Author's Notes: Welcome back people, Vex here with the second chapter of my exciting new story!

So now that the meet and greet's over, we can start getting in to the matter at hand. Of course, there is still going to be more development in the characters to come but we'll just go with the flow in that regard. I just hope that I can do my vision of these characters justice. I'm sure that eventually these characters (or their equivalent in Reiner's case) will pop up in the show and I really don't want to lose to the real thing. *Shrugs* Call me petty.

Honestly, I'm still reeling from knowing that I actually finished a story. And not just a one-shot or a few chapters but an actual proper story! It seems as though third time really is the charm, given that my previous two never made it all that far. That won't be happening here though! This time I'm seeing this thing through to the end!

Now, this chapter is coming out so soon after the first because I actually had both of them finished about two weeks ago, I was just waiting for PATI to wrap up before I could start uploading them. I want to power through this so the main story can continue, so I'm going to try and finish it before I go back to college in September. Might not happen, but that's the dream!

A piece of criticism that I received in regards to these two chapters from my beta reader is that they flow too well - making the events go too fast as a whole and not giving the reader any time to breathe. Any thoughts on that?

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this next chapter!

- Vex


Qrossing Field - Mission Two: Dresses and Dances


That week flew by, the clock hands swirling at magnificent speeds, and yet it still wasn't fast enough for Qrow, who spent every day with one eye on the minute hand. Any excuse to get out of classes was heroic in his mind, even if said excuse had to do with fighting off a hoard of one hundred Beowolves after sneaking into the Emerald Forest for early morning training.

When you and your sister walk in to class twenty minutes late with your clothes in tatters but a victorious grin on your faces, it's quite hard for a teacher to deny the story.

But that was a whole different kettle of fish. That time in second year was half a lesson – this was three whole days!

''Add the weekend and we've pretty much had a whole week off!''

''A week's seven days, Qrow…''

''Oh, you get the point.''

It was Team QROS's second time visiting Mistral, the last being almost a year ago for the Vytal Festival, held in the City of Mistral, the kingdom's capital. Once every four years, the festival is held to commemorate the world's dark history. To celebrate humanity's strength, resourcefulness and ingenuity, it is at this time that the four kingdoms send their best Huntsman and Huntresses in training to compete in the Vytal Tournament, a fierce competition to prove who stands above their fellow students.

This time, they were heading to Gregale, a town situated in northern Mistral at the base of the Berre peninsular, which struck into the largest lake in all of Remnant. An old town, just like all others in the kingdom that seemed to refuse any kind of modern development: the slabs of brick that built it were all shades of blue and grey. Frankly, it was drearier than Qrow had been expecting, especially with the heavy rain of that day, but he could make do.

If he closed his eyes and focused hard, he could almost see the classroom back at Beacon; rain hammering on the windows; pens scratching paper as students pretend to be paying attention. In a sudden back and forth motion, Qrow shook the vile thoughts from his head, along with the water his hair had soaked up on their way to the hotel.

''Stop that, you're not a dog,'' Summer scolded her brother, blocking the scattered droplets with her arm.

''Sorry, I just had a really gross thought,'' Qrow laughed.

''I don't even want to know.''

Reiner, prepared as always, handed out towels to the group to dry themselves off. ''Right, so the party will be tonight. There will be some very important individuals there so I expect you all to behave yourselves. Is that understood?'' As heir of the Schnee Dust Company, Reiner always held himself with an aloof professionalism that encroached on condescension. At first, it had led to numerous confrontations as the two conflicting personalities of he and Qrow clashed, but in time, they found an even ground and mutual respect for each other.

''Yeah, we got it.''

''Good. Now, onto the dress code.'' He seemed more focused on Summer than the other guys in the group. ''This is, of course, a formal affair and so it is imperative that our attire is appropriate.''

Her eyes widened as her mind placed exactly what that meant. ''Oh no, not happening!''

''Summer, please, I have already gathered a collection for you to choose from.'' He spoke with the mature tone not dissimilar to a parent trying to reason with their difficult child.

''I don't care if you had to kill a Nevermore, pluck its feathers one by one, stick'em together to make wings and then use them to flap all the way to Atlas and back to get them; I'm not wearing a dress!''

Two hours later she glowered at the trio. She wore a strapless ball gown of dark crimson that clung to her body, with a split down her left leg that meant she could actually walk. ''I hate you all.''

''Oh, come on, you look fine,'' Octavius said, trying to calm the building rage within his partner.

Reiner hummed. ''I'm not so sure. Perhaps something a little less revealing?''

Summer looked fit to murder him at that moment, something that might have happened if she had her weapons with her. ''If you think I'm going to try on one more of those dresses, you can take that idea and shove it right up your-''

The chiming of a clock announced the arrival of seven in the evening.

''About time we go,'' Qrow said, fiddling with his bowtie. Both he and Octavius had gone into their clothes with much less fuss then Summer had, the two slackers wearing tuxedos of black and grey respectively. Neither felt comfortable in the restricting outfits, at least in comparison to Reiner who wore this style every day of his life. Regardless, even the laziest of them was excited for the evening ahead.

The rain pelted their car as they were driven out of town, riding down a long road lined with towering trees separating them from grassy pastures beyond. The event was being held on an estate closer to the coast. The hill it was located on afforded a marvelous view of the lake expanding onto the horizon beyond. According to Reiner, in the bright sunlight, the waters would turn sapphire and shine so bright that it lit up the dull buildings of Gregale into something truly beautiful.

''Shame we came in fall then,'' Summer grumbled, staring out the window at the pouring rain, still bitter about what she was wearing.

''I take it you've been here before?'' Octavius asked.

''Yes, once when I was young. The owners of the estate have been business partners with my family for generations.'' And the wealth showed. They were greeted by a spectacular piece of architecture, a garden raised high given the number of baskets and plants they had lining the walls, hanging above and around doors. It dominated the scenery from its hilltop, an Olympus crawling with the upper class.

They followed Reiner's lead, offering polite smiles to those they passed as he exchanged pleasantries with anyone who happened to recognize him. He kept it brief every time with sweet measured words that flowed with ease. Before they entered the main hall, he told Summer to link arms with him.

''And why would I do that?'' she asked, folding her arms in a challenging stance.

''You'll see,'' he answered. Summer tried to wave him off and continue on but was held back when he grasped her wrist, refusing to move an inch. He had dropped the polite mask he had just been wearing for the other guests. Although reluctant to appear close with the person who forced her into her most hated clothing, she had no choice, and Summer wrapped her arm around his.

''Announcing the arrival of Reiner Schnee, heir to the Schnee Dust Company, and companions.'' A courteous applause welcomed them as they entered and Summer found herself stuck listening to Reiner converse with the other high classed aristocrats and businessmen gathered. After a few minutes of talking, she noticed the other two boys had walked off, leaving her trapped in the tedium. As she watched the interactions, Summer entertained herself by translating his public actions into what he was actually thinking. The warm politeness with which he regarded these people was totally unlike the coolness he used around school.

''It's a pleasure to meet you,'' he greeted one.

'Not that he really cares,' she thought.

''I am aware of the long partnership between our companies.''

'You're good for money... maybe he does care.'

''I do hope we can continue this mutually beneficial relationship for years to come.''

'Don't screw up, or we'll drop you before you know what's hit you.'

''Yes, my father regrets not being able to attend. I fear his illness has only gotten worse in recent years.''

She had no thoughts on that matter. It was known that Reiner's father, the current patriarch of the Schnee family, had been ill for quite some time now, with what nobody knew. All anyone knew was that it forced him to withdraw from the public domain indefinitely, controlling everything from the shadows in Atlas. He was fortunate that he had Reiner to pick up the slack on public appearances. His son never let it be known what he thought about his father and his sickness, but Summer always suspected that he viewed it as an opportunity.

Reiner Schnee was intelligent, cold as ice and cunning to boot. His father's absence had allowed him to step out into the spotlight and earned him recognition as the next generation, one that looked bright with him at the helm. But then again, he was his father...

''I swear,'' Summer muttered as they took a break to get some food and a drink in the courtyard, the rain still pounding strong on the glass ceiling above. ''I've never seen this many monocles in one place before.''

That made him chuckle. ''I know, people think they make them look classy. If only they knew.'' There were always a few lapses in Reiner's frozen shell that made Summer giggle. Remaining fixed on the other guests, he stabbed his fork into a fat sausage. He gave it a moment's glanced before discarding it back to the tray.

From the main hall, the sounds of music could be heard starting up. Reiner downed his punch and put down his plate. ''And back into the fray we go.'' Taking her arm again, he led Summer back inside where the centre of the room had opened up and men and women danced with the formal grace that she had expected to see. The women in their elegant dresses twirling and stepping along with their partners. The whole atmosphere wasn't her style; she'd much rather be at a tournament or a concert as opposed to the stifling fanciness that the room reeked of.

''Shall we dance, my lady?'' Reiner asked, pulling away, bowing and offering an outstretched hand.

''Do we have to?''

The look he gave her would indicate yes.

''Fine,'' she sighed, and let herself be led off into the throng of bodies on the dance floor.

Of course, Reiner led the them with the rehearsed refinement that came with his station, but Summer was able to keep up with swift steps. ''Colour me impressed. I never knew you were this adept at dancing, Summer.''

''My mom made me learn when I was little. Thought that it would fix me being as rough as my brother and knock the idea of being a Huntress out of my head.''

''Well, it seems to have worked partly.''

''Yeah, maybe.'' It had definitely helped in combat though. Knowing exactly how much space you had to move and having the training to move properly had helped her more than once in a fight. But the dance floor was hardly a battlefield, and this time Summer was all too willing to let her friend lead.

As they danced around the room, Summer became aware of the closeness between them, of the feeling of his hand in hers, of the firmness with which he held her waist. It wasn't dominating, but gave no sign of weakness either. A perfect balance between the two that just felt right. Summer would be lying if she said she didn't have some feelings for Reiner. Hell, there wasn't a girl in Beacon who hadn't given him a second look for whatever reason.

''So, uh, why did you want me to stick with you tonight?''

He gazed at her for a few moments before turning his head a fraction. ''Look over there.'' She followed the direction of his nod and saw a table where three girls sat, the youngest of which must have just reached her teenage years. ''The three daughters of the Oakwood Estate. And over there,'' he nodded to another table across the hall where a young woman a few years older than she was glared daggers into her. ''The heiress of Colmer Industries, a moderate Dust mining corporation.''

Summer closed her eyes, coming to a quick understanding of the situation. ''Better the girl you know than the dozens you don't?''

''Exactly. And until I'm declared betrothed, they won't stop hounding me.''

Summer's eyes shot open in shock. ''B-betrothed?'' she managed.

''Yes, as in to be married?''

''I know what it is, idiot!'' She took a breath. ''So... is there anyone yet?'' she asked, somewhat afraid of the answer.

''Well, it's common for marriages to be used to form partnerships or trade agreements between interested parties.'' And as heir of the world's largest Dust Mining Company, he would be an extremely valuable marriage indeed. ''However, I refuse to be used as a pawn in such a way. If I'm to marry, it will be by my own wish. In short: no, there is no one.''

With a sigh of relief and minor disappointment, Summer smiled. ''No, of course there wouldn't be.'' Looking around, she found that the air of the room felt less stifling now and more fresh. She caught the scent of perfume and cologne, of the plants and the sound of amiable chatter. 'Perhaps this isn't so bad after all,' she thought. Looking through the crowd, she caught a glimpse of Qrow entertaining some people. Hopefully with nothing that made any of them look stupid, but that was wishful thinking. She then thought to try and spot Octavius, but failed to.

''Hey, have you seen Octavius anywhere?'' she asked. Moments later, she had no reply, Reiner only looked at her with those frosty blue eyes. ''Reiner? Did you hear me?''

''Oh, he'll be about,'' he answered. The mask was back up and Summer was instantly suspicious.

''Reiner, where is my partner?''


The guards passed by without noticing him, hidden in the shadowy corners of the hallway. Their faces hidden behind masks and not an inch of skin of display, these prowling guardians held an air of mystery that piqued his curiosity, but there was no way he was about to go up and start asking them questions.

'This place is huge,' Octavius thought, creeping out of his hiding spot. 'How am I going to find it?'

He had disappeared from the party, leaving Qrow behind to deal with the socialising that he loved so much. Over the half an hour he had spent searching, all he had been able to find was empty rooms and guards. Luckily, they didn't find him. Still, there were too many to just be keeping an eye on the estate. There was something else here, something more.

He stalked up the staircase that would lead him to the second floor, the lights of the occupied areas of the building shining through the splattered windows of the hallway. Then, separate from the sounds of the party below, he heard something. A quiet tune, its melody sweet and tinny in the distance. Each step he took the music grew louder and louder until her reached a corridor, lines with ornate suits of armour, a single door at the end.

He crept down the lines of empty suits that might have once been worn by knights of old. He checked that there were no guards, but the only ones near were long since dead. He laid a hand on the door handle and turned. The door opened smoothly, light from within flooding into the dark hallway and he slipped inside.

The contents of the room limited themselves to the bare essentials of luxury with a queen-sized four-poster bed; a wardrobe with intricate carvings and decorations; carpeted floor that looked like it was made of the softest animal fur. But the most radiant of all was stood at the window, gazing out at what was beyond. Her long braided hair shimmered gold down to the waist of her slim form. She was tall, not abnormally so for a young woman, but enough for it to be noticeable. The frills of her sunglow dress shining bright, passing just over her ankles, shook as she twirled around, startled by the sudden intrusion.

Octavius raised his hands in a calming gesture. ''Don't scream. I'm not here to hurt you.''

With pursed lips she studied the young man before her, then opening and speaking with careful manners. ''I don't recognize you... might I ask your name?''

''Octavius,'' he said, heart pounding in his chest. ''Octavius Ozpin.''

''Octavius?'' She spoke his name slowly and with feeling, then smiled. ''A lovely name. Did Mr Schnee send you here?''

''Yes, he did.'' Reaching inside his tuxedo, Octavius withdrew an emblem, a twelve-pointed snowflake, twinkling with modest presence - so simple and yet holding great power in and of itself. ''We should go as soon as possible.''

''Very well, I have nothing to hold me here. Let us-'' The sound of glass shattering struck out in the distance, followed by sudden screams of fright. ''What was that?''

''I don't know...'' Reiner hadn't mentioned anything about that happening, which meant it could only be bad news. He reached out his hand. ''We have to hurry.''

She glided across the room and slid her hand into his. ''Lead the way.''


Next time, Mission 3: Ghosting