budding still

RWBY RP blog. Semi-selective. Status: open to new RPs. Icon courtesy of ieatedanimation/weissenschnee.

[dyeingrosesred]

This is just to say

I have eaten the plums... Wait, no. Jokes aside, I can have a life outside univ again. So writing can be a thing.

[dyeingrosesred]

Sniff Out the Truth

[dyeingrosesred]

askweisswolf:

=

The problem was, Winter hadn’t given them a lead.

“I’m sorry,” Weiss sighed as they drove, taking comfort from the one hand that had settled briefly but firmly on her shoulder. “It seems that these dogs are from outside of the city. I thought my sister might know something about them, but…”

A rogue werewolf, or an exile. Either option didn’t seem particularly promising in terms of tracking them down, at least through the clans. Weiss would have to do some investigating of her own, off hours when she could afford to change forms and disappear into the city and the surrounding woods to follow scents and sounds.

She could still hope that Winter or Amber would turn something up in the meantime, but that wasn’t something she was willing to cling to.

“And… thank you,” she murmured. “For not asking. When this investigation is settled, I’ll tell you what that was all about.”

Ruby deserved to know. Even if it wouldn’t be the complete truth, they had been a good friend, and they… well. They had been Weiss’s clan for so long.

They deserved to know something of what had happened.

“It’s okay. It just means we only get what we find through our usual channels, yeah? So it’ll be pretty much be same old.” They offered a little smile to Weiss, squeezing once before letting their hand slide down Weiss’ arm, and off. It turned crooked as they took the pass that would lead back to the station, and Weiss made her promise. “I’ll hold you to that.”

Their curiosity reached new heights, if they were honest. But they reminded themselves what they’d just sworn.

Bonding with Weiss had been a thing of time and care stretching years, and this was no different. Honesty would come when matters were dealt with and Weiss was ready.

-0-

Two more victims came the next week.

Somehow, by some miracle, Ruby managed to avoid losing breakfast, but their guts felt like they’d been scooped out of them.

Again, the neighbours had little to nothing to offer--like a bloody poltergeist, someone’d commented, and Ruby was inclined to agree. They were holding onto the hope there might’ve been something left behind in this scene, but it was a thin, thin hope.

They were tempted to pace, but this being work, and their partner’s presence, and just how, unsteady--that was the right word for it--she seemed kept them where they were. “Weiss?” they said softly, leaning into her space, bumping shoulders.”Do you wanna step outside?”

It wasn’t much better out there, but there was a wind, cool but not cold. Ruby had half-hopes it would help with the haze seeming to weigh Weiss down.

[dyeingrosesred]

Sniff Out the Truth

[dyeingrosesred]

askweisswolf:

=

“Right.” Weiss lingered, swallowed hard, and had to resist the urge to touch; to reach out, to take Amber’s hands and squeeze, to lean into the older woman and hug and nuzzle like she might have done once, when she was a younger werewolf who lived in a clan.

Bu those days were long gone and past. She had chosen to give them up, and that she was even getting this much help in the matter on something that technically was happening outside of clan territory was huge. She couldn’t possibly push for more.

No matter how much she wanted to.

“I have to go back. I’ll let you know if I hear anything on our end, if it can possibly help either of you.” The werewolf had so far stayed with human victims, but they couldn’t trust that it would stay that way–and the clan appeared to have a lot of young.

Weiss exhaled, looked them both in the eyes, and nodded. She turned on her heel and headed back to the car, back to Ruby and back to the life and the case that waited for her.

It was painful to not look back.

Ruby stirred in their seat and stowed their phone back into the side compartment in the car when they saw Weiss come around to her side. Her expression stalled any sort of questions about further information that might’ve been shared.

It left Ruby momentarily adrift, but they were quick to recover, letting the engine turn over before neatly pulling out back onto the main road. They gave a polite wave to those still watching before they went out of sight.

When they deemed it safe to, one hand left the steering wheel to settle and stay at Weiss’ shoulder, a light but firm presence offered.

After, Ruby promised themselves, after the case wrapped up they would ask why it bothered Weiss so much, the perpetrator and why Weiss had come back to an... odd, family situation for it, and why she looked so, sombre, leaving them.

But nothing then. In the end Weiss kept most things to herself, and now was not the time to try probing. More likely to blow up in their faces that way.

Now was the time for work.

[askweisswolf]

"Can we pretend I didn't just say that?" (White Rose, cop and woofcop)

Rubyknew they were squeaking as they asked that, and they didn’t care. Normallytheir trait to speak their mind without thinking was, well, something they didn’tthink about. It was simply part ofwho they were, and for the most part everyone around them loved it. For thepeople who didn’t love it, well, they weren’t the kind of people Ruby usuallycared about anyway.

Andif they did, they could always apologize.

Butthat trait had just come back to haunt them in a horrible way as they’d letslip that they thought Weiss was cute—nother human form, either, because that would have been smooth and acceptable anda little awkward, but somehow it would have been better than saying that theythought they partner’s four legged white wolf form was cute.

Because they had done that.

They had called Weiss’s wolf form ‘cute’.

And judging by the way Weiss huffed and flopped her headonto their stomach, forcing all of the air out of their lungs and making themlaugh weakly, they didn’t think she was going to let them forget about it forawhile, either.

[dyeingrosesred]

Sniff Out the Truth

[dyeingrosesred]

askweisswolf:

=

Weiss was quiet for a moment, chewing on her bottom lip and crossing her arms over her chest. She may have been an exile, she may have no longer been a part of her clan–or any clan, really, once a werewolf was exiled they weren’t welcome anywhere in the community and had to go out on their own, unless they created their own clan with other exiles or rogues–but she understood what Amber was saying.

There were a lot of risks involved in the current case. It wasn’t even about the killing, though that was certainly the primary concern; for the community, the biggest issue would be keeping it quiet that the killer in question was a werewolf.

Humans wouldn’t take such a revelation well regardless, but that the werewolf was a serial killer who was specifically hunting humans…

It was a powder keg just waiting to ignite.

She blew out through her nose, heavily. “I’ll try to give you both as much space as I can, but I can’t make any promises. This is only our first kill, but this wolf knew what they were doing. I don’t think they’ll stop at just one human.”

Amber sighed, nodded. “You’re probably right.” Staying to the shadows, minimising chance of discovery, it was an unspoken rule for weres. Sacrosanct. For one to break that, and as blatantly as this, it spoke to a chilling apathy about other weres, and an arrogant belief that the one responsible wouldn’t get caught.

Amber, ever-loyal to what she held as responsibility, was naturally furious.

But letting her anger bleed away behind closed eyes and with a long breath, she reached up, pat Weiss’ cheek twice before pulling away. A small gesture compared to what they might’ve once done, but it was what she could give then. “I’ll come by if we find anything useful on our end, or call. The others won’t mind me bending rules, so much.”

Winter grumbled at that. In a different throat it might have been a growl.

But Amber simply shrugged, having long come to terms with what others thought of her. “People will keep thinking what they like, you know. At least it’s useful now.”

"Regardless, they should have more respect for you than that.” Winter’s words were without the true heat of protest, this conversation having run a dozen times before. More a statement of fact.

Amber shrugged again before turning her attention back to Weiss, a flicker of humour present. “We should let you go, not draw you into clan politics again. Take care of yourself, Weiss.”

[dyeingrosesred]

Sniff Out the Truth

[dyeingrosesred]

Winter simply watched, as Weiss picked the pup up. As an exile, Weiss should’ve had no contact with any clan weres, especially with the pups. It would’ve been within the right of any were, of any clan, to interfere.

But, Winter figured, if she could not offer the full aid of the pack, she could let Weiss have this much in her yard.

Sharing a simple touch of fingers with Amber as she herded the little ones inside, Winter gave a single, slow nod to Weiss. “And what will you do, when you start closing in? I doubt this particular were will go quietly. In both senses.”

She crossed her arms then. “We’re at risk of being found out. Your partner, and all the humans at your precinct too, they’ll be at risk for not knowing what they face. Will you leave it to us, and let it live on in the city’s memory as a cold case?”

[askweisswolf]

Winter wasn’t wrong about that, Weiss knew. Whoever this werewolf was, whatever clan they had hailed from once upon a time–assuming they had been clan born, and weren’t a rogue that had never even mingled in a clan–none of that mattered now.

This werewolf was a killer. Whether recent or experienced, they viewed humans as nothing more than prey, and they knew how to use their abilities to kill. It wouldn’t be an easy fight, even for another werewolf.

Weiss didn’t even want to think about the fallout if one of the members of the precinct–or Ruby, God forbid, the thought sent a chill down her spine–got caught in the middle of it all.

Winter wasn’t wrong, but…

Weiss crossed her arms as well, mirroring her sister subconsciously. “Can you promise me that between you and Amber, this wolf will be taken out before they kill again?”

[dyeingrosesred]

Winter barked a laugh. “Never one to aim small, hm? I understand you want this dealt with, Weiss, but I doubt even your precious force could do what you just asked. This city of ours is too large for that.”

Amber returned then, and having not missed the conversation, touching Winter’s elbow for a moment before addressing Weiss, polite but affectionate smile on her face. “We’ll do our best to handle things on our end-and I’ll call if we find anything of use-but please Weiss, consider pulling back at the end. I know it might difficult, you can’t control the flow of information dealing with a were as reckless as this, but… Well, you’re the last one who needs to be told what’s at stake.”

For a moment it seemed like Amber would say more, concern crossing her face, but she thought better of it.

There were many sharp ears about after all.

[dyeingrosesred]

Sniff Out the Truth

[askweisswolf]

=

Weiss relaxed when the pups obeyed Winter’s commands and sat, chuckling weakly when one of them wasn’t able to resist toddling after her red-haired partner. Without thinking–more out of instinct than anything, as younger werewolves tended to watch the younger pups–she jogged over and scooped the youngster up, squeezing gently.

“No, no, little one. You stay here.”

She stepped back and gently set the pup down with the others, finally fully easing back when Amber squeezed past her and Winter to round the children up and distract them from the new, strange human.

Amber, thankfully, smelled nothing like Winter. She must have cleaned herself thoroughly to wash the scent of the alpha off.

She glanced at her sister, blinking at the sound of her voice. It only took her a second to process the question, and she sighed, shaking her head. “No. They don’t know.”

Hence, the talk of dogs.

[dyeingrosesred]

Winter simply watched, as Weiss picked the pup up. As an exile, Weiss should’ve had no contact with any clan weres, especially with the pups. It would’ve been within the right of any were, of any clan, to interfere.

But, Winter figured, if she could not offer the full aid of the pack, she could let Weiss have this much in her yard.

Sharing a simple touch of fingers with Amber as she herded the little ones inside, Winter gave a single, slow nod to Weiss. “And what will you do, when you start closing in? I doubt this particular were will go quietly. In both senses.”

She crossed her arms then. “We’re at risk of being found out. Your partner, and all the humans at your precinct too, they’ll be at risk for not knowing what they face. Will you leave it to us, and let it live on in the city’s memory as a cold case?”

[dyeingrosesred]

Sniff Out the Truth

[askweisswolf]

=

Weiss mulled over Winter’s words before she nodded, resisting the urge to grimace at the news. New to the city… then this wasn’t a wolf from one of the clans in the area, but an outsider that had made their way into the territory. A rogue or an exile, possibly, with no interest in settling down and starting over fresh with other werewolves.

No, this one was a hunter. And it had come to hunt humans, taking advantage of its canine form to confuse the police. Smart, really. Disturbingly so.

As if this case wasn’t already complicated enough.

Weiss sighed and opened her mouth–to thank her sister or just make some comment to break the tension and excuse herself, she wasn’t sure–when she heard a giggle and a bark. She slowly turned around, freezing when she saw several pack pups had gathered around her partner.

Her eyes shot to Winter, before going back to Ruby.

“Made friends?” she asked, forcing herself to keep her voice light. The last thing she needed to do was scare the kids into shifting, if they were capable of it.

[dyeingrosesred]

“Looks-ack, hey, my nose isn’t for eating, okay?” Ruby pulled a face at the offending pup before smiling at Weiss. “Looks like it.” Glancing at Winter, they asked in their more formal voice, “Are they yours, ma’am?”

Winter raised an eyebrow, but her face remained impassive, and she cast her hand out motioning to the rest of the cul-de-sac. “The neighbours’, though I do have a hand in taking care of them. Sit down, all of you.”

To Ruby’s surprise, the pups did just that, leaving Ruby free to stand again. “Well, aren’t you good kiddos?” Ruby murmured, and they gave them each one last scratch before settling into business mode again. “If you hear anything else that might help, please, let us know.”

They weren’t sure what to make of Winter’s words, really. They guessed it might be relevant the dogs involved might not have been around here long, it’d be unlikely to be related to past local incidents with dog bites and such, but how had she and her sources of information known that, and only that, without info on the owner?

...Well, it’d be something to talk with Weiss, away from here. Somehow being on this doorstep was making Ruby itchy to go.

So they dipped their head slightly in farewell, and moved to the car, laughing when a pup trot after them. Winter watched. “Interesting partner there.” Her mouth barely moved as her eyes slid to Weiss. “You didn’t tell them, did you?”

[dyeingrosesred]

Sniff Out the Truth

[askweisswolf]

=

Winter hadn’t changed at all.

It was cliche, and on some level Weiss knew that it also wasn’t true. Years had passed since she and her sister had last seen each other; at the very least, Winter was now older. From what little bit of clan news the exiled werewolf had heard, she was now properly the alpha of Schnee.

A position she had risen to with no bloodshed and no challenge, and as far as Weiss could tell from her limited interactions with the community–namely, that she had no interactions with the community unless she spoke to other exiled wolves–she had been accepted as the leader and was treating the clan well.

Weiss had known she would, but the fact that it had become reality helped ease something tight and painful in her chest.

She sniffed subtly, picking up a scent coming from behind Winter, in the house; the smell of fresh leaves, mixed with the spice of pumpkin.

Ah. So Amber was here; no wonder Winter was so on guard, beyond Weiss’s presence.

She crossed her arms tightly over her chest. “I’m not here because I want to be. We’ve got a murder, recent. Looks like the work of dogs. You know dogs.”

[dyeingrosesred]

Comprehension lit Winter’s face, any remaining coolness giving way to solemnity. “I heard the news. Tragic, truly....” 

She looked at Ruby then, and they instinctively straightened. It wasn’t unlike the face Goodwitch got during inspections. Naturally they were intimidated, but they held onto their indignance from before. Weiss’ words were terse, even when they factored in ‘on the job’. For Weiss’ sister to bring that out did not endear her to Ruby.

So they managed to hold Winter’s gaze for the entire time, until she tilted her head a fraction in silent acknowledgement. Then she turned back to Weiss. “Dogs new to the city. That’s all I know at the moment, I’m afraid. If anyone has more than that, they’re keeping quiet.”

A question niggled at the base of Ruby’s brain, but before they could ask an odd pressure drew their eyes downward. When they looked their breath caught in their throat. “Hello!” they murmured before crouching, a grin splitting their face when one of the pups there rose up onto their hind legs, paws coming to rest on Ruby’s knees. “Aren’t you all lovely looking?”

An answering bark set them to giggling.

[dyeingrosesred]

Sniff Out the Truth

[askweisswolf]

=

The solemn tone of Ruby’s voice snapped Weiss out of her thoughts, and she blinked as if a fog had been lifted from her eyes. It occurred to her now, really, that she had never told her partner much about her family. Or, well…. anything about her family, if she was honest with herself.

Oh, sure, she had been vague enough; she’d made it clear there had been some kind of falling out and she was no longer on speaking terms with them, and Ruby had taken this as incentive to basically welcome Weiss into their own family. It had been that way for years.

Weiss had just… never expected to actually speak to Winter again, for anything.

“You’ll need a notepad probably, to write since I’ll be focusing on talking. Otherwise, it might be best if you keep quiet. We’re, ah, going to see my sister.”

[dyeingrosesred]

Oh. Oh. 

Ruby tried and failed to find something to say in response to that revelation. They hadn’t even known that Weiss had any siblings. But really, what could they say, that wouldn’t sound cheap?

So they only nodded.

-

Weiss’ directions led them out to the suburbs, to a cul-de-sac just at the edge of one of the local parks. 

As they pulled to a stop, Ruby noted a few curious onlookers, and more than a few guarded ones. As congenial as they could be, Ruby bobbed their head in silent greetings, holding eyes before each.

Expressions didn’t change by much, save for the kids there, but the strangers went back to what they’d been doing before. Looking back at Weiss, only a moment to let her see their concern, Ruby rang the bell.

Their first thought when the door opened was that this couldn’t be anyone else but Weiss’ sister. Same white, same blue, and that air of regalness Weiss couldn’t quite shake, even in her most casual wear. 

Their second, that she seemed, for whatever reason, to be restraining some sort of concern, even as her gaze fell sharply on Weiss with a frown. “You know you shouldn’t be here.”

[dyeingrosesred]

Sniff Out the Truth

[askweisswolf]

=

“… Actually…”

It was a risk. It would involve taking Ruby into clan territory, and hoping that the other werewolves could keep their mouths shut and not engage with the human. It would involve hoping that the clan in question could ignore tradition, could hold their tongues over the fact that a clanless werewolf was returning to the land when she had agreed to never set foot or paw on it again. It would involve hoping that the current alpha would be open to hearing her speak.

… Well, she would be. Weiss didn’t doubt that. But the other two problems could still be a huge factor.

But it was also worth the risk.

“I know someone who knows a thing or two about dogs. She might be able to give us a tip to start the investigation.”

[dyeingrosesred]

Ruby perked up instantly, but paused in their instinctive move to the door as they took in Weiss’ expression. It was new worry now, on Weiss’ face, mostly introspection... but there was something Weiss definitely didn’t like, about her thoughts, even as she gave voice to them. 

Unnerving really was the word for it. It was hard to stay cool and calm as they should, when Weiss wasn’t.

“Should I bring anything with us?” The solemnity trained into them the years barely restrained the urge to move, pace, circle. “Or would it be better to just hang back a bit, ‘nd keep quiet?”

They’d come to an understanding over the years, and Ruby knew that right then it was Weiss’ territory, and it was best to follow her lead.

[aresmarked]

Copper Hounds rp drabble, pre-SotT.

Essentially, Ruby’s found the best way to keep Weiss still long enough for medical care she doesn’t actually need (not that Ruby knows) is cuddles. 

Keep reading

[dyeingrosesred]

Sniff Out the Truth

[askweisswolf]

=

Weiss had already known the truth before the official report had come in; a part of her had still hoped, regardless, that it might not be true. That perhaps the body had simply been torn apart by muscle and the sheer force of human hatred, using knives or some other sharp objects.

But that wasn’t the truth.

The truth was this: their victim had been murdered by a werewolf, possibly someone they had known and trusted to such an extent that they had willingly let this person into their home.

Of course, no one in the precinct knew this. As far as the report had confirmed, the victim had been torn apart by fangs and claws, and all the neighbors had heard of the deed was some growling that they had dismissed as the sounds of stray dogs.

Weiss jumped at Ruby’s touch, then blew out a long breath and forced herself to relax, managing a weak smile. “Would have to be a really strong dog,” she said lightly. “Ripping apart a human like this isn’t easy.”

It haunted her, though. The killing blow had been aimed at the throat–what had the were hoped to accomplish by destroying the body?

[dyeingrosesred]

“I’m more worried about the owner honestly.” There was a storm in Ruby’s eyes, though their fingers remained gentle as they moved to squeeze Weiss’ arm. “What would you have to do to a dog, or dogs, probably, to get them to do that? And why would you want that?” They shook their head, anger flaring up, before they tilted their head towards the door. “C’mon, we’ve still got patrol. Maybe we can ask around about it, too, see if there’s any word about weirdly-acting dogs.”

There was still that odd edge to Weiss’ face, but then, Ruby figured, they probably all looked pretty off.

“Who knows, maybe someone will show up while we’re out.”

[dyeingrosesred]

Sniff Out the Truth

[dyeingrosesred]

“A lot of knives… or a lot of time.” Ruby grimaced. “Well, the lab will tell us what they can. Though I’m not sure how much they’ll be able to get out of that scene, hah…” Running a hand through their hair, they muttered to themselves as they pulled out various folders and albums, knowing Weiss would hear, as she always had. “The neighbours had to have had some sign… unless they were all asleep… hopefully we can figure out how the other person got in.”

And all the while their hands flipped through the various sheets, scanning for anything unusual. Their concentration was nigh-absolute, a few threads left for their surroundings and Weiss.

[askweisswolf]

“The window is an option,” Weiss noted, even as she realized that it wouldn’t be much of one. The window was certainly open, but not large enough for even a human to squeeze through; a fully transformed werewolf would never have been able to get through. Even partially transformed, whoever had done this wouldn’t fit through the window at all.

But it was better than nothing.

“Alternatively, whoever did this could have been invited in by the victim for some reason. Maybe the killing happened once the door was closed and locked.”

Which still wouldn’t explain how the murderer would have gotten out, unless they had used the door. Hopefully there would be prints somewhere for a clue.

[dyeingrosesred]

“Someone the victim knew, maybe... always pretty likely.” Ruby drew themselves up, everything they’d thought of interest in one hand, and a marker left by the window. It seemed unlikely, and they couldn’t see any signs of force along the frame, but there was always a possibility. Eyes better suited to that task would come along.

“Let’s go ‘nd wait for the news to pour in.”

-

The sheet in front of Ruby made it seem so simple, yet even more terrifying for it.

Torn apart by what was looking to be teeth and claws. The victim’s neck first, killing them-the neighbours hadn’t heard anything, save for a few growls they’d brushed off as stray dogs-and then the rest of their body. An utter desecration.

Reading it, there was something in them that, that trembled, moved, just wouldn’t keep still. They felt ill, but that was separate. Fury roared in their ears, but it wasn’t quite that either, it was...

Focus.

Ruby shook their head before turning to face Weiss. Lowering their voice, they said, “Guess we’re gonna be on the lookout for any talk of people with unusual dogs.” And as they did they adjusted their arm, their hand coming to relax just against Weiss’ elbow, trying to offer what reassurance they could.

Her expression unnerved them. Something else edged that mix of anger and horror, and Ruby didn’t know what.

[dyeingrosesred]

Sniff Out the Truth

[askweisswolf]

=

The office looked, well, lived in. There were books on the shelf, photos of family members or friends on the desk, the laptop was open but not powered up and the window had been left open for a nice breeze. The whole scene made Weiss sick. Someone had lived here.

Someone had died here, never even knowing why they were going to die or what had killed them. Being murdered by another human being was terrible enough; how could the human mind cope with the fact that the killer was a creature of myth?

Assuming, of course, that the victim even lingered long enough to realize they had died at the claws and fangs of a werewolf.

This one probably hadn’t.

Ruby went to check the desk, their quiet voice jolting Weiss out of her thoughts, and she grimaced. “It would have had to be a lot of knives. Our victim looks like they were cut apart.”

Ruby didn’t know just how close they were to the truth, really.

[dyeingrosesred]

“A lot of knives... or a lot of time.” Ruby grimaced. “Well, the lab will tell us what they can. Though I’m not sure how much they’ll be able to get out of that scene, hah...” Running a hand through their hair, they muttered to themselves as they pulled out various folders and albums, knowing Weiss would hear, as she always had. “The neighbours had to have had some sign... unless they were all asleep... hopefully we can figure out how the other person got in.”

And all the while their hands flipped through the various sheets, scanning for anything unusual. Their concentration was nigh-absolute, a few threads left for their surroundings and Weiss.

[dyeingrosesred]

Sniff Out the Truth

[askweisswolf]

Their victim looked like they’d been torn apart.

On most scenes that would be an exaggeration, but here it was a painful truth. Weiss had to only briefly look to see; bits and pieces of the man–or woman, God, it was almost impossible to identify who this person had been before the attack–were scattered all over the room, looking as if they’d been ripped apart by fangs and claws.

Because they had been ripped apart; from what little was still intact, Weiss could see that. This wasn’t the work of a bomb, and someone would try to pin this on one specific weapon, but the werewolf blood that flowed through her veins knew–

This was the work of another werewolf.

She breathed in, smelled blood, and closed her eyes to settle herself for a moment, even as her stomach revolted.

Oh, God.

“Let’s see what we can find,” she murmured when she opened her eyes.

[dyeingrosesred]

Ruby didn’t miss the shifts of Weiss’ face, despite their own revulsion. Really, it was because of it that they found the strength to fight their now churning stomach, to look away.

This would be one scene sticking with them for a long time.

But Weiss would probably kill them if they worried over her being okay when they had work to do, so Ruby just nodded. “Yeah.” They caught the attention of one of the investigators. “Is there anywhere that needs help picking apart?”

“There’s an office at the back. Seems like whomever they were, they worked at home.” Placing another couple strands into a bag, they add, “If you can find anything that might tell about who knew them...”

“Got it.” Together they crossed the room along its edge.

When they reached the room, Ruby immediately set to checking the desk. Their voice was quiet when they spoke. “Maybe it was knives?”

[dyeingrosesred]

Sniff Out the Truth

“For one day-just one-I want it to be a quiet one. Is that so much to ask?”

Such was what Ruby muttered to themselves and to their partner as they drove down the road. They drummed their fingers against the steering wheel, one leg jumping up and down as they stared at the red light.

The truth was that Ruby didn’t mind active days on patrol. It was rare, but getting out ahead of trouble was always worth it.

Today, however, was not a day for getting out ahead. It was beyond an active day. There’d been multiple calls about strays along with the usual which had kept them and Weiss on the runaround, and now they were headed out to assist with a, to quote Goodwitch, ‘troublesome’ scene.

At this point Ruby was ready for home and a nice, long shower.

[askweisswolf]

Ice blue eyes rolled at her partner’s statement, a pale hand reaching out to settle on their leg to still the constant jumping. “Oh please, Rose,” Weiss sighed. “If we had one quiet day you would complain about having nothing to do.”

She said that, though, but truth be told today had been a bad one. Active days were nice and fair, and a day where nothing happened was a rare break–barring Ruby’s complaints, which weren’t a difficult thing to deal with–but today had just been too much. Between strays and the usual calls, the two of them had been going all day.

And now… this. Goodwitch giving them a call, asking for an assist on a scene.

It made Weiss’s fangs itch, if she ever allowed her teeth to lengthen into fangs. As it was, the whole thing had her feeling quietly uneasy.

She lifted her hand away from Ruby’s leg. “Come on, before Glynda complains about us taking too long.”

[dyeingrosesred]

Ruby gave her an easy grin and loose salute in response. “Right as ever... Ma’am.”

They made sure not to shake their leg after that, too.

When they finally reached the address, the place was already buzzing with activity. A couple other cops were getting statements up and down the street, and there were a few evidence markers strewn across the cordoned-off area.

Ruby approached one of the investigators present, all energy directed to one point now. “Where do you need us?”

They didn’t miss the hesitance, before he pointed them to the apartment behind him. “There’s... a lot going on in there. Making sure nothing gets destroyed, and tell one of us if we’ve missed something. We need what eyes we can.”

“Got it.” Ruby started for the door, before a hand around their arm turned them about.

“Don’t,” he said, the grave expression cutting Ruby’s confusion, “feel you have to stay in there.”

And then he turned back to his work on the road.

Sharing a look with Weiss, Ruby pushed their way in, following the sounds of the people already inside. It couldn’t possibly be that bad, could it? Ruby’s hand drifted down in front of their chest, an instinctive gesture. They’d seen their share of terrible crimes, this couldn’t--

They stumbled to a stop, when the smell and sight hit them. 

God, there was so much blood.