Tai was on the front porch shoveling snow off of the wood and back onto the now covered forest floor. He had found himself grasping for any excuse to not be in the house. Being in the house was just a catalyst for internal conflict for Tai. He had been tortured for the last two weeks, Yang had been even worse since her last nightmare. He had thought she had been making progress, but after her last attack she had not spoken to Tai or left her room.

Tai placed the shovel against the door and sat on his porch, enjoying the view of the winter wonderland that had overcome his front yard. He remembered times with his teammates that included playing in the snow. They had all been kids once and, just like Ruby and Yang, had still been carefree enough to sled and make snowmen. Tai stood up and walked out to his front yard. He began to roll a ball of snow, intending to relive a childhood daydream when he heard steps from in the forest, behind him.

Tai turned to face the edge of the clearing where his cabin was built. His eyes roamed the tree line, searching for a source of the sounds of feet crunching snow. His eyes naturally snapped to a form that had seemed to melt from the white background. The figure was masculine, wearing a white traveling cloak and a hood. The cloak was long, ending just below the figure's knees. His black pants were tucked into leather boots and as he walked closer to Tai he threw back his hood to show his silver hair. Tai locked eyes with the figure and smiled, he jogged over and clasped his arm. "Glas Lir! Tai called out to his friend, "It is great to see you again."

The younger man turned his green eyes to Tai, "Likewise, Old Man. How long has it been, two years? You're practically graying!"

Tai ignored Glas' jibe and looked at the man. He was taller than Tai remembered, his silver hair had gotten a little longer than he had last seen. Tai also noted a new scar on Glas' stubbled jaw line. Interestingly, Glas' facial hair was a much darker shade than that on top of his head, but Glas kept it militarily short or shaved so it was not apparent if you did not know of him.

"I'm not that old, and you shouldn't be talking about gray hair. Besides you're the one going to feel like you're aging. You're, what, only about five years older than Yang?"

"That sounds about right, yes." Glas was smirking.

"Those years are terrible. You'll be in prime condition one day, then get knee pains the next, and before you know it, you're taking medication for arthritis, having to diet because your doctor tells you your metabolism has finally stopped, and then you're thinking about kids."

Glas chuckled and said with a wink, "You thought a little too much about kids."

Tai's face grew solemn, "I need your help."

"I read your letter, is she still here?"

"Yeah, she's shut down after the last nightmare, which was actually the night I wrote that letter. It was a rough year for her, disgraced in the tournament, her team has left her, and her arm. I thought you could talk to her, your experiences are closer to hers than mine are."

Glas nodded, "I can try. But ultimately it's her who has to make the decision to get up. It also may take a few days. If it's alright, may I stay? I could help you with any projects you have or just keep you company."

Tai slapped Glas on the back and started leading his friend to the cabin, "You can stay for as long as you'd like. Just call us even for that one favor I owe you."

If Glas believed that that was a fair trade or not he kept it to himself as he and Tai walked back to the cabin. Tai took the time to analyze his friend some more. Glas seemed to be favoring his left leg, and was usually more optimistic. To say that he and Tai ultimately could not definitively help Yang was worrisome. They reached the cabin and Tai opened the door for Glas.

As Glas walked into the cozy cabin he pulled off his traveling cloak revealing a white long-sleeve shirt, and a holstered rifle attached to a leather strap on his back. Tai noticed that Glas had definitely gained weight with muscle, he hoped his friend wasn't trying to fight more often.

"Can I get you anything to drink?" Tai asked, trying to be a gracious host as Glas put his weapon and cloak next to the door.

"Has Qrow been here recently?"

"Not recently. No."

"Then I assume there is, at least, a drop of alcohol in your kitchen."

Tai turned to look inquisitively at Glas. He had never known the man to drink. "Uhh, yes there is." He said defensively.

"Then I'll just have some tea, thank you." Glas said with a smile.

Tai went to the kitchen to put the kettle on the stove, ignoring the sudden shift of topic. "What have you been up to, recently?" He asked his guest.

Glas walked over to the kitchen and took a seat at the dining table, "It has been absolute madness in Vale. People are terrified of the police and huntsmen just as much as the Grimm and rumors of Atlesian military. Nobody knows who to trust, and the frozen dragon on top of Beacon Tower is a constant reminder of Vale's vulnerability. That causes fear, that causes grimm attacks, and that causes more fear and distrust. It's a terrible cycle."

Tai sat down opposite of Glas. "How do you feel about all of that?"

Glas frowned and dropped his gaze to the hardwood table, he started tapping his fingers against it. "I always knew Vale was, at least, partially vulnerable, people had gotten too used to feeling like the grimm were just a scary nighttime story to tell children to make them stay inside. That image was destroyed three times in the last year, Tai. First Ironwood shows up with half his damn air force, showboating Atlas strength in an entirely different kingdom, that started making people wonder why they were preparing so hard, then the outbreak of grimm that your daughters had a hand in halting before anything disastrous occurred, then that night. People don't think that Vale is secure anymore. Crime has increased and not many people view the safe zone as "safe", most of them feel like they're being held against their will. On top of that, faunus are being discriminated in the city more so than ever, people blame them for the White Fang attacking, most seem to think all faunus were a part of it. It's a mess."

Tai took the news heavily. He had suspected that would be the reaction from the citizens of Vale who had no idea of the actual events taking place. Most of them couldn't know. Tai was curious if Glas knew, the man seemed to always be more aware than he should be of certain things. "What were you during that night, Glas?"

Glas looked back up at Tai, "I was in Beacon watching the tournament from my apartment. When that witch's message came on I went out because I knew something wasn't right. I fought off the grimm from inside the city and tried my best to save citizens fleeing to the safe zone. I couldn't save all of them, though."
"Such is life." Tai muttered.

Glas nodded, "It's a bitch."

The kettle started whistling and Tai got up to pour himself and Glas tea. While he came back he gave Glas a pointed look, "You haven't been fighting have you?"

Glas took his tea and sipped, determinedly studying a knot in the grain of wood on the table and refusing to meet Tai's gaze. "What makes you think that I am?"

"Your right leg is hurting you."

"I fell."
"You have a bruise just under your eye."

"People are irritable in Vale right now."

"You have a scar on your jawline."

"That was from a long time ago."

"Glas," Tai gave him a hard look.

Glas conceded, "I have to fight more now. I just told you how rough it is in Vale right now. I'm fighting to help others, not because it satisfies some thrill-seeking adrenaline-junky side of me."

"You know what Qrow and I said. You need to slow down, you can handle your own, but even hunters need to rest; much more so, fighters like yourself with no huntsman training. You can't fight the world, and grimm never stop coming back." Tai said with a bitter taste in his mouth.

Glas looked at his friend with worry. He had hoped that Tai going back on missions was a sign that he had stopped viewing huntsmen's goals as futile. It had started when Summer was killed, but Glas didn't know Tai during that event.

Glas spoke up, "I know that you and Qrow believe I'm pushing myself, but I like living and I only fight when necessary. It has just been necessary a lot more, lately."

Tai nodded. He was sure it had been.

"And technically, I do have huntsman training."

They finished their tea peacefully and enjoyed each other's company. As they caught up and made small talk Tai realized he had missed having a friend who wasn't a constant reminder of his first wife or the missions he had avoided. Glas had missed his older friends company as well, he only wished that Tai and Qrow's friendship wouldn't be so strained, he remembered they were closer when he had first met them.

Tai and Glas finished their tea at the same time, and Glas felt no more need for pleasantries. "Is she upstairs?" He asked.

Tai gave him a nod and stood up, Glas did the same. Both men walked up the stairs and into Yang's room. Yang was sitting up in her bed looking out her window, like she always was. Zwei was curled up near the foot of her bed.

"Hey kiddo," Tai entered the room first and knelt next to Yang.

"I want you to meet someone, an old friend of mine, Glas Lir. He's actually not that much older than you."

Glas took his cue and walked in behind Tai. Yang looked up to see the newcomer. His green eyes locked with her lilac ones, and he smiled. She did not reciprocate the gesture.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Glas said, maintaining a smile. He held out his hand, carefully extending his left one to not embarrass her.

"Likewise," She said shaking his hand.

Glas smiled, maybe this wasn't a lost cause after all. "I'm friends with your dad, He's always raved about his eldest daughter. I've heard you're pretty great in a fight."

Yang didn't smile, "Well I used to kick ass." She played heavy sarcasm onto the last two syllables. Her gaze drifted down to her elbow, "I actually used to punch ass."

Tai gave Glas a look. Glas nodded.

"Well I have some dishes to do, so … uh … I think I'll go do those." Tai awkwardly shuffled out of the room. Glas fought the temptation to roll his eyes. Tai had never been smooth before, you would think that he was trying to set up his bedridden amputee daughter on a date. It was a miracle he had managed to have relationships with both of the women on his team.

Glas grabbed a chair and pulled it next to the bed, Zwei followed and eagerly rolled over next to his chair, showboating his stomach for Glas. "I bet you're wondering why your father and I are friends. He seems a little too old to be hanging out with me."

Yang went back to staring out the window, she didn't respond.

Glas knew better than to force her to say something back, instead he bent down to rub Zwei's belly. Glas waited patiently by counting to two-hundred before asking a second question, "So has your father ever mentioned me?"

Yang snorted, "Why would he?"

"What do you mean?"

"I rarely talk to my father. So when I do, what makes you think that we would waste time on a subject of someone I had never met before?"

"Your father has known me since I was as old as your younger sister, I thought at least some stories would be interesting enough to tell you."

"So you and my father went on adventures together?"

Glas knew she was being facetious, he and she were both well aware that Tai had not gone on any missions since Summer had passed away until recently.

"Not exactly, I usually went out with Qrow actually, but your father taught me a lot when you and Ruby were at Signal."

Yang looked at the stranger in her bedroom with suspicion. Her eyes closed slightly and she kept her tone even when replying.

"You're freaking me out. I don't know anything about you, but you seem to already know a lot about me.

Glas nodded, "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. Your father talks a lot about his daughters, He loves you very much."

Yang said nothing in response. She still felt guilty over her outburst about two weeks ago. Her father had been avoiding her but she couldn't think of how to make it up to him.

"So you don't know who I am?" Glas inquired once more.

"No, Gloss, I don't know who you are, but I bet you're very important since you keep asking me." Yang was still looking out her window.

"Glas," Glas politely corrected. "Well if you ever wan't to get to know me, I'll be staying here for a small while."

"I'll be sure to do that."

Glas took that as a sign that he was overstaying his welcome.

"I'll leave you alone, then. It was nice to meet you, Yang." Glas left the room and followed Tai's trail back to the kitchen. He found Tai sitting back at the dining table, "How is she?" He asked.

Glas answered while sliding into a seat opposite from Tai, "She doesn't seem depressed, only angry and bitter. She's probably just suffering from the traumatic experiences of the last year."

"You don't think she is sad?"

"She is sad, but if she's anything like you've said, her sadness is being displaced by anger. She's always fought with anger for her own amusement or her friends, but now that all those purposes have abandoned her she doesn't know what to do or what to fight for anymore."

"So how does she get out of it?"

"She finds something different to fight for."

Tai was silent for a long time before he asked, "How did you get out of it?"

Glas was surprised Tai had brought that up, both Qrow and Tai new about the reason Glas had trained to fight, but neither of them had ever asked about the consequences. "I realized what I had desired for my entire life was worthless, and that making sure no one had to go through my experiences; that was my new motivation in life. And it made me get over my disappointment."

Tai and his friend gazed at each other. "You look like you've aged ten years since I last saw you," Tai remarked.

Glas chuckled mirthlessly, "this last year, who hasn't?"