*- Six Years Ago -*

"Welcome back to the 37th Vytal Festival Tournament! We've seen the best of the best make it through the four on four team rounds and the two on two doubles rounds!"

"Now it's moment you've been waiting for! The singles rounds!"

"Yes! These talented students have made it through each of the other two rounds and have now been chosen by their teammates to represent them in these final matches. As you know, instead of a bracket system, each match will be determined immediately before each round!"

"Now let's meet our first pair!"

General James Ironwood stood above the arena in the staff box, hands clasped behind his back, his posture ramrod straight. As he looked down onto the field, his eyes scanned the lineup chosen to fight in the finals. Normally he would be in the stands with his students, the better to show himself off to the other kingdoms. However, this was the year Atlas was chosen to host the biennial tournament, and as headmaster of Atlas Academy, he needed to be on hand and available for anything that might occur.

The Vytal Festival was crucial to the peace between the four kingdoms, and this year Ironwood was determined that it would run as smooth as possible, with clockwork prescision.

His dissenters could call him what they wanted, but Ironwood knew "unprepared" was not one of those words.

As the first two contestants were announced, Ironwood heard footsteps behind him and out of the corner of his eye, spotted a familiar figure stand next to him and lean against the bar mounted on the large windows overlooking the stadium.

Without breaking his gaze from the fighting going on below him, Ironwood addressed his visitor. "How was your job?"

"Well, good evening to you too, Jimmy. I suppose a 'how are you doing this fine day?' would be too much to ask."

"You're alive, Qrow. That alone tells me you're doing well." Ironwood slid his gaze to the side and finally looked at the man next to him. "Anyway, you never answered my question."

"It went well." Qrow started to give Ironwood an in-depth recap of his mission, but his voice trailed off as he found himself drawn to the fight below.

"-goes some of his aura! It looks like this fight will be a close one, but neither of our fighters have used their semblances yet! You are in for a treat when-"

Qrow didn't give a damn about the young man that was competing. In all honesty, he didn't know how the kid got chosen. His attacks were weak and he needed to work on his defensive moves. No, it was the young woman on the field that caught his attention.

She was beautiful, true, but it was her form, her technique that captivated Qrow. Several glyphs appeared on the field and young woman used them to pick up speed and launch herself at her opponent. In the blink of an eye, her knee connected with her rival's stomach and Qrow grinned as he watched the poor kid double over in pain. Several arrows suddenly flew out and the young woman gracefully flipped backwards out of the way, the points not even touching her clothing as they flew by.

A smirk crossed Ironwood's face when he saw how fascinated Qrow was with the fighting. "That's my number one student down there. I wouldn't be surprised if she took home the top prize."

Qrow's brow was furrowed as he observed the fighting, his forehead practically touching the glass in front of him as he leaned forward to get a better look. "Who is she?"

"Winter Schnee. She's a fourth year student."

"Schnee?" Qrow straightened up and looked at Ironwood, his eyebrows raised in surprise. "As in Schnee Dust Company?"

"The very same one."

A laugh escaped Qrow's lips and he shook his head as he pulled out a flask. "What the hell is the heiress princess of the richest company in Remnant doing at a military academy?"

"You can ask her yourself. I can introduce you if you'd like." Ironwood turned towards the door and left the room, not looking back to see if Qrow was following. Knowing the man and his innate curiosity, he knew he would be close behind.

"And it looks like Miss Schnee is using her summoning technique! It's...what's this? She appears to be summoning a Beowolf!"

Qrow stopped in the aisle leading to the student seats and looked on in awe as the giant Grimm emerged from a glyph and zone in on Winter's opponent. With one swipe, the young man was thrown across the platform and against the wall. With a single gesture, the Grimm evaporated under a shower of light and Winter sheathed her sword, pleased with her victory.

"With that, it appears Winter Schnee of Atlas is the winner of this match and will be continuing to the next round! Our next two contestants will-"

"Qrow!" Qrow tore his eyes away from the field and sauntered over to Ironwood, who led him to the side of the field where the contestants emerged. The tall young woman with silver hair was just exiting the field and Qrow swallowed as he watched her tuck a lock of hair behind her ear.

"Winter, I'd like you to meet someone." Ironwood stopped and stood next to Winter, a proud look on his face. "This is Qrow Branwen, one of my colleagues and professor at Signal Academy. Qrow, Winter Schnee."

Large blue eyes met Qrow's and for once, he was speechless. Now that he was up close, he could get a better look at her. A form fitting top, vest, and leggings made up her combat attire, and all it did for Qrow was show him exactly what curves she had. A pair of thigh high boots completed the look, the leather encasing and showing her long legs off to perfection. Her hair was up in a high ponytail, but since Winter had been fighting, several strands had escaped. The urge to push them out of her eyes was strong and it took Qrow immense willpower to overcome it.

Normally he was Mister Suave when it came to women, but somehow, one look from this one was enough to disable him. He held out his hand and locked eyes with her. "A pleasure."

Winter took in the man before her with a cool expression on her face. Normally, she was a good judge of character, but she didn't know what to think of General Ironwood's friend. She looked Qrow in the eye for a few seconds before breaking her gaze and giving him a once over.

With her heels, Winter was the same height as Qrow, allowing her look him straight in the eye. It was hard to tell exactly how old he was, but she knew he was at least a decade older than her. Qrow was handsome, Winter was willing to admit, with some gray emerging at his temples. From what she could tell, he had just returned from a trip, judging from his rumpled clothing and unshaven face.

A pale, smooth hand grasped Qrow's and shook it, the grip firm. "It's nice to meet you, Mister Branwen," Winter replied, her eyes moving back up to meet his again. For a brief moment, Qrow felt like they were the only two in the stadium, and he wanted to laugh at the absurdity of his thought.

Instead, he smirked and slowly slid his hand out of hers, amused when a hint of a blush started to creep up from the collar of Winter's blouse. It seemed for all of Winter's military discipline and chilly demeanor that matched her name, she wasn't used to receiving attention from an attractive man that wasn't a fumbling student. Qrow knew he would have to tread lightly around her.

"Call me Qrow," he replied in a smooth voice. "And the pleasure's all mine."