"So here you are."

Kennon crossed his arms over his chest and met his father's gaze levelly. "Aye."

The Colonel's mouth twitched with displeasure. "I receive a call from the hospital telling me my son has vanished."

"And it took you three days to get down here."

"Then I see charges for a room at the…" The Colonel fished a folded paper from his pocket and opened it. "...The Harbour Inn."

"And you never bothered to call."

"I then spend an hour scouring the streets for you. It was only when I stopped by Beacon that I found out you had been seen heading this way not ten minutes ago. You know the dangers of wandering about in your condition and answering to the name of 'Cobalt'."

"Yes. Good thing you caught up with me. I have to say you're the very picture of paternal worry and concern."

The Colonel's chest heaved a heavy sigh, his thin patience was plain in his posture. "At any rate, I'm here now. You're clearly well enough to travel. We'll be returning to Atlas as soon as you've collected your things." He turned away and began to make for the door. "Come now, boy. There's much to do and I want it done as quickly as possible."

"Yeah, about that." Kennon held his ground. "I've been thinking about this whole fiasco. I'm in the hospital, unlikely to ever wake up, and you were nowhere in sight. I'm wandering the streets of a kingdom I've never been to and I can't get a hold of you. Luckily Eagon found me before I could get into any real trouble."

"'Eagon'? The Sullivan boy? From Vacuo?"

"The same."

"I'll have my secretary send him a letter of thanks."

"Is that what I'm worth? A letter penned not by you but by your secretary?"

"We are not having this conversation again." The Colonel replied, his voice taking a sharp edge.

"Why not? You still don't seem to understand. I am your son, yet you can't seem to realize that. I would think that you would show a bit more concern for my well-being and a bit more gratitude than some photocopied letter that you might add a personal signature to."

"If you are my son then act the part and speak to me with a sense of propriety." The Colonel growled.

"And if you were my father, you would have been at my bedside, rather than wandering down here whenever you had a free moment and the desire to do so. You would have been there to guide me through my childhood, as a proper father should, rather than leave my raising to the hired help."

"I have an international industrial conglomerate to oversee and a military to supply. I do apologize if that's why I missed a few of your birthday parties."

"A few or all of them? As a matter of fact, looking back I notice you're conspicuously absent from most of my life."

"And yet you have no problem spending my money."

"Ah. Yes. That does take some of the edge from my point, doesn't it?" Kennon held the card out. "Take it. I'll make my own way."

"You will be returning with me to Atlas."

Kennon's scroll buzzed from his hip. Reading the brief message, he nodded to himself. "I won't, actually. Beacon's headmaster wishes to speak with me." He tucked the scroll away and held out the card. "It would be rude to keep him waiting."

"He'll have to be disappointed then."

"Very well then. Let me put this in terms even you would understand." Kennon cast the card to the floor. "Consider me AWOL. The only way you'll get me back to Atlas is in chains."

"Know this. If you walk out that door, you will no longer be welcome in my house."

Kennon paused long enough to cast a glance over his shoulder. "I didn't need you then. I don't need you now."

And with that he was free.

x-x

Eagon pushed the door to CFVE's dorm shut behind him and barely made it to his bed before he collapsed.

Velvet looked up from her book. "Rough day?"

"Aye. Ye could say that."

"Wanna talk about it?"

"Not really but you'll be happy to know that Cardin Winchester's been expelled and probably arrested. Won't have to worry about him anymore."

Velvet perked up. "Really?"

"Aye."

"That's...Actually, I don't really know what to say about that."

"Figured ye'd be doin' a jig."

"So did I, but Cardin's been thrown out of one of the most prestigious schools in the four kingdoms. The chances of him doing anything more than emptying rubbish bins are slim to none. What finally got the school to take action?"

"He raped another student."

She gasped. "You're kidding."

"Wish I was."

"Is it bad?"

He rolled over and sat up. "Dunno. All I can say for sure is that he roughed her up pretty good. What he's done probably fucked up her mind pretty good."

"Who...who is she?"

"Pretty sure that's none of yer business, bunny. Poor lass probably wants her privacy for the time bein'. Let's do our best to keep this whole business between us. Mum's the word, yeah?"

Velvet nodded. "Sure thing." She laid back and stared at the ceiling. "I knew he was a raging prick but I didn't think he would go that far."

"Aye." Eagon rubbed his palms together. "Still, he's gone. Shame it had to happen like this but it's over and done with."

"I wouldn't speak so soon. There's still a trial if he gets charged. You might have to testify about what you witnessed."

"Lass, I come from a clan of folks more infamous than famous. This won't be the first time I've seen the inside of a Hall of Justice and it likely won't be the last. Still, I pity poor Pyrrha. She's got a long road ahead of her."

"Yeah." Velvet agreed. She paused. "Wait, did you just say 'Pyrrha'? Would that be Pyrrha Nikos?"

"Er. Damn. Alright, this doesn't leave this room but, yeah. It was Pyrrha Nikos that Cardin was after."

Velvet stood. "What are we waiting for? We need to go see if she's okay. If she needs anything." With those words, she zipped out the door and was gone.

"Didn't I just say that didn't leave the room." He called after her.

x-x

Again, Jaune had answered Eagon's knock. The man looked exhausted. It had been a tiring day for them all. "Hey. Er… Eagon wasn't it? And you're Velvet?"

"Aye. How're ye, mate?"

"I'll be honest, I've been better. C'mon in. Pyrrha's out of the infirmary. I'm sure she'll want to thank you herself."

"How's she doin'?"

"She's alright. Pretty sore and shaken up but she's tough. She'll make it through."

Pyrrha was sitting on the foot of her bed, deep in thought. Eagon could see that the bruises on her face had already begun to heal and that many of the cuts and abrasions left open to the air had begun to seal themselves. The moment she spotted him, she stood from her bed and drew him into a tight embrace. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it, lass. Yer not badly hurt?"

She broke the embrace and shook her head. "A few bruises and cuts. A minor concussion that's knocked me a little loopy but nothing worse than that. I just… Maybe you're right. Maybe the only language some people speak is violence."

"Nah. I said that on account of me mood. 'Tain't much of an excuse but it's the best I've got. Keep in mind that fightin's the last resort and usually means more trouble than it's worth."

"It looks like we were at the last resort. Cardin is a creep and a bully. I pray this will get him expelled."

"Y'know, I've got to look into that prayer thing. Seems they do come true."

Pyrrha eyed him suspiciously. "What do you mean?"

"Winchester's been put out on his ear. Can't say it's the last ye'll see of him. There's a solid chance ye'll need to be at his trial."

"Trial? For a schoolyard scuffle?"

"That was a wee bit more than a scuffle, lass. He tried to rape ye, remember?"

Her jaw fell. "What? N-no! He...I can't say that he intended to let me walk out of there under my own power but his hands...He never touched me there." She began to fidget and shift her weight. "This is awful. He was a terrible person but I'd never...I wouldn't dare falsify charges! Oh please tell me I didn't say something silly."

"Ye didn't say much at all, really. I think that's more the fault of that bump on yer noggin' but it certainly looked like he was tryin' to have his way with ye."

"No! No, that's all wrong." She began to pant and grow more frantic. "I need to go see Professor Ozpin right away and…"

Her eyes rolled back into her head and she began to topple forward. Jaune lunged, knocking Eagon aside and catching her in his arms. "Pyrrha, are you alright?"

Her eyes fluttered open. "Jaune? I...Oh!" She groaned as she reached up to massage her temples. "Oh, my head."

Gently, he helped her back into bed. "Here, you lay down and rest a bit. This was a little too much excitement and you're still recovering. We can go speak with Ozpin when you're better."

"I'll tell him meself." Eagon volunteered.

Despite her obvious pain, Pyrrha managed to smile. "Thank you, Eagon. I really appreciate it."

"Think nothing of it, lass. I'm always happy to help where I can and even where I can't. Especially where I can't, come to think of it. Then, I have a legitimate excuse for my laziness."

That earned a weak giggle out of her.

He reached down and patted her shoulder. "Have a sleep now. Ye need it after all this excitement."

As they took their leave, Velvet leaned close and spoke softly. "Are you going to tell Ozpin?"

"Aye but I see no reason to rush. Tomorrow is soon enough."

x-x

Velvet groaned as she was nudged awake. The faintest hints of blue implied the early hour while the angry red digits of her alarm clock confirmed it. She pushed herself up, yawning and rubbing sleep from her eyes. "Huh?"

"C'mon, lass. Up with ye."

"Eagon? What's going on?" She yawned a second time. "It's too early."

"C'mon now. I've got a surprise for ye."

She pulled the covers back over her head and settled in. "It can wait." She mumbled, already on her way back to dreamland. Her eyes snapped open as her warm blankets were snatched away.

"C'mon now, bunny. Get dressed or you'll miss it."

And she was having such a nice dream too.

Only half awake, she managed to pull on something of an outfit, though Coco would probably have had a fit if she had seen one of her teammates dress themselves in such a manner. She just managed to pull a shirt over her head as she was half-dragged out the door. "My shoes."

"Don't worry. We ain't goin' far. Ye won't need 'em."

"What's wrong with you? I'm dragged out of my warm bed and kidnapped by a mad Vacuoian on the premise of a 'Surprise'. Are you drunk again?"

"Bein' drunk again would imply sobriety at some point."

"Damn it, Eagon, it's too early for your games. What's this all about?"

"You'll see."

A voice echoed from just down the hall. "Jaune, it's too early for this."

"You'll love it. Just a little further."

"Yer movin' too slow, bunny."

"Sorry if I'm not ready to race yet. I haven't had my...Hey! Put me down!"

Eagon paused long enough to grab both of Velvet's wrists in his own calloused hands and haul her up onto his back before jogging to catch up with Jaune and Pyrrha. She took one look at the red-haired woman, still barefoot and in her nightgown, and made a guess. "Kidnapped as well, yeah?"

"At least yours allowed you the courtesy of dressing first." Pyrrha grumbled, glaring daggers at the back of Jaune's head. "Did you know your shirt's on backwards?"

"Figures." Velvet grumbled, taking every opportunity to drive a knee into where she suspected Eagon's kidneys lay.

"Not much further now, lassies." Eagon encouraged as the two men quickened their stride.

"I hope we didn't miss them."

"Kennon said he'd wait but only for a moment."

"This had better be worth it or I'm never speaking to you again, Jaune Arc." Pyrrha growled to gritted teeth.

"You're going to absolutely love this, I promise."

"The only thing I'd love is to be back in bed."

"This'll be better."

"Chocolate-covered roses?"

"Better."

Pyrrha thought for a moment. "You didn't get me a pony, did you?"

"I like ponies." Velvet mumbled, already dozing against Eagon's back.

"Oh, where would I keep it? They're so expensive. I don't even know how to ride."

"It's not a pony. It's better."

"What could be better than a pony?"

"Two ponies?" Velvet mumbled. She shook her head. "What's that noise?"

"What noise?" Eagon asked, setting her down in the main foyer of the dorm.

"I don't know. It sounds like weasels being put through a wringer. Oh, stars above, it's awful!" She reached up and pulled both of her ears down over her head.

"You could have let me put my slippers on, at least. This floor is so cold." Pyrrha grumbled.

"You'll happily run head-long into a pack of rampaging Grimm but you complain about a chilly floor?"

"I noticed you're not standing on it in your bare feet. If I get pneumonia, I'm blaming you."

Eagon snickered. "You two sound just like an old married couple."

"Get real!" Jaune retorted. Pyrrha only turned away, not quite managing to hide the blush creeping along her cheeks. A blush Eagon noticed straightaway.

"How are you not hearing that noise?"

Pyrrha suddenly straightened. "Actually, I hear it too."

"I don't hear nothin'." Eagon replied. "Then again, maybe I'm not the best one to ask what with me ears bein' shot."

It was only a few moments, as the terrible sound grew in volume, before the source came into view. Kennon, bagpipes tucked under his arm, led the remaining members of team CRDL in lockstep march, warbling and honking away on his instrument. Eagon chuckled. His friend, despite his love of the bagpipes, was about as tone-deaf as they came.

Their posture rigid, their outfits uniform, and their appearance impeccable, Dove Bronzewing, Skyy Lark, and Russel Thrush cast looks at their new leader that ranged from sullen to downright mutinous. Pyrrha and Velvet's jaws fell as they watched the procession come at them at the regulation one hundred and twenty paces per minute.

Kennon mercifully stopped playing his pipes long enough to bark a halt order and the marching team stopped directly before them. Eagon was surprised to see that several other students had joined their group, drawn by the commotion in the hall.

"Right Face!"

As one, KRDL turned on their heels to face the assembled students.

"Apologies for the early hour." Kennon boomed. "I am Kennon Cobalt and I am the leader of team KRDL. It is my understanding that the previous leader, Cardin Winchester, allowed his team to behave in a manner unfitting of a Huntsman. This behavior ends today! It is my goal to make team KRDL the pride of Beacon Academy, rather than the assembled ruffians they once were. Will Pyrrha Nikos step forward, please?"

It took only a bit of prodding from Jaune and Eagon to move the woman, who hesitantly stepped out before the crowd. With his back ramrod straight and his stride parade-ground perfect, Kennon strode before her, coming to a halt less than half a pace away.

"Miss Nikos, you have my personal apologies for the disgusting behavior of this team as well as my word as a Cobalt that such behavior shall be neither repeated nor tolerated." He whipped out his scroll and tapped out a few keys. "I have sent my contact information to you. Should you find any of my teammates acting in a disreputable manner, please contact me directly and they shall be dealt with." Kennon raised his fist and snapped off a perfect salute.

Somewhat timidly, Pyrrha mimicked his gesture. "Er...okay?"

"Thank you for your time." Kennon stepped back a pace. "Will Jaune Arc step forward please?"

Jaune nearly skipped as he left the crowd with a gleeful grin on his face.

"Mister Arc, you have my personal apologies for the behavior of this team. Their former leader encouraged and allowed such behavior. I will not. Should they act in any manner that would be considered less than honorable, please contact me and they shall be punished."

Jaune snapped off his own picture-perfect salute, much to the surprise of all who witnessed it. "Aye, sir!"

"Thank you for your time. Will Velvet Scarlatina step forward please?"

"Your turn, bunny." Eagon nudged her. When she didn't move, he gave her a gentle shove. "G'wan then."

Velvet all but crept to the head of the assembled group, very conscious of all of the eyes on her.

"Miss Scarlatina, you especially have my deepest apologies for the behavior of my team. Know that there is no place for racism in team KRDL and the consequences of such actions are most severe. You have my personal assurance that what you suffered under that cretin's supposed leadership will not be repeated. If my team proves me to be a liar, you are to contact me immediately."

Velvet nodded. "Yes sir."

"Very good. Thank you for your time." Kennon took a step back and addressed the entire assembly. "The same goes for all of you. Team KRDL will be composed of nothing but the most honorable of Huntsmen. Nothing less is acceptable." He spun on his heel and faced his team. "Know this! I have eyes and ears everywhere. If any of you are thinking of returning to your old behavior when my back is turned, I will know of it and I will punish each and every one of you. Starting today, team KRDL begins fresh. Each day will begin with a ten-lap run…"

Dove Bronzewing let out a groan.

"Make that twenty laps around the courtyard. Never interrupt me again. Each of you will perform exemplary in your studies. I have met with each of your professors, informed them of this new regimen, and instructed them to contact me should you fail in any way. I have the approval of both Professor Ozpin and Professor Goodwitch so do not think you will find shelter with them. This is the new way KRDL will conduct itself. Accept it or leave."

Kennon returned to his place at the head of the team and took up his bagpipes once more. "Left face!"

On their heels, the team turned to face the dormitory exit.

"Forward march!"

The bagpipes began again as KRDL marched out the doors.

"Well, that happened." Velvet voiced.

"What did I tell you, Pyrrha? Better than a pony."

"I certainly look forward to what Kennon can do with KRDL. They're each very powerful Huntsmen. They only lacked the proper direction and unification. Under his leadership, I'm confident they can become greater than the sum of their parts."

"I agree." Coco stated as she and Fox joined the group, already dressed in light athletic attire.

"Goin' for a jog, are ye?"

She glanced at Eagon. "We all are. Kennon invited us to join his team in their daily training. Quite frankly, team CFVE could do with a bit more discipline so I happily accepted. Go get dressed and meet back here in ten minutes. We'll be joining them for the last half of their run."

"Son of a bitch."

"On second thought, maybe we'll tack on another five laps."