Another path

Ruby stood up from where the Huntress had used her magic to throw her out of the blast radius of the spell the woman that was in Roman Torchwick's escape plane had used, just in time to watch as the plane turned and started to fly away. She switched her scythe to the Sniper mode, hoping that she would be able to hit the plane in a critical spot before it flew out of her range. She was too late, however, and it was out of reach before she could line up a shot. When this occurred, she turned back to the Huntress that had appeared in the midst of her short fight with Roman. A glint of admiration in her eyes, she spoke one simple sentence.

"You're a Huntress."

The Huntress, turning to her, replied just as simply.

"Yes, I am."

Ruby stared at her for a moment, taking in her appearance, and then turned to leave. As she started to walk away, the Huntress spoke again.

"And where do you think you're going?"

Ruby turned and answered the question that was asked in an accusing, if not demanding, and obviously authoritative voice. "I'm returning to that store to speak with the owner, and to apologize that I was unable to stop the man that was attempting to rob his store. Then, I am going home. It is rather late, after all."

The Huntress seemed to be taken aback at the lack of any tone in the girl with a red hood's voice. Her eyes opened minutely, before she resumed the same glare at the young girl. "Well," She began, "I can understand the first part. But as for the second, I am afraid you are unable to do so as of yet. You will be coming with me."

"For what particular reason do you have that I need to come with you?"

"A girl your age should not be fighting known bosses of criminal organizations. You have to come with me for questioning."

The girl thought about it for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. I'll come with you. Just let me speak with the store owner first."

XXXXXXXXXX

After Ruby had finished speaking with the owner of the Dust store Roman had been attempting to rob, she came along with the Huntress who explained along the way that her name was Glynda Goodwitch. The Huntress led her a short walk away from the store, and led Ruby to a building that was built like a prison. After showing an I.D. to the guards in front of the building, who promptly let them in, Ruby was walked to a small room that was set up with a single light overhead, with a lone table underneath and only one chair. There was a window that was blacked out on one side of the room, allowing it to only be seen through on the other side. In all sense, it was an ideal interrogation room. Taking the obvious hint, Ruby sat herself in the lone chair behind the table, the same blank look on her face. Goodwitch started to pace in front of the table, a look of obvious displeasure on her face, and began to speak.

"I hope that you realize that your actions tonight will not be taken lightly, young lady. You put yourself and others in great danger."

"What others?"

"Excuse me?" She questioned, stopping opposite the table from Ruby, blocking the girl's view of the doorway.

"What others were placed in danger by my actions? From my perspective, the only ones placed in any form of danger were myself and you, simply because you jumped in. Other than the two of us, no others that were not already in danger from the situation were placed in any form of danger. The street was abandoned other than the members of Roman's gang and myself, and there was obviously no one else on the roof. Who else was placed in danger by my actions? Because I can name absolutely no one else that was placed in danger."

Goodwitch sputtered for a moment, trying to come up with an adequate response to the perfectly logical response this seemingly naïve girl had come up with on the spot. After a moment, when no argument came to her mind, she simply continued pacing and speaking.

"If it were up to me, you'd be sent home, with a pat on the back… and a slap on the wrist." The kind tone she had started with turned harsher in the second part of her sentence, and she stopped in front of the doorway once more as she slapped down her riding crop when her sentenced was completed. Though the weapon slapped down very close to Ruby's wrist, she showed no reaction to Goodwitch's action. Obviously expecting more of a reaction, Goodwitch seemed a touch upset at the lack of recoil, but said nothing of it. She did continue speaking, however.

"But… there is someone here that would like to meet you."

With that, she walked out of the way of the doorway, showing the silhouette of a man who was walking forward, gradually growing more clear as the light started to illuminate his features more. His hair was a premature gray, by the lack of any marks on his face, and he had a pair of frameless, circular spectacles hanging off of his nose. His suit, a dark green color with a lighter colored scarf around his neck, was clean and spotless. As he reached the table, he set a plate of cookies onto the table, keeping a tight grip on the mug of coffee in his other hand. As Ruby reached for one of the small treats on the plate, he began speaking.

"Ruby Rose… You have silver eyes."

Ruby couldn't stop herself from rolling said eyes at the obvious statement. She nibbled on the cookie as the man continued speaking.

"So! Where did you learn to do, this?" He said, referencing the screen that Goodwitch had pulled out, on which were images shown of Ruby's fight with the men that had accompanied Roman Torchwick into the small dust store not even two hours prior.

"I was taught by my uncle Qrow at Signal Academy."

The man nodded, seemingly expecting this answer of one similar. "I had suspected Qrow, he was the only man I know of who still lives that was able to use such a weapon so fluidly. I am quite surprised, however, that he was willing to teach you- a young girl- how to use one of the most dangerous weapons ever designed. Tell me, Miss Rose, what is an adorable young girl such as yourself doing at a school for warriors?"

Ruby paused for a moment, silently upset that everyone looked down on her simply because of her size, before she answered. "I want to be a huntress."

"You want to slay monsters?"

"Yes. I have two more years at Signal Academy before I am able to apply to Beacon."

The man, having moved a chair that had been present in the corner of the room, took a seat at the other side of the table, looking intently at Ruby as his hands clasped together in front of him. "Do you know who I am?" He asked, interest in her obvious in his voice.

"Of course. You're professor Ozpin, the headmaster at Beacon."

He nodded slightly. "Hello."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir."

"You wish to come to my school?"

"It is one of the only things I want in this world."

Slightly taken aback by the longing in the otherwise emotionless girl's voice, Ozpin blinked before his eyes opened slightly for a moment, before schooling his features once more. "Hm… Well, okay." He reached out his hand, ignoring Goodwitch's small 'hmmph' of disbelief, and spoke one last time. "Welcome to Beacon, Miss Rose."

Ruby's eyes widened greatly, the most emotion she had showed throughout the entire interview, as she stared at the outstretched hand for a moment before she raised her right hand and shook his. "Thank you, sir. I promise you, you won't regret this!"

Neither she nor Miss Goodwitch noticed the slight look of sadness that crossed Ozpin's face.