He turned back and looked down at his hands. Opened and closed them. “Machines are easier than people.”

Velvet glanced down at her Scroll. “No argument there.”

“Text from your friends?” he asked.

What friends? Velvet thought.

She’d never managed to find her place at Pharos Combat School. She couldn’t wait until she got to Beacon Academy after the summer. It was going to be a fresh start. She was going to try harder to be more outgoing, meet more people. She just hoped she would end up with a good partner and team. She was good at planning—she could see it all in her head already. And her latest invention was going to help with all that. Which is why it was so important she get it right.

“It’s a new weapon I’m working on,” Velvet said. “For school.”

“May I?” Her father reached out for her Scroll and she passed it over. He put on his reading glasses and studied her designs. Suddenly Velvet felt anxious.

“This captures images of other weapons … and then reproduces them in hard light?” He looked up in wonder. “Velvet, this is … astonishing.”

Velvet blushed.

“Does it work?”

“I’ve built prototypes, but I don’t have enough hard-light Dust to test it extensively.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem. Once James hears about this, he’ll set you up with all the Dust you need. At the military family discount.”

“James?” Velvet asked.

“Sorry. James Ironwood.” He went back to looking at her Scroll.

“You mean you really know the general?”

His face showed surprise. “Know him? I work with him. Well, technically I work for him, but it’s basically the same thing. You thought I was making that up?”

“Maybe exaggerating slightly. To impress me?”

“I see. Were you impressed?”

“I am now.”

“These projection relays are marvelous.” He pointed to one area of the schematic. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“That part’s been giving me some trouble.”

“You’ll get it. You know, I miss working on stuff like this with you. We could use you in our lab.”

Velvet wasn’t sure that would go over so well. “Mom would love that,” she said sarcastically, blowing her bangs out of her eyes. “Home isn’t the same without you. It doesn’t even feel like home.”

“I know. I’m sorry. But hey, you’ll be leaving soon, anyway. My daughter, a Huntress at Beacon Academy. I’m so proud of you, V.”

“Thanks.”

Maybe that was all Velvet needed: a new place to call home.

- RWBY: Before the Dawn, Chapter 2