The week off was a good chance to recharge, read, and plan ahead on my stories.

Due to his own holiday, CF didn't get to look at this. Look at us all, taking our holidays. How dare we!?

Beta: College Fool

Cover Art: A Stuck at Home Tome

Chapter 39 - The Calm

Jaune's sudden desire to train must have taken his team by surprise. That or it put them into shock entirely. That was the only explanation for why even now, a week later, Weiss had still looked like she wasn't sure if she believed him when he said he was going out to run laps around Beacon. She'd known better than to challenge him, however. Yang did that the first time, totally assuming he was off for some booty call, then had been stuck doing laps with him.

She'd never forgiven him for that, even if it was her fault in the first place.

For Jaune, the long runs were a chance to unwind and de-stress. It wasn't something he'd realised he really needed, but being left out of breath and with aching muscles was a catharsis, and there couldn't be catharsis without a problem to escape from. It was probably the fear of what he knew would come, what he was still fairly sure would happen even though he'd made the decision to try and fight it.

His hands tightened into fists, and he found a burst of last-minute energy that let him run harder and faster. He was going to fight this. The future looked bad, but when did it not? He'd faced the threat of death over a thousand times. This would be no different. Unlike all those other times, however, it felt so much more personal. He'd always had reason to fight, people to fight for, loved ones to save…

But this felt heavier. This life felt better, he felt more alive – in a way he hadn't known he was lacking. Maybe it was his family, maybe it was his friends, or maybe it was the fact he'd allowed himself time to relax, to put aside his hellish training and actually live for a little bit.

Even if that time didn't help him now, he couldn't find it in himself to regret it. Slowing down and taking time off had given him a new appreciation for life. It reminded him what life was, that it was more than just endless training in pursuit of a single, unifying goal.

Exhaustion caught him near the statue, but he kept jogging until the grass, collapsing down on that and laying on his back. It was cool and soft, in contrast to the sun that beat down on him. He closed his eyes against it, then covered them with his arm when that wasn't enough. By all rights it was a lovely day, except that he was exhausted and covered in sweat, which never felt good in hot weather. Where was sleet and snow when you needed it?

An hour and a half, Jaune thought, checking his scroll and ending the stopwatch. That's a lot better than it was last week. Not much, but it might make the difference.

Conditioning was all he needed… all he'd ever needed, really. When it came to pure skill and technique, there were few better than him. What chance did they have when they'd only had seventeen to twenty years of life, and only half or less of that to train? It wasn't like he was a better person than them or a harder worker. He just had all the time in the world – and he'd used it. The problem was that pure skill had never been enough to make a difference. He'd never been enough to make a difference. He was only one man, after all, and his attempts to draw other people in to help him had always met with failure.

It didn't matter, though. He would keep fighting. One eye cracked open as he rolled over onto his side and flipped through his scroll. The aura display came up, and he sighed at seeing the full and healthy green bar. He reached out to pick up a stone and brushed it against his skin. It took a few tries, but it eventually did graze and draw the tiniest droplet of blood.

It was hard not to feel disappointed. He wasn't sure what he'd hoped for, but there had been a desperate belief it might have fixed itself now that he'd decided to return to this path. Life wasn't so easy. Nor was aura. "I guess I'm just lucky the others haven't asked why I don't want to spar."

They were probably still afraid of hurting him so soon after his illness. While they still trained with Qrow, and grew all the stronger for it, he sat on the side lines, occasionally joining in to talk about strategy and leadership with the older man. If Qrow was surprised at the sudden shift in his motivation, then he kept quiet on it. He still didn't join any of the spars, though. Without aura, his secret would be given away immediately, and there was no way they'd let him compete. Weiss, Yang and Blake would protect him out of love, but they'd also ensure they died alone and unprotected in kind.

He sighed and rolled back over onto his back. At least he was doing something. He was getting better.

A shadow fell over him.

"I thought you were meant to be training," Weiss said. She stood with hands on hips, Blake and Yang on either side. "I didn't realise you were training your ability to fall asleep at any moment."

"Can you not see I'm covered in sweat?"

"No, but I can smell it."

He knew she couldn't. Her smile gave the insult away. With the festival so close, and the three of them unknowing of what would come, their moods had never been higher. Ignorance was bliss. He couldn't bring himself to rain on their parade, not when he felt better just watching them smile and laugh.

"You said you'd come and spend the day with us at the festival," Yang said. "You're not getting out of that, even if you are tired."

"That afraid I'll run off?"

"More like Blake will." She rolled her eyes at the dark-haired girl. "Do you have any idea how many times she's tried to tell us this is pointless or not important?"

"It isn't," Blake said.

"See? Gods, it's like me and Weiss are the only people who even know how to have fun on this team."

"Weiss and I," the heiress said.

"Correction, I'm the only person who knows how to have fun."

He laughed. "Poor Yang. Life really dealt you a bad hand. Give me a second to rest and I'll be ready."

"You have ten," Weiss said, tossing someone over him. His vision was cut off for a moment, before he fumbled the fabric off his face and realised it was the white jacket they'd all bought him. The day had been too hot to run in it, but it would be a welcome relief later. "Don't think we're going to let you sneak off on the pretence of getting a shower or something," she said, stalking up to stand by his head. "Not after the three of us spent time preparing."

"I can tell," Jaune said, head between her legs. "Black underwear. Risqué."

"Wrong." She smiled. "A combat skirt is designed to stop you looking, but a good attempt at riling me up nonetheless. I'm not going to kick you, though. You'd only use that as an excuse to get out of this."

"You know me too well," he laughed, sitting up and then climbing to his feet with her help. He brushed his hair down into a manageable style and pulled the jacket on over his shoulders. They were wrong about one thing; he wouldn't have welched on their deal. Even though he'd decided to try his hardest to make this a successful run, he wasn't stupid enough to injure himself by training too much, or to neglect his team.

The Vytal Festival itself had already begun, even if the tournament was a day or two off. Back in the past repeats, he only focused on the fights for obvious reasons, and sometimes it felt like the festival was the tournament. The clue was in the name, however. This was a festival. The tournament was one of many attractions. A famous one, sure, and probably the main event – but there were plenty of other things to do.

Both Beacon and Amity had been tooled up, and the school had been opened to the public too, so that people could avail themselves of the various trade stands and stalls. Some held games, others food. Overall, it was probably an attempt to close the divide between huntsmen and civilians, to show people that Beacon wasn't some secret society where super-soldiers trained, but rather a school like any other.

It worked, he supposed. There were certainly a lot of children around, running between stalls and generally getting underfoot like kids did. Off in the distance, he could see Ruby looking a little awkward as kids surrounded her, many pointing at her weapon.

"Don't interfere," Yang said, scroll out and taking pictures. "This is gold!"

"You're a terrible sister," Weiss sighed. "Winter never did anything like this."

"You hope," Jaune added, earning a suddenly worried look from the girl. "I'll have you know she showed me all sorts of baby pictures of you."

"She didn't…"

He tried to hold his face, but must have failed.

Weiss slapped his arm. "Idiot," she muttered.

"Maybe she would if I asked her. I'll make a note to do so the next time we bump into one another."

Weiss' returning look said there would be consequences if he tried. She was distracted, however, when Yang pointed to a stall and dragged her over. Blake sighed like a moody teenager and followed, while he brought up the rear with an amused grin.

"It's a ball toss game," Yang explained. "You need to knock the stack of tins over and then you get a prize."

"Yang, just because I was raised in high society doesn't mean I'm an idiot," Weiss said. She had one hand on her face as she stood before the rather self-explanatory stall. "I know how this works. I also know it's practically impossible to knock them all over with a single ball."

The overweight man behind the counter clearly heard her, for he slid over with a smile just a little too plastic. It was the kind of smile any adult had when working with children non-stop. It was a smile which said he was either at the end of his patience, or had already snapped and become a child murderer. Seeing as Jaune could still make out the occasional twitch by his eye, he'd go with the former.

"Actually, little lady, you get three balls to use." the man said. "Three balls, three attempts and a prize if you knock them off."

"What's the catch?" Weiss asked.

"No catching here, little lady. Just throwing. Care to test your luck?"

"Go for it," Yang said. "You should try and win Jaune a prize. Isn't that what people do at festivals and such?"

It was a low blow, especially because of Weiss' feelings, and Jaune knew it struck true the moment her eyes flicked over to look at him. He stepped forward to stop her, but Weiss' money was already out. She slammed a hand down on the counter, giving over the thirty or so lien required to play. "I don't need luck," she said. "I'll let skill decide."

"Yang," he growled, eyeing his wayward daughter.

She giggled and looked as unrepentant as ever.

Weiss hefted the three balls in her hand, weighing them as she regarded the stack of cans with a keen gaze. She tested them, tossed one up and caught it again, just to make sure it wasn't unbalanced or suspect in some other way. When she was pleased with it, she launched the ball with an overhead swing.

It struck the stack head on, scattering them in various directions. None remained standing.

"There," she said, placing the other two balls back on the counter.

"Ha ha, not bad," the man said. "I still see a few cans on the platform, though." He pointed to two cans, which had been knocked over but still remained on the wooden shelf itself. "You don't just need to knock them over. You need to knock them down."

Tch, of course. Jaune rolled his eyes, almost in perfect synch with Weiss.

"And here we have the catch," she said. "It's always the same, I suppose. Ironic that people call the SDC morally bankrupt. At least we give people the dust they pay for, and pay people the wages they ask."

If the man felt any anger at that, he knew better than to show it. Jaune caught the man's eyes harden, though – and his smile took a smug edge. Oh?

"I still have two shots left," Weiss said, picking up the balls once more and testing them as she had the first. She clearly expected foul play in some way, but launched another ball once she was satisfied with her weapon. It struck true once more, Weiss' skill and concentration enough to hit whatever target she deemed. The can on the right was torn from the shelf with ease, carried off into the curtain behind it where it fell to the floor. "That's one down."

"And one remaining," Yang grinned. "Yeah. Go Weiss!"

"Hmph. Not exactly a difficult task." Weiss threw the last ball, which true to the others, struck the remaining can head on. It rattled and flew into the air. Against all odds, it slapped against one of the side panels, hit the roof of the tent, and then fell back down onto the shelf with a dull clank, momentum spent.

Weiss' mouth fell open.

"Oh, so close," the man sighed. "I really thought you had it with that one, little lady. A perfect shot too. Only bad luck stopped it coming off."

Yang sniggered. "I don't need luck." she mimicked, "I'll let skill decide."

"Yang Xiao-Long, I will kill you." Weiss looked humiliated, hands ramrod straight at her side. She swallowed and fished in her pocket, doubtless for more lien to use. She brought it out and laid it down on the counter.

Jaune's hand covered hers. "Would it be okay if I had a go?" he asked.

"You want to?"

"Sure." He smiled. "Maybe I'll have a little more luck."

Weiss nodded and stepped back. She left the lien on the counter, however, and gestured for him to take her place. He rolled his eyes as he heard Yang tease something about what it might mean if he won her something.

"Looking to win your little lady a prize?" the man asked.

"Something like that. Three balls, right – and I need to knock each and every can off the shelf?"

"That's right." The balls were thrown to him. "Here, catch."

The three balls were tossed his way at once, spreading out in the air. The man clearly intended to embarrass him, but had no idea who he was dealing with. Jaune caught one in his left, flicked it into the air, then caught another – and the third in his right. With a cocky smirk, he juggled them for a few seconds, earning a delighted laugh from Yang and a smug smile from Blake.

There was nothing quite like knocking someone off their pedestal.

He tested the balance of each ball as he juggled them, doing much the same as Weiss and mentally imagining just how hard he'd need to throw it and where. It was the difference between a civilian and a huntsman, he supposed. Once he was happy, he threw the first.

Blake nodded as the stack was knocked down. It wasn't quite as impressive as Weiss', since three cans remained on the shelf, but two were close together and he was confident he could catch both of those with a second ball. He aimed and let loose.

"Down to one again," the man laughed. "Let's see whether luck or skill prevails today."

"I'm skilled, but when it comes to luck I'm probably the unluckiest man on Remnant," Jaune said. He eyed the last can. It was the same one Weiss struggled with. "However, I don't think it'll be an issue."

He threw the last ball, and he felt more than heard Weiss sigh from behind him. It sailed a foot or so above, missing the can entirely.

Yang gasped in horror.

Blake's eyes narrowed.

The ball struck the corner of the tent, bounced off the metallic frame which held it up, and then came back down on the can from behind. The overweight man's smile fell as the can sailed towards the audience.

His expression became positively sickly when the can didn't fall to the floor.

It hovered in mid-air, suspended from a piece of string only visible when the sun hit it from the right angle. The crowd that had naturally gathered behind them to watch someone fail began to mutter. They didn't sound pleased.

"Luck and skill," Jaune sighed, "have very little to do with your game."

"Why, you…" Weiss took a step forward, but he caught her around the shoulders. They stood with her against his chest and one of his arms wrapped around her shoulders, the other her waist.

"Now, now," he laughed. "Don't begrudge the man. Not everyone can be as honest and forthright as you. Some people need to cheat and steal to make a living, even if it's from children." Jaune smiled as the unrest behind them picked up. "Isn't that right, Mister?"

"I… I uh…"

"I think the can is off the platform, even if it didn't hit the floor. I'd like my prize, please."

"Of course, of course." He turned and snatched a yellow bear off the pile and held it out. It was a ratty thing and looked like it had been goodness knows where before this. It looked like a piece of crap.

Jaune pointed back at the pile. "I'd like the swan, please." It was a little larger, but not by too much. "The white one," he added. "I think it'll fit the recipient a little more than that old thing."

The man scowled but didn't dare argue. He put down the bear and practically threw the swan at them. Jaune caught it before it could hit Weiss in the face, then turned them both away with a parting smile. He very much doubted anyone would visit the man's stall after that. Good riddance. Weiss wasn't the only one who hated cheats and sneaks.

"Here you go," he said, holding the swan against Weiss' chest. She took it without a word and held it there.

"Thank you," she said. "I knew I didn't… ugh, I can't believe I fell for his trick."

"You didn't miss, Weiss. It was the only reason I figured out there must have been a trick. Your aim was perfect as usual." He grinned and made to tease her a little further, but for someone interrupting him.

"Luck and skill have very little to do with your game," the voice mocked. The impression wasn't very good, but the sarcastic lilt was familiar. Familiar enough to make his head perk up. "Sheesh, talk about trying to sound cool. Did you steal that from a movie or something?"

It couldn't be… Jaune's mind went blank, but even so, it didn't stop the automatic response. "Don't complain because you're jealous. No one expects you to try and match my level of wit."

"H-Hey, I'm cooler than you!"

"Keep telling yourself that," Jaune said, turning with a wide smile. "It might be true one day, Hazel."

Hazel, his sister, growled and looked away, unable to come up with a return blow. That didn't matter, though. He wasn't sure he could bring himself to listen anyway. They were all there… from Amber to Sapphire, his mom and dad too. His mouth fell open, but the words wouldn't come out.

"Surprise," Juniper said with a little wave. She smiled a smile full of white teeth, but leaned against Nicholas' shoulder. He had one arm around her, offering support as well as protecting her. The reason why was obvious, for she carried quite the added weight on her stomach.

"Mom…?"

"Oi, and us," Hazel growled.

"Hazel, shut up," Jade said, slapping her twin around the back of the head. "You'll ruin the mood. Ugh, you already did. Can't you see he's with someone?"

Confusion settled over him at that comment, but he felt something shift against his chest. It only took looking down at Weiss' red face to realise he still had hold of her, and what their position looked like. He coughed and let her go, wincing when she took a step away from him.

"Hazel!" Lavender sighed. "This is all your fault."

"Tch. Not my fault he-"

Juniper placed a hand over her daughter's mouth, cutting her off with a roll of the eyes. "Let him speak, sweetie. That is if he can think of anything to say. I'd have thought a son of mine so popular with the ladies would know how to greet his own family."

The kick was all he needed to move into action. He stepped forwards, arms open wide, and then winced when four girls tried to squeeze into them at once. When Amber, Lavender, Sable and Sapphire realised they couldn't fit, they went for the obvious option.

Keep trying regardless.

Jaune felt his shoulders creak, "O-Ow, could you maybe…?"

"No," Amber said. "It's been months! You need to make up for all the time we missed." She wrapped her arms around his waist, Lavender doing the same a little higher, while the other two aided in his imminent dislocation.

"Girls, give him some space," his father chuckled.

It was only once they had, grumbling the entire way, that the others took their turns. Jade gave him a quick hug and a thump on the arm, Hazel a reluctant one that was tighter than it looked. Coral gave him one too, but made sure to lay a kiss on his cheek as she did.

Jaune hesitated in front of Juniper. He didn't know what to do, not with the baby bump there. What if he hurt her?

She laughed and drew him in with one arm, settling him beside it as she hugged him into her side. "It's good to see you, sweetie," she said. "It's been so long."

It had, and he felt a tear in the corner of his eye. He wiped it away, trying to make sure no one noticed. She did, of course, but she wouldn't mention it. "How are you here?" he asked. "No wait, why are you here – how did you find me?"

"Bullhead, to cheer you on, and your friends – in that order."

My friends…? Jaune turned back to his team, in time to see Yang holding a scroll she'd no doubt used to record his emotional outburst. He'd need to find and wipe that clean later. Yang with blackmail material was like a Beowolf with a baby. The chances of him surviving that were about the same too. "You guys organised this?" he asked. "When, how?"

Weiss snorted. "Why did you think we were so insistent on getting you here? Did you really think I'd have refused you time to get changed if it wasn't important?"

"Surprise," Blake said, with a little smile on her face.

"Weiss had the idea," Yang said, "I set it up. Sapphire and I exchanged numbers back when they came to Vale~"

A part of him felt that ought to have frightened him, that there might have been other things they exchanged. Terrible things… things of him when he was a baby, or when they'd dressed him up as a girl. He couldn't muster the fear, however. His smile was watery. He couldn't believe his team would go so far for him "You three…" he whispered.

"Consider it a gift for your recovery," Weiss said. Her smile was kind, her eyes soft. "That and for getting hurt trying to help us."

Jaune winced.

"What recovery?" Juniper asked dangerously.

Weiss' eyes suddenly became a lot less kind. "You didn't tell them?" she snapped.

"Well, I meant to…"

"Jaune Arc!" the two of them snapped in perfect unison. Weiss and Juniper looked at one another in surprise, then shared a meaningful nod and turned back to him, hands on their hips.

"Would you care to explain?" Weiss asked.

"Yes, sweetie," Juniper simpered. "I really think you should."

"Heh heh…" He looked to Yang and Blake, but they shook their heads, expressions disappointed. No help there, then. Weiss started to tap one foot, and he knew that his time was up. He swallowed, took a deep breath and answered. "I forgot?"

/-/

Jaune's sisters all broke off to enjoy the festival, after a few choice words thrown in his direction and a promise extracted that he would show them around later. Yang and Blake went with them, leaving Weiss and he with his parents. That might have been fine from their point of view, since they were all currently aligned against him in their anger – but it felt like he was being thrown to three Beowolves, unarmed and tied up.

They dragged him to a stall that served food and drink, and didn't forgive him until he'd grovelled for at least fifteen minutes.

"Really, you're so irresponsible," Juniper said. "Didn't you think we would be worried?"

"Of course I did," he said, "but I was worried what effect it might have on you and the baby. What if you panicked and something went wrong?"

"Then I would have had your father with me." She laid a hand on Nicholas', and he cupped it gently. "Either way, what if something went wrong with you? What if you died from your wounds, and I'd never had a last chance to talk with you?" She sighed. "Did you think it would be okay because you wouldn't be around to feel guilty about it?"

He had… and the realisation made him feel sick. He knew the reason why, of course. He'd gotten so used to the resets and repeats, the idea that time would wind itself back when he died, that what might have happened after his death never factored into it.

That didn't make it okay, however.

"I'm sorry. I won't do it again."

Juniper levelled a stern glare on him.

It faded a minute or so later. "I forgive you," she sighed. "I don't want to mar this trip with something like this. So long as you never do it again, we won't have any problems."

"I'll do better next time. I promise."

"Um…" Weiss played with her mug of tea. "Perhaps I should leave the three of you here to have a family moment."

"No, no," Juniper smiled. "You're not intruding at all. Stay with us Weiss, I insist."

He recognised his mother's expression, one of intense glee, and perhaps even a little relief. She thought Weiss and he were on a date together, the image compounded by the swan teddy Weiss had on her lap. After his constant womanising, she was probably thrilled to see him with a girl close to his age, and especially one she liked.

Considering her cheeks, Weiss had definitely figured that out as well.

He wasn't sure what to say. Would Weiss be relieved if he stepped in to say they weren't together, or would it hurt her? In the end he decided to stay silent and let her be the one to complain if she wanted to. She didn't.

"How is the pregnancy coming along?" Jaune asked.

"About as well as you can see." Juniper gestured towards her stomach. "The girls are helping more about the house now, keeping me from doing anything sometimes. It gets boring."

"They mean well," Nicholas chuckled. "You work yourself too hard."

"I work myself just enough to ensure I have something to do. Don't tell me what I can and can't do."

"Her hormones have started to kick in as well," he said, offering a small smile to he and Weiss.

"They have not!" Juniper snapped.

Jaune shared a quick look with Weiss, who daintily hid her smile behind the act of taking a sip of tea. It was good to see them well, even better to hear things were going normally. He couldn't remember his mother ever being pregnant – that was just too many hundreds of years ago. He knew Lavender had been a difficult birth, however. She'd been advised not to have any more.

"Have you found out if it's a boy or a girl yet?" Weiss asked, coming to his father's rescue. Juniper abandoned her anger in an instant, her mood doing a complete switch as she smiled at the heiress.

"I haven't asked," she said. "Oh, the doctor offered, but I want to keep it as a surprise. It's not like it will make a difference anyway, and we have both boy and girl baby clothes and things left behind after Jaune and Amber." She rolled her eyes. "Not that it's stopped Nicky spoiling the baby already. He's already bought two cots, one in blue and the other in pink, just in case. Goodness knows what we'll do with the other." She shot her husband a pointed look, but his smile was anything but apologetic.

"Maybe it will be twins," Weiss offered.

"It's just the one. Trust me, after giving birth to twins twice, I can tell the difference. I can feel the baby kick, and there isn't enough movement in there for more." Juniper smiled at Weiss. "Would you like to feel it?"

Weiss hesitated. She bit her lip, clearly uncertain whether it would be rude, childish or somehow not befitting of a Schnee. Her eyes shone, however. "Can I…?"

"Of course, dear." Juniper shifted her seat around so that her stomach wasn't beneath the counter. "Come on and give me your hand. I'll show you where to feel."

Weiss looked a little nervous and looked to him for help. He knew what she wanted immediately, and stood up as well. Now with him in tow, she felt a little more confident and moved over to kneel by his mother.

Juniper smiled and took her hand, shifting it under her over-large top and placing it against her stomach. "Just wait a second," she whispered. "He or she is quite active. I blame Nicky for that."

"Among many other things," Nicholas joked.

Jaune blinked when Juniper reached out to snag his hand. She smiled and brought it to her stomach, resting it against Weiss'. There was something strangely intimate about the gesture. He fixed a look on his mother, one that clearly said she shouldn't try to interfere.

Her return look was anything but apologetic.

"Oh!" Weiss gasped. "I felt it move." She looked up, not at Juniper, but at him. "Did you feel it?" she asked, voice light and airy. "I felt it move."

"I didn't-"

"Here," she sighed, taking his hand in hers and moving it where hers once lay. She kept her hand atop his, pushing it against the skin.

He didn't miss the pleased look on Juniper's face, but his thoughts were wiped away entirely as he felt something akin to a bump. His mind froze. Was that…? It happened again. Soft, almost impossibly so, but it was a definite twitch of movement against his palm. "I felt it," he whispered. His voice was hoarse.

"Isn't it amazing?" Weiss asked.

It… was.

His eyes fell to his hand, to Weiss' hand and also his mother's stomach, where his little brother or sister resided. He'd known she was pregnant of course, but it had never truly hit him before. Not until now. There was a baby there, under the palm of his hand. It was a living, growing and soon to be thinking human child. Perhaps it dreamed even now. Who knew?

It was a life that might never exist in another repeat. Even if his mother and father conceived it, what guarantee was there that it would be the same child? He took a deep breath, and felt determination swell inside of him.

Just another reason to make sure this life was his last.

/-/

"That's the story," Yang said, having explained their current situation to the two girls. Sapphire had been as good as her word and brought Coral along for them to speak to; who she claimed could offer the most insight into Jaune's apparent change. Yang would admit to feeling a little awkward around the girl, especially since she supported the idea of Jaune and Weiss getting together, and could easily guess his fiancé would not.

She didn't comment on it, however.

"What do you think?" Sapphire asked the other woman. "I know he changed, but I figured you'd be the most likely to remember it. You paid the most attention, after all."

Coral adjusted her glasses. She didn't smile, nor did she reach for the drinks Yang had bought for the two of them. "I noticed," she said simply. "What of it?"

"Didn't you hear Yang's explanation?" Blake hissed. "We need to know what changed to understand why Jaune is doing these things."

"Do you? Will an explanation change the fact it's happening – or aid in stopping it from happening again?" Coral smiled, though there was no warmth in it. "Understanding won't change anything. Whether you know the reason or not, it won't stop Jaune from doing what he wants. He has always been like that… even before the change."

Yang caught the slip immediately. "So there was a change."

"It would be pointless for me to argue against that. It doesn't mean I have to share the things I know."

Frustration tore at Yang. She could feel it affecting her hair and eyes, but she clamped down on it with iron-clad will. That didn't stop the glare she sent the stupid girl, though. "Why?" she growled. "Why keep this from us?"

"Because it's none of your business," Coral said easily. "I'm all for you trying to help him, but I don't see why you need to intrude into our lives for that. Whatever caused this change is something he went through – not you."

"So you don't even care if he gets hurt?" Blake asked.

Coral's face twisted into one that was dangerously calm. "I did not say that."

"No, but your actions might cause it. If we don't know what's making Jaune do this, then we can't-" Blake cut off as a hand touched her shoulder. She glared at the offender.

Sun Wukong winced, but he turned to Coral with an easy smile once Blake stopped speaking. "You really care for Jaune, don't you?" he asked.

The girl blinked. "I do."

"You love him, huh?"

"Yes. That is not in question."

It is from me, Yang thought, and a glance at Blake said her partner felt the same. Sun, however, didn't argue the point – nor did he jump on the chance Yang would have taken.

"You're not refusing to tell us just to be mean, are you?" Sun asked. "You have your own reasons."

Reasons? What game was Sun playing here? Yang made to interrupt, but Coral replied before she could.

"That would be unnecessarily petty," she said. "I wouldn't waste my energy on that."

"I guess not." He laughed. "I think I understand. You're worried he'll be angry if you do, aren't you?"

"Close," Coral said, and the small smile that came out almost blew Yang away. It wasn't happy, not in the way most people would describe. It had an element of pleasure instead, or maybe relief mixed with amused happiness. "Jaune would be angry, but that doesn't bother me much. He can be just as entertaining when he's emotional as when he's not."

Yang winced. She really didn't want to imagine that.

"I won't tell, however, because it would be a betrayal of him." Coral sighed and poked her drink. "As much as I agree with your desire to help him, if he hasn't told you the reason why himself, then it's likely because he doesn't want you to know. If I told you anything I knew…" She looked glum. "It would be as though I turned on him behind his back. I don't want to do that to him."

That… that was the reason? Yang felt her anger dissipate, replaced with a sudden sense of disappointment. How quick had she been to label the girl a stupid bitch, when all she wanted was not to upset someone she cared for? Thinking of it from her point of view, she had a point. If someone asked her for personal information on Ruby, stuff she knew her sister wouldn't want revealed, then she'd have seen them off herself.

Blake deflated too, robbed of ire.

"Heh, I thought that was the case," Sun said. "I get the same with Nep sometimes, even if he does tell Sun and Scarlet pretty much every embarrassing story I tell him not to share. Is Jaune like that?"

"No. He's very loyal."

"Hence why you want to repay it in kind, I guess."

Coral nodded.

"The thing is," he went on, "we're not trying to find this out for the sake of curiosity, or something. We're doing this because we're genuinely worried about him. Because Blake and Yang love him too, maybe if it isn't quite the same as you do."

"And you?" she asked. "Do you love him?"

Sun's balked. His eyes tracked over to Blake, and Yang snorted at that. Was he worried Blake would misunderstand or something? "I-uh… it's a little different. I like him, but I wouldn't say love. Well, it's…"

Sapphire's amused snort cut him off. "Be nice, Coral," she chastised, "You did that on purpose."

"I did," Coral said, smiling when she saw Sun glower. "But to be fair, he's trying to manipulate me as well. He's appealing to logic over feelings, trying to bring me round to the idea of betraying Jaune's trust out of a selfish desire to keep him safe – no matter how upset he would be."

Sun froze.

Yang cursed to herself. Damn it, he was so close. Sun was the only one of them to get the girl to talk, and that was weird enough in itself, but maybe Blake and her messed up because they were too emotionally involved. It all looked for naught now, however. Coral wouldn't fall for a trick she could see a mile coming.

"Ah, yeah…" Sun coughed. "I guess I am."

Coral smiled. "Okay," she said. "Go on."

"Huh?" Yang's mouth fell open.

"I never said I was against the idea. I am human myself, and perfectly selfish. While it would hurt to have him angry at me, and hurt even more to see the disappointed look in his eyes…" She paused, expression glum, but it soon switched to one more determined. "Even through all of that, if the danger was enough, I would accept that punishment to keep him alive. In the end, his survival is more important to me than his love."

"Geez…" Sun whispered. "That's pretty intense…"

"That's Coral for you," Sapphire said. "She's always been like this. I suppose that's why she and Jaune get on with one another so well, even if it can get really awkward for the rest of us when they get a little too close for our comfort."

Yang could well imagine, and she still wasn't sure what to do about that. I'll have to try and corner her alone sometime later and have a word. Ugh, that would have been easier when she still thought the other girl an asshole. Knowing she held back on Jaune's past in order to protect him didn't exactly paint her as the bad guy.

Blake made to interject on why she should help them, but Yang kicked her under the table and shook her head. She nodded towards Sun, a little surprised he was being so useful, but not willing to miss out on that.

Sun and Coral batted questions and ideas between them. It was a weird sight. Sun wasn't the best speaker, but he was blunt – blunter than anyone Yang had ever heard. She supposed that was how he was with Blake too, but Jaune's intended seemed to appreciate it. He laid out the risks, paused when she challenged them, and then answered as best he could.

He didn't get angry or impatient, nor did he try to bluster past any of them. Yang knew she would have. She would have gotten annoyed, pushed and tried to force the other girl to give up. Blake was the same, really. They both wanted the best for Jaune, but neither of them wanted to wait for it.

Having Sun with them was their saving grace.

And against all odds, it proved fruitful.

"The White Fang," Coral said. "From what I've read, they're little more than angry idiots taking out their injustice on the lives of others. If they truly wanted change, they'd focus on the people responsible for their current situation. All they really want is to make other people as miserable as they are."

Blake squirmed in her seat, but calmed down when Yang touched her hand beneath the table. The faunus nodded back, grateful for the silent confidence.

"I wouldn't go that far," Sun said awkwardly, more than aware of exactly who he was trying to court. "They'd uh… definitely want to kill Jaune, though. Especially after what happened on their last mission."

Coral's face twisted. It looked like she was deep in thought, but that carried on for a good two minutes in pure silence. Yang wondered if they should interrupt, but Sapphire looked content, so she decided to wait it out.

Eventually, the woman sighed, "The risk is too high. I suppose I'll tell you."

"Yes!" Yang cheered.

"I'll thank you not to be pleased you've convinced me to break Jaune's trust," she said, and Yang's mood dropped once more. "I'm certainly not. Make no mistake; this is for his benefit, not yours."

"We get that," Sun said. "Thank you, Coral."

She sent Sun a look, and then nodded once it was clear there was no duplicity there. He was too honest for that, too blunt.

"Jaune did change," she began. "It was around two years and eight months ago. Sapphire likely doesn't remember it exactly, but I do. It was a very big shift, enough to turn me from someone who didn't like him at all, to someone who found him precious."

"Coral and Jaune didn't always get along," Sapphire filled in. "In fact, I'd go so far as to say she hated him."

Yang expected the other girl to protest, but she didn't. "Hate, while strong, isn't exactly the wrong word," she admitted. "That's why I remember it so well. The change wasn't sudden, it was instantaneous." Coral looked deadly serious. "One night he was as he'd always been… the next, it was as though he were a different person altogether."

Sapphire looked awkward. "He wasn't, though," she rushed to add. "Everyone noticed, and I remember he had a few blood tests from Mom and Dad, just to make sure nothing was wrong with him. Obviously it didn't even cross our mind it wasn't Jaune, but even if he was, those tests would have found it."

"He was the same person out here," Coral said, with a gesture to her body, "but not in his mind. People often called me broken-"

"Which you're not," Sapphire growled.

"Which I am," Coral corrected. "The insults of others haven't ever bothered me. Why should they when I don't care for their opinion? The only people who could hurt me were those I considered worth the oxygen they breathed. That list was very short. Jaune wasn't on it originally." She cocked her head. "And then suddenly… he was."

Yang and Blake shared a meaningful look. "Why did he change?" Blake asked.

"I don't know."

"Then what was the point of all of this!? Why put us through your game if you don't even know what made him change?" Blake slammed a hand down on the table. It honestly looked like she was about to snap.

Coral, however, didn't seem to care.

"How did he change?" Sun asked.

"That, I do know," she said. "Before, Jaune was a weak, unconfident and needy person. He did nothing for himself, either to better himself, protect himself, or even to think for himself. He was selfish, but selfish without doing anything to achieve what he wanted. He was the kind of person to choose a new hobby every week, and never put any effort into it. He picked up and dropped dreams regularly. There was nothing interesting about him."

"That's a little unfair, Coral," Sapphire laughed. It tapered off as Jaune's sister looked around uncomfortably. "Not exactly untrue… but unfair. He grew up."

"No, he didn't," Coral said. "He didn't grow up. He changed. Overnight. He went from being weak and ineffectual to driven and determined. He moved slower, with more lethargy, but his stance was stronger."

"A fighting stance?" Yang asked.

Coral shook her head. "No, more in how confident he was. He didn't hesitate as much, he made decisions… they weren't always the best decisions, but he was no longer afraid to make them. He also looked at everyone differently."

"In what way?"

"Like he expected to lose us," Sapphire said. Her eyes narrowed. "I never realised, but… do you remember the birthday party thrown for his fifteenth?"

"I do," Coral said.

"He was practically moved to tears. I didn't think anything of it at the time, but he never had that reaction before." Sapphire touched her forehead, as though trying to remember. "He acted like he was surprised we were there, that we'd do all that for him. How did we never notice?"

"Juniper did," Coral said. "As did Nicholas. As did I. Why do you think they were so quick to whisk him away to doctor's visits and such? They saw the odd behaviour and worried something was wrong, but as his change started to fade from memory, everyone began to forget it ever happened in the first place. Jaune was happy. You were happy. Why change that?"

"And you were happy too," Yang said. "You said you liked him more after the change, after all."

"I was," Coral admitted. "I don't mind saying it. All people are selfish, myself included. I begrudged the old Jaune his place, but this one…? This one, I loved. He was the same person – he knew all the same things, but…" She sighed and looked away. "He understood me."

Yang didn't like the feeling in her stomach. The whole conversation felt heavier somehow, as though they were treading on dangerous ground. "Why did it feel like he suddenly understood you?" she asked.

"Because it felt like he was broken too."

Damn it… she knew she wouldn't have liked the answer.

"It felt like he lost something," Coral went on, "but that by losing it, he gained something else. Namely, the ability to understand me." She shrugged. "We became closer. He became important to me."

"Lost something," Blake said, "or someone?"

Coral shrugged one shoulder.

"Did he have many friends before he changed?" Yang asked. "Were there any of them you suddenly didn't see him hang around with anymore?" She looked to the two women, but paused when they both looked uncertain. "What's wrong?"

"Jaune had friends," Sapphire whispered. "Not many, but he had friends like anyone his age would. After the change, though… I don't think I ever thought on it, but I never saw any of them again. He didn't hang around with them. He didn't talk to them…"

"They no longer interested him," Coral said blandly. "They couldn't understand him."

"Because he was broken?" Blake asked.

"Because he was different. People don't like different. It distresses them."

Yang knew Blake couldn't argue that, not when it was what the faunus faced first hand. Still, Coral's story as good as corroborated what they'd suspected. Something happened to Jaune when he was younger, something that scarred him so effectively, his personality did a complete one-eighty. His habits changed, he started to act differently… and if their earlier suspicions were true – and his mother's – it must have been around that time he started to come down with some form of depression.

Like Blake said before, people who suffered from that tended to view their lives as having less worth than other people's. It might explain why he was so willing to risk his own to protect theirs.

As for the White Fang, there were still two options remaining. Jaune either risked his life to stop them because he was worried they'd hurt his team… or he did it because of something they'd done to him earlier in his life.

The next step was obvious.

"Thanks, Coral," Yang said. "You really helped us out. I… do have one question, though. Would you answer it?"

"Ask and see."

"You said you like Jaune because he can understand you, because he feels…" Yang hated the word, but used it anyway, "broken, like you."

"It's a little more complicated than that, but close enough. What is it you wanted to ask?"

Yang shared a look with Blake and Sun. She figured they'd guessed her question, for they nodded back. She took a deep breath, knowing the question wouldn't be popular with the girl. "Would you be against the idea of us trying to help him? Would you be against the idea of us helping him if it made him become… unbroken."

She expected anger. She expected glares, condemnation, something.

What she got was a small, sad smile.

"No. I would want what makes him happy."

/-/

Whether or not it was selfish and wrong, Weiss felt a little more pleased than she cared to admit for how the day had gone. The chance to spend some time with her team was one thing, as it was to see Jaune's face when they surprised him with his family. The real kicker, however, had to be what almost any other person might have called a date and a chance to meet the parents.

Maybe it wasn't for them, since he'd turned her down, but it still felt like it.

She also knew Jaune's mother considered it one as well, if the regular looks she received were any indication. Juniper Arc approved of her as her son's potential partner, even if she never said it out loud. That meant a lot to her. More than it ought to have. A Schnee did not need the approval of other people. A Schnee did what they wanted, how they wanted, and if they wanted it bad enough – they'd do something to make it happen.

Her father would have been disgusted, not only at her choice of love interest, but also the manner in which she pursued it. She was not her father, though. She never would be, and for that she counted herself thankful.

Still, she wasn't above showing off a little, even if it was a habit she knew she ought to curb. Here, though, a little generosity was both natural and well-received.

"I'll pay for the meal," she said, laughing off Juniper's protests. "Really, it's no problem. You and your family supported us out in Vale, both with food and a room to stay in." Weiss smiled at the memory. "Please let me repay you this, even if it's just a little bit."

They knew who she was, of course. That was probably the only reason they accepted, even if it was reluctantly. They were good people. Jaune was lucky to have parents like them. Weiss drew her card with a flourish and offered it to the man behind the counter.

She nearly died when it was rejected.

"T-This has to be a mistake," she laughed, acutely aware of Jaune's parents behind her. She took back the card and cleaned it on her wrist, handing it back to the gentleman behind the counter. "Could you try again?"

"Of course, just give me a second." The elderly man smiled and tried it again. When it failed, he checked his machine, polished the card and tried a third time.

Weiss felt her stomach fall out when it failed again.

"Is there a problem, Weiss?" Juniper asked. She smiled kindly. "Maybe it's a computer error. Let us handle the bill for this. It's fine."

It was a mercy offer, Weiss knew. Both of Jaune's parents were pretending they believed that, giving her an out she could take instead of admitting her embarrassment. Her eyes scrunched shut as she swallowed her humiliation and made to accept.

Jaune beat her to it. "Let me see that," he said, taking the card from the man. He brought it against his wrist and scuffed it against the fabric of his coat. When he handed it back to the man it was a different colour. It was a different card. "There," he said. "There was something stuck to the back of it. Maybe that'll fix it."

The shopkeeper noticed, of course. He must have understood, however, for he pulled the card out of sight. "I'll try it once more," he said, sliding over to the machine and ringing up the purchase. "Ah, there we go – all working as intended."

Weiss felt relief crash down on her when his parents sat back down.

"I guess it was just that," Juniper laughed.

"I guess so," the shopkeeper said, handing the card back to her with a wink.

She didn't think she'd ever wanted to thank someone more. No, wait, she wanted to thank Jaune a whole lot more. "I-I guess it was," she laughed, walking back to their table on shaky legs. She slipped Jaune's card into her skirt, sending him a silent ` thank you` from the side of her mouth.

He smiled back.

"Thank you for this, Weiss," Juniper said. She reached over to pull Weiss into a quick hug, then leaned a head down by her ear. "For what it's worth," she whispered, "I think my son cares for you more than he lets on."

Her heart skipped a beat. She wanted to ask more, but the moment was gone as his mother pulled back with a warm smile and moved over to hug her son.

"We'll call it here for now," she said. "I'm not very mobile like this. I think it's time I took a break."

"Do you want me to see you back to your hotel?"

"No, no, don't be silly. You should spend the rest of the day with your friends. We'll be here every day to see you and watch you compete either way." Juniper pulled back and kissed her son's cheek. "Make sure to do your team proud."

"I will, Mom."

"That's good." Juniper smiled, but it quickly switched to a frown as she looked beside her. "Well, aren't you going to say something to your son?"

"I was waiting for an opportunity," Nicholas said. "I was just a little worried I might be told off for interrupting."

"Why would I- are you saying I'm hormonal again!?"

"No, dear…" The older man stepped forward to give Jaune a quick hug. Juniper watched with a fond smile, but standing beside her partner, Weiss heard the man's whispered words. "Help me."

"Hell no," Jaune hissed. "You did this to her. Wear protection."

"I did! It didn't work."

"Come on, Nicky," Juniper laughed. She gripped her husband by the arm and dragged him away with more strength than her frame really suggested.

Weiss watched them go, amused not only at their byplay, but also how easy and relaxed they were around one another. I wonder if I'll ever have that with someone one day. Her eyes flicked to Jaune beside her, but she knew she didn't have the courage to say anything. Instead, she picked up the white swan he'd won for her and held it against her side. She tried to make the action look casual, even if she would have hunted down anyone who dared try to take it from her.

"I never realised how weird Mom is when she's pregnant," Jaune said. "Sorry about how she acted. It must have been pretty awkward."

"It didn't feel awkward at all. I enjoyed it."

"Thanks for paying for them, anyway. Our family isn't exactly hurt for lien, but if Dad hasn't been on any hunts lately… well, looking after so many people isn't cheap. Sapphire, Sable and Coral do what they can to help, but the rest are still in education."

Weiss felt a tiny prickle under her skin. Was he mocking her? "You know full well I didn't pay for that meal," she sighed. Her hand fished into her skirt pocket, drawing out her scroll. It didn't take her long to find the reason for the card being rejected. It was detailed in a lovely message from her father, after all. "I've been cut off from my finances," she said. It felt like she should have been furious at that, but she wasn't. It was a loss, sure, but she couldn't find it in herself to care. She still had her team.

"Can he do that?" Jaune asked

She sighed and put the scroll away. "I don't actually have what you'd call a bank account. The SDC has more money than most banks do, and father would never pay a middleman just to look after it." Parasites, he would call them. People who fed off the wealth of others without doing any work for it. "He set up the SDC to have its own bank… of a sort. The service is only available to employees, not that many of them trust us enough to use it. Management do, and there are no hidden rates or traps. It's a good offer and a good deal…"

"Except that it gives him control over the accounts," Jaune finished. "That's why he can cut you off, because he doesn't need to contact a bank and customer protections. He just closes your account… or blocks access to it."

Weiss nodded. Her father would only do that if he wanted something, if he felt it would serve a purpose – probably one of forcing her to talk to him. If it were just that, she might have accepted, but she knew it wasn't. He wanted her back in Atlas, back under his control.

Back where she was nothing more than a resource.

"Forget it," she said, both to him and Jaune. She fished around in her pocket and found the card he'd used. "Here. Thank you for not letting me look like an idiot in front of your parents. I appreciate it and promise to pay you back however I can."

"Pay me back for what?" he asked.

She sighed. "The money you used to buy the meal." She poked the card into his arm when he made no move to take it from her. "Here," she repeated.

Jaune smiled. "That's not mine."

Huh? Weiss pulled it back and looked down at the card, eyes growing wide as she saw the name etched across the front. Miss Weiss Schnee.

What…?

She turned it over, inspected the back. It was a perfectly normal card, from VCB, the Vale Central Bank. She didn't have an account with them, however. She didn't have an account with any bank. Her eyes shot up to meet his. "I don't understand."

"Well, I didn't want to interrupt your story," Jaune said, "but you did make one mistake. You do have an account with a bank outside of your family." He pointed at the card meaningfully.

"How, though? I didn't sign up for this."

"Officially, you did. You also transferred quite a lot of funds from your main account into it." Jaune shrugged, but his smile could only be described as smug. "Officially, that is."

No way…

"What's the unofficial account?"

"Top secret, I'm afraid."

She didn't know what to say. Yet again he did something she couldn't understand, that she couldn't explain. The question of how he'd managed to fool a bank and set an account up in her name was one example, but how he could have known that would be necessary was the bigger one. The chances of her father telling Jaune were lower than the moon falling from the sky. She doubted even Winter would have known, otherwise her sister would have assuredly warned her in advance.

She gripped his wrist with her hand. "How did you know?" she asked. "How could you possibly have known any of this would happen?"

"Lucky guess?"

She squeezed.

He sighed. "I'm a time traveller. I've lived this life hundreds of times before, to the point where I know every event as it's about to happen." He turned to face her. "Happy?"

Weiss kept his gaze for a good ten seconds. Eventually, she sighed and rolled her eyes. "If you don't want to tell me, then don't. There's no reason to be such an idiot about it."

"But it's true," Jaune laughed. "You never believe me, either. That always happens."

"I'll bet it does," she sighed. "And maybe you get to sleep with my sister as well."

"Yep."

She kicked him in the shin for that, and then kicked him again when instead of a pained yelp she got louder laughter. He was such an idiot. She kind of liked that about him, though… even if she wasn't sure why. "Come on," she sighed, taking his hand in hers and dragging him away. "We'd best find Blake and Yang before they do something stupid. Plus, even though the surprise is over, you did still promise to spend the day with us here."

"Yes, dear," he said, still laughing to himself.

She dragged him away, to play games, find their team and generally have a relaxing day before the fights started. And if he never noticed how she kept hold of his hand, if he never noticed how his fingers curled around hers...?

Well, she wasn't going to complain.

/-/

While students and visitors alike enjoyed the hospitality of Beacon, its illustrious headmaster wished he could be doing the same… or doing paperwork, or playing chess, or anything really that didn't involve standing out in the hot sun as his old friend's ship slowly settled down. James really did like his entrances. It was part of being respected, he would always say.

Part of intimidating people, he likely meant.

Still, as the tall man stepped out from his small craft, Ozpin couldn't help the small smile that graced his face. "James," he said, stepping forward with his cane in one hand. "It's good to see you."

"You as well, old friend," Ironwood said. He was flanked by guards and offered Ozpin nothing more than a terse handshake. He would give no more in public, but there was no malice there. The General had an image to uphold, and Ozpin knew the greeting would be more familiar once they were out of the public eye. Already, several photographers were taking shots from the edge of the field.

"Would you like to reconvene in my office?" Ozpin asked.

"Please," James whispered.

The two moved away, Ironwood barking some quick orders to his guards, who saluted and left him to help unload the aircraft they'd arrived in. It was a small thing, which was both a miracle and relief in itself. He'd half-dreaded the arrival of a battleship.

No students crossed their path as they traversed the halls. They were all too busy enjoying themselves, but Ironwood's face remained carved from rock until they boarded the elevator to his office. Only then did it crack.

"Relieved to be free of their scrutiny?" Ozpin asked as his old friend let out a long sigh.

"Like you wouldn't believe," James laughed. "Things have been hectic back in Atlas. Ah, but let us not sour the mood talking about that. This should be a time for celebration."

"Indeed, the Vytal Festival ought to bridge the gap between all the nations. I take it you've brought your best and brightest to compete?"

"Naturally, old friend. I've heard much talk of yours as well." James sent him a sly look. "Specialist Schnee was quick to heap praise on her sister's team, and after seeing their record I've come to realise that's not just familial loyalty."

"Team Jazzberry is a skilled team," Ozpin said.

"They certainly sound it. I must say, though…"

"I know," Ozpin sighed. "The name was a difficult one, I admit. Hindsight makes a fool of us all, however. I've been able to come up with names since, but admitting that and changing the team designation would not look professional."

"I'm sure that led to some strife."

"I believe the younger Miss Schnee was quite upset by it."

"I can't imagine why."

Ozpin looked at Ironwood for a moment, and the General looked back. As the elevator door dinged open and they both walked out, they couldn't help but laugh. "It's good to see you again," Ozpin repeated. "It really has been too long."

"I couldn't agree more." Ironwood's eyes lit up. "Ah, Glynda, a sight for sore eyes."

"James," Glynda smiled back.

"And Qrow," Ironwood sighed.

"What? No kind words?" The drunken man swayed on his feet. "If it helps, you're a sight set to make my eyes feel sore too."

Ironwood rolled his eyes and ignored the man as he always did.

"Rooms have been set up for you and your men," Glynda said. "I'll pass the details onto your scrolls and the contact details of those you provided in advance. Your students have already been allocated rooms, of course, but should you wish to see them or speak with them, you're free to confiscate any classroom for it. Classes are all cancelled until after the tournament."

"Thank you, Glynda. I think I'll trust in their judgment, however." Ironwood accepted a cup of coffee from the woman and turned back to Ozpin. "How goes the security?"

Ozpin sighed. He'd known it would come to this. "I've recalled a number of huntsmen and huntresses back to the city. They've already been allocated locations and zones, both on Amity and in Vale. Defences around the city itself had been beefed up, while security on the Colosseum is at an all-time high."

"I see, I see… if you need additional hands, my Paladins could-"

"No James, that won't be necessary," Ozpin said, for what felt like the hundredth time. "Vale has everything in hand, as you already know. I believe our recent record speaks for us."

"Indeed it does. Several White Fang plots foiled and a terrorist strike on the heart of the city left without casualties." Ironwood paused. "Well, without innocent casualties at any rate. Your response was very rapid. You're to be commended."

"Beacon is always prepared."

"But perhaps a little more prepared than usual, no?" Ironwood's face took on a shrewd edge. "A certain someone saw fit to brief me on your mysterious friend. This… Silver."

"Bloody Ice-Queen," Qrow mumbled.

Ozpin's thoughts weren't much different, but he'd expected no less from Winter Schnee. "Our contact is but one of many advantages we wield," he said. "He has been useful in providing us information, however. That cannot be denied."

"And you've yet to locate him?"

"Qrow has encountered him numerous times. On the last, he was injured by one of our students. We feared he might have succumbed to it, but Miss Schnee's call proves otherwise."

"And you didn't think to pursue the matter?" Ironwood was clearly annoyed. "This mole could hold valuable information on the White Fang and their operations. Locating him should be a priority, extracting that information even more so."

"Define extract," Qrow interrupted. His red eyes held a dangerous edge. "I know you're not saying what I think you're saying, right Jimmie?"

"How should I be expected know what someone like you thinks, Branwen?"

"Enough," Ozpin said. He stepped forward and between them, making it look like he was palcing his mug down on his desk. "James, while we do desire to find and speak with our contact, the security and safety of the people of Vale and those attending the festival took precedence. I'm sure you can understand."

Ironwood nodded grudgingly.

"On the other hand, the matter of locating him hasn't stopped. Right now, however, we don't want to push him into hiding until after the tournament is over. If the White Fang wish to make a move, this would be a golden opportunity. Silver has already shown a willingness to betray their causes. If we attempt to capture him, we might distract him or push him into hiding. That might impede his ability to warn us of a potential attack." He sighed and turned back to James. "Once we have the manpower to spare, however, rest assured we will do our best to find him."

"And to talk with him," Qrow said. "No interrogation and definitely none of that shit we all know you lot in Atlas pull."

Ironwood had a face of thunder, but managed to keep his temper in check. "As you say, Ozpin. I'll leave the matter in your hands for now. However, the Schnee Dust Company is a vested ally of the Atlas military. With his daughters here, and with this contact having been in touch with both, he's asked me to look into the matter and locate this Silver individual." Ironwood pulled out a folder from his coat pocket. "Naturally, I sought the Council of Vale's permission."

"Those stupid fossils," Qrow snapped. "You shoul-"

Ozpin interrupted him. "That's fine, James. If you desire so badly to seek him out, then feel free. All I ask is that his questioning is left to the Kingdom whose jurisdiction you stand within."

"Naturally," Ironwood nodded, seemingly pleased to have won him over. "I should see to the comfort of my men first, though. Glynda, would it be possible to show me to their quarters? I'd love to catch up on the way."

"Of course, James. Come with me."

Qrow waited until they were both out of the room, and the elevator was almost certainly at the bottom, before he turned back to Ozpin. "Is it safe to leave him in charge of that? I don't mind sayin' I don't want Silver captured by him. Heh, the mysterious bugger's grown on me."

"And you needn't worry, Qrow. I don't believe James will think to look in the right places."

"The right places? You saying you know what those are?" Qrow looked intrigued. "You know more than you're letting on, don't you?"

Ozpin chuckled. "Perish the thought. Come now, I'd like to hear how the training of your niece's team is going. Will they be able to make an impact at the tournament?"

"My niece's team," Qrow challenged, "or a particular member of it?"

Ozpin didn't answer.

He didn't have to.

Back from my break, and on the NTF train as usual. I can't think of much to say here, so I'll keep it short.

Next Chapter: 27th May

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