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Chapter 7

The Rose siblings sat in silence outside Professor Lyon's office. Qrow fidgeted nervously, knowing full well that the part he played would warrant severe punishment but not as much as his sister's. Summer meanwhile was feeling a deep remorse at having ruined her own homecoming because of her temper. She didn't even know why Qrow's prank got to her. They certainly didn't normally. But she had been stressed from her trip and only now did she realise it. Her sibling's antics were simply the breaking point. What would her parents think of all this?

The door opened, startling them both. She was assured to see Vulcan there, a half-mocking grin on his face. Good to know he finds the trouble I'm in funny, she thought. "Sibling rivalry must be nice," he turned to her, "I thought I told you to rest, not start a minor war. Well, anyway, come on in,"

The Beacon director sat at a large mahogany desk. To the left of her was a large fireplace, over which hung a rapier and pair of flintlock pistols. To their right stood an antique bookcase, overflowing with books both modern and ancient. A large window behind the desk would normally offer an extensive view of Beacon's courtyard but at the moment, it was covered by a velvet curtain.

Lilac Lyons was dressed in a sharp suit one might expect on a businessman. Her light purple hair flowed down her back nearly reaching the floor as she sat. Summer briefly wondered how annoying maintaining that length would be. The professor studied them behind a brown file and black half-rimmed glasses. Her analytical stare seemed to pierce into their very souls and brother and sister prayed together to the spirits that the stern Headmistress would be merciful.

"Qrow Rose," Lyons said calmly, "It seems we see a lot of each other as of late. You have been here for almost half a year and I believe you have been in my office on average once a month. And those are only the occasions on which you have been caught," Qrow did his best to mimic his sister's remorseful expression, "Given your consistent disruptive behaviour towards students and staff, I have decided to be generous-"

Hope flared in Qrow's chest….

"-and give our groundskeeper the weekends off until summer break. During this time, you will take on his duties,"

….which was immediately quenched.

"But that's two months away,"

"Are you complaining, Mr Rose?"

"No Ma'am," Qrow know better than to dig his hole any deeper.

"Good, your work starts this Saturday. You are dismissed,"

"Qrow walked out like a man on death row. He spared a final glance at his sister. Then, the muted click of the door closing left her alone with her mentor and headmistress, "Summer Rose," Lyons now focused her attention on her. Despite the fire, she was sure that the temperature dropped a few degrees, "While I have sympathy for the embarrassment your brother caused you, destruction of school property is an unforgivable offense. The typical punishment would be a week's suspension and detention for the rest of the year," her eyes flickered to Vulcan, "Be that as it may, you are watched from on high and a certain outside party has convinced me to offer an alternative. Vulcan?"

"Yes," the Huntsman stepped forward, "Summer before on the Bullhead, you asked why you were brought along. The answer is that I was testing you. The Reapers only take the best of the best and you are it, according to Lyons here,"

"Call me by my title, please,"

"Sure thing, teach," the Huntsman smirked, despite the serious environment. He really was enjoying this a bit too much. The Headmistress dropped the matter with a sigh.

"So all this time, it was some big initiation?" Summer asked.

"Not quite. Membership requires three other members to nominate you first. I'm one but the others will be very different,"

"Personally," Lyons said, "I would not allow you to join before graduation. I don't recall anyone picked that was so young, but Vulcan has been insistent,"

"What about my friends?" Summer couldn't help but remember how isolated Vulcan seemed to be living before working with her. Did she want that?

"Your membership in the group will only be semi-permanent," Vulcan replied, "I have full faith in you but my fellow initiates aren't so sure, given your age. So you are going to continue attendance at Beacon and only be called when needed,"

Summer's head was reeling. She went in expecting to be punished and now she was being offered a job? "Can I have some time to think about this?"

"Of course," Lyons nodded, "But remember that if you refuse, the original punishment will stand,"

Summer stood up and left. Vulcan visibly deflated, "Well that sucked. I was sure she'd jump at the opportunity,"

"Isn't over eagerness one of the conditions for refusal of membership?"

"Well yeah but I would have made an exception. What do you think, Lilac?"

"Clearly you don't know her as well as you thought, Eric. Have you ever considered how attached she is to this school?"

"She certainly didn't hesitate to leave,"

"You offered her a chance to go Hunting in the world years before her friends, of course she would. But having seen your line of work I doubt she would be so hasty again,"

"Still," he stood near the fire, staring into the flames, "Being a Reaper is something all Hunters should aspire to. No one has ever turned down the offer,"

"Don't romanticize the Reapers, Eric. You know how much blood they have on their hands,"

Vulcan's smile vanished, "Their hands or mine specifically?"

"That's not what I meant, Eric, I just-"

"Stop calling me that. I made a promise not to be known by that anymore. Call me Vulcan, and I know exactly what you meant,"

"For Vytal's sake, Er- Vulcan, we both know you can't keep her in the dark forever and if she finds out the truth about your past and the full history of the Reapers, she will turn on you,"

The Huntsman's fingers clenched into fists and Lyons noted the fire starting to burn out of control, "Vulcan, please, control your emotions,"

With a jagged breath, he calmed down and the fire died into embers, "She could make us better. The Reapers don't have the best PR but Summer could be a figurehead. We could stop fighting shadow wars and be heroes again,"

"I'm sure if anyone could do it, it would be Summer Rose. She's started already, after all,"

"What do you mean?" Vulcan tilted his head.

"A month ago, you wouldn't have smile at a debriefing, but Summer has that effect on everyone,"

Vulcan huffed, "Well, I need to unwind so if you need me I'll be in the sparring room," Lyons let out a stifled laugh, "What?" the Huntsman asked.

"It funny," she said, "she reminds me so much of you. You know, before Bêtes Major,"

Vulcan seemed to zone out at the door threshold, "I guess so," he said quietly and left.

(GOST dorm)

Summer lay on her (now unbooby-trapped) bunk, going over the events of the day. It had only just gone noon and she was mentally exhausted, plus she still needed to check up with the nurse. The offer was foremost in her mind, however. If the Reapers were half as good as Vulcan and Lyons made it sound, then she should be jumping on this, especially since the alternative was something anyone would try to get out of. So why was she hesitating? She thought it might have been the change in lifestyle but she would still see her friends. The secrecy? She never wanted to be some killer skulking in the shadows. But time with Vulcan dispelled that idea before it fully formed. He had done nothing that wasn't necessary. So where exactly was this unexplainable dread coming from?

Her deep thinking was interrupted by the violent entrance of Tristan, Qrow and Ozpin. Tristan looked much more subdued and Qrow was squirming under Ozpin's grip on the back of his neck. "These two have something to s-say," while the other two had been cowed by the uncharacteristically loud lecture the grey-haired boy had given them, he still acted nervous now that the spotlight was on him. He released Qrow.

"Sorry sis," he said, "I should never have pulled that prank,"

"I'm sorry too," Tristan's normally gung-ho attitude was gone for now, "I knew about what Qrow had done and did nothing. I'm as much to blame,"

"I thought as much," Summer got up off her bed, "But I'm not as angry anymore. Besides, I may not be getting punished,"

"What? How did you pull that off?" Qrow's sorrowful expression vanished in light of this injustice.

"I'm being watched from on high," she winked and stretched, "I'm starving. Does anyone want something to eat?"

(Cafeteria)

Oobeck was still asleep at the table when the four of them arrived. Summer took some bread and chicken soup from the selection of food and sat down. "It's good to eat something that I haven't had to make myself,"

Oobeck jolted awake, "Fort Castle!" he shouted, making everyone jump.

"What the Dust, Oliver?" Qrow gave him a shove, "Are you dreaming about the history assignment now?"

"Professor Fable wants my essay in tomorrow," the lethargic boy put his head in his hands, "I haven't even started,"

"Then pull an all-nighter. Take coffee or something,"

"I told you, bad things happen when I take caffeine,"

"Then don't complain,"

"Say," Ozpin said, "Where's Glenda?"

"She said something about going sparring," Oobeck replied.

"Man, I haven't practiced properly since I left. Anyone feel up to a few rounds once I've eaten?" a chorus of nods were her answer.

"Quiet energetic now aren't we sis?" Qrow smiled.

"I just want to get a taste of my regular life again,"

(Training room)

None of the members of GOST or QROW expected what they saw on the training floor. Glenda sat silently in the viewing area, taking in the spectacle before them as the team joined her.

"Who is that…?" Qrow began.

"Vulcan," Summer whispered. All present were awestruck.

"What difficulty is the simulator on?" Tristan asked.

"I think he customised it," Glenda pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose in distaste, "It's a breach of rules,"

"Just how many Grimm projections that he put in?"

"There were twenty-five when I arrived but I don't know how long he has been at this,"

Vulcan ducked under a Beowolf swipe and snapped its neck. Two more came at him but the Huntsman was already sweeping their feet from under them. He then lifted one up and broke its back over his knee.

"Vulcan?" Ozpin said, unaware he was thinking aloud, "This guy should be called Wolfsbane,"

The match continued for a few minutes as the last six of the Grimm suffered similar bone crunching fates. "He's not using Dust," Tristan noted, "No wonder he can't kill them conventionally. Where are his weapons?"

"Don't need them, boy," Vulcan shouted over to them, "Also, fighting monsters as long as I have gives one excellent hearing,"

"Its way too inefficient," Tristan wasn't fazed, "Icebreaker would have cut them down in half the time it took you," he drew his pale blue greatsword for added effect.

"Tristan, please be quiet," Glenda cautioned, but the golden mohican wouldn't back down.

"I smell a challenge, "Vulcan couldn't help but laugh, "If you really are so adamant, why don't you prove it?"

"You're on. I'm gonna run circles around you, old timer," Tristan grinned confidently.

"Not just you," the Huntsman said, "All four of you,"

"What?" Summer spoke up.

"Me verses GOST,"

"Are you crazy?" Tristan burst out laughing, "You don't stand a chance, old man,"

"Well, I guess you have nothing to worry about then,"

Criticism is always welcome