Sitting silently and staring at a wall was not high on Eagon's list of favorite things. In fact, he would be lying if he said it was on the list at all. But he fancied himself the dependable sort and, despite the incredible pressure of boredom, he continued. Nearby, the others slept around the lantern, its bright light turned down to a faint glow enough to light the way of anybody who might be moving about.

He sighed and slouched back in his chair, wanting a drink and nothing more. He had already cleaned Blackthorn several times and now found himself pressed for something, anything, to do. His gaze wandered over to Velvet. The sleeping Faunus was curled up on her side with her back toward him. As much as she vexed him, she had earned quite a bit of his respect. Despite suffering the years of abuse and torment that her heritage brought her, she still managed to push through. She was a resilient little bunny. She was destined for bigger things than being a punching bag for small-minded fools and she knew it.

"The way you're staring at her is really creepy."

Eagon started and turned to find Coco standing behind him. "Damn ye, lass, don't sneak up on a man when he's thinkin'."

"Oh, you were thinking, huh? I thought I smelled smoke."

"Barrel o' laughs, ye are." He gestured at Velvet. "How long have ye known her? Two years?"

"I guess you could say we've known each other longer. We attended Sanctum together but we were never really what you'd consider friends. I only spoke to her a few times and she never really said much back. She was always really shy and was bullied a lot."

"Ye never stood up for her?"

She shrugged. "I always thought that I'd be a social outcast if I did." She glared as Eagon let out a snort. "What do you want from me? I was a kid. I'm not proud of what I did and I'm even kind of ashamed that I never had her back but, hell, she's a Faunus and that was something you didn't do back then. People who defended Faunus rights were ostracized." Coco hung her head and her shoulders slumped. "Hell, even I pushed her around once or twice and, what's worse, I didn't think anything of it. It was just something people did." She glanced at Velvet and gave a bitter chuckle. "It's stupid, really. Tormenting some poor girl who's only crime was being born different. Disgusting. But, back then, I would have done anything to fit in. Nothing scared me more than being alone. Still scares me now, as a matter of fact."

For all of his lack of social grace and general apathy towards the opinions others had of him, he could read a person as well as anybody else. Coco was dying to vent, so he sat back and silently waited for her to continue.

"After Yatsuhashi died, I had managed to convince myself that it was only a matter of time before I was going to be asked to step down as leader of Team CFVE or, even worse, expelled from Beacon altogether." She began to pace as nervous energy built in her. "My parents have these huge dreams of their daughter being a world-famous Huntress. I would be the first in my family to do such a thing and they've romanticized it. I mean, they are so invested in this that I could see the headlines in their eyes. 'Coco Adel, Master Huntress, single-handedly saves town of defenseless orphans, kittens, and puppies from certain doom.'"

Eagon snorted again. He noticed Velvet roll over, open her eyes, and sit up without any trace of grogginess.

"Ridiculous, I know." Coco continued. "You should have seen them the day I was accepted to Beacon. Their daughter was going to attend the most prestigious Huntsman academy in Remnant. I'm sure they're still celebrating. That's why I was so terrified of being expelled. That's why I'm still terrified of being expelled. I didn't know how they would react to find out that I had smashed all of those dreams in one stupid move." She reach up and nervously ran a hand through her hair. "I was so sure they'd throw me out and I'd have to sell my body to survive or I'd die in the streets or get picked off by a Beowulf. I know that's incredibly unlikely but that fear is still there. I want this mission to go right so badly but I'm so scared that I'll make a bad call and somebody will get hurt. Or worse."

Eagon nodded. "Aye. I can see yer worries there. This bein' me first mission with Beacon and this bein' me last chance to make somethin' of meself, I can relate. But, Coco, I don't know how many time I've got to tell ye. We believe ye've got what it takes to lead this team. All that's left is for ye to believe the same. Isn't that right, Bunny?"

Coco spun and found Velvet standing right behind her. "I thought you were asleep."

Velvet shook her head and gently pulled at her right ear. "I heard everything. Both a blessing and a curse, these are." She took a deep breath. "I remember Sanctum. I remember everything that happened there. I remember what you did."

Coco wilted slightly. "Velvet...I-"

The Faunus pulled her into a tight embrace. "Just in case I haven't made it clear enough, I forgive you. I forgave you a long time ago. You've changed. You're doing better now."

"Bullshit. Even after I found out you were being bullied here, I didn't stand up for you."

"And I don't hold that against you. You have enough on your plate without having to take care of my problems. Besides, I need to start standing up for myself if I'm going to get any respect around here."

"I respect ye." Eagon pointed out.

Velvet stuck her tongue out at him. "You don't count. You barely respect yourself." She returned her attention to Coco. "Just promise me one thing."

"What that?"

"Don't make me sleep on any more concrete floors." She whined.

Coco chuckled. "I'll do my best to keep that promise."

"As grand as all of this lovey-dovey stuff is," Eagon interrupted, "it's late and I've had a long day. Coco, if ye could come and relieve me so I can catch me zee's..."

Coco stomped her foot. "Dammit, Eagon. Do you have to ruin everything?"

"Aye." He replied dryly.

She sighed and broke the embrace with Velvet. "Go back to bed. You've got final watch." She turned and made her way to Eagon's chair. "You." She jerked a thumb over her shoulder. "Fuck off." As he made his way past her, she grabbed his arm. "One more thing: Thanks."

He patted her shoulder. "Don't mention it, lass. I'm just pointing out the obvious. I don't allow meself to be led by fools."

X-x

Eagon took a swallow from his water bottle. "What's the plan, Bosslady?"

Coco jammed her protein bar between her teeth and pulled out her scroll. "Well, we're only a short distance from the designated collapse point and we didn't see any Grimm last night. I think we took care of the last of them yesterday." She growled around her breakfast. "Still, we need to take it slowly and be thorough. I'd rather take two days to do a thorough job than take one day to do a shit one."

"Aye, as decent a plan as any."

"Glad I have you're approval." She responded dryly. "In case we come across any Grimm, I want you to run interference for the rest of the team. Try and keep their attention and keep them off of us. Your Semblance gives you a better chance against them than any of us would have. Velvet and I will keep back and deal the damage. Fox, you'll take out any that make it past Eagon before they get to Velvet and I. Everybody clear?" After a series of affirmatives, she continued. "When we get to the collapse point, I want both Eagon and Velvet to start blasting the ceiling and walls, starting at the peak and working downward at one-meter increments. We need to be really careful about this bit because we don't want to get caught in the collapse. The terrain around the tunnel is mostly soft soil and limestone so collapsing it should be quick and easy. Just keep your distance and be ready to move when the tunnel begins to go. Any questions?"

"Aye." Eagon raised his hand. "How exactly to ye intend to have Bunny blow the tunnel? I mean," He turned to Velvet. "What is yer weapon?"

With a grin, Velvet revealed her camera. "Show me your weapon."

Without taking his eyes from her, Eagon reached for his belt buckle.

"Not that one!" She cried. "The other one. Blackthorn."

He frowned. "Alright, but it's not as impressive as me other weapon." He lifted Blackthorn up and held it before him. "What now?"

Velvet sighted through the camera's viewfinder. "Hold it steady." The camera flashed.

Eagon blinked rapidly, trying to clear the after-flash out of his eyes. "Alright. Now what?"

Velvet stood and held out a hand. Blue lines extended from the box seated in the small of her back and traced the shape of her very own Blackthorn.

"Crikey." He glared at the weapon, eyes narrowed as he inspected its contours. "That's her alright. That's me Blackthorn." He raised his own weapon. "That's some pretty fancy trickery there, lass, but it's one thing to have the weapon. Let's see if ye know how to use her."

"Go easy on her." Coco warned. "She's a glass cannon."

Velvet turned a ferocious glare on her leader.

"Oh, don't try to deny it. Your attacks are exceptional and your ability to dodge is peerless but you can't take a hit to save your life. I'd rather he not put you in the hospital because he thought you could take a heavier blow than you're capable of. Hell, he knocked me around with that thing."

With a snort, Velvet charged Eagon, who blocked her first blow. She kicked high and he ducked under, spinning to build momentum. He hooked Blackthorn against her belt and used it to pull her from her feet. She tumbled across the ground but managed to regain her stance, turning to face him again.

"Yer a nimble little bunny, ain't ye? Let's see what other tricks ye know."

Coco clapped her hands. "Alright, that's enough. If the two of you want to spar, we'll set something up when we get back to the school but this is neither the time nor the place. We've got more important things to do."

With a wave of her hand, Velvet's Blackthorn vanished. "She's right. We've got a mission." She walked back to her bag.

"What was that?"

She turned to look back at Eagon. "What was what?"

"That thing on yer back. Just at yer belt."

She reached behind her. "It's my weapon box. It can copy any weapon I see used as well as any relevant techniques. It helps me use my Semblance of memorization to its maximum effect."

"I figured that bit, Bunny, but I was talkin' 'bout the white thing."

A blush spread over her cheeks. "It's...ah...it's a tail." She said softly.

"A what now? Didn't quite catch that."

"I have a tail!"

Eagon blinked. "Ye mean like a wee rabbit tail? Give us a look."

"No. I'm not showing you my ass." Velvet grabbed her belt and jerked her pants a little higher up on her hips. "I don't want you spreading word that I have a tail, either. The last thing I need is Cardin Winchester having another reason to give me grief, especially if he sees it as an excuse to cop a feel."

"You know that if Cardin, or anybody, decides to give you grief, you just need to come to me, right?"

Velvet crossed her arms and sighed. "I don't want to sound ungrateful, but I can handle Winchester myself."

"Easy, Velvet. He's just trying to help." Coco softly urged.

"I know. But I meant what I said last night. If I want any respect, then I need to start standing up for myself."

Eagon nodded. "Aye, Bunny. But if ye bite off more than ye can chew, ye know where to find me."

"Alright" Coco nodded and picked up her weapon. "It's cold, damp, and filthy in here. Let's get moving and get this over with before anybody catches pneumonia."

Gathering their packs, CFVE moved out. The tunnels hummed softly as air moved through it, creating a strange echoing howl, putting everyone's hair on end. Coco extended Caffeine and hung back with Velvet while Eagon and Fox took the lead, checking every drain pipe, every corner, every nook, and every cranny.

"What's this?"

Coco looked to find a long strand of something dangling from the ceiling. She reached up and grasped it. "It's sticky."

"That's what she said." Eagon responded.

Coco glared at him. "Shut up. This is serious." She tugged on it. "It's fairly strong. Almost like spider silk."

Everybody froze.

"Do ye think one could be in here?"

Coco shuddered. "I hope not. They're disgusting."

"Ye've never struck me as an arachnophobe."

"I hate them. They have too many legs and they...dart."

Eagon cocked an eyebrow. "Dart?"

"Yeah. You see them then they take off and you never see them again."

"Until they crawl onto your face…"

"Eagon, stop."

"Into your mouth."

"Knock it off! I'm serious!"

"Feel their little legs as they work their way down your throat."

With a flick of her wrist, Coco folded Caffeine and swung, connecting with Eagon's head. The blow sent him tumbling across the tunnel and into the opposite wall.

With a grunt, he sat up and shook his head. "Aye. I probably deserved that."

Coco panted heavily. "Ya think?" She pointed a warning finger at him. "Don't. Fuck. With. Me." With another flick, she extended Caffeine and pointed it down the tunnel. "If there is a Weaver down here, we're going to need to be super careful."

Eagon grunted. "Aye. Terrible rascals, those. Let's get this over and done with."

The group picked up the pace, eager to blow the tunnel and be gone before any more unpleasant surprises revealed themselves. As they went deeper into the tunnel, the strands of web increased in number.

"Really not liking this, guys." Velvet whispered.

"Agreed." Fox rumbled, using his blades to slice through the webbing.

"It's not far now, guys." Coco pushed some strands aside with the barrel of Caffeine. "Let's just stay on our toes. Watch the ceiling and the walls. This thing could be anywhere."

"The webs get thicker further down." Eagon observed. "It's possible that its lair is further down. We might be able to collapse the tunnel with it on the far side."

"And if it isn't?" Velvet asked.

"I don't want to think about it." Said Coco.

"Big Grimm and no exit." Fox grumbled.

"Didn't I just say I didn't want to think about it?"

Fox gave her an apologetic look.

Coco lifted a hand from her weapon and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Let's just...let's just get this over with."

"Coco's gettin' bothered by the creepy-crawly."

"Eagon, I swear if you don't shut up, I'm going to hit you so hard your children will inherit the bruises."

The Vacuoian was wisely silent as they continued on, Coco keeping one eye on her scroll while constantly scanning for movement. Fox and Velvet kept ahead of them, cutting away strands of web. Eagon noticed the massive blade that the Faunus wielded. Despite its size, she seemed to manage it quite well, balancing and countering the broad strokes.

Coco took notice. "That's her version of Genmaicha, Yatsuhashi's blade. I've noticed she's been using it more and more in practice."

"Probably a way of keeping him with her." Eagon observed. "She's not bad with it."

"Not bad, no, but it doesn't suit her style of combat. She's more of a quick fighter rather than a heavy striker like he was." Her scroll beeped. "We're here."

"Where else would we be?" Eagon asked.

"You know what I mean." She called the other two back. "Fox, fall back and cover our rear. Velvet, you go up a few meters with Eagon. Soon as I give my signal, you'll both start blowing the tunnel. Focus your shots at the apex of the arch before bringing them down to halfway. I want shots every meter." She paused and gave the ceiling another glance. "When the White Fang came through, they really weakened the entire structure so it could start to go at any moment. When that happens, rush back and we'll retreat. Got it?"

Eagon saluted. "Aye. We'll do ye proud, Coco." He nudged Velvet. "C'mon, Bunny, let's go make a mess."

"I've noticed that's something you do well and don't call me 'Bunny'. I hate that nickname." She groused.

"Ah, now I know to call ye that every day."

"Please don't." Velvet summoned her Blackthorn clone.

"Oh, no, Bunny. Since it annoys ye, I'm gonna call ye that as much as possible."

"I've asked politely."

"Aye, that ye did." He responded, popping a shell into Blackthorn. "But that ain't gonna stop me." He raised his weapon and fired directly into the ceiling. The report and subsequent explosion blended together and caused their ears to ring.

"I was hoping you'd be mature about this." Velvet shouted, firing at a steep angle.

"That'll tell ye somethin' about me, yeah?" He reloaded and mimicked her shot.

"Yeah. It tells me you're a childish little bastard." She responded, firing again.

"Aye."

"It also makes me think that you secretly like me."

"It's no secret, lass. In case ye missed it, I gave ye a great big hug and promised to have yer back whenever ye needed me. I'd do the same for Coco and Fox." He paused a moment and thought. "Though I'd probably skip the huggy bit for Fox."

"That's not what I meant. You know how little boys always annoy girls that they like."

Eagon chuckled and stepped back to start on the next portion of tunnel. "Bunny, ye're not me type. Ye're just too timid to keep up with me. It's not yer fault, just yer nature. I like ye like a little sister. I see ye as someone to teach and protect."

"That's sweet of you but I can handle myself."

"Aye, because yer troubles with Winchester are a perfect example."

"I've been dealing with that."

"No, ye've been runnin' and hidin' each time he gives ye grief. Start fightin' back, Bunny. Make a comment about his stupid hair or his stupid voice or his stupid armor." Eagon shrugged. "Ye could always haul off and hit 'im."

The ceiling began to crack and sag under their barrage.

"A few more should do it." Velvet observed. "Let's be ready to move."

"Aye." He agreed. "Fact o' the matter is, Bunny, there are some battles ye can't fight on yer own. Isn't that why we have teams?"

"I suppose so, but this is one bully, not a pack of Grimm."

"Yer missin' me point. If this one bully is givin' ye grief, ye need to step up and tell him to knock it off."

"I've already tried that."

"Then ye need to make him knock it off. And if the professors get on yer case, tell them about the abuse ye've suffered at his hands and ask why they never saw fit to do anything about it. That school's got cameras, I've seen 'em. They can't not know what this fella's been up to."

She let out a sigh. "My mom always told me to ignore bullies. If they see they're not getting to you, they'll get bored and go away."

He shook his head. "That never works, least not in my experience. They get their own jollies just by knowin' they're makin' ye miserable and ye're not gonna do a damn thing about it." He loaded a final shell into Blackthorn and took careful aim. "One more should do it."

She followed his trajectory. "We've already hit that spot."

"Aye, but I'm willin' to bet that's the weakest point in the entire structure right now. One more solid blast should bring the whole thing down." He glanced over at her. "Ye should get clear. If this goes bad, I could probably withstand the collapse. You, not so much."

She snorted. "Typical macho-male crap. You're always spouting it off, just like he did."

"Like who?"

"Yatsuhashi." She threw her shoulders back, puffed out her chest, and spoke in an exaggerated bass voice. "You do not need to worry, little one. I will protect you. It is my duty as a man to protect little ones like you." Her shoulders slumped and her ears wilted. "I really wish he hadn't felt that way."

Eagon pulled her into a one-armed embrace. "Aye, lass, but wishin' ain't gonna bring him back. Best to move on and enjoy life. Yer too young and pretty to spend the rest of yer days depressed." Releasing her, he swung and swatted her backside. "Now, less mopin' and more movin'."

He fired the final shot and, with a thunderous roar, the tunnel began to quickly collapse. They both hurried to get clear of the falling debris, covering their heads as they ran. Dust filled the air, blinding and choking them but they managed to make it to safety as the last chunk of concrete clattered to the ground behind them.

Velvet coughed and spat. "Well, that was exciting. There's nothing like staring in the face of death to get your blood moving."

"Aye, but I prefer another type of excitement." Eagon doubled over, bracing his hands against his knees as he panted. "Still, the job's over and we're alive. I'd call that a success."

A low hissing roar echoed down the tunnels, coming from some point between them and the exit.

"I think you spoke too soon." Velvet whimpered.

"Aye, looks like our luck's run out."