"Study pages 13-25 in detail children," Professor Peter Port admonished his half-asleep students, his eyes drawn on occasion to a conspicuous vacant space next to Mr. Bruni. He'd been warned Crest would take off on one of his special 'excursions' but he-along with most everyone else-wasn't fully prepared for the sharp impact his absence caused.
"I expect a 3-5 page report written on what makes an effective combat strategy. Please select one of the five scenarios we discussed and alter it depending on the situation you find yourself in. Always keep in mind: your decisions-in life and in combat-affect far more people than you realize." He directed the last part of his speech toward a very downcast Ice Queen, hoping she'd snap out of her funk. No such luck. She didn't bother acknowledging his attempt. Blast it Master Nighthawk. Hurry back! He sighed to himself and clapped his hands.
"Class dismissed. And always remember…stay vigilant!"
He kept a careful eye on the students filing out to the next class, noticing Ms. Schnee was glued to her seat. Ruby tugged on the girl's arm. "Weiss? Hey Weiss you ok? Class is over."
"Hm?" The realization she must've spaced out in class again hit her. "Oh yeah. Sorry." She waved her friend's concern off. Not wanting to explain why she couldn't focus, couldn't study, couldn't do anything because Crest suddenly up and left. Without a word, or a note to anyone and he'd hadn't attended classes for almost 5 days. "You guys go on ahead. I need to ask Professor Port a few questions regarding my report for next Friday."
Sitting behind his desk Port pursed his lips at the heiress' blatant dismissal. Dear girl, this isn't about your report. But being the gentleman he was, decided not to mention it. Not in front of the other ladies.
"Alright but don't take too long," Yang warned. "You know how Professor Goodwitch gets when people are late-"
"Then the sooner you leave the sooner I can get this over with," Weiss retorted a tinge of heat in her voice. "I'll be right behind you."
Yang stared at her teammate, a bit taken aback by her vehemence. Now was not the time to tease her when she was in Ice Queen mode. "Ok...we'll see you in a few then."
Weiss waited till she no longer heard their footsteps then launched right into it.
"Where is he?"
Port rubbed his neck, a habit she realized with a stab of annoyance he shared with that imbecile Jaune Arc along with his overinflated sense of ego. But in reality he'd been dreading this question over the last several days. Might as well get the worst over with.
"I don't know child."
Her face snapped up. Icy blues drilled into his. "That's not good enough."
He gave a helpless shrug as if to say, what do you want me to do about it? Unfortunately, that only made the girl angrier.
"Don't give me that!" She mocked his shrug with one of her own. "It's been 4 days already. 4 days of total radio silence sir. I've messaged him several times and there's no answer back...like seriously how hard is it to send a simple 'I'm ok'-?"
Why don't you just admit it dear child. You have it bad. "Ms. Schnee." She blinked at his stern tone. "Listen to yourself. It's highly probable Mr. Nighthawk is in a perilous location and has the common- sense necessary to turn off his scroll. Do you wish to put him in even more danger to satisfy your demands?" He didn't like hurting people's feelings, least of all a woman's but truth spared no one. Forgive my breach of courtesy child but this job demands the utmost commitment and frivolous things such as flooding your boyfriend's scroll with messages and waiting for him to call back have no place in it. People die in our line of work.
She slammed a clenched fist down on her desk. "Never!" But he could be lying somewhere hurt or worse-
"I don't know all the specifics myself," he said tapping his chin. "But from the little I've gathered this is what I can tell you. According to the Headmaster, these occurrences are quite normal. In fact, based on what scraps we've gleaned, Mr. Nighthawk goes off on his own for brief periods then returns when he's ready. And his responsibilities will increase now that he's a second year."
"Huh? What d'you mean?" Weiss demanded. Her world listed on its axis at this sudden news. "When did this happen?' That means he'll graduate sooner than us. Her stomach tangled into knots and she forced herself not to faint. Not bothering to look at the clock tick, tick, ticking away. Warning her to get to her next class.
"Last night. But if someone asks, you didn't hear it from me." Port checked the time. "Gracious child! You need to get to-"
"Will he be alright?" The old man cocked his head puzzled at her question. "I mean what happens now, missions wise? Will he-"
"His whole team are second years miss, and Ozpin made him our peer. Which means he can pick and choose who accompanies him on missions, students will shadow him into the field and he has special access to restricted areas on campus not open to the regular student body. With the Festival approaching, the White Fang and Grimm running amok they'll have scant down time. Given who Crest is...he'll be assigned the most dangerous missions...suiciderunsmostlikely-"
Weiss cleared her desk and was in his face glaring daggers. "Excuse me?!"
Port wished he'd kept his mouth shut. "Oh goodness! Look at the time!" Several students had already taken their seats and more were filing in. "My next class is here!"
"I heard what you said Professor."
The warning bell rang. Port shooed her toward the door. "Hurry Ms. Schnee. If you run you'll make it to Glynda's class...you know she hates student tardiness. And won't that make Ms. Xiao Long's day. Chop chop!"
She wanted to stay. Press him with more questions. What did some stupid report matter? Crest's life was at risk! But the old man had turned his attention elsewhere and she had no choice. She ran the corridors at breakneck speed, constructing a plausible excuse for her favorite instructor as to why she was arriving at class flushed and breathless. Hoping and praying she'd buy it.
When she entered most of the risers were filled and she couldn't help noticing that empty space by Adrian. Third row aisle seat. Glynda Goodwitch peered through her spectacles at the young woman. "Cutting it close today aren't we, Ms. Schnee."
"Sorry Mi-Professor Goodwitch," she said mentally slapping herself for the near slip. You only get to call her that if you train with her genius! "I needed some extra notes for our reports next week...and I, well kinda lost track of time..." Please. Let her buy it, let her buy it...
The severe woman scrutinized the girl's explanation. For several agonizing moments the silence stretched until she thought she was gonna scream. Then Glynda gave a curt nod.
"Very well. But please keep in mind we run a tight ship. Schedules exist for a reason Ms. Schnee." She walked to where a projector sat and turned it on. "Bad enough I've got my hands full with Crazy and his shenanigans-"
Weiss felt her back go up as she walked to a vacant seat next to...oh joy. Little Miss Nosy Yang. "He's got a name, ma'am."
"Ya like it when Crest spars with ya mum," Adrian said, boots kicked up on the riser. Laughter rippled through the classroom. "Admit it. You enjoy every second of it-"
"Get your feet off the riser Mr. Bruni." A vein popped on her smooth forehead as the kids hooted at the starchy instructor. "Don't you dare start with me." Damn you Crazy and your corrupting influence. Your partner isn't any better.
"Ah keep ya bloomers on mum, ya lucky he didn't blow em off last time."
That got Glynda mad.
Weiss shook her head and opened her binder. Boys. Listening to Bruni and Ms. Goodwitch going at it wasn't helping. It only served as a painful reminder of who was the real source of the older woman's agitation. Adrian was right. No one could let a sarcastic barb fly quite like his best friend. It became par the course. Class never felt complete without it.
"So ya got it?"
Weiss opened her notebook with a snap. "I got what I needed."
Yang smiled at her. "Girlfriend you came in hot. There's no way that's over a bunch of combat notes-"
Glynda tapping her wand on her desk signaled for all talking to stop. "Class will now begin."
Weiss clicked the top of her pen and forced her mind to concentrate on the lesson, cursing the busty blonde's perception. Crest be safe. Wherever you are.
...
"Hey did you hear? Crazy and his buddies got bumped to second years. Oh and get this; he gave him graduate authority." Russel glanced around the cafeteria table letting the dust settle at his words. "You know what that means, right?"
Cardin stopped pushing his half-eaten potatoes around at Russel's announcement. Oh HELL no. "Tell me you're joking."
Russel shook his head. "Wish I was buddy. But it's legit. Ozpin made the changes official sometime yesterday or summat like that. Anyway he's out of our hair-"
He jumped as Cardin slammed his fork down on the table. "So, the lunatic gets special treatment eh? I'll show him not to disrespect the Winchester name. I just need something that'll...level the playing field." His dark blue eyes glowed with vengeance. "And I know just where to get it."
Dove Bronzewing and Sky Lark exchanged intrigued glances while Cardin was busy entertaining his dark thoughts. Things were getting...weird and they didn't want to get caught in the crossfire.
A/N: Sorry about the delay guys. The original copy of this chapter got erased so this is a revised edition. If this didn't show up on your phone or computer it's because of that so again, my bad guys. Hope you enjoy this one.