Stiofan Ua Binn
-----
No matter what he did to drown it out, the gunshot and snap of bone heard all around the world still haunted his ears.
Why would Yang do such a thing?
She may be quick tempered, but that was far from being a sound excuse to retaliate in such a terrible manner for no apparent reason.
Massaging the bridge of his nose, Stiofan did his best to ignore it and returned to assembling his sandwich.
There was nothing anyone could do other than pray for Mercury and his team's safe return to Mistral.
Once he finished, Stiofan exited the dormitory kitchen, and as soon as he returned to his room floor and went around the corner, Ruby collided into his chest.
"Wah!" She lurched out of the way. "Sorry. Didn't see you there."
"No worries." He steadied the plate in his hand. "I, too, should've been wary of my surroundings."
Ruby glanced at the sandwich. "I'm guessing you're hungry?"
"It's for Roderick, actually." Stiofan recalled the endless amount of twisting and turning his partner did the entire night. "I was hoping a snack would help."
The edges of her eyes drooped.
"How is Yang, by the way?" The Atlesian androids standing guard outside Team RWBY's room was an eyesore. "She isn't in too much trouble, is she?"
"Yang's being a little, well. . . Not Yang." She fiddled with her fingers. "Ironwood came by earlier and sorta disqualified us from the tournament, and then he put Yang under house arrest, and Blake and Yang almost got into a fight. They sorta made made up. My sister's all sad and moody now, so we all decided to give her some space so that—"
"I understand." Stiofan did his best to digest her fast rant. "What does Yang have to say about all of this?"
"Only that she did what she did out of self defense." Ruby made chopping motions. "She really wanted to make that clear."
Self-defense?
"Could you elaborate?" Stiofan said.
"Oh, right, uh." She scratched her head. "Yang told us that Mercury attacked first, and she only attacked back to protect herself."
That was certainly unexpected.
Last he checked, it appeared as though Yang attacked Mercury out of thin air.
"Is that surely what she said?"
"I know it's hard to believe after what we saw, but I know my sister and she would never do something like that." The resolve in her silvery eyes steeled. "So, if she says that's what happened, then I believe her."
If only.
"Say, you heading up to the Colosseum later? I'm heading there right now." Ruby pointed a thumb in a random direction. "Oh, and if you're thinking about seeing Weiss or Blake, they just left with Team JNPR to the fairgrounds."
Stiofan offered his gratitude for the information and returned to the dorm room.
"It's time to wake up, Roderick." He shook his partner's leg gently. "Worry not, I brought something to eat."
Roderick moaned and moved his prosthetic draped across his face.
"I will leave it here for you." Stiofan set the plate and a water bottle on the bookshelf. "Feel free to indulge yourself whenever you wish."
"Ugh." He rolled over and patted around the mattress. "Where's my scroll?"
"Here." Stiofan lifted the dead device off the floor. "Forget to charge it, perhaps?"
Roderick sulked into his pillow before plugging in his scroll. "What time is it?"
"Late." He checked the clock. "The next match is starting soon."
Snapping upright, he gawked at the darkening sky past the window, and scrambled out of bed.
"I gotta see Yang!"
"Before you go," Stiofan caught him, "there's something you should know."
The next few minutes were spent passing along what Ruby informed him about Yang's situation, and when it was all said and done, Roderick was worse for wear.
The leader fell back into bed. "I can't believe this is happening."
"Agreed." Stiofan sat on his own bed and found Teddy sleeping underneath a desk to be a great distraction. "That means we must remain hopeful. Yang will speak with us when she's ready. Although, for now, we must give her space."
"I know the feeling, man." Roderick grabbed the sandwich and nearly melted after a bite. "Thanks for this."
"I wasn't sure what you preferred, so I settled with that." A plethora of dishes and jovial recipes cooked themselves in his frying pan of ideas. "Next time, I'll prepare something better. Any requests?"
"Really?" Roderick grinned slightly. "Then, if you don't mind, I could go for a grilled cheese."
Stiofan tacked the ticket to his mental list of orders.
"Very well," he said. "I'll see to it that you receive the most spectacular grilled cheese you've ever had the pleasure of tasting once this is over."
"Oh yeah?" Roderick bit the sandwich a second time and feigned disgust. "If it's anything like this, then pass."
They shared a brief laugh before the silence quelled their fun.
Stiofan went to the window and took in the alluring blend of romances shaping the sky. Yellows and reds set the horizon aflame, eclipsed by the ever growing frost of purples and blues tinged in teal.
"It's a beautiful world we share, isn't it, Roderick?" Stiofan said.
"Yeah, you can say that again." He sipped his water. "Feeling chummy or something?"
"I actually don't know." A fuzziness embraced his whole being. "I guess I just don't want it to ever end—this blissful dream I'm having. It's so unreal that I can't comprehend the amount of gratitude I have for such a blessing."
Roderick went quiet for a long second.
Stiofan chuckled into his knuckles. "Was that strange?"
"N-no." He nibbled his sandwich. "Just wasn't expecting that."
"Apologies, but I'm not done yet."
His eyebrows lifted. "There's more?"
"Of course." Stiofan joined Roderick on the edge of his bed and gave him a nudge. "Can't I share a word or two with my best friend?"
Roderick flushed and nudged him back. "Well, if you put it that way. . ."
If Roderick hadn't stopped Stiofan that fateful night at the docks, this reality would've ceased to exist, reshaping itself to become the miserable and tragic role of what could've been.
Stiofan owed Roderick everything, and perhaps, now was the best time to repay him in full.
The solution to that was abundantly clear.
"Roderick," he said, "how do you feel about Yang?"
He took an interest in the carpet. "A lot."
"Care to be more specific?"
"I don't know, man." He wiped his face and leaned on his knees. "It's complicated."
"Then why not simply make it easier on yourself." Stiofan touched his partner's shoulder. "Tell her how you really feel. I believe now would be the best time for it."
Roderick played with his pendant.
"When you do, let me know how it goes." He wandered to the exit. "Maybe by then, I'll already have won over Blake."
Roderick snorted and threw a pillow. "You're unbelievable."
Stiofan got behind the door in time and peeked out, smirking.
"Ditto," he said and left for the Colosseum.
-----
Leon Alexander Gates
-----
For about the hundredth time since they sat their asses down in the Colosseum, Alexander posed for a photo.
"Come on, Leon." Velvet hugged his arm and held her camera in front of them. "At least try to look happy."
Alexander glared at the lens.
She snapped a picture, and a photo whirred out.
"Here, keep this. I think it's the best one."
The photo cleared after a few waves, and he had to stop himself from groaning at his stupid face.
Alexander needed a break.
"Be back," he said. "Gonna get snacks."
Walking out of the Colosseum gates, a literal blob of red bumped him.
"Oof!" Ruby fell flat on her ass. "Ugh. Ouch."
Alexander hauled her up in a single pull.
"Sorry, Alex. Didn't see you there." She curled in on herself and played with her hands. "I was hurrying to get snacks, so I kinda just started running and—"
"Let's go, Rose," he said and walked off.
"Huh? Oh, uh, sure."
A few minutes later, Alexander left the concession stand with a soda in hand while Ruby stuffed her face with popcorn.
"Mmmhf, mmh, mmf."
Alexander stared.
Ruby quickly chewed and swallowed. "Just wanted to say thanks for buying me this."
He grunted.
"By the way, have you seen Cooper?" She searched around. "I've tried calling him, but he's not answering."
That's odd.
Usually his partner would go out of his way for anything that involved Ruby.
Maybe he's busy doing something.
"I'm sure he'll show up later," Alexander said. "He wouldn't miss anything in the world if it meant being with you."
Ruby blushed and hid behind her popcorn.
"Um, excuse me."
Pyrrha emerged from the crowd, and all it took was a single glance at that fake ass smile to know something was wrong.
The confidence in her strides was replaced by meek steps, and she hugged herself, barely making eye contact with either of them.
"Hello, Ruby, Alexander. Sorry to bother you." Uncertainty wavered her words. "Um, I hope you don't mind me asking, but have either of you seen Roderick? He's not answering any of my calls."
"Hill's dead asleep," Alexander said. "His ass was up all night."
"I see, thank you." Her green eyes clouded over. "Next time you see him, could you let him know I wanna talk. It's important."
Ruby inspected her closer. "Are you alright? You seem. . . off."
"Oh, you know. Just the jitters is all." Pyrrha turned heel and waved them goodbye. "Well, that's all I wanted to ask. If I get picked, wish me luck."
Alexander shared a look with Ruby, and judging by the bothered look on her face, they both had the same thing in mind.
-----
Pyrrha Nikos
-----
Pyrrha was clueless.
Deep down in her heart, becoming a Huntress was exactly what she wanted. It was her destiny to protect the world. she knew nothing else, believed in nothing else, and now, she wasn't so sure.
What was she supposed to do?
Sacrifice Amber's soul so Pyrrha could become the next Fall Maiden? That's wrong. Instantly fulfill her destiny? Not like that. Let Amber's assailant take the rest of her powers and put the rest of Remnant in jeopardy? Never.
The righteous answer was to accept it all, give herself for the greater good, but it terrified her to no end.
Pyrrha collapsed on a bench in the locker room, head clamped between her hands.
There was no right answer, was there?
The moment she shared with her partner outside the dining hall barely an hour ago stabbed her heart.
Jaune. Oh, Jaune.
How could she lose control like that? Jaune had absolutely no idea what she was going through. He only wanted to help, to comfort and be there for her, and Pyrrha used her Semblance to crush him into a wall for it.
The way he looked at her, that hurt and confusion filling his eyes, cut deep and festered shame into her wounds.
'I need you now more than ever, Roderick,' Pyrrha thought. 'You understand me most. End this nightmare. Make me laugh like always. Take me away. Find me. . . Help me. . . Save me.'
Heavy boots thumped close by until Alexander towered over her, and Pyrrha shriveled under the instant pressure of his stare.
For goodness sake.
This man was the equivalent of facing a scalpel that could dissect her piece by piece, and if she never knew what kind of person he was, her initial instinct would be to avoid him at all costs.
What did he want?
"Hello again." Pyrrha cleared her anxieties and put on a happy mask. "I didn't expect to see you again so soon. Is there something else you wish to speak of?"
He stared.
"Is that a yes?"
His expression remained unchanged.
"No?"
Still nothing.
Ruby popped out behind him. "Hey, Pyrrha!"
Pyrrha jumped and clutched her chest.
"Sorry about that." Ruby slid on the bench. "Just wanted to check up on you and all."
"Other than the scare, I'm fine." She calmed her breaths. "I really am fine."
"Really?" She gave a dubious hum. "Well, if you say so. Thought something was wrong since you were doing the same thing Weiss does when she's pretending to be nice."
A ball of panic spun in her. "I assure you, there's nothing wrong here."
"Okay, then." Ruby hopped and punched Alexander's arm. "Guess we were worried over nothing, right, Alex?"
He grunted.
"We should head back before Velvet eats all our snacks." She made way for the exit. "Good luck out there, Pyr—"
One of the other competitors in the room tackled her in a blur of orange and green.
Ruby groaned. "Why. . ."
"Hello, Ruby, my friend, it's so nice to see you again!"
As the leader of Team RWBY was whisked away by her friend, Alexander stayed put.
"Something wrong, Nikos?" he said.
"I said I'm fine." Pyrrha frowned. "What makes you think otherwise?"
Alexander eyed her from head to toe. "Lying makes you look stupid."
Anger rushed throughout her body, and as much as she wanted to snap at him for being so rude, she bit her tongue.
This was his way of reaching out to her, wasn't it?
Could someone like Alexander be the one she needed right now, a change of perspective Jaune or Roderick could never give her?
Opening up to him was far from comfortable, but then again, there weren't many options left.
What if. . .
"Alexander." Pyrrha gathered her thoughts and met his gaze. "Have you ever felt trapped? I mean, trapped, as in having to choose between two things you know are equally good and bad at the same time."
"You mean like having to eat something healthy but gross and the other way around?"
"Yes." She wrestled to keep herself from laughing. "Something like that."
Alexander growled.
This reminded her of how Nora and Jaune would get whenever Ren gave the team one of his special nutrient drinks.
"Alright, then." She chose her words carefully. "What if I told you this was more serious than that, and I mean much, much more serious than that?"
"Spit it out, already," Alexander said.
Pyrrha gulped and examined her palms. "Do you believe in destiny?"
He kept quiet.
"I know it sounds silly. I just. . . I believe destiny is like a final goal, something to strive towards for years and years to come."
The day she decided to become a Huntress was fresher than the flowers in her mother's garden, a dream she's been chasing after ever since she was big enough to wield a sword.
"All my life, I always wanted to be a Huntress who could protect the world." She weighed her own life and Amber's life in her hands. "But now, I have a choice to make, and I'm not sure which to pick."
Alexander joined her on the bench.
"If you could fulfill your destiny in an instant but at the cost of who you are," Pyrrha faced him, "would you take it?"
Whatever the response, it was obvious he wouldn't understand.
Of course, he'll play it safe and say the typical thing, spouting lines of encouragement and that he believed she could do anything like Jaune did. Who could blame him? It was unfair to spring such a taxing question without any context or reason on the spot like that, and she can't explain a single thing no matter how much she wanted to spill her guts.
Although, a small part of her still hoped he could still find a way to spare her from this suffocating madness.
Maybe this was a mistake.
She should apologize and ask him to forget—
"I made a promise once," Alexander said.
Huh?
"And I paid a heavy price on my end." His head lowered, the far off look in his eyes saw something no one else could. "I gave up a part of myself. Who you see now is what I got for it."
Pyrrha leaned closer.
Either this was a frighteningly similar coincidence to her situation, or somehow, she let the truth slip.
Alexander was still unaware, right?
"It sounds like you've been through a lot." Pyrrha played with the edges of her greaves coming up to her knees. "I'm sorry to hear that."
"Could say the same to you," he said. "Having any regrets coming here?"
"Of course not." She smiled and shook her head. "It's beautiful here, even if it's far from home. I've met so many great people, made so many new friends, and I've been blessed with memories that I'll cherish for the rest of my life. . ."
Pyrrha paced back and forth.
"And I want to keep it all." She hugged herself. "But I guess that's impossible now."
Alexander's expression remained impassive as ever.
"There's no choice to make." Her head throbbed. "That's what it means to be a Huntress or Huntsman. We set aside our feelings in order to uphold our duties and maintain peace, no matter the cost."
Giving up everything was the only way, wasn't it?
Ugh.
It hurt to think with the tsunami of pent up emotions and doubts crashing against the inside of her skull.
"No choice?" Alexander scoffed. "You're just stuck."
Her confusion doubled. "Stuck?"
"You want to give your life for what you love, but you don't want to give up the life you love too much." Alexander's voice softened to a feather's touch. "And as much as you want to take both paths, you can only pick one."
Pyrrha winced.
"The way I see it." He showed his hands and clenched them shut. "Neither path suits you."
"Then," goosebumps shivered her arms, "what does?"
"I'm sure you know." He looked forward. "So, stop fretting over what's right and wrong and find your own answer."
Her heart thumped.
"Where. . . where do you suppose I start?" she said.
"You asked if I believed in destiny. Well, that depends." Alexander locked eyes with her. "How much do you believe in your friends?"
A flame broke through the dark fog keeping her locked and lost within its prison of wisps, burning brighter than Beacon Tower in a cloudless sky, and like a waft of fresh air, she could finally breathe again.
Pyrrha reached for him but paused. "I shouldn't get anyone else involved."
"Then you'll know who truly cares."
She grimaced. "What's on the other side?"
"See for yourself."
Honestly, this man—
Alexander clasped her forearm.
"Oh, my." The squeeze caught her off guard. "What exactly are you—"
"A Laconia always keeps their allies close."
Laconia?
The intercom whirred.
"Would all competitors please make their way towards the arena entrance," Oobleck said. "The next match will begin in three minutes."
"That's my cue. Better get going." She pieced together her best smile. "But before I go, I just want to say this was wonderful. Thank you, Alexander."
-----
Roderick Hill
-----
Roderick had to see Yang.
"Halt," said one of the androids. "State your name and profession."
"Roderick Hill." He showed his license. "Student Huntsman."
The android took a second to process the information.
"Access denied. Only Team RWBY, Beacon staff, and relatives of Yang Xiao Long are permitted to enter. Please proceed down the hall. Thank you for your cooperation."
Figures. Damn robots.
Roderick returned to his room and fell into bed, pondering the many different ways he could try to get past them.
Maybe some fresh air would help.
Roderick pulled open the window and leaned over the sill, soaking in the cool breeze like a splash of water to the face.
To the side, Team RWBY's window mocked him.
How was he supposed to get in there?
Hold on a minute.
Next thing he knew, Roderick was glued to the ledge, tapping Team RWBY's window for dear life.
The window flung inwards, and a yellow mane popped out.
"Roddy?!" Yang gawked. "What in the world—"
"Can we save for it later?" Roderick's vision swirled at the long fall down. "I'm at my limit here!"
She hauled him inside, and they collapsed in a messy heap.
"Ugh." He lifted his head and came face to face with a dog. "Hey, Zwei."
Zwei bit his metal finger.
Aw.
"You're heavy."
Sense slapped Roderick, and he peeled himself off Yang.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to—"
She shoved him over and got on top of him.
"Yang?!"
"Say." She straddled his waist and her locks curtained around his head. "Do you believe it's true?"
A faint shadow hid her eyes.
"I was protecting myself, you know." Yang's hands tightened on his collar. "Ruby, Weiss, Blake. They say they're on my side, but I'm not stupid. I can clearly see that they aren't. But that's fine." Her fingers trembled. "Because I have you, right?"
"You'll always have me."
"I swear, if you're messing with me," her voice wavered, "I'm gonna kick your ass."
Sweeping her hair out the way, the hurt creaking on her face was something he never wanted to see again.
Yang lowered until her breath brushed his lips. "Roderick. . ."
The air left his lungs.
"Remember our bet?" She cupped his cheeks. "It's time to pay up."
He swallowed the lump in his throat. "W-what do you want?"
"Isn't it obvious, you dummy?"
Yang kissed him, and Roderick nearly exploded.
"How was it?" She pulled away, completely flushed. "My kiss of no regret."
"I—"
"Actually, never mind." Yang got up and stretched with her back to him. "I kinda let myself get carried away there. Thought it'd help take my mind off of things, but meh. Didn't do much."
Stiofan's advice pricked him.
Roderick didn't have an answer for it then, but right now, there's no way he could let this slide.
No more excuses. No more pretending. No more playing it safe.
Take the dive.
Roderick spun Yang around and kissed her.
A burst of heat left her body, her hair lit aflame, the gasp of surprise leaving her washed over his tongue, and she tripped, tumbling backwards until they bounced onto a bed.
This was his honest answer.