RWBY YA Novel #3

by E. C. Myers

  Her heart raced. She wondered if she’d done the wrong thing after all. But she calmed down a moment later. His face was obscured, but she recognized his smirk. That voice.

  “Hey, kid,” Roman Torchwick said.

  Trivia narrowed her eyes. She drew back her right arm and swung with all her might, whacking him in the face with her shopping bags. He staggered over and nearly fell onto the street, but he caught himself on a lamppost. He put up his hands—he was unarmed. He backed away.

  “Whoa! Sorry for the surprise there. It’s me.” He lowered his hood. With his tousled orange hair, dressed like a street punk, he didn’t look much older than her. In fact, he was kind of cute.

  Come on, Trivia. She looked away with a scowl and crossed her arms. Her expression showed how much she was annoyed at herself as well as him.

  “No? Thought you’d be happier to see me …” He shook his head. “Not sure why.”

  She rolled her eyes. He didn’t get it.

  He snapped his fingers. “Hold on. You don’t like being called ‘kid.’ ”

  Trivia was astonished.

  He grinned. “Knew it. That’s fair. I apologize.” He bowed with his hands pressed together. “My name is Roman.” He lowered his voice and looked around uneasily. “Roman Torchwick.”

  Duh.

  He put his hand behind his head and laughed. “Which of course you know. I mean, not ‘of course.’ Not to make it sound like I’m famous or anything …”

  Trivia smiled. Sometimes it was better to not talk, because you could end up embarrassing yourself. But there was something endearing about seeing this tough guy unsure about himself, presumably a feeling he wasn’t all that familiar with.

  And it was awesome that it was her putting him on such shaky ground.

  “So, what should I call you?” he asked.

  Trivia considered for a moment. Then she pulled out her Scroll and typed her name. She stared at it for a moment.

  “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” Roman said. “Naturally. Not that you need my permission. I’m just saying.”

  Trivia deleted her name and started over. She showed him the screen.

  “Nice to meet you, Neopolitan,” he said.

  She had given Neo’s name because her own would have been giving away too much information, but in a way it was an even more personal thing to share. When she heard Roman say it aloud, it felt right.

  It felt real.

  It felt like her.

  She was making a fresh start at life, finally becoming the person she had always wanted to be. And she couldn’t do that if she continued thinking of herself as Trivia. So from now on she would be Neopolitan.

  “Thank you again for the assist the other night,” Roman said.

  She shrugged nonchalantly. He didn’t ask about why she wasn’t talking. That was … nice. She typed a question.

  Why were you following me?

  “That’s a much bigger question than you think. But you should also be wondering, how did I find you? You don’t think I was just randomly walking the streets hoping I’d run into you, did you?”

  She put a finger on her cheek thoughtfully. Good point.

  How had he found her? She was a little disappointed. She’d been looking forward to the challenge of tracking him down and proving herself—but this certainly helped her fulfill her end of the bargain with Lady Beat.

  He pulled his hood back up. “What do you say we get out of the open and have a private chat? Come on, I’ll buy you a drink.”

  He turned and walked down the street, without waiting for her answer, without looking back to see if she was coming.

  Neopolitan picked up her bags and followed Roman.

  From the way Neopolitan delicately sipped her tea and ate her finger sandwiches, Roman could tell she had been taught good manners, or more likely had them inflicted on her.

  The Laughing Dog was his favorite tea room in Vale. It was modeled after Mistrali tea rooms, right down to the paper folding screens around the booths to provide some measure of privacy.

  “You want to know how I found you,” Roman said.

  Neopolitan sat back and swept a hand toward him, inviting him to go ahead.

  “It was that pin you’re wearing.” Roman stuffed a whole finger sandwich into his mouth. None of that refined nibbling for him. If you didn’t know where or when your next meal was coming, you didn’t waste time eating. Of course he normally wouldn’t be eating in a tea shop, but that was exactly why he was here—because no one would think to look for Roman Torchwick in a tea shop, either.

  It certainly wasn’t because he’d wanted to impress her or anything.

  Get it together, Roman, he thought. He wasn’t acting like himself.

  It felt important somehow, this meeting. He knew that she could see right through him, so he didn’t feel like he needed to pretend with her. And she wouldn’t respect him if he tried. She also didn’t seem afraid of him, or to want anything from him.

  That was kind of refreshing, really.

  Neopolitan looked down at the pin on her lapel. She traced one of the swirls with a distant look in her eyes.

  “I looked it up. I wasn’t expecting to get quite so many hits. That triple spiral, it’s kind of a symbol for ladies in high society. A badge or whatever.” Roman flipped through his Scroll and showed her photos from the Vale society pages and profiles of women in business. Many of them wore a matching pin, but in gold. “And then there’s your uniform, though you’ve updated it some. It wasn’t hard to connect you with Lady Browning’s Preparatory Academy for Girls.”

  Roman slurped his tea. Neopolitan scrunched up her face.

  “So that’s lesson number one,” he went on. “Learn to disguise yourself better if you’re going to commit a crime.”

  She gave a lopsided grin. A pink shimmer traveled down her from her head, transforming her into a perfect copy of Roman, the way he’d been dressed last night, complete with the hat he’d lost.

  His mouth fell open, and Neopolitan’s mouth mirrored the action, showing him just how astonished he was.

  He laughed. “Well, you’ve passed the first lesson already. You’re a quick study.”

  Roman had always looked down on Semblances, and not because he didn’t have one, as far as he knew. Most of the ones he’d encountered were only good in combat, and while Roman could hold his own in a fight—usually—he would much rather rely on his intellect, charm, and roguish good looks to get what he wanted. He didn’t mind cheating, as long as he did it fair and square.

  But an ability like Neopolitan’s … That opened up a whole world of possibilities. She had already demonstrated how handy it was in last night’s escape, and it had some good strategic value as well. The heists he could pull off with a power like that! The information he could control. The cons he could come up with.

  “I’m impressed,” he said.

  Neopolitan blushed—still wearing his face. That was sure unnerving.

  “And I’m honored. I rather expect you don’t go showing off to just anyone.”

  She shook her head. She pointed at Roman, then held up one finger. She counted off two, three, four.

  “Only a few people know about it. That’s good. Just be careful who you trust. People might try to use you.”

  She raised an eyebrow.

  So him, he assumed her parents—who was the fourth person who knew about her Semblance? Sister? Best friend? Significant other? Neopolitan seemed to be a loner like Roman—he recognized a kindred spirit in her. So maybe it was the school’s headmistress, Lady Beatrix Browning.

  Why had Neopolitan decided to risk exposing her Semblance and herself by using it to save a complete stranger last night?

  Neopolitan’s form shimmered and she was now Roman dressed as he was now with his black hoodie. She covered her head with her hood and looked shiftily back and forth.

  “That’s right. I’m laying low, too. I’ve discovered that the downside to being so
recognizable is that you’re easier to find when people come looking for you.”

  She changed into Melanie Malachite, nailing the girl’s disaffected expression perfectly. “Melanie” was dressed in a school uniform similar to Neopolitan’s.

  “She goes to your school? So that’s why you happened to be there when things went down.”

  Neopolitan nodded. She typed: How do you know the Malachites?

  Roman sighed. “That is a long story.”

  Neopolitan lifted the teapot and refilled his cup and then her own.

  “All right, then.” So he told her about his mother abandoning him as a child in Wind Path. About living on the streets, stealing to survive, and joining Lil’ Miss Malachite’s organization as a step toward bigger and better things.

  By the time he was finished, their second pot of tea was empty and Neopolitan had finally had her fill of sandwiches and cakes.

  “I’ve never told anyone all that before,” Roman said. Then again, he hadn’t known anyone who would have cared. “But I’m nothing special. Lots of people in Mistral have a story like that. Or worse. You don’t fall into a life of crime when you grow up having everything.”

  Neopolitan cupped her chin with her hand and looked pensive.

  “Present company excepted. But you aren’t a hardened criminal yet and I wouldn’t recommend it.”

  She shook her head and frowned.

  “I mean, sure, you get to do whatever you want. No one tells you what to do.” He yawned. “You can stay up as late as you like.” He winked. “As long as you don’t get caught. Or mixed up with someone like Lil’ Miss.”

  He gestured to her shopping bags. “So what is all that stuff, anyway?”

  She showed him some of the things she’d picked up. “Hair dye? You going to do the other half, too?”

  She smiled and ran her hand through the pink side of her hair. It turned its natural dark brown.

  “You tried it out and decided to make it permanent.” She nodded. “It suits you. I like your eyes, too.”

  She smiled and continued showing off the rest of her haul.

  “Looks like you’re planning something big. What are you messing around with lock picks for?”

  She hesitated and then reached for her Scroll. She typed a response quickly.

  Expanding my horizons.

  He grinned. “Well, I can certainly help with that. I’d be happy to show you the ropes.”

  Neopolitan clapped.

  He leaned in a bit and lowered his voice. “But listen, how would you like to do some real spy stuff?”

  She leaned forward eagerly.

  “I’ve heard rumors that Lil’ Miss is challenging the Vale crime bosses—expanding her horizons, if you know what I mean. If her daughters are at your school, that can’t be a coincidence … I’m thinking they’re involved somehow. Would you mind snooping around the academy a little?”

  She looked down at the table, biting her lip. He’d expected her to jump at the opportunity. There certainly seemed to be no love lost between her and Melanie and Miltia.

  He was surprised when she shook her head.

  “No.” He leaned back in his seat. “You won’t help me. Mind if I ask why?”

  She typed a response more slowly and seemed reluctant to show him the screen.

  I can’t risk getting kicked out.

  Roman laughed. “You don’t want to miss school. Okay.” He held up a hand. “Okay. You know, it’s better that way. You’re right—you shouldn’t hang around with me. You’ll just get into trouble and regret it one day. Why ruin a good thing, right?”

  Neopolitan looked upset. She put her hands together and bowed her head in apology.

  “Don’t worry. It’s fine. Hey, I’m still grateful, and I still owe you for your help. So if you ever need me, just say the word.”

  She nodded. Then her face brightened and she picked up a bag. She handed it to Roman.

  “I already have a lock-picking kit …” He opened the bag. Inside was a new bowler hat.

  “You stole this for me? You shouldn’t have.” He examined it. “It’s exactly like my old one.”

  She shook her head. She pointed at a red feather sticking from the hatband.

  He laughed. “Okay, you’re right—this is better than my old one.”

  No one had ever given him a gift before, either. What were you supposed to say when someone did something nice for you? “Well. Thanks.”

  He patted his belly. “We should probably get out of here now. You head for the bathroom and sneak out the back, and I’ll slip out the front when the waitress’s back is turned.”

  Neopolitan pursed her lips. She waved her hand in the negative.

  “What do you mean ‘no’?”

  Neopolitan stood, gathered her bags, and tossed a wad of bills on the table. Then she walked out.

  Roman picked up the money. It felt real enough. He followed Neopolitan out, glancing behind him to see that the cash was still there. The waitress waved to him and wished them a good night.

  Neopolitan yanked him out the door and closed it softly behind her.

  “Was that real money?” he asked.

  She shook her head.

  “So it’s going to disappear eventually?”

  She nodded.

  “As soon as she puts it in the register?”

  Neopolitan put her finger on her nose.

  “Wow. That’s messed up. But I like the way you work.”

  He didn’t quite get how her Semblance worked, but it sure could come in handy.

  “And I think we might actually work well together. So if you change your mind about that favor I asked you for, look me up. See you around.” Roman popped his new hat on and started to walk away.

  Neopolitan whistled. He turned. She spread her hands and shrugged.

  “Don’t want to make it too easy on you.” He winked. “I found you. Let’s see if you can find me.”

  He tipped his hat and walked away.

  Neopolitan circled Manda Rin slowly, watching the way the Huntress moved, looking for a weakness. The older woman had three advantages over her: She was much bigger and stronger. She had a fire sword. And Neo couldn’t use her Semblance at school, especially in front of her entire self-defense class.

  Neo hefted her wooden training sword. She didn’t like the heavy weapon; it was throwing off her balance. She wanted something lighter to fight with, like Roman Torchwick’s cane. A weapon that matched her personality.

  “Any day now,” Rin said.

  Neo blew her bangs out of her eyes and rushed toward the instructor, swinging the sword. Rin parried easily with her own sword and lunged for Neo. Neo hopped up lightly onto the broad blade. Rin tried to shake her off. Neo vaulted away just as the Huntress activated the flames, somersaulting over the Huntress. She planned to land behind her and whack her with her sword, but Rin turned and kicked high while Neo was still in the air. The Huntress’s foot connected with Neo’s stomach, knocking the wind out of her and knocking her clear across the room.

  Neo jumped up instantly, spinning the wooden sword like a baton, a fierce scowl on her face.

  “Good try, new girl,” Rin said. “You’re fast and clever, both excellent qualities in a fight. Does anyone know what Trivia did wrong?”

  Neo blinked at the use of her old name. Of course she hadn’t told anyone to start calling her Neopolitan, but she already felt disconnected from her former life. She lowered the sword and walked back to the arena.

  “She tried to punch above her weight,” Melanie Malachite said.

  “Not quite. A person Trivia’s size could very easily get the best of me. Her size can actually be an asset, especially if it makes others underestimate her,” Rin said.

  “She zigged when she should have zagged,” Laurel said. The class laughed, but not in a mean-spirited way. Neo was there for a reason, like all of them, and she deserved some respect for volunteering to go up against the teacher first. And they all knew they would be nex
t and might not fare any better.

  “That’s a bit closer,” Rin said. “She had a good strategy, but you need to have at least three plans for every movement in every fight. Do you attack? Do you defend? Do you dodge? And you need to keep your eyes on your opponent, read what they’re going to do and in that split second react appropriately. Naturally, if they’re a good fighter, they’re doing the same thing you are.” She sheathed her weapon. “In some ways it’s more like a dance than a fight. And you need to pick up on the subtle cues your partner gives you by constantly studying their body language, and not allowing yourself to be misdirected or distracted.”

  Rin bowed to Neo and Neo returned the gesture.

  “I know this isn’t a combat school, but by the time we’re done here, you will be as skilled as any Huntress in Remnant.” Rin tapped the gold triskelion pinned over her breast. “I was a student here just like you, so I know it’s possible.”

  “But what’s the point?” another girl asked. “I don’t like fighting.”

  “Not fighting is a privilege. Entrusting your safety to people like me is a privilege.” Rin looked at her sword.

  “You may not feel like the Grimm are much of a threat here in the city, but you never know what they’re capable of. I’ve seen some things in the field you would not believe. Grimm who can learn and adapt to fight humans and Faunus better. As if they weren’t tough enough.”

  “Not to mention other people,” Melanie said.

  “True. You also need to be prepared to defend yourself against others.” Rin sheathed her weapon. “And willing to do whatever it takes to get what you want.”

  Neo’s eyes rounded. She didn’t think that sounded like something a Huntress would say.

  “You’re surprised? In my time in the field, I’ve learned that the most important thing to keeping order is showing strength. Respect isn’t enough to keep people safe—you need their admiration. And they need to be more afraid of the alternative than they are of you. Not everyone is able to master that. And fewer still are ready to accept it. Are you?”

  Neo nodded. She saw Melanie and Miltia look at her and put their heads together.

  After class, on the way to the lunchroom, the sisters flanked her in the hall. Neo steeled herself for another fight.