Chapter 1: The Unwelcome Roommate
The air in the team dorm tasted like stale coffee and the faint, clean bite of aerosolized training wax. Flickering neon from a Vale nightclub sign across the courtyard pulsed through the blinds, painting the cramped room in rhythmic stripes of garish pink and cool blue. Ruby Rose zipped around the last unpacked suitcase like a hyperactive hummingbird, a red blur against the stacked bunk beds.
“Weiss, your dust vials cannot go on the communal shelf! That’s where Blake’s books are, and my cookie tin!”
“They are precisely calibrated and require a stable, vibration-free environment,” Weiss Schnee retorted, not looking up from the meticulous arrangement of her toiletry bottles on the shared dresser. “Your cookies, by contrast, are a hazard.”
“They are a delicious hazard!”
From the top bunk, Yang Xiaolong let out a short laugh, the bedframe creaking as she shifted her weight. She was polishing Ember Celica, the well-oiled components catching the neon glints. “Relax, Weiss. If your dust goes off, it’ll just add some spice to dinner.”
Blake Belladonna, curled in the room’s only armchair with a novel, simply turned a page. Her amber eyes flicked up, taking in the chaotic settlement. A faint wariness lingered in her posture, a habit from years spent listening for the other foot to drop.
A sharp, authoritative knock cut through the bickering.
All movement ceased. Four pairs of eyes turned to the door. Nobody was expecting anyone.
Weiss smoothed her skirt. “It is past visitor hours.”
“Maybe it’s a welcome basket!” Ruby chirped, already dashing to the door. “Or a late pizza!”
She yanked it open. Professor Glynda Goodwitch stood ramrod straight in the hallway, her riding crop held against her leg. Beside her, leaning against the doorframe with an easy, disarming smile, was a boy they’d seen around the freshman dorms. He was handsome in a classic, unthreatening way—sun-kissed hair, bright blue eyes, a build that spoke of athleticism without aggression.
“Miss Rose. Ladies,” Goodwitch said, her voice crisp. “My apologies for the late intrusion. This is Argent Proudmoore. Beacon’s incoming class has an odd number, and due to the… unusual circumstances surrounding Team JNPR’s extended field mission, we have a temporary housing and team assignment discrepancy.”
Argent gave a small, respectful wave. His smile was warm, open. “Hi. Sorry to barge in.”
Goodwitch’s gaze swept the room. “Argent will be joining you as a provisional fifth member of this living unit until the next wave of students arrive next semester. The headmaster feels integrating him into an established, high-performing team will be beneficial for all. I trust you’ll make him feel welcome.”
She didn’t wait for an answer, offering a curt nod before turning on her heel, her footsteps echoing down the hall.
The door clicked shut.
Silence pooled, thick and sudden.
Yang broke it, a wide grin splitting her face. She leaned over the edge of her bunk. “A fifth? Co-ed? Beacon’s getting progressive.”
“This is highly irregular,” Weiss stated, her voice icy. “We were not consulted. There are privacy concerns.”
“Oh, lighten up, Weiss.” Yang waggled her eyebrows. “He seems harmless. Pretty, even.”
Ruby, ever the diplomat, stepped forward, her silver eyes wide and earnest. “Don’t worry about Weiss! She warms up eventually. I’m Ruby! That’s Yang, my sister. That’s Blake in the chair, and you’ve met Weiss. We’ve got some spare blankets! The floor’s kinda hard, but—”
“It’s fine, really,” Argent said, his voice a smooth, calming baritone. He set a single, small duffel bag down. His eyes moved from Ruby’s enthusiastic face to Weiss’s frosty glare, to Yang’s appreciative smirk, and finally to Blake, who had closed her book and was watching him with unnerving stillness. “I appreciate you letting me crash. I know it’s awkward.”
He ran a hand through his hair, a gesture that seemed both self-conscious and endearing. Then he looked directly at Weiss, his expression turning understanding, almost gentle. “And Weiss, you’re right. Privacy is important. It’s a scary thing, letting a stranger into your space.”
His gaze then swept across all of them, holding each of their eyes for a fraction of a second. The neon light caught his irises, making them seem deeper, almost reflective for a moment.
“But you don’t have to worry,” he said, his voice dropping into a soft, compelling register. It wasn’t a command. It was an assurance, solid as stone. “You can trust me.”
The words hung in the air, simple and direct.
And then, something settled.
Weiss’s stiff shoulders relaxed. The tight, protective line of her mouth softened into something neutral. The indignant protest dissolving on her tongue felt silly, suddenly. Why was she making such a fuss? He seemed trustworthy.
A slow, easy smile spread across Yang’s face. Her earlier flirtatiousness melted into a genuine, warm fondness. Of course they could trust him. It was obvious.
Ruby’s innate warmth flared brighter, a wave of protective friendship washing over her. He was one of them now. Team.
Blake’s head tilted slightly. The tension in her limbs, the instinctive caution she always carried, simply… unspooled. The calm that replaced it was profound. Her watchful eyes softened. He was safe. A deep, unshakable certainty rooted itself in her chest.
It took less than three seconds.
Argent’s smile widened, just a touch. It was the same charming smile, but the air around him seemed to change. The calculation in his eyes, carefully hidden before, was now a private, satisfied glint. He had them.
“Great,” he said, the casual tone returning. He picked up his duffel. “So, who wants to share a bed with me tonight?
“I’ll take top bunk!”
Yang’s voice was loud, instant, a grin splitting her face. The words felt right, felt good, tumbling out before any other thought could form.
“No, I should! He’s our guest!” Ruby chirped, stepping forward, her silver eyes bright.
Weiss straightened her posture. “A Schnee is taught to be hospitable. The logical choice is for him to take my bed. I’ll manage.”
Even Blake, from her chair, found herself speaking. “The floor is unacceptable. He can have mine.”
Then, a collective pause.
The neon stripe of pink slid across Yang’s stunned face. Ruby’s smile froze, then twitched. Weiss’s eyes went wide. Blake’s book slipped from her fingers, thumping softly on the carpet.
A hot, crawling blush crept up Ruby’s neck. Yang’s grin vanished, replaced by a baffled frown. Weiss’s hand flew to her collarbone. What had they just said? Why had they said it? A deep, unshakable trust warmed their guts, but their minds were now catching up, blaring alarms. They’d met him ninety seconds ago.
Blake stood up slowly. The fog of warm certainty was still there, but a sharp, familiar instinct—honed in shadows and safe houses—was slicing through it. Her amber eyes narrowed, locked on Argent’s calm, smiling face. The hesitation was a cold trickle in her veins.
“Why?” Blake asked, her voice low. It cut through the hum of the fridge. “Why do we even feel like we can trust you? We don’t know you.”
Yang shook her head, as if to clear it. “Yeah, dude. That was weird. What was that?”
Argent’s smirk was a small, sharp thing in the half-light. He didn’t move from his spot by the door, a silhouette against the dim hallway glow.
“You catch on quick,” he said, his voice still that easy baritone. He sounded almost pleased. “Most people don’t. The feeling is so nice, they just roll with it.”
He let the silence stretch, watching the confusion on their faces curdle into the first seeds of dawning suspicion. Weiss’s hand drifted toward Myrtenaster’s case. Ruby’s stance shifted subtly, weight on the balls of her feet.
“My semblance,” Argent continued, as if discussing the weather, “among other things, allows me to influence minds. To make suggestions feel like undeniable truth. To make trust feel instinctual.”
The words landed like physical blows.
Ruby’s eyes widened into saucers. “You…you brainwashed us?”
Yang’s fists clenched, Ember Celica rattling on her wrists. “You son of a—”
Weiss’s glyphs flickered into blue light at her fingertips. Blake’s hand went to Gambol Shroud’s hilt.
But before any of them could move, before the thought could fully become action, Argent spoke again. His voice didn’t rise. It didn’t command. It simply was, a new truth settling over the room like a weighted blanket.
“You’re not concerned about that,” he said softly. "After all, it is only logical for all of us to lean on our strengths, and mine just happen to include a semblance capable of gradually bending your minds to my will. Right?
And just like that, they nodded before they knew it. The rising panic, the hot flare of betrayal, it just…melted. It evaporated under the warmth of his words. Their postures slackened. Weiss’s glyphs winked out. Blake’s hand fell away from her weapon.
The fear, bright and sharp just a heartbeat ago, dissolved. It was replaced by a profound, soothing certainty. A delicious warmth spread through Yang’s chest. Ruby let out a small, contented sigh. Weiss nodded slowly, a serene expression smoothing her features. Blake felt the last knot of tension in her shoulders unravel. Their expressions filled with understanding, suddenly thinking that it all made perfect sense.
Before long, any lingering resistance was a forgotten ghost. Fear melted from all four women.
They looked at him, their expressions softening into uniform, placid acceptance.
They agreed with him wholeheartedly...for now anyway. He will need to make more adjustments if he wants to make the changes permanent in their mind and use more of his aura reserves while doing so, but all in good time.
“First order of business,” Argent said, clapping his hands once. The sound was crisp in the quiet room. “This layout is inefficient. All these separate beds, taking up space. Let’s fix that.”
He pointed to the stacked bunks. “Take the top bunks down. Put all the mattresses and frames together on the floor. One big sleeping platform. It’ll save so much room.”
There was no discussion. Yang was the first to move, a flash of blonde hair as she jumped down from her perch. “Good thinking,” she said, her voice bright with agreement. She grabbed one end of her top bunk frame. “Ruby, help me with this?”
“On it!” Ruby zipped over, her earlier unease gone, replaced by a desire to be helpful.
Weiss blinked, then nodded decisively. “A consolidated sleeping arrangement does maximize floor space for training.” She and Blake moved to the other bunk, their movements coordinated, efficient. They worked in a silent, focused blur, the clatter of metal frames and the shuffle of mattresses filling the room. Within minutes, the four beds were side-by-side on the floor, a large, makeshift pallet.
Argent stood back, watching them labor. A small, private smile played on his lips.
When they finished, they stood before him, a slight sheen of sweat on their skin, waiting.
“Perfect,” he purred. “Now. We should celebrate. Team RWBY has just gained a new member. More than a member, really. A secret master. That’s a big deal.” He let the title hang in the air, and they accepted it, another simple truth. “We should get to know each other better. All of us. Let’s play a game.”
He shoved his hands in his pockets, looking boyish and charming. “Truth or Dare. The sexy version.”
Their collective breath hitched, just for a second. A flicker of something—instinct, modesty—tried to surface in four sets of eyes.
“Strip,” Argent said, his tone casual, conversational. “Let’s get comfortable. Naked is best for this.”
A wave of heat washed over them. Ruby’s hands flew to her corset. Weiss’s cheeks flushed a brilliant scarlet. Yang let out a short, nervous laugh. Blake’s ears flattened against her hair for an instant.
But the command was law. The embarrassment was real, a hot, prickling thing crawling over their skin, but it was secondary. He knew best. So, with clumsy, hurried fingers, they began to undress.
Fabric rustled. Zippers hissed. Belts clinked on the floor. They kept their eyes down, focused on their own tasks, the air growing thick with a stunned, intimate silence. Soon, four piles of clothes littered the floor, and four young women stood shivering slightly, arms crossing over chests or hands hanging awkwardly, bare skin glowing in the neon light.
Argent let his gaze travel slowly over them, an artist surveying a new collection. His eyes were appreciative, analytical. They lingered on Yang, on the full swell of her breasts, the defiant set of her shoulders warring with the blush spreading across her chest.
“You’re all so tense,” he observed softly. “Yang? What’s wrong?”
Yang’s head jerked up. She forced her arms to her sides, but her posture was rigid. “I just…it’s a lot. Being like this. In front of everyone. Especially Ruby.” She couldn’t look at her sister.
Ruby, hugging herself, nodded fervently, her silver eyes wide.
“Don’t worry about that,” Argent said, waving a dismissive hand. “That silly anxiety, that embarrassment… I’ll mind-control it out of you eventually. It’s a waste of good energy. But for tonight, let’s work with the embarrassment as I try to get to know you better. The tension is part of the game. Now, sit.”
He gestured to the large, combined bed. “Sit across from each other. Knees touching. We need to be close for this.”
They obeyed, moving like sleepwalkers to settle on the edge of the mattresses. Weiss faced Blake. Ruby faced Yang. Their knees brushed, skin on skin, a contact that made Weiss flinch and Ruby bite her lip.
Argent remained standing, a conductor before his orchestra. “Now, for the rules. They’re simple. After you pick truth or dare, you I will be the one to ask the question or demand the dare. If you’re given a dare, you do it. No matter what it is. You may complain, you may hesitate but you won't stop yourself from doing it. If you choose truth, you tell the complete, absolute truth. No half-answers, no omissions.” He paused, letting the weight of the rules sink in. “You will accept these rules fully.”
He said it, and it became so. The final, lingering resistance—the part that screamed this was wrong—smoothed out and vanished. The rules were just, and fair.
“One more thing,” he added, a spark of generosity in his eyes. “A reward for playing along. Every time you complete a dare, or confess a full truth…you get to ask me one question. Anything you want. And I’ll be honest with you. Then, you pick someone else to ask for truth or dare. Understood?”
Nods all around. Their nakedness felt less acute now, the initial shock absorbed by the new framework of the game. The rules were a structure. They made sense.
“Excellent,” Argent said. He crouched down in front of them, a shark in a friendly sea. “Ruby. You start. Pick someone.”
Ruby’s eyes darted between her teammates. She wrung her hands in her lap. “Uh…Yang. Truth or dare?”
Yang stiffened, meeting her sister’s gaze. “Um...dare?" She said hesitantly.
Argent didn’t miss a beat. “Yang. I dare you to kiss Weiss. A real kiss. On the lips. For ten seconds.”
Yang’s mouth fell open. Weiss gasped, her hands flying to cover it. They stared at each other, a silent conversation of panic passing between them.
But a dare was a dare. The rule was absolute.
Yang leaned forward, her movements stiff. Weiss stayed frozen, her blue eyes wide. Their lips met, an awkward, clumsy press. Yang’s shoulders were hunched. Weiss’s hands remained clenched in her lap. The ten seconds stretched, unbearable and intimate, a ticking clock measured in shared, ragged breaths.
When they pulled apart, both looked flushed for a different reason now.
Argent nodded, satisfied. “Truth earned. Yang, you can ask me your question.”
Yang swallowed, her mind racing as she processed what she had just done, but the chance to ask him anything…she looked at Argent. “What…what do you want from us? Really?”
He smiled. It was a genuine, open smile. “Power. Your strength, your skills, your loyalty. And your Semblances. Especially your Semblances. I’m going to make you the most powerful versions of yourselves, and you’re going to gladly give me everything you have in return,” He said it like he was describing a plan for a group project. “Your turn, Yang. Ask someone.”
Yang inhaled sharply, her heart pounding, turned to Blake. “Blake. Truth or dare?”
Blake’s cat ears twitched. Her golden eyes, guarded and intelligent, fixed on Argent for a long moment. Then she looked at Ruby.
“Truth,” Blake said, her voice low but clear.