RWBY Through Worlds

61: Try to Sleep

"What is all this about?" Torchwick had asked, as soon as he had the chance.

"Don't worry about it," Shine said. "They're mad at us--you're just a close second."

"What did you do to them?" Torchwick asked.

"Nothing," Wally said. "Absolutely nothing... But honey, I'm surprised you reined it in there."

"Didn't you want me to?" Shine asked.

"I did think it might just pour gasoline on it, but I kinda thought you'd do it anyway," Wally said.

"I wanted to, but I realized that we've had the same conversation since day one, and it's never going to convince them," Shine said. "At this point, I'm just bringing myself down to their level--and Salem's. While she's not the standard for my definition of evil, she's petty enough. I don't want to be like that."

Neo signed at her: "If Salem is not evil, then who is?" [See video later down]

"You'd be surprised, Neo," Shine said.

"Neo told me you two are quite the odd couple," Torchwick said. "Who are you exactly? When did you join the merry little band of raggedy huntsmen wannabes?"

"You will not refer to them as that again," Shine said.

"Why do you care? They hate you," Torchwick said.

"They hate us, some of them, but they have been through more than you could imagine," Shine said. "And if they are less like their old selves now, it was beaten out of them by tragedy and deception, which you started, may I remind you. I hope you're proud of yourself now."

"Hey, why is this about me all the sudden?" he said. "I've been dead. You can't blame me for that."

"I don't, I just think you're an idiot," Shine said.

Neo frowned at her.

"You say it," Shine said

"It's okay when I say it," Neo replied with her hands.

"To be honest, Shine, I'm only getting a small percentage of what she's saying," Wally said. "Sorry, I guess I don't remember that much of what you showed me."

"I didn't show you that much anyway," Shine said. "Anyway, not even she's doing it quite by the book, but that makes sense. You'll get the idea if you just use your imagination."

"I don't understand that much myself," Torchwick said. "Just from context, really. I didn't even know you could learn it like that."

"Not here, probably," Shine said. "Say, Neo, how would you say Semblance?"

Neo replied, "Soul+shield/protection+power."

[I doubt anyone has given RWBY official signs, but that would be about the literal translation in ASL.]

"Well, if they boot you out, I suppose our deal is off," Torchwick said. "But maybe we can still help each other. One good turn deserves another. You two seem to have some skills. Ever think about going into crime?"

"Does solving it in a lab count?" Wally asked.

"No," Torchwick said. "In fact, I'd say this puts you on my list of least favorite people."

"Along with the 'cop's and the 'dumb cops'," Shine said slyly.

"Yeah, along--wait..." Torchwick paused. "Who told you that? Neo?"

Neo shook her head.

"I'm sure that was just an inside term..." Torchlight said oddly. "Who would even care to repeat that?"