Ryoma Nagare's POV
At the end of the day, there was a bit of chaos before peace. The train wreck had resulted in a small horde of Grimm invading the main residential area from the tunnels. That said, our team, with a bit of help from just about everyone, minimized the damage caused by the outbreak. There were several injured civilians, but no casualties. A small security force, who I would later find out represented Atlas, took custody of the recently awakened Roman Torchwick, locking him up in one of their transport ships. All in all, a hit and miss kind of completion.
We didn't get all the answers we wanted, but we've managed to dispose of a lot of dangerous people, stopping whatever plan they had from being catastrophic. For a bunch of students, I think that's something we can all be proud of.
One Week Later...
Vale Fairgrounds...
3rd Person POV
Ruby: Anyone else hungry after that match, or is it just me?
Blake: I... may have worked up an appetite.
Weiss: Agreed.
Yang: Totally!
Ryoma: Not really....
Yang: You didn't even fight.
Ryoma: I know...
After the first round of the Vytal Festival tournament, the Tenno, alongside team RWBY, celebrated their advancement to the next round by having a meal together. In the fairgrounds that stood underneath the colosseum where the tournament took place, they faced a new problem: Finding a place to eat.
Ruby: Is there a place nearby we can go to get food?
In hearing that, Weiss responded sarcastically, as it turned out their problem was already solved.
Ryoma: I think there's-.
Weiss: Gee Ruby, if only there was a massive place we could go to grab a bite around here... Oh, wait a minute. We're in a fairgrounds!
Not really understanding sarcasm, Ruby took the statement literally as she patted Weiss' shoulder.
Ruby: It's okay, Weiss. I forget about the fairgrounds, too.
Weiss: I was being facetious.
Ruby: Gah! Well if you were hungry, why didn't you say so!?
Ryoma: That's not what she meant, Ruby.
Yang: I know just a place we can go! Come on!
As they began to follow Yang, the Tenno looked over beside him where Weiss was. In her free hand, her scroll had begun to ring, with the caller ID labeled as "FATHER". Glaring at it, she placed the scroll away, leaving the call unanswered with disgust on her face.
Ryoma: She hates him that much, huh?
Looking back at the Tenno, Weiss' disgust immediately changed to contentment, turning her frown upside down. In turn, he mirrored her. As the group continued on, they were stopped by a dark skinned woman with bright green hair. To everyone aside from the Tenno, she was a familiar face.
Emerald: Hey, Ruby!
Ryoma: ?
Ryoma: Who's she?
Emerald: Might be hard to eat without this.
In her hands was Ruby's wallet, filled to the brim with Lien. Seeing this, Ruby began to pat herself down, panicking as she realized that her wallet was gone the whole time.
Ruby: No, no, no, no, no!
Giggling a bit, the dark skinned girl continued.
Emerald: Good to see you, Ruby.
Taking back her wallet, Ruby thanked her.
Ruby: Thanks, Emerald! Guess I dropped it. Girl pockets are the worst!
Ryoma: ......
Whispering to Weiss, the Tenno asked.
Ryoma: Who is she?
Weiss: A friend of Ruby's. Emerald, I believe is the name. We met them about a month ago.
Ryoma: Ah.
Yang: What's up, Em?
Emerald: Just left the stadium after your amazing fight! You guys were awesome!
Blushing over Emerald's comment, Ruby mumbled to herself.
Ruby: Oh, shut your stupid little face... *incoherent mumbling*
Blake: I heard your team progressed to the next round too.
Weiss: You know, I feel that we haven't seen your other teammates.
Yang: How'd they do in the fight?
Emerald: Really well.
Ruby: That's great. Uhh.... Why don't we all go and get some victory food together?
Emerald: Oh, gosh, that's so nice of you, but my teammates are all kind of...
She looked back at her partner, Mercury, as he sniffs the inside of a boot that was for sale, looking perplexed after he does so.
Emerald: ...introverted. Really socially awkward.
Yang: Ooh, yeah, I could see that.
Ryoma: Is he sniffing the leather, or....?
Emerald: Still... Merc and I made the doubles round. What about you guys?
Ruby: Well, as the leader of this team, I thought long and hard about this decision...
Weiss: We put it to a vote.
Ruby: ...buuut I've decided that we should put it to a vote...
Ryoma: Wait, when was this?
Ruby: ... and made it no boys allowed.
Ryoma: What the-?
Blake: We voted for Weiss and Yang.
Ryoma: Why would you do that, Rubes?
Ruby: I said "No boys allowed"!
Ryoma: I'm your teammate!
Ruby: You're not even competing!
While the two argued over their leader's decision, the others continued on their chatter.
Weiss: I will happily represent Team RWBY.
Yang: Yeah, we're going to kick some butt!
Emerald smirked in response.
Emerald: Well, if Mercury and I see you down the line, don't think we'll go easy on ya.
Both Yang and Weiss mirrored her with smirks of their own.
Yang: Wouldn't have it any other way.
The two groups began to separate as the Tenno and team RWBY's leader finished their argument.
Emerald: Alright, well we're going to go catch some more fights.
R
uby: Have fun!
Emerald: See ya!
A Few Minutes Later...
Ryoma: Does this man own the entire city or something!?
Inside one of the small huts, labeled "A Simple Wok", built by the locals, the group sat down onto bamboo stools in front of the counter. On the other side, a familiar old man stood at the ready, wearing an apron and a small chef's hat.
Ryoma: Its either that, or he has clones all throughout the city.
As the Tenno contemplated the old man as an unusually common sight, the girls had no regard for such things as they simply ordered their food.
Yang: I'll have a bowl of the regular, please.
Within fractions of a second, a large bowl of hot noodles slid down from one end of the counter to Yang's spot. Seeing Yang's meal, Ruby ordered next with excitement.
Ruby: Oooh! I'd like the same, please.
Another large bowl was slid down towards Ruby as she clasps her hands in excitement.
Ruby: Yay...
Weiss: Do you have anything with a low salt-?
Another large bowl was slid down towards Weiss, with nothing changed from the other two.
Weiss: Umm.... okay...
Ryoma: How about-?
Same thing, only slid towards the Tenno.
Ryoma: I... guess proportions are not a thing, here...
Blake simply nodded at the shopkeeper, who simply returned the gesture. Running off, the shopkeeper soon returned after a few seconds with another large bowl of noodles. The one exception being that it was topped off with a few whole fish.
Ryoma: Wha-!?
Seeing this, Blake began to happily drool over her meal, creeping out Weiss a bit as she handed the shopkeeper her credit card.
Yang: Aw, Weiss! What's the occasion?
Weiss: What do you mean, "What's the occasion?" I'm treating my friends to a nice meal.
Yang: Normally, you only treat Ryoma. And even then...
Ryoma: What?
Weiss: Don't even bother finishing that sentence.
Ruby: What?
Weiss: Consider this a "thank you" gift for sending me to the doubles match.
As she finished her sentence, the card was tossed back at her rudely as the shopkeeper showed her the register, which displayed that the card was denied.
Weiss: What!? How could my card have been denied!? I was barely into my monthly allowance.
Blake: Does anyone else.... have money on them? Ruby?
Ruby: Not enough...
Handing the shopkeeper several platinum coins, the Tenno gestured.
Ryoma: Do you take any other form of currency besides Lien?
The old man stood in wonder of the platinum coins as he inspected them.
Ryoma: I'm sure you could at least sell them for-.
Shopkeeper: Mm Mmm.... (nope).
Ryoma: Wait, what?
Tossed back the coins, the Tenno put them away as the shopkeeper began to take away the bowls of noodles, struggling with the first one as Blake had held onto the bowl for dear life.
Ryoma: Well... drat!
Blake: Nooo!!
Pyrrha: Maybe I could help?
From behind the group, the crew of team JNPR stood, with Pyrrha holding a credit card of her own.
Ruby: Pyrrha!
Ryoma: Hey, you guys.
Yang: That's nice and all, but you don't have to.
Blake: B-But she could!
Ryoma: (O_o)
Ryoma: I think you love those fish more than you do your own friends.
Pyrrha: I think you guys have earned it after putting up such a stellar performance.
Jaune: Mind if we join you?
A Few Minutes Later...
Weiss: I think I'm gonna be sick...
Ryoma: You'll be fine. You only ate half.
Most of the bowls are empty, with the exception of two of them. The students all were either contempt with their meal, or holding their stomach sickly as the shopkeeper took away the bowls.
Ren: Are you sure it was wise to eat this much before a fight?
Pyrrha: Of course! It'll give us energy!
Jaune: If I barf... I'm blaming you.
Nora: Ooooh. Aim it at the enemy.
Looking up at the sky, the Tenno noticed a bizarre airship among the others, a few of which followed it.
Ren: Nora, that's disgusting...
Ryoma: ?
Ren: But if you do feel the urge...
Jaune: Got it.
Ryoma: Weiss.
Weiss: Yes?
Pointing at the ship, the Tenno asked.
Ryoma: I'm starting to learn what ships are what, but what is that one with the ribbons?
Weiss: Ribbons?
Looking up as well, Weiss' eyes widened with joy as she saw the ship, gasping as she did so.
Ryoma: Weiss?
Weiss: She's here...
Ryoma: Uhh...
Ryoma: Who?
Weiss: She's here!
Ryoma: Who!?
Feeling himself being towed by the hand, the Tenno followed her as she hopped off the seat and headed towards Beacon Academy, leaving everyone else behind with their own confusion.
Weiss: Come! You need to meet her!
Ryoma: Aaaaha!
Yang: Weiss?
Blake simply shrugged.
Blake: Who knows. Maybe an old friend?
Ruby: Pfft...haha! "Old friends".
Several Minutes Later...
Beacon Academy Entrance...
Ryoma: Weiss! Dear! Please, explain why you're so amped up all of a sudden!?
Weiss: I've told you already, she's here!
Ryoma: Who's she!?
Weiss: Winter.
Ryoma: Winter?
As the ship with the ribbons landed in front of them, a woman strongly resembling Weiss exited. Behind it, several heavily armed guards, both human and robotic.
Ryoma: OOOOOOooooohhhhhh.... Yeah. Her sister.... What's with the security though-?
Ryoma: Wh-? Weiss!
Towing him once more, Weiss was acting more like Ruby than her usual self as the two approached Winter.
Weiss: Winter!
Winter: Weiss...
Weiss: Winter! I'm so happy to see you!
A bit of silence followed before she realized the error of her ways, this time speaking to her curtestly.
Weiss: I mean, your presence honor us.
Winter: Beacon... it's been a long time. The air feels... different.
Ryoma: What the hell!? They look so much like each other! The only real difference I see is the hair style, the height, and the.... I... probably shouldn't be thinking that.
Weiss: So... Winter. What are you doing here?
Winter: Classified.
Ryoma: ?
Ryoma: What?
Weiss: Oh, right. How long will you be staying?
Winter: Classified.
Ryoma: Eh?
Feeling a light punch from Weiss, the Tenno looked back at her as she spoke.
Weiss: Right....
Ryoma: Why are you so nervous? She's family, is she not?
Breaking the akward silence that followed, Weiss continued the conversation.
Weiss: You're just going to love it here! I know you travel a lot, but so much of Beacon is different from Atlas! The government and school are completely separate! Can you believe it!? I-!
Winter: I'm more than familiar with how this kingdom handles its... bureaucracy. That is not why I came.
Ryoma: Huh?
Weiss: Right! I'm sorry!
Winter: Nor did I come here to watch my own blood fail so miserably in battle.
Ryoma: Nani!?
Winter: But it appears that I have no choice in the matter.
Just as puzzled, Weiss responded.
Weiss: But we won!
Winter: Only a novice would refer to that as a victory. I counted at least three strikes missed.
Ryoma: But the result is all that matters.
Winter: !
Weiss: !
Now feeling the frosty gaze of both the Ice Queen and the Killer Queen, the Tenno shivered a bit.
Ryoma: Geez, it just got cold here! And there's not even a breeze.
Winter: Explain.
Ryoma: Is there a need to?
Feeling her gaze sharpen, he explained.
Ryoma: I mean.... she could perfect her technique, but she still could not predict her teammates. Perfect her team's cooperation, and she will not predict her enemies. Perfect that, the land. Land, luck. There is no real way of perfecting one's fighting, no matter how much time you put into it. The crowd loves the spectacle, but the winner is always the last one standing.
A bit of silence soon followed.
Winter: ....Who is he, sister?
Ryoma: Hmm?
Weiss: He's... This is Ryoma Nagare.
Winter: The boyfriend you've written about.
Ryoma: Wait, you wrote about me?
Winter: How appropriately.... underwhelming.
Ryoma: Was I supposed to be overwhelming?
As her eyes rolled along, the Tenno wondered.
Ryoma: What did she expect me to be? Royalty?
Winter: Greetings, Ryoma Nagare. I wish to thank you for taking a keen interest in my sister.
Ryoma: I uh...
Ryoma: To say that so bluntly without breaking character!
Ryoma: O-Of course! Miss Schnee! Umm...
The Tenno bowed.
Ryoma: It's an honor to umm.... I... I forgot what I was going to say.
Feeling the cold gaze clear, the Tenno lifted himself up as Winter spoke once more, this time to her guards.
Winter: Security, leave!
As they followed her orders, retreating back inside the ship they've arrived in, Winter's tone, as well as more smile, was more warmly.
Winter: How have you been?
Weiss: Oh, splendid! Thank you for asking. I'm actually in the very top ranking of our sparring class! And the rest of my studies are going wonderfully, too! I'm-.
Winter: Silence, you boob! I don't recall asking about your ranking, I'm asking how you've been. Are you eating properly? Have you taken up any hobbies? Are you making new friends, aside from him?
Weiss: Y-Yeah, I've been... doing all that. Sorry....
Ryoma: And now I see where your personality comes from.
Winter: I have business with the General, your Headmaster, and his VIP. But, seeing as I'm early, why don't you take me to your quarters?
Ryoma: !?
Weiss: Really?
Passing by the two, Winter began walking towards the Academy, prompting them to follow beside her.
Ryoma: Oh boy...
Winter: Yes. I wish to inspect them and make sure that they are up to my personal standards.
Ryoma: Does your standards include animals?
Weiss: Of course. And just so you know, the bunk beds only look unstable.
Winter: Bunk beds?
Ryoma: The Kubrow might be another note to make.
Winter: Kubrow?
???: HEY!
An unfamiliar voice from behind stopped the three dead in their tracks. Turning around, they was met with a man in grey and red, armed with a large sword and drunkenly stumbling around with the head of one of the robotic guards.
Qrow: Yeah, I'm talking to you, Ice Queen!
Ryoma: Who is this!?
As the security force aimed their weapons at the man, Winter commanded whilst raising one hand in front.
Winter: Halt!
Looking at his side, the Tenno noticed that Weiss no longer standing with him, but marching down towards the man, huffing all the while.
Ryoma: Oh, Weiss...
Weiss: Excuse me! Do you have any idea who you are talking to!?
Qrow: Ssshhhhh.....
Placing his hand on her face, the drunkard whispered towards her.
Qrow: Not you....
Shoving her away, he resumed his rant.
Weiss: Hey!
Qrow: You!
Taking a step forward, the Tenno was stopped by Winter as she placed her free hand against his chest, keeping him behind her as the man continued.
Ryoma: Hm?
Winter: ....
Qrow: Saw that gaudy ship of yours. Guess you're here, too.
Winter: I'm standing before you.
Qrow: .....So it would seem.
Ryoma: Is he drunk?
Winter: You realize that you've just destroyed Atlas Military property.
With that, the man apologized, though in the most sarcastic manner.
Qrow: Oh? I'm sorry! See... I mistook this for some.... sentient garbage.
Winter: I don't have time for your immature games, Qrow.
Ryoma: Crow?
Weiss: You two know each other?
Qrow: Geez, you Atlas Specialists think you're so special, don't you?
Ryoma: Oh! She's one of those people... an elite force of the Atlas Military. That might explain the grand entrance... and the ribbons...and the security.
Winter: It's in the title.
Qrow: Well, you know what you really are? A bunch of sellouts, just like your boss.
Winter: I'm not sure what you think you're implying, but I've heard enough.
Q
row: Oh I heard, too. I heard ol' Ironwood finally turned his back on Ozpin.
Both Weiss and the Tenno looked back at one another with confused expressions, wondering what exactly he'd mean.
Ryoma: What?
Weiss: Ozpin?
Winter: The two of you to leave, now.
Weiss: What-?
Qrow: Don't you worry, kids! She'll protect you.... Just like Atlas will protect all of us, huh?
Winter: If you won't hold your tongue, then I will gladly remove it for you!
Seeing her draw out a much larger rapier, the Tenno yelled out to her in an effort to get her to understand the place she was in.
Ryoma: Wait!
Q
row: Alright then...
Slicking his hair back, Qrow followed, drawing his own weapon as well.
Qrow: Come take it.
Ryoma: There are people all around us!
But before he could finish his sentence, the two had already closed the gap between each other, crossing swords as they fought each other in the public eye. Spinning and trading blows, their swordsmanship rivaled those of experienced Tenno. As the fight continued, Ruby Rose approached her two friends.
Ryoma: These fools...
Ruby: What's going on!?
Weiss: Some crazy guy just started attacking my sister!
Ruby: Oh no! Who would do such a th-?
Inspecting the fight, Ruby noticed Winter's opponent, erasing her concern.
Ruby: That's my uncle!
Weiss & Ryoma: What!?
R
uby: Kick her butt, Uncle Qrow!
Ryoma: Ruby! This isn't-!
Weiss: Teach him respect, Winter!
Ryoma: Weiss! You, too!?
Watching the fight, the Tenno felt a sense of helplessness as his mind wondered through several tactics.
Ryoma: Can't just jump in as is; I'd risk getting my neck cut off. I'd use my Warframe, but I can't tell who's friend or foe here. It'd take too long to get a different one like Limbo or Atlas...
Ironwood: SCHNEE!
Upon the scream of the Atlas Military general, the fighting came to an abrupt end, with Winter's blade mere inches from Qrow's neck.
Ryoma: !?
Ryoma: That's the general!? He looks much younger than he does in the textbooks.
With a familiar android behind him, the general approached the two as Winter quickly sheathed her weapon, her tone changing just as fast.
Winter: General Ironwood, sir!
Ironwood: What in the world do you think you're doing?
Winter: He started the altercation, sir!
Relaxing, Qrow sheathed his weapon and spoke with a lot more confidence.
Qrow: That's actually not true. She attacked first.
Ironwood: Is that right?
Trying to explain herself, she realized that Qrow was indeed right, lowering her head in shame.
Ironwood: And you, Qrow. What are you doing here?
Qrow: I should be asking you the same thing.
I
ronwood: I-.
Glynda: Break it up everyone!
From behind the group, the headmaster approached the center of the newly formed crowd of spectators, alongside his assistant.
Glynda: We'll take care of this mess.
As she glared at everyone in the middle, the headmaster reassured the crowd.
Ozpin: There's a sanctioned fight going on in the colosseum right now that I can assure you has better seats... and popcorn.
Ironwood: Let's go, Winter.
As the two passed by the Tenno and Weiss, Ruby sprinted to her uncle to talk to him, latching onto his arm as she yelled.
Ruby: Uncle Qrow! I missed you!! Did you miss me!? Did you miss me!?
Qrow: Nope.
As the two shared a smile, the headmaster called out Qrow and the Tenno.
Ozpin: Qrow! Mr. Nagare!
Qrow: ?
Ryoma: ?
Ozpin: A word, please?
Ryoma: What did I do!?
Qrow: I think I'm in trouble.
Ruby: Well you did tear up the courtyard.
Qrow: Yeah... I did.
Fist bumping his niece, Qrow said his goodbyes before joining the others as they went inside the academy.
Qrow: Catch ya later, kid.
Weiss: And suddenly, your recklessness makes sense.
Ruby: Pfft... You're just mad because....
Leaving the two behind, the Tenno walked in between the headmaster and the Atlas general inside.
Ryoma: Is there a reason I'm needed? Witness testimony, perhaps?
Ironwood: No.
Ryoma: ?
Ironwood: There is a small matter that requires your expertise... Tenno.
Ryoma & Winter: !?