The stars falling (RWBY Male Reader X Winter Schnee)

To trust or not to trust

(Art by TateishiEigo on DeviantArt! Go check them out!)

Salem- I hear your wedding went well, Doctor. Did you enjoy your honeymoon?

Cole- We've not had it yet. We're both tying up some last important files and whatnot before we take a holiday. Are you ever going to tell me how you know this?

Salem- Perhaps one day. How does this look?

Peering over her shoulder and at the small device, you nod.

Cole- That looks like the version the engineers made for me. And if we didn't screw anything on the inside up, it should work. Attach the electrical cell and press the power button. The circle with the vertical line at the top.

Salem- The circle with the... ah, there.

She presses it, and the display lights up, showing a loading bar of sorts.

Cole- Okay. That shouldn't take too long to boot up properly. Just let it sit.

Putting the device down, she turns around and hums.

Cole- While we wait, let's get back to our prior conversation regarding your, uh, curse. And Ozpin's, too.

Salem- What do you want to know?

Cole- Why wait so long to reveal yourself? Why spend millennia roaming this world, and never make peace with the other kingdoms?

Salem- Ozpin has been a hero of man since the dawn of time. He's made many key appearances. The king of Vale in the Great War who founded the huntsman academies is his latest and greatest show of manipulation. The God of Light is cruel, and has given up on this world.

Cole- And the God of Dark hasn't?

Salem- Maybe he has, maybe he has not. Maybe they've completely abandoned this world for some other cruel experiment in the universe. Perhaps you can find them out there somewhere.

Cole- I'm not looking to tread on the toes of gods, Salem.

Salem- Understandable. But I'm sure the curiosity will get the better of you eventually.

Cole- You're learning what I'm like. I can't tell whether I should be complimented or concerned.

Salem- I see you still have trouble trusting me.

Leaning against the bench, you cross your arms.

Cole- I trust people that my friends trust. Keeping our meetings a secret keeps me awake at night. I would have no issue if James or Winter knew and trusted you.

Salem- That's too much of a risk. Ozpin's eyes and ears are everywhere. He may not be back entirely yet, or connected with his spies. But rest assured, when my name is uttered, his people scurry like cockroaches to it.

Cole- I guess... hey, I have a question. There's this girl I know. Well, we haven't spoken in a while. I'm hoping you know her. Really hoping.

Salem- Do you have her name?

Cole- ... Cinder Fall.

Her eyes widen for a moment, and she nods.

Salem- Yes. She was one of my followers a few years ago... oddly enough, she went rogue just before the war began. Why? How do you know her?

Cole- She broke us out of prison when we were captured. She was hiding something. So she was working for you? What did you have her doing?

Salem- I found her with a broken spirit at a young age. My hope was that I could nurture her skills, as a maiden.