Hey all.
To let you all know, there will be a week at Christmas with no updates from me. This will start on Friday the 21st and continue until Friday the 28th, which essentially means that Relic will not update on the 22nd December but will continue as normal on the 29th instead.
I'll be noting this on each fic so that people know – but you can always rely on the dates at the bottom, which will be accurate.
Cover Art: Jack Wayne
Chapter 36
"W-What?"
"I have to go to Menagerie," Jaune explained, his tone the same as it had been before, calm, measured. "The situation with Atlas has gotten worse and Winter has to go on her own. Without me, there's a chance she'll be killed. I have to go keep an eye on her."
Her head spun. She nodded along, getting that part. It was the bit after that had left her so confused, so lost, so hurt.
"I can't take you with me, Emerald."
Yeah. That.
"Why?" she demanded. "Why not?"
"Because it's dangerous."
"I can look after myself!"
"Too dangerous for you to do that. It's going to be too dangerous for even me and Winter to look after ourselves. That's why we're going as a group, and Qrow is going to come with us. This isn't something you can fight off, Emerald." He reached for her.
She stepped back.
"Why not?"
"Because it's the White Fang. I know you can fight above your age, but this isn't going to be a fair fight – or a fight at all. If they want us dead, they'll bomb the hotel we'll be staying at. They'll send an army, or just shoot us down from a distance." Jaune hesitated. "I can't look after you and Winter at the same time. It's too dangerous."
He tried to touch her shoulder again, but Emerald was too fast. She dodged back, out of reach, eyes angry and redder than she wanted them to be. She wasn't crying. She was just glaring so hard they hurt. Honest.
"Emerald, don't get the wrong idea. I'm not abandoning you or leaving you behind forever. You're going to stay with Yang and Ruby. It'll only be for a week or two. I'm going to come back and I'm not leaving you here because you're a burden." He brought a hand up to his chest. "I'm worried about you. For you. The thought of something bad happening to you there, it's too much. I can't put you in that kind of danger."
"Then why are you going?"
"Because if I don't, Winter will be in danger."
"Then she's more important than I am," Emerald said. "Fine. Go."
"That's not true. It's not me picking sides, not when the stakes are so different. If I pick you, there's a chance she dies – and that a war happens. If I pick her, the worst that happens to you is that you stay with Summer for two weeks. It's not the same. And I know you don't want that," he said, trying to catch her eye, "But taking you with me is impossible. It's not an option."
Intellectually, Emerald knew he wasn't saying Winter was more important than her. It wasn't the same, she knew that, but that didn't do anything for how rapidly her heart was beating, how desperately her lungs sought air.
"You won't come back!"
"Of course I will. You know how tough I am. Winter's no slouch either, and we'll have Qrow with us."
"No." She shook her head. "You won't come back for me."
Jaune paused. "Emerald, you're my daughter."
"No, I'm not! I'm not!" Her hands clenched into fists and she shouted at the top of her lungs, "I'm just some girl you picked up off the street!"
"Em-"
"I'm no one! I'm nothing! I'm just a stupid orphan. A-And now you're not interested anymore. Now you're going away and you're not c-coming back and… and…" A sob escaped her. She felt so angry at herself for showing weakness that she tried to growl, but it cracked and broke, another sob coming forth. Her frame shook as she hiccupped. "Y-You can't go. You can't."
"Emerald… I have to."
A feeling of intense cold washed over her. She stood there, hands at her side, face turned down, tears pouring down her cheeks.
"It's not that I want to, please believe me," he continued. "It's the White Fang, they're pushing for more violence, and they've dragged Menagerie into it. You remember what I told you about Menagerie, right? How it's where a lot of the faunus were forced to go? Well, the White Fang are trying to get them on board, and if they do, it's going to be a war. A big war. The kind of thing that might reach Vale."
"Winter is going to try and stop that happening, but if she dies, the war begins. But if she doesn't go, the war will probably start anyway. She has to try, and since I'm her teacher and friend, I have to go with her. I'm not leaving you behind because I don't love you, Emerald. I'm leaving you here because I do love you. Because the thought of you being hurt in Menagerie is too painful to bear." He paused. "And you may be a girl I picked up off the street, but you're my girl. My daughter. You're Emerald Ashari now, and that's all that matters. All that'll ever matter."
Jaune knelt in front of her and tried to catch ger gaze. Emerald fought not to let him.
"I'm trying to help you understand, Emerald," he whispered. "I don't want this to be me telling you what to do. I want you to understand why I'm doing this."
"Why does it have to be you?" she asked. Her voice had cracked from the crying. It was hoarse and wheezy, barely more than a whisper.
"Atlas can't send anyone because Menagerie hates Atlas for what happened to Ghira Belladonna. It's his wife I'll be meeting, his widow. It has to be someone neutral. Winter is neutral. I'm neutral."
"So is everyone else not from Atlas…"
"True," he accepted, "But not everyone else is strong enough to survive this. You know I'm tougher than that. You know what I can do. I've told you why this has to work or, if it fails, why Winter has to survive the attempt. The other Kingdoms… they're trying to stay out of it so to not invite attacks on them, or to be dragged in if this does become a war. Ozpin can send Qrow, because Qrow is unaffiliated like me, but if he goes, or if someone from Mistral does, it makes it clear to the White Fang that they are enemies."
"T-There's more. There's always more…"
Jaune's hesitation made it clear there was. Eventually, he nodded. "There is, yes. I… I know Kali. I've… I've not met her before, but I know someone from her family, and I know about her. If anyone might have a chance to fix this, it'll be me. And there's someone who might be there – a good friend of mine who I think will be hurting after what happened to Ghira. I want to find and make sure she's okay as well."
There it was. He wanted to help someone else but didn't care about her. And Emerald didn't care if it was selfish to say she mattered more, she did matter, at least to her. She didn't care about these people she didn't know, that she'd never met.
Yes, she might be upset if Winter died, but not enough to lose him, too!
Reasoning with him wasn't working. Emerald bit her lip and stumbled forward. He appeared surprised for a moment but caught her quickly. She pressed her face to his chest and gripped the lapels of his Atlesian coat.
"Don't go," she begged, pushing her wet eyes into his shirt. "Please. Don't leave me."
T-There. She'd begged. She'd asked.
He couldn't go now.
He just couldn't.
"Emerald… I have to."
Nausea swelled up. Not even this? But she'd begged him not to. Why wasn't it enough? Anger swelled up inside of her, and before she could even think to stop it, she'd pushed herself off him, out of his hands and slapped her hand up into his face. It wasn't a good hit. Vernal would laugh at her for it and it was fuelled more from anger and pain than intent, but it still made a meaty smack as it hit him.
"No!"
"Em-"
"NO!" she repeated, hitting him again. Another pathetic hit off his chest. Aura stopped both attacks. "You can't. I won't let you!"
His voice remained patient, understanding. "Emerald, please…"
"I'll tell," she said, desperately latching onto the idea.
Jaune paused.
"I-I'll tell," she repeated, eyes meeting his. Hers were desperate, wide, tear-stained. His were soft, deep. "I'll tell Ozpin everything you've said. Everything we've done. I-I'll tell him about the ruins. And Tyrian. A-And I'll tell S-Summer as well, a-and I'll… I'll…"
Betray him.
Betray him completely. She'd turn on him, take all the trust he'd given her, everything he'd given her, and spit on it. Throw it back in his face and hurt him. He might be imprisoned. She'd still have him, but he wouldn't be free, and he wouldn't be able to do anything. For working with Torchwick and Junior alone, he'd face prison. The realisation forced her to take a step back, fearful that he might stop her.
He didn't, of course. He remained there, on one knee, watching her, face unreadable. No anger, no fear – but she thought she caught a glimpse of disappointment before it was hidden behind a mask of calm.
It was a knife to her heart.
"I hate you!"
"Emerald…"
"I hate you," she ranted, lashing out at him again. "I hate you, I hate you, I HATE YOU!"
Something snapped. She collapsed to her knees and wailed. There was no sense to it, no reason, she just cried, sobbed, screamed and let it out. All the insecurity, rage and impotent fury that had built up over the last six or so years. Anger at herself, anger at Jaune, anger at the White Fang, Winter, at Atlas, Vale and the world in general.
She wasn't sure when Jaune had in his arms, only that her pathetic cries had trailed off and she was exhausted, literally spent of all energy, sat in his lap, the side of her face nestled under his chin, against his heart. He had one hand on her back and another gently running through her hair.
"I-I won't," she whispered hoarsely. "I won't tell anyone…"
He didn't stop rocking her back and forth. "I know. I never thought you would."
There was no lie she could sense in his words, not that she'd have known how to. He was better than her in every way. She… She was just a kid, despite how she'd tried to be more. How she'd tried to be of use to him.
"There's…" Jaune trailed off, sighed, and then forced himself to continue, "There's something coming, Emerald. Something big. World ending. I've been trying my hardest to stop it, to stop Salem from enacting her plan and killing a lot of people. It's what I've dedicated my life to. This isn't something I expected, but it's happened because of me trying to stop her plans, and I'm worried that if I don't try here as well, she'll win. The White Fang is good for her. She wants it."
Emerald tried to look up at him, but her heart wasn't in it. It ached too much. She snuggled into his chest instead, hiding her face in his coat. If Yang saw her, she'd laugh.
Fuck Yang.
"Salem is going to kill people?"
"Yes."
"Am… Am I among them?"
"You are… in the end. Not just you. Ruby, Yang, me, Winter, Weiss, even Whitley. Hundreds of thousands of people."
"Oh…"
She'd known Jaune was being hunted, chased, and that the one doing it was evil. Wouldn't have mattered if she wasn't, but she controlled the Grimm, so she was bad. Even so, she'd not thought it was this bad.
"That's why I need to do this, Emerald. It's not just for me or Winter. But for you, Ruby and Yang, even Summer, Tai and Qrow. I'm doing it to protect you all. I'm doing it because I don't want to see you be killed." He paused. "The ASH Gym is a part of my efforts. It's necessary, as is taking over the criminal underground, so you can be sure I'm coming back. I wouldn't put all this effort into it only to leave and never return."
She felt something brush against her forehead. Possibly his lips.
"I'll come back for you, Emerald. I promise."
"I didn't mean it," she whispered. Her eyes felt heavy. "I don't hate you…"
He hugged her a little tighter.
"I know."
/-/
Summer fussed over Emerald, saying something to her with one hand on her head and a smile on her face. Yang and Ruby were nearby, offering their own support while Taiyang stood watching. Emerald didn't look pleased, but she hid her emotions well and kept a strong face.
"Guessing she understood in the end?" Qrow asked.
Jaune watched his daughter and let out a long sigh. "In a manner of speaking." He'd had to carry her to bed, and then she'd been reluctant to let go of him. He'd been forced to sleep with her in his full outfit, Emerald hugged against him.
It was the touchiest she'd ever been – and at fourteen years old it was a little out of his depth. Still, it was the first time she'd ever really had someone like him to rely on, and now he was leaving. Even if only for a while.
"Fair warning," Qrow said, "If anything happens out there, I'm taking the bullet meant for you. No way in hell I'm coming back alive to deliver the bad news."
"Qrow!" Ozpin rebuked.
"It's fine," Jaune said. "He's only joking."
The headmaster shook his head. "Even so, some things should never be joked about. Come back safe, the both of you. More than Emerald would grieve your passing."
Jaune nodded.
"I wish there was more I could offer you," Ozpin said, "But I fear that would run counter to the purpose of this expedition. If the goal is to appear neutral, my aid would do more harm than good. Instead, I'll bid you watch over one another, and the young Miss Schnee. Work together as a team."
"We know how it works, Oz." Qrow rolled his eyes. "We'll be fine."
"I hope so. You'll be flying to Atlas first to meet with the SDC, and from there going by boat to Menagerie. That will also be your only way out of Menagerie, so try not to cause problems. If problems find you, do what you must."
Qrow rolled his eyes again and looked to Jaune, as if to commiserate over people who wouldn't take `it's fine` as it was and felt the need to give instructions anyway.
Jaune grinned back.
"I'll keep an eye on Qrow, Ozpin. I'll make sure he doesn't get up to any trouble."
"Hey, man. What happens in Menagerie stays in Menagerie."
Honestly, I hope it does. He had to find Blake and Kali and figure out what was going on there. This was still before the time Blake would have left the White Fang, but she was probably having second thoughts around now. He wasn't sure if he should push for her to leave sooner or not, but he would if he thought she was in danger.
The Bullhead's doors opened, and the pilot stepped out, signalling that they were ready. It was time to go. Summer brought her family forward, smiling awkwardly.
"I wish I could go with you both," she said.
"And leave your boytoy with three kids to look after?" Qrow returned. I think not. He stepped forward and gave Summer a quick hug, then Taiyang a manly wrist-to-wrist shake. He knelt in front of his nieces. "Give your uncle a-"
Ruby and Yang slammed into him.
"Heh." Qrow's grin was just a little too pleased. "Look after yourselves, girls. Make sure to give your old man hell."
"Bring us something back," Yang said.
"Oi. We're not off shopping, you know."
"Be safe, Uncle Qrow," Ruby whispered.
"Will do, squirt. Will do."
Jaune took the cue for what it was and moved over toward Emerald. Summer saw him coming and stepped aside, offering them some small amount of privacy. Not much with everyone nearby, but close enough.
Emerald averted her eyes as he came close.
"We won't be gone that long. The journey is only a day each way and if things go well, we might be out after a few days. If things go poorly, we'll be out even sooner." He smiled at his own joke, hoping she'd laugh along.
She didn't. She shrugged one small shoulder and refused to meet his eyes.
He hummed awkwardly. What was he to do? Hug her, leave, tell her it would all be okay? There was nothing he could say that he hadn't last night, and Emerald clearly wasn't ready to hear it all again.
"Well…" He trailed off. "I guess it's time."
Emerald shrugged again. "Yeah…"
"I'll come back. I promise."
"Okay…"
Heaven save him from a teenager. With a sigh, Jaune moved forward to wrap his arms around her. He pulled her in close against him, ignoring the fact that she didn't try to return the hug in any way. "Wait for me, Emerald. I won't be long."
"I'll look after her," Summer said, stepping forward to place a hand on Emerald's shoulder. She offered him a sympathetic smile, one that said she knew he'd hoped for more. "You focus on looking after yourself." Her hand squeezed Emerald's shoulder. "Say goodbye to your father, Emerald."
"Bye," Emerald grumbled.
Summer offered him a weak smile.
Jaune nodded back. She wasn't going to be happy like this, but there was nothing he could to do make her happy. Better just to go and come back, at which point things could go back to normal. With one last rub atop her head, he turned away. "Back soon, Em."
Qrow, Ozpin and the pilot were waiting for him.
"It'll be six hours to Atlas," the pilot said. "Weather looks clear, so should be smooth. It's a safe route, or safe as can be. Two hours from the border of Atlas to the SDC Mansion."
"Eight hours. Guess I can catch up on missed sleep."
"Summer will talk with her," Qrow said. "She'll make sure your girl knows what's going on."
"I know."
"And Yang and Ruby will look after her."
He knew they would, which was why he was so sure this was the right idea. Emerald coming with them would just put too much danger on her. This was for the best. It was just a shame he hadn't been able to fully convince her of that.
With a shake of his head, Jaune made his way to the ramp, letting Qrow up first and nodding to Ozpin as he wished them well.
His foot hadn't touched the metal when he heard Summer cry out. The sound was followed by quick footsteps.
He'd half turned when something crashed into him.
"I'm sorry!" Emerald gasped. "Come back. Please. I'll wait. I'll keep waiting!"
Jaune dropped his bag, knelt and wrapped his arms around her again. This time, hers worked their way around his neck, holding him tightly. A smile spread over his face as he rocked her back and forth.
"I will, Em. Love you."
"I… I love you, too," she whispered. "D-" She pressed her face into his neck. "Dad…"
/-/
Emerald watched the Bullhead leave with damp eyes. A part of her wanted to chase it, though short of growing wings, there was no way to do so. No one called her out on acting the fool, not that she'd have cared either way.
Yang shifted beside her.
"Yeah, I cried," Emerald growled. "Say it."
"Say what?"
"Call me a baby or something."
"I'm not Vernal," Yang said, and that explained everything. "I used to cry when mom or dad went on a mission and left us behind. You might be older, but it's the same thing. I just got used to it, used to knowing they'd come back."
"Mom and Dad always came back," Ruby said.
Summer touched her shoulder. The woman's hand was warm and companionable. It wasn't his, her father's, but it was close. "You did well, Em. He'll come back."
"I know. He promised he would."
That was good enough for her.
And next time, she'd be strong enough to go with him.
That, Emerald swore.
/-/
"Yo, wake up."
Jaune groaned as something shook him. An eye cracked open, and he realised that the shaking was both a combination of Qrow and the Bullhead coming in for a landing, the winds buffeting against its hull as the stabilisers kicked in. "Are we there yet?"
"Be a dick move for me to wake you up if we weren't. Yeah, we're there."
"Atlas, or the SDC mansion?"
"Mansion," Qrow said, nodding to the window. "Seriously, it's like a small village. Not just a house for them, but for their personal army, servants and everything else. I bet their fucking pets live better lives than most people do."
Jaune wasn't sure they had any pets, not if Weiss' reaction to Zwei in his first life was any indication. Still, he got Qrow's point. The huge structure was of a comparable size to Beacon, at least in terms of the land owned. The mansion sat in the centre of a large, walled off community of other houses that entailed barracks, servant's quarters, stables and more. The gardens stretched off for a long distance, a lot of it just grass, with the occasional flowerbed on the edges.
There was also a landing pad off to one side, on an area that had been paved over as some kind of parking and landing zone. It was this the Bullhead descended onto, following the bright lights lit up to signal them in.
Jaune and Qrow stood once the vehicle was down. Jaune grabbed his weapon and suitcase – which contained more weapons and equipment than clothing, while Qrow picked up his scythe and a much smaller backpack. The two of them made it to the main ramp the moment it started to open, and Qrow hopped out, impatient to get the show on the road. With a roll of his eyes, Jaune followed suit and made his way towards the party that had come to greet them.
Jacques and Winter Schnee were waiting for them, along with Weiss, Whitley and a small collection of staff. There was something odd about seeing the Schnee children with their father; they'd hardly had the best of relationships in the future. It was also a little surprising that Jacques thought them worth a meeting in the first place. Usually, he'd have focused on matters more profitable.
Winter was still dressed like a Specialist, even if she'd never been one. The white and greys complimented the Schnee motif, the only difference being the snowflake symbols on her cuffs, lapels and breast. She looked taller, though that might have just been the way she held herself. She was seventeen or so, but easily looked nineteen or twenty.
She smiled upon seeing him, though her attention shifted to some confusion at the sight of Qrow.
"Winter, this is Qrow Branwen," he introduced. "He's a friend and a huntsman. He agreed to come with us."
"Charmed," Winter said.
"Yeah, I bet you are," Qrow teased, earning a frown from the much younger girl. Uh-oh, it looked like his previous life was repeating itself there, especially with Qrow being so irreverent in front of her family.
Jacques Schnee frowned, and Weiss looked positively scandalised.
"Thanks for getting in touch, Winter," Jaune interrupted, hoping to avoid any dramatics. Or worse, a repeat of Qrow and Winter's fight the first time around. He'd always wondered how they had a history given the vast disparity in their ages. Looks like it was just Qrow being Qrow. "I'm glad you gave us the choice to come with you."
"I knew you'd be angry if I did not," Winter said, ignoring Qrow entirely. She stepped forward and offered him a hand, only to laugh when Jaune drew her in for a hug instead. She returned it. "It's good to see you, too." she whispered. "I didn't want to do this alone. The danger is very real."
Jacques Schnee coughed. "Which, I trust, you will take steps to prevent, Mr Ashari." He held out a hand, which Jaune shook after a moment's hesitation. "Winter is my daughter and my heir, and also a valued member of the Schnee Dust Corporation. We would not normally countenance something like this, but Winter was able to convince both myself and the Board of Directors." Jacques looked inordinately proud of that fact. "As such, the decision was taken out of my hands."
"I'll not let anything happen to her, sir."
"It pleases me to hear this. Be sure to take responsibility for anything that happens to my daughter in your care."
Winter coughed and looked away, embarrassed.
He wasn't sure why. Was she just embarrassed that Jacques was showing this amount of concern for her or something? "Um. Okay?" When she didn't respond, he pushed ahead. "So, is it just going to be the three of us? I'd have thought you'd bring Echo or Delta along."
"Our security forces are still on high alert. I've left them in charge, since I doubt the White Fang will miss an opportunity to strike while I'm distracted."
"Good idea. Have the attacks been that common?"
"Frustratingly so," she said, sighing. "There's one every day, which sounds bad, but many are fought back. I'd say there are two a week that lead to significant losses on our end. It's difficult for us. We have to shore up defences across every convoy, mine or outpost, while they can simply pick whichever they believe to be the least defended."
"Winter has done well in mitigating this, however," Jacques interrupted. "Intelligent, beautiful and dedicated. Truly, the Schnee family is blessed."
Winter looked away from Jaune and coughed.
"I guess she is," Jaune agreed, turning Winter's cough into a hacking, choked gasp. He wasn't really sure why, but she seemed to be okay. "Shall we head off now? I trust you've got a ship and crew ready to take us to Menagerie."
"Y-Yes. A faunus crew. They're trustworthy, and less likely to be troubled in Menagerie. Give me a moment to say farewell to my siblings first," Winter requested. "We can leave soon after."
"Of course, of course," Jacques said. "I shall speak with Ashari more."
Winter didn't reply, she was already talking to Weiss and Whitley, who looked much the same as they had in the future but for a single revolver and holster strapped to Whitley's hip. He'd never learned to fight the first time around.
Jacques coughed and drew his attention before he could think more on it, "Tell me, Ashari. Do you believe the White Fang can be convinced to stop with this madness? I'd like your honest opinion here."
"I think it's unlikely. They're fanatical." And he knew Salem wouldn't let them stop. "That said, I think it's possible Menagerie isn't really loyal to them. They might have planted those flags to mislead us and force our hand. If Atlas were to move aggressively against Menagerie, it would force them to work with the White Fang to survive."
"Hm. Winter has said as much. Still, Menagerie's unwillingness to respond to Atlas is troubling…"
"It is, but there's good reason for it." Kali would never want to talk to Atlas after what they'd done to Ghira. "The SDC, for all the bad press, hasn't done anything to insult Menagerie, though. They should be willing to talk to us."
"I suppose that is the best we can hope for."
Jaune had a feeling that Jacques' hopes were less about peace for peace's sake and more about profitability. War wasn't good for the SDC, even if dust sales would go up. It would be short-term gain at long-term loss, and if things got bad enough then Atlas might just requisition dust, essentially stealing it from the SDC. The White Fang were a problem, but they wouldn't turn the world on its head. Not for a few more years.
A second faunus war would.
"If you'll forgive me, Jacques, I need to speak with Qrow for a moment."
Jacques nodded. "By all means. I shall share some words with Winter."
"Problem?" Qrow asked when he came near.
Jaune looked around quickly to make sure no one was close enough to overhear. Everyone was distracted, or just far enough away for it to be fine. "I want to tell Winter about Salem."
Qrow's expression darkened. "Are you nuts?"
"She needs to know what she's up against. We can't afford to have her die because she was unprepared."
"She's, what, seventeen, nearly eighteen? She can't handle it."
"I trust her."
"Yeah, well I don't," Qrow hissed. "Don't know anything about her or where her loyalties lay. I was iffy enough on Ironwood, but Oz trusts him. He wouldn't trust Winter. Not without getting to know her first."
"I know her. I've known her for years. She's not married to profit, Qrow. She's a disciplined and rational person. If we tell her, she won't tell anyone else."
"That's not a call we can make. Bring it up with Oz when you get back to Vale, but he didn't tell you the truth for you to go off and tell it to everyone else." Qrow ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "Look, I get why you want to. Tell her about Tyrian, Hazel and Watts. But make something up. Tell her they're spies we know are behind the White Fang, or criminals after you. But Salem? No. The less people that know about her, the better."
He wasn't going to give. Jaune let it go, even if he didn't fully agree. It was easy for him, since he knew with complete certainty who would prove worthy of trust and who wouldn't. Lionheart would still be in Mistral at this point, and likely a traitor already, proving that Ozpin wasn't quite so full proof in choosing his own allies.
"Alright, Qrow. We'll play it your way."
Winter returned, a bag on her shoulder. "I'm done. Are we ready to leave?"
"You sure you don't want to bring a butler along?" Qrow asked.
Winter's brows drew down.
"I'm sure."
"Great. Then let's go."
/-/
It took an hour to reach the ship Winter had chartered, and as much time again for it to leave the harbour. It was a small fishing and trading vessel with six members of crew, all faunus but most, if not friendly, then at least uncaring of their human passengers. They'd been granted the use of two different rooms, one for Qrow and he to share and the other for Winter.
Qrow apparently wasn't one for ships. Not seasick in itself, he simply didn't have the patience to sit around on them doing nothing. He'd gone below deck for a nap, leaving Jaune to find Winter alone on the bow, looking out over the open ocean.
She heard him coming. "A nice view, isn't it?"
"It's not bad. Have you ever been to Menagerie before?"
"Never." Winter spared him a curious glance. "You?"
"Not in person, but I've heard about it from someone who used to live there. She gave me a fairly in-depth description of the place."
"She?" Winter asked. She glanced away a moment later. "Not that there is anything wrong with that. I was just curious. Could you not have asked this woman to come with us?"
"She died."
"Oh…" Winter cringed. "I apologise."
"It's fine. It was… many years ago. She died well, I suppose, in a fight, along with the man she fell in love with." He wouldn't say it was where Blake had wanted to die, but it had been in itself a death that had meaning. "Either way, what I know about Menagerie comes from her. It can be a pretty wild place. They're not unwelcoming of humans, but there's no telling if that won't have changed now."
"Yes. Atlas' actions around Ghira Belladonna may well have influenced opinion. I still cannot believe General Hawk would do that…"
He could see the thought hurt her or hurt her view of the world. Jaune sighed. "I've got reason to believe it might not be as much of a `mistake` as was implied."
Winter looked his way. "What?"
"The killing. Ghira was innocent, don't get me wrong. But… I think Hawk might have intentionally chosen to do this, and specifically to incite violence between Atlas and Menagerie."
"That would make him a traitor to Atlas. Are you sure?"
"Not really. No way to be sure. But don't you think it's odd that the White Fang attacked Atlas and specifically knew where I would be? Ironwood was already sure there were spies somewhere in the military, and you'd have to be a special kind of stupid to think killing a prisoner in cold blood would be a good decision."
"I always assumed it was old age," Winter said. "General Hawk was not a young man. Perhaps he misjudged…"
"You don't get to be a General by being addled, Winter. You don't get to stay one without it, either. He had friends in high places. It's possible he thought they could cover for him, or that he was told they would, but they never did."
"And you suspect this foul play was orchestrated… by whom? Who would be behind this?"
"The same people behind the White Fang's attack on Atlas, and the people trying to steal the technology left behind in Merlot's labs."
"The scorpion faunus. Tyrian, was it?"
"That's him." Jaune looked around to make sure Qrow wasn't around. "Don't tell Qrow, but he's been back since. He attacked me in Vale. Not the city, but the countryside around it." He shushed Winter when her eyes widened. "No one can know! I'm only telling you because I trust you. Will you keep it a secret?"
"Y-Yes. Of course. I won't betray such faith."
"Good. Tyrian was among the White Fang that attacked Atlas, too. He tried to kill Emerald at the time… probably to drag me out of hiding. Qrow knows, but he doesn't think you should be told."
Winter's eyes narrowed. "I don't like him. He's rude and antagonistic."
"It's a part of his charm, but I'll admit he can be a pain sometimes. He's trustworthy and strong, so he has that going for him. Either way, this mission of yours could be a lot worse if Tyrian is there."
"And if he finds out you are coming, he may well be," Winter realised.
"Exactly. We need to be in and out quickly, before news gets back to the White Fang and he mobilises to come here with his allies. There are three in total you need to watch out for on top of him. There's Hazel Rainart, Arthur Watts and…" It was a gamble, but one he had to make. "Cinder Fall. You might be able to find images of the others, but for Cinder you're looking for a human girl with black hair and yellow eyes. She's not a faunus. Normally wears red."
Winter nodded quickly. "I'll keep my eyes open. They're all dangerous?"
"Deadly."
"You realise that if we see them, we cannot be seen to attack first," she warned.
"I know. It would get us in trouble. I'm not sure they'll have the same concerns, so we need to be prepared for an ambush. Even if you don't get on with Qrow, you need to stay close to him whenever possible."
"That won't be a problem, Jaune. I do not let personal feelings get in the way of a mission."
He grinned and patted her arm. "Good. I knew I could trust you."
"I'm glad you feel that way. There's precious little it feels anyone can trust at the moment." Winter looked back over the side. "You were right by the way."
"On…?"
"Going back to the mansion. I was… hesitant at first, but it has gone well. Weiss and Whitley are happier and more responsive. Father expects less of them, so life is easier. I've been able to keep up on my training and father is… he often expresses how proud he is of me."
Jaune moved over to stand beside her. "You sound conflicted."
"Do I? Maybe I am. He's proud of me, but only because he does not know what I truly intended. He thinks I came back of my own choice, that attending Atlas was just to improve myself. It… When we parted, I said terrible things. Things I fully meant and to a degree still do. Having this now… it's better, things are easier, but it feels like I've surrendered, like I've taken everything back and let him win."
"Have you?"
"No. Of course not! He wanted a demure and petite daughter and I'm anything but. I fight, I train, I speak my mind. I'll make sure Weiss and Whitley grow to do the same. We shall not be like mother was. Nor father. I haven't been cowed."
"Then you haven't surrendered. It might look like it to him, but what does that matter? Who cares what other people think. You know you haven't given in. That's all that matters."
Winter smiled wearily and turned to meet his eyes. "Do you believe me?"
"Absolutely."
"Then all is well. I… I am content with that. I'll remain with the SDC; it feels like if I left, father would regress, and life would become even harder for poor Weiss and Whitley. They don't deserve that."
"You don't deserve it, either. Someone is going to face the pressure of being the heir."
"I am the eldest, the most prepared. It makes sense that it be me."
"Is that what you want?" he asked.
"No. But I want Weiss or Whitley under such a burden even less than I do to wield it myself. No one wants to fight the Grimm or risk their life. They do so to protect people they care about. I suppose this isn't much different."
"It really isn't. Battles of a different kind, but for the same reasons."
"That's how I see it," Winter agreed, smiling softly. "And at least I have some support in this, no? You've helped train me, and you've offered advice. You've been someone I can rely on." She looked away for a moment but leaned against his side.
Surprised, he adjusted himself to let her. "I'm glad I could help…"
"Would you always be there to do so?"
"I'll do my best, if you really want an old man like me around all the time."
Winter smiled.
"I think I would like that."
Well, writing about all that crying was tiring. I imagine reading it was as well. I hope the payoff of Emerald's final words was better, and I couldn't really avoid it. I didn't think Emerald would have the capability of remaining cold and angry in the face of Jaune leaving her, and we all know how dependent she is on him. He did have to go for missions in Atlas, but those were detailed earlier as being short things within Atlas, and since they were military, they'd have had transport, etc. So he'd have been gone for 5-6 hours tops.
They also weren't as close back then. Now? Well, it's harder on her, even if she's grown up in some ways. Slowly opening up only means her feelings are there to be hurt all the more by perceived abandonment, though Jaune did his best to make it clear it wasn't that.
Next Chapter: 8th December
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