As mentioned in White Sheep, I actually have a small FAQ on my profile. It's nothing special, but it has answers to questions I'm commonly asked in PM's and reviews, so if you are thinking of asking me something, would be good to check that out first as I answer some questions I get asked ALL the time.

It's nothing revolutionary, though, so don't feel you need to dive in there now. Just me taking the PM's I get asked time and time again and answering them in one place.


Cover Art: Jack Wayne

Chapter 45


Qrow, Summer and Taiyang sauntered towards him. The grin on Qrow's face said he'd more than enjoyed watching Yang and Vernal be knocked around, and while Taiyang had a little more concern, none of them looked angry about it. They were huntsmen after all; bruises were a part of the learning process.

"So, are you gonna rely on flashbangs for everyone from now on?" Qrow asked. "Seems to be a signature weapon."

"I'll stop using them when they stop working. People really need to not stare at something thrown toward them."

"To be fair, we're taught not to take our eyes off a threat either," Summer pointed out.

"Then I guess the flashbangs stay. Though I'll need to ask Ironwood if he can get me some more; unlikely if the war kicks off. No offence, but Vale's military surplus isn't quite what Atlas' is."

"As if anyone would be surprised by that! Bunch of warmongers…"

"Qrow." Summer shot him a look, and then Jaune one, no doubt checking to make sure he hadn't been offended. "He doesn't mean it. And those two were very good," she said, changing the subject. "I didn't expect them to be so proficient. Isn't Whitley Ruby's age?"

"A little older, but not by much," Jaune said. "They were both trained by Winter, and, being of the Schnee family, I'm thinking there were certain expectations placed on them."

"That they be as bitchy as the Ice Queen herself?"

"That they do well, Qrow," Taiyang said, sighing.

"I know, I know. I'm just messing with him." Qrow punched Jaune's shoulder and hooked an arm around him. "So, did the man himself tell you two that he made out with little Miss Ice Queen herself?"

"Jaune!" Summer gasped, scandalised. "She's fifteen!"

"He means Winter."

"Oh." Summer flushed.

"And way to walk right into the stereotypes yourself," Qrow teased. "Poor little girl hasn't even spoken to you and you're already calling her Ice Queen. For shame, Summer. For shame."

"Shut up!" Summer's face was bright red and she looked more like Ruby than she ever had before. For a moment he thought she might hide behind Taiyang, but she collected herself and stomped on Qrow's foot. His aura protected him.

"So, Winter, huh?" Taiyang said, stepping in to offer his wife some defence, and throwing Jaune under the Bullhead at the same time.

"No," Jaune replied.

"Yes!" Qrow cheered. "Right on the lips. Just walked up and took him just like that. Didn't think she had it in her." Qrow elbowed his side. "Should have seen this lug's face. Couldn't tell if he was even breathing. Complete mental breakdown."

"Qrow…"

"What did Emerald look like?" Summer asked, smiling.

"Fucking ice-cold rage."

"Oh, that's so cute!"

It really wasn't. Jaune looked to Taiyang for aid but got a shrug which seemed to say `I have to deal with this all the time; just accept it and move on`. Sighing, he pushed Qrow's arm up and over his head and stepped out of elbow range.

"It's not what you think it is. Winter was just thanking me-"

"Dude. You cannot be that naïve. You just can't be."

"I'm not." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm just trying to convince myself gratitude was all it was, and you're not helping."

"Oh." The humour fell from Qrow's face, along with Summer's. Taiyang looked just as serious, but not quite as surprised. "Shit," Qrow breathed, "Talk about putting a downer on things. I take it the news isn't well received, then?"

Summer looked like she wanted to say something but wasn't sure how.

"It's not that. I just… Things are complicated right now. This isn't what I need." It wasn't what Remnant needed, but certainly not him. "It makes things harder. Makes it harder to be objective about things."

"Is that so bad?" Taiyang asked. "It's not like she's trying to make you do something illegal."

No, but he already was – and that was a problem mixed in. What if Winter found the truth out about that? What would she think? Nothing good. It would break her trust in him. Even if she eventually got over it or accepted the necessity, things would be awkward. Complicated.

"Look, I'm not saying I'm some broken man who can't handle a woman liking him." He smiled sarcastically. "I've been through loss. And yes, losing someone I think I loved, and who loved me. It hurt a lot at the time and still does, but I know she would want me to move on and I have. It was a long time ago. But now isn't a good time for me to involve someone else."

"Because of…" Taiyang looked around. "Certain enemies?"

"Exactly."

"You're worried for her, then?"

"Course I am." How could he not be? "Winter is my student, my friend. I trust her. And she's stuck in the middle of a warzone she had no hand in making. Her life is on the line every day."

"Well, if she's already in danger," Summer began.

"It's not the same. The White Fang are a threat, but you all know the people behind them are worse. And they want me," he said, drawing sympathetic gazes from each. "I'm fine with that. But the more connections I have, the more people they have to go after. You lot are fine; you can look after yourselves and you're close by. Winter isn't."

"A hostage to get to you."

It was something he'd been worried of for a while, and while he hadn't let it stop him making friends, it had made him be a little more cautious. Winter had enough trouble on her plate without Salem going after her.

"Just tell me," Summer said, stepping forward. "If none of this was happening, if they weren't after you…"

Jaune grinned. "I'd have to get around the age difference, but I'd be willing to go on a couple of dates and see if it worked out. I'm hunted, Summer. Not blind or asexual."

"Could be batting for the other team."

"Not with you around, Qrow." Taiyang said. "You'd be enough to turn any gay man straight."

"Hey. Fuck you, too."

Summer laughed, apparently happy with his answer. Probably happy that she didn't have a friend who was falling to pieces around her. To be fair, he had been all of that before, soon after Pyrrha's death. He'd considered his life worthless, his purpose little more than to kill Cinder and, if needs be, die doing it.

Ruby had gotten to him first.

Maybe it was a Rose thing, fixing broken people.

Either way, while Jaune wouldn't go so far as to call himself normal – what time traveller could? – he wasn't about to break down or have a `no one could love me` moment.

"I'm worried about Emerald as well, obviously, but I can look after her myself, and it's not like she would have been safe if I hadn't picked her up. Winter, though? As much as I care for her, I'm not willing to entertain the thought of returning her feelings. Not just yet."

"But if it were safe?"

"I'd consider it. Happily."

"I guess that's all I can ask for," she said. "Have you told her?"

Jaune's grimace said everything.

"Jaune! You need to be honest with her. The poor girl confessed her feelings to you and is going to be crushed if you turn her down, more so if you don't help her understand why you're doing it."

"I know. I know. It's just… I'm not sure how to. Not the telling her part," he said quickly, before Summer could jump to the painfully obvious and painfully unhelpful answer. "More convincing her. Keep in mind this is Winter Schnee. She isn't some delicate flower about to gasp at bad guys after her. She's practically ex-military, heads the SDC's private army and walked into the middle of Menagerie to entreat with the White Fang."

"Ha. Good point." Qrow laughed. "She's got bigger balls than most huntsmen."

"That's kind of my problem. How do I tell Winter without her going `I don't care` and pursuing me anyway? Worse, how do I convince her not to try and find these people herself?"

Because while Winter already knew who Salem was and the danger behind her, she didn't yet have a personal reason to go after them. A Schnee always got what they wanted. Jaune wasn't sure why he'd suddenly become it, especially after his spectacular failure in courting Weiss, but apparently, he was.

Who knew that all you needed was confidence, experience, a better figure, a wiser personality and the actual capability of backing up my stupid boasts?

Oh, wait. Literally everyone!

God, how had Weiss put up with him? Patience of a saint.

"I was thinking of just lying to her."

"Jaune!"

"What? It's better she be hurt emotionally than kidnapped by the personification of evil, surely."

"You… I…" Summer looked like she couldn't think up a counter argument, but she stamped her foot anyway and jabbed a finger into his chest. "No. Absolutely not. You are not to tell her anything until you run it past me first. Understood?"

"Yes mom…"

Qrow snickered.

"Really, I feel sorry for the poor girl already. Leave it to me. I'll think up a way around this; preferably one that doesn't scar or break her heart."

That was fine with him. He could delay dealing with the issue and leave it to someone far better at it than he. He'd have pointed that out but was afraid of what Summer might do to him. Instead, he said a quiet `thank you` and left her to it.

"Do you think we should have done the same?" Taiyang asked, worried.

"What?"

"With you keeping her out of it. We had Yang and Ruby…"

"But you're not personal targets," he said.

"Summer was."

"Alright, but you didn't know about it. Point is, this is different. I know Winter would be made a target. A very high profile and well-known target. Ruby and Yang are kids. They can be kept out of this."

"They will be kept out of this," Summer said. "I've already told Ozpin so."

Jaune remained silent, though he didn't fail to notice Qrow's wince. The two of them knew Ozpin wanted both of the sisters in Beacon, and not to teach and let them go. He wanted the next generation of Team STRQ for the war against Salem. When you lived forever, you had to think about who would fight alongside you in twety or thirty years' time. Not just who you had to hand.

Still, in an ideal world he would be able to deal with Salem and prevent those two ever being dragged into it. In that regard, Summer's wish was something he could get behind.

"I hope so, Summer. For Emerald's sake, too."

/-/

Vernal huffed and pushed past Yang Xiao-Long, making sure to trip the girl as she went. Yang fell hard and with a squawk, landing flat on her tits in nothing but a set of underwear. A couple of people laughed; more when Yang swore vengeance on her.

"Sure. Whenever you're strong enough to give me a real fight." Vernal shot back, slipping out the door with a sneer.

Fuck Yang. Seriously.

If it wasn't her being so half-arsed to training and treating everything like a game, it was her doing it with Raven's face, which was the biggest insult of all. The brat had potential, sure, but not as much potential as she'd had at that age and even that hadn't been enough to catch Raven's eye.

Looking out past the changing rooms, Vernal spared a nod for the only other student there she did approve of, Coco Adel. Still a pussy, still a weak-ass city dweller, but willing to take hit after hit and keep coming. The girl had spunk. Never complained. Always got back up. Vernal liked that. The obsession was fashion was fine as long as it didn't get in the way of being strong. Weird, but fine.

She spotted Jaune Arc, or Ashari as he liked to claim it, talking with a few of the adults. Most of them were as equally pathetic as their kids, civilians either wanting the glory of tough kids, or to make them more able to protect themselves. She could het behind that to a degree, but the fact they wanted their kids to do it instead of them?

Cowards.

At least the ones Jaune was talking to – and the ones he cared about – were different. Just went to show he had good taste. Well, most of the time. Summer Rose, Qrow Branwen and Taiyang Xiao-Long. Homewrecker, traitor and the man himself.

Vernal was sixteen, but damn, she could see what Raven had seen in Mr Xiao-Long.

Daaamn.

Qrow was a bitch, obviously. Traitor turned preacher, whining about how what they did was wrong. Boo-fucking-hoo. Tell it to the Grimm. She wasn't sure if his attitude pissed her off most, or the fact he didn't even recognise her as being from the tribe. Showed how little attention he paid. Then again, he was always too busy whining about how Raven was treating him to use his eyes.

Summer Rose?

Vernal didn't go there. Knew better than to. Anyone who could take something that belonged to the boss and get away with it was someone outside her ability to deal with, and Vernal wasn't stupid enough to think that just because she looked friendly and weak, she couldn't tear a Grimm's head off with one hand.

"Oi, fuck-face!" Vernal called.

"What!?" Qrow and Jaune asked in unison, turning her way.

"Not you, douche." Vernal sneered at the Branwen traitor. "I'm talking to someone who actually matters."

"Why, you-"

"Qrow." Mr Xiao-Long held his teammate back. "Sorry, Vernal. He's a little high strung. But you shouldn't use language like that. You can be strong and still be a lady."

Vernal flinched back and felt her cheeks heat up. Her – treacherous and pathetic – heart beat a little faster and she looked away. "Y-Yes, Mr Xiao-Long. Sorry." Fuck. She could get lost in those eyes. Or those biceps. The guy could stand to wear a jacket or something, if only for the sake of her hormones. "Can I speak to you alone, Mr Ashari?"

Jaune sighed but agreed, making his excuses to the other adults before leaving with her. He took her out onto the mats, not for a fight for once. She was already battered and bruised from his spar. As usual, he hadn't held anything back. He'd trashed her. Absolutely demolished her.

Just how she liked it.

"What is it, Vernal? News from Raven?"

"The boss wouldn't need to use me as a messenger. It's about this tournament."

"The one in Mistral. Sure. Is it about the try-outs?"

"Yeah. In a way." Vernal huffed and planted both hands on her hips. "Why the fuck are you holding try-outs for something like this?"

He looked confused. "What do you mean?"

Biting back a growl, Vernal looked around to make sure no one was listening in. "Look," she hissed, "You can't actually be thinking that it's gonna change anything. Who the fuck is going to beat me in a fight? If you want the best here, you're looking at her and you know it. Why waste time on try-outs?"

"To be fair for one-"

"Life isn't fair. Any moment a Grimm can rip your head off and the poorer people get to live outside the walls to see it. Sooner they learn that, the better."

"And secondly," he said, frowning at her, "I need more than one person to compete."

"Then let the others fight and start training me."

"So, what you're saying is that you shouldn't have to go through the try-outs."

"I'm saying it's a waste of time. I don't care if you want me to beat up some spoiled brats, but the least you can do is not insult me to my fucking face by suggesting there's any doubt in this competition at all." Huffing, Vernal crossed her arms. "You're treating me like I'm weak. Like any of these idiots can beat me."

Jaune sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He didn't look any the worse for wear after their fight. He'd not used a flash bang on her – but then, she knew better than to fall for it. Proof that he knew she was strong enough to take seriously. Better than even those siblings and definitely better than Yang Xiao-Long.

"Vernal, I know you're the strongest student here. That much is obvious."

Her back straightened and her lips curled up. No, she told herself, be firm. Firm expression. No excitement. She couldn't help it, though. The praise – small as it was – had her feeling giddy. "Then why waste my time?" she asked.

"Because even if they lose to you, they're still learning something from the process – and I can't be accused of having favourites."

"Am I your favourite?"

"Not if you keep calling me fuck-face you're not."

Vernal let out a bark of laughter. "It's an affectionate nickname."

"Sure. I'll pretend to believe that."

"Heh."

She wasn't lying; it was affectionate. Sort of. No one in the tribe had a title like that, other than the boss, and he wasn't even a part of the tribe to begin with. Enough of one as far as she was concerned, but not officially. Still, she had to have something to call him. Jaune was too impersonal, too distant.

And their first meeting hadn't been the best. She'd called him something just as bad then, and going back on her word now? Calling him something nicer? It would have made her look weak. Would have embarrassed her.

"You're fuck-face," she grumbled, breaking eye contact. "Deal with it."

"Yeah? Well you're still fighting in the try-outs. Deal with it."

"Fine. But don't blame me when I kick their asses and they get to deal with the consequences. And don't you dare think you're getting out of training me personally, either. If I'm going to be representing your Gym, I'm gonna be compensated for it."

"Pulling a Raven? You're almost twenty years too young for that." He rolled his eyes. "But fine, I'll train you. I intended to anyway. When do I not?"

"All the time."

"You train here with us almost every night."

"It's not the same."

Because it wasn't. Not at all. Back in the tribe no one had really cared to train her. Roland would when forced, but it wasn't training, not really. He would beat the shit out of her until she learned to avoid it or give up. They just took their anger out on her and forced her to live and grow through it. It was always the same. Not even Raven had cared to train her first hand.

The only one who ever had was the man standing before her. The man she'd insulted and tried to beat up, and who had beat her up in turn. At the time, she'd thought him like the others and gone for another beating – knowing that the best way to get it was to piss him off until he got angry and lashed out at her.

He never did.

He never got angry.

And when he did fight her, it wasn't fighting. He'd disarm her, and right when she'd wince and await a beating, he'd stop. Stop, tell her to pick up her weapon and then tell her how to avoid that happening the next time. He didn't tell her to `get better` or `fix it herself`. He took the time to show her, to teach her, to acknowledge her as a real person.

He fucking cared.

The bastard.

He'd ruined her. She never gave a shit before, but after he'd gone, she'd been back as the unwanted runt. Stronger, faster, better for his teaching, but back to being a nuisance and having to deal with assholes who didn't know a thing about teaching someone. She hated it. Hated the lack of training, the lack of attention, the lack of shits given.

"I'll pick it up some more in Mistral," Jaune said, reaching out to rub her head. A part of her wanted to slap his hand away, but a larger part, the one that won out, had her staring down at the floor. "I promise, Vernal. Do good in the try-outs and I'll take you under my wing. Okay?"

"Okay…"

"Good." He pet her head one more time and turned away, though not without a grin back. "And I know you're my best student, Vernal. You'll be our ace in Mistral, so make sure you're in top condition. I expect you to bring home the championship."

Damn him.

Damn him for making her feel like that, all gooey and stupid. Weak. Damn him for making her want to say yes, to make her want to tell him his trust wouldn't go unrewarded or that she'd win it for him. Damn him.

Vernal watched him go. Watched Emerald fucking Ashari come out, spot him and hurry over. Watched her wrap her arms around his legs and his hand to come rest atop her head. Watched her smile, and him smile at her. Huffing, Vernal turned away and swung her back up over her shoulder. She had a shitty apartment and a microwave meal to get back to. Damn him for that, too.

But more than anything, damn him for not picking her. For picking up some orphan off the street but never acknowledging the one he'd left behind. For leaving suddenly, without so much as an explanation or even a goodbye.

That could have, should have, been her.

Vernal bit her lip and turned away.

"Damn you…"

/-/

"Have you found them?"

"I'm looking, boss. I really am."

"That's a no, then?"

"I found the Nikos and the Fall girl for you," Roman pointed out, sounding a little annoyed. "Within a day of getting here. I'd think that pretty good going."

"You're right. Sorry." He had to temper his impatience. "No news on Lie Ren and Nora Valkyrie, though?"

"None. I mean, boss, they're two kids somewhere in a whole flipping country. On an entire continent for crying out loud. This isn't an easy job you set. It's going to take time." Roman trailed off for a moment and then added, "If you told me a little more about them…"

"I don't have anything more to tell you. They were orphans and might still be."

"You sure they even survived?"

"Yes!" They had to. Gods above, don't let his changes have killed them. "Just keep looking. Leave the other two to me. I'll deal with them."

"Yeah, yeah. Still not sure what you want these kids for…"

"Stop fishing, Roman. If you're looking for some deep, dark secret in their past and mine then you're barking up the wrong tree. They're children."

"Hey. Neo is a kid, too. I know better than to judge."

"Roman, I would like to think that if there is a God out there, they wouldn't be so cruel as to place multiple Neos on the world."

Roman burst out laughing. "Good point. Fine, I'll widen the net. Gonna take me out of the city, though. If they did survive, they didn't come here."

He'd never thought to ask what Nora and Ren did after Kuroyuri. Where they'd gone, if they'd been adopted, how they'd lived. Or rather, they hadn't offered the information and he'd been too busy dwelling on Pyrrha and his own desire for revenge against Cinder to ask.

"You'll be rewarded if you find them, Roman."

"Hm. Sounds good. What am I to do if I find them outside the city, though? Bring 'em to you?"

He wanted to say no and that he'd come and see them personally, but that was unreasonable given his responsibilities looking over the ASH Gym. Also, he'd be putting himself at even more risk if he stepped out of the city. Salem's forces would quickly realise he was in Mistral, but they couldn't do anything if he was in the city.

So long as he kept an eye on Leonardo and didn't let the man close.

"Find a way to bring them to the city," Jaune decided.

"Righto."

"But Roman…"

"Yeah?"

"A way without kidnapping… please?"

"You're breaking my balls here, boss. I'm a master thief."

"Then steal their hearts and convince them to go with the nice, friendly and charitable Mister Torchwick." He felt some amusement at Roman's pointed groan. "Word of advice; it'll be easier to convince the girl to do something, especially if you make it sound exciting. Convince Nora and Ren will go along, if only to keep her safe."

"Safe from who? Me? You're making me sound like some kind of predator!"

"Good luck, Roman."

"Hate you so-"

The screen flashed black.

Hopefully, Roman would come through on Ren and Nora. There was still a chance they'd come to Beacon on their own, but he wasn't prepared to risk it. Bigger problem was Pyrrha, especially with how her father reacted the last time she lost at a tournament.

"Mr Ashari?"

"Oh. Weiss." He looked over to see the young girl standing somewhat awkwardly at the entrance to the living room. As if she wasn't quite sure what she was and wasn't allowed to do. "What can I do for you? Where are Emerald and Whitley?"

"Emerald is showing Whitley her trophy. Whitley is… um…"

"Hanging on her every word and driving you nuts?"

Weiss sighed. "Yes."

"Yeah. Us guys do that sometimes. First crush things. We get over it."

"Were you ever that bad, Mr Ashari?"

"Oh, Gods yes."

"Hm. I'm not sure I can imagine it."

You didn't have to. You experienced it. And now I feel weird looking at you when you're fifteen. Go figure.

"Were you wanting to get away from them for a while?"

"Actually, I was wondering if we could talk."

"Sure." He gestured to the sofa opposite. "Do you want a drink or something to eat?"

"No. That's fine, thank you." Weiss arranged her skirt and sat primly. She didn't make herself comfortable at all and instead laid her hands in her lap as if she were taking part in some family photo. Straight back, perfect posture, fake smile. "Considering Winter asked you to look after Whitley and I, and that father agreed, I was hoping to get to know you a little better."

"Well, I don't have a problem with that. I guess this must be pretty weird for you."

"Not really." Weiss shrugged. "I have always been looked after by servants or helpers in one way or another. This is the first time that has been outside of Atlas, but the experience itself is not one I am unused to. Nor Whitley."

"Your father doesn't…?"

"Father runs the SDC. He is a very busy man."

True, but that didn't stop many other parents who ran business from spending time with their kids. Especially not when you were wealthy enough to either take what time off you wanted or hire some assistants to do your work for you. Oh, who was he kidding. Why act surprised that Jacques wasn't winning father of the year award?

"What about your mother?"

"Mother is… often indisposed."

Weiss' tone made it clear she didn't want to be asked about it.

"Right. So, I guess Winter helped to look after you."

"When she came back from Atlas Academy, yes." Weiss smiled, happy at the change of subject and, it seemed, a chance to talk about her sister. She'd always admired Winter, even in the past timeline. "We were both surprised when Winter returned; I personally thought she'd be disowned and join the military." Weiss' voice dipped. "That's what their arguments sounded like…"

"I… might have had a hand in changing her mind."

Weiss nodded. "Winter told us. Or rather, she told us how you convinced her to stay out of the media spotlight after the incident at the Vytal Festival. I, for one, am grateful for your assistance there, Mr Ashari. Both in protecting my sister's reputation and the Schnee name."

In Weiss speak, he liked to think that was a `thank you for looking after my sister`. But, of course, a good Schnee couldn't say that.

"I'm glad I could help. Winter was my student; I wasn't about to let her be dragged down like that."

"Speaking of," Weiss said quickly, smiling like the Blake who had caught the fish, "What do you think of Winter and her progress?"

Jaune held back a groan as he realised what this was all about. Weiss was subtle even at fifteen, and he… well, he wasn't the sharpest sword in the armoury. He could see a hint when it was slapped in his face, though.

Weiss was giving him the nth degree over her sister.

"I really don't think that's a conversation we should be having, Weiss."

"Why not? Winter has done very well for herself, I think. Don't you think so as well, Mr Ashari?"

"I do. Obviously."

"And did you know that she has had many paramours seeking her hand in the past year?"

"No. But it doesn't surprise me."

Weiss leaned forward. "Because you can understand what attracts men to her?"

"I didn't say that."

"Do you find my sister attractive, Mr Ashari?"

"Weiss…"

"It's an easy question."

"It's not one you should be-"

The fridge in the kitchen opened.

"Hm?" He looked back but couldn't see past the wall. Shrugging, he ignored it. "Anyway, it's not a question you should be-"

"Buuuuuurrrrrrrp!"

The loud belch split the air, plunging them both into silence. Weiss' mouth fell open and Jaune's face fell into his hands. "Was that Emerald?" Weiss hissed.

He didn't get a chance to answer as a familiar figure walked around the corner, nursing an open bottle of beer in one hand and a second in the other. Raven wiped her sleeve across her mouth. "'Scuse me."

Weiss surged to her feet. "Mr Ashari! There is an intruder in your house!"

"Yeah. And she's sat on my couch." Raven strolled up, kicking her boots off as she came. Weiss hurried backwards, unsure what to make of the strange and armed woman. That was fine with Raven, who nodded and sat on the spot Weiss had vacated. "That's better." Taking another swig, she brought her feet up on the table and looked his way. "So. New pad? I claim this couch. You can sort me a room later."

Jaune groaned into his hands.

"Oh. And right." Raven looked to Weiss. "New brat? You collecting them now? Vernal must be pissed."

"She isn't-"

"Who are you to address me as brat!?" Weiss hissed. "I am Weiss Schnee, heiress to the SD-"

"That's nice." Raven took a drink. "Mouthier than your little shadow. You're lucky I just gone done beating – sorry, training – someone. Otherwise I'd show you the discipline your mother apparently didn't."

"Raven," Jaune hissed.

"What? Brat stole my couch."

"That's not your couch."

"I saved your life in Menagerie and you won't even give me a couch. Nice."

"Is that what you want to use my favour on?"

"Ha. No." Raven laughed and spread herself out, laying back on the couch and lounging across it. "I'm claiming this through right of conquest."

"You can't just claim furniture…"

"Sure I can. If you want it back, you'll have to come over here and conquer it." Raven shot him a challenging smirk, daring him to try. When he made no move to stand, she snorted. "That's what I thought."

"M-Mr Ashari. Who… what is this?"

"This is… That is…" He trailed off, watching Raven watch him with a raised eyebrow. "That is a very good question, Weiss. A very good question. This is Raven. She's a… um…"

"A friend?" Weiss asked.

"His owner," Raven replied.

"More of a murder-hobo," Jaune said.

Raven glared at him.

"Well, I mean you are technically homeless. It fits…"

"Fuck you."

Sensing Weiss about to start screaming, or worse, making accusations, Jaune hurried to limit the damage. "Weiss, this is the person who helped evacuate your sister and I out of Menagerie when things went bad. She fought back the White Fang to help us."

"Is that so?" Weiss' shoulders relaxed just a little.

"Pretty much." Raven took another swig. "Always pulling his ass out the fire. Your sister just came along for the ride."

"I see." Closing her eyes, Weiss took a deep breath. "Then, Miss Raven, I, Weiss Schnee, owe you a debt of gratitude."

No, no, no.

"Weiss, you shouldn't-"

"I accept this debt." Raven said, speaking over him and sitting up straight with a wild grin on her face. "Good to see you know how the world works, girl. If you like, you can repay it on your sister's behalf. Save her the trouble."

"Raven!"

Weiss nodded. "That sounds reasonable."

Oh God. This was going to end terribly. He fixed Raven with a stern look; one that had little effect other than to make her roll her eyes. "Let's not make any strange deals with the murder-hobo, Weiss. You don't know where she's been."

"Cute." Raven rolled her eyes again. "Not like I make deals with kids, anyway. Already learned that mistake. Stupid, weak, annoying brat." Her voice dipped as she mumbled something about faeries of all things and then took a long drink.

"Busy day?"

"Training a new apprentice of sorts. He's a pain in the ass."

He didn't remember Raven having any students in the past timeline. Then again, they might have died or just finished their training. "Who is it? What's their name?"

Raven paused with the bottle to her lips. "Boris."

"Boris?"

"Boris Borisson. Son of Boris."

Unimpressed, he raised an eyebrow. "Comes from a long line of Boris's?"

Raven affected an amazed expression. "You know him!? It's such a small world."

Ugh. Never mind. "Weiss. Why don't you go and see what Emerald and Whitley are up to?"

The heiress grimaced. "Do I have to? I'm afraid what I might see…"

"I'd really rather you did."

Say what you would about Weiss, but she was not a child who disobeyed her elders. At least those she respected. Nodding politely to him, and then to Raven, she made her way back to the staircase, the slightly heavy stomp of her feet the only indication that she didn't want to.

Raven watched her go and grinned. "Precocious brat. I like her."

"And that worries me more than it should. But your timing isn't bad."

"Oh?"

"I could use your help with something." He shrugged. "Cash it in as another favour if you like, but I'm going to Mistral in a couple of days for a tournament and I was wondering if you could do a little something for me while I'm there."

"I guess that depends on what it is. And whose toes you want me to step on."

"Ozpin's."

"And suddenly, I'm interested."


Poor Vernal stealing the show in this chapter. Well, if you can stomach her. Whether he realises it or not, and obviously he doesn't, Jaune has some odd similarities to Raven. An accidental Raven (which makes all the difference) but still one in his own way.

Emerald lucked out, got the dad and got the good life.

Vernal? Sun? Ren and Nora? Blake?

: (


Next Chapter: 16th February

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur