since she'd seen food of any kind.

(Y/N): You can have the rest of the pastries on the plate on the table over there, but these ones are already called for, sorry.

Velvet: R-right! Sorry.

Velvet grabbed the plate of ten cinnamon buns.

(Y/N): Feel free to share it with your team.

Velvet: *munch* Thank you, Y/N!

After Velvet left, Y/N packed the last of the cinnamon buns into a box and headed off to catch up with everyone else.

_____

_____

City of Vale

Now in Vale proper, Weiss led her team and Y/N toward the docks.

Weiss: We're almost there guys.

Blake: You okay, Y/N?

Y/N was made to push the cart with all the boxes of pastries.

(Y/N): It's fine.

Y/N and the rest of team RWBY made their way through the city, as they did so, they noticed all the decorating for the upcoming Vytal Festival.

(Y/N): Wow, the whole city is seems to be excited for the festival.

Weiss: Of course! It's the Vytal Festival! Oh this is absolutely wonderful!

Ruby: I don't think I've ever seen you smile this much, Weiss. It's kinda weirding me out, right Y/N?

(Y/N): Weiss can smile!?

Weiss: How can you guys not smile? a festival dedicated to the cultures of the world! There will be dances, a parade, a tournament! Oh the amount of planning and organization that goes into this event is simply breathtaking!

Yang sighed.

Yang: You really know how to take a good thing and make it sound boring.

Weiss: Quiet you.

The group finally began to approach the docks, the smell of the sea and fish filled the air.

Ruby clenched her nose.

Ruby: It smells like fish here...

(Y/N): It could be worse.

As if on cue, a fisherman offloaded a huge supply of freshly caught fish, making the smell even stronger.

Ruby: Eugh... Why'd you have to jinx it?

(Y/N): *sigh* I've asked myself that question all my life...

As they continued along the docks Ruby noticed some activity going on down the street.

Ruby: Whoa...

The team approached the scene. Yellow caution tape and two detectives from the Vale Police Department were out front of the destroyed store.

Ruby: What happened here?

Detective: Robbery. Second Dust shop to be hit this week. This place is turning into a jungle.

Yang: That's terrible...

Detective Two: They left all the money again.

Ruby turned to listen in on the detectives' conversation.

Detective: Yeah, just doesn't make a lick of sense. Who needs that much Dust?

Detective Two: I don't know, an army?

Detective: You thinking the White Fang?

Detective Two: I'm thinking we don't get paid enough.

Weiss: Hmph! The White Fang. What an awful bunch of degenerates!

Blake: What's your problem?

Ruby, Yang, and Y/N could tell an argument was brewing.

Weiss: My problem? I simply don't care for the criminally insane.

Blake: The White Fang is hardly a bunch of psychopaths. They're a group of misguided Faunus.

As their argument continued Y/N leaned into Ruby and Yang.

(Y/N): (whisper) Who are the White Fang?

Yang: (whisper) They're a terrorist organization of Faunus who use violent methods to terrorize those who aren't Faunus.

(Y/N): *gulp* (whisper) Are they a big group?

Ruby: (whisper) Yeah, they're everywhere throughout Remnant.

(Y/N): Q_Q Just what I needed, more people that may try to kill me...

???: Hey, stop that Faunus!

The group overheard the shout and rushed over back toward the dock to see a person with a golden monkey tail running along the deck of a docked boat and onto the docks proper.

Monkey Faunus: Thanks for the ride, guys!

???: You no-good stowaway!

The Faunus hung from a lamppost and and began to eat a banana.

Monkey Faunus: Hey! A "no-good" stowaway would've been caught! I'm a great stowaway!

As he ate the banana, the detectives from earlier confronted him.

Detective: Hey! Get down from there this instant!

The Faunus responded by throwing a banana peel in his face. After laughing, the Faunus jumped passed them and began to run into the city. The Faunus' path took him by RWBY and Y/N. As he ran by, the world seemed to slow down as he winked at Blake.

Much to the surprise of the Faunus the slow motion didn't stop. When he looked ahead he say Y/N waving his hands.

(Y/N): (Slow Mo) Nooooooooooooo!!!

The Faunus didn't have enough time to react as he crashed through the cart with Y/N's baked foods. The pastries flew into the air, and after grabbing one, the Faunus kept running.

Monkey Faunus: Sorry pal!

(Y/N): My cabbages! No wait... My buns!!

Still in hot pursuit, the two detectives ran after him, both of him scooped up a cinnamon roll and a danish as they ran by.

(Y/N): Oh come on!

Yang: Well, Weiss, you wanted to see the competition, and there it goes...

Weiss: Quick! We have to observe him!

All of team RWBY followed after the chase, except for Y/N, who was crying about his ruined foods.

(Y/N): It took me hours to bake those...

Yang ran back and pulled Y/N with her.

Yang: Let's go slow poke!

(Y/N): Q_Q

When Yang and Y/N caught up, Ruby, Weiss and Blake had been stopped because Weiss accidentally ran into someone.

Weiss: No, he got away!

Yang: Uh... Weiss.

Yang pointed to the girl that was under her.

Weiss: Wah!

Weiss hastily stumbled to her feet.

The girl, had fairly curly orange hair that reached to her chin, she had light skin with bright green eyes and freckles, and she wore a whitish-gray blouse.

And currently, she was still on the floor.

Girl: Salutations!

Ruby: Um... Hello.

(Y/N): Are you okay?

Girl: I'm wonderful! Thank you for asking!

The group looked at each other in confusion.

Yang: Do you... wanna get up?

Girl: Yes!

The girl jumped back to her feet startling the group.

Penny: My name is Penny! It's a pleasure to meet you!

Ruby: Hi Penny, I'm Ruby.

Weiss: I'm Weiss.

Blake: Blake.

Yang: Yang.

(Y/N): I am... seriously regretting my decisions.

Yang elbowed Y/N.

(Y/N): Ow. It's Y/N...

Penny: It's a pleasure to meet you!

Weiss: You already said that.

Penny: So I did!

Weiss: Well, sorry for running into you.

As Weiss turned around, the group took this as a sign to leave as well.

Ruby: Take care, friend!

Penny looked at Ruby in shock.

The team made their way down the street.

Yang: She was... weird...

(Y/N): All of those rolls...

Blake: It's okay Y/N.

(Y/N): Is it alright if I just go check on what's left? I'll be right back.

Ruby: Sure, go for it, we won't be far.

Weiss: Just don't take too long.

Y/N peeled off from the group and headed back toward the cart he pushed.

Weiss: Now, where did that Faunus riff-faff run off to?

Penny: What did you call me?

Penny had somehow appeared in front of the group, startling and confusing Weiss.

Weiss: Wait, how!?

Yang: Oh, I'm really sorry, I didn't think you heard me!

Penny: No, not you.

Penny looked at Ruby.

Penny: You!

Ruby: Me!? I-I don't know. I, what I, um, uh...

Penny: You called me "friend"! Am I really your friend?

Ruby: Uuuummm...

Ruby looked at her teammates, all of whom were motioning for her to say "no".

Ruby: Y-yeah, sure! Why not?

Penny: Sensational! We can paint our nails, and try on clothes, and talk about cute boys!

Ruby looked at Weiss.

Ruby: Is this what is was like when you met me?

Weiss: No, she seems far more coordinated.

Ruby: Ugh...

As Penny hugged Ruby Y/N came back around the corner.

(Y/N): They're all gone. Literally all of the goods I baked were being eaten by people passing by... At least they complimented me...

Ruby: Oh look, it Y/N! He said he be your friend too!

Penny put Ruby down and looked at Y/N.

Penny: Really!?

(Y/N): Uhhhhh... Sure?- Gah!!

Penny began to hug Y/N too.

Penny: Outstanding! I have a boy friend now!

(Y/N): I have many questions!

Penny grabbed Ruby too.

Penny: This is the best day I've ever had! I made two new friends today!

Y/N looked at Ruby.

(Y/N): What did you do!?

Ruby: Sorry!

Yang stepped in and pried Ruby and Y/N out of Penny's grasp.

Yang: So, what are you doing in Vale?

Penny: I'm here to fight in the tournament!

Weiss: Wait, you're fighting in the tournament?

Penny gave a salute.

Penny: I'm combat ready!

Weiss: Forgive me, but you hardly look the part.

Blake: Says the girl wearing a dress.

Weiss: It's a combat skirt!

Ruby ran to Weiss' side.

Ruby: Yeah!

The two of them gave a low-five to each other.

(Y/N): (mumble) I just try my best not to look up it while the two of you fight...

Yang lifted her fist, before hitting Y/N in the back of the head. Again.

SMACK

(Y/N): Ow.

Weiss: Wait a minute, if you're here for the tournament, does that mean you know that monkey-tailed rapscallion?

Penny: The who...?

Weiss held up a very poor drawing of the Faunus.

(Y/N): When did you draw that?

Weiss: The filthy Faunus from the boat!

Blake: Why do you keep saying that!?

Weiss: Huh?

Blake: Stop calling him a rapscallion! Stop calling him a degenerate! He's a person!

Weiss: Oh I'm sorry. Would you like me to stop referring to the trash can as a trash can? Or this lamppost as a lamppost?

As their argument started up again, Y/N shrugged silently.

(Y/N): Not this again...

Yang: Hopefully this doesn't go too far...

The shouting match continued, even as Blake began to walk away.

Blake: The mere fact that you would sort that Faunus bow with a terrorist group solely based on his species makes you just as much of a scoundrel as you believe him to be!

Yang: Um, I think we should probably be going...

Penny: Where are we going?

_____

_____

Evening

Beacon Dormitories

Y/N had just finished baking a large chocolate cake and brought it out of the oven.

(Y/N): There we go.

Y/N began to decorate the cake with frosting and whip cream. In the center of the cake Y/N wrote in chocolate sauce: "Forgiveness Cake"

Blake and Weiss had continued to argue, even hours after they got back from Vale. They were both furious with each other and Y/N thought that if he made a cake they would calm down enough for them to hear each other out.

(Y/N): Aaaand, done!

The cake was beautifully decorated and was ready to be taken to them. To Y/N, it was some of his best work.

Y/N carefully picked up the cake and began to carefully walk toward their dorm room. Y/N could hear that they were still arguing.

Weiss: (From inside) You know why I despise the White Fang? It's because they're a bunch of liars, thieves, and murderers!

Blake: (From inside) Well maybe we were just tired of being pushed around!

Y/N slowly approached the door and carefully balanced the cake, only for the door to suddenly fly open.

Ruby came running out.

Ruby: Blake, wait! Come back!

When she didn't see Blake, Ruby sighed. Her attention was then drawn to Y/N, who was flat on his back with a cake in his face.

Ruby: Y/N!? Are you okay?

(Y/N): (mumble) Hello darkness my old friend...

_____

_____

Author:

It is now (10/31/2018) and it's Halloween! Happy Halloween! Don't celebrate it? To bad! Happy Halloween anyway!

Also, RWBY Volume 6 is now being released. Just to remind everyone, I'm not psychic and at the time of writing this story it is still being released. So if Salem is revealed to be Torchwick's mother, I didn't know that! So, yeah.