Remnant's Calling

2x8: Distractions

Fritz felt like the air was choking him. His throat felt dry, his hands were clammy, and his heart beat like a drum in his chest. Was he nervous? No, that couldn't be it. Then, the ding of the elevator snapped him out of his daze. He straightened up and stepped forward as the doors slid open.

"Ah, Mr. Fritz, I've been expecting you," said Ozpin, his hands intertwined like a bridge in front of his face. "I assume you're aware of what this is about?"

He nodded and kept silent.

"I won't beat around the bush. Recent intel has led to an unregistered warehouse in a remote area of Vale."

"And you need me to investigate?" Jacket stated questioningly. "And take out any White Fang there?"

"If necessary, yes. But, I ask that you exercise discretion as much as possible," Ozpin added. "Call me afterward. I'll send the police to clean up and further investigate."

"Right. Anything else you want from the grocery store?" Jacket asked, leaning back and shoving his hands in his pockets.

"If you can find any intel or leads, bring it back here, and do it before you contact me. You won't have much time until the police arrive."

"That it?" Jacket said in a deadpan tone with his eyebrow-raising.

"Yes, Mr. Fritz, that was all. Transport has already been prepped and is awaiting you in the main courtyard," Ozpin replied, pointing to the window off his left. "It'll drop you off a few blocks away; so as not to give off the sense of any immediate threat to the White Fang possibly hiding out there."

"Alright then. I'll be back in an hour, so try not to go anywhere. Need your help with any groceries I capture," said Jacket, with his back already turned to him, and his hand was up and waving.

"Do be careful, Mr. Fritz. Your skills are precious and would be a travesty to lose."

His hand turned to a thumbs-up before disappearing behind the elevator doors. Jacket sighed as he pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. "Just like old times."

⋯

"Hellooo? Remant to Ruby? Are you even listening?" Blared Weiss, waving her hand in front of Ruby's dazed face. 

She blinked a few times, then turned to Weiss. "Huh?" 

"You were staring at the wall for 5 minutes. Are you okay, Ruby?" 

"I guess so," Ruby replied glumly. 

"Alright."

"Wha- Hey! You're not going make sure I'm alright?"

"Nope," Weiss stated before disappearing into the bathroom.

The red-headed jumping spider slumped over and groaned into the desk. "And you wonder why we call you the Ice Queen," she mumbled and blew a strand of hair out of her face. Sighing, Ruby sat up and stood up.

"Where are you going?" Blake questioned stoically. Her face was deep between the pages of a thick black book.

"To Ozpin," she stated, opening the door and disappearing into the hall as it swung closed behind her.

"Did she leave?" Asked Weiss, appearing from the bathroom.

"Yup. Dunno where." Blake replied, still glued to her book.

"Ugh, she'll fail tomorrow's test if she doesn't study. Not that she would've anyway. "

"Why do you even bother?"

"Someone has to. Ruby only needs a shove in the right direction," Weiss remarked. "But not right now. I need to study, and speaking off, why aren't you?"