The Town of Trist

Emilio was busy moving things around the back of his store. He had just received a new crate of metals and had to bring it to his furnace so that he'd be ready to start orders as they came in. As he worked, he heard the distinct sound of his front door opening and someone coming into his shop. Hearing this, the faunus put down what he was doing and walked to the store front.

Emilio: Hello and welcome to my shop how can I-?

When Emilio entered into the store from the back he saw a man with a grey vest and a red cape that covered a large sword that hung on his back. He had black hair and had a bit of scruff on his chin. When Emilio entered he was looking at some of his weapons.

Emilio: Well, well. Another new face. Pleased to meet you, I'm Emilio and this is my shop.

Qrow: Nice to meet you, My name's Qrow.

Emilio: Well then, Qrow, welcome to my shop, is there anything I can help you with?

Qrow: Yes, actually, there is. I'm here to ask you about a kid that stayed here not long ago.

Emilio raised an eyebrow.

Emilio: Yeah? Who's asking?

Qrow could sense Emilio's suspicion.

Qrow: Woah, settle down, I'm a Huntsman from Vale. In fact you met my two nieces when they came asking themselves not long ago. Ruby and Yang.

Emilio thought back and then relaxed a little.

Emilio: Ah. You're their uncle?

Qrow: Heh. Yeah.

Emilio smirked.

Emilio: My condolences.

Qrow: Thanks... So anyway, about the kid you kept here.

Emilio leaned onto the counter.

Emilio: I've already told your nieces everything I knew about him, he was a traveler that was caught up when those Grimm swarmed that explosion and had to stay here due to food poisoning.

Qrow walked closer to the counter.

Qrow: Me and you both know that there's more to that kid than being a simple "traveler". I'm not here to arrest him or anything, I just want to talk to him.

Emilio looked Qrow dead in the eyes, and after a moment, sighed.

Emilio: Okay, okay. It was painfully obvious that, that kid knew more about the explosion. He even tried to convince me he "hid" from a swarm of Grimm.

Qrow: If you knew about it, why'd you let him stay? Why let him go?

Emilio took a deep breath.

Emilio: I'm old and a faunus, Qrow, I'm sure you're very aware of how the world treats my kind. I count myself incredibly fortunate that I found a town like this that accepts me for who I am. I have seen countless faces of countless people; Huntsmen, soldiers, farmers, bandits. I can look someone in the eyes and immediately tell if they're of a good sort.

Qrow: So what did you see in the kid?

Emilio: When I looked into that kid's eyes I saw a good soul. In a way, they were kind of like your two nieces, the good kind.

Qrow: You let a kid like that go, because of a "gut feeling"?

Emilio: You could say that. Is there any other way?

This time Qrow looked Emilio in the eyes, and after a few seconds Qrow smirked.

Qrow: I've yet to see any other way. It's good to know that at least the kid isn't some kind of monster.

Emilio: A "monster"?! Hahaha. Nah, I'd say he's more of a "gentle giant".

Qrow: I'll remember that. You told my nieces that the kid was heading north?

Emilio: To Vale actually, I gave him a map, some supples, and a "Survival Guide" book.

Qrow: A "Survival Guide"?

Emilio: I didn't lie about the food poisoning, he ate some berries and had to stay here until he felt better.

Qrow: Well, any information is useful I guess. Is there anything else I should know about him?

Emilio thought for a bit.

Emilio: Actually there is.

Qrow: Yeah?

Emilio: I saw something else in his eyes.

Qrow: And what that?

Emilio: The eyes of a warrior.

Qrow: A warrior, you say? Should I be expecting a fight?

Emilio shook his head.

Emilio: No, no. That's not what I mean. His eyes had... it's kind of hard to describe... had a sense of... experience?

Qrow: Experience?

Emilio: You might not believe me, hell I don't really believe it myself, but. I got the sense that the kid has been through a lot in his life. So... just be careful about how you treat him, okay?

Qrow thought for a moment and then nodded.

Qrow: Don't worry, I will be. I'd better get going, it was nice to meet you, Emilio.

Emilio: And you, Qrow.

Qrow nodded to Emilio and walked out of the store, leaving Emilio alone in his shop.

Emilio: ...I should have made him buy something......

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A Warehouse, The Kingdom of Vale

If one were to look from the outside, they would see an unused warehouse in the industrial section of the city. But the inside of the warehouse was anything but unused. Inside were dozens of shipping containers, marked with "Schnee Dust Company", stacked on top of each other with smaller containers being carried to smaller stacks by people wearing hooded clothes with a red symbol of a wolf with three slashes through it.

Leading the whole group was a man that stood out among all of them. He wore a stylish white coat, grey scarf, and black and red bowler hat with a feather tucked into the band. He had flamboyant orange hair that covered one eye.

Roman: Hurry up people! We need to make more room for the next batch of Dust! I'm not paying you to be lazy!

White Fang Member: We're getting paid?

Roman: It was a metaphor. Try to keep up.

White Fang Member: A metaphor for what?

Roman sighed deeply and looked at the member—who asked the incredibly stupid question—in the eyes with a smile on his face.

Roman: I take you out back and shoot you.

White Fang Member: O-oh.

The grunt hurriedly picked up the next create and joined the line of his allies.

Roman: Why is it so hard to find decent "help" these days?- Hey! Be careful with those! Argh!

Hearing Roman's frustration, a young feminine voice spoke up.

Woman: Poor, poor Roman.

Another, male voice, responded.

Man: Don't be too hard on him, Emerald, he's had a "long" night.

Anger built up inside Roman as he heard the comments and immediately knew who said it.

Roman: I don't see you two doing anything! Do you care to help?

Sitting down on two different chairs was a young woman with medium-brown skin, light mint-green hair, wearing an intricate white top with white pants covered by leather padding. The other was a young man with loose grey hair, and wore a grey jacket and black pants.

Emerald and Mercury looked at each other and then turned back to Roman.

Mercury: I wouldn't want to disrupt a "master-criminal" such as yourself.

Emerald: Yeah, we're "learning" so much from observing your "amazing" skills.

The obvious sarcasm was clearly getting to Roman, which amused Emerald and Mercury to no end.

Roman: Rrrgh! You annoying little rats! I've been in this business while you were still in diapers!

Emerald: Oh my! Hey Mercury, I think I see some stress marks showing up.

Roman: Wait, Wha-!?

Mercury: You know, I think you're right. You should watch you blood pressure.

Roman pulled out a compact mirror and made a quick look over of his face, upon realizing that he had been duped again the anger was more apparent.

Roman: I'm going to-

???: You're going to, what?

Roman's anger was instantly cut short when another woman's voice came from behind him. Emerald and Mercury saw who it was and instantly shot up from their chairs. Approaching the three individuals was a young woman, this time however, she walked with authority and dignity that everyone around her instinctually respected. She had a red mini-dress with slightly glowing yellow designs, her amber eyes glowed faintly and her long black hair reached just past her shoulders.

Cinder: Well? What are you going to do, Roman?

Cinder stood between Roman and her two followers and looked him in the eyes, causing him to flinch.

Roman: Uh, well, I.

Emerald and Mercury chuckled quietly at Roman's discomfort, Cinder glanced back instantly silencing them.

Cinder: Enough. You are not children and this is not a playground for you three to argue with each other.

Emerald and Mercury looked slightly embarrassed while Roman shrugged.

Cinder: Roman, how goes our operations?

Roman: Everything is going according to plan, we've had a few hitches-

Cinder glared at Roman, her amber eyes beginning to glow brighter.

Roman: -That we fixed! And things are back on track!

Cinder: Good.

Roman breathed a sigh of relief as Cinder's eyes dimmed back down.

Roman: Right now we're making room for the next generous "donation" of Dust to our operation.

Cinder: Then I won't keep you. Emerald, Mercury, we have a meeting to attend to.

Emerald and Mercury: Yes ma'am.

As the three of them began to walk away, Cinder glanced back at Roman.

Cinder: Don't disappoint me, Roman.

With that, Cinder and her entourage finally left. After waiting a moment to make sure they were gone, Roman rolled his eyes.

Roman: "Don't disappoint me, Roman" Feh. That woman is going to be the death of me.

Moments later, a White Fang member approached Roman.

White Fang Member: Sir, the people you asked for are here.

Roman's mood immediately brightened upon hearing this news.

Roman: Perfect!

Roman made his way to the front of the warehouse and saw his gang of toughs he purchased from a local night club owner. All of them wore black suits and hats, save for red a tie and sunglasses.

Roman: I'm glad you all made it! I take it you all brought what I asked?

Gangster: Yeah.

Roman: Excellent.

Gangster: So what place are we hitting?

Roman: I'm glad you asked! We're going to a Dust shop called: "Midnight Dust"

Another gangster spoke up.

Gangster: We aren't going to run into that girl again, right?

Roman sighed.

Roman: No, this store is in a completely different area than that one.

The gangsters nodded and smiled at one another at hearing this announcement. After seeing their faces Roman smirked.

Roman: Alright, the job is tomorrow night, let's get ready.

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Beacon Academy

It was nearing the end of the day and most classes were either finished or were finishing. Team JNPR—who were among those who were finished with class—began to make their way back to their dorm.

Nora: Yes! Finally! Classes are over!

Jaune: I know the feeling, I'm not sure I could handle more information being jammed into my head.

Ren: I am thankful as well.

Pyrrha: What's even better is that we have a long weekend!

Nora: Yeah!!! Long weekend!!!

As Team JNPR was rejoicing at the upcoming extended days off they came across Team RWBY sitting on a bench on the side of the hall.

Jaune: Hey guys! How are-

Upon getting closer, Team JNPR noticed that their fellow classmates were slumped on the bench like puppets that had their strings cut.

Pyrrha: ...Are you guys okay?

Ruby: Ugh......

Yang: Bleeeeeh.....

Weiss: Geeeh......

Blake: Rrrrgh......

Nora shot up and ran in front of the seemingly broken RWBY team.

Nora: Oh no! I know what this is!

Jaune: You do?

Nora: Yeah! I saw this in the movie: "Invasion of the Brain-Sucking Aliens"!!! They've had their brains sucked out of their heads!

Nora grabbed Ruby and began to shake her violently.

Nora: I have to use the trigger word to release them from their grasp! Klaatu Barada Nikto!!!!

Pyrrha: Uh, Nora...

Nora: Hush Pyrrha! This is my area of expertise! Klaatu Barada Nikto!!!!

Ruby: Aaaaahhh!! Nora!! Stop!!! Please!!

With swirls in her eyes, Ruby tried to get Nora to stop shaking her.

Nora: Guys look, it working! Klaatu Barada Nikto!!!

Ren put a hand on Nora's shoulder.

Ren: Nora, I don't think they've had their brains sucked out.

Nora stopped shaking Ruby.

Nora: Huh? Really? Then how do you explain the soulless look in their eyes?

Ren: Why don't we ask them?

Ruby, now completely shaken, spoke with stars in her eyes.

Ruby: Thanks.....Ren....

Nora set Ruby back down and the rest of Team RWBY broke out of their trance.

Yang: We didn't have our brains sucked out, Nora.

Ruby: Ugh.... speak for yourself....

Yang: Well, maybe you shook Ruby's brains out, but the reason we're so tired is because we had to attend a mandatory study hall with Professor Goodwitch.

Ren: Ah. That would explain it.

Jaune: Yeesh. I've heard nothing but horror stories about Professor Goodwitch's study hall.

Blake: Well, they're all true.

Ruby: If we even looked away from the page she'd know... how did she know?

Pyrrha: Well, you guys made it, and thankfully we have a long weekend.

Ruby: We have a long weekend?.... We have a long weekend!!!!

Ruby's composure made an instant turn around. She was now jumping for joy.

Weiss: How does she do that?

Yang: It's a "Ruby" thing.

Team RWBY and JNPR started to walk back together.

Jaune: So, what are you guys doing for your weekend?

Ruby: We actually had something planned!

Yang: Yeah! There's this new restaurant that opened up last week and we were going to go eat there.

Blake: The reviews for the place are great.

Ren: Wow, sounds great.

Weiss: Our reservations are for tomorrow night.

Ruby: So, we're going to spend tomorrow out in the city. What are you guys doing?

Pyrrha: We actually don't have anything planned.

Ren: Maybe we can join you tomorrow?

Yang: Sure! The more the merrier!

Weiss: Our reservation is for just the four of us, I'm not sure if I can change it.

Ren: That's alright.

Ren looked at Nora.

Ren: I don't think Nora does "fine dining" anyway...

Nora: You got that right! I've been banned from over eight restaurants! Well, the eight restaurants that are still standing, anyway...

Ruby: That's okay, we can still have fun during the day! I'm so excited! More friends to join on our awesome day! Tomorrow is going to be amazing!!!

_____

_____

(Y/N): *huff* *huff*

Y/N was slowly making his way up a fairly steep hill.

(Y/N): Why is this hill so steep?

It was almost night as the sun hit the horizon. Y/N, after losing the map, had just decided to keep heading north and hoped that he'd eventually find his destination. Y/N looked up toward the top of the hill.

(Y/N): Maybe I'll be able to get a sense of where I am once I reach the top.

After a few more minutes, Y/N finally reached the top of the hill and looked out ward.

(Y/N): Okay. Where am- Oh!

Directly ahead of him on the horizon, Y/N saw the lights of a city as well as some lights that were flying above it. Y/N breathed a huge sigh of relief.

(Y/N): Yes! I made it! It's kind of late, but at this rate I should get there tomorrow! My luck is finally turning around!