Light danced across the water giving the city of Vale a shimmering effect from the tower's vantage point. The room was never truly quiet; the constantly moving cogs that adorned the office saw to that. Yet, still, the headmaster found the place quite calming. The turning cogs, while noisy, were uniform. A well oiled machine with no faults. Faults. The headmaster silently mused to himself. On his desk was a fresh stack of paperwork from the city council that 'required his urgent attention'. They were due the next day. I suppose even I still have some faults. He smiled to himself in amusement before turning away from the window, and returning to the desk. As he picked up his pen a strange noise stopped him. A metallic lurching, and grinding filled the room for a few seconds before it came to a halt with a loud metallic 'snap'. The headmaster looked around confused, and caught off guard. Across the room, along one of the walls, was a viewport showing the inner working gears of the tower. However, one of the gears was no longer turning. While there were backup systems in place in case of a break the headmaster couldn't remember the last time it had had a break, if ever. When he rose to go investigate, a knock came from his door. The headmaster gave a sigh, as he already suspected who was there. "Come in." The door creaked open, and Shiro appeared in the doorway.

"My apologies if I've disturbed you, headmaster."

"Not at all." The headmaster took his cane, and slowly walked out from behind his desk. "Although, I'm pretty sure I know why you're here. And, I'm pretty sure I've already given you my response." The headmaster kept a calm, neutral tone as he addressed Shiro.

"But, please, hea-" Shiro was stopped as the headmaster raised his hand.

"Please, Shiro. This is a safe haven. I'd prefer we use names." He placed both hands on top of his cane. "As friends."

"Right. Sorry, Ozpin." Shiro was a bit apprehensive, but that was to be expected. He took a deep breath, and continued, "But, anyway, I'd just like you to hear me out."

"I did hear you out, and I declined your request."

"Yes, but I never got a chance to explain the why of my request."

Oz gave a sigh, and pinched his brow, "I will not have Atlas airships in my school, Shiro." He put extra emphasis on Shiro's name to drive the point. "While, yes it has been twenty years since the end of the Great War there are still those who remember it. Who mourn it." Oz stared into Shiro's eyes as he spoke, "Who fought in it."

"I know." Shiro became somber for a second, but countered, "And, that is exactly why it would be a good idea to allow this field trip."

Oz rolled his eyes, "You're not going to take 'no' until I at least hear you out, are you?"

Shiro couldn't help but grin, "I won't take too much time, Oz."

"Please," Oz gestured for Shiro to fully enter the room, "Take all the time you need. You'll probably need it."

"Right." Shiro walked with Oz as the two approached the window overlooking the lake, and city of Vale. "First, it is not airships, but an airship. Singular. Nothing to grandiose, but still something worthy of our student's time. Second, it won't be here at beacon, but lingering in the mountains out of sight of the city. I can easily arrange for the attending students, and faculty to be brought to the ship's location via Atlas' new prototype bulldog v-tols." Oz raised an eyebrow at this, but Shiro continued, "It is one hundred percent safe I've been assured by the engineers. I would never put our students in harm's way for a cultural field trip. And, third, yes there are still those who hold grudges for Atlas, and my kingdom's past mistakes, but this would be a chance to begin making amends." Shiro gestured towards the city, "If we can get the next generation to view Atlas, and Mistral as allies, and friends instead of foes with contempt then we can get one step closer to a peace across Remnant. While we can't fix the mistakes of the past we can work so that our children don't worsen what's already come to pass. You know this better than anyone the importance of the next generation's view on the past."

"It's partly why I hired you."

"Exactly. So, please," he put his hand on Ozpin's shoulder, "Let me show you why you hired me." Ozpin couldn't help but smile at Shiro's sincerity. After, and even during, the Great War there were a number of Atlas, and Mistral forces who fled to Vale, or Vacuo. Shiro was one of those who came after the war had ended as he had seen firsthand the horrors the Great War brought to the people of Remnant. He returned his gaze to the city. The two stood in silence for a few seconds as Ozpin mulled over Shiro's proposal once more.

"And, it's completely safe? One hundred percent?"

"Of course!"

"Shiro." Ozpin's gaze was serious. "A large part as to why I've been declining this request of yours is that; if anything happens," he turned to fully face Shiro, "If anything happens this could have serious repercussions on more than just the two of us. I need to make sure you fully understand that."

Shiro, with a determined look in his eye responded, "I will take full responsibility for anything that may occur. On that you have my word, Oz." Ozpin slowly nodded as he listened to Shiro, and continued to think.

Finally, he spoke, "What would need to be done to make this happen?"

Shiro's face lit up, "Oh, thank you, Oz! Thank you! Yes, I've already been in contact with one of my old acquaintances in the Atlas military, and he's got approval from his command. All we have to do is convince the city council to allow the airship into Vale airspace."

Oz grinned, and rolled his eyes, "So, we have the hard part?"

A soft smile was on Shiro's lips, "Afraid so." The two laughed, and continued to iron out details of the trip. By the time they finished the sun was setting. Shiro finally excused himself, leaving Ozpin alone in the office. Shiro's optimism always brought a smile to his face. As he was lost in thought, Ozpin found his gaze returning to the forgotten, broken cog he had originally intended to investigate earlier. Approaching the gear revealed it had given way to time as it was rusted around the teeth. Odd. Ozpin thought as he was sure he'd kept up with all the maintenance of the tower. All it took was a bit of neglect, and time... His gaze was taken from the gear to the now lit up cityscape of Vale. Something in the back of his mind was gnawing at him. Neglect…and time. What was he neglecting? Was he neglecting something? Something from a different time? Ozpin looked back to the rusted gear. Without his backup system the gear would have caused the entire tower to halt, or worse have caused greater damage. His neglect to take care of the gear might have cost him. So why? Why can't I shake this feeling I've neglected to take care of something else? Something…important. Nothing answered him. Not the cityscape outside his window. Not the machines still churning away within his walls. And, not the old, rusted gear that had disrupted his 'perfect' creation.