Chapter Text
"Ohhhhhhhhh I'm in love with.. judas.... judas..."
Ruby allowed herself to get lost in the music, her singing, hidden behind a mask, it was always the most perfect feeling.
"Ohhhhhhhhh I'm in love with.. judas.... judas..."
The crowd was enraptured as she sang, then the guitarist began to play.
"JUDAS!" Ruby shouted as she grabbed the microphone in front of her, shifting from a very breathy singing voice to a louder, more angry tone.
"Juda-ah-ah!" Came the reply from the guitarist, grinning.
"JUDAS!"
"Juda-ah-ah!"
"JUDAS!"
"Gaga!" Came the final reply of the guitarist as she and the drummer slammed down on their instruments.
Ruby allowed her head to bounce as they played on, she was in her element as she brought back in her lyrics.
"When he calls to me, I am ready! I'll wash his feet with my hair if he needs.. Forgive him when his tongue lies through his brain! Even after three times he betrays me!"
As she sang she looked towards two particular individuals, one ginger, wearing an immaculate white suit and bowler hat, Roman, the other shorter and with pink/brown hair, Neopolitan. Both wearing masks, just like everyone else in the club.
"Ahh-oh, ahh-oh, I'll bring him down, bring him down, down...." Ruby grinned as Roman raised his glass to her, a smirk on his face.
"Ahh-oh, ahh-oh, a king with no crown, king with no crown!" Her grin widened as she noticed Neo was glaring at her.
"I'm just a Holy Fool. Oh, baby, it's so cruel... But I'm still in love with Judas, baby!" Ruby looked towards her guitarist, he had the same grin as her.
"I'm just a Holy Fool! Oh, baby, it's so cruel~ But I'm still in love with Judas, baby!" Towards her drummer, their face seemed calm, but Ruby could tell, beneath the mask, they were ecstatic.
"Ohhhhhhhhh I'm in love with. judas! judas!" Ruby's eyes returned to the crowd as she repeated the lyrics in the new tone.
"Ohhhhhhhhh I'm in love with. judas! judas!" As the song prepared to return to the call and reply lyrics Ruby couldn't help but think back to how she'd even started playing here.
Ruby nervously looked around as she walked up to the bar, Juniors, it was the site of a concert she'd heard about from some older students at signal.
Tickets were cheap, you just had to know the password.
She'd managed to get permission to go into vale, even if her dad and sister didn't know exactly why. After all, the music genre that was being played here wasn't illegal, just frowned upon due to its negative tone, no matter the subject matter.
No one wanted to listen to music that evoked negative emotions when that could draw in grimm.
She soon reached the door where a bouncer looked her up and down before simply asking. "Password?"
"Uhh.... dust underside?" Ruby tried not to sound unsure as the bouncer raised an eyebrow but finally, opened the door to her, holding out a mask.
Ruby nodded as she placed the mask, not much more than a domino mask, upon her face before entering. Inside it was dark, crowded, the concert clearly hadn't started yet as there was some song or other playing faintly over the speakers.
Ruby shuffled towards the bar, where a large man with short black hair and a beard stood waiting. "What can I get for you? And anything with alcohol I'll need some id." He gestured to her short stature.
Ruby hadn't expected that, turns out even with underground events they followed the law. That was fine, Ruby wouldn't go near alcohol if she could help it even if she wasn't 12.
"Uhh.... just a cola with some ice please." Ruby reached into her pocket to get her Lien card as the bartender began to pour.
After tapping it with a beep she was allowed to depart from the bar, finding some seats away from the most crowded place but still with a decent view of the stage.
As the band started to enter the stage a tall ginger man in a bowler hat with a cane approached her, pointing to the seat next to her. "Is this seat taken?"
"O-oh, no, go ahead." She nodded.
"Ahhh, thank you, first time at one of Junior's little shindigs?" The man smirked.
"Uh- y-yeah." Ruby stammered, looking down.
"I could tell. I'm Roman, by the way, Torchwick." He held out a gloved hand towards her.
"Uh. Ruby, Rose. Nice to meet you Roman." Ruby shook his hand but was stopped from speaking any more when the band began to play.
[Insert flight of crows by Jhariah]
Ruby could only stare in awe as the band began to play their next song. Roman chuckled. "Yeah, hearing this stuff live is much better than recordings. Not that I'm a snob about this stuff, but it's just something you've got to experience."
"It's amazing......" Ruby spoke almost breathlessly. "I can't even sing that well."
"Oh? Fancy yourself an aspiring artist?" Roman smirked.
"O-oh, no.... I just like to sing along...." Ruby stammered out, holding up her hands.
"Hmm.... here, there's the lyrics." Roman held out his open scroll, where the lyrics of the next song about to play were.
[Insert rivers is a vampire by bear ghost.]
As Ruby sang along, eyes locked on the scroll Roman couldn't help but grin, she probably had some confidence issues but from what he could hear, she had a great singing voice.
As the song came to a close Roman reached into his pocket, pulling out a card. "Here, if you ever decide you want to take that singing voice of yours to a stage, call this number, I can get in some good trainers."
"O-oh! B-but I Don't have much money.... and I'm 12....." Ruby began to mutter.
Roman chuckled. "That's no problem, those guys on stage started performing here when they were thirteen, Juniors still pay them all the same, as for pay...... well I'll call this a rare showing of my generous side, no fees or payback, just promise you'll put actual effort into music." With that he took his scroll back from her, replacing it with the card. "Keep that safe, you're one of very few people with my number."
Had Ruby known at the time that the man who got her her training to be a musician for free was a crime lord at the time? No. But after a year of knowing him, finding out didn't seem to bother her much, especially after he'd unveiled her performance outfit.
It was black leather jeans, a pair of slightly heeled boots, a deep red t-shirt and a black leather jacket with embedded thorny vine designs, a black, long haired wig hung up by the mannequin that it sat on. Then there was the mask.
It consisted of many interlocking rose vines with a single black rose that when worn sat just in front of her left ear to hide an earpiece, it covered a little more than the masks that were standard for guests to wear.
When she wore the outfit it made her feel powerful, her anxiety felt just that bit quieter.
Then one day, whilst working on her songs for her first proper performance she decided on something.
No one would know if she were to work with Roman in..... other ways.
And that was the start of Rosethorns criminal career.
It was mainly in assisting Romans operations, quickly becoming almost as important to his work as the pink and brown haired Neopolitan.
The older girl definitely didn't like her, but tolerated her for Roman. Ruby couldn't help but enjoy winding her up whenever she could.
It turned out the best way to do that was to flirt with Roman. Sure, both she and Roman knew that there was no way the flirting was serious, Ruby was a lesbian after all, but Roman tolerated it and Ruby loved pissing off Neo.
Rosethorn grinned as she sauntered off the stage towards the bar, tapping her hand atop it. "Junior, my usual!" She was greeted with a glassful of cider slid down the bar. It was non alcoholic but it helped keep up the image that Rosethorn, like Neo, was an adult, just very short.
"Wonderful as always, Rosethorn! Roman called from slightly down the bar.
"Aww Roman you flatter me!" She grinned, moving over to him and taking the stool next to him.
"Cinder wants us to get more dust." Roman sighed.
"Well did you tell her tough shit? We agreed no heists next week, Beacon starts then." Rosethorn growled.
"I tried, but she's not budging. I made sure she knows that neither you or Neo are going to help." Roman took a large swig of his drink.
"How'd you convince her of that?" Rosethorn laughed bitterly.
"Well, if you must know, if I leave those two unattended I'm almost certain I'll be down both my left and right hand women." Roman chuckled as he quoted himself.
"Aww, you do care about me!" Rosethorn grinned as she slung her arms around his neck, greeted by the glare of Neopolitan on his other side as she did so.
"Oh! Hey there, didn't see you Neo!" Rosethorn couldn't help herself as she flipped Neo off with the arm that Roman couldn't see. What he could see was Neo reaching for her umbrella.
"Would you two behave for five minutes!" Roman grumbled.
"I'd be happy to!" Rosethorn gave Roman an innocent doe eyed look before taking a swig of her drink.
"Please don't lie to my face....." he sighed, rubbing his temples.
Ruby hummed along to the music in her headphones as she perused the magazines on the shelf, she rarely got to browse shops as Ruby, she was either busy with classes at signal, helping Roman run a criminal empire or performing. Being in Vale to see Yang off to Beacon gave her an uncommon opportunity.
Of course, as she began to flick through a weapons magazine she felt a hand on her shoulder. Having to remind herself to not break the face of whoever it was, as was customary for those who interrupted her as Rosethorn, Ruby pulled aside her headphones and turned to find one of Romans men. One of the people below her in Romans empire, pointing at her, sword in hand.
"Yes?" On one hand, Ruby wanted to play the scared kid, on the other, Ruby really didn't want to have to cower in front of her own underling.
"I said put your hands in the air!" Brother gods this guy was stupid, he didn't even have his sword raised, it was just down at his side, she could easily take him out before he could even attempt to attack.
Ruby raised an eyebrow. "Are you.... Robbing me?"
"Yes!" This guy was clearly frustrated, but he was being so stupid she'd have to step in and teach him a lesson, just for once it would be as Ruby.
Ruby smirked. "Ohhhh."
Roman sighed as he looked over at his underlings, filling tubes with as much dust as they could. It was all going according to plan. That was until one of his henchmen was flung through a display into a wall.
Before Roman could see exactly who had done the flinging another henchman rushed over, blocking his view and pointing his gun at the assailant. "Freeze!"
Then of course they flung themselves out of the window, revealing to Roman that it was in fact, Ruby Rose who his henchmen had threatened, Roman sighed internally as he looked towards the remaining goons. "Well.... get her!" He growled, shooting Ruby an incredulous look.
She had the decency to look sheepish as her scythe unfolded, finally slamming forward to embed itself in the ground, barrel pointing towards the charging goons.
Roman sighed as his henchmen were easily defeated, if he hadn't known Ruby had a professional huntsman train her personally as well as his own training he'd think it ridiculous that she was able to take them down so swiftly.
"You were worth every lien. Truly you were." Roman sighed as he took one last puff of his cigar. Before dropping it. "Well! Red. I think we can both agree it's been an eventful evening! And as much as I'd love to stick around..."
Roman crushed the end of his cigar with Melodic Cudgel before pointing it directly at Ruby, he knew she could easily take the hit and then some. "I'm afraid this is where we part ways." The crosshairs popped up and he fired, sending a blast directly at Ruby as she blocked it with her scythe before making his retreat.
Of course as he was halfway to where his Bullhead was waiting for him, he heard his left hand woman shout out. "Hey!"
"Persistent....." Roman grumbled he knew she was doing this to keep up cover but did she have to be so headstrong as a cover?
Of course then his Bullhead lifted off, shining a spotlight in Ruby's face as he climbed in, pulling out a crystal of burn dust, perhaps a bit overkill for the situation, but she could take it.
"End of the line red!" With that he tossed the crystal at her, Raising melodic Cudgel once again, blasting the crystal and creating a pillar of flame. Despite himself he couldn't help but cheer. At least until he saw the purple ring where should be a scuffed up Ruby.
Then of course it disappeared, revealing a blonde woman, one that he really did not need to encounter right now.
Glynda Goodwitch, deputy headmistress of Beacon academy. Her riding crop was raised.
Roman growled as she adjusted the glasses on her nose before sending rubble to attack the Bullhead. As steadily as he could, Roman made his way to the cockpit where Cinder was piloting. "We've got a huntress!" He shouted at the raven haired woman.
She sighed as she left the cockpit and Roman took control.
Then of course the huntress summoned a storm cloud above them that pelted the bullhead with sharp ice. Roman barely managed to dodge a shard that embedded itself right where his head had been moments ago.
As the woman sent a blast forward that destroyed part of the roof Goodwitch and Ruby were on, the adult huntress simply took the Rubble from that to make a spear to assault the bullhead.
Roman barely managed to move it so that it hit the roof instead of the very open bay where Cinder stood. Goodwitch tried to end the rubble in for another attack but Cinder used her semblance to obliterate the rubble, allowing Roman to fly the Bullhead away.
Then of course he heard high caliber rifle rounds fired at the bullhead, that was good, Ruby was still alive. Though from the sound of those explosions sent forward by Cinder, not unharmed as he shut the cargo bay door.
Ruby straightened up, she'd have to have a word with Roman about not sending the psycho bitch Cinder to attack her even if they are trying to keep up appearances. Then she looked over at the deputy headmistress of Beacon..... shit, she was glaring at her, what did she say?
Eventually she ended up with. "You're a huntress..... Can I have your autograph!!" With a faux gleeful grin.
Ruby sighed as she looked around the interrogation room, honestly she was surprised she was in here for this and not any of the big crimes she's done. Of course they might get her for those too if they ever find out that she IS Rosethorn...... Ruby hoped that didn't happen to say the least.
"I hope you know that your actions tonight will not be taken lightly young lady!" Goodwitch grumbled as she paced behind Ruby. "You put yourself and others in great danger."
Ruby wanted to scoff, there was about as much danger to her as a papercut, but of course instead what she said was. "They started it!"
"If it were up to me.... you'd be sent home with a pat on the back....." Ruby grinned. "And a slap on the wrist!" She fought the urge to pout at that at least until the huntress slapped near her hands with her riding crop, causing Ruby to jump back.
"But...." Glynda sighed. "There is someone here who would like to meet you." After this she moved aside revealing the open doorway, and the aging man named Ozpin that walked through it, carrying a mug and a plateful of cookies.
"Ruby Rose." He leaned in close, staring into her face. "You.... have silver eyes......"
Ruby slightly leaned back. "U-ummm." Brother gods she hated when she stuttered.
"So! Where did you learn to do this?" The man gestured towards the scroll that Prof. Goodwitch held, displaying how she fought her goons.
"S-signal academy?" Ruby really didn't enjoy being on this side of the interrogation.
"They taught you to use one of the most dangerous weapons ever designed?" Ozpin quirked his eyebrow.
"W-well... one teacher in particular....." Ruby scratched the back of her head.
"I see......" With that he set the plate of cookies down, gesturing for Ruby to try them. Which Ruby hesitantly did, slowly pulling one off the plate and into her mouth, then, once sure she wasn't being poisoned or something, took several more in rapid succession.
Anyone who knew anything about Ruby knew cookies were her one weakness.
"It's just that I've only seen one other Scythe wielder of that skill before.... A dusty old Qrow..." Ruby almost choked on her last cookie as she laughed at the nameplay.
"Mmm thash mah unca qrommph!" Ruby spoke mid bite before swallowing the rest of her cookie. "Sorry... that's my uncle Qrow! He's a teacher at Signal.... I was complete garbage before he took me under his wing! Now I'm all like.... HOOOO WHCHA!" Ruby shouted as she chopped the air with her arms.
"So I've noticed.... and what is an adorable girl such as yourself doing at a school designed to train warriors?" Ozpin sat down opposite her.
"Well.... I want to be a huntress..." half true, she used to, now she could live with herself if she flunked out, but her current career would be harder if she didn't have a cover.
"You want to slay monsters?" Ozpin quirked his eyebrow.
"Yeah! I only have two more years of training left at Signal And then I'm going to apply to Beacon, see my sister's starting this year and she's trying to become a huntress and I'm trying to become a huntress because I wanna help people. Yaknow my parents always taught us to help others, so I thought 'well yaknow might as well make a career outta it' I mean the police are alright but the huntsmen and huntresses are just so much more exciting and romantic and just....." Ruby let out an 'excited' squeak. "Yaknow?" She panted as she played the part of an excitable teenager rambling, even if she wanted to barf at calling the police cool.
"Do you know who I am?" Ozpin smirked.
"You're Professor Ozpin, you're the headmaster at Beacon." Ruby stated, wondering where this was going.
"Hello." Ozpin replied simply, was he getting senile?
"Nice to meet you!" Ruby replied.
"You want to come to my school?" Ozpin stated, placing his hands flat on the table.
"More than anything." Ruby hoped she was convincing enough.
Ozpin gave Glynda a look, who rolled her eyes. "Well okay." He finally said.
Ruby sighed, she had an hour to pack before she was back on the boat to Vale and on the Bullhead towards Beacon. Yet here she was, texting Roman on her burner scroll.
Ruby giggled as she shut her scroll, returning to packing her bags, humming the last song she sang a few nights ago.