"Yaaaang! Oh my gosh are you okay? What happened?"

"Easy there sis, I was just doing what you said to do."

"But I didn't- oh, right. I did say something, didn't I?"

"You're still being weird Rubes."

"Our leader's peculiarities aside, are you alright Yang? You're rash but swinging at thin air is something else."

"Ice Queen, have you gone blind? I was dodging Mercury!"

"Mercury didn't get up after you ended the bout Yang." Blake cut in.

"What? But he jumped at me!"

"The recording disagrees."

"Oh I get it, some post victory hazing eh? I didn't think you guys had it in you!" Yang smiled, her previous discomfort replaced with mirth as she found what she felt was going on. Her smile began to fade as she looked at her silent teammates, however. Weiss, carefully still eyes, the corners of her lips quirked downwards. Blake, wide amber eyes, bow tilted forward in a way that told Yang that she had her teammate's undivided attention. And Ruby... Ruby just seemed tired. Her silver eyes were missing the usual depth, looking like unpolished silverware. Her mouth was drawn in a thin line, and Yang could see a single muscle behind it twitching.

"Wow, pretty dedicated to this, huh? Even got Ruby to stand still for a moment! Gotta hand it to you Weissicle, that takes a looooot of work."

"Yang."

"I mean, how many cookies did you have to bribe her with? I doubt she'd pull this on me for anything less than a month's worth. And she goes through them fast."

"Yang."

"Or was it you Blake? Offer her endless access to your ea-"

"YANG!" The blonde stopped short, mouth still mid syllable. "We're not joking around." Ruby's words felt like hammers, shattering the balance Yang had let her mind settle into. No one had seen Mercury attack her. Not even Ruby. But Ruby told her he would? But he didn't. But she saw him attack. She dodged, just like Ruby said. But now Ruby said that wasn't right? She wasn't dodging anything? The maelstrom within her head threatened to overwhelm her. Then, warm arms around her neck. Then a second set. Then a third, slightly colder, slightly looser. She realized she was on her knees. Her cheeks felt wet. THUMP. She could hear her own heartbeat more than she could feel it. THUMP. At least it was slowing down. Thump. Or getting quieter? Thmp. Wait, was that her heartbeat? Thck. Too sharp. Sounded like... Clck. Like heels? But Weiss was already... Clack.

"Ms. Rose, given recent events, I must request that you join me so you may be debriefed." It had been Ozpin's cane, she supposed. And Yang had made a scene. It only made sense, they had debriefings over the smallest things. She felt Ruby's aura flare, engulfing the four kneeling women. As quickly as it had come, it faded. Something wasn't right.

"Really Oz? Now? Really?" Wait. Yang had made the scene. Not Ruby. So why was Ozpin here for her? She shifted her gaze upward, searching for her sister's face. At least the eyes didn't look so dead anymore. If anything, they looked vibrant. But they didn't seem normal? What was wrong?

"Ms. Rose, given our earlier talks, even if they were not one hundred percent accurate, I am forced to admit you had a point. So, I am here to ask; what now?" Earlier talks? Ruby was given preferential treatment from the headmaster, but since when did he seek Ruby out of his own volition? 'So, kid. You know some things by all rights you shouldn't. Care to share how?' Her uncle's words bounced around her thoughts.

"What now? Same as always. Don't die. Stop her. Somehow. Some way." Her? Who the hell... What did Ruby get caught up in?

"Ruby, I wouldn't be here if I were satisfied with that answer. I've half a mind to cancel the Vytal Festival immediately." Yang's mind short circuited. Cancel the Vytal Festival? What? Why?

"That wou-" Ruby's next words were drowned out by a now very angry Weiss Schnee. "Cancel the Vytal Festival? Are you out of your mind? This Festival is the tradition that holds the kingdoms together! It brings the people together, it brings businesses together, it generates a ridiculous amount of revenue! What could possibly be so important as to cancel it?!"

Ozpin shifted his weight back slightly, eyes slipping over the heiress momentarily before returning to Ruby's. "Ruby. You're making a scene."

"I'm making a scene? Hardly. There'd be a lot more dead grimm. You're making a scene Oz. How very unlike you. What changed?"

"We looked into your description of the mountain. It is exactly as you described. We cannot afford the risk."

"The Festival is just a convenient way to lower her collateral damage and raise ours you know. It's still going to happen regardless." What the hell were those two talking about? Who was this mysterious figure they kept referring to? Why did it suddenly feel like a war council rather than a chat between student and teacher? Yang pulled Ruby back down. Silver eyes flickered back to lilac ones, and the anger Yang could see in them scared her. She'd never seen Ruby like this. After a moment though, Ruby's eyes softened, anger fading from them. "I'll meet you in your office Oz. Can you hold the matches for the day? We don't need anything else unexpected going on tonight."

Ozpin inclined his head, and walked off. Then, it was Blake's turn to speak up. "Ruby. Since when does Professor Ozpin place so much weight behind what you say?"

Then, Weiss'. "Yes Ruby, since when? I doubt even I could get him to cancel the festival even if I wanted to." Ruby's eyes darted back and forth, never focusing on one girl for more than half a second.

So much for close to the chest. The hell, Oz?

I'm more worried about Yang! She's not okay.

She's been through worse.

Not yet she hasn't! When did you become so cold? You're supposed to be me!

...Do you remember how hard it was when Mom died? Imagine you lose Yang too. And Dad. And Blake. And Weiss. And Qrow. When did I get so cold? When the flame in my heart to protect people ran out of fuel. We've gotta talk to Oz.

Not until I help Yang!

You're not in control right now, kid.

Then I'm fighting you until you stay. She's our sister!

She's your sister. I have the world to worry about.