1
The Vytal Festival
Cinder Fall
I walk down the halls of Beacon, trying to avoid students walking past me. Mercury had just informed me that Qrow, the man who disrupted me in gaining the maiden's powers is here. It really doesn't matter though, as long as he doesn't know who we are. I set out for the city. The night sky had already crept over the last of daylight, the shattered moon in view. I walked past Beacon Tower, noticing Ozpin, Glynda, Qrow, and Ironwood inside. I'd have to destroy the mammoth building and kill Ozpin. If everything went to plan, I wouldn't have to deal with terrible consequences from Salem. I got off the campus, walking around the docks. I halted at a small bar. The sign read, 'Crow Bar' a play on words. I sat down, watching the recap of the Vytal tournament on the screen. I saw Emerald, Mercury, Neo, and I fight, then Team RWBY, then Team JNPR, each a victor of their match, but this was expected.
"Isn't that you?" asked the bartender, staring at the screen, then back to me. Gratefully, I wore the tan outfit I wore for the tournament rather than the black Haven uniform which would've been a terrible mistake on my hand.
I held up a card so he'd realize that I was older than twenty-one and he would leave me alone.
"Could I get you something?" he asked.
"No," I replied, my eyes still fixated on the screen.
"Alright then," he proceeded to clean the empty glasses, still looking at me, but I looked away, noticing a man walk towards the bar.
He wore a red cape and a gray shirt. His red eyes locked onto my yellow ones and I recognized him immediately, Qrow Branwen. He sat down a few chairs away from me, ordering a drink and chugging it down effortlessly.
"What are you looking at?" he asked, looking my way.
"And you?" I asked him, he gave a grunt, I smiled.
"Weren't you in the tournament?" he asked.
I didn't answer.
"Cedar, right?" he asked.
I nodded.
"And what might you be doing here?" he asked.
"You?" I asked, "I thought teachers didn't drink."
"This one does." he said, asking for another cup, "Aren't you too young to be here?"
"I'm not a child," I said angrily. I was starting to lose my nerve, my identity could be compromised.
"Sure you aren't," he said. Of course, he just thought I was a teenager who wanted to grow up.