Three hundred and twenty years have passed since the Coven sank in the dark. Marathon; a race to the finish. Time slowly runs out, leaving many to fend for themselves.

Ironwood slammed the door of the taxi as he climbed into the backseat. Dr. Oobleck slowly and nervously slid in from the other side. "Take us to the airport," Ironwood said harshly to the cab driver. The driver must have been smart, for he didn't say a word back as he nodded and put the car into drive. The two men sat silently in the back seat for several minutes as Ironwood stared at Headquarters, slowly getting smaller and smaller in the distance. Finally, he slammed a closed fist down onto the arm rest in the middle of the seat. "Damn them!" he said. He looked at Oobleck with rage in his eyes. "That man thinks he can control us as he pleases. One more year he says."

"James," Oobleck said in a lower tone than his supervisor. "I sincerely doubt that we can make that much progress in a year. I mean, we've discovered so much in such a short time, but lately our progress has slowed tremendously. Honestly," he paused. "We may have already discovered all there is to find out about the Aura. This project...it may have been doomed from the start."

Ironwood glared at Oobleck. "I refuse to believe that," he said. "We've come so far! We've made our profession more humane, and he just..." he paused, glancing at the cab driver who was clearly listening. "He blatantly breaks our rule right in front of us." He looked Oobleck in the eyes. "I'm not giving up."

Oobleck nodded with a slight smile. "Then neither will I. I said it may have been doomed. As a scientist, it's my obligation to see this through as far as I can."

Ironwood smiled and shook his friend's hand. "We have a year, my friend. Let's prove those bastards wrong."

"I have one question," Oobleck added. "Do we tell your team about Pyrrha?"

Ironwood shook his head. He whispered in a low voice, "They don't know about what we do with the witches we capture." He turned to stare out of the cab's window. "Why should this be any different?"

~With Hunter Ruby~

Episode 8: Head Bangya

Hindsight is a cruel mistress in Ruby's mind. Sure, no one thought to question her when she asked for the cab company's phone number, but if any of her coworkers had bother to think about it, they'd have realized that she already knew the number. Being fifteen years old and thus too young to drive, she had to get around somehow when she went shopping from her apartment. Ren and the others only drove her around when it was most convenient at the time. In that regard, she had to keep up appearances and search that massive phone book for the number just to save face.

But she was probably over thinking it.

She found herself in front of the Schnee Tech office building as she paid the cab driver. Climbing out, she stared at the building in wonder as the cab drove away. The building was massive; at least thirty to forty stories tall. Do they need a structure this tall? Ruby asked herself. Nervous, she gulped hard as she approached the door.

As soon as she entered, she felt out of place. Every man and woman that walked around the main lobby was wearing business attire; dress shirts, dress skirts, dress pants, ties, sports coats, etcetera. She, however, was wearing black boots, black cargo pants, a red button up shirt, and her black uniform trench coat. Why is this even part of our uniform? she thought to herself. It's so hot! Unsure, confused, and a little lost, Ruby stood in front of the door way without a clue as to what to do or where to go.

Before she could venture deeper into the building, a security guard approached her. "Can I help you miss?" he asked, startling Ruby.

"Ah...oh, Um...I was wondering if maybe I could speak to Weiss Schnee? If that's, you know, okay?"

He raised an eyebrow. "How old are you miss?"

"Uh...fifteen."

He shook his head. "Miss Schnee doesn't have time to waste on kids. Go back to school, little girl."

"Uh," Ruby said nervously. "I technically already graduated."

"So you're a smart kid," he said, now adding sarcasm to his tone. "Go back home to your mom then. This is no place for a kid."

Oh, are we going there? Ruby asked mentally. Bring. It. On! Ruby steeled her nerves and cleared her throat. "Excuse me?" she asked, adding an irritated tone. "Do you have any idea why I'm even here? I'm here on official business, mister!" She pointed at the insignia on her jacket. "You think I'd wear this coat for fashion? No, this is my work uniform. I'm here for work, and I don't know how your boss feels about it when you don't do an errand, but my boss really hates it when we don't do our jobs!" Pulling out her new phone, she showed Weiss's number to the guard. "I have Miss Schnee's phone number as well. I'm under the impression she doesn't dish that out to just anyone, right?"

The guard was nervous, clearly, but he didn't relent. "Well, if you're here for business, then why don't you explain what that business is, little girl?"

"I'm part of the private investigation firm that worked Adam Taurus's murder case. I'm here to discuss it with Miss Schnee, who's considered an interested party in the case! I am not at liberty to discuss it with anyone else, not even her employees!" She crossed her arms triumphantly. "So, do you want to let me in, or do I need to call Miss Schnee and make her come to me? For the record, I came so that she wouldn't have to leave the comfort of her own office, but if you really want to do this, then..."

"Fine," he relented at long last. "Take the elevator to the thirty-fifth floor. Talk to Velvet Scarlatine; she's Miss Schnee's secretary."

Ruby smiled. "Thank you." She moved beyond the guard and paused briefly. Now to take that knife and twist it, she thought. "Also, for the record, mother is dead. Died giving birth to me, asshole!" She wasn't lying. She saw the guard slump over depressingly, and Ruby walked away with a smile, only feeling a little terrible for using her dead mother in such a way.

She followed the security guards instruction and rode the elevator up. Upon arriving on the thirty-fifth floor, she was surprised to find that it was a space filled with cubicles. She expected this area to be executive offices and conference rooms, but she could only see two such places on the floor, both of which had windows. Everyone working in the room paused to see who she was and stared curiously at her. Out of all of them, Ruby only recognized one.

Velvet came rushing over to greet her with a limp. "Hello, Miss Rose," she said. She looked worse for wear. It was just last night that she had been saved by Pyrrha, Ruby, and Weiss. She was covered in bruises and cuts, and Ruby knew that beneath her clothes were bullet wounds. Her left arm was even in a sling. Why she was even at work was beyond Ruby.

Ruby gave her a concerned look. "Shouldn't you be at the hospital?" she asked in a whisper. "Or at home at least."

Velvet paused before nodding. "I...I don't want to talk about it in front of my coworkers," she whispered back. "I assume you're here to see Weiss?"

Ruby immediately noticed the lack of formality that Velvet had with Weiss, instead opting for familiarity. "Yeah, I wanted to speak with her."

Velvet nodded. "Please, follow me." She lead Ruby through the cubicles and towards a windowed room near the far wall. Weiss was behind the window talking on the phone. Just as Velvet approached, Weiss motioned with her hand for her to come it, not truly paying attention to who was with her secretary. Velvet opened the door and stepped inside with Ruby following closely. She was about to return to her cubicle when Ruby motioned for otherwise.

"Can you stay?" she asked in a hushed whisper. Velvet hesitated before she nodded, closing the door behind her.

Weiss was still ignorant of who all was in the room as she chatted away angrily on the phone. "I don't care what they want, because it's daytime robbery as far as I'm concerned. We will not pay exorbitant amounts of money for the resources we need...yes, I am aware that gold is used for motherboards and circuitry. I've studied the schematics of every product we make! I also keep an eye on the markets. Do you know how much gold actually costs? We can buy it from the average person at half the price of what these morons are asking for! You tell them to drop their prices, or I go to a different supplier! I will not be known as the woman who raised the prices of this company's products because one man was a greedy, disgusting, mouth breathing imbecile! What do you mean he won't negotiate with you? Kick him in the balls if that's what it takes to make him listen! He would rather speak to me?" Weiss laughed a dark, sinister, almost sadistic laugh. "You'd best tell him that I'm the last person he'd want to negotiate with. Get it done. Bye."

She pulled the phone away from her ear, and Ruby could see it in her slow, articulate motions that she desperately wanted to throw the phone out of her window. Taking a deep breath, she hung the phone up and turned to address Velvet. "Now, what do you need, Velv...oh!" she exclaimed, finally noticing Ruby. "Oh, my goodness! I'm so sorry you had to hear that. That's not a side of me I like to let out."

Ruby laughed nervously. "Don't worry about it. I've just, you know, made a promise to myself to never get on your bad side."

"I wouldn't worry about it if I were you," Weiss said with a smile. "You're far too sweet to get on my nerves. Not too bad, at least." She scooted closer to the edge of her desk and rested her elbows on the top of it. She gestured for the younger girl to sit. "How can I help you? I trust you got my gift?"

Ruby nodded as she found a seat. "Yeah. I, uh, wanted to come by and thank you personally for the phones."

"You didn't have to do that," Weiss said. "I know how busy you are hunting..." she hesitated, remembering Velvet's presence. "Well, I know how busy you can be."

Ruby nodded. "I know I didn't have to." She pulled up Weiss's number on her phone and showed it to the business woman. "Especially since you so cleverly left me your cell phone number. Only on my phone, even."

Weiss had a faint blush on her face. "You...you didn't ask the others if they had it, did you?"

Ruby nodded. "In a way, yeah I did. But, they don't know that I have your number at all. I asked under the pretense that I wanted to thank you." Ruby also blushed. "Actually, my being here right now is kind of to make that cover story true. Sorry." She glanced out of the window behind her and towards the elevator. "Also, can I make a complaint? Your security guy downstairs was being a real jerk. I mean, I had to lie to him about being here for an investigation just to get up here."

"I see," Weiss said with a sigh. "I really don't want to fire him. I'll have a word with him later."

"Oh, no I don't want you to fire him. God knows how hard it is to find a job these days."

Weiss nodded with a smile. She looked up at Velvet. "I'm sorry, I never properly introduced you two. Ruby, this is Velvet Scarlatina. She's my secretary and good friend. Velvet, this is Ruby. She's one of the ones who brought Adam's murderer to justice."

Velvet nodded solumnly. "And she arrested Pyrrha," she muttered.

Ruby felt saddened. "Velvet, I'm sorry. I truly am. If it were up to me, the whole thing would have been forgotten about and Pyrrha would still be free. But, she's...she's dangerous."

Velvet nodded. "I know. If it were the police or federal operatives, I wouldn't have been allowed to say goodbye to her. You at least gave me that much."

Ruby stood and was about to put a hand on Velvet's shoulders. "Wait," Weiss said. She stood, approached the window that looked into the rest of the office floor, and closed the blinds. She did the same to her glass door, and she bolted the lock before returning to her seat. "Now, we can speak a little more...privately."

Ruby nodded, and she gave Velvet a small hug. Nervous and unsure, Velvet accepted and returned the gesture. "Velvet, I am truly sorry. But you've been through a lot in the last few days. You should be at home, resting."

Weiss nodded. "I tried to tell her the same thing." She stood once again and approached Velvet. "I'm worried about your health, sweetie. You were abused, raped, and shot. Work isn't that important, and you know I'm not forcing you to stay."

"I know that," Velvet said sadly. "But...home is where she was supposed to be. I was in my apartment for less than fifteen minutes this morning. In that time, I grabbed my money and my clothes and left. There was too much of her presence there. I just...can't handle it right now."

Weiss was about to speak, but Ruby interrupted her. "It may not be very appropriate of me to ask," Ruby said, almost without thinking. "But I live by myself. Headquarters paid for my apartment, and frankly it's too big for just me. If you'd like...and you don't have to...you could, maybe stay with me for a while."

Velvet was shocked. "No! No, I couldn't possible impose on you. I have plenty of money to pay for a motel for a few nights. I can..."

Weiss smiled. "Velvet, honey; you need more than a few days. You need a few weeks, I think. I think you should do it. Live with Ruby for a while to set your mind at ease." She gave Ruby a beautiful smile that made the younger girl's stomach twist into delightful knots. "She's got that kind of personality; the kind that lets you know everything is okay. She'll keep you safe, Velvet."

Ruby blushed heavily. "I...I don't know about all that."

"You're far too modest, Ruby," Weiss said. "Also, Velvet, ultimately it's your choice, but I honestly don't think it's healthy for you to come into work with your injuries. You rarely take vacation days; maybe you should this time."

Velvet sat there in thought for what felt like an eternity. She looked to Ruby and smiled faintly. "If it's okay with you...I'll accept your offer." Ruby and Weiss both smiled. She turned to her employer next and continued. "And, if it's okay with you, I'd like to decline the offer for vacation. I think I should work."

Weiss sighed. "Fine. I won't force you. On one condition. Take the rest of today off. Get a little rest, and then you can come back to work tomorrow." Velvet paused and finally nodded. "Good." Weiss sat down and started browsing her computer. "Do you have the proper furnishings in your apartment to accommodate my friend, Ruby?"

The younger girl laughed nervously. "Not really. I was gonna sleep on my couch and let Velvet take my bed."

"Hm," Weiss said. "Rustic, but unacceptable. I'll have a truck deliver some furniture for Velvet. A bed, dresser, maybe an end table to go next to the bed."

"No," Velvet said. "Miss Schnee, you don't need to do that." She adopted the more formal form to address Weiss now.

"I am doing everything I can to help you, Velvet," Weiss said with loving sternness. "You're not just my employee; I consider everyone on the thirty-fifth floor to be extended family, and you know that." She turned to Ruby. "Velvet isn't allowed to drive with her injuries. I'll pay for your cab as well."

Ruby nodded. "I suppose I'll take the rest of the day off as well." She turned and paused. "What do the other worker's here know about Velvet's injuries?"

Weiss smiled. "Remember when..." she hesitated, once again remembering Velvet's presence. "When our car was attacked? Everyone here thinks that she was in the car with me. Officially, my car wasn't attacked, but was in an accident. I wasn't terribly injured, but Velvet took the brunt of the wreck. That's our story." She turned to Velvet. "Well, go on. Get out. Rest. That's a direct order from your boss."

Velvet nodded. "Yes ma'am."

She and Ruby walked out together. Upon entering a cab and instructing the driver where to go, Ruby called Ren and informed him that she was taking the rest of the day off. She smiled at Velvet and put a hand on her shoulder. "You're going to be fine, Velvet," she said in a calm voice.

Velvet smiled back. "Thank you."

Weiss sat alone in her office. She had just placed the order and paid for the furniture that would soon be delivered to Ruby's apartment. She sighed, happy that Velvet would get at least one day to rest and heal. She needs more, she thought to herself. She stuck her hands into her jacket pocket and felt something that she'd almost forgotten about. Pulling it out, she stared at the crucifix shape that was the Aura pendant. She was still worried about the possible side effects, yet she still wanted to keep it with her to stay safe.

After all, she didn't know when she might need it again.

Song: Head Bangya-Baby Metal

Author's Note

I just feel so happy when I listen to Baby Metal. Surprised at the quick release of Episode 8? SO AM I! I don't like to joke on April 1st, so instead I devoted all day to writing stories! I managed to get two out, but this is an hour and a half late; it's now April 2nd, 2015 as I type this. Oh well.

Velvet is slightly more important in the story now, but not majorly so. Not yet, anyway. Ironwood is clearly plotting something, Weiss is worried she might need the Aura pendant, and Ruby is...well, being a fifteen year old. Full of piss and vinegar! "My mom is dead!" What a line. That's the kinda stuff that makes you feel like a jerk, right?

Well, leave a review and let me know what you think. Yes, that would be oh so nice if you could do that. I like reviews. They fill me with joy and understanding. Even the negative ones! (Shout out to the Guest who told me to f**k off recently. Thanks for the tip! :D)

Speaking of which, friendly reminder of my . I'm sure your tired of hearing me talk about it by now, but, hey, I gotta mention it. You can find the link to it on my profile page.

Till next time!