Chapter 2

A Taste of Humanity and Inhumanity

Blake entered the cafeteria like a conquering queen. Lesser beings parted before her as she rode into her domain. In a fit of magnanimity worthy of her grandeur, she was willing to admit that some tiny fraction of their reverence and terror might be due to the blond woman upon whose shoulder she deigned to grace with her presence.

The blond teacher had showed the respect due to a feline of Blake's august station. After having a drink of some foul smelling brew, the woman who carried the unimportant name of Glynda had showered Blake's luscious black coat with an appropriate amount of attention as the witch stared at a screen. In addition to the certainly minor consideration that Glynda's hands knew how to properly treat her ears, Blake's feline brain was prepared to forgive any prior transgressions.

Blake carefully groomed her paw from atop her perch. After all, one must look her best even in the presence of her inferiors. Glynda's shoulder provided a splendid... and warm... vantage point from which to observe the rest of the world. At the moment, all seemed well. Blake and her comfortable shoulder perch were being treated with appropriate respect. It seemed as though her shoulder perch's presence was not required here and that the blond woman could promptly return to far more important duties, chief amongst which was lavishing Blake's coat with attention.

That said, the cafeteria was home to some potentially appetizing smells. Perhaps it would not be unreasonable to explore. After all, there was a great deal of food and some of the two legs present would certainly be willing to offer tribute and worship. Blake scanned the cafeteria for any subjects likely to provide her with sustenance. And... oh my... those ears looked positively delicious. Long, brown, furry rabbit ears with a pink center... Perhaps Blake could take just a nibble or two. Said ears were currently attached to a doe-eyed rabbit faunus with long brown hair. Nevertheless, Blake was sure that a solution could be found to that minor problem with the application of sufficient feline cunning. Now, if only her shoulder perch would walk her to her morsel.

Blake meowed lightly and flicked her tail in the appropriate direction. Her reliable mount turned and began striding forward with a regal gait, at least, for a human.

"Ah, thank you, Ms. Belladonna," said Glynda, properly acknowledging Blake's directions.

Blake licked her lips in anticipation as she rode towards her prey. Her feline tongue flicked across her teeth and her mouth opened in a lazy yawn as she greeted her treat. The ears looked long, tender and... was that a hand grabbing at her prize? A tall, armor clad boy with burnt orange hair had a hand on those scrumptious ears. He had even brought three others of lesser importance. Poachers! Simply intolerable, Blake fumed. Fortunately, her mobile shoulder perch had arrived on the scene and appeared prepared to deal with the transgressors.

"Mr. Winchester, what do you think you are doing," demanded Glynda pointing her wand menacingly.

The boy's muttered response did not appear to appease Glynda. Blake felt that the witch's snarl was more than appropriate. "Mr. Winchester, your treatment of Ms. Scarlatina is simply unacceptable. This will not continue in the future, do I make myself clear?"

Seeing that the witch had the matter of the poachers clearly in hand, Blake hopped from her perch to carry out her own vital business. While Blake had not forgotten about the rabbit faunus' spectacular ears, there were some interesting smells coming from under the table. Some two legs had been considerate enough to leave behind some intriguing morsels on the floor, mostly likely as tribute to Blake. Such scents simply demanded exploration. In addition, the table would conceal her from her final target, those delectable ears.

Terror had never looked so brave. An auburn-haired boy in imposing gray armor stood against a great and terrible foe before whom any sane individual would flee.

"Professor Goodwitch, please allow me to assu..." Cardin began.

Ah, youth! So bold. So impetuous. And now, so very feathery.

A terrified squeak came from the three other members of team CRDL as Glynda lowered her wand. The armored prospective hunter that had shielded the three against the wrath of the witch had now been replaced by empty air and one very terrified bird. Unsurprisingly, it was a cardinal albeit one with burnt orange feathers. A rather boring and imperfect transformation but what could one do?

The cardinal that was the focus of Glynda and his cowering team's attention made the belated realization that sometimes discretion was the better part of valor and dove under the nearest table. In what was either a remarkable display of team solidarity or a testament to the power of collective human stupidity, his teammates hadn't fled immediately upon their leader's disappearance. Instead, they remained petrified before the irate witch whose mood had improved from borderline homicidal to merely highly disgruntled.

"Now, I trust that such disciplinary action will be unnecessary in the future gentleman," Glynda said menacingly. Glynda did a lot of things menacingly.

She received three panicked nods in reply. Glynda continued to glare at the boys. Unfortunately, one of the boys broke the silence with a frightened moan that threatened to undercut the seriousness of the situation. Fortunately for the dignity of everyone involved, the sound was cut off by the sound of a door slamming, likely Velvet making an eminently reasonable retreat. Then, the stern silence was further destroyed by what sounded like the terrified squawking of a bird.

Sensing that further intimidation would be ineffective, Glynda turned her heel to the terrified trio after a final glare.

"Come along, Ms. Belladonna," Glynda commanded as she strode from the cafeteria.

A black cat with what looked suspiciously like ketchup on one its paws emerged from under the desk. It flowed up onto the stern blond's shoulder with liquid grace. The cat turned towards the remaining members of team CRDL and coughed, the noise short and hacking. A pair of burnt orange feathers emerged from its mouth. Eyes still locked on the terrified trio of boys, the ebony feline opened its mouth in a lazy yawn and then gave a low rowl that emphasized its pointed teeth.

Glynda ignored the unhuntsmanly squeaks behind her as the pair of feathers slowly floated to the ground.

Professor Ozpin sighed and closed his scroll.

Addendum:
Personality change after transformation likely significant. Ms. Belladonna historically concerned for life. Would not harm another student under normal circumstances.
Probably... It is Winchester.

Determinates of personality change and duration of transformation remain unclear. Likely variables: faunus heritage, target's aura level, target's aura control, and Glynda's level of annoyance.

Addendum II:
Do not annoy Glynda without further testing.

Addendum III:
Glynda seems to transform faunus into the animals associated with their faunus traits. Is Glynda's semblance racist? Is Glynda? Do not inquire directly, see above.