RWBY and the world of Remnant belongs to Roosterteeth. I am merely tinkering with it for the moment.

Qrow

The winds whipping past his face carried the faint chill of the final days of autumn. The young huntsman felt the bite on his nose keenly as he stared down at the moors and bogs rushing past the open hatch of their transport. The airship was traveling relatively close to the ground, as the older model was struggling with the strong headwind blowing off the coast. Qrow didn't mind. He stared lazily at the muted greens and browns of lowland that were a pleasant break from the comparatively dull ocean they had been flying over. The seagulls that accompanied them on their final approach into land broke off to return to their roosts amongst the cliffs and crags of the Mantle coastline. It's amazing they ever stop flying when they can see views like this. I know I would never get tired of it. After several minutes of discussion with the pilot, his teacher and mentor returned to the main cabin and announced it would only be a little while longer until they touched down in Atlas.

"When we get to Atlas, what are we going to do for dinner? I'm dying!" The way Raven drew out the final word spoke to her boredom from sitting confined on the airship for the past five hours. Qrow knew this trip had been taxing for her. He had rarely seen his sister sit still for more than five minutes.

"We aren't stopping in Atlas for anything except fuel." Qrow deadpanned without fully turning to face his sister.

"Shut up, twerp. I know that we aren't meeting them at Atlas…." Raven let her head tilt back into her headrest before whimpering, "I just wish I could get a bite to eat."

Ozpin smiled sheepishly at the young huntress in training. "I know you are hungry, but the quicker we can get refueled the quicker we can get to Gletscher." He flashed a toothy grin at the rest of his troop before adding, "Besides, they are preparing a huge feast for our arrival, you'll just have to wait a few more hours to get it!" Raven groaned audibly.

A stocky blonde boy looked uncomfortably out at the countryside. "I hope they have enough food, or Raven isn't going to leave anything for the rest of us. But I really hope we hurry up, cause staring at the ocean for the last three hours has made me seriously need to pee."

Qrow snorted, "You should have gone when we left!"

"That was five hours ago!" Taiyang shouted back, obviously in some discomfort.

A girl drowning in an oversized white parka smiled kindly at her fellow compatriots before producing a small calorie rich energy bar from one of the pockets in her pack. "Here Raven, take some, I'm not hungry." She laughed before clarifying, "besides, if we get as big of a feast as Professor Ozpin says I won't need it at all!"

Ozpin smiled at the leader of team STRQ, impressed with both her selflessness and thoughtfulness. Qrow was not surprised. There she goes again, preparing for everything because she knows Raven won't prepare for anything. Qrow took the time to lean over to his taller sibling and say, "you know if you spent less time packing clothes and more time on, oh I don't know… essentials, you probably wouldn't have to worry about this happening." His sister practically growled at him.

Ozpin's lips tightened slightly, and his face grew stern for the moment. "This is a good lesson for all of you. Preparation is vital for any mission, no matter how small it may seem at the time. Just think what would happen if this ship were forced down in the wilderness… There is always benefit to over-preparing."

A tense pall descended on the youngsters as they were suddenly reminded that this was not merely a field trip, but was a training mission in foreign territory. The crew had been on several missions in the past, but never one of this duration or distance from beacon. We've never had to face anything we couldn't handle on a mission before. Besides, we would just kill whatever it was that attacked us. We even face a Nevermore that one time… but it was a juvenile… and we weren't stuck in an airship. The thought of a giant Nevermore swooping out of the sky to attack the group had not been one of his foremost concerns at the start of the day, but now all Qrow could do was close his eyes to help slow down the rapid beating of his heart as well as swallow the growing lump in his throat. On second thought, I really hope we don't see one of those today. "Of course a crash landing is an extremely remote possibility. children, I wouldn't worry too much." Ozpin grinned as his warning had the desired effect.

Several uneventful minutes later, the transport came into view of Atlas, and team STRQ got its first glimpse at the most technologically advanced city in Remnant. I've never seen buildings like this before! They all look like the CCT… but bigger! The light from the setting sun glinted off the angular frames of steel and glass. Geometric patterns rose skyward from their concrete foundations. Within the militaristic precision of the city there was still beauty. The members of team STRQ stared in awe at several buildings whose shape and size seemed to defy gravity. "Atlas is home to some of the finest engineers and architects in all of Remnant. Each building is designed as a challenge from architect to architect, each person trying to outdo all those before him." The group attempted, unsuccessfully, to stifle the gasps that accompanied each passing wonder. The band continued to meander lazily above the skyline of the city, occasionally weaving around (and in one instance through) some of the taller structures. Finally, Raven spotted a clear flat patch on the outskirts of the city, patterns of variously colored dust lamps shone brightly in the lengthening shadows, their specified landing pad.

As the airship began its final approach to the landing pad on the northern edge of the city Ozpin motioned for the children to look at the bulbous craft taking off just to their right, a snowflake insignia emblazoned along its midsection. "Do any of you recognize the significance of that transport there?"

"It's a Schnee Dust Company freighter, it's probably departing for one of the major ports down south." Qrow had studied their mission briefing intently, and he knew they were currently on their way to meet up the the head of that very company. They were getting to stay with one of the richest and most powerful families in all of Remnant for a week of what sounded like very light work.

Raven harrumphed and rolled her eyes. She had always been jealous of his encyclopedic knowledge, and she knew he often would show off for this reason. She probably figured he was inwardly congratulating himself at his own brilliance. But at the moment, Qrow could think of nothing more than how massive the freighter was, and the size of its cargo. There is more money in dust on that one ship than Raven or I have seen… or even will see in a long time.

But the ship had also begun to conjure up other thoughts in the young boy's mind. He saw again the great crowds of people clamoring to gain a coveted spot on a transport. He saw the fear in all of their eyes, and the human stink of sweat and filth that clung to the weary travelers. He saw it all again, and of course he saw her eyes. Eyes that shone red as the fires that danced behind them.

The gentle bounce of touch-down signaled they had finally landed, and jolted Qrow from his thoughts. His heart pounding now more than it had when Ozpin had mentioned the possibility of an emergency crash landing. Taiyang playfully punched the younger boy in the shoulder, "What's the matter Qrow? Afraid of flying?"

Qrow recovered quickly as he had trained himself to do and smirked at him, "At least I didn't lose my lunch when we hit turbulence!" The two girls laughed at both boys expense as they debarked from the craft. They only laughed harder as a frantic and jittery Taiyang, clearly at his limit to keep his bladder at bay, searched desperately for a sign leading to a bathroom. A bemused Atlesian soldier pointed him in the direction of the closest restroom, while several civilians in their navy blue flight suits wheeled out a refueling rig.

The desire to stretch their legs on firm ground took hold of each member in the group. As he began to separate himself from them, Qrow felt a hand press gently onto his shoulder, and as he turned he glimpsed Raven's concerned look. "You were remembering it again weren't you?" She had seen her brother tense up during their landing. She had seen the pure terror welling up in his eyes, and she knew the landing wasn't the issue. Even with the strong winds, flying had always captivated her brother. No, she had seen this look before during many long nights spent comforting a screaming younger brother. Qrow nodded, and she squeezed a little harder on his shoulder. "Don't worry it always passes." She spoke as if from experience.

After several minutes of waiting for Taiyang to return from the restroom, the crew clambered back into the aircraft just before it lumbered back into the sky. The pilot had only to ascend a short while before they cleared the lower lying buildings of the outskirts as it began to turn lazily towards the northeast. After they had reached an altitude the pilot considered suitable, they set off with the sun setting behind them.

An hour into the second leg of their journey, the fragmented moon shone brightly on the horizon as it had just begun to rise in the east. Neither Qrow, nor anyone else on STRQ could see the land whipping by beneath them. The only evidence they had that they were flying over a forest was the faint differences in shadows. However, they could definitely feel the cold of the north entering into their open cabin. Summer was shivering as usual, their teammate seemed to be perpetually cold, and the frigid temperatures were not helping. Qrow smirked as he jerked his head in a way to signal his friend, "Hey Tai, I think Summer is cold."

Taiyang then winked at Raven, and as if on queue, the two simultaneously wrapped their arms around the girl in white, rubbing her shoulders for warmth whilst also teasing her mercilessly for her inability to keep in any body heat. The invasion of her personal space made the reserved girl blush so fiercely her face assumed the same shade as the streaks in her hair. "Look Raven, we seem to be doing the trick, Summer is going redder than a lobster!" The comments only made the poor girl go even more scarlet, all the while stuttering out protests.

Qrow laughed as his teammates continued the onslaught on Summer's personal bubble. They had grown to be such great friends over the last year and a half. They had truly become a family of sorts, dysfunctional as they were. Taiyang and Qrow had formed a friendship instantly. Taiyang's recklessness and Qrow's fearlessness combined to create one of the most troublesome duos Beacon had ever seen. After six months, The two were already legendary pranksters and regulars in detention. Summer and Rose, however, complimented each other perfectly through their differences. Raven's sharp tongue and outspoken personality would often find herself in predicaments that Summer's diplomatic nature had to remedy. Conversely, Raven forced Summer to embrace her social side which was to the benefit of all who met her.

Qrow was staring absently into space as Summer finally extricated herself from her two teammates. He thought back on the many fond memories he had formed in such a short time at Beacon. He was jolted from his reverie as he suddenly caught sight of a glimmer below and to his right apparently in hot pursuit. As he peered intently into the darkness, searching for it to appear again, Ozpin sat down across him. "I thought I saw something in the darkness." the future huntsmen said tersely, a slight quavering betraying his own excitement and anxiousness. The older man smiled gently down at the youngster before looking off into the night.

"Calm down Qrow, we aren't in any danger here. We are merely following the Laufen river up to its melt point. You must have seen the moon's reflection in the water." Qrow's shoulders relaxed as Ozpin's words registered. "The view of the Schnee manor is a sight to behold, and trust me, with the full moon tonight we will have the best possible lighting for a first viewing." Ozpin absent-mindedly turned toward the shattered moon and added chuckling, "Well at least as full of a moon as we will see any time soon."

After a few more moments of flying the pilot began to slowly bank the craft to the left toward a small landing pad. The maneuver afforded his passengers an uninhibited view of their destination. A thin stretch of road with evergreens lining both sides extended from the landing platform below them towards what could only be described as a castle. The lights from the large, vaulted windows cast warm shadows on the snow covered lawn, which was a clearing roughly a hundred yards on either side of the road that turned abruptly into wild forest. And as Ozpin had promised, the cloudless sky allowed the moon to reflect in all its glory across the vast lake to the manor's rear. Gasps went up from the members of team STRQ, just as they had when the crew had first encountered the skyscrapers of Atlas. Only this time, it was the serene beauty of nature that had enraptured them.

The children could make out several forms approaching the landing pad that was quickly rising up to meet them. As soon as wheels hit pavement, several of the people waiting for them hurried forward and claimed their bags. Ozpin and his enthralled students vaulted down out of the cabin just as three well dressed figures stopped in front of them. As the attendants shuffled off, loaded down with the team's possession, Ozpin and a tall man with sharp features and closely cropped white hair walked towards each other and embraced. The two exchanged a few hushed words, a smile, and then both turned towards the rest of the new arrivals. "I am Eis Schnee" the man began before motioning for his two companions to come forward. A woman with hair that was the faintest shade of blue pulled up in a bun stepped forward with a young girl in tow. "This is my wife Kristal," the woman smiled kindly, "and my lovely little princess, Winter." The girl blushed and frowned slightly at the statement. She hastily began staring at the toes of her blue boots, with the stark white hair of her paternal lineage escaping from beneath a matching blue hat.

Ozpin motioned towards his troop and began their introductions. "The one in the white coat is Summer Rose. The one in yellow is Taiyang Xiao-Long. The one in the red jacket is Raven Branwen. And finally we have her younger brother, Qrow Branwen." Each saluted their hosts in turn, except for Qrow, who had been absently staring at the girl standing opposite him. Winter smiled as Raven subtlynudged Qrow to remind him of his manners. As he dropped his head into a curt bow, Qrow swore he heard the girl giggle softly.

Rubbing his hands together, Eis proclaimed the group waste no more time, "Well let's get inside. Our help has prepared a wonderful meal for all of us and I won't let it go to waste." With that the group began making their way toward the manor, excitement pouring from the younger members. Qrow was suddenly very thankful for the distraction and the darkness, for it hid the scarlet blush that had erupted across his face.

Winter

After the short walk back to the house, Winter and her parents showed their guests to the main dining room. The light from the chandelier provided a comforting yellow glow to the room that she had always equated to the feeling of home. The furniture was made from lightly stained wood, which nicely accented the cream colored walls. During the summer months they made the room a light and merry place where Winter spent many days discussing the finer points of bug-hunting and flower-picking with her mother and father. The fireplace behind her father was radiating some much needed heat into the room, and she knew that there would be a fire burning in that hearth more often than not in the next few months.

The housemaids ushered each of them to their respective seats, bringing glasses of water to all and a glass of dark red wine each to her parents and their friend with the unkempt grey hair. Her father was seated at the head of the table with her mother sitting as she normally did to his left. The man from the airship sat in her usual seat and was discussing business with her mother and father. She had chosen to sit next to her mother, and she felt a twinge of nervousness when the three oldest members of the newcomers chose to sit next to her rather than the younger boy with messy black hair. She was somewhat shy, and had hoped to sit next to someone closer in age to herself. However, that nervousness faded into excitement almost immediately as she remembered they all were huntsmen and huntresses. Father and mother said they are supposed to be some of the best!

For the past week, Winter had thought of little more than the four brave warriors that were coming to meet her. After her parents had finally explained to her the truth behind the dangerous Grimm and the brave men and women that fought them, she decided that she would become one as well. She had felt so proud when she heard her parents did the things that heroes did in fairy tales. For the past two years she thought of little else. I can't believe I'm getting to meet them!

After going back over everyone's names, the guests began settling into conversation with each other and their hosts, but it wasn't long before a train of servants carrying platters of food entered the dining room. Winter watched as the group of newcomers stared longingly at the spread that was quickly building up in front of them. For a few seconds everyone was still, but upon Ozpin's insistence to dig in, a flurry of knives and forks descended on the meal. The two boys grabbed heaping portions of food as quickly as possible. It wasn't long before the two made a rather large scene fighting over a small hen, with the result of losing out entirely to the girl with a long mane of unruly black hair.

"So do you guys eat like this all the time?" Raven plucked the remaining bit of meat from the bird she had stolen from her two compatriots, and sighed contentedly.

Winter had tried with all her might to maintain her manners, but in the face of overwhelming immodesty, she had forgone her own utensils and joined in with both hands. "Of course not, we only ever eat like this when one of father's co-workers comes over," she set down the bone she had been gnawing on. "I like it more when mother cooks for us. She is the best… although the cooks are pretty good too."

"Do they work year-round for your family?" Summer set down the finished bowl of chowder she had scarfed down and looked attentively at Winter.

"Some of them either live on the grounds or close to it, but not all of them. There are more here tonight than normal. Probably because you are all here. There will be a lot to clean up tonight!"

"Wait they clean up all this too?!" An incredulous Qrow leaned forward in his chair, the movement slowed by the food that had stuffed his belly. When Winter nodded affirmatively, he whistled at his amazement. "Wow, what I wouldn't give for that. Do you even have to do anything then?" Eliciting a frown from the young girl.

"I still do some chores, and I bet I do more than you!" She shouted back at the smirking boy.

"She certainly can't be doing less than you, you've got to be one of the laziest people I've ever met Qrow." The blonde boy's comment only widened the boy's smile.

"You're one to talk Xaio-Long."

"At least I'm not delusional, I know have some flaws."

"What can I say, it's a curse being perfect." Winter merely rolled her eyes as the rest of his companions snorted.

"Qrow, the day you are perfect is the day my hair miraculously turns black again." The man with glasses had broken of his conversation to chide the young huntsman.

The boy merely shrugged in response leaning back in his chair, but the girl who happened to be his older sister piped in, "Unfortunately Summer and I have to do a lot of picking up after them." the other girl closed her eyes and nodded, seemingly recounting the amount the two would owe them in the future. "We haven't exactly gotten them housebroken yet." Qrow and Taiyang both huffed at the slight.

Seeking to change the subject, Taiyang spoke up, "So is it just the three of you here, or do you have any brothers or sisters?"

"It's just us, but it is fine. I guess it does get lonely sometimes… especially when father is away for work… But mother is always around and there is always something we can do here." She smiled at the thought of the times spent with her family. They had been close ever since she could remember. She had been adored her whole life, and she could see her parents loved each other very much. She had asked in the past for a younger brother or sister, but so far her parents had denied her one.

"So do you have any friends- ow!" Raven smacked the black haired boy with a look of exasperation on her face. "I meant do you ever have any of your friendsvisit you? Jeez Raven, what is your deal?"

Winter cast her eyes down towards her plate, for this was one of the few things in life Winter had never had a lot of. She had never lacked for playmates, but they had always been the children of someone from father's work. They would get together on occasion, but she rarely would see someone with enough frequency to develop a real bond. The fact that she had been tutored at home the past five years had only limited her social interactions further. "I've never had that many close friends… But I will be going to a public school after the new year!" Winter cheered up slightly at her own comments. She had spent many trying nights in an effort to convince her parents to allow her to continue her studies at an actual school. "I hope it's not that hard meeting people there though." This worry had been eating away at her ever since the moment that her parents had acquiesced to her request of enrolling.

"Well I don't think you have to worry too much about that, Winter." Summer smiled pleasantly at her. "You seem to be a funny and engaging young lady, and people will surely love to get to know you." Winter watched as the rest of them nodded in agreement and felt her cheeks redden and tighten into a smile.

As deserts were brought in, Winter asked her guests where they were from and why they had come. "We all go to a school called Beacon in Vale. We are learning to be monster hunters!" Taiyang flexed his bicep in an attempt to impress her with what he thought were muscles. Winter had to smile at that. So they aren't really huntresses and huntsmen yet, but still they must have fought Grimm!

"As for why we are here," Summer took over for Taiyang then "We are on a mission." She began explaining that she was the leader of their team. She was apparently responsible for their safety and that they had met at this Beacon academy. "Ozpin brought us out here to help protect you while he and your father are away, and they want us to help train you in some of the things we learn at Beacon."

Winter's eyes widened as big as saucers at this. She turned to see her mother and father smiling brightly back at her. "What do you think Winter? Do you want them to teach you how to become a huntress?" Kristal smiled as Winter's mouth hung open. She threw her arms around her mother and practically squealed with delight.

Winter turned back to her soon-to-be teachers to see them all smiling. Raven spoke first, "Don't worry kid, we are the best at Beacon so you're bound to learn a bunch from us."

"So what are we going to learn about first!"

Summer couldn't help but laugh at her exuberance, "Well we should probably teach you about aura first, it's what keeps you safe during battle. Being able to protect yourself is probably the best place to start I guess!"

"Are Grimm as scary as they are in the stories?"

"Grimm are extremely dangerous to people who aren't trained to deal with them, but if you've been trained to deal with them they aren't so bad" Summer trailed off as she saw a small look of worry cross her face.

"But what if there are a lot of Grimm or if there are some really big ones?!"

"Well that's when you gotta realize your limits and run." Taiyang answered this question for her. "Trust me, learning not to rush into a fight was one of the hardest things I had to learn."

Finally, Winter turned to Qrow and asked, "And how does someone as small as you fight monsters?" All of the guests except for Qrow were staggered with laughter, clutching at their sides or covering their mouths while the boy glared at her.

"I do just fine, don't you worry. And I think you'll regret that comment tomorrow."

"I don't know Qrow… you better watch out, she might accidentally step on you!" Taiyang barely managed to cough that out between fits of laughter, and it only led to more laughing. Winter smiled broadly at them all. This had become a dream come true. She was actually going to learn how to become a huntress, and she had just met four people who she already liked more than any of the other children she had met.

"I know we are all excited, but if we are going to start training tomorrow, we need to get some sleep first." Kristal's raised her hand preemptively to silence any complaints from her daughter and the other children. Slowly, everyone began to rise from the table.

"You all can follow George. He will take you all to your rooms." Eis waved forward the butler who had just entered the room. "And Kristal, can you put Winter to bed, Ozpin and I have to prepare for our trip."

Grudgingly, Winter took her mother's hand as the two of them exited the dining room in the opposite direction as their guests, leaving the two men behind. Winter babbled on unceasingly as she and her mother ascended the stairs and down the hall to her room, the young girl's long hair bounced every which way as she danced around.

"I wonder how strong they are! They didn't seem to be that old. Are you sure they are going to be able to teach me how to be a huntress?" Her mother smiled as she listened to the questions in rapid succession.

It wasn't until she had gotten her daughter changed into a nightgown and tucked into her bed that she interrupted her train of thought. "You'll have plenty of time to find out in the morning, Love." She leaned down to kiss the center of Winter's forehead. "But for now, you need to get your rest. Goodnight Sweetie."

"Goodnight mommy."

It would be several moments after her mother turned out the lights and shut the door before she would properly settle down. Thoughts of monsters and brave knights swirled around her head, and she imagined herself as one of them. She had these daydreams frequently, but for once, she thought they might become real.

Ozpin

Ozpin watched as his charges followed the butler to where they would bunk for the night. They were still wound up from the lively conversation they had been having with the Schnee heiress as well as from all the pent up energy from the long trip. He was pleased to see how quickly they had taken a liking to Winter. This week will be great for them to develop friendships. Hopefully, they will last for a good while.

"They certainly seem excited for their mission, Ozpin. They definitely have the desire necessary to become quality protectors." Ozpin turned to face the Eis Schnee as he approached. "Kristal is putting Winter to bed, I'm afraid she may be a handful tonight. She hasn't had this many people visit her in such a long time, especially those close to her age… Unfortunately, work has kept me too preoccupied to set up playdates with some of my colleagues children." He gave Ozpin a resigned shrug. Ozpin knew his friend had been under a lot of stress lately, not the least of which was trying to deal with a young daughter.

"So, she finally was able to convince you to loosen your iron grip on her education?"

Eis smirked and gave an exasperated sigh, "I've run out of tutors who can actually teach her anything new!"

"I don't doubt that," Ozpin chuckled. He had seen Winter's intelligence first hand in many of his visits to the Schnee household. "She will do well in a public institution, and it can only be a good thing for her social skills."

"I know she wants to eventually make it to Beacon, and I don't have any doubts she will get in…" Eis gave his friend a knowing smile as he motioned for Ozpin to follow him.

"You know I will put in a good word with Cassandra, but if she trains her hardest she won't have any issue getting into our academy. And besides, I've brought her some excellent tutors."

Eis led him out onto a terrace overlooking the backyard and the lake shimmering beyond. "I hope you are right… However, they seemed to be more suited to being playmates than protectors." He rested his forearms on the balcony in front of them. "Why did you bring such a young group Oz?"

"They are fully capable of this mission. I wouldn't have brought them if they weren't ready. And you know as well as I do that a Maiden and her Protector should always have as strong a bond as possible. It's never too early to build on that."

"It is too early to think about that." Eis replied curtly. "Besides she-"

"It's most assuredly not too early to start discussing this. You know as well as I that we need to make sure we are fully prepared for this." Ozpin cut him off before moving to join him at the railing. "I know this is hard, but you do need to face this eventuality."

Ozpin watched as wetness formed around the other man's eyes. Eis blinked and looked into space for several moments before nodding. "I know. It's just- Ozpin I just wish we had more time." Ozpin nodded. This man has gone through so much since we've met. I wish I could afford him the peace he has earned, but he knows what we must do, the importance of this. "So how many of the reports have you gotten to read?" Eis clearly wished to change the subject.

"You know I've read them all."

The remark seemed to lift his spirits somewhat. Eis chucked softly at his friends flippant remark, "Of course you have. Then you're aware the rebels have taken back Schmeid." When he nodded, Eis continued. "Well then you must understand the military's need to reclaim that region. A full quarter of the military's production facilities are in that city… and so are a third of my refining capability."

"So you oppose the rebels purely out of business reasons? That doesn't seem like you."

Eis's face darkened, "You know my family would be in danger if that bastard regained his power. I threw in my cards with General Lowe… for better or worse."

Ozpin reached over and patted the man on the back, "That bravery will not be forgotten my friend, and you know I will always do what I can to help. Speaking of, do you have any more intel for me"

Eis smiled back at him, "Well this will help to repay some of your debt. I haven't heard much more from my agents inside the city, but you can read through all of what I've gathered on the way there. I arranged for us to take a transport from here to one of our outposts in the west. There are good men there that need some help infiltrating the city." Ozpin nodded at the man. They must help help weakening their defenses prior to an invasion. So be it, Mortimer can not be allowed to gain new followers.

"Well Winter is certainly excited to spend more time with your students Oz!" He and Eis both turned to see Kristal striding out onto the patio. "She is going to run your team ragged trying to keep a watch on her. She has been anxious all week to meet some other huntsmen. The woman walked with a grace that spoke to years of training. He had never dueled the woman, but he had heard from countless people of her martial prowess.

"I fear your daughter will be training my team more than they will be teaching her!" Ozpin laughed as the woman finally reached them and wrapped an arm around her husband. "It's a shame I won't get to stay much longer. It has been far too long since we last saw each other."

Kristal smiled gently, "Don't worry we will get plenty of chances in the near future, but I hope you know you won't be able to keep dragging Eis away on secret missions all the time."

"I wouldn't dare." Ozpin bowed in mock deference at the woman.

"Just a few more minutes dear, and then I'll be up to say goodbye. I have a few more things we need to discuss."

"Alright, well I am headed to bed. Don't worry Oz, I'll take great care of your students." She then grinned mischievously as she added, "Besides, they probably need a real teacher to help get rid of the bad habits you probably helped form." She roughly patted Ozpin's arm in a way that said quite clearly: don't worry, you're doing your best, don't blame yourself for their incompetence. All he could do is shake his head as Kristal firmly planted a kiss on Eis before retiring.

"She hasn't changed a bit." Ozpin watched as a wolfish grin spread across Eis's face.

"No she definitely has not." The two turned back to study the light that danced across the lake.

After several minutes of peaceful contemplation, Ozpin broke the silence, "Well I hope that Winter and her protector can start developing a strong bond. It's a bond that will serve them both profoundly throughout their lives." The other man nodded in agreement. Ozpin smiled slyly, "Besides, a protector who cares deeply for their maiden will do anything for them… as you and Kristal must have realized." Eis returned his smile.

After a few more moments of thought, the man abruptly pushed himself back from the railing again and looked at his watch. "Well shall we go get our supplies? It won't be long before that transport arrives."

Nearly an hour later, the two men watched as a transport descended out of the inky black sky. The military personnel inside assisted them as they climbed into the spartan cabin. As it took off, Ozpin thought on the conflict he was about to leap back into and how he believed he had left this part of him behind forever. As the ship lurched forward he could only shake his head at how wrong that thought had been.

A/N:

Phew! It has been so long since I've actually taken the time to write something. It feels good to get back into it! With that said, I hope you all enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed thinking about it and finally writing it. I would love some feedback since I'm shaking off some of the rust.

This is my attempt to hash out a headcanon I have been pondering on since the addition of Winter and Qrow to this season of RWBY (best characters btw!). Basically, the siren call that is the backstory behind team STRQ and the Schnee family was just too strong for me to resist. My goal is to stay within the bounds of the canon as much as I can, but we will see how that changes as the series progresses. I have some interesting scenes planned for you all, and I hope you enjoy the ride!

Also, fair warning: the M-rating will become apparent as more adult themes crop up, but I won't go overboard just for the sake of it.