In Plain Sight

“What do you mean you didn’t have anyone watching her?” Weiss screamed at Cinder in her office where they’d gathered. 

“Exactly what I said. With my bosses' show recently only an idiot would violate the neutrality so I reassigned the resources elsewhere,” Cinder said firmly although she allowed that Weiss’s anger was justified as was Velvet who was actually looking despondent more than anything. 

“You’re lying,” Pyrrha said softly although it sounded almost like a gunshot in the office which went silent as Pyrrha looked at her and tapped the floor showing the symbols for truth, and honesty written on it. 

“When did you manage that?” Yang asked, looking impressed despite the situation as Pyrrha merely smiled mysteriously at her. 

“Fine. I was told to pull back the guard on her…by my boss,” Cinder said as the room exploded into sound once again. 

“I assume,” Beckett drawled from the corner he was in, “that there was a reason for this. I’d hate to think they were going hmmm senile as it were.”

“There is, but it’s complicated.”

“Explain it before I do what my sister failed to do and find a way to make you burn,” Weiss threatened. She was stopped as Velvet grabbed her wrist to hold her back, her expression still distant. 

“Were we all just pawns, and pieces to you and your master?” Winter asked sadly. 

“No. I promise that’s not true,” Cinder said and flinched when Winter moved slightly out of her reach. 

“What can you tell us?” Yang asked. “That’s my sister and I need to know everything!” 

Cinder looked at her phone which remained silent and without any messages or updates and made her choice. 

“Here’s what I know, and what we found at the blood bank,” Cinder said as she put Ruby’s phone and a single black feather on the desk. 

“Raven!” Yang snarled as she slammed her hands onto the desk, making it shake slightly. 

“Who’s Raven?” Velvet asked, her voice still low but now holding an undercurrent of anger now that she had a name to focus on. 

“She’s…it’s complicated, but she’s my birth mother. She abandoned our dad who later remarried my real mom before they both…” 

“When was this?” Pyrrha asked as she gently set a hand on her girlfriend’s very tense shoulder.

“At least twenty years. At the funeral for our parents we found the same feather on the kitchen table at home. Ruby didn’t know what it meant but…she’s always had a thing for birds. I don’t know if she just plucked the feathers out of every bird she saw or what but she always had a feather. It was just her thing,” Yang explained. 

“So why now? She said she had a favor she was doing, but who would want to meet Ruby? She’s just a doctor,” Weiss asked the others who looked pensive. 

“I dare say your master is holding out on us,” Beckett offered his input although he appeared unperturbed by it, or was merely used to vampire politics and plots. 

“Most likely, but I don’t know much more than you. I was told she’d be fine so we have to assume that’s the case,” Cinder said as objections again ran through the room so she held up her hand for silence. 

“I know that’s not what you want to hear, but if my boss wanted something to happen to her then they’d just do it, and none of us could stop them. The fact that they’re going about it this way says that, to me, it’s necessary for some reason but will keep her alive. 

If the rest of you in this room can’t work together to beat me then trust me when I say that you have a better chance of standing on the sun than beating them. It’s not even a possibility,” Cinder informed them seriously. 

A knock on the door had Mercury inviting a portly middle aged gentlemen to the room with a secondary figure.

“Klein!”

“Snowflakes! I was told there was a need for my services, and a reputable smith?” 

Ruby’s head swam as she was brought back to consciousness to barely hear a few words. 

“Tell them my debt is paid. She’s in your hands now,” a voice, the voice from the blood bank said before she felt a hand on her head. 

“You be good kid,” the woman’s voice said gently ruffling her hair before the sound of walking faded away and a door closed, or latched shut. 

“Welcome Ruby Rose,” another woman’s voice called out and Ruby tried to focus her vision and blink as she rubbed the back of her head looking for lumps for bruising. 

She had no idea where she was but if she’d been out that long then that was serious brain damage!

“It’s been a while since I’ve entertained any guests but I hope everything is sufficient for you,” a cultured voice said as Ruby slowly sat up and saw she was on a mattress. 

Well the mattress was soft enough if nothing else. She gave it an extra pat just to be sure.

“Uh, so I have questions,” Ruby began and the woman laughed. 

“I’m sure, but those will come in time. Will you waste them with answers you already know is what I’m curious about.”

Ruby pouted at the woman, or where she assumed she was since she was all alone in the room so she glared at the intercom the voice was coming through. 

“I’d have gone to you, but I find myself a bit more home bound these days so other arrangements had to be made.”

Ruby put her hand into her pocket and frowned at seeing it come up empty. 

“An ingenious little trick. A human with this could protect himself rather well from a singular vampire, but against a more powerful one well…then again you already knew that.”

“So why tell me?” Ruby asked as she looked around the room. 

“I’ve been alone for a long while so my social skills have declined precipitously in that time,” the woman admitted. 

“And why am I in this room by myself?” Ruby asked as she got to her feet and was pleased she seemed fine. 

“For both our sakes I assure you. It’s a long story but if you have the time and inclination to listen I’d be more than willing to tell you about it.”

“I mean I can’t really stop you I don’t think,” Ruby said as she tapped on the walls which was also metal and thick from the feel of them. 

The woman laughed at that. “So you say Rose.”

“So what do I call you anyway?” Ruby asked as she sat back down on the bed.

“It’s been a while, but Willow will do fine,” Willow said. 

“Wait! Weiss’s mom that went missing Willow?” Ruby asked. 

“Why yes. It’s good to know that I can give you an answer you don’t know before you ask it,” Willow’s voice came through the intercom. 

“Why not contact your family? Why stay here? I guess this is the same place that was in your journal, but I don’t get it.”

“I think that you do,” Willow said in a near whisper. 

“So you know that you’re a…”

“Vampire. I assumed as much and tested the theory over time. Nearly lost a hand doing it too. Thanks to having a secret account with a large pool of money I’ve managed to survive as it were, but it’s been…lonely,” Willow sighed. 

“I tried so hard to call or visit them, but well I’m a monster now,” Willow chuckled. 

“No you’re not! You’re just different but you’re still you!”

“You are as kind as I saw, surprising given…” Willow’s voice trailed off. 

“Two as one and the third eye sees all,” Willow mumbled as Ruby narrowed her eyes trying to understand what she said. 

“I think I read about these in the books in Cinder’s room. You sound like-”

“A child of Malkav yes. I hear voices sometimes but only when in contact with a person. I still get them from time to time but it’s worse when I can physically touch them. From what I was able to research they’re…we’re not all raving mad men and women but merely…disabled in a way.”

“Agoraphobia,” Ruby said as Willow’s breath hitched through the intercom. 

“You feel uneasy or unable to leave someplace that feels safe to you. But then if you couldn’t leave to go back home…”

“You are shockingly observant. That is what I surmised as well. It’s probably safer for others if I’m locked up here anyway,” Willow said with a mirthless laugh. 

“So why me?” 

“I’m sure you know.”

“The journal mentioned a vision?” Ruby guessed. 

“Correct and you were one of those I saw of sorts. I saw a picture of you on the news when your blood bank was robbed. Pure chance, or at least I think it was, and I knew I needed to move swiftly to meet you.”

“But why not tell the others you were alive?”

“Again questions you already have answered. If I was being watched, followed, then surely they are as well hoping for them to lead our families enemies to me. None of them can come in unless I invite them.”

“No one?”

“If anyone else strong enough to get past the wards and defenses wanted to get in I assume the world would have bigger problems. I also don’t think most of them would bother,” Willow admitted. 

“So what now?” Ruby asked the intercom. 

“I was hoping you could tell me. My vision wasn’t that clear but I know I saw you.”

“Well right now you’re kinda not,” Ruby joked, earning a light airy laugh from Willow. 

“I suppose you are correct. I’ll unlock the door. Your syringe is on the table outside if you should need it, but I’m sure you don’t. We should meet face to face I suppose. Door at the end of the hall. I’ll be waiting.”

The intercom clicked off as the door slowly opened. 

Ruby peered outside and grabbed the syringe on the table as Willow had said as she walked carefully down the hall. 

Every other door appeared to be locked save for a small sitting area connected to what might be a kitchen if the pots hanging up were an indicator. 

There were enough locked doors in this spooky bunker thing to make her think she was playing one of her horror games. 

“How do you feel?” 

Coco heard the words but they almost seemed far away. She tried to sit up only to wince as a hand gently pressed her down. 

“Hey. I know this sucks but focus on me ok? You’re almost through the worst of it,” Emerald said as Coco opened her eyes and gasped. 

“Are you alright? Did I mess something up?” Emerald asked worried as she looked over her girlfriend. 

“No, it’s just…I’ve never really seen you this clearly before. It’s like I’ve never been able to really see before now. Damn you’re beautiful,” Coco admitted as Emerald felt a light blush take residence on her dusky cheeks. 

“Not even five minutes into unlife and you’re ruining me,” Emerald complained as she brought over a small cup. 

Coco’s first instinct was to sniff which brought the scent of blood to her nose. Before she even realized it she had drained the entire cup. 

It was the most heavenly thing she’d ever had. It was like…she’d never done drugs, or anything beyond a cigarette once or twice, but this was easily the best feeling in the world nothing could compare to this!

She saw Emerald looking slightly nervous at her hunger and amended her thoughts. Ok, almost nothing. 

“So I know that was probably amazing. Trust me I know mine was, but try this for me,” Emerald said handing over another cup. 

More slowly this time she put it to her lips, and noticed the heat. Trusting Emerald she took a sip and felt the flavor explode over her tongue. 

“Is this?”

“Your usual from the shop. I just put some blood in it so you could digest it. I…know that despite everything there’s still stuff we gotta talk about, but you chose me. I want you to know that Cinder showed me there’s lots of things we still don’t have to give up even in this life. Most importantly, each other.”

“The coffee is definitely a close second though,” Coco teased as she took another sip relishing in the taste before she started coughing. 

Emerald’s smirk said she knew what the problem was. 

“You forgot to breathe,” Emerald taunted her before she explained what was clear to her. 

“Breathing isn’t automatic anymore because you don’t technically need to do it, so you have to get used to making sure you do so manually now, especially if you’re eating. 

That’s actually a good way to spot older vampires though. Most stop bothering even trying to hide it and only do it when they’re speaking,” Emerald explained. 

Coco shot her girlfriend a light glare and took a more measured sip making sure to breathe and not choke on it.

“You said you had a week off so we’re gonna have to do some work to make sure you can still act human the next time you go in,” Emerald said giddily. 

Coco raised an eyebrow at her. Emerald was a lot of things, but not usually this giddy, or excitable. 

“Sorry, it’s just. It’s happened. You’re…I don’t have to worry about you growing old, or getting into an accident, or getting mugged or something,” Emerald was silenced as Coco put a finger on her lips prompting another blush from the mint haired woman. 

“Hey. I’m sorry I was worrying you, but from now on, it’s me, you, and whatever friends we have ok? We might fight, but I know through thick and thin we’ll have each other. 

I won’t lie to you. I’ll always miss Velvet,” Coco said as she felt Emerald tense a bit at that so she continued, “but where I could have grown to love her, I know I do love you. There’s no comparison between you two. I’m sure Velvet will end up being a friend to us. She’s too nice not to be, but you’re the one I picked. The one I chose. I spent my whole life with you after all,” Coco teased Emerald who huffed as she tried not to find that amusing. 

“And now I’ll spend the rest of my uh…unlife with you if you’ll have me,” Coco asked. 

“...Are you proposing to me?”

“Oh shit that did sound like a proposal,” Coco said with wide eyes as Emerald started laughing at how stupid she looked. 

“You know I always liked your eyes,” Emerald said as she laid down next to Coco. 

“I’ll have to make sure you’re the only one that sees them then,” Coco declared as she put an arm around her shoulder.

“I’m gonna miss our bond,” Coco said after a moment of silence. 

“I won’t. It kept you with me but it suppressed your real self too much. I prefer this where we’re equals,” Emerald admitted as Coco laid a kiss on her fingertips and took her hand. 

“I guess. You never treated me as any lesser though, and I’m sure some of the vampires that weren’t part of the club probably gave you hell over it.”

Emerald merely hummed neither confirming or denying it. 

“So what else do I gotta know?” Coco asked as she reached back over for another sip of her drink. 

“Control is a big one. So basically…”

While Klein was introducing the smith he’d brought Winter was speaking with Weiss in the corner of the office. 

Beckett had gone off to continue his research and reading while Yang and Pyrrha had gone to their apartment to see if they could find anything else on Raven that could be helpful. 

Winter looked over her shoulder toward where Klein was laughing at something that was being said. 

“He looks the same. Acts the same,” Winter said. 

“Do you think mother…killed him?”

“If she did then how is he in front of us?” Winter countered. 

“Do you think it’s an imposter? We know precious little of what’s truly out there after all,” Weiss said as Velvet returned from the washroom and cuddled into Weiss, clearly too upset to be embarrassed at being so affectionate in front of others. 

“He smells normal to me,” Velvet offered as the other two nodded. 

“He doesn’t smell like a vampire to us either. Is it possible that the one that found mother was an imposter? I know he seemed to take it hard when our mother vanished. They’d always been good friends.”

“What about his blood?” Velvet asked as the other two looked at her. 

“Cinder or Beckett, they can taste it and make sure it’s normal right?” 

“That they can,” Winter said as she looked over at Cinder and flinched. 

“You know you can talk to her right?” Weiss said as Winter pursed her lips. 

“I’m surprised you’re both as calm as you are about this, or about Cinder rather.”

“She clearly loves you,” Weiss said as Winter sputtered. 

“She really does,” Velvet said, placing a hand on Winter’s wrist. “Plus from what I understand her boss isn’t someone you can really say no to even if they’re nicer than most.”

“That…is true,” Winter conceded as she looked over and saw Cinder give her a small hopeful smile. 

“She also went ahead and told us everything we know now so she’s clearly not happy with what’s happening,” Weiss added. 

Winter nodded and took a deep breath before walking over. 

“Winter!” Cinder greeted her, trying her best to keep from sounding too excited. 

“Ashes could I ask a favor?” Winter asked as Cinder walked over. 

“What do you need?” Cinder asked seriously. 

“You remember the journal where it looked like my mother mentioned she killed Klein…well is he a human? We’d like to know for sure,” Winter asked. 

Cinder nodded in understanding. As she turned to leave Winter grabbed her arm. 

“I’m upset at this situation, but we’re fine. I just needed you to know that,” Winter said before she released her arm. 

“Aw. You brought me a smith and you love me. I love you too. Now let me go get…that…blood,” Cinder trailed off before she made a beeline for the bathroom ignoring the blushing mess that was her girlfriend.

Winter traded confused looks with the others as Cinder let out a triumphant sound before returning to the room. 

“Check it out!” Cinder said, drawing everyone’s attention before she frowned at Klein and blurred over. 

“Sorry making sure you’re not a shapeshifter or something,” Cinder apologized before she used a finger to gently break the skin and gather a single drop of blood she put onto her tongue. 

After a few seconds she hummed and nodded. “Human, but maybe cut back on the red meat,” Cinder declared as the Schnees let out a sigh of relief. 

“What did you find?” Velvet asked as Cinder proudly pulled out a used bandage. 

Weiss merely looked at in confusion wondering why she was showing her this. 

“Remember when your little doctor gave blood earlier? We can track her with her dried blood! At least to some extent,” Cinder declared to the shocked room.

"Come on in. I don't bite. I really try not to," Willow said solemnly as Ruby approached the open door.

It looked like a normal study so Ruby gathered her courage and took a deep breath before she walked in and sat down in the indicated chair as the door closed behind her on its own.

"Let's talk shall we?"