Join me on Discord for discussions, character portraits, and advanced chapters. Server code is vN7sTYhEp6.

  Editors/Beta: Lonestar, SurvivorSam, Reiter.

  Tuesday 15th of August

  Vale Commercial District

  “So, any idea where Dad went?”

  “Nope, but I’m pretty sure he knows that we are trying to follow him, and he’s just leading us on a wild goose chase.”

  Yang groaned at her sister’s peppy answer, followed by ughter. She focused on her slice of cake as she looked around the cafe they were in, a run-of-the-mill pza cafe that was everywhere these days. Yang enjoyed her cake and washed it down with a cappuccino, while Ruby hummed as she devoured a rge bowl of chocote-chip cookie ice cream.

  They had been coming a lot more to Vale tely, ever since entry permits from Patch had been suspended after a lot of backsh. Apparently, the residents of Patch had been so outraged by the price hikes and had made such a fuss, the new Inspector General of Vale had to get involved and waived off the tickets completely.

  Such a decent guy, whoever he or she was.

  Regardless, Yang and Ruby were here on a mission; to find out what their father was doing! A bark from the ground and she gnced at Ruby’s dog. Yes, and Zwei as well…she shook her head; they’ve been at it since morning, and it's te afternoon now.

  “Ruby, remind me again why we need to investigate whatever Dad is doing?”

  “Why, Yang! There can only be one reason for our dear father to leave Patch for Vale every day, and on a private bullhead no less.” Yang idly drank from her cappuccino as she raised an eyebrow at Ruby’s antics — she had leaned over the table with her typical mischievous grin that screamed trouble to anyone who saw it. “He must be seeing a woman!”

  “You really think Dad is having an affair?” Yang felt a brick fall in her stomach and had to take a deep breath to calm down. “He’s still married to Mom, you know.”

  “We haven’t seen hide or hair from your mother since forever.” Ruby smiled sadly, “You have to face the truth, Yang. Our home is not exactly hidden nor is it a secret, if she really wanted to connect–”

  “Whatever, I don’t care.” Yang knew she sounded petunt, but she did not want to have this discussion now. “Assuming Dad is seeing some trollop, what’s the big deal? He can handle himself and he has every right to see other women, you know.”

  Her sister looked at her like she was stupid, “Do you really want a repeat of Druncle Qrow’s new girlfriends?”

  “I’m pretty sure it was just Sara. The faunus girl was just a tagalong or something.”

  Yang grimaced as Ruby groaned and rubbed the bridge of her nose. Uncle Qrow had flown in st week with his two Adventurer partners for a visit; Sara Valestein was all over their uncle, and surprisingly, Qrow Branwen seemed to be quite receptive. Ilia seemed utterly annoyed with the matter, and Yang connected easily with the older girl as they spent their time sparring as they waited for whatever urgent matter that caused Qrow to change course and meet with their Dad. Something about them going east (or was it west?) in search of some maiden.

  Who even used that term anymore? Could it be they're searching for some missing noble girl?

  Anyway, Huntsmen or Adventurer business, while normally something that Yang would be curious about, she got told off by all three adults to get the message that it was above her nonexistent pay grade. Ilia was also reticent to spill any beans, but Yang was sure that if she had spent a few more days with the girl, she would have gotten something. Sadly, it was not to be, and all three of them had flown away once they finished tuning up Carrion.

  Ruby had even looked forward to trying out the new seats on their uncle's pne, but it was not meant to be.

  “You think so? I dunno, she did stare a lot at him.” Ruby hummed as she returned to her parfait. Yang had no wish to tell her normally perceptive sister that Ilia was staring at a different person entirely.

  “Anyway, I say we need a change of pns. We’ve been at it since yesterday, with nothing at all to show.”

  “True, which is why I have a pn!”

  Yang stared at Ruby’s exuberance as she produced a piece of paper from her pocket and pced it on the table, her face grew unnaturally solemn. “This is an address to a pce that I heard Uncle Qrow and Dad mention. Supposedly, the owner is a mobster but also an information broker.”

  Yang read the address, finding it to be about an hour away by bike. “An information broker would ask for money, Rubes.”

  “I know,” Ruby grumbled as she angrily ate her parfait. “We blew all of our savings tuning our bikes. Even though Uncle Qrow gave me some spending money to buy Dust with, I don’t think it will be enough for whatever that broker charges.”

  “Oh? You didn’t ask for money from Dad? Just Uncle Qrow?” Yang grinned as her sister froze before banging her head on the table, almost hitting her nearly empty bowl of ice cream. “Didn’t think you would miss such an opportunity.”

  “Well, I’m not like you who would trick Daddy to get twice the amount of money. I have principles, you know. I only steal from bad guys.” Ruby huffed as she folded her arms while Yang simply smiled; it was not an easy task to one up her smarter sister. “So, what will it be? Go get some Dust first to prepare for initiation? We still have time, but I really think we should overprepare if anything, especially with whatever changes the Headmaster is pnning that Dad warned us about.”

  “Sounds like a pn. FDD is along the way to that nightclub anyway.” And if the information broker really knew what he was doing, then Yang could possibly have a lead on her mother. “Let’s finish up and be on our way before the roads get too busy.”

  “Breaking news!” Came the sudden chime from the TV along with the annoying voice.

  “Ugh, again? Come on, Yang.” Ruby grumbled as she finished her meal and stood up impatiently. “You know how serious the VNN’s Breaking news really is.”

  Before Yang could nod and leave their table, the rge screen that was pying some commercial earlier bred red before switching to VNN’s famous presenter. “This is Lisa Lavender coming live to you with urgent news regarding our previous coverage of st week's shooting.”

  “Which shooting was that?” Someone muttered from a nearby table.

  “Dunno, lost count. Could be the one in the Industrial district.” Another replied.

  “Nah, I bet you it was the one a few streets from here. I heard they busted a secret brothel that had an entire dumpster wedged into the building for some reason.”

  Yang tuned them out as she listened to the news anchor, “…murder of former VNN news anchor and TV diva, Nancy Green. It has been confirmed that the former actress had been involved in a shooting at an inn called the Wayward Mermaid, and had been in custody since.”

  “Hey, Yang. Isn't that the pce that Weiss is staying at?” Ruby asked in worry, “I hope she's alright.”

  “I’m sure she is. Weisscream gave the impression of being a tough girl.” Yang grinned, though she could not hide the worry on her face as Ruby nodded hesitantly. Yang’s eyes widened when Lisa Lavender introduced someone unexpected.

  “…with me, and making his first appearance on VNN in years, is Veteran Huntsman, Taiyang Xiao Long, here as a liaison for Vale’s Inspector General.” Her father appeared on the camera, his face uncharacteristically solemn as he nodded to Lisa. “Mr Xiao Long, what is your take on how the murder happened?”

  “What the heck? It's Dad!” Yang whispered urgently, while Ruby had a strange look on her face. “To think we wasted so much time searching for him.”

  “And I was right! He did end up having a rendezvous with a woman.” Yang pushed her sister away as she cackled like a loon. “Guess we won't need that information broker.”

  “…No, we will still go. I have some questions of my own that need answering.” Yang ignored Ruby’s sympathetic smile and turned back to the screen. “First, let's see what this is about.”

  “…Nancy Green was pced in police custody over a week ago pending an investigation, and so far she had proven a valuable asset.”

  “Indeed, and as a witness, she was being transferred to a maximum security prison. Clearly, she had many enemies, as her murder happened in broad daylight by the notorious criminal Roman Torchwick. Why do you think a man like Torchwick, who mostly operated as a thief rather than an assassin, would commit such a btant crime? Who would drive him to commit such a deed?”

  “It is not in my position to theorize or guess, else I would find myself with numerous charges of libel and snder, so forgive me if I don’t give any names.” Their father chuckled before turning to the camera; Yang could almost feel him staring right at her. “But I can safely say that change is happening in Vale, good change, yet many notable people find that a threat to their power. Nancy Green's living testimony would have been convenient, yet not needed. Our investigation on her many crimes was mostly finished; we learned enough to prosecute numerous people who may or may not have been involved in silencing her. Nevertheless, it is certainly worrying that the likes of Torchwick are employed by criminal elements of our society.”

  “Forgive me if I overstep, but are these your words, or Inspector General Goodwitch’s words, Mr Xiao Long?”

  “Both.” Their father replied simply before sighing tiredly, “I will not twist words, Miss Lavender. Vale has a sickness in it that needs to be treated; it has not been safe for a long time, so much so that I even worry about my daughters’ safety when they visit, and they are Huntsman in Training.”

  “It is expected that a city as rge as Vale would naturally have its share of trouble, but many people wonder if perhaps the refugee crisis has made it worse.”

  “Not at all, Ms Lavender. The refugee crisis merely brought those symptoms to light rather than exacerbate them — as we speak, many of those refugees are returning home to their wartorn nds with aid and support from the Kingdom. Yet, it is our goal and duty to cure this sickness to allow our children a safe pce to live in, and enjoy a future in the safety of the city away from the hordes of Grimm haunting the wilderness.”

  “Am I to assume that said sickness includes corruption in our society and criminal activity?”

  “You can safely assume so, indeed.”

  “Would you care to share information regarding such criminal elements with the citizens of Vale?”

  “I do not believe this is a good idea, for I have no desire to be responsible for sending some reckless viginte to his death or, worse, cause the death of innocents.” Taiyang Xiao Long turned to the camera again, his eyes narrowed and this time, Yang was sure he was aiming those words at them. “I predict that simir acts of violence to what happened at the Wayward Mermaid Inn will be on the rise over the next few weeks, as criminal elements of our society rush to hide the skeletons in their closets. I warn all citizens of Vale to avoid any fights or gangs, especially if they have aura users in their midst. Contact the authorities as soon as you can, and we shall handle the rest.”

  “Thank you very much for your input, Mr Xiao Long. To remind our viewers, the incident at the Wayward Inn had caused over a hundred fatalities and was only stopped by the actions of our brave officers of the w. We shall air a section of it momentarily, but viewer discretion is advised; parents are advised to remove their children from–”

  Yang turned away, finding herself losing interest once her Dad excused himself. Ruby followed her outside as they leaned on their bikes.

  “So, what’s the pn, Yang? I’m pretty sure that Dad knows we are here, and he probably doesn’t want us to remain in the city any longer than necessary.”

  Zwei chose that moment to bark in agreement as he crawled up Ruby’s cloak and sat on her shoulders. Yang smiled lightly, “Dad is right, the city is getting more dangerous tely, and we really have nothing else to do but prepare for initiation…and hope to get information on Mother.”

  “Yang…” Ruby held her shoulder, Zwei whimpering in sympathy, but Yang hardened her heart.

  “It won’t take long, we just go in, ask around, hear what they have to say and leave.”

  “Yang, you must know that–”

  “I won’t hear it, Ruby! You are the one who brought that information broker up, and dragged me to Vale in the first pce. This is my chance to find out the truth.” A truth that Yang was terrified to hear, but she still needed to learn it. “Please, Ruby…I need you with me.”

  Ruby smiled before hugging her tightly, “Of course I’m with you, you boob monster. I always wanted to go to a nightclub anyway.”

  Yang beamed at her sister as she returned the hug and kissed her brow, “I knew I liked you for a reason, my favorite sister.”

  Ruby pinched her sides, causing her to yelp, “Your only sister. Now hop on your bike and let’s stock up on Dust first before the store closes. Oh, and you’re paying.”

  “H-Hey, you are the one who uses Dust more than me!”

  “And you are the one who swindled money from Dad and is tempting fate by wanting to go to a pce of ill-repute right after Dad’s warnings. Now, come on!”

  The blonde girl mirrored her red sister as they hopped on their bikes. Yang couldn’t help the happy feeling in her stomach as Ruby winked with her tongue out before squeezing the handles and speeding away on Bloodwing, her own Bumblebee in hot pursuit.

  Hopefully stocking up on dust won't take too long.

  T*A*M*S

  From Dust till Dawn

  And of course, she jinxed herself!

  “Die bitch!”

  Yang scowled as she kicked away the hooligan she was fighting before grinning savagely as she grabbed the rude bastard’s axe barehanded, easily tanking the strike with her sembnce. The thug’s eyes widened behind his stupid shades as she clenched her fist, using the energy her sembnce absorbed to crush the axe head to pieces before punching him in the stomach. The thug colpsed on the ground; with no aura to protect him, it took Yang a lot of effort not to pulverize his organs.

  “Damn, you guys are so weak!”

  “Why you!”

  She dodged sideways as the first thug she kicked away recovered and tried to stab her with a knife. Yang grinned as she simply stretched her leg, causing him to trip and crash into a shelf. Noticing that he was hardly fazed, Yang realized he had aura and quickly loaded her gauntlets before shooting two shells at him. The sound of gss shattering told her his aura broke and a pained groan followed as the thug colpsed to the ground.

  “Careful, Yang!” A dark shadow flew over her head as another thug crashed into another shelf — he must have snuck behind her. Her sister appeared on top of the same shelf in a swarm of petals, staring at her in disapproval.

  “Hey, I could have handled that.”

  “Not that, silly. Don't use live ammo in the store. You don't want us to get blown up to kingdom come!”

  Yang grimaced at her sister's rebuke but they were distracted by the sound of the shopkeeper gasping in pain.

  “Don't move!” Yang turned to find one of the thugs holding a gun to the elderly owner of the dust shop’s head — Ruby was nowhere to be seen. “Drop your guns, girl, or I swear this old fart gets it!”

  “Easy there, tiger. I got no guns on me, see?” Yang raised both of her hands, grinning toothily as she had subtly withdrawn her gauntlets under her sleeves — even if she was not wearing a jacket, Ember Celica would merely look like a pair of heavy bracelets, and she doubted a random thug would recognize a mechashifting weapon. “Now, how about you let the geezer go and buzz off? The cops must be on the way after the racket you and your friends made.”

  “Fuck you, bitch! This was supposed to be an easy heist if not for you and that other bitch, Y-You, uh, bitches!” Yang narrowed her eyes; the thug must be getting overconfident now that he thinks he has the upper hand. She raised an eyebrow as he suddenly pointed his gun at her, “Where’d that other bitch go?”

  “Here.”

  Like a mirage, Ruby materialized behind the thug in a swarm of petals and casually grabbed the pistol’s hammer, preventing it from firing, before crushing the firearm in her fist, causing the thug’s wrist to bend unnaturally. Before he could even scream in agony, her sister kicked his knees, dropping him to the ground and releasing the shopkeeper.

  With the owner free and the st thug on the ground wailing, Ruby gave her a V-sign as she grinned at her. “Easy peasy.”

  “Good work, but would you mind shutting him up?” Yang grimaced as the thug screamed his throat hoarse as he stared at his broken wrist. “He's so loud he could wake the dead.”

  “True, such a baby, as if he never broke a finger before.” Ruby smacked the thug behind the head with her folded weapon, sending him crashing to the floor unconscious with a sickening crack. Crescent Rose was already heavy in its combat form but when it's compact and all the weight focused on one part? Ruby could be vicious when she wanted to. “There, much better. Serves you right for being so rude, calling us names like that. And not even good insults at that!”

  “M-Monsters!”

  Yang gnced at the rest of the battered store; more than a dozen thugs were moaning and groaning on the ground courtesy of her and Ruby being in the right pce at the right time. They had arrived at the store to find the normally bored shopkeep standing stiffly at his counter, which was the first warning sign. The second were the several thugs in ratty jeans and sleeveless shirts that went out of fashion when her parents were still in school, standing around the shop pretending to browse.

  But the biggest red fg was the owner not hounding their every step as they browsed the Dust tubes. The ornery shop owner has good quality stuff and fair prices yet it took some patience to deal with him.

  “So, what did you do to attract what looks like a biker gang?” Yang leaned on the counter as the shopkeep wiped his forehead with a rag; Ruby was busy dragging the thugs into a pile before searching their pockets. “I know your stuff is pretty valuable and you don't really strike an imposing figure, but this was too btant to rob you in broad daylight like this.”

  “Ugh, such a rude ss, and what daylight? It's already evening!” The old shopkeeper grumbled, causing her to gnce outside and find the sun had set, yet the streets were busy as always. As the norm in Vale, nobody batted an eye at the store being robbed, even if someone called for help, the most they could hope for was a call for the police.

  Yang shook her head; there's nothing that normal people could have done anyway. She turned back to the shopkeeper who hadn't stopped muttering, she never did learn his name, only that he was an old and cranky man.

  “So who the hell were they, pops?”

  “Hell if I know! Some street rats that bit off more than they could chew, that's for certain.” The shopkeeper spat at the incapacitated thugs’ direction. “They only had one gun and one Aura user, I think. Must be green as piss, thinking they could strike it rich robbing a Dust shop before the price hikes. They must be using the chaos caused by that Torchwick fellow and the cops being so busy.”

  “Wait, back up a bit…price hikes?”

  “Aye, the SDC has kept mum about it, but they've been steadily decreasing the amount of Dust on the market. Rumor has it, they pn to extort all the good people of Vale for their Dust!”

  “I see, it makes sense those thugs would try to steal the Dust now and hold it for when the prices go sky-high. It still doesn't expin such weaklings getting so ballsy.” Yang nodded sagely just as Ruby approached, tossing a battered old scroll behind her to nd on one of the thugs’ heads. “What's up, sis?”

  “Just called the cops, they should be on the way, and hopefully, will have no idea who did those suckers in. I really like how you're too much of a skinflint to install surveilnce cameras, pops.” Ruby hopped on the counter as she grinned toothily at the wary shopkeeper, and Yang noticed her pockets full of cash — she snorted in mirth, looks like they made a profit from this little jaunt. “And we need to be on our way. As thank you for saving your hide, I'm sure you will keep mum about who saved your life, yeah? And maybe give us a very heroic discount to top off our Dust, right~?”

  “Ugh, such a conniving little ss aren't you?”

  “Now now, there is no need for such unpleasant remarks,” Yang leaned on the counter next to her sister, accidentally showing more cleavage than necessary and grinning when the old man’s eyes wandered downwards. “You know we are loyal customers, pops. Why else would we travel all the way from Patch just to fill out on Dust?”

  “W-Well, it is true that you've been returning customers and–”

  “And we just saved your hide!” Ruby grinned from underneath her crimson hood, as she swung her long legs on the counter. “Don't forget, Uncle Qrow told us about this pce too!”

  Yang really loved her conniving sister, throwing their uncle's name around like that.

  “Alright, alright! You made your point. I'll give you half off anything in the store and more if you spend over a thousand Lien and buy the damaged goods, just…make sure those thieves are tied up? I don’t trust the police to be here on time.”

  “You got it! They’re all yours, Yang! Finally, I won’t have to pay twenty Lien for that freaking magazine.”

  Ruby whooped as she sped away, grabbed a shopping cart, and started filling it out with all sorts of things aside from Dust — that came in the end. The blonde girl shook her head fondly before raising an eyebrow when the shopkeeper pced a box full of flexible steel-zip cuffs on the counter.

  “Those don’t look like they came from a wholesaler.”

  “Actual police cuffs. Since pstic became heavily reguted years ago, flex-steel became the standard material for such things. Still, it's neither cheap nor easy to procure, so don't nick too many of them. Now hurry and secure those scum before they wake up.”

  The shopkeeper grumbled as always, but Yang merely smirked. She grabbed the box and moved towards the thugs that were just now waking up. Yang took the chance to inspect them now that they were piled together. Most of them were human, but she could spot the occasional faunus as well; more importantly, they were all male, and the way they dressed so simirly clearly showed they were members of an organization. Most likely a gang due to the silly pumpkin emblem on their vests. Yang was willing to bet her bike that the dozen archaic machines outside must be their getaway rides; they must be really huge fans of those old biker gangs that were all the rage decades ago.

  One of them gred murderously at her as she approached, “You’re dead, bitch! You have no idea who the hell you just crossed, but you’re gonna wish you–”

  A smack to the head sent him back to sleep, and Yang scowled at the rest of the awake gangers. “You morons must be blind if you don’t realize I’ve been holding back just so I don’t accidentally turn you into a bloody smear.”

  “Lucky shot, that’s what you are! If only we had more guns, or more aura users–”

  “I’m a Huntress you dumbass, I kill Grimm for a living. Trust me when I say that it took more from me not to kill you than it did to beat you.” Yang began securing the dozen gangers, tying their hands together as they formed a circle on the ground; none of them were going to escape easily. She pocketed the remaining cuffs once she was done — those things could come in handy. “I can’t fathom what gave you sorry lot the bright idea to rob a Dust shop that is known to be frequented by Huntsmen, but you really dropped the ball on this one.”

  “It was that fmboyant fuck!” One of the gangers blurted out. “He and his dumb midget promised us cash for every ounce of Dust we bring them.”

  “Benny! You moron!”

  “If that bastard knows what you said–”

  “Which bastard?” Yang pced her hands on her hips as she gred down at them. “Come now, the police are gonna have a lot of fun interrogating you anyway. Might as well practice for it and tell me what you know.”

  “Fuck you, bitch!”

  “By the Maidens, can’t you idiots think up of a better insult?” Ruby zipped beside her, holding a dozen bags of dust vials and other goodies. “Got all we need, and your share of Dust is here. Zwei says the police are close. We gotta go, unless you want to spend the night filling out statements?”

  “Hell nah,” Yang turned to the gangers, filing away the remarks about a fmboyant bastard and a mute midget. “Alright, chumps. I better not catch you on the streets again. See ya ter, pops! And thanks for the cuffs!”

  “Yeah, yeah. Nearly bankrupts me and…”

  Yang didn’t catch the rest as they rushed out of the shop and hurried to their bikes. Ruby grabbed Zwei from her bike’s seat and pced him under her hoodie before they gunned it out of the streets, just as the cops appeared with their sirens coming the opposite way. They drove for a few more minutes until they reached an empty parking spot, where they stopped for a breather.

  “Well, that was fun.” Ruby stretched her arms above her head before twirling around with Zwei in her hands. “Felt good to do a good deed.”

  Yang hummed as she checked the map on her scroll for their next destination, before setting it on her bike and grinning at her sister. “Just another day for the heroic sisters of Signal!”

  “You said it!” They chuckled merrily for a minute, Zwei barking happily all the while — the dog was a smart one, especially after Ruby unlocked his aura. They could almost understand each other, and when he warned of the cops, Yang had learned to trust him. “So, you still want to head to Junior’s?”

  “Of course. The pce is pretty close, and we still have plenty of time before the st ferry home.”

  Ruby hummed as she pced her headset on her ears and under her hood, “Alright. I’ll follow your lead.”

  “Do you really need to listen to that band while driving?”

  “Hey, don’t diss Hex Girls! They are far better than those weirdos you like to listen to.”

  “At least Dark Syers are a normal Rock band that encourages sying Grimm, compared to those goth wannabes.” Yang hopped on her bike and turned it back on, moving slightly next to Ruby. “Pretending to be vampires or whatever, I don’t get it. What’s the point of singing about depressing shit when the world is already shitty as it is.”

  “Uhh, what?” Yang turned to her sister in confusion. “Singing? I listen to their music.”

  “So you don’t even know their lyrics?”

  “Nope! Never bothered with boring stuff like that.” Her sister’s sincere smile was so innocent that none would believe the girl was snapping wrists and cracking heads an hour ago. “It’s the beat that I crave, not whatever nonsense they sing about. I can barely understand their Mantle accents in the first pce.”

  “…Huh. The more you know, I guess.” Yang revved her bike, “Anyway, ready to go?”

  “Yeah!”

  .

  .

  .

  “So, this is it.”

  Yang stared at the expansive floor full of young men and women dancing to loud music. They had parked at a parking lot across from the club, leaving Zwei to watch over the bikes, before joining the long lines. The bouncer let them in easily enough once he saw them; Yang had never been in a pce like this before, but she remembered Uncle Qrow telling stories about them. How they liked having cute girls around to encourage the men to buy more drinks or something.

  “Ugh, this music sucks!” Ruby wailed beside her and Yang had to agree, it was mostly just a beat going off every second and what sounded like a beowulf getting neutered. “Can we finish this quickly?”

  She nodded and led them down to the bar where a giant of a man was talking to a guy with long, messy blonde hair tied in a ponytail, sitting on a stool. There was an older woman with dark hair sitting on his left, sizing her up as she approached, but Yang ignored her in favor of the bartender. Her first pn to try to py the flirt flew out of the window when she felt a shiver crawling up her spine and found herself staring at the seated blonde man’s blue eyes as he toyed with a gss of whiskey.

  Feeling Ruby stand beside her, Yang felt safer with backup and stared bluntly at the bartender. “I’m looking for Junior.”

  The giant man raised an eyebrow as he idly cleaned a gss cup, “You found him. Now, who’s asking?”

  “No one important. I heard you are an information broker. I need information.”

  The bartender raised an eyebrow before setting his gss down, “I don’t deal with strangers, especially ones who don’t order anything before making demands of me.”

  Yang grimaced, she fucked up. She hadn’t the foggiest idea how such a business worked. It couldn’t be entirely legal, so maybe the man was worried she was an informant or something?

  Ruby coughed besides her, before hopping on an empty stool. “Then allow me to introduce ourselves. I’m Ruby Rose, and this is my sister, Yang Xiao Long. I’ll take…move over, you big wall of muscles and let me see the menu. Hmmm, ugh, why is everything alcoholic? Don’t you have any cookie smoothies?”

  Yang couldn’t stop herself and facepalmed, even as the bartender gawked at his sister and the woman snorted. “Ruby, it’s a nightclub. I’m pretty sure they serve nothing but booze.”

  “No, we do have other things, you’re just staring at the alcohol menu.”

  The big man sighed before pcing a couple of menus on the counter and motioning for her to have a seat, Yang hesitantly sat between Ruby and the blonde guy who eyed her with an impassive gaze — it was starting to get creepy. Regardless, she ignored him in favor of ordering a simple burger and fries with a bottle of soda. Ruby ordered a cookie and cream milkshake as well as a pte of onion rings, then, they sat in silence…waiting.

  “Well, Junior?” The blonde guy sitting next to her broke the tension. “They already ordered and introduced themselves. Why don’t you listen to what they have to say?”

  “Oh? Do you know them, Jaune? It’s not like you to get involved with matters like this.”

  “Never met them in my life, but they seem to be huntresses in training. It’s never a good idea to deny such people without a good reason, Junior.”

  Yang turned to the blonde man with the tired blue eyes, he was still swirling his gss of whiskey and stared at her with an inscrutable gaze. She felt like flinching from those bright, eerie eyes, yet Yang remained as still as a statue as she inspected him in return. He did not seem to be carrying any weapons, yet she could tell he could hold himself well in a fight. The clear definition of muscles peeking from under his shirt, his thick and corded forearms, and the confident demeanor, like he had no worries at all from anyone, told her he must be either a fool or a powerhouse.

  She wished she could tell whether he had aura or not, but sadly, Yang was utter pants at aura sensing. Nevertheless, the fact he could identify them as aura users was proof he was also one. Still, she didn’t really have a reason to develop aura sensing as her sembnce assured that she would never be taken down in a sneak attack. Besides, Ruby was far better at aura sensing and if she noticed something about the man–

  “Hey, is that Weiss?!”

  Yang turned her head so fast it nearly cricked as she followed her sister’s gaze to the tables, where a familiar white-haired girl in a white dress was walking up a stage, followed by a few men setting up speakers or something. “Huh, what do you know? It is our elusive Weisscream. What’s she doing here?”

  A snort of ughter came from the dark-haired woman two seats away, “Oh, this is precious! I’m definitely calling her that ter.”

  “Careful, wouldn’t want her to turn you into a popsicle instead.” The blonde man smirked as he drained his gss and set it on the counter. Yang thought his name was, John? Jean? Whatever it was, the man was facing her now, and Yang felt a pressure forming on her shoulders. “Now, how about you tell me how you know my friend?”

  Yang felt irritation at the man’s demand, and found herself instinctively preparing for a fight before a light cough from behind her broke the tension; Ruby still had her head covered by her hood, yet she slightly peeked from her shoulder at the blonde man. “We’re friends! We met her on her first day here in Vale and gave her a ride after that pig at port control tried to trick her. Who are you, by the way? It’s kinda rude to ask so many questions and not even introduce yourself.”

  “Oh?” Suddenly, the pressure evaporated like it never existed and the blonde man scratched his head bashfully, “My apologies. I’m Jaune Arc. This is Becky,” He pointed to the woman beside him who raised a zy hand in greeting, “And we’re all friends of Weiss here. Incidentally, Becky? Shouldn’t you go help Weiss out? The st time a worker here tried helping her, they ended up breaking her stuff.”

  Jaune had barely finished talking before a shout of outrage came from the stage as Weiss was rebuking a worker who suspiciously looked like a thug. Oh, he stepped on one of the speakers and broke them in half.

  “Yeah, yeah. I’m on my way. Have fun.”

  Becky stood up from the stool and grabbed a dark leather jacket that was on the counter; Yang found herself nodding in approval at the style, though she paused as she noticed the two guns strapped on the inside. It really brought to mind that this was a dangerous pce indeed.

  “Sorry about that,” Jaune smiled lightly. “Pleased to meet you and all that.”

  “Gd we got that straightened out then,” Yang huffed, following Becky’s path with her eyes to the stage as she and Weiss discussed something, the white-haired girl turned to them and beamed, unconsciously causing Yang to smile in return and wave at her, Ruby doing the same — and so did Jaune. Weiss waved back before returning to her work on stage, and Yang turned to Junior. “Now, information!”

  “Yeah, yeah. What do you need?”

  Yang could barely hold back her excitement and trepidation as she quickly brought out a picture of team STRQ she always kept on her person. She pced it on the counter, causing Junior and Jaune to lean forward for a look. “I need to know the whereabouts of this woman, Raven Branwen.”

  “Branwen? I know the Huntsman, Qrow Branwen, but I never heard of Raven.”

  Yang narrowed her eyes; everyone knew Qrow Branwen, what was he pying it?

  “Are you sure? She’s his sister and was also a Huntress.”

  “Hmm,” Junior frowned, hummed, and rubbed his chin. Suddenly, Yang got a bad feeling the man was toying with her. “Nope, still can’t remember. My memory isn’t the best, you see.”

  “Would this refresh your memory?” Ruby smmed a hundred Lien bill on the counter before grinning toothily. “That’s how it works, right?”

  Yang felt like a moron; of course the man won’t provide information for free. Junior smiled and took the bill from the counter, “Raven Branwen, member of Team STRQ, pronounced Stark despite many simply calling it Strike due to their habit of striking first and asking question ter. Graduated twenty-one years ago, along with her twin brother Qrow Branwen and teammates, Summer Rose and Taiyang Xiao Long.”

  Yang nodded, feeling several eyes on her, “Yes, he’s my father.”

  “Indeed, our venerable Inspector General’s right-hand man.” Junior nodded sagely though Yang felt confused, this wasn’t the first time she heard about the Inspector General, but she wasn’t one to follow the news. “Curiously, Raven and Summer ended up marrying Taiyang and rumor has it, they got him two daughters. That would be you two, I presume.”

  “Yep, though really, none of this is actually a secret, you know.” Ruby countered just as a Mistralian girl in a red dress pced their orders on the counter, and her sister quickly grabbed an onion ring, dipped it in her milkshake and munched happily, “Ahhhh that hit the spot. Nothing like a sweet meal after beating up some bad guys.”

  “Bad guys?” Jaune asked, and Yang nearly forgot he was there.

  “Yeppers, some idiots tried to rob a Dust store. Hey, didn’t the owner say that the SDC might price hike Dust supplies soon? Maybe we could ask Weiss about that?”

  “I would not recommend doing that,” Jaune suddenly chimed in. “She isn't too savvy with whatever her father is doing with her family’s company, and reminding her of it would only piss her off.”

  “Whatever,” Yang interrupted before Ruby could derail the conversation more; her sister could defuse any tension, yet she had the habit of getting sidetracked. “I don’t need a history lesson on my mother, but where to find her. Is she even alive? How is she?”

  “She is alive and thriving, but I don’t think you should bother with such a woman.” Yang slowly turned to Jaune, feeling a familiar rage burning through her veins. She unconsciously clenched her fist, preparing to load Ember Celica.

  “And what do you mean by that?”

  Jaune stared up at her for a moment, his eyes boring into her, and Yang didn’t notice she had stood from her seat. She also couldn’t help but grit her teeth as trepidation cshed with the rage brewing in her guts; those were not the eyes of some thug or wannabe huntsman.

  He then turned to Junior, “Get me another gss of whiskey. Make it highball.” The bartender nodded and left them, Jaune turning back to her. “I can see why Qrow didn’t tell you about your mother.”

  “Wait, you know our uncle?” Ruby interjected.

  “Yeah, we met and fought alongside each other.” Yang’s eyes widened, Jaune looked young, maybe her age, and yet he cimed to have fought alongside her uncle? Not seen him fight, but fought as an equal? “Regardless, I’m not sure why you are here rather than simply asking your uncle. I know he was around a couple of weeks ago, and mentioned visiting family. That was you, I take it?”

  “Yep,” Ruby nodded even as the sound of slurping milkshake came from behind Yang; she wished she could be as cool-headed as her sister, but Yang could do nothing but gre at the other blonde as Ruby dragged her down to sit. “Now, how about you stop teasing us and just tell us what you know!”

  Jaune chuckled at her sister’s peppy attitude, “Alright, but I warn you it’s not pretty.”

  He accepted a highball gss from Junior and waved him away, the bartender left to help other customers. Jaune then squeezed a lemon on his drink, stirred it, then sipped leisurely.

  “It doesn’t matter, she’s my mother and I deserve to know.” Yang insisted, unable to hide the vulnerability in her voice.

  She hated it, how weak she sounded, but if it meant she could learn about her mother, then so be it. She leaned closer, not even trying to py the flirt, as she had a feeling it wouldn’t work on the blonde — this was not a silly boy who would dance to her whims like the ones from Signal.

  “Please, I barely have any memory of her. Just her red eyes, smiling face, a forest, the wind tickling my nose, and a tent. I need to know about her, to find her, talk to her, and ask her why she abandoned me. Abandoned us; Ruby, my Father and Auntie Summer.”

  Jaune Arc drank deeply from his gss before sighing. “Very well, your mother lives in Anima as the chief of her old bandit tribe.” Yang’s eyes widened, “Yes, the Branwen tribe had been the scourge of western Anima for generations. My grandfather and uncle compined enough times for me to make note of them, though I’ve never met any of their members. They are an elusive bunch who never make enough trouble to warrant a crackdown yet are a constant nuisance to the many towns, vilges, and cities in the region. Even my mother got into conflicts with Raven Branwen several times when she caught her tribesmen harassing her favorite summer retreat.”

  “Wow, your mom must be super tough to fight a tribe of bandits over her vacation spot.” Ruby giggled, yet Yang did not at all feel amused.

  “Honestly, it rarely devolved to fighting. Mostly just hotblooded fools making trouble, with no idea about the consequences of their actions.” Jaune drank more from his gss before gazing at her strangely, “The Bandit Queen, as your mother is known as, is one of the few S-Rank Adventurers in the world. She could be argued to be far better than her predecessors or other peers in the outw business. While she does protect several settlements that pay her tribute from the Grimm, the fact remains that she abandoned her Huntsmen career in favor of having her own little fiefdom to rule as a warlord.”

  Yang colpsed back on her seat, suddenly feeling betrayed and unsure of herself. “But why?” She hated how weak her voice sounded, “Why abandon us…abandon me?”

  “Yang…” Ruby pced a gentle hand on her shoulder, and Yang found herself holding it tightly.

  Jaune drained the st of his gss before standing, “That I do not know. I recall gramps once mentioning that she was an expert at running away, though I have no idea what he meant with that. It will be very difficult to ask her why, but I’m sure if there’s anyone who knows the truth, it would have to be Qrow. Eat your food before it gets cold, and you might as well enjoy the show; Weiss is an excellent singer. Now, if you will excuse me, it’s time for a quick rendezvous with the facilities.”

  She stared at Jaune Arc’s back as he walked away towards the restrooms, idly noting how he did not at all look inebriated. Yang couldn’t even bring herself to stop him, whether to ask more questions, thank him, or even call him a liar. She just felt so…drained.

  “Yang, are you alright?” She turned around to Ruby and hugged her tightly, “Whoa, Y-Yang, careful, you’re crushing my milkshake!”

  She let go of her sister and couldn’t help the guffaw that erupted from her mouth as she found her cleavage full of cookies and cream, “Never change, Rubes. Never change.”

  Yang suddenly felt her stomach rumbling and remembering she hadn’t really eaten much today. Ruby, the little minx, wiped the cream on her cleavage before eating it with a grin. Yang shook her head at her gluttonous sister and turned to her still warm burger. “Might as well see how good Weisscream is at singing, and maybe learn how she came to work here in the first pce.”

  Ruby giggled as she snacked on her onion rings, but Yang was barely midway through her burger before the doors of the club burst open. A pained groan came as she turned around, finding the bouncer who let them in flying towards the dance floor, causing several party goers to scream and scatter. Several men followed him, and her eyes widened when she saw them holding guns and other weaponry.

  Curiously, they were dressed simirly to those earlier gangsters that attacked the Dust shop, but better equipped and feeling more dangerous compared to the dumb chumps she beat; all of them had a familiar stylized pumpkin emblem on their clothes.

  Most importantly, however, was their leader.

  “My apologies for interrupting this evening’s wonderful show before it could even begin,” A fmboyant man, tall and nky with long orange hair and snted green eyes that hinted at a Mistralian lineage, led the procession. His white suit was immacute, and he held a cane in his left hand as he stopped at the dance floor, everyone quickly making way for him as the thugs brandished their weapons.

  He bowed theatrically, his hat in one hand, as he stared right at Yang, his eyes glinting evilly. “I have come regarding a grave matter, Mister Hei Xiong.”

  And we get the long awaited Yang POV. You will notice how the dynamic between the sisters is different owing to their simir ages.

  Time for the Yellow Trailer, or at least, my version of it.

  You will notice several obvious changes; Yang’s sembnce works differently though still retively the same. Torchwick isn't too buddy buddy with Junior and has his own gang/organization.

  I did want to write more, possibly finishing this mini-arc before moving on to Beacon, but health issues and work are really not giving me a chance to write properly.